Category: #Reviews

Review – Terrapin #Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Low Profile Wallet with Stand

This case is quite nice and slim with extra grip due to its thickness compared to our last case we reviewed, Overall the case fits perfectly and feels great to hold in hand with quality leather and a nice stitching around the edges it also looks good, Again its got a magnetic closure which keeps it safe and secure and the device is protected well all around. An added bonus here is there is a built in stand which gives you the option to view media without the need to have a standalone accessory and you do not need to remove the device either which is great.. Access to all ports again are present with no effort at all and the keys work quite well with good tactile feedback…

Check out the image gallery and video review below and some more details and where you can purchase the case which is quite good value.. We again would like to thank Terrapin for sending this over to us…… Check out our new FACEBOOK PAGE and come give us a like.. Any questions fire away below or on social @techbuzzireland

 

 

 

  • Very well and professionally constructed
  • Sleek look
  • Multi-angle hands-free viewing stand
  • Takes credit/debit cards
  • Keeps the phone safe but easily accessible
  • Magnetic flap stows away when phone in use
  • Fits like a glove
  • Keeps phone buttons exposed and accessible
  • Headphones & charger can be used while closed

 

 

Note: Cards should be inserted with the magnetic strip on the right hand side of the slots (by the phone) as this will ensure they are protected from demagnetization.

PERFECT FIT: This very well made Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge cover is custom designed to fit the phone like a glove. Precision cutouts for camera, ports, and buttons keep everything readily accessible. You can charge your phone without removing it from the case and listen to earphones with the case closed.

PREMIUM QUALITY AND STYLE: The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge cover combines a sleek slim fit design with quality that is built to last. Made from premium synthetic leather with secure and straight stitching you will love how it feels in the hand or pocket and it will retain its appearance after lots of wear.

CARD SLOTS AND VIEWING STAND: The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge cover is very functional and includes wallet-like features such as slots to hold cards. The multi-angle hands-free viewing stand allows your device to stand up independently in landscape orientation – great for video calls, or for viewing media.

SECURE MAGNETIC CLOSURE: A good strong reversible magnetic clasp opens and closes securely, and also folds back so it doesn’t get in the way when receiving a call or viewing the screen.

OFFERS GREAT PROTECTION TO THE PHONE: This Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge cover does a great job of protecting the phone. Get the benefit of a slim design with impact protection. This cover keeps the phone firmly secured in a rubberised hard polycarbonate shell ensuring no risk of popping out if dropped. The flip design lets you use the screen without a screen protector and prevents screen breakages when closed.

BUY HERE  

 

#Review – Terrapin #Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Genuine Leather Wallet.

This is our first case in from the good guys over at Terrapin, We have a few cases to check out and there is certainly something for everyone,Ladies included, The first up the the Genuine leather wallet which looks very nice indeed giving it a nice professional look to it. It may feel a bit bulky for some but nonetheless it looks and feels great. With all ports accessible and plenty of protection all round including the camera and lens on the back these for sure are away from any harm and can be placed back down on any surface.. With internal pockets to hold credit cards and so on there is plenty of space provided here and with the option to store cash or receipts with the sleeve underneath.. Whilst it feels and looks great there is that slight bulk here but its not an off-putting caveat and the device being big as is you perhaps will not notice is too much,definitely  something for small handed folks to take into consideration,For me though it was fine given I do like the bigger device and use to the size which includes a case….

Check out the image gallery below and then head to the video review and then some highlights and a link to where you can purchase the case…  Any questions fire away below or catch us on all social at @techbuzzireland And dont forget our brand new Facebook page,Come say hi and give us a like..

 

 

 

 

 

  • Superb quality
  • Very corporate look
  • Practical and attractive
  • Soft genuine leather
  • Takes credit/debit cards plus section for cash
  • Keeps the phone safe but easily accessible
  • Magnetic catch opens and closes securely
  • Fits like a glove
  • Keeps phone buttons exposed and accessible
  • Earphones can be used when the cover is closed

 

 

Exclusively designed for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge phone, this fantastic looking case is built to last with style. Crafted from real leather, it will wear well and maintain the look of your phone. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge leather cover offers two-in-one value, acting as a case for your phone and a minimal wallet for maximum on-the-go convenience. It is sure to exceed your expectations.

Note: Cards should be inserted with the magnetic strip on the right hand side of the slots (by the phone) as this will ensure they are protected from demagnetization.

 

BUY HERE  

 

 

Review – Bluetooth music hat also lets you take calls, Its called the #Hat

The beloved hat….Not a massive fan of them nor are they a priority in my life but I do wear them from time to time be it a peak had or a beanie, what we are going to talk about today simply called the HAT by Mobi Mountain. With technology changing over the last few years we have seen wearables flock the market some with high prices and some with not so high prices and affordability is a key factor to getting a product out. For some they like to wait for a second iteration and most into technology like me jump in the guinea pig trial and just go all in,been doing it for years so why change now…

Anyway…Things have changed now as technology is integrated into many current day items the smartwatch being one and bands that have now turned into fitness bands and all looks well and good until we see a price.. As said with much of todays new products or first generation the price is expensive and yet some cheap..Though we are talking about a simple hat here with some limited amount of technology what I like is its simplicity and its price..  Its got Bluetooth which is all we need to connect all packed inside a little box on one side of the hat.. The other side well… We have a little speaker you will hardly notice and we also have LEDs….for those that dont know its simply lights…. So a hat with Bluetooth and a speaker how does it fair out…

 

IT COMES IN 4 COLOURS…

The hat itself is just like any other when it comes to its general purpose, It is warm comfy and with the components inside you still cant feel them to be fair,its not cumbersome either and with a speaker either side you can listen to your chosen material with ease.. The controls are easy to use.. With three buttons on the unit,there is the power on and off button,you can play,pause and skip tracks,change the volume up or down with a longpress and answer calls on the go its really easy and again easy to pair with the selected device you might have,There is a Micro USB to USB cable packed inside the box with some instructions on how to set up and use which are easy to follow.

Sound quality is quite good and I was impressed but they where not loud to me, However that is my prefrence and I like my music very loud which is probably not a good idea but for anyone else its loud aplenty…

The tech inside…

  • Bluetooth V3.0 EDR
  • Set in Mic
  • 2.402GHz-2.480GHz frequency
  • 10 Meter  transition distance
  • L-ion battery 3.7volt  100 mA
  • 2 HR Charge time
  • 60 HR standby time
  • 3.5 hrs continuous run time

 

VIDEO REVIEW AND WALK-THROUGH

We would like to thank  Harrys Electrical – Euronics for sending this to us for testing out,check out their store for more or follow them on Facebook. This hat will set you back around €25.

The STM prime 13″ laptop backpack review. #TravelWithTech #Bags #STM

Travelling is a nuisance especially when going away for a few days and you  need to take good stock of what your needs are and ensure you have enough supplies be it with clothes and food. For me though the most important requirements are my tech needs. I carry alot of tech and perhaps too much but for attending events and doing presentations  and with work, I do need something to put it in and something that is sufficient not cumbersome and can carry everything in one unit..

Mostly I do use a shoulder bag but it  does not cut it when it comes to spaces to store things in order as with a laptop bag depending on the type you are limited with compartment space especially for all the little bits and pieces like USB keys and cables etc.. I have been trying out this bag from  STM bags for the last few days and given it is a smaller bag for my needs it packs quite alot into it with plenty of pockets and compartments it would be ideal for someone who carries a limited amount of tech with them..

 

 

 

 

STM’s cushioned back panel design features 3D foam cores with soft mesh and a central air channel to provide extra ventilation and comfort where you need it most.

 

First thing to notice it it has good padding which is important should you drop the bag or have a habit of just slinging the bag down,something I must admit I do at times and forgetting the expensive cargo on board but the accident can happen when you drop it,it happens to us all….Padding all round and corners included this is quite good and with extra padding on the back with a hardened wall if you will ensure the the back does protect the equipment you might have inside,Given this bag is rather on the small size for me I was limited as to what I can carry ,but it still takes quite a bit,especially the small bits n bobs…

 

 

 

  • Water resistant fabric for years of durable transport
  • Front overflow pocket for quick, easy access to travel docs, reading materials, etc.
  • Stretch side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella
  • Contoured main zipper allows easy access and storage of your digital and daily essentials
  • Dedicated internal pocket for cables, chargers and accessories
  • External quick access fleece lined pocket for sunglasses or phone
  • Elastic power pocket for stowing your laptop’s charging bricks and cords

 

 

There is plenty of compartments on this bag which for me is vital,I can store cables,pens,charging devices USB cables devices and more and I know exactly where they are when needed so bag makers,compartments are a requirement but not too many.. Again externally this bag hosts more compartments which can either hold drinks bottles or cans and perhaps magazines and papers or similar too with a compartment with no pocket they just slip in which is good. Three zips also available a the front which can be all tied together if you will for some extra safety for me its a must because pickpockets lurk and with the three zippers locked together I know im ok and would feel anyone making an attempt to gain access. As mentioned in video the front compartments are always kept free or with magazines,the non valuable items…

 

IMAGE GALLERY 

 

PACKED
Internal
Front
Handle
Back view
Straps
Front
Internal pockets
Slingshot
Zips
Contents
Packed

 

Overall this bag would suit anyone to be honest and perhaps just the right size,Preferably I like the shoulder bag type but would not let that discourage me due to its build quality,comfort and protection level. It is robust tough and with the sling tech built in you can drop it safely knowing the goods will be protected inside,something which I have done on a few occasions is just drop my bag and end up with damaged goods unfortunately.. The bag is not cheap but considered the goods carried which would vary per person for me its a worthy spend due to what its intended purpose is for, This bag comes in several colours –  Black – Frost Grey – Steel and Moroccan Blue so there is a choice there to pick from,the bag will cost you $79.95 and you can see the full range over at STM  

Check out the video below and you have any questions fire away in the comments or get us on social media @techbuzzireland and we have a brand new FACEBOOK PAGE … Come check  us out there..

Note,contents may vary depending on the situation at hand this is selection of goods that I personally use and different combinations of goods with similar capacity are at hand. Goods chosen for this review are a random section. . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BitDefender Box Review by @Pat_Seery #Bitdefender #IoT #Security

Being quite the computer person I was asked to review the Bit Defender Box and so I set about setting it up and seeing how and more importantly IF as the saying goes “Does exactly what it says on the box!”

Whats In The Box ?.
The box
1 Network cable
1 US power socket USB connector
1 USB Power cable
1 Instruction manual

 

 

Setup

Ok I have to say right off the bat you need to know a bit about computer home networking for the initial setup of the box. The problem lays in once everything IS plugged in and you’ve downloaded the app (available on google play and apple store) You basically need to turn off ALL the devices you have connected to your network and restart the router and then all your devices one by one (I had to do this to get it working at least) Oh one thing I have to say that didn’t impress me was having to login to a new site to setup an account and then finding out that after the initial 30 days (or perhaps first year) it becomes a subscription service.

There is a nice Blue light that gives a nice glow on the front it looks quite nice and does not blind you as it points downwards,it flashes when you are configuring the unit and remains constant when in use and red should you have problems and when there is an update in progress it will be white…There is just 16MB (flash memroy)  64MB DDR2 RAM. There is two 10/100 Ethernet ports, a power port, and a reset button all placed on the back of the unit.

 

Using The Device
Pretty straight forward to use it the app is actually pretty good at has an easy and manageable GUI to get around. It will send you notifications if it senses anything untoward and it can be used with most of the IOT devices (I have a few of these) which is a good thing as most of them do NOT have their own malware or firewalls built into them

And Now The Good And Not so Good

The good.
Reasonably easy setup
Nice and small so can be tucked away
I liked that you can name each device and label it as guest or family device

The not so Good.

As I said you need to be somewhat computer savvy to get this up and running correctly and even then you aren’t entirely sure its completely doing its job.
The one I received came with a U.S USB charging socket thankfully these aren’t expensive and theres always some laying around.
The notifications it DID send weren’t very specific (but again this is just me being picky)

 

Verdict

If you`re just a general web surfer and do some media streaming (movies from different providers) or some you-tubing this box will do the trick…Its disappointing it’s a subscription service after a limited “Free” time. In the end it works, but always remember NOTHING is unhackable

 

Review – Motorola Verve Loop Bluetooth Headset by @Pat_Seery #MotorolaVerve #VerveLife

I got these to review as I ride a lot and need a decent set of wireless headphones to use that aren’t too obtrusive and are comfortable to wear over a long period of time.

Whats in the box.
1 x Wireless Earbuds
1 x Sport Carry Pouch
4 x Ear Gels
3 x Stabilizers
1 x Micro-USB Cable
1 x User Guide
1 x Quick Start Guide
The carry case that’ll easily fit even jeans pockets or slip into any computer or tablet sleeve

Build
They quite short in between each but but that’s not a bad thing as you don’t want them hanging down and getting caught in things, the are slightly plastic for my liking but for a general user this isn’t a problem as you`ll be wearing them for comfort and sound quality,buttons are quite tactile on the control unit and felt easy to find after some usage.

 

Pairing And Compatibility

I didn’t run into problems either pairing them or using them with a number of devices. The only issue I found is that you don’t seem to be able to pair them with more than one device at a time or at least I haven’t been able too. Charging is done via a small (and I mean small) usb cable with an apparent use time of 9.5hrs (Haven’t used them for that long but I’m assuming that this is dependent on a few factors) I must also say they manufacturer says the Bluetooth range on these is 150ft but I haven’t tested this any more than 50ft so it *could* possibly be right.

 

Sound Quality
The bass of the headset is rather surprisingly good but the high end seems a tad tinny (again this is a personal preference you may think differently) But if you’re a sound aficionado you`ll obviously be going for something a lot more expensive, that isn’t to say that these have a bad sound, like I said I was quite surprised….ok its not Dolby Digital or THX 9.1 but for a quick spin out or a fitness person these are great… Call quality is again ok I did notice a slight crackle on one call but having made a good few using these that was a one off.

 

Overall Verdict

These are REALLY comfortable to wear on extended rides and I think In the long run people would forgive the shortcomings of the plasticy build quality, The sound as I have said is rather good for a pair of earbuds in this price range. Overall if you want a pair of earbuds to do some fitness training or for that evening stroll when you need to chill out after a hard day these are just what your looking for.

One thing I like here to note is the colour,they are bright and stand out and look better than the plain Black look most similar offerings tend to come in so you will be noticed and people will ask “Hey what are they”…..

 

See the all the options and more at VERVELIFE  

 

Review – Edifier M3280BT Multimedia Bluetooth system. #Edifier

To date I have really only tested small portable Bluetooth speakers which in itself is fine and they all do a good job to be fair some obviously being better than others of course and not forgetting the price bracket but this is not always testament to quality some have been surprisingly better than others when it came to price… Again those have been portable,this one we have in is not so portable,in facts its huge so does it fair out when it comes to size?? You be the judge..

The box it came in was a giveaway from the off when it arrived and inside was packed well with plenty of corrugated cardboard to fit the piece snug inside as you would expect being so big also there was bubble wrap so for shipping purposes etc its well protected and arrived in one piece….. In the box aside from the gigantic subwoofer and satellite speakers is some cables and instructions and its a simple set up from here on in…

 

 

Build Quality 

Rather good to be honest its tough and solid and looks well and not cheap,The woofer is a big solid block with a nice finish to it and the satellite speakers look great resting on circular platforms underneath which are slightly taller than the subwoofer itself due to their individual platforms… The stands are made from plastic with that aluminium look to them,Both these and the subwoofer is topped off with a nice cloth which does not seem cheap or easy to tear…

 

Controls

There is only one speaker here that does this which is the right one,there is a Blue indicator light on the front and they are marked Left and Right so you wont mix up the connections, On the back of the right speaker houses the headphone jack,bass and treble toggle and there is also a mute button and volume toggles pointing inward which are big and covered in rubber,they are easy to navigate…

 

Connectivity 

Apart from the Bluetooth setup which is simply just like pairing any other bluetooth device we have some options provided on the rear along with the main power switch too which would have been better place atop particularly if you have it permanently fixed in your house wherever the location is… On the rear we have DUAL RCA inputs and 3.5mm to RCA cable supplied which is nice… Again the right speaker will screw into the R Speaker output and cable from the left obliviously on the left standard socket.. You can plug your phone or tablet in too via the 3.5mm cable..

 

 

 

 

Sound

Sound is great,its loud as you would expect,with the easy to configure controls on the right speaker you can quickly adjust to your specific taste it takes seconds to figure that out and you will be pleased with how it sounds overall its pretty good considered the price and the build quality throughout the entire product,listen to the sample below which I had to carefully select due to you tubes algorithms and silencing or removing videos due to copyright protection which is fair enough…

 

 

FEATURES

  • Bluetooth audio input option for Bluetooth enabled devices
  • Dual RCA inputs for connectivity to multiple audio sources
  • 3.5mm headphone output port
  • 61/2 inch bass driver, 70mm mid-range drivers, all magnetically shielded
  • Separate bass and treble adjustment controls….

Overall thoughts.

This costs around €60-70 euros,for the price you are paying it is a worthy package,well built and looks good, However consider its size 24.2 x 28.8 x 23.2 cm  6 Kg in weight. Its not something easy to move around like your portable speakers would be but again its not hard to move it either and the set up is so simple and not confusing,it will take some space but you can move the speakers about or even get extra long cables to enhance sound on a wider scale. For me its a good well built product and for the home it can be quite useful indeed with its connection types.

 

BUY ON AMAZON     EDIFIER.COM  

 

VIDEO REVIEW

Mio MiVue 688 dashcam review. #Motoring #Dashcams

Over the last few years dashcams have become hugely popular and some insurance companies encourage you to use them.. They are handy for in other ways such as catching thing on film that you might not to expect to happen and this proves so with the amount of footage of things popping up on you tube for example but the reason they are designed for is for your protection namely with car accidents. This is something perhaps that will come standard in vehicles someday and will assist in the decline in insurance prices because as of now in Ireland we are being fleeced with insurance quotes due to the rise in claims. Such products would help in this situation and most people have that do have them just have one in their front window.. Think of the difference having one fitted front and back as standard, this would change things for sure..

 

The Mio MiVue 688 is a nice example,there is plenty out there with starting prices from €20 and up but the saying you get what you pay for should be took into consideration here,this particular model costs about €150 which might seem expensive for some but quality is key here rather than say a Black and White one that records and so on this model is full colour with 1080p HD Recording at 30fps with a Sony sensor on board and we have GPS which is nice….

 

The packaging comes as you would expect,boxed,plenty of info on the external and some nice pictures to complement what is inside..

Inside you then find the unit itself with a window mount by means of a suction cup and a cable to charge the unit in your vehicle of choice,it uses the old USB so the charger is proprietary to the unit,not todays standard which is micro USB. You charge via the cigarette lighter which again is now being phased out by USB ports which from what i have seen so far offer poor charging and just a trickle. Im sure there is better out there depending on the manufacturer.. There was no Micro Sd card nor separate cable to hook up to your PC or Laptop,would have been a nice addition though..  Of course there is the tonne of literature to accompany the product which YOU WILL need to read..Not like the ones we get with our phones or tablets and toss them back on the box..

 

The build quality is excellent and robust so it would handle a drop or two should you happen to drop it perhaps if you are switching cars there is a few buttons on the right hand side and one on the left which is the power key, these are all labelled within the user manual i mentioned earlier which you will need to read… Underneath is the micro sd slot,you will need one with large memory if you are going to be a heavy user,It would not read 64MB cards but anything over that it did.. On the back there is also a speaker grille, One thing here which seems old fashioned here is the connection port,you get the charger in the box so if it gets lost or damaged you will have to find another this should have been micro USB plus there was no cable provided in box to make transfer process easy so you will need card readers or if your laptop has this function built in..

 

 

Before using the unit insert your sd card then mount it to the window or where suits you best,the unit is small and not cumbersome and does not obstruct line of view,You will be given a safety warning when turned on first which would be expected after that you can then go through the settings and select what operation you require,If your card is low on memory a warning will pop up and tell you some recordings will be overwritten…Big card folks the bigger the better if you are a heavy user,keep that in mind… You can use without card but time and speed is all you will get,having used it speed was consistent with cars own speedometer

 

 

Quality on screen is good and reproduces the visuals quite well, The mounting is also solid it did not fall off the window once fitted, I tried this in two vehicles and again no problem, Features on the unit then to note from here are Safety camera warnings,this varies by region though GPS tracking,Lane departure warnings, Wide angle viewing 140 degrees, 3 axis sensor that records direction and force,Parking mode,Photo mode,Speed alarms and Add new safety camera.. Sound recording and file playback… Its not a touch screen folks but the keys on the sides are tactile and easy to follow onscreen instructions should be no issue…

 

 

Overall thoughts..

Its an idea kit to have in your car these days due to the rise in insurance costs,there is now a rear view camera available from the company which again helps. Its compact and easy enough to follow instructions though a touch screen version would be nice these days due to the way most in car tech is now becoming. What I personally didnt like was there was no transfer cable included in box and that it uses USB mini B which is old,some continuity would be nice with what we are all use to these days akin to smartphones and tablets etc….However its not an major gripe to fault it nor should it swing your mind to opt out of purchasing one…..

See Mio.com for more products..

 

 

 

 

Motorola Verve Rider+ Headphones Review. Waterproof and Sweat proof. #VerveLife

If you are looking for some new headphones these might be worth a shot, The design on these first of all is cool and also the luminous colour makes them stand out too but overall they are not cumbersome,lightweight and not expensive with plenty of features to boot…Ideal for sports fans these are something to consider on your next purchase and you do not need to be a sports fan either due to their stylish looks and the option to leave them on even when not in use plus they sport magnets to subtly keep the buds from dangling should they be not in use..

Check out the image gallery and video below for a close up look at the Motorola Verve Rider+

 

The presentation is good to start with with a nice box and then how its presented when opened which is neat and easy to get going after you connect it with your preferred device via Bluetooth,there is also a HUBBLE app to go with too… Inside the packaging we get some cable and different sized buds which is nice to see as everyone’s ears are different I think most folk will be catered for here.. For me its always hard to find a right fit with such buds.. You will also get instructions in a nice box but will probably not read them, Most of us dont..

 

The Build Quality and functions

They are robust and flexible, the band flexes well and has a nice grippy feel to it on the outside and the underside is smooth,then moving onto the ends which traditionally would house buds are imitation mics if you will but they house the mechanics behind the headset.  The left side Just has a call answer button indicated on the outside with a clicky button. The right side has all the action. This features the power on/off – volume – Micro USB port and led indicators and finally a play and pause button which is again indicated ,These will take a few moments to adjust yourself too as with any new set of headphones,Once you are done with that you will become custom where to touch and when…

 

 

Pairing

The pairing process is simple as you would hope to expect here its just like any other pairing process with audible notifications to ensure you know you are connected not only that there is an indicator there too and you will feel the unit vibrate,you cant go wrong here…

 

 

 

Keys and buttons

Keys and buttons all function well with that clicky feel to them so you know you are actually pressing something,unlike some options out there the buttons are flat and blind navigating does not bode well with users,with these once you become custom as I said before you will be happy.

 

Charging and Bluetooth range 

Charging is quick with Micro USB and reporting battery life is said to be about 12hrs which seems consistent enough so you can charge them overnight and be sure you will get a day out of them without worry, The Bluetooth distance here is something rather different to the norm with what most people are custom to is about 30ft Not the case here these boys can reach about 150ft from its connection source which is quite good and having tried using this in a normal capacity I could walk to the end of my garden and still be connected with no loss of sound or quality,this is good for those who have big back gardens or indeed front and can stay connected to your device without having the need to carry it with you which is excellent in my opinion…

Sound quality.

On calls its excellent crisp and clear, sometimes I experienced a little echo effect, listening to music and watching videos again is great with a nice bass to them which you can of course adjust yourself should you wish,The volume level is also good and loud,some headsets do not have that maximum loudness I like, Probably something I should not be doing but you do get warned on your device if its going max. Overall sound repro was good as a whole.

Overall I was happy with these and cant really complain I even like the loud colour scheme here but then again I did like colours that stood out which reminds me on my Nokia Lumia days, Black was boring where the yellows and greens where the ones that stood out,Just like them they stand out and perform well…

 

See vervelife for more