Author: Mike

Playboy app now available

Playboy, that great and venerable publishing powerhouse, have collected some interesting statistics about its readers.  Apparently there are 19 million visitors to its website per month – that’s only marginally more than Coolsmartphone gets.  Of those, 80% (15,200,000) use a mobile device or tablet.  Playboy has clearly realised …

Screen Protector to give iPhone 6 and 6 Plus a back button

I moved to iOS last December and one of the great things about it, particularly compared to Windows Phone, is the wild and wacky world of accessories that are available.  Nowhere is this more obvious than in the varied world of Kickstarter projects.  A new idea currently making …

Lumia 640 and Microsoft Band deal on O2

The cynic in me suspects this might be a sign that O2 are not shifting enough of their stock of the Lumia 640 and Microsoft Band…but, for those tempted to opt for a pretty well-specced but low priced Windows Phone, look no further than this deal.   Anyone …

Microsoft BUILD Conference – round up of Day 1

Yesterday Microsoft opened their annual developer’s conference in California to great fanfare.  As we had reported, rumours had been rife about some sort of Android announcement, yet when it came it wasn’t entirely as had been expected.  Most of the attention was, of course, focused on the forthcoming …

Are Microsoft about to announce Android apps on Windows Phone?

Later today the annual Microsoft Build conference will get under-way.  This is sort of the equivalent of the Google I/O event, or Apple’s WWDC; in other words it is a massive deal for Microsoft, particularly in a year when Windows 10 will be released for desktop PCs, tablets …

Lumia 640XL LTE now available to buy in the UK

Another week, another mid-range Lumia phone…the phablet-sized Lumia 640XL is nothing new, but Microsoft’s website has now changed its status from coming soon to available for purchase Announced at the same time as the 640, Microsoft’s latest phone boasts some decent specs, if nothing that’ll change the mobile …

Apple Watches available to buy now

For those of you disappointed that you cannot buy an Apple Watch immediately, rest assured that the national treasure that is CEX has some in stock.   Given the relative scarcity the prices are significantly higher than you’d pay at Apple, but if you have deep pockets and …

Rumours of new Lumia phones

You’ve just got to love rumours; without them most tech websites would be very sad affairs. Microsoft’s approach to Lumia handsets has been nothing short of dull – the vast array of similar low and mid-range handsets has been, frankly, quite underwhelming. There’s obviously a market for them, but for …

Apple Watch availability

Like pretty much everything that Apple produces, the Watch has already proven to be a financial success. Although Apple hasn’t confirmed, it appears that online orders have been overwhelming and that over 2 million were placed within 6 hours. An internal memo from the Senior Vice President for …

Vector smartwatch announced

Another week, another smartwatch announced…I don’t know about you, but it seems like smartwatch launch announcements are occurring at an almost daily rate the moment.  The big problem with most of these is that the release date is often some months ahead, and it is not uncommon for …

Microsoft Band UK release date announced

Before any of you start drooling at the prospects of the Microsoft Band’s new tour, this is not the Gates/Ballmer/Nadella reunion gig at Brixton, but the long awaited release of Microsoft’s fitness Band.  Disappointing I know. Announced yesterday, somewhat out of the blue, the Microsoft Band is available …

Apple Watch UK pricing announced

Yesterday we heard and saw official details about the Apple Watch.  US pricing was revealed but nothing was said about pricing anywhere else.  The Apple Store has now published prices here in Blighty and, you won’t be surprised to read, we’re paying a premium for what is already …

New smartwatch able to measure your sexual ‘prowess’

Those paranoid about how gadgets and the internet is taking over everything be aware, a soon to be released smartwatch from Geeksphone is preparing to invade your nocturnal activities.  From the Spanish company that created the privacy-heavy Blackphone comes a new smartwatch.  It’ll look a bit like many …

New Pebble Smartwatch coming tomorrow?

I am a daily Pebble Steel user.  Those who regularly follow the site might have read that I love the watch so much that it made me ditch Windows Phone for an iPhone, just so that I could use it properly. I use it for (often surreptitiously) checking …

Microsoft confirm that Windows Mobile 10 Technical Preview can be rolled back

The inordinate delay that carriers and manufacturers impose on releasing updates of the Lumia firmware can be offset by the installation of the Preview for Developers app. This allows users to install the updates before they’re officially released. Occasionally there are some problems that accompany these, but generally …

Samsung to re-invest in Windows Phone?

Another of the long running and massively tedious legal disputes between tech giants was recently resolved.  Microsoft had sought legal action against Samsung for what it argued were missing royalty payments for Android handsets. As Microsoft reported in a joint statement, the matter has now been (confidentially) resolved. …

Smartwatches banned from exams

Spoiler: unless you’re a student this will be of no real relevance. I remember sitting GCSE exams back in the mid-1990s and before our mock exams some bright spark discovered a new type of calculator that would allow you to write words. Lo and behold, the teachers soon cottoned …

Release of Windows 10 for mobile imminent?

On January 21st Microsoft took the wraps off Microsoft 10.  The phone version of the OS was covered here and aims to integrate the features of the desktop version onto mobile phones.  Microsoft did not announce any firm details of when this might happen. According to a leakster on …

Microsoft developing the smart scarf

Like most people who write for and read this site, I’m passionately interested in and excited about gadgets. Sometimes, though, you wonder whether things have spiralled out of control. Microsoft is supposedly developed a smart scarf. Not only will this woollen wonder keep your neck warm, but it …

Microsoft – not all WP8 phones getting Windows 10

Remember when Microsoft first announced Windows 10 they stated quite unequivocally that all Windows Phone 8 handsets would get the upgrade? Just to avoid any confusion, the precise message released via Twitter was: @Kalars07 We plan to upgrade all Windows Phone 8 devices to Windows 10 in the …

Apple Watch battery life (spoiler: not so good)

When the Apple Watch was announced last year many were left surprised that it was not going to be available immediately. One of the suspicions at the time had been that Apple was struggling with sustaining the battery life on it. Fast forward several months to January 2015 and with …

Free phone charging at McDonald’s

I don’t know about you, but the main reason I went to McDonald’s as a child was that it offered a free and (relatively) clean toilet. The McPiss was a regular feature of holidays in France. With the recent announcement that McD’s will offer free phone charging, both …

Apple Watch expected this March

When Apple first introduced The Watch (not sure where the capitals are needed; did Apple invite the watch?) last year it struck many commentators as odd as there was no release date announced. One thing that Apple have always excelled at compared to most other manufacturers is the …

Selfie sticks banned at some football stadiums

First we weren’t allowed pints when the game was on, now selfie sticks have been banned. What’s next? Banning swearing? Arsenal and Tottenham have recently announced that they’re banning selfie sticks from home games. The reason: an Arsenal spokesperson said that ‘The club’s ground regulations prohibit any object …

TalkTalk buy Blinkbox and Tesco Broadband

The news from Tesco recently is one of decline and slump. Somewhat out of the blue, it has been announced that its broadband and streaming TV service, Blinkbox, have been sold to TalkTalk.   In a statement TalkTalk have announced that the Blinkbox service will be available ‘immediately’ to …

20% off iTunes gift cards at Tesco

Everyone loves a bargain, particularly in the cold bleak post-Christmas days of January. To brighten our mood, Tesco is currently offering 20% off iTunes gift cards. The deal is certainly available online but there’s no information about whether it is also available in-store.  If any readers find the …

iOS apps potentially to increase in the New Year

Some good news to cheer you up on these pre-Christmas days. As a recent adopter of iOS I’m surprised by how many ‘free’ apps there are, only to discover the numerous in-app purchases.  For those apps that you have to purchase from the outset, from 1 January 2015 …

Useless Christmas present ideas or a stroke of genius?

Like a great many tech fans, I’m always on the look out for interesting, innovative new gadgets.  I just spotted the following two products on the Expansys website but cannot decide if they’re totally pointless or the workings of a crazy genius. I believe we’ve covered then some …

Why I have (hopefully temporarily) ditched Windows Phone for iOS…

Reader’s beware: this is very much a first world problem!  Nonetheless, for those interested in tech matters it is a real issue.  So, without further ado, here’s my story. Much has been written lately about long-time Windows Phone users switching to other platforms.  This article blames the update …

Phone4U surplus stock auction

It’s always a sad day when good businesses close but, on the upside, there are potential bargains to be had! The Phones4U administrators are auctioning off surplus stock with some decent deals available. The stock has been split across several auctions and at the last look they had …

Oppo 7 and 7a available soon on Amazon

One of the great frustrations in the mobile world is seeing a new handset released, only to find that it is either unavailable in the UK or available in limited supplies via an invite-only scheme. Oppo, the Chinese manufacturer, is a perfect example of this. It’s Find 7 …

Black Friday deals in the UK (28 Nov in case you’re not North American)

If, like me, you couldn’t give a baboon’s buttocks about the US and Canadian traditions of Thanksgiving, you might have missed out on the associated shopping days and the deals that can be had across the Atlantic.  The idea is simple: for the Thanksgiving weekend most people generally get …

Microsoft confirms WP10 will come to all WP8 Lumia handsets

A shorty but a goody. Long suspected, or rather long hoped for, Microsoft have now confirmed via the official Lumia Twitter account that all current Lumia handsets running Windows Phone 8 will get upgraded to Windows Phone 10. In addition, new handsets will be released once the OS update …

Freebies with Lumia 735 on O2

Just in case you cannot decide which of the myriad mid-range Windows Phone handsets to purchase, O2 are offering a free speaker and charging plate, worth a respectable £60. The phone itself is available in black or a garish shade of green, to which the freebies are colour coded. The …

Sky Go or Android Lollipop? That is the question…

Regular users of Sky apps and Android devices will not be surprised to read about another problem in this marriage of convenience. Sky’s forums are chock full of entries about how their apps crash whenever Android is updated.  Lollipop, aka Android 5.0, is no different. Many Sky users …

Is this the launch of the Microsoft Band in the UK?

In the past it was Apple that was famed for being able to keep its launches secret until the actual launch (fancy that!). Now you could argue that pre-launch leaks generate interest and publicity and as we all know, tech companies feed on every morsel they can find. Fast …

Free WiFi potentially coming to a place near you…

  Did you know that we had a ‘Digital Economy Minister’? Me neither.  But apparently we do.  His name is Ed Vaizey and he looks like this: Our Eddy is actually more than just this Digital Economy Minister, though this is part of his portfolio.  His full title …

The future of the Amazon Fire Phone

Last week Amazon released its third quarter financial results.  Amongst a great number of tedious statistical and fiscal matters was the curious fact that it had $83 million worth of unsold Amazon Fire Phones on the shelf.  In fact, the fantastically awful sales figures have hit Amazon’s overall …