Category: #Reviews

Review  – Engie is your one stop shop for all the car services. #EngieApp #Motoring

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.

 

Further information is available from

http://buy-obd.engieapp.com/en

PRICE  £14.99  Engie device for Android

PRICE  £19.99  Engie device for iPhone 

Review – Packed Pixels monitor. #Laptops #Monitors

Packed Pixels monitor.

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

Dubleup – The credit card sized #powerbank that fits into a purse or wallet

In an age where we increasingly rely on our smartphones for work, for keeping in touch with what’s going on in the world, chatting with our friends and checking social media, absolute power is an absolute necessity. The sheer panic many people feel when their phone is running out of juice and the mad scramble to find a power source can now be a thing of the Past . we have discussed battery anxiety many times here on techbuzzireland and featured on National TV discussing the matter.

 

 

The Dubleup power bank, which launches on Kickstarter today 9th March, offers a truly portable solution to your charging issues. Being the same size as your average credit card, it can easily be popped into your purse or wallet so is readily available to charge your phone whether at work, on the move or whilst travelling. The ultra-light and ultra-thin design means you will hardly know you are carrying it, no more bulky, heavy chargers weighing you down now!

 

 

 

Dubleup is not only incredibly portable but also incredibly stylish and is available in a choice of gold, silver and black. It is available with either a built in lightening connector for iPod and iPhone or a built in MicroUSB for Android devices. With a capacity of 1280mAH, there is more than enough juice to give a dead or dying iPhone 7 (1,960 mAH battery capacity) sufficient battery life to last the rest of the day.

We have tested it on several devices including Windows Phone with Micro USB and it worked fine,hopefully soon we will see a USB – C option come on stream….

 

 

The LED power indicator displays your battery level and charge status so no more flat battery dilemmas either. The power card has met worldwide safety approvals and is Apple Certified, so you can rest easy knowing that your device will charge safely when the power bank is operational and that all of your Apple items will be supported with Dubleup’s power bank.

Don’t miss out on this stylish and portable charging solution, register your interest now on Dubleup.com and check out the Kickstarter page right now and make your life a little lighter!

Early Bird Offer! The first 6000 backers will be able to get their Dubleup for just $50 USD (Around £39.94).

Thereafter the price is $59 USD (Around £47.13).

Both of these prices will include shipping.

 

Dubleup Product Specifications:

The Design

  • Ultra-Light and Ultra-Thin device – the size of a credit card
  • Built-in Lightning cable
  • Portable – made for your convenience
  • Dimensions: 86x54x5.5mm

The Battery

  • LED power indicator displays battery level and charge status
  • Rechargeable Lithium battery
  • Capacity: 1280mAh
  • Input/output: 5v 

The Package 

See the slideshow of the total package below..

 

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About Dubleup

Dubleup is an Australian based tech business housed under Red White Blue Group Pty Ltd. Dubleup’s focus is to lead innovation for products that people need every day. We aim to achieve this by creating simple and beautiful designs, which will ensure ease of use and seamless integration into your everyday life.

For the past year, Dubleup has been working to create the thinnest and lightest external battery. The credit card sized power bank is designed to fit inside your purse or wallet (like a credit card) adding minimal weight. At the same time this will charge and add power to your devices, keeping you connected. The credit card sized power bank is Dubleup’s debut into the tech world, with many more exciting and beautiful products to come.

Check out our UNBOXING here and see what we think of it below…

Hit them up on KICKSTARTER

 

VIDEO REVIEW 

 

 

Review – Keplar #VirtualReality headset with built in headphones from Mobile Fun Ireland. 

With built in headphones this is an all in one package.

Having tried,tested and now owning some 20 VR headsets now its nice to see how things are moving forward with Virtual Reality, Not only that how the actual HMDs (Head Mounted Displays) are moving forward too.

This is our 2nd VR headset from the guys over at Mobile Fun Ireland which we would like to thank before we talk some more on this nice piece of kit….

The packaging is simple to begin with and inside the headset rests in moulded plastic to keep it in place,Also we get some quick instructions and a cloth to wipe the eyelets should they steam up and of course to keep them clean.

The headset itself is quite cool and with the first one having built in headphones I was keen to get started and listen to the quality which turned out better than expected to be honest and its a pleasurable experience overall. I do also though recommend using headphones when using VR because it adds to the experience which enhances it overall.

IMAGE GALLERY

 

Features

  • Experience the virtual world through your smartphone
  • Immerse yourself in another dimension of VR
  • Compatible with most smartphones up to 5.7″
  • Huge range of VR apps already available
  • Augmented reality compatible
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Adjustable lens
  • Efficient air flow design

FULL VIDEO REVIEW

Review – The VQ Hepburn Mk II DAB Radio and Bluetooth speaker. #DAB #Radio

The Hepburn Mk II is a DAB Radio and Bluetooth speaker that has a vintage looks and modern functionality with British design and engineering. You can play the standard radio, charge your phone, connect your phone. This unit became the focal point of visitors, they observed the vintage look and complimented, as this would not be out of place in the 80s. 90s, 2000s or today. Anecdotally the young generation liked the vintage look and feel. As a rule, the younger generation lean towards internet and mobile radio with the older generation staying with if it any broke why change regarding the Analogue radio.

 

In the box
⦁ Power Adapter with plugs for UK and mainland Europe – User Manual
General Specification:
⦁ DC power supply: 5V/2A
⦁ Battery life: 76hrs Standby
⦁ LCD Screen
⦁ Warranty: 3 Years, this is great to see a 3-year warranty with this product.
⦁ Tuner DAB reception: (BAND III 5A-13F), DAB+ reception: (BAND III 5A-13F)
⦁ FM reception: (87.5MHz-108MHz): No AM reception, No. of presets: 10 FM / 10 DAB+
⦁ Connectivity Bluetooth compatible, 3.5mm Aux-in: Yes, USB Port, Headphone socket:
⦁ Product Information width (mm): 314 height: 166, depth: 94, weight (kg): 1.5

Colours available

 

 

Bluetooth:
You can setup up your Android / iPhone etc. via Bluetooth to connect to the Hepburn Mk II. The set-up connection is easy and straightforward. You can then change tracks and adjust volume, play what’s on your phone via the Radio. If using Spotify / equivalent on your phone, this can be played on the Hepburn Mk II but the artist or track does not come up on the radio display. Sound quality is good and works with in the Bluetooth range of 10 meters. This functionally is great to use when you want to play your own track list around the house.

Alarm:

This is a useful feature if the Radio is placed in the Kitchen, Count Down Timer (Cooking Timer) The timer can be set at one minute intervals up to 99 minutes in the future. There is a Dual Alarm which can be set for active day: Daily, Once, Weekends or Weekdays with the Alarm source: DAB, FM or buzzer

App:
The free app “viewquest” has Installs of 1,000 – 5,000 with a rating of 2.9 out of 5, with 27 comments. This can turn your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your Hepburn Mk II. The Quest App allows you to switch sources between Bluetooth, Dab/DAB+, FM and Auxiliary, DAB/DAB+, FM: adjust volume, channels and presents, display RadioVIS information etc. This is quite nice allowing channel changes etc. without leaving your chair.

Battery:
This is the only annoying part of the radio, this does not come with a Rechargeable Battery Pack (optional) as not required unless out and about. When you are setting up the radio initially, you set up the functionality, time, preset radio stations etc. If you unplug the radio to move from room to room, these setting are lost.
You can get a Rechargeable VQ Battery Pack getting 76hrs life between charges, with around 25 hrs continuous playback which is very good. This can be purchased initially or via https://www.myvq.co.uk/shop/large-battery.html £19.99 . If planning on using the radio out and about on the go, this may be worth getting.

 

If DAB radio is new to you…..
Traditionally radio programmes were broadcast on different frequencies via AM and FM, and the radio had to be tuned into each frequency, as needed. This used up a large amount of spectrum for a relatively small number of stations, limiting listening choice. DAB is a digital radio broadcasting system that through the application of multiplexing and compression combines multiple audio streams onto a relatively narrow band centred on a single broadcast frequency called a DAB ensemble.

Looking at other countries Norway has become the first country in the world to start phasing out the FM radio signal in favour of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). In the ROI, a DAB Radio is the only receiver at present that can receive all RTÉ’s transmitted radio content. RTE has a 54% population coverage and is available in Cork and Limerick cities and the greater Dublin area. The UK currently has the world’s largest digital radio network, with over 150 transmitters across the country and 415 DAB services. The UK radio industry is working toward a Digital Radio Switchover whilst the government intends to migrate the clear majority of AM & FM analogue services to digital between 2016 & 2019. Over half of all UK households now have a DAB radio, analogue radio is now declining.

 

Caution:
If purchasing this product, check if there is DAB coverage in your area, In the UK coverage has been found to be excellent while on occasions driving with a DAB car radio, this has resulted in some spots where the signal drops and no sound from the radio. I would suggest Purchase from a location, easily to return if no DAB coverage, while all the other functions will work. If in doubt you can check with http://www.myvq.co.uk/support.html, UK Hepburn Support on – 0333 1234 601 on coverage / use etc.

This radio has classic visuals of the past with modern technology to give creative sound and functionality. Thumbs up! This can be purchased / viewed at https://www.myvq.co.uk/shop/hepburn-mkii.html £129.99

Review – NUU Mobile X4 Smartphone. #tech #NUU #X4 #mobile

Next in for review is the budget smartphone from NUU. This device looks and feels good off the bat and will set you back around €160 which is not bad at all if you are looking for a good smartphone at a good price. At first look the device is solid though with a plastic back cover overall it looks more like a mid-tier to high end device,check out the images and video below and if you have any questions fire away… We will have a full review in the coming week..

 

 

Features on the NUU X4

  • Sim Free
  • 5 Inch screen
  • 13 MP rear and 5MP front facing cameras
  • 2GB RAM and 16GB storage expandable
  • Dual Sim with LTE
  • 1.3GHz MediaTek processor

See more about this device at UK NUU MOBILE

 

UNBOXING

 

Thoughts

This phone will cost you around €180 which is not bad for what you get. However its not for power users. Any average user will get a day out of it but for me it never happened. It sports a 2,250 mAh battery which is quite on the low side compared to whats considered the norm for a 5 inch phone which is around 3000 mAh.

Overall this phone is for someone looking to upgrade from the sub 100 euro bracket and move up a bit but you get a device that is built well all round apart from the plastic back cover which is not a deal breaker but it is slippy so keep that in mind..

The device is for basics and daily tasks like browsing, social media and emails and the camera is not bad either but I suggest to leave it in HDR mode for point and shoot with no hassle.The colours though where a bit on the saturated side but you can use other apps to add enhancements. Having said that for someone that is not photo mad and has nothing to do but post selfies all day or take a photo at each mealtime it will do the job with decent results all round keeping in mind to leave the HDR mode on all the time..

 

 

 

 

Review – Terrapin Accessories – #GooglePixel Hybrid Rubberised Hard Case

This is the second review from Terrapin Accessories,they have a wide range of cases on offer for all major brands and you can check out the range.

We will leave a description and image gallery below followed by a video review and where to buy and any questions feel free to ask here on on social media…

 

 

The Terrapin Google Pixel case is a slim-fit design that fits easily in your pocket. Its smooth outer shell is both tough yet luxurious and soft to the touch.

  • High quality materials and precision design
  • Luxury smooth surface finish
  • Protects from drops, scratches, dust and marks
  • Fits like a glove
  • All phone buttons exposed and fully accessible
  • Headphones & charger can be used while closed

Exclusively designed for the Google Pixel phone, this slim armour case is the minimalist protection solution for your device. Crafted from premium materials, this Google Pixel case will wear well and maintain the look of your phone. The Google Pixel case is ultra-slim and has a pleasant soft touch finish.

BUY HERE  
VIDEO REVIEW

Review – Terrapin Accessories – #GooglePixel TPU Gel Case – Clear

This is the first of our review from Terrapin Accessories,they have a wide range of cases on offer for all major brands and you can check out the range. 

We will leave a description and image gallery below followed by a video review and where to buy and any questions feel free to ask here or on social media…

 

 

 

This durable Google Pixel TPU case is the perfect low profile protection for your phone. Made from a premium TPU Gel, the case is functional and practical. It protects against drops, scratches, dust and general wear. Rest assured that your phone is safe and will maintain its perfect condition!

The slim fit design of the Google Pixel TPU case compliments the look of your phone without obscuring the original design.

  • Custom designed to fit the phone perfectly
  • Made from TPU gel
  • Advanced protection from everyday wear and tear
  • Easy to fit and remove as required
  • Strong grip gel surface
  • Low profile design

Custom designed to fit the Google Pixel, precision cutouts allow full access to camera, buttons, and ports. Headphones can be used and charging cable connected while the Google Pixel TPU case is fitted.

BUY HERE 

 

VIDEO REVIEW

 

 

Review – Jabra sport coach wireless headphones. #sports #jabra #fitness

Jabra sport coach – review The initial view of the unit, it looked nothing but packs a powerful punch!

This company has their act together in the terms of the packaging contents & warranty, the box came with the usual instructions in a variety of languages, but came with great packaging, small, medium and large ear buds and comply foam tips (we reviewed these last year) with a clip to hold behind the head for running.

 

 

 

The unit Weighs in at 16 g (0.56 oz), this is extremely light. What’s in the box? Jabra Sport Coach headphones, 3 sets of EarGels™, 3 sets of EarWings™, 2 FitClips™, 1 Pouch, 1 USB cable, 1 Quick Start Guide. Manual.

 

 

 

This unit comes with a variety of instructions but only required glancing over 5 pages of English or viewing the how to wear video on http://www.jabra.co.uk/sports-headphones/jabra-sport-coachwireless Basic function on the headset: Power on, Power off, Answer call, Volume control, Mute, reject call, Skip track, Play or pause music, Redial, Jabra Sport Life app.

The In-ear Voice is excellent for the initial setup of the device advising when connected, or battery level and regarding the Real-time updated on your workout progress.

Overview Specification:

  • Operating range Up to 10 meters (33 feet)
  • Paired devices Up to 8 – connected to two at the same time
  • Talk/Music time Up to 5.5 hours
  • Standby time Up to 10 days
  • Charging time Approximately 2 hours
  • Wearing style In-ear
  • Dimensions, main unit In-ear wearing style: H 18 x W 21 x D 32 mm (0.7 x 0.82 x 1.2 in)
  • Cable length 60 cm (23.6 in) / USB data cable: 31 cm (12.2 in)

Accessories: This model has accessories available in the event of loss, damage or just a change in various colours, EarGel pack for Jabra Sport Coach Wireless. It contains 2 FitClips, 4 sets of EarGels™ and 3 sets of EarWings in a selection of shapes and sizes.

http://www.jabra.co.uk/products/accessories/jabra_sport_coach_wireless_accessories/jabra_coach_ea rgels_blue

 

JABRA’S SPORT LIFE APP

The Jabra Sport Life app helps you plan, track and analyse your cross-training work-outs and gives you personalised and inspiring in-ear coaching as you work out to help you optimise each session. The play store has Installs listed as 100,000 – 500,000 with a user rating of 3.6 out of 5 from 919 reviews.

This manages fitness with, Integrated Training Management, fitness algorithms, set your goals and track your progress, workout history and achievements, Automatic repetition counting support (Jabra Elite Sport) Inear Voice Coaching, set up a wide range of workouts, from running to cross-training circuits. Automatic repetition counting Built-in TrackFit™ Motion sensor now automatically counts your reps. Jabra sport coach use I have used the headset continuously for over 3 hours, walking, making telephone calls, watching movies, working on a Laptop, & a bit of exercise.

This did not become uncomfortable on the contrary you can forget they’re in your ear. (this is partially due to the weight of the kit & options on EarGels that fit correctly.) The EarGels do not fall out with erratic motion.

The earbuds are not magnetic as seen with others but small enough not to be an issue. Dislikes: (Very Minor Gripes)

The app asked for your Date of Birth, I don’t have an issue with the year, month, but concerns over privacy (as with all companies that look for you details). This would be nice to have the option to include only the year / month etc., Mine is now set for the 1 Jan* As will all Bluetooth devices, if the headset is not switched off and you receive a phone call within 10 metres on the headset the audio come through the headset and could potentially miss the call.

Battery life is not as good as other headsets I have used, but at Music playing up to 5.5 hours, it’s not bad.

 

 

Verdict:

Jabra is a company I like as they do the simple things well, 3-year warranty, standard USB cable that fits most Android smart phones, ear buds included that come in small medium and large included in the pack, not optional extras. IP55 Certified, drop, strength, dirt, temperature & humidity tested. Should you lose or damage the ear buds you have the option to purchase new ear buds, A great app for the Integrated Training Management,

A snug fit of the earpiece and quality sound. If dedicated to been fit, certainly the product to go with. Jabra Sport Coach Special Edition £99.99 http://www.jabra.co.uk/sports-headphones/jabra-sport-coach-wireless