Next up from Gear 4 is the Piccadilly Case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus. This time round this is not a wallet styled case but rear cover and again sporting their D30 technology..With a great grip on the rear and sides this particular case is quite pleasing to hold and you can be sure you will not drop the device.
The new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ case range, featuring D3O® – the most advanced shock absorbing technology for enhanced impact protection adds two brand new cases to the range, the Battersea and Greenwich as well as the new Oxford and the ever popular Piccadilly to colour match perfectly the new S8 and S8+. See them all HERE
GEAR4 designers have combined this unique technology with designs that enhance the elegant form of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ to deliver an unprecedented level of protection while still honoring the design of the device itself. All of the new GEAR4 cases for Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are available at GEAR4.com and Carphone Warehouse.
PICCADILLY GOLD
PICCADILLY SILVER/ORCHID
Whatever the occasion GEAR4’s Piccadilly case has universal appeal. This sleek case for Galaxy S8+ has a transparent PC back, with advanced D3O technology inside. The D3O comes in metallic colour matched shades designed to harmonize with your new S8+.
The Karbon shield slim case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is a nice one,even to look at with all the requirements you will need to protect your phone. Check out the image gallery below and video review the see the specs and where to purchase….
IMAGE GALLERY
Made of High grade TPU. Sophisticated styling with Carbon fiber texture in the Poetic X-form DNA
Revolutionary tactile corner impact protection that makes sure that the corner of the device doesn’t come in contact with the ground when dropped.
Rear pattern provides a grip area to handle the device.
Front bezel to prevent the device from coming in contact with any surface.
Trendy and classy Carbon fiber texture on the back to protect against bumps and scratches
We take a look at two simplistic TPU cases from https://www.casehut.com/ which come from the Terrapin selection,Simple and clean no fuss but has a good grip and simplistic looks check out the video review and image gallery below…
Slip your phone into this gel case and instantly experience a sensual touch with a sophisticated look.
New slim-fitting low profile design, this case provides the robust protection of a hard case and the form-fitting flexibility of a soft case.
Carefully crafted for a precise fit. This case features full body protection in a slim, bulk-free fashionably-aware way that enhances your device’s aesthetics.
Delivering everyday protection for your phone against impacts, scratches, dirt, dust and everyday hazards.
Next up in our case reviews for the new Samsung S8 range is a case from Gear4 in the UK which sports D30 IMPACT TECHNOLOGY….
The new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ case range, featuring D3O® – the most advanced shock absorbing technology for enhanced impact protection adds two brand new cases to the range, the Battersea and Greenwich as well as the new Oxford and the ever popular Piccadilly to colour match perfectly the new S8 and S8+. See them all HERE
GEAR4 designers have combined this unique technology with designs that enhance the elegant form of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ to deliver an unprecedented level of protection while still honoring the design of the device itself. All of the new GEAR4 cases for Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are available at GEAR4.com and Carphone Warehouse.
IMAGE GALLERY
The Greenwich has a grooved transparent PC back, with advanced D3O technology inside. Available with Orchid Grey and Blue Coral borders to frame your Galaxy S8+.
Clear PC & TPU case with Colour Match D3O inside
256% more D3O than Piccadilly for greater impact protection
A few weeks ago tech21 announced some of its new range for the all new Samsung Galaxy S8 series which is due to drop in the coming days and we have just got our EVO WALLET case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus… See the full range HERE
An innovative design that gives you 2 cases in 1. With two card slots concealed in the Evo Wallet’s detachable cover, your cards are kept secure and easily accessible. And when you don’t need the extra storage, unclip the front cover and convert it into a slim, lightweight case.
Evo Wallet also features FlexShock™ (an ultra-efficient impact absorbing material) and an all-new 3-layer impact absorption system which offers 3m/10ft drop protection whilst being significantly thinner than previous versions. tech21.com. RRP: £39.95
Check out our Video review and image gallery (click to enlarge) and check out the links to purchase for both devices…..
Today we are more security conscious than ever and we now also see more and more offerings on home security or CCTV systems for sale in our DIY stores and the likes. However these come at an expense and can run into hundreds of euro even thousands for a basic model and again none wireless.
OK we can argue with some of these that they are great and you get all the trimmings including a remote control similar to your gaming pad but what about a hassle free simple to set up system you can entirely run from your smartphone ? We have been testing Blink and its actually a brilliant piece of kit and it took me less than 5 minutes to set the whole system up..
Packaging is simple and the contents the same there is no messing around here at all, You get your camera pack and sync pack a booklet,bracket and one screw and yes there is batteries included,Two walkman style batteries to be exact. The one screw is all you need to fix the camera in place,the sync box can be plugged in anywhere in the house due to wifi connectivity or you can use a cable to connect it direct to your router,all you need after that is the app Blink app itself..
Once you have done all the unpacking you will then download the app from the App store. Next thing you need to decide is where to place the camera or cameras. Once this has been done you should them begin to use the app and follow the simple set up steps, Connecting to your Wi-Fi is simple just like any other device in house the camera modules even have QR codes to scan so you dont have to manually do anything you can then name the camera for example ,upstairs or downstairs as I did. Once set up is complete you can then reposition the camera itself by simple moving it on its bracket which there was one caveat here for me. You could not adjust the angle vertically but you can move left and right and angle to an extent, a ball and socket joint would have been better here than a fixed clip in..
Once the cameras are in place and you have all the set up complete on your device you will have some menus to play around with to change the settings,again these are easy to follow and easy to adjust. When you open the app you will be presented with a static of the final position of the camera and you can either watch live or take a snapshot, the sound and quality is actually better than I expected it to be I was particularly impressed with the sound playback and the video quality is also excellent and again better than what I assumed it maybe… You will notice a mirco USB port on these and they are for powering the unit with NO batteries if you like,though the batteries last two years.
Camera quality and fucntion.
The quality of the camera is good which to be fair would be also on the light available though outdoors seemed more favourable for the best quality images or live streaming from your mobile phone. As mentioned already the picture is crisp and clear under the right conditions and the sound is always crisp and clear. Given I tried both indoors and outdoor testing I think the outdoor scenario pointing out into direct light suited better though the camera can be used indoors which is good lighting conditions would vary and also where your camera is placed so keep this in mind but overall its good though at times grainy but this would be the same problem for any similar product. See samples below,some edited for privacy..
Set up and installation.
It is simple to set up and install this which I like which also makes it portable in fact you dont need to get the tool kit out if you have somewhere you could just rest the camera,all you need is a philips screwdriver to stick it on the wall or wherever might suit once the surface is sound, If you however want a permanent fixture you would want to perhaps go pro and pre drill the wall and insert a plug but i dont see the need to because you may want to move the camera about depending on how many you have.
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Notifications.
You can set motion detection on this via the app. Though I would advise this be activated if you are not at home because the accuracy is actually good very good infact it became annoying when I was testing it however this might depend on how you have placed the camera and what is in its line of sight but to be fair they notifications came faster than some I would get on social media feed or email so it s a good thing to have particularity if you are away and know there is no unexpected visitors or movement but you might pick up that cat or bird that passes by or lands on your window ledge..
Overall thoughts.
Great idea simple to set up.. Its effective however no continuous storage. BUT… its portable,you can move at will with ease, Notifications are so fast there is no need for continuous storage and alerts are stored on your mobile phone so you HAVE FOOTAGE should you require it.. Overall the other important factor to think about is here is NO WIRES.. And finally its not expensive either..
If you have got one of these and have any set up issues do get in touch and we will assist you.. Also note as we have been asked if you are one of those who turn off your Wi-Fi or have it scheduled it will automatically reconnect so you can still enjoy checking on things no matter where you are straight from your mobile phone..
Our next review is the all new Jabra Talk 2 Bluetooth headset which to date has served me well and adds nicely to my Jabra collection that also still serves me well…
The Jabra Talk 2 comes in a simple form of packaging which is mostly clear and comes boxed with cable,instructions and flexible ear gels, this also sports 9 hours of battery life which is not so bad and lives up to the manufacturers specs which often particularly with smartphones for example is not the case after testing…
Its quite a small sized headset which is not a bad thing considered some of what is available out there today even for me with big hands found it easy to use given its small buttons on board and again it was only matter of time before I came comfortable to navigate these with no issues after some proper use,life can be difficult sometimes which chunky hands believe me..
Connecting to my smartphone was simple as you would typically find with any Jabra product,the process was quick and hassle free and of course the is audible notifications on board here to to let you know as well as the LED lights…
The device paired with several smartphones I might add and again with ease just remember if you have issues to ensure the connected device is set to visible as some by default are not and you will not pick it up..
Functions
On the unit we have a built in mic.volume controls LED lights for status such as charge and connection,On and Off switch and a Micro USB ports its housed nice and compact it must be said and also on board there is the ability to use the Jabra Assist app there is also a Find My Jabra feature that will geotag the last location where your headset was used which is pretty cool should you misplace it..
Sound quality..
Was good,crisp and clear to be fair,what do you expect for its price tag,its not out to break records but provide you with an decent experience which it does maybe a bit low for my ears but I am known for liking things loud so its safe to say for any consumer the audio level is perfectly fine.. I was happy with it as a whole and could conduct business as normal. Given its size and the plastic holder that holds it on it was comfortable and after a few minutes I felt like I had lost it,Rather than the tough plastic feel on the holder itself I would have preferred rubber but its not much of a caveat and me more nitpicking than anything else but as I said it does the job its set out to do and at a really competitive price…
If you want something simple to take calls for work,or be it walking or even jogging and cost effective this will do the job for you based on how I used it in the same circumstances, it did not let me down,you will get easily one days use for the average person but keep in mind it will need to be charged fully because you never know what the next day will bring, Having said that it would be more so for power users which many folk are and of course its great for drivers too which keeps them away from their phone and the rigors of the law which have clamped down alot lately..
This unit is described as “Engie is your one stop shop for all the car services”
The unit came with compact box. It arrived in a packet the size of a box of matches, this is padded out, and well protected.
Inside the box is the OBD11 and manual.
The On-board diagnostics (OBD) which is used for the vehicle’s self-diagnostic and reporting was easily found to fit into the vehicle socket. The car socket was found under the steering wheel slightly to the right located near the fuse box. This(OBD) allows access to the status of the various vehicle subsystems. This unit its compatible with most petrol cars from 2002 on and diesel cars from 2005. This does not support Hybrid cars.
The manual consists of a fold out piece of paper, which advised how to connect Engie device. Note the manual shows the vehicle steering wheel on the Right, (Ireland & UK on the left) This would indicate this was designed not for Ireland / UK cars while I suspect most of the diagnostics would be the same for left / right hand drive cars.
The App:
This had installs of 50,000 – 100,000. With a user rating of 4.2. .We had to use an APK due to it not being officially available in Ireland yet.
Setup:
The setup is straightforward, find the OBD socket in your car, (usually located under the steering wheel near the fuse box), Download the app Engie – Easy Auto Repair, to your phone, Pair the OBD11 to your phone via Bluetooth and run the set up. This asked for the make & model of your car. The year of manufacture. This information narrows down the cars model when you enter the Make, Model, Year, Engine,
The app is running and checks Malfunction diagnostics, Battery charge, Emission, Engine heat, Fuel efficiently, Car system alerts, battery, Alternator, engine temperature, ABS alerts, SRS -Airbag.
Some features on the app within Ireland do not work, e.g. Get real-time quotes from nearby mechanics. (as the product become more popular this could be updated) The Engie device advised it can Diagnosis over 10,000 car faults. The product seems to be designed by engineers, with little input from a marketing department in terms on putting together instructions for use, what are the possible 10,000 car faults diagnostics.
An interesting feature of the app is the tracking of your vehicle. In the event, you park your vehicle in a long-term car park or forget where the car was left you can check via a map on the app where the vehicle was last used with the app.
One concern of mine, on testing on a car, this advised it does over 10,000 car faults, but mentioned in Green The car is OK, but does not give a clear indication what of the over 10,000 car faults tests were done for my car. Is does advise the Alternator, engine temperature was at the right level.
One thing I like from the supplier, they requested feedback they wanted “hear your feedback and constantly improve our product” They main feedback I would have on this product is on the over 10,000 car faults checks to give clear idea what has been checked and allow to reset faults as required, e.g. service interval on the dashboard, when the service is done locally
As this is software on the app, I suspect any new faults / updates can easily be updated which is very positive for future proofing. The cost of the kit will certainly not break the bank even if just gave you a little piece of mind.
This additional Packed Pixels screen comes in a high resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels in a screen size of 9.7’’. This extra monitor is great for comparing documents, writing emails or articles while referring to online comparisons, and general multi-tasking. You can Switch between applications quickly — Instead of using keyboard shortcuts, like ALT + TAB to multitask, you can point your mouse to the other Packed Pixels screen which save a lot of time. You can view documents side by side and compare. You can drag the mouse from monitor to monitor.
Contents Includes:
⦁ a Packed Pixels screen
⦁ a pair of mounting brackets
⦁ a desk stand
⦁ a USB to MicroUSB cable
⦁ a DisplayPort to Mini DispayPort cable
⦁ a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable
Connections:
This is an issue for many of the major manufactures of laptop is the connectivity to the Packed Pixels monitor. Packed Pixels use DisplayPort or Thunderbolt (1 or 2) ports. HDMI, VG and Thunderbolt 3 ports are not supported. Unfortunately, many of the current laptops do not have a Mini DisplayPort or a Thunderbolt connector to the laptop which would involve getting an USB3 to DisplayPort convertors adapter to fit. These can be purchased via the usual suppliers Amazon, eBay etc. but may be of varying quality. Generally, Apple have the thunderbolt connections which work easily. Some dell monitors I have seen have the DisplayPort connection on their monitor
DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort or a Thunderbolt (1 or 2) port is used to take its video feed from your laptop. Power to the monitor is supplied via the standard USB cable which works well from your laptop or external USB charger.
The monitor can be physically connected directly to your laptop via the mounting brackets supplied in Portrait or landscape mode. The view on your laptop can be adjusted from your desktop software via” customise your display options”
I would not recommend using this monitor with Linux as you cannot change the size of the resolution, only 1 size, when the screen goes into sleep mode this does not come back correctly on Linux. If using on Windows or Mac, you can change resolution as required with no issues observed when the laptop screen goes into standby/ sleeps.
Once the connections are correct, setup takes less than a minute and works comfortable and advantageous. The portable case fits all accessories as required which works well if travelling allot. Once you get used to a second monitor, its hard to go back to a single screen.
Available from https://www.packedpixels.com/ £149.00
Delivery is available to Ireland (Stg£ 20) or UK £5 via DHL for a single pack
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