Killian Bell is a 20-something technology journalist based in a tiny town in England. He has an obsession with that little company in Cupertino which has been growing rapidly since he bought his first Mac several years ago, and in an attempt to curb it somewhat, he also writes for Cult of Mac. His fascination with technology began with his first Nokia 5110 a long time ago. When he isn't tapping away behind a keyboard, he's either putting his thumbs to work in front of a PlayStation or spending time with his fiancée and two daughters.
Sony could be planning to bring its new PS4 Remote Play feature to the Xperia Z2 and the Xperia Z2 Tablet this month, according to the Japanese company's official Xperia Lounge app. PS4 Remote Play is currently only available on Sony's latest offerings — namely the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, which were announced at IFA 2014 in Berlin back in September. It remains a big...
Carl Zeiss has taken an unexpected leap into the virtual reality market with a $99 headset that teams up with your smartphone. The VR One is a clear Samsung Gear VR competitor, only you don't need a Samsung smartphone to use it, and it's less than half the price. Available to pre-order now, the VR One is compatible with any smartphone — running either Android or iOS — with a display...
Verizon has this weekend begun shipping the first iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pre-orders ahead of their launch on Friday, September 19. Customers are being given their tracking numbers and they can follow their orders online, but there’s little chance their new handsets will arrive early. Carriers have been known to send out iPhone pre-orders early in previous years — even Apple starts...
Google has begun rolling out its first Android Wear software updates, and it seems Samsung's Gear Live is top of its list. The Android Wear 4.4.W.1 release brings improvements to navigation and voice actions, and it's expected to make its way to other smartwatches soon. Recent reports promised that Android Wear updates would be coming soon, and although this certainly won't be one of...
LG has confirmed that it has plans to provide an official bootloader unlocking solution for those who wish to install custom ROMs and other third-party tweaks on their LG smartphones and tablets. The company warns, however, that "it will take some time." Some smartphone manufacturers offer a small number of "Developer Edition" devices that come with their bootloaders already unlocked....
Samsung Gear users can now get turn-by-turn navigation on their wrist thanks to D.M.A. Navi Watch, a new app that's available to download now from Samsung Apps. Navi Watch, which is actually a watch face rather than a traditional Gear app, fetches its directions from Google Maps on your smartphone, then displays them on your wrist. It's designed to help you navigate new places without...
There’s been a lot of excitement and demand for the first Android Wear watches, despite their obvious flaws. But while you can live with a display you can’t see in direct sunlight, you cannot live with a device that literally corrodes while you’re wearing it — and that’s exactly what’s happening to the LG G Watch for a small number of users. “Been wearing the G Watch since it arrived...
BigBoss, one of the biggest and most popular Cydia repositories, has allegedly been hacked. Attackers "Kim Jong-Cracks" claim to have gained access to all packages — including paid titles — and made them available for free via their own repo. Cydia users are advised to steer well clear of it, however. If you're unfamiliar with Cydia, it's the jailbreaker's App Store alternative for iOS...
iOS users can now bypass Apple's Activation Lock and reactivate devices without an iCloud password thanks to a new tool from smartphone unlock provider ChronicUnlocks. The service is intended to free blocked devices when users forget their iCloud login details or sell their devices without restoring them, but it will cost you a cool $150. Apple's Activation Lock, introduced last year...
Leaving your smartphone behind at a bar or coffee shop will become a thing of the past thanks to a new Android Wear app called Wear Aware. The free download provides users with a helpful alert whenever their wearable loses connection with their phone, warning them that it’s no longer close by. Until I learned to put my smartphone straight back into my pocket when I’ve finished using it...
EE, the United Kingdom's first 4G network, has announced some improvements to its service that are sure to please early adopters. The company is increasing its mobile data caps "by around 60%" for all 4G users, while keeping the price of its plans the same. Those who signed up to a 2GB per month plan now get 3GB of data, while those who previously got 3GB can now enjoy up to 5GB. Those...
Features of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 7.8 update have been leaked in what is purported to be a slide from a Nokia training presentation. In addition to a new start screen, the software brings three new Live Tile sizes that users can customize, more themes, and upgrades to Internet Explorer. WPCentral reports that there are 20 new themes in total, matching those that are...
Putting together my holiday gift guide is probably one of the hardest things I do in preparation for the holidays. There are so many awesome things out there, it’s not easy to pick just eight items. But I’ve managed to put together a list of gifts that I think I’d be more than delighted with come Christmas morning — and I think a lot of you would, too. Money is No Object ProTee Golf...
Microsoft has announced the immediate departure of Windows executive Steven Sinofsky. Julie Larson-Green, who has worked at Redmond-based company since 1993, will now take control of Windows software and hardware engineering, while CFO Tami Reller will be in charge of Windows business. Microsoft did not give a reason for Sinosfky’s sudden and surprising departure, which comes less than...
British retailer Clove.co.uk has announced that the black Samsung Galaxy S III with 64GB of storage is now available to pre-order for customers in the United Kingdom. The unlocked, SIM-free device is priced at £600 (approx. $958), and stock is expected in “approximately two months time,” according to Clove’s blog. Aside from its 64GB of storage and black paint job, the black Galaxy S...
Google has quietly issued an update to Google Now that introduces a handy new feature to track how far you've been walking and cycling. It presents your results for the past month, and lets you compare your progress with previous periods. There isn't a Google Play update for this feature, so you don't have to do anything manually to get it. Simply open up Google Now on your Android-...
Do you find your Galaxy S III's battery isn't quite lasting you a full day? Rather than carrying your charger everywhere, why not pick up Mophie's new Juice Pack, which is now available for Samsung's flagship smartphone. The $100 case promises to "virtually double" the battery life you normally get from your handset. The Juice Pack isn't just a protective case; it also houses a 2,300...
Apple issued a press release on Monday that announced a major executive shakeup within the Cupertino company, which will see its senior vice president of iOS software, Scott Forstall, and the recently appointed senior vice president of retail, John Browett, ousted from their positions. Browett’s dismissal could have been predicted some time ago. He’s been with Apple less than six...
The United Kingdom’s first 4G network is set to go live on October 30, but if you want to take advantage of its super speedy data rates, you’ll need to sign up to a new 4G plan from EE. The carrier has announced five different plans for consumers, with prices starting at £36 (approx. $58) per month. All five plans last for 24 months, and include unlimited calls and texts; the only...
While iOS hackers are often a thorn in Apple's side, sometimes the Cupertino company acknowledges that their expertise could actually be of value, and it offers them a job. That's what happened to 20-year-old Brown University student Nicholas Allegra, better known as legendary iPhone jailbreaker Comex, last August. After a year with Apple, however, Comex no longer works for the company...