Gadgets: new Phone–Samsung Galaxy Ace

I’ve been thinking about getting a new phone for a while now, so whilst out shopping saw a special offer on the Samsung Galaxy Ace and so went for it !

The main attractions for me where actually to firstly use as a music player… my 20GB iPod is bulky, heavy and no longer enough capacity… plus also really want to get Sat Nav functionality for on foot and in car use.    For a very reasonable monthly rate (special deal for existing Virgin Media customers) the Galaxy Ace seems to give me this, as well as basic phone use as well of course (always seems to be forgotten with smart phones these days!)

Like most Techy’s, I got the phone home and downloaded the use manual and quick start guide from the internet, then just sat and fiddled with the phone without reading the instructions     As you would expect, everything is simple enough, although did have some weird issue setting up a google account (needed for most of the useful functionality!)  but this was solved by a quick visit to google web site from the laptop.   I also had problem with installing Blogger App, in that it refuses to install but I’m not too fussed about that at this stage.    Otherwise everything else was setup easily and seems to work fine so far.   

The syncing between PC and Phone is easy as well, but although the Samsung Kies software used for this is easy enough  (being an iTunes clone)  it is a bit kluncy and seems to take forever to read my network drives (where all my media is stored)   Guess will have to live with that

My only concern is from a security perspective… firstly I disabled the option to backup to Google as it stores not only my data, but also my secure network password, which seems a bit dodgy to me (call me paranoid, but don’t like that idea at all)   I also ummed and ahhed about enabling the location tracking option as not sure I want google to track my movements.   Was also a bit wary at first about allowing Apps access to my contacts, location information, write permission, system tools, etc… but seems all apps wants these permissions so you gotta go with the flow it seems.

Once I’d got everything installed and running, next thing is to order a 32GB card to store all my music and videos Got a 2GB card with the phone, but that just isn’t big enough!

I’m pretty much there now on the setup and will probably get around to reading the user manual sometime.     I’m pretty impressed so far by the mapping and navigation Apps and can’t wait to try them out for real.    The media and social networking apps will be useful for when I’m out and about and can even make phone calls as well

Gadgets: New laptop (with Windows 7 !!)

I couldn’t resist :-)    Having had a good run with Poker recently, I decided to invest in a new laptop.     The netbook I previously bought is fine for what I originally wanted it for (and will still be used) but the screen size was bugging me when using it to play Poker, so have gone for the Dell Studio 17 laptop to give me a decent machine to play on in front of the TV :-)

 

The main criteria was screen size and resolution, so have gone for the 17 inch screen.   It also has Intel core 2 Duo processor T6600 (2.2GHz) 4GB RAM and ATI Mobility Radeon graphics with 512 MB dedicated memory (more powerful than my Desktop and about one third the price !!)

There wasn’t a choice of operating system, so had to have Windows 7    It has had a couple of random hangs so far, but the usability seems much better than Vista, although has many similarities.    

Overall I am pleased so far, and most importantly allows me to have 2 Poker tables going simultaneously wherever I am in the house so giving me more playing time :-)

Gadgets: Decided to go for a Netbook

I have been looking at Netbooks for a while as I wanted something I can use at home for playing poker on (apart from when in my office), something to use as media player - particularly for my digital photos (so I can bore the parents and in-laws with my collection of snaps) and also to use for the poker games up the club

Thing is I could never really justify the expense, but having had a bit of luck on Ladbrokes.com Blackjack and Roulette (OK a lot of luck!) found myself with some spare cash so have treated myself to one !

In the end I went for Advent 4211-C with Windows XP (due to most poker clients only working with Windows) and the Logitech V220 Cordless mouse for Notebooks.  It has 1GB RAM and 160GB disk which should be fine for the intended use

The great thing about the Netbook is it's small size and light weight (and pretty cheap as well !)

The thing  had to be very careful about was the size and layout of the keyboard... as they vary quite a bit in feel, layout, size of enter key and very importantly the ease of use for the mousepad and mouse buttons.   If you are thinking of getting one, you really have to go and play with a few to be sure you can cope with it.

I ended up getting mine in my local Currys shop as the prices seemed on par with what I had seen on the Internet

The screen resolution is the other downside for Netbooks, but once you get used to it, it is OK actually.  Most applications will adjust to the screen resolution and are can be used with a bit of scrolling here and there.  The Advent also allows you to se the screen res to 1024x768 (rather than 1024x600) so any "awkward" applications (like "Tournament Director" in my case) can still be used successfully.  

The only thing annoying me so far is that it seems to get the Home/End buttons to work you have to turn on NumLk which is really frustrating, but otherwise no real issues so far and am really pleased with my purchase. 

I need to get an external DVD r/w (as you don't get one as standard) and might look out for a small case to carry it in, but otherwise nothing else I am planning to add to it.  

Gadgets: New camera !

Whilst my little Nikon Coolpix L3 (5.1 Megapixels) has been pretty OK for me since I bought it, I have always had a hankering to get a more "serious" digital stills camera. I have still got my JVC DVL365EK digital video camera but never really got into video very much.... and although I had a good "old fashioned" film stills camera (Canon EOS 500N SLR camera) finally decided to take the plunge and go for a Canon EOS 450D Digital SLR (12.2 Megapixels)

After much research and consideration... went for the "Canon EOS 450D Twin Lens Bundle" from Jessops

• Canon EOS 450D with Canon 18-55mm IS lens
• Tamron 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 lens
• Sandisk Ultra II 4GB SDHC memory card
• Camera bag

Taken quite a few shots with it, but still getting used to all the buttons and how to get the best out of the technology.... great fun to use and got some good shots already (well I think so!)..... couple of "artistic" shots below:

 

Just need to get the external flash and remote control now :-)