Clive Gray Enterprises
  • Welcome
  • Contact Us
  • Testimonials

Microsoft Surface - a bitter tablet to swallow.

7/21/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Many of us will have heard of the Microsoft Surface, that nice little tablet pc made by the maker of that operating system that nobody wants - Windows 8.Well, it seems the same is true for the Surface - nobody wants it.

Microsoft, it appears, has spent close on to $1 billion on this product from inception to store, well 20 stores actually if you discount mail order.

Many things have been blamed for the failure of this device that got pretty good reviews at release, those errors of judgement include waiting for two and a half years, allowing Apple to get in there and grab the market. Too expensive - the Surface, with its' cover,  was $100 dearer than the cheapest full sized iPad.

Of course, if you had an iPhone, it made sense to get the iPad over the Surface because just to be able to use those apps and the iTunes full of your music. Microsoft have only just lowered the price of the Surface so it beats the iPad.

The other key pointer, suggested to be of blame for the failure of the Surface, is that it was only available over the counter from 20 stores across the US. This was the number of Microsoft branded stores where it was available from - the ONLY stores it was available from!

Despite this, good old Microsoft are not going to give in. It would seem that they plan to release a newer version of the Surface within a year.

On a slightly different note, Microsoft seem to be making inroads with their Windows phone - the ideal place for Windows 8 without the desktop feature - knocking Blackberry off the 3rd place slot.


All brand names and registered trademarks acknowledged.

0 Comments

Android Tablet with GPS & TV

7/9/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
7 Inch Android Tablet PC with GPS Navigator, DVB-T + ISDB-T TV, 1.2GHz CPU and Car Mounting Kit. Combining Android, GPS and TV, all into one system!

This unit brings a GPS, Android and DVB-T + ISDB-T TV together into one small and portable 7 inch device. Use it on the go to browse the internet, watch movies or listen to music and when traveling, simply turn on the GPS function and let it navigate you to your destination. But what makes this Tablet PC truly special is its capability to receive DVB-T and ISDB-T (SBTVD) digital television. Tune in to your favorite TV station anywhere, anytime using just the tablet.

The conveniently sized 7 inch screen offers an 800x480 resolution and performs excellent for both multimedia use and portable GPS use. Coming with a custom car mounting kit, you’ll be able to securely attach it to your windshield or dashboard in a matter of seconds and when leaving the car, just slide the tablet out of the holder to take it with you. Equipped with 8GB of internal memory, you’ll have plenty of space to store all your media and it can even be upgraded with an external Micro SD card up to 32GB . Last but not least, featuring an HDMI port, you can connect to any HD TV through a HDMI cable and display its content on a larger screen for your viewing comfort.

At a Glance...
  • 7 Inch Android Tablet
  • GPS Function
  • DVB-T + ISDB-T TV
  • HDMI Port


Manufacturer Specifications
General
  • OS Version: Android 4.0
  • CPU: TCC 8925 Cortex A5
  • Processor Speed: 1.2GHz
  • RAM: 1GB
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
  • 3G: External USB Dongle (Not Included)
  • Google Play
  • Adobe Flash
  • 2 Megapixel Rear Camera + 0.3 Megapixel Front-Facing Camera
  • Mic and Speaker
  • Battery Size: 3000mAh
  • Usage Time: 3 Hours
  • Battery Standby: 10 Hours

Display
  • Display Size: 7 Inch
  • Display Resolution: 800x480
  • 5 Point Capacitive Multi Touch Display

Memory
  • Internal: 8GB
  • Micro SD Card up to 32GB

GPS
  • Receiver Module: MT3329
  • Signal Channels: 24
  • Frequency: 1.575GHz
  • Tracking Sensitivity: -161dBm
  • Position Sensitivity: 10m
  • Data Update Rate: 1Hz
  • Recapture Time: 0.1s
  • Cold Status: 42s
  • Warm Status: 35s
  • Hot Status: 5s
  • Maximum Position Altitude: 18000M
  • Maximum Speed Rate: 515m/s
  • Speed Rate: 0.1m/s

Media Formats:
  • Video: AVI, H.264, DIVX, XVID, RM, RMVB, MKV, WMV, MOV, MP4, FLV
  • Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, EAAC+, AMR, WB-AMR, MIDI, OGG, Vorbis
  • Picture: JPG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG
  • eBook: TXT
  • ISDB-T: UHF (470-862MHZ), VHF
  • DVB-T: UHF (470-862MHZ), VHF High Resolution

Ports
  • HDMI Port
  • Micro SD Card Slot
  • 3.5 mm Audio Out Port
  • Micro USB Port
  • DC IN

Dimensions
  • Main product dimensions: 185x125x10mm (L x W x D)
  • Main product weight: 310g

Product Notes
  • The Android OS version on this device cannot be upgraded or flashed and any attempts to modify the default OS will void the warranty. We provide no software support, advice, or training regarding the Android operating system and software.

Package Contents
  • GPS Tablet
  • USB Cable (Product Specific)
  • Car Charger (Product Specific)
  • Power Adaptor (Product Specific)
  • Mounting Bracket (Product Specific)
  • Tablet Mount (Product Specific)
  • User Manual (Product Specific)

0 Comments

Over 90% of all Android phones are hackable - easy peasy

7/6/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I bet you didn't know that, did you! I wonder how many of you out there have been doing your on-line banking using some Android App, or other in blissful ignorance.

Me? Never! Android is the most targeted mobile operating system on the market - just like Windows is the most targeted operating system on PCs.

Ahhh, you reply, I've got my anti-virus program in place to protect me!

That is good, says I but the way this works by-passes your anti-virus programs protection system.

The best of it is, this vulnerability was discovered some 4 years ago in Android 1.6 (Donut) and has been carried over into every version since.

Basically, the flaw exposed in the Application Packages (APK) allows a hacker to add malicious code into an already signed App without changing the Apps signature so the App still reads as genuine and safe.

It is effectively like giving the hackers the keys to your device. They can steal all your data, accounts, passwords and run any App on your phone without your knowledge.

Google were notified of this vulnerability in February (which begs the question why were they kept in the dark for so long) and have reworked the Google Play store so it rejects any Apps that are vulnerable to the flaw. Any infected Apps already on your phone will no longer get updates from Google Play Store.

What this means for you is that any App you downloaded before this month COULD (not IS) be infected. The only ways to ensure your phone has no infected Apps is to download and install your Android operating system from the Android archives (only for experienced users) or uninstall all your Apps and reset your phone to factory defaults (assuming this hasn't been infected).

How do I keep myself from being infected?

Keep away from those 3rd party app providers - only download from a trusted source - make sure you've got that in your settings be careful of emails and don't plug in any USB device from your friends (this also means don't plug your USB device into a friends phone). Basically the same advice you give to anyone with a computer.

Don't have nightmares folks!

All registered trade marks acknowledged.

0 Comments

How good is YOUR smartphone?

4/12/2013

0 Comments

 
OK, hands up if you think your iPhone stands head and shoulders above the rest in the reliability stakes.OK, that's 1 ....... 2 ...... 3 .. 4 ........ 5. Anyone else?

OK, hands up if you think your Samsung Galaxy is the best.

Well ...... actually, the iPhone is both the best and almost the worst. The least reliable smartphone on the market is officially  the ...(fanfare of trumpets ..... tadaaaaaaa) Samsung Galaxy S3! Oh my gosh, is that right Clive? Who says so?

That would be Mobileinsurance.co.uk Bob.

According to them, the top 10 least reliable smartphone goes like this:
  1. Samsung Galaxy S3
  2. HTC Desire S
  3. Nokia Lumina 610
  4. iPhone 4
  5. Blackberry Bold 9900
  6. iPhone 4S
  7. Sony Xperia S
  8. Blackberry Curve 9220
  9. Samsung Tocco Lite 2
  10. LG Nexus 4
The most reliable smartphone is reported to be the iPhone 3GS from 2009 with the Blackberry Torch 9800 in second place.

Don't shout at me if you disagree, I didn't compile the list.

What I find interesting in this report is that branded mainstream smartphones prove to be so unreliable. The main criticism I receive from people when I show them my range of unbranded smartphones (at prices considerably less than the mainstream) is that they're unreliable - ha! The Galaxy S3 is less than 12 months old.

My unbranded smartphone is 12 months old and still works, it still gets the oooooohhs and aahhhhs when people see it and I'm immediately asked if it's a Samsung and how much.

They are totally amazed when I tell them. They all run on the Google Android operating system, just like Samsung, HTC and loads of other branded smartphones out there but they're less than half the price and have additional features such as:


  • They accept 2 SIM cards
  • They're unlocked so you can put ANY SIM card in. It can be your current PAYG SIM or your contract SIM. Your UK and your Spanish SIM, It doesn't matter.
So why not get over it, put that snobbery aside and take the plunge. We have smartphones that look like the S3 (it that's what you want), probably more reliable, and probably less than half the price.

Go on, ask us, you know it makes sense.


All brand names and registered trade marks acknowledged.


0 Comments

Holiday Update

4/7/2013

0 Comments

 
Hello everybody.

Please be advised that we are starting to get booked up for April, so if you think your PC has a problem, or you're considering taking up one of our other services then please contact us now or we may not be able to get you sorted before we go.

You might even miss out on our FREE telephone install offer available for this month only if you don't get in now! Check our Special Offer page for more details.

Please don't leave it until the last minute and miss out.
0 Comments

Facebook launch the Facebook/HTC First Android Phone

4/4/2013

0 Comments

 
Hello all you facebookers and Android phone lovers, this is something for you!

Facebook are about to launch their own phone based around the HTC brand.

More info here from PC Advisor!
0 Comments
Forward>>

    Author

    My name is Clive Gray, using the trading style Clive Gray Computers. I'll be jotting down thoughts and snippets as time permits.
    I am not responsible for the content of replies posted in response to my articles, they are the views of the poster and last time I checked, we still have the right of free speech.
    When replying to a post, please ensure it's relevant to the subject or it may be moved or deleted.
    Thank you.

    Archives

    June 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011

    Categories

    All
    5 Inch
    7 Inch
    Accident
    Airbox
    Android
    Apple
    Avanti
    Backup
    Bitcoins
    Blackberry
    Black Box
    Broadband
    BT
    Car
    Cctv
    ComEnersol
    Communicaciones Enersol
    Computer
    Connecta3
    Cryptolocker
    CVADY-I477
    Dvr
    Eastman
    Email
    Enersol
    Europa
    Europasat
    Facebook
    Film
    Flashback
    Free
    Friends
    Gps
    Hacking
    Holiday
    Honesty
    Htc
    Hylas
    Hylas Broadband
    Internet
    Internet Explorer
    Ipad
    IP Camera
    Iphone
    Iptv
    Kodak
    Laptop
    Lg
    Linux
    Mac
    Malware
    Messenger
    Microsoft
    Mobile Phone
    Mobile Phones
    Nokia
    Password
    Pc
    Phone Call
    Phones
    Photography
    Plusnet
    Printers
    Problems
    Raspberry Pi
    Recorder
    Safety
    Samsung
    Santa Pola Cable
    Satellite
    Satellite Internet
    Satnav
    Scam
    Second Hand
    Security
    Seo
    Ses
    Sim Cards
    Sky
    Skype
    Sony
    Spantel
    Tablet
    Talktalk
    Telecable
    Telefonica
    Telephone
    Thl
    Tooway
    Tooway Problems
    Tracker
    Trojan
    Tv
    Ubuntu
    Uk Internet
    Update
    Video
    Virgin Media
    Virus
    Voip
    Watch
    Website
    Windows
    Windows 10
    Windows 7
    Windows 8
    Windows Vista
    Windows Xp

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.