iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL Camera

16th November 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

iPhone X vs Google Pixel2 XL Camera!

#iPhoneX or #GooglePixel2 XL- which camera is better? Only one way to find out!See more here http://www.howtokillanhour.com/gadgets-tech/iphone-x-vs-google-pixel-2-xl-camera

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 16 November 2017

iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL Camera

It’s fair to say that the iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL camera conversation is one that is due to dominate in the last quarter of 2017. There are many differences between the iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL In this post we will just be focusing on the performance of heir cameras. Please note that we have not ‘touched’ up or edited any of the images / video’s.

Regular photos

‘Point and Click’ has to be the most used feature of any camera phone or even camera across the world right now. So it made sense to do just that queue autumnal leaves!

Autumnal leaves shot iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL Camera

As you can see the Pixel seems to offer richer colours. Different, yes but is there a clear winner at this point? Of course not! On to the next test.

Skies!

We all love a a good ol sunset / sunrise don’t we. And here it seems that the pixel takes the upper hand. Yes there is a little burn out from the sun. But you get a much better range of colours from the Pixel.

London Skyline shot iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL Camera

Portrait Mode (Rear Camera)

Portrait mode on the iPhone X uses 2 camera’s and you can preview your foreground and background blurs before you shot. The Pixel 2’s single camera takes a pic. The blur is ‘processed’ in afterwards.

Dead wood shot iPhone X vs Google Pixel 2 XL Camera

Dead wood shot iPhone X

At this point personally the richer colours of the Pixel XL 2 were winning me over. Plus there was a slight mis hap during a well earned mid competition coffee break.

Coffee cup portrait on pixel XL 2

Coffee cup portrait on pixel iPhone X

Portrait mode (front facing camera)

It’s as if the iPhone X heard the Google Pixel XL taunting it’s rear end (camera). Because when we did portrait with the front facing cameras, this happened:

The iPhone X seems to find and soften the face slightly which looks good. The slight saturation seems to add a film like feel to the selfies above.

Low Light

We didn’t test low light situations. We can confirm in low light that there is nothing quite like the Google Pixel Xl 2. The below images were taken by Gadget show presenter Ortis Deley in a dim environment recently. We know it was dim because we were there too.

@philips have launched 5 new #starwars themed shavers for the Uber fan in your life. Hmmm, which to choose. There were cocktails tonight, too. #masteryourshave #philipsandstarwars #youcantbuythose #sorry

A post shared by Ortis (@ortisdeley) on Oct 19, 2017 at 4:58pm PDT

In Conclusion

It is a fact that the Google Pixel XL 2 currently has the highest rated mobile camera in the world right now. It is a consistent performer which gives you a richer set of colours in your pics, out of the box. If you are a selfie king or queen, the iPhone X’s smooth front facing portrait mode may be for you!

Enough siting on the fence though! For us here at how to kill an hour when it comes to cameras we think the Google Pixel 2 XL wins.

Get the Google Pixel 2 XL here.

To listen to the guys talking about this please click here!

Insta360 ONE – The 360 Degree Super Camera

11th November 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Insta360 One

The Insta360 One is a 4k 360 degree camera which is absolutely incredible! It shoots in 4k both video and photos at 24MP! You can use the Insta360 One as a standalone device, remote control via Bluetooth or via a direct connection to a smartphone!

Insta360 ONE

Check out the Insta360 ONE! Record 360 video in 4K!!!

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 30 August 2017

“We set out to make the easiest-to-use, most versatile 360 camera in the world, and the ONE is the result of those efforts.The ONE isn’t just a step forward for 360 videography. With its unique FreeCapture technology, it stands to change the way we think about cameras in general.” JK Liu, CEO and founder of Insta360.

The Insta360 One also uses something called FreeCapture, users of the device can create videos in 3D. Yet if they find a specific moment, they can then hone in on that footage and convert it to a standard 1080p video. While right from within their smartphone.

The Insta360 One utilises smartphone’s on board gyroscope to edit the 360 degree scenes, using their phones as a viewfinder. So whatever they point their phone at at that specific moment of a 360 degree video, is what they’ll capture as a traditional fixed frame video. Moreso users can easily and quickly shift perspectives within a 360 degree video. Creating shots such as the “tiny planet” or the “Rabbit Hole”

What’s incredible about this device is that it can erase your selfie stick, making the camera, look like a drone.

Tech Specs

The Insta360 One has six-axis image stabilization along with an in built gyroscope to allow for super smooth shots. Futhermore the advanced stabilization and SmartTrack feature allows to create incredible “bullet time” shots. Hence a user can swing the Insta360 One around them, they will always be center frame, while the string/selfie stick is concealed.

Standard 1/4″ -20 Screws (Allowing to connect to most helmets, drones, tripods)
IP68 Waterproof rating. (Effective up to 30M (98.4 ft)
Insta360 One specific selfie stick/remote available separately
Includes a string attachment in the box to allow flying camera shots.
Maximum shooting range of 120FPS, 240FPS only achieved via software and algorithmically with the app)

Download the app here Apple / Android (Coming Soon)

Listen to our latest show!

Cozmo – Big Brain, Personality and SMART!

25th October 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Cozmo – Big Brain. Big Personality. SUPER Computer.

Anki's COZMO robot is the coolest little pal you'll know

Ever wanted your own Wall-E? Well, this little guy may be the answer to your robo-BFF dreams. Meet COZMO, a small robot with a fully fleshed out personality and tricked out with the coolest A.I. Just don’t expect him to listen to you all the time. Where’s the fun in that?Find out more about Cozmo and its maker Anki at https://www.anki.com/en-us/cozmoNow on sale!

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 19 October 2017

We have reviewed some gadgets by Anki before and we were very impressed with what they had on offer. The upgraded, modernised version of scalextric, Anki Overdrive. Now they’ve moved into personal robots and introduced a tiny little robot called Cozmo. Don’t be fooled by it’s short size though, this little gadget packs an intelligent yet mean punch!

Made up of 300+ parts this little gadget has a big brain and can detect humans, even cats and dogs! Cozmo can even read your emotions and recognise the environment around him. Read Cozmo’s emotions right from the small screen acting as his face, coupled with a series of bleeps and technologic sounds it’ll be like having a mini conversation!

Have a bit of computer know how? Download the SDK kit off of Cozmo’s site and develop your own games and tasks for Cozmo!

So what can he do?

If you ever owned a tamagotchi you had to keep that little animal alive by feeding it and playing with it. Much like with a tamagotchi you have to to nurture your Cozmo to help it grow! By using the app you keep an eye on how well he is doing, feeling low? Feed him power cubes. Not performing to the best of his ability, run diagnostics to see if he needs a repair. While Cozmo may from time to time indicate that he is bored: play a game with him to cheer him up! Just try to beat him though if you do he may get upset. The more you play, the more you can upgrade and the more skills you can unlock.

Gameplay

Coz has a surprisingly large arsenal of games and features to keep both him and yourself entertained. He’ll sing if he’s bored and wants to play. He’ll raise his forks for a fist bump, though this is an upgrade skill. As stated earlier, Cozmo is incredibly aware of you and it’s surroundings, you try and creep up on him with your finger and he’ll pounce!

Cozmo comes with a set of cubes that help to keep him busy. Using 1 cube, play keepaway with him, to well….keep the cube away! Put the cube close to him and pull away the cube before he drops his lift. He catches the cube he gets a point! Memory match is just like Simon if you’re old enough to remember. The cubes light up different colours and you take turns with Cozmo to remember and repeat the path. With Quicktap, both of you get a cube, the cube lights up and when it’s the same colour you have to beat Cozmo to tapping the cube. First player to tap their own cube wins.

It can see you, read your emotions, learn the world around him and plots quicker, easier ways to complete tasks. He’s almost human. He’s a supercomputer. As a result, we cannot call Cozmo a toy. He is far from it. Most of all though, he is a lot of fun!! So Cozmo is not just for children!

In Conclusion……

We fully recommend you him out , most of all we cannot reiterate enough that it isn’t just a toy. It’s far far faaaar to intelligent to be a toy. It’s a supercomputer and we can’t wait to see what the space of smart tech brings in the future.

To buy a one please click here!

To listen to the latest show please click here!

Tenikle

26th September 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Tenikle

This is the Tenikle The most useful tech accessory out there today, combining all of life's essential tech essentials in one handy device! Use it as a selfie stick, a stand, a car mount and even a tripod! The simple and intuitive design allows you to be hands free and do absolutely anything, such as film yourself in the gym, watch a movie while lying comfortably and even mount it to your car windscreen for safe sat nav navigation! Back this project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1906609363/tenikle-the-third-hand-for-your-phone-and-camera

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Tuesday, 26 September 2017

This is the Tenikle The most useful tech accessory out there today, combining all of life’s essential tech essentials in one handy device! Use it as a selfie stick, a stand, a car mount and even a tripod!

The simple and intuitive design allows you to be hands free and do absolutely anything, such as film yourself in the gym, watch a movie while lying comfortably and even mount it to your car windscreen for safe sat nav navigation!

Back this project here!

Usmain Speaker

26th September 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Usmain speaker

Check out the Usmain egg-size super mini bluetooth portable speaker! Music: Rumble – https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/5

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Tuesday, 19 September 2017

Small but Mighty: This Bluetooth Speaker is super mini. It’s small as an egg and ideal for use on the way, in the garden or on the beach. At the same time, it is distinguished by a powerful bass and clean sound.
With Hands-Free Calling: Thanks to the built-in microphone, you can call with this small portable speaker anywhere with your friends and familymembers as you want. It is a good solution to avoid headache when making longtime calling.
All in One Button Control: The wireless speaker has only one button. It allows you to set the voice, answer calls, adjust music, turn on and off.
Two Methods for Audio Play: This shower speaker of Usmain gives customers not only the opportunity to connect Smartphones over Bluetooth, but also can be used to work with other devices over 3.5mm Aux Input.
Excellent Customer Service: Usmain provides customer service in English and German with the response time of less than 12 hours on average.

(Amazon)

Purchase your own Usmain Speaker by clicking here!

iOS 11 Making It Difficult For Law To Unlock Your Phone?!

25th September 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

The next iOS is even more secure than we first thought!

According to security developer ElcomSoft, iOS 11 will require your passcode on the device itself when plugged into a new computer or laptop for the first time, to establish a new trusted computer, regardless if you click ‘trust this computer’

This is especially important for user privacy as constitutional laws try to catch up with technology, over in the US the Fifth Amendment does not protect fingerprints but can apply to passcodes in some instances.

The FBI even paid $900,000 to unlock the San Bernadino terrorists iPhone after Apple refused, claiming privacy violations and apparently the police have even tried to unlock a dead victims device with a 3D printed fingerprint!

Ring Helping To Stop Crime!

24th September 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Ring, the smart home security company, announced this past week that their video doorbells have lead to approximately 100 arrests for burglaries in the UK over the past year.

Using footage from Ring Video Doorbells as criminal evidence, Ring are now helping over 100,000 UK homeowners feel safe in the own home to prevent doorstep and vehicle crime with the help of live footage and two way talk back features on their Ring Video Doorbells.

Jamie Siminoff, founder and chief inventor of Ring says

“With Ring, UK homeowners can keep an eye on their property when they’re not at home and conveniently communicate with family members and doorstep visitors through smartphones. Not only are customers able to intercept burglars before they enter a property, but criminals are thinking twice at the mere sight of a Ring device.” (Ring Press Release Sept 2017)

To purchase a Ring video doorbell please click here!

Apps No Longer On Desktop?

22nd September 2017/in Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Once you’ve updated your desktop version of iTunes, you’ll no longer be able to download your phone’s mobile apps via this method. You’ll have to go directly on to your iPhone/iPad device and download them that way instead.

Nothing has changed in the app store (desktop) itself just that mobile apps have been moved to exclusively mobile devices. Which begs the question, did anyone actually ever download mobile apps from their desktop and sync them across?

Apple Face ID fail was supposed to happen?!

21st September 2017/in Gadgets / Tech, NewsLetter/by marcusbronzy

Last week Apple showed off their flagship feature on the iPhone – FaceID

They did an incredible presentation on it and then went to demo it on stage – after a couple of attempts by Apple’s Craig Federighi, it bummed out and said to enter a passcode and they had to go to a backup.

Embarassing.

Well, Apple spoke to Yahoo’s David Pogue and explained all

“People were handling the device for stage demo ahead of time and didn’t realize Face ID was trying to authenticate their face. After failing a number of times, because they weren’t Craig, the iPhone did what it was designed to do, which was to require his passcode. Face ID worked as it was designed to.” (Yahoo News)

Apple later confirmed to the BBC that the quote was real and the phone worked exactly as it should.

When you think about it, it does make sense as the same happens when your thumb is wet or dirty and it doesn’t recognise it, it asks to enter the passcode.

Apple were never going to release a faulty product on release were they, come on. (Ignoring iPhone 4 reception issues)