Month: November 2016

Safeguard your home – #smanos Launch Smart Home Panoramic Camera in the UK. #smarthome

With the dark nights drawing in and expensive Christmas presents bought, it’s the perfect time to take extra measures to keep your home secure during the dark winter months. The newly launched UFO Panoramic Camera from award winning smart home brand, smanos, not only offers three different viewing options but it’s sleek, unobtrusive design blends effortlessly into any stylish home.

 

Smart home security experts, smanos, today launch the UFO Panoramic Wi-Fi HD Camera as a new addition to its comprehensive range of easy-to-use smart home security products. smanos were recently awarded ‘Best Smart Home Brand’ by the Distree Diamond Awards at the event in March 2016, gaining recognition and praise from retailers and distributors alike.

 

 

Available separately or as an add-on to existing smanos home security systems, the new UFO Panoramic WiFi HD Camera utilises surveillance-grade fisheye lens technology, superior night vision and accurate motion detection to bring clarity, immersive vision and ease of use to home monitoring.

The smanos UFO can be mounted on the ceiling, on the wall or any flat surface (with a desk stand) and provides three selectable HD views: a 360-degree bird’s eye view, a 180-degree panoramic view and an auto-corrected 90-degree quad view. By using an iPhone or Android smartphone, homeowners can zoom in and out digitally and view the scene anywhere, anytime. The footage is stored on-site (via an optional microSD® memory card), and can be accessed, shared and archived remotely via the cloud. Fee-based cloud storage options will be available shortly after the launch.

 

 

“Our new camera has a sleek and discreet design that blends in well with typical home furnishings, and adds a powerful security option to the existing smanos system,” said Brian Borghardt, General Manager of smanos. “Today’s homeowners live versatile and mobile lifestyles, so we are constantly innovating exciting new products to provide convenience and also peace of mind that their homes are protected both inside and out.”

 

The smanos UFO Panoramic Wi-Fi HD Camera is now available in the UK at an RRP of £149, from GetSmanos.co.uk and other retailers.

 

Cygnett launches the new #VirtualReality GW 360° Headset – #Cygnett #360 #VR

Your days of passive spectating are numbered with the launch of the new Cygnett Gateway VR Headset. You can now easily immerse yourself into the world of Virtual Reality Entertainment by simply placing your smartphone into the device. A whole world awaits you full of new, innovative viewing and entertainment fun as you utilise VR technology in a simple to use yet effective form. Step into the latest VR technology by being able to see what is happening all around you – behind you, above you, beside you and of course, right in front of you, with the clearest of vision.

 

Immerse yourself in the world of Virtual Reality Entertainment with the New Cygnett VR- GW 360° Headset

Slip the comfortable Gateway VR headset over your head, adjust the elasticated straps to fit you perfectly, adjust the dual lenses according to your eyes and start to lose yourself in this new world of virtual reality. The lenses are fully adjustable both vertically and horizontally as well as from a dual focus stand point allowing a clear and fully immersive experience and the breathable face cushioning ensures comfort for extended viewing sessions.

 

The Cygnett VR headset enables you to feel you really are part of the environment like never before with a full 360° viewing angle, whether you’re feeling the rush of adrenalin skiing down the slopes of a black run or the thrill of plummeting from 12,000ft with only a parachute on your back. Still feeling adventurous? Tour places you have never visited whilst you travel round the globe – stand at the top of The Grand Canyon, gaze up at The Eiffel Tower or support your child’s learning with a trip to the Natural History Museum. You can even virtually walk through your new home before it’s built using the Gateway VR headset.

 

 

No need to go to the expense or hassle of visiting your local cinema either; you can watch 3D videos and movies in a perfectly clear high-resolution image from the comfort of your own couch. Feel like Rihanna standing on the stage almost able to reach out and touch your audience or view the goings on in a TV recording studio as you watch everyone from the audience to the TV crew react to the presenter.

Used in conjunction with your favourite interactive VR games, gaming fans will find themselves completely absorbed from every angle and can experience the excitement and pressure on a whole new level. Through the new Gateway VR Headset you will also be able to access your phone files, photos and videos through the linked App like never before. This new feature is set to become increasingly popular and an area of huge growth and expansion.

 

 

 

The Gateway VR headset features a flip down hatch with a magnetic closure system so that your smartphone can be easily loaded into the headset. This flip down system also allows easy access to charging at either end of the device. When your smartphone is placed inside the unit it is supported by a rubberized, slightly adhesive pad to give your phone extra support and grab whilst sitting within the unit. The Gateway VR headset fits most smartphones from a 4 inch unit such as the iPhone 5 through to a 5.5 inch Samsung Galaxy S7.

 

Samples of phone compatibility

 

This affordable VR headset is ideal for those who are looking for a more immersive and interactive viewing experience, for those who want to enhance their child’s learning and for gaming fanatics who want to bring their favorite games to life. It is now available to purchase from UK.Cygnett.com and Amazon UK for only £24.99. We will have our review soon on this new headset and share our thoughts then…

Review – Samsung V100T MiFi(4G) on T-Mobile US bundle from @CellhireUK #Travel #MiFi

This is Bredans second review here on techbuzzireland and there is plenty more to come, This time around  he reviews the Samsung V100T Mifi 4G.

On this US trip to avoid expensive data usage using the Samsung V100T MiFi(4G), My first comment could have been Why do I need broadband in New York as on Holidays?  This comment is like “Everything that can be invented, has been invented.” Charles Duell, Commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office in 1899. Broadband is now a basic way of life from Picking a restaurant, reading the reviews, navigating to the Restaurants, checking on Google what’s in the dish, the Chef a food genius or food criminal, video calling with WhatsApp uploading pictures to Facebook of exotic food, booking a taxi back, Keeping the streak going on snapchat all utilised Broadband.  Broadband abroad was not option rather a necessity.

 

 

The MiFi Arrived ready to go (with Tracking Link) & a Prepaid return pack included with real efficiently. My initial observation of the MiFi – Its big! Physically bigger than MiFi I have used before. Product Dimensions 6.7 x 4.4 x 2.4 inches    Item Weight 4.8 ounces. This allowed a larger battery in the MiFi at 3100mAh. This came with the US Charger, detachable USB Charger cable, internal battery and a charging cable attached to the MiFi. Usual packing & instructions on use. This MiFi allowed all the advantage out & about to contact home free.  The data limits can be set up the MiFi on the http://192.168.43.1:8080 web portal.  Standard password used.  The Wireless network name and Password is located underneath the back cover.

 

 

The cable charger used, Micro USB Charger as used in most android phone. (some newer phones have the newer USB Type-C) As a frequent traveller less cables are required, not different cables for each device which is a bonus for this device. The attached cable on the MiFi is excellent plugging directly into a Laptop but too short to Plug in a wall socket. If you forget your charger, the television in your hotel USB could be used to charge the MiFi. Another great feature of the Samsung V100T MiFi was the display is seeing how many devices were connected to the unit at any time this help to monitor use.

 

 

 

 

This package came with a 6GB bundle, I have got 4G speed of 3.6Mbps on speed test sites in New York using T mobile. On a recent survey by http://www.opensignal.com   they reported T-Mobile as having the best metrics in New York in terms of Download Speed: 4G, / 3G, Latency: 4G, / 3G, Coverage: 4G.  They reported getting speeds in New York on T-Mobile of 16.6Mbp (The max I got was 3.6Mbps in New York) with good coverage in most areas.

Is it expensive?

Using your normal UK Vodafone Pay as you go This is what you’ll pay to use your Phone in USA for data   http://www.vodafone.co.uk/explore/costs/travelling-abroad/  Data £5 a 25MB then £3 a MB after that, (Remember to Turn off your Roaming data on your phone unless you want to take out a small mortgage, Wi-Fi ok to use)

Wi-Fi in the New York Hotel was $24.96 for 3 days. (I would expect this to vary from Hotel to Hotel) This would have worked but meant only Broadband in the hotel, not out and about.

But in the UK, there is free Wi-Fi in hotels! a recent visit to a Premier Inn in the UK got speeds of 160Kbps with the caveats of Want to stream films, TV shows or download big files? For a connection that’s at least 8x faster, upgrade to our Ultimate Wi-Fi from only £5 for 24 hours (for up to 3 devices).

There is a variety of menus on the MiFi for the experienced user, while a short business stay or pleasure may not use these

Some of the Menus,

Port forwarding

Setting Data limit / Security

What if I have a problem / go over my limit?

You can contact the Cellhire 24/7 hotline for support.

If you exceed the bundle, you get a Text to the MiFi, you are slowed down to e.g. 128Kbps, which you can still get emails etc. (not cut off)

Thanks again to Cellhire mobile solutions  https://www.cellhire.co.uk for The Samsung V100T MiFi(4G) on a T mobile US bundle. I know they were supplying hundreds of MiFi’s, SIM cards and smartphones to UK media covering the election in the US.

Cool accessories to Safeguard your One Plus Phones. #OnePlus #Accessories #Mobile

Barry Walshe is the owner of  screenshelf.ie  along with top-quality mobile parts and accessories, they provide an outstanding customer support. It has been Barry’s passion to make sure that customers get the best accessories and parts for their Smartphones and iPhones. Today he talks to us about One Plus devices and how they can be kept in top shape.

Whether you have the One Plus One or One Plus 3 smartphone, you are probably wary of any kind of scratch or damage that it might get, not with standing its relatively cheap price. One downside of these phones is that they are metallic and have a unibody, meaning they are more likely to slip from your grasp. Of course, for any smartphone owner, this would definitely be nothing short of disastrous (screens that become cracked and bodies that end up getting scratched are but the most common scenarios). It’s for this reason why we have taken the liberty to

Protective Cases

Without a doubt, if you’re a consumer who bought a One Plus One phone, your basic instinct is to buy the accessory directly from the maker, right? After all, who would know what’s best for these smartphones better than them? What’s good is that we can vouch for One Plus One official protective cases. They offer a variety of colors, a flexible shell, and it’s sturdy and thick enough to prevent scratches and damages from minor falls.

There are variations of protective cases that you should consider as well One of these is a TPU case, which is best for users who want the natural look of their phone to stand out There are plenty of choices for One Plus 3 smartphones that fit these kinds of cases, and what’s good is that they are often thin, lightweight, and the necessary grip for better handling, besides providing protection, of course.

 

 

 

For people who don’t mind cases that make their One Plus One phones appear thicker or chunkier for added protection, then they should definitely consider ElBolt’s Aegis Case or the Poetic Revolution Case. The former has a look that is similar to tire tracks and is pretty heavy-duty when it comes to protection because of its hard polycarbonate shell and TPU interior; it comes with a bonus screen protector too. The latter has the same increased capability to safeguard your phone, but with completely different aesthetics. These are but some of the excellent protective cases you can get for your One Plus phone.

If you’re a lover of leather, though, then you should definitely give the OnePlus 3 Flip Cover a closer look as well as the Olixar Leather-look Wallet and Stand Case. The latter, besides being made of genuine leather that adds lots of protection from scratches, also covers your phone’s screen entirely; it also has the ability to serve as a stand for you to conveniently prop your phone anywhere you like. The former, on the other hand, leans more towards being stylish (thanks to its exquisite PU leather finish) and practical at the same time, since it can function as a wallet too.

Glass Covers

One Plus One accessories that center on protection are not limited to cases as well For one, if you only want to prevent scratches from being formed on your screen, then you can opt for a tempered glass protector for it instead. The Asmart Tempered Glass Screen Protector is one brand that is worth recommending for it can be seamless added to any One Plus 3 phone and prevents any unsightly bubbles from forming on the screen. This is all thanks to its tempered glass technology. It not only protects but smoothly integrates itself into your phone as well Another brand that’s worth looking into is the APLUS Tempered Glass Screen Protector, which has practically similar perks. A glass cover, with its comparative minimalism, greatly retains the form and design of the phone as well.

Car Mounts

If you’re always on the go and want to ensure that your phone won’t any way be placed in any precarious position inside your vehicle, then you may want to consider getting a car mount for it. Most of these mounts are magnetic, which pretty much ensures that your phone would stay in place as you travel. This makes it perfect for safely using One Plus phones to play music or while you are trying to navigate through traffic or areas you’re unfamiliar with. The TechMatte MagGrip Air Vent Car Mount is one brand that exemplifies all the qualities said above.

Skullcandy release the Crusher Wireless. #Skullcandy #Wireless #Headphones

Skullcandy, Inc., the performance and lifestyle audio brand founded at the intersection of innovation and creative culture announced today the launch of Crusher® Wireless, the most immersive multi-sensory experience in Skullcandy’s offering. Crusher Wireless is an evolution of one of Skullcandy’s most celebrated products, the original Crusher® headphones, and has been completely rebuilt from the ground up with elegant industrial design, premium materials, Bluetooth® functionality and a suite of innovative technologies that enable an immersive audio experience.

 

 

“We want provide users a more immersive experience with music, movies, and really all media content. We want them to feel like they are in the front row of the concert or inside the movie experience,” said Hoby Darling, Skullcandy President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through our research and development efforts, we have worked to provide an enhanced audio and tactile experience that makes nearly all forms of media more fun and engaging for users. The new Crusher Wireless is a game changer in how people experience media content.”

 

Crusher Wireless delivers a premium acoustic experience while integrating refined Crusher Technology and stereo sound. This expansion of the Crusher family includes a proprietary built-in amplifier that powers both audio and stereo immersion drivers, enabling a dual-sensory and dual-channel bass experience. The result is a stereo haptic bass response that delivers directional bass you can feel, without sacrificing audio quality, and is a unique offering in the market today.

 

 

Crusher Wireless is also loaded with features that support the premium, immersive, multi-sensory experience: Bluetooth® functionality, customizable haptic experience through adjustable bass controls, noise-isolating fit, elevated audio quality, built-in microphone, track and volume controls, and an upgrade in aesthetics, including memory foam cushions and travel-friendly collapsible design. Furthermore, up to 40-hours of rechargeable Bluetooth battery life enabled by an auto on/off smart circuit, ensures you can go for days before needing to plug in. At £119.99, Crusher Wireless delivers a premium, immersive, multi-sensory experience, Bluetooth functionality, and days of battery life among other remarkable features.

Crusher Wireless is available now online and at select retailers globally. Learn more at: Crusher Wireless  and we will have our review soon.. These look pretty sweet indeed…..

Berry Christmas! Wraps Launch Limited Edition Berry Wristband #Earphones #Christmas

The wristband earphones wrap around your wrist so they don’t get tangled or lost and with the new design being reminiscent of a candy cane, they are a great idea for a Christmas present this year (or a treat for yourself!). They bring a festive touch to the collection and are available for a limited time only. Lets take a look at the latest instalment from Wraps….

 

Following the success of the Talk and Special Edition Wraps wristband earphones ranges, the company is now launching a new version, Wraps Limited Edition Berry, to celebrate the festive Christmas season.

Based on the Talk Wraps but with a striped pink design to bring this look to life, you can now listen to your Christmas songs whilst adding a festive touch to your look! Reminiscent of a candy cane and the traditional Christmas berries, they are sure to get you in the party mood.  Perfect for treating yourself or an excellent gift or stocking filler – the new Wraps Limited Edition Berry will be available for a short time only so get yours whilst you still can!

 

 

 

Using Wraps earphones has fast become as much about how good you look wearing them as it is how good they sound. Not only do the earphones look and sound great, they also solve the daily frustration of those that are easily broken, tangled or lost. Wraps solve 3 inherent problems all earphones have: storage, anti- tangle and style simply by enabling you to wear them on your wrist whilst you’re not using them. #WearYourSound with pride and bring your outfit to life while also having your favourite music ‘on hand’ whenever you want it.

 

The Wraps Limited Edition Berry feature a built-in headset microphone and 3.5mm gold plated jack and a light, spherical ABS housing helps control the sound. With a choice of small, medium and large silicon tips it provides a comfortable and secure fit whilst worn in the ear or on a wrist. A large 10MM dynamic speaker, tuned by world-renowned British Audio sound engineers, delivers exceptional sound quality.

 

 

When worn on the wrist, the unique patented slider system keeps the lightweight heads, slider and jack plug all connected together for a secure compact fit. The cables are kept in perfect alignment and remain tangle free and always close to hand! The British designers blended materials and colours to craft a fashion statement earphone that can stylise your outfit and coordinate your look so whether travelling to work, to a Christmas party or heading off to school, there is a Wraps earphone for you!

 

The Wraps Limited Edition Berry is available from www.mywraps.com priced at £19.99 and we will have our review of them soon so stay tuned for that…

Review – The Nextbase 112 Dash Cam. #Motoring #NextBase #Review

I have always said that this technology should be a standard on vehicles and with the ability to mass produce such items it would not be too much an effort to have this equipment installed on our vehicles as now they are now coming with more forms of wireless connectivity options as standard. Lots of cars today come with parking sensors,and with built in camera so what gives here with something like this preinstalled… Ireland has seen a massive hike in insurance premiums again this year and next year is set to rise again and this is certainly one way to deter fraudulent claims and therefore reducing insurance premiums and we are indeed inline with the UK here on this but prevention is better than cure and with a dash cam this is one simple way to decide a case,end of story, The camera never lies.

The Nextbase 112 dashcam is an affordable unit with 720p HD recording sporting a 2.0 LCD screen with a 120 degree wide angle lens. Not only that its got a parking mode feature built in. So lets take a look…

Packaging 

What do we get..

First off no SD card included although NextBase did supply us with one,But on a personal level like any other gadget requiring external storage it would be a nice sweetener to the product but you can understand why they are not included its simply another revenue stream..Another way you could look at it is to keep the cost down..There is the usual instruction manuals and surprisingly a CD ROM. I say surprisingly because its almost 2017 and people still rely on CD ROMS..

 

It comes with all the cables you need including a charger or you can just use the seperate cable for USB charging which is now becoming the norm but I find it slower. It does however use the older USB which I find odd when we are now moving to USB type C this is behind but todays standard Micro USB would have been better but having said that its not the only product I have tested in recent times to come with MINI USB.. Going forward dash cams should become wireless,Less hassle,less wires as most of us have a phone or similar charging already.

You will need to charge the unit first before usage for around two hours, This comes with a 30 min emergency battery should an incident occur so keep that in mind. What I do like about this is that its magnetic attachment is simple,given its holder is a typical suction cup you place on your windscreen the main hardwear is just a magnetic clip which works much better rather than having to remove the whole unit from the window when not in use.This is good because you should never leave it in your car unattended because there is smash and grab thieves out there who will just do exactly that, Smash a window just to rob it..

 

 

Installation is simple there is an instruction manual but for the most its easy and you can compare  it to a mobile phone holder that mounts to your windscreen just slightly wet the suction cup and stick it on and secure with the lock,after that you have a choice of two charging types be it the standalone charger or the extra cable provided for USB. Do note we can today buy USB adapters for charging and some that come with both and you can find these anywhere today mostly visible at our petrol stations here or electrical stores so you have choice..

 

CHECK OUT THE QUALITY TEST WHICH WAS RAN AT MORNING AND EVENING 

 

 

Set-up is easy from here with tactile buttons to select mode it is simple for one touch recording and then to stop it,When mounted to the window you would want to hold the device as it is rather free moving but you can lock it into position with the nut for a fixed position but for myself I was moving it around to get the best position and seeing what angles I could cover from where it was placed.. It never fell off once which was good,at times these can fall off depending on weight and so and and of course road conditions this is small and light and does not obstruct your viewing range nor will it distract you..

CONNECTED TO PC
FILE TRANSFER
MOUNTED TO WINDOW

 

 

When you have finished or used up your card it is a simple process to transfer files to your PC then upload to whatever it is you might be using or the purpose its used for, Presuming its You Tube is like uploading any other file. You will connect your dashcam to laptop with cable provided and see the files but you would want to just view them first before you upload the correct files required.

 

FEATURES OVERVIEW

 

  • Four Element Sharp Lenses made with 4 layers of glass to provide clear images
  • Bright, clear 2” LED screen for easy viewing
  • 120° wide angle view with up to 720p High Definition recording
  • Powered Magnetic Click & Go mount to easily install in the car
  • Instant evidence to support insurance claims in helping prove an incident was not your fault
  • Photo mode allows you to take still images for further evidence
  • Compact design makes this model ideal for mounting behind rear view mirror
  • Easy to install with 4m 12v power cable
  • Inbuilt battery with up to 30 minute backup in the event of an accident
  • SOS data protection prevents the impact/event recording from being deleted
  • Loop recording feature prevents recording from stopping when the SD card is full
  • Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.8 x 3 cm (WxHxD)
  • Supports SDHC and SDXC Micro SD cards up to 32GB (class 10 recommended)

 

Overall I was happy with the product and it worked flawlessly during the time I tested it and quality is good,it perhaps looks a bit better on You Tube than it does on the small screen but you can expect that, Its small,neat,works well and easy to set up and use and a must have today especially with the insurance premiums sky rocketing something like this could safe you a lot of hassle and money in the long run and you should see it as an investment rather than a cost. We would like to thank Nextbase UK for sending this out to us to check out and we have another review coming soon . You can head over to Nextbase UK for more and check out what they have to offer…..This model which is the 112 to will cost you just £49.99 which is cheap bearing in mind the quality..

 

@Stealth_VR –  Virtual Reality  VR200 headset now on sale in Ireland and UK. #virtualreality #VR #StealthVR

A few months ago we where given the opportunity to try out the all new Stealth VR headset and to date it has not let me down as we still use it testing VR apps alongside our big collection of HMDs and Google Cardboard VR viewers. There is a wide variety of HMDs out there today and having many here in house this one in particular is quite good and very comfortable…

Check out our video review below.

 

Back in August John from Stealth VR told us…

 

“Following a hugely positive reception to our inaugural product – the VR100 – we have now set our sights on becoming a major player in the Mobile VR arena. At this early juncture, global sales of the VR100 have exceeded all expectations. As well as capturing the imagination of consumers in the UK and key EU territories, the VR100 has taken the Japanese market by storm – particularly in major Electronic Stores such as Yodabashi and Bic Camera. Our unique combination of product and online community support has proved crucial to establishing our brand as one of the leading lights in Mobile VR.”

 

 

 

This headset is now on sale in Ireland at Smyths toys… You can see our FULL IMAGE GALLERY of the headset HERE

 

The VR2OO is a premium MobileVR headset designed to give you the perfect VR experience. 42mm lenses give unrivalled clarity to make your virtual experience completely unforgettable. Breathable leatherette eye padding and headband support ensure that the user is comfortable at all times. The folding visor gives full access to both sides of the lenses and the magnetic front panel is detachable for AR and device cooling purposes. Stylistically. theVR2OO is totally unique in cool white with embossed panelling and a choice of either silver or red trim.

 

 

 

FEATURES

  • Compatibility – Works with all smartphones up to 6 inches; Android, iOS & Google Cardboard apps.
  • Visual Immersion – Opaque visor (with detachable magnetic front for AR) which blocks out all external visual stimuli.
  • Audio Immersion – Access port for audio headphone connection.
  • Design & Practicality – Stylish embossed finish with breathable leatherette comfort eye padding, held in place by adjustable stretch headband with extra head support.
  • Lenses – 42mm.
  • Maintenance – Cleaning cloth allows you to keep lenses crystal clear.
  • Adjustability – Separate focal and lens distance adjustment dials to suit individual preference.
  • Power – Access port to allow charging alongside use.
  • Demographic – All ages (11+), genders & backgrounds.
  • Community – Full support network with expert advice, newsletters, user forums and a constant stream of updates on the latest free content.

BUY HERE  Smyths Toys Ireland

BUY HERE  Smyths Toys UK 

BUY HERE   Tesco UK

Any questions fire away below or on social @techbuzzireland

Review – The Kobo Aura One waterproof and a battery that can last a month. #ereader

After spending some time with the Kobo Aura One I will share my thoughts on it,To be transparent here this is my first ereader and I will not be comparing it to others on the market apart from the price and what it has to offer versus its competition…

Firstly the build quality is excellent and for such a big device it is very light even though it packs a battery that can last up to a month with what I would call myself a sporadic reader, Reading is not a first on my list but spending time with this did give me the opportunity to perhaps engage myself some more but compared to what I read on the web the time still differs hugely..

 

 

Having said that what I did like with this is the settings provided which helps you greatly on the eyes,mostly at night when I am in bed I would have done most of my reading as I would with catching up on news on my phone or tablet and this is where the Aura One had a great advantage with its settings to read the device in whats called “Night Mode”

 

 

There is a few settings here to make the choice right but as well as at night and day I would suggest turning off the auto brightness features as at times this seemed to decide to work all by itself and give me a setting that did no suit the surrounding…  The Orange look as you see is a much more comfortable way to read and does not strain the eyes and visually looks good with no loss of detail and with a huge screen estate here viewing is great offering you next best thing to holding that clunky book or newspaper if you will…

 

Handling the unit is good, With having a huge 7.8inch  screen it is comfortable in hand because its light and got this nice texture on the back,not only that its also thin at 6.9mm. You will not believe how light this is for its size but those who use these machines might relate to it better with its competition as I have never owned such and would have a better judgement but for me even comparing it to several tablets I have this is the lightest..You could use it one handed but would find it awkward but with two hands you would be much more comfortable especially with grip..

 

There is a service called OVER DRIVE which allows you to borrow books from your local library which is an excellent feature,this is something that brings me back to my childhood when I did read alot on nature and as I got older I took medicine as a subject I was drawn too when I went to college,you will need to set up an account and browse for libraries then enter some information and you will be then sent a confirmation email and you can then make way to collect your library card and store it on the device itself so this means no separate plastic to stuff your wallet up even more which is something I detest..Though years ago I did have a habit of collecting plastic which thankfully wore off over the years.But for now the choice here is minimal but that will change but you can borrow books. You will need a library card to borrow books and you can also find compatible libraries at  https://www.overdrive.com/libraries 

Something to note here also is you need not worry about late fees or returning the book like we did on the old days because they are automatically returned which is great and shows you how much things have changed with the digital age and that will tell you the last time I visited a library which was when I was around 19…

 

 

Reading on this unit is excellent both indoors and outdoors thanks to the Carta E panel. Though mostly indoors is where I read this device can be used outdoors with no issues at all,this means those who travel,go on holidays or sit by the beach or pool can enjoy the experience plus the fact that its waterproof pool and beach goers can rejoice as there is no other ereaders available that offer waterproofing which is IPX8 up to 60 mins in 2 Metres of water…

 

 

 

 

The Kobo Aura one has alot to offer given it is a the higher end of the price scale but its different when comparing towards content such as what is available Amazon might have some more but they are around longer and some books are cheaper and vice versa when it comes to content on the kobo store but there is no need for me to go on about this as this is my first time to use such a device but long time ebook readers will know in the long run what to get and where to find it,However there is plenty of indy books available on the Kobo store which they a cut of the sale which is quite good… Another feature built in here for social fans which they might find useful is the ability to share via Facebook,This might be for some to let others know but the ereader community would welcome it but I think if you are going social dont just tie it to Facebook…

Overall for me this is probably a hard sell to me personally as I do like the UI especially with the tiled homepage which reminds me of Windows Phone, I do like it as an overall product with its outstanding battery life and being waterproof but I do most of my work on a phone or tablet something which this cant offer as a standalone device.. Yes its portable and fits in your travel bag,its light,amazing battery life,waterproof,durable and lots more but personally I cant ever see myself buying a ebook reader anytime soon as its not my thing but for the person who does use these I would say its a good buy given its at the higher end of the price range,You have as solid product….

Pros…

  • Light
  • Waterproof
  • Amazing battery
  • Great display and screen estate
  • Build quality is great
  • Pocket integration
  • Sideload PDFs

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Lags at times with text entry
  • Titles can be found cheaper elsewhere
  • Digital library choice in Ireland – This will improve though

 

 

 

Waterproof from the inside out with HZO Protection™ IPX8 – up to 60 mins in 2 metres of water
Screen: 7.8” HD Carta E Ink touchscreen, 1872 x 1404 resolution 300 dpi
Weight: 230 g
Size: 195.1 x 138.5 x 6.9 mm
Storage: 8 GB on-board memory, holds up to 6,000 eBooks
Front-light: ComfortLight PRO – Reduces blue-light exposure and protects your eyes for the best nighttime reading experience.
Customizability: TypeGenius: 11 different fonts and over 50 font styles
Exclusive font weight and sharpness settings
Supported formats: 14 file formats supported natively (EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR)
Read eBooks borrowed from Public Library
Connectivity: Wi Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Micro USB
Battery Life: Up to 1 month*
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Brazilian, Portuguese, Japanese, Turkish
Other: No advertising, no interruptions

 

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