Lumia 950 by Microsoft

This phone was released with the first version of Windows 10 for mobile and the first phone by Microsoft. I really like it as the interface which used to be called "Metro" on Windows 8 has been improved to allow more customising and is very quick to load an app. This interface works so much better on a phone or tablet rather than a PC which better with the traditional set up. The best changes made to the design from the Nokia 930 by Microsoft is the addition of an expansion slot of up to 128gb more than enough to hold all your pictures and music. Microsoft are also pushing the syncing of all devices and true enough I have no problems syncing email, calendar, contacts with my PC and IPad. 

 

I have found it competitive in a package from Vodafone. Of course not everything is perfect. I found the Wi-Fi connection not 100% reliable as you move from one access point to another. Battery life drops very quickly with use of video and running games like most phones, but if you switch off all the unnecessary stuff battery life is much better. One extra item that does drain, is the automatic screen brightness adjustment, unless you are in bright daylight all day switch it off.

 

Always the main complaint with Windows phone is the lack off apps. Although this is accurate you can get most of all the essential apps like Facebook and Twitter as well as seamless integration of MS Office application like Outlook, Excel and Onenote. I get annoyed by adverts on TV where they claim you can do it on your phone- get the app but is does not exist. I am hopeful this will change with Windows 10 and developers take advantage of the common platform. Overall I would recommend it if you can live without a million apps.

Kindle Paperwhite

I got an original Paperwhite two years ago as a gift and it has without doubt totally changed my reading habits. Now I have just purchased a new Paperwhite at Christmas to replace one of the original keyboard Kindles used by my wife.

Did she like it?, yes she did, best Christmas present this year. I was able to also buy a standard cover for it which has the facility to send the unit to standby, just by closing the cover, a big improvement over having to switch off every read to avoid battery rundown. Does the battery charge last? Yes it does I have had mine for two years with no issues and charges lasting up to a month or more, with heavy usage of 40 - 50 books read per year.

Is it good value? It is fantastic value especially when you buy during one of the Amazon promotions. Priced at £109.99 I saved £30.00 allowing me to get a good cover. 

Personally the invention of the e-reader stands alongside the mobile phone in that it has made a step change in the way I read. Before Kindle I may have read only about 5 - 9 books per year and this mostly at holiday time by the pool. Now I read 40 - 50 per year and enjoying it. You really need to try it but, like Marmite some love it others prefer a traditional paperback.