The tech world is expanding rapidly in an amazingly revolutionary way. We’ve witnessed the transformation of landline phones into smartphones, desktop computers into portable laptops and watches into smart fitness trackers. And now we are noticing a new trend in the tech world in the shape of smart TVs. 

Smart TVs have certainly modernized the entertainment industry in many ways. But can a smart TV replace a PC in terms of functionality? This is a question that we are addressing in this article so keep on reading. 

What is Smart TV? 

The main reason why smart TVs are so popular is their unique properties. Unlike traditional TVs, smart TV has an internet browser and can access the Internet using Wi-Fi. You can use a smart TV to access streaming services and can run a few built-in apps as well. Thus, it combines the features of a traditional TV and a few characteristics of a computer. 

Can an advanced smart TV replace a PC? 

Well, the short answer to this question is a big No! Although smart TVs can connect you to the internet, they lack various qualities of a PC. Here are some major differences that show Smart TVs have to travel a long distance to be really smart like a PC. 

1) Processing Power 

A smart TV features microprocessor cores that are commonly used in mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. Whereas we know that PCs are equipped with powerful multi-core processors that are known to run high-end devices. Smart TVs usually feature a built-in ARM CPU, while a desktop PC or laptop generally features an intel or AMD CPU. 

2) Apps & Programs 

The next major difference is visible when we pay attention to operating systems. A PC runs on the Windows, macOS or Chrome operating system, which is considered more powerful to run a tech device. On the other hand, smart TVs have their own operating systems, such as LG smart TVs run on webOS while Samsung’s smart TVs run on the Tizen operating system. 

In addition, apps in smart TVs are usually optimized and designed for viewing and touch devices. The operating systems in smart TVs are not powerful enough to run productive programs or media editing tools. 

3) User Experience 

The basic purpose of a smart TV is to offer good visual experience whether you are streaming Netflix or YouTube. Some smart TVs allow users to type and chat with other people using a remote or integrated keyboard. However, communicating so is not a good experience and a very tedious activity. 

On the contrary, running an app or typing words is easier on a PC. A remote is certainly not as comfy as a keyboard and/or mouse of a PC. 

4) Difference in Functionality 

As we mentioned earlier, smart TV is just an advanced form of traditional TV. Its major function is to entertain us providing a better visual experience and streaming videos using the internet. We can search for our favourite movies and shows, watch them, or record them to watch later. 

A PC is intended to help us in creative work, such as editing videos, creating animations, and/or music editing. It improves the productivity level by solving computing problems and help us prepare diagrams and reports. 

Conclusion 

Both PCs and smart TVs serve different objectives and purposes. We might see smart TVs in the near future that could help us in productive tasks. But right now, smart TVs are far behind than a PC and can only help us watch our favourite shows online. 

Going out and exploring is the new staying in. If you’re soon to be going on a travelling adventure or even just a short weekend getaway, make sure you have all the necessities to make your getaway an even better experience!

Read on for our list of the top 5 items for your weekend travels!

Sony Experia XA and Lenovo ThinkPad

Of course, no getaway is truly complete without having your trusted smartphone or tablet with you. If you’re going on holiday or you’re going to a weekend festival, you’ll need to make sure you’re able to get online and share all the highlights on your social networking pages to give everyone serious FOMO.

The Sony Experia is an all-rounder with its outstanding 21.5MP full HD camera you’re sure to get the best quality pictures with this smartphone. The Lenovo ThinkPad, on the other hand, is a tablet, it comes with built in Wi-Fi as well as a Full HD multi- touch display so you can send those tweets out in lightning speed!

(If you’re looking for a cheap tablet, read our post on the best tablets under £100 here)

Toshiba Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

 
What better way to keep the music experience going, and to wind down after visiting a weekend long music event than with a portable speaker, listening to your favourite tunes, whilst gathered around with your friends.

Naturally, we had to include a wireless speaker in our list of the top 5 items for your weekend travels; and this Toshiba speaker is compact enough to fit in your bags or carry in your hand, and it allows you to stream your music wirelessly, using Bluetooth or NFC technology so there’s no need for unnecessary wires holding you back. The sleek finish of the speaker with the white colour also gives the speaker a cool futuristic look.

LG 360 Cam

Cameras are the perfect gadget to let you capture your memories forever, and for you to be able to share the experience with others. They have become a staple item for us all when it comes to packing for any kind of travels, whether that is just for local sightseeing or a holiday across the globe.

When it comes to taking pictures whilst travelling, you want to ensure that you don’t just have a good quality camera but a camera that offers a little bit more. The LG 360 is equipped with 13MP dual wide angle lens cameras, making it perfect for taking remarkable and unique pictures. It has 2k video recording as well as a built in microphone for high quality videos. The small compact design makes it portable and the built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth means video and photo sharing is even easier.

Targus Grid Backpack

If you’re going backpacking or not someone who travels light you’re going to need a good sturdy backpack to keep all of your gadgets and belongings safe, and you want something that is comfortable enough to wear without feeling like its weighing you down!

The Targus backpack’s hidden travel pockets let you keep your gadgets packed away safely, but close enough in case you get lost or need a little helping hand from technology. The bottle holder also means you can keep a drink handy so you don’t get dehydrated! It provides ample storage space for all your personal belongings for your weekend away.

It is a military spec standard backpack so it will keep all your valuables safe as it is wind, rain and dust resistant, making it perfect for hiking. It also has padded shoulders for extra comfort.

Pebble Time Steel Smartwatch

Remember all those New Year’s resolutions you set to keep on top of your fitness and be healthier? A Smartwatch is the perfect way to revive those long forgotten plans! They are not just for all of the fitness obsessed people because they allow you to keep on top of your health in a more fun and interactive way and you can wear them anywhere, even on your trips and getaways.

The Pebble Time Steel Smartwatch has an outstanding up to 10 day battery life so you don’t need to carry chargers around with you on your trips. You can even step in the pool or take a shower without having to take it off because it’s also water resistant. It also comes with a 1 year warranty for added peace of mind.

If your calendar is filling up with travel plans with the arrival of Spring, and our much warmer weather, or you’re planning a trip out of the country these top 5 items for your weekend travels are sure to make your outing more pleasant and enjoyable. We hope you enjoyed reading!

We often hear about the ‘Steve Jobs’ and ‘Bill Gates’ of the technology world and their contributions to the industry, however, today to celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re taking a look at the history of female innovators that changed the way we experience technology to this day.

Join us as we take a look at the women who shaped the history of technology forever!

Ada Lovelace 1815-1852

Ada Lovelace was the world’s first computer programmer and mathematician. She was responsible for creating the first Algorithm as part of her ‘notes’ which were then to be processed by a computer, therefore earning her the title of the ‘world’s first computer programmer’. She was the daughter of Lord Byron and as a child her interest in mathematics and science was encouraged by her mother to steer her away from her father, Lord Byron’s affinities. She became friends with Charles Babbage and was fascinated with his ‘analytical engine’ and made notes on this engine. Her notes were later found to describe a computer and software and Charles’ analytical engine, was found to be an early model of a computer. They faced financial troubles and debt in their mission for the engine with Ada even pawning her jewellery; however she died before the ‘analytical engine’ was built. She displayed great determination in her lifetime and was a true innovator and pioneer.

Grace Hopper 1906-1992

Grace Hopper was an innovator in the field of computer science. She was the person primarily responsible for creating COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) which is one of the first programming languages. Despite being too old and not meeting the height and weight requirements for the Navy, she was enlisted as a voluntary Navy Reserve and later became an Admiral in the Unites States Navy. She worked on UNIVAC which was the first computer produced in the US for commercial purposes. During her 44 year career she created the idea of computer languages being written in English and not with mathematical symbolisation which later became known as FLOW-MATIC. She also interestingly invented the term ‘computer bug’ and had a PhD from Yale.

Hedy Lamarr 1914-2000

Hedy Lamarr was a very famous Austrian actor in America during 1940’s, however she was also an inventor and together with George Antheil she invented frequency hopping. Initially they had presented the idea to the US Navy for use against enemies. Hedy and her co-inventor friend developed the technology to remotely control torpedoes for the navy for use during the World War and even though they fundraised on their part they later passed on the technology.During the 50’s her work was used again and is a core part of the wireless technology that we all use so frequently today. Things like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth would not be possible today without frequency hopping and the ground-breaking work of Hedy Lamarr.

Susan Kare 1954 to present

Susan Kare is the woman behind the world’s most famous and well known logos and icons. She is the inventor of the Apple logo and many notable others. Armed with her graphic design skills, she first managed to get an interview with Apple through a friend as Steve Jobs was on the lookout for someone to design their logos. Through this chance interview she got the job as Apple’s designer. Most of us will recognise her earliest work for Apple, with the floppy disk ‘save’ button, the happy mac icon when the computer was first turned on, the trash can for deleted items, and the font ‘Chicago’ amongst others. Even the ‘command’ button on the keyboards was created by her, the work she produced had a theme of simplicity as well as a friendly touch which can be seen carried through to today on Apple’s products. She was one of the employees that walked out when Steve Jobs was forced out of Apple in 1985 and went on to work for Facebook creating their ‘gifts’ such as the rubber ducks and also later worked for Microsoft as well as PayPal.

Roberta Williams 1953 to present

Roberta Williams is a games designer and the co-owner of Sierra Entertainment along with her husband. Sierra entertainment is most famous for giving us games like ‘Kings Quest’. The ‘Kings Quest’ series is considered one of the earliest  most influential games and is recognised as the first of its kind, paving the way for other games with a similar genre where players have to solve puzzles and complete  ‘quest’ like challenges.Roberta and her husband Ken Williams created storylines within their games which became widely popular and can be seen today in many games where, as players, we have quest modes, making her an incredible visionary when it comes to the invention of different gaming genres to constantly challenge players and keep them engaged.

We hope you enjoyed our little educational trip through the history of women in technology for International Women’s Day!  Comment below and let us know of any other inspirational women in technology.

2016 was an exciting year in the growing IoT space; however 2017 will be even better as 7 in 10 enterprise IT buyers are choosing to gather IoT data (Sources: 451 Research, IOT News). The same research shows that this number will increase throughout the year. So, what is expected in regards to IoT in 2017?  We’ve listed some predictions below:

• As IoT grows, the amount of data generated will be huge, as the types of data and sources from which the data is gathered will also grow. The escalation of data will generate greater revenue for IoT, and eventually more devices will be able to analyse local data, and process the most relevant data for IoT services.

• IoT security has been a huge topic of conversation, and hackers are expected to be an issue in 2017. The vice president of strategy at Micro Focus, Geoff Webb, stated:

“With the number of IoT devices expected to reach into the billions, the potential scale of a well-coordinated IoT attack could be used to present a very real threat to the critical infrastructure of this country, online banking, emergency services, and commerce in general… We should expect IoT security to quickly become part of the national security agenda, and to see governments starting to evaluate the role of legislation and safety standards for internet connected devices.”

• The connectivity that IoT allows tasks to become quicker and easier, however it will not go mainstream until a specific IoT standard is introduced. Cars, fridges and utility devices need to be connected with one another, so manufacturers require a standard to operate their products in a way in which they can connect. This is crucial to the success of IoT in 2017.

• As IoT revenue increases, the technology will become more efficient which will make it more affordable and easier for consumers to purchase and operate. The demand for IoT services will also grow as a result, so any devices which do not have it are likely to hugely decline in the market.

• IoT will pave the way for renewable and decentralised energy resources. The President and CEO of IOTecha, Oleg Logvinov, stated:

“In 2017 we will continue to see the shift from the centralized control to decentralized orchestration enabled by IoT. The energy sector is a great place to start. Proliferation of renewable and decentralized energy resources, energy storage, and electric vehicles transforms the operation of the grid and demands near real-time management of power generation and consumption”.

One thing’s for sure; IoT will revolutionise work and home life, and everything in between. We’re excited to see IoT predictions come to life this year, and in the future. Keep up with the latest tech news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk

The E3 Expo may be assumed to be the biggest videogames show, but Gamescom is even bigger! It is a German games convention, which anyone can attend, making it much more exciting than the trade-only style of the E3 Expo. It has been annually held at the Koelnmesse convention centre in Cologne, Germany, since 2009, and usually takes place mid-August.

Wednesday 17^th August – Trade and Media only/ Press Conferences & company events

Thursday 18^th August to Sunday 21^st August – Open to public

Rumoured Press Conferences

Gamescom is all about the games available for fans to play at the 5-day show, so here’s a round-up of the leading exhibitors who have confirmed they will be there! This is just a few as 100’s of exhibitors are expected to be there.

• 1C Company
• 505 games
• Activision
• Amazon
• Anki
• Bandai Namco
• Bethesda
• Blizzard
• Capcom
• CD Projekt
• Crytek
• Deep Silver
• Electronic Arts
• Facebook
• Focus Home Interactive
• Frontier
• Gameloft
• Gigabyte
• GOG
• Google
• Harmonix
• Kalypso
• Konami
• Logitech
• Microsoft
• Nintendo
• Nordic Games
• Nvidia
• Oculus VR
• Plantronics
• Razer
• Rebellion
• Sega
• Sennheiser
• Sony Computer Entertainment
• Square Enix
• Take-Two
• Team 17
• Turtle Beach
• Ubisoft
• Wargaming
• Warner

Microsoft usually holds a press conference every year at Gamescom, however they have announced that they will not be hosting a streamed Xbox Media Briefing this year, and will host an Xbox FanFest instead throughout the 5-day show. Sony did not do a press conference last year at Gamescom and are expected to do the same this year. In 2015, Sony preferred to do a European Media Briefing for Paris Games Week (PGW) which is held on the 27^th October this year, so they could do the same again. Electronic Arts also usually hold press conferences at Gamescom, however they have chosen to differ this year and hold a ‘Grand Opening’ the day before Gamescom begins. So far no other major press conferences have been announced, but keep a look out for any upcoming news!

You may be wondering which games you can look forward to playing at Gamescom if you’re lucky to attend. Here’s just a few of the highlights we expect to be played there:

• Batman: Arkham VR
• Battlefield 1
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
• Halo Wars 2
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Pokémon Sun and Moon

Virtual/augmented reality and gaming PC’s are expected to take over as the leading hardware at Gamescom 2016, any next-generation consoles seem to be a no-show from the leading companies (Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo). Here’s a few of the hardware products we are looking forward to:

PlayStation VR – it played a huge role at the E3 Expo, and is expected to have a greater presence at Gamescom 2016 as the release date gets even closer.

Oculus Touch – Oculus will use the Gamescom platform to showcase their new games and the Oculus Touch Support feature which is included in some of the games. The Rift headset is expected to be there to be played around with by fans, as the release date is expected towards the end of the year.

Logitech G Range – Logitech are expected to launch some new and innovative G-range accessories, which can be sampled at Gamescom 2016.

Expectedly there is a huge variety of exhibitors and games to look forward to at Gamescom 2016, however there are many anticipated launches which will not be taking place at the massive event. These include:

Microsoft’s Project Scorpio – a next generation games console, which will be launched in 2017.

PlayStation Neo – A special PlayStation event is expected for this release on September 7^th.

Nintendo NX – Nintendo does not usually have a major presence at Gamescom 2016, and this year is expected to be no different. They have also hinted that details of the Nintendo NX will be given in a pre-recorded Nintendo Direct video online rather than a games show.

Check out our blog for more information on the exciting Gamescom 2016, and other upcoming tech news.

Festival season is here, however the live music and catching up with friends will not be complete without some of the best technology to showcase the fun, and make it even more memorable. At Laptop Outlet, we have created a festival guide with the best gadgets for the festival season. Read on to make sure you have the most stand-out festival accessories, and can make the most of the music and atmosphere at this year’s festivals:

Samsung S7 £579.99 (save £20)

The Samsung S7 is easily one of the few best smartphones available on the market now, and it’s at the top of our must-have festival accessory list! It is ideal for those wet and muddy festival days, as it has an IP68 water-resistance rating and can be fully submersed in water. Dual-pixel technology ensures that you will capture the best pictures at festivals –whether its day or night! Make festival season memorable with the motion panorama camera mode which brings photos closer to reality than ever, with an immersive visual experience. The gold colour option is great for festival fashion, and will look great with any outfit.

LG Cam Plus £69

With one hand grip capability and easy access to camera functionalities, the LG CAM Plus lets you take DSLR quality photos easily using your LG G5. The Cam Plus adds grip and physical control to the smartphone camera, as well as an extra 1200mAh battery which gives you more time to get the perfect shot; it also ensures you can showcase every moment on social media as it happens –without worrying about your battery! A comfier grip, easier-to-use camera and almost a third more battery life makes the LG Cam Plus an essential accessory for an incredible festival experience.

LG 360 CAM £199

Show off everything that’s going on around you at the festival with the LG 360 CAM, which allows you to create your own 360 videos and pictures. With dual wide-angled 13MP lenses and 2K video capture, you’ll experience 360 detailing in your pictures like never before! The LG 360 Cam will be your best friend at the festival, it is compatible with any android smartphone and is easily portable.

LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play £149

Meeting up with mates before heading to the festival? The Hi-Fi Plus will be your best bud when you need superb sound for the journey and will definitely get you in that festival mood!

You can also experience the best music when there, immersing yourself into legendary sound with the LG Hi-Fi Plus (with B&O Play). You can either slide-on the Hi-Fi Plus onto your G5 or use it with your android device. The amp upgrades your music quality to 32 bit sound, giving your music a richer quality, and making any music at the festival sound so much better.

Be well equipped this festival season with the best accessories, and make sure to capture HD memories for life.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is a yearly video game conference, and a huge platform for the newest innovations in the industry. The E3 Expo 2016 will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Centre between June 14^th and 16^th.

E3 is described as the “world’s premiere trade show for computer, video, mobile games and more”. The leading talent of the video game industry take part in the E3 Expo, and the vent connects thousands of the most creative and brightest professionals in the whole interactive entertainment industry.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo takes place across 3 days, and it is the desired platform for leading companies, innovative technology and revolutionary products to be showcased. E3 exhibits its existing partners, as well as new partners and offers exposure to emerging markets in the video game industry. It is the ultimate event for inspiration in the interactive entertainment industry.

E3 2016 is expected to see attendees such as leading video game companies and computer companies, business partners, and industry analysts from more than 100 countries. Furthermore specialists, creative thinkers and entrepreneurs, who are involved in the video game and entertainment industry will also be welcomed to the Expo. These include:

• Software Developers
• Worldwide Electronic and Print Media
• Resellers

The Entertainment Software Association is the trade association of the video game industry, and it presents the E3 Expo every year. E3 Expo 2016 is not expected to showcase many big hardware announcements this year, however there will be substantial news on games such as Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, GT Sport, FIFA 17 and The Legend of Zelda, which are all upcoming.

June 13^th: Microsoft Xbox will be holding their event at 5.30pm UK time, Ubisoft at 7pm UK time, and Bethesda at 3am UK time.

June 14^th: Sony PlayStation will hold their event at 2am UK time.

Nintendo is predicted to announce a new console, or just focus on the promotion of its new mobile game. The company has stated that they will dedicate an entire booth to The Legend of Zelda which will be officially released in 2017.

Keep an eye out for more information about the exciting E3 Expo 2016