I’ve been looking forward to the new smaller 8” tablets which will come out later this year. Intel have released their faster Atom processor and Microsoft has released Windows 8.1 to manufacturers. This is now a good combination, although it has taken some time to get there.
All-new Encore Tablet With an 8-inch Multi-touch Display and Intel Atom Processor Delivers Fast, Full-screen Web Browsing, Best-in-class Skype Experience, Xbox Second-screen Capabilities and Much More... Read More
Toshiba won’t be the only company releasing 8” tablets this year. The Encore however does have relatively good specs from what I’ve read. Acer did bring the first 8” Windows tablet to market but the reviews of the screen quality weren’t good. Also the Acer didn’t include the new Atom processor or Windows 8.1. I’ve read Acer will be re-releasing the product with updated features.
I’ve not been totally happy with Windows 8 tablets for a range of reasons. First I simply dismiss Windows RT tablets since if you’re going to buy a tablet that is not fully compatible with Windows you might as well consider all the options including iPads and Android tablets. Microsoft’s Surface Pro doesn’t include GPS which I think is a basic requirement for a mobile device. The Surface Pro is a tablet with a fan and five hours of battery life with a high price tag just doesn’t feel like a winner. Current tablets using the Atom processor concern me with regards to performance. Whilst the Encore is still an Atom processor the performance has doubled. I expect it will still be sluggish, but hopefully it will be acceptable.
My only concern with the Encore tablet that I’ve identified is the 32GB of installed memory. I’d prefer 64GB and the ability to add another 32/64GB using the microSD slot. Having said that, there may be ways to work around the limited storage.
I like that there is a micro HDMI connector, and as I mentioned, the GPS sensor. What I do wonder about is the battery life since it isn’t mentioned.
It will be good once all the main players have their devices released. Pricing will matter as I’ve noticed some suppliers charge a premium for Australians so hopefully competition will keep that premium in check.
- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Toshiba announced 8" Windows 8.1 Encore tablet at IFA in Berlin.
Posted on 02:36 by Unknown
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 announced at IFA show in Berlin.
Posted on 17:48 by Unknown
I often find lots of sites republishing snippets of press releases but what I'd prefer is direct access to the press release to make up my own mind as to what is important or not important. It took me a while but I found the Samsung press release for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which can be found here.
According to another article "Samsung GALAXY Gear will be launched with the GALAXY Note 3 in more than 140 countries around the world starting from September 25."
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
According to another article "Samsung GALAXY Gear will be launched with the GALAXY Note 3 in more than 140 countries around the world starting from September 25."
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
MyAnswers: How can I get missing contacts back in my Gmail account.
Posted on 17:13 by Unknown
The following MyAnswers solution 2385 is now available:
I've noticed some of the my contacts have disappeared in Gmail. This happened after I was tricked by scam email and I entered my Gmail username and password. I've changed the password but how can I get the contacts back.
Click here to obtain the solution.
Click here for related solutions.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au/myanswers/
(An Online Connections service.)
Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch Australian release
Posted on 15:14 by Unknown
The Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch has now been announced in Germany at the IFA show and here is quite a reasonable review and summary by Bridget Carey at CNET.
From the review and other articles, the following are points which I find interesting.
Currently the Galaxy Gear will only word with the Galaxy Note 3 and no other Samsung smartphone. This is expected to change once Android 4.3 is released. The main point is keep to note is whether or not the Galaxy Gear will work with your existing Samsung Galaxy device and chances are it won't.
Battery life I consider to be quite short at around 12 hours. The Galaxy Gear requires a special dock, which you need to carry with you if you need to charge the device.
Price is expected to be around $300USD, which I'd consider to be quite dear and restricts the pool of potential buyers. The price in the press release is $299USD but it should be kept in mind in the States sales tax is added to the price and the tax rate varies between states.
From the review and other articles, the following are points which I find interesting.
Currently the Galaxy Gear will only word with the Galaxy Note 3 and no other Samsung smartphone. This is expected to change once Android 4.3 is released. The main point is keep to note is whether or not the Galaxy Gear will work with your existing Samsung Galaxy device and chances are it won't.
Battery life I consider to be quite short at around 12 hours. The Galaxy Gear requires a special dock, which you need to carry with you if you need to charge the device.
Price is expected to be around $300USD, which I'd consider to be quite dear and restricts the pool of potential buyers. The price in the press release is $299USD but it should be kept in mind in the States sales tax is added to the price and the tax rate varies between states.
One feature I thought was novel was "Find My Device" which enables you to set off an audible tone to find either your watch or your smartphone. That's handy for those times where you find yourself patting yourself down to find a misplaced mobile.
A camera lens is placed on the strap which suits wearing the watch face up on the left arm so as to take photos and images when you bring your left arm across in front of you. Worn face down or on the right arm and you may just be limited to selfies. The camera does appear as a bulge on the wrist strap which begs the question as to whether or not it is more likely to get bumped and damaged.
The band is rubberised which may not appeal to everyone. There is a choice of colours for the band.
The watch does appear to be light and fairly compact. Not a large bulky device.
Release date around the world is September 25th, except for Japan and the US, where the release is expect in October. The past has shown us the release date doesn't necessarily correspond to availability, but only time will tell whether that is the case or not.
The watch does have a built in speaker meaning it can be used as a speaker phone. If you think about it this opens up an interesting situation when driving. In fact if I seem recall the driving laws in Australia were changed to effectively limit the touching of a mobile phone whilst driving or stationary (not parked). The smartwatch opens up a new situation. I'm not sure how the law will handle this device since it isn't actually the mobile phone. I find the background noise with a docked mobile can make it difficult to hear. With the smartwatch being much closer, this may in theory improve the quality of calls. It may also make it much harder for law enforcement offices to detect people checking their text messages and Facebook as people are now longer holding an obvious smartphone, but could simply be checking the time on their watch. I only hope people using the device drive safely.
Whilst I may find it hard to justify the cost of the smartwatch, I do look feel a device which would enable me to hear my mobile ringing in a crowded shopping centre and that would assist. I miss so many calls when I'm out because with the older iPhone 3GS I have, I often can be hear the mobile ringing or feel the vibration when the phone is on my pocket at the shopping centre. I'm not a fan of wearing a watch, but neither am I particularly happy with missing important calls.
I expect by the end of the year, perhaps for the Christmas buying period, we may see quite a few smart watch options.
Release date around the world is September 25th, except for Japan and the US, where the release is expect in October. The past has shown us the release date doesn't necessarily correspond to availability, but only time will tell whether that is the case or not.
The watch does have a built in speaker meaning it can be used as a speaker phone. If you think about it this opens up an interesting situation when driving. In fact if I seem recall the driving laws in Australia were changed to effectively limit the touching of a mobile phone whilst driving or stationary (not parked). The smartwatch opens up a new situation. I'm not sure how the law will handle this device since it isn't actually the mobile phone. I find the background noise with a docked mobile can make it difficult to hear. With the smartwatch being much closer, this may in theory improve the quality of calls. It may also make it much harder for law enforcement offices to detect people checking their text messages and Facebook as people are now longer holding an obvious smartphone, but could simply be checking the time on their watch. I only hope people using the device drive safely.
Whilst I may find it hard to justify the cost of the smartwatch, I do look feel a device which would enable me to hear my mobile ringing in a crowded shopping centre and that would assist. I miss so many calls when I'm out because with the older iPhone 3GS I have, I often can be hear the mobile ringing or feel the vibration when the phone is on my pocket at the shopping centre. I'm not a fan of wearing a watch, but neither am I particularly happy with missing important calls.
I expect by the end of the year, perhaps for the Christmas buying period, we may see quite a few smart watch options.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
PS. Here is a link to the press release.
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
MyAnswers: Is participating in BNI Australia (Business NetworksInternational) worthwhile?
Posted on 17:32 by Unknown
The following MyAnswers solution 2384 is now available:
Is participating in BNI Australia (Business NetworksInternational) worthwhile? In this article I share a summary of how much business was generated.
Click here to obtain the solution.
Click here for related solutions.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au/myanswers/
(An Online Connections service.)
Microsoft purchases Nokia devices and services business.
Posted on 16:29 by Unknown
Nokia recently made an announcement they are buying Nokia's mobile business which includes the devices and services part of Nokia, or around half of Nokia.
I should state that for a long time I was a long term user of Nokia products and Microsoft products. Nokia lost me when they first brought out mobiles which could connect to computers before smart phones came onto the scene. The first cable I purchased came with no instructions or disk. You were on your own. Not what I would call customer focused. Microsoft also have focused more on themselves than their customers. In fact Microsoft is about to turn their back on over 100 million customers by not providing support to Windows XP. Again not what I'd call endearing.
With Microsoft doing poorly in the consumer market with mobiles and tablets and Nokia not doing any better, it is hard to see how this will assist Microsoft to gain market share. If anything it will further turn off the original equipment manufacturers which for a long time helped Microsoft build their business.
This move shouldn't be totally unexpected. Microsoft have made it clear they are now a devices and services company and Nokia was already selling 85% of Windows based mobile phones.
Only time will tell if two relatively unsuccessful players (when compared to Apple and Google/Android) in the mobile/tablet arena when joined can make a difference or not.
As an IT consultant and developer, the marriage means tighter integration, more restrictions and less open devices. In the past Microsoft was a company providing open systems where people could more easily adapt those systems for the benefit of their business. Now we are moving (if we haven't already) into the era where you just buy a service or device and use it as is. Very little opportunity for a business to gain a market advantage through the use of technology when the devices and services are the same for everyone.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
I should state that for a long time I was a long term user of Nokia products and Microsoft products. Nokia lost me when they first brought out mobiles which could connect to computers before smart phones came onto the scene. The first cable I purchased came with no instructions or disk. You were on your own. Not what I would call customer focused. Microsoft also have focused more on themselves than their customers. In fact Microsoft is about to turn their back on over 100 million customers by not providing support to Windows XP. Again not what I'd call endearing.
With Microsoft doing poorly in the consumer market with mobiles and tablets and Nokia not doing any better, it is hard to see how this will assist Microsoft to gain market share. If anything it will further turn off the original equipment manufacturers which for a long time helped Microsoft build their business.
This move shouldn't be totally unexpected. Microsoft have made it clear they are now a devices and services company and Nokia was already selling 85% of Windows based mobile phones.
Only time will tell if two relatively unsuccessful players (when compared to Apple and Google/Android) in the mobile/tablet arena when joined can make a difference or not.
As an IT consultant and developer, the marriage means tighter integration, more restrictions and less open devices. In the past Microsoft was a company providing open systems where people could more easily adapt those systems for the benefit of their business. Now we are moving (if we haven't already) into the era where you just buy a service or device and use it as is. Very little opportunity for a business to gain a market advantage through the use of technology when the devices and services are the same for everyone.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Need assistance understanding Windows 8?
Posted on 17:18 by Unknown
This past couple of weeks I've had calls from people who required assistance with Windows 8. Both users were totally lost with the new interface in Windows 8. One user wanted to return their computer to Officeworks, because after two weeks of struggling felt they were getting nowhere. Both users were experienced Windows users. One even spent time reading Windows 8 for dummies and was still none the wiser.
This shows just how badly Microsoft has done with Windows 8. It really is an appalling design change which makes little to no sense for the user. For Microsoft it probably makes sense, but to alienate current users for whatever their goals are, would not generally make sense as a good business move.
The problem is when you first face Windows 8 and go into the Desktop, it is a barren land and nothing is familiar. When I first opened Windows 8 and then wanted to set up a shortcut to the Calculator I was lost and didn't know what to do. I'm an IT Consultant with over 30 years of computing experience and I was lost. Over the coming weeks I adjusted Windows 8 to make it easier to work for me. Dare I say it, but only after a couple of months had I worked out technical solutions to issues that spoilt my experience. I came up with concepts that would enable me to train others to quickly come up to speed. A few simple concepts is all it takes for people to become comfortable, but the concepts aren't obvious and need to be learnt. I also developed techniques which I can share with users to make their use of Windows 8 more productive, or should I say, as productive as Windows 7 or even Windows XP.
Microsoft in my opinion have shot themselves in the foot (perhaps even both feet), but that doesn't help users. Users will put off upgrading or buying new computers and that will hurt Microsoft and computer suppliers in a big way. Some will consider moving to an Apple Mac because a friend with a Mac will say how good it is, but the reality is the change to a Mac is just as big a change so this isn't the solution. I shudder to think that some may even be coerced by a Linux diehard to try Linux through their frustration, but I'd suggest that is a path best avoided for most people.
I suspect many people will consider keeping their existing computer for longer and purchasing a tablet to do many of the things they previously did with their computer. As long as the computer doesn't die they'll get a much longer period of usage from their computer and that's a good thing.
Ultimately many people will be faced with buying a new Windows 8 computer to do things tablets or their ageing computer can't do. I'd suggest skipping Windows RT because it really is nothing more than a lock-in device, and contrary to the Windows name, shouldn't be consider a compatible device. Going Mac is one path but then you'll lose compatibility if that is required. So Windows 8 is still the answer for most people for the time being. Accept that you may need some assistance to get over the initial learning curve, but once there, you can move on.
If you need assistance coming to terms with your new Windows 8 computer please feel free to contact me.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
This shows just how badly Microsoft has done with Windows 8. It really is an appalling design change which makes little to no sense for the user. For Microsoft it probably makes sense, but to alienate current users for whatever their goals are, would not generally make sense as a good business move.
The problem is when you first face Windows 8 and go into the Desktop, it is a barren land and nothing is familiar. When I first opened Windows 8 and then wanted to set up a shortcut to the Calculator I was lost and didn't know what to do. I'm an IT Consultant with over 30 years of computing experience and I was lost. Over the coming weeks I adjusted Windows 8 to make it easier to work for me. Dare I say it, but only after a couple of months had I worked out technical solutions to issues that spoilt my experience. I came up with concepts that would enable me to train others to quickly come up to speed. A few simple concepts is all it takes for people to become comfortable, but the concepts aren't obvious and need to be learnt. I also developed techniques which I can share with users to make their use of Windows 8 more productive, or should I say, as productive as Windows 7 or even Windows XP.
Microsoft in my opinion have shot themselves in the foot (perhaps even both feet), but that doesn't help users. Users will put off upgrading or buying new computers and that will hurt Microsoft and computer suppliers in a big way. Some will consider moving to an Apple Mac because a friend with a Mac will say how good it is, but the reality is the change to a Mac is just as big a change so this isn't the solution. I shudder to think that some may even be coerced by a Linux diehard to try Linux through their frustration, but I'd suggest that is a path best avoided for most people.
I suspect many people will consider keeping their existing computer for longer and purchasing a tablet to do many of the things they previously did with their computer. As long as the computer doesn't die they'll get a much longer period of usage from their computer and that's a good thing.
Ultimately many people will be faced with buying a new Windows 8 computer to do things tablets or their ageing computer can't do. I'd suggest skipping Windows RT because it really is nothing more than a lock-in device, and contrary to the Windows name, shouldn't be consider a compatible device. Going Mac is one path but then you'll lose compatibility if that is required. So Windows 8 is still the answer for most people for the time being. Accept that you may need some assistance to get over the initial learning curve, but once there, you can move on.
If you need assistance coming to terms with your new Windows 8 computer please feel free to contact me.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
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