Dell announces the thinnest - and one of the best - tablets in the world

The best tablet announced at CES 2015 was definitely the Dell Venue 8 7000. At 6mm thin, it is the slimmest tablet to date but it hasn’t made any sacrifices. The Venue features an 8.4-inch edge-to-edge OLED display which Dell is calling an “infinity display” meaning that the bezel is almost invisible. The screen is also crisp and sharp, with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600.

The tablet is also one of the first to include Intel’s Real Sense 3D camera which allows users to take 8MP images and then refocus them – a technology popularised by trendy camera manufacture Lytro. There are two an additional 720p stereoscopic sensors to make the depth camera possible.

A large speaker and a 2MP camera for video calls and #selfies foot the screen on the front of the device.

The Venue has 16GB storage (plus a MicroSD card slot for additional storage), 2GB RAM and currently runs Android KitKat however Dell promises that there will be a Lollipop upgrade in the near future.

For $399 you can buy the Venue 8 7000 today in the US – it unfortunately isn’t available anywhere else yet. Dell says it will be coming to other markets in “early 2015” and in my eyes, it will be worth the wait. The only drawback I can see is the fact that this is a tiny tablet; with a screen size of 8.4-inches it is neither a tablet nor a phablet. It is somewhere in the middle. I can imagine most people wishing this tablet was a few inches bigger.

Impossibly thin: The Dell Venue 8 7000 is 6mm thick

Blocks Wearables plan to launch a modular smartwatch by the end of 2015!

Remember Phonebloks, the company that teased and tantalised you with a video of a modular smartphone where you could easily interchange panels on the back for a better camera, improved battery life or additional storage. Well, another company, Blocks Wearables talked about a modular smartwatch at CES and unlike the modular smartphone by Phonebloks, the smartwatch might actually be launched!

Of course, the essential central block in the modular smartwatch will be the watch face. This will contain a screen and other basic hardware which is necessary for the watch to function. But then the strap, comprised of 6 blocks, will be interchangeable and each one will have different capabilities. You will be able to add links which extend battery, monitor heart rate, allow the user to make contactless payments, and much more.



This smartwatch will be dead in the water unless it gathers funding. Blocks Wearables anticipates to do this in June on Kickstarter.com; a crowd-sourcing website ideal for raising money for projects such as this one.

The concept of this watch is great, however I’m unconvinced it will be a success (if it even gets funding that is). Smartwatches were almost non-existent this time last year and I think it might be too soon for a modular smartwatch to be made; manufactures still haven’t managed to make an perfect regular smartwatch yet (although the LG G Watch and the Pebble Steel come close). The reason the Phonebloks modular smartphone was never made was because it was too complex and I feat that might also be an issue that Blocks Wearables might run in to.

Ex-Google engineers reveal the Remix tablet - a Microsoft Surface look-alike running a forked version of Android

Not a Microsoft Surface: The $349 Remix Tablet

Three former Google engineers responsible for products such as Maps and Search have recently announced the result of a new project they started after leaving Google. It is called Remix.

The Remix tablet, dubbed the world’s first ultra-tablet, is unapologetically a clone of the Microsoft Surface. It has a kickstand (which supports 40º and 80º angles), interchangeable keyboard covers and even a shell that mimics Microsoft’s design.

Inside, the Remix tablet is running a modified version of Android called Remix OS and it is apparently a blend of the best things from current devices. On the company’s website they say “We can't stand the drawbacks of the tablets and laptops on the market today and we wanted to do something about it.”

Remix OS looks like what Windows 8 would have looked like if it was made by Google. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Windows Mail app has clearly been ripped off here, they haven’t even bothered changing the blue background colour. However, there is something neater and cleaner about the apps on Remix OS compared to Windows 8 which makes this tablet very desirable.

File manager on Remix OS

Apps can be downloaded onto the Remix tablet via the Google Play store and there is a ‘phone mode’ so the apps run like they would if they were on a smartphone. This means that multiple apps can be open at once utilising all the space on the 11-inch touchscreen.

To switch between apps there is a task manager at the bottom which looks like it has also been lifted straight from Window and the file manager too look like what the Windows 8 file manager should have been. The file manager on Remix OS is intuitive, powerful, and a delight to use with a touchscreen – unlike the one on Windows 8 which is made primarily for mouse and keyboard use.

Spot the different: The e-mail client on Remix OS Vs the e-mail client on Windows 8

Here are some of the specifications:
· NVIDIA 4+1 processor
· 2GB of RAM
· 5MP rear and front-facing cameras
· 11.6" 1080p IPS display
· microSD card slot
· Headphone jack
· Stereo speakers

There is also a microUSB port with an included OTG adaptor so you have a full sized USB port.

The makers of the Remix tablet hope that it will launch in the US later this year at $349 for the 16GB model however it’s likely that Microsoft will soon slap them with a copyright lawsuit which will stop them in their tracks.

LG made a WebOS smartwatch (being used by Audi)

The former mobile operating system, webOS, has resurfaced recently as a smartwatch operating system being used by LG. Say hello to the LG webOS smartwatch (pictured right).

The new LG webOS smartwatch, discovered CES 2015, closely resembles the LG G Watch R and includes an NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a handful of native webOS apps including a calendar, music controller and a phone dialler. Unlike most Android Wear devices and the future Apple Watch, the LG webOS smartwatch has a cellular data connection which means that the smartwatch doesn’t need to be paired with a smartphone for full capabilities. Instead, the smartwatch can operate alone with built in text messaging, calling and Internet access.

It is clear that this version of webOS is built primarily for circular watch faces – unlike Android Wear which is more at home on square screens. The icons are circular and you slide between them in a seemingly never-ending spiral which fits on the screen perfectly. There is also a quick-settings screen which also utilises the screen in the way a smartwatch should.

Similarly to Android Wear, there is the ability to control the smartwatch via the user’s voice. How powerful this tool will be on webOS is still a mystery – just like most of the features on this watch actually.

Audi was spotted using the LG webOS smartwatch at their booth at CES 2015. They were using a unique watch face which they had developed themselves and the NFC chip on the inside to unlock the doors on the latest cars.

Neither the LG webOS smartwatch or even the smartwatch optimised version of webOS have been officially announced yet so it is unknown what smartphones the watch will be compatible with – if any, how much the LG webOS smartwatch will cost, or even if any other technology manufactures plan to use a similar version of webOS in the future

Lamborghini announces $6000 smartphone

Supercar manufacture Lamborghini have announced a $6000 Android smartphone. The ‘88 Tauri’ is wrapped in blue leather, stitched at the back, and has gold metal plates running down the side edges of the phone. It looks tacky but hidden beneath the pretentious gold plates lies all of the phone’s ports; to get to them one must open the wing like covers.

Inside, there’s 3GB of RAM, a 2.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, and 32GB of storage to complement the 1920 x 1080p, 5-inch display. On the back sits a 20-megapixel camera and on the front sits an 8-megapixel camera for taking selfies. (You could even add the Lenovo VibeXtension Selfie Flash for flawless selfies).

The premium price tag is probably due to this phone being, unsurprisingly, a limited edition; just under 2000 of them are estimated to be produced which makes this phone perfect for filthy-rich car enthusiasts who want to show off.

The new Sony Walkman

Sony is nostalgically trying to revive the popularity which the Walkman once possessed with the announcement of the ZX2 High-Resolution Walkman at CES 2015.

What makes the new Sony Walkman unique is the ‘High-Res Audio’ sticker it boasts which means that music sounds just as it should… And if it doesn’t, there are plenty of settings the user can toggle with, so favourite tracks sound outstanding.

Considering this is a premium media device, the design is nothing special. There is a large bezel at the top and bottom; plus the device is very thick - probably due to the 128GB internal storage which has been packed inside. The iconic gold ring around the headphone jack consequently makes an ugly bump at the bottom of the device and as for the rear of the device, it is leather and uneven. The design isn’t all bad though, if you hold the Walkman with your left hand, the playback and volume controls are perfectly placed so you can operate them easily.

Although the ZX2 runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, this device wasn’t built to compete with high-end smartphones… It built primarily for listening to music and maybe watching movies – but nothing else.

So, for an ugly, uneven body on a device which only has one purpose, you wouldn’t expect to need to fork out much? Wrong. The Sony ZX2 High-Resolution Walkman will set you back £949. With a price tag that high, the Walkman seems to be exclusively for premium clarity audio fanatics and nobody else.

Three absurd gadgets from CES 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is home to some pretty amazing technology including 5K computer monitors, curved smartphones, and even an electric scooter or two. It is also home to some really weird stuff. Here are three completely unexpected pieces of technology nobody expected to be announced at CES 2015:

The Vibe Xtension Selfie Flash

Lenovo Vibe Xtension Selfie Flash
This device does exactly what it says on the tin. For $29, you plug this funky looking metalic doughnut into your smartphone’s headphone jack, it emits a bright glow so you can compose your shot, and BOOM… You’re done… You can now take selfies in the dark. As ridiculous as this sounds, there might actually be a market for it; I can’t currently think of any smartphones on the market which offer a front facing flash.
(IT IS NOT OK TO OWN ONE OF THESE IF YOU ARE OVER 30-YEARS-OLD)

LG Twin Wash
The LG Twin Wash is a thin(ish) washing machine which is designed to hide under your current washing machine so you can get two loads done at once. LG says it is "perfect for delicate items that require special attention or unique wash settings." You’ll be pleased to know that this add-on is back-compatible with many old LG washing machines and not just the current ones.

myBrain Melomind
myBrain have created a new wearable gadget which connects to your smartphone, called the Melomind. For only $299, you get device which looks like it has been plucked straight from the set of Star Trek. It monitors your EEG, then plays music accordingly to decrease detected stress levels… Because who wouldn’t be stressed with something that is scanning their brain sat on top of their head?

Acer announces the biggest Chromebook yet

The Acer Chromebook 15's predecessor:
the Acer Chromebook

Google Chromebooks are undoubtedly the underdogs of the computer market. They aren't as powerful as Apple Macs and they aren't marketed as intensely as Windows PCs. Admittedly, this may because they are the new on the scene; the first Chromebook only launched 4 years ago. Since those original Acers and Samsungs, there have been a number of low end devices from manufactures including HP, Lenovo and Dell. Google even released the Chromebook Pixel a couple of years ago which boasted a touchscreen display. Chromebooks are today surpassing another boundary with the announcement of the Acer Chromebook 15: the biggest Chromebook to date.

The Acer Chromebook 15 boasts a 1080p 15.6-inch screen. It is light thus practical but also has a good build quality and is rather sturdy. Large dual speakers sandwiching the keyboard and an extremely reasonable price tag $249 (just over £160) makes it one of the most appealing Chromebooks yet.

Acer took CES 2015 as an opportunity to announce this device which means that the final specifications of this Chromebook aren’t confirmed just yet. Despite this, if what Acer has said so far is any indication of what this laptop will be like, the Chromebook 15 from Acer makes buying a Chromebook become an ever more enticing option for consumers.

Alcatel announce their first Smartwatch

Alcatel, the phone manufacturer you probably know best from producing low end mobile phones over the last decade, has today taken a firm step in to the future. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Alcatel announced the Onetouch Watch; a smartwatch running their own operating system.

The Onetouch Watch has a very familiar design similar to that of the Moto 360; it even has the strip running along the bottom of the watch face preventing the screen from being a perfect circle. The overall aesthetics of the watch are standard however it boasts a bright screen which Alcatel claims can last for two days without needing to be recharged. When you finally do need to recharge this device, it has a USB charger built into the interchangeable straps.

Both Android Phones (including Alcatel Onetouch family) and iPhones are compatible with the Onetouch Watch and, as expected, notifications can be sent to your watch so you are alerted when something new is happening on your phone. The watch can also be used without a smartphone because Alcatel has developed a small number of practical apps such as a stop watch and health monitor. In addition to that, there are a small number of customisable watch faces. Sadly, it isn't likely that many more apps and watch faces will become available anytime in the future because, despite the watch being cheap and trendy, it doesn't run a mainstream smartwatch interface such as Android Wear.

Having a small app ecosystem is a challenge that many independent smartwatch manufactures will have to figure a way around - unless they could jump on the Android Wear bandwagon.

Overall, the Onetouch Watch is a decent first smartwatch from Alcatel. Unfortunately, for every good thing about this device, there is almost certainly a counter negative. The watch will cost $149 (that's just under £100), which undercuts every Android Wear device currently on the market, however for that price you consequently sacrifice a strong app ecosystem and you need to put up with the uninspiring, Windows-like, operating system. It seems to be Alcatel device through and through; a decent low end device.

Windows had 'Material Design' before Google

Material Design in 'Inbox'

'Material Design' is a phrase coined by Google which is the name for the design language they implemented throughout their native apps and websites with the release of Android 4.5 (Lollipop). The diverse spectrum of Google services, from YouTube to Google Drive, have been soaked thoroughly in Google's new cleaner look which makes the services easier to use, more asthetically pleasing however, consequently, all the apps now look like clones of oneanother. This can be a positive and a negative - however not a debate that I'm going to delve into in this post.

If app developers wish to use aspects of material design they can find extremely strict guidelines on what material design is, and what material design isn't, on the Google design website. And although this idea of all apps having a same feel and familiar interfaces may seem like a new idea, Microsoft has been doing it since 2010 when Windows Phone 7 was launched.


The Windows Phone SDK for developers is debatably restrictive - maybe less so now compared to what it was a few years ago. However it was restrictive so that all of the apps, with the exeption of games, gave the user a sense of familiarity so that they could navigate brand new apps they've installed without overthinking. This design language was called 'metro'... later to be replaced with 'modern'.

The 'People Hub' on Windows Phone 7

Metro/modern had live tiles instead of app icons, panes inside the app which users could swipe between and often titles which wouldn't fit on one screen.

The problem with 'metro' is, app developers like to be creative with their apps and give them unique design and feel. The Windows Phone SKD didn't offer them space to be creative. This might be one of the reasons that the Windows Phone app marketplace is only tenth of the size of the Apple App Store.

Going back to Google's design language, 'material design' has a higher chance of sucess compared to 'metro' because, not only has Android got 29x more users than Windows Phone thus more potential customers for app developers, 'material deisgn' isn't being pushed upon app developers; if they want to imploment 'material design' in their own apps, they can; however if they'd rather come up with their own look, they can do that as well. Google is offering developers freedom of choice, something which Microsoft might have crucually forgotten to do.