Posts by Tony Smith, Editor, Reg Hardware

20% of TVs to ship in 2015 will be 3D, says analyst

Re: depends what is meant by 3d tv

I doubt very many of the 3D TVs in people's living rooms in 2015 will be used to view 3D content.

Samsung names Galaxy Tab launch date

Re: Has the whole world gone mad?

Easier to carry around than a netbook (less bulky), the battery lasts a darn sight longer and it can play HD video, something a lot of netbooks struggle with.

I was a big fan of netbooks as sofa-side grab-and-check-something-quick gadgets, but I find my iPad to be a far better alternative.

Tablets in, netbooks out, forecasts analyst

Re: meh

We've never had any free stuff from Apple and don't anticipate any - whatever we write.

Acer Aspire 5940G 15.6in notebook

Re: ACER - forget them - warranty not honoured

Rubber feet fall off hot laptops. There are plenty of replacements you can buy in kitchen shops and the like without needing to trouble manufacturers for official parts.

Stereo 3D best on mobiles, says chipmaker

Re: it converts 2D video to 3D on the fly

It does, I've seen it. Analyses the motion for depth cues and separates out the image accordingly.

Sure there's the sense that the image is composed of flat layers, but that's true of all stereo 3D content, even stuff shot that way.

Toshiba Satellite A660 16in laptop

Re: Laptops these days require external keyboard and monitor

<smug>

My 1440 x 900 15in MacBook Pro isn't rubbish. Oh no.

</smug>

:-)

Re: That trackpad would really annoy me

You can turn the trackpad off - there's a handy button for this just above it. Assuming, of course, you don't also hit said button while typing...

Dell Inspiron M101z 11.6in notebook

Re: Acer is More Expensive

Make sure you're not pricing up the 1810TZ "Special Edition" which is indeed more expensive than the Dell. But the standard versions isn't.

Re: Still Slower than HP dm1z netbok

Maybe, but HP UK has - I kid you not - none of these to lend out for review. Believe me, we have asked. Until we can get one and test it, we can't recommend it.

Re: Avoid

I can't speak for your unit, but the one I have here, next to me, is idling. Yes, the fan is going, but it's not noisy, certainly not audible above the clack of keys and the hum of other computers.

The screen is easily viewable at a variety of angles whether the machine's flat on the desk or propped up at 30 degrees on a stand.

Re: What's the catch?

Battery life not as good as it could be, for one, price for another. But these are - relatively - small issues. If I didn't already own the Acer, I'd be ordering one of these boys myself.

Jailbreak hole found in Apple TV firmware

Re: media centres

XBMC runs very nicely on the original Apple TV, playing content off Nas boxes with aplomb.

A cheap 40GB Apple TV of eBay and a patchstick to install XBMC is all you need.

WD Livewire four-port powerline Ethernet adaptor

Re: RF noise?

Appropriate unit? How about 'Archers Drop-outs'?

So, this box has 0 ADs if the transistor radio in my living room is anything to go by.

Re: Switch

Except said switch takes up an extra power socket that some may not have, me included.

So, switch+powerline is good, switch and separate powerline is bad.

No one needs Blu-ray, says Microsoft exec

Re: re: "Re: I want Blu-Ray because ... "

You said it. key phrase there is *teenage* boys.

Re: I want Blu-Ray because ...

To be fair, streaming usually starts rather more quickly than 20 minutes after clicking the 'View' button.

Dunno about anyone else, but I usually chuck the packaging. It's only a box and some pictures, and an I can store discs more efficiently than boxes. I'd rather not have it cluttering up my living room, thanks.

Some people used to piss and moan about the death of the LP because CDs didn't provide the same 'package', but seriously who really ever sat staring at a gatefold pondering the depths of [insert artist]'s lyrics? Or the meaning in the photos/bad artwork.

Packaged media, by definition, has to have a package and packagers have to put something on it, usually to entice buyers. But really it's what's on the disc that matters.

The sooner we all get over this packaging thing, the less s**t we'll be tossing onto landfill or uneconomically recycling.

Server farm power requirements and Blighty's woeful broadband bandwidth aside - FWIW, my 20Mb/s Virgin line is just fine - non-physical media seems the way to go for all sorts of reasons.

But if you need to hug the box of the movie you're watching, I won't stand in your way.

Re: Me too--sorta

Interesting split in this debate between those who think M$ might have a point and everyone else, who own Blu-ray players.

Just an observation.

Marvell intros 1.5GHz tri-core ARM chip

Re: agree with mr. paul

I'd wait six months. And then you can wait another six months for the next, faster model... and *another* six months for the next, faster model after that... and... and...

In this biz, there's always something faster/better/cheaper right around the corner. Buy now if you need/want, don't if you don't.

Ten... iPhone 4 accessories

Re: Senheiser glow-in-the-dark cans

It's not 10/10, it's simply number ten in the alphabetically arranged list.

Re: wheel?

Patience, grasshopper.

There's a wired headphones round-up in the pipeline.

Apple iPod Touch 4G

Re. Wi-Fi

If a gadget does 802.11n, it'll also do 802.11g and 802.11b.

To save writing this out, we use 802.11n as shorthand for all the important Wi-Fi versions.

Road test: putting the iPad to work

Re: A few questions...

Keyboard and stand were taken out of bag when I spent time at a desk or table, otherwise I didn't need.

I'm typing this sitting down, iPad balanced on my left thigh.

Standing up use is straightforward: hold tablet in left hand, tap with right. Just like using a clipboard, say.

Cinema chain bans laptops, tablets

Re: @ Tony Smith

So I can use it when I get home afterwards.

Re: the real question here is

Well, you could be like me the other day and going to the pictures on your way home from work. I take my laptop to work and back every day, so it's almost always in my backpack.

Samsung scents strong Android tablet sales

Re: iPad's aren't contracts

Can't speak for Vodafone, but Three says the Tab deals are all rolling 30-day contracts.

Judge extends Oz PS3 mod dongle ban

Re: Sony brought this onto itself

I don't think Oz has overturned any ban on region coding, or on mod chips.

Mod chips were permitted to allow Australians to buy games overseas, which the Court decided they should be allowed to do no matter what Sony thinks.

The challenge against PSJailbreak was (apparently - no official confirmation of this yet) because it bypasses copyright protection mechanisms, which *is* against Australian law.

D-Link DHP-306AV powerline Ethernet adaptor

Re: There two kinds of Gbps PLT

No, they go rather faster than 30Mb/s.

Even plain old 200Mb/s adaptors can easily get above 50Mb/s.

Re: If Gbps PLT adaptors *don't* harm Radio 4....

http://www.reghardware.com/2009/11/02/review_networking_belkin_powerline_hd/

And no, I didn't see near-Gigabit speeds with these, but then I've never seen any powerline product - or wireless, for that matter - deliver anything like the 'up to' speed.

As for the interference, all I can say is that I had my radio on while testing - simply because I always have it on when I work at home - and did not notice any such loss of signal.

To be fair, the radio's up on the wall, well away from the powerline kit, so I probably wouldn't have noticed the popping heard in the video, but I would have heard the complete disruption of signal.

Re: Radio 4

AM? You'll be defending your black-and-white telly next...

Re: Radio 4 FM

I've tried Gbps adaptors and they sure as heck *don't* harm Radio 4 FM.

Re: question for Tony Smith

They'll work just fine. All you need the utility for is uploading new firmware - I suspect most users don't bother with this anyway - and for setting a specific encryption key.

BTW, last I looked - just now, in point of fact - Devolo *does* provide Linux software for its powerline adaptors.

http://www.devolo.co.uk/consumer/7_dlan-200-aveasy_starter-kit_downloads_7.html?l=en

Re: I don't believe it

We will check the numbers and get back to you all.

Re: More info please

The UK edition has a standard UK three-pin plug.

Oh, and buy us a broad-spectrum analyser and we'll do the test.

FWIW, I've tested lots of these devices and had Radio 4 FM on in the background entirely without interference.

Jobs moves to the heavens with Apple TV

Re: not just rentals

I'm broadly with you here, but I don't want to have to keep my computer on just to be able to watch a movie or listen to music.

That's why I like my old Apple TV box - it's all there ready to go (well, the music), movies I have to be more frugal with, though the 320GB drive I put in helps.

The new Apple TV needs to be able to stream from my network storage so my laptop can stay shutdown.

Re: HD Streaming?

It streams at 720p, IIRC.

Apple states tax take on UK iPod pricing

Re: Transport and warranty?

Fair point, but both will add very little to the cost of each device. Think of the millions of iPods on their way on ships from China and the cost per 'Pod shrinks microscopically.

Especially if the ship steers clear of the Somali coast...

Samsung specs up 7in Android tablet

Re: Want!

It has a 30-pin connector that feeds to USB. Samsung also talks about a Mini USB port.

Archos announces five Android tablets

Re: You sure about those prices?

Prices quoted in the story are from Archos' UK release.

Apple Magic Trackpad

Re: Comments on actual use?

The MT was tested with a number of apps, but - I'll admit - no fast-paced games. Though I'd never want to play these kinds games using a trackpad, I couldn't test them because I have none to hand. An omission - mea culpa.

I noticed no particular inaccuracy in tracking - had I done so I would have mentioned it. Producing a big list of apps or app types and saying alongside each that the MT was fine would have made for a longer, less readable review IMHO.

Re: Mac only ?

Vista drivers are available - to Mac users who run Boot Camp.

It just needs some bright spark to show everyone else how to extract them...

LG to show 31in OLED 3D TV at IFA

Re: Can't wait either

I think this LCD scepticism is overblown, folks. I resisted moving from CRT to LCD for many, many years, and only did so this past April thanks to the arrival of Freeview HD.

For years, I hated LCD, couldn't afford - and didn't have the room - for a plasma, so stuck to CRT.

But I switched and I'm glad I did. Proper flat screen, good, bright colours (LED backlight), no overscan issues, no picture distortion.

I think the big issue with LCD quality at the moment is more to do with DVB-T's artefacts, but sit a couple of metres away or more and these are *much* less of an issue, IMHO.

Doc develops RSI-reducing rolling mouse

Re: Just a joystick?

It's mouse - it moves around the desk. The tilt and pivot bit is nothing to do with control per se, only the angle at which you hold it at a given place on your desk.

Pundits predict plunging iPad market share

Re: It sure has

Android isn't the top smartphone OS, not by a long chalk.

Nokia owns this market globally, and will do for the next few years at least. After that, we'll see, but for now Android has a way to go.

RIM's BlackBerry remains hugely popular, as does the iPhone. Android will probably beat both, but that's on the back of dozens of vendors - the others are one-company operating systems.

PS. The only way Android has achieved the success it has is because Google gives it away. You don't think ailing companies like Motorola and Sony Ericsson would have leapt in so fervently otherwise, do you?

PPS. I do like Android, in case you think I don't.

Jobs offers relief for iOS 4-running iPhone 3Gs

Re: 3G Affected.. Not 3Gs

Erm... lower-case 's' indicates plural, not that we're talking about the 3GS (capital 's').

True Utility Scarab and KeyTool micro multi-tools

Re: Airport Security

Lock your tools away in your check-in luggage, then there's no need to mail it home, have it binned etc.

If it gets nicked out of your luggage en route, then that's what travel insurance is for.

As for the Scarab and KeyTool, wouldn't you just remove these from your keychain before travelling? I would.

Apple sued over hot iPad shutdowns

Re: In fairness to the iPad

Indeed. Every piece of consumer electronics I have ever bought over the past 30 years has had 'don't leave in direct sunlight', 'don't leave on your car's dashboard or under the rear screen' because they will overheat. Why should the iPad be any different? Answer: it isn't.

Apple releases multi-touch 'magic' trackpad

Re: Apple and mice

Apple Magic - that word again, urh - Mouse has (effectively) two buttons and a scroll wheel equivalent. Does everything I've ever needed a mouse to. Using one now.

Re: Right click

Two-fingertip tap. Easy.

Motorola making Android 3.0 tablet

Re: correction

The bit at the end has nothing to do with Nokia. Yes, Nokia sells more smartphones than Apple, but I'm talking about Apple vs the Android guys, not Nokia.

Though I might have to soon, given the way Symbian is going. Glug, glug, glug.

Buffalo USB 3.0 PCI Express card

Re: Turn up the Power

USB 3.0 contains a set of USB 2.0 pins, but these run at the standard USB 2.0 specs because they're a standalone USB 2.0 bus that runs alongside the separate USB 3.0 connections.

http://www.reghardware.com/2009/05/25/superspeed_usb_3_guide/