Category Archives: News

05Sep 2011

Philips announced Fidelio Docking Stations for Android

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The one problem with not owning an iPod or iPhone is the lack of peripherals specifically available for your phone. Android is humongously popular, but each phone manufacturer seems to do things differently and, hence, its difficult to produce “one size fit alls” solutions.

Philips, however, have announced a number of new docking stations which a special 3D pivoting connector so that, wherever your USB connector is, it will work.

Philips Fidelio for Android are based on the same speaker systems as the Fidelio for Apple range. There are 3 products in the range, one of which is a bedside alarm clock. Accompanying the range is an Android App that does more than let you control the speaker’s functions – for example, it will stream internet radio and provide a multi-function alarm clock with weather alert.

Due in the UK in November, prices have not yet been announced.

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01Sep 2011

ReTrak high speed HDMI 1.4 retractable cables

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Building on from their success in the United States and Canada, Emerge Technologies is bringing their ReTrak brand of high speed HDMI Cables to the UK.

Emerge will initially bring 70 of their top retractable accessories products to the UK market, which cover the main categories of mobile and smartphone, iPod and MP3, tablet, eBook reader, notebook and netbook, audio and gaming. The entire ReTrak line-up features retractable cables, which offers convenience and ultra portability. Also, the ‘ThinPlug’ is now integrated into the design of all ReTrak’s electrical wall and combination products and is the world’s smallest folding plug.

Joining ReTrak’s existing lineup is the company’s newest retractable ‘Standard’ HDMI Cable for HDTV, Blu-ray, PS3 and Xbox; the ‘Mini’ HDMI Cable  for digital cameras, camcorders, and other portable devices; the ‘Micro’ HDMI Cable for mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, camcorders, notebooks and more.  Also available is the unique Retractable Multi Pack which features the ‘standard’ cable plus adaptors for ‘mini’, ‘micro’ and DVI for virtually any audio/video connection. All HDMI 1.4 Cables are 1080p resolution and speed-rated at 10.2 Gbps. The retractable housing makes the cables extremely compact and lightweight, and ultra portable. The whole cable fits right in the palm of your hand.

ReTrak’s new HDMI Cables are available now, along with the rest of their range, at WHSMITH Travel, Amazon.co.uk, PC World, Currys, Dixons online and in store.

15Aug 2011

The SPEEDLINK XEOX Gamepad

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I often get press releases from SPEEDLINK – gaming mice and the such for PCs. However, a recent announcement got me interested.

They are due to reveal at Gamescon a number of console accessories, one of which is named the XEOX Gamepad – the image is to the right (click for a larger version). Here’s how SPEEDLINK describe it…

The Xbox 360® gamepad from Microsoft® represents the pinnacle of ergonomic analogue stick placement – and now thanks to SPEEDLINK®, PS3® gamers can also enjoy what it feels like to have an optimally positioned analogue stick. The XEOX Wireless Gamepad for the PS3® transports the Xbox® gamepad layout to the PlayStation® world for the first time ever. Its robust 2.4GHz wireless technology also gives you maximum freedom from the console, while the turbo function for controlled rapid-firing offers you a tactical advantage.

I would describe it as an Xbox controller that works on a PS3. Even the name, XEOX, is just one letter different to XBox – damn it, even the green ringed button in the centre looks rather similar.

Now I could be wrong but I can’t see that tact going down too well with PS3 owners. Or Sony. “The Xbox 360 gamepad… represents the pinnacle of ergonomic analogue stick placement”. That’s fighting talk and hardly the kind of thing that’s going to get PS3 owners running out to own – I suspect most are quite partial to their Dualshock 3 and wouldn’t want anything else.

So, it’s a brave move.

Prices are €34.99 and is due in October.

15Aug 2011

One holiday later…

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If anybody noticed a lack of output from me last week it’s because I was enjoying a holiday! Because of my increasing online presense, I don’t feel it sensible to announce when I’m not around (I’m sure some burglars would have liked to have known). As it turned out, during a week of looting, it was more sensible then I even realised :D

Anyway, I took my family to Norfolk – more specifically to a family-friendly complex of cottages just outside Great Yarmouth.

Lower Wood Farm cottages has an indoor swimming pool (and, boy, is it heated!), games room and outdoor play area. There are 5 cottages available, sleeping 4 to 9 people. Certainly, if Norfolk is for you and you have children to keep entertained, I’d highly recommend it.

The nearest big seaside resort is Great Yarmouth and it IS a proper resort – all fish and chip shops and arcades. It’s also very windy. The beach is quite stony and the sea goes quite far out. We found the beach at Caister-on-Sea to be better – quieter, only the occasional ice cream shop and the sea was nearer!

However, if you do visit Great Yarmouth, we’d recommend the Sea Life Centre and, for a bite to eat, Friends bistro & bar. Friends is off the main high street and is a welcome change to McDonalds and KFC. The ladies who work there were friendly and the food very nice (and big portions too).

Anyway, I’m now back and raring to go – more on plans in a later post!

22Jul 2011

Picasa increases storage – but only to Google+ users

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Hidden away in the Google help screens is something that gives Google+ users an extra reason to be happy!

The amount of free storage for Picasa Web Albums is 1GB. However, this doesn’t include certain photo sizes. For non-Google+ users this is anything up to 800 x 800 pixels. For Google+ users this is a much better 2048 x 2048.

For videos there are no changes for Google+ users – any videos less than 15 minutes long don’t count towards your limit.

If you get to your 1GB limit then anything you upload will automatically be resized to fit within the limitations of the free storage.

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