First up this week is a first look at the Xtorm Fast charging FREEDOM wireless Qi charging pad the XW202. This is comaptible with the latest iPhone X and 8 and many of the later high end Samsung devices. Wireless charging has been slow to take off here and maybe now with Apple joining in things might change where it will not cost you an arm and a leg for such accessories like what Apple charge its customers. This is a simple to use product and no technical skills are required especially if you are new to the idea and how it works,its simply just drop your compatible phone on the pad and thats it.
The Fast Charging pad is the perfect solution for safely charging smartphones that support Qi technology, such as the iPhone 8, iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S models, without using a cable. The Charging Pad Freedom’s high 10W output is unique and is combined with the stylish design.
Stylish and compact Interesting leather details and a compact design give the Charging Pad a stylish look. This means that the Charging Pad Freedom doesn’t take up much space on a desk or table and is ideal for daily use at home or in the office.
This is a wireless charger after all and all you need is a compatible phone to throw on top this though it looks well and is robust with leather to boot on top,the underside is grippy and very solid so it wont slip in a hurry as seen in video and the ring on top again is rubberised material to stop the device from moving or slipping off if for example you have your device on vibrate,Its a clean yet effective execution of a wireless charger that looks well and has the higher output of 10W which would be a quicker way to charge over the standard lower output models we tend to see on the market.
The Xtorm XW202 Wireless Fast Charging Pad (Qi) Freedom is €39,- incl. VAT. The Power Bank is available from various (online) stores and Xtorm.eu. Xtorm offers two years guarantee and unlimited helpdesk support on all its products.
I have been using the Sony Xperia XZ1 around two weeks as a daily driver and my thoughts will be now shared focusing on daily activies and general use, check out our two other reviews on the XZ1 compact by Liam Burke and the XZ1 Compact by Brendan Lahert
I have not used a Sony device full time in around 2 years due to the same design and incremental upgrades in that period,but this device for me is probably a better experience due to not using their last entries to the market though some might feel this is again an incemental upgrade to its older brother,given I have played around with them all using a device daily as your daily driver gives you the real feel for it and you can see where it shines througout.
UNBOXING
Build quality on this device is excellent it must be said,its solid all round yet has a slippery back but this can be amended with a nice TPU gel case giving you extra protection. One thing I like here on this the device is how the power button/fingerprint sensor is recessed and not raised which we are use to seeing on devices or again often they can be flush with the siderail on the phone this stops accidental hits and more manufacturers should do this. This just leaves you with the volume toggle on the right and nothing else whislt on the left we just have the sim card and sd card tray which is level with the device.
The phone itself looks good and coming with Android 8.0 OREO out of the is a bonus too giving you the latest refinements on Android,this latest version of Android is pretty fast indeed and with the XZ1 running on a snapdragon 835 chipset its showed no signs of lagging throughout the test period, Coming with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with the option to pop in an SD card you are covered with memory especially if you are one to take lots of photos.
The skin on top of 8.0 is though getting old and has its good an bad points but from using Sony devices before it was easy to navigate I do think they need to change their UI its becoming stale just like Apple and needs refinement but having said that it works fine and thats a good thing.
The screen is also great though at 5.2 inches we have a big chin and forehead which I dont like as more devices now are trying to loose this look Sony just like others are not waking up to the current trend but its only a minor caveat overall, the 1080p LCD panels might turn some off but in fairness to me its fine,colours do stand out..
The camera is good, No I am not an image expert either but I can tell whats good and bad for a point and shoot camera which is what many people desire this camera will not let you down in the right setting but low light again is something that needs to be looked at but this goes for multiple devices on the market no matter what they claim to do before launch its real life testing that gives the results. The camera on the XZ1 is quite good overall with a 19MP camera it shoots great videos and takes really good snaps,check out the images and video below..
1 / 21
For general usage such as social media web browsing and email this thing flies along with no lag at all you can zip between apps easily and have many a tabs open in the browser and the same for multiple apps open at one time,this is something I like with a phone like this to be able to speedily move from one thing to another with no slow process as I find with some phones I am testing now this simply along brilliantly,effortlessly infact, its a powerhouse here and overall the device is powerful. The battery which is non remeveable is 2700mAh which is quite small today is not bad, I do however have to charge at some time in the day but I am a poweruser,the average person would easily see over a day and with USB- C charging and quick charging 3.0 on board we can top up quickly, We really need to get over the micro USB thing and do it quickly USB-C was something I did not like to begin with but eventually got the message and its of more benefit for all.
The XZ1 is IP68 certified ( Dust and water resistant) which is now becoming the standard so if you happen to drop in the loo or the pool you are covered but I would still act quick regardless if it was dropped.
2 / 12
Sound and audio is also quite a pleasant experience here on the XZ1,there is a good bang from the speakers and also great sound from headphones,obviously this would depend on the headphones you would use but Sony always have been good in this department.
Overall looking at this device from an average users point of view you cant go wrong though the price is a little much outright i think, There are things to keep in mind, It has great build quality and is solid asides the slippy backing, It has big bezels but these are beneficial here when holding the device,the camera is great in daylight though the placement of the camera is a bit too near the corner and you can get your fingers in some shots,Battery is good but could have been better and the same goes for its industrial design which is now boring. Other than that I would happily let these caveats go and use this device full time wheras the compact version is simply just too small for me to use, this device is a performer overall and for anyone considering it given its price tag I would certaily recommend it goes into their shopping cart. If you get it on bill for a good discounted price and are happy with current plans well then just buy it.
The Sony Xperia Compact is smaller than the usual phablet used but comes with a few features and often forgotten advantages, Texting is a big plus, as I’m use to a phablet you can text with 1 hand on the Xperia XZ1 Compact as compared to the to a larger screen. This model is heavier than expected at 143g, but this is a compromise as supplied with a large battery of 2700 mAh battery, this is the same battery as used in a larger model, the small phone size at 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (4.6″ Display) has an excellent battery life.
See side by side images of the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact and unboxing HERE
The charger is the standard newer type C, the battery life rating has 108h endurance rating, as compared to the iphone 8 with 66h endurance rating. When the battery was at 87% this showed battery life of 3 days 5 hours which is not bad for a smart phone.
The physical phone fits snugly into your hand but the corners of the phone are sharp, harsh and straight, the phone is built solid. The material is a plastic type feels solid, resilient to wear and tear. A great feature on new phone is the water resistance (IP68 certified – dust/water proof over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes) which is a great bonus for any one that had to use a bag of rice to fix a water damaged phone. This also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to help if the phone gets a drop or two onto the floor.
The phone setup is easy (not requiring the usual proprietary pin) to insert the Nano sim. (The sim adapter in the photo is not required) There is trendy menus with Visual aids, in terms of Magnification, font size, talkback, screen reader primarily for blindness and low vision. There is help guides to get to know the phone through an introduction considering your old previous phone with the option to transfer your stuff over.
Unfortunately, the Out of box experience is not as good as it should be from Sony as their Legal department need to talk to their Marketing department in that you have to agree to lots and lots T&C e.g. Allow camera / Video & TV/ Music / support to access this device location or some other feature for the setup menus. (which 99% of us never read or reject)
Processor Under the hood: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform This may be just a number but is the same processor as used in the Samsung Galaxy Note8 which has a 6.3 inches screen as compare to the 4.6″ display for the Sony Xperia G8441. The internal memory 4GB is possible the only let down while the Note 8 has 6GB, the iPhone 8 has 2GB Ram.
A concern on the internal memory was the 32GB internal storage as 28% of this was used mainly by the system. A recommendation would be to get a good quality microSD, up to 256 GB, (not from eBay) to ensure the phone does not lag when getting low on memory from the quality of photo / music / programs / video etc.
Specifications: SIM CAPABILITY: Single SIM; Nano SIM
• MEMORY AND STORAGE: 4GB RAM; 32GB UFS internal memory; microSD support (up to 256GB)
WEIGHT: 143g
DIMENSIONS: 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm
DISPLAY: 4.6″ HD Display; TRILUMINOS Display for mobile; X-Reality™ for mobile; Dynamic Contrast Enhancer
MAIN CAMERA: 19MP Motion Eye Camera; 1/2.3” Exmor RS for mobile memory-stacked sensor; 960 fps Super slow-motion video; 25mm wide Sony’s award-winning G Lens F2.0; Predictive Capture (motion/smile); Autofocus burst
FRONT CAMERA: 8MP; 1/4” Exmor R for mobile image sensor; 18mm super wide angle for 120 degrees field of view (adjustable)
SOUND: High-Resolution Audio (LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD); DSEE HX; Digital Noise Cancelling; Stereo speaker with S-Force Front Surround
PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform
DURABILITY: Water resistant (IP65/68); Corning Gorilla Glass 5
3D CREATOR
Note: The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact did not come with a set of ear phones in the box which varies as many users prefer to get a unique model for themselves.
Without a doubt Sony are known for the LCD, Cameras & music, this phone incorporates the learnings in this area, with the good display, an excellent camera 19-megapixel camera with face scanning & 8-megapixel wide-selfie. On paper this looks good but even better when used to take pictures, Picture quality was excellent and the zoom quality after the picture was taken was excellent. The pictures taken viewed on a 46” LCD had excellent colour. This won’t compare to an SLR camera in terms of Sensor size, autofocus system and image-stabilization system. As a phone with a camera in terms of photo quality, performance, features and design for everyday photos you can’t go wrong.
Music Quality as expected from Sony has a collection of sophisticated, premium audio technologies to ensure premium sounds weather via the Jack plug or Bluetooth headphones. The signal strength and call quality in comparison to a variety of other phones cannot be faulted.
Sony has built in an array of additional features in terms of Motion Eye camera and its Super slow-motion video. Sony Xperia G8441 gives a super-wide angle when taking selfies with a 120-degree field of view getting more into the picture with a single frame. Predictive Capture principle which has been around for over 10 years in their camera range which detects the unexpected, capturing motion and smiles before you even click. Again, when taking fast action shots, the software helps to prevent the usual blur we come to expect. 3D scanning is another feature of the Sony Xperia G8441 while unsure if this will be a gimmick or a once of Party piece or will revolutionise the future. The fingerprint scanner is nothing amazing just works while good the fingerprint is taken on various sides of the fingers to ensure when you half touch the sensor it picks up the fingerprint.
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is smooth to operate, no lag in menus when multitasking. If you want a compact reliable phone with an excellent battery, music and camera that can be taken in to the wars and back with an array of nifty features, certainly the Sony Xperia G8441 (Xperia XZ1 Compact) will fit the task and look good along the way.
Its a scales that tells the time and more,it even gives you a glance of the weather.
Having used one scales before with the additional features we don’t see on your standard scales with a pin that moves or be it digital/analogue or smart its refreshing to see a product with the Nokia name placed on it albeit the former company Withings that came up with the idea its nice and simple to use and if you have the NOKIA STEEL the health app is all you need which allows you to sync all your products in one app which is great and not having the need to have a separate app for each product.
What does it do then?
Nokia Body offers a complete weight tracking experience tailored to individuals seeking easy, effective weight management. Weighing in is just the first step. Each session also provides instant feedback via weight trend and BMI screens, plus automatic sync to a free app on your smartphone, so you can track progress any time, anywhere.
Pairing to the app is simple and you can customize the display area with BMI,WEATHER WEIGHT TREND and STEPS. Info will be displayed for a short time when you step on the scales,there is no on/off switch and when you step on it you simply wake it up from its sleep..
The build quality is quite good but the scales itself is rather light but looks good its the average size compared to similar offerings and not a huge slap that will get in the way in anyones bathroom or bedroom not that you have to put it in those places it can be used anyhwere..There is detachable feet on the underside you can add or remove depending on the surface you wish to leave it on.
More than one user can use this scales which is done by inviting people to use it via the app which is quite handy indeed. Up to 8 people can use it.. The app is actually quite good and works quite well and easy to read and if you have the Nokia Steel it all works together quite well.. One problem I found though was recognising users and I had to re-assign myself back in this will happen with people of similar weight but it’s not too much of an issue overall.
3 / 11
The scale is really just giving the basics here like the Nokia Steel they are not fully fledged smart devices but gives you simple data day to day without the fuss and they just work well in a simple format you can of course opt for the BODY CARDIO scales which is giving more information again but if you are just stepping into the smart market something like this is ideal and saves you the hassle. This body scales can now be finally bought in Ireland from Argos or directly from the Nokia health for €59.99
Liam Burke is back again to share his thoughts on a new case for the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact from Terrapin Cases, Check out his thoughts on the XZ1 Compact over here and head below for his thoughts on the Compact TPU gel case.
The rubber material used for the case is soft and smooth with a slight texture to give it some grip, its not too thick so it doesnt add much to the overall thickness of the phone while it does provide some protection from drops.
The top and bottom of the case are slightly raised to provide some protection to the screen if the phone is placed screen downwards on a surface.
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact fitted snuggly in the case and allowed for easy use of the volume rocker and camera button, some cases make these buttons hard to press, but not on the Terrapin.
All the cutouts line up exactly and it allows for headphones to fit into the phone and there is plenty of room for the USB-C to be plugged into the phone.
Most importantly the cut out for the combined fingerprint scanner/power button allows for unhindered use of the fingerprint scanner. I faced no difficulties using it with the case on.
On the rear of the case, there is good protection given to the camera lens as that does sit out a bit from the rear of the phone, so a case is recommended.
Custom designed to fit like a glove
This superbly crafted case is custom designed to fit the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact perfectly. Precision cut-outs for camera and ports mean you can take photos, charge your phone and listen with headphones without removing the case. All buttons can be used with ease.
Super slim
Made from premium protective TPU Gel, this Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact case provides bulk free protection whilst maintaining the original design aesthetic of your phone. It is completely form-fitting and provides subtle but robust protection.
Advanced protection
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact case delivers advanced protection against drops, scratches, dirt and dust, and features a raised lip around the screen and camera lens to prevent surface contact. Feel assured that your phone is well protected and will keep its brand new condition for life.
Extra grip
Not only will the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact case protect your device in the event of a drop, but it also provides extra grip to make the phone more secure in the hand and prevent it sliding from slippery surfaces.
Easy to apply and remove
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact case can be fitted in an instant and is easy to remove if required.
The Sony Xperia is a really nice smartphone and I have been using one a while now and its suprised me in a few ways,its really a good phone and Sony have upped their game this time with a really solid device. You will need protection though given its robust build as screens aint cheap and naked the device is slippy but its not a condition that sticks to just this one,Most phones today have this slippy feel but there are cases to elimite this and we check out the Transparent Black TPU gel case from the folks over at terrapin accessories.. Check out the image gallery and Video below for more..
Custom designed to fit like a glove
This superbly crafted case is custom designed to fit the Sony Xperia XZ1 perfectly. Precision cut-outs for camera and ports mean you can take photos, charge your phone and listen with headphones without removing the case. All buttons can be used with ease.
Super slim
Made from premium protective TPU Gel, this Sony Xperia XZ1 case provides bulk free protection whilst maintaining the original design aesthetic of your phone. It is completely form-fitting and provides subtle but robust protection.
Advanced protection
The Sony Xperia XZ1 case delivers advanced protection against drops, scratches, dirt and dust, and features a raised lip around the screen and camera lens to prevent surface contact. Feel assured that your phone is well protected and will keep its brand new condition for life.
Extra grip
Not only will the Sony Xperia XZ1 case protect your device in the event of a drop, but it also provides extra grip to make the phone more secure in the hand and prevent it sliding from slippery surfaces.
Easy to apply and remove
The Sony Xperia XZ1 case can be fitted in an instant and is easy to remove if required.
Of late the VR scene has died and people are more so focused now on AR which is a different approach but one which requires no headset or cardboard stuck to your bonce but they are very useful ideas and its a shame to see the VR interest dive so much over the last year and being a huge fan of it I hope it turns around, There is though some things going on and its in a good sector to and moving away from the norm. Science and health is a great place to apply both VR and AR and this T-shirt does this and all you need is your smart phone and if you have a VR headset its an added bonus for a much closer look at things.
UNBOXING AND FIRST LOOK
What I really like about this is its simplicity and how much your child and you can learn with just a t-shirt, Yeah a t-shirt, and a smart phone which every household would have these days. It’s also simple to set up and better again it can be shared to a large audience for free which is cost-effective for the masses.I have tested a unique VR headset which was primarily aimed at the classroom before but this cost money and each child had to have the same equipment and that was some 250 quid where this t-shirt is buttons compared to cost.
Once you download the app you just go through some simple set-up processes as you would do and its point at the t-shirt and let the magic happen its that simple. You can wear the t-shirt or your child or place it on a doll or bear should neither want to wear it to begin with to get the workings of it going but its really straight forward as seen in videos above and below..
To simply point your device at an object and get the anatomical working of the human body right there on your phone is quite unreal and it shows how far things have come over the years and its not done in a gorey fashion either as one might think. Its really enjoyable and fun to watch and also educational for any age,not just kids and as mentioned above you can get in deeper by using a VR headset or cardboard offering and jump in deeper and there is a friendly voice over to describe what is going on too which makes it really relaxing and enjoyable.
Compatibility
iPhone 5s, 6, 6s, 7 or later. iPad 3 (2012) or later. iPad Mini 4 (2015) or later. Samsung Galaxy S5 or later. Note5 or later. A3 or later. J3 or later. Tab A, Tab E, Tab S, Tab Pro. Huawei Honor 6 or later. Mate 7 or later. G7 or later. P6 or later. Nova. Google Pixel. HTC U and One. LG Q, G3 or later. Motorola Droid Turbo, Moto X, G, M, Z, E4 or later. Sony Xperia Z3 or later. M4 or later. C4 or later. E5 or later.
The Virtuali-Tee, the AR t-shirt that retails for £25 ($29)
On launch Ed Barton, CEO & Co-Founder said
“We’re super excited to get this product out to the public at scale and continue our pursuit of bringing magic and wonder into the world around us, literally bringing learning to life. It’s an incredibly exciting time for AR and Mixed Reality and we’re excited to be at the forefront of making these technologies accessible to everybody,”
The new investment has allowed Curiscope to launch The Virtuali-Tee globally and develop further product lines across AR and VR. With the launch of IOS11 and ARKit by Apple, bringing positional AR to over 200m devices, a number of new products will be announced across the final quarter of 2017, further cementing the position of Curiscope as leading innovators in the mixed reality space.
To install a CCTV camera system the installer must be registered, via the Private Security
Authority, this would involve a site survey in terms of a) Risk, b) Contents c) Building, d)
Supervision levels. Setting up of the Smart home security is easy and accessible to all. This is also affordable to install an alarm system DIY style.
A basic understanding of technology is required, while you don’t need to be an electronics / IT / Installation expert to setup. (or PSA registered) Another feature of the alarm is there is are no monthly fees or hidden costs required. (Except if you want to upgrade your package) Setting up this version does not require a Drill or a screwdriver to setup. (wire-free-set-up)
Features:
• Internet-connected smart alarm
• Instant alert notifications
• 8-hour battery backup
• Internal Siren
• Access from anywhere on your smartphone
Technical Specifications:
• Connectivity: 10/100 Ethernet (RJ45 connector) & mobile network (Plus Service
required)
• Power Input: 100 – 240 VAC
• Power Output: 12V = 2A
• Device Capacity: up to 32 seconds & 8 remotes
• Dimensions: 157 x 157 x 30mm
• Weight: 365g
Components:
• Protect Hub -Central control for your Y-cam Protect
• Access Sensor Secures access points in your home
• Motion Sensor Detects movement up to 12m
• Remote Controls your Y-cam Protect system
Y cam app
The app got a 3.4 score from 570 with between 10,000 – 50,000 downloads. Support available at customersupport@y-cam.com. There is option to use with camera technology the burglar alarm has the option to connect this app with cameras but this version model tested does not come with cameras.
This app allows instant alert whenever an alarm is triggers. (if using the Expandable System with cameras you can also see what’s happening, day or night, from anywhere through your smartphone)
Alarm features include:
– Full access from anywhere via the app
– Really simple setup
– Triple Layer™ technology*
– 8-hour battery backup
– Expandable system
– 24/7-line monitoring*
– No contracts or monthly fees required
– SMS and phone call alerts*
Camera features include:
– Full access from anywhere via the app
– Really simple setup
– Free 7 days cloud video storage (30 days also available*)
– See and hear live and playback HD video
– Expandable system
– Indoor and outdoor protection
– See in the dark
– No contracts or monthly fees required
Y-cam Plus service required
Y-cam Protect smart alarm system with Triple Layer Security
Y-cam Protect is an option to provide Triple Layer, self-monitored, smart home security
system. With the use of compatible cameras this provided visual verification to any alerts. For
the Plus Service required for use of pre-installed SIM card and SIM antenna. To Access on a
mobile device an active Internet connection is required.
Optional accessories:
Y-cam Protect Access Sensor Secures doors, windows and access points in your property.
Part of the Y-cam Protect Alarm £19.99
• When connection is broken alarm triggers
• Includes Tamper switch
• Comes with 3M sticky tape to “Stick and Go”
• Really simple set up
• Expandable system, add sensors as you like
Y-cam Protect Motion Sensor Detects motion in your property Part of the Y-cam Protect
Alarm Price: £24.99
• Detects motion in your property
• 100-degree field of view
• Includes Tamper switch
• Comes with 3M sticky tape to “Stick and Go”
• Expandable system, add sensors as you like
A key feature of this kit is the Expandable System as the component supplied would offer a basic alarm system but limited to 1 door window switch and 1 motion sensor, Possible there would be a requirement to add in a back-door window sensor, or motion sensor to the system.
The system as tested worked but lacked the punch I would expect without expanding the system
to use cameras as when the alarm went off (set off by accident with a dog) I was unable to tell was this a fault or a real alarm. If getting the system possible look to get additional sensors and cameras. The setup is easy and saves allot of expense getting professional installation companies to fit. Support is available via London Headquarters if required. This comes with a 30 day no quibble money back guarantee.
Another feature of the Protect Alarm is Y-Cam’s ‘Triple Layer’ security. (To enable the ‘Triple Layer’ security you need to choose a package) This is provided in the form of an 8-hour battery backup should the power fail, internet backup should the mobile signal fail and lastly SIM card backup should the internet fail. So even if the very worst happens you will still get notified of an intrusion.
Another case in for review for the Nokia 5 is the TPU Gel Transparent case for the Nokia 5. These are my preferred type of case for a smartphone which absorb knocks and bumps better than full on hard cases from my experience and not only that they do not add much when it comes to thickness either and also light. They last quite a while and also can be easily rubbed down with a damp cloth too and with this colour in particular it should not go off colour in a rush either,check out the image gallery and video below and feel free to ask any questions in the meantime.. Once again thanks to Terrapin Cases for dropping this over to check out.
Custom designed to fit like a glove
This superbly crafted case is custom designed to fit the Nokia 5 perfectly. Precision cut-outs for camera and ports mean you can take photos, charge your phone and listen with headphones without removing the case. All buttons can be used with ease.
Super slim
Made from premium protective TPU Gel, this Nokia 5 case provides bulk free protection whilst maintaining the original design aesthetic of your phone. It is completely form-fitting and provides subtle but robust protection.
Advanced protection
The Nokia 5 case delivers advanced protection against drops, scratches, dirt and dust, and features a raised lip around the screen and camera lens to prevent surface contact. Feel assured that your phone is well protected and will keep its brand new condition for life.
Extra grip
Not only will the Nokia 5 case protect your device in the event of a drop, but it also provides extra grip to make the phone more secure in the hand and prevent it sliding from slippery surfaces.
Easy to apply and remove
The Nokia 5 case can be fitted in an instant and is easy to remove if required.
