iPhone 4S and new iPods

So the long wait is over and I can't help but feel underwhelmed. No iPhone 5, what we got instead was an improved 4 and slight improvements on the Nano and touch.

The iPhone 4S has an improved chip set with the core processor twice as fast as the iPhone4 and a dual core graphics processor that is reportedly seven times faster the the 4. It sports an improved 8Mp camera fully capable of 1080p video recording. As for operating systems it will run the all new iOS5 and will be the first device to include 'Siri' an electronic personnel assistant, making most apps now voice controlled. The big change for me is the availability of a top of the range model that boast a 64GB hard drive (finally.) I have been waiting patiently since the first iPhone for a decent sized hard disk and this is the first time they even come close. Why they thought people who filled their 40GB iPods would switch to 4GB iPhones, with all the extra content that the iPhones had, was beyond your humble reviewer. As was the fact that many people did.

The Nano is largely un-improved. It has not had a size increase (hardly surprising with its physical dimensions.) the main difference being an improved os that includes a whole new "Clock Face" function that compliments the trend for wearing nanos as watches. Like the nano the touch just gets a software upgrade, but the plus side this upgrade is to iOS5 which will give the touch much the same functionality as the iPhone4S (without the 3G.)

You can buy the iPod Nano and iPhone 4 on spree4. iPhone4s coming soon.

Apple iPod and iPhone spoilers.

Ahead of next Tuesday's Apple event, a few spoilers have leaked.

Apparently their have been 5 changes to the internal apple inventory. 2 under the iPhone heading and 3 under the iPod heading. So we are expecting large scale changes to the iLine. For the first time we may have to models of iPhone available. Suggestions being an upgraded iPhone 4 and an iPhone 5. Also it seems they may be throwing their weight behind the already super cool iPod nano's. Suggestions are that the range will be expanded to have 3 different sizes (possibly 8gb, 16gb and 32gb).

Other suggestions are the removal of the shuffle and classic from the line.

Personally I’m a massive fan of the Classic. Its audio quality is arguably better than the touch or the iPhone. Its storage space sets it clearly in a league of its own. I can't see the benefit of removing the only item that fits into the high storage market. For that reason i can't see them dropping it, unless sales have dropped below some minimum level and even than i would hope they would than release a touch with at least 100gb storage.

With regards to the shuffle, it does have its market being a cheap mp3 player. That said the nano is pretty much the same size with infinitely more functionality, the only problem being the difference in price though they may well fill the gap with a cheaper entry level nano.

The hint seems to be, if you want a classic or shuffle it may be the wrong decision to wait to long before buying one.

Kindle Touch and Fire not available in the UK.

Hot on the heels of the exciting of Amazons reveal of their new products yesterday, comes a baffling snub to their British customers.

The stars of the new kindle range the hoped “iPad killer” Kindle Fire and the new Kindle touch. Will not be available in the UK. If this is a temporary thing like the original release or a permanent thing like the kindle dx (the big brother to the re-branded kindle keyboard) we don't know. Its rather surprising and we can only assume it is to do with the supply of these new devices.

In a possible exclusive I can also let you know that as yet, the sales policy of these products are for sale to US residents only. Therefore if you import one you will be unable to register it with Amazon.co.uk.

Its a real shame. In this one act Amazon have suggested they are unable to take on apple, which for a moment seemed to be their intention. Apple's products are released on both sides of the Atlantic within a few weeks of each other. While Amazon products are sometimes never available this side of the pond.

Amazon release new Kindle....range.

A month ago we blogged about rumours of a new kindle. We detailed the wild and disparate speculation and tried to pick it apart and make some educated guesses. Today we found out who was right. Everyone!! The contradictory reports now explained as not being one product, but three.

Amazon supremo Jeff Bezos, makes an early play for the public shoes Steve Job retired from recently. A very telling strategy as he was releasing the first tablet to really have the potential to worry apples dominance of the market, that being the Kindle Fire. The fire will sport a full colour screen and i'm sure will boast the kind of seamless usability that marked the current kindle as such a winner. The Kindle fire is slightly smaller than the iPad(2) at 7 inches long, and only sports a 6gb memory (with it relying heavily on the above mentioned connection to Amazon's services and cloud storage.) The big plus point over the iPad is the price, it will be set a roughly half the price of the entry level iPad.

The fire wasn't the only new product either they have updated the kindle eBook reader into 2 new products. The Kindle touch and the Kindle (with the old kindle becoming the Kindle Keyboard.) As you may have already guessed the kindle touch allows you to control your kindle just by touch. They have stripped all other controls from the case thanks to this the touch is 8% lighter, boasts even longer battery life and more storage than the original. It still boasts the ePerl eInk screen for zero eye strain. The Kindle lacks the touch screen and sports a single 5way button, it will only be available in wifi only, but thanks to this should come in at under £100 when the UK prices are confirmed.

Another interesting move that we hope will be replicated here is that you can now buy subsidised kindle eBook readers. In that by agreeing to the presence of some adverts on your kindle (i.e when in power save mode,) you will get up to 30% off.

We can't wait to hear the UK release date and prices.

Samsung Seeks iPhone 5 injunction.

In yet more silly posturing by the worlds electronics giants. Samsung are seeking an injunction that would stop the iPhone 5 release in Europe. Bad news for those of us eagerly awaiting its release, and those wanting to upgrade their iPhone 4s or 3gs. I'm sure this will only aid sales of Samsung's hoped iPhone killer the Galaxy S2.

Samsung insist that the as yet un-seen iPhone 5 will rely heavily on technology's slavishly copied from their own patented tech. The real question being how do they know. We can only assume that the new iPhone 5 shares a few core components with the S2 that have tipped Samsung off.

So the wait for the 5 may end up being a lot longer than we hoped.

Pulp Fiction Reel to Reel tape deck.

Your erstwhile reviewer was having a night in with friends. We happened across Quentin Tarantino genre defining film Pulp Fiction, on one or other of the generic movie channels. This being one of our favourite films the remote was placed safely on the arm rest and viewing joy ensued.

In an audio geek extraordinaire moment, I could not get over just how cool Mia's Reel to Reel tape recorder was. It's a lovely piece of audio nostalgia.

While not offering the versatility, storage space and all-round awesomeness of modern day music systems like the Sonus s5. I can’t help but be awed by how cool the simple reel to reel player is. True if I was to own one it would hold nothing but the pulp fiction sound track and go largely unused.

Its definitely a style over substance issue. At the price the Teac X-2000R change hands for these days you could buy a rather comprehensive Sonus set-up, or a small set-up with an iPad to use as a controller.

I think unfortunately the tech geek in me would always win over the nostalgic audio geek.

Where is the iPhone5.

Where is it?...

...I did consider leaving this post thus. That aside, we had very reliable sources say that iPhone 5 would be on limited "beta" release in June this year. Its 3 months later and we have had to strip our source of their "reliable" status. Its not something we liked doing and damn you apple for making us do it.

So what is going on. Rumours have been abound pretty much since a week after the iPhone 4 came out. Over the proceeding months, the rumour mill has moved from suggesting an iPhone Nano, iPhone 4gs and back to iPhone 5. We think the time lag screams of new handset as opposed to an improved version like the 3gs.

So when do we expect to see it? Some people are saying early October. I think we have probably missed the boat for this year, unless of course their are hundreds of warehouses across the world filled with i5s ready to ship.

If you can't wait why not check the price on the iPhone 4 over at spree4.com.

NewsFlash: Microsoft to release windows 8.

Very surprising news from microsoft. They have yet again released a new version of windows. Perhaps caused by the need to release windows 7 fast due to the negative reaction to vista.

Microsoft hope that windows 8 will regain the ground they have lost to andriod in mobile devices. They claim that windows 8 will work across laptops, desktops, tablets and other touch screen devices.

Interesting news we can't wait to have a good look at the new windows. Lets hope it isn't another lame duck.

IFA Expo

Keeping our disappointment at bay at the withdrawal of the Samsungs Galaxy tablet ( due to yet more ridiculous patent infringement lawsuits.) Its been an exciting week for tech fans thanks to the IFA Expo in Berlin.

Top of the tech treats as was the case in Vegas at the beginning of the year is 3d TV without glasses. While I’ve made my opinion on 3d TV in general very clear, it can’t be denied that this is very cool tech. Toshibas ZL2 is 55 inch’s of sheer brilliance. The TV actually tracks your face so to correctly calibrate the TV. So no blurring or headaches if your not straight on.

While we are on the subject of 3d if you wish your 3d experience to be a little more private why not try Sony’s new personal 3d viewer. It can be connected to your blueray player or ps3 and gives superb 3d pictures and 5.1 virtual surround sound. While not as clunky as the old vr headsets its definitely channelling their style. If you feel you can rock the Geordi La Forge look why not give it a go.

Ford have introduced their MyKey device which takes the personally defined settings seen in some high end cars and runs with it. Among other things mykey allows parents to set maximum speeds and max volumes on a key, so no more worries about those speeding tickets for your teenagers should you lend them the car.

While the Samsung kept their tablet away from the expo, as at the moment it is not available in Germany pending the results of apples patent infringement suit. They did show case their slate computer. The slate is effectively a portable desktop, complete with ultra thin touch screen tablet and paper thin keyboard and looks very cool.

Looking Back: Amazon Kindle

The Amazon kindle appeared on our radar around about the time this blog came into being. While it had been out briefly before, it was starting to make big waves in the tech world. Amazon cleverly had ignored the apple inspired rush for top of the range functionality and top of the range prices, and instead went for something simpler and more importantly cheaper.

By keeping the kindle simple yet fantastically designed they single handedly lit a fire under the fledgling eBook industry. While others will point to competitor models and claim them "better". This was a case of good enough being, well...good enough. The kindle at 8.5mm was incredibly thin, with up to 2 months battery life and a capacity of around 3,500 books the kindle had the specs were it needed it. The kindle like many of its competitors made use of eInk screens that allowed for zero eyestrain on those using it. The inclusion of wi-fi and 3g was an inspiration allowing for easy access to amazons huge library from almost anywhere in the world all included in the purchase price (another fantastic idea.)

What really knocked my socks off though was Whispernet! The fact that the kindle would seamlessly update a central server with where I was up to in my book was a wonder. Meaning that if your kindle wasn't to hand and you picked up your android phone or laptop or iPhone (using their freely available apps,) you could continue from where you left off. This is were the kindle really wins over its rivals, its a service you are buying not just a device. The kindle itself is just an interface to that service, admittedly a beautifully designed interface but its the extras that Amazon include in the already low price that make the kindle the market leader now and for the foreseeable future.

Did the kindle live up to its hype. It most certainly did, amazon have sold many tens of millions and the reviews seem to be nothing but positive. The kindle was in great demand by spree4 users and has been very popular in the short time it has been available on the site.

New Kindle?

The Amazon Kindle has been an unquestionable success for Amazon. It managed to do what other companies (including Amazon itself,) had failed to do and open the eBook market to everyone.

Over the last 12 months there has been lots of rumour about the next kindle. It would have a touch screen, it would be high res, it would be colour etc etc. All of it had the distinct smell of being made up. The simple fact has been that as the kindle sold in ever increasing quantities, Amazon had no real reason to add any of the functions above that are not necessary to the kindle's functioning as an eBook reader. The public seemed quite happy to buy the kindle as is, and the drop in price over time just sweetened the deal. Lets not forget that even though kindle is a fantastic bit of kit it isn't "the best" eBook reader on the market. It works, its simple, its well designed and its cheap.

So what’s changed. Well Amazon recently reduced the price of its refurbished kindles and looks set to follow with a reduction on new units. If they are following the apple model this generally signals a stock clearing before an upgrade. Also Amazon have just registered a new domain kindlescribe.com. Unless this is baiting us tech bloggers to get some free marketing (and I wouldn't put it past them,) this seems very suggestive we are about to get a new kindle.

An educated guess would be that the new kindle will incorporate a stylus that will allow the reader to annotate their eBooks. i.e. to right in the margin or highlight paragraphs much easier. Not a massive upgrade so expect to see more storage space and higher res screens.

We'll keep digging and let you know the minute we find any better facts.

If you can't wait why not buy the excellent Amazon Kindle on our parent site Spree4.com.

Getting on a bit!

So it’s August and we are fast approaching this blogs first anniversary. #PartyTime

It’s been an interesting time and we’ve enjoyed providing Tech news for our followers, our friends and those just passing through. We hope we have been of use, or at the very least mildly entertaining. We know you have a choice in your tech news sites and appreciate your patronage. Our parent site Spree4.com has gone from strength to strength offering great savings on consumer goods, following on from the site redesign that hit our screens earlier this year they have some interesting plans for the coming months (watch this space.)

Over the next few months we’ll be looking back at those products that have made the biggest splash over the last 12 months, discussing if they lived up to the hype, what impact they had on our lives or failed to have (I’m looking at you 3d tv.). We’ll also be looking at those rumoured products that will be lighting up the last few months of this year or the first few of next. In November we will be naming our product(s) of the year to mark our first birthday. It realise is exciting times hear in spree4 towers.

Wii U Hit of E3

Nintendo becomes the first of the Big 3 to release details of their new console. Not only that but the the lucky people at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo.) have even got their grubby little mits on it. So far the reviews are positive.

Nintendo Wii U.

So just what is new with the new console. Well at heart its an update on the Wii. It boasts faster processing and better (HD) graphics. So far so underwhelming, but lets not forget that the Wii was hardly technically ground breaking. The wii was essentially an updated GameCube (faster with better graphics,) and many thought it could not survive against the xBox 360 and the PS3. What was ground-breaking and the saviour of the Wii was its control system. The exceptional control system added to Nintendo's targeting at the "Family" market, leaving xBox and PlayStation to fight over the "Gamer" market. It was 4 years before we saw something that had the potential to steal Nintendo family crown when the Kinnect was released. Those clever guys at Nintendo have done the same again.

New controller.

The Wii U has been given another revolutionary control system. Joining the wand and Nunchaku is a tablet controller. This tablet has a large screen which is also touch screen and a camera. This screen allows for exceptional game play. Already on the cards are wii sports style games Were the tablet allows one to zoom into something on screen or for a dungeon master to move his minions to trap the players. Where one player(the one with the tablet) is the hunted and upto four players track him down (as the tablet allows one player to have a unique view.) We used to play something similar with four TVs, an ample amount of cardboard and goldeneye (No radars). Also the tablet allows games to be played without the a TV as well.

Controlling Link's inventory.

Now some hardcore gamers I've talked to aren't impressed. I however am and it seems those that have actually played with it are with me. Nintendo seem very good at making innervative games that make the most of their controllers. I can see them making some really wonders using this new control method.

If you can't wait why not go to spree4.com where you can get a Nintendo Wii, a Microsoft xBox with Kinect or a Sony Playstation 3 for as little as a tenner.

iPad 2 Hits Britain's Stores this month!

Around about 2 hours ago and several thousand thousand Miles away. Steve Jobs took the podium, in a surprise move after he stood down from Apple (hopefully temporarily) on medical grounds. The reason he thought he had to be their "We have been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss today." Good on you Steve (or should it Mr Jobs???) and can I take this opportunity to wish you a speedy recovery.

The product he was talking about is of course the iPad2. For those that have been living in a hole for a year, iPad was released last year and has single handedly (does an iPad have hands?) kick started the long stalled tablet market. Earlier this year at the CES in Las Vegas many companies were releasing their iPad killers, but as we said "while everyone fights for a piece of the iPad market, what clever little gadget are Apple technicians working on". Well we get our first answer (of many we hope) here.

On first glance the iPad 2 has raised the bar once more. They have managed to shave 33% of the thickness, which is good going as iPad wasn't really that thick to start. It boosts the new A5 processor which will make the iPad 2 twice as fast, with graphics processing more than 8 times faster. It also comes with a camera which allows for iPad users to use the facetime, and for those who are just a little bit shallow it will now come in white as well as black. The only disappointment is that it still comes with a maximum of 64GB storage, and as yet no hint of the rumoured mini sd expansion slot.

So when is it available? It will hit UK stores on 25th March. When will it be available on spree4? Well that would be telling.....

What Hi Fi Review of Sonos S5

What Hi Fi have reviewed the Sonos S5 and given it 5 stars.

"..perfectly pitched, stylistically and technologically – a premium-feeling proposition that we described as being 'as close to hi-fi as wi-fi gets'."

"..the S5 is the perfect way to begin or extend your Sonos system."

We at Spree4 couldn't agree more, the Sonos system is incredible. So easy to setup and so easy to expand. It really does set your music free.

We also can't help the nerd in us wanting to go the whole hog and get an iPad to use as a controller.

iPad controller!!!

PS3s Banned in Britain.

In a rather bizarre turn of events LG have successfully won a ten day import ban on Playstation 3s. LG accuse Sony of patent infraction with regards to blueray playback, and Judges in the Hague have agreed to this temporary ban on PS3 imports into Europe. LG are also seeking a similar ban in the states to.

This latest patent row joins a long list of big names arguing over patent infractions. Nokia vs Apple, Oracle vs Google over the use of java to build android. Normally these sorts of things are just part of licensing negotiations. Simply a tactic to gain an increased margin for the patent holders or as results of buy outs from companies with stricter interpretations of agreements, but this escalation to actual import bans is worrying. As big businesses play hard ball and armies of lawyers look over complex licensing agreements, it only seems to be the consumer that will suffer. In the case of Sony and LG it seems even worse for the consumer as this is just the latest in a long line of tit for tat patent suits.

Reports already show that Sony has little intention on budging on their side of the dispute and LG are eager to extend the ban past 10 days. Is it long before we see shortages of PS3s? Only time will tell.

Definite belated congratulations to h0rs3y and terrilou who managed to buy PS3s for less than a tenner.

Apple Confirms Date of iPad2 event.

Bringing months of speculation to a close. Apple today have sent out invites to join them on the 2nd March in San Francisco for a very specail event. The invites are quite suggestive.

So on the 2nd March we should be able to put the rumours to bed, we'll know just what Apple have got in store for us. Will it be the long rumoured iPad2 or will the todays rabid speculation of a iPad xl or iPad nano (isn't that a iTouch,) be closer to the mark. Watch this space.

Spree4 Eye on the Rumour Mill.

The job of a technology Blogger is not an easy one.

We deal in rumours, we make wild assumptions on little evidence and sometimes we're even right.

So we thought we'd bring you the current rumours doing the rounds and our opinion of how likely they are.

First Up iPad 2. The rumours have been flying for a while now, we ourselves thought we'd have heard by now. Confirmed pictures of components have been released by Apple's suppliers. Seeing as the theme of the CES earlier this year was "iPad" Killers it may be that Apple are making sure that iPad2 blows the competitors out of the water, before setting a release date. The most interesting rumour is the addition of a expansion slot for SD cards, quite likely as this has been the only real issue most technology bloggers have had with the iPad. Rumour rating very likely.

iPhone 5/iPhone Nano. This comes from nothing more than Apple's standard release windows. Many have speculated that due to the problems iPhone 4 had and the threat of Andriod phones they would rush out the next iPhone. Others believe that the stage is set for a smaller edition of the iPhone to take on the likes of the HTC WildFire. Rumour rating possible.

iPad XL. Taking a leaf from the Amazon kindle's book, are apple to release a larger version of the iPad? Rumour rating i wouldn't bet on it.

Amazon Kindle Colour. Colour versions of the e-ink used in the Kindle are coming to market. Is it possible Amazon will update the hugely successful kindle with a colour screen. Its possible but Amazon kindle is popular because its a very good bit of kit but its cheap. Amazon are unlikely to add unnecessary functionality without it being cost effective. Rumour rating not any time soon.

New Blog Site.

Why not have a look at Spree4.com's new blog.

The Name That Game Blog. Which gives info on spree4's facebook game.

Find the new blog here.

2011 International CES - Tablets, tablets everywhere.

Rather un-surprisingly this year's CES has seen every man and his dog release their "iPad Killer" tablet PCs.

Toshiba announce they would ditch their "Folio" Tablet, in favour of a new as yet unnamed tablet. The new tablet should be released in spring and promises some very powerful tech specs.

Sharp to quote the great man himself "...saw an over-crowded market and shouted me to."-Homer with the the "Galapagos". The Galapagos boasts a 16:9 LCD touch screen and wi-fi.

Panasonic to wants a piece of the action with its VIERA Tablet.The tablet will connect seamlessly with Panasonic's internet-connected TVs, it wil be able to display information and images relating to what you're watching on your main screen. The VIERA tablet will also be aided greatly by Panasonic's announcement that the "Connect" platform will be opened to third-party developers. This should help the VIERA to have a real chance at grabbing some of iPads market share.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. So the apple chiefs must be very very flattered. I though can't help but think while everyone fights for a piece of the iPad market, what clever little gadget are Apple technicians working on to open up new markets?

2011 International CES - LG

Early news from the CES in Las Vegas.

Korean Electronics giant LG have confirmed their intention to drop the active shutter design for 3D TVs in favour of a polarised model. I'm no expert but polarisation has always seemed the better option to the physicists part of me. Its more elegant and it seems LG agree.

LG's reasons. The new screen they have developed to allow the use of simple polarised lenses are cheaper than the screens used in their current active shutter sets. Also polarised glasses cost around £1 each instead of the £100 that a single Active Shutter set would cost. Its not just about cost though, LG claim the polarised glasses offer a far better user experience.

LG intend to release up to 5 polarised 3D models in the next 3 months, with this brave step they hope to firmly set themselves as the major player in 3D TV. In my opinion they may just do it.

2011 International Consumer Electronics Show

Here at Spree4.com we are really looking forward to the goodies that will be released at CES 2011 in Vegas. Very very unfortunately we(I) wont be there, but you can guarantee we will be keeping our eyes peeled and ears to the ground as big names like LG, Samsung, Panasonic and Sony exhibit their new products for the year.

Expected highlights are the new generation of 3d tvs, oLED screens, and wireless streaming of music and Movies. Will Sonos finally have any competition, this reviewer is sceptical.

Watch this space.