Engadget UK giveaway: Win an iPhone 7 courtesy of Mobilefun.co.uk
It’s that time of year again. Do you upgrade to a new iPhone or hold out for next year’s models? Or, do you just let us make that decision for you? Thanks to our friends at Mobilefun.co.uk, we’ve got a silver iPhone 7 (32GB) to give away this week, complete with one of the accessory specialist’s cases “for life.” Even if you don’t win, you can take advantage of this promotion and get a free, clear shell for your 7 or 7 Plus by signing up to the retailer’s newsletter. Once you’ve received your cover, you can always unsubscribe if you’re not interested in the tips and offers, and you’ll still be able to claim another free iPhone case every time you upgrade (hence the “for life” clarifier). As always, you can enter the competition up to three times via the widget below — after you’ve read the rules, that is.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the UK, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) iPhone 7 and case for life.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Apple, Mobilefun.co.uk and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honour warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until September 23rd at 11:59PM BST. Good luck!
Source: Mobilefun.co.uk
Samsung begins replacing Galaxy Note 7 handsets in the UK
Although Samsung acted quickly to stop the bulk of Galaxy Note 7s making their way to consumers before its recall in the UK, units were delivered before the official launch. Now that it’s had to time to prepare, the company today kicked off its Galaxy Note 7 Exchange Programme, allowing those affected to swap their defective unit for a brand new one.
Samsung says that after a thorough inspection, it’s confident that the battery issue, which caused some units to explode when on charge, has been “completely resolved” in the new stock arriving in the UK this week. The new devices have been updated to show a new “green” battery icon, which replaces the older white icon to signify that it’s not affected by the same power issues.
“Our absolute priority is the safety of our customers – that’s why we are asking all Galaxy Note 7 customers to act now and exchange today. We would like to apologise to our Note 7 customers for not meeting the standard of product excellence that they have come to expect from Samsung and we sincerely thank them for their understanding and patience,” says Mobile VP Conor Pierce. “We are confident that by exchanging their existing device for a new Note 7, customers can expect to enjoy a smartphone experience of the very highest quality.”
By now, UK providers and operators should have contacted owners to arrange an exchange. Samsung’s customer support team is also handling replacements and can be contacted on 0330 7261000.
Tweetbot 4.5 for iOS 10 Gets Richer Notifications and Profile Notes
Popular iOS Twitter client Tweetbot has been updated to version 4.5, adding new functions for iOS 10 users as well as a few other improvements.
The update, which is free to existing users, means Tweetbot users on iOS 10 will see slightly richer notifications. The update also introduces a new feature called Profile Notes, which lets users add brief notes to the profiles of people they follow – to remind them why they did so in the first place, for instance.
Developers Tapbots explains that Users’ Profile Notes remain private and sync with iCloud. To access them users should tap the gear menu when viewing a Twitter account profile they follow.
Version 4.5 also brings improved scrolling and a new verified timeline filter that limits the tweets users see to those posted by verified accounts. Additionally, the app’s mute filters have been updated to match accented text characters – so a filter to block Pokemon will mute Pokémon too.
Tweetbot 4.5 is available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad for $9.99. [Direct Link]
Tag: Tweetbot
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Samsung could bring forward S8 launch in wake of exploding Note 7
Samsung is expected to bring forward the launch of the Galaxy S8 smartphone to regain consumer confidence after the fiasco of the exploding Note 7. The launch was previously touted for Mobile World Congress in February 2017, but we could now see it well before that.
The Galaxy S8 should come in flat and curved designs as we’ve seen with the S6/S6 Edge and S7/S7 Edge and currently has the model numbers SM-G950 and SM-G955. The S7 had the model number SM-G930, and it’s reported Samsung is skipping SM-G940 because the number 4 is seen as unlucky in South Korea.
- Official US recall of Note 7 fully reveals how many have exploded
Specs are said to include Samsung’s new Exynos 8895 processor which can run at up to 3GHz and have a power consumption of just five watts. Samsung is predicting the new processor will be more powerful than the A10 chip found in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
There’s no word on when the Samsung Galaxy S8 will be unveiled and there’s always the possibility it will still be unveiled at MWC 2017 as this is just a rumour for now.
- Samsung Galaxy S8: what we want to see and what’s the story so far?
- Samsung Galaxy S8 to have dual camera like iPhone 7 Plus
- No flat bezel Samsung Galaxy S8 for 2017, tipped to have Edge screen only
So far, Samsung has acknowledged 35 of 92 reports of overheating Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. Customers who believe their phone is faulty can head to Samsung’s official Note 7 recall website to find out if they can get a replacement.
Samsung’s Battery Crisis Began With Rumors of a ‘Dull’ iPhone
Samsung pushed suppliers to meet tighter deadlines for an earlier launch of the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 after hearing that the iPhone 7 would have no major design changes, according to a new report published today.
The Bloomberg report cites multiple sources indicating that executives at Samsung saw rumors of Apple’s apparent lack of innovation this year as an opportunity, and quickly approved a slew of new features for the Note 7 after getting hold of an early version of the device.
According to one person familiar with the matter, the select group of top managers “gushed over the upgrades and praised each other’s work”, and approved a launch date 10 days earlier than last year. Samsung’s unveiling was August 3 this year, compared with August 13 in 2015.
As the launch date approached, employees at Samsung and suppliers stretched their work hours and made do with less sleep. Though it’s not unusual to have a scramble, suppliers were under more pressure than usual this time around and were pushed harder than by other customers, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. One supplier said it was particularly challenging to work with Samsung employees this time, as they repeatedly changed their minds about specs and work flow. Some Samsung workers began sleeping in the office to avoid time lost in commuting, the supplier said. Samsung declined to comment on whether deadlines were moved, reiterating that products are only introduced after proper testing.
When the phones got into customers’ hands, reports of exploding handsets began. According to Bloomberg, executives at Samsung headquarters were in shock. Internally, there was a debate over whether to do a full-blown recall or to take less dramatic steps, like a battery replacement program. In the end, Samsung mobile chief decided on a full recall.
Samsung has drawn criticism for the steps it took next. Blindly driven by good intentions, the company announced the recall plans publicly before working out how millions of consumers in 10 countries would actually get replacements.
Then it sent mixed signals about what customers should do. First, Samsung told people to shut off their phones and stop using them. A few days later, it offered a software patch to prevent batteries from overheating, signaling consumers could keep using the phones.
But Samsung moved so fast it got ahead of regulators who help organize such programs. In the U.S. for example, companies are supposed to notify the Consumer Product Safety Commission within 24 hours of uncovering problems. Instead, Samsung went public on its own and consumers didn’t have clear guidance on how to exchange their phones.
Asked to confirm that launch deadlines for the Note 7 were shifted, Samsung told Bloomberg that release dates are determined by “the proper completion of the development process and the readiness of the product for the market.”
Meanwhile sales of Apple’s iPhone 7 appear to have exceeded analysts’ expectations, particularly demand for the larger 7 Plus, which was all but sold out across the globe on launch day. The company’s choice of black handset color options has also piqued interest among consumers, despite concerns about the lack of a headphone jack on the new devices.
You can read more of the Bloomberg story here.
Tag: Samsung
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Samsung begins handing out new Galaxy Note 7s in the UK
Exchange program hits its stride in the UK starting today — but no new Note 7 sales yet.
From today, Samsung will start swapping out potentially dangerous Galaxy Note 7s with new, safe units in the UK. In line with the company’s announcement a couple of weeks back today’s the day anyone with an early Note 7 unit in the UK can get a new replacement.
Samsung halted sales of the Galaxy Note 7 right before the official UK street date of September 2, so the only people with UK devices will have been pre-order customers who took advantage of Samsung’s offer to get the phone three days early. (A significant number, but far fewer than would be out there had the retail launch gone ahead as planned.)
Samsung says customers should get in touch with the place they bought their Note from in order to arrange an exchange, if they haven’t already been contacted.
UK customers will be contacted by the provider or operator from which they purchased the product in order to arrange their device exchange. If customers have not been contacted before 19 September they should contact the provider or operator themselves to arrange the exchange.
There’s still no word on exactly when new sales of the Note 7 will begin; a Samsung told AC “Our first priority is to support current Note7 owners who are participating in the Product Exchange Program. We will confirm new in store dates shortly.”
Independent retailer Clove says stock has been delayed until “early October,” while Carphone Warehouse is more pessimistic, saying October 21.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Galaxy Note 7 recall: Everything you need to know
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
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Wow, you can get an Amazon Fire TV Stick for under £10 if you’re very quick
We now know that The Grand Tour, the long awaited TV show starring former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, will be available to Amazon Prime members from Friday 18 November.
It will then run for the following 11 weeks, with each new episode appearing on Amazon Video on subsequent Fridays. Exciting times.
However, you might be wondering how you can watch it on your TV at home, because unless you have a Smart TV with the Amazon Video app or a connected device that features the service, you could miss out.
Luckily Amazon is offering a cheap way to ensure you can watch the series. It has reduced the price of its Amazon Fire TV Stick to just £9.99 for Prime members for the next two days.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick review: Stick it to ’em
- When is The Grand Tour on TV and how can I watch it?
The Stick is a small dongle you plug into a spare HDMI port on your set and it gives access to Amazon’s entire streaming video line-up. It also has apps for rival service Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5 and many other streaming platforms. Plus, there are plenty of games and other applications to enjoy.
You’ll have to be quick to make use of the offer though as it expires in the UK at 23:59 on Tuesday 20 September. You need to head to a dedicated page on Amazon.co.uk, sign up for a year of Amazon Prime membership and you’ll get £25 off an Amazon Fire TV Stick (normal RRP is £34.99).
Unfortunately, the offer is not available to existing Prime members.
Amazon Prime membership costs £79 for the year and as well as give access to a vast library of TV shows and films to stream on demand, including Mr Robot, it enables you to get free next-day delivery on millions of items, even same-day in many cases.
It also includes Prime Music, a music-streaming service, unlimited cloud photo storage and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, which offers free access to more than a million eBooks.
Augmented reality puts clothes on near-naked models
There have certainly been attempts at using augmented reality to help choose your wardrobe, but never quite like this. Internet retailer Lyst marked the start of London Fashion Week by using AR to clothe near-naked models in a shop window — effectively, they were living mannequins. You only had to point a phone or tablet at the models to see what they would look like donning some athletic wear or a formal dress, no matter the pose or the viewing angle.
Was this a publicity stunt? Absolutely. However, Lyst suggests that the underlying tech could be very helpful for real shopping. You could get a 360-degree view of clothes as you’d actually wear them, rather than settle for static photos or visit a physical store to try something on. If all goes well, you’d increase the chances of getting the exact look you’re aiming for… and save yourself the hassle of a return.
Source: Mashable
YouTube star charged over ‘FIFA’ game betting
The consequences of promoting dodgy bets on video games can extend well beyond account suspensions and tarnished reputations. YouTube star Craig Douglas (aka NepentheZ) and FUTgalaxy owner Dylan Rigby have both been charged with violating the UK’s Gambling Act through their respective businesses. The two allegedly used their online presences to push lotteries and “unlawful gambling” in FIFA 16 matches through bets with in-game coins. Douglas is also accused of encouraging underage gambling by refusing to warn viewers that bets were only for people 18 and over.
The two men have already appeared in court, although the trial won’t resume until October 14th. Whatever happens in the case, it could set an important precedent for game-based gambling. Social media celebs in the UK may be more hesitant to promote betting on video games, or at least put more disclaimers on their existing efforts. Non-UK residents aren’t under quite so much pressure, but it wouldn’t be shocking if the charges prompt game betting advocates elsewhere to clean up their acts.
@FUTGlVEAWAYZ Let us worry about that kind of stuff, yeah. Jesus, lmao. Go annoy someone else, somewhere else.
— NepentheZ (@NepentheZ) June 29, 2015
Via: Kotaku
Source: BBC, PCGamesN
Dodocool fast wireless charger: Solid performer for a reasonable price (review)
Smartphones have slowly been adopting wireless charging over the past few years. It’s a great way charge your phone if it is compatible with the Qi wireless charging standard. All you have to do is drop your phone onto the charging pad and it charges wirelessly.
The main downside to wireless charging is that it can’t charge as fast as traditional microUSB and USB type-C plugs which can transfer energy faster. However wireless charging speeds have increased and dodocool’s fast wireless charger is a solid option. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now, and consider it a solid option.
Build & Usage
The dodocool fast wireless charger delivers power to smartphones and tablets that are compatible with the Qi wireless charging standard. It delivers power faster than first generation charging pads, at up to 1.5 times the speed. The dodocool charging pad is a circular disk, made from plastic, with two soft rubber disks on the bottom and top to provide the base and attached smartphone grip.
It’s not the fanciest wireless charging pad I’ve used, but at $22.99 on Amazon, it’s a reasonable price. The dodocool wireless charging pad has a roughly 30 degree angle to it so you can place your smartphone on it and still maintain a good view of the display. This is especially nice for the latest Galaxy devices which have the “always on” display feature.
The rubber ring around the top provides enough resistance to give me confidence my smartphone will not slip off. The only issue with the rubber ring is that it is a lint magnet. No matter how many times I wiped it down, I simply could not get it 100% lint free. Over time this could get old as it will look dirty.
As a charger, it works as advertised. Phones that are fast wireless charging capable like my Galaxy S7 edge charged flawlessly. From dead to 100%, my S7 edge took about three hours to charge. That’s just over twice as long as it takes to charge the device using a fast charger. But it’s not an issue since I leave it on my desk and simply place my phone on it when I get home. If I’m ever in need of power, I usually can recharge in my truck or with a power bank when I’m away from home or the office.
There’s a nice indicator light in between the top and bottom half that glows green when it is plugged in and not actively charging a device. It turns blue when it is charging a device, and it’s not so bright that it lights up my room at night. It’s just bright enough to where I can find it in the middle of the night without having to turn on any other lights.
I did notice this charger was a little more picky with phone placement than other wireless chargers I’ve used before. It wasn’t so specific though that I had to fiddle with the placement after I learned where to place my phone.
Summary
The dodocool fast wireless charger is a solid option for $22.99. Samsung’s fast wireless charger costs twice as much, and for my money I would rather buy two of the dodocool chargers so I could keep one at my office and one at home for my nightstand. That way I don’t have to worry about charging my Note 7 with USB type-C while my S7 edge still uses micro USB.
The dodocool fast wireless charger is well built, with thoughtful features added in that make it a pleasurable charger to use on a daily basis.
If you’d like to learn more, head on over to Amazon.com and check out the dodocool fast wireless charger for $22.99. Dodocool has provided an exclusive discount code for our wonderful readers to save 30% off. Use discount code LOQ7TEK7 at checkout and the final price for the dodocool fast wireless charger will be $16.09.
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