Gadgets @ GadgetHeat

Different types of digital camera explained

2012-05-01T10:36:31Z

Different types of digital camera explained

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With so many types of digital camera to choose between, it can be hard to know which style is best suited to your photography needs. Although a bigger camera may have more features and a higher specification, it may be a little too bulky to carry around with you on holiday, so you might be better with a pocket sized camera. If, on the other hand, you want to indulge in more demanding types of photography, such as wildlife or sports photography, then you might have to go for a bigger high-end camera. In order to help you decide, here is a handy guide to the most common digital camera types. For the best camera deals, visit currys.co.uk.

Cameraphones

Most mobile phones produced these days come with a digital camera on board, and some of the more expensive smartphones can boast cameras with resolutions of 8 megapixels or more. These are perfect for taking a few snaps to post on Facebook or Instagram, but the small lenses on mobile phones prevent them from being able to take truly high quality images. Even the cheapest point-and-shoot digital cameras will have bigger and better lenses than you will find on smartphones, but if you are not too bothered about image quality, then a cameraphone could be an elegant solution.

Pocket cameras

These cameras are small enough to fit in a pocket, and cheap enough that you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking them. Generally speaking, they will give better picture quality than cameraphones, and the small size means that you will be more likely to have it on your person when you need it. They don’t usually have a lot of features, but their simplicity is one of their great strengths.

Zoom lens cameras

Cameras with an optical zoom lens tend to come in a range of sizes, but the bigger ones tend to offer higher levels of magnification. This means you can get a good shot of an object that is far away, without losing too much image quality. While some cameras boast a digital zoom, all this means is that you can take a segment of the captured image and make it bigger, losing resolution in the process.

DSLR cameras

These cameras are the ones that professionals use, due to the extensive features and the fact that you can use a variety of different lenses. However, their bulk makes them somewhat inconvenient for most purposes, so you should only consider this type of camera if you really need the added functionality and flexibility. Visit this Wikipedia page for more information about this type of camera.

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The Darling Buds of May

2012-04-17T15:13:07Z

The Darling Buds of May

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Floral is one of the new spring trends, and there couldn’t be a better way to get into the spirit of the season. Not only is floral a hot trend for spring fashion, it’s also something you can recreate in your own back garden. Spring is the season to start breathing some life back into your garden. By getting your green fingers in order, it’ll soon be picture-perfect for BBQs, or just for chilling out with a good book.

It’s crucial to get a head start on the weeds and start as soon as you can. Early jobs include planting the annuals – keep the hardy types outdoors, and the others in indoor window boxes or a warm greenhouse. You’ll also need to tidy up borders and do some weeding. Laying manure or compost is another job to get on with straight away, and will ensure all the prep work is done in advance of the warm weather.

Later in the spring, you can start to plant new roses, trees, perennials and shrubs. After the sun has had a chance to get to work on the grass, you’ll need to get into a regular lawn mowing routine. This is something everyone with a garden needs to do, regardless of how green-fingered they are. Invest in a trustworthy model to make the job easier – a Flymo lawnmower is a good choice.

New lawns will need to be mowed about once a week. Established lawns will need a similar amount of mowing, but you should successively lower the height of the lawn with each mow. Don’t cut it any shorter than a couple of inches, and if it looks a little patchy, treat it to a specialist grass feed to perk it up.

Once your garden is under control, you can start planning all the parties you want to host. A garden party is an easy way to socialise with friends, with minimal fuss on your part. BBQs always go down well too, meaning there are plenty of options for summer fun.

Some pretty fairy lights will get your garden party-ready in an instant, so invest in a decent set and hang them strategically. You should also make the most of the warm evenings by eating al fresco, even when it’s just you and your family – you’ll miss the option to do so when it isn’t there!

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The Samsung Galaxy S is to get ICS features

2012-04-05T12:09:21Z

The Samsung Galaxy S is to get ICS features

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While most expectation for news from Samsung is turned to its upcoming flagship Galaxy S3, the Korean manufacturer has been providing updates for the rest of its Galaxy line. The Galaxy S2 is currently undergoing an upgrade to the latest version of Android’s operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich – which is taking longer than Samsung expected. Now the firm has announced a device lower down the price range of the line will benefit from an upgrade providing access to some of the features of Android 4.0.

The Samsung Galaxy S, the manufacturer had already announced, would not be receiving a full ICS upgrade because it could not withstand the full operating system, Currently running Android Gingerbread, the S does not have a powerful enough processor, nor enough RAM for the full upgrade. Manufacturers need to conduct a lot of testing and integration with any upgrade to an operating system. As Samsung often focuses on producing devices for every price point in the smartphone market it is clear that not every device will be able to benefit from the same updates.

Samsung is describing the upgrade as a “value pack” meaning owners of the Galaxy S will get some of the benefits of Android 4.0 including Face Unlock, picture capture during filming and various launcher improvements.

Owners of the budget device will need to have some storage space on their device and have Kies 2.0 to be able to benefit from the partial upgrade. At the moment it is only available in Korea, with news expected on the coming weeks of when it will be available elsewhere in the world.

The upgrade may only be a partial one but it is good new that Samsung is still focussing on its budget handsets. With incredible figures suggesting the Korean firm has shipped over 40 million handsets already in 2012 it suggests that having devices available for every budget in the smartphone market is an important strategy, and one that is paying off. It might be disappointing for Galaxy S owners that they are not going to benefit from the full Android 4.0 experience but at least they will get a useful upgrade that will allow them to play with some of the tricks of the operating system.

Increasingly also, the upgrade is pointing fingers in the direction of the Galaxy S3 to have Ice Cream Sandwich at its launch. Implementing an ICS upgrade to the S2 has largely, one would expect, have been a research ground for Samsung, paving the way for them to explore how to integrate the latest version of Android into their own TouchWiz skin that runs alongside the OS. If it works well then it is likely their new flagship device will launch with the latest version of the operating system. Considering so many of Samsung’s competitors, like HTC, Huawei and Asus are launching flagship devices already running ICS this quarter, it would be a step backwards if they were to launch their latest flagship device with what is being perceived as an old operating system, especially as it looks as though Android 5,0 could be coming sooner rather than later.

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Top Car Gadgets

2012-01-31T17:05:07Z

Top Car Gadgets

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These days it seems to be the case that, wherever we go, our gadgets go too – and nowhere is this more obvious than in our vehicles, which we happily kit out with the latest in electronic wizardry to improve and enhance our driving experience. Whatever you lifestyle, however you use your car, it is very likely that you have added at least one gadget into the mix, to help journeys for business or pleasure run more smoothly.

Satellite Navigation Systems

Many modern cars now come with a satellite navigation system, or sat nav, as standard. However, for those that don’t most drivers now find that an aftermarket addition is an indispensible aid to their driving experience. Sat nav units use computer technology and GPS to pinpoint the vehicles exact location, which is then referenced against maps to offer drivers easy access to route planning. Modern sat navs have a range of extra features such as tourist information, traffic updates, speed camera warnings and even the opportunity to opt for eco-routing – which will guide drivers along the most fuel efficient route to their destination.

In Car Entertainment Systems

Any driver that is planning on spending a long time on the road ought to invest in an in-car entertainment system. In-car entertainment ranges from music for the driver, to seat back or fold down DVD systems – a real God send for parents needing to entertain little ones in transit.

Hands Free Phone Kits

For drivers who need to stay in touch while on the road, the hands free phone kit is essential. These easy to fit gadgets allow mobile phones to be operated verbally, allowing a driver to make and take calls on the go, without ever having to compromise on their level of vehicle control. Hands free phone kits come in a range of designs, from those that use the in-car speaker systems to transmit calls, to those that operate using a headset or earpiece. This choice allows the driver to select the design that is most comfortable for his or her own style.

Lighter Plug-Ins

There is a wide range of gadgets available that plug into the cigarette lighter socket in vehicles. Whatever you use your car for, there is likely to be a plug-in available that will cater to your needs. Some useful plug-in gadgets include:

Mobile phone chargers – brilliant for long journeys where phone batteries may run low. Having a plug-in in-car charger can ensure that the user never needs to lose contact while out on the road.
Water heaters – A plug in element that can be used for heating water to make hot drinks – great for surfers, fishermen or picnickers who want to be able to warm up on the go, without the need for carrying a flask.
Refrigeration boxes – Again, a great boon to those with an outdoor lifestyle, offering in car refrigeration while out and about on the warmest days. Keeps picnic food, beverages and even medications cool in your car

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Best Family Gadgets

2012-01-19T07:02:02Z

Best Family Gadgets

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They have an enormous role in our everyday life, so much so that it is difficult for us to imagine life without them. They make our lives organised, entertaining and easy. They are gadgets. Big and small, simple and complex, they are in our houses helping us through our daily lives. No matter how many we have, we never have quite enough. Today, with the many sales, specials and discount voucher offers available, buying the latest family gadgets is easier and more inexpensive than ever.

Which gadgets, gizmos and whatnots are must-have for the modern family in 2012? Here are some of the best, brightest and most unusual, all selected with an eye toward fun and enjoyment for the family as a group.

Sport & Leisure Gadgets

For the family who enjoys spending time together in the great outdoors, a number of innovative and unusual gadgets and gizmos are available. Snowball fights will be twice as thrilling when the kids are armed with mechanised snowball launchers, such as the snowball slingshot and the 50-foot snowball launcher. GPS-enabled ski goggles will ensure that you and your family will find you way even in the worst blizzard.

Popular for indoor/ outdoor fun is the smartphone-controlled helicopter. Adults and kids alike can download the free phone app and turn their smartphone into a wireless remote control for a lightweight helicopter. A swipe of a finger or a tilt of the phone sends the helicopter swooping here and there.

Travel Gadgets

Travelling with family can be difficult, but these innovative gadgets will make the trip much more enjoyable. Pocket digital televisions allow you to take your favourite show with you on the road, and the television teleporter picks up the wireless signal from a transmitter indoors, sending a signal up to 100 feet away.

For those inevitable rainy days, games such as Scrabble Electronic Scramble and customisable electronic Trivial Pursuit provide entertainment and encourage family togetherness. Snuggling up with a hundred good books is convenient and easy to handle with the e-readers on the market, including Kindle and Nook.

Kitchen Gadgets

Considered the heart of any home, the kitchen is the gathering place for many families. Home theatre popcorn makers, healthy deep fryers and homemade candyfloss machines are some of the latest kitchen gadgets on the market.

Where to Get the Best Deals on Gadgets

The latest gadgets sometimes do not come cheap, but taking the time to look at all shopping options can lead you to tidy deals. So where are the best places to buy the latest gadgets? According to the readers of Consumer Reports, the best places are online. Websites such as Crutchfield.com and Amazon.com offer user reviews and shopping assistance along with their product quality and deals. GiftsWorld, the popular UK gift store, offers a myriad of unique gadgets and colourful gifts on its online site. Hammacher Schlemmer, a New York City institution for over 160 years, offers an incredible array of unusual, high-tech gifts on its website, in its catalogue and in its Manhattan store.

Additionally, many online sites are dedicated to helping consumers garner even better deals, both in-store and online, through special discount vouchers and sale offers.

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Gadgets that can help to reduce the risk of injury in road traffic accidents

2011-12-16T15:29:35Z

Gadgets that can help to reduce the risk of injury in road traffic accidents

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Thousands of whiplash claims are filed following minor road traffic accidents every year in the US. And by minor, we mean those that occur at low speed and usually result in a rear-impact collision (a shunt to the back of your car).
However, breakthroughs are being made in the world of technology that could eliminate the risk of this kind of injury and the impact that whiplash and spinal injury claims has on insurance premiums nationwide.

The Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, is one such institution that is researching the issue in an attempt to heighten the effect of in-car safety mechanisms to make them even safer than they are today.

Scientists and engineers are working on the incorporation of algorithms into in-car computer systems, which could work to eventually make rear-end collisions a thing of the past.
Put simply, these specially-formulated algorithms will alert the driver of the car that the car in front is going slower or slowing down.

The prevailing problem of low-speed collisions is caused by the fact that drivers are less able of calculating the correct speed of the car they’re trailing at speeds of under 8mph, so when the traffic has come to a near crawl and drivers are slowed to a near stop, this is when the risk of whiplash is at its greatest.

When the algorithms detect a slower speed of the car in front, mechanisms will kick in to override the driver and take over the controls from them (they’re therefore directly triggered by the in-car computer system’s algorithms).

When the algorithm takes over the controls from the driver, it will mimic the acceleration and braking patterns of the driver in front. It also has the ability to be programmed by the driver themselves, who may want to set up alerts as to, say, the speed and distance of the car ahead at all speeds, not just slow speeds.
This new technology holds so much promise that it’s now being tested by the likes of Mercedes Benz and other high-end vehicle manufacturers, and it is hoped that it will become a feature of most vehicles over time as the technology is tried, tested and proven to be highly beneficial.

However, if you don’t think you’re going to be one of the lucky Mercedes customers who will be treated to such high standards of in-car safety just yet, then there are other ways of improving your neck’s chances of escaping a slow-speed collision unscathed.

Wear a seatbelt at all times;
Always ensure that your head rests are where they should be and that they are neither too low or too high. The way to achieve the correct height for your headrest is to measure it against your ears. The top of the headrest should align with the top of your ears, while the correct distance from your head to prevent over-extending the neck on collision is two inches.

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Save hundreds on car insurance with a new moneysupermarket app

2011-12-10T09:46:19Z

Save hundreds on car insurance with a new moneysupermarket app

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Do you use moneysupermarket to find cheap car insurance? Do you own an iPhone? Then you should download the new moneysupermarket car insurance app now!

It’s the first app of its kind to be released in the UK and allows motorists to look for the best deals around in car insurance on their smartphones while on the go. If you have an Android phone, though, fear not because it’ll be available for you to access in the not too distant future.

The app, which is free, makes searching for car insurance and getting covered as simple and straightforward as it should be. Simply insert all the details that you would into the moneysupermarket website and within seconds you’ll get a rundown of all the different quotes available.

The app then gives you the option to ‘click to call’ a particular insurer should you wish to seek further advice or information. Alternatively, if you don’t want the hassle of waiting an age to get through on the phone or can’t face the prospect of listening to hold music forever then you can purchase immediately on the spot. The whole process from start to finish can now take a matter of minutes, meaning you can do it whenever or wherever you like and get it done with the minimum of fuss.

Buying car insurance through moneysupermarket can also result in an average saving of £375 and Julie Fisher from the UK’s leading price comparison website is urging all drivers to give the moneysupermarket car insurance app a go to see how much they can save.

“The cost of running a car has been increasing markedly over the last few years, with petrol prices on the up and car insurance a yearly necessity for all drivers,” said Fisher, an insurance expert from moneysupermarket.

“People are naturally keen to take action, and shop around to switch to the best possible car insurance deal. The launch of the moneysupermarket car insurance app has made it even easier for people to find the right car cover for the best possible price – allowing people to compare a huge range of quotes quickly and easily – anytime, anywhere.

“It’s another example of how moneysupermarket is helping people to make the most of their money.”

If you use moneysupermarket to find cheap car insurance then make sure you get the moneysupermarket car insurance app today. It could save you hundreds of pounds the next time you need to renew.

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The Nokia Lumia 800 versus the iPhone 4S

2011-11-22T10:31:24Z

The Nokia Lumia 800 versus the iPhone 4S

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The Nokia Lumia 800 marks the first device released after the announcement in February of a partnership between Nokia and Microsoft. The Finnish manufacturer’s first Windows Phone device, there is great expectation that the Lumia might help Windows Phones gain ground they may have lost to Apple and Android. This Christmas, top of the wishlist for many will be Apple’s new device, the iPhone 4S. Does the cheaper price of Lumia 800 contracts have what it takes to knock the iPhone off the top spot?

Both are slim devices. The Nokia Lumia has a 3.7 inch display with an AMOLED screen and ClearBlack display, designed to reduce reflection. Produced using the same technology as Nokia’s popular N9, the new device has the same polycarbonate casing that feels both ergo-dynamic as well as rigid and secure. The iPhone 4S is also sold on the basis of being a slim, sleek and stylish phone. Its screen is a little smaller than the Lumia at 3.5 inches but both are striking devices.

The Lumia 800 is powered by a 1.4 GHz processor. It has only 16GB of internal user memory but, utilising Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud service there is 25GB extra free space. This makes it a powerful device, yet the iPhone would largely edge it out with its A5 chip and dual-core processor. On light usage, both last around a day. Complaints over the iPhone 4S battery life are likely to be ironed out in the next iOS5 update.

In terms of camera, Apple states the iPhone 4S’ camera is so good, you won’t believe it’s on an smartphone. Both measure up at 8 megapixels. Nokia has a proven track record in delivering excellent smartphone cameras. The N8’swas marketed as having the best smartphone camera in the world. The Lumia 800 uses Carl Zeiss optics. The delivery is sharp images that are crisp and make it easy to pick up rich colours and a variety of textures. It will be up to taste as to preference between the iPhone 4S and the Lumia 800, but the lack of a front-facing camera on the Nokia might put some off.

In terms of operating systems, all eyes will be on the Mango architecture on the Lumia 800. The first Windows Phone by Nokia there is great expectation of how well it will work. The look on initial use, the live tiles that show different applications laid out in coloured blocks on the opening screen does look very different from Android and Apple. Receiving email from any account, better integrations with social networking sites like twitter and Facebook show a desire to bring the Windows Phone more in line with other smartphone OS. The Apps available in the Windows Phone Marketplace show a desire to gain ground on Apple and Android. Many developers have favoured their competitors. An improved OS with better integration between Apps suggests while it may look different, Windows Phone is working to behave in a more iOS manner.

Whether Nokia’s new device will be enough to tempt buyers away from the best phone contracts for the iPhone 4S is a matter of some debate. Its price bracket at around $399 SIM-free puts it in the same as the latest Android and Apple devices. Nokia’s name has always been in building solid, sleek and stylish devices. It is not the only smartphone to be launching with a new operating system, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus utilising Android’s new Ice Cream Sandwich will turn heads. But the fact that, for the first time, Nokia can be seriously discussed in contention with the leading smartphones on the market shows they have made considerable headway with the Lumia 800.

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US Government Phone Apps: Why Does Android Get No Love?

2011-08-10T09:33:07Z

US Government Phone Apps: Why Does Android Get No Love?

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Last week, the FBI released a mobile phone app called Child ID which is meant to allow parents to keep up-to-date biometrics of their children in the event that they have to file a missing child report to law enforcement. Instead of guessing weight and height and struggling to provide further useful descriptive information, parents can simply send their pre-plugged data directly to authorities. It’s a remarkable bit of technology paid by tax dollars, but there’s a snag: parents with a 4G Phone Samsung Exhibit or other device that runs on Android are unable to download the app at this time. The currently version only works on Apple iOS.

Upon further investigation it seems that the overwhelming majority of mobile apps the U.S. Government provides are built solely for iOS. This includes a travel information app offered through the State Department, an app for looking up available government jobs, and one that encompasses the entirety of USA.gov itself. These are seemingly extraordinarily useful programs to be able to run from a mobile device. For the minority of Americans who have iPhones this is fine. For the majority of smartphone-wielding Americans this could be considered a blatant misuse of tax dollars.

While not every tax payer has a smartphone it’s estimated that 50 percent of the American public will by 2012. The iPhone market is rapidly expanding, but the Android market had long since been empowered ever since Google willingly let multiple device manufacturers use their open source OS. Simply put, if you had to put your money on the mobile operating system that is to eventually become the majority of the smartphone market, you’d go with Android.

So why the government is preferring Apple’s iOS for their app development is beyond me. Does it have something to do with a predominance of government developers savvy in Apple languages, but not the basic C and C++ of Android? That’s doubtful considering that Microsoft systems have dominated government information infrastructure for the last fifteen years.

It probably has a lot to do with the lack of coordination among government agencies. Each individually funded and given independent autonomy to an extent, they likely create these apps at the whim of internal interest.

Don’t envision some grand legislative act that made app-creation a unilateral priority of all departments of the executive branch. Instead, picture a random sequence of app creation each allowed to choose its own platform on which to write the app for. Without an overall sense of properly providing the public with apps that can be used, these agencies and departments are all deciding to make apps for the iPhone and no one else.

If you’re an Android user interested in government apps, make a point to contact your member of congress about the issue. At such a hectic time in our government, it won’t be a priority until the people make it one.

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New developments in under the hood technology

2011-03-24T18:17:07Z

New developments in under the hood technology

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Image courtesy of Expansys

Predictions of the next big thing in computer technology are often cloaked in the hyperbole of grand ideas and lifestyle determinants. Product launches take this to a natural conclusion with all the fanfare necessary to capture the imagination as well as a healthy market share. What is clear in the latest big ideas, whether for business or leisure, is that computers are on the move. Virtualisation, cloud computing, the latest laptops, netbooks, phones and tablets have all helped shape mobile communications and entertainment. Yet there is life in desktop PCs still and what is under the hood is no less dynamic and every bit as functional.

It is an exciting time for the tech-savvy consumer, a time when digital technologies finally realise their potential for complete lifestyle integration. The days of sitting at a work desk communicating via a LAN connection are history and, with business networking gone mobile, there are ever increasing overlaps between business and leisure spaces, in both real and virtual worlds. In the current climate there must be value for money too, a cost-effective imperative which has seen virtual and cloud technologies take business computing by storm.

The benefits of virtual machines are obvious. Having multiple operating system environments in a single machine certainly allows for increased functionality but the true benefits come from ease of maintenance and off-site disaster recovery. Process virtualisation is a key ingredient too, particularly with regards to the huge array of available mobile apps, perfectly suited for this single process technology. It is a natural evolution of virtualisation into public or business cloud computing, where the key benefits are efficient application delivery, data storage and data recovery.

Advances under the hood of desktop PCs are, as ever, microprocessor driven but with some very new and radical developments too. With 64-bit technology finally achieving industry standard status, high use CPU intensive applications such as gaming, multimedia recording and editing have more than enough RAM to cope. Additionally, after the success of dual-core processing, quad core, employing high end Intel processors, has entered into the mainstream and even eight-core is available, courtesy of Sun Microsystems Niagara chips.

Where the radical new developments come into desktop PCs is in expanded functionality. Just as TV goes 3D, computers take on the TV and even other computers in Wi-Fi range, but the most significant development is in touch screen technology as seen with the latest Hewlett Packard desktops. Just as with mobile technology, this is intended as an ergonomic, intuitive and interactive experience.

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