Month: November 2018

Review – Duracell 6700 mAh powerbank. #Duracell #Powerbanks @DuracellUK ‏

We still suffer from battery anxiety even today and after I discussed this on the consumer show on RTE some years ago things have not changed given we have now bigger batteries in our phones it usually means there is more to push inside the phone..

Duracell recently launched a campaign in the UK called “stop seeing red” which we all know what that means and in that conversation…

Christina Tuner, Associate Marketing Director at Duracell, commented, “I wasn’t surprised to see what extreme lengths people go to in search of power as I’ve been in the same position several times. We are all so dependent on our smart phones to stay connected, entertained and well navigated, that when we’re suddenly in the red, we find we’re literally powerless. It seems crazy not to just pack a Powerbank so we’re free to continue scrolling through our day”.

Duracell however is probably the most popular battery at home for other devices and I would not use anything else personally but now they have some powerbanks on offer to suit all needs and they are 3350,6700 and 10050 mAH powered respectively.

Today we check out the 6700 mAh unit and I love the design which looks like a giant battery so this will stand out straight away, Even people who came into my house over the last few days asked me what is that battery for but when I told them what it was they where impressed. This is an ideal gift too for Christmas and ideal for people travelling and it can be carried on flights too, Its not bulky and its smooth all round..

Available from £19.99-£34.00 from leading online retailers including Argos and Amazon, and instore at Sainsburys and Morrisons..

ARGOS IRELAND

 

 

We check out the Sony Playstation Classic. #MyPSMemories #Gaming #Sony #Tech

Last night in Dublin we had the chance to check out the Sony Playstation Classic and it certainly was a trip down memory lane and for those who once owned the Original console as I did this will be an ideal gift to yourself or indeed for somebody else in the family. The mini sized console will be hitting the stores on December 3rd and once its sold out it is sold out we were told on the night.

 

The console as I said is small with a simple set up and HDMI connectivity and just like other launches of late which are really popular and sell out on the day and brings back the memories of old when I was a huge gaming fan. Several games were tried and it was an enjoyable experience given things have shrunk it was not long before I got the hang of things again. This will be a welcome addition in my house and I am sure many other households and for €99 it is a good deal with 20 games pre-loaded. I feel this is however a similar attempt at what others have done like Nintendo which is nothing wrong but Sony could have given us more games.

Check out the gaming footage and image gallery’s below and watch out for more and check out our social feeds.

GAMES ON DECK

 

  • Battle Arena Toshinden
  • Cool Boarders 2
  • Destruction Derby
  • Final Fantasy VII
  • Grand Theft Auto
  • Intelligent Qube
  • Jumping Flash
  • Metal Gear Solid
  • Mr Driller
  • Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
  • Rayman
  • Resident Evil Director’s Cut
  • Revelations: Persona
  • Ridge Racer Type 4
  • Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
  • Syphon Filter
  • Tekken 3
  • Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6
  • Twisted Metal
  • Wild Arms

 

 

Review – Fuse Chicken Premium leather wireless charging base. #Tech #Wireless

I go through many wireless chargers here and they all do what they do which is fine but quality is another matter. In fairness most I own are great and serve me well I am one of those on the wireless charging train which has been slow to catch on here. This unit if slightly different and will appeal to those whom want quality throughout. This case is made from a block of premium aluminium and topped off with a leather base and it also comes with a bamboo top too which looks really well.

This unit is simple to use with one port for power and one status light with small pods for feet underneath to keep it stable on any surface. All you need to do is drop the phone on top and thats it as its centred. And of course this is case friendly.  Check out the video below for more.

BUY HERE

Portuguese startup @magikbee_world launches Skrappify, the paper scrapbook that connects to a tablet. #edtech

Portuguese edtech startup Magikbee has launched Skrappify, a paper book that connects to a tablet and combines scrapbooking with digital design. Fusing physical and digital, Skrappify is the latest addition to Magikbee’s lineup of educational and interactive toys and apps, and is made for teenagers, families and scrapbook enthusiasts alike.

Each page of the Skrappify book is synchronised to a unique digital design created by the user on the Skrappify app. The book comes in a case that folds out into a tablet stand, ensuring a comfortable user experience and ease of drawing on both the pages and the device. The app, which offers painting tools, photo and video imports, fun fonts, emojis, stickers, and frames, is available for iPad on the App Store and Android tablets via Google Play.

“Scrapbooking is a very popular hobby,” said Magikbee CEO Hugo Ribeiro. “We want to make it even more fun by adding the richness of digital content, but without removing the crucial physical essence of scrapbooking.”

“We’ve developed the Skrappify app to include some design features that will be familiar to young users of Snapchat and Instagram. The idea is to combine the fun that kids have on mobile devices with traditional arts and crafts.”

“There are countless ways to use Skrappify. It’s the perfect way to unleash creativity and a great gift for the whole family this Christmas.”

Skrappify is a blank canvas, and can be used to create a photo album, interactive diary, school project, personalised gift, and much more.

The Skrappify Kit, available now for €39.99 at Skrappify.com, includes the blank book and case, four marker pens with erasers, and a series of emoji stickers.

Skrappify uses a similar technology to Magikbee’s magik play starter kit, a set of wooden building blocks that interact with an iPad in a series of puzzles and games. The tech requires no batteries, wires, or pairing and is straightforward to use.

See more https://magikbee.com/product/skrappify-digital-scrapbook-shop/https://magikbee.com/product/skrappify-digital-scrapbook-shop/

Review – The Audew D102 dashcam. #Dashcams #motoring #tech #Audew

Dahcams have been in the news of late and with now One insurance company now offering a discount on such could this be the end of fraudulent claims? Well one thing is for sure its about flaming time at least one insurance company has woken up to something I have suggested for years and again its down to the motor industry itself.. ALL VEHICLES BY DEFAULT SHOULD BE FITTED WITH DASHCAMS.

Dashcams are  not a complicated tool to use like they once where they are easy to use and in most cases its plug and play and in any case I go through the menu set up on these for you. It is simple and sub menus not too hard to follow for set up. This model is the same it is easy to mount easy to use and away you go, but you will need an SD card as it does not come with one.

This unit offers much the same as the industry standard with a simple UI a few buttons nothing too complicated at all. It is also small and does not obstruct your view and wont really stick  out if you place it correctly. There is a long cable for you vehicle too which makes mounting easy and you can hide the wiring no matter where its place,this is vehicle depending of course and how panels are constructed.

This has a 170 degree angle viewing and has motion detection so if you are not in the vehicle and something happens it will start recording for you.There is  multiple feature choices throughout the menu. I would suggest turning off the audio but its no harm however should you have an incident and the radio blaring you will not hear whats going on outside but inside the vehicle which is no good,this does not mean you stay silent in your car or have no radio on if you do decide to leave it on,but for me audio recording is off on all my dashcams.

If you want simplicity this has it just plug in and go and then if you have something you can check out the footage on the device ,via your PC or remove the SD card and stick it in your phone which is handy too should you have no access to a PC.

Features

Easily concealed,Excellent night vision, Loop Recording, Parking Mode .Crashing induction detection, Urgent Lock File Button. Reg detection.

Audew also make a neat vaccum cleaner for you car you can check that out HERE

BUY HERE 

 

 

Review – The Groov-e wireless play buds with charge case. #earphones #tech #earbuds

Groove-e make some really nice tech products and for some time now we have been testing their products and the latest we have checked out is the Play Buds which are totally wireless come with a carry case which gives you more juice on the go.

These are also on the cheap side with cost here as many of these types of buds are over the €100 mark but now there is an influx in the market with these in-ears with charge case which is a good thing for choice and competition.  These are very light too and fit quite well in the ears though mine are rather selective when it comes to the likes but there is additional buds in the package.

Presented well in the packaging as always this is a similar to a big pill in your pocket which will fit in any pocket making them easily portable for anyone or any pocket. Pairing these is a simple process to begin with voice notifications each side similar to Jabra, So how do they sound is the most important factor here at the cost..Well hit and miss with some tracks but source dependent.Like many I have an old sd card stuffed with music and for me using this as a source due to how songs were downloaded and so on it they simply did not perform well in many cases compared to other headphones/earphones I used.  When it comes to using services or You Tube which is really my main source of music they do perform well.

 

When it comes to the usual attributes in music they performed well overall but on some occasions went a bit off with highs and sounded tinny at max volume but nonetheless the overall performance listening to music from the likes of Spotify or You tube they deliver clear crisp sound and for the price you can’t really complain paying around €60 for such which is on the cheaper side out there.

Boasting Bluetooth V4.1 technology, users are able to connect the PlayBuds seamlessly with any smart- device that’s up to 10 metres away. With three hours of listening time and 20 hours on standby, users simply place the PlayBuds inside the carry case when the battery is low. The portable case, which doubles up as a charger, will then provide an additional seven hours of music playback, allowing users to stay connected for non-stop listening on the go.

Groov-e PlayBuds – £54.99 from www.groov-e.co.uk

 

Review – GrabTab super-slim grip assist from @speckproducts #GrabTab #tech

Every now and then a simple idea comes along and you ask yourself why did I not think of that and that was my initial impression here however at the same time I had my questions but they were answered and overall this is a genius product that costs under a tenner.

This will not work on some cases or phones take note but will for the majority which is good you will need a flat surface and similar case for it to work effectively and due to the large surface area this lad aint budging once settled,you will see this in the video review. Think of the modern cases that come with kickstands, They are mostly more bulky and more expensive and to an extent cumbersome. The GrabTab is not, it simply sticks onto your phone or if you are the type that likes to go naked with your phone it will stick to the back of your device too.

 

Its thin and does work with wireless charges as we checked to be sure and its the size of a credit .If you want a simple mobile accessory this is it, Enjoy media from a flat surface, Your phone is safer in hand being more secure with the loop.. Check out the video below..

BUY HERE 

***Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals with 25% to 50% discounts will be live on speckproducts.co.uk  until 26th November at midnight***

PIXEL 3XL CASE REVIEWS FROM SPECK

Review – Smartfrog home security camera system. #tech #security #home #smartfrog

I have tried several home security systems now and these are not the full install jobs but ones that are simple to use and simple to install with minimal tech knowledge or building knowledge either and this does not mean they don’t do the job they are set out to do because of the above as I still use one today in-house and the smartfrog system is no different either when it comes to simplicity and installation. Versitility here is one thing that gets my attention here as they can be placed anyhwhere in the home once you have a plug nearby and they can be either fixed permenantly of left sat in one spot or moved around the house at any given time.

The system of course comes with an app and you can also use a desktop interface to get some features like stored clips but both work well together when it comes to simplicity. Set up is simple and less than 5 minutes depending on wi-fi and if your router is compatible as my old one was not but any of todays current ones are fine.

Within the app you can go through sensitivity settings as seen in the app walk through below and you could not ask for more. Quality is great considering and again levels can be set and the same applies to motion detection and so on. You can also talk to the camera… Yes you can and in fairness many  on the market can too as there is a little speaker on the rear so anyone in the vicinity can hear you should you wish to say something to someone in-house like a babysitter for example or if you have a pet being bold. You also can use your webcam on the desktop of turn your old phone into a cam too by adding them it’s so simple and a great way to use old devices just sat there..  You can get additional storage by signing up to a subscription that can be cancelled at any time its worth it if you have this and on a budget to keep some peace of mind.

Any questions feel free to ask. Excuse the 240p finish thanks to You Tube.. BUY HERE 

Review – The August EP650 wireless headphones. #August #Tech #Headphones

As most know I am a huge headphone fan and sport a huge collection and I cant see that collection stopping anytime soon, I love my headphones/earphones. Often is the case I can tell when something is good or just a cheap effort and speaking of cheap these headphones are cheap so I was not expecting anything mind blowing but I was wrong to an extent.

It is like this… The Cost to performance ratio has hit headphones too as well as smartphones. These are simply fantastic in every respect and the app that accompanies them. They are well built comfortable but long time usage may sweat from time to time and that is my only complaint and can be expected from some headphones.

The companion app is great when it comes to sound value. Overall brilliant I cant believe how good they are and how well the app works. On the right side of the cans there is a navigation panel which is easy to navigate blindly. Now here is a point which I have made in the past.. On the same navi key there is a square light for connection status,In a dark room this pulses on and off and might annoy people but this can be turned off in the app so that is an issue solved many have yet to with such a feature. For taking calls on these all was also fine both ends for those whom might do so.

The highs lows and mids and all attributes in music play on que here and like I said only for the app this would not happen think of it as a built-in equalizer on your phone.There is also is a 3D effect which I say leave on. These also come in a range of colours which again is something I hit out at with headphones as it is the typical Black colour we often see but August have a full range of colours.

One issue which might be problematic.. At full volume there is sound leakage and if you are on a bus,train or plane you will certainly be letting people beside you listen to your music at full volume but for me that is how I rock with my headphones at full volume. Overall these are an easy recommendation if you are on a budget and want excellent sound you can’t go far wrong.

Buy HERE

Reviewed – The August Bluetooth Hat

Reviewed – The August Smart Health Wristband

Reviewed – The August Bluetooth LED desklamp.

Specs

Bluetooth Version  v4.2
NFC  On left ear piece
aptX LL  Low Latency Enabled
Multipoint Technology  YES
Operating Range  Up to 10m
Frequency Response  60Hz-20KHz
Speaker Output  30mW
SNR  ≥85dB
Distortion  ≤1.0%
Line-in  3.5mm and USB
Battery  3.7V/220mAh Li-ion
Working Time  10 Hours
Charging Time  2 Hours
Standby Time  30 Days
Dimensions  176.6 x 188.6 x 71mm
Net Weight  235g