Category Archives: Uncategorized
The World In Your Lounge Room – LG 47LM8600 Review
This certainly isn’t Android related, however we had the opportunity to spend some time with one of LG’s new for 2012 LED TV’s, the 47LM8600. Here’s our rundown.
It is clear right from the unboxing, that LG have put a lot of effort into the 2012 range of LED TV’s.
From the moment you reach inside the box and feel the panel, it’s a solid feeling of quality. No plastics in sight, this is a solidly built and engineered Television. Wrapped in thick glass and brushed aluminium, it actually feels like one solid piece of billet alloy straight from the lathe, a highly polished and lovingly manufactured one at that.
You just know that before any power even touches it, that this is going to be great! And the pleasure from LG only grows once you have the 47LM8600 up on your entertainment unit, plugged in and powered on.
Following a simple setup procedure, the LG setup wizard easily finds all of your networks, shared media sources, TV and digital radio stations. In under 5 minutes, LG have you up and going. From there, the sky really is the limit for your entertainment needs. Really.
The first thing you notice is the impeccable picture quality. Bright, sharp and solid; the colours seem to leap out and grab you. It really is an immersive experience. And that’s only in 2D, to get the best out of the 47LM8600, head straight into the Apps, using your Magic Remote.
There you will find pages and pages of Apps with everything from Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, to Red Bull TV, Cnet TV and a plethora of media outlets based on your location. For example I quite enjoyed reading the Sydney Morning Herald straight from my TV screen! Want to catch up on the Social Goss but also don’t want to miss a minute of Home and Away? Easy, just call up Facebook from your Apps and watch TV at the same time as browsing all your friends’ Facebook feeds! Ran out of time through the day to watch the latest Youtube reviews or New Releases? No problem, simply call up the Youtube App, login with your Youtube ID and sit back and watch all of your Favourites or Playlists in stunning HD.
Never miss a minute of the World around you with LG.
Whilst in the App World, we couldn’t help but to head straight into 3D World! And the whole family could enjoy 3D World, as LG very generously provide four pairs of their light and easy, Passive 3D Glasses. What are Passive 3D Glasses you might ask? Well, the first range of 3D TV’s shipped with expensive, battery powered Active Shutter 3D Glasses that were to be quite honest, a paint in the derriere! Not anymore, for around $20 a pair you can go down to your local JB Hifi and buy more. No more charging glasses up before a movie or worrying the kids will drop a $100 pair of glasses.
No more loss of colour or headaches and dizziness either.
Inside LG’s 3D World you find a range of various 3D live content from surfing to motor sports to travel shows and animations (we loved the Aquarium videos) to whet your appetite for 3D viewing on your new 47LM8600.
When paired with a 3D capable Bluray player such as the LG BD-660 we tested with, you can enjoy all of your favourite 3D titles any time you like. The TV even features the ability to convert standard 2D content to 3D and 3D settings to set various options such as depth perception and other options to really personalise your very own 3D experience.
Whether watching 2D or 3D content, catching up on Youtube or Facebook or sitting down for a night at the movies with the latest Bluray releases; one thing is for sure – with the 2012 range of LED TV’s from LG; you, your family and guests will never ever be disappointed or wanting for more. You may find though that you need to invest in some popcorn and soft drink machines, and maybe even charge an entry fee!
Google Releases Currents – Finally
After many months of teasing and beta testing, Google have today finally released their long awaited news reader, Currents.
Reminiscent of the popular iPlatform reader Flipboard, Google Currents allows you to add your favourite blogs and rss feeds, and have them arranged and readable in a beautiful magazine layout.
Best of all, it’s free!
You can add your favourite feeds or can choose Google Trending which is updated hourly and arranged by Google to give you all the top news on subjects that interest you.
With Currents Producer you can even setup your own free magazine published by Currents.
Grab it now HERE or Hit the scan
Use Droids For Work With BYOD
The Bring Your Own Device movement is not new, however with small business now having equal access to the Cloud as its larger competitors, BYOD should now be considered alongside that cloud takeup.
What Is BYOD?
Quite simply the notion behind Bring Your Own Device is simple. Rather than our Gen Y and now Millenials being expected to perform on something that belongs in a museum, they may choose to bring to work their own iPad, Macbook Pro or other device of choice to work on.
Said Gen Y and Millenials argue they will be more content and more productive working on their pride and joy gadget, and also have the flexibility of working out of hours – bonus. Or is it?
Why, and Why Not To BYOD
The advantages of BYOD far outweigh the disadvantges.
Some things to consider are this: Security, Support and Insurance claims. Should said multi-thousand dollar device be damaged whilst at the workplace or being used for work purposes, who’s policy will cover the replacement? Your insurance broker should be able to tailer a BYOD package to suit.
Your IT department will need to broaden their knowledge outside of the simple PC / Server architecture, however for Gen Y and now Millenial Network Admins, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. You could always lock the choices down to a few devices to keep things manageable.
Access at its most crudest could be kept to a secure Remote Desktop Connection, only allowing connection to the device and user account in the allowed hours of operation. Best Practice Active Directory management would ensure User Access is also restricted.
As Public and Private cloud environments gain increasing traction, the argument of access and reliable provision of services becomes almost nul and void.
Cloud Vendors do need to be Brand Agnostic in their rollouts though for maximum market penetration.
Cashflow Positive Initiative
Another benefit to the small business owner is cashflow. Whether or not you choose to provide employees with an allowance, per Kraft in the USA (who gives their employees a Device Stipend), or not depends on your requirements and BYOD Policy.
There is a real advantage to work with your employee here and show you really are an avant-garde employer.
Why not come to a Salary Sacrifice arrangement with your employee (seek Tax Advice first!), then offer to rent the device back from your Employee?
Or simply pay your Employees a Technology Allowance so they can buy the latest tech of choice safe in the knowledge the Allowance will cover the costs. The Employee simply claims the cost of the gadget in their personal income tax return (again seek Tax Advice first!).
However, the Australian Taxation Office have declared that iPads have substantially the same functionality as laptops hence would be treated the same as laptops in tax claims.
So what are you waiting for, you’ve implemented some cloud technologies, you’re considering moving to Private Cloud, now take the final step and outsource your hardware to your Employees. They will love you for it.
About Us
N-Droid.Net has been launched by Gold Coast IT Consultant and Technology Analyst, Nathan Elcoate.
With over 20 years in IT and Accounting, Nathan has a keen interest and following in all things Android.
Having owned everything from the original Samsung Galaxy, the original Dell Streak, an LG Optimus 2x, Optimus 3D, a Galaxy S II and Asus Transformer Pad has not quashed that interest and hunger for more of everything Android!
The goal and ethos for N-Droid.net is to not only bring you the very latest in Android news, but also focusing on getting the most out of your Android.
We believe in using your Android to its all. For Business and for Pleasure.
So please, add us, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google +, or RSS.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ndroid.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ndroiddotnet
Google +: http://gplus.to/n-droid
Web: n-droid.net
So welcome and thanks for your following. We hope you enjoy what we have to bring you.
N-Droid.net
Welcome Post
Hi,
Welcome to N-Droid! You found us!
For now, this is a welcome and test message whilst we are busy getting some back end stuff organised.
Please hold tight, and we’ll be right back.
For now, please continue to follow us on Facebook and Google Plus.
Thanks
(oh and don’t forget to come back real soon when we’re done)
