Tubecast Pro, a YouTubers App for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone

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I hate the treadmill – but I still use it when the weather is just too nasty. And, even more recently, I used it despite some nice weather just to do some comparison testing for the Microsoft Band's treadmill tracking capabilities.

But, even though we call it the "dreadmill" I have concocted a way to make it a little less burdensome. I erected a shelf that sits in front of the belted demon where I sit my Surface Pro 3 and stream movies and TV from Netflix, HuluPlus, Amazon Prime, Crackle and others. If I can get caught up in a flick, the treadmill miles melt away.

I'm also a huge boxing fan, and have found that old boxing matches (Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes and others) work even better to envelop my thoughts and keep me from continually checking the mileage. A full 15-round boxing match lasts a little over an hour and 15 minutes, and one where there's a knockout in the mid rounds lasts a little over 45 minutes. My energy level and available time for the day determines which type I watch.

YouTube is full of these old, beloved boxing matches, and when I first started watching them I attempted to use a couple Windows store apps to manage my YouTube playlists and stream the fights. I found out quickly that there's a huge number of YouTube apps for Windows 8.1, and none of them are great. There are a couple notable ones like Hyper for YouTube, Prime Tube, and Metro Tube, but they all have their quirks. One of the more glaring and annoying quirks is how each seems to stutter video during the stream. I eventually gave up on all of them and resorted to just streaming YouTube directly from the web site through a web browser.

But, a new app, Tubecast Pro, has found its way into my good graces recently. Tubecast Pro seems to have mastered the fluid stream that plagued the others. The interface is amazing and it offers something I've not seen before in a YouTube app – it offers remote casting for YouTube content for Chromecast, AirPlay, and any DNLA-supported device including a SmartTV, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. Additionally, and like many of the other YouTube apps, Tubecast Pro supports downloading of YouTube videos for watching offline. You'd be surprised the types of content that is available on YouTube and I've been using it more recently to supply offline video for long flights instead of Xbox Video purchases.

Watching YouTube videos through a web browser is OK, but I much prefer a dedicated app.

Tubecast Pro is available for both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone, and supports the universal purchase system, i.e., if you purchase it once, it's yours to install on all your devices.

For Windows 8.1: Tubecast Pro

For Windows Phone: Tubecast Pro

Tubecast Pro is $1.99.

[Want to discuss this further? Hit me up on Twitter, on Google+, or LinkedIn]

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Clean Master for PC

Clean Master for PC is the Windows version of Android's popular optimization app. It removes unnecessary files from the system and recovers space on your hard drive. The app is very efficient, usable and has been adapted for all types of users.

Optimize and clean your PC to keep it healthy

Clean Master for PC rids your computer of unnecessary files. The analyses run very quickly and, when finished, a report appears listing all removable files, subdivided by type: Audio / Video, browser and system cache, junk files from third-party apps (allows up to 500), social junk, invalid registry keys, and many others.

You can analyze the details of each of these elements and discover which specific files are clogging up your computer.

From the options menu, you can set up Clean Master so that it starts up when you open Windows. You can also enable a notification that tells you when junk files exceed a certain amount (100, 300, 500, 800MB or 1GB).

Finally, Clean Master for PC can also be integrated with the context menu of the recycle bin (with the option Clean up junk files), so that you can initiate an immediate PC scan straight from there. 

Maximum usability and great design

Clean Master for PC has a clear and flexible interface together with a modern design that enhances content. It is easy to use and understand, even for beginners.

When the analysis is complete, you are presented with two options for deleting unnecessary files: you can press Clean Now to remove all unnecessary files that are displayed, or you can manually remove specific files if you're only interested in certain categories.

Once the cleaning is finished, Clean Master displays a bar graph indicating the amount of space recovered from each category.

A fully clean PC

Clean Master for PC is a fantastic bit of software for properly cleaning and maintaining Windows.

It is indeed a powerful alternative to CCleaner, and although it's features are less advanced, it's certainly a lot quicker and more usable.

More author programs

• CM Transfer - Share files

Clean Master for PC, is a new masterpiece from the NYSE listed company Cheetah Mobile. With 280 million monthly active users all over the world in using Android version, it is now landing PC platform and beginning to provide a better service of optimizing and accelerating your computer. What an exciting moment!

With a far-ahead cleaning effect in the field, Clean Master for PC will help you to clean up any junk files generated by media, internet, SNS software, game, registry and Windows system. And not only that, it also does well on visual effects: cool interfaces, gorgeous animation effects, intuitive searching results, excellent cleaning effects, and warming detail services-everything is worthy of you to expect.

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DS3 Tool

DS3 Tool can connect PlayStation Sixaxis or DualShock 3 controllers to your Windows machine. It supports a connection through both USB and Bluetooth, and allows up to four gamepads to be connected.

Easy to set up

Setting up your controller is relatively straightforward. After you start the DS3 Tool you must plug the gamepad into the PC (this is also the easiest way to pair your controller for a Bluetooth connection), then click on the Enable button to activate it.

To test the connection is active there is the Vibration Test button. A quick click on this should see the pad vibrate - confirming everything is work order. After setup, you can use the controller in any game just as you would an official Microsoft controller.

Chaotic design

Unfortunately the DS3 Tool's interface is unstructured and rather bloated. With nothing really holding it together, you get the sense that every time the developer thought of something they wanted to add they just put it in without a second thought towards usability.

This leads to a lack of unity within the interface, making it hard for less tech savvy users to navigate. Not that I am really complaining, DS3 Tool is a free app the fills a much needed gap in the market.

Functional control software for console controller

There may be interface issues, and some annoying banner ads, but DS3 Tool runs smoothly and allows those who prefer PlayStation 3 controllers to use them on their PC with ease.

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Microsoft Office apps to be pre-installed on select Samsung Android tablets

Why do Microsoft bought Nokia? Do they really want to do smartphone business or else want to build other smartphone running droid?? And Microsoft Office is far better in iOS than in windows phone 8.1, feeling frustrated

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iPhone 6S release date, price, specs and new features: When is the iPhone 6s coming out?

It's 2015 and although the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are still going strong it's time to look ahead to Apple's next flagship smartphone. Here's what we know about the iPhone 6S release date, price and specs in the UK. Also see: Best new phones coming in 2015.

iPhone 6S: The name and models

Following Apple's history with smartphones, the next iPhone will be an 'S' model. However, there's always the possibility it will put an end to this tradition so we may be in store for the iPhone 7 this year – you just never know.

For the last two launches, Apple has introduced two new iPhones. We currently have the iPhone 6 and the larger iPhone 6 Plus and previously Apple launched the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. Will we get two models again this year? We think so but rumours are thin on the ground on the subject at the moment but it's early days so stay tuned as we'll be updating this article as new information becomes available. Read: The best iPhone 6 alternatives.

iPhone 6s release date: When is the iPhone 6s coming out?

These days it relatively easy to predict when a new generation of a flagship smartphone will arrive. Most manufacturers announce a new model annually while some go for every six months.

Apple is one of the former and if we look at previous launches, it's highly likely that the iPhone 6S will be announced in September and will go on sale a week or two afterwards. Of course, if the launch event is towards the end of the month, the iPhone 6S release date could be early October.

Bear in mind that if there are two new iPhones announced this year, they may not go on sale on the same day.

iPhone 6S: Design and specs

With an 'S' model iPhone, most things tend to stay the same in terms of design and specs. Usually there are a few tweaks here and there but Apple will save major changes for the next full model number – ie the iPhone 7.

It seems likely then that the iPhone 6S will look the same as the current iPhone 6. It will use the same chassis and come in the same colour options. The weight might change though due to different components inside or a new sapphire glass.

An S model sticks with the same screen size so we're probably looking at 4.7in and if there is an iPhone 6S Plus then it should remain at 5.5in. Resolutions are also likely to stay the same although one rumour suggests the new iPhone will have a 5in display with a 400ppi and what about the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge rivalling concept below by Michael Shanks?

So what will change?

If the design of the iPhone 6S remains the same, then Apple will provide upgrades in the form of new hardware. There are various rumours floating around, the most obvious of which, is of a new processor. The iPhone 6S will come with an A9 chip and could also get an upgrade in the RAM department to 2 GB.

The Touch ID fingerprint scanner could be integrated into the display, according to one rumour, rather than sitting in the home button. We thought the cameras would almost certainly be upgraded, although we're not sure a rumoured 21Mp rear camera is probable and analysts are now saying Apple will stick with 8Mp for the iPhone 6S.

More likely is a reversibly USB connector. We already have the Lightning connector which can be plugged in either way round so we'd put money on Apple doing it at the other end of the cable, too. Also highly possible, practically a given, is that the iPhone 6S will come pre-loaded with iOS 9 which will probably be detailed at Apple's WWDC which normally takes place in June.

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OnePlus One release date, price, specs UK: OnePlus One is now on sale on Tuesdays, but the company is about to hike the price on this year-old phone

 

The OnePlus One is now available to buy without an invite every Tuesday, but it's about to go up in price. Here we reveal everything you need to know about the OnePlus One, including its UK release date, price and specs.

The OnePlus One smartphone was hailed as a 2014 flagship killer, with features to rival the Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z2, HTC One M8, LG G3 and other flagship Android devices, yet it costs less than half the price at a super-budget $299/€269/£229 (16GB model). For now. From 25 March 2015, in response to the falling value of the Euro, the price will be increased to 299 Euro (16GB) and 349 Euro (64GB). It's still difficult to get hold of (see how to buy the OnePlus One with or without an invite), despite OnePlus recently confirming its successor, the OnePlus Two. But the OnePlus One is now available to buy without an invite every Tuesday. See also: OnePlus One review and OnePlus One video review

OnePlus One: Troubled beginnings

We waited for what felt like forever to get our hands on the OnePlus One, and since OnePlus doesn't supply review samples we were in the same boat as all the other hopefuls. When we finally got an invite to buy it, our OnePlus One got delayed by customs, and then we were made to pay import duty (see: Where is the OnePlus One phone? OnePlus One shipments delayed by customs). But we got there in the end, and it is worth the wait. Read more about the possibility of a OnePlus One mini, a OnePlus One tablet, and a OnePlus Two phone.

At first OnePlus was allowing people to purchase the OnePlus One through invitation only, but confusion over how to get a OnePlus One invite has led OnePlus to re-assess the situation. Next it trialled a pre-order system for the OnePlus One. More recently, the company has announced it will sell both 16GB and 64GB models without invites every Tuesday.

According to the company, the OnePlus One will go on sale at 8am on Tuesday morning (London time), and will remain on sale for 24 hours. This will happen every Tuesday for the foreseeable future. Also see: Inside the OnePlus One phone - what the specs don't tell you.

OnePlus One: Getting an invite

OnePlus One is using competitions and promotional events to hand out invites to buy its OnePlus One. Previous competitions have included Smash the Past. In this competition, which ended on 2 May 2014, OnePlus asked OnePlus One smartphone hopefuls to apply to be one of the first 100 owners of the handset. The chosen ones had to smash their existing smartphone, film it, then stick it on YouTube. The winners were rewarded with an invite to purchase the OnePlus One for just $1, plus three invites for their friends. See also: Best OnePlus One Phone Smash videos so far

"By paying attention to the smallest details, taking a holistic approach to product design, and working with the best partners such as Cyanogen and Qualcomm, we have been able to create the greatest day-to-day user experience in a smartphone without compromise," said Pete Lau, CEO of OnePlus. See also: Best Android phones of 2014.

During a limited time window, you will be able to place an order for the OnePlus One. If we have the items in stock, we’ll ship immediately. If we don’t, it will automatically become a pre-order. No matter what, we’ll always tell you our best approximation for when it will ship before you submit the payment authorization (we’ll reserve the payment and charge you when we ship). - See more at: http://oneplus.net/blog/2014/09/the-oneplus-pre-order-system/#sthash.3Oiw9p46.dpuf

OnePlus One: Release date

Although the OnePlus One has now been officially released, it's still tricky to get hold of. You can now buy it without an invite, but only on a Tuesday. See how to buy the OnePlus One with or without an invite

OnePlus One: Can I buy the OnePlus One from Oppomart?

Oppomart is indeed listing the 16GB Silk White OnePlus One as available for sale on its site. However, Oppomart is not affiliated with OnePlus, and the version it is offering customers runs Color OS, not CyanogenMod 11S. It claims all other features and specifications are the same.  

OnePlus One: Price

The OnePlus One comes in 16GB Silk White and 64GB Sandstone Black varieties. The 16GB model costs $299/£229, while the 64GB OnePlus One is only slightly more expensive at $349/£269. As of 25 March 2015, in response to the falling value of the Euro, OnePlus will hike the price from 269- to 299 Euro (16GB) and 299- to 349 Euro (64GB). See all smartphone reviews.

OnePlus One: Specs

The OnePlus One phone originally ran a modified version of Android KitKat known as CyanogenMod 11S, but has now been updated to Android Lollipop 5.0.2 via the CyanogenMod 12 Nightly ROM. You can install this on your OnePlus One using a custom recovery tool such as ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP.

CyanogenMod will instantly appeal to enthusiasts and tinkerers with its unlimited scope for customisation. It also features advanced Camera and Gallery apps, letting you make the most of the OnePlus One's 4k video-recording capability, plus improved privacy-protection features that include SMS encryption and PrivacyGuard. See also: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Sony Xperia Z2 vs HTC One comparison review. 

And then there's the hardware: OnePlus' motto is 'Never settle', and it's easy to see why. The OnePlus One phone bests the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One, running a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with Adreno 330 graphics and 3GB of RAM. It also features a higher-capacity - if non-removable - 3100mAh battery (beaten only by the Sony Xperia Z2's 3200mAh), a larger 5.5in full-HD touchscreen, and a 13Mp Sony Exmor IMX214 13Mp camera with f/2.0 aperture and dual-LED flash. The front camera is primed for selfies at 5Mp, while video recording stretches to 4k with 120fps slow-motion available at 720p. 

The OnePlus One phone, which weighs 162g and measures 152.9x75.9x8.9mm, supports dual-band Wi-Fi, including the very latest 802.11ac standard, Bluetooth 4, NFC, GPS and 4G LTE. There are built-in stereo speakers and a tri-microphone with noise cancellation.  

We can look past the OnePlus One phone's lack of a memory card slot for storage expansion, given that the 64GB model was at the time of release around half the price of Apple's 64GB iPhone 5s. 

OnePlus claims its One smartphone boasts industry-leading design and superior build quality, with "subtle curves, sleek lines and a slightly raised jet-black display".

OnePlus Power Bank

The OnePlus Power Bank is yet to go on sale, but at $14.99 for a 10000mAh lithium-polymer cell that has a 2A (10W) input and twin 2A (10W) outputs, and weighs just 220g, it looks to be a fantastic deal that should charge your OnePlus three times on the move. Compare the OnePlus to the competition by checking out our Best power banks 2014/2015 chart.

Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter.

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Fotor for Windows 8 review: a fast and fun way to edit photos whether or not you have a touchscreen

Fotor is an “all-in-one” photo editing app designed for Windows 8 tablets. The interface aims to make it easy to edit your photos with a few taps and swipes, much like Google’s SnapSeed. See also: Best Windows 8 apps

To the right is a series of buttons which can be considered the main menu.

You can open an image (including RAW files ), then tap the Scenes button to quickly alter your photo with either the 1-Tap Enhance or a variety of ‘scene’ presets such as sand/snow, night and other lighting conditions.

Next is the Edit button which provides a range of basic adjustments such as brightness, contrast, saturation and colour temperature. Other sliders let you add a vignette or sharpen the photo. Above your image are arrows that let you undo and redo changes.

Within the Crop menu you can straighten your photo, crop freehand or choose from a selection of common aspect ratios.

Effects is similar to Scenes, but offers a more Instagram-like selection of filters to give your photo a retro look or another style. There are loads to choose between, but oddly no pseudo-HDR preset.

It’s just as easy to add a border to your photo although, as with other editors, the frame is applied within the limits of the photo instead of adding to its size. We’d prefer the option to choose between these approaches, as your preferred frame might obscure some details you’d prefer to keep in your image.

A nice touch is the inclusion of a tilt-shift effect, which can make your subject look like a miniature scene. You can choose the aperture size and radius. If you want a straight blur rather than radial, you can tap on the image and rotate and move the lines to match the foreground and background in the image.

On the odd occasion when you want to add text to an image, that’s simple too. As well as picking the font you can increase character spacing, rotation and transparency.

There’s also the option of a stroke in a different colour, but no way to change its thickness. There’s no colour picker, so you can’t match the text to a particular colour in your photo.

There are other limitations compared to a traditional photo editing application. You can only make full-image adjustments, so there’s no way to increase brightness in a particular area for example. That’s something you can do with Snapseed. Also, there’s no red-eye removal.

Don’t expect any advanced features such as layers or curves: if you want to do any complex edits, you’ll need to resort to Photoshop or similar. At least you can resize an image when saving it, so if you need it to be 1000 pixels wide, that’s no problem. There’s also a collage mode where you can arrange up to 9 images to either print or share.

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EE TV box price, specs and features: Free for broadband customers

In a bid to take on the likes of BT and TalkTalk, mobile network EE has announced its own EE TV set-top box which will rival YouView. The device is available now from EE stores nationwide and here's what you need to know about getting one, it's price and features. Updated on 19/03/15.

What is EE TV?

EE TV is a freeview service provided by the set-top box which you can see above. It offers over 70 Freeview channels and on-demand and catch-up services like BBC iPlayer, Wuaki.tv and Demand 5. You can pause, rewind and record live television broadcast.

Compared to rivals like YouView, it has a few tricks up its sleeve including the ability to continue watching live or on-demand content via smartphones or tablets when at home on the same network. Mobile devices can also be used as a remote control for the box via an app – for iOS and Android.

The system will allow up to four devices to simultaneously stream four different pieces of content. MultiRecord can also record four different programmes at once thanks to four tuners and also has a large 1TB hard drive for storing content.  

At the launch of the box Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, said: "Today we're announcing the most advanced TV service the UK has ever seen. How, where and when people watch TV and movies is changing, and mobile technology is driving that change."

A feature called 'Replay' allows customers to view the last 24 hours of TV from their favourite channels, and presents the shows in a simple way by genres or channels.

What is doesn't have

Although there is a lot of content available via BBC iPlayer, Wuaki.tv, Demand 5, YouTube and Sky Now TV there EE TV box doesn't have everything. It's currently missing the likes of 4OD, ITV Player and Netflix.

How much does EE TV cost? How do I get it?

The EE TV box is worth £300 but is free if you have EE home broadband. Existing customer will have to sign up for a new 18 month subscription. EE's mobile customers (EE, Orange and T-Mobile) without EE broadband will have to sign up to a package starting at £9.95 per month. That price doesn't include line rental which is £15.75 per month.

At the moment EE is giving away a free Huawei tablet worth £100 but the offer ends on 7 April.

If you fit with the above conditions then you'll be sent a free EE TV box which you'll need to plug into a TV or monitor with a spare HDMI port. You'll also need a minimum broadband speed of 4 Mbps for on-demand content and a working TV aerial. A TV license is also required.

EE TV box hardware and specs

The hardware will be supposedly be provided by Netgem, a Paris-based company which already partners with Orange SA, the French multinational which owns half of EE.

4 HD (high definition) tuners – DVB (digital video broadcasting) – T2
1 TB hard drive
Dual-band WiFi (2.4/5 GHz)
1 Gbps ethernet
Latest Broadcom processor (3000 DMIPS)

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Microsoft Band UK release date and price rumours, features and specs: Microsoft smartwatch confirmed for 15 April

Microsoft's first wearable device, the Microsoft Band, is coming to the UK next month. It's focused on health and fitness and is a rival to Samsung's Gear Fit. Here's everything you need to know including UK release date and price, features and specs. Read: The best smartwatches 2015: list of the best smartwatches you can buy right now.

The Microsoft Band has launched into a very competitive market, already populated by the likes of Google's Android Wear system which is now available on the LG G Watch and others, plus the hotly anticipated Apple Watch that was recently unveiled by Apple.

But, while the Microsoft Band can help with productivity by displaying email, calendar and message notifications, it's really indented to be a fitness band rather than a smartwatch, which is probably why it's called the Microsoft Band rather than the rumoured Surface Smartwatch.

Interestingly, though, Microsoft hasn't limited the Band to just work with Windows devices: it also works with Android and iOS. (See also: Microsoft Band vs Apple Watch comparison.)

Microsoft Band: Release date

Microsoft made the Microsoft Band available to order in the US back in October, and has confirmed it will be coming to the UK on 15 April. You can pre-order it now.

Microsoft Band: Price

Priced at $199 in the US, a straight conversion would be £125 in the UK. In fact UK users will pay £169.99 for the Microsoft Band.

Microsoft Band: Features

The Microsoft Band is powered by Microsoft's new Health platform, which Windows Phone, Android and iOS users will be able to use even if they don't own a Microsoft Band. Like Apple's Health app, it collects and stores data from fitness devices (whether that's the Microsoft Band or a third-party fitness tracker like the FitBit) to offer up insights to help you live a healthier life.

The Microsoft Band tracks your heart rate, steps, calories and sleep, and feeds all of that information into the Health app. You can set goals, use the Microsoft Band to complete guided workouts, map the routes you've run, cycled or hiked using GPS, and more.

In addition to the fitness features, you'll also be able to connect your Microsoft Band to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to get notifications such as emails, calendar alerts and text messages, which you'll be able to preview. It'll also let you know when you've got an incoming phone call, if you've got a notification from Twitter or Facebook, for example.

There's a built-in timer and alarm app on the Microsoft Band, too.

For Windows Phone 8.1 users, the Microsoft Band gives you access to Cortana from your wrist. You can ask Cortana to take a note for you, or set a reminder, for example.

Microsoft has also partnered up with third-parties to bring more compatible apps to the Microsoft Band, including Starbucks, MyfFitnesspPal, RunKeeper and more.

Microsoft Band: Design, specs and hardware

The Microsoft Band's strap is made with plastic and fastened with an adjustable clasp. At present, there's just the black/grey design, though.

The 1.4in TFT full colour display is 320 x 106 pixels, at 11mm x 33mm.

Microsoft claims that the Microsoft Band will last for 48 hours of normal use, but if suggests that the extended use of GPS could make battery life suffer. However, it'll only take 1.5 hours to recharge the Microsoft Band, which charges using a USB magnetic connector cable.

As you might expect, the Microsoft Band features lots of sensors, as listed below:

• Optical heart rate sensor
• 3-axis accelerometer/gyro
• Gyrometer
• GPS
• Ambient light sensor
• Skin temperature sensor
• UV sensor
• Capacitive sensor
• Galvanic skin response
• Microphone

The Microsoft Band isn't waterproof, but is dust and splash-resistant so should be ok to wear in the rain and will resist sweat.

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Dropbox (for Windows Phone)

• Pros

  Simple, clear interface. Automatic photo uploading.

• Cons Free storage allotment is low. Document viewing and editing requires external apps.
• Bottom Line

  The Dropbox Windows Phone app gives users of the popular syncing service solid access to their files, along with automatic photo uploading. But Microsoft OneDrive offers some advantages, not the least of which is price.

By Michael Muchmore

Dropbox remains a popular service, despite less-expensive and better-integrated options from software powerhouses, such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Apple iCloud Drive. The smaller synced-folder vendor is, however, to be congratulated in delivering a Windows Universal app (one that runs on Windows Phone as well as Windows PCs). Not even OneDrive can make that claim yet, and of course Google and Apple wouldn't dream of taking the lead in that area. But it makes sense for a company whose aim is to have all your documents and digital media available on all your devices all the time to have clients for as many platforms as exist. The Dropbox app was built by rock star Windows Phone developer, Rudy Huyn, the same author of the Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, and Wikipedia apps.

Getting Started With Dropbox for Windows Phone
You get the app from the Windows Phone Apps+Games store. It will install on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 phones, requiring just a paltry 4MB of storage space. To start doing anything at all with the app, you'll have to sign in to your existing Dropbox account, or you can create a new account within the app. Dropbox is very particular about creating a strong password for your account; the one I tried was "Very Weak" till I added lots more characters. Even after adding some numbers and an asterisk, it only rated my password as So-So. (Online backup providers would do well to emulate this password obsessiveness.) The rule seems to be that if it's a password you can remember, Dropbox won't like it. Chalk up another one for password managers such as LastPass and its ilk.

Dropbox gives you 2GB for free, but that's far behind services like OneDrive and Google Drive, both of which offer 15GB free. The latter doesn't offer an official Windows Phone app, however. If you decide Dropbox is the way you need to go, you'll pay $9.99 a month for 1TB of storage space. Even Apple iCloud Drive offers more attractive pricing options than that, with a $0.99 per month 20 GB plan and a $3.99-per-month 200 GB plan—probably more than enough for the average home user. OneDrive has a $1.99 per month 100GB plan, and an Office 365 subscription (starting at $6.99 per month) gets you 1TB.

Once you're logged in, you'll see a mostly white screen, with three buttons along the top and three at the bottom. You'll have one document entry called, Getting Started.pdf. It's probably a good idea to give that a look. Unfortunately, that explanatory PDF isn't targeted for this app, but rather for the service as a whole, and it's really talking to desktop users. But in truth, you'll likely want to have Dropbox on your desktop, too, if you don't already.

The three buttons across the top are for views of your actual drop box—the area showing files you've uploaded from anywhere you've logged in to the same account; your photos; and your favorites. Those along the bottom are the action buttons, which let you create new folders (which will be subfolders of your main Dropbox folder), upload files from the Windows Phone, and search. An overflow menu button (…) lets you refresh the view, sort items (by date or name), change settings, and provide feedback.

Photo Uploads
The Dropbox app offers automatic photo upload, but it's rather limited compared with OneDrive: It doesn't encompass video, and by default uploading only happens when your battery is very full and you're connected via Wi-Fi. When you enable automatic photo uploading, you'll get additional choices, such as enabling uploading even while you have the camera app open; it's probably a good idea to enable this if you use the camera a lot. And you can tell the service to work with cellular data as well as Wi-Fi, in case you have a generous data plan. I did like that Dropbox uploaded all existing photos on my test phone, a Lumia 1020, but an option to specify whether existing or only new photos should be uploaded would be nice.

Sharing from the app is very simple, and plays into the Windows Phone app ecosystem. You simply tap the standard share button from any file view. A list of likely share target apps opens (Facebook, email, Twitter, etc.), and a message is created with the link to the file or folder. Alternatively, you can copy the link and paste it anywhere you like in the phone interface. When you share a folder, you have the option to invite a colleague to collaborate on the items in the folder.

Tapping on a document or spreadsheet file opened it as read-only in Office Word and Excel Mobile apps on my phone, but I could save a new copy to the phone storage or to OneDrive. PDFs opened in the Adobe Reader Windows Phone app, which was fine, but other services, such as IDrive, offer in-app viewing of common document types.

Drop Everything
Windows Phone users will be no doubt delighted to have a capable first-party app for the popular Dropbox file syncing and online storage service. OneDrive, our Editors' Choice syncing and online storage service, is more integrated with the phone OS and document-editing apps. For hardcore Dropbox fans, the app is a must-download, but if you're shopping for cloud syncing and storage, OneDrive is a better deal.

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45 Baby Names that Mean Music

For some parents, the definition of a name is just as important as the sound. Music is universal and names with musical definitions make great choices for your little ones. Musical names come from many countries and heritages. They have simple and creative spellings and various sound options. Let's take a look at the great name options that have musical definitions.

(1) Shira: (female) Shira is Hebrew for song. I love the sound of Shira!

(2) Apollo: (male) Meaning God of music and poetry, this Greek name is a strong choice for a baby boy.

(3) Ranit: (male or female) Hebrew for song, Ranit is a great choice for a little boy or girl.

(4) Nazim: (male) Nazim is Indian for song and has a great sound. Naz is a great nickname as well.

(5) Alahya: (female) This Indian name means musical tone or color. It's so beautiful and I love the spelling.

(6) Lirit: (female) This Hebrew name means lyrical and has a great simple sound. It's like a better Merrit.

(7) Dewon: (male) Dewon is Irish for song and fits right into the popular sound for boys names today.

(8) Melody: (female) Melody is of Greek origin and is a wonderful choice. The melody is the most important part of a song!

(9) Roni: (male or female) Hebrew for song, Roni could work on a little boy or girl.

(10) Saron: (male or female) Meaning his song in Hebrew, Saron has a wonderful sound to it.

(11) Aria: (female) This English name means gentle music. It's more of an obvious choice musically speaking, but still beautiful.

(12) Philomela: (female) This Greek name means lover of music. It is a bit of a mouthful, but fits right in with Gabriella or Isabella.

(13) Leron: (male) The Arabic meaning of Leron means the song is mine. It's a wonderful definition for your child and has a great, modern sound.

(14) Sora: (female) Sora is Native American for chirping songbird. It's a softer Zora and has such a pretty sound.

(15) Brage: (male) This is the Norwegian name for the god of music. It has a really cool sound.

(16) Rina: (female) Rina is Hebrew for joyous song. It's beautiful and is a great choice for parents who don't like nicknames.

(17) Alima: (female) Alima is an Arabic name that means learned in dance or music. It has a simple spelling and a pretty sound to it.

(18) Lark: (male or female) The American meaning of Lark is songbird. I think it could work on a boy or girl.

(19) Ranim: (male or female) Arabic for reciting in a sing song voice, Ranim is a wonderful choice for your baby boy or girl.

(20) Cadence: (female) This American name means musical beat. It another choice that is a bit more obvious, but has such a great sound and energy to it.

(21) Philyra: (female) Like Philomela, Philyra means lover of music. It is a simpler spelling, so much more relate-able for modern parents.

(22) Chantal: (female) From the French verb to sing, Chantal is a beautiful name with many alternate spelling choices.

(23) Binali: (female) With the cute nickname Nali, the Hindi name Binali is a beautiful choice. It means musical instrument.

(24) Piper: (male or female) Piper literally means a flute player. It's gender bending, so you can consider it for your baby boy or girl.

(25) Lyric: (female) Lyric is Greek for melodic word. While it is obvious, I love this name!

(26) Aika: (male or female) Aika means love song in Japanese. It has such a great definition and a very unique sound.

(27) Ruana: (female) This Hindi name means musical instrument and the nickname Ru is absolutely adorable.

(28) Musetta: (female) Musetta is French for a song. It is a really pretty name and frilly as well. I like Muse and Etta as nicknames.

(29) Bethany: (female) This is a recognizable name that means house of music in Hebrew. It's a great way to honor music and your daughter, without the name being that out there.

(30) Charmaine: (female) In Latin, Charmaine means to sing. It has a pretty sound and is definitely a bold choice.

(31) Harper: (male or female) This name literally means harp player. It's gaining popularity and can be used on a little boy or girl.

(32) Carol: (female) The French meaning of Carol is melody and song. You could also do Carolyn, Caroline, or Carollie.

(33) Daina: (female) Daina means song in Lithuania. It's a cooler spelling then Dana, and is easy to say.

(34) Jaron: (male) Meaning to shout and sing in Hebrew, Jaron is a really cool choice for your baby boy. It is much cooler than Jayden!

(35) Gita: (female) Gita is Hindi for song and has such a cute energy and sound.

(36) Kotone: (male) Kotone means harp sound in Japanese. I really like the cool sound to this name. It's very strong.

(37) Mavis: (female) This name has a very unique sound, but is super easy to spell. It is the name of a bird that means song thrush.

(38) Carmen: (female) The Latin and Spanish definition of Carmen is song. It's also the name of a beautiful opera.

(39) Riya: (female) Riya means singer in Hindi. It can also be spelled Ria, but I really love it with the "y."

(40) Zamir: (male) Hebrew for songbird, Zamir is an awesome choice for your baby boy. I love Z names, and this is a great way to take a departure from Zachary.

(41) Chyna: (female) Chyna means musical instrument. If you are a music lover who loves place names, this could be your top choice.

(42) Harmony: (female) Another obvious choice, Harmony is a great option for parents who want a recognizable musical choice.

(43) Kousan: (male) In Armenian, Kousan means singer. I really love the sound of this name, and think it should be on any music lovers list of possiblities.

(44) Zimri: (male) Zimri means my music in Hebrew. It has a really cool, unique sound and would make a great choice!

(45) Calliope: (female) Meaning beautiful voice in Greek, Calliope has such a cool sound and a great nickname in Calli.

Viber for Windows 8

The version for Windows 8.1 of the popular messaging application Viber lets you chat, make calls, send images, and share funny stickers with your contacts. This way you can have it both on your phone and on your home PC.

Chatting and calls, at home and on the go

The first thing you need to know when you download Viber for Windows 8.1 is that you must have it installed on your Android, iPhone, BlackBerry or Windows Phone. During the registration process, you'll be prompted to enter your phone number, to which you'll receive a code to activate the app on Windows 8.1.

At that time, Viber imports your Viber contact list and integrates them into the application. This way you'll be able to see all your friends who use Viber and be able to start communicating with them.

Viber for Windows 8.1 allows you to chat and make voice calls (no video) with your contacts, as well as send funny stickers and smileys, incorporated into the latest versions for mobile phones.

In text chat, Viber lets you create chat groups of up to 40 contacts. Unfortunately, this version of Viber doesn't support group calls, so you need to do these one by one.

Viber knows how to take advantage of the features of Windows 8.1 on the level of notifications, dynamic icons and the Dock function.

The notifications work well and can be displayed on the lock screen of your device. The dynamic icon shows you details of your last conversation or call, and if you want you can anchor any contact to Home to have more direct access. And the best part: the Dock feature lets you leave a Viber conversation in a corner of the screen while you use other apps. Nice.

Clean and clear interface, if a little...empty

This version of Viber is very "Windows 8 style," very Modern. It's characterized by a very clean interface, on a white background with purple details. The buttons and elements are large and designed to be used with a touch device. The only thing we would say is that the interface is so clean, it gives the impression of being somewhat souless, almost empty. 

The call quality is striking: in our tests the clarity was excellent. 

But without a doubt the best of Viber from a user perspective is being able to have it both on the phone and the PC. It's really convenient as it means you can chat with a friend while you're walking home and then continue the conversation in front of your laptop or desktop PC.

Very good, yes, but the same as all the others

Viber for Windows 8.1 is a comprehensive messaging application, there's no doubt. It's lightweight, pleasing to the eye and works perfectly on all calls. It does the same as all its rivals...which effectively means it's the same as all its rivals. 

Viber doesn't do anything that Skype or LINE doesn't do. In fact, seeing as it doesn't share videos or files and you can't do video calls, then it actually does less than its rivals. Therefore, if you don't use Viber regularly on your phone then there really aren't many reasons to change messaging application.

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Sonic Dash for Windows 8

Sonic Dash is a behind-the-back endless running game in which the blue hedgehog has to run as far as possible, avoiding all the obstacles.

Sonic Dash gameplay

The idea of Sonic Dash is very similar to popular endless runners like Temple Run or Subway Surfers. Sonic sprints forward and you have to guide him past obstacles, collecting rings as you go.

As with Temple Run, there are collectible items along the way in Sonic Dash, such as magnets that trap coins, dash boosts and extra lives.

To start with you can only play as Sonic, but it is possible to unlock other characters from the popular Sega franchise: namely Tails, Knuckles and Amy. To do this you need to build up enough red rings to unlock them (or make an in-app purchase).

The gameplay in Sonic Dash is fun and you'll constantly want to start again and try to beat your highest scores.

Ultimately though, Sonic Dash doesn't differ much from the format of Temple Run in terms of gameplay and adds little innovation in terms of game modes or unique features, aside from the element of having to kill baddies from the Sonic games and losing your rings if you get hit but being able to carry on.

Taking control of Sonic

The controls in Sonic Dash are based around touch gestures. Swipe left and right to move Sonic from side to side, flick upwards to make him jump, and down to roll. Rolling enables you to kill baddies, as well as go under low-hanging obstacles.

Unfortunately, there's just one control system in Sonic Dash. It would've been nice to have the option to switch to tilt-based controls for players who prefer this method of gaming.

An (almost) authentic Sonic experience

The great thing about Sonic Dash is the way it looks and feels like a proper Sonic adventure. From the lush design of the settings to the way Sonic moves, memories of Sonic games of old will come flooding back. The nostalgia factor is heightened by the presence of baddies from previous games.

I was disappointed the music from the original Sonic game wasn't included though, and I feel this would've really capped off the playing experience of Sonic Dash.

Animation is generally pretty smooth, although we did observe some lag at times.

One of the few bugbears we had with the presentation of Sonic Dash is the long loading time when you launch the game.

Conclusion

Although Sonic Dash brings little new to the 'endless running' format in terms of gameplay, it's a game that will delight if you're a fan of the little critter - especially if you're into Temple Run too!

Notes

Clicking the download button will take you to the Windows store, where you can download the app.

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WinZip for Windows 8 review: Windows 8 app offers powerful zipping and file sharing

Metro, or Modern, or whatever you'd like to call the new style of applications that debuted with Windows 8, is problematic. It's problematic because it's built for touch, but forces itself on your non-touch computer, too. And because of its expanse of white (or blank, for it's often in some intense shade of colour) space and very low information density. And because it relies on hidden gestures you somehow have to guess would bring up toolbars you never knew were there to begin with. See all Windows app reviews.

I could keep counting the ways, but the point is that it's very difficult to make a Modern app that actually feels "right" on a modern desktop computer. That's the context in which I tested WinZip for Windows 8, and it proves designing a decent Modern app is a serious challenge even for a software company as established as Corel, and for a brand as iconic as WinZip.

When you first launch WinZip for Windows 8, it takes over your entire screen, of course. But it presents no buttons or menus: Only the cryptic line, "Use the app bar to start adding files/folders to a new Zip file or to Open an existing Zip file," and a vast, soothing expanse of colour. That's great, if you happen to know what the "app bar" is. If you dontt, you may find yourself randomly clicking around until you happen to right-click anywhere on the screen. This is what you need to do to pop open a toolbar that's hidden at the bottom of the screen--and that's the toolbar you need to get anything done with WinZip for Windows 8. Hiding the toolbar like this is a standard Modern UI convention, and it's just as terrible on WinZip for Windows 8 as it is in other applications.

WinZip for Windows 8: six-button toolbar

The toolbar has six buttons: Add Files, Add a Folder, New Zip, Open Zip, and all the way to the far right, ZipSend and ZipShare. You can add files and folders locally, but WinZip for Windows 8 can also plug into Dropbox, Google Drive, and SkyDrive, letting you pull files from those cloud services into your archive. Once you tell it where you want to look for files, a file browser fills the screen. Everything is enormous and touch-optimized, but the interface works. It's not without its Modern quirks, though: If you add a folder and regret it, you need to right-click the folder's name at the bottom of the screen to remove it. There's no indication that's what you're supposed to do (I just had to figure it out by trying), and I have no idea what you'd do if you had a touchscreen with no way to right-click anything. Such perplexing moments are par for the course in most Modern apps, though.

Once you add files and folders, WinZip crunches some numbers and shows the archive's vital statistics in the right sidebar. You can see its name, how many folders and files it contains, and how big it is. You can also opt to encrypt the files, and finally, you can save the file or send it to others using WinZip's ZipSend and ZipShare services. Feeling particularly savvy, I brought up the Windows 8 Charms bar and clicked Share, only to find out that I "don't have any apps that can share this content." So, instead of using the much-vaunted sharing built into Windows 8, you have to use WinZip's own solution.

If you own a conventional desktop or laptop computer, there is absolutely no reason to use WinZip for Windows 8. It's not because Corel didn't create a good product -- it's because Modern is basically unusable for any sort of real work, and archive management counts as "real work" in my book. I can hope WinZip for Windows 8 works better on a tablet with a touch interface, but as long as I have a plain old desktop, I remain grateful for the desktop version of WinZip.

See also: Best Windows 8 apps: Windows 8 app group test

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HTC One M9 vs HTC One M8 comparison: new HTC One M9 is HTC's best ever smartphone - here's why you should upgrade from HTC One M8 to HTC One M9

The HTC One M9 has been announced at MWC 2015. As the first flagship Android phone of 2015 it is a big, big deal. And in our view at least it is a great smartphone.

HTC needs a winner right now, and we think it is the HTC One M9. Should you get an HTC One M8 or wait for the HTC One M9 Hima? Read on and we will explain, based on our extensive testing of the HTC One M8, and our HTC One M9 review: hands-on with HTC's best ever smartphone - the headline there may give away what we really feel. (For more, see HTC One M9 UK release date, price, specs rumours.)

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: UK price and availability

The HTC One M8 is widely available in the UK. At launch, the HTC One M8 cost £550 on a SIM-free basis – but these days you can get it for less. And it is going to go down quickly when the HTC One M9 launches. Right now you can get a good deal on the HTC One M8 here.

If you want an HTC One M8, shop around and you can find this great handset for as little as £400 - £450. The HTC One M9 finally arrived on 1 March 2015, at a lavish launch event. You can relive the excitement here: New HTC One M9 launch as it happened.

You'll be able to get your hands on the new HTC One M9 at the very end of the month: it will be released on 31st March. The firm hasn't announced a price but we expect it it will have a typical flagship price, which is currently around the £549 mark. We'll update this article when retailers reveal their prices. (See also: Best smartphones in the UK | Best phones | Best mobile phones.)

So today your only choice is the HTC One M8. But hang around for a few weeks and you will have a choice of that phone for a very cheap price, or the HTC One M9, which will be widely available.

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: design and build

The HTC One M8 has a uni-body aluminium design. It measures 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4mm and weighs 160g. Relatively large for a 2014 flagship, it doesn't feel too large in the hand. Of all the Androids the HTC One M8 is the only one that feels like an iPhone-like premium smartphone. Ergonomic, but also sturdy. This is important because, as well as feeling like a device which has been carefully designed and put together, it doesn't feel overly delicate.

There is a case for the HTC One M8, but we doubt you would need it. From launch, the M8 itself is available in three different colours. The most popular is likely to be 'Metal Grey' but there's also 'Artic Silver' and 'Amber Gold'.

The HTC One M9 has been criticised for looking too similar to its predecessor. This seems harsh - as described above the HTC One M8 is beautiful. Why change?

It's made from a similar metal block to that of the M8 and uses the same curved shape and hairline finish while using angular features from the HTC One M7 (the original HTC One). New features in the design include a scratch-resistant coating, machine drilled buttons, and a sapphire glass lens on the rear camera. The power button is now on the side instead of the top which we think is a much better place for it.

Colour options are similar but HTC has employed a new two-tone look with the back and sides getting contrasting adonisation. In our photos you can see the rear cover has a silver finish while the sides are gold. If this model doesn't float your boat then there will also be 'gold on gold' and 'gun metal grey on grey'.

The HTC One M9 is a very desirable smartphone when held in the hand. It fits nicely and like the M8, is one of the only phones on the market to compete with the iPhone on build quality. It screams of craftsmanship but the stepped design might not be to everyone's taste as at certain angles it looks like a case.

We were hoping for a thinner and lighter design and although the device is slightly lighter than its predecessor, it's marginally thicker. Overall it is an improvement on the HTC One M8, but only a marginal step forward. We wouldn't upgrade just for this. (See also: 16 best new phones coming in 2015.)

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: display

HTC has given the One M8 a 5in display - that's actually a little on the small side in the current big beasts phablet market, but we found it a great size in a well-sized handset. The screen's resolution is a 'mere' Full HD (1920x1080). This gives a more than healthy pixel density of 441ppi. The HTC One's display is crisp, vibrant and looks stunning. We like the contrast ratio and viewing angles.

One thing we particularly like about the M8's screen is its silky gloss finish which, more than other phones, means your finger glides brilliantly across its surface. It's just another detail which makes this phone feel so premium. With the HTC One M9, HTC has decided to stick with a 5in screen for the M9 and has also kept the resolution at Full HD (1080 x 1920). As with the design, there's no upgrade here because there doesn't need to be (but that cheaper HTC One M8 is looking like a bargain right now). 

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: specs and performance

The M8 runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. In this case the 801 quad-core chip has a slightly lower than average clock speed of 2.3GHz. And there is 'only' 2GB of memory. The HTC One M8 continues to offer outstanding performance, and around 24 hours of battery life with reasonable use.

Fast forrward ot the HTC One M9 and memory has been boosted by 50 percent to 3 GB and there's a new processor in the form of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 which is both octa-core and 64-bit. It comes with the Adreno 430 GPU. We'll test performance properly when we get to spend a lot of time with a final unit, but signs look promising based on our hands-on time. This is a very fast phone, and it should be faster and more future-proofed than is the HTC One M8. (Also see: what's the fastest smartphone 2015.)

Wireless setup remains strong with 11ac dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, NFC and an IR blaster. If you were hoping for any new features such as a fingerprint scanner or heart rate monitor then it's bad news.

Mysteriously, even before launch the HTC One M9 showed up in the Geekbench 3.0 database, a benchmark we use to compare smartphone- and tablet processing power. According to the database the HTC One M9 recorded 1232 points in the single-core component, and 3,587 points in multicore. If true, that would make the HTC One M9 faster than any smartphone we've ever reviewed. Whether you need a faster smartphone is another question, but expect good progress in this space.

If speed is your thing, the HTC One M9 is a worthy upgrade.

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: storage

The HTC One M8 comes with only 16GB onboard storage. You will need more storage than that, and you can add it: there is an SD card slot that allows you to mount an additional 128GB.

With the HTC One M9 you get 32GB of internal storage and an SD card slot capable of accepting up to 128 GB cards. Minor improvement here, then.

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: cameras

With its recent cameras HTC has eschewed the megapixels arms race. And that is probably a good thing. The HTC One M8 has a HTC UltraPixel Duo Camera including a 5Mp front camera with wide angle lens. There isn't as much detail in photos compared to the M8's rivals but because its pixels are bigger the phone is better suited to low-light situations. The dual-focus feature is interesting and fun. Sadly video quality is poor.

The HTC One M9 no longer has the Duo Camera setup consisting of two camera lenses. Instead, HTC has gone for a 20 Mp rear camera with the same dual-LED flash.

It can record video in 4K resolution and uses a 'dynamic exposure algorithm' to mimic the human eye. Despite the lack of a second depth sensor, we're told it can still produce similar effects to the Duo Camera. The front camera on the M9 is the rear camera from the M8 for selfies and although all of this seems promising HTC has asked us not to comment on photo or video quality as the handset we saw was pre-production and not running the final software.

To go with the new hardware is a software feature called One Gallery which we haven't been able to try out but will in theory bring all your photos together from the likes of Dropbox, Flickr, Google Drive and Facebook into one place.

It is difficult to be truly sure at this stage, but the hardware- and software improvements made in the HTC One M9 suggest that it will be a much better camera.

HTC One M9 Hima vs HTC One M8 smartphone comparison: software

The HTC One M8 runs Android KitKat. HTC's BlinkFeed feature is more in your face than a standard Android install, but remains beloved by some. Sense 6.0 brought with it some new features, including on-screen buttons, full-screen mode, and Motion Launch Gestures. There are other minor tweaks, but customisation has been improved with the ability to select different theme. In a similar way to other phones which use themes, a wallpaper is tied in with a particular colour which is then used throughout the software such as the settings menu. We haven't tried this out yet but you can also choose a different system font to create a very different look and feel.

As you would expect, the HTC One M9 runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop which is the latest version. However, HTC doesn't leave it as is so puts its own skin or user interface over the top. The M9 introduces Sense 7.0 which has some new features.

HTC largely does things its own way with BlinkFeed to the left of the main homescreen, a grid view recent apps menu and a vertically scrolling app menu. However, the stock dropdown notification bar is in use (with some HTC style added) and the good news is that you can customise which quick settings you want.

Talking of customisation, this is the main emphasis of Sense 7.0 so there's a new Themes app where you can download various user interface themes. However, you can edit details yourself such as icon styles and fonts. The software will also generate a theme for you based on a photo.

We've already mentioned HTC Connect and One Gallery in relation to audio and photo and another new feature is called HTC Home. It's another thing which we've not been able to test but it sounds great. The software is location aware so you can use a different lock- and homescreens depending on where you are.

For example, when at work you'll get icons for your email and calendar and these will automatically get replaced with a remote control app and Facebook when you get home. You can select what you want for each layout but suggestions will be made based on your habits. (See also: Best Android phones 2015 UK | Best Android smartphone reviews.)

The upgrade to Lollipop alone is a reason for me to want to upgrade the handset. But those HTC Sense developments are well worth having too.

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How to get OnePlus One phone with or without an invite: buy OnePlus One phone without an invite

We explain how to get a OnePlus One phone invite, and how to buy a OnePlus One phone without an invite. (See also: Best smartphones of 2015 UK.)

The OnePlus One is a great phone. A high-quality flagship Android phone with the very best specifications at a staggeringly cheap price. It is the best deal smartphone of 2014. There is only one caveat: it is hard to get hold of. To buy the One from OnePlus you need an invite. Once you have the invite you click a link into the email you are sent, log in to the OnePlus site and make your purchase. Here we explain how to get a OnePlus One phone invite, and how to buy a OnePlus One phone without an invite. (See also: Inside the OnePlus One phone: What the specs don't tell you.)

How to get a OnePlus One phone invite

The easiest way is to ask someone who has a OnePlus One to send you an invite. Everyone who purchases a OnePlus One receives a number of invites which they can dole out to friends and family. If you can't immediately bring to mind anyone with a OnePlus One phone, don't be shy. Ask around, post a request on Facebook or Twitter: you never know, you may be able to find a friend with an invite. We wouldn't recommend that you accept an invite from a total stranger, but business is based on connections and you never know your luck.

The other way to get a OnePlus One invite is to enter contests and promotional events hosted on the OnePlus Forums or OnePlus' social media channels, or those hosted by third parties. There's no guarantee that you will win of course. And you will be giving away your data. But if you can stomach those odds it may be worth a shot. (See also: Where is the OnePlus One phone? OnePlus One shipments delayed by customs.)

How to get OnePlus One phone without an invite

OnePlus is now selling the One on its site without you needing an invite - but only on a Tuesday. The phone will go on sale every Tuesday at 8am (London time), and will remain on sale for 24 hours.

However, if you miss this opportunity, below is how you buy the OnePlus One without an invite.

You don't actually need an invite to buy the OnePlus One, although there are risks and you won't get quite as good a bargain. Third-party vendors such as MobiCity.co.uk and AliExpress.com claim to have stock that they are willing to ship to the UK. There are other sites listing OnePlus One phones as being in stock. Some of them are via Amazon, too. This offers an additional layer of protection. We're not recommending this route, or any of the sites listed here. But it is an option if you are keen.

AliExpress is up front about the fact that it is shipping from China. It charges $495 for the 64GB OnePlus One, and there are additional fees for shipping. You may well be charged import duty by Customs and Excise, too (I had to pay £31 - since refunded - to import my OnePlus One via OnePlus itself).

Be aware also that the spec may not be exactly the same as the UK version of the phone. You won't have a UK charger, for instance, although any USB charger will work. And you will want to check that the correct LTE bands will work in the UK. Finally, AliExpress is to be credited for being upfront about delivery times. It claims that you may have to wait three weeks or more to get your OnePlus phone.

MobiCity quotes a UK price of £367.19 inc VAT for the 64GB OnePlus One. In the specs it states: 'Please note that this is the Chinese variant of the mobile, with CyanogenMod and Google Play installed prior to order fulfilment.' Delivery times are estimated as 'Dispatched in 7 working days' with an additional box that states: 'This item is being restocked or is located in a secondary warehouse. Such items can take up to 3-7 days to be dispatched. Once shipped tracking details will be emailed to you.' I would expect that you would have to wait a good couple of weeks to get hold of the OnePlus One - at the earliest.

With all of these there are a couple of caveats. For one thing, whenever you purchase from an online store with no UK street address you are running a risk. Mitigate these risks by using a credit card - if the purchase goes wrong it is the bank's money. Also read all the small print to make sure you know exactly what you are getting. Both of the sites mentioned above are clear that they are selling Chinese-spec phone handsets. Be sure that is what you want. (You may also wonder from where they are getting their stock.)

You are also overpaying somewhat. The OnePLus One is great, principally because it is a high-calibre smartphone at a bargain price. The 64GB model sold in the examples above retails from OnePlus for £269 inc VAT and delivery. AliExpress' $495 is £290 before delivery and import tax. MobiCity's £367 is probably about where you'd end up from AliExpress. There's nothing wrong with this, per se. The vendors are charging a premium for grey imports of in-demand products. But by overpaying you are reducing the reasons for choosing the OnePlus. (See also: OnePlus One release date, price, specs, pre-orders: Storm of Invites despite customs delay.)

OnePlus One pre-order system

OnePlus is now also working on a pre-order system for buying the OnePlus One, without needing an invite. It says you'll be able to cancel your order at any time up until the order is processed. See OnePlus One release date, price, specs UK: Pre-order at 3pm.

"During a limited time window, you will be able to place an order for the OnePlus One. If we have the items in stock, we’ll ship immediately. If we don’t, it will automatically become a pre-order. No matter what, we’ll always tell you our best approximation for when it will ship before you submit the payment authorization (we’ll reserve the payment and charge you when we ship)," the firm said in a blog post.

It also added that while there's a time limit, any amount of orders can be made. The orders which are received, the longer a shipping estimation will be. Customers will be able to choose things like accessories days before placing a pre-order so when the system is live, it will be a simple click of a button.

OnePlus One order placement with third party services 

We've found that orders can be made through overseas online vendors such as eGlobal Central and Coolicool.com the ordering system is straight forward to use which is great, however you will still have to wait for International shipping, more information on these details can be found on their respective websites. 

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Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi: the latest 2-in-1 to use Intel Core M processing

First there was the Asus Taichi: a laptop featuring screens on both sides of lid, and one of the more interesting 2-in1 designs we've seen. Now there is simply the Chi: a 2-in-1 laptop featuring one screen, but a removable one so that you can use it as a tablet or as a laptop whenever you please. It's a more conventional product, and one that makes use of Intel's Core M processor in order to cut down on thickness, weight, and noise.

It has a size of 12.5in, making it similar to products such as Toshiba's business-oriented Portege Z20t, which also uses a Core M CPU, but this Asus has a consumer bent and is squarely aimed at those of you who require the functions of a tablet, in addition to a notebook, and don't want to carry separate devices.

Being a tablet-focused product, all of the processing power is held in the screen, and there are two T300 configurations to choose from: the T300CHI-FH014H has a Core M-5Y71 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB solid state drive (SSD), and a screen resolution of 2560x1440. It includes an active stylus in the package. Meanwhile, the T300CHI-FL005H has the same configuration, except that it contains 4GB of RAM, it doesn't include a stylus by default, and you have the choice of getting a Full HD native resolution instead.

A stated thickness of just over 7mm makes it one of the slimmest Windows 8.1-based tablets you will find (Toshiba's is around 9mm), and the thin outcome is primarily due to the new Intel CPU, which doesn't require a fan to keep it cool. Other benefits of this cooler-running CPU are a lighter weight (the tablet is stated to be 750g on its own), and silent operation. We haven't used it yet, so we can't tell how warm it might get, or if there are any hot spots you need to be aware of.

Its keyboard base holds the tablet using magnets on the hinge, which should make detachment and attachment a simple task, though the base is stated as being 700g, and therefore 50g lighter than the screen. This makes the unit top-heavy, and suggests you'll have to be careful about the notebook's balance when using it in your lap. The connection between the keyboard and tablet is via Bluetooth.

Both the base and the tablet are constructed out of milled aluminium, which should make them feel solid, as well as look sleek. Ports on the tablet are of the micro variety. They include micro-HDMI, micro-USB 2.0, and micro-USB 3.0. A microSD card slot is also present. Rounding out the features are a headset jack, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a camera, and built-in speakers and a mic.

We'll bring you a full review that includes battery life and screen quality information as soon as we can get our hands on it.

Pricing is $1599 for the top model Transformer Book T300 (T300CHI-FH014H) and $1299 for the mid-range model Transformer Book T300 (T300CHI-FL005H).

There is an entry-level Chi T100 (T100CHI-FG003B) available for $699, which has a Full HD 10.1in screen, an Intel Atom Z3775 CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, and runs 32-bit Windows 8.1 with Bing.

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