So: 6,500 Win 8 laptops later, how are BT's field engineers coping?
An unheard-of decline in PC sales figures since launch, a grumbling press and a user base that struggles without a touchscreen: Windows 8 is easy to take a swipe at. Yet BT announced in November last year it was deploying 5,900 Win 8 Panasonic Toughbooks for its "last mile" Openreach division – the engineers who walk the line …
Happy birthday, Lisa: Apple's slow but heavy workhorse turns 30
Read a press release from Apple in the 1990s and it'll end with something along the lines of:
“Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.”
All of which is true up to a point, but the statement does overlook the product that …
Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 Windows 8 convertible Ultrabook
To be fair to Lenovo, reviewing the IdeaPad Yoga shouldn't really be all about Windows 8. After all, this touchscreen Ultrabook – that bends over backwards to become a fully fledged tablet – is a well crafted piece of hardware with engineering merits of its own. So what, if it runs Windows 8? So do a lot of PCs these days. The …
Ten... tech stocking stuffers
Stuck for ideas for someone who has everything or just in need of inspiration to top up a stack of gifts you already have? It's certainly tricky sorting out gifts that are going to please over those that will be destined for eBay come the New Year. So here we have a bit of mixed bag – or should that be Santa's sack? – ranging …
Review: Apple iMac 21.5in late 2012
I'm a sitting behind a 2010 iMac. You know, it's one with the dodgy Seagate hard drives that Apple is replacing en masse. I must get this sorted soon, but it hasn't died ye—.
Apple iMac 21.5in late 2012 Long time no see: Apple's late 2012 21.5in iMac
Now I'm sitting behind a very late 2012 iMac. It's the super slim one that's …
Adobe demands 7,000 years a day from humankind
I'm not a very good liar, I haven't got the memory for it, which is why it always pricks my conscience whenever I tick the yes box to the prompt "I have read and understood…" when installing software. I am, of course, fibbing. I never read a word. In fact, even though we all tick yes to these agreements every day, unless you're …
MIDI: 30 years old... almost
Despite rumours to the contrary, MIDI is not 30 years old today. The concept is older and its actual adoption as an industry standard gets its birthday next summer. Yet as industry standards go, it’s certainly been a robust one.
As with a lot of technology standards – remember draft-n Wi-Fi? – manufacturers don't want to hang …
Griffin StompBox iOS pedalboard review
Music making on Apple's iOS devices has long since migrated from mere display driven ditties to a range of additional hardware better suited to musicians. Alesis, Digitech and IK Multimedia, to name a few, are known music technology brands working the iOS instrument dock market. Nowadays, mainstream iDevice accessory vendors, …
TalkTalk's YouView box gets Ab Fab reception
UK telecoms provider TalkTalk added YouView IPTV to its product portfolio in London today with the release of its own set top box. Although made by Huawei, the telco had a hand in its interface design and offers it free to all its Plus package customers.
TalkTalk YouView set top box launch TalkTalk's STB is Huawei built but the …
Viewsonic 22in Android 'tablet' hands-on review
There was birthday cake aplenty at Viewsonic’s 25th anniversary event in London today that also saw the introduction of three new products covering an innovative range of display options.
Viewsonic VSD220 Smart Display Viewsonic's VSD220 Smart Display: 22in fondleslab, anyone?
The main attraction was the VSD220 Smart Display …
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 hands-on review
Samsung’s big idea, well, big phone actually, has not only spawned the 10in Galaxy Note but, at IFA, the company announced the Galaxy Note II successor to its original 5in stylophone stylus phone. It seems that if you add a pen to a touchscreen device these days, then it acts as insurance that you haven’t copied from Apple. Note …
Sony Vaio 11 Duo hybrid PC hands on review
Examples of Windows 8 tablet plus detachable keyboard combo devices were all over IFA like a rash. However, Sony’s Vaio Duo 11 has a different approach that keeps the two components together. There are advantages and disadvantages to this arrangement, whichever way you look at it. Great, I’ll never lose that keyboard... mmmh, …
Hands on with LG's 21:9 monitors
With so many telly boxes out there, it seems likely an on-board tuner on the TV itself will become a thing of the past in the not too distant. Perhaps LG’s EA93 21:9 aspect monitor, announced at IFA, offers a clue to the shape of things to come.
LG EA93 21:9 monitor
A 29in monitor touting a 2560 x 1080-pixel resolution it may …
Hands on with the HP Envy X2
The tablet plus keyboard combo looks set to be a prominent vehicle in getting Windows 8 into the hands of punters. Along with the new OS comes a slightly different form factor too with 11.6in keyblets from Samsung – its Ativ Smart PCs play this game with Core i5 and Atom CPU options – and HP has its own Atom-powered Envy X2 …
If you can't take the Samsung, get out of the kitchen
Samsung’s IFA keynote was true to form, some might say. Although the company had "a different script" with its presentation style, it did seem to have copied been influenced by the recent UK Olympic opening ceremony, given its theatricalities.
Samsung's head honcho and chief wizard of the day, Boo-Keun Yoon, consumer electronics …
Samsung readies handheld releases for Windows 8
At the Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin last night, Samsung showed off its Windows 8 handheld devices that appear in its new Ativ range of computing products that all feature touchscreen functionality.
Samsung Ativ tablet
The Windows RT Ativ Tab is a 10.1in fondleslab with a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor with 2GB …
Amazon Kindle Touch Wi-Fi eBook reader review
Having so many unread books at home, the Amazon Kindle and its numerous variants never really captured my imagination. I just wasn’t that fussed about e-Books and using them was a slow burn, starting with iBooks on my iPhone – I’m blessed with good eyesight – followed by musing over tomes on an iPad 2.
Amazon Kindle Touch e- …
Pure Stream takes on AirPlay
Pure’s Sensia 200D Connect has been on its web site for a while, but now you can actually buy one. This latest incarnation of the company’s touchscreen Wi-Fi radio is a significant revamp on the original Sensia and showcases Pure Stream, which enables content to play wirelessly from Android and iOS devices.
It’s an obvious take …
Pure Contour 200i Air wireless music system
Sometimes, the only way to appreciate what a new technology or product can do for you is to actually try it. So when Pure dropped by the office and left a Contour 200i Air – its latest AirPlay savvy wireless music system – I felt dutybound to use it.
Pure Contour 200i Air AirPlay wireless music system Pure Contour 200i Air …
Review: Samsung Chromebox
Moan, moan, moan: that’s how I suspected this review would come across as I pondered on my initial impressions of Samsung’s Chromebox – its Mac Mini-styled desktop computer that runs Google’s Chrome OS. You know, the online operating system that turns your computer into paperweight when there’s no internet connection. And then I …
Hands on with Nokia's 808 41Mp camphone
If a company needed some luck right now, then Nokia would certainly fit the bill. Having partnered with Microsoft to deliver a new range of smartphones based on Windows Phone 7, it consequently shares a platform with the likes of HTC and Samsung. Still, Nokia is thinking lucky because it reckons it can deliver services on …
Hands on with the Nikon D3200 DSLR
The great and the good were out in force at Nikon’s London press launch this week of its latest entry-level DSLR, the D3200. Boasting a new 24.2Mp DX format CMOS sensor, the camera also bags an Expeed 3 processor – the same imaging engine featured on the Nikon D4, the company’s flagship shooter.
Nikon D3200 DSLR camera
Indeed …
Digitech iPB-10 guitar effects pedalboard for iPad
When the Digitech iPB-10 arrived, I duly dispatched an e-mail to a muso mate with a link to this ultimate iPad guitar pedalboard. The wag replied: Nice machine you're reviewing, but I don't know whether 87 pedals, 54 amps and 26 cabinets is quite enough for me...
Digitech iPB-10 guitar effects pedalboard for iPad Heavy metal: …
Lantronix xPrintServer
As far a tech goes, my encounter with the Lantronix xPrintServer was somewhat unusual. This fag packet of a device plumbs into your network and enables an iPhone, iPad or even an iPod Touch to access the local printers, assuming there’s a Wi-Fi access point on the same subnet. There’s no need to track down an AirPrint compatible …
Dell debuts shrunken Ultrabook
CES 2012 Week
Although Intel has been busy faking Ultrabook gaming demos, Dell has been busy working on the real deal. At CES the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook was unveiled – touted as a “13.3in display machine in near 11-inch form factor”.
Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook
It sounds a bit TARDIS, but compared with both the Asus Zenbook UX31E …
2011's Best... compact cameras
2011 was the year when compact system cameras (CSC) really began to hit their stride. Late to this year’s party were the Nikon 1 J1 and V1 models, but we’re still waiting to on Canon to show its hand in this arena. More to the point, Canon has yet to deliver a successor to its revered PowerShot G12 which is showing its age now. …
2011's Best... DSLRs
While few would argue that a DSLR offers the best combination of features, performance and image quality, 2011 didn’t really set the world alight with new models. For the most part manufacturers patched holes in their respective ranges, to provide a full spectrum of models to suit both budgets and ability.
A couple of years ago …
Prada and LG peg up third fashion phone
The tech meets trendsetter partnership between the fashion tour de force Prada and Korean electronics giant LG continues where others have failed. Indeed, that was the message both companies were pleased to convey as the third Prada phone by LG was unveiled with some seriousness at Claridges in London yesterday.
Prada Phone by …
How digital audio ate itself ... and the music biz
In the first part of this series, we looked at how digital audio emerged in the studio, going beyond its Compact Disc domestic debut. As Moore’s law impacted on the cost of digital audio recording, studio techniques were emerging to add colour to this transparent medium – first in hardware, then in software. Digital signal …
How digital audio ate itself and the music industry
Digital audio began life with high ideals and worthy engineering feats, with its extended dynamic range came the promise of noise-free recording. This is a story of how it first charmed and then choked the industry it was designed to enhance.
HHB Digital Information Exchange agenda and newsletter 1987
1987 DIE roster and HHB …
Updating to Windows Phone 7.5
Just like Apple iPhone users needn’t own a Mac to sync data and apply updates, Windows Phone 7 users needn’t be reliant on a PC either. To broaden the appeal of Microsoft’s latest handset OS, the company offers a Mac software alternative.
Windows Phone Connector for Mac Nice to know there's an update, but what version is it? …
Lingo iMini DAB/FM iOS pocket tuner
DAB radio: always a contentious topic given its cost and varying fidelity. But a DAB radio accessory for iOS devices and for £55 too? You might as well skip the rest of this waffle and head for the comments now. Go on, you know you want to.
Lingo iMini DAB/FM receiver for iOS Lingo's iMini: puts DAB on your pad
Ah, didn’t get …
M-Audio Keystation Mini 32
It always pays to read the fine print, especially when it’s to be found on the bottom of a box, while on the top the label says, ‘Works with iPad’. Such is the case with M-Audio’s Keystation Mini 32, a really rather good portable keyboard controller for mobile musos and the classroom.
This host powered 32-note USB keyboard isn’t …
Kingston Wi-Drive wireless flash storage
The lack of any direct storage expansion in Apple's iOS products has been one of the more enduring causes of complaint for those using or pondering on owning one of these devices. Kingston Technology demonstrated its idea of a workaround when it previewed the MobiSX at CES at the beginning of the year. Now in production, with a …
Apple gives green light to Eton solar cell iPhone case
At IFA in Berlin, Eton set a shining example among the iPhone 4 portable chargers with its Mobius battery case that features a solar panel on the back.
Eton Mobius iPhone 4 solar charger
As is the norm with portable solar products, the panel keeps a secondary battery topped up that then offloads its power into the …
Acer claims first Core-i7 Ultrabook
At IFA in Berlin today, Acer took the wraps off its first Ultrabook, the Aspire S3. At 1.3kg and 13mm thick it falls well within Intel’s 18mm max to claim this slimline performance computing marque.
Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook
Also requisite is an Intel Core-i Sandy Bridge ULV CPU, with Acer making claims to be the first to …
Samsung unveils 20Mp EVIL shooter
At IFA today, Samsung upped the ante on the EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lenses) marketplace by introducing the NX200, sporting a 20.3Mp APS-C CMOS sensor. Besides being a stills shooter capable with RAW support, the NX200 captures video at full HD 1080p at 30fps with stereo audio.
Samsung NX200
Its …
Sharp shows off 8K4K hi-res prototype telly
At IFA, Berlin Sharp set about wowing its press audience with a European premiere of it Super Hi-Vision 8K4K, 85in LCD TV, developed in collaboration with Japanese broadcaster NHK.
Sharp 8K4K hi-res prototype TV
Touted as the next-gen HD format, this telly has a knock ’em dead 7680 x 4320 resolution – 16 times higher than …
Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7 gets aired
At IFA in Berlin today, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Tab 7.7 Android tablet and, with its 1280 x 800-pixel touchscreen, claimed a world’s first for display resolution on a 7.7in tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7
This latest addition to the Galaxy Tab range features a dual core 1.4GHz processor and runs Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). It …
Sony Ericsson launches Xperia Arc S
Sony has given its Xperia Android smartphones range a boost with the Arc S, it’s fastest model yet featuring a 1.4GHz CPU.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
The Xperia Arc S remains in keeping with the sleek styling of the rest of the range and includes an 8.1Mp camera with 3D/2D sweep panorama functions, 720p video and HDMI support …
Sony drives DAB+ motoring
Sony has announced its first DAB+ car radio that’s due to hit the road early next year. The CDX-DAB700U is touted as a CD receiver with DAB/DAB+/DMB-R support as well as FM/AM reception.
Sony CDX-DAB700U
If loading a CD seems a bit too 1980s for you, MP3, WMA and AAC discs are also playable as well as audio from USB flash …
Nikon reheats Coolpix range
Nikon has refreshed its range of Coolpix cameras bringing a swathe of new features to its compact models. A year on from the Nikon P7000 debut – the company’s well-overdue answer to the Canon G-series Powershot – the Coolpix P7100 is here.
Nikon Coolpix P7100
Apart from the front dial and articulating 3in LCD panel on the …
BlackBerry Curve 9360 hits UK
RIM has launched the BlackBerry Curve 9360 in the UK, featuring BlackBerry 7 OS and BBM6, the company’s fuel in the crowd jewel-in-the-crown messenger service.
RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360
Curve handsets are RIM’s most popular smartphone both globally and in the UK, and the company has high hopes that this revamp will sustain …
Motorola Atrix Lapdock
If you had thought that Motorola’s Android offerings might have ended up as the also-rans in the mêlée of Googlephone handsets, then recent events in the mobile marketplace would suggest it could well be the standard bearer. The Chocolate Factory’s bid for Motorola’s Mobility division – the handset and tablet line – certainly …
Audio Technica ANC7b noise-cancelling headphones
You don’t have to be a geek to have a fondness for a gadget that just ‘works’. Perhaps a mobile phone that does bugger all than manage calls but gets a signal wherever you are. How about a simple pair of headphones? From a technical standpoint, perhaps not so simple in the case of Audio Technica’s ATH-ANC7b cans. However, just …
iLuv iPad 2 case and Bluetooth keyboard
If you have an Apple iPad, the chances are you'll have some kind of accessory to protect it. While a Jiffy bag would do, you'll probably be inclined to consider something more enduring. Typing on a piece of glass has a few shortcomings too – not only the lack of tactile responsiveness but the fact that the virtual keyboard …
Mackie Onyx Blackjack USB audio interface
In the early 1990s, the Mackie name became synonymous with project studio recording consoles that, while not the most sophisticated, offered a good deal of routing flexibility and mounting options. The CR1604 was the breakthrough product for the company – a mixer that is still in production in various guises. The idea behind …
Ten... pocket compact cameras
When it comes to quick pics, the expedience of a phonecam can't be overestimated, yet the image quality expectations frequently are. With this in mind Reg Hardware has rounded up the smallest and cheapest compacts produced by all the usual suspects from the photography world.
Here are ten cameras that will not only take decent …
Mac OS X 10.6.8 hails from Paleolithic era
Ask any seasoned Mac user and they’ll tell you to avoid using Software Update incremental download delivery approach for systems instals, but to use the standalone combo option every time.
Yet even seasoned Mac users get lazy and Apple wants us to adopt this click-and-hold-your-breath delivery system. Indeed, this is how its …
Apple anticipates Air sales surge
Sources in the component supply industry are talking of double the quantity of new MacBook Airs being delivered to Apple in Q3 compared to Q2. Digitimes has been working the numbers and reports that July will see the supply chain “run in full gear” at this time.
Although MacBook Air figures doubling seems rather inflated, yearly …
