The S3, which will be available soon on 02, comes in a choice of either “Pebble Blue” or “Marble White”. The phone packs a punch in the display department, with a 4.8″ HD Super AMOLED 1280×720 display and a super slim bezel edge. The s3 comes in at just 8.6mm thick and weighs only 133g.

The phone comes complete with an 8MP auto focus camera with an array of useful features, such as burst shot, buddy photo share and best photo. This latter feature makes sure you never miss a smile or catch someone blinking. It works by automatically taking a burst of eight pictures, making a continuous scene, and will even choose the best one for you.

In addition to the main camera, which can also shoot video in full HD 1080, the Galaxy S3 has an additional 1.9MP front facing camera which is obviously ideal for things video calling.

Following a trend in new smartphones, the S3 comes with a voice recognition system they call “S-Voice” which enables you to do things like setting (or turning off!) an alarm, answering or rejecting calls and even telling the camera when to shoot.

Another feature on the S3 is ‘Social Tag’ lets you link the faces in your photo album with their social media streams, enabling you to look at their pictures and see their current status.

The power behind the phone comes from Samsung’s very own 1.4GHz Exynos quad-core processor, partnered with 1GB of RAM and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

To find out more and to see the phone in action, check out this O2 Guru TV video:

This post has been sponsored by O2

[Source: Sponsored Video: O2 Guru TV on the Samsung Galaxy S3]

The Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio is the newest product in the company’s line of tablet accessories. It functions as a case, protecting the front and back of your iPad, and also transforms into a Bluetooth keyboard.

While most Bluetooth keyboards are battery or USB-powered, the Logitech keyboard endeavours to save both your money and the environment, with built-in solar panels providing enough charge to use the keyboard for two years. The stand is adjustable so you can angle your iPad exactly the way you want: putting your iPad in the first position allows you to use the full keyboard, while the second position gives you access to play, pause and volume keys.

Even though it houses a keyboard, the case itself is ultra-slim. It automatically wakes your iPad when you open it, and puts your iPad into sleep mode when you close it again. The solar panels are sensitive to low lighting, as well as natural and artificial light.

“Now that people are seemingly inseparable from their tablets, using them for everything from sending emails to watching videos, they want accessories powered to meet their needs,” said Alexis Richard, director of product marketing at Logitech. “The Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio is a smart partner for your iPad. Its sleek built-in keyboard uses light to charge and it provides hassle-free protection for your iPad – both for the front and back. It gives you an ideal way to use and protect your tablet without adding bulk.”

The case fits all models of iPad and is available now for £119.

[Source: Logitech’s Solar-Powered Keyboard Case]

Like us, you’re probably well acquainted with the process of grappling around under your stairs (or some other inaccessible place) with a torch, trying to decipher your gas meter in the vain hope of getting a reading. Well, we’ve got some good news - British Gas have announced plans to provide ‘Smart Meters’ in all homes by 2019. In fact, they’ve already started the roll out with over 160,000 homes now hooked up.

So, what is a Smart Meter? Well, it look pretty similar and will still be in a tucked away place, but now it will effectively reads itself! This new meter will communicate to an in-home display unit (aka ‘Smart Energy Monitor’), giving you an instant view of your energy consumption – both for gas and electricity. Another great thing is that British Gas, as part of the government’s plan to get all homes on smart meters, are installing their system for free.

The monitor will display, in near-real time, information about your energy usage (kWh), CO2 emissions as well as how much you’ve spent. It will also keep historical usage data so you can check how you’re consumption is changing over time. The meter will automatically transmit meter readings back to British Gas once a day, which (thankfully!) means the end of those fiddly meter readings and also, perhaps more importantly, the end of estimated bills.

Another interesting benefit of getting homes on to smart meters, is that it enables energy suppliers to monitor the amount of electricity being distributed and can therefore proactively manage their supply grids. This should enable them to automatically re-route power, monitor network assets and generally become more efficient.

You can find out more about the British Gas Smart Meters on their British Gas Smart Meter page.

They have also outlined their ‘Smart Vision’ in this YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W6sLla9Scc

Sponsored Post

Viral video by ebuzzing

[Source: British Gas to roll out ‘Smart Meters’ to all homes by 2019]

One such tablet is the US-produced E FUN Nextbook Next 7S, an Android-based tablet that runs Ice Cream Sandwich and comes with a $129.99 price tag. With a 1 GHz processor, over-the-air updates, a front-facing camera, and Flash support, the light-weight tablet is designed to target consumers who wouldn’t necessarily purchase the device for work purposes.

In the UK, developers disgo have released the 8104, a tablet with a 10.1 inch touch-screen, Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and 4GB memory, which expands to 36GB with the help of a micro-SD card. The tablet is on sale for £149.99 – £250 less than the iPad 3.

Luke Noonan, Purchasing Director of disgo, commented on the company’s intent to try and and target as many consumer groups as possible, explaining

“Each time we launch a new tablet we are excited by the advancements and new features that we are able to bring. We want to continue our lead in the next generation of affordable tablets and the 8104 fits the bill. It’s great to offer consumers a tablet that offers the latest in Android and tablet technology, without a hefty price tag. The 8104 has great diversity and will appeal to many users from families and children to commuters.”

It remains to be seen whether disgo’s tablet will be a direct competitor to high-end producers like Apple, or whether they will appeal to a different market altogether. What is clear, however, is that the tablet has moved away from being purely a business accessory, and, like the mobile phone and laptop before them, are fast becoming a household item.

[Source: The Rise of the Budget Tablet: How Reduced-Price Tablets are Impacting the Market]

Henge Clique
I love my Magic TrackPad. With Lion OS in tow, I think it’s fair to say it has significantly enhanced my desktop computing experience. And that’s not something I throw around lightly either, as I’ve been playing with various user interface peripherals for many many years. Once you go Magic TrackPad, you can’t go Back(Pad).

I also love the design and feel of my Apple wireless keyboard (before you complain I have many problems with Apple as a company. But I like these two things.) and Henge Docks’ Clique enables you to marry Apple’s wireless keyboard and Magic TrackPad in one secure and sturdy compartment for use whilst away from a desk. I tried shaking and dropping the Clique but it was very robust. What Henge has put together, let no man rent asunder.

The Clique’s cleverly designed power buttons means you don’t have to remove the device to toggle the power. For the style conscious the glossy white finish and light grey accents found blend seamlessly with the wireless keyboard and TrackPad.

Henge MacBook Air 11″ Dock

I love my 11″ MacBook Air too (ok this is starting to sound a little crazy), as it’s light, portable and with an SSD installed, incredibly fast. But that’s cute little screen could be a little bigger at times.

Fortunately Henge have quick and easy docking solution that lets you plug your MacBook Air into an external monitor or TV. The dock is well-built and secure, and there’s very little risk of damaging your mac. It’s a software free solution so you can simply pop your laptop directly into it and marvel at the magic of the big screen. Henge Docks’ patent-pending solution utilises a customer’s existing Apple supplied MagSafe power adapter and Mini-DisplayPort adapter and you can choose which output you need for your end.

TwelveSouth HoverBar

I love my iPad (Ok I hear it now. I hate my first generation Apple TV. Does that make you happy now?) and it’s an ideal second display for when I’m working on my iMac. It’s great to have various apps open and interacting with them while I write. I have Timeli open right now.

If you like the sound of this combo, you’ll love the HoverBar – a sleek flexible arm that clamps to the back of your iMac (or Apple Display) and allows you to float your iPad either above or to the side of the display. Flex the bar and tilt iPad in any direction to find your favorite viewing position. You can even extend the workstation by adding a second HoverBar.

The HoverBar is available from the Apple store and amazon from £69.95

[Source: Enhancing the Mac Experience: Henge Docks, Clique and TwelveSouth HoverBar]

The KAOSSILATOR 2 is a mini synthesizer with an intuitive touchpad. Technically it enables you to easily build your own tracks without any musical training, although I still feel that people who know nothing about music should be discouraged from making it.

Ever so slightly bigger than a mobile phone, the new battery powered synthesizer comes with an enhanced sound generator that lets you create synth and drum combinations across a range of genres, from R’n’B to D’n’B. There are 150 sounds built-in and you can tweak these to your heart’s content. There’s a PCM sound engine on board, so you can have some pretty realistic drum sounds going as well. If that isn’t enough, you can record using the built-in mic; or use the mic input for recording of external input.

An ideal instrument for the highly tactile, you create your sounds by stroking, tapping or rubbing the touchpad, then loop them into continuing patterns. You can even layer two loops together to make DJ-style mixes. What’s more, there’s a built-in Gate Arpeggiator with adjustable gate time and swing settings and you have Scale Key and Note Range to eliminate “wrong” notes. You can save the whole thing onto a microSD card, as well as playing it back via the built-in speaker or headphones.

KAOSSILATOR 2 is out now with a RRP of £155.99
For more information head to www.kaoss.co.uk

[Source: Korg KAOSSILATOR 2: There are no wrong notes]

To help you sieve through the surge of iPhone and iPad cases that have arrived on the scene in 2012, we’ve located some of the best of the recent arrivals and an old favourite.

The Incipio Le Deux

If a practical, no-nonsense and inexpensive protective iPhone case is what you’re after then look no further than the Incipio Le Deux. Combining a polycarbonate bumper with a polished, stainless steel backplate, this newly released smartphone case offers a stylish and sturdy plain-speaking protection against those inevitable drops and knocks your treasured device is subjected to, for just $30.

Proporta Microbial Case

Did you know that the average toilet seat festers approximately 49 germs per square inch while the average mobile phone has over 25,000?

Pretty disgusting hey? hence the arrival of the Proporta Microbial Case. Containing an anti-microbial agent, this case wards off 99% of germs. Not only this, but the Proporta Microbial Case is ultra-tough and features a comfy grip panel, which in normal circumstances are place for germs to thrive but not with anti-microbe accessory. And for just £19, you could do a lot worse in your quest to keep your iPhone and in this case yourself protected.

I’m surprised this case wasn’t unveiled when the swine flu ‘pandemic’ of 2009 was wreaking havoc across the world and everyone was wearing masks just to go about their daily lives!

Case-Mate recycled plastic iPhone cases

Made from 100% recycled plastic, Case-Mate’s new range of iPhone cases will go a long way in reducing the carbon footprints of iPhone owners.

Not only do these environmentally conscious cases encourage more sustainable practices – a desirable and trendy feat of modern tech culture – but they also look pretty cool. Being available in white, black, blue, green, orange and pink these eco-friendly cases will help protect your iPhone as well as the environment – not a bad double conquest for just $30!

Schreer Delights Retro iPhone Case

Retro-inspired tech never fails to turn a few heads and no more so than with the Schreer Delights Retro iPhone Case. From ‘Walkie Talkie’ looking cases to ‘Assorted Donughts’, from the ‘Breakfast Club’ to the ‘Rainbow Apple Tree’ case, Schreer Delights have a huge range of retro cases to suit all ages and tastes and, for $45, will guarantee that your iPhone will ‘stand out from the crowd’.

The LTD Tools range of iPhone and iPad cases

If you’ve got quite a lot of money to blow on an iPhone case you might want to take a look at LTD Tools’ ‘cool’ range of tough cases.

Made from aluminium – I personally prefer rubber – these smartphone cases certainly have a ‘machine look’ and are offered in two different styles, both of which have flip up lids that protect the screen. The LTD Tools cases also wrap around the smartphone to protect the whole device.

The 180 iPhone 4 case costs $45 and the 360 iPhone 4 case costs $75 – reasons behind the heftier price tag of the latter are not elaborated upon.

[Source: Squash drop and knock damage with tough iPhone cases!]

However this was no ordinary pair of “revolutionary headphones” and the Parrot Zik brought a lot more to the table than a celebrity endorsement and a flashy launch party.

Crammed to the gills with more technology than you can shake a USB stick at, the Parrot Zik wireless bluetooth headphones are the latest from the French company famed for their skill in wireless communications.

The Parrot Zik are designed by legendary designer Phillipe Stark and look incredible. There’s a leather band over the top as you’d expect but the arms on either side look like metallic bone and really help the headphones stand out.

“Despite its simple and humble design, Zik is certainly today one of our most successful products in terms of intuitive ergonomics,” says Philippe Starck. “The headphones are perfectly balanced and almost seem fused looking like a mere extension of the human body and all its needs. Sound and consequently music are just a search of one’s own world. The more the sound is close to you, the more you’ll like the music and feel comfortable. An object like this is a universe.”

Fortunately these aren’t just good looking but are carefully designed to work with modern smartphones. A sensor, located in the cushion of the left earpiece, detects and analyses jaw bone vibrations and compares them to the all the surrounding noise. By matching the users’ movements with their speech, Parrot Zik is able to extract and separate the speech from the surrounding noise. Two microphones record sound and determine its direction, in real time. The digital signal processor of the Zik can then determine the origin of the unwanted noise and eliminate it.

The engineers have also incorporated active noise cancelling technology to filter out external sound. I was stood in a crowded room filled with whinging tech journalists (is there any other kind) but was able to disappear into a bubble of sound when I put the Zik on. Sadly I had to take them off, but that was an opportunity to sample another of the Zik’s features – sensors detect when you remove the headphones and automatically pause the music. I tried this a number of times and was unable to catch the headphones out. Clever stuff.

There’s also a touch panel on the right side of the headphones that allows you to pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and answer (or reject) phone calls, all in a button-less natural manner.

The Parrot Zik will be avaliable from July 2012. The price will be annouced at a later date but you’d probably want to start saving now.

[Source: Parrot Zik: Some kind of wonderful]

Then you might be interested in the latest glasses to come to the market. The makers (GUNNAR Optiks,pioneers in the development of digital eyewear) claim these glasses can reduce screen eyestrain, minimise eye fatigue and visual stress while helping to improving contrast, comfort and focus.

According to the Vision Council of America, 90% of those who use a computer at least 3 hours a day suffer from symptoms of CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) – with symptoms including blurred vision, difficulty changing focus; redness, burning sensation, soreness, stinging, itchiness, dryness, excessive tearing, eye fatigue, eyestrain, light sensitivity, and contact lens discomfort.

GUNNAR Computer Protective Glasses are designed to eliminate the constant refocusing effort eyes undergo when staring for long periods at a computer screen. And now for the science part – apparently the glasses use GUNNAR’s i-AMP lens technology, which relaxes the ocular muscles that strain to look at images and text at close distances. The glasses also have an i-Fi lens coating that filters the glare from artificial lighting, sunlight and the computer screen itself. The coating is scratch resistant and anti-reflective and GUNNAR claims it cuts out 99.7% of glare.

And there’s more – GUNNARS fRACTYL lens geometry helps the eyes to focus because it pre-focuses the light rays before they hit the eye, letting the ciliary muscles that shape the lens of the eye relax. Plus the iONic lens tint keeps the adverse effect of artificial lighting to a minimum.

Do they work? Well Gunnar Optiks’ surveyed 5,000 people and found that all of them reported improved ease of viewing while 96% reported reduction in eyestrain.

The glasses are already popular in the US and are now available to order from Sunglassesuk.com at http://www.sunglassesuk.com/brands/gunnar-advanced-gaming-eyewear-1. Prices start at £79.

Note: Anyone using a screen for any period of time should ensure the take regular breaks away from the screen, whatever eyewear they are using.

[Source: Eyes right with the GUNNAR glasses]

Although despite Apple’s smartphone being the zenith of technological superiority, gadget and accessory manufacturers seem intent in creating auxiliaries that debase the look of what is arguably the greatest tech-creation of the 21^st century, thus far.

Take a look at three iPhone gadgets that inadvertently humble the iPhone.

TheO

Why would you want to turn your precious, state-of-the-art and epitome of sophistication iPhone into a bright-yellow foam ball? Well perhaps if you’re into iPhone gaming, as this decidedly un-tech looking gadget has the potential to take iPhone gaming to another level.

Created by Physical App, LLC, TheO has a cut out slot where you place your iPhone or iPod touch and then hurl the ball across the floor as part of the game. Thanks to the iPhone’s accelerometer, TheO combines the physical activity and iPhone gaming into one.

Physical Apps currently has three free TheO games, a bowling app, Hot Potato and a social game, Interrogo.

It might not look like the height of tech-sophistication but TheO certainly ranks in the novel stakes and is expected to debut in May!

The Feinger

It might look uncannily similar to a party popper stuck to the back of your iPhone ready to rocket your precious smartphone across the room, but the Feinger might prove to be a darn useful iPhone accessory!

The two-part gadget is basically a finger mount that enables you to keep a tight grip of your phone – great if you are of a predisposition to keep dropping your iPhone. The first part looks like it’s a suction mount which is attached to your phone, and the second part, known as “the sleeve”, attaches to the mount, enabling you to slip your finger in and carry your iPhone about, safe in the knowledge that you won’ drop it!

iPhone Dock Fan

Give your iPhone fins by attaching the iPhone Dock Fan to the end of it! As iPhones can do practically everything, why not let your multi-talented phone cool you down? Simply plug the fan in the iPhone’s dock connector, switch it on and let it cool you down! Just be careful that you don’t get your tongue pulverised when you make a call!

[Source: Is it a bowling ball? Is it a party popper? No it’s an iPhone!]