17th February 2012

The Advantages of Mobile Phone Review Sites

There are a wide range of sites offering mobile phone reviews.  Review websites not only provide you with information on the specifications of handsets, but also detailed reviews from the editors and visitors of the sites.  By browsing through reviews of specific handsets you can increase your chances of finding a mobile phone that suits your needs. 

Mobile phone review sites enable you to locate specific handsets that you are interested in and browse through the latest reviews.  Ratings are provided with reviews to help you see which handsets are the most popular.  You can also filter reviews so that you can locate handsets by a specific manufacturer. 

Review websites also enable you to get an idea of how a specific handset performs as well as the look and feel of the handset.  Some websites include video reviews with demonstrations of how the phone works to help you get an idea of the phone’s appearance, its weight and how it functions.  Some sites also offer a price comparison feature, allowing you to find your ideal phone at a price that suits you.

+ General Information, Mobile Phones

13th February 2012

Is it game over for Nintendo?

Nintendo’s profits are falling in the face of competition from Smartphones and rival consoles. Nintendo has been around for longer than you think. It began in 1889 as a playing card company, so it would seem unthinkable that it risks of being swept away by more nimble competitors.

The challenge for Nintendo is finding a way to compete against the rise of Smartphone gaming. The company has some great titles but why pay for a separate games console and pay £30 for a game when you can have fun with a title for under a £1 on the device you carry in your pocket every day? The Nintendo Wii can take a lot of credit for the boom in casual gaming but its innovative control system, however many think that there are now better systems by both Sony’s PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect.

Many people think that is would be wise to follow the path taken by Sega more than a decade ago and get out of the console business entirely. This would allow it to focus on making its undeniably brilliant catalogue of games available on other platforms. We shall see how the coming year shapes up for Nintendo.

+ Gaming, Nintendo

9th February 2012

Kinect for Windows

Microsoft has launched a version of Kinect, its voice and motion-controlled sensor, to work with Windows-based PCs. It joins a previous version which was designed for the company’s Xbox 360 games console. This is all new hardware, which allows it to track movements as close as 40cm away, compared to 50cm on the original model.

The enhanced features of the device include “skeletal tracking” and improved speech recognition, as well as the cost of developing a device that works across several systems, rather than a single games console, which has to be good news. In spring 2011, Microsoft decided to release a software development kit which allowed coders to build their own software on the platform. This move has resulted in several innovative uses, including a control mechanism for a search-and-rescue robot, and a scanner to create blueprints for 3D printers.

Kinect holds the world record for being the fastest-selling consumer device in history, shifting over eight million units between November 2010 and January 2011 and recent figures suggest more than 18 million devices have now been sold.

+ Gadgets, Xbox 360

6th February 2012

What Is Website Hosting

In the 21st century one of the most common forms of advertising, brand identity, or even for use in general publicity purposes, is a website on the internet.  Whether the website is constructed by a professional in computer code or by an amateur using ‘Front Page,’ for example, the website still has to be stored by a web server.

Most people tend to use the services of a professional website hosting company. 34SP is one such company, otherwise known as an Internet Service Provider (ISP).  The use of a professional hosting company cuts down on expense for the individual and also ensures reliability.  The professional website hosting companies can ensure that bugs and viruses are kept to a minimum.  They also have the sophisticated software that can guarantee that the website runs efficiently and quickly.  The costs for hosting a website with a professional ISP cover all the statutory licensing requirements, the services of 24 hour professional technical support, as well as the use of incredibly powerful servers which can ensure that your website is always accessible and visible on the internet.

+ Internet

30th January 2012

Data storage, why is it so important?

It’s unlikely that you have your own power station at home and you probably keep your money in a bank, not stuffed inside your mattress. But you almost certainly keep your important digital files, such as documents, photos, music and videos, on a hard drive in your house. Many people are well organised and decide to backup all that data, but you probably keep your backups on another hard drive somewhere in your house. In the event of a catastrophe of one sort or another burglary, or a flood for example, you could lose both copies of your data.

There are many external sources that will allow you to back up your data, for example BT Digital Vault online file and photo storage lets you safely store important or large files like photos or videos without the need for expensive hard drives or disks, and can be accessed from any computer. Windows Live SkyDrive offers 25GB of free online storage. Your stuff is stored in the cloud which means you can access it from any web-enabled PC. There are many others and it is well worth considering getting external data storage.

+ Desktop Computers, General Information, Internet, Laptops

28th January 2012

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Review

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is an ideal choice for those looking for a high-spec Android phone that offers a sleek design and all the latest in smartphone technology.  One of the phone’s most prominent features is its 4.5 inch super AMOLED screen, which enables users to watch HD videos directly on the phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is perfect for those looking for a phone that is user-friendly and suitable for multi-tasking.  Running on Android 4.0 Ice cream Sandwich, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus enables faster web-browsing as well as instant access to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  Users also have access to features such as a media player, music player and a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus.  The phone also features a video recorder, which enables users to record high-definition videos.

For those looking for a phone that offers plenty of unique features, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a great choice.  The phone includes a face unlocking feature, which enables users to unlock their phones using their own face and there is also a voice recognition feature which can be used for text messages and security purposes.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus offers plenty of widgets, which can easily be organised on the phone’s home screen, and users can also install a variety of applications and games.  The phone also includes multi-touch controls to provide a more user-friendly handset.  Users are also provided with plenty of notification features, including a notification light, when messages or other alerts are received.

There are a wide range of comparison sites that provide users with a detailed Samsung Galaxy Nexus review as well as information on all the latest deals for the handset.  Exploring the many review sites and price comparison sites will enable you to find a deal that suits your requirements.

+ Android OS, Mobile Phones, Samsung

26th January 2012

New data protection proposed

A new law promising internet users the “right to be forgotten” will be proposed by the European Commission on Wednesday. It says people will be able to ask for data about them to be deleted and firms will have to comply unless there are “legitimate” grounds to retain it. The move is part of a wide-ranging overhaul of the commission’s 1995 Data Protection Directive.

A spokesman for the commissioner clarified that the action was designed to help teenagers and young adults manage their online reputations. It would seem that the new rules are particularly aimed at young people as they are not always as aware as they could be about the consequence of putting photos and other information on social network websites, or about the various privacy settings available. However, not everyone is happy at the new proposals and some tech firms have expressed concern about the reach of the new bill.

+ General Information, Internet

16th January 2012

What to Expect From a WordPress Hosting Company

There are so many WordPress hosting companies in the world today that is often very bewildering for the user to know how to select the best company for their purposes.

The Manchester based WordPress hosting company, 34SP.com, in common with most independent industry analysts, suggests that the novice looks at online user forums and, importantly, makes sure that the technical support offered by the web hosting company is 24/7 and 365 days a year.  It is no use to have a blog or website running and if there is no-one to turn to when something goes wrong.  Another avenue to explore, either for recommendation or general comment, is the host company’s Twitter site.

A company that is confident in its ability to deliver what is promised should offer a trial period so that the new customer can see for themselves that the service provided is what was promised.  The Search Engine, Google, offers a huge array of comment on web and WordPress hosting and some short term research may help the novice come to the right decision about what will suit them best.

Most WordPress host companies will be able to look after both blogs and websites and it is vital to ask your chosen host supplier any niggling questions at the outset.  Most responsible companies do offer technical telephone support.

WordPress has made online communication so easy that anyone who wishes to can take part in this publishing phenomenon.

+ General Information, Internet

15th January 2012

New IT Curriculum for schools on the way

The Royal Society has suggested ways the government can overhaul information and communications technology (ICT) teaching in schools. It follows promises from Education Secretary Michael Gove to scrap the way the subject is taught currently. If you remember the IT lessons that we had at school, they were around forty of our and the teachers time wasted when he or she spent the time reading off a sheet in a bid to help us ‘learn’ how to use a spreadsheet or word document.

For most of us we went home and hijacked mum or dad’s computer surfing what was the ‘world wide web’. In short, the IT or information and communications technology (ICT) curriculum, as it called today, was not considered a proper subject by either the teacher or pupils. This is why it is also brilliant to hear that Education Secretary Michael Gove will be working with the technology industry and universities to create the next generation ‘open source’ IT school curriculum.

+ Education

7th January 2012

New Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones

Sony Ericsson is known to manufacture some of the most functional mobile phones on the market today. With more than half of the population in the UK owning a mobile phone, many are making the switch to Sony Ericsson because of the wide product selection, great deals and reliable mobile devices. Sony Ericsson already has many loyal customers, and just a few months ago, the company announced the release of two new feature phones. Feature phones are not the same as smartphones, but they are not a basic mobile phone either. The Mix Walkman and the Txt Pro are the two new Sony Ericsson mobile phones. These devices do so much more than just make basic phone calls. They may not have all of the fancy features that are found in the smartphone market, but they do offer some fantastic elements that are exclusive to Sony Ericsson. The Mix Walkman was designed with music very much in mind, allowing users to have access to a media player, song IS, music ringtones, a track download service and stereo Bluetooth. Many users enjoy having the capability to store hundreds of quality MP3s on their phone and to be able to listen to the songs at any time. In addition, the phone offers email access and instant messaging, USB syncing, a 3.2 megapixel camera and a 3-inch touch screen. The Txt Pro is just as it sounds and has been specially designed for those who text on a regular basis. With a slide-out keyboard, messaging has never been easier. This feature phone also features a media player, MicroSD slot, personal organiser, PC modem support and integrated Twitter and Facebook applications.

+ Mobile Phones, Sony Ericsson