I have been using Pixel devices since year one and they tend be devices I hold onto longer than any other smartphone due to their great clean software experience and camera, Over the years thought they have got expensive and followed the Apple and Samsung trends of €1000 plus phones and this did not work out too well for them and with the Pixel 4 XL the battery and price was its demise but they have turned this around completely with the 4a and now their latest flagship the Pixel 5.
I moved directly from the Pixel 4a to the 5 alongside some other devices I am testing but my main sim always remains in the Pixel phone once the testing is done most of the time I carry two phones and have the iPhone 12 ordered and they will be my two main devices bar the test units we have here now and what is coming and I will most likely swap the sim in the iPhone as I am so use to using the best android experience with Pixel phones. This time around they have added more to the already great pixel 4a which I have used since it launched and thrown everything at it and still works a treat today and when the 5 arrived I was excited to see what was new and how the device performed over the 4a and overall it is a win and the question people ask most is it worth moving up from a device only released a few months ago and the answer is yes.
You have a better build quality to begin with ( aluminium) and that finish is really nice too and of course the colour, Under the hood is also better with the 765G chipset 128GB of storage which is handy and expected at the price, 8GB of RAM a 4080 mAh battery which is lasting me a day with heavy use, The rear camera is 12.2-megapixel (f/1.7) + 16-megapixel (f/2.2) ultrawide and the front facing camera is 8MP f/2.0 whilst we have no face unlock which by the way is convenience we have a finger print sensor on the back which is perfectly placed and works all the time, also 18W fastcharge , wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Throwing my usual daily tasks at this phone where no problem at all and it flew at anything thrown at it from multitasking to some gaming whilst testing products, of course the camera is the order of the day here for the Pixel 5 which never fails to impress and it is a simple point and shoot device with great results guaranteed almost every time check out the samples below in the video and overall I was impressed just as I was with the cheaper Pixel 4a , the device being small like the 4a did not bother me as I am custom to using bigger devices but since using the 4a smaller devices do not bother me so much and it is better than having a weighty chunk in your pocket.
In regards the camera there still seems to be a race as to whom can pack the biggest hump on the rear and the most lenses which is getting a bit lame now and you can only use one lens at a time and Google has done both here in a nice subtle way and still delivers with LESS hump and lenses which for me proves a point many fail to include and with many options in both camera and video modes there is more than enough to get the job done.
The days of €1000 plus phones are over with mobile phones and it reminds me today of yesteryear when phones cost a lot of money and was nothing but a status symbol and we have reached this era again with the cost to performance ratio coming down some time now on mobiles there is plenty on offer that does the same thing for half the price and the Pixel 5 sits right in the middle and is a nicely packed clean device that puts it up to the competition, it seems like Google have ditched the bigger device for good now but with prices and parts coming down I would like to see a slightly bigger device next time around but for now it is one of if not the best Android experiences you can buy now for the money and a phone that works on any task effortlessly.
Having both reviewed the Xperia 10 last year myself and Liam Burke have been looking forward to seeing what improvements Sony have made over its predecessor the Sony Xperia 10 ii. Today Liam and I collaborate and share our opinions on the device and Liam will talk about it below whilst I go through it in video format.
Its approximately the same dimensions as the Xperia 10 but the weight is 11grams lighter and you can definitely feel how light the phone feels when you hold it. The screen is now an OLED and protection has been bumped up to Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
An upgraded processor and more internal storage and memory is added but the two biggest jumps is with the camera going from a dual lens to a triple lens setup and the battery now has gotten a big increase from 2870 mAh to 3600 mAh.
When you hold the phone it feels extremely well built from the aluminium frame to the Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and rear of the phone and its IP65/68 certification so its water resistant for up to 30 minutes (in 1.5m of fresh water) and also dustproof. And having the 21:9 screen ratio makes the phone more slender in your hand so its a lot easier to hold than other wider 6’’ screen phones.
The rear is very slippy and the triple camera lenses stick out a bit so you definitely would want to have the phone in a case to protect it. The side mounted fingerprint sensor was always very accurate for me and having it on the side of a phone is very natural way to unlock the phone its a pity face unlock was not included. Above the fingerprint sensor is the volume rocker or in the camera app it can be used to zoom.
The 3.5mm headphone jack is at the top of the phone along with one of the phones microphones.
On the top bezel there is an earpiece, a front facing camera and a notification led, which is very handy to have so you dont need to unlock your phone to see if you have a notification. On the bottom bezel is the forward facing mono speaker, while at the bottom of the phone has the USB-C connection and the other microphone. In the box you get a quick start guide, Basic Sony Earphones (MH410c), USB-C cable and Quick charger UCH-20 High Power Fast Charger.
The Xperia 10 ii runs Android 10 and I found it very snappy when switching between applications thats due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 CPU and the 4GB ROM. Sony have not added too much bloatware and the apps that Sony added can be uninstalled. The launcher is nice and clean. Sony have again added the side sense feature which gives you a quick shortcut to other apps it seems to work a bit better on the Xperia 10 ii than other Xperia’s. Sliding up will enable the Multi-Window Mode which is very handy for using two apps simultaneously, you can also enable it on the lock screen or enable One-handed mode.
I was very impressed with the 6.0 FHD+ OLED screen of the Xperia 10 ii the colours were bright and vibrant and the videos were sharp even in bright daylight the screen was visible watching content in 21:9 was an added bonus.
The triple rear camera in the Xperia 10 ii setup is
The Camera App is the standard Sony one and the default mode that uses Sony AI to figure out what the scene is of the photo that your taking gets it right very quick. There’s also other modes like Night mode, Google Lens, Panorama , Manual, Slow Motion and Creative effect which uses a live filter in your photos.
Photos Options included are HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo, LED, Photo flash, Photo light, Video light, 2x Optical zoom, up to 10x digital zoom, up to 10FPS burst shooting, Superior Auto, Manual mode, QR code reader, Creative effect, Night mode, Panorama, Bokeh effect
As can be seen from the photos the Xperia 10 ii did a good job at taking pictures and matching the actual colours of objects and didn’t over saturate them and in low light conditions the pictures remained sharp.
The Xperia 10ii supports 4K Movie recording and Slowmotion video recording (120fps).
Again the front selfie camera is a 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0″ with a 84 Degree Field of View. In low light it will use the screen as a Flash, HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo Portrait Selfie, Automatically takes your pictures when your Smile or you can wave at the camera to take a photo and again there is also a Manual mode, if you want to tweak the camera settings yourself.
There’s plenty of options in Portrait mode you can soften your skin tone, add a Bokeh effect, change your skin brightness, make your eyes lager and add a slender effect to your face.
The Battery life on the Xperia 10 ii is excellent, Sony always know how to maximise the battery of their phones. And if your battery does go low Fast charging 18W is supported, as is Fast Charge 3.0 and USB Power Delivery. Sony also make use of their Xperia Adaptive Charging which monitors the phone as it charges to make sure the battery isn’t overworked. Which is important as we keep our phones for longer and the better the battery is maintentained the longer it will last for you.
The main speaker is a single front facing speaker at the bottom of the screen. The Xperia 10 ii supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless4 and with DSEE HX audio upscaling and native High-Resolution Audio playback. If you want a lightweight camera phone with a big bright screen and not have to worry about charging it during the day the Sony Xperia 10 ii fits the bill.
Sony’s new Xperia 10 is definitely something new from them it has their new “cinematic” 21:9 6’’ inch display which is aimed at multi-tasking and viewing video. It’s a long tall phone and Sony have slimmed down the bottom bezel so there is quiet a lot of that 21:9 cinema screen in the phone. Its great value for money for a mid-range device.
It’s a bit of an unusual shape to hold in the hand as its more narrower than current phones and taller but after a few days of use you do become accustomed to it. Making a welcome return from previous Sony phones is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor which I found very ergonomic to be able to unlock the phone with my thumb also on the side of the phone is a separate power button and a volume rocker.
On top you find the headphone jack and one of two microphones, on the side is a flap which covers the nano sim tray and also a microsd tray (Supports up to 512GB). And on the bottom is the now standard USB-C connection and the monospeaker. The rear surface is a metal surface with led flash and the dual camera lens just a millimetre raised above it.
Screen:-
The screen is the main item that sets the Xperia 10 apart from the competition is its 6’’ Full HD+ LCD but with the ultra-widescreen aspect ratio 21:9 the ultra wide display is certainly different. Sony has commented that as more and more content is being shot in that ratio (nearly 70% of new Netflix and Amazon Prime) so you will get the full effect of it with its 21:9 display. When viewing new content from Netflix its great not to have the any of the screen wasted also as it’s a HD+ screen I found it gave plenty of detail and videos looked sharp. Using the outside in sunlight the screen was quiet readable. The screen is made with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 so it should withstand drops and scratches.
Audio :-
As there’s a headphone jack on the phone you can use your own wired headphones and if they have in-line controls that worked for me without any problem. Also included is an FM Radio it preformed quiet well but it will need headphones plugged into the phone as it uses them as the FM antenna. The Xperia 10 only has one music speaker it performed reasonably as Sony have added High-Res Audio.
Camera:-
The camera setup is a dual 13 Mega Pixel (1/3.0 sensor size, Pixel Pitch 1.12 μm, F2.0 Lens) and a 5 Mega Pixel (1/4.0 sensor size, Pixel Pitch 1.4 μm, F2.4 Lens) The updated camera app is very quick to launch and the layout of the settings is clear and easy to understand. In daylight conditions it took decent shots and while zooming the pictures didn’t introduce too much noise also included are modes Bokeh, Portrait Selfie which is an artistic selfie with Bokeh included with other face effects , Panorama and a Manual setting which allows you to tweak the photo settings to your personal tastes, for most of my pictures I let the Auto mode chose which were the correct settings to use. 5 x Zoom is quiet good with the dual camera setup. In indoor conditions with less light I did find the pictures were a bit grainy.
Video records in 4K and while outside videos shot in daylight recorded in good quality I found indoor videos with less light to be a little grainy the colouring to be slightly off the actual colours and zooming does introduce some loss of detail.
120fps Slow Motion Video is also a nice video recording feature. The front camera in outside light took good quality pictures while inside in dark conditions it took decent selfies as uses a screen flash. Front video records in Full HD it also has Sony’s Steadyshot feature for videos recording so they aren’t too bumpy.
Battery:-
The battery capacity in the Xperia 10 is good sized 2870mAh. Some battery features are “Battery care” which learns your battery charging habits and adapts how the phone charges again this helps increase the lifespan of the battery.
Smart stamina and Stamina mode are also included which you can enable to restrict some background activity and increase your battery life, and if you need it there is an Ultra Stamina Mode which enables only a few apps like phone and camera to giving you an extra long battery life. I found the battery able to handle a day of heavy use no problem.
Performance:-
The Xperia 10 runs Android Pie out of the box Sony uses it own lightly skinned version of Android the updated homescreen app is a bit of mix of iOS and android with the swipe up gesture to see your running apps. As the phones runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor with 3GB RAM its quiet fast and overall the phone was quiet responsive.
Internal memory is 64GB so you may need a memory card as installed apps (of which there isn’t too many) took up 16GB. Also included is the Side sense feature which allows you to select a part of the screen to bring up shortcuts, I found this feature a bit of a hit-or-miss. Split Screen feature is a feature that all Google apps like YouTube, Chrome, Messaging, Phone etc allow you to split the screen in two so the top part of the screen can be one app like YouTube and the lower part can have another app open like Chrome.
More than six in ten (62%) consumers are worried about being targeted by online fraudsters and over four in ten (43%) feel more exposed to online fraud threats due to being online more since COVID-19, according to research by Bank of Ireland. The survey also found that almost six in ten (58%) intend to shop more online this Christmas compared to last year and nine in ten consumers are now banking or shopping online. In recent weeks we have seen several scams which we posted here and now you need to be more vigilant than ever and always remember if it looks to good to be true it probably is as the saying goes
The study of 1,000 consumers was carried out as Bank of Ireland launches the most extensive public awareness campaign on fraud by any bank in Ireland. Fronted by TV personality Baz Ashmawy and running across TV, radio and social media through November and December, the campaign aims to remind consumers to be alert for potential fraud and provides guidance in the lead up to Christmas. Fraud awareness and prevention is a critical part of Bank of Ireland’s Financial Wellbeing Programme for customers.
Pictured above – Gavin Kelly, CEO, Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Baz Ashmawy.
The research also shows that over half (53%) admit to spending more time shopping online since the onset of COVID-19, rising to two thirds (66%) of 18 – 34 year olds. Four in five (80%) consumers are opting to use debit and credit cards in place of cash during the pandemic. More than half (55%) of consumers indicated they have received a fraudulent email, text message or call claiming to be from their bank in the past, while seven in ten (69%) say they regularly consider the threat of fraud when online.
Commenting on fraud, Gavin Kelly, CEO Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland said: “Due to COVID-19 we’re all spending a lot more time online – for work, keeping in touch with people, and shopping – which means we are more susceptible to fraud. As we head towards the Christmas period, at Bank of Ireland we are ramping up our efforts to remind people to remain vigilant, particularly when online.
“With Level 5 restrictions now in force and many retail outlets shuttered across the country, online activity will spike even further in the coming weeks. Our research shows that over half of us have received a fraudulent email, text message or call claiming to be from our bank, and this trend is very likely to continue as our use of cards, online shopping and digital banking continues to increase. Our new nationwide fraud awareness campaign will help protect customers’ financial wellbeing and emphasises that by working together we won’t let the criminals win.
“Fraudsters target customers of banks, utility companies, postal, taxation and social welfare services and other organisations. They are active day in, day out, 24/7. We see the stress it causes for consumers and businesses on an ongoing basis. As a bank we have a responsibility to be extremely vigilant to these attacks and to advise our customers how to deal with the various threats. We will never text, send emails or call a customer looking for their confidential banking details. You can forward any suspicious emails or texts to us at 365Security@boi.com and if anyone is concerned that their account or personal information has been compromised, they should call our 24/7 freephone line 1800 946 764.”
The research also revealed:
66% believe they know the kind of tactics used by fraudsters in attempting to steal their money.
95% said they would have little or no trust in receiving a text message or e-mail from their bank with a link requesting them to login to internet banking.
One in four (25%) feel comfortable sharing their personal information, rising to one in three (33%) of 18-34 year olds.
The research was commissioned with RED C and the survey was conducted from 8th to 13th October 2020 with a national representative sample of 1000 respondents.
Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, today adds the Ultra to its headphone range. These stylish and affordable Bluetooth headphones allow users to experience crystal clear audio and the freedom of being completely wireless, even when it comes to charging. The Ultra headphones are available now in black or gold from www.groov-e.co.uk for £34.99.
Featuring 40mm drivers, the Ultra headphones provide superior sound and Super Bass for an immersive listening experience every time. Whether users are listening to music, an audiobook, or watching their favourite TV show, these headphones have been designed with comfort in mind. Soft ear-cushions and a padded headband ensure they are comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time.
Users can enjoy up to 30-hours of wireless audio playback with any Bluetooth enabled device within a ten-metre range. What’s more, the removable 3.5mm headphone jack offers a corded option for unlimited playback and ensures compatibility with older devices.
When the battery does run low, charging couldn’t be easier. Simply place them on a wireless charging pad (not included) and they will be fully charged within 2-3 hours. The included micro USB charging cable means they can also be charged without a wireless charging pad. The LED light indicates when they are fully charged or if the battery is running low when in use.
A built-in mic and voice assistant functionality allow users to place calls and control their listening experience completely hands-free. The folding design offers a compact storage solution which is ideal for travel purposes or the daily commute.
Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “We pride ourselves in being able to offer stylish and affordable products with the latest technology. By integrating wireless charging into the Ultra headphones, we are providing a completely cable free experience.”
The Groov-e Ultra headphones, which come in gold or black, are £34.99, available from www.groov-e.co.uk
Philips Projection is launching 3 new NeoPix home projectors. After the success of the NeoPix Collection last year, Philips Projection is upgrading the NeoPix Easy, Prime and Ultra with the Easy 2+, Prime 2 and Ultra 2.
“This year, we have decided to push the limits even further by bringing the PicoPix Collection’s premium features to our NeoPix collection. Our customers can now enjoy our smart Philips OS with pre-loaded apps, Wi-Fi Dual Band for maximum speed, Bluetooth, a new light engine delivering better color and contrast, upgraded resolution up to True Full HD and a brand-new AirMote control for a super easy navigation.”
The NeoPix Prime 2 and Ultra 2 get smart image correction, including a 4-corner correction to place it wherever you want in the room, digital zoom, and projector settings appearing on the top of every content. The Philips OS will constantly evolve, adding brand new features and extra apps via Wi-Fi.
The Prime 2 gets the Philips OS with built-in apps, new speakers and fan, and an updated AirMote for the same price as the 2019 Prime. The Ultra 2 gets smaller, smarter and projects True Full HD 1080p images for only 329USD/EUROS.
The Easy 2+ stays our most affordable projector and gets double brightness with 720p resolution compared to the first iteration.
NeoPix Easy2+
Enjoy a comfortable True HD 720p image and project all your content up to 65” thanks to the wide range of connectivity (HDMI, USB, MicroSD). Just connect your USB stick or hard drive to play movies, images, and even music with the built-in multimedia player. The NeoPix Easy 2+ uses advanced electronic keystone correction technology resulting in a 16:9 image, even at an angle or in variable environments. The stereo speakers will ensure you have sound wherever you are, and with the 3.5mm audio jack you can plug in your external speakers for louder sound.
NEOPIX ULTRA 2
NEOPIX PRIME 2
NE0PIX2+
The NeoPix Easy2+ will be priced at 149USD/EUROS and is available this month.
NeoPix Prime 2 and Ultra 2
Comfy movie nights or gaming in your bedroom in 720p HD (Prime 2) and True Full HD with the Ultra 2! These projectors deliver convenient entertainment in nearly any room, with a lamp free light engine optimized to last more than 30,000 hours. The built-in smart Philips OS and Dual Band Wi-Fi connectivity lets you stream and binge from your favorite content providers like YouTube (more apps will be pushed via FOTA) or play videos, pictures and music directly from USB Sticks. You can also stream multimedia content from your mobile devices via Wi-Fi screen mirroring. The keystone, 4 corner correction and digital zoom corrections help eliminate crooked and distorted images for a perfectly proportioned picture even when the device is not straight in front of the wall, so place it wherever you wish!
The NeoPix Prime 2 will be priced at 199USD/EUROS and the NeoPix Ultra 2 at 329USD/EUROS. Both projectors are available this month.
House of Marley today announces the expansion of their true wireless earbuds collection with the release of Champion, an eco-conscious alternative to traditional earbuds. Crafted using renewable bamboo, natural wood fibre composite and REGRIND™ recycled silicone within a sleek, compact case, Champion is the third true wireless offering from the sustainably-minded audio maker.
Designed as an everyday companion, Champion invites you to wake up and live, bringing music and convenience wherever life takes you these days. The true wireless earbuds offer market-leading battery life with 8 hours between charges and 28 hours of total playtime with the case. Its exceptional seal provides a snug, ergonomic fit and noise isolating environment, so nothing gets between you and the wireless sound.
With an IPX4 certified water and sweat resistance rating, Champion is designed for active lives and environments, ensuring you stay connected even during intense workouts. On-ear control lets you easily play, pause, change tracks and take calls at the click of a button while on the go. Crystal clear stereo voice communications allow you to hear and be heard during calls with seamless connectivity. Conveniently packed in House of Marley’s most compact case design to date, Champion effortlessly slides into your pocket or bag without added bulk or weight.
“This year marks the 10th Anniversary for House of Marley as an eco-minded audiomaker,” explains House of Marley’s Director of Product Development Josh Poulsen. “With that, we wanted to offer a greener alternative within the under £60 category for true wireless earbuds. For the Champion, we’ve taken our popular Liberate Air and reduced the charging case by 30% to offer a sleeker, smaller design for those looking for even more portability and convenience. The result is a stylish and affordable option that answers the consumer demand for more environmentally conscious products.”
Continuing their commitment to reducing plastic waste, Champion follows House of Marley’s shift to 100% recyclable packaging. As part of a conscious effort to use FSC™ certified materials, recycled paper, recycled PET and paper fibre ties instead of the plastic standard, the new packaging is addressing the need for simpler, fully-recyclable packaging within consumer electronics. Additionally, the Champion case includes a braided charging cord made of 99% post-consumer recyclable polyester, a design innovation to be reflected in future House of Marley offerings.
Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage V2, an upgraded successor of the well-received Creative Stage which packs some nifty new features. Debuting with new audio technologies powered by Sound Blaster and sporting bigger dimensions, it offers users not only better and clearer audio, but also wider surround soundstage that delivers more bang for the user’s buck with high-quality audio at a pocket-friendly price.
The Stage V2 packs a bigger audio punch and features better connectivity than its predecessor.
With the new Clear Dialog audio technology, users can hear each syllable clearly without cranking up the volume as the spoken dialogue is extracted and amplified without compromising the ambient effects. On top of that, the Surround technology adds an expanded soundstage to offer the ultimate movie experience right at the comfort of one’s home. Fitted with two custom-tuned mid-range drivers along with a powerful subwoofer, the Creative Stage V2 can fill the living room with rich audio and impactful bass that will bring users closer to the action.
Creative Stage V2 also comes with a wide range of connectivity options — TV ARC, optical, AUX, Bluetooth, and even audio streaming via USB — making it a one-stop audio entertainment system for devices including TVs, computers, mobile phones, or even gaming consoles. In addition, the soundbar is conveniently accessible via remote control, and users can switch input sources, adjust treble and bass settings as well as toggle Surround and Clear Dialog on or off with a simple press of a button. With a sleek and minimalistic design, the Creative Stage V2 can fit right into any room and be wall-mounted to deliver a truly immersive audio experience.
Pricing and Availability
Creative Stage V2 is attractively priced at GBP99.99 and is available at https://uk.creative.com/.
Whether you’re single or taken, it’s time to pair up with your perfect audio companion. This Singles’ Day Urbanista are now offering you 30% off everything on-site. So if you are in the market for new headphones or earbuds this is a chance to grab a great pair of headphones or true wireless at a great price also check out our full review catalogue of the range we have covered here to see what we think by searching “urbanista” in the search bar you will find we have covered the entire range to date and they get an easy recommendation from me. They also have created a playlist on Spotify for you to listen to right HERE
With so many consoles to choose from when gaming, it can be inconvenient having to switch from controller to controller. The GameSir G4 Pro means you only need one controller to game on multiple platforms. Want to switch from Apple to PC, or Android to Switch? The G4 Pro is compatible with all of these and thanks to the upgraded chip, is faster and more powerful than ever.
The magnetic ABXY buttons allow you to change the ABXY layout at will depending on your need for the gaming platform that you use. Simply choose your game and console, change the buttons around as needed and you are ready to go.
The GameSir G4 Pro is equipped with a six-axis gyroscope and asymmetric motor. The motor works to provide the right vibration intensity in the right scene, whilst the six-axis gyroscope allows the G4 Pro to support motion control and means it is more sensitive in recognising the players movements which are then are reflected in the game. For example, if you were to play DOOM on the Switch, you can fire bullets to attack enemies through somatic controls.
Designed to ensure a comfortable grip at all times for gamers, the GameSir G4 Pro features a non-slip, comfortable texture to reduce grip fatigue and finger slipping – making sure you are gaming to the best of your ability at all times!
Additional features include a screenshot key which allows you to take capture your best gaming moments, and a turbo key. Once set up the Turbo key will give you fast combos to keep your enemy out of your locking range.
Finally, the large capacity battery guarantees a great wireless gaming experience without having to worry about losing mid game due to battery failure.
The GameSir G4 Pro is available at £49.99 from Amazon.co.uk
