The Gadget Show

Digitsole: The radiator for your shoe!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:54:00 +0100

Frosty feet whilst commuting and cold toes on the slopes may be a thing of the past thanks to the invention of Digitsole. By now you’ll be familiar with your wrists being decked in the latest technology with smartwatches and the launch of the Apple Watch this week. But it’s your feet that are the centre of attention with this product.

Digitsole is a connected insole that you can control straight from your smartphone which allows you to choose the temperature of your shoes. It doesn’t just keep your feet warm: once you’ve entered your height and weight it will also measure how many steps you’ve taken and how many calories you’ve burned.

It looks like any other shoe insole you might have used before, but this one has been created specially by the Digitsole engineers. They’ve created an insole made from lightweight materials Neotech and Poron to control vibrations, spread heat equally and better absorb shock.

Magsafe-style charging skills arrive for your iPhone with the Cabin charger!

To start using the Digitsole you need to charge it via a USB port, load the app and connect it to your smartphone using Bluetooth 4.0. It can be used in almost any shoe and you can adjust the temperature and keep an eye on your health at any time. All you need to do is get your hands on a pair, download the dedicated app and off you trot.

Fancy taking Digitsole for a stroll? The invention is up on Kickstarter right now: you can currently get the ‘super early bird’ price of $99 (£60.90) but the standard retail price will be $149 (£91.90), estimated to arrive in January 2015. If you’re after it as a Christmas present you can pay an extra £18.50 for it to arrive in time and give the gift of toastie feet.
Read Digitsole: The radiator for your shoe! on 5FWD

Samsung UE65H8000 Curved LED HD TV

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:23:10 +0100

Samsung’s here with one of its latest monstrous television sets, the curved 65-inch LCD UE65H8000 TV, which promises top notch image quality and plenty of bang for your wallet-crunching buck. At £2,799, it’s an expensive set – but with 4K on the rise, is it worth splashing the cash on Samsung’s huge set or waiting it out for the ultra high definition standard? We took one for a spin to find out.

Read the full Samsung UE65H8000 Curved LED HD TV review on 5FWD

Nvidia reveals a HTC Nexus 9 is on the way powered by a K1 chip!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:30:00 +0100

Rumours of HTC and Google teaming up for the next Nexus tablet have been making the rounds for some time, but now Nvidia has shined some more light on what to expect from the next slate, all thanks to a legal document. Expect to see the HTC Nexus 9 arriving later this year, and it’ll be packing in Nvidia’s Tegra K1 processor too! Read on for all the details!

As part of the graphics giant’s current patent lawsuit against Qualcomm and Samsung, Nvidia has revealed that the Tegra K1-packing Nexus 9 will hit stores later this year around autumn, and it’s built by HTC – that means you could be seeing plenty of next-gen Google slates ready for Christmas.

Is HTC working on the Google Nexus 9?

There’s no firm release date attached to the tablet, but HTC has planned a media event for 8 October, and we could see a few more details pop up then. We’re still waiting for a price point too, and as the upcoming tablet is expected to be running Android L, the next version of Google’s mobile OS, the ball is firmly in Google’s court to get its software up and running.

Stay tuned for more details on Google’s next tablet – and we’ll be sure to bring you all the details on what the three companies are cooking up as soon as we hear it.
Read Nvidia reveals a HTC Nexus 9 is on the way powered by a K1 chip! on 5FWD

Step aside Google Glass: Samsung Gear Blink offers augmented reality keyboard!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 10:15:00 +0100

Not content with unleashing a load of wearables like the recent Gear S smartwatch, Samsung is also working on its own Google Glass rival, and the clever headset could use Tizen to take the fight to Google. It may also pack an augmented reality keyboard that could change the way we type forever!

We’ve heard that Samsung is working on a Google Glass rival before, but according to Tizen Experts, the headset now has a name, and is likely to be called the Samsung Gear Blink. It’s also set to launch next year around the same time as the Samsung Galaxy S6, potentially hitting us with a double whammy just like the Note 4 and Gear VR combo unleashed at this year’s IFA.

It also looks like Samsung’s pushing ahead with its Tizen-based future, along with smartwatches, smartphones and even a smart TV on the South Korean giant’s agenda, and the Glass-rival could really help to push the OS forward, especially if Samsung implements the clever-looking keyboard it has up its sleeve.

Samsung’s Google Glass rival revealed!

A trademark number connected to Gear Blink – 4020140033123 – has popped up on the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS), and it shows off one of the most innovative keyboards we’ve ever seen: wear the headset, and you’ll see a virtual keyboard projected onto your hands, making it possible to type in thin air!

We love the idea of it: Talking to your wearable is all well and good, but it’s less than ideal when you’re in a crowded space and people are listening in on your intimate text messages, and a virtual reality keyboard means we’d no longer have to worry about tiny screens on smartphones – we’d just have to worry about looking a bit odd.

How much the Gear Blink will cost when it does go on sale remains to be seen, and other details are also scarce, but it’ll be great to see some wearables that offer an alternative to Google Wear. We’ll be sure to fill you in as soon as we hear more on Samsung’s Google Glass rival.
Read Step aside Google Glass: Samsung Gear Blink offers augmented reality keyboard! on 5FWD

Surface Pro 3 Review

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:01:00 +0100

Has Microsoft finally cracked the Surface with its third outing? Find out in our review right here….
Watch Surface Pro 3 Review on 5FWD

Motorola Moto 360

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:34:01 +0100

Hello Moto. After years trapped in mobile mediocrity, Motorola is back with a bang, two extremely promising Android smartphones and the sexiest smartwatch yet, the Motorola Moto 360. Like LG and Samsung’s intelligent tickers before it, this timepiece runs Google’s Android Wear software, just on a slick circular display with analog vibes. But does it really deliver on its promise and nudge you with the alerts you really need? And how long for before it needs to recharge? We strapped one on to find out.

The Apple Watch has landed.

Find out how Motorola got its groove back!

Read the full Motorola Moto 360 review on 5FWD

The iPod classic is dead, long live the iPod

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:30:00 +0100

Apple came out with all guns blazing last night, unleashing two new iPhones, Apple Pay and the company’s eagerly anticipated smartwatch, but quietly, the Cupertino giant pulled the plug on one of its most iconic gadgets, the hefty, hard-drive toting and enduring iPod classic. It had to happen at some point after years of hanging around with its touchscreen siblings, but now the last remnant of the click wheel is finally gone. Let’s take a look back at Apple’s long lasting media player as it plays its swan song MP3.

Eager Apple fans were no doubt refreshing the online store to catch a closer glimpse at the new line-up of iPhones once it was updated, but along with the new additions, one gizmo was missing. The iPod classic is now removed from the iPod section of Apple’s site, and you won’t be able to spot one in the online store. Nor does the previous website URL for the model work anymore. That’s right – it’s been unceremoniously taken out back and shot.

Of course, it’s about time Apple has done something with its long lasting iPod model, as its last refresh was all the way back in 2007, and aside from a storage boost up to 160GB in 2009, Apple has turned its focus on its range of other iPods, and of course, the iPhone and iPad. While Apple forged ahead with iTunes in the Cloud, the iPod classic remained the last truly high-capacity music player for carting album upon album with you, thanks to its large 160GB mechanical hard drive. If you still want something similar from Apple’s range, you’ll have to spring for the largest iPod touch (64GB, rather measly by comparison) or shell out for the hefty 128GB iPhone 6 when that launches later this month. It also marks the end of Apple’s simple, yet effective click wheel, which let you spin through tracks and albums at the flick of a thumb. That’s now been replaced by the handy touchscreen, but its legacy continues to live on with the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown dial, proving that a physical input is still relevant in 2014.

Everything you need to know about iOS 8!

Taking all of your music on the go has also largely been squandered by the likes of all-you-can-stream services like Spotify and Apple’s own iTunes Radio and now-owned Beats Music, which has largely negated the need to carry all of your songs at once, as you can simply stream them with just a few taps. Another nail in the coffin is that the hard drives that Apple uses for the iPod classic are extremely large and delicate compared to the flash-based storage used in other iPods and iPhones, and they’re rather expensive too – it’s not a surprise to see Apple ditch the hard drive in favour of something much easier and cheaper to produce.

The original iPod, launched back in 2001, was dismissed by many as just another MP3 player, and lambasted for its price, but its wheel went on to become the input to beat on a small media player, and many tried and failed to create something as elegant, or as useful as iTunes to go with it. There’s a reason why the iPod classic has lived on for so long, and its simplicity and storage has been key. Now that the iPod classic is dead, Apple’s focusing on its smartwatch efforts next – let’s hope the Apple Watch can match it for longevity.
Read The iPod classic is dead, long live the iPod on 5FWD

iPhone 6 & 6 Plus

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:40:00 +0100

Thinking of picking up one of Apple's new phones? To help you choose which one check them both in action right here….
Watch iPhone 6 & 6 Plus on 5FWD

Step aside YotaPhone: e-ink screens coming to a laptop lid near you!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:15:00 +0100

We loved the idea behind the YotaPhone, which rocks a second e-ink display on the rear of the phone showing off e-books and notifications, and now that same idea is also coming to a laptop near you! Intel showed off a new concept with a second e-ink screen on the lid of a laptop at this year’s Intel Developer Forum, and it could change the way we check our news feeds and notifications on the move.

E-ink screens have a lot of benefits over traditional LED panels, not least when it comes to battery life – hence they’re the perfect screens for long lasting e-readers. If you open your laptop to check what’s going on in the world, the big colour panel will drain the battery life quicker than anything else. E-ink is a lot more efficient though, without the need for a constant power supply when showing images, and a secondary screen on the outside of your laptop could help you to check up on what’s going on in the world without having to open your machine.

Laptop Mag got to play with Intel’s prototype, and reports that the laptop is capable of accessing updates every 15 minutes in standby mode, refreshing information on email alerts, social media notifications, RSS news feeds and even incoming Skype calls meaning you won’t miss a beat when you’re on the go.

Check out our YotaPhone review!

Unlike the YotaPhone – which has a second screen on the back of the handset that’s nearly the same size as the main display – Intel’s creation features a much smaller screen on the lid of its laptop. It’s a touchscreen panel, handily, and it can even show off your photographs. Although why you’d want to display snaps on a grainy black and white display we’re not quite sure…

It’s not just battery life where the e-ink screen could offer benefits though, as it’s also easily readable in sunlight and conditions where a glossy display may be too reflective to check your emails, and it’ll also come in handy being able to get updated on the latest news without actually having to open the laptop – it’s certainly a better solution than Asus’ insane two-screened Taichi laptop which packed a full LCD on the lid, and you can imagine what that did for battery life.

With Intel providing the guts to manufacturers so they can design their own laptops, the prototype remains a concept at this point, but fingers crossed we’ll see companies running with the tech and implementing it into their laptops in the not too distant future.
Read Step aside YotaPhone: e-ink screens coming to a laptop lid near you! on 5FWD

Apple's iOS 8 update incoming 17 September!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:16:00 +0100

Apple revealed its fabled smartwatch and a slew of brand new iPhones last night – the iPhone 6 and the gargantuan iPhone 6 Plus – and while you won’t be able to get your hands on one until 19 September, you’ll be able to enjoy the latest and greatest iOS update two days before then. That’s right, iOS 8 will be hitting your current Apple gizmos two days before the latest phones launch on 17 September, and even your ageing iPhone 4s will be getting an upgrade too! Read on for all the details!

The latest version of iOS will soon be gracing your iPhones, iPads and iPod touches, bringing a whole host of brand new features to your handset for free, including a new keyboard, the ability to swap out new keyboards, iCloud Drive and the new Health App. Messages has been given an overhaul, bringing in features like Tap to Talk which lets you add your voice to a conversation, and you can quickly share photos and videos at the tap of a button, making Apple’s Messaging app even more of a rival to the likes of WhatsApp.

Notifications have also been given a boost, and are now contextually interactive, giving you handy shortcuts to accept invitations, reply to messages, and mark off reminders too. Mail now lets you swipe away emails to manage them and can pick out specific details such as an address or phone number to quickly let you save.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus official!

One of the biggest changes to iOS 8 is the keyboard, which now includes suggestions for your next word (just like on Android), and you’re now finally able to load up your own third-party keyboards, such as Swype or SwiftKey. Family Sharing lets you share your purchased music, movies, books and specific apps with your loved ones, and can let you keep an eye on their calendars too, while iCloud Drive lets you keep all sorts of files in the airwaves for you to access from any device or even your Mac or PC.

iOS 8 also brings in connectivity if you own several Apple products, letting you seamlessly continue from where you left off on your Mac or iPad and then take it on the go with your iPhone. You’re able to reply to answer phone calls on your Mac and send SMS messages from them too, all thanks to Handoff, which works with other apps like Safari, Pages, Numbers, Maps and Reminders too.

Apple’s latest iOS update looks like one of the most jam-packed releases to date, boosting your iPhone and iPad, and even giving you a helping hand if you own a Mac too – and it’s on the way next week for free. It’s set to work with your iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina display, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display – phew! What’s important to note, the iPhone 4S lives to fight another day, even though it won’t work with the Apple Watch – just how long can Apple’s 3.5-inch handset go on for?
Read Apple’s iOS 8 update incoming 17 September! on 5FWD

Apple Watch Trailer

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 20:13:00 +0100

The Apple Watch is finally official! Watch it in all of its glory right here….
Watch Apple Watch Trailer on 5FWD

Apple Watch official: Everything you need to know!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:00:00 +0100

Here it is! The Apple Watch we’ve been waiting years for is finally official. Apple boss Tim Cook revealed the new intelligent timepiece live on stage this evening – we’ve got all the details and pictures on the sexiest smartwatch so far right here.

You thought the Motorola Moto 360 looked good? Get a load of the Apple Watch, Sir Jony Ive’s latest creation. It’s a beautiful metal timepiece with six different straps, and a surprisingly simple user interface that draws from, of all things, the classic iPod’s clickwheel.

Instead of going for fancy touchscreen controls (although it does sport a touchscreen, fear not), Apple have put navigation into the dial on the side, letting you scroll up and down or zoom in and out with a twist – while the icons are similar to those found on iOS, the honeycomb cluster layout is anything but. It’s a surprisingly old school touch, and one we can’t wait to try out. On top of that, the Apple Watch can detect force as well as touch, so it can differentiate between taps and presses to help you control apps.

Around the back, there are four sensors to detect your heart rate, as well as the wireless charging kit to allow you to drop it on a charger and juice up while you sleep. Perhaps best of all though, the watch itself comes in two sizes, large and small, as well as three editions (Watch, Sport and 18 Carat gold Edition) to cope with the vastly different wrist sizes we all have – an unusual solution, but a savvy one.

Everything you need to know about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus!

Notifications work in much the same way as they do on Android Wear smartwatches: you simply scroll down through relevant alerts, and dismiss them with a swipe, and reply to messages with canned responses or voice dictation. Photos you star as a favourite on your iPhone or Mac meanwhile will automatically appear on your Apple Watch to view. Star of the show however is Maps, which is much more powerful than its equivalent on Android Wear, letting you search for locations and see a top down view straight from the small screen on your wrist.

It’s not just first party Apple apps on the watch however: Apple is letting third party developers tap into the smartwatch with its WatchKit software platform, so services can provide image rich alerts and actionable updates (So you can reply straight from your wrist, or even unlock your hotel room door with a wave of the Apple Watch).

As you might expect though, the usual lock in applies with the Apple Watch. This isn’t a universal device in the same way the Pebble smartwatch is: you need a supported iPhone (iPhone 5 and up) to power your Apple Watch, so Android and Windows Phone users will be left out in the cold.

When the Apple Watch launches early next year, it’ll start at $349 (£216). It’s often said that Apple doesn’t enter a new product category until it’s absolutely ready, and that remains as true under Tim Cook as it ever was with Steve Jobs: if Apple can deliver on what it’s promised to today, we might just be looking at the new king of smartwatches. Stay tuned for more as we get it.
Read Apple Watch official: Everything you need to know! on 5FWD

Apple Pay: Get ready to buy next year’s iPhone with this one!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:48:00 +0100

The rumours of Apple’s plans to come up with a wireless mobile payment system were true, and it’s built into every iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the company has announced. Is this finally the end of the credit card? It might be the end of the bit of plastic in your wallet, at any rate.

Apple Pay combines the smarts of the iPhone’s iSight camera with Touch ID and NFC (near field communication) to let you pay simply by holding your iPhone near a merchant point. You simply scan your supported credit card in when you set it up: it recognises your fingerprint when you try to buy, so nobody else can use it instead.

From the demo Apple showed on stage at its press conference today, Apple Pay does not appear much faster than using a wireless credit or debit card for small purchases, but it is however much more secure. It’s tied to your phone, which is locked behind a PIN, requires your fingerprint, and even generates a unique security code for every transaction instead of the one printed on the back of your card.

In the US, Apple Pay will launch in October with American Express, Visa and MasterCard cards, while big retailers including McDonalds and Disney as well as apps like GroupOn and Uber will support the new initiative. Unfortunately, there’s no set UK date yet but the company says it’s working on it – we can’t wait.
Read Apple Pay: Get ready to buy next year’s iPhone with this one! on 5FWD

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus official!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:12:00 +0100

They’re here! Right on cue, Apple has taken the wraps off the iPhone 6 and the gigantic iPhone 6 Plus live on stage at the Flint Centre.

Calling the pair “the biggest advancement in the history of iPhone”, Apple boss Tim Cook announced the new iPhones on sacred ground for Apple, the same venue the original Macintosh and the iMac were both launched.

It’s a fitting site: both devices look phenomenal. The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is just 6.8mm thin. The star of the show however has to be the eagerly awaited iPhone 6 Plus, the phablet-sized Apple smartphone fans with big paws have been waiting seven long years for. The 7.1mm thin iPhone 6 Plus meanwhile packs in a vast 5.5-inch 1080p display which Apple has tailored its iOS software to fit, making use of the extra screen space to show more text on screen, more icons and even a dual pane mode in landscape. Running a different keyboard, it’s a halfway house between an iPhone and an iPad mini, and it looks like a real Samsung Galaxy S and Note competitor.

The Apple Watch has landed, and we’ve got all the info!

Both devices are powered by Apple’s new 64-bit A8 chip so should run blazingly fast, and Apple claims you’re looking at CPU improvements of up to 25% compared to last year’s models, so even the latest games should run without a hitch. ac Wi-Fi also means faster wireless internet on last year’s models, and that’s all without a hitch in battery life either – in fact, the iPhone 6 Plus’ large size provides a major step up in stamina away from the mains, handling up to 12 hours of non-stop web browsing or 80 hours of audio (compared to the iPhone 6’ 50).

Both blowers are also equipped with an eight megapixel camera on the back, with a new sensor and rapid focusing, as well as panorama software to muster up 43 megapixel scenic vistas and 240fps slow mo video clips. On top of that, the iPhone 6 Plus packs in optical image stabilisation (unlike the 6) for better low light performance.

As you’d expect, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus come running iOS 8 out of the box. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will ship in black, gold and silver, with both models offering a 128GB option for the first time – good news for tune hoarders. UK launch date is set for 19 September, with pre-orders opening on the 12th: the iPhone 6 starts at £539 unlocked for the 16GB model, running to £699 for the 128GB edition, while the iPhone 6 Plus starts at £619 for 16GB and stretches to £789 for the 128GB model.

Read iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus official! on 5FWD

Everything you need to build your own Lego drone!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:30:00 +0100

Drones are brilliant fun, but imagine if you could build your own using the Lego you have left over from childhood! Thanks to a new Kickstarter project, you can do exactly that, with all the instructions you need on offer, and even kits including the Lego bricks themselves if necessary. Read on to find out more.

Remote control drones are becoming increasingly popular, whether it’s for delivering pizza or Amazon’s Prime Air service, or for fun like Parrot’s AR Drone 2.0, and now you can even make your own drone out of Lego!

The Lego Drone Kickstarter project makes it possible to create a quadcopter out of your trusty Lego bricks, and the results in the video below speak for themselves!

You will have to make some compromises when it comes to the Lego though. You’ll have to use glue for a start, otherwise there’s a good chance your quadcopter will be losing rotors when out and about, and the glue means you’re unlikely to build other creations out of the bricks when you get bored.

Take to the skies with AirDog!

As for the Kickstarter kit itself, a pledge of $125 (£77) will get you the instructions and bricks needed to make the quadcopter frame, and also includes 3D-printed motor mounts and a mount for your GoPro camera. You will still need to sort out your own flight controller, motor and battery, but the instructions recommend all the parts you’ll need and the places you can buy them from.

Those will less cash can also opt for the instructions on their own for $30 (£19), along with the 3D-printed mounts for the motor, making it easy to get started on building a drone with your own Lego bricks. Shipping outside the US for both kits costs $15 (£9). It’s certainly a lot cheaper than the likes of the £586 AirDog, and building it should be a lot more fun and creative!

And once you’ve built it, it should be easy to keep the Lego drone in one piece. While the designers don’t go into specifics about the hardware itself, features on the original Lego drone also include a return to land option for when you need it safely on the ground, and a GPS assisted flight mode that to keep things stable and as easy to fly as possible. Sounds good to us! If you’re interested, kits will be shipping in November 2014.
Read Everything you need to build your own Lego drone! on 5FWD

inFamous: First Light review

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0100

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As one of the PlayStation 4’s biggest exclusives so far, inFamous: Second Son was a key title and an effective demonstration of the console’s next gen power. It should come as no great surprise then to hear that DLC has been released, but the manner in which this content has been pushed to market might cause some furrowed brows to appear.

Instead of being dependant on the original game, inFamous: First Light is a stand-alone release in its own right, and can be downloaded and played without owning the main game. Does this prequel build on the good work seen in Second Son, and is it worth investigating if you’ve not had any experience of the series thus far? We hope your magical powers are in good working order, because we’re about to take to the streets of Seattle to find out.

Read our review of Metro: Redux!

The good

First Light is essentially a prequel story to Second Son which stars Abigail “Fetch” Walker in the lead role, taking over from the original game’s Delsin Rowe. Like Rowe, Fetch is blessed – or perhaps cursed – with amazing supernatural powers which make her a target for security forces looking to stamp out anything they don’t understand.

The game’s main campaign – which runs for about five hours – is split between flashbacks to Fetch’s past and her current predicament. While the core gameplay remains largely as it was in Second Son – basically lots of sprinting around performing missions and generally using your powers to cause havoc – the tighter running time means nothing in the game is able to outstay its welcome.

First Light has a visual style which calls to mind the neon glow of the ‘80s, and it pushes this aesthetic to new heights with its combat. Fetch’s powers turn the screen into something akin to a disco, and in many ways this game manages to trump Second Son when it comes to graphical charm; it also runs a lot smoother as well, thanks to improvements made by the developer to the underlying game engine.

The bad

First Light’s brief campaign is ideal if you’re looking for a quick thrill, but for some players it will simply be too short to really provide any satisfaction. It’s also a shame that a character as appealing as Fetch isn’t given more time to shine; by the time you really know her and care for her, the game is over.

The moral choices which characterise the inFamous series are also largely absent here; while the game gives the player the impression that they are choosing their own path, in reality you have very little freedom – another drawback of the small size of the game.

Read our review of The Last of Us Remastered!

The bottom line

While it could be seen as more of the same, First Light is the perfect way for newcomers to become acquainted with the inFamous series, and it’s also a neat little dessert for those who have already fought their way through Second Son and lived to tell the tale. Aside from an engaging story, an eye-catching visual style and slightly improved frame rates, there’s very little here that wasn’t present in the original game, but the standard is so high that it seems churlish to mark it down for that. First Light is an intriguing experiment with DLC. It’s more than just an add-on; it’s a self-contained adventure which is so entertaining you won’t want it to end, but end it sadly does – and perhaps a little too early.

4 out of 5
Read inFamous: First Light review on 5FWD

Fujifilm has a duo of retro snappers incoming next week!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:50:00 +0100

While this year’s IFA tech expo is now done and dusted, photography fans will have plenty to get excited about at next week’s huge Photokina imaging fair in Cologne, including a duo of new cameras on the way from Fujifilm! With retro styling, could either be the perfect camera for you?

According to Digital Camera Info, Fujifilm has a couple of surprises in store for next week, including its latest retro styled camera. The X100T is set to make its debut, and along with its classic chassis, it’s set to pack in a 16-Megapixel APS-C sensor, a three-inch LCD screen along with built-in Wi-Fi to let you control it with your phone.

Read our review of the Samsung NX Mini Camera!

The X100T is also capable of shooting full HD videos, and its ISO range hits up to 51200, plus there’s an electronic shutter with an impressive 1/32,000 second speed packed in too. There’s no word on pricing or when the X100T will hit the shelves, but you can bet it won’t be too long after Photokina.

That’s not the only camera Fujifilm’s getting ready to show off, as its X-T1 is getting a refresh too. The new version of Fujifilm’s water-resistant retro-inspired snapper packs in a new silver trim and an improved high-speed shutter. If you’re interested in the updated model, it’s set to cost around $1,400 (£869), although there’s no confirmation on UK pricing. Stay tuned, as we’ll be sure to keep you updated on Fujifilm’s latest snappers as soon as we hear about them.
Read Fujifilm has a duo of retro snappers incoming next week! on 5FWD

TiVo Mega packs in 24TB of storage for 3 years of TV: Costs $5,000!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:15:00 +0100

Personal video recorders (PVRs) like TiVo are brilliant for TV fans, but it’s all too easy to run out of space once you start backing up plenty of different TV shows and films. That’s unlikely to happen with the insane TiVo Mega, a 24TB beast that looks more like a server rack than something that’ll sit nicely in your living room – and it could be the ultimate PVR. At $5,000 (£3,104) it certainly should be, but is it worth the cash? We take a look.

We’ve never seen a PVR like the TiVo Mega before, and its massive casing and industrial appearance looks more suited to data centres than living rooms, but there’s no arguing with its credentials. Just like the servers you’ll find in said data centres, the Mega is jam-packed with hard drives, all configured in a RAID 5 arrangement that enables a staggering 24TB of storage.

Better yet, the drives are also hot swappable, so if one breaks you’ll be able to swap in a new one without turning the TiVo Mega off or missing out on the end of The Gadget Show!

Check out Chromecast, the ideal gadget for streaming TV!

Knowing the TiVo Mega packs in 24TB is all well and good, but what does that actually translate to in usable terms? That works out to about 26,000 hours of standard-definition footage – around three years of TV – for a start, so there’s certainly no worries about running out of space before you get to the end of a series.

With more and more content being delivered in high definition though, the TiVo Mega really comes into its own when it comes to higher quality shows, where 24TB is enough to pack in around 4,000 hours of 1080p TV. It’s a fraction of what you can cram into the Mega using standard definition, but around five months of continuous TV still seems massively over the top to us!

To help record so much content, the TiVo Mega packs in an impressive six tuners, letting you record a host of different channels simultaneously, and it also lets you stream live and recorded TV to smartphones and tablets – you can even control the TiVo Mega with those gizmos too. It’s just a shame about that $5,000 (£3,104) price tag! Still, if you want the most capable gadget when it comes to recording TV – and if you’ve got the room – it looks like there’s a new king.
Read TiVo Mega packs in 24TB of storage for 3 years of TV: Costs $5,000! on 5FWD

Series 20: Episode 1 Teaser

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:47:00 +0100

We&#39;re back! On Monday 15th September @ 7pm on Channel 5 it&#39;s the first episode of our brand new series. And not only that it&#39;s our ten year anniversary special! Do not miss it! Until then watch the teaser right here.....

Watch Series 20: Episode 1 Teaser on 5FWD

Amazon Fire Phone: Kindle smartphone hits the UK today!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:00:00 +0100

Right before Apple reveals its latest iPhone to the world, Amazon has announced that its 3D-equipped Amazon Fire Phone is on the way to the UK, and it’ll hit shelves later this month too, exclusively on O2. Best of all, it’s on sale right…now! We got a preview of the device at Amazon’s London offices this afternoon so read on for our thoughts on this very different breed of Android smartphone.

The e-tail giant has just announced that the 4.7-inch Amazon Fire Phone is on the way to O2, and of course, will be available to buy on Amazon.co.uk. The handset, which rocks multiple-front facing cameras to track your face and offers a 3D depth effect, was originally announced back in June and has since faced stiff competition from smartphone heavyweights like Samsung and HTC in the months since.

3D, Firefly, unlimited storage, and tilt controls: Say hello to the Amazon Fire Phone

It does come packing plenty of skills though, including head-tracking abilities to scroll through apps automatically while you read. Its Firefly app lets you scan items to find out what they are and how much they’ll cost you on Amazon, and it runs on the company’s own Fire OS too, packing in features like Mayday, X-Ray and Second Screen. You’ll also find a 13-Megapixel main camera on the back, plus unlimited cloud storage for all your snaps and videos.

We had a hands-on with the Amazon Fire Phone this afternoon and came away impressed with the company’s ambition, if not the hardware, which like Amazon’s Fire tablets is decidedly ordinary (Your standard black glossy plastic slab). Firefly really does work, letting you pull up details on a film from just a few seconds of audio, or even the calorie data for a packet of biscuits you’re eyeing up in the supermarket aisle. Amazon’s Silk Browser meanwhile fires through web pages, and combined with the default Swype keyboard, makes navigating the web just as easy as on an Android phone proper.

We’re less impressed by Amazon’s user interface decisions. The tilt feature to pull open menus and sidebars is unintuitive (you simply wouldn’t know it’s there) and awkward to pull off compared to simply tapping or swiping with your finger. The back button is even worse, hidden away as an exaggerated upward swipe gesture next to the home button. We could see people going for months without realising these options are there, and it’s almost at odds with the other excellent beginner services on the Fire phone, like the excellent May Day, which lets a IRL assistant take control of your Fire Phone and show you how it works, with cursors to indicate their touches and even on-screen highlighting like you’d see during halftime of a football match.

Still, given its low price, we’re excited to give the Amazon Fire Phone a proper test out in the wild. If you fancy grabbing one, it’s ready for pre-order on O2 Refresh and can be had for no money upfront on a £33 tariff for the 32GB version and 2GB of data, while the 64GB version is also available. The Fire Phone ships out on 30 September, and up until 31 December, if you plonk your hard earned cash down for one, you’ll bag a year’s worth of Amazon Prime too. Stay tuned, as we’ll be bringing you a full review of Amazon’s Fire Phone and letting you know just how its 3D skills stack up.
Read Amazon Fire Phone: Kindle smartphone hits the UK today! on 5FWD

Samsung NX Mini Camera

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 14:30:00 +0100

Compact cameras with large sensors that aim to rival DSLRs when it comes to image quality are nothing new, but now Samsung’s getting in on the market with its tiniest mirrorless camera to date, the truly miniscule and stylish NX Mini. Can it square up to other mirrorless camera rivals, or has Samsung tried too hard with its smallest camera yet? We put one through its paces to find out.

Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy Camera!

Read the full Samsung NX Mini Camera review on 5FWD

Snap stylish selfies with the iPhone Selfie Brush!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:30:00 +0100

File this one under ridiculous gadgets, as we may have one of the weirdest yet! If you’ve ever wished your hair brush would hold your iPhone, your dream has just become a reality. It’s all thanks to the brilliantly wacky Selfie Brush, which holds your iPhone in place while you style your hair, and also promises to make it easier to take selfies after you’ve created the perfect hair do. Want one?

The Selfie Brush, which essentially does what it says on the tin, holds your iPhone 5s or 5c on the opposite side of the actual brush itself, and also includes a mirror alongside to check out what you look like when you’re about to take a snap.

Whether you’ll actually use that mirror is questionable – as the Selfie Brush takes advantage of your iPhone’s front-facing camera to take selfies anyway, so you’ll always be able to check out what you look like onscreen, but it’s nice to have a little bit extra included too.

Meet the iPhone case that keeps you healthy!

The manufacturer of the Selfie Brush claims the brush makes it easier to hold your iPhone when you’re taking snaps too, as the large handle helps to reduce shake. That said, you’ll still need to reach and press the onscreen shutter button on your iPhone anyway to actually take a photo, so it may not be quite the ideal solution its designers dreamed of. You’ll also find slots included to make it easy to access the buttons on the side of your phone, and there’s even a hole so you can plug in your headphones – although we can’t really imagine it being ideal having wires trailing from the hairbrush to your ears!

Interested? You’ll have to wait a bit, as there’s currently no word on pricing or availability – we’ll be sure to let you know when this ridiculous gizmo hits the shelves.
Read Snap stylish selfies with the iPhone Selfie Brush! on 5FWD

Who needs 4K now? Dell unleashes its ridiculous UltraSharp "5K" 27-inch monitor!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 11:15:00 +0100

Ultra high-definition might be the current benchmark for the future of gaming and movies, but Dell’s already not content with 4K. The computing powerhouse has just revealed its latest 27-inch monitor, and it packs in an eye popping resolution of 5,120×2,880 – what Dell is calling 5K! Is this more pixels than you’ll even need?

Dell announced its brand new 5K UltraSharp 27-inch display during its Modern Workforce stream, and although there’s still likely to be a long wait until the resolution is fully adopted by the masses, Dell’s targeting extreme multitaskers with its new screen. The number of pixels packed in is simply staggering, and its 5,120×2,880 resolution puts other displays to shame; to put it in perspective, Dell’s latest monitor has exactly twice the resolution of Apple’s already sharp 27-inch iMac.

Read our review of BenQ’s XL2720Z Gaming Monitor!

Even still, there’s nearly twice as many pixels on show than on a 4K display, all packed into 27-inches meaning you’ll be able to run huge windows with more room than you’ll likely know what to do with. All we want to know is if you’ll be able to run the latest and greatest games on it… You’ll be needing a hefty gaming system for that though, as 4K can already bring plenty of graphics cards to their knees.

Dell’s keeping mum on the price for now, but the 27-inch 5K monitor is expected to go on sale before the end of the year – you’ve got plenty of time to get your eyes ready.
Read Who needs 4K now? Dell unleashes its ridiculous UltraSharp “5K” 27-inch monitor! on 5FWD

Last minute leak: The gigantic iPhone 6 Apple doesn't want you to see

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:00:00 +0100

Apple is set to unleash the iPhone 6 tomorrow in two different sizes, but already the handset is looking like one of the most leaked gadgets around. And now we’ve seen the most detailed snaps yet of Apple’s massive new handset – read on to find out more.

Rumours about a much bigger iPhone 6 have been making the rounds for a while now, and we were already expecting to see Apple’s flagship smartphone grow in size – the latest set of leaked images appear to confirm exactly that.

Posted by user over on Chinese social network, Weibo, and also making an appearance on 9to5 Mac, the latest images of Apple’s next handset are clearer than anything we’ve seen so far, and show off an iPhone much larger than anything that’s gone before it.

Bigger iPhone 6 on the way!

The images appear to be genuine, and the design shown off looks very similar to other leaked images – and with one of the photos showing off the latest blower next to the iPhone 5s, it just shows how much the bigger iPhone 6 has grown in size.

It’s not just the design of the handset itself that’s worth getting excited about either, as the phone also reportedly shows off iOS 8 – and it gives us a quick peek at the updated Passbook, which could be where all your credit cards are stored for NFC payments from Apple’s next phone.

Whether the images turn out to be the real deal or not remain to be seen, but we won’t have long to wait. With Apple set to announce full details of the iPhone 6 tomorrow, be sure to check in to see exactly what the Cupertino giant has in store – we’ll be bringing you full details of all the action as soon as it happens!

iPhone 6 leaked by former popstar!
Read Last minute leak: The gigantic iPhone 6 Apple doesn’t want you to see on 5FWD

News Round up 06/09/14 - IFA 2014

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 17:10:00 +0100

We take a look at some of the best tech news stories from the last week – Including all the info from the tech extravaganza at IFA in Berlin!
Watch News Round up 06/09/14 – IFA 2014 on 5FWD

Nook GlowLight

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:50:32 +0100

When you think of ebook readers, you’re likely to think straight away to Amazon’s dominating Kindle range, but there’s more choice than just the online retailer’s wares. Barnes & Noble has been crafting tip-top readers for some time now, and its latest, the Nook GlowLight, has touched down in the UK following its American launch late last year. Is it too late for Nook’s latest reader to make a splash, or could the Nook GlowLight be the best Kindle alternative yet? We loaded up our favourite books to find out.

Read the full Nook GlowLight review on 5FWD

Apple iPhone 6, two new Samsung Galaxy Notes, Dyson 360 Eye: Gadget Digest

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:30:00 +0100

The past few days have been some of the most action-packed we’ve seen in 2014, with the IFA 2014 expo kicking off and manufacturers queuing up to unleash some spectacular gadgets on the world! From innovative and unusual phablets, to range-topping smartphones and smartwatches, to arguably the best robotic vacuum cleaner we’ve laid eyes on, it’s been a fantastic week for gadget lovers, and we’ve got all the biggest headlines below. So make a cuppa, sit back and enjoy catching up on all the gadget news from the week!

Smartphones and phablets!

Out of all the phablets spotted at IFA this year, it’s impossible not to be bowled over by the amazing new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy Note 4. The Edge gets an innovative and stunning new display that wraps around the edge of the handset (see what they did there?), so you can see additional info and onscreen buttons on the side of the device, while the Galaxy Note could well be one of the best phablets yet, with its high-end specs and razor-sharp Quad HD display. Not to mention Samsung has finally put together a solid metal chassis for its flagship!

Motorola got in on the action too, unleashing the new Moto X and the even bigger Moto G. The updated Moto X packs in a 5.2-inch Full HD screen, along with always-on voice tech that lets you make commands without even having to say ‘OK Google’ and a full metal chassis. It’s the Moto G that stands out for bargain lovers though, as it’s been super-sized up to 5-inches and packs in a 720p HD screen and quad-core processing for just £145!

There were a host of other phablets also announced at IFA – from the Sony Xperia Z3 to the HTC Desire 820, and you can see all of them in our full round-up from this year’s show right here.

There have been plenty of smartphone rumours this week too, not least the Apple iPhone 6, which could double up as a mobile wallet. According to reports, the iPhone 6 will cram in NFC tech letting you digitally load up your credit cards to then pay with just a tap – can Apple finally crack successful payments with your phone?

Affordable tablets

Lenovo was one of the first companies this week to unleash a new gadget for IFA, with the Lenovo Tab S8 on the horizon, and there’s a lot on offer for your cash. The new tablet is set to cost under $200 (£121), yet still packs in a Full HD screen and a design that measures a super-skinny sub-8mm in depth.

The Lenovo Tab S8 was joined by the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, with the 8-inch tablet marking Sony’s first foray into more portable Android tablet offerings. With a depth of 6.4mm and a weight of 270g, the Compact is one of the smallest tablets around, but it’s got plenty of screen real estate and looks like the perfect tablet to sling in your bag when you’re out and about.

Check out all the goings on from IFA 2014!

Sophisticated smartwatches

It’s also great to see some competition for the stylish Moto 360, in the form of the Asus Zenwatch. This stunning new Android Wear smartwatch is arguably one of the most stylish yet, and details like the leather strap and curved edges help to give it a slightly more conventional appearance than smartwatches like the LG G Watch

Sony’s SmartWatch 3 popped up at IFA this week too, and although it looks less sophisticated than the Zenwatch, with a plastic design more suited to sports and loafing around the house, it also packs in Android Wear and a similar set of features.

And now for something completely different…

Picking our favourite gadgets has been particularly difficult this week, as there have been so many jaw-dropping tech toys popping up at IFA, but it’s not all about smartwatches, smartphones and tablets. Check out the Dyson 360 Eye for a great example: could this be one of the most innovative gadgets of 2014? The robotic vacuum cleaner has been a staggering 16 years in the making, and Dyson claims it offers “more suction” than any other robotic vacuum cleaner currently on the market.

We also loved the Logitech K480 keyboard, which stands out from the crowd by offering the ability to type on a host of different devices. Want to switch between your computer, tablet and smartphone? All you need to do is flick a switch, and answering messages, responding to social media and going back to work is simply at your finger tips.

Arguably the biggest news of the week though, is the fact The Gadget Show is back on the TV this month! Tune into Channel 5 on Monday 15 September to catch up with the gang and see some more out of this world gadgets.

Check out Panasonic’s latest super-tough smartphone!
Read Apple iPhone 6, two new Samsung Galaxy Notes, Dyson 360 Eye: Gadget Digest on 5FWD

Hard-as-nails Panasonic Toughpad FZ-E1 and FZ-X1 tablets unleashed!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 10:15:00 +0100

On the hunt for a tablet that’s as tough as old boots? Panasonic may have the solution, unleashing the Toughpad FZ-E1 and FZ-X1 at IFA yesterday, only they’re more phablet sized than full-on tablet! Each one packs a 5-inch display and either Android or Windows Embedded 8 for those who need a portable tablet that’s capable of withstanding pretty much anything you can throw at it. Want to know more?

The Windows-based Toughpad FZ-E1, and the Android-powered FZ-X1, certainly won’t come first at a beauty pageant, as they look more like rugged devices from yesteryear than a modern tablet, but each one could be the ideal choice for those who place function a country mile ahead of form. Panasonic is actually positioning its super-tough gadget as a “handheld tablet with data and voice capabilities”, which to us sounds suspiciously like a phone. A big phone, granted, but a phone none-the-less.

That 5-inch panel gets a 1280×720 resolution, and features like an anti-reflective toughened coating and weather-sensing tech that supports use in the pouring rain, making it perfect for life outdoors. With the ToughBook laptop range also in its stable, Panasonic knows a thing or two about making rugged gadgets, which is why the Toughpad meets or betters a whole host of specifications and standards, including MIL-STD-810G and IP68. As a result, it’s capable of surviving drops of up to 3m on concrete, dips of up to 1.5m in water for up to 30 minutes, and can work in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 60°C. There’s even an integrated heater for when the going gets tough!

Check out our Panasonic ToughBook CF-19 laptop review!

Despite the rugged design, there’s actually a reasonable spec within that hard-as-nails chassis, including 4G LTE wireless connectivity, an 8-megapixel snapper, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Wi-Fi. The fact it’s designed for business use means that battery life is a priority, which is why Panasonic has added a massive 6,200mAh battery (rated for up to 1,000 hours on standby and an impressive talk time of 23 hours). Throw in that choice of operating systems, including Android 4.2.2 or Windows Embedded 8.1 – which is built on Windows Phone 8.1 and runs all of your favourite Windows Phone Store apps – and it’s clear that Panasonic is serious about targeting businesses.

All this doesn’t come cheap though, as the Android-based Toughpad FZ-X1 price starts at £1024 (excluding VAT), while it rises up to £1056 (excluding VAT) for the Windows-based FZ-E1 – fancy one?

Tough laptops tested to destruction!
Read Hard-as-nails Panasonic Toughpad FZ-E1 and FZ-X1 tablets unleashed! on 5FWD

How Moto got its mojo back: Inside Motorola's incredible Chicago HQ

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0100

Everyone remembers the Razr. Motorola’s wafer-thin flip phone was the essence of cool in the mid-2000s, but somewhere along the way, the company lost it mojo. It began pushing out tepid smartphones with out of date software, and all but abandoned the UK. It was sold to Google, and then sold again. A tech giant that once helped put astronauts on the moon had become irrelevant.

But then something strange happened. Motorola upped its game last year, putting out the hyper-customisable Moto X, and then the astonishing, affordable Moto G, which instantly became its best selling smartphone of all time. Now, it’s back, and with a bang. To tie in with the announcement of its impressive second generation Moto X and Moto G Android smartphones, as well as the release of the Moto 360 smart watch, the company invited us inside its new headquarters in Chicago for a rare peek behind the scenes. Read on for a gallery of exclusive pictures and insight into how Motorola got its mojo back.

If you want to start afresh, you get yourself some new surroundings, and Motorola’s done exactly that. Or rather, some old ones. It’s moved its HQ, where its devices are designed, from out in the Illinois countryside back to the very heart of downtown Chicago where the company started almost a century ago, taking over the top four floors of the hulking Merchandise Mart, once the biggest building in the world by square footage.

Above: A Motorola executive explains the design process behind the Moto 360

The scale of this operation alone is impressive enough – photos alone do not do justice to the, vast staggering size of the Mart. In just a few short months the company has relocated thousands of staff, and built vast, bespoke labs inside an art deco landmark designed in another age: one laboratory seats 250, and is entirely coated in copper to prevent microwaves escaping, making it one of the world’s largest Faraday cages.

But it’s what Motorola is now putting out that impresses most. Its new products, from low price smartphones to intelligent wrist wear, are now some of the best gadgets in the world right now, not just the also-rans they used to be.

Motorola execs insist much of this is down to a new-found sense of collaboration. The office are open plan, but more importantly, so are the laboratories. They’ve merged more than 50 labs into just seven, making sure engineers and designers work in harmony. If you caught our review of the original Moto G late last year, you’ll know the results speak for themselves.

There’s a sense of optimism as we tour the labs. Staff seem happy, chatting together at tables and regaling us with stories about the move to their new offices, and the challengers they faced designing their new products.

“There weren’t any cogs, but it was super hard to construct,” Motorola wearables product management chief Lior Ron tells us, explaining why the 360 was harder to make than any analog watch. “Most mobile electronics are square or rectangular – we were literally trying to fit a square plug into a circle.”

But this is the new Motorola, the one with graffiti artwork in the toilets and an 18th floor view of the Windy City to inspire its engineers, so they found a way, coming up with a custom circular screen for the Android Wear smartwatch, and teaming up with Google to make sure its software worked smoothly on it from an early stage.

Above: several of Motorola’s 360 early stage designs, seen for the first time.

Not content with just coming up with a new technology and calling it a day however, they went on a global style hunt, sending employees to the Basle world watch expo for inspiration (the result: optional, classy steel straps) and teaming up with a family-run Illinois tannery for the leather ones.

Above: one printer creating Android Wear watch faces.

We’re shown several never before seen early prototypes showing how they reached their design conclusions at Motorola’s new physical prototyping lab, where 3D printers the size of small cars run 24/7 printing off watch models and etching screens onto glass. The only one turned off? The one creating next-generation models we’re still not allowed to see.

Above: Blasting a phone for design weak points with what else but lasers.

Next stop on the list is the ALT (advanced lifetime testing) lab, where phones are tested by being pressed, scratched and dropped thousands and thousands of times, followed by the physics labs, where scientists blast new designs with lasers and drop them some more to check for any weak points in the design.

Last but no least is the acoustics lab: we take sound in our smartphones for granted, but it’s easy to forget how much work goes into modern mobiles when it comes to stereo sound and noise cancellation.

Above: inside the noise simulation chamber, where Motorola’s always on listening skills are put to the test.

We’re taken inside a soundproof, foam clad chamber so silent it’s unnerving, where Motorola hits the four microphones inside its phones with sounds from every angle to find out how it performs. Then it’s onto the sound simulation room, where a dummy holds a phone and reference speakers pound out traffic and cafeteria noise to see how voice recognition fares: the company had to create a flesh-like arm to simulate the dampening effect a human arm has on a smart watch for the production of the 360.

Motorola’s CEO Rick Osterloh tells us he thinks the company is now acting and innovating like a start-up, and seeing the surging sales spikes typically only small companies (and Apple) are capable of. As an engineer drops water from on a pipette onto the nano-coating used on Motorola screens, causing it to literally bounce right off, with a jaw dropping view of Lake Michigan in the background, it’s hard to disagree. Whatever Motorola was working on in that confidential 3D printer, powered off and covered over, we can’t to find out what it is. Welcome back, Moto.

Lead image credit: Flickr/stevec77

Read How Moto got its mojo back: Inside Motorola’s incredible Chicago HQ on 5FWD

Your move Apple: New Moto X and the even bigger Moto G unleashed!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0100

All eyes are on IFA right now, with gadget fans eagerly checking out all the new smartphones designed to compete with Apple’s iPhone 6, expected to debut next week. Not to be outdone though, Motorola’s just dropped a bombshell of its own: second generation Moto X and Moto G Android smartphones. Has it just sewn up both ends of the market in one swoop? We got hands on with both, as well as the Moto 360 Android Wear smartwatch, at Motorola’s Chicago headquarters to find out more.

Up first is the new Motorola Moto X, an impressive response to the latest Android war horses from Sony, Samsung and HTC: it still boasts the slick aerodynamic design of its predecessor, but this time around there’s a huge 5.2-inch 1080p full HD display on board. Its clever sound tech means it’s always listening for your commands too, and goes one better than Google Now by recognising your voice and letting you choose a customisable passcode, instead of “OK Google”. We got a close look at the device and came away impressed: it’s thinner than before, extremely glossy and very fast thanks to its bare bone, pure Android OS.

Now the original Moto X did eventually ship in the UK, but months after the US launch, and without the fancy Moto Maker shop that let you customise the phone to your heart’s content. That’s not the case this time: the new Motorola Moto X will hit the UK from the end of the month starting at £419 SIM-free, complete with all the Moto Maker trimmings – you’ll be able to alter the back, the front, the trim and more in one of thousands of possible combinations (which include wood and leather backs). These are then shipped within a week from Asia: if you don’t like the way your model looks, you can return it.

Feature: How Moto got its mojo back

Just as exciting as the powerhouse Moto X however is the second generation Motorola Moto G. Like its predecessor, it costs next to nothing (Just £145 SIM-free, which you can expect to come down rapidly), but this time offers up a massive 5-inch 720p HD screen, along with a quad-core processor, 8GB of storage and what many fans were calling out for in what would otherwise have been the phone of 2013: a micro SD card slot.

In fact, it’s hard to believe Motorola has managed to build a phone this big, this slim and this responsive for as little as it has. The only thing missing from the package this time around is 4G LTE connectivity for super fast downloads, which is a bit strange considering you can now buy a 4G-enabled first generation Moto G. Other than that though, we’re almost certain Motorola has another enormous hit on its hands here. We’ll find out soon enough: the new Moto G is on sale today, and we’ll have a full review for you very soon.

Last but not least, Motorola also finally announced after months of teasing that the Moto 360 Android Wear smart watch is shipping. It’ll be available early next month from O2, Tesco, Amazon and John Lewis priced up at £199, in grey and black leather swatches.

We’ll have a review of the Moto 360 very soon, but from our preview today, we’re still not convinced. Its circular screen is impressive, but the watch face is still very deep (it has to pack smartphone innards, a battery and a heart rate monitor in there, after all), meaning it bulges up off your wrist, and the twin microphones completely failed to understand the commands of a Motorola staffer during one demonstration in a quiet room. But what we were seeing wasn’t final software: this could well change between now and launch.

Even with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge and Sony Xperia Z3 all debuting this week, we’re excited by Motorola’s comeback streak – we can’t wait to see if Apple can top this trio next week with an iPhone, iPhone phablet and iWatch of its own.

This is the new Sony smart watch

Read Your move Apple: New Moto X and the even bigger Moto G unleashed! on 5FWD

Samsung Wireless Mobile Streaming Device

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:30:00 +0100

Every tech company under the sun seems to be hyping up the power of remote storage these days, but recent issues with celebrities finding their personal photos leaking from supposedly secure cloud services may well see some sceptics returning to the good old days of physical media. And if you’re one of those individuals, then you might want to try the Samsung Wireless Mobile Streaming Device. It’s basically a 1.5TB portable hard drive with Wi-Fi tacked on, and allows you to stream movies, listen to music and view photos all from the comfort of your Android-powered smart device. It even charges your phone and doubles as a standard hard disc – so what’s the catch? Let’s find out.

Read our review of the Maxwell AirStash!

Read the full Samsung Wireless Mobile Streaming Device review on 5FWD

Dyson 360 Eye: Is this the ultimate robotic vacuum?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:30:00 +0100

Robotic vacuum cleaners have been around for years now, and while they do help out with the cleaning, some of them often miss out on bits and pieces, leaving you to clean up afterwards. That’s why Dyson has spent 16 years researching and developing its own take on the robo cleaner, and it’s finally been revealed. Meet the Dyson 360 Eye, an intelligent robot that packs in a 360-degree camera to make sure it doesn’t miss a single spot! Read on for all the details!

Dyson is a household name synonymous with top-notch vacuum cleaners, and now the company is taking its cleaning expertise to a robot. The Dyson 360 Eye is claimed to be an intelligent robot that is capable of “cleaning properly”, and boasts “more suction” than any other robot vacuum out at the moment.

Read our review of the Samsung NaviBot Corner Clean!

That’s all down to Dyson’s 360-degree vision system which houses a panoramic camera and works with infrared sensors to accurately suck up all the dirt that’s in your room. Pair those smarts with the V2 digital motor, which along with its Radial Root Cyclone tech, the 360 Eye can separate dust and dirt, and suck up particles down to 0.5 microns – Dyson claims you won’t have to set it to do a second sweep at all. Thanks to its 360-degree camera, it builds a detailed floor plan to intelligently navigate throughout a room and track its position, plus it also uses landmarks to work out how it has moved, meaning it won’t get lost, and it won’t double back on what it’s already sucked up.

To top it off, Dyson has armed the 360 Eye with tank tracks, just like an all terrain vehicle, to conquer almost anything you’ve got placed on the floor, letting it maintain speed and direction, while there’s a smartphone app on iOS and Android which will let you schedule clean-ups with just a quick few button taps.

If you want to get your hands on one, you’ll have to wait a bit: It’s scheduled to hit Japan first next spring, while a worldwide release will follow up afterwords. Needless to say, we can’t wait – and we’re sure you can’t either.
Read Dyson 360 Eye: Is this the ultimate robotic vacuum? on 5FWD

Sphero Ollie: Meet the phone-controlled robot that can unleash tricks!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:30:00 +0100

You may remember Sphero as the tiny robot ball that can be controlled by your phone, but now it’s about to get a bigger brother known as Ollie that can go even faster, and can bust out all sorts of tricks too! Fancy one of these? Read on for all the details!

Meet the latest member of the Sphero family, known as Ollie, which packs in all the same robotic smarts as its little brother, but it’s capable of doing a whole lot more. The guys behind Sphero have engineered the latest robotic toy for high performance speed, and it’s capable of performing tricks too, all thanks to the individually controlled ‘wheels’ on the sides. Just like the original, its also built to take a beating, thanks to its durable polycarbonate shell.

Watch the team play with the original Sphero!

Once you’ve paired up the Ollie to your iPhone or Android blower via its built-in Bluetooth LE, you’ll be able to fire it up to speeds of 14 MPH on all sorts of surfaces, and it can spin, drift and even jump at the swipe of a finger. Sphero has also created apps you give you feedback on your driving skills, and points based on what tricks you’ve done, while you can program it too, giving it an educational edge to go with its high-octane powers. You’ll also be able to customise your little robo pal with a range of accessories and parts, ranging from nubby tyres to clip-on shells, plus there’s even a Bluetooth enabled ramp on the way which you can use to set high scores on. You’ll get an hour of drive time once it’s charged up, giving you plenty of time to whiz it around your house.

If you want to get your hands on one, you haven’t got long to wait: it’s on the way on 15 September for £79.99, and you can pre-order one straight from gosphero.com too, meaning you’ll be able to whiz it around your house in no time at all. See it in action below.

Read Sphero Ollie: Meet the phone-controlled robot that can unleash tricks! on 5FWD

Amazon Fire TV hits the UK from just £49 for Amazon Prime members!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:12:00 +0100

It’s been a couple of months since the Amazon Fire TV was unleashed on the world, set to rival the likes of the Apple TV and various Roku boxes, but the set-top media streamer hasn’t been able to grab in the UK yet. If you’ve been eagerly awaiting the Fire TV, it’s now finally available for UK peeps – and from £49 it’s reasonably priced too! Read on for all the details!

If you’ve been itching to grab a new media streamer, you may have found the ideal partner for your telly. There’s a lot to like about Amazon’s Fire TV, starting with its speedy performance: It’s armed with a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, making it more than capable of handling the simple menus thrown up by TV on demand, plus its download speeds are boosted by dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi with MIMO. The Fire TV even gets its own dedicated graphics chip, making it possible to play games from Mojang, Gameloft, Sega and Ubisoft, among others, all on the big screen.

Compared with rivals like Apple TV or Chromecast, Amazon’s Fire TV has plenty packed in, with its serious spec sheet marking it out as one of the most powerful set-top boxes around – all in a slim chassis too.

Find out more about the Amazon Fire TV

Throw in the ability to stream from services including Netflix, Prime Instant Videos, YouTube and more, there’s no excuse for blaming the stuff on TV when you’re bored. The Fire TV even gets voice control, letting you search for TV shows and films by name without having to trawl through time-consuming menus and onscreen keyboards.

It’s now heading to the UK, with a price tag of just £49 for Amazon Prime members – and you can order right now. You’ll have to act quickly though, as the deal only runs for the next five days. After that the Fire TV will set you back £79 – the same price it’ll cost none Prime members – while it’ll ship out on 23 October. Seems like a snip for something that can turn your HDTV into the ideal home entertainment system!

Watch out Amazon, PlayStation is making shows too!
Read Amazon Fire TV hits the UK from just £49 for Amazon Prime members! on 5FWD

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Sony Xperia Z3, VR headsets, all the tablets and all the smartwatches from IFA 2014!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:18:00 +0100

The IFA 2014 tech extravaganza kicked off this week, and so far it’s been an absolutely amazing show for gadget lovers. We’ve seen everything from high-end smartphones, phablets and tablets and a new crop of Android Wear smartwatches too: there’s a lot to catch up on. Good thing we’ve got you covered! Read on for all the latest news and updates from this year’s IFA 2014 expo.

Fabulous Phablets

Galaxy Note 4

We knew the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was coming, and now Samsung has unveiled it in all its glory at IFA this week – and it looks like an absolute cracker! It packs in a LG G3-rivalling Quad HD 2560×1440 display, and an intelligent 16-megapixel snapper, along with an updated S Pen too. With a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor and 3GB of RAM under the hood, it could be the best phablet yet!

Galaxy Note Edge

That wasn’t the only phablet that Samsung unleashed at IFA though, as the innovative Galaxy Note Edge also made its exciting debut. The Note Edge has to be one of the strangest devices we’ve seen this year, as its screen stretches over the edge of the device, and curves down the side. Have you ever wanted to tap the side of your phone to access additional features, or even view extra information? We haven’t either, but it still looks amazingly cool – and this looks to be the true Note flagship that Samsung has managed to keep under wraps.

Sony Xperia Z3

Sony made a slew of announcements at IFA, but it’s new range-topping Xperia Z3 has caught our eye. It’s a refinement of the Xperia Z2 that launched earlier this year, and you can look forward to a tough as nails aluminium chassis, improved waterproof skills and a 5.2-inch, 1080p screen. Don’t forget Sony’s top-notch 20.7-megapixel snapper and it even comes with PlayStation 4 streaming too. Want one?

HTC Desire 820

Not to be left out, HTC also announced a phablet this morning, in the form of the HTC Desire 820. HTC’s mid-range blower gets a 5.5-inch HD screen, and it could be a great choice for photography buffs. There’s a 13-megapixel sensor on the rear of the handset, complete with a fast f/2.2 lens, but it’s the 8-megapixel front-facing snapper that will really appeal to lots of people, proving ideal for selfies!

5 things we want to see at IFA 2014!

Super smartphones

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

If you want something a little smaller, Sony’s new Xperia Z3 Compact could well fit the bill, with the 4.6-inch handset offering plenty of the same flagship features as its bigger brother, all in a more compact package. It boasts a speedy 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 4G LTE and a similar waterproof design, making Xperia Z3 Compact a compelling choice for smaller hands – and if it’s anything like the Z1 Compact, we can’t wait to get our hands on one.

Cat S50

Sony’s suave range of smartphones not rugged enough for you? The new Cat S50 looks like being the sensible choice if you want a handset that’s as tough as nails, with its industrial design and scratch-resistant, waterproof screen capable of withstanding nearly anything you can throw at it. The quad-core 1.2GHz processor may be mid-range at best, but the Cat S50 still gets the latest Android KitKat OS, and the rugged styling makes it a strangely appealing choice for world warriors.

Nokia Lumia 830

Microsoft revealed two brand new Lumia phones this morning, with the first being the Nokia Lumia 830 which the Redmond giants are dubbing the “most affordable flagship” phone to date. It also packs in the thinnest and lightest design that we’ve seen from a Lumia phone and that’s all down to its new camera hardware. Inside the 8.3mm thin chassis, which is bordered by a metal frame, you’ll find a 10-megapixel PureView snapper that boasts Zeiss optics, low light capabilities and the thinnest optical image stabilisation system to date on a Nokia phone. It’s also powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor which should give it plenty of grunt for flying through your apps and games, while it also boasts a 720p 5-inch screen. When it ships later this month for €330 (£263), it will come packing the Lumia Denim update, which is Microsoft’s Nokia-orientated version of Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 and boasts camera updates such as faster shot-to-shot and pocket-to-picture capturing times, There’s no word on a UK price just yet, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more on Nokia’s “affordable flagship”.

Nokia Lumia 735 and 730 Dual SIM

The 830 wasn’t the only handset on show, as Microsoft also revealed its selfie-focused 4G-capable Lumia 735 and 730 Dual SIM. It’s built specifically for Skype and selfies all thanks to its wide-angle, front-facing 5 megapixel camera, and a dedicated Nokia Selfie app to go along with its camera prowess too. Just like the 830, the 735 and 730 both pack in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, which is joined by 8GB of internal storage and a 4.7-inch 720p display. Both models will also ship later this month, with the Lumia 730 Dual SIM priced up at €199 (£158), while the Lumia 735 will be priced up at €219 (£174) – both before taxes and subsidies. There’s no word on a UK price yet, but we’ll fill you in on the retail price tag as soon as we know it.

Tempting tablets

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

IFA has also thrown up some interesting choices when it comes to tablets, with the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact going head to head with the Google Nexus 7 and Apple iPad Mini. The 8-inch tablet really lives up to its Compact name, cramming a 2.5GHz quad-core processor and more into a seriously skinny 6.4mm casing, while its screen looks tip top and perfect for streaming PS4 games. Weighing in at just 270g, it’s perfect for a life on the move.

A smartwatch invasion!

Asus ZenWatch

2014 is the year of the smartwatch though, and we’ve seen some brilliant devices launched at IFA so far. The Asus ZenWatch has to be top of the list, with a stunning design that really could help it take on the Moto 360 and the Samsung Gear S. The curved edges and leather strap help to give it a softer appearance than the likes of the LG G Watch, yet you’ll still find the same Android Wear platform at the heart of the ZenWatch.

Sony SmartWatch 3

The Sony SmartWatch 3 is another Android Wear-powered wearablet, cramming in a 1.6-inch 320×320 screen and stainless steel casing. As with Sony’s high-end smartphones, the SmartWatch 3 is waterproof, and is available with a choice of pink, white, black and lime straps. Is this your smartwatch of choice?

Sony SmartBand Talk

That wasn’t the only wearable announced by Sony though, with the SmartBand Talk following hot on its heels. Sony’s latest wristband gets a 1.4-inch e-ink screen, offering up always-on updates for your physical exertions, and voice control also makes it easy to get the best out of the device when you’re out on a run.

A virtual world

Samsung Gear VR

We first heard of the Samsung Gear VR some time ago, but the South Korean giant has finally announced its virtual reality headset officially, along with the news that it’s been developed with a helping hand from Facebook-owned Oculus VR. The Gear VR works with the Galaxy Note 4, using the phablet’s screen as its own VR display, which should help to keep costs down and let you roam around wire-free.

And in other news…

Sony QX30

Every now and again something a little different crops up, like the Sony QX30 smartphone lens kit. Thanks to the QX30, you’ll never be left wanting when it comes to faraway action shots, with the massive 30x optical zoom turning your smartphone into a viable DSLR alternative! Just don’t expect to slip the overly large lens into your pocket afterwards…

Dyson 360 Eye

Vacuum giant Dyson has finally got in on the robotic hoover action with its 360 Eye robot, which promises to be the only cleaning robot you’ll ever need. It’s been in the works for some time now in Dyson’s lab, and that’s all down to its unique 360-degree vision system that lets the robot see all around the room to locate where it needs to clean. Its tank tracks mean that it can conquer almost all terrain that’s in your house, and there’s infrared sensors built in to work with the camera to really make your home sparkling clean. If you want to get your hands on one, you’ll have to wait a little bit: it’s set to go sale in Japan next spring, while the rest of the world will follow later on in the year.

How does it compare to last year’s show? Check out the hottest gadgets from IFA 2013!
Read Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Sony Xperia Z3, VR headsets, all the tablets and all the smartwatches from IFA 2014! on 5FWD

Oh yes: The Gadget Show is back on your screens this month!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:55:00 +0100

The wait is nearly over: The Gadget Show is back on the air later this month, with a new face to boot!

Tune in to Channel 5 on Monday 15 September at 7pm and you can catch the team including newcomer and Olympic athlete Amy Williams testing out the latest gear, getting celebrities in for the all important group tests and hitting the road in vehicles that simply shouldn’t exist (but as you’ll soon see, we’re very glad they do)!

In the first episode alone we’ll be getting to grips with the latest ultra high definition 4K TVs, putting virtual reality through its virtual paces and discovering how Microsoft is letting anyone build games for Xbox One with Project Spark.

If you can’t wait though, you can always check out our most recent episodes right here in the archives. See you on Monday, and check back here afterwards for all of the clips and much more information about all the products featured on the show.


Read Oh yes: The Gadget Show is back on your screens this month! on 5FWD

Mad Catz C.T.R.L.R Mobile Gamepad

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:15:00 +0100

Gaming on your phone has never been easier, all thanks to a wide range of controllers now available to pair up with your Android or iPhone blower of choice, with many even slotting around your handset to let you set your high scores on the move. Long time accessory maker Mad Catz is also getting in on the action with its C.T.R.L.R Mobile Gamepad, which gives you Xbox 360-style controls and a dock to pop your phone onto for lengthy gaming sessions. That’s not all though, as it can also pair up with your PC or Mac and even the company’s own M.O.J.O micro console. Is it the best gamepad yet? We put one to the test to find out.

Read the full Mad Catz C.T.R.L.R Mobile Gamepad review on 5FWD

Logitech’s portable K480 keyboard lets you type on three different gadgets!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:46:00 +0100

If you’re anything like us and have gadgets all over the place, have you ever wished you had a keyboard that could work with everything you own? That’s what Logitech is betting on with its brand new K480 keyboard, which can let you tap away on your computer, smartphone and tablet from the same set of keys with just a flick of a dial! Is this the one keyboard to rule them all?

Logitech has taken the wraps off its Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480, which is billed as the first wireless desk keyboard that’s been designed to work with three completely different gizmos. That means the keyboard is completely platform agnostic and will work with Bluetooth gadgets no matter what OS they’re running, whether that’s Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows, Mac or even Chrome OS. Phew!

Is this the ultimate iPad keyboard?

That’s all handled by a nifty dial that lets you choose which gizmo the keyboard is connected to, and there’s even a slot at the top of the keyboard to hold your phone or tablet. We imagine switching from iMessage on our iPhone to smashing out emails on our Android Nexus 7 tablet, and even controlling our media centre PC with just the K480, which also has media keys for controlling your tunes.

The K480 will arrive in black or white hues, and it’s set to launch in the US and across Europe starting from this month for £49.99. Fancy one of these?
Read Logitech’s portable K480 keyboard lets you type on three different gadgets! on 5FWD

Super-thin Lenovo Tab S8 Android slate unleashed with an equally slim price tag!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:30:00 +0100

With the annual IFA tech show about to kick off, get ready for gadgets galore – but Lenovo has opted to announce its latest slate right before the tech extravaganza even gets started. Meet the Lenovo Tab S8, a slim-line slate that packs in a host of impressive features – from a full HD screen to a svelte, sub-8mm design, all for under $200 (£121). Interested in this low-cost iPad Air rival? Read on to find out more.

It may have a budget price tag, but the Lenovo Tab S8 packs in some seriously impressive hardware, and rivals like the pricier Nexus 7 had better watch out, as this could be the bargain tablet to buy. The suave Tab S8 rocks an 8-inch screen with a 1920×1200 resolution, and its skinny chassis weighs in at just 294g, making it a great choice for frequent travellers. Sure, the display can’t compete with the pin-sharp screens found on tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, which boasts a 2560×1600 resolution display, but at this size, images and text should still look incredibly crisp.

Check out our Google Nexus 7 review!

Aside from the HD panel, you can also look forward to an 8-megapixel snapper on the back, a 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera and 16GB of onboard storage – perfect for video calls and all your apps and games. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 are both present and correct, and you’ll also be able to add 4G/LTE connectivity as an option. Its quad-core Intel Atom processor which can hit speeds of 1.86GHz and 2GB of RAM should help to punt the Android 4.4 KitKat OS along at a decent rate – although Lenovo claims its battery life will only last around seven hours for the Tab S8, which is rather disappointing.

Still, you’re treated to a couple of Dolby-branded speakers onboard, turning the compact tablet into the ideal portable media player, and although none of the specs on their own help the Tab S8 to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, it all adds up to a compelling choice when the sub $200 price is taken into account. It’s set to hit stores later this month, but there’s currently no word on UK pricing – we’ll keep you informed as soon as we hear more.

Want to splash the cash? Check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S instead!
Read Super-thin Lenovo Tab S8 Android slate unleashed with an equally slim price tag! on 5FWD

Metro Redux Review

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 16:29:00 +0100

Is this a remaster worthy of next-gen treatment? Watch our review to find out! 

Watch Metro Redux Review  on 5FWD

Look again: Five gadgets that aren't what they seem

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:30:00 +0100

Every now and again we see a gadget that truly stands out like a sore thumb. Something with a design so outrageous that it actually looks like something else! Gadgets like the gaming PC that looks more like a spaceship, or building blocks you can eat when bored, or even a camera that looks more like a bottle of perfume! Read on to see five gadgets that aren’t actually as they seem.

The Lego you can eat!

When is Lego not actually Lego? Look a bit closer at these blocky bricks, and you’ll notice that not all is as it seems. They’re not the right colours, for a start, with the pastel colouring hinting that something is amiss, and instead of being made out of plastic the tiny creations are actually edible! Designed by Japanese artist Akihiro Mizuuchi, the delecatble chocolate building blocks are sadly just a concept at the moment, but we’d absolutely love some for the house. They’d definitely hurt a lot less when accidentally stood on!

The UFO gaming PC

The Alienware Area-51 gaming PC lives up to its out of this world name, with a ridiculous design and speedy specs that’ll also knock you for six. Gone are the drab rectangular slabs of a regular desktop tower, replaced instead by angles and shapes that’d look more at home on the outside of a UFO. It can handle up to three graphics cards and can be configured with the latest generation of high-end Intel processors, this is one gaming PC that should really deliver where it matters though.

Check out the Sony Xperia C3!

Rocks for playing rock!

This odd-looking gizmo may look like a couple of fake rocks, but they’re actually outdoor speakers for playing your music. The Theater Solutions 2R4G Outdoor Rock Speakers are capable of delivering up to 250 watts of punch, and the 4.5-inch speakers should be ideal for your BBQs and parties. The steel speaker grills are even rust-resistant, helping to keep them looking like new for years to come. Interested? They’ll set you back $60.56 (£36).

Perfume bottle camera

Sony’s upcoming KW1 camera is a great example of a gadget being more than meets the eye, with the shooter looking far more like a posh perfume bottle than a portable snapper. It is actually a camera though, and it has a trick up its sleeve too, with a 360-degree swivelling lens that makes it the ideal gadget for snapping selfies with. Throw in that fashionable design as well, and there’s a lot to like about Sony’s selfie-centric camera!

Meet the FingerReader!

It may look like a cheap oversized ring, but the FingerReader is actually a whole lot more intelligent, and could make a life-changing difference to blind or partially sighted people everywhere. The FingerReader has a tiny camera built in, and it’s capable of translating written words into audio, letting people who can’t physically see the book read for the first time without having to resort to Braille. As with some of the other gadgets here, the FingerReader is still at a concept stage, with no production model in sight – we’ll let you know as soon as we spot it on sale though.

Add bling to your living room with the crystal-covered TV!
Read Look again: Five gadgets that aren’t what they seem on 5FWD

HTC’s next Google Nexus tablet could boast a Surface-style keyboard case!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:30:00 +0100

Google’s Nexus range should already be close to the top of your list when it comes to affordable Android tablets, proving fast and well-specced, but it looks like the search giant’s next flagship slate could go one step further. HTC is currently working on a keyboard cover for the heavily rumoured Nexus 9 that will turn it into a viable laptop alternative, and it could give Microsoft’s Surface Pro family a run for its money. Read on for all the details!

According to a new report from Android Police, HTC is working on a keyboard case to go alongside the next Nexus slate, which the Taiwanese company is rumoured to be working on, and it could turn Google’s next tablet into the portable workhorse you’ve been waiting for.

On paper, the Nexus 9 looks like it could be one of the top Android tablets to beat as we’ve heard before it’s set to include a stunningly crisp 2048×1440 screen, Nvidia’s blazing fast Tegra K1 chip, 2GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel camera, so throw in a well designed keyboard and the upcoming tablet could be the gadget to beat.

Check out our Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review!

The keyboard itself looks like a cross between an Apple iPad case and the Microsoft Surface keyboard, with indentations helping it to fold and support the tablet in a comfortable viewing position, and a reasonable-looking keypad for hammering out emails and documents. Android Police adds that the keyboard would pair with the tablet via Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC. It also packs in a 450mAh battery to power the keyboard, rather than needing juice from the tablet itself, helping to boost battery life.

The tablet-keyboard combo will definitely have its hands full trying to beat the impressive Microsoft Surface Pro 3 when it comes to productivity, but it’ll be great to see some more rivals for Microsoft’s versatile slate. There’s currently no word on pricing or availability, but with the Nexus 9 expected towards the end of this year, the keyboard cover could also make an appearance at the same time.

Is this case the perfect partner for the Google Nexus 9?
Read HTC’s next Google Nexus tablet could boast a Surface-style keyboard case! on 5FWD

Metro: Redux review

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:30:00 +0100

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Next-generation gaming is fast becoming the battleground of the remasters, with publishers pushing out past classics with graphical upgrades in an effort to fill the void until the true next-gen games arrive. While it’s easy to be disappointed by this move, it has at least given us the chance to experience for a second time some of the best titles of the PS3 and Xbox 360 era – and the two Metro titles certainly fall into that category. Metro: Redux combines both games – Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light – into a single package on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC, which is not only blessed with additional content but also looks even more appealing. But is it worth double-dipping for? Strap on that gas mask, because we’re going to venture into the radioactive darkness to find out for ourselves.

Read our review of Surgeon Simulator: Anniversary Edition!

The good

As far as dreary, post-apocalyptic shooters go, it doesn’t really get any better than the two Metro games. Set in a grim and foreboding Russian wasteland overrun with hostile mutated monsters and jumpy human survivors, the series is packed with tense set-pieces and moody exploration. Both games offer a solid experience, with Last Light perhaps overshadowing its forerunner thanks to a superior storyline and myriad gameplay enhancements. Thankfully, this revised version of Metro 2033 benefits from many of the improvements seen in Last Light, making it the definitive version of the game.

Visually, both titles are attractive and have clearly received a graphical upgrade, but they still fall short of true next-gen games in terms of pure aesthetic brilliance. Even so, the use of shadow and light is incredibly effective and ramps up the atmosphere to nail-biting levels. Add in new game modes – such as the hardcore Survivor mode which removes many of the creature comforts we’re accustomed to seeing in modern FPS titles – and you’ve got a shooter which is both gripping and challenging.

The bad

While Metro 2033 has been updated in convincing fashion, it’s almost impossible to completely overhaul a game of this age without totally starting from scratch. As a result, there are moments when the title’s advanced years are all too obvious; it’s almost as if the developer gives up trying to create engaging set-pieces and instead just throws wave after wave of monsters at you to create a lazy challenge. Last Light is much better in terms of design, pacing and structure, and makes its predecessor look a little old at times.

Read our review of The Last of Us Remastered!

The bottom line

We’re sure there will be a point when remastered versions of old games simply won’t cut it as next-gen filler, but for the time being the titles being selected are genuinely worthy of replay, and that is certainly true of both Metro releases – even the slightly creaky Metro 2033. If you played these titles to death on the past generation then it’s still well worth experiencing them again, but if you’re totally new to the world of Metro, then this double pack has plenty of treats – and scares – in store.

4 out of 5
Read Metro: Redux review on 5FWD

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact: iPhone 5c rival leaks out in a rainbow of colours

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 11:45:00 +0100

It’s just a day until Sony takes the stage at this year’s IFA tech expo, but one of its goodies has already leaked in a major way. The Xperia Z3 Compact has been spotted in all of its multicoloured glory, and it definitely looks like it could give the iPhone 5c a run for its money in the bright hue department. Read on for all the details!

Sony has plenty to show off at this year’s IFA expo if any of the previous leaks are anything to go by, including a brand new Android Wear-powered smartwatch. And according to a new leak, it looks like Sony will also unleash a sequel to its tiny titan, the Z1 Compact, that was launched earlier this year.

Read our review of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact!

Ausdroid has managed to obtain what looks like press shots of Sony’s latest compact smartphone, and it’ll be unleashed in a range of bright colours too. The Z3 Compact, skipping over the Z2 moniker, looks like it’ll be arriving in black, white, orange and mint green, while under the hood it’ll pack a 720p, 4.5-inch display along with a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. We’re expecting to see Sony’s top notch 20.7-Megapixel camera make a return, while it could also use a Nano SIM, making it the first Sony Xperia phone to pack in the smaller SIM card size.

We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see if this leak is the real deal; if the phone is anything like the previous version, you’ll be treated to plenty of power in a slick, compact shell. We’ll be sure to bring you all the details as soon as we hear them.

Step aside LG and Samsung: Sony Android Wear smartwatch incoming!
Read Sony Xperia Z3 Compact: iPhone 5c rival leaks out in a rainbow of colours on 5FWD

Add some bling to your living room: Swarovski and LG unleash crystal-covered curved OLED TV!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:15:00 +0100

Crystals aren’t necessarily the first thing we’d think of when kitting out our ideal TV, but that’s exactly what you’ll get from the new partnership between LG and Swarovski: a curved OLED HD TV that’s clad in sparkly stones. Fancy one of these, or would it be a little bit distracting whilst watching your favourite flicks?

The unique creation was put together by Austrian jewellery company Swarovski and LG for this year’s IFA tech expo, although whether the sparkly stones take anything away from the viewing experience remains to be seen. As for the crystals themselves LG explains that around 460 Aurora Borealis crystals were applied by hand to the TV, using specially made stencils. The manufacturer claims the result is a work of art – we’ll leave the verdict up to you!

There’s a lot else on offer from the TV besides the magpie-pleasing sparkly finish, including a curved panel, a depth of 4mm and a weight of just 16kg. Granted, the last feature isn’t something that’ll make a difference on a daily basis, but it’ll certainly come in handy when shifting it into your living room!

How about a Swarovski-covered camera?

Think the crystal-covered wonder would look perfectly at home among your possessions? It may currently be a one-off, but LG explains it will be available as a limited edition towards the end of the year. There’s currently no word on pricing though: but expect the bling-boasting telly to put a dent in your wallet.

LG’s TV is not the only sparkly gadget on show at IFA either, as its South Korean neighbour Samsung is also working with Swarovski to develop the eye-catching crystal-covered Samsung Gear S Strap. It’ll certainly help your Gear S stand out from the crowd, although whether people will admire or mock it remains to be seen. If you fancy adding a touch of bling to your smartwatch-equipped wrist, the limited edition strap will hit Samsung’s online store from October, but again, there’s no price revealed just yet. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest as soon as we hear it.

Swarovski adds sparkle to Sony’s photo frames!
Read Add some bling to your living room: Swarovski and LG unleash crystal-covered curved OLED TV! on 5FWD

Kogan Agora 4G

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:30:00 +0100

Motorola may have the budget blower throne locked down with its range of well-priced Moto G and Moto E handsets, but that hasn’t stopped other phone makers from stepping up to the plate. Meet the Kogan Agora 4G, the latest budget handset to enter into the ring. It’s an odd one though: it’s built by BenQ, but sold and branded by Australian retailer Kogan – all for £149. Can the phone from down under stack up to the king of the budget blowers, or is it just another phone that’s waiting to be relegated to the bargain bin? Read on for our full verdict!

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Read the full Kogan Agora 4G review on 5FWD

Alienware’s new Area-51 gaming rig looks like a UFO!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:30:00 +0100

We’re used to seeing outlandish gaming rigs, but Alienware’s latest Area-51 PC is truly like nothing else on earth. The bizarrely shaped gaming machine is more UFO than computer, and the latest generation of Intel processors and up to three graphics cards means it packs in the firepower to match its outrageous looks. Fancy one of these?

The Area-51 gaming PC is the latest in a long line of distinctive machines from Alienware, including the upcoming Alienware Alpha, but this time the styling is even more attention grabbing than usual. Gone is any hint of a blocky tower-like design, and instead you’ll find curves, angles and Alienware’s new ‘Triad’ styling theme – we just think it comes from outer space!

It looks fantastic, and it’s bound to have friends asking what on earth it is you’ve got sitting by the side of your desk. It’s not just about the looks though: Alienware claims that the latest design has plenty of ergonomic benefits, such as making it easier to access the ports when you want to hook up accessories, and components for when you want to make any upgrades.

The unusual design is also claimed to help when it comes to managing airflow, with hot air able to escape more efficiently than it can in regular gaming PCs, keeping the top-end internals cool and stable however high you crank up the graphics settings when playing the latest and most demanding games.

Want something smaller? How about the Alienware Alpha!

You’ll get a choice of the latest Intel Haswell-E Extreme Edition processors, such as the top of the range Core i7-5960X – Intel’s first eight-core processor – on the menu to pack into your Area-51. Throw in support for up to three graphics cards (capable of chomping through any game), five speedy solid state or storage-focused hard disk drives, and a 1,500-watt power supply, and you can turn the Alienware Area-51 into an incredibly serious bit of kit.

Just like the rest of the Alienware range, you’ll be treated to custom lighting control and overclocking abilities, courtesy of Alienware’s Command Centre 4.0 software, meaning the Area-51 is one serious contender to be your next over-the-top gaming PC. There’s currently no word on pricing or availability, but it’s easy to imagine the range-topping Area-51 having an out of this world price tag to match its alien-like styling – and we’ll be sure to keep you updated as soon as we hear more.

The Steam Machines are here!
Read Alienware’s new Area-51 gaming rig looks like a UFO! on 5FWD

Step aside LG and Samsung: Sony Android Wear smartwatch incoming!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 11:45:00 +0100

Samsung and LG may have been first out of the blocks when it comes to Android Wear smartwatches, and they’ve got more on the way too, but Sony is following hot on their heels, and it’s set to unleash its own Android Wear-powered smartwatch at this month’s IFA tech extravaganza. Could Sony style and build quality, coupled up with Android Wear be the perfect combination? We take a look…

Sony has already leaped into the wearable market with its SmartWatch range, such as last year’s SmartWatch 2. But while Sony’s last wearable shipped with its own proprietary OS, rivals using Google’s Android Wear are proving increasingly popular – and it looks like the Japanese tech giant is the latest to jump on the Android bandwagon.

Softpedia reports that Sony’s Android Wear-equipped smartwatch will be making an appearance at this year’s IFA tech expo, along with the upcoming Asus smartwatch – and if it features a minimalist design like the Sony Xperia Z2, Sony could well be onto a winner.

Can’t wait? Check out the Sony SmartWatch 2!

Softpedia adds that the smartwatch will be called the Sony SmartWatch 3, and will boast a 1.68-inch screen with a 320×320 resolution. It sounds like the Sony timepiece will get a square design – much like LG and Samsung’s first batch of Android Wear watches – rather than the super cool round styling of the Moto 360. You can also expect it to be water and dust resistant, just like Sony’s range-topping smartphones.

That’s not the only Sony wearable to be leaked either, as a smart bracelet is set to star alongside the SmartWatch 3. Dubbed the Sony SmartBand Talk, Softpedia explains that the bracelet will boast a curved e-ink screen, Bluetooth and even the ability to hook up with your phone and make hands-free calls.

It’s been an exciting month for Sony fans, with a host of other leaks hitting the headlines. There’s the selfie-centric perfume shaped camera, for a start, and details have also leaked out of Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact slate. Throw in the possibility of an Xperia Z3 Compact, and this year’s IFA could be one of the best ever for Sony fans.

Stay tuned for all the latest from IFA, as we’ll be bringing you the biggest stories as they happen.

Read our Sony Xperia Z2 review!
Read Step aside LG and Samsung: Sony Android Wear smartwatch incoming! on 5FWD

The iPhone 6 could double up as your mobile wallet!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 10:29:00 +0100

The clock is ticking down until Apple’s big event on 9 September when the iPhone 6 will be revealed, and it looks like the Cupertino giant has plenty in store to show off – and it’s not just the fabled iWatch. According to reports from Bloomberg and Re/code, one such tidbit is that the iPhone 6 could double up as your mobile wallet, letting you make payments from your phone with just a quick NFC tap! Could it be time to ditch your wallet? Read on for all the details!

You can bet that when the iPhone 6 is finally revealed, it will pack in NFC powers, as according to multiple reports, Apple will be announcing partnerships with various card payment systems such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express to let you pay for your shopping with just your phone.

Apple event confirmed: The iPhone 6 will be revealed 9 September!

The new payment system is expected to be announced on the big day with the new phone, letting you use your iPhone 6 instead of your credit or debit card. Touch ID is also expected to play a role, by letting you securely authorise the payment. It looks like this will be the first time that Apple will include an NFC chip into one of its phones, which has already been a mainstay on numerous Android blowers for years now. Google, with its Google Wallet app, has rolled out a similar NFC-enabled payment option in the past, but it hasn’t taken off – could Apple be the tech giant to finally crack the phone payment nut?

We’ll have to wait and see until Apple’s big event if you can start to leave your wallet at home, but stay tuned, as we’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest as soon as we hear it.

Read our review of the iPhone 5s!
Read The iPhone 6 could double up as your mobile wallet! on 5FWD

AKG Y50 headphones

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:36:55 +0100

When you think of fashion headphones, you’re likely to think straight away to Dr Dre’s mammoth Beats empire – but a pair of those cans come at a hefty price. The Austrian audio boffins at AKG have been hard at work on their latest headphones, and the Y50 is the result. They look just as slick as the best Beats you can buy, and they’re priced up at almost half the cost: just £80. Does that low-price tag come with lower quality though? We strapped on a pair to find out.

Read our review of the Audio Sistem BT5 Bluetooth Headphones!

Read the full AKG Y50 headphones review on 5FWD