The Xperia SP doesn’t have either of the above but what is does have is countless charm and an appeal that really can’t be explained until you hold it and use it.

Please feel free to read my review below, but if you prefer to sit back and watch then this unboxing will give you an overview of the review.

Design/Build/Size/Hardware

With a 1.7GHz Dual Core processor and 8GB of internal storage the Xperia SP will not get the smartphone enthusiast hot under the collar, but the SP is not aimed to do this. The SP is the higher end of the mass market smartphone that will serve the needs of a much wider audience at a much more attractive price than the more publicised competition.

With 8GB of internal storage and a microSD slot there is little need to be concerned about a lack of storage, especially when the phone can accept 64GB microSDXC memory cards (some restrictions apply). The only thing you need to be concerned about is if you install games or memory hungry apps as these need to be installed on the internal memory and with 8GB of internal, by the time the OS is installed there is only circa 5GB for you to actually use. Having said this, if you are generally installing apps like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, BBC News etc. you haven’t got too much to worry about.

The SP has a 4.6” display which we will cover in more detail later, but this is encased in a really quite comfortable and strong feeling chassis that weighs in at 155g and measures 130.6 x 67.1 x 9.98 mm.

I can’t really explain what it is about the SP, but it just feels right in the hand for me. I have recently switched from the S3 to the S4 but the SP I actually prefer when it comes to in the hand use.

I do not have particularly big hands and I find one handed use of the S3 or S4 very difficult, the SP allows this which is refreshing.  Screen sizes are becoming bigger but the SP is a little smaller (all be it bigger than most smartphone screens of 2 years ago).

Sony have kept the Omni balanced designed power button on the device like the Xperia Z, and there is a nice silver banding to the edge of the phone, but it is held in place by these little screws which are visible, which I think detract form the design.

I also have a gripe about the position of the microUSB port.  It is on the top left side and it is not ideal for desktop or vehicle docks. Works fine for everything in landscape mode but its annoying for vehicle docks as it just makes everything a bit more fiddly. This positioning on the side is consistent on all Sony devices and has been seen on HTC too.  I just find the bottom more logical, but this would have no doubt meant losing the illuminating bar.

You will only ever need to remove the back cover a few times to access the microSIM card slot and microSD card slot too, but it is a bit fiddly!

The Xperia contains all the connectivity options you will need which I will speak about more later but built into the phone is 4G connectivity and NFC to name just a couple.

If there is one stand out feature of the SP is the illuminating bar at the bottom of the phone.  Reminiscent of the Xperia U this is without doubt the marmite part of the phone.

Yes, I make no regrets I like it, even if some of you are now screaming at the screen saying why its horrible. Why? I think it is more effective than a normal notification light because it is more obvious but less intrusive.  A small notification light constantly flashing can become very annoying, there is something more subtle with the soft pulsing of the SP illuminated bar.  You can control it and switch it off if you don’t like it.

Display

A 4.6” display may not sit well with some, it may be too big or too small, I would imagine for many it is too small.

However there is somewhat of a balance here with the SP, it sits in between the large and small screens offering something for those who do not want 5” but want a more immersive display than their previous phone that may have had a 3.5” display.

There is no right screen size, it is personal but I think the 4.6”is the new 4.3”. It is big enough to allow you to do more on screen but not so big that the phone becomes difficult to handle or feels bulky in the pocket.

How often do you consider the size of the phone in your pocket.  Perhaps more of an issue for men, but those using a Note 2 from Samsung, do you not hate having such a big phone in your pocket when you are out to dinner with friends?!

There is quite a thick bezel around the edge of the display, similar to the S3.  It would have been nice if this was thinner and took the approach of Samsung with the S4 but I am being a bit picky.

With a resolution of 1280 x 720 and Sony Mobile BRAVIA engine the screen is very good, it is bright and plays back content well. There is no denying that the S3 and S4 as well as others have better screens and viewing angles  (comparable to the Xperia Z) but unless you ‘need’ the better resolution or actually sit the SP next to another device then you wouldn’t notice.

In all reality it helps with battery life and if your main business is emails, text messages, calls and a bit of web browsing you don’t need the AMOLED screen technology found on Samsung devices.

On top of this the SP has Corning Gorilla Glass for added peace of mind, so your screen should remain more resilient to knocks and scratches which are all too common nowadays.

Audio

HTC have set the new standard with speaker quality on the HTC One but don’t let this lead you to believe everything else is awful.

You need to seriously consider how often you use the device’s main speaker, which for many is not that frequently, thus just connect up a good set of headphones and it will be much harder to tell the difference.

So the HTC devices often have Beats Audio built in to improve the sound, but invest in dedicated music apps and audio controls and you are nearly there.

Over the time I used the SP I did find it to be a little tinny with quite a bit of vibration at higher levels which only worsened with voice calls. With music you could get away with it. If you generally playback audio when in quiet surroundings then you should be OK, but in a slightly noisier office where full volume may be necessary you may get a bit fed up with the quality. It is a shame as it could be a sticking point for the younger audience of the phone. I do however think one should consider how much time the loudspeaker is used.

The 3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth 4 could be used to improve this if you have a compatible audio system.

Whilst we are talking about audio it is worth mentioning that Sony do install as standard their Music Unlimited application which is underrated. I have been using it for some months now on a variety of platforms and I have to say it works well and should get more credit than it does for the £9.99 unlimited usage per month.  There is too an offline mode so you do not have to be constantly connected to the Internet.

Connectivity

On the subject of Internet connectivity; WiFi, 3G and 4G. Yes a mid range handset with 4G. The Xperia SP is definitely future proofed in this respect. In fact the SP has pretty much the same connectivity options as the Xperia Z.

Just for reference, the GSM bands supported are: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

3G Bands: 850/900/2100 MHz

4G: LTE Bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 20

With Bluetooth 4.0 you can be assured of fast and stable wireless connections with other peripherals like speakers with low power drain on the battery. DNLA also offers wireless streaming options with compatible devices.

The SP picked up my Sonos speaker system and I was able to wirelessly stream the music through to it.

The SP has USB on the go (USB OTG) as well as having MHL/HDTV out through the microUSB port all of which are demonstrated in the video below.

Such features are not necessarily everyday requirements, but if someone has a memory stick or wants to share a file with you quickly its is very quick and easy to do so. I don’t use this feature that often, but on the occasions I do it is so useful.

MHL/HDMI connectivity has to be the best option. You need to get in a habit of using it with this cable (sold separately) but it is so powerful and useful especially with Bluetooth keyboards or mice connected.

Is sounds cliché but you really can do away with laptops,  PCs and projectors.  The likes of the SP with this sort of connectivity can be the salesman’s best friend if you spend time getting into the habit of using it effectively. The only bug bare is if you have specific applications on your PC that are not accessible on the phone, but do then consider remote desktop options.

For those who like to play games, the Xperia SP  can be connected to a Playstation 3 DualShock controller wirelessly. Initially you need to use the USB OTG cable but after this future connections can be made without wires and the SP is the first handset to have this out of the box.

Being PlayStation Certified you also get access to many popular titles meaning you can enjoy some of the best games with one of the best controllers.

See the SP’s connectivity demonstrated in the following video.

Camera

Sony have a pretty good history when it comes to camera technology within their devices and this is the case with the SP.  I was on the whole pleased with the results of the 8 megapixel camera but in bright conditions images seem very bright, and in grey conditions they seem particularly grey.

The camera lens on the rear camera is slightly recessed meaning it is less likely to sustain scratches when sat on a desk, which is always a bonus.  Dust might build up around the lens but nothing new here, a quick wipe and all is good.

There is also a dedicated camera button, 3 cheers for this!!

Included within the camera app are lots of settings including Superior Auto first seen on the Z. This works to intelligently depict the correct settings for the scene that is being shot.

The SP has scene modes and settings for most things but the one downside is the lack of burst mode within the camera which would have been the icing on the cake. Hopefully Sony will introduce this in a future update, but don’t pin your hopes on it.

You can see some sample shots HERE that were taken on a ‘grey’ day, but with a bit of tweaking and better light you can get better results.

The rear facing 8 megapixel camera that sits on the back of the phone has a Auto Focus and LED flash and there is a VGA front facing camera for self portrait images or for video calls which are becoming more popular with the likes of Viber and Hangouts.

The Superior Auto on the whole detects the scene but sometimes it struggles, but there are plenty of manual settings that can compensate.

Check out the following video for an example of the 1080P HD video quality on this phone.

Battery

We all want more battery life from our devices but we want them to be slimmer and do more.  It is not easy to get all of this but Sony have done a pretty good job with a 2370mAh battery in the SP which will last most a full working day and I think many more ‘average’ users could get 2 out of it.

I haven’t put the battery through extensive tests, the likes of GSM Arena have done that and by all accounts it comes out well.

I personally prefer the good old fashioned everyday usage test and I certainly got easily a day out of it but struggled to get 2 with my personal usage. In all reality, no doubt you like me have pretty much got used to charging or topping your phone up daily so is it really an issue?

This is where the slightly smaller and lower resolution screen make the difference however allowing you to be away from power for longer.

Sony have built their STAMINA mode into the SP too which can be configured to turn some of the connections off on the phone when it is not being used to conserve power.  This does make a difference.

I should also note here that the battery is built in and can not be removed or replaced unless done so by a trained technician.

Software

Running Android 4.1 it is not the very latest iteration of the OS but few phones have it, this said Sony are working on bringing the updates as quick as they can.

Aside from the usual plethora of Google applications and services that come pre-installed Sony have made their own customisations to give the Xpeira that familiar Sony feel, but they do not go down to the same depth as Samsung which I think is a positive and negative.

Samsung give you pretty much everything you could need whilst Sony leave that scope for you to add through apps what you want and is perhaps a happy middle ground from the more memory hungry Samsung’s and the cleaner installed Nexus devices.

Sony Music, Videos and PlayMemories online are just a few apps installed.

Other value added apps include SmartConnect which can automatically do things when actions take place.  For example, launching the music player when connecting a set of headphones.  This is often more useful that you initially think for.

Sony do to include a nice Car Mode which makes for safer in vehicle use when necessary.

Conclusion

Using the Xperia SP has been somewhat of a refreshing experience.  I have not been wowed by anything but nothing has pushed me away. I feel at home with it.

If I had to complain then there are some small niggles like the memory (it would be touch and go for me) and placement of the microUSB connector but these are not necessarily deal breakers.

If I can be so bold to make a comparison to a car, the SP is like a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. Some will love it, others will hate it but the vast majority will accept it as a mid range model that does what the specification suggests and just gets on with it. People may not turn heads, people may not ask to have hands on with it but what you wont really hear is people complaining about it, because there is nothing really to fault with it.

If I had to part with my hard earned money on a new phone then the SP would be at the top of my list next to the Nexus 4 whist similar Samsung models would be kicked out of contention due to their price.

If you think the SP could be for you, I strongly urge you to give it a try and be one of those that does ask to try what can only be classed as the underdog.

The post Sony Xperia SP review appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

It’s only been available for around a month, but already we’ve got plenty of cases available for the Samsung Galaxy S4.

While we can’t cover every case in such a fashion, we do try provide video demos where possible – it’s nice to be able to see how a cover looks on your device before making a purchase.

Below are some of the videos that we’ve shot for the best Samsung Galaxy S4 cases. There are plenty more videos, but far too many to include all in one post. You can see a definitive list here from our YouTube channel, or if you’re on a product page on the Clove website, you’ll see a video tab if there is indeed a video available for that product.

Please note that there will be fluctuations in stock levels during the lifetime of this blog post. Many of these cases sell out rather quickly once they’ve come into stock, but we will provide updates as best we can if a product is temporarily unavailable.

Samsung Galaxy S4 S View Flip Cover

The S View Flip cover combines nice design work with the sensor technology that’s included with the S4. The Flip Cover attaches to the handset by replacing its back panel, adding minimal bulk.

On the front it has a small window so that you can see the time and important notifications, and it also provides you with the ability to receive or reject calls without opening the case.

The S4 S View Flip Cover is an official Samsung accessory, available in black or white.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Case-Mate Pop Case

The Case-Mate Pop is a case that offers not only protection, but also has a useful addition for video playback. The kickstand is housed within the rear of the case and can be retracted as and when you want to prop the device up. This makes it ideal for movie playback and the perfect partner for the stunning display of the S4. It’s currently available in white/grey or black/grey

Samsung Galaxy S4 Otterbox Defender Case

We’ve not yet filmed a demo video for the S4 Otterbox Defender, but it would be unjust to leave it off the list for this reason. The Defender range has been around for a while now and is one of Otterbox’s sturdiest offerings when it comes to smartphone protection. There are three layers to this case – screen protector, polycarbonate shell and silicone wrap – so this is a case for those that are prone to more than the occasional drop.

The following is a video shot for a BlackBerry Otterbox Defender, which is in the same style as that of the S4. You can find photos of the S4 case on the Clove website product listing.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Case-Mate Barely There

The Case-Mate Barely There has become a bit of a classic in recent years. It’s got a low price point and doesn’t add much bulk, yet it still manages to provide a good level of protection against drops. This ones available in black, white, aluminium or  as a clear case.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Pouch – Camel

The pouch is possibly the most basic for of protection that you can use on a handset, but offers a lightweight solution when transporting the device. The official pouch from Samsung comes in camel brown, providing a stylish look for the handset whilst keeping it secure.

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

The Tablet Z is due to begin shipping shortly – our stock is due to arrive June 1st – and to promote its release, Sony has released videos showing its construction and deconstruction. They’ve also published an interview with some of the designers involved in the production of the Tablet Z, which you can read over on the Sony Product Blog.

Here’s the first video, which briefly runs through the specs before disassembling the Sony Tablet Z. The second video where it’s put back together can be seen after the cut.

The post Sony tears down the Tablet Z, builds it up again appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

I think we sometimes take for granted what is on offer or do not appreciate how some features are on some handsets but not others and the impact they have.

I have mentioned previously on this blog how I actually really liked the ability to talk to the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S3 to take a picture meaning I could continue to hold the phone steady in 2 hands. It is not a make or break feature but one I have got used to using and I would prefer not to lose on any future handset.

With the release of the S4 from Samsung I have switched from the S3, to the S4. Thankfully the camera speech recognition is still there.

What I did use on the S3 is an SMS scheduling app to send messages at a pre-determined time after creation. I realised that I had not re-installed this app on the S4, and was about to when I noticed the following within messaging; Samsung have built in the ability to the S4 to schedule messages.

This is a fantastic little feature.  It might not be suitable for everyone but for me I was really pleased to see this and it is just testament to thinking about the things and including them as standard.

I didn’t have to install that extra little app I can now manage it all within the standard messaging screen.

Other features on the S4 include the ability to translate a text message and the ability to create an emergency message in times of desperation.

The S4 is not alone in this, there are other devices from Sony and HTC etc. that all have their own small, unique benefits that make things fun, intuitive or simpler.

The point is, that if you then get used to using such features and switch to a different phone you can easily loose these small things which you become used to and it becomes a frustration to find workarounds or add on apps.

We are all quick to criticise when technology doesn’t do something but do we comment on the things it does right?!

Are there any hidden or less publicised features on your phone that you like or rely upon?

The post It is the hidden features that make a phone so great appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

Well, you are now in luck.

We have available now the Q10 in White. Just click HERE to obtain one for yourself.

The post BlackBerry Q10 White now available appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

Unless you are super human, you could not possibly know about them all and what benefits they can bring.

Of course there are the very big and popular apps which are almost self explanatory, i.e Twitter, Facebook, G+, Instagram, Evernote and many more.

There are though countless smaller, less well known apps that do some very clever things or make your everyday life simpler.

You more than likely have become aware of certain apps, be it through websites, friends and family. If so, what apps are they, what do they do and why are they so great?

The 2 apps I like are CallTrack and SMS Backup+.

They are both simple apps that are very useful.  CallTrack logs a history of all made, received and missed calls in Google Calendar at the time they took place whilst SMS Backup+ keeps a copy of each text message within Gmail for me.

So what useful apps do you use and why?  Leave your comments below.

Image Source: Digitaltrends

The post Apps you wish you knew about sooner–recommend yours appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

Nokia has updated its HERE Maps software to include LiveSight augmented reality. The update is now live and can be installed for compatible devices from the Windows Phone app store.

Using LiveSight, Nokia HERE Maps provides an overlay of interest points based on your current location. The 3D interface, which can be likened to Google Street View, shows small icons for things like restaurants, cafes, museums and photo opportunities – basically anything that would show up on your 2D version of HERE Maps.

Another nice addition to LiveSIght is the compass, which shows the direction that you’re facing in to assist with navigation. Previously LiveSight has only been available as part of the Nokia City Lens app, but it can now be used with the customisable Nokia HERE Maps.

While Nokia’s HERE apps are intended for use on the Nokia Lumia range, they are also available for other Windows Phone handsets and iOS. There’s also a browser-based version of HERE maps, so you can give it a go on Android and BlackBerry devices (as well as various desktop browsers) by visiting m.here.net on your device.

Via Windows Phone Central

The post Nokia adds ‘LiveSight’ augmented reality feature to HERE Maps appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

It has been some time coming but we now have stock of the Sony Xperia Z DK26 charging dock in Black, White & Purple.

For more information or to order yours, please CLICK HERE.

The post Sony DK26 charging dock now in stock appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

Set to be available in both Black and White, the Mega will be priced at £383.33 excluding VAT or £459.99 including VAT.

First stock of the I9205 16GB model is expected in July, the exact date for which is still to be confirmed.

We now have it available for pre-order on the Clove website, you can put your name down for one by CLICKING HERE.

The post Samsung Galaxy Mega coming in July appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.

Whilst they are not alone in the way they report memory, they are perhaps the biggest culprits for excessive use of the available storage.

I currently have an S4 and after installing all my apps (no games) i have around 600MB left.  Thankfully I stream my music, but I do not have any room for the music to be stored in offline mode .

Anyway, this has got me thinking…

Why when Samsung (and equivalents) announce cool features, why can we not download them as individual elements that can be installed at the users discretion?

This way if you wanted only 1 of the 30 features you will use less memory than installing all 30 that come currently pre-installed on the phone.

For example, I do not use S-Voice for anything other than the camera.  I have the other elements turned off, so can I remove these other elements?! It has been documented how you can speed up the home button by turning off S-Voice.  But for me I must have S-Voice on because I want to use it within the camera.

I do not use Smart Screen at all. It is doing no harm in the settings, but it must be eating up some memory.

There is a very strong argument that you should just opt for stock Android and then customise it with apps.  However this does not appeal to all and I have to say even as a more seasoned Android user, I like some of the Samsung features.

When we consider the wider mass market, your mum who has an Android phone wouldn’t even contemplate some features or adding them onto a stock Android handset. Samsung put them there for convenience thus there is a lot of appeal.

So why not have any of it installed as standard.  Upon initial start-up explain what can be downloaded and then allow users to download the bits they want. Hey presto, everyone gets what they want.

The obvious advantage here would be the ability to customise your phone more than you can now.  Yes, we can turn features on or off, but if you never use some features they sit in the background chewing up memory etc.

However, I think currently there are too many disadvantages from the eyes of the manufacturer.

It isn’t that simple just to add and remove bits of software as it all ties in and is fundamental to the phone in many cases.

There is the potential for even greater fragmentation of devices making it more difficult for support.

Certain great features would be overlooked by the mass market reducing the chance of success for the handset in global sales; but maybe we could reverse the idea and uninstall bits?!

My knowledge is software how it integrates to the hardware not to mention the possibility of the above is limited; but what I do know is many apps can be downloaded and installed onto phones to take a stock feel to a heavily customised and much more powerful solution like a Samsung Galaxy, so it must be nearly possible.

Samsung with their ever-growing size and power, not to mention cash reserves could be the ones to pioneer this approach and satisfy almost all users don’t you think?

The post New phone software–download the features we want? appeared first on Clove Technology's Blog.