Simple PC » Technology

Kinect for Windows

Simon Salvin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:39:40 +0000

Microsoft has launched Kinect, the controller-less controller, which tracks body movement and features voice recognition for PC’s. Originally launched on its XBox 360 gaming platform back in Nov 2010, it became the fastest selling consumer device, shifting 8 million units between Nov 2010 and Jan 2011.
But the unit for PC comes at a price! In fact nearly twice as much as the XBox unit. Microsoft explains the rise is due to new technologies in the device such as 40cm distance recognition, half that of the XBox and also the code to allow it to work across multiple Windows versions. Currently the device has only launched in the states, look out for UK launch dates and pricing here.
But they face competition from companies making similar devices with perhaps more advanced technologies…

Read the full story here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16836031

Sky widens catchup appeal

Simon Salvin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:10:06 +0000

Sky has agreed with BBC & ITV to launch their catchup services on its Anytime+ service. The services are streamed across the internet to connected Sky+ HD boxes, which until an announcement today was only available if you took Sky’s broadband service, this has now been opened up to any broadband provider which broadens their coverage from 1.2m to over 5m.
Read the full story here:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a362796/bbc-iplayer-itv-player-to-launch-on-sky-anytime.html

ReRAM nears production

Simon Salvin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:53:57 +0000

DRAM currently used in PC’s stores data extremely fast, to do so it requires an electrical charge, when the power is then turned off the data is wiped from the RAM. ReRam will hold that data info when power is lost.

Read the full story here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16725529

Virgin Media to broadcast Sky Sports F1

Simon Salvin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:07:49 +0000

Virgin Media has revealed it will be broadcasting the Sky Sports F1 channel but not in HD, while Freeview, Freesat and BT Vision customers lose out with the BBC’s 50% live coverage, read the full story here:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a360314/sky-sports-f1-coming-to-virgin-media.html

Dell 2320

Simon Salvin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:20:06 +0000

Dell has updated its 23″ all in one touch screen PC – the Inspiron 2320 with a full line up of processing power, from the everyday Pentium Dual Core through the Core i3, i5 & i7 for all the families multimedia needs, including TV tuner, Blu-Ray, up to 8gb Ram & 2TB storage drives and wall mountable too! Call today for your pricing offers with full installation only from Simple PC.

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/emea/segments/dhs/inspiron-one?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1

Android Tahiti comes to Orange

Simon Salvin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:38:39 +0000

Orange has launched its own branded Android tablet, but it comes at a cost! Initial contract pricing adds up to the price of an iPad 16gb with WiFi & 3G.
The Android tablet features OS version 3 – Honeycomb, a dual core processor, 6gb of RAM and a 5mp camera. Read the full story here:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a359385/orange-launches-tahiti-android-tablet.html

The future of television…

Simon Salvin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:43:42 +0000

The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) is the place where all the major players show their latest tech, this year it’s been dominated by internet connected TVs, the future of television is the two screen experience, using a second device such as an iPad or iPhone (and not forgetting other tablets and smartphones), the second screen would display the EPG whilst not having to leave the current show on the main screen, it would also allow you to interact via social media with others watching the same show. Virgin Media’s TiVo iPad app will be arriving shortly and Sky has recently bought into the Zeebox company with an app integrating the functions of the SKY+ HD box later in the year.
The real question is “do we need it?”, or do we just want to turn on the box, kick back and relax? What do yo think?

Read the stories here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16480712

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a359063/sky-partners-with-zeebox-social-tv-service.html

Tooth brushes Part 2

Simon Salvin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:06:20 +0000

Following on from yesterdays look at the technologically advanced Oral B Triumph, I’ll quickly cover my toothbrush, the Colgate 360 Microsonic, looking like a normal toothbrush except for a slightly larger handle which houses a standard AAA battery (supplied), the brush uses a sonic vibration for a cleaner finish, the good news about this brush is the price, £6, but currently half price at Boots!

Click Here to view the Colgate 360 at Boots.com

Are tooth brushes gadgets?

Simon Salvin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:53:45 +0000

Are tooth brushes classed as gadgets?
I’ve never felt the need to talk about tooth brushes before, but like a lot of items technology now plays a part. And Channel 5′s gadget show give away an electric tooth brush in their weekly competition, so I’d like to mention the brushes we use at home.
The first is Angela’s, the Braun Oral B Triumph, the brush is rechargeable by way of the provided dock which uses a two prong shaving point plug, the dock itself has no connector and the brush has no connecting socket, the brush sits in the oval dock and by way of contact charges the battery.
The brush also features wireless technology which talks to a timing unit which also doubles as a clock, a modern piece for the bathroom, when the brush is switched on the timer begins, separating your mouth in to 4 quarters asking you to concentrate on each quarter for 30 seconds, after each section the brush vibrates to notify you to move on to the next.
There are a number of different heads, for brushing and polishing and the movement of the brushes changes automatically dependent on which head you are using.
Is the brush good? Well Angela certainly gives it the thumbs up, and there are plenty of offers to be had as the full price is recommended at £180.
A number of brushes are also available without the wireless smart guide unit.

Click Here to view the Oral B Triumph at Boots

Updating your system – iPad

Simon Salvin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:45:11 +0000

I’m always talking about the importance of updating, not only does it bring security features to your system but sometimes new features as well.
More and more people have iPads now, but I’m still coming across out of date systems, the latest update is iOS 5 (5.0.1), to find out your current version go to: Settings > General > About and look at the version number. If you need to update plug the iPad into your PC, open iTunes and follow the instructions, it’s quite simple.
To find out all that’s new in iOS 5 go to: http://www.apple.com/uk/ios/features.html

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