When it comes to fitness trackers there is an array of them out there but when it comes to features and price there is some limitations, Smartwatches can do all the things a fitness tracker can do but their inflated prices do them no justice and people are buying fitness trackers these days and today there is a new one on the market priced very well. Check out the unboxing below before we take it for a test run and if you have any questions in the meantime feel free to ask below or on all or social channels listed above and below.
August International, a UK based consumer electronics company with a vision to inspire smart innovation, today announced the launch of the SWB200 smart activity tracker. Packed full of features, this sleek, app-enabled wristband accurately tracks a user’s daily activity including steps, distance, heart rate, blood oxygen and calories burnt. It also monitors sleep, providing information on quality, duration as well as the stages of sleep, all for £54.95. BUY HERE http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-292-326.html
When it comes to kids there is not much headphones on sale targeted just at kids, Mostly on offer is a generic set of earphones or headphones which is often bland. Groov-e however have created a pair for kids which is a great idea and not expensive either.
These are a simple design and built tough enough to last and have eye-catching colours with a silver trim on the outer side of the cup. The slider extensions are a simple execution to keep things simple as kids being kids anything more advanced would be an overkill here. The two toned Blue version we have has nice soft leather cups and don’t clamp onto your head making them comfortable for kids and long periods of use.
Build quality is robust and as I mentioned earlier its all kept simple with not having more expensive mechanisms in place here for movement on the cups and slider arrangement. These are durable and also easy to maintain and a quick wipe of a damp cloth will wipe away any marks they might pick up.
Sound is not bad considered their target and price-point. Given these are targeted at kids I did expect poor sound but was pleased to say it’s not bad at all and my child who is almost 10 reports the same and loves to wear these. From my own initial listening my ears are more trained to pick up the usual genres lows.mids and highs and they are OK but for kids they would not see a difference here although my daughter has a habit and privilege of trying out all my headphones she thinks they sound great and gives me the thumbs she knows the difference between woeful and good but looking at a bigger picture would all kids like them??
Well then yes most kids would not have access to as many as my child to be fair and kids will certainly enjoy them and will be pleased with overall feel,look and comfort and simplicity here.There is 3 buttons on one side which keeps things simple which is good and these buttons are raised making navigation easy.
The great thing built into these headphones are the option to share. We have an extra 3.5mm headphone port for another person to join in on what you are listening to which is really a good idea especially for kids who share the same interest in music and whatever the owner might be watching or tuned into on their tablet or phone.
I have been reviewing Groov-e products some time now and they make really good products at affordable prices for all ages including kids which is a nice touch. Today we will be checking out the Elite wireless with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)
Out of the box alongside the presentation these looked and felt good in the hand with simple controls to use too and also a very good carry case which some manufacturers today still seem to leave out not matter what price-point they fall under.
Design and Build.
These are built rather well and as a whole very comfortable to wear too even for long periods. With solid joints these should last some time as these areas are typically weak areas depending on how they are executed in which in the Elites case is good.There is a nice leather band underneath the headband itself which gives you more comfort for long-term use, the sliding mechanisms on both sides are again robust and lock into place pretty well and will not shift as you move around. The leather cups are really comfortable too and isolate much of the noise without even having to use the ANC but of course the ANC is a must have feature these days and just tops it off by muting outside noise altogether.
Functions and controls.
All placed again on one side which is preferable which is the left with a big square button on the outer ear for ANC which you really can’t miss and I like this idea as having the ANC alongside other buttons which is a case we see quite often the idea of having it placed on the outside here is a better option and leaves all the other dedicated buttons to on their own and less fumbling about.
The Groov-e Elite Wireless Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling take your audio experience to another level. Featuring 40mm Neodymium drivers for premium sound, crystal-clear audio is supported by Active Noise Cancelling, which will block out external noise and give you an immersive experience. Even with brilliant sound and ANC, you don’t have to compromise on flexibility as these on-ear headphones also offer over 10 hours of wireless playback. Just connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device and go! The combination of high frequency drivers and acoustic engineering allow for crystal clear sound wherever you are.
The skip pause and play buttons all work well and are easy to navigate with tactile buttons raise high enough and after a few minutes use you will be fine navigating these blindly. The power key here is the centre key of the trio and you also get womans voice telling you of your status here which does not sound too robotic, The ANC button changes colour from Green to Blue or a mixture of both which looks cool. The MIC,USB and 3.5 MM headphone jack is also present on the same side and as I said it keeps everything simple.
Sound and call quality.
Sound here is actually again better than I would expect at this pricepoint its great, its loud clear and really good bass which they call “Super Bass” and it dleivers, All genres lows,mids and highs where good and again phone calls crisp and clearat both ends so I was well pleased in this department really impressed for its price point.
Overall I cant fault these headphones however the only thing with some headphones with long term use or excessive use which I fall under they will tend to sweat sometimes but again this is a factor that would surround you be it the temperature or your activity with these on but it was not as frequent as some headphones with leather pads would be, Other than that I can certainly recommened these without hesitation with what you get for the money.
Here’s a scan for the development privileged insights of one of the world’s most energizing youthful organizations — an organization from which each organization can learn.
Google’s story is a recognizable one: Two Stanford doctoral understudies, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, built up an arrangement of calculations that in 1998 started a good lord jump in Web-seek execution. Essentially, they transformed pursuit into a fame challenge. Notwithstanding checking an expression’s appearance on a Web page, as different motors did, it evaluated significance by tallying the number and significance of different pages that connected to that page.
Like its internet searcher, Google is an organization overbuilt to be more grounded than it must be. Its lavishness of ability permits it vital adaptability — the capacity to analyze, to attempt numerous things without a moment’s delay. “Adaptability is costly,” says Craig Silverstein, a 30-year-old specialist who dropped his quest for a Stanford PhD to wind up Google’s first worker. “In any case, we feel that adaptability gives you a superior item. Is it accurate to say that we are correct? I believe we’re correct. More imperative, that is the kind of organization I need to work for.”
What’s more, the kind of organization that each organization can gain from. What takes after, at that point, is our push to “google” Google: to look for the development insider facts of one of the world’s most energizing development organizations. Like the rationale of the internet searcher itself, our hunt was profound and vote based.
Therefore, here is an infographic presents by Fullestop where we can see all about GOOGLE and also wishes a very Happy Birthday to GOOGLE.
This initial view of this looks like a standard notebook with a pen. This comes with 32 pages to write different types of notes. At first glance, this looks like a typical A4 diary, nothing special spiral notebook. The first page has 7 different categories which are organized to create images in specific folders, this allows you to write/draw on the sheets, then using an app, an image is taken of the text which is then electronically stored as a PDF or Jpeg.
Features:
Erase with a Damp Cloth – Use Everlast with pens, highlighters, and markers from the Pilot FriXion line. Wipe pages with a damp cloth, and watch them erase
Environment-Friendly – Quit wasting paper and throwing away old notebooks. Everlast is endlessly reusable—the last notebook you’ll ever need.
Blast to Eight Hot Apps – Rocketbook is integrated with all the cloud storage services you already use.
Always in Airplane Mode – Power up your Rocketbook anywhere, even where other electronics have to be powered down.
No Whiteboard Required – Share notes and sketches with colleagues even if they weren’t in the meeting, or even if there was no meeting at all.
Organized – Students, engineers, designers, managers use Rocketbook to be more organized, creative and productive.
Practical use:
The Rocketbook System allows standard writing on one of the 32 pages. Once the text/artwork etc is completed, one of the 7 symbols at the bottom of the page can be marked. A standard smartphone using the App (iPhone 6 was used on this review) allows a digital image of the page to display on the smartphone. This image was scanned automatically via the phone camera via the app. The iPhone was held above the Rocketbook, with the pages manually turned over and scanned automatically.
1 / 8
The app used machine vision to search and scan the page (There’s was no need to push a button). To scan the text/ art the app distinguishes the symbol marked (one of 8 symbols) and sends the image direct to the pre-set folder in a variety of locations. The Rocketbook allows integration to a variety of products, Google Docs, Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote, email and more using the quick to setup app.
The App:
The Rocketbook app has got good feedback with 4.4 out of 5 for over 2000 feedback. The setup on the iPhone was standard with no issues. The Rocketbook app allowed writing in a traditional paper and pen notebook, then with the use of a smartphone digitizing all notes and sending them to the chosen destination. The Rocketbook app allows integration to a variety of products. The app requires setting a destination for each symbol, which can be Email, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Slack, Box, and iCloud.
If you have an apple watch, you can create a picture/text on the Rocketbook and store this as your Apple watch face. There is a variety of these types of options on the app.
2 / 9
Note:
This is not recommended for a lefthander, this is due to the smudges of the text when writing from right to left.
Don’t leave the text on any page for over a month, as this may leave the text difficult to remove.
The Pilot Frixion pen range can be purchased in most stationary shops, (a little bit more expensive than your typical pens but can be under €5). These pens can write on a normal sheet as a pen and erase as required like a typical pen. I have used these pens for over 5 years removing the need for tipp-ex correction fluid.
This may sound strange but if the notebook is left in a hot environment like a car in the sun the writing may seem faded, as at 60 degrees Celsius the writing disappears due to the ink, the notebook can be put into the freezer to cool down and the text returns, something from Bond! (but works)
Conclusion:
This is a product changing from Analogue to digital with ease in organizing handwriting/art via a standard looking spiral notebook and smartphone. The Rocketbook features advise that the text/ art can be scanned and forgotten, – This does what it states on the packaging The Rocketbook is like a notebook, well-built and sturdy, writing is standard (except for left-handed persons). The book is easy to clean but requires cleaning via a damp cloth (included). The smartphone via the app detects pages and stores them in chosen destinations in an appropriate format. This can integrate into a variety of products via the app including Google Docs, Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote, Slack, OneNote, and Email.
If this could convert the handwriting to text on your laptop, this would be the number one product of the year. This has practical applications whether as a student, engineer, designer, or managers minutes, which can be organized easily and stored. This is an interesting technology bringing handwritten notes/pictures into the digital area stored and organized easily.
The Garmin 55 plus is the latest installment from Garmin which brings us much the same as previous iterations offering a simple UI easy to install unit and good footage all caught on a not so attention seeking piece in your car window.
Features
Small and inconspicuous when mounted on windscreen
High-quality 3.7MP camera with 1440p video capture that works well in bright and in low-light conditions
Advanced driver alerts include forward collision and lane departure, Go Alert, red light and speed camera warnings
Includes lifetime safety camera updates
Incident detection (G sensor) automatically saves footage of incidents on impact
GPS records location, direction, speed, date and time to show exactly where and when incidents occurred, plus built-in Wi-Fi for wireless video sync
Voice control allows you to start/stop recording, take a still picture or start/stop the Travelapse photo capture feature
Quick and secure magnetic mount, easy to stow and go
UNBOXING
If you are going to invest in a car invest in something like this and if you are buying a new car ignore the bullshit 360 external view from your internal screen which is not worth a flying hoot should you be in a car crash this is not the selling point in cars alongside Wi-Fi which is a lame atttempt for mobile operators to get you in on another bill most of us have mobile phones which are Wi-Fi hotspots by default.
Setting up is simple as before and as I had part of it already there it was even easier so for those moving on to it will be happy, You get a sticky pad with a magnet two come in the box should you make a haimes of the first job as they are hard to move and re fixing them is pointless as they simply wont stick again. You also get a generous cigarette charger which should be a thing of the past now and we should be looking at USB options and USB-C in the units themselves.
The UI here is the same as before and the same changes still need to be applied some safety features are a bit sensitive and create false negatives especially the voice commands which pick up soundbites from conversation in-car or on the phone and also your radio or CD/Media player taking up valuable space on your memory card. I have done a video on this and the UI before which is in-depth.
The unit itself is also again small and will not draw attention to your car and can be placed cleverly depending on your car windows angle there is still today some idiots who smash car windows to nick your dascham but this one will not draw attention and I like that idea.
All that matters here with these really being short is how the footage looks and it does a great job with no fishbowl effect with 1440p its great I have already garnered much attention with some clips taken which are on my you tube channel.. The footage is good crisp and clear even looking in at a distance.
The price on this is what might put some off but for gods sake it’s a worthy investment. Most of the sub €100 dashcams on sale now at discount stores are piles of dirt your footage is crap your card gets corrupted and build quality is lame so go spend the extra money shut up moaning and you will one day thank me for it.
The Mini Wi-Fi Home Hotspot highlights the ability to provide fast reliable broadband using the home power socket to create secure Wi-Fi. There is no requirement for additional wires required. The box came with what looked like 2 larger plugs with network sockets attached. The principle is to extend the Wi-Fi range in the house with a secure Wi-Fi hotspot with a strong signal.
Dimensions:
BT Mini Wi-Fi Home Hotspot 600: 76 x 66 x 70 mm (H x W x D)
BT Broadband Extender 600: 76 x 65 x 63 mm (H x W x D)
Broadband Extenders & Home Hotspots:
Uses your home electrical wiring to extend your broadband network anywhere in the house
Works with all broadband providers
Link with other Home Plug AV powerline adaptors
AV600 powerline & N150 wireless technology
Compatible with AV200 and AV500 technology devices
Uses latest AV600 technology for smooth multiple HD / 3D streaming
Secure wireless network – no configuration necessary
Simple push-button Wi-Fi connection set-up with hotspot
Two Ethernet ports for multiple wired devices
Available as a kit or a multi kit
Warranty – 3 Years Warranty
Setup:
The setup was very easy, plug in the Wi-Fi extender then a cable to the standard router / hub using the supplied network cable. The other plug (Wi-Fi-home hotspot) the other plug in another room. Once plugged in after a few minutes the light turns a steady green.
There was an option to connect the laptop etc via an ethernet cable also, this was not required using the Wi-Fi option worked well. This was plugged into an external shed at the bottom of the garden having no Wi-Fi coverage, once the setup was done Wi-Fi was available. There was a small drop in speed as tested on speed test site, but a minimal loss.
Note The BT Mini Wi-Fi Home Hotspot 600 Kit will only transfer the speed coming into the home, it will not increase the speed rather extend the speed in to the home, this can be tested using a speed test site, e.g. www.fast.com, The Mini Wi-Fi Home Hotspot is recommended to plug directly into the mains socket , not an anti-surge socket or extension cable.
Conclusion:
The standard router supplied by the networks should suffice for a typical home but thick concrete walls, or foil back installation on walls may block Wi-Fi signal’s. The BT Mini Wi-Fi Home Hotspot 600 Kit is a simple product that works, (provided you are on the same internal electric mains connection in your property). The setup is quick with minimal technical knowledge required. This allows Wi-Fi in parts of your property that your standard router (as supplied by your network provider) does not cover.
The key to this product from BT, is that it works to extends your broadband for access in those hard-to-reach places. This can be got in 2 / 3 plugs to extend the range. If Broadband is limited or patchy in parts of your home this is a reasonable inexpensive method to extend the Wi-Fi that works. This is an easy decision to make on a quality BT product to extend the range.
The BT Elements 1 km Single is an IP67 Rated Cordless Phone with Answering Machine and Nuisance Call Blocker. This cordless phone looks albeit like a normal cordless phone but has one unique feature above most other phones the 1 km Range. The unit is built solid protected from dust and capable of withstanding water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for 30 minutes. The phone is slimmer than many phones which has builders feel to the phone. The Cordless Phone has an answering Machine and Nuisance Call Blocker.
Box Contains
1 x Remote base unit
1 x Handset
1 x Charging pod
1 x PSU
1 x Telephone line cord
Rechargeable batteries
Quick start guide
Note: the phone comes with a UK telephone lead, compatible adapters or Ireland cables are freely available at minimum cost.
Dimensions:
Weights (g)
Base: 161 Handset: 172 Charger: 82
Dimensions (cm)
Base: 12.6(H) x 12.8(W) x 6.5(D)
Handset: 19.6(H) x 5.5(W) x 3.1(D)
Charger: 4.5(H) x 10.8(W) x 7.9(D)
Features:
Long cordless range (50 m indoor 1 km outdoor)
IP67 rated (protected from immersion in water and dust proof)
Nuisance Call Blocking technology installed
Built in answer machine and text messaging
Robust handset with belt clip
Other useful features include a 200 name and number directory, a handy 6-line mono display which is backlit and has contrast control, 50 number calls list, 30 number redial list and call waiting indicator. This phone also has 10 polyphonic and 5 standard ringtones to choose from, a VIP indicator, 9 quick dial memories, a keypad lock and secrecy function. The text messaging option is not available in Ireland due to the networks.
Warranty:
Disappointing warranty with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, for an environmentally sealed cordless phone that can withstand water ingress and take a knock or two, 1 year is minimal.
Setup:
The Setup is minimal, plug in the phone and connect the cable to the base station. The cables are designed that they cannot be inserted incorrectly. The time and date require setting initially with a few different menu. There is an abundance of features, the Nuisance Call Blocker is a handy feature to prevent unwanted calls. The long cordless outdoor range is the unique feature of the phone allowing call made and receive up to a range of 1 km and up to 50 m indoors, this is ideal for the end of the garden, farm, or used in a business in a workshop, or large warehouse.
The belt clip initially seems a waist but over time this was perfect saving the hassle to carry the phone in your back pocket, the cordless phone required little charging with 13 hrs talk time, up to 160 hrs standby time. The features clock, calendar and alarm are easily setup. The cordless phone is GAP compatible which means when other handsets can be registered to other base systems allowing you to receive incoming calls and to make outgoing calls. The contact address book copies between the BT handsets.
Call quality:
The call quality can’t be faulted. This was tested in the house and walked a long distance away from the house, the audio to the caller and receiver was perfect albeit a slight distraction from external noise.
Conclusion:
This BT Elements 1 km has all the features you would expect form a cordless phone but has the extended range, perfect for a business area in a large office, warehouse etc This has an answer machine, (up to 30 mins recording time) Nuisance Call Blocker built to withstand a knock or 2 and waterproof. The Speakerphone for hands-free calling is great when on hold. The cordless is not the most visually appealing handset (hefty and wider than typical BT cordless phone) but makes up for this in terms of functionality, range and build.
It may be beneficial to look toward a double / triple handset to ensure you are within range of a handset. Additional handsets are available to expand the telephone system. This can be used for domestic or business but if your current phone does not cover the area required, this is a definitive choice for the extended range.
With the Autumn Equinox around the corner, falling on the 23rd September this year, the cooler and darker nights are starting to set in which means waving goodbye to what has been one pretty outstanding Summer! However with the recent weather events and more expected its time to get visible for cylcists due to the shorter evenings and darker mornings.
Thankfully for those who wish to continue cycling in the dark, Blinkers offer a multi-functional Smart Bicycle Lighting System with front, rear and laser lighting available allowing users to indicate left or right using a wireless remote control on the handlebar and display a rear light when they are braking/slowing down to make those darker commutes, evening training sessions or just the freedom of early morning or late night cycling that bit safer and enjoyable.
Armed with a set of Blinkers and the below handy tips on cycling in the dark, the transition from summer to winter cycling will be smooth & seamless process.
Blinkers smart lighting system aims to make communication between cyclists and other road users as simple and effective as possible and therefore increase safety. With front, rear and laser lighting available it allows users to indicate left or right using a wireless remote control on the handlebar and the rear light shows when the cyclist is braking/slowing down.
With the laser set, a circle shows around the bike so that there is no question about where the cyclist space is and aims to reduce the numbers of accidents that occur when a driver drifts or turns into the cyclist’s lane. They are designed to be used for up to 20 hours so whether on a daily commute or a leisurely ride, Blinkers will keep going as long as you do.
Blinkers have also kindly put together seven top tips for cycling in the dark for new cyclists. Feel free to use any of the below.
TOP TIPS FOR CYCLING IN THE DARK
1. LIGHTING
Having adequate lighting on your bicycle is a legal requirement when cycling in the dark. Not only are lights vital for being seen by other road users but they can also offer better understanding between cyclists and vehicle users due to the increased functionalities such as turning indicators, brake lights and laser projection.
2. CLOTHING CHOICE
Clothing choice should have the dual function of keeping you warm as well as making you visible to other road users. Pack layers in anticipation for a temperature drop, waterproofs for those damp days & don’t underestimate the value in having reflective panels, fabrics & designs on your clothing.
3. REFLECTIVE ACCESSORIES
Invest in some reflective accessories such as wrist bands, ankle bands, reflective strips, stickers or tape to enhance visibility & add to your safety.
4. EYEWEAR
A pair of clear glasses are a wise accessory to have to reduce the loss of visibility and protect your eyes from debris, mud & grit thrown up from the road, strong winds and spray on those wetter journeys.
5. ROUTES
If you have a choice, try and stick with routes you are familiar with to avoid any unknown obstacles, poorly surfaced roads or complicated junctions. Testing the route out in daytime & planning your journey is beneficial to make you more at ease with night cycling.
6. BUDDY UP
Night cycling can be daunting, especially in the beginning, so buddy up with a friend or join a local organised cycling group. You will be grateful for the company & help should you ever unfortunately develop a mechanical problem.
7. STAY VIGILENT AND NEVER ASSUME
Cycling can be risky at the best of times, never mind in the dark. Stay vigilant (as you would in daytime cycling) for any hazards and never make the mistake of assuming, even if lit up like a Christmas tree, that a driver has seen you when completing a manoeuvre.
