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Battle of the Books: Amazon Kindle Vs. Nook

Nook Kindle

We don’t know about you, but in recent months we’ve become e-book converts. While there’s nothing better sitting in your favourite armchair, sipping on a hot cuppa and flicking through an old-fashioned book, when it comes to portability and downright simplicity, you can’t beat an E-Reader.

To the uninitiated, E-Readers allow you to store thousands of books onto a single electronic device that replicates the look, feel and readability of actual paper. Thanks to special ‘E-ink’ technology, E-readers offer a more comfortable reading experience than PCs and tablets, too – so you’ll never have to worry about developing eye strain. Thanks to their diminutive proportions, E-Readers can even be carried around in your bag or pocket – so it’s easy to flip between books during the morning commute.

In recent years, tablet PCs have made a modest dent into the E-Reader market – particularly the Apple iPad and Kindle Fire HD. Of course, as you’ll no doubt have witnessed on buses,  trains and planes, this is very much a two horse race between the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook.

Look for a budget E-Reader, but not sure which one to go for? Check out our handy guide below…

Which has the better display?

While newer models, including the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and Nook GlowLight, add back-lit screens to the party, the original E-Readers are more than up to the job. Both the Amazon Kindle (£69) and Nook Simple Touch (£29) feature 6″ E-Ink Pearl displays, and both are crisp and readable even in dim lighting conditions. It’s the Nook’s touchscreen that impresses us the most, though. Browsing through your virtual library can be frustrating on the Kindle’s 4-directional pad, but it’s an absolute doddle on the Nook.

Winner: Nook Simple Touch

Which has better battery life?

There’s nothing worse than switching on a device, only to discover that it’s run out of juice. Fortunately, both the Amazon Kindle and Nook boast spectacular longevity in the battery department. While the Kindle can last an entire month without a charge, it’s the Nook that truly blows us away, with a whopping battery life of two months.

Winner: Nook Simple Touch

Which has the best storage?

Both the Amazon Kindle and the Nook feature an internal memory of 2GB. While that might not sound like a lot, particularly if you’re used to computers and iPods with hundreds of gigabytes to play with, you won’t be short of space on an E-Reader. Both devices can store over 1000 books, with the Kindle claiming to hold around 1400 at full capacity. Amazon also offers free cloud storage for its content on Kindle, while the Nook’s storage can be increased with an SD card.

Winner: Draw

 

Who has the Better E-bookstore?

Given the similarities between the hardware, you’ll be happy to hear both Kindle and Nook’s E-Bookstores are evenly matched too. Both claim more than one million books to download, most priced under £9.99, as well as a huge collection of newspapers and magazines. Amazon’s Kindle Exclusives and Lending Library are inspired, but there’s very little difference between the offerings, and most bestsellers and indie books are present and available for download.

Winner: Amazon

Who has the best app?

If you’re planning to read your content on another device, such as a smartphone or tablet, you’ll want an app that lets you read with minimal fuss. Both E-Readers have specially designed apps for iPhone and Android smartphones – as well as desktops, iPad, Android and Windows 8 tablets. While both are highly capable, allowing you to dip into your favourite book right where you left off. It’s Amazon’s app – which allows you to look up definitions – that truly wins us over.

Winner: Kindle

Verdict

If you’re looking for a cheap, reliable E-Reader, both the Kindle and Nook are ideal. Given the similarities between each device, it’s really a matter of personal choice. Priced at just £29, the Nook is perhaps better suited to American consumers who are used to buying books from Barnes & Noble. Still, with its impressive price and large array of books, it comes highly recommended. However, if you want the convenience of buying with Amazon (along with your regular shopping), we’d certainly recommend the Kindle. Although more expensive at £69, it’s a great entry-level device, and is sure to keep you entertained.

(Images by: Mashable)

The Ideal Business Laptop: The Vostro 3460

Dell Vostro

When it comes to business laptops, it’s fair to say most are about as exciting as an episode of Last of the Summer Wine. Built to withstand the knocks and scrapes of the morning commute (not to mention numerous coffee spillages), they’re hardly the most prepossessing items on the market. Fortunately that’s where Dell’s latest, the Vostro 3460, comes in…

From the moment you set eyes on its sleek, brushed-metal exterior, it’s obvious that the Vostro 3460 is more than just a reliable business computer. A veritable powerhouse, Dell’s latest can handle almost any application you throw at it. What’s more, with three beautiful colours to choose from, it doesn’t look out of place in your living room either.

With its slim exterior and highly-portable design, the Vostro 3460 might look like a home laptop – but underneath the bonnet, there’s a plethora of office-friendly features to keep your business running smoothly. If you’ve been fighting the impulse to sneak an Ultrabook through on expenses, this business-friendly lookalike might just be the answer…

Get vital, easy-to-use-security from the get-go

Nothing is more important to your business than its information. Thankfully, the Vostro 3460 boasts a plethora of security features that can protect your professional information. With built-in data encryption as well as advanced internet and physical security options, you can be sure that your data is always safe. There’s even a ‘Free Fall Sensor’ that helps protect your hard disc drive when accidental drops or falls occur – perfect for when you’re out of the office.

Boot up faster and multitask efficiently

Tired of mid-presentation crashes? Why wait for your computer to catch up? The Vostro 3460 gives you an ultra-fast boot-up, and keeps apps running smoothly thanks to its powerful 3rd Gen Intel Core processor. What’s more, with up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, you can multitask with ease. The Vostro 3460 is also perfect for graphic-heavy presentations, boasting built-in Intel HD graphics. There’s even the option to opt for a discrete graphics card, so you can ensure your laptop is always ready for action.

Take your office with you, wherever you go

While it’s always nice working from the comfort of your office, there are always business lunches and meetings to consider. The Vostro 3460 not only allows you to connect with colleagues on the go, but features a suite of features to keep you looking professional. With a robust WiFi and Wireless LAN connections, an HD webcam and Skype pre-installed, you’ll be prepared for every eventuality. There’s even a digital array microphone to help reduce background noise during conference calls.

Arrive to all-important meetings in style

There’s no denying that gadgets play an important social role at meetings. Why not set a good impression with a laptop that looks the part? Not only does the Vostro 3460 boast a thin 28mm design, but it’s remarkably sturdy too. Whether you’re transferring data, connecting to a printer, or displaying data on a projector, the Vostro 3460 makes it easy to plug in and stay productive. You can even enable a backlit keyboard, allowing you to work day or night, at home or on a plane.

For even more Dell discounts and voucher codes, be sure to check out myvouchercodes.co.uk.

Top 5: Tips for Avoiding DIY Disasters

DIY Disasters

Unless you happen to know Nick Knowles and his merry band of DIY experts, there’s a good chance you’ll make mistakes when attempting home improvements. That’s to be expected, of course – especially if you’re a novice who struggles to tell the difference between nails and screws. But as we’ve also learned from other daytime telly gems (I’m looking at you Dominic Littlewood), the results can be disastrous when things go wrong.

To make life a bit easier, and to save your from possible humiliation (and death), we’ve listed our top 5 tips to help you avoid DIY disasters. Got a DIY project in the works? Be sure to remember these tips…

Make a plan!

Forget about being spontaneous. Most DIY disasters happen when people are unprepared – usually after spotting something they dislike about their home, such as an unsightly supporting wall, and then going absolutely bonkers with a hammer. Having a clear idea of what you’re attempting to achieve is always a good start, because it ensures that you take the right steps to get there. Print out every last instruction, or if you’re planning something truly original, make a draft or two and keep checking to see if you’ve followed the steps correctly.

Don’t rush!

Back in the 19th-century, French artist Ernest Meissonier took 13 years to finish his painting Napoleon’s victory at Friedland. Yep, when it comes to creating a masterpiece, time is of utmost importance. Rushed projects almost always disappoint, so take your time, ask questions and set yourself a realistic time frame to get the job done. Cramming everything into one bank holiday weekend isn’t always achievable.

Create Some Space!

Ever painted a wall in a hurry, and realised that you’ve covered your sofa in lurid paint? We’ve all been there, and the problem usually stems from not assigning yourself a proper work space. Before starting any ambitious home improvements, it’s always a good idea to move all of your furniture and cover it with cheap blankets. Newspaper cuttings are also fantastic for sliding under doors when you paint them. Be sure to remove all animals from the vicinity, too – or else you’ll end up with a Dulux dog in a very literal sense.

Know Your Limits!

Just because you know how to wire a plug doesn’t mean you’ll be a dab hand at plastering, and vice versa. When starting any DIY project, it’s a good idea to think about enlisting help. There’s no shame in admitting that you need help with more ambitious projects, so it’s worth asking yourself if you have the right tools and know-how to get the job done.

Buy In Bulk

Once you’re ready to begin your project, you’ll need to buy supplies. It’s generally a good idea to think about what you need, and then buy all materials in bulk. Not only will this save you time and effort, lugging all manner or wooden planks and hefty paint tins to your door, but will also save you money. Many DIY chains offer savings and multi-buy discounts when you buy in bulk, so be sure to ask in-store.

Are you planning a DIY project this Easter? Be sure to check out these brilliant B&Q discount codes, and save money on future home improvements.

Featured image bytheservicesblog.com.

Talk to Me: The Future Apple TV?

Apple Feature

Even if you don’t own an iOS device, chances are you’ll have heard of her… but considering everyone from Obama to your own mother seems to be an Apple devotee, it’s highly likely you and Siri are firm friends.

Whether you love or hate her all-knowing tone, it’s undeniable that this type of voice recognition technology adds an impressive element to the smartphone user experience. Despite some criticising the technology – complaining that it’s too basic and therefore the tagline of “Ask Me Anything” is fundamentally flawed – many people are fascinated by what it spells for the future. In fact, ever since Siri’s launch there has been an ever-increasing buzz within computing-circles that the next step is bound to be an Apple television: complete with a voice controlled remote…

(Our team of money-saving Tech fanatics are always on the lookout for new innovations, so we’ve teamed up with a patent expert to bring you some fascinating images of what this future bit of kit might look like…)


Alongside hover boards and robots cooking the dinner, you might be inclined to scoff  - but in reality, the idea does appear to have legs. After all, we know for a fact that this technology is improving all the time, and with Apple claiming the current version of Siri is still only in the testing phase, it seems mind-boggling to think how it might develop in future.

Despite the fact that Apple themselves have always denied any plans to move into this area of home entertainment, surely even they can’t resist the temptation of such a lucrative market? We mustn’t forget, there is already an existing ‘Apple TV’, the set top box which streams iTunes and internet content on the big screen, as well as its feature of using your iPhone as its remote.


So perhaps the possibility does not rest on the success of the Siri technology itself, but whether people will actually want to buy into a fully-fledged Apple television experience. With flat-screen this and 3D that, the competition within the market is massive; will we be willing to completely replace our existing systems just for the privilege of speaking to a screen?

Considering the growing popularity of home automated technology systems, the obvious answer is a big fat yes. Just think about how many automated systems we have in our homes at the moment… from opening the garage doors, to putting the central heating on timer… and how many of those have some kind of automated voice or ‘profile’? Once you propose the idea of two-way interaction, the notion of humanising technology is elevated to a whole new level.


Finally, the one thing we do know for certain is just how loyal the Apple consumer can be. With the release of any new product being met with unprecedented demand and enthusiasm, the chances are, people will be more than willing to make the leap to an Apple television, even if it does mean a whole load more expense.

Whether or not you’ll enjoy having an extra person to talk to of an evening might be a point of personal preference, but at least Siri will have an ‘off’ button. For the time being at least…

 

Outdoor Christmas Lighting – Get a Hot Look For Less

Tacky

Do you find festive jaunts, or online trawls, for the purpose of purchasing  Christmas decorations, and such, are punctuated by statements such as, ‘ooh, look at that giant glowing inflatable Santa – we should get one’?  Or perhaps you run around in dizzying circles of glee each time you spot giant gaudily coloured outdoor fairy lights?  If so, I think you may have a little problem.  When it comes to outdoor Christmas lighting, many of us are guilty of overkill, here’s an example:

Santa OverkillOK, for most of us the obsession with bright, twinkly things isn’t quite as certifiable as that.  But, take a little wander around some of the side streets of Britain –  I guarantee you’ll find plenty who are close.  When shopping for Christmas lights, it’s far too easy to come over a little magpie-like when faced with giant, multicolured, flashing things.

Sticking to complementary colours and simple, classy designs is the best approach to outdoor Christmas lighting – less is definitely more.  Unless you actually want your exteriors to look like a funfair on hallucinogens.  To achieve a ‘classic’ look,  stick to plain or blue fairy lights accentuated by, if you feel the urge, the odd feature piece. (If that urge is strong, look again at the above picture).  Here’s how to get stunning outdoor Christmas lighting cheaply without going  OTT.

Tree, Wall and Roof Lighting.

There’s nothing more inviting than simple outdoor Christmas lighting. Anything too loud and you’ll run the risk of visitors vomiting before even setting foot across your threshold.  Resist the urge to become your energy suppliers dream customer by going doolally.  If you have a tree, bush or a wall in your front garden, all you need to do is get up your ladder (be careful, it’s windy out there!) and add a traditional festive flourish with plain, white bulb outdoor fairy lights, such as these only £22.95 from  Amazon.

If you’re a little bit more confident with your ladder, these white LED Solar Power Chinese Lanterns would be a perfect talking point.  Available in strings of of 10 or 20, starting from £8.99 at lights4fun, they are not only cheap – they wouldn’t look out of place at a summer barbeque.

If you don’t fancy climbing a ladder in icy or windy conditions (I don’t blame you) or, if you don’t have the luxury of a tree or bush to drape lights over, you can still get the look with an artificial tree – like this S-Shape LED Globe Tree:

These are all the rage this season and the great news is you can acquire one, rather cheaply, from Amazon.  What’s more, if you want to ignore the good advice on this page, the S-Shape LED Globe Tree comes in a variety of colurs.  At What’s Hot we think, if placed by your front door, it will make an excellent welcome to any festive visitors.  We’ve done a little research and found that the price vary wildly – the cheapest we’ve found so far is from £24.43 plus free delivery Amazon.

So there you go, great Christmas outdoor lighting solutions and not a giant glowing Santa in sight.  For more Christmas lighting, pop over to Amazon for some great deals.  Or check out the Lights4Fun store page for awesome savings and Voucher Codes.  Merry Christmas Voucher Vultures!

Do you go mad with the festive lighting, let us know by making a comment below.

Top 5 Kitchen Gadget Picks for Christmas

kitchen

In a few short weeks Christmas will be upon us, so it’s only natural that thoughts will soon turn to one of the key ingredients of the festive season; food.  But are you ready, or could those kitchen gadgets benefit from an upgrade?

For many Christmas lunch is what Christmas is all about.  I’m sure you can picture it; the succulent meat, lashings of gravy and even the vegetables piled high on a grossly inappropriately sized plate.  It’s all part of the tradition of eat and be merry, and personally I cannot wait.  But for those of us that have to prepare the feast, goodwill can be in short supply, as stress takes over in the kitchen.  But there are ways that the pressure can be eased; go go gadget!

Kitchen gadgets are not a new thing of course, and it could be argued that their heyday has long since passed in the wake of the quick and easy phenomena, which TV chefs promote.  But Christmas is different; it’s all about going that extra mile, and employing traditional methods.  But are those kitchen gadgets that you have had since the nineties (or dare I say eighties) really up to the job.  After all who needs a Christmas day disaster!

Here are a few essential Kenwood kitchen gadgets for Christmas.

Kenwood KN400 Electric Knife

While carving the turkey or joint of beef may be tradition, there is no need that the process has to be old fashioned.  Some meat can be pretty hard going to slice, so why not use an electric knife.  The Kenwood KN400 Electric Knife with stainless steel blades is a great kitchen gadget for whatever meat is on your menu, as well as breads and selected vegetables.  Get yours for £16.99 at Argos.

Kenwood HM794 kMix Hand Mixer

The Kenwood HM794 kMix Hand Mixer is an excellent time-saving tool for busy meal times, which sums up Christmas perfectly.  You will find endless uses for this hand mixer; beat eggs super-fast, then simply click and switch attachments to knead for beautifully mixed cakes with just a touch of your thumb.  Available for £47.99 at Currys.

Kenwood Triblade HB711M Hand Blender

Kitchen electricals are by their very nature, timesavers.  And this one is easily that.  With its unique Triblade, the Kenwood HB711M hand blender delivers powerful, efficient and controllable blending at the touch of a button.  Comes with a Triblade head and a masher attachment, and washing is easy too because it’s dishwasher-safe.  Only £34.95 from John Lewis.

Kenwood Can Opener

Real life hasn’t quite turned out how the science fiction films of the 60s and 70s depicted, but an electric can opener comes pretty close.  Kenwood’s Can Opener makes even the simplest of tasks even easier.  The table-top can opener opens all size can from small up to large 1.2kg cans, and would make a perfect Christmas gift.  Order today for £14.99 at Sainsbury’s.

Kenwood SB054 Smoothie to Go

One thing to go down a storm at any Christmas get together would be home-made smoothies.  This Kenwood Smoothies to Go blender jug can be used as a cup for the smoothie and it also comes with a travel mug.  With its ice-crushing function, this blender is perfect for all smoothie lovers.  Make this Christmas a healthy one, for only £24.99 at Homebase.

And if you feel a little guilty about treating yourself, just consider what a perfect Christmas gift a little kitchen helper would make.  And remember, if you’re looking for a discount check out MyVoucherCodes first.

Main image courtesy of http://him.uk.msn.com

Win a HTC One X Smartphone with MyVoucherCodes

htc main

Win a HTC One X, from Vodafone – The smartphone that takes power and performance to a whole new level

The HTC One X is one of the hottest mobile phones about at the moment.  Be amazed by the lightning-fast web browsing, remarkable picture quality and seamless gaming visuals, all thanks to the powerful quad-core processor.

The phone features a camera that starts-up in less than a second, and has rapid-fire continuous shooting. You’ll never again have to choose between capturing a HD video or a picture—with Video Pic you can get both at the same time.  And you’ll get the best images even under the worst conditions.

The new, integrated music experience makes it easy to access all your music libraries, favourite audio apps and Internet radio simultaneously from one convenient location.  And with Beats Audio™ built-in, you get rich, authentic sound.

For your chance to win a HTC One X simply LIKE MyVoucherCodes on Facebook.  Competitition closes Sunday 3rd June, Terms and Conditions apply.

Get Ready for the Digital Switchover with Amazon

amazon-logo

London will be switching to digital on the 4th April and by the end of 2012 the whole of the UK will have switched to digital TV. Gradually, region by region, the UK’s analogue TV signal is being turned off and replaced with a digital signal. That means you’ll be able to access a far greater choice of TV channels, as well as enjoy new functions like on-screen listings and interactive features.  You’ll find everything that you need for the switch over at Amazon! 

To make sure you’re ready you’ll need one of the following:

1. A digital TV. If you’re looking to upgrade your TV, make sure you choose one with an integrated digital receiver. You’ll enjoy instant access to all the extra channels now available and be ready to make the smooth transition to a digital signal. Selecting a digital TV will keep cable clutter to a minimum, and you’ll also need just one remote control to browse a world of content.

2. A digital set-top box. If you’d like to keep your existing TV you can simply supplement it with a digital set-top box. Just connect the box to your TV, switch on and discover a whole new world of content from a host of digital TV providers. It’s an easy, quick and affordable route to getting ready for digital.

3. A digital TV recorder. If you’re often recording TV shows to playback later, this could be the choice for you. A digital TV recorder gives you the option to pause and rewind live TV, as well as record programmes. Depending on the model, you’ll be able to record entire series at the touch of a button. Hard Disk Drive models allow storage on internal memory, so there’s no need for external memory. Choose a model with DVD recording too and you’ll be able to copy your favourite content to disc for playback on other DVD players as well.

 

Exclusive 15% Off Orders – Including Stunning Lighting at Dwell

dwell main image

Make a real style impact with essential lighting from Dwell, the UK’s leading contemporary furniture company.

Lighting is so much part of our lives that we really don’t take too much notice of it, but just consider where we would be without it.  Alongside heating it is an essential element of every home throughout the country.  But something functional doesn’t have to be boring.

Lighting can easily give an empty space a real sense of atmosphere and character, without the drastic need for DIY exertions.  Lighting now comes in all shapes and sizes, and is much more of a statement thing than previously.  It’s important to match the right lighting to the right location, especially when you consider that for most of the time you will not even have turned on.  The best lighting will be both aesthetically pleasing, as well as fully functional.

And that is where Dwell.co.uk may be able to assist.  Dwell have a stunning selection of lighting; including desk, floor and Table pieces.  Or why not create a central focal point with a beautiful ceiling pendant light, that will be the envy of everyone that enters the room.  As well as lighting, Dwell also carry a large collection of home and furniture products, each with a view to design.

Here a just a few of the gorgeous lighting pieces that will hopefully illuminate your imagination.

The chess piece table lamp is a true statement piece.  While the base is distinctive, the shade is more reserved, so as a result it wouldn’t look out of place in most environments.  The lamp retails for £99, and also comes in white.

For a location that really lacks a focal point, the giant spotlight floor lamp could be the perfect solution.  Made from stainless steel and wood, the lamp summons up a real retro feel of classic Hollywood glamour.  Retailing at £299 it’s not a cheap purchase, but for enduring style and quality it cannot be bettered.

And for a touch of colour, just think about how the red globe pendant light would transform a dull space.  With its futuristic charm, the glass light would add a warm glow to your room.  It can be yours for £69, simply beautiful.

Get 15% off full price orders at Dwell exclusively at MyVoucherCodes, valid until 16th May 2012.

 

The New PS Vita – Essential or Superfluous?

vita main image

This week sees the launch of this year’s first new console, the Playstation Vita (or PS Vita for short).

The handheld device is the successor to Sony’s last foray into the portable market, the PlayStation Portable, which never quite achieved the success it promised.

But much has been learned second time round, and the PS Vita is a whole new approach to the well trodden portable device concept.  For a start the device features a stunning 5 Inch OLED screen that is a vast improvement, but hardly surprising.  At the very least you would expect the latest technology, to deliver the best performance and graphics.  But nevertheless, at least it has delivered on its promise.  Other features include full PlayStation Network connectivity, dual analogue sticks and a delightful line up of launch games.

Available in two different models, one with Wi-Fi only for around £229 and one with both Wi-Fi and 3G support for around £279, the PS Vita is an expensive purchase.  But the handheld does do more than just play games.  The device comes with a competent web browser and Google Maps, plus you can watch videos, listen to music and take photos.  Nothing groundbreaking, but the console can do pretty much everything a half decent smart phone can, except the obvious of course which is handy.  The PS Vita is much more of a social creature than its predecessor.  You can check out who’s nearby and send a friend request effortlessly as you switch between up to five apps at once.

But it is on gaming that the PS Vita will be judged, so how does it handle?  The Oval shape is similar to that of the PSP,  but having touch capabilities on the back of the Vita as well as on the front display is an interesting innovation that works pretty well.  The dual analogue joysticks take a little time to master, but are perfectly fit for the purpose.  The touch-screen control records movement better than any other device, and It is easy to glide around the screen.  The new bits and bobs fit seamlessly with the now traditional PS buttons including the D-pad and the shoulder buttons.

Chief up among the launch titles is Uncharted: Golden Abyss, where Nathan Drake uncover the dark secret behind the 400-year-old massacre of a Spanish expedition.  The game is an immersive cinematic journey brought to life through the unrivalled graphical power of the PS Vita, and bodes well for the future of the device.  The PS Vita is fully backwards-compatible with PlayStation Portable games digitally released on the PlayStation Network via the PlayStation Store, and software will be will be up-scaled to a standard befitting of this snazzy gadget.

The Vita has a few negative points, such as an average battery life and no internal storage, but they are hardly the end of the world.  Memory cards up to 32GB are available, and there are plans afoot for an external battery device.  But the positives wholly outweigh the negatives, and while not quite a must have purchase, the PS Vita is a thing of beauty that every gamer would surely love to own.

The ultimate aim of the PS Vita was to bring console level gaming to a handheld in a way nobody has done before.  Based on that, I think it’s fair to say it has succeeded.

You can get a Free PS Vita with selected smartphone contracts from Carphone Warehouse, while stocks last.  Plus remember to check out all the latest technology discounts at MyVoucherCodes.

Images taken from uk.playstation.com