Microsoft has absolutely blasted the competition out of the park with their Surface Pro’s and Surface Laptops. Their formfactor with surprising amounts of power have made for the most premium of work and play devices. So how does the third iteration of their mini device the Surface Go hold up?

Well it depends on what you want to use the Surface Go 3 for.

It’s so little

The obvious benefit that the Surface Go 3 has is a 10.5 inch screen which is the same as previous models. The benefit to consistency can’t be understated when you have a stack of accessories, but also it means this device has a purpose that bigger counterparts don’t. It is more of a tablet.

This little beast is perfect for using on a mini train table, or when you are using it to read a long document or book. The size makes it super practical to replace your tablet, but it likely won’t replace your laptop or desktop.

So is the battery

The biggest issue that I encountered is the battery life. It boasts an 11 hour battery which I didn’t manage to replicate. I easily got a work day out of it when I used it casually to read documents, do some writing like this review, and watch movies on my commute. When I had it under proper load like using Chrome and running a few apps I easily stripped it in an hour.

Pretty big features though

The Surface Go 3 has a modest upgrade in power from the Surface Go 2 but nothing massive.What is impressive is the screen, cameras and sound. It belted out some high quality sound when I was watching videos. That and the video quality was pretty extraordinary given the size. I jammed some Netflix and Youtube, you know, scientific tests right here. But I was happy with the experience.

The webcam at the front is a 5MP model that can achieve 1080p at 30fps. On the rear is the 8MP camera which is fine for a photo if you needed it in a pinch but it wasn’t that great. But in reality when it comes to web cams, it is so people can see your lovely face on Teams and Zoom meetings. Given the size of this device, I am sure your friends will love the view up your nose. Or you can put it on something so it is at eyeline, whatever suits. Sorry to my friends that got a lovely up nose shot when testing.

It can see you

I was impressed with the Windows Hello 3D camera. This lets you unlock the device with your face and it works so damn well. No matter which way my messy beard pointed it recognised who I was. Even in variable lighting it was good at spotting me.

It didn’t recognise who I was behind a mask. Now I know that is an unrealistic expectation, but the new normal is us wearing masks 80% of the time. So if Microsoft can figure out some tech to recognise who I am behind a mask that would be great. Wait, that could be creepy. Can they find a way to recognise me through masks, but it only works on my laptop. The more I think about this the less of a smart idea of this face scanning tech that can see through things is.  

Actually scratch the whole idea. I’ll use my pin when I have a mask on.

You can buy so much more

As with all the Surface devices, you don’t have to stop at the Go 3. You can buy the mini keyboard and a pen to make your Surface life even better. They work well, as all the surface suite of hardware does, and is absolutely perfect if you need to type on the go. The on screen keyboard will definitely do in a pinch but the detachable keyboard is far superior.

Though to be fair if you have big lunky hands like I do that little keyboard gets pretty awkward, but again it depends on what you need the device for. If you are doing a lot of typing then you might be better suited looking at the Surface Pro or Surface Laptop. For that ability to do plenty of typing in a pinch, it’s pretty damn good.

Windows 11

This slick new Go comes with the slick new Windows 11. So what better time to take the new OS out for a test drive. Well I can honestly say … I am having mixed feelings. The start button has been centralised along with the majority of the task bar. It certainly has a feeling like the operating system that shall not be named. Oh wait, I don’t work for Microsoft… It feels a bit like MacOS.

Now I should note it feels a bit like MacOS, but that doesn’t mean it is MacOS. The same settings and open Windows File Explorer are still here. So it looks like that OS and feels nice to use once you are used to it, but is functional the way we expect from Windows. In fact it didn’t take long to adjust to and start liking this new look.

If you have been using Windows 10 for a while then you have probably started navigating the Start menu by clicking it and typing anyway. This functionality is absolutely critical with Windows 11 because the Start Menu feels a bit more like a mobile phone’s front screen. That’s not the only thing Windows 11 does like a mobile phone.

You can download the Amazon App store and start running Android apps…as long as they are supported. This means it is super easy to install apps like Kindle and your tablet winds up with the best of both worlds. Windows and Android apps in harmony. 

The OS is in its early days so no doubt there are features coming. I did find when the Surface Go 3 started up it took a while to load. Now I don’t know if that is because of the OS, the power of the tablet, or a combination of the two but it did underwhelm there a little.

You can Go get 3 if you need

I have been a little critical of the device, but that is kinda my job. This is a review after all. Ultimately this device is perfect if you need what it offers. The limited battery life and limited specs will mean it is likely to be anyones main device, but if you use a tablet for e-reading or video watching, then this one will smash that for you.  

It comes with the benefits that the Windows OS under the hood offers that many other tablets don’t offer. Starting from $720 for the lowest end model, even for tablets this is pretty cheap.

The post Surface Go 3 Review appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Microsoft has had their big tech event to announce a bunch of new devices. This includes new Surface devices and PC accessories to diversify the Surface portfolio. 

Looking for a new device? Well Microsoft has heaps of ways for you to spend some serious coin on some serious hardware.

You can check out the whole showcase here:

With Windows 11 not far away it makes sense that Microsoft would update the Surface portfolio. This isn’t just limited to laptops, you can get new headsets, pens, and mics. The world is your oyster. A very expensive oyster.

Unfortunately the phone shown off doesn’t appear to be announced for NZ yet.

Surface Pro 8 

The Surface 8 will bring an entirely modernised redesign to the most powerful Pro.

Get more screen on a high-resolution 13-inch display, with curvature updated to refine its profile and maintain an ultra-portable form factor. Starting at NZ$1,849, Surface Pro 8 features 11th Gen Intel Core processors, new port selection (notably two Thunderbolt ports), and next-step advancement on cameras and speakers.

Its new Type Cover will pair perfectly with the Surface Slim Pen 2, with built-in storage and wireless charging.

*Surface Pro 8 will be available to purchase in New Zealand from 4 November 2021. It is available for pre-order today at Microsoft Store and for purchase at Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Noel Leeming and PB Tech when it becomes generally available.

Surface Go 3 

Surface Go 3 is the most portable Surface touchscreen 2-in-1, utilising the same Surface Go design with more horsepower. Starting at NZ$719, this next evolution in the Surface Go product line has faster Intel® Core processors, all-day battery life, and built in Microsoft security. Optimised for digital pen and touch, the tablet-to-laptop versatility makes this device ideal for everyday tasks, homework, and play.

*Surface Go 3 will be available to purchase in New Zealand from 5 October 2021. Go 3 is available for pre-order today at Microsoft Store and for purchase at Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Noel Leeming and PB Tech when it becomes generally available.

Surface Laptop Studio 

brings you an evolution of Surface Book, a device with three different postures. Easily transitioning from workstation mode, stage mode, and studio mode, the Surface Laptop Studio reimagines versatility and enables you to work the way you want. Surface Laptop Studio also comes with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2 under the keyboard. 

*Shipping to New Zealand in early-2022.

Microsoft also announced several new accessories, including:  

• Surface Slim Pen 2 has improved haptics and interaction feedback, giving you the feel of pen on paper. It can be stored and charged within compatible Surface devices, making inking easier anywhere. The Slim Pen 2 is NZ$199.95.

*Surface Slim Pen 2 will be available to purchase in New Zealand from 4 November 2021.

• Surface Adaptive Kit helps users adapt their Surface. While this tool can be used by anyone looking to adapt their Surface, the Surface Adaptive Kit was created to adapt Surface devices to those with low vision, blindness, and/or limited strength. Surface Adaptive Kit is NZ$24.95. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/en-nz/surface.

• Ocean Plastic Mouse is a small step forward in Microsoft’s larger sustainability journey. The shell is made with 20% recycled ocean plastic, a breakthrough in materials technology that begins with the removal of plastic waste from oceans and waterways. This product’s small box is 100% recyclable and is NZ$39.95.

*Ocean Plastic Mouse will be available in New Zealand at Microsoft Store on microsoft.com/en-nz from 5 October 2021.

• Microsoft Modern USB-C Headset is certified for Microsoft Teams with high-quality audio and voice. Its lightweight design, meeting controls, and easy setup helps you stay connected and focused all day long. The Modern USB-C Headset is NZ$109.95.

*Microsoft Modern USB-C Headset will be available in New Zealand from 30 September 2021 at Microsoft Store and for purchase at selected retailers.

Devices purchased through Microsoft Store come with the Microsoft Store Promise for Surface with free 2–3-day shipping, an extended 60-day return policy, financing options, and expert help when you need it including access to free online training videos and workshops from the comfort of your home. 

The post Microsoft has announced new Surface Devices and Accessories appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Earlier this morning Apple held one of their live, special events direct from the Steve Jobs Theater. Over the last week Apple has sent out press releases to announce updates to the iPad, iMac and AirPods but it used the beloved purpose built Theater for their biggest announcements of 2019 so far; Apple is attempting to become your one stop shop for TV, Movies, Games and News.

Let’s start with the biggest announcement. The one that will see Apple attempt to take on the likes of Netflix.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is being billed as the new home for the world’s most creative storytellers featuring exclusive original shows, movies and documentaries, coming this spring. Apple TV+, Apple’s original video subscription service, will feature a brand new slate of programming from the world’s most celebrated creative artists, including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan, Jon M. Chu and more. On the Apple TV app, subscribers will enjoy inspiring and authentic stories with emotional depth and compelling characters from all walks of life, ad-free and on demand.

“We’re honoured that the absolute best lineup of storytellers in the world — both in front of and behind the camera — are coming to Apple TV+,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We’re thrilled to give viewers a sneak peek of Apple TV+ and cannot wait for them to tune in starting this spring. Apple TV+ will be home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet.” 

Additionally, Apple debuted the all-new Apple TV app and Apple TV channels coming in May 2019. The all-new Apple TV app brings together the different ways to discover and watch shows, movies, sports, news and more in one app across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs and streaming devices. Users can subscribe to and watch new Apple TV channels — paying for only services they want, like HBO, SHOWTIME and Starz¹ — all on demand, available on and offline, with incredible picture quality and sound; enjoy sports, news and network TV from cable and satellite providers as well as purchase or rent iTunes movies and TV shows all within the new, personalised Apple TV app. 

Beginning in May, customers can subscribe to Apple TV channels à la carte and watch them in the Apple TV app, with no additional apps, accounts or passwords required. Apple TV channels include popular services such as HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, Noggin and new services like MTV Hits,with more to be added over time around the world.

The new Apple TV app personalises what viewers love to watch across their existing apps and services while developing a secure and comprehensive understanding of users’ viewing interests. The app will offer suggestions for shows and movies from over 150 streaming apps, including Amazon Prime and Hulu, as well as pay-TV services such as Canal+, Charter Spectrum, DIRECTV NOW and PlayStation Vue. Optimum and Suddenlink from Altice will be added later this year.

Additionally, the Apple TV app will become the new home to the hundreds of thousands of movies and TV shows currently available for purchase or rent in the iTunes Store.

Availability

• Pricing and availability for the Apple TV+ video subscription service will be announced later this spring. 
• The all-new Apple TV app is coming to iPhone, iPad and Apple TV customers in over 100 countries with a free software update this May, and to Mac this spring. 
• Through Family Sharing, users can share Apple TV+ and subscriptions to Apple TV channels. 
• The Apple TV app will be available on Samsung smart TVs beginning this spring and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and VIZIO platforms in the future. 
• Later this year, customers with eligible VIZIO, Samsung, LG and Sony smart TVs will be able to effortlessly play videos and other content from their iPhone or iPad directly to their smart TVs with AirPlay 2 support.

Pricing is yet to be revealed so it will be interesting to see what this cost when it hits New Zealand. It is worth noting that most of the TV channels mentioned in the announcement are unlikely to come to New Zealand due to rights agreements, etc, etc. We’ll keep you posted on what Kiwi’s can expect form the service as more information continues to come through.

Apple Arcade

This is the one that is most likely to resonate with Kiwi’s due to the App Store not necessarily having the same restrictions placed on them as Movies, TV and News.

Apple Arcade will be a game subscription service that will feature over 100 new and exclusive games, including original releases from renowned creators Hironobu Sakaguchi, Ken Wong, Will Wright and dozens more. Apple Arcade games will redefine gaming and be curated based on originality, quality, creativity, fun and their appeal to players of all ages. Apple Arcade will give customers the freedom to try any game from its handpicked collection of titles that are all-you-can-play, have no ads, ad tracking or additional purchases, and respect user privacy.

Free games, supported by advertising or in-app purchases, are enjoyed by hundreds of millions of players around the world. Paid games are often critically acclaimed and beloved by the people who play them, but competing with free is hard, so even the best of these games have only reached a smaller audience. With the simplicity of a single subscription, Apple Arcade will bring games like these to the App Store’s more than 1 billion gaming customers. Apple Arcade is the perfect complement to the already enormously popular catalog of free games on the App Store, making iOS the premier gaming platform for players of all ages.

Apple is not just handpicking the games in Apple Arcade, but also contributing to the development costs and working closely with creators to bring the games to life. Made by some of the most critically acclaimed game developers in the world, Apple Arcade games will entertain customers with incredibly fun gameplay and immersive stories, while capturing imaginations with original art and music. The service will feature games from Annapurna Interactive, Bossa Studios, Cartoon Network, Finji, Giant Squid, Klei Entertainment, Konami, LEGO, Mistwalker Corporation, SEGA, Snowman, ustwo games and dozens more.

“The App Store is the world’s biggest and most successful game platform. Now we are going to take games even further with Apple Arcade, the first game subscription service for mobile, desktop and the living room,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We are working with some of the most innovative game developers in the world to create over 100 new and exclusive games to play across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Apple Arcade games will be great for families, respect user privacy and will not have ads or require any additional purchases. We think players of all ages are going to love Apple Arcade.”

Apple Arcade will introduce an innovative way to access a collection of brand new games that will not be available on any other mobile platform or in any other subscription service. Rather than pay up front for each game, a subscription to Apple Arcade will give players the opportunity to try any game in the service without risk. Since every game includes access to the full experience, including all game features, content and future updates, no additional purchases will be required. Every game will be playable offline, and many games will offer support for game controllers. Because subscribers can play Apple Arcade games across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, they can pick up where they left off in a game, even if they switch devices. New games will be added to the service on a regular basis.

Apple Arcade will launch in spring 2019 in more than 150 countries from a new tab on the App Store across iOS, macOS and tvOS. Pricing has not been released but it will be interesting to see where Apple goes with pricing. Microsoft have their Xbox Game Pass available for $10.95 a month but I wouldn’t expect Apple to go that cheap with Apple Arcade, if I had to guess I’d say $19.99NZD but that is purely a guess. In any case it is an exciting development for Apple’s mobile developers and consumers alike. I personally tend to stick to free games, despite seeing what admittedly looks like some seriously quality paid mobile games in the App Store. Having an all you can eat subscription model to the games in the App Store could be enough to tempt me.

Apple News+

So here’s the one that kicked off the special event but the one I’, talking about last and for good reason. The News App isn’t available in New Zealand, there’s no word on when/if it will come to New Zealand and lastly News+ hasn’t been announced as coming to New Zealand. But for those of you who have their iDevices set to a region that has News support then this one is for you.

News+ will be a subscription service that brings together over 300 popular magazines, leading newspapers and digital publishers into a beautiful, convenient and curated experience within the Apple News app. Available in the US and Canada, Apple News+ presents the best and most relevant articles to meet any range of interests from renowned publications such as Vogue, National Geographic Magazine, People, ELLE, The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

Apple News+ adds an even more expansive collection of high-quality stories to the free experience of Apple News, which is the No. 1 news app and delivers current events coverage from trusted sources.¹ All Apple News users in the US, Canada, UK and Australia can continue to enjoy the free news experience within the app on iPhone, iPad and Mac, including access to Top Stories, Trending Stories and a personalised feed of articles.

“We’re committed to supporting quality journalism, and with Apple News+, we want to celebrate the great work being done by magazines and news outlets,” said Lauren Kern, editor-in-chief of Apple News. “We think the breadth and quality of publications within Apple News+ will encourage more people to discover stories and titles they may never have come across before.”

Apple News+ subscribers can access current and past issues and individual articles from magazines such as The Atlantic, Better Homes & Gardens, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, ELLE, Entertainment Weekly, ESPN The Magazine, Esquire, Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping, GQ, Health, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, National Geographic, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, Parents, People, Real Simple, Rolling Stone, Runner’s World, Sports Illustrated, TIME, Travel + Leisure, Vanity Fair, Vogue, WIRED and Woman’s Day.

In addition, Apple News+ includes The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper. Apple News+ also provides access to premium online publications such as theSkimm, The Highlight by Vox, New York Magazine’s sites Vulture, The Cut and Grub Street, and Extra Crunch from Verizon Media’s TechCrunch.

Apple News+ showcases magazines in richly designed layouts, featuring animated covers, vivid photography and bold typography optimised for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It makes reading articles even more fun, immersive and convenient. In the Today and News+ tabs, subscribers will be presented with individual article and issue recommendations based on both editorial curation and personalised suggestions that maintain user privacy.

“Apple News+ validates the power of premium content from great and trusted brands, and being a part of it makes good business sense,” said Tom Harty, president and CEO of Meredith. “Apple News+ will be an extremely valuable mass platform to attract new paid subscribers to our titles.”

“At Hearst Magazines, we are hyperfocused on creating consumer value through our storied brands, high-quality content and great experiences,” said Troy Young, president of Hearst Magazines. “Apple News+ amplifies our ability to do this in a premium environment with a key audience, elevating the digital magazine experience for millions of iPhone, iPad and Mac users.”

“We’re constantly innovating how we connect with our audiences and bring them the content they crave on the platforms they use every day,” said Bob Sauerberg, president and CEO of Condé Nast. “Apple News+ represents an exciting opportunity to bring a premium experience to millions more readers, so they can enjoy the conversation-shifting journalism, influential points of view and unparalleled visual storytelling they’ve come to expect from our brands.”

“We are proud to work with Apple, a company that believes in the profound importance of journalism and journalists,” said Robert Thomson, chief executive of News Corp. “The Wall Street Journal is certainly the most trusted newspaper in the US and its coverage of politics, business, economics, national news and lifestyle issues is nonpareil. We expect through the Apple platform, our journalism will reach and inform many more millions of readers, viewers and listeners around the country and the world.”

“Apple News+ provides a perfect platform for our expanded coverage of news, analysis and opinion,” said Norman Pearlstine, executive editor of Los Angeles Times. “We share a world vision that is informed by our California roots and by our common commitment to innovation and excellence.”

Pricing and Availability
Apple News+ is available today in the US for $9.99 a month and in Canada for $12.99 a month. Customers can sign up for a free one-month trial, and the plan automatically renews after the trial ends. To sign up for Apple News+, customers must update to iOS 12.2 or macOS 10.14.4. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share one Apple News+ subscription. Apple News+ will be available in the UK and Australia later this year.

This is the one I’m least excited about. I’m not really a big news/magazine guy. Even if News+ (or News) was available in New Zealand I’m just not sure I would use it much and I can’t see myself paying a subscription fee for it. Why? Because I prefer browsing the web for my news and stories. Why pay for something that I can get for free?

And that’s it folks, which services are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below.

The post Apple Announces Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple News+ appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Overnight Apple have announced the all-new iPad Air in an ultra-thin 10.5-inch design, offering the latest innovations including Apple Pencil support and high-end performance at a breakthrough price. With the A12 Bionic chip with Apple’s Neural Engine, the new iPad Air delivers a 70 percent boost in performance and twice the graphics capability, and the advanced Retina display with True Tone technology is nearly 20 percent larger with over half a million more pixels.

Apple also introduced the new 7.9-inch iPad mini, a major upgrade for iPad mini fans who love a compact, ultra-portable design packed with the latest technology. With the A12 Bionic chip, the new iPad mini is a powerful multi-tasking machine, delivering three times the performance and nine times faster graphics. The advanced Retina display with True Tone technology and wide colour support is 25 percent brighter and has the highest pixel density of any iPad, delivering an immersive visual experience in any setting. With Apple Pencil support, the new iPad mini is the perfect take-anywhere notepad for sketching and jotting down thoughts on the go.

The new iPads are available to order starting today and in stores next week.

“The iPad continues to provide magical new experiences for a growing range of uses where it is the absolute best device, from playing games in augmented reality to note-taking and drawing with Apple Pencil, from streaming HD movies and editing 4K films to learning to develop apps with Swift Playgrounds,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Today the iPad family takes two big leaps forward with an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Air that brings high-end size, features and performance at a breakthrough price, and a major upgrade to the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which also brings Apple Pencil, Retina display and the A12 Bionic chip to the many customers that love its compact size.”

Apple Pencil and iPad — The Perfect Pair
Apple Pencil opens up new creativity and productivity possibilities for iPad mini and iPad Air users, from drawing and writing down thoughts to marking up documents and retouching photos. The must-have tool among students, professionals and creatives delivers a remarkably fluid and natural drawing experience and provides pixel-perfect accuracy and low latency for activities within popular apps including Procreate, Notability, Pixelmator Photo (coming soon) and Microsoft Office.

Power Meets Portability with the A12 Bionic Chip
The Apple-designed Neural Engine of the A12 Bionic chip powers the next generation of apps and iPad workflows using advanced machine learning and Core ML for engaging AR experiences, photo-realistic effects in 3D games and stunning graphics performance within apps.

Staying connected is now easier and faster with iPad mini and iPad Air, featuring the same great Wi-Fi performance and Gigabit‑class LTE connectivity built into the most advanced iPad Pro models. With eSIM technology built in, users can easily connect to wireless data plans right from iPad when traveling in more than 180 countries around the world.

Advanced Cameras for Stunning Photos and Videos
With advanced front- and back-facing cameras, iPad mini and iPad Air take gorgeous photos and capture clear and stable 1080p HD videos. The upgraded cameras with exceptional low-light performance and HD video recording are great for document scanning and connecting with friends and family on Group FaceTime calls, and with advanced sensors, help enable immersive AR experiences.

More Than a Million Apps Just for iPad
The App Store is the best place to discover more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for iPad — from journaling with Apple Pencil to managing schedules and finances, editing photos, learning, connecting with friends and family, and playing games. Unlike stretched-out phone apps on other platforms, apps designed for iPad run and look great on every iPad.

iOS on iPad
iPad Air and iPad mini are perfect for staying productive on the go with iOS, helping users get things done faster with features like Siri Shortcuts, photo search and Voice Memos. The Dock provides quick access to frequently used apps and documents from any screen, and multitasking is easy with Split View and Slide Over. Drag and Drop makes moving images, text and files between apps easier than ever, and managing documents in the Files app is seamless and easy on iPad and across Apple devices.

Apple today announced an upcoming update to iWork for iOS, available next week, with enhanced integration of Apple Pencil including new animation options in Keynote that let users draw an animation path for any object, and an all-new user interface that enables easy implementation of build effects, including move, rotate and scale.

The Best, Most Complete iPad Lineup Ever
The new iPad Air and iPad mini join the most affordable 9.7-inch iPad and the most advanced iPad Pro models, offering the best, most innovative iPad lineup ever. The complete lineup now includes Apple Pencil support, best-in-class performance, advanced displays and all-day battery life6 for an experience unmatched by any other device. Whether customers prioritise portability, screen size, power or price, there’s an iPad for everyone. Learn more about the iPad family at apple.com/nz/ipad/compare.

Pricing and Availability

• The new iPad mini and iPad Air come in silver, space grey and gold finishes in 64GB and 256GB configurations. The new iPad mini starts at RRP NZ$679 inc. GST for the Wi-Fi model and RRP NZ$899 inc. GST for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model and the 10.5-inch iPad Air starts at RRP NZ$849 inc. GST for the Wi-Fi model and RRP NZ$1069 inc. GST for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model from apple.com/nz, in the Apple Store app, and is also available through Apple Authorised Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary).
• The new iPad models are available to order starting today from apple.com/nz and in the Apple Store app in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US. Starting next week, the new iPad models will be available in those countries and regions, as well as in China (Wi-Fi models only), Macau (Wi-Fi models only) and Mexico with more countries and regions to follow soon, including Colombia, Greece, India, Israel, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand (Wi-Fi models only) and Turkey. 
• Apple Pencil (1st generation) is available for purchase separately for RRP NZ$159 inc. GST. The Smart Keyboard for the 10.5-inch iPad Air is available for purchase separately for RRP NZ$259 inc. GST with layouts for over 30 languages, including simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.
• Polyurethane Smart Covers are available for RRP NZ$75 inc. GST for iPad mini and RRP NZ$95 inc. GST for iPad Air in charcoal grey, white, pink sand and a new papaya, with additional Leather Smart Covers available for iPad Air for RRP NZ$129 inc. GST in black, saddle brown, midnight blue and red.
• Trade in your eligible device for credit toward your next purchase, or get an Apple Store Gift Card you can use any time.8 If your device isn’t eligible for credit, Apple will recycle it for free.
• Every customer who buys iPad from Apple can enjoy free Personal Setup online and receive guidance on how to customise their iPad, set up email, find new apps from the App Store and more.

The post Apple Announces New iPad Air and iPad Mini appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Vodafone today announced it will offer the new iPad Pro with all-screen design and next-generation performance, marking the biggest change to iPad ever. The all-new design pushes its 11-inch and 12.9-inch Liquid Retina displays to the edges, and features Face ID, A12X Bionic with next-generation Neural Engine, a new USB-C connector, Gigabit-class LTE, up to 1TB of storage, and all-day battery life. Customers will be able to order the new iPad Pro by visiting https://vodafone.co.nz/ipad and it is available in select Vodafone stores now.

iPad Pro features the world’s most advanced display — a stunning, edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display with rounded corners that follow the curves of iPad Pro’s unibody enclosure featuring wide colour support, True Tone and anti-reflective coating for a natural, accurate viewing experience indoors and out. Available for purchase separately, a second generation Apple Pencil magnetically attaches to iPad Pro offering simultaneous storage and wireless charging. Tapping on Apple Pencil introduces an entirely new way to interact within apps, extending the capabilities of iPad Pro. The new Smart Keyboard Folio features a streamlined design that’s adjustable for added versatility. The new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio are available to order online and in select Vodafone stores now.

Built specifically for iPad Pro, the A12X Bionic is the smartest and most powerful chip in a tablet. A 7-core, Apple-designed GPU delivers up to twice the graphics performance* for incredibly rich and immersive AR experiences as well as consolequality graphics in games never before seen in a mobile device. All that breakthrough performance and capability lasts thanks to great 10-hour battery life**.

Advanced cameras and sensors and improved four speaker audio combine with the power of A12X Bionic to turn iPad Pro, with its large viewfinder, into the best device ever for AR. With support for the next generation of AR apps, a new world of AR experiences are possible on iPad.

A new USB-C connector replaces the Lightning connector in support of the powerful new ways iPad Pro is used, offering connections to external 5K displays and highbandwidth data transfers up to twice the speed to and from cameras, musical instruments and other accessories. With USB-C, iPad Pro can even be used to charge an iPhone.

The new iPad Pro’s will also come with a $100 discount if customers purchase the iPad with select on account plans.

The post Vodafone New Zealand selling the all-new iPad Pro appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Meet Surface Go. It’s the smallest and most affordable device yet. At just 0.5 kg and 8.3 mm thin, Surface Go packs portable performance into a 10” device. Microsoft’s latest addition to the Surface range of devices is now available for pre-order in New Zealand and comes with a price tag of $699.

Surface Go is small and mighty, giving you the performance you need to be productive. A device powered by the 7th Generation Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4415Y, in a fanless design, offering up to 9 hours of battery. Our team worked closely with Intel to optimise power, performance, and battery for the most critical tasks people perform every day.

Being able to run Office apps on this device with its portability is one of the things that was critical to the experience we had in mind when we designed Surface Go – the productivity of having the apps you use for work and school with the flexibility to relax and read or watch a show on Netflix or Hulu*.

Our new Surface Go Signature Type Cover is custom-made for Surface Go integrating design features that give the user the best typing experience possible, with ergonomic key pitch and exceptional key travel. It also has high precision tuning and Windows Precision Trackpad that supports 5 point multi-finger gestures, and you can connect the new Surface Mobile Mouse to work the way that you want.

A built-in kickstand with full friction hinge that extends to 165 degrees helps you stay in your flow from tablet to studio mode, and a Windows Hello camera allows for familiar, quick, and secure sign-in using face recognition.

Surface Go also has the ports you need, including Surface Connect for charging and docking; USB-C 3.1 for data, video, and charging; a headphone jack; and a MicroSDXC card reader for storage expansion. All designed to help you be more productive whether you’re studying in a library, working on a plane, or sharing your content in a boardroom on a 4K monitor.

The Surface Go will be available in New Zealand from 28 August and can be pre-ordered through the Microsoft Store now.

The post The Sub $700 Surface Go is Available for Pre-order appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Ever looked at an external SSD and thought I wish it was smaller? Then let me introduce you to the T5 SSD from Samsung.

Samsung’s super-fast T5 SSD is their latest and greatest portable SSD and boy is this thing impressive. The first you’ll notice is the size of this thing, or the lack of size should I say. The dimensions come in at 74mm x 57.3mm x 10.5mm with a weight of just 51 grams, we all carry a back-breaking amount of cards in our wallets or purses so pull those out, stack them on top of each other. That’s about the size of the T5, in fact your card pile will probably end up being thicker than the T5.

That small form factor is made from a brushed metal finish with an obligatory Samsung logo on top just so you can show off to all your friends. Aside from the brushed metal finish and the Samsung logo there is just an LED light and a USB Type-C connection. The metal case is more than just an aesthetic design choice, it is shock resistant an also serves to keep those hi-tech internals nice and cool.

The T5 won’t work on the exFAT file system so if need be make sure you do a re-format to NTFS file system. All tech babble I know, basically if you plug this in for the first time cross your fingers that auto-formatting will sort you out, if not then just for the love of god choose NTFS. It is also compatible for use with Android devices so you’ve got a premium piece of storage available for your mobile devices if need be, although to be fair the pricing means that microSD is probably going to be the format of choice for any device that can take cards. If not then yes you are in the world of portable SSD’s.

In terms of speeds the T5 is an absolute beast. The T5 is capable of transfers of up to 10Gbps (that’s gigabits not Gigabytes, yes there is a difference) which is damn quick, around 540MBps read or 515MBps write speeds. There is a caveat on that though which is the T5 only comes with a USB C Generation 1 connector so you are limited to 5Gbps transfer speeds, that is still pretty damn quick though at around 433MBps read and 323MBps write speeds. The T5 does also come with USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables so you’re pretty well covered when it comes to being able to use this across devices.

Oh and by the way, for the security conscious the T5 supports 256-bit encryption so your storage is going to be kept safe for those who need to have their flies safe and secure. You’ll also get software that is capable with Windows, Android and macOS so it’s going to work with pretty much all major platforms.

In terms of storage options you’ve got 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. That’s storage for every type of user right there however this is a premium SSD so pricing does get a bit steep. 250GB will set you back $229, 500GB $379, 1TB $759 and 2TB $1,436. That isn’t cheap compared to other storage solutions but if you are trying to compare price remember that these are SSD storage devices not HDD devices and SSD also costs more. What you are getting is a storage device that is super portable and very, very fast plus it is shock-resistant for minor falls up to 2m.

At the end of the day the Samsung T5 is a fantastic storage option for those who need to carry a lot of data and have access to it as fast as possible. The T5 may be small in size but it is big in storage capacity, transfers speeds and sheer performance. So why not get out with the old and in with the new, and sell your used ssd for money to go towards your new one.

The Samsung T5 can be purchased directly from the Samsung NZ website or from PB Tech.

The post Samsung T5 SSD Review appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

Let’s face it, Kiwi’s love their free Wi-Fi. Who hasn’t seen a Wi-Fi location appear on their phone that is open and free to use and not raced to switch their phone over from using 4G Data?

Free Wi-Fi is all well and good but in this day and age it’s important that connecting to public Wi-Fi hotsots is fraught with danger. Symantec recently released a Wi-Fi risk report that shows Kiwi’s are taking a “she’ll be right” attitude when it comes to connecting to these networks with 66% of Kiwi’s responding that they believe their information is safe on public Wi-Fi networks. More concerning is that 71% of people responded that they act unsafely when connecting to public Wi-Fi.

“There is a deep divide between what New Zealanders think is safe when it comes to using public Wi-Fi versus the reality,” said Mark Gorrie, Territory Manager, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec. “What someone thinks is private on their personal device can easily be accessed by cybercriminals through unsecure Wi-Fi Networks or even apps with privacy vulnerabilities.”

Kiwi’s in the the survey also showed some questionable behaviours on public Wi-Fi that become a a hackers paradise. “In the case of using public Wi-Fi for more private matters, joining an unsecure network could reveal more about a person’s personal information (or habits) than they bargained for,” says Gorrie.

• 84 percent of New Zealanders have acted in a risky manner online while using public Wi-Fi, including checking their bank accounts, yet 51 percent reported they would feel horrified if their financial details were stolen and published online by hackers
• 8 percent of Kiwis admit to viewing adult content on public Wi-Fi, better than the global average of 16 percent
  Of those, 29 percent admit to viewing in a public library and 17 percent have viewed at their workplace
• 22 percent have accessed or would access a public Wi-Fi network without permission
• 3 percent guessed or hacked passwords to get in.

Unfortunately we live in a World where their are plenty of unsavoury characters out their who will sit on a public Wi-Fi network and prey upon people who are using these networks in order to steal their bank account details, access their photos and other critical information that we have stored on our phone. Believe it or not, it actually isn’t that hard to do. The key to being safe on these networks, or at the very least, mitigating the risks associated with them is to ensure that you refrain from accessing the likes of internet banking while connected to public Wi-Fi. Another often overlooked way to protect oneself is to make use of VPN app for your phone like Symantec’s Norton WiFi Privacy. Norton WiFi privacy works by creating a secure “tunnel” that redirects your information from the network point you are connected to and better yet, encrypts it so that the data being sent is unreadable by the people who are trying to exploit public Wi-Fi hotspots to steal information and data.

Another way to minimise your risk is to looks for HTTPS in the websites you visit. HTTPS tells you that a website you are visiting is secure BUT remember that that doesn’t mean you are entirely safe because the website may be secure but if the network isn’t (think public Wi-Fi) then you are opening yourself up to having your information stolen.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a bit of free data, I mean come on our mobile data limits are so small that we need a bit of free Wi-Fi to get our data plans through to the end of the month. Just remember that when you do connect that you do it safely so that your precious information remains in the right hands, yours.

The post Think You’re Safe on Public Wi-Fi? Think Again appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

We’ve been sitting on this piece of news for about 3 weeks now so you could call us lazy for not posting this sooner. We like to think of it as timing our run because tomorrow, today or now (depending on when you are reading this) Microsoft will be releasing (or have released) their next generation Surface Pro. Microsoft is always a great brand to choose as their hardware and software are top quality, and so popular that you can always find plenty of help with any questions you have such as how to merge cells in excel.

The brand new Surface Pro is essentially a follow on from the Surface 4 but have been redesigned inside and out. The Surface Pro boosts battery life that Microsoft says will last 50% longer than the Surface Pro 4 and we all know that lasting longer is never a bad thing performance wise. Surface Pro is also thinner, lighter and quieter whilst also boosting support for the likes of the Microsoft Whiteboard App. A new Surface pen and Signature Type Cover will be released simultaneously.

Surface Pro is designed to be a powerhouse laptop that embraces creativity with a 12.3″ PixelSense display that will compliment the mobile creative studio. PixelSense will support the new Surface Pen 2, the fastest pen ever, and Surface Dial 2 both on- and off-screen. Twice as accurate as the previous version and enhanced by our PixelSense Accelerator custom silicon, the new Surface Pen and new Surface Pro together set the industry standard for faster, more fluid writing and drawing, and Surface Pen now supports tilt 3 for more natural shading. Inking in applications across Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 including the new Microsoft Whiteboard app, will unlock ways for people to use digital ink to be more creative, collaborative and productive. If you’ve purchased the product for business and need a tracking add-on and software, you could look at active directory monitoring for Microsoft.

“People’s expectations for what their devices should help them accomplish are high – and the Surface team works to exceed those expectations,” said Carol Glidden, Microsoft New Zealand windows and surface business group lead. “People want beautiful and powerful devices, with all-day battery life and amazing digital inking experiences. They want to better express their ideas creatively while being able to work whenever, wherever and however they choose. The new Surface Pro delivers all that and more, building on our heritage of pushing the idea of a ‘computer’ forward while harnessing all the innovation of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 to empower people to dotheir best creative work.”

Starting at $1,349 NZD (RRP), the new Surface Pro allows people to customize their experiences with an array of colourful options for the new Surface Pro Signature Type Cover, the new Surface Pen and the Microsoft Surface Arc Mouse. 2 Each comes in rich tone-on- tone colours to match your personal style: Platinum, Burgundy and Cobalt Blue.

Tech Specs:

Operating System	Windows 10 Microsoft Office 30-day trial
Exterior	Dimensions: 11.50” x 7.9” x 0.33” (292mm x 201mm x 8.5mm) 7th Generation Intel® Core m3 weight: 1.69lbs (768g) 7th Generation Intel® Core i5 weight: 1.70lbs (770g) 7th Generation Intel® Core i7 weight: 1.73lbs (784g) Mechanical features: Magnesium body, kickstand with full-friction multi-position hinge to 165 degrees, magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability Color: Platinum Physical buttons: volume, power
Display	Screen: 12.3” PixelSense Display Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI) Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Touch: 10 point multi-touch
Processor	7th Generation Intel® Core m3 7Y30 7th Generation Intel® Core i5-7300U 7th Generation Intel® Core i7-7660U
Graphics	Intel® HD Graphics 615 (m3) Intel® HD Graphics 620 (i5) Intel® Iris Plus Graphics 640 (i7)
Memory	4GB/8GB/16GB RAM 1866Mhz LPDDR3
Storage10	Solid State Drive (SSD) 128/256/512GB or 1TB PCIe NVMe
Security	TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
Network	Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible, Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology
Battery	Up to 13.5 hours of battery life1
Cameras, Video and Audio	Windows Hello face sign-in camera (front-facing) 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video Dual microphones Stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio Premium
Ports	Full-size USB 3.0 microSDXC card reader Surface Connect 3.5mm Headphone jack Mini DisplayPort Cover port
Sensors	Ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope
Power supply	24 W power supply (Intel® Core m3) 44 W power supply with USB charging port (Intel® Core i5 and Core i7)
In the box	Surface Pro Power Supply Quick Start Guide Safety and warranty documents
Warranty	One-year limited hardware warranty11

The post Microsoft Releases their Next Gen Surface Pro appeared first on 8-Bit Island.

While unsuspecting Kiwi’s were sleeping, Apple made an announcement an update to their most successful iPad. The 9.7 inch model has been given an overhaul and a price point that is set to continue their domination in an increasingly competitive market. The latest update will see the 9.7 inch iPad sell in New Zealand for the tantalising price of $529 and comes with the 64 bit A9 chipset and brighter than ever Retina Display.

“iPad is the world’s most popular tablet. Customers love the large, 9.7-inch display for everything from watching TV and movies, to surfing the web, making FaceTime calls, and enjoying photos, and now it is even more affordable,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school, and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip, and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it.”

iPad features a beautifully bright Retina display with over 3.1 million pixels for stunning pictures and videos, and is enclosed in a sturdy yet thin aluminium unibody enclosure weighing less than 500 grams for great portability and durability. The Apple-designed A9 chip with 64‑bit desktop-class architecture delivers fast processing and graphics performance for apps and games, while maintaining the same all-day battery life customers have come to expect from iPad.

The front- and back-facing cameras offer exceptional low-light performance and HD video recording, making it fun and easy to FaceTime with friends and family and capture unforgettable memories using the large Retina display as a viewfinder. Ultrafast wireless means connecting with iPad is quick and easy, and support for 4G LTE cellular bands worldwide helps customers stay connected when traveling.3 Apple SIM makes it even easier to connect to wireless data plans right from your device when traveling in more than 140 countries and regions.

Touch ID gives iPad users a simple and secure way to unlock iPad, keep personal information private within apps and approve purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBooks Store. With Apple Pay 4 on iPad, paying for physical goods and services within apps or on a website in Safari has never been easier.

iPad comes with iOS 10, which brings more expressive and animated ways to communicate in Messages, new ways to use Siri with your favourite apps, beautifully redesigned Maps, Photos, Apple Music and the new home app, which lets you simply and securely set up, manage and control your HomeKit accessories all in one place. Multitasking features including Slide Over, Split View and Picture-in-Picture help you do even more.

Pricing & Availability
• iPad comes in silver, gold and space grey and starts at recommended retail price (RRP) NZ$539 inc. GST for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and RRP NZ$759 inc. GST for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model at Apple.com/nz. For more information, please visit apple.com/ipad/nz.
• iPad is available to order beginning Friday, 24 March from Apple.com/nz and starts delivering to customers and arriving next week through select carriers and Apple Authorised Resellers (prices may vary) in New Zealand and more than 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and US. Denmark, India, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Turkey and other countries and regions will follow in April. Brazil, Taiwan and other countries and regions will follow in May.
• Polyurethane Smart Covers for iPad are available for RRP NZ$69 inc. GST in charcoal grey, white, midnight blue, pink sand and (RED) at Apple.com/nz.
• iPad mini 4, available in silver, gold and space grey, now offers more capacity for starting at RRP NZ$659 inc. GST for the 128GB Wi-Fi model and RRP NZ$879 inc. GST for the 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model at Apple.com/nz.
• Every customer who buys iPad from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup online5, to help them customise their iPad by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more.

The post Apple Announces New Affordable 9.7 Inch iPad appeared first on 8-Bit Island.