Review of the Nokia Lumia 1320 - Adjusting to Windows Phone

This review focuses on my experience adapting to Windows Phone using the Nokia Lumia 1320.

Preamble

As part of a competition run by Gizmodo UK, I have won 3 new smartphones. In exchange for keeping the phones I have agreed to write some unbiased reviews.

A version of this review can be read in an article on Gizmodo UK. This blog post is the full, unedited version.

"If you're coming into the smartphone market for the first time, a Windows Phone makes a lot of sense."

Dress up to play with my new phone

Review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Samsung Extra Value Software

This review focuses on the Samsung software that is bundled on top of stock Android on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, a 4G phone with 3GB RAM and a whopping 5.7" full HD screen.

Preamble

As part of a competition run by Gizmodo UK, I have won 3 new smartphones. In exchange for keeping the phones I have agreed to write some unbiased reviews.

A version of this review can be read in an article on Gizmodo UK. This blog post is the full, unedited version.

"You might not realise from the rest of the review but I really love this phone."

Review of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Battery Life

This review focuses on the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, a 4G phone with 3GB RAM and a whopping 5.7" full HD screen.

"The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a mobile which you can use heavily throughout the day without having to worry about when you’ll next find a charger"

Preamble

As part of a competition run by Gizmodo UK, I have won 3 new smartphones. In exchange for keeping the phones I have agreed to write some unbiased reviews. 

A version of this review can be read in an article on Gizmodo UK. This blog post is the full, unedited version.

Anker ML131 - Bluetooth Stereo Headset - Review

Today I received my Anker Bluetooth Headset in the mail and thought I would provide a review of the product.

Anker Bluetooth Stereo Headset

Android 4.4 - KitKat on the Pipo M6 Pro Tablet

Overview

A version of RileyRom (1.7) has been released over on Freaktab.com which brings Android 4.4.2 KitKat to the 9.7" retina tablet.

Having installed it this morning, I can recommend, but for the following caveats:

• GPS is not working
• The ROM seems to expect a 3G version of the device (mine is wifi-only) but it works fine.

Pro tip: Get ART enabled on that tablet as soon as you can.

Instructions for enabling ART:

1. Go to device Settings
2. Developer options
3. Select Runtime
4. Change from "Use Dalvik" to "Use ART".

Benefits of ART:

1. Smoother
2. Better battery life

Downsides of ART:

1. Cannot use Xposed framework
2. Apps take a little longer to install
3. Apps take a little more room on the storage

See original thread for the download information:

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?9437-Pipo-M6-Pro-RileyROM-1-7-KitKat

Or want the ROM mirrored? I'm sharing the file using BTSync with the folder secret:

B2SQLCMAZDWW7HME27FUICFWHN45DQGFA

Windows 7 - Attempting to Hibernate Results in Locking Instead

Overview

This post details how I fixed a problem with my laptop where attempting to hibernate the computer resulted in it locking instead.

This seems to be a reasonably uncommon problem; there are results on Google but there is no clear one-size-fits-all solution. This is largely due to there being multiple reasons this can occur. Whilst you may be more likely to see this problem if you dual boot Windows with another OS, I started seeing the issue after upgrading my laptop's hard drive.

The Problem

Every day, when finished with the laptop, I click the hibernate button, close the lid and place the laptop away in a drawer. Since upgrading my hard drive however, I've found that the next morning the laptop's battery is completely drained and prompts me like I've let the computer running. Tracking that down today, I discovered that when the hibernate button is pressed now, the screen goes blank for a few seconds before returning me to the lock screen. Still fully powered on, just locked.

Z-Wave - Fixing the Inverted LED Issue on TKB On/Off Switch

On my TKB On/Off Socket, the blue LED turned on when the switch state was in the off position, and the blue LED turned off when the switch state was in the on position. This turns out to be configurable with the right tools. The following post describes how to configure to your preference.

This is probably the epitome of first world problems. I'm concerned that the socket, which I have the power to control over the internet and from my mobile, emits a blue light and I'd rather it didn't. I know, I know, get a life. However, the purpose of this particular socket for me was to have connected in the bedroom. This means this fairly bright LED would be on all night long, and actually would be on about 99% of the time. A problem worth fixing it seems.