Sophie Davies

3rd year University student and a Windows 8 go-to ambassador from Wales! Hi :)

[sophied93]

For all you Windows users with mouse and keyboard intefaces this is a BIG benefit for you! Check it out, coming this Spring 2014!

[sophied93]

Whats the difference? Mac v PC

A question I get asked a lot when demoing is what is the big difference between a Mac and a PC? I stumbled across this useful article that breaks down the major differences in good detail.

For me personally I see mac's having significantly more limitations than PC's, in particular if you enjoy gaming on a computer it is deemed very difficult to find programmes designed for mac, while with windows PC the programme choices are endless. Almost every gamer who uses computers I have spoken to says nothing but good things about the flexibility of windows for gaming software.

[sophied93]

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT WILL END FROM MICROSOFT ON APRIL 8TH 2014!!!! I have attached a link to the official Microsoft page which gives a useful guide and breakdown of what this will mean for you, your computer and what you should do.  If you do not use this software, your support will NOT be effected!

Your XP and office 2003 will STILL WORK, however, you will not receive any more updates or support from Microsoft for this software! 

Microsoft are constantly moving forward to provide you with the optimum experience possible.

Click on the link for more information or do not hesitate to ask me any questions you may have about this :)

[sophied93]

2014

Hello!

So Christmas has been and gone and the New year has now started, where does the time go!? I apologise for my absence but I have been away most of the holidays so I have been unable to update my blog...also in university it is the dreaded exam time, so I have been busy preparing for that as well! So 2014 is going to be another year for big technological developments for Microsoft, bringing us new and exciting ways to make our experience that much better! In particular I believe this will be a fantastic year for the Microsoft surface technologies to really become something big! My brother received one for Christmas after I convinced him that the surface pro 2 was everything he needed and more!  The new appointment of the Microsoft CEO is also hotly anticipated and it will be exciting to see how the new CEO plans to carry on the success of Microsoft in the future! 

2014 is going to be a big year and I know Microsoft is going to continue to prove why it really is the best for you. 

[sophied93]

Nokia Lumia 1520 review: The best Windows Phone of this year

Nokia's first phablet shows how Windows Phone should be done.

Hello! So I’ve currently just finished the remainder of my target for this term! Due to me starting the ambassador role a bit later on rather than in September, I have had to play catch up! So this week and this morning I’ve been running around campus trying to get some last minute demos in (it’s a good thing I love my job!). I’ve had some good ones and bad ones, but that’s life! My favorite part of demoing this week has been and always is surprising people about Windows 8.1; it seems pretty much everyone is always surprised and amazed by what Windows can do. Next week is my last full week in Aberystwyth until the Christmas holidays (19 days till Christmas woo!) so hopefully get a few festive demos in between then, look out for notices around campus about them!

One final thing as well, check out this amazing review of the Lumia 1520! It’s good to see that people are finally starting to recognize the amazing features of a Windows phone  and the sturdy, modern and life proof designs that Nokia make for the phones! Don’t believe me? Look for yourself…

[sophied93]

Microsoft designs stress-busting bra

Now this is weird... but very interesting! Microsoft never fails to surprise me!

[sophied93]

The past few days....

Apologies for the lack of blogging the past few days but unfortunately I have been in and out of hospital with a bad kidney infection, but i'm feeling around 1394393942849448941014711 times better now (yes, that is a LOT better!) Currently i'm uploading through the massive sea of paper trials I have accumulated the past month! I know i've only got myself to blame for leaving them so last minute, but i'm getting there!

Also the Xbox One has proved to be a massive hit! Released at the end of last week it has asserted the fact that Microsoft knows how to make a world class games console, by the end of the first day I saw that Aberystwyth's Game store had already sold out! Here is a really good article I was reading today about the amazing news that Xbox One has BEAT the Xbox 360 sales figures! Fantastic news for Microsoft and team Xbox! 

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/24/xbox-one-breaks-sales-record-microsoft-games-console

[sophied93]

Really useful and informative page on the Nokia website where you can get all the information you need on the Lumia phones currently for sale and those which are soon to be out on the market! You can also compare the Lumia phones against each other to see what one is best for you! 

[sophied93]

For all you gamers out there, here's an interesting article and interview of Xbox Live director Larry Hyrb about the exciting and highly anticipated release of Microsoft's Xbox One!

The voice recognition and built in Kinect is my personally favorite features of the new Xbox One, can't wait to get mine ASAP!

[sophied93]

I am a typical girl, I have too many handbags and too many purses.... therefore I always have the problem of when I take one handbag out with me I have more than likely left something I need in my other bag, it is then I start to panic and if i'm lucky enough to realise within a reasonable distance from my house I will manically run back looking a good comical sight for passers by! The thing is, the thing I most commonly forget is my debit card and that's where the Natwest online banking app comes in!

For all you Natwest customers listen up! Simply go to the store on your Windows phone and search for the "Natwest mobile banking app" it is 100% free to download! Then once downloaded simply follow the steps to register your phone. After you have done this it takes around 24 hours to activate, but trust me it's worth the wait....and 24 hours is usually an estimate if you're lucky this could be complete sooner!

So what makes this app so amazing? In a nutshell it is simple to use, secure and incredibly useful.

In the app you can transfer money to anyone you need too for example if you owe that friend a fiver for the drink he brought you last night that you forgot about, well just by simply using your phone you can transfer that money in pretty much an instant using the app! You can view your statement so you can see what you're spending or what has been paid into your account and you can easily transfer money from one of your other NatWest bank accounts to the other in a matter of seconds.

But my favourite part of this app and what makes it amazing for me is... You can use your phone to take out cash, no need for a card! You can withdraw up to £250 from the app, which then gives you a unique code that you type into any Natwest or RBS cash machine, life saver when you have forgotten that tenner for your lunch!

You are given a unique passcode to set up so that access to the app is completely secure and there is a secure registration process to the app to make sure your details are safe! What's not too love?!

I have attached a link to NatWest's official page about the app on windows phone for more help about the app and remember, any questions about the Natwest App or anything else to do Windows - feel free to ask!

[sophied93]

NEW WINDOWS 8.1 APP ALERT! (it's a good one!)

The amazing new 3D builder app compatible for windows 8.1 users is FREE to download and comes with a number of pre made 3D objects you can tweak and adapt yourself as well as being able to make your own completely from scratch. I think this is amazing as there really is nothing like this out there yet. As Microsoft has also stated this can be used to help people generate plans, business ideas or just for fun! This is a perfect example of how Microsoft is pushing the boundaries of technology further than ever before with outstanding fascinating results which clearly show why Microsoft and the Windows operating system is still number one! 

[sophied93]

Just thought I would say about my Nokia Lumia 1020....

I LOVE the fact it has voice recognition software that actually works! I have had my Lumia for a few weeks now and so far whenever I have used the voice recognition software it has always accurately picked up what I am saying and not giving me a load nonsense back! So for example when I say "call dad" it actually does, unlike my iPhone where it took me literally about a dozen attempts each time!

[sophied93]

Christmas is coming!

Christmas is my favourite time of year without a doubt! From the tinsel covered hallways to the cheesy christmas songs that play 24/7 on the radio, it never gets old for me! But for many people and I am the first admit one of my favourite parts is giving and receiving presents! A popular gift tends to be a laptop or desktop computer maybe you're looking to ask Santa (who is real!) for one, maybe you're thinking of giving one as a gift. So, to help you narrow it down I thought I would list you my top 3 reasons to get a Windows 8.1 laptop or PC.

1. The homepage layout - The Windows 8.1 layout is by far the most dynamic and innovative design that microsoft has ever done. The homepage is set out in a block app format where everything is really easy to navigate. In one place you can easily access and view all your important application and proccesses. You can also have realtime information displayed with news, sports, emails, it's amazing! Also, if you ever feel like switching to the traditional layout of your desktop homepage such as with Windows 7, dont worry! you can switch between that format and the new Windows 8.1 one too!

2. The Store - I love my games. But the Windows store has so much more than just games, it has 1000's of different applications for you to use and download at anytime 24/7, some are free and some you have to pay but all are priced incredibly reasonabily. From the Facebook App to the Encyclopedia of Britannica, you are guarenteed to find a gold mine of useful, fun and informative apps for you!

3. Snap view- As a University student when I am trying to do essay's I am forever trying to view multiple pages at once which can be a struggle and I can easily loose track of what I am doing when switching between pages, which is why Windows 8.1 has been a life saver. When using Windows 8.1 you can have up too 4 different pages open and showing on your screen at once, with the visible bar divide between them you can easily increase or decrease the size of the webpages being shown! Its awesome. To do this on Internet Explorer 11 simply open it up > open your choosen webpage> then select the link of the webpage you also want to also open by right clicking on it > select open in a new windows > SUCCESS!

Could Windows 8.1 be anymore cool?!

[sophied93]

Nokia DT-900 Wireless Charging Plate for Lumia 820: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

The link for the Nokia charging plate from the previous post!

[sophied93]

Nokia CC-3066 Wireless Charging Shell Case Cover for: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Just purchased this amazing case for my Nokia Lumia 1020! I am always using my phone and as sad as it is I would be lost without my phone! I am amazed that even when using the 3g/4g or wifi capabilities on my 1020 the battery life still last's such a long time, much better than my old Apple Iphone where the battery life was constantly running low and I probably spent more time charging it than I did using it! However, with the 1020 you can now charge your phone in a new revolutionary wayy... completely wireless! By purchasing a case and the Nokia Wireless adaptor you can now charge your phone on the go! So, you have protection for your phone's exterior, you won't have to worry about low battery AND your 1020 will look lovely! I've attached a link to Amazon where they are selling this case by Nokia (it's official) for a discounted price of £19.77 and the wireless charging plate (I will attach the link for this in the next post) for another discounted price of £38.99 however stock is limited due to the popularity so act fast! Also free delivery on amazon prime woo! [Prices and discount correct as of 15:00 13/11/2013]

Another win for the amazing new Nokia Lumia 1020

[sophied93]

My Nokia Lumia 1020

Hello everyone!

So, it's been over a week since I received my Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows 8 Phone and I am going to be honest I was slightly sceptical when I first got it... I have been for the past 2 years team iPhone all the way and was slightly nervous about the transition (sad I know!) however, now my iphone is stored away in the depth of my room untouched and unwanted as I am now in love with my Lumia!

The main thing I love about it is the camera, it is an amazing 41 megapixel camera!! Yes, that's right a mobile phone has a built in 41 megapixel camera and it does not disappoint! The quality is fantastic and when you first use it there is a brilliant, easy to understand tutorial that shows you all the cool effects such as panorama, catching multiple action shots, colour definition and an easy to use swipe three times zoom. I love it! Can't stop taking pictures! Also you can take and convert to smaller sized photos so you can upload them easily to social networks! (I will upload some of my snaps soon!)

The Windows 8 software works amazingly well with the phone, it's easy to use and in a way is like a mini computer and more! It's brilliant! The phone is also 4G compatible and is remarkably light and thin! My phone is in a very practical matt black and makes the phone look very streamline and modern, plus it has 'Gorilla Glass' on the screen which makes it extra smash and scratch resistant which was a huge problem with my iphone! I really love this phone and everyone I have shown it to and its features so far have said they can't believe its a Nokia and they have had their "old fashioned phones are Nokia's" stereotype banished! As well as them agreeing that the Windows 8 software works very well and easy with the phone!

Anyway, I am proud and happy to admit I was wrong to be sceptical about my Nokia Lumia 1020 and I am 100% committed to team Nokia and Windows 8 phone from now on, I would defiantly recommend heading down to your local phone store to have a look at phone/contract deals for the Lumia phones or if you are around Aberystwyth feel free to ask for a demo at any time!

[sophied93]

Windows kit has arrived! :D

So I am typing this post on my lovely new Sony Vaio Ultrabook! I can't get over how good the new Windows 8.1 format works with the touch screen, makes organising my homepage and apps so much easier to access and use. Also I have got some really good freebies to give out during demos when i'm around Aberystwyth which I know are going to go down well! Basically I have the best job ever and I can't wait to do my training tomorrow and then get demoing!