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.
Thursday 29 September 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday 28 September 2011
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.
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.
Monday 26 September 2011
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.
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.
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.
Thursday 22 September 2011
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.
...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.
Tuesday 13 September 2011
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.
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.
Friday 9 September 2011
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.
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.
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