Inspect-a-Gadget

Logitech Harmony Hub: bridging wi-fi with infrared

2013-06-17T01:54:56Z

For the last few years I've used a Logitech Harmony 1100 universal infrared remote to control various devices around the house.

Logitech is moving away from such remotes due to the popularity of tablet computers and smartphones as universal devices. But tablets and smartphones generally don't include infrared ports, so they cannot be used to control home entertainment systems and TVs that rely on infrared remotes control codes.

The Harmony Smart Control is Logitech's answer - a gadget that translates Wi-Fi into infrared codes and bluetooth commands (for games consoles). It uses a gadget called the Harmony Hub in conjunction with a smartphone app, available both on the Apple AppStore and Google Play marketplace.

Logitech uses an online database of remote codes, to simplify the setup. Initially, you plug the Harmony Hub into a spare USB port on a PC or Mac and create an account on Logitech's MyHarmony.com portal. To get going you need Microsoft Silverlight and a plugin, both of which are available direct from the MyHarmony.com portal.

From here you can setup devices and associate activities - such as listening to music or watching a DVD - with a set of devices. For instance, to watch a DVD, you may need to switch on the TV, DVD player and surround amplifier, then select the right video and audio sources as inputs to get sound and picture from the DVD player.onto the TV.

This probably sounds quite complicated, but it is intuitive, especially if you have setup other Harmony remotes. Previous Harmony remote owners can also use the MyHarmony.com portal to transfer their remote settings to the Harmony Hub.

To complete the setup, you select Sync to send the configuration to the Harmony Hub. It can now be disconnected from the USB port, then plugged in to a power socket where it can relay infrared codes to your Hi-Fi, TV and other devices.

The above image shows the Android app running my "Watch TV" activity, which took a matter of seconds as Logitech automatically downloaded the relevant channels for Freeview.

Generally, I found the Harmony Hub easy to setup, but there were no actual instructions. You are told to log into MyHarmony.com. Personally, a step-by-step guide would have helped. For watching TV, the Channel logos are a good touch and the learning IR codes function works well.

But using my Nexus 7 with the Harmony Hub is no replacement for a dedicated remote control. Battery life is poor compared to the Harmony 1100, which would last almost a week on a full charge. I was also unable to create a custom screen on the app, with favourite buttons - something that was easy on the Harmony 1100.

In theory, the Harmony Hub can work work with any infrared device. For instance, I was able to control a Varlight infrared light dimmer. It would be brilliant if the Harmony Hub could accept commands remotely, ie not just over Wi-Fi, to control gadgets remotely from the MyHarmony.com portal. Imagine being able to link home to the internet cost-effectively. For the Logitech Smart Control and Harmony Hub to succeed I think Logitech needs to open up the platform to enable third-party developers to create apps that build on the MyHarmony portal. For now, however, it is a £109 add-on for a smartphone or tablet, that, in my opinion, is not as good as a dedicated universal remote control.

InFocus BigTouch: A touch too much?

2013-06-12T14:02:46Z

Technology goes through fads when it comes to size. Just a few years ago we were all competing to have the easiest to lose smartphone, whereas now manufacturers are touting bigger screens than ever, harking back to the days of PDAs. With laptops we want light, flexible and easy to fit in your carry on rather than all singing, all dancing sizeable morsels. But there is no denying when it comes to PCs, a nice, big screen puts the matching sized smile onto anyone's face, be it a gamer or corporate user.

However, there is big, then there is BIG and the InFocus BigTouch is not for the fainted hearted. At 55 inches, this all in one PC is quite a daunting piece of kit to behold with an equally daunting price tag of around £3,000. Yet this isn't exactly designed for the office admin to do a few spreadsheets on.

The BigTouch is instead being aimed at the education sector for use in classrooms or the large enterprise who need that special something for delivering presentations in the boardroom. Touchscreen by default - although there are plenty of USBs for adding keyboard, mouse, camera, sound etc - we defy anyone to be sat in a room with it and not want to have a play. Although, prepare to ache if trying to reach from one side of the screen to the other.

Despite its mammoth size and price tag, the specs aren't as breath-taking, with an Intel core i5 processor powering the beast. But with SSD speeds, the latest Windows 8 Pro operating system - which screams out for this touchscreen capability - and 1920 × 1080 resolution, it would still be something to write home about if you came across it in your next meeting or lecture.

Unfortunately due to mix ups with power cables, we didn't get to have a full test run with the BigTouch, but we did get to go through the painful two man work out to put it together. The large feet holding it up didn't fill us with the utmost confidence and the actual plain black bezel took something away from the design, which you would expect to have more flare.

But, from the videos we have seen with this piece of kit in action, we don't think anyone will be paying attention to these pieces when a slideshow is in full swing on this uber screen and its ease of use makes it great for anyone to show off on, regardless of their technical ability.

Is it worth shelling out so much cash for when a decent projector and HDMI cable would come in at the fraction of the cost? Well, if interactive presentations aren't imperative to the way you do business, we would say no. But there is definitely something about the BigTouch that makes us think certain companies would have no fear of signing that cheque and we suggest those guys have a play.

Inspect-a-Gadget Logitech competition

2013-06-07T14:00:57Z

We have a Logitech Business BCC950 Conference Cam up for grabs.

We reviewed this nice little bit of kit last year and were suitably impressed...

Logitech claims that its ConferenceCam bridges the "small meeting gap" in the market. It accommodates groups of 3-4 people without them having to sit each other's laps. This removes the need for a large scale meeting room video system which can be very costly. It is also surprisingly light; weighing 568g it can easily be picked up and taken into a meeting room.

Additionally, this device would suit home workers, enabling employees to have meetings using software such as Skype in full HD clarity.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning the prize is come up with a caption for the following image:

We've all been there, so hopefully there will be plenty of inspiration. Make sure you comment on this blog post below (make sure you register with your email address so we can contact you if you win)

Closing date for the competition is midnight on the 30^th of June and the winning caption will be chosen by the Computer Weekly team. Judges decision is final

This competition is open to UK residents only.

Terms and conditions

This competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over except for employees of TechTarget and Logitech and their immediate families.
The competition closes on Sunday June 30^th 2013 at midnight.
Each participant can only enter the competition once.
The prize will be awarded to the individual that comes up with the best caption for the photograph.
The winner will be chosen by ComputerWeekly.com.
The winner will be notified by email.
No cash alternatives are available.
Entering the competition is free. No purchase is necessary.
The ComputerWeekly.com's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The name of the winners will be posted on Inspect-a-Gadget and will be contacted by email within 30 days of the competition deadline. All email notifications will be sent to the email address provided by participant entering the competition. The participant must respond to email notification within 14 days of the email notification. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited and a new winner will be chosen.

Entrants can contact ComputerWeekly.com with any questions at the following email address: cbaldwin@techtarget.com with the subject of the email 'Logitech COMPETITION.' But all competition entries must be submitted via commenting on the blog post.

By entering the competition, entrants are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.

Can a redesign restore faith or do some people just want something different?

2013-06-07T09:52:00Z

Relying on your name, brand and reputation is a dangerous tactic, one that Nokia and Blackberry know all too well.

Some of the absolute garbage and speculation I read regarding next generation products makes me want to walk across a field of lego pieces while setting mouse traps off on my fingers, all so the pain can help me forget what I've just consumed with my eyeballs.

However, when a company does actually make a significant change, like Apple when it revealed the redesigned "EarPods", can it bring old customers back, as well as tempt new users?

In comparison to the old earphones, the EarPods supersede them in every aspect, ascetics, build quality, sound quality and even name stupidity! For me, the old earphones were one of the worst things about the previous generation of iPhones and other iDevices.

I mean, there are other options out there on the market. Like with any product there are alternatives, varying in features and price point.

I got my hands on a pair of Thinksound ts02's and Sony XBA-C10's in order to broaden my musical option horizons and answer my question.

Immediately you can see that Thinksound are an eco-friendly company, with the packaging made solely from 100% recycled materials. Even the earphone casings, which look very striking, are made of renewable wood.

The second noteworthy thing about these audio offerings from Thinksound is the weight, up there with the lightest earphones I've ever slipped into my lugs at 12g.

The ts02's earphones also come with a mic, but unlike the EarPods, it doesn't have a volume control. Another noticeable difference is that the mic didn't pick up the sound as well as it should. The ts02's are a world apart from the Apple equivalent costing substantially more at around £75 but bringing a much more wholesome and well-rounded sound to the table.

The Sony product sits in the middle price bracket at around £39 but they come without a mic. They come off as mildly futuristic with a hollow ear loop to hold them securely in place. To look at you'd think they were uncomfortable but that was only the case when worn for extensive periods.

The XBA-C10s blow the EarPods out of the water in terms of noise cancellation and actual in-ear comfort but they did leave me a little disappointed, they look like they deliver more of a punch than they do.

The balanced armature driver tucked away inside the earpiece does however mean they come out on top of the Apple EarPods in terms of overall sound quality. Mainly thanks to the 100dB/mW sensitivity which ensures minimum distortion as you crank up the volume.

The EarPods suit many people down to the ground, those who want adequate and functional performance, with the ts02's matching up best with the environmentally conscious looking for something a little different, and finally, the Sony earphones are ideally built for use in hectic workplaces or the gym.

So back to using Apple as the example for the original question, I was very surprised that (back in September) they redesigned and substantially improved their earphones in the first place and it did restore a little faith. Ultimately though, the improvements were only such that there are still more appropriate options out there catering to specific tastes, many of which merit the increased costs. And you've just been introduced to two examples above.

New PCs enter the market at Computex

2013-06-05T08:42:27Z

Dell, Acer and Asus have all unveiled various PC models at Computex in Taiwan this week. In a midst of a PC market crash, the computer manufacturers have taken a leap of faith and revealed new designs the safety net being of course the hybrid tablet devices.

Dell

Dell announced its XPS 11 model, a 2-in-1 convertible Ultrabook. This hybrid device has a 360 degreed rotation design in order to hide away the keyboard and flip into a tablet device. At 14.9mm and 2.5 pounds this product could be utilised within an BYOD environment, which has seen many of these types of devices in recent months.

Additionally, Dell launched an OptiPlex 9020 and All-in-One machine. This commercial desktop will be available in four different form factors, an all-in-one computer, as well as three different sized towers, all powered by Intel Core i7 processors.

Dell also launched a 4^th-gen Intel business laptop, including swappable batteries. The Latitude E6540 will feature comprehensive file-level encryption, advanced authentication and malware protection.

The XPS 12, OptiPlex 9020 desktop, and Latitude E6540 will be available in the coming weeks.

Additionally, the computer manufacturer added two printers to its portfolio of peripherals. The B1165nfw and B1265dfw claim to provide affordable printing options, wireless networking capabilities and document management software. The two printers will have the ability to print, scan, copy and fax within the single device.

Acer

Acer announced its new Iconia tablet, the Iconia W3, which claims to be the first 8.1-inch tablet running Windows 8. The company believes that this is the "optimum size for productivity and entertainment, while comfortable enough to sit in one hand". It will be available pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013.

The company also launched a "phablet" device - the 5.7-inch 1280x720 screen Liquid S1. It offers an option to insert two SIM cards, and runs Android Jelly Bean and a 1.5 GHz processor. Additionally, it has a few functionalities to boost productivity: The Acer Float User Interface, which allows several apps to stay open at the same time so users can multitask; the Auto Profile which supports predefined network settings, which will adjust settings such as brightness, volume and connectivity as users visit frequent locations.

Acer also launched its flagship ultrabook, the 13.3-inch Aspire S7. The ultrabook boosts a longer-lasting battery for "all day computing" as well as a updated cooling fan which makes less noise. It also offers wireless display technology for sharing on a big screen wirelessly. Like its previous model, it will include a 10-point WQHD display with 2,560 x 1,440 resolution taking full advantage of the touch capabilities of Windows 8.

Asus

Probably, most interesting from all the launches at Computex, was the Transformer Book Trio from Asus. This 11.6-inch clamshell tablet with a detachable display, consists of two operating systems. It can switch between Windows 8 notebook, Android tablet and Windows 8 desktop PC.

The Transformer series has been a success of Asus in the consumer space in recent years, the ability to switch between app stores, synch data and apparently "continue to surf a webpage when moving from notebook to tablet, could be a game changer for the device in the business space also.

The PC station dock has its own 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, keyboard and 750GB hard drive and it can also be hooked up to a monitor to be used as a desktop PC. Additionally the screen can be removed from the station dock to be used on the go as a tablet with a 2.0 GHz Intel processor , 64GB and full HD display- taking the meaning of "hybrid" one step further.

Intel

Intel also had a presence at Computex, revealing a 22nm low-power, Atom system on a chip design, which it claimed would offer faster graphics and twice the CPU performance of the current generation. According to Intel, the new chip would power Android and Windows 8.1 devices for up to eight hours.

BlackBerry Live 2013: BES 10.1 - Security updates

2013-05-15T19:02:26Z

BlackBerry Live kicked off in Orlando, Florida this week with a bang; a new QWERTY Q5 handset and significant updates to its messaging tool BBM stole the spotlight. However, BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) also had a few updates with the operating system's upgrade to BlackBerry 10.1 this week. I've spoken to Michael Brown, VP security product management and research to get his two most important updates.

BlackBerry's latest operating system BB10, was launched at the end of January this year. At the same time, the company dropped its Research In Motion name in order to refocus its brand and bring the company out of the misery of plummeting profits. Followed by sleek new handset launches, including BlackBerry's first touch-only device the Z10 which shipped one million in its first quarter, the company's future is looking considerably more hopeful than this time last year.

Along with the BB10 operating system, the company also updated its mobile device management solution to BES 10. During the keynote, BlackBerry announced that it had issued 12,000 BES 10 server connections since its launch, which is already more than any other MDM solution available according to Jeff Holleran, senior director of enterprise product management.

Brown's BES 10.1 important security updates:

Security update: Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) regulated mode

With BlackBerry 10 came BlackBerry Balance, a clever way for users to keep their personal and work life separate on the one device. With the added EMM regulated mode in the 10.1 upgrade enterprises which need an additional higher level of security have the option to lock down communications and disable hardware functionalities (such as the camera). With the EMM mode, the user no longer has a personal side of the device, this function is aimed at corporations such as banks, government and defence organisations who have to be aware of an employees data and where it is coming from.

The beauty of this feature is that can co-exist on the BES server, incase you only needed to implement the extra security to a portion of users. This functionality reminds me a lot of Mobile Now MDM solution by AppSense that I review a little while back, it too can lock down a device from a central portal.

Compatibility update: 10.11 Android and iOS secure workspace solution

When BES 10 was announced, a major feature was that BlackBerry would now be able to accommodate Android and iOS devices as part of its MDM solution. Companies which are not restricted to just one device could use BES to leverage controls within the BES platform.

However, in the 10.1 upgrade, the company has added more management capabilities to include Android and iOS, as well as more security features including secure storage email, pin entry, and connectivity using BlackBerry transport as a mobile VPN.

It seems as though BlackBerry has no plans to include Windows Phone in its roadmap at the moment. Holleran said that the company had listened to its customers who were pushing for Android and iOS, but if the landscape was to change and customer would want to include Windows as part of BES, BlackBerry would explore this as an option.. However, at the moment there is no demand.

BlackBerry Live 2013: Hands on with the BlackBerry Q5

2013-05-14T21:36:24Z

BlackBerry's third handset to sit on the BlackBerry 10 operating system was announced today at BlackBerry Live in Orlando, Florida. The mid-range Q5 device sports a QWERTY keyboard and is aimed primarily at users in emerging markets, however, UK MD Rob Orr told me that its roll out in the UK and Europe will be significant for the enterprise. Orr said that the Q5, (which claims most of the features of its big brother Q10 device, but at a lower price point) will be another option for corporations wanting to roll out significant numbers of mobile devices.

The device has of course cut a few corners in order to lower its price (which has not yet been disclose, but as a mid-range device, I doubt it would come at under £150). The device has not cut corners on BlackBerry 10, all the features available on the OS will be available on the Q5.

First impressions with a Q10 in my left hand and a Q5 in my right, was that the Q5 did feel lighter and the material wasn't as high quality. However, I was expecting it to feel really cheap, and I was surprised that it didn't. I don't know if that is the familiarity of the QWERTY keyboard which automatically adds on a few BlackBerry pounds, but it certainly didn't feel as cheap as many mid-range Androids out there at the moment.

While I agree to some degree with guest blogger, David McClelland, that the Q10 is a "refined, understated and handsome handset" with an "air of familiarity", the Q10's pulling power is all under the hood. Therefore lacking the Q10's processing power would be one of the cut backs.

The device runs the update to BB10 - BB10.1 which was launched at the event today. It weighs a mere 120g (the Q10 139g), and stands at 120mm x 66mm x 10.8mm (10.5mm for non-NFC model).

I noticed a difference in the screen, the Q5 was not as sharp as the Q10, which I can only put down to the LDC display (the Q10 has a Super AMOLED), as both devices have 720 resolution at 329 PPI. The Q5 has a downgraded camera to 5MP, it also has less memory at 2 GB RAM, 8 GB Flash with a microSD slot (up to 32 GB), and the battery is not swappable like the Q10.

However, it is 4G ready and has NFC to support file exchanges and mobile payments, which suggests that this device will not be purely aimed at the emerging markets.

Available in the traditional black and white, as well as red and pink, this again suggests that BlackBerry is hedging its bets over who to aim the device at: consumers or enterprise? I think the device will slide into the place of the BlackBerry Curve which did really well across the board, I can see kids BBM-ing about the weekend's riots, oh sorry, I mean party; while enterprise users will be able to use all the exclusive functionalities of BB10 including BlackBerry Balance and BlackBerry Enterprise Services on a lower cost device.

At the end of the day, when comparing the two devices it is extremely difficult to say which is worthwhile until we have a price, which BlackBerry should be announcing in July. If the Q5 does ship at a sensible £200-£300 mark, it would be very competitive for enterprises looking at £500 for a smartphone these days (BlackBerry Q10 is shipping at a pricey £580). However, if it launches at more the £350-£400 mark I'm not sure if the Q5 specs would be worth the downgrade.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S4

2013-05-14T11:53:08Z

I have yet to own a Samsung phone but have taken great joy in the past few years at having them on loan to get to grips with. Admittedly I favour the giant Galaxy Note range over the more popular Galaxy S devices, but there is no denying the sales figures and the latter has taken the smartphone industry by storm.

This month the company launched the latest in the series, the Samsung Galaxy S4, but after the impact of the previous devices, the question remained whether it could live up to the hype.

Unboxing the device, the first impression was it looked very similar to the rest of the family, but look closer at the specs and it became much more impressive. The screen has grown from 4.8" to 5", yet the thickness has shrunk by 0.7mm.

Picking it up, the handset felt light as a feather, which took me by surprise. However, the thing I like least about Samsung phones was still apparent. The casing felt cheap and the plastic backing made it uncomfortable and sticky in your hands if used it for any amount of time.

The problem with 5" screens is it is quite tough to use with one hand. Unlike some of the smaller handsets available, which you can type and reach all the buttons on, the Galaxy S 4 has you stretching your thumb to leave that horrible ache in your wrist, meaning for lengthy use, you are better off tapping away with your free hand.

But, the benefit of a 5" screen is noted the moment you turn the smartphone one. The 1,920 x 1,080p Super AMOLED screen is beautiful, crisp and clear and is a huge improvement on the 720p version on the Galaxy S3. The colours shine out from the device and every picture, video or webpage was as close to perfection as could be.

Responsiveness when swiping through the screens was incredibly fast. A favourite feature of mine was Air View, which utilises your finger hovering above to give you information before committing to a click. This was great when trying to find a specific time in a video or when going through a recording of an interview, making these apps much more usable.

Some of the other smart screen features were hit and miss. Smart stay, which keeps the screen on for as long as you are staring at it, is pretty reliable, whilst smart pause, which pauses videos when you look away from the screen, works perfectly.

However smart scroll, where the webpage or document you are reading scrolls with a tilt of your head, does make you feel a tad foolish and a little like you are headbanging rather than gently reading through a piece. It is close though and I think the S5 should have it nailed.

As with the rest of the Galaxy range, the S4 is running an Android operating system - this time version 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Coupled with its own user interface, TouchWiz, it is at the top of its game when it comes to software. As well as the raft of applications available to you on the Google Play Store, Samsung includes its own array, such as S Health for tracking steps, exercise and health plans, and the easy to use S Planner calendar.

The hardware is powerful, running a 1.9GHz quad core processor, but it is disappointing as Samsung had been promising an eight core version at launch with extra battery saving powers. That said, the device's battery life was pretty impressive for this type of phone and with moderate use, we didn't feel we needed to charge it until after about a day and a half - unusual for power guzzling smartphones.

The 13 megapixel rear camera took superb quality photos and even the two megapixel upfront made for clear video calls. There were also a number of nifty built-in editing features such as beauty face, which smoothed the skin a little in snaps, and best face, which let you take five shots and pick the best one of each person featured for a group photo.

The video capabilities were also great with 1080p Full HD video recording at 30 frames-per-second and with a screen of that size and quality, it was fantastic to watch back on.

Unsurprisingly with all these features, superb software and pretty impressive hardware, the price tag is a little eye watering. SIM free the device is around the £500 mark - although it was originally closer to £600 - and most of the contracts are at the premium end of the spectrum, from around £30 per month upwards. However, this is a high-end smartphone that has just hit the shelves and these expensive amounts have become the norm.

Would I splash out for it though? I think not. I love how the phone runs and all the additional features brought to the handset by both Samsung and Google. However, I just can't get over how a device this powerful and pricey can feel so cheap. If Samsung ditched the sweaty, plastic casing, I would be sold. Until then, I think there won't be any tears when I send it back.

Available free on Vodafone Red Business with unlimited minutes and 2GB of data for £35 per month.

The moment when Energenie saved my day

2013-05-03T15:09:59Z

We are all scarily dependent on our smartphones. When my phone gets down to 5% battery life as I leave the office, I get that panicky feeling rise up in my chest. What would I do if it went completely flat? Would I even be able to complete my journey without the tube map and what about level 38 of Candy Crush? What if I've left my keys in the office, how would I phone anyone to let me into my flat? Oh it's ok, I'll just tweet my marooned state. No I won't - my phone has gone dead.

In the business world, where more and more companies are moving to either kitting out their staff with the latest smartphone or allowing BYOD programmes, we are finding ourselves extremely limited by our phone battery lives. Even the BlackBerry Z10 only just stretches into the second day's charge, but really when you're hammering its shiny new OS, you have to charge it every day.

From the moment I leave my flat to travel to work in the morning, I feel constrained by my battery life, I have a USB lead in my work computer, so I can easily charge my iPhone at my desk, but if I'm out for a full day, I know I have to ration my usage.

At the last big even I went to, I spent a few hours on the train in the morning and by 2pm I had 15% battery left. As a reporter, I needed my phone, not only to keep on top of emails and phone calls, but also to take photographs and record videos from the event. I would need the National Rail app to work out when my return train was going to depart, google maps to get around, not to mention emails to keep me entertained on the train home.

My saviour was the Energenie ChargeSleeve for iPhone 4 and 4S. I was at an event where Energenie were showing off its products, and to be completely honest I had been given a ChargeSleeve to review a few months back, but never got around to doing it. Boy, did I wish I had it in my bag that day as my battery dropped like a stone in water. Instead I wandered up to the stand red faced and sheepish and asked if I could borrow one for a quick fix. Luckily Energenie had one going spare.

Your phone fits within the sleeve and the 1, 8 00mAh battery allows for a full recharge of your device. It does make your phone a little longer and thicker, but I preferred that it still felt like my iPhone after a couple of weeks on the ice cream, rather than messing about with wires, USB ports, and a rectangular box in order to get an emergency charger working. I could even make phone calls without worrying about the wires getting trapped or pulled out of the device. The only issue is that carrying around the ChargeSleeve when you don't need it, is like having another phone in your bag.

The product comes with a USB to MicroUSB cable to recharge your ChargeSleeve. I've most certainly learnt my lesson, and until they start making operating systems that aren't such a drain on your smartphone, portable emergency chargers are certainly the way forward.

Energenie ChargeSleeve for iPhone 4/4S £29.99

Hands-on with the BlackBerry Q10

2013-04-29T11:17:53Z

David McClelland (@DavidMcClelland, www.davidmcclelland.co.uk) spends a weekend with the BlackBerry Q10, the brand new handset pivotal to the Canadian giant's future. But will the QWERTY-packing phone be enough to complete RIM's big reboot?

Forget the fanfare and flamboyance of the BB10 operating system unveiling and Z10 handset launch back in January: the Q10 is the device that will define BlackBerry's year and perhaps its future.

BlackBerry President and CEO Thorsten Heins will be hoping that by bolstering his new handset with a physical keyboard -- eschewed by the iPhone-esque Z10 and generally something of a novelty among smartphones nowadays -- he can quell the big BlackBerry exodus and tempt back the hoards of disillusioned corporate users so pivotal to RIM's successful reinvention.

Yet, for all of the rhetoric around the future of the company, there's an inescapable irony that BlackBerry's future-facing handset looks -- from the outside at least -- rather similar to the RIM's devices of old.

Generally available from today following an exclusive deal with Selfridges over the weekend, you might easily be forgiven for not giving the Q10 a second look when you first see it nestled in a fellow-commuters' grip, such is its air of familiarity.

However, a second glance rewards you with the realisation that the BlackBerry Q10 is a refined, understated and handsome handset which discretely hides far more power and many more features than any of RIM's previous corporate workhorses.

The Q10's carbon fibre-like glass weave rear is grippy and sits securely in the hand. The back unfussily slides off to reveal an NFC sensor, a large 2100 mAh removable battery, micro SIM and easy-access microSD slots. Unlike on today's phablet devices one-handed typing and navigation so crucial for commuters is a cinch on the Q10. A stainless steel outer frame completes the casing and, reassuringly, the feel is that of a solid, workman-like handset.

Also under its hood is 16 GB of onboard storage and 2 GB of RAM to support the 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4+ processor, along with 4G/LTE connectivity. With such brute force behind it the BB10 OS feels nippy and lag-free even when switching between apps and browsing image-rich emails and websites.

The Super AMOLED touchscreen display is bright, responsive and punchy, but there are compromises when sharing a handset's valuable real estate with a 35 button keyboard.

While its 330ppi display is technically more retina than any of Apple's and delivers screenfuls of crisp and clear text, the 3.1 inch screen may feel achingly small to anybody now more accustomed to full-sized smartphone touch screens such as the Z10. I found watching video through the Q10's YouTube or BBC iPlayer app quickly became irksome as footage failed to fill the 720x720 square screen, rendering instead in a squintsome 2.5 inch letterbox window.

On the plus side for the Q10 the keyboard which forces this screen estate compromise is nothing short of stunning. If the Q10 is to live or die by its keyboard then its designers have certainly given it a fighting chance by fitting one of the best I've used on a BlackBerry, or indeed any smartphone.

The Q10's keys are firm, rattle-free and well-spaced thanks to the four frets which provide one of the handset's defining design features. Seasoned BlackBerry users who may have strayed onto handsets sporting touchscreen keyboards may initially miss the trackball/nipple control of previous BlackBerrys but will be reassured to learn that it takes no time at all to get back into the BB speed-typing groove.

As you'd expect from its heritage, email is simple to set up and incredibly easy to use on the Q10. Also rather admirable are its organisational and productivity features and apps: the Evernote-aping Remember app looks useful for reminders and note taking; apps including LinkedIn and Dropbox come pre-installed, and the omnipresent BlackBerry Hub pulls into one place all of your email, calendar and social news feeds and is never more than a peek gesture away from whatever else you're doing on the phone.

In comparison to the daily charges demanded by my iOS and Android devices I found the BlackBerry's battery life to be impressive, with plenty of juice remaining after a day's reasonable use, although perhaps still not enough for two days on the go.

Rounding off the Q10's feature list is a capable 8MP camera on the rear and a 2MP front-facing camera both of which benefit from BlackBerry's handy Time Shift feature which lets you choose from a burst of images, promising practically perfect smiles.

***

The BlackBerry Z10 release in January was a showcase for the long-awaited BB10 OS, using its full-sized touchscreen to show off its brand new user interface and multimedia capabilities.

By cramming a cracking keyboard into the Q10 and harnessing BB10's Balance software, BlackBerry will hope its newest handset can combine multimedia mogul and corporate workhorse into a single slab. However, the effective screen size when viewing video is unavoidably small in comparison to other current smartphone displays which may be a turn off for some.

Nevertheless, if your morning commute is less about catching up on last night's TV and more about firing off fifty emails per minute and organising yourself to within an inch of your life then the Q10's keyboard/screen size compromise will be one well worth making.

***

BlackBerry Q10, £579.99 RRP, available from free on contract.

I think BlackBerry might have got it right - BB Z10 is The Daddy

2013-04-16T14:59:16Z

A guest post from Computer Weekly's services editor, Karl Flinders.

I work for Computer Weekly, but believe me that doesn't mean I am very good with technology. Writing a blog post about a new piece of technology is not my usual forte, I prefer the controversy that IT outsourcing causes.

So here I am, out of my comfort zone writing about smartphones...

About four years ago I upgraded my basic Nokia handset for a real life smartphone - an Apple iPhone 3G to be precise. It changed my life; email and web browsing on the move - what could be better? But being terrified of change and a tight fisted 'so-and-so' I still had the same phone until last week.

Image via CrunchBase

I knew I had to change and not being a member of the Apple's dogmatic fan club, and I thought I would go for something cheaper. A Samsung Galaxy type device was favourite but I was always put off by the frailty of many devices. The Apple 3G was a solid lump of metal that would seemingly last forever. But the Samsung Galaxy felt that it would break the first time I dropped it (at least once every two months).

I was close to moving to a Samsung one Friday afternoon, while on Tottenham Court Road, but I thought I would give it another week after eyeing up my colleague's new BlackBerry Z10.

I had always seen BlackBerry as the phone that a salesperson would carry around so never really thought about it. I didn't used to like the look of the devices. But when my far more mobile-savvy colleague teased me with her Z10 I knew it was the phone for me - a solid yet tablet-like device.

So I went for it. As much as O2 tried through its crappy customer service (setting up a new account rather than transferring the existing one) to convince me to call the whole thing off, I stuck with it.

I have to say after two days using it, the BB Z10 is The Daddy. I can't compare it to anything really if I am honest because my Apple was pretty old and congested.

My colleagues have watched me with amazement as I discover all these clever ways to make my life easier. The BlackBerry Z10 is worth it just for the finger flickingly good Swipe To Type feature on the keyboard. It recommends words and learns from experience and you just flick your finger above the letter you are already typing and you are there. I can write articles on it and sending a text is no longer a pain.

Then you have the touch screen, which you learn through osmosis. If you ask me how I get to email I couldn't tell you but if you give me the phone my fingers know what to do.

My phone had become a phone and never lived up to the business tool I hoped for. But I am beginning, after only two days, to see what all the fuss is about.

In the past my 3 and 6 year olds would pester me for my iPhone. One for angry birds and the other for writing stories. But now that I offer them the iPhone to play with whenever they wish, they are not interested. Because the Z10 is sitting in the corner unaccompanied.

Anyway there is a point to this blog other than I really like my new phone. When I got the Apple iPhone 3G there wasn't really much choice unless I wanted the newer model. But now there are loads. Apple has pioneered the market and educated users, who can now select from an ever increasing range of smartphones.

Verdict: Blackberry Z10 is a great piece of hardware and meets my work needs. However, it needs more apps to truly make it as an iPhone killer - I am lost without my Barclays mobile banking app.

Buffalo Powerline 500AV Adapter

2013-04-05T10:23:26Z

For a small to medium business having trouble with Wi-Fi connections, this is a problem which can actually stop you dead in your tracks, or at least make you much less mobile than you would like to be.

If you have a conference room that isn't able to connect to the network or your office space might be on different levels causing connectivity issues, the solution can become costly and disruptive.

I had a similar situation at home, where my home router was just not powerful enough to travel a distance of several metres through walls and upstairs. The Buffalo Powerline Adapter came to the rescue, no need to drill holes and extend cables, or even buy a stronger router.

This solution was definitely a "plug-in-and-go" product. The box comes with two chunky units: use the Ethernet cable to plug from your router into the first unit and then plug it straight into the wall, I then took the second unit upstairs and plugged it into a second outlet. Within two minutes I was streaming HD content in areas of the house which were previously complete blackspots.

The units both come with individual access codes, so theoretically it can act like setting up a guest network for your business.

The technology runs the internet at top speeds of 500 Mbps through the home electricity grid - pretty clever if you ask me. And the whole solution couldn't be easier to set up.

At a price of ￡46.99 including VAT, it is a very cheap answer to your connectivity woes.

The Gadget Show Live HANDS ON: Microsoft 3D scanning

2013-04-04T11:52:06Z

Now this was by far the coolest gadget I saw at The Gadget Show Live this week: Microsoft's Kinect for Windows software development kit, Kinect Fusion.

After all the (well-deserved) hype over 3D printers, I was seriously impressed to have a play with a 3D scanner which used only a Windows PC Kinect and this free developer software.

The software works by taking multiple images and fusing them together to create a 3D scan. It is still in beta developer mode, so can be subject to glitches, but it's a great way to allow people to have a go with this technology.

I got my head and shoulders scanned by the Kinect and the next moment it turned up on the screen in front of me. It took a while to get it right, as it seemed a bit sensitive as I twirled around on the spot many many times. But finally I saw a morphed version of myself on the screen. This image can then be manipulated in 3D on the computer and sent through to 3D printer to print out. While the scanning process took only a few seconds, once we got the technique right, the printing takes an hour or so to print a miniature head - sadly I wasn't allowed to have a mini-me printed out.

In order to show you how this worked, I asked an unsuspecting, yet curious, passer-by to give it a go so I could film the process:

Take one regular Gadget Show visitor:

The finished result:

Next step is to print it out:

The Gadget Show Live HANDS ON: Boogie Board

2013-04-03T09:34:02Z

The fundamental Boogie Board technology has been around for 20 years under the name Kent Displays, but for the last two years the company has concentrated on producing touch slates which replace the need for paper notebooks.

The cholesteric liquid crystal display (ChLCD) screen was developed out of the company's R&D, and the slates remind me of a darker Kindle screen.

English: The Taj Mahal, complete with ripples in the reflection (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The basic tool slate (£30), is a simple slate which when it was launched, was thought that it would be aimed at children - think a modern day etch-a-sketch, just write on the slate and press the erase button to wipe away. However, the children's market only takes up 40% of sales. The Boogie Board is very popular in Japan as electronic stationary, but 5% of the market share actually comes from call centres who find that it is safer to write notes regarding sensitive information and quickly erase it again.

The basic slate requires no power to generate or retain an image, and only a small amount to erase (supplied by a small watch battery, which will execute over 50,000 erase cycles).

The next stage Boogie Board (£80) connects to a computer via a micro USB, and as you write on the slate it can be seen replicated on the computer screen, alternatively it can be written away from the computer, connected and saved before erasing. I also played around with a prototype of the next generation device, which will be launched in Q4 2013, giving the Boogie Board wireless connectivity via Bluetooth.

It's not particularly glam, or sleek like a tablet, but I can definitely see the appeal in utilities, call centres and in health care.

The Gadget Show Live HANDS ON: Soladapt

2013-04-03T09:21:34Z

Soladapt is a company that produces a touchscreen overlay for computer monitors. The start-up company uses a framed screen to provide touch functionality to Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8 computers, as well as Android tablets and Apple products. The overlay fits on top of existing monitors and can be fixed permanently by being strapped on by Velcro.

This solution connects to the computer via USB and is a cost effective way of providing a touch experience in the office, and also means that if you have or intend to upgrade to Windows 8 - which is all about the 'touch experience' - it no longer means that you have to buy new hardware also.

Starting from a couple of hundred pounds, this really does prevent waste from the disposal of unwanted monitors.

I had a play around with the Soladapt overlays at The Gadget Show Live and found the 22-inch two-point touch overlay really effective and reactive to my fingers, however typing can slightly more tricky than usual, as you can see in the video below:

The company can also offer the products bespoke, so that they can be custom built to different sizes. However, at the show, Soladapt was also demoing the screens on a 44-inch TV monitor which I found much less sensitive - even though it was a 10-point touch screen. I also found with the large screen it was easy to miss letters when typing as the screen warps the depth of field. Until this technology gets perfected, I'd stick to using the touch overlays on a smaller scale, which worked much more efficiently.

Soladapt are currently in talks with ICT boards in the education sector, which especially might find it difficult to spend a lot of money to convert to touch, but may find the touch experience very interactive for students.

Prices start at £114.99 for a 17-inch display.