Synapse Circuit In The Field 2

Synapse Circuit
In The Field 2

It's great to see everyday folk making use of technology.

Today a young woman is sitting pretty on a bus using her Galaxy Tab 3 - by the looks of it. 

I'm just not buying into the idea that the tablet market is in decline. Well, maybe where the iPad is concerned. Again, the iPad and its mini variant are priced out of the hands of many.

Thanks for reading. 

Check out Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT OPTIMIZE YOUR PC

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

NEWS!
Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. How are you? I hope that all is well with you! It’s good to see you as always! Here’s bit of news for PC owners looking to keep it running nicely!

Ensure your computer is running to its optimal level with this comprehensive, utility software...

#PCOptimization #Safeapzz

SAFEAPZZ
London, UK, August 28th 2014, Safeapzz, a leading developer of utility software, announces the launch of PC Optimizer v2. Safeapzz PC Optimizer is a collection of computer maintenance tools to safely repair, clean and optimize windows, stop PC crashes and fix windows errors. PC Optimizer removes junk files to save valuable disk space. PC Optimizer is the essential tool to keep your computer running cleanly.

PC Optimizer has a straightforward interface and repairs all the invalid references which cause PC errors, constant crashes, general system slowdowns and other PC problems. It includes the most comprehensive set of utilities required to keep your PC running smooth, clean and error free.

Main Features:

Clean your system registry - Safely clean Windows registry and keep your computer running at its optimal level.

Eliminate PC errors and general system slowdown - Repair all PC errors, constant crashes, general system slowdowns and other PC problems.

Clean Spywares and Adwares - PC Optimizer clears spywares and adwares from your computer and improve your system performance.

Startup Manager - Allows you to control, configure and review your programs, either when you power up your system or logon to Windows.

Compatible with Windows, Vista 7 & 8

Price & Availability:

Safeapzz PC Optimizer is available at SRP £31.50 from https://www.safeapzz.co.uk/

About Safeapzz:

At the frontier of software development, Safeapzz is a leading developer and publisher of computer maintenance and optimization software. Safeapzz is well known for providing ultimate and vital solutions to its customers. The company creates maintenance tools to enhance and mobilize the working of computers. They strive to create leading technologies  to ensure the efficient working of computers at all times..  Their passion is to design, develop and deliver excellence in their products. With some brilliant and tech-obsessed software developers on board, Safeapzz. believes in gaining customer trust through providing maximum satisfaction from its product range.

https://www.safeapzz.co.uk/

That’s something to think about!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

REVIEWS & COMPETITIONS ARE COMING SOON!!! PLEASE STANDBY!!!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT APPLE TALK 4 9/9/14

Above: Is this the iPhone 6L?

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
APPLE TALK 4: 9/9/14
Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers. How’s it going? I hope that all is going well! Yesterday showed that there may be a little life yet in UK summertime! Fingers crossed that we have at least a couple of weeks of sunshine to come!

I tell you... Some of the Apple iPhone crowd can be hard-to-the-core when they think they are under attack! Synapse Circuit isn’t interested in upsetting people whether they love Android, iOS, Windows or any other mobile and standard operating system! Synapse Circuit just brings about awareness where the consumer is concerned!

#Apple #Samsung #Google #SteveJobs #TimCook #iPhone6 #iPhone6Phablet #iPhone6L #GalaxyNote4 #GalaxyAlpha

WILL THE iPHONE 6 & 6L BE DOA?It could very well be that you are one of the few planning to upgrade to either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6L. However, the iPhone 6 PR engine seems to have stalled as the media at large tries to hype the forthcoming sixth incarnation of this seemingly waning device. Popular newspapers on Facebook asks, “Will you be cuing up for an iPhone 6?” and the responses are less than favourable.

Personally, I think the days when people cue up for the iPhone is over – at least where the UK is concerned! Dare I say that in the USA the hysteria for the iPhone still persists? But here in the UK and, I imagine the rest of Europe, the phenomenon that is the iPhone has become hackneyed. I know, I know: You iPhone fans are in love with it and will not be told that the iPhone has fallen behind in terms of design (no matter how many semi-documentaries Jony Ives makes on the subject) and operating system – contrary to what Cook keeps saying about iOS being the “best OpSys in the world...” As with competing technologies there are some attributes to weigh up! Weigh ‘em up to your heart’s content! 

Above: The ASUS ZenFone 6. £249.99 buys you 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, 13MP camera, 2GHz quad-core Intel CPU, 6" screen, microSD slot up to 64GB and DC-HSPA+. No 4G! Still, DC-HSPA+ speeds are pretty good.

You gotta wonder, iPhone fan or not, if Apple have left it too late to make changes to the iPhone. We know that this late change of heart is coming from the ever evolving smartphone marketplace. I also think that Apple – as does its followers – underestimate Android. Many iPhone users have the idea that their handset is not only premium but has “premium features” that put it ahead of Android but they are so wrong. I’ve pointed out that most Android handsets starting from £130 upwards can do just about anything that the iPhone can do! Sure, it may be a different story on the iPad as the quality of apps still has a bit of an edge over Android. But as handsets goes the iPhone is leagues behind the high to premium Android handsets.

What’s more is that I have pointed out that a handset such as the Motorola Moto G 4G (UK) stands up pretty well to the iPhone and it costs a lot less – something in the region of £150! Then you have the Sony M2 handset that costs a mere £199.99! Of course there are compromises to make the aforementioned handsets so cost effective but the average person wouldn’t know or care as they are supported by the Android Play platform. Play is what is most important over the different versions of the Android operating systems and it has been installed on 98% of handsets. Again, this idea of “fragmentation” in Android has been greatly overplayed and misunderstood! 

With the sea of great Android handsets and 3G / 4G enabled tablets will iPhone 6 & 6L drown? The one thing I have noticed is that Apple will not say anything definite on the iPhone 5C; was it as success? Did it cannibalize the 5S in part? Did it cause a bit of market confusion in the section of the public that do not care about Apple product launches?

iPHONE 5C: A FLOP?
“The 5C is just way too expensive for what was sold as a 'budget' iPhone. At the time of its launch I was in the market to upgrade my iPhone 4. The price of the 5C was very disappointing and so I opted for a Google Nexus 4 which worked out at £216 cheaper than a 5C ! Sadly for Apple, my eyes have been opened to the world of Android phones and I can honestly say that I will never buy another iPhone whilst the price of quality Android handsets consistently undercuts the inflated prices charged by Apple...”

The above text comes from a disgruntled iPhone user. Contrary to some iPhone fans I do not sit there rubbing my hands with glee when I see this sort of thing. Such views does give me the indication that my analysis is correct or in the right direction. The fact that this persons “eyes have been opened to the world of Android” solidifies my theory that many iPhone folk live in the iOS ecosystem in ignorance of what can be achieved with an Android handset.

I reckon that many iPhone fans were disappointed with the 5C as they expected a budget handset not too dissimilar to what can be had on the Android platform.

My educated guess says that the 5C was a bit of a flop but Apple is keeping schtum on its figures.

iOS 8: OPENING UP
It’s not all doom and gloom for the iPhone platform as it gets the iOS 8 that owes a lot to Android and that’s not a bad thing in that it’s inevitable that competing technologies will do a Jeet Kune Do, “Take what’s useful and discard what is not...” That’s progress for you! And no, I am not, as an Android user, angry that iOS 8 is getting a bit of an Android injection! I think it’s great that iPhone users will be able to swap out the default keyboard if they so wished. The use of interactive notifications is another great thing! I think the iOS in general isn’t bad at all but, as you know, I still prefer Android over it. Once again, I do not hold anything against iPhone users because of my preferences! It’s all good! And no, it’s not “propaganda” that I draw up some comparisons between the iPhone and mid-range Android handsets such as the aforementioned Moto G 4G and the Xperia M2 – it’s valid! At some point I ought to do a comparison with a superphone but it seems pointless as new handsets are on the way – one of which is the much talked about Galaxy Note 4! Getting back on point...

I think iOS 8 may keep the iPhone going a while yet. The one thing that I appreciate about iOS is that it is smooth and reacts pretty much instantaneously! Let’s hope that the upgrade goes smoothly this time!

How will Android, 5: “L” Lemon Meringue Pie compare I wonder... We’ll see... Watch this space!

SAMSUNG
Of course, an iPhone / iOS article is not the same without mentioning Apple’s rival, Samsung. Recently we’ve seen both sides being denied in the continual Tech War. Samsung’s request has been denied to render a couple of Apple’s patents to do with phone interactions invalid. And Apple has been denied the removal of Samsung products off the shelves (so to speak). Stalemate? Well, from where I am sitting I am still of the opinion that Apple have lost despite some court “victories” and let’s not forget that President Obama vetoed a Samsung victory which would have seen the removal of Apple products. That’s the equivalent of bringing your mom to school to fight your battles. It’s funny how Obama can have the power to veto a move to take Apple products of the shelves but can’t do a thing about the police killing unarmed Afro-Americans. But, hey! Let’s not get political.

In the PR stakes Samsung have proved to be very, very formidable and effective. You can’t deny that Samsung have effectively exploited the notion that iPhone users are “sheeple” to comedic effect. And that “the next big thing is already here" that exploited iPhone fanatics queuing up for the latest incarnation... The Samsung vs. Apple product ads have been quite effective so, what went wrong for Samsung of late?

My continual evaluation and revaluation has it that Samsung has suffered from Design Fatigue that essentially started with the Galaxy S4. The Galaxy S4 is a great handset and a refinement from the GS3 but we didn’t see anything outstanding in terms of design. As I missed out on the GS3 the GS4 was quite new to me but as a follower of smartphone design I felt a little disappointed with the look of the GS4 but I loved the Air Gestures and camera! The GS4 looked like a refinement of the Galaxy Note 2 and when you put the two handsets together the GS4 looks like a Galaxy Note 2 mini only the cameras are different with the GS4 sporting a 16MP camera and the Note 2, 13MP and not forgetting the S Pen. Then when the Galaxy S5 came out I saw it as yet another refinement of the Galaxy Note 3 design; refining designs is not enough to differentiate the Galaxy S from the Galaxy Note despite their respective dimensions. As a result the Galaxy Note looks like the more advanced handset and this has appealed to former iPhone users who are looking for a true premium experience as a device for business and creatives. Even the Galaxy S owners may have skipped the GS5 to wait for the Galaxy Note 4 as its form has evolved into a sleek device that has blasted away its original function as a “phablet”. The Galaxy Note 3 is just an amazing example of design and engineering to get a handset of that size 5.7” to fit comfortably in the hand. This is why I maintain that the 7” 3G / 4G enabled tablet is the new phablet.

Again, Samsung could do with a design shake up as the Galaxy Alpha looks not unlike any of the Galaxy range!

Many former iPhone users have jumped ship to the Galaxy Note 3 and I suspect that this will happen again. I haven’t paid too much attention to the “leaked” spec of the Note 4 but I know that I want one already!

6L: BAD IDEA?
A number of iPhone users have said that the 5.5” 6L version is the wrong direction for Apple to go in. Why would they say that? I would have thought that a big screen is what iPhone user would like! Hmmmm... I guess that some people prefer the hand and thumb factor with the iPhone 4S / 5S. But the 4.7” version is good, right? Big is better, right? Stop those naughty thoughts, you! Lol! I guess not everyone loves those beautiful big screens like I do! Me? I find it hard to believe! But yes, there are so many out there who prefer the small form factor where their handset is concerned and therefore there should be a good uptake of the 4.7”. As for the 5.5” version it remains to be seen; there could be a niche market for it! Is a niche market enough for Apple? Hmmmm... I think Apple needs to win big with both versions of the iPhone. 150 million is still a sizable chunk of the market but in reality it would be ideal for everyone on the planet to own an iPhone!

I am of the opinion that no matter if it’s the 4.7” or 5.5” Apple has done itself no favours with creating a divide: Us and "those other guys..." I reckon if Apple played nicely consumers would feel that it’s cool (for want of a better expression) to have both an iPhone and an Android one. Many people who love technology do! But there are some who despise Apple for being poor sports. Wouldn’t it have been great if Apple sold a $1 billion worth of phones instead of litigating it out of Samsung and getting the president involved? I reckon if Apple dropped the litigation in the US as they have internationally they’d win a lot of people over! If I were Tim Cook I’d tell Samsung sorry for being a bad sport and to forget the $1 billion. Hey, we live in a world of seemingly endless conflict and we could do with harmony in some aspect of our lives and why not start with technology? Yes, we live in an ideal world!



In the meantime I am looking forward to what Apple will reveal on the 9 September, 2014! And I can only hope we don’t witness the usual smoke and mirrors job that they normally do! I am very curious about their iWatch!

That’s something to think about!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com
REVIEWS & COMPETITIONS ARE COMING SOON!!! PLEASE STANDBY!!!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT IFA 2014

LG: G3 Stylus

  SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

IFA 2014
Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. I hope you had a great day! My day has been odd! I just hate it when tech does not work as expected and this means that a certain gadget will be on its way back to the store first thing in the morning! I hope you are having better luck with your tech!

Are you looking forward to this year’s IFA? I certainly am!

#IFA #IFABerlin2014 #SamsungGalaxyNote4 #ASUS #Huawei #LG

TECH BONANZA = IFA
I am very, very excited about IFA 2014 as there will be an obscene amount of tech that we can look forward to! I keep saying that I am after a tablet and I have been ever since the Nexus 7 came out but I have been, admittedly, hanging back to see how the tablet market develops and it looks like the time is right!

I am also in the market for a couple of upgrades later on this year and at the moment the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is high on my list of the most wanted handset! But will I wait for the Galaxy S6 or go for one of the many challengers to Samsung’s throne! We’ll have to see about that!

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
I am expecting more wearable tech in the form of smartwatches. Hmmmm... To be honest I think that the smartwatch is in its infancy and if I were to go for one I’d like to get a pretty decent one. By all accounts the Moto 360 could be the one to go for and it is said that it will be announced at IFA; I am very curious! Will it be all that it’s cracked up to be? Or will LG’s round smartwatch usurp the Moto 360? It wouldn’t surprise me if ASUS got in on the act too... I know ASUS have got a few handsets and tablets on offer this year but I am surprised that they haven’t announced or leaked a smartwatch.

I guess that the main smartwatch to look out for it is Samsung Gear Solo that is said to contain a SIM; “Hello, Dick Tracy...” This I’ve gotta see! It’s supposed be round also! I have to say that I am at a loss as to why none of the bigwig manufacturers haven’t come up with a large rectangular screen on a wristband instead of these odd looking small watch faces! Hmmmm... Oh, well... I guess when one of those smartwristbands come out it could make the handset obsolete. But there again, these tech-glasses have yet to take off in a big way... I think people are still afraid of these things! Lol! One day, one day... The price has a way to go for such smartgoggles to enter the mainstream!

TABLETS
Yes, I told you that that the new phablet is the 7 inch tablet with either 3G or 4G built into them! We should be seeing quite a few of those – I think I may have outed one such tablet / phablet by ASUS. It is unclear if they are going to produce similar tablets but with a slimmer bezel so that it looks more like a handset – just like the Samsung Q!



Now, would Samsung release a 7” version of the Galaxy Tab S that has 4G as a standard? Hmmmm... I guess that will take away from the Galaxy Note 4.

Archos have announced a number of tablets to hit the market this year and one of them is the 8” tablet, 80 Helium 4G! It features a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1GB RAM and 8GB storage expandable by microSD card up to 64GB! You can make and take calls on it! And it only costs £199.99! Gosh! Oh, it has a 5MP main camera and 2MP front-facing for video calls! Sweet!
HANDSETS
Yes, just before the iPhone 6 is announced there will be so much competition from IFA alone that it is so very interesting to see if the iPhone market will grow or shrink even further! Having been in some serious shall we say “discussions” with iPhone fans it is a tough one to call! I would imagine that those that use the iPhone as a productivity tool may stick with it but those that just want a fancy handset the iPhone may have outlived its usefulness. Huawei is going to show off its Ascend P7 handset with a sapphire display! Nice!

Check out the ASUS ZenFone 5 (A501KL) is a 2GHz quad-core handset with a 5” (Gorilla Glass, 720p) display that features 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, 8MP main camera, 4G and Android 4.4 (KitKat) with ZenUI costs £199.99! Yes, it is expandable via microSD up to 64GB RAM! Wow! Should ASUS get the marketing right this handset could fly!



LG will show off the G3 Stylus that could be a budget alternative to the tripped out Galaxy Note 4! We’ll see! The G3 Stylus is not like the G3 in terms of the QHD 1440 x 2560. Uh-uh! The G3 Sylus features a 5.5” screen with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels and a pixel density of 200 ppi. So, the G3 Stylus is looking to take the budget end of the phablet market! But the Galaxy Mega 2 could pour cold water on that challenge.

We can expect the Sony Xperia Z3 and its mini variant. For some reason I am not yet convinced by Sony handset designs. I am hoping to see a better design from them. I think the square design is getting a little long in the tooth! What I appreciate about LG designs is the round edges and the very slim bezel on it.

Motorola could be showing off the Moto G2 and X-1. From what I have seen of the “leaks” I do like the design with the rounded edges. I don’t fancy speculating on the components within as I’d rather weigh them with the competition when I learn what they are. I personally find creating articles on spec a little tired. I think now that the superphones are here there’s not that much to build upon when it comes to the brilliant premium handsets that we have come to expect from the Android stable at the middle range of the market. The thing with Android is that we are getting some great efforts in at the lower end too! I think it has gotten to a point where the markets of high, middle and low are starting to blur. One day we’ll be purchasing handsets from a dispensing machine! Lol!

OBSERVATIONS
Has the camcorder become obsolete? Sure, I see them in stores but it appears as if there is no longer a great interest in the camcorder and I guess this is thanks to the superphones from Samsung, LG, Sony, etc. There was a bit of an interest in 3D camcorders but the interest in that seems to have fizzled out. By the looks of things the camcorder has ported over to the digital SLR market which by all accounts is still going strong. Mobile phone photos are good but not quite up to the quality of the digital SLR.

TV
I am expecting announcements of 4K televisions – I may be getting one this Christmas to watch my Galaxy Note 4 footage! I am expecting some announcements from companies we’ve never even heard of looking to get inexpensive 4K televisions into the European market and this should drive the prices of 1080p televisions down even more! The large hypermarkets are selling these 1080p TVs by the truck load so it seems; every time I visit my local 24hr hypermarket I see at least a couple of people walking away with inexpensive HD TVs. Come October to December this year there will be some level entry 4K TVs.

VISION
What I see is Android gaining more ground in terms of more handsets and tablets towards the end of this year and throughout 2015 we’ll be seeing the Android tablet invading the streets all over the world! My American friends tell me that Android tablets are commonplace on the streets and it is only a matter of time before London and UK-wide streets have people walking around with Android tablets as they do with their handsets. It is going to be a great thing! We should also be seeing some Android based TV boxes / gizmos; since ceasing Virgin Media I am keen on developing my Android set-up!

I also expect to see more on automated home systems for both Android and iOS. I thought the last two years was an exciting time for technology and we have so much more to look forward to!

I hope to bring you some news / facts on what I think is the best of IFA 2014!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

REVIEWS & COMPETITIONS ARE COMING SOON!!! PLEASE STANDBY!!!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT CRAZYTALK ANIMATOR 2 ANIMATED AVATAR

 SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

CRAZYTALK ANIMATOR 2...

Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. As always, I hope that all is well in your world! I also hope that your Bank Holiday wasn’t ruined with the unrelenting rain that was torrential at times! I feel for the carnival goers this year! What a wash out! Oh well... Next year!

...BRINGS ANIMATED AVATAR INTO PRESENTATIONS & VIDEOS

London, (August 26, 2014) — Reallusion extends CrazyTalk Animator’s usefulness into everyone’s daily life. CrazyTalk Animator 2 is a fully-featured animation tool designed for storytelling, and for presenters to quickly add animated avatars and comic effects into PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Doc and other presentation software. With its full editing capabilities, well categorized content libraries, and no monthly fees, users can easily design unique characters and specific motions to later copy-and-paste to most web and office applications.

Users can now quickly turn boring presentations into show-stopping, animated demos with captivating openings, persuasive pitches and interactive storytelling that could present all by themselves.  See how to make an effective presentation with comic avatar.

A NEW WAY OF PRESENTING WITH ANIMATED AVATARS
It’s not surprising that presenters are now looking towards new ways of captivating and engaging audiences, and this has never been easier to do than with animated avatars which provide a means of effective communication in 4 very important areas.

1. Emotional Appeal: where presenters engage audiences with visuals instead of text, making things much more fun to watch.

2. Power of Storytelling: where we set the mood and empathetically guide our audiences into seeing things from our perspective.  

3. Memorable Identity: what we do when dropping visual cues and recognizable avatars to create association.

4. Relaxed Interaction: when we break down mental barriers prior to having audiences endorse our ideas.

With an explosion of online explainer videos, its not a mystery why marketing agencies, boardrooms and businesses are now looking towards easy-to-use applications that require little to no artistic skills or experience. This has brought a surge of online services that offer quick but limited content and rights. These services can also be pretty pricey even when you are not using them every month, not to mention their incompatibly with everyday tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, Evernote and others.

This is where CrazyTalk Animator 2 comes in, as it gives you all the ease and speed in animated production, while providing unlimited customization options, 100% royalty free content and absolutely no hidden or monthly fees.

WHAT IS CRAZYTALK ANIMATOR 2?
CrazyTalk Animator 2 is a revolutionary animation suite with all the necessary tools to easily create highly customized animations without any background experience.

CrazyTalk Animator 2 provides an exciting new approach to traditional 2D animation with innovative tools that allow users to easily customize comics, photo-face avatars, and facial lip-syncing. Users can also apply 3D motions to 2D characters, while opening new possibilities for freely editing 2D motions and viewing them from any angle with a single click. Combined with functional features like facial puppet and body motion key editing, it has become the most creative software for 2D character animation and quick capture export for use with 3rd party presentation tools.

Pricing and Availability:
CrazyTalk Animator 2 is available in 3 different versions for Mac and Windows PC to fit any creator’s budget. Download versions of CrazyTalk Animator 2 are available from the Reallusion Online Store at: http://www.reallusion.com/store/purchase_cta.aspx

CrazyTalk Animator 2 Standard: £37.99

CrazyTalk Animator 2 Pro: £129.99

CrazyTalk Animator 2 Pipeline: £229.99

How to make an effective presentation with comic avatar: http://www.slideshare.net/reallusion2014/ppt-for-slidesharecom-36057948

Reallusion now offers 100 free animated GIFs to enrich the projects:  http://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk/presentation/gifbonus.aspx

For more info, free download and best presentation package, please visit: http://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk/presentation/default.aspx

ABOUT REALLUSION, INC.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Reallusion is a leading-edge software developer providing cinematic animation tools for PC, Mac and mobile platforms.  Reallusion’s pioneering storytelling technology excelling at character animation, facial morphing and voice lip-sync allows fast creation of interactive avatars for 3-D real-time filmmaking and previsualization for professional post-production. Their powerful yet easy-to-use tools make character animation accessible to both Mac and PC users of all skill levels. Reallusion’s development of core technologies and growing base of intellectual property firmly establish the company as power among emerging technology innovators, furthering their graphic and imaging embedded kernels to top-brand device manufacturers worldwide. http://www.reallusion.com/

STANDBY FOR MORE NEWS, REVIEWS & COMPETITIONS!

Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT APPLE TALK THE FALLOUT 2

Above: The iPhone 6C - not!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
APPLE TALK:
THE FALLOUT 2
Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. How are you? How was your day? Ready for the Bank Holiday Carnival Festivities? Heck! I can’t handle the crowds... If you are still going through your day I hope it’ll finish up on a good Note 4 (hee hee hee) and that you will have a relaxed evening!

Apple Talk Fallout is what usually comes after an Apple Talk article; I tell you I get some interesting to downright mad responses from mainly iPhone users when their beloved handset and iPad gets criticism.

#Apple #Samsung #Google #SteveJobs #TimCook #iPhone6 #iPhone6Phablet #iPhone6L #GalaxyNote4 #GalaxyAlpha #Premium #Nexus6 #AndroidL #AndroidLemonMeringuePie

THEY REALLY BELIEVE
THAT IT’S PREMIUM...
Gosh! I am amazed by this discovery: iPhone / iPad users really think that their handset is a “premium” one! Wow! Initially I was asking about the notion of “premium materials” that make up the iPhone / iPad and the fact that the metal is not as durable as plastic. One guy admitted that he dropped his iPad and it now has a dent in it; typically he sidestepped the issue of vulnerability...

Another guy said something along the lines of the iPhone / iPad being likened to a Rolls Royce and that it may “...not be practical for driving the kids around in the back...” However, the adverts have it that the iPhone / iPad can enable children to be creative... I then stated that the top of the range Android handset can be likened to a Ferrari or Lamborghini super-sports cars and Mr. Rolls Royce was not happy about that analogy and had it in his mind that I was belittling the Apple mobile devices. Nothing of the sort!

What I meant by using the Ferrari as an analogy to describe the top of the range Android handset is that it is made from non-metallic materials that such as plastic that makes the Android handset very practical for everyday use! The Ferrari is made from carbon fibre in contrast to the (as far as I know) metal that makes up the Rolls Royce. So, therefore I conclude that many iPhone / iPad users believe that the impractical materials that have gone in to it / them is money well spent. Cool – if that’s what they are happy with.

The first guy who skipped the issue of vulnerability launched into a massive missive about the “premium service and functionality” that he gets with his iDevices. He also mentions that he can move seamlessly – I am paraphrasing – from the iPhone / iPad to the Mac computer. Well, I have news for you mister...

PREMIUM ANDROID?
Another guy just lost it when I stated that, according to analysts, Android have sold over 1 billion handsets compared to 150 million iPhone units. He said something along the lines of, “You can’t compare 1 billion Android handsets to the iPhone...” and... “...iOS and Android would have been a better comparison, blah, blah, blah...” further still... “You (I) should compare the iPhone to a premium Android handset...” Yawn! Why am I being so blasé? I will tell you if you haven’t figured it out already...

The notion of the “premium” Android, from my observations, pertains more to the specifications and – at a stretch – functionality. To the guy that suggested that I should compare the iPhone to a specific Android equivalent... How about the cheapest quad-core Android handset from Google Motorola? Look...

GENERAL   

2G Network 
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
CDMA 800 / 1900 - CDMA version

3G Network 
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - for T-Mobile, AT&T
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - USA version
CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - CDMA version

4G Network 
LTE 700 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 - USA version

SIM    
Micro-SIM
Announced 2014, May
Status Available. Released 2014, June

BODY           
Dimensions: 129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6 mm (5.11 x 2.59 x 0.46 in)

DISPLAY      
Type IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.5 inches (326 ppi pixel density)
Multitouch: Yes
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3

SOUND        
Alert types: Vibration, MP3, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker: Yes
3.5mm jack: Yes

MEMORY     
Card slot microSD, up to 32 GB
Internal: 8/16 GB, 1 GB RAM

DATA
GPRS: Yes
EDGE: Yes
Speed: HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA; LTE
WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot
Bluetooth v4.0, A2DP, LE

USB  
microUSB v2.0, USB Host

CAMERA      
Primary: 5 MP, 2592 х 1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Features: Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video: 720p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR
Secondary: 1.3 MP

FEATURES 
OS: Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to v4.4.3 (KitKat)
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400
CPU: Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7
GPU: Adreno 305
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, compass
Messaging: SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
Browser: HTML5
Radio: FM radio
Java: Yes, via Java MIDP emulator
Colors: White, Black, Moto G Ferrari Edition
SNS integration
Google Drive (50 GB storage)
Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
MP3/AAC+/WAV/Flac player
MP4/H.263/H.264 player
Organizer
Photo viewer/editor
Document viewer
Google Search, Maps, Gmail
YouTube, Google Talk, Picasa
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input

BATTERY              
Non-removable Li-Ion 2070 mAh battery

C’mon... ...you’re not going make me write out the spec of the iPhone 5S are you? What are you people like? Lol! Incidentally the Motorola G 4G has a variation known as the Ferrari edition. Hee hee... Put that in your pipe!

iPhone 5S

FEATURES 
OS: iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 7.1.2, planned upgrade to iOS 8
Chipset: Apple A7
CPU: Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)
GPU: PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)

The spec is similar but obviously not the same... A main difference is beyond the CPU and operating system is the camera; the camera on the iPhone features an 8MP sensor to the Moto G 5MP that only manages HD video at 720p! Oh, the screen size of the Moto G is bigger by half an inch with a 326ppi pixel density to the iPhone 5S 4” screen with the same pixel density. I almost forgot that the Moto G storage is expandable via microSD whereas the iPhone 5S has fixed storage options starting at 16GB! Now let’s look at the prices of these babies!

Moto G 8GB 4G, £150 vs. iPhone 5S 16GB 4G, £540
Me? I have come to the realization that many Android handsets from £150 to £250 are premium! And dare I say it, the prices are set to fall slightly come 2015 due to the influx of Chinese manufacturers. LG have already announced its new budget L series and the L Bello model boasts a quad-core 1.3GHz processor, 5” 196ppi pixel density and an 8MP camera! Not bad, huh? I wonder how much it will retail at... Under £140?

Make no mistake, many Android handsets are indeed premium and that’s how it is able to dominate and sell over 1 billion units! Handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S & Note; HTC One M8 and LG G3 are what I would call superphones in that they go all out to give the consumer so much more: DTP quality pictures for printing resulting from great cameras (aside from the HTC One M8 – the pictures are ok but not of the same quality as the Galaxy S, Note and G3! Video recording at 4K (again, with the exception of the One M8) and very useful interface features! Maybe the superphone is a niche market as not everybody needs such hardcore tech! Me? I love all that tech! I want as much tech as possible squeezed into my superphone! Have you seen the Vin Diesel 'XXX' movie and the bit where he tells an uber-nerd technician to, "Put all that (tech and weapons) in there (pointing to a Mustang car - I think)..." That's me with Samsung, LG and any other manufacturer that wants to wow and woo me! I gotta get the Galaxy Note 4! It's not long now...

NEED A PC / MAC?
One can argue that the PC and Mac are essentially the same in what they are capable of. You can make music on a PC; you can make it on a Mac. The same goes for video, DTP, photo editing / manipulation etc. But it is very possible that you may not need either when using the iPhone / iPad or the Android handset / tablet.

I was asked by Mr. Premium Got-A-Dent-In My iDevice, “Is it possible to do use an Android handset or tablet in conjunction with a projector to do presentations...” Of course! There are projectors that allow the Android user to project via Wi-Fi with an app; it’s also possible to use a big flatscreen panel using HDMI and Chromecast and some handsets allows for the Screen Mirroring with or without a dongle. You won’t need the dongle if, for example, you intend on using a Galaxy S or Note with a Samsung smart TV!

Then there is much iteration of apps that can edit Microsoft Office documents – including PowerPoint presentations. Google has them all: Slides, Docs and Sheets! And there are a few apps available only for the tablet that enables the creation of eBooks!

And should you need to transfer files to be completed on the PC or Mac you can! I guess that’s what you’d call premium functionality! I can’t think of any Android handset above the £130 upwards price range that can’t do any of the above! Personally, I haven’t had much time with budget handsets at the low-end of the market. I had a couple that cost £80 at the time and I had to get rid very quickly as I found them too slow and the screen too small!

BREAKTHROUGH
I think I may have made a breakthrough in understanding the iDevice user psychology! They actually think that the Android handset is unable to perform office tasks such as word processing, projecting slides with the aid of a projector / screen-panel for example. You can also edit video; make high quality professional music... I can’t think of anything that I can’t do on a smartphone / superphone! Okay, I concede that the camera quality can vary on an Android handset – you get what you pay for! Lol! But you are still paying less than you would for an iPhone! Once again, I do not see metal as being a premium component of a handset. My beloved Galaxy S2 looks pretty much like it did when I took it out of the box some years ago! I am pretty proud about that! Now my nephew’s iPhone 5S... Ouch! Hee hee...

Anyway, it was good to read the responses from the Apple Talk articles!

I do think that Android 5, Lemon Meringue Pie, is going to be a major breakthrough for the Android industry! While iOS is catching up to Android it will fall behind again this fall! We could be seeing a new Nexus handset, Nexus 6, to usher in Android 5 which, I predict, will the crème de la crème of mobile operating systems! It should be faster, leaner and even more versatile than before! I think it will have manufacturers doing away with heavy user interface overlays for even more responsiveness! Roll on 64-bit Android! The premiums just keep getting higher!

Hey! If you are happy with your iPhone – and I do hope that 6 and 6L is all what you want it to be – that’s brilliant! It’s all good! But some are marginally better! Wink, wink! Ahem, Galaxy Note 4! Ahem! Wink!

That’s something to think about!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

MORE REVIEWS & COMPETITIONS ARE COMING SOON!!! PLEASE STANDBY!!!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT EDIFIER LUNA ECLIPSE

Sci-Fi Sound: The beautiful and outstanding Edifier Luna Eclipse.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
REVIEW

Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. Good news, Everybody! I have a review for you! Yay!

Are you in the market for a new speaker for any one of your many devices? Check this awesome Sci-Fi looking speaker from...
...EDIFIER
LUNA ECLIPSE
£149.99 inc

#Edifier #LunaEclipse #StereoSpeakers #BluetoothSpeakers

SWEET SONICS?
Greater London, 23 August 2014, here I am ready to unload what I think of the Edifier Luna Eclipse 2.0 speaker system with Bluetooth connectivity. But before I give you my honest opinion let’s get the technical stuff out of the way...

Features:

Bluetooth pairing capability with Bluetooth enabled devices

Capacitive touch sensitive controls for volume, play/pause, previous/next track and standby

Auxiliary input port for versatile connectivity to external devices

Incorporation of DSP and DRC for enhanced audio performance and distortion control

Electronic crossover and dedicated power amplifier to each tweeter and bass drivers

3inch bass driver and Ф19mm silk dome tweeter in each speaker

Dual 3inch passive bass radiators for enhanced bass effect in each speaker

Remote control for volume and power

Specifications:

Total power output: RMS 15W x 2 + 22W x 2

THD + N (testing level): 10%

Frequency response: R/L: 6.1KHz - 20KHz | SW:30Hz-1.58KHz

Distortion: ≤0.5%

Input sensitivity: 600mV±50mV

Audio input: Bluetooth, Auxiliary

Adjustment (remote): Volume, power

Adjustment (unit): Power, volume, Bluetooth disconnect, swipe motion track navigation in Bluetooth mode

Speaker unit: Tweeter: 19mm | Full range: 3 inch (82mm), Magnetically shielded, 6Ω

Passive bass radiator: 3 inch (82mm)

Colours: Available in red and black

Did you like that? Are you turned on? Well tune into the review!

LOUD & CLEAR: LUNACY
Well, as with all Edifier’s speaker design this one lives up to the name visually! You get the feeling that you may have seen the pair before in a Sci-Fi movie. Funny thing about Sci-Fi movies these days... I find the graphics and designs to be better than the storyline in many of today’s take on the movie genre. Anyhoo... The sound...

I have tested the Luna Eclipse with various mediums using the PC, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 4. On the PC I put it through the paces with a couple of music creation software: Synapse (no relation) Audio Orion Studio 8 and Single Cell Software Caustic 3. As a musician I felt that the sound was oversaturated with the lower range that has a tendency to boom and this is the music software at a bare minimum. Because of the heavy bass and mid frequency saturation I find it makes it hard to use for the purpose of music composition as you need a flat representation of the frequencies because when you start to add audio enhancing effects you stop trusting your ears. However, many speakers of this nature aren’t really suitable for musical composition. But there are some good speakers out there that have adjustable knobs for bass, treble and mid-range that are more suited. It is said that you are supposed to use what is known as “monitors” that can be very, very expensive. But there again there are some people out there making music on smartphones and tablets that sounds really great – assuming that composers of that ilk do not hook their mobile devices up to other equipment for the mastering (sound perfection).

I found that the Luna Eclipse works perfectly with a device that enables equalization; once the bass and mid boom is equalized the sound is nice and clean at high volumes. The remote control is very responsive; it turns the speakers on and controls the volume as you’d expect. YouTube videos sounded very good from people speaking to music videos / albums and even the odd full movie! It was a pleasure to watch the Little Richard movie (2000)!

The Bluetooth aspect worked flawlessly and pairing my Galaxy handsets S4 and Note 2 was a chinch! What I found with the handsets was the sound of the notifications was overall good but tinny. And like the PC I felt the need to use equalization for that boom factor. Overall I found it good for all kinds of music: Electronic; Metal; Pop; Classical, etc. Most handsets these days come with built-in settings based on different types of music and you can always download equalization apps from the various virtual app shops of Android and I assume iOS.

CONCLUSION
I would say that the Edifier Luna Eclipse is a good 2.0 speaker system that can compliment your PC, TV, mobile devices, etc. You should note that once the Bluetooth function is engaged it will render the sound from the PC mute until the Bluetooth function is deactivated. It would have been a nice feature to have them both on at the same time to bounce from one to the other!

The build quality is solid and judging by the review unit it looks like it can take a knock or two!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

STANDBY FOR MORE REVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT SIGHTINGS TECH ON THE STREETS

Above: Man enjoying his Nexus 5 and G Pad 8. The bus becomes a home away from home.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
SIGHTINGS

Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. How are you doing tonight? I hope that all is well in your world! Android? iOS? Apple? Samsung? It’s all good! Yes, some of you are way too sensitive when your tech comes under criticism! Lol! Take it easy! Wink, wink...

I am starting a new theme on the subject of...
...TECH ON THE STREETS...
#SynapseCircuit #SynapseCircuitSightings #TechOnThe Streets #LG #Google #Android #Nexus5 #GPad8

ANDROID
Greater London, 22 August 2014, I was out and about earlier today and I saw a young man with his tech and making the most them.

Spotted today were the Google Nexus 5 and the LG G Pad 8! Oh, you can see that the headphones are from Beats!

I thought I’d document, when I can, ordinary folk using their tech on the streets of London (or anywhere else I care to visit). It is interesting to me to see how tablets (Android & iPad) work their way into everyday life.

I reckon my prediction is coming true that Android tablets will become commonplace on London’s streets just like the smartphone is.
Something to think about...

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

STANDBY FOR REVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com