Wireless charging is slowly getting big but with many phones coming without it is annoying, In fact so annoying it has stopped me buying some. True Wireless earbuds also now have wireless charging on deck and this is something to take not with products now on the market that caters for three products at one but we all dont have such products so this is a cheap alternative if you fancy picking one up.
Given it is at the lower end 5W scale it is a good start even to see how convenient it is to have one and just drop your device down without the need to plug in a cable this will also give your port a longer life too as they tend to wear down and stop working.
Fancy a new gift idea or just something to treat yourself with? Well this might just be one option which is really cool and not an expensive buy either and you should check it out. This is really simple and easy to use with no fuss on the connection side and you just lay your smartphone down on the plate at the base of the lamp and away you go for charging. Not only that you get a bluetooth speaker built in to play some tunes whilst your phone is on charge which is great, Solid build to ensures longevity of the product with a small lamp with 3 modes to suit the mood you cant go wrong for around 30 quid. See the video below for the Apollo lamp in action.
Those who are familiar with Amazon products will know too well how they work but this one is on another level as you can actually see something this time,Yes there is other products from Amazon that do the same but I have not tried them so hear me out because there is plenty like me and most might just have the standard echo in one gen or another.
First the unboxing experience.
The UI is pretty simple to use and easy to navigate,setting up and customising is simple and you have many options hopefully more will follow though later on. I left mine with a flip clock and news information and have it placed on my bedside locker as it come in handy in many ways than the usual use for such as due to the screen there is alot more on offer and the screen size is good enough to watch things on and the quality.
The echo show 5 is basically your echo dot with a screen and much more if you make use of it you can browse the web although might be a bit awkward for some due to its shape but for me it was fine,you can use google search watch netflix and much more and depending on the skills you have or what is available to you and for you. We can do all the good things like ask for the weather and get a visual response and as I have said I often feel like a fool speaking to these things but this time is different, I you have IoT in your house you are also on a win especially if you have security cameras as you can view them on screen but you cant do anything which is fine you just get a bigger picture than you might on your smartphone but check out the video below If you have a friend that has one it is cool as you can do video calling I tested this out on myself again seen in video review.
I am surprised more skills are not available for this yet as it has many benefits even such as radio stations there is little to chose from but you do have TuneIn but we could have much more skills and this could be a one stop shop for many people, I have more IoT tech coming and will be going over things again later on and to see how the integration is as a whole as for now I just have several camera skills on it and some other and these work great. It is a convenient hub great for setting alarms getting news and weather and much more and worth its price if you take it up on all the offerings it has, I now watch you tube and Netflix on it for example and it keeps my phone free and it is not a cumbersome lump on your bedside locker either it just fits nicely. Another thing to note is the sound quality it has great bass and rich sound this is important and adds to the experience.
For those worried about privacy there is a camera shutter key but for the folks that worry about the rest I always say turn the like of this tech off when not in use which is what I do.
One small niggle I found was that smart menu did not always show but im sure a software update will fix that. Other than that it is one of the best pieces of tech worth the money right now.
Projectors are a pretty penny these days but not all but as the saying goes you get what you pay for in most instances, leaving aside the cheap ones you might find on the web which are pretty poor they do offer an insight into what is available if you want to spend a few quid.
Put it this way, A new smart TV and a decent one will start at around €400 for a 42 inch which makes you wonder and as I now have one full time projector in the house the need for a TV is gone with screen size being generally good on these and all you need is a blank wall or a pull down screen if you fancy it. Looking forward you can tell the licence fee man to go take a jog when he knocks on your door too but they are trying to change this with the broadcast fee which is just pathetic in my book and a forced fee when we already pay for internet and another example Netflix and this is by choice, My say on that is I pay for what I want to watch and I nor anyone else should have to pay for something they dont want to watch and I think this is a fair comment.
This is where projectors come in handy and not only that the benefit of a huge screen and multiple connection points and the GVI is not short of that given it has a USB-C port on the rear rather than a HDMI connection but all is not lost here at all in fact they have future proofed themselves in that aspect. You can still connect to the projector with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and it even has its own hotspot so you can cast from your smartphone or your laptop and it also supports Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).
Set up is simple too and not much more difficult than setting up your mobile phone the menu and UI is simple and I go through it in the video review. You have a nice small remote which you need to mind as there is no Navi menu on the unit so be careful,however there is a volume control,power on/off touch keys and a toggle for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, There is one focus wheel and that is easy to adjust.You have the Aptoide store too which is a real bonus and you can get Netflix,Plex YouTube,Mobdro and much more built into this unit which is great so you just sign in and away you go. How cool is that. This also means you can keep your phone free or you can use a spare device if you want just for the projector for screen mirroring again great.
Quality is what people have been asking about as it is really good as it is more personal projector rather than one you would have in your sitting room but do not let that fool you, it is capable and supports up to 1080p. Best results are in a darker environment but not too shabby in a lit room either I might add. You can read more on the specs HERE
Enjoy movie nights with friends or entertainment on the road with the BenQ GV1 Portable LED Projector. The GV1 is a handy wireless projection gadget for binge-watching enthusiasts, allowing users to cut the cord and enjoy big-picture entertainment in any setting. Compact and lightweight, the battery-operated GV1 streams movies, social media, videos and music via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB-C without hassle. Tiny enough to throw in your carry-on, ( I have a new tech travel bag review coming up and this will be featured) the GV1 also supports wireless projections like Airplay and Google Cast, meaning you can switch from a 6.5” mobile screen to a 60” big screen in an instant.
Bottom line is it worth the money and is it worth replacing your TV and keeping the TV centrepiece scenario out of your home? YES… Just plug and play and enjoy.
Check the video review below for more and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Zero Latency have just launched a new game and there is more to come too by the way and their latest installation is SolRaiders which it is a PVP set-up is certainly one not to miss and we have checked it out and love it.
I was invited to check this out some time ago and could not wait which was the same as my first visit to their HQ in Dublin out in Sandyford. I am a big VR fan but it has died a death being honest in the real world and I had lost all interest despite having many headsets and games there just seemed to be not advance in it and more focus on AR and MR.
This however is different, totally different and paves the way forward for VR and Gaming together and it has more than one benefit than just a gaming experience. On arriving I was greeted again by a great crew and given the lowdown,you sign in go for a brief and you will need to pay attention to this one,you get suited and booted and then brought into the area which is cool, You can see our previous review on that HERE.
When you walk into the arena you are given a spot to stand on then pick up your weapon and then walk to a pod and then get a trial session of how the game works and once again pay attention because I didn’t at the start being too nosey looking around but eventually listened. This game is more energy consuming than others we have tried and it will also keep you on your toes and fit, You wont come out dry as a bone either so perhaps bring a spare top with you as you will be kept on the move throughout the entire game,there is no time to sit back and relax as it is you against the rest and not a team player game.
The game is action packed without a doubt involving skills or all sorts and will see you test several levels and climb them too with elevators and so on and you have to hit a main target before the rest which makes it more fun and less friendly compared to other games but you do have fun in doing so having said that it is really enjoyable. I am not a huge gamer nor have the time to do much gaming of late but this is something I would make time for going forward in the gaming scene as it has many benefits compared to gaming at home sitting on your couch.
You are on a radar and so is your fellow players in this game and you might often feel like you will bump into someone, at times during the game you have to run back to your pod to juice up which is cool and that is when I felt the most times I felt like I was going to knock someone over but it does not happens I think perhaps the gun is also a way to detect as you can swing it around or stab it forward just to be sure, You also have to shoot out doors and then you are attacked from above which is interesting and again active and if you get killed its when you need to return to your pod to refresh your energy. You cant hide behind walls or behind a door and if the door happens to shut on you its game over and refresh time.
The social element again is one thing and another reason to keep in touch with old friends and workmates and there is a fitness aspect to it too which does you no harm I clocked up some amount of steps via my fitness tracker and came out soaked after around 30 mins of gameplay but felt energised and it was also nice to meet others there who where in to test out the game,check the video below as to how it looks It would be nice to record your gameplay for download perhaps just to see the level of fun it is and the graphics are unreal too which really places you inside the game rather than be sat at home playing a game on your TV. For me this is the forefront of VR Gaming and if it was to reach mass production with a headset of some kind which I hope the company gets to that stage I would be on it like a light and so would anyone else,this is the future of VR gaming and a good one.
Check out https://zerolatencyvr.ie/ and their other games if you have not you are missing out on a new movement and one for the better.
First thing you need to know this is a beast by that I mean in size and weight and some might go as far to say the price.. It is not cheap but it does offer massive screen size if you have a wall big enough which enables enhanced viewing pleasure and not only that it is simple enough to use. The remote is a bit scary looking with all the keys but I found using the navi pad on the projector itself easier to use,there is lots of use case scenarios here this can be used in but my review is on home based use which for most will be HDMI based technology.
I tested this with my laptop,gaming consoles and USB and it works a treat, most of us will use the same at home especially HDMI connected products, Gaming is fantastic on this and it really changes how you look at it and play.either turn your speakers up full whack or put some headphones on and you are in a different world playing this on a maxed out wall as you will see in the video below..
Looking for a job in tech or IT click the image below…
This is going to need space depending on where you plan to put it and its heavy. This is not a short throw projector so it needs to be spaced and again you need to test run it before final installation especially if ceiling mounted. Once all that is done you are good to go after some adjustments with focus and so on and of course cable management.
Features..
PRO-UHD 4K-enhancement technology with advanced pixel-shifting
Full HD, UHD BD, and HDR support
3LCD technology and an equally high White and Colour Light Output of up to 2,600 lumens delivering vivid colours
Frame interpolation and Detail Enhancement for smooth fast-moving action
Fully motorised optics: Powered zoom, focus and wide lens shift for flexible positioning
Large screen size – up to 300 inches
Incredibly long lamp life and easy installation
PC image on set up
Gaming
You can stream high-quality 4K content to the projector from smartphones, games consoles, Blu-ray players and more by connecting via HDMI to the 4K WiHD transmitter. I tested this on smartphones, TV,Gaming consoles and laptop Blu Ray is a thing of the past for many but I wish I had one..
I am not one to use a sat nav due to being in the logistics industry over 25 years and working on maps and digital cartography over the years but I do like to check out these things when they come along and compare to what is on offer.
The DriveSmart 65 also has Amazon Alexa built in which is a good thing in one respect and keeps you with your hands on the wheel ( current laws in Ireland do not allow you access information now on devices) but there is other features on the tablet sized device that can help you on your travels which is good. I have mostly compiled video footage on this for a visual aspect and set up of the product too so I will go over the rest and point out the bad and good..
Set-up is easy and it is more or less ready to go out of the box just go through the options regardless as regions will vary on some aspects, Download the app and connect then fix to you or car window and you are good tho go,this is simple to and is just mounted with a suction cup like a dash cam for example or mobile phone holder.
You can then pair to your cars audio system too and your mobile phone and chose which the audio comes from which is handy.
Using the Amazon features is fine in one respect but for some like any voice assistant this can be hit and miss but for the basic tasks you are fine, There is an “OK GARMIN” option too and the same is to be said here when asking for directions mainly because of the map data gathered here and this is shown in the maps itself but you can search with eircode which is handy and might be a better option for some, if you are looking for a business you will struggle and may perhaps have to relate to your smartphone for an eircode to get directions to the door..
Getting directions can be also a hit and miss as mentioned with businesses in particular and you will be sent off the opposite direction but this can also occur with other mapping options but the Garmin mapping layout is quite good overall on the large screen with good warnings on speed limits,coming off motorways with lane selection and on most occasions it will tell you that you are coming up to a school but you will see more in the video by how I mean the maps are antiquated.
Overall thought it is a good product and there is a version of this available with a dash cam which I would recommend over this for cable space and less window space taken up, Garmin dash cams are great and both these combined in one unit would be of good benefit but I feel the product will get better and there might be more map data available in other countries as to whats available here.The latest software updates where installed during my testing period which was a huge 8GB update before I tested it.
I have covered several drives here in the past and to be fair some of these are quite the kit with James Bond ringing about them and this one is no different but it has a trick up its sleeve compared to others when it comes to the tech aspect. Most of what I have covered uses keypads this one does not infact there is little to it at all you just get a cable in the box there is a couple of LEDs on top and then there is the bluetooth unlocking which is excellent and works every time without fail and I tried and tested on several phones just to be sure.
When it comes to drives like this people ask about the FIPs level ( Federal Information Processing Standards) each year they are getting higher with more security and encryption levels making them harder to break into and in some case even physically break at all. Currently there is 4 levels of FIPs and 5 is not too far away by the looks of things You can read up more on this HERE
The setup process is painless here which is great all you need is an app which is on Android and iOS power in the unit to your PC and then pair them up and away you go you have the options to command what needs doing after this. You will see how to in the video review. You also get DriveSecurity Antivirus powered by ESET – 1 Year License which is great..This does not require software which is an added bonus and file transfer is quick and fast and no lag or issues here..
Features:
FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Validated, AES 256-bit Hardware Encryption
Wireless Unlock via Mobile App. 2 Factor Authentication via Text
No software, OS Independent (Works on and with any OS)
Unique Password Recovery features via Text
Remote Data Wipe if device lost or stolen
Read Only Mode, Device Step Away AutoLock
Malware Protection: Preloaded with USB Antivirus
Would I recommend? Well yes but first you will have people complain about the price but this is the norm today you pay for storage no matter what tech you buy just like smartphones but with all that is on offer here on top and how easy it is to use. This model costs €505 euro and goes up to €3500 depending on storage..
Currently prior testing this model I have been using the previous model since last year the Arlo Pro 2 and it has served me well still to this date with no problems at all bar the app but them issues have been fixed with updates and works well.
Given this is a new model there is a new base station so the previous one would not allow me add the new 4K model so I had to install the whole new kit on the current base station, they are not backward compatible but they are working on a fix to correct this at the time of press and from reading on their forums so it was just a simple process to unlist the camera on the old station and set up fresh the bell,chime and two cameras on the new on which took a few minutes to complete and after that all was good and still is today and the new features in the app are also good too which enhance the user experience which I will go through in the video below.
Installation again is as easy and no wires which is important and if you have a good internet connection it will benefit you most as to where and how far you can place it this will vary per household and internet connection. I have one in the front and rear of house and mixed these about during the test period to see how they got on as the light situation is different between front and rear.
One thing for sure here is your camera will not miss a thing and you can set activity zones to precision which is great for stopping false negative notifications and and I suggest you make use of them. Once mounted the camera is very flexible as to where you can point it so you can get the exact area covered you want. One example of what I mean is I had a neighbours washing setting off my camera which pissed me off but I had not activated zones which stops this, It is all well and good just to point the camera where you want it to shoot but it will come back to bite you not using the activity zones where you can remove the notifications coming to your phone which are just worthless and will drain your battery.
The doorbell and chime are a great addition to have here and for me the bell is a gift as I do be in and out during the day and often miss the postman or courier as I have many couriers call and I can just speak to them through the bell whilst I have them on camera to verify who they are and it also great for cold calling sales men which is mostly ISP providers these days or just con artists selling carpets and stuff which you can tell them to take a hike even when you are in the house you dont need to get up and look its a guilty pleasure it must be said.
The bell has to be wired to your initial wiring it is simple and you can then change the tone or bell type with the small switch in the back of the camera. The chime just plugs into any socket and be placed wheres most convenient for you. See sample below of how bell works with mobile, As mentioned you can sync any camera to bell for the visual.
Whats new with this model is the 4K which offers rich viewing which you will see below and it really is enhanced over the PRO 2 model but I have found your internet connection can interfere with this as it has with mine but the footage is great and the integrated spotlight really ads to it too giving you instant light and it is powerful but you cant record in 4K with Auto Zoom and tracking on this is not a caveat anyway the footage is crystal clear. There is also package detection which has worked fine for me given it is in beta stage it has worked a treat.
Overall I can recommend this or any Arlo camera as it our third one in for review and they have worked fine and still work today with no issues but check the video below for more..
MOTION DETECTION
PACKAGE DETECTION
APP LAYOUT FRONT AND REAR
4K LIVE NIGHT
Top Features
Wire-free and weather-resistant design, works with Alexa and includes 1-year of Arlo smart premier service with rolling 30 day cloud recordings (up to 10 cameras)
4K and HDR zoom in to see sharp details with Arlo ultra’s 4K and HDR advanced image quality technology
Enhanced night vision: See what’s lurking with colour night vision allowing you to see video in colour rather than traditional black and white(only live streaming)
Integrated spotlight: Light up the night and ward off unwelcome guests using Arlo ultra’s integrated spotlight
180 Degree diagonal field of view: See more with a wider angle lens that has auto image correction reducing the fish eye effect
Noise canceling technology: Listen and speak to visitors with crystal clear, full 2-way audio that reduces wind and noise
Auto zoom and tracking: Auto-focus on moving objects with clarity and detail; works with apple watch, google home hub, amazon alexa
