The Wrap Sheet

Episode 15: Bumper free

2010-07-18T13:37:00.001+01:00

As promised this week we bounded about the week's news with none-other than Download Squad's Sebastian Anthony, another plucky Brit to keep the wheels of The Wrap Sheet on the road. Having gone with a guaranteed Apple free show last week, the Cupertino-based company just couldn't stay out of the limelight, holding a special press event just for the iPhone 4's antenna announcing a fix in the form of free cases. Microsoft got in on the mobile news this week too, with a bit of Windows Phone 7 action in the form of developer tools; whilst Google took things one step further with the Android App Inventor. And finally we round out our show with Sony's DLSR-lens sporting camcorder, the NEX-VG10, which some of us were lucky enough to have had a play with.

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Rundown (44:00)
00:00 Apple replies to iPhone 4 antenna problems with a press conference
18:24 Microsoft unleashes Windows Phone 7 developer tools, whilst Google showed off it's Android App Inventor
30:40 Sony shows off it's camcorder-come-DSLR

Episode 14: 4k reasons to go to the cinema

2010-07-11T19:04:00.002+01:00

It's a bit rough and ready this week as we struggled against the bandwidth restrictions of our ISPs, but if you don't like Apples in your tech salad, we dedicate this episode to you. On today's show, we dispense with our regular yacking about the Great Bitten One and turn our palates to new flavours. Our starter is made from 4K projectors, which we're hearing are the next big thing to entice people out of their home cinemas and back into the ticketed emporiums, sprinkled with 3D for extra spice. For the main course, we have the latest delicacy to come out of The Pirate Bay, whilst we finish off with the crowd favourite Froyo for dessert.

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Rundown (49:20)
00:00 Sony shows off 4K 3D with Toy Story 3
20:30 The Pirate Party announces it'll host The Pirate Bay from the Swedish Parliament if elected
36:41 Android 2.2 'Froyo' makes its way onto UK devices

And for those who are interested, here's a 4K YouTube video for you all to try.

Episode 13: StinKin awful

2010-07-04T13:37:00.009+01:00

After a solid week with our iPhone 4s we cross examine the signal issue, look at Apple's pitiful response from a PR perspective with the help of our good friend Lauren McGregor, and analyse the iPhone alternatives, concluding that, for the most part, we wouldn't trade in our iPhones despite its various issues. The Kin is dead, long live the Kinect? Microsoft's Kin brand of devices return from their 'epic' journey across the United States an abject failure; so bad in fact that Microsoft has pulled the plug after only two months. It was an interesting idea, although we never got our hands on it this side of the pond, but perhaps it was three to four years behind the curve. SideKick is soon to join its spiritual successor in the gadget graveyard, but if you're a SideKick lover, take heed, the brand may rise again in Android form. The Emblaze First Else, much to our collective dismay, also kicked the proverbial bucket, joining the long list of vapourware products that promised so much, yet never delivered. All is not lost however, as there's potential for that unique UI to find its way onto other devices. LG? Samsung? Are you interested?

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Rundown (50:37)
00:00 A week with the iPhone 4
03:19 Apple's open letter to consumers
10:10 iPhone alternatives
14:40 Microsoft Kin goes the way of the Dodo - the SideKick soon to join it
24:50 Windows Phone 7 coming soon
34:42 Emblaze First Else vaporised to our dismay

Episode 12: Bumper to Bumper

2010-06-27T13:37:00.028+01:00

Now that we've got Apple's latest hotness in our hands, we delve deep into our personal impressions and experience of the iPhone 4. Discussing both its weaknesses and its charms, we pass our final weekend verdict on what could be Apple's biggest launch to date. We also talk about our overnight queuing experience at Apple's flagship UK store on London's Regent Street, complete with entertaining passers-by, queue jumpers and serial queuers.

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Rundown (48:57)
00:00 iPhone 4 - the negatives
18:24 iPhone 4 - the positives
36:43 iPhone 4 - the queuing experience

Episode 11

2010-06-20T13:37:00.004+01:00

Although not strictly tech, there was a lot of news spewing out of gaming's equivalent of CES, E3, this year and as promised last week it revolved around 3D and motion gaming. Microsoft hit us early on with Kinect, it's product name for Project Natal, plus the new Xbox 360, the console they should have released at the launch of the 360 some years ago. It's smaller, quieter and without the ability to RROD (Red Ring Of Death) because it's lost its ring of lights. Sony also came in with a one-two punch with PlayStation Move, its stab at the motion gaming market and PSN Plus, it's premium online gaming network, though it's yet to show us a convincing reason to pay for the $49 per annum service. Last but not least, Nintendo unveiled their latest pocket friendly console, the 3DS to the world and if hardened tech journalist's faces were anything to go by, then Nintendo have something impressive to put in your hands. At least we know it'll continue the 'it prints money' mentality as Nintendo's stock price took a sharp rise on the 3DS's announcement.

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Rundown (51:23)
00:00 Microsoft Kinect with the new Xbox 360 unveiled
21:40 PlayStation Move and Plus shown off
35:33 Nintendo 3DS unveiled

Episode Ten

2010-06-13T13:37:00.080+01:00

A little known fruit-flavoured company showed off their latest phone this week at WWDC, so we thought it would only be right to dissect the details and discuss the pros and cons of the iPhone 4. iOS4 will be landing as a free update for those iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPod touch wielders, so do you really need to fork out for the new shiny-shiny when your 3GS will basically do it all? We've also got bad news regarding price plans for the heralded 4th coming of the Jesus Phone in the UK, as it looks like they're both going to be expensive and restrictive. Finally Apple saw fit to bestow the iPhone 4 with a 3-axis gyro just like the Wii Motion Plus, effectively resulting in 6-axis motion sensing. With E3 due to start this coming week, does this make a positive forward step for Apple further into the gaming market? We'll have all the 'motion nonsense' and 3D tomfoolery that will be E3 next week, but till then we've got something a little bit special right at the end of the podcast so make sure you listen past the outro.

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Rundown (1:07:18)
00:00 iPhone 4 announced - previewed
23:00 iPhone 4 glass test discussed
28:54 Compared to the competition: Dell Streak and Evo 4G
31:50 Switching off the reality distortion field: iPhone 4 cons
39:07 Contact syncing on the iPhone - Google Sync
43:56 Is 3.5" just too small?
47:10 Is the iPhone 4's biggest downside the iPhone 3GS?
47:50 iOS4 update for the iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPod touch is coming
49:28 iPhone 3G iOS4GM install and jailbreak how-to
50:45 Price plans for the iPhone 4 starting to trickle out
53:20 Streaming World Cup games over 3G - 3.2MB per minute. 288MB for 90mins of football; Full coverage of game 90mins football plus 15 mins half-time totals to 336MB.
59:35 iPhone 4 packs a 3-axis gyro
60:28 Is the iPhone going to threaten the big gaming players and will they entrench on E3?
65:12 E3 preview

Episode Nine

2010-06-06T13:37:00.020+01:00

Cellular data plans are getting more and more restrictive with tighter bandwidth caps as network providers, both in the UK and the US, forecast increasing costs on their side of our 24/7 connected lifestyles. But cellular data usage isn't likely to decrease as we forge ahead with more and more rich media services jumping on the mobile broadband bandwagon. As Vlad reveals some Earth-shattering news, we talk about network provider options for smartphone and internet device data plans in the UK, how to get the World Cup on the go and what impact that might have on your mobile data allowance. Tablets also crop up as Computex 2010 comes to a close this week, and we couldn't let a little known event from everyone's favourite fruit-flavoured company go without at least a small mention.

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Rundown (51:21)
00:00 Cellular Data is getting more restricted in the US
17:55 Mobile streaming coming from ITV and available at TVCatchUp.com
26:39 Computex 2010 has a full showing of tablets
37:36 WWDC 2010 preview

Episode Eight

2010-05-30T13:37:00.008+01:00

Video chat, is it the future of mobile communication? That's certainly what the networks and phone manufacturers seem to think, but we've got mixed feelings. On the other hand, we love the idea of free pizza so Domino's hookup with Foursquare in the UK sounds ace to us, especially with the World Cup coming. And what better way to watch some world class international football than in HD thanks to Freeview or FreeSat HD, SkyHD or Virgin HD? We just hope you like chicken's feet and you're not too skint after your iPad purchase.

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Rundown (49:38)

00:00 Video chat, the second coming. Front-facing cameras to be found on the EVO 4G, iPhone 4G and Dell Streak, while Skype's bringing video calling to Android by year's end
17:34 Foursquare links up with Starbucks and Dominos in the UK
34:20 The World Cup in HD and BBC One HD coming in the Autumn

Episode Seven

2010-05-23T13:37:00.009+01:00

It's all about the mutual Google rubbing that is Google's IO geekfest this week, which produced not only a tasty treat in the form of a healthier ice cream substitute for the Android platform, but something a bit harder to digest in Google TV. London's Mayor Boris Johnson was out in force this week too, with the announcement that the Route Master is heading back to our streets with version 2.0 and that he plans to turn London into the world's largest WiFi hotspot just in time for the Olympics. All this and a bit of humour thrown in for good measure, with special guest Andy Lim from Recombu.com!

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Rundown (1:00:31)

00:00 Android 2.2

20:00 Google TV

37:00 London Route Master 2.0

44:00 London city-wide WiFi for 2012

Episode Six-Axis

2010-05-16T13:37:00.016+01:00

This week on the Wrap Sheet we've got word of the Dell Streak's imminent arrival in the UK, talk about our hands-on experience with the Nokia N8 and round off with a discussion of privacy in the internet age, with Facebook a prime target for scrutiny.

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Rundown (47:37)

00:00 Dell Streak coming to O2

17:47 Nokia N8 Hands on
Nokia N98 landscape slider
* HTC Desire takes 15s longer to start up than an iPhone 3GS

30:18 Privacy
Mark Zuckerberg IM convo
EU criticises facebook privacy
Privacy groups weigh in on facebook privacy changes
Mark Zuckerberg Privacy is dead
Diaspora

That's a wrap for Episode Six-Axis. Sorry if you were expecting more gaming news, time's tight but we just couldn't let that pun slide -- it would've been un-British to do so. Anyhow, if you've got suggestions or questions for discussion, recommendations or complaints, why not leave a comment on this post, hit us up on Twitter, or send an email to:

Episode Five

2010-05-09T13:37:00.007+01:00

This week on the Wrap Sheet we discuss the UK iPad pricing and how it's making us sad, recording your own voice directions for Nokia's Ovi maps, Darth Vader ordering you about on your TomTom and finally, a bit more of VOD discussion.

Take your pick below: streaming, downloading or subscribing.

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Rundown (42:36)

00:00 International iPad availability and pricing announced

15:00 Nokia's Ovi Maps gets your own voice for directions
Darth Vader directs you to your doom using your TomTom

27:00 Virgin announces 200m streams from its catch-up VOD service
Mark Cuban comments on cable Vs. internet VOD services

That's your lot for Episode Five. If you've got suggestions or questions for discussion, comments or complaints, or just plain enjoyed it, why not leave a comment on this post, hit us up on Twitter

or send an email to:

Till next week, have a good one everybody.

Episode Four

2010-05-02T20:44:00.012+01:00

Welcome to Episode Four of the Wrap Sheet. In this episode we continue our shorter, weekly review of the goings on in the world of consumer electronics. Up for discussion today are HP purchase of Palm taking us all by surprise, Gadget Death Week, Adobe and Apple getting personal, two new UK VOD services make it onto the web and the first of the UK Best Buy stores opening in Thurrock.

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Rundown (55:50)

00:00 HP buys Palm
18:20 Gadget Death Week
27:17 Best Buy Thurrock opening
35:06 Virgin Media online streaming movie rental powered by Film Flex
- 5.1 coming to Netflix - Engadget HD podcast
41:29 Yahoo! Premier League online highlights

Right, that's a wrap for Episode Four. We hope you've enjoyed it, but as always if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints, leave a comment on this post, hit us up on Twitter or send an email to:

If it's a good one you might even hear yours read out on the air next week. Thanks again for listening everyone, sorry it's a bit late this week. Hope you all have a good week and enjoy the Bank Holiday!

Episode Three

2010-04-25T13:37:00.059+01:00

Welcome to Episode Three of the Wrap Sheet. This week is a shorter one-week review changing it up from our previous fortnightly schedule. In this episode we discuss the leaked next generation iPhone prototype as acquired by Gizmodo; Dell's avalanche of smartphones and a tablet plus Google's activation of turn-by-turn navigation for all Android devices 1.6 and above in the UK and Ireland. We also talk this week about Valve's Steam coming to Mac with hints of Linux in the pipeline.

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Rundown

iPhone prototype saga
Apple's NFC patent
Dell's leak, nay flood, of devices
Google unleashes Google maps turn-by-turn Navigation on the UK and Ireland
Valve's Steam Mac client beta hints at Linux support

Right, that's your lot for Episode Three, the first weekly episode of the Wrap Sheet. We hope it's lived up to the high standard you've enjoyed in the past and as always if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints, leave a comment on this post or send an email to:

We might even read out the best ones next week. Thanks again for listening everyone, have a good week.

Episode Two

2010-04-18T12:00:00.008+01:00

Welcome to Episode Two of the Wrap Sheet. In this episode we discuss Apple's new iPhone OS4.0 with multitasking and Game Center, plus the iPad and its delayed international release. We also talk about Microsoft's Kin One and Kin Two, including the Tegra SOC powering the device and Microsoft's position as a mobile OS vendor that's now, like Google, selling its own-brand devices. Richard tells us about his experience of this year's Gadget Show Live, including the Yike Bike and Festo's AirMotion Ride, and we throw in a few tips on where to go get your hands on the latest and greatest technology before you sink your hard-earned cash on them. We round off the show with a discussion on how startups are putting more advanced technologies like the Tegra 2 SOC into new devices, whilst the old firm plays catch-up and talk about the current x86 (Intel Atom) Vs. ARM device divide.

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Rundown

iPhone OS4

iPad international launch delayed
Eliminate from ngmoco (iPhone FPS)
Microsoft Kin
Gadget Show Live
Tottenham Court Road
The Engadget Show: Inside the gadget markets of China, Part 1
Notion Ink Adam
ICD Gemini
ODROID
Vostro V13
ThinkPad Edge 14

Right, that's your lot for episode two of the Wrap Sheet. We hope you've enjoyed it and as always if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints, leave a comment on this post or send an email to:

Episode One

2010-04-04T23:54:00.012+01:00

Welcome to the inaugural Wrap Sheet podcast! On the sheet for you today we talk about how far Android has come as an iPhone killer, chat about Best Buy coming to the UK in May and June this year and Richard has some advice about how not to get suckered by street hustlers. Last but by no means least, Apple apparently launched something 'revolutionary' and 'magic' this week, and not being totally out of touch we thought we better take a gander at it ourselves.

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Rundown

HTC Desire Review
Dell Mini 5 prototype hands on
iPhone Jailbreak - iPhone Dev Team
Best Buy landing in the UK
Joshua Topolsky's iPad Review
ARM processors

That's your lot for the first ever episode of the Wrap Sheet. We hope you've enjoyed it and if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints, leave a comment on this post or send an email to: