Monday 29 April 2013

HTC One Creative Photography


HTC
The HTC One has been out a few days now and people have been getting creative with its awesome features. One of its most attractive features is Zoe. Basically this is a bit of a multimedia mix which includes a short three second video along with a picture. Yes, three seconds doesn't sound like much, but this feature of the HTC One is actually quite enjoyable. It can then be uploaded to social media or emailed. I've included a video below which shows CNET's Donald Bell running through some of the camera's features. Enjoy!




Monday 22 April 2013

Blinkfeed Customization in HTC One



HTC One Blinkfeed

For those of us who have the HTC One you may have noticed that the home screen is set by default to be Blinkfeed. Blinkfeed is basically a  feed that consists of news and social networking updates. This is indeed very useful as it keeps you up to date. As useful as it may be, at sometime or another you might want to change the home screen or just customize Blinkfeed itself. Since this is not as easy as it should be, I've included a tutorial below from CNET which shows everything you need to know about Blinkfeed customization. Hope you enjoy it and don't forget to comment below.
For more info on the HTC One, click here.




Thursday 18 April 2013

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Review


 Samsung NoteSo, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is out.This is Samsung's latest tablet offering. Does Samsung deliver with this tablet? Well, read on and find out.
Firstly, the tablet has a screen size of 8", which is smaller than the Note 10.1. It runs the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS with a 1.6GHz quad core processor. Along with the tablet itself comes Samsung's S pen. Not only does the S pen function in the same manner as a stylus, it also has the added capability of controlling the images on screen simply by hovering over it. Yes, that's right, it doesn't have to actually touch the screen to make whatever changes are required. This is certainly something new  and it does work quite well. One unfortunate disadvantage of this however, is that even when you don't want to make any changes to your screen, inadvertently moving the S pen over it causes an input  to be made. Let me tell you, this can get quite annoying after a while, so using the S pen might take some getting used to at first. 
The  interface for this tablet is quite  user friendly. As in the Note 10.1, you can see your  apps on the top of the screen which allows for easy access. You can also delete some of the apps shown at the top as well. Additionally, there is a multi window mode for those who wish to multitask, something I find this tablet really
caters for. You are able to switch seamlessly between many different apps.
The tablet also has an app called WatchON which allows it to be sort of a tv guide. All you have to do is type in your favorite show and the tablet presents you with an array of options which you can use to view the program. Additonally, through the use of an infrared port the app allows it to act as a universal remote. Both of these features I find to be quite appealing.
One of the major disadvantages of the Note 8 however, is that the screen resolution is not 1080p HD(Max resolution is 1280*800 pixels). I find this to be rather disappointing especially for a tablet that costs nearly $400. It should also be noted that this tablet is WiFi only.
In conclusion I would say that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is overall quite a good tablet. If you're really into multitasking and do a lot of note taking then this tablet is definitely for you. However, if you're used to that HD screen then you should definitely look elsewhere as this tablet falls short in that department. Another thing, if you are not really going to use the S pen, then cheaper tablet alternatives like the Nexus 7 would probably be a better fit. For more on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 including order info, click here and...

Don't forget to share and comment below, thanks guys.


Tuesday 16 April 2013

Facebook Home Review


Facebook Home HTC First
Facebook launched their software Facebook Home a few days ago. This is Facebook's first incursion into the software market and the software comes pre-installed on the HTC First cellphone. Phonedog gives their first impressions of the software in the video below. Check it out and don't forget to give your impressions of Facebook Home in the comment section below.






Saturday 13 April 2013

LG Lucid 2 Review


LG Lucid
Hey guys, today let's take a look at the LG Lucid 2. This is a midrange smartphone device which you can get for free if you sign a two year contract with Verizon. It runs the Android operating system and has  a 4.3 inch display. It's smaller than other smartphones, but hey, it's free(kind of). 
It has the ability to record video in 1080p HD and has a pretty alright 5 mega pixel camera. In addition to the above, it's got 4GLTE connectivity. Check out the review below courtesy of Phonedog.


Friday 12 April 2013

Roku 3 Streaming Player Review


Roku 3 with remoteSo, let's talk about Roku. For those of us who are new to this name, Roku is a company that is at the forefront of TV streaming technology. The Roku player itself doesn't require a computer to run. You simply have to connect it to your TV and access your wireless router internet connection. There it is, streaming television at its best.




The first thing one notices about the Roku 3 is its incredible speed. Roku have used a much faster processor in this model so that  navigating the user interface is a breeze.Also, on the topic of the user interface, they have also upgraded it so that it now looks more modern and also has greater ease of use. In the older versions of the Roku, you could only see five channels at any time, but now there are nine of them on screen at any one time. Check out the screenshot below. (For those of you who own an older version of the Roku, don't worry because you will have access to the interface shown below via a software update).
roku gui
Roku gives you access to approximately 750 channels. Yes, that's a heck of a lot of programming. Stations such as Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus and Flickr are all there. Note that many of the channels require a separate paid subscription to view. There is one major drawback to the Roku and that's the inability to stream Youtube. There are workarounds for this however, and they can be found online.
Now on to the remote. Roku has done a good job with this remote as it has a good design without too many buttons. What is particularly interesting is the earphones that come with it which afford you the ability to listen to your programming without disturbing anyone else at home. This would be especially useful for those with children at home.
Roku 3 Remote
Another impressive feature about the remote is that it is fitted with motion control technology to play games. Considering that Angry Birds Space comes free with the Roku 3, you'll surely be testing out this feature. One thing to keep in mind is that you need an HDMI connection port on your television for the Roku 3 to work. Obviously, this would mean that you have to buy an HDMI cable as well.
Overall, the Roku 3 stands head and shoulders above the rest of the streaming community. If you're just starting out with internet streaming TV or are  a seasoned veteran, the Roku 3 is definitely for you.
For more info on the Roku 3, click here.

Have your say on your views about the new Roku below.

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Tekken Tag 2 Heihachi Guide





One of my favorite games is Tekken. For those who don't know, Tekken is a fighting game produced by NAMCO games. The latest installment is known as Tekken Tag Tournament 2. In my opinion it is the best fighting game around. It can get a bit technical at times though, and this is where getting a hold of solid tutorials can be crucial to mastering the game. Below you will find a video done by TheMainMan showing how to master Heihachi Mishima. The main man is one of the best mishima players I've seen and the tutorial is certainly the best I've come across. Please support his efforts by rating and subscribing to his channel( I've done so already).


Tuesday 2 April 2013

The Last of Us Red Band Trailer




Naughty Dog Studios have released the trailer for their highly anticipated game, The Last of Us. This game is undoubtedly one of the most awe inspiring games graphics wise that has so far been released. The game looks next gen even though it's a PS3 exclusive and it's in stores from June 2013. Check out the trailer below courtesy of IGN

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