ASIAGRAPH 2015 REALLUSION SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
ASIAGRAPH 2015
REALLUSION HOSTS THE 48 HOURS INTERNATIONAL LIVE ANIMATION CONTEST FOR STUDENTS TO WIN A CASH PRIZE OF US$10,000 

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! How goes it? Thank you so much for reading my articles! I hope that your tech is functioning as it should!

TIP OF THE YEAR: Get RealLusion’s iClone 6 Pro and enter this great competition! Even if you don’t enter ASIAGRAPH you will LOVE iClone 6 Pro!

#Reallusion #iClone6 #3DAnimation #ASIAGRAPH

GET ANIMATING!
This is a great time to own a decent PC! This is a great time to own a copy of RealLusion iClone 6 Pro!

UK – March 25, 2015 –Reallusion hosts an international live animation contest – the 2015 ASIAGRAPH Reallusion Student Award, and welcomes students from all around the world to join and win part of US$ 66,000 in prizes. ASIAGRAPH was established in 2004, and is a joint event for artists and creators to present their works.

The ASIAGRAPH Reallusion Award is one of the biggest activities for ASIAGRAPH. The Reallusion Award started in 2010 and was greatly welcomed by professors and college students. This year, there are four categories for the contest: 2D & 3D animations for both school and University students.

“Reallusion is empowering students with a strong tool to get concrete results, so as to build up confidence for further challenges,” said Lin Hua, Professor of Software Engineering Department, Beijing University of Technology.

The innovative 48-Hours Live Contest allows students from around the world to immerse themselves in a real-time 3D animation experience. “Students learned about working under pressure and were able to hone their communication skills with others, two very important aspects to experience from the working world.” said Professor Chang, Shei-Hsi, Department of Information & Communication, Kun Shan University, Taiwan...

“This was a wonderful experience to see work and effort spent from other teams within this 48 hours live contest. It was also a unique experience to realize how I change my way of thinking and working under pressure,” said Ke, Wei-wei, student of WuFeng University, Taiwan.

The 2D & 3D animation software - CrazyTalk Animator & iClone, enable students from different backgrounds to produce creative and interesting stories without ever needing a background in animation. The easy-to-use interface and intuitive animation tools help students learn without any hassles. Students can also customize every part of their animation by using advanced functions while gaining a satisfying sense of achievement. iClone helps students understand the concepts of making animations include; storytelling, lighting and camerawork. Students can apply and check the results quickly as well as achieve fast production by using the iClone animation software package.

2015 ASIAGRAPH Reallusion Student Award Highlights

Open to all students from high school, college and above (no age limit).

Free software and content are provided during the competition period.

Winners will be awarded with cash, prizes and ASIAGRAPH certificates.

ENTRY STARTS NOW!

For more contest info, please visit:
http://www.reallusion.com/event/15-Asiagraph/default.html

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASIAGRAPHReallusion

About ASIAGRAPH:-

ASIAGRAPH has a vision to encourage cross-border exchange between outstanding CG artists to nurture and promote new creations and industries in Asia. ASIAGRAPH which was established in 2004 - a joint event for culture, science, art and exhibition where Asian researchers and creators gather to present their works.

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/

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit!

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

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

EDIFIER LAUNCHES MP211 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER SYNAPSE CIRCUIT NEWS

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
NEWS!
EDIFIER LAUNCHES MP211 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! It’s great to see you as always! How are you? I hope that all is well and that you are making the most of your tech!

Say! I don’t suppose you are up for a set of good speakers? Check this bit of news out!

#Edifier # MP211 #Speakers #Audio

STYLISH SPEAKER FOR YOUR TABLET, LAPTOP OR SMARTPHONE PACKS A PUNCH!
Since its inception in 1996, Edifier has developed a worldwide reputation for developing and Marketing visionary speaker systems that combine state-of-the-art design with a sound quality reflecting one of their core strengths: ‘Passion for sound’.

The company now launches its latest portable speaker – the MP211.

Completely portable with numerous audio options, the EDIFIER MP211 speaker provides a compact audio solution for any occasion or location. Users to easily navigate between the SD card input auxiliary input and Bluetooth input, whilst also being able to change tracks and adjust the volume output. A built-in microphone allows this tiny system to connect with any Bluetooth enabled device for wireless audio playback or pair with your Smartphone for both audio and answering / declining / ending / switching a phone conversation. The MP211 speaker can be used as a personal portable audio companion or as an audio solution for a group of listeners via the full range speaker drivers. Compact and lightweight, the MP211 speaker also comes with a micro USB cable to recharge the lithium ion battery.



Key Features:-

Bluetooth 4.0 technology

NFC® (Near Field Communication) connection

Twin 1.5 inch neodymium drivers

Passive bass radiator

Bluetooth speaker phone

AUX input

Micro SD card playback

Built-in Li-ion battery for 8 hours of use

Compact and portable design

Specifications:-

Power output: RMS 2W×2 (DRC ON)

Signal to noise ratio: =85dBA

Frequency response: 200Hz~20kHz (±6dB)

Input sensitivity: 600 ± 50mV

Input type: AUX/micro SD card /Bluetooth

Speaker units: 1½inch (40mm)

Price and Availability:-

The Edifier MP211 is available at SRP £39.99 inc from Tesco.com

For more information: http://www.edifier-international.com/products/edifier-image/mp211

ABOUT EDIFIER® INTERNATIONAL:
Edifier® International is a global leader in the production of innovative speaker systems that are solely manufactured by Edifier Technologies Ltd. Edifier International is a internationally recognized for the high quality sound, design and the easy to use, affordable products. Edifier International has been awarded by several internationally recognized awards for a range of products for both engineering and design excellence.

For more information please visit: www.edifier-international.com

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit!

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

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

TECH-TALK MARCH SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

Above: New HTC CEO Cher Wang. Best wishes to her! Middle: My next handset, Galaxy S6 Edge. Bottom: The Google Nexus Player by ASUS.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
TECH-TALK: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR TINY MIND???

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! It is so wonderful to see you! I hope that all is well with you!

How’s it going? Are you getting on with your tech? Here’s a tech-rant! Brace yourselves! Hahahaha!

#TechRant #GoogleGlass #HTCCherWang #GoogleNexusPlayer #SamsungGalaxyS6Edge #AppleTV #ThreeNetwork

GOOGLE GLASS
Hey, it’s good to know that my tech-predictions are proving to be more accurate of late; it must mean that I am finally learning... Hahahaha! Anyhoo...

Google Glass reminds me of the reactions to the Bluetooth headset. God, how the Bluetooth jokes bore the ass off me! I could swear that the writers of these anti-tech jokes feel that they are too stupid to know how to use it.

As predicted, Google Glass is still in development and should be ready later on this year. I would wear it! Besides it comes with various styles of frames / glasses and I am sure there will be one to suit even the most self-conscious person out there. It’s technology! Deal with it! Hahaha!

I do think that Apple is jealous in that it is Google that is making the real technological innovations!

Synapse Circuit on Google Glass

HTC = HOT TASTY CHER? Okay, okay! I am sorry! That’s not the most PC (hee hee) title in the world but rest assured that I am just kiddin’!

I think that it is freaking brilliant that Peter Chou has passed on the CEO duties to Cher Wang! I am hoping that Wang will help to turn HTC’s fortunes around. I hope that she’ll start with making sure that there is a top notch camera in future HTC handsets. Already the reviewers are saying that the 20MP camera in the One M9 is let down by software. What a drag... But I have faith in Cher Wang; I think she’ll listen to the consumers and whip HTC into shape!

Cher Wang is a breath of fresh air to HTC that hasn’t been able to get the camera right ever since I got my first HTC handset, Hero to the Desire and the One X. I’ve put a hold on HTC handsets for now.

GOOGLE NEXUS PLAYER
Yes, at last! Good news for those who have cancelled their crap cable services: Nexus Player is coming to the UK! Since I’ve cancelled my extortionate and trouble cable with Virgin Media last year I have never looked back. I have been using one of my computers as a TV and I do not miss all these crap channels. That’s the thing with cable: you get all these bloody useless channels! Now, if we could pick the channels we want... But, again, we are witnessing the death of cable. The only thing keeping cable TV going is the live sports channels! I must confess to not being a sports fan and so it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I am definitely going to get myself a Nexus Player when it comes out soon!

Google has a great solution in Android TV that will find its way into many more little boxes that is not too dissimilar to Nexus Player. I would imagine that the Google Chromecast dongle may come down in price to give the Nexus Player some breathing space! Nexus Player should cost around £80! Sure, it is a tad more expensive than Apple TV but you are getting totally new technology:-

1.8GHz Quad Core Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB on-board storage and the faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. All you have to do is connect your TV to the Nexus Player via the HDMI ports - TV HDMI-IN to the Nexus Player HDMI-OUT. You can play games on it too!

Apple is said to be readying Apple TV 2 that is said to be coming this summer; in the meantime Apple is looking to shift the current Apple TV at a reduced price hoping to sell as many units as possible. I don’t know why they don’t scrap it and give the Apple fans a revised, updated take on TV.

Read it here: Apple TV Junk

SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGE / S6

From where I have been sitting – at the Synapse Circuit Control Centre – the demand for the latest Samsung Galaxy handset(s) has gone off the charts! At the moment all the major network carriers are struggling to keep up with the pre-order demand! It’s gone interstellar – more so for the edge variant, Galaxy S6 Edge! It is hardly surprising as the Galaxy S6 Edge is one of Samsung’s best efforts to date! The Galaxy S6 Edge is such a gorgeous futuristic looking handset that should by several millions! I am happy to say that my Galaxy S6 Edge is on the way as is my review!
Now that the tech-media critics and (discerning) consumer have got the premium metal ‘n’ glass handset from Samsung that they’ve been asking for all these years there is no excuse. The sales of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge could supersede both the iPhone 6 & 6 Plus.

There are many, many reasons why the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge sales can eclipse the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus but the main ones are:-

1. The Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge speaks the premium language better. The S6 Edge is currently in a league of its own!

2. The Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge quad-HD screens shatter the retinas on the two iPhone models with a ridiculous 577 ppi density!

3. The 16MP camera with OIS (optical image stabilization) should produce superior stills and video.

The iPhone is at least 3 to 4 years out of date in comparison to the Android handsets – notably Samsung.

No. I can’t and do not want to hide my excitement at the prospect of getting my Galaxy S6 Edge! I am going for the Gold Platinum as my current handsets are either black or white. Why, oh, why Samsung didn’t deliver my Galaxy S6 Edge in Electric Blue? Anyhoo... The prices are as follows:-

GALAXY S6 32GB ON THE THREE NETWORK

1GB data
All-you can-eat minutes +
Free 0800/0808/0500 calls.
All-you-can-eat texts.
£43.00 a month.
24 month contract.
£49 upfront cost.

2GB data
All-you can-eat minutes +
Free 0800/0808/0500 calls.
All-you-can-eat texts.
£46.00 a month.
24 month contract.
£49 upfront cost.

All-you can-eat data
All-you can-eat minutes +
Free 0800/0808/0500 calls.
All-you-can-eat texts.
£51.00 a month.
24 month contract.
£49 upfront cost.

GALAXY S6 EDGE 64GB ON THREE

1GB data
All-youcan-eat minutes +
Free 0800/0808/0500 calls.
All-you-can-eat texts.
£48.00 a month.
24 month contract.
£49.00 upfront cost.

2GB data
All-you can-eat minutes +
Free 0800/0808/0500 calls.
All-you-can-eat texts.
£50.00 a month.
24 month contract.
£49.00 upfront cost.

All-you can-eat data
All-you can-eat minutes +
Free 0800/0808/0500 calls.
All-you-can-eat texts.
£55.00 a month.
24 month contract.
£49.00 upfront cost.

HOW DOES SYNAPSE CIRCUIT FEEL ABOUT THESE PRICES?
Well, the prices are expectedly higher; you are getting a premium handset – it is what you wanted from Samsung and so you have to pay the price.

You are getting a better deal on the Galaxy S6 Edge as you get 64GB as opposed to the 32GB on the Galaxy S6.

What I don’t like is the data plans. When you are paying over £30 a month on a monthly rental the data plan should be at unlimited. Sure, you have unlimited calls and texts which you would have had with free calling and messaging apps if you had unlimited data. While the quality of the free calls might vary at least it is free and you can surf the Internet until the cows come home. You will kill 1GB quite easily; you may in danger of becoming antisocial staying indoors using your Wi-Fi!

1GB of data for £43 a month is not good at all. It would have been fair if data plans started at 5GB for £43, 10GB for £46 and unlimited data at £50! Still, unlimited data, calls and texts at £55 isn’t bad at all. However, Three could have kept it at £50 and not a penny over!

I will be shopping around on all the UK networks and will let you know what I find... Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit!

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

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

MICROSOFT ANDROID TO WINDOWS 10 CONVERSION SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

Illustration by Blue Gene 2015.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
MICROSOFT ANDROID TO WINDOWS 10 CONVERSION

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! How goes it? I hope that you are on the up and up! I also hope that the weather is being kind to you! I know parts of Canada are harsh!

What’s up with Microsoft, huh?

#Microsoft #Android #AndroidToWindows10Conversion 

NO, MICROSOFT. NO!



I supposed you’ve caught wind of Microsoft devious plan to convert Android phones into Windows, right? Yes, apparently this is the latest from Microsoft in a bid to stay in the mobile devices market! But somehow I don’t think this is going to fly as most mobile device consumers are buying into a specific operating system i.e. iOS and, of course, Android.

Yes, I know that Microsoft is desperate to stay relevant but I think that this latest idea is pretty silly for the reason mentioned above.

YES, MICROSOFT. YES!



OK, so Microsoft has lost the web browser battle to Chrome, Firefox and Opera. Microsoft has only itself to blame. In fact I can attest to Internet Explorer rendering one of my computer systems inoperable. I had to format and reinstall. I HATE the Microsoft can allow for these stupid discrepancies with its operating system and browser.

Microsoft is also losing the tablet game too; Surface Pro is a great idea but too expensive for most people for it to become ubiquitous. If only more time was spent in developing the Surface and other Windows based tablets with a full version of the Windows operating system instead of the ill-fated RT version... I reckon that Microsoft could have introduced the Surface Pro at a lower price entry. Never mind...

And to be totally honest I think that Microsoft was wrong to buy Nokia; hardly anyone wants a Windows handset. You’d have thought that the problem would be a lack of apps in comparison to iOS and Android respective application outlets, right? No. The problem is that the Windows handset is trying to be like the competition and therefore it is at a distinct disadvantage. Microsoft is primarily a software company and to have such a wealth of experience yet squandering opportunities is such a huge shame.

Microsoft needs to do what it should be doing best and make software! Yes, Microsoft / Satya Nadella; make freaking software!

CULT

What Microsoft has going for it is the unanimous PC that resides in many, many households. It is true that this is slowly changing as many families are switching to the phablet and tablet rather than to buy another PC that will be outdated as soon as it is set-up. Most families these days want to surf the web and play the odd game or two. Gamers are going for consoles. However, there are still many out there that use their PC for productivity such as desktop publishing (written documents, PDF, photos, websites, videos, etc), music making, video editing and so on.

By comparison Apple computing is very much like a cult – a big cult! Hence the clever Apple retail outlets that looks like a cross between a church and a boutique. Microsoft has never needed to create such an impression as there are loads of retail outlets for the Windows PC. Anyone can go to a PC market and pick up parts and assemble a system. Microsoft was too fixated on making huge gains on the Windows operating system or systems if you include the NT version. Microsoft was too comfortable with the success of Windows and ensuring that Internet Explorer was the only web browser people used. As hinted at earlier, Microsoft released the most bug ridden products ever! And it certainly didn’t help when Microsoft kept trying to levy its own technologies for the web; it almost worked as I did get FrontPage – the equivalent of Dreamweaver for making Windows specific websites. How foolish of me! Eventually Microsoft got shot down with trying to monopolize the web and many of its products i.e. FrontPage and the equivalent to Adobe Flash faded into obscurity. It was as if someone got some pliers and removed the fangs from a vampire.

The one thing that Microsoft has got going for it is what they seem to be squandering... Software!

64-BIT ANDROID


If Microsoft is the Windows PC could be history! I think it’s just matter of time before either Chrome OS becomes more powerful and enables a higher standard of productivity than word processing or an Android PC enters the market. There is already an unofficial means of porting Android to Intel and AMD based computers; I am quite sure that Google are working behind the scenes on its own version of Android aimed at breathing a bit of life into outdated Windows based PCs. And I suspect that this Android version will work on the very latest from Intel and AMD.

What Microsoft needs to focus on right now is SOFTWARE! If you look at what Apple has done and continues to do is to buy out top notch productivity software in the areas of music, video and other areas. I am quite surprised that Microsoft hasn’t bought out some key software houses and put some oomph behind them! I can think of a handful of PC specific software houses that could do with being under Microsoft’s wings. I keep hearing of or reading stories that Microsoft is funding the likes of Cyanogen Inc but I am not hearing / reading stories about Microsoft buying up or investing in PC based software houses to keep consumers buying PC!

Microsoft can easily create software for the Android platform that people would want to buy! Again, I keep saying it but all Android needs are just a handful of decent applications that people will want to use again and again. In my opinion there is not much point in having an app store populated with a million apps if the majority of them are crapware. So, instead of trying to recreate the wheel in terms of hardware in the form of a Windows phone Microsoft ought to put out some unbeatable applications for Android. People will pay for good apps. These apps can also output to formats that can be read / understood by Windows. Microsoft can also do this for iOS too!

Similarly Microsoft can create indispensable apps for its Windows handsets to make people want to buy them. Apps that just can’t be had on iOS or Android but I fear that the ship has already sailed and nobody is really interested into owning a Windows handset as Microsoft dropped the ball when it comes to applications for the handset. All Microsoft had to do was say, “Right, gang! Look! We are not going to try and match iOS or Android application stores for quantity. However, we are going to blow them out of the water for quality!” It would have been so difficult for a massive multibillion company that Microsoft is to create app divisions for video, music, graphics, photo and web design applications. Had Microsoft done that I would have had a Windows handset from day one! But no! Microsoft didn’t have a strategy other than to get some device out there to join the pissing contest. That was bloody stupid!

I do think that Microsoft could get a huge amount of consumers if it decided to put some serious applications together for its own mobile platform. Applications can output finished results or be further edited upon the desktop / laptop. As it stands I am not going to convert my Android handsets to Windows. Microsoft really ought to develop quality apps for the Android platform, sell them at a reasonable price and in doing so it could have millions of users finishing off projects that started out on the Android handset on the PC. I am thinking about music and video editing especially. The first port of call for Microsoft is to create a PC font installer for Android; I would love to be able to use PC TrueType fonts on my Android handset without having to resort to rooting. C'mon, Microsoft! Stop messing around and pull your finger out! If I wanted a Windows experience I would resort to a Windows launcher! See screenshot below!



 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!!!

MANFROTTO FOR iPHONE 6 AND 6 PLUS SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
NEWS!
AN iPHONE 6 & 6 PLUS PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM COME TRUE...

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope you are well and dandy! I also hope that your tech is working as it should!

Here’s some great news for iPhone 6 & 6 Plus users!

#iPhone #iPhone6 #iPhone6Plus

SNAPPY PROTECTION
Specifically designed to provide protection for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and enhance your ‘iPhonography’ skills!

London, March 2015 - Manfrotto, the world leader in equipment and accessories for the photography and imaging industry has enlarged the KLYP+ family with the addition of the KLYP+ for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Specifically designed to provide protection for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and enhance your ‘iPhonography’ skills, the KLYP+ case is constructed of strong polycarbonate to protect your device from scratches and falls. Each case comes with a small kickstand that props up the iPhone and, thanks to the tripod adaptor, allows you to connect it to any camera support.

Available in three different colour ranges: black/anthracite, white/cool grey and red/anthracite, the KLYP+ is perfect for those who love to capture special moments using the stylish, compact and intuitive accessories in the KLYP+ range.

Available to buy in selected retailers at the end of March.

Prices from £24.95 inc VAT

For more information, visit www.manfrotto.co.uk

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit!

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

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

SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 LOLLIPOP UPDATE SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 GETS SWEETER
ANDROID LOLLIPOP UPDATE 5.0.1

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope that you had a great weekend! I know I sure did! The preview of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge were a highlight!

Are you the owner of the Galaxy S4? Have you checked for updates lately? 

#Samsung #GalaxyS4 #LollipopUpgrade

SWEET GALAXY
UK, March 16 2015 - The brilliant and often underrated Galaxy S4 received the Android Lollipop 5.0.1 upgrade and it's all good!

I like the changes! The combination of Lollipop and TouchWiz is very alluring - together they work wonders! After seeing the stripped down version of TouchWiz on the Galaxy S6 Edge (and S6) I don't understand why those lovely Air Gestures have been removed. It's not like I've noticed any lag, so far, on the Galaxy S4. 

Anyway, I like that webpages are a part of the multitasking card view. The overall changes aren't jarring and confusing. Everything looks neater as a whole. The menus remain very easy to understand; in fact the update is rather similar to the Galaxy Note 4 without the Lollipop update. I'm looking forward to Lollipop on the Galaxy Note 4 too! 

Thank you for reading Synapse Circuit.

TABLETS IN THE WILD iPAD SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
TABLETS IN THE WILD

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! It's great to see you as always! I'm sat here with my Mom drinking wine and eating her chocolates! Hee, hee... Happy Mothering Sunday! Mother's Day is everyday!

Have you got a tablet? If so, is it an iPad? Samsung Galaxy Tab? NVIDIA Shield? ASUS MeMo Pad? 

#Tablets #AndroidTablets #iPad 

A RARE SIGHT
As you know I've been paying attention to what's happening on the streets with regards to the use of tablets on the streets of London, UK.

Yesterday, 14 March, I witnessed a very rare sight - the iPad in the wild! For every iPad I see there must be about 10 Android tablets - the majority being a Samsung Galaxy Tab of some description.

Many Apple fans were expecting an announcement of an iPad 'Pro' along with news of the Apple Watch and typically Cook skipped the iPad altogether. Just like the 5C turned out to be a lead balloon the iPad has gone the same way. With the advent of the iPhone 6 Plus the iPad has become obsolete.

Somehow, Tim Cook has to reinvent the iPad and and convince the consumer why it's desirable. Lately Apple products are proving to be undesirable and thus irrelevant in a world where technology is becoming inexpensive and more powerful. 

Apple bets on its brand as the technology is very much an afterthought. In the eyes of the impartial tech spectator Apple looks very unfocused. Would Jobs have allowed the products from such a cloudy vision to materialize?

Thank you for reading Synapse Circuit.

GALAXY S6 EDGE PREVIEW SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

Just before closing...
The Samsung staff were able to catch their breath!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGE PREVIEW

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! Happy Mothering Sunday (UK)! I hope all is well with you and your tech! 

Still thinking about your upgrade? Perhaps this preview of the Galaxy S6 Edge may give you something to think about... Read on!

#Samsung #GalaxyS6Edge #SamsungOxfordStStore

THE EDGE

Saturday, 15 March 2015 - London, Samsung Store, Oxford St. As I made my way to the Samsung store in London's Oxford St I felt a little apprehensive about being able to have the Galaxy S6 Edge in my hands! Would it be what I was expecting? Would it exceed my expectations? 

Looking at both the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge I was a little taken aback to see how incredibly thin and light they are. Boy, they are super-premium and then some! As you know, I'm very infatuated with the Galaxy S6 Edge and I had a teeny bit of trepidation that the dual edged screen would be more gimmick than functional. But I can happily say that the Galaxy S6 Edge screen is a beautiful marriage of design and functionality. It's simply sublime! It's the future today! 

SPEED DEMON

I was also shocked to see how how fast and smooth it is; I tried to push it as much as I could and there was absolutely no lag whatsoever! Apps arrive at the screen after pressing icons and the camera is launched almost instantaneously upon double clicking the 'Home' button. 

And yes, TouchWiz has been truly pared down - gone are the wonderful Air Gestures (that could've been turned off) and we get:-

Palm Mute - place your palm on the screen and the handset is muted. Ta daa! 

Hand Swipe - swipe the screen with the edge of your hand takes a screenshot. 

Smart Stay - keeps the screen on by tracking eye focus.

How sparse! Still, if people don't appreciate these Air Gestures like I do then they have to go! I would have liked to have seen Samsung's Exynos 7420 processor taking care of what I think of as essential TouchWiz. But the Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 is faster than greased lightning! Gosh, golly, gee!

PICTURE THIS
On the surface the camera looks like a substantial improvement over previous Galaxy S models as you'd expect. It's pretty much point and click; the 'pro' option gives the more experienced smartphone photographer manual control over exposure, white balance, etc. 

As a result Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 users should be taking great photos in the not too distant future! Check out these pictures below:-

CROWD CONTROL
It seemed as though half of London flocked to the Samsung store to see these marvelous handsets; gauging by the responses the Galaxy S6 Edge (and S6) should be flying out of the retail outlets come April 10 2015. From 10:00 to 19:00 people were queuing up to get a feel of their future handset(s)!

I know for sure that the Galaxy S6 Edge will be my next handset for sure! 

Extensive review coming soon! 

Thank you for reading Synapse Circuit. Standby for more news, reviews, competitions, opinions and more!

APPLE BRANDING IT’S ALL IN YOUR TINY MIND SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

The MacBook Air 2015 is very cost effective for Apple if people buy it!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
APPLE BRANDING:
IT’S ALL IN YOUR TINY MIND

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! It is so wonderful to see you! It’s getting late now and I am on a little bit of a roll... I am downloading my mind while freedom of speech is still an option!

This week a couple of people called me a “Samsung Knight” because of my recent articles on Apple. These people obviously feel that I shouldn’t criticise technological issues or lack thereof... I obviously think otherwise! Read on...

#Apple #AppleWatch #Macbook #Notepad

#Samsung #TheNextGalaxy #UnpackedEpisodeOne2015 #GalaxyS6 #GalaxySEdge #GalaxyS6Edge

APPLE


Y’know, people... No, that’s the wrong terminology... Let me start again...

Unless my understanding comes from another dimension I could swear that Apple announced a whole load of polished turds at the recent Sprung Backwards keynote on the 9^th of March. And it seems to me like the Church of Apple parishioners are on a mission (nice pun loaded with great irony – even if I do say so myself) to justify the crap they are given from that fashion house that tries to marry a Frankenstein monster of bought technology (as Apple really haven’t done anything since the Mackintosh) with the freaky bride of fashion / design.

Y’know, the Church of Apple parishioners are just like any other extreme religious organization that can’t hack (hee hee) criticism of its doctrine. Sorry, Apple parishioners but I critique consumer technology. If you want to pretend that you know my thoughts without reading them and claiming them as “click bait”... Who says “click bait” in this day and age? Oh, Apple fanatics! Pardon me! If you can’t take criticism then by all means don’t read my articles on your beloved brand / religion. And don’t bother me with your attempts at character assassination as you ought to look at yourself for buying into half-baked and overpriced, er, technology (sic). For the Apple fanatics that are still here reason with me...



Above: Digital Clown, Jony Ive.

About your iPhone... Tell me, does the standard iPhone come in full 1080p? The answer is no. How is it that you are willing to pay such a high price for it in comparison to Android handsets? Okay, the Samsung manufactured A8 processor is good and iOS is pretty light in that there is no lag on it, but there is no lag on the non-64-bit Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and the Google / Motorola Nexus 6 that both feature a quad-HD resolution that’s 1440 x 2560 pixels to you as you are probably ignorant of that fact! Yet the iPhone 6 Plus is extortionately priced and it can only manage a 1080p screen???? Do you actually believe Cook and co when they tell you that these “handsets are viewed by many as the best in the industry,”? By whose standards??? There again Apple seems to have bought off the tech-media from the so-called “professionals” to so-called “bloggers & vloggers”.



It’s not okay for me to criticise Apple’s smartphone efforts but it is okay for you to attack Samsung for outclassing the iPhone 10 times over with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge by claiming, “It’s an Android iPhone...” Mind you there are some Android extremists too who say the same thing but cannot see how the battery is markedly different from not only the iPhone’s battery but the previous Galaxy S and Note generations in that they allow you to charge rapidly! And the Android extremists think that they are going to run out of storage space with the current options when the Galaxy S4 (and possibly S5) was sold under contract in the UK with only 16GB with a microSD slot. Yes, I know... I am starting to repeat myself but it is as though some Android folk don’t know how to use cloud storage...



There are a good number of cloud storage options aside from Google Drive and they all allow you to access these drives from a computer! And if you happen to live in an area where a good 3G / 4G cannot be easily accessed and have no unlimited data then the USB on the go flash drives (that are often more inexpensive than its microSD cousin) is another option. And, of course, you can hook the handset up to the PC and transfer files across (that includes sensitive pictures and images) to be burned on a DVD or Bluray disc. Some Android people are going on as if they feel compelled to use up all the internal storage on the new Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge handsets all at once! That is never going to happen. Again, Samsung has eschewed the 16GB internal storage for 32GB as a standard and, once again, it seems as though UK carriers are giving the consumer the 64 and 128 GB options on the S6 Edge. I am up for that! That’s my rant over regarding the badly kitted out iPhone and these ill-conceived ideas about the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge being an “iPhone clone”.

APPLE WATCH
I will spare you the repetition as you already know how I feel about that... You’re paying an extra $349 to keep your £539.00 16GB iPhone 6 and £619 16GB iPhone 6 Plus in your pocket... Apple Watch(out)!

APPLE TV
You know already what I think about that heap of junk, right? Read it here: Apple TV Junk

MACBOOK NOTEBOOK


Above: MacBook Air 2015 with the brilliant GarageBand on the display. 

Let me see if I understand it correctly... The only thing you will be able to do with the new $1299 Macbook Notebook is to take notes on it??? You probably can’t use it for serious video editing or anything of a serious productivity nature because the processor isn’t powerful enough, is that right??? It looks like you are getting a mobile device experience in a notebook form for, iRepeat, $1299??? Wouldn’t be better off with an iPad, a proper Macbook, a decent 64-bit Android phablet / tablet or PC desktop or laptop??? There’s only one USB C port on it that requires a $79 adaptor??? Are you kidding me???


Above: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook that features 2 USB 3 ports and HDMI! It's starts at $1,080 with a Intel Core i5-5200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.70GHz). You can add a Core i7 processor and add a touchscreen for around $1, 890! 

The new Macbook...

So, that’s my critique of Apple and if you don’t like it then tough! If you want to buy these products then good for you! I guess you love a brand over real technological innovation. Feair enough... Let me leave you with this...



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