Category Archives: Technology

Android TV revealed

Google has revealed its latest attempt to takeover the TV, following the flop of Google TV, with Android TV.

The new interface, as the name suggests, leverages all the content deals and interface know-how of Android and simply ports them to the big screen. Movies, TV, Music and of course apps will all be available at the touch of a remote button.

As Google puts it “Android TV is an entertainment interface, not a computing platform […] It’s all about finding and enjoying content with the least amount of friction.”

The interface will also support voice recognition and notifications, though Google is encouraging developers to keep things simple to ensure users actually use the products.

All told Android TV is very similar to Amazon’s just released Fire TV, once again marking how the TV is being seen as the next big battle ground.

A key part of the experience will also be that content from different apps is pushed to the homescreen, allowing for the user to skip having to open specific apps to get to their content.

The interface will also support resuming of content, allowing for seamless switching of screens, from an Android tablet or phone to a TV.

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Xbox One controller getting another update

It has been revealed that the Xbox One controller will be getting another firmware update when the latest Xbox One patch is released.

The update should fix connection and headset issues.

The news is a little surprising given that Microsoft already released a firmware update for its controller in March, which you might have hoped would be the final fix.

However, the process for updating the controller is quick and simple – or at least it was last time – so it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

YouTube paid music service delayed over design problems

YouTube’s planned paid-for music service is being delayed as Google executives are insisting the product launches in a competitive state.

Somewhat contrasting with the Google release philosophy of old, whereby products were simply released in beta and then worked on in a live state, it would appear Google doesn’t want to show its cards too early on this occasion and is holding back.

The service was originally earmarked for release earlier this year but the service has now been delayed until “the second quarter or beyond.”

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Apple documents reveal concern over iPhone sales and Android competition

Internal Apple documents from last April reveal the company was scrambling to identify ways to compete with Android phones as well as keep sales of iPhones from declining.

The documents were revealed in a court session during a trial which is seeing Apple sue Samsung for patent infringement. They were referenced as Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller was being cross examined.

Schiller downplayed the presentation, saying it was for an off-site meeting with “a few sales people” and not something that he attended.

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Project Ara video shows modular phone design progress

Google’s modular phone concept, Project Ara, has been shown off in a new video. The project is one being worked on by the Motorola Advanced Technology and Projects group that Google retained when it sold the rest of Motorola to Lenovo for $2.9billion earlier this year.

The project aims to create a phone that has removable parts that can be replaced and upgraded. So as battery, camera or processor technology improves so your phone can move with the times, without the need to replace the whole thing.

Watch the Project Ara video below:

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S5

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What is the Samsung Galaxy S5?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is the latest flagship Android phone from Samsung. It replaces and upgrade the Samsung Galaxy S4, with a new 16mp camera with phase detection autofocus, a slightly larger 5.1in 1080p screen, faster processor and a heart rate sensor. Chief competitors are the HTC One M8, iPhone 5S, Sony Z2 and LG G2.

 

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HTC One M8

htc-one-m8-silver

What is the HTC One M8?

The HTC One M8 is the HTC’s latest flagship Android phone. It’s an upgrade and replacement for 2013’s HTC One with upgrades including a slightly larger screen (5in compared to 4.7in), a dual camera for clever depth of focus effects, the inclusion of a microSD slot, a larger battery and a faster processor. It retains its luxurious metal build, though unlike most of its competitors it isn’t water resistant.

Chief competitors are the Samsung Galaxy S5, Apple iPhone 5S and LG G2.

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Nvidia G-Sync