Category: #Reviews

Review – Wraps Talk wristband headphones,#tech and #fashion combined. #Wraps

This product is something rather different, Most of us all like to sport the best headphones we can or perhaps some are happy with the bog standard that come with our devices,something which has been in decline to cut the cost but some manufacturers are now packing their stock versions with mobiles in particular again, Being honest I never use them as I have my own preferred personal collection to pick from..

How about something simple though, Not having to carry them around or wrapped around your neck but placed on your wrist giving that little wristband effect to it,combining both may seem odd but its also clever and less cumbersome right?? Of course it is so lets take a look at what they do and what they look like..Its the Wraps wristband headphones.

Packaging

Simple,compact laced with information such as specs and how to put them on, Also social media accounts and website all presented neatly on the back,this is good you will know who they are and how to follow….Security seals top and bottom you will know if the product has been tampered with…

They come in a choice of colours to boot so there is something for everyone,be honest we are picky with colours…I am.. The colour range is Coal,Denim.Lagoon ,Camo,Flint and Sunrise.. We have the coal version.. Also packed inside is some buds 4 to be exact…

Next stage is to wrap them around wrist,for me this was a funny experience as I am not used to wearing such items even as far as standard bands and even no I find I wear a watch less often but nonetheless it finally happened,depending how thick your wrist is is also a factor on how many times you can wrap them around.. Once fully on it looks quite nice if I dare say it given it brings me back to my childhood when I did sport lots of unusual types of bands back then but its fashionable and current from what I see in shops so its perfectly fine..

 

Ok so once this has been done the next part is how to use them which is easy. Unravel a bit,connect phone and plug into ears not exactly rocket science is it…These are wired so its plug and play. Sound is not bad at all to be fair,not blow your mind quality but for the average user they wont be disappointed with crisp sound, Not hearing a deep bass this could be adjusted via my own settings sound reproduction was fine as a whole. One thing I am not fond of is in-ears finding it difficult to find a right size but with two sets of additional buds I was in luck they fit and actually stayed in… The actual cable itself is quite tough for the most of it and light if you where to drop these I would not worry they seem robust the cable though very tough.Also to note there is some functionality incorporated into these such as pause and play button  To be safe you would need to be careful on how you wrap around wrist and not to catch in a door handle or something,some may prefer the loose wrap which would also suit me and some may prefer them tight but just keep it in mind…

 

LIMITED EDITION 

 

These come in some really nice colours to and some which stand out and there is a full range available to pick from.. For me I think this is a really good idea bringing fashion and technology harmoniously together in a simple effective way and perhaps could spark off some other interesting things, Would I wear them personally?? Well yes why not,At first I did think perhaps these would suit teenagers and I was like hmmmm, but after using them I can see the idea and how well it works and even at my age can show that I am still a bit fashionable again by wearing them..

 

Specs include

  • Includes S, M & L Silicon Tips
  • 20Hz – 20kHz Frequency Response
  • 10mm Dynamic Speakers
  • 3.5mm Gold Plated Jack
  • 80dB/1mW Sensitivity
  • 16 Ohms Impedance

Head over the the wraps store and check them out..

Any questions fire away in the comments or get me on social @techbuzzireland

 

 

 

 

 

@CarvedLLC cases will protect your phone in a stylish and unique way. #Cases #Review #Giveaway

In our modern world, manufactures keep working on making devices more eye-catching and attractive each time, as an example we have Apple with their increasingly  thinner new iPhones or Samsung with their updated Curved Glass and Metal flagships.

But then we put  a usually not so attractive case on them to protect them from falls and scratches, which is good, but as result we lost the precious look OEMs worked so hard to craft.

Let’s change that by adding a unique handcrafted case and a design that will make your phone look even better with the added protection.

Carved Cases

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Carved is an US-based company that makes real wood (literal real) cases and skins for iPhone, Galaxy and Nexus devices.

With different models to choose from, like:

Slim

A “snap on” case with a real wood back and polycarbonate at the sides to assure drop protection while keeping the natural look of the phone.

Traveler

With a similar “snap on” design as before the Traveler cases add an extra layer of protection changing the slim style look for a “Rubber Bumper” cover that goes around the sides, giving the phone a bit of bulk but providing more coverage against drops than its predecessor.

Wood Skins

As the name implies there’s no “case” this time, but a laser cut and engraved wood vinyl for the back of your device (These are iPhone 4 or newer versions only)

Solid Wood Cases

Every piece is carefully selected from wood that is usually overlooked or thrown away. The cracks, knots and burls are where we find our most dramatic patterns and colors. Our unique hardening process creates an extremely strong, durable block that is precision machined into your next iPhone case.

These cases are one solid piece that will transform your phone into an art statement. With solid metal buttons and an open bottom to easy access your charging port and 3.5 jack; you will not find any extra cutouts on this beauty. (unfortunately for Android users, this model is also iPhone only)

Their cases come in a huge variety of designs, going from popular images to custom-made draws added by famous artists or if you prefer even your own design.

Made by Georgia based illustrator, Katy Lipscomb, the artwork is printed on real maple wood, you’ll find more of her gorgeous work over Carved website

Also there’s the Special Edition:

Seaside Collection

Featuring the natural beauty of a real shell inlay. The artwork is inlaid on a Veneered MDF sheet of genuine wood, laser cut and finished by hand.

The guys at Carved were kind enough to provide us with two cases to review and also for a GIVEAWAY, so take a look at the video below to know more about them.

So, as stated on the video all you need to do is:

Follow @CarvedLLC, @VicenteA_George and @techbuzzireland

RT this Tweet if you want the iPhone 6/6s case or this Tweet if you want the iPhone 5/5s/SE case

And if you happened to be the winner post a photo on Social Media letting us know you got the product.

The giveaway is open to all America (continent) and will run for a week from the publishing date of this post, and we’ll announce the winner over twitter so keep an eye to see if you win. After 48h without response we’ll choose a different winner.

But now tell us, What are your thoughts on these cases? Will you get you hands on this unique design? If so, which one will you choose?

Let us know in the comment section below or join the twitter conversation

Review – BEBONCOOL bluetooth gamepad. For gear vr and mobile. #tech #gaming #vr

BEBONCOOL sent us over this gamepad to check out,our initial testing though was for Samsung Gear VR and how it worked but not only can it be used with Gear VR but you can attach your mobile phone to it and enjoy gaming in true style as if on your console at home..

The packaging is nice to begin with Boxed with a sleeve then presented with the company logo atop.. Sure why not!! On the outside you do also get a QR code to scan as there is an app available on Android scan this QR code and download it before you do anything else.There is quite a few games to pick from there and lots for free..

On opening the package you are presented with both the gamepad and clip to insert your device which clips onto the gamepad itself…. Underneath you then find some information booklets and a rather long Micro USB to USB cable which is quite handy..

 

The paring process is simple and once paired its time to start having some fun..I can see this being a popular piece with gamers in particular but this is also super for Samsung Gear VR for games that require a controller such as Temple run,It makes the game easier to play if you can stick the immersion as its really good and if you have not tried it go do it..

 

 

Using the gampead is just like using you typical X-Box or Playstation, On playing a few games on my own phone it worked fine but when battery got low at times it went a little wonky lets say,ie choosing to move by itself other than that it was fine,all buttons worked and where tactile, The same applied to using it on my Gear VR i tried both this years model and last years and yes the gaming experience is much better than using you navi pad on the headset itself the games became easier to play and you get that real game play feeling and if you are used to playing games on your VR well your arm does get tired holding it up for so long but with the game-pad its much more relaxing.

Build quality of the unit is actually good albeit a bit shiny especially under light but thats nitpicking its a well built solid piece and would well survive multiple drops. The bracket also fine but not sure how long it will last if in constant use due to the thickness but if you are only using it on mobile I cant see an issue here,the extendable arm will take most modern smartphones and with a Galaxy S7 edge fitting in it with room to extend you can be pretty sure you will get a good life with it..

SPECS

  • Standard HID protocol game controller; For example, popular games Minecraft PE, BombSquad, DH5, Dead Trigger 2；Phone mount for your phone can accommodate smartphones up to 3.0 inch wide, support phone screen within 5.5inch
  • Bluetooth Connection for android smartphone Samsung S6, S6 Edge, S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, Nexus, HTC, LG G4 G5/android tablet/Android TV Box/Emulator/Oculus Gear VR
  • Wired Connection for X-input, D-input Windows PC Games; Connect USB charging cable into computer USB port, the Gamepad can support PC-USB gamepad function
  • Built-in lithium rechargeable battery 400mA, Battery life is about 5-8 hours when playing continuously; Support OTG connection, use OTG cable to directly connect to android cell phones & tablets；32-bit high-speed MCU chip, high sensitivity and quickly response; Support Bluetooth 2.0 or higher
  • Free companion APP “BEBONCOOL GAMEPAD” brings you about 300 games (including about 145 free games):
  • BEBONCOOL APP

BUY HERE  AMAZON.

 

 

Review – The XQISIT Bluetooth speaker XQ S20, It packs a punch. #tech #speakers

Bluetooth speakers are popular ,they come in all shapes and sizes and surely prices to match,we have tried quite a few here before and the latest one to drop in is called the XQISIT Bluetooth speaker XQ S20. This unit comes in several colours,Black,Silver and Gold and can be found online via the carphone warehouse..

Off the bat the packaging is nice and looks premium and when you take out the unit it also looks and feels premium with a nice presentation with speaker placed atop and the extras place beneath in a black box, Underneath the speaker is foam housing with the instruction manual tucked under it all..

Check out the image gallery below 

Click to enlarge

Connecting the XQISIT to your mobile phone or tablet is simple and takes seconds,there was no delay in the pairing process which is good,some previous ones I tried had a slight delay,this was effortless, Should you wish to go the old route and go wired that option is also present and handy if you run out of juice on the speaker itself so you are covered here,there is that age old argument to contest which has the better sound being wired or wireless,the same applies to headphones,there is also a built in microphone which is excellent..

The build quality is excellent, It is solid all round flanked with a nice metallic finish and looks premium,the buttons too are also metal with a textured feel and very tactile given they are not much raised from the surface,they are almost like keys you would find on a mobile but as mentioned very tactile but not clicky,they work a treat in fact.

With outputs to suit everyone it comes with a 3.5mm inline socket and a cable is provided too and can be charged with USB and again there is cable provided which is good to see. The battery beneath is 2500mAh which should last you about 20hrs of continuous playback and charging the unit is typically around 5 hours for a full charge,this might seem long compared to a mobile phone of the same battery status..

Sound is excellent packed underneath is 2 x 3 watts of HD stereo sound which is immersive,I am no expert audiophile but use alot of products and I felt the sound was sharp,crisp and clear,the average consumer will be happy with its output due to the built in passive subwoofer… Its good a great bass sound to it..

Specs

  • Hands-free kit with integrated mic
  • 6W HD stereo music with subwoofer
  • Frequency 150 Hz- 16 Hz
  • 2500 mAh battery
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Ports – USB port – Micro USB port
  • Bluetooth 2.1  A2DP – AVRCP – HFP and HSP
  • 262 G in weight
  • Dimensions 6.65 x 2.5 x 14.4 cm

Any questions on the XQISIT S QX20 fire away below or get us on social @techbuzzireland

You can buy this speaker from the carphonewarehouse or on Amazon..

 

Video unboxing  and review 

 

 

 

 

x-doria – Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Defense 360 case review. #tech #review

We have gone through some amount of cases now for the Samsung S7 range and here is one more to look at from x-doria called the defense 360 case which comes in two pieces which does look nice on your expensive 7 Edge….

The back of the case has a frosted look to it whist giving it protection it just about covers you from all angles. The back of the case sites level with the camera hump which will give you some form of protection but the fact the hump is level with the case it is still prone to getting scratched depending on the surface,this is something to keep in mind.

All corners and edges are covered on the device which is nice giving way to easy access to the ports and keys,with the transparent front on the case you can see the natural colour of the device but this is a bit of a fingerprint magnet just like the phone itself….

Image gallery 

 

Having tested the case for a few hours I did find at times having to tap icons more than once to work, I did find the top layer on the thick side which I would blame, Even standalone screen protectors for this device in particular can be are hard to come by,good ones that is due to the both sides of the device being curved..  That given you are protected but how much on a drop and hard impact is anyone’s guess, The front is a fingerprint magnet and the back is not,the back has a nice look and feel to it but overall it looks nice and offers a seamless fit surrounding the entire device and feels fine in the hand albeit a tad on the slippy side something the phone is already noted for..

To be fair the case is really to protect your device from getting scratched and yes this is what it will do but as far as for a drop I would not be sure what way the unfortunate mishap would turn out…

Check out xdoria for their full range .

 

Video Review 

 

 

The One Plus 3 leather case review from @noreve #tech #review

The One Plus 3 is arguably the best phone for its money today but with the new launches of other devices since it takes the once noted best pound for pound mobile out there. All that said its served us well to date and of course we need some protection for it,this time round we have a new leather case from Noreve.

Overall the case looks and feels good given it completely covers the entire device when closed and not being able to see the device is an issue for some, Note that you can of course open the flap and leave it sat on a table,the clasp that holds the device shut actually comes in handy here raising the device up slightly, One setback though if folded back the camera is not available but is so when just opened as normal and again some might see this as a bit too much due the size of the phone,with the case opened this might cumbersome but not much of a caveat.

 

 

Overall the case serves its purpose well.. All corners are hardened on the case and all keys are easily accessible along with all the ports with no complaints to be had there this also includes the speaker which is not affected at all.. As far as design goes its simple,with the Noreve logo atop and then a small grille, inside is embossed with their logo as per norm. The clap up top is solid and secure meaning should you drop your device it wont fly open like some cases can so as far a protecting your device goes you are covered.. The case does a a small bit of thickness which is obvious from the front flap but not a major concern considered the phone itself is big,the leather has a nice texture to it and its not slippy and also not super grippy but balanced well,it really feels good in the hand and secure…As for the camera area you are also fine with good clearance especially when lay back down,there is nothing to worry about here.All in all the case is professional looking,feels good to hold and serves its purpose…

 

 

The used leather has been carefully selected by our rigorous team. The leather flap protects the screen while leaving the surface totally usable when opened. The fastener is easily clipped onto the top of the device. The rear case protects all the corners and limits the shocks in case of fall. All buttons and ports of the One Plus “Three” are accessible. It is possible to connect the charger cable without opening the cover. Small cut-outs were made to hear the sound from the speakers. The inner is carefully engraved with the Noreve logo. The Tradition model is the must-have of the brand. Its refined and stylish design will delight the most demanding users.

BUY HERE 

 

We review the @ZizoWireless bolt cover case for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

We have covered quite alot of cases for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and indeed the Galaxy S7 over the last few months and will be moving onto the Note 7 next,This time we review the Bolt Cover case from ZIZO WIRELESS for the S7 Edge…

 

MULTIPLE LAYERS OF PROTECTION

The case offers multiple layers of protection: a soft, Shock Absorbing Tetra Polyurethane with an Impact Resistant Polycarbonate shell that clips into the outer locking belt clip with a 360 degree rotatable swivel. All layers compliment each other to provide the best aesthetic, protection, and functionality available on the market.

On first look i thought the case looked a bit on the big side and bulky but when applied its not the case at all and actually feels quite good to hold giving you great grip from any angle..There is a nice texture too across the back of the case which feels nice and is also grippy this also applies to the top and bottom of the case and overall a good grip is easily achieved.

 

 

The back of the case does come with a kickstand which is excellent and its also usefull for watching media be it on your bedside locker or table at mealtime which we should be doing but we do it,dont deny it… The device was very stable with the kickstand  fully opened and its a nice bonus without having to pick up the device and just let media play as is..

 

 

There is also a lanyard strap to boot,not my cup of tea these days but a few years ago they where the in thing to have but nonetheless it is hand to have one there and avail of the feature should you need it..Also rocking a holster clip you can just pop the device onto your jeans or bottoms and its quite secure,again this is something I personally would not use but the option again available which plenty of folk will surely like..

 

 

 

One aspect I do like about the case even though it takes the aesthetic looks away from the device is how the lip around the edges come up and protect the device,most if not all cases reached a level like this protecting the edge,To my surprise the apps edge still worked perfectly fine but not everyone uses this feature and indeed it can be turned off to so its not an issue for apps edge users which will be certainly welcome..

 

Overall I was pleased with this case with its looks and features and how it protected the device as a whole whilst offering all the features provided on the case which is a big plus for me and you should head over and check out the ZIZO WEBSITE and check out the full range and colours available and there is some really nice colours to pick from.We would like to thank ZIZO for sending us this case to check out and we shall see more soon in the coming weeks..

Any questions fire away below of get us on all our social media hangouts which can be found on the top right of our blog…. COME SEE OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE 

 

VIDEO REVIEW

 

#Review – Samsung Galaxy S7 Waterproof Studstar case from @punkcase #tech

This is a case with a difference. Waterproofing to boot with some extra bits thrown in including the lanyard strap which is something that was once popular and I personally not have used or seen in some time,Its the Waterproof Studstar case from our good friends at Punkcase…

This case is different from the norm and comes packed with some extras such as a lanyard strap and a 3.5mm adapter for your headphones which is actually quite a hand accessories to have spare even if you do not need it so that was a bonus

Packaging and presentation here was good as seen in the images below the box is presentable,sturdy and solid wit a flap that opens again presenting more information on the inside then to reveal the case itself..See video below for full review..

 

 

The case is easy to install and once applied it looks really well and does not add much bulk to the device this case completely protects the device all round and is a solid tight fit and gives some good grip to boot. The device can be place either face down or back down knowing all aspects of the device are safe especially the camera lens which in this instance is completely covered by the backing on the case and then there is a lip around the entire back and front.

Ports are also protected by seals which are easy to open and close and add that bit more protection for peace of mind and once again there is no interruption on access or the speaker..

 

 

  • The StudStar Case has been tested for up to 6.6ft deep and 10 minutes in the water. Waterproof, Dustproof, Snowproof, Mudproof, Shockproof and it has a HD clear scratch resistant screen guard to complete the protection.
  • PunkCase designed it with easy access to all buttons, controls, camera, speaker and microphone.
  • The PunkCase StudStar Case case has 3 stylish colors to choose from to fit your taste. 6.6ft Underwater Waterproof Shock proof Dust proof Dirt proof Snow proof Hard Shell Cover Case.
  • Included in the package: Waterproof Case, Headphone Adapter, User Instruction, Cleaning Cloth.
  • The package includes a 3.5mm headphone jack adapter and a lanyard. Easy access to all buttons, controls, camera, speaker and microphone.
  • BUY HERE 

#Review – Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge LUCID case from @punkcase #tech

The LUCID case from Punkcase is simply simple to put a clear point on it,Its a simple case to install and looks nice giving your case a nice look to it with a nice feature on the rear to install a credit card or similar..

Whilst the case also looks good it feels good giving you nice grip from all sides and with a nice shiny edge around the entire device it does look more expensive than it actually is..

From the ports to the side rails,keys and camera areas the device is protected with all functionality working fine,soft to the touch the keys work perfectly fine with no interruption at all..The front though is where the case will not fully protect you with no lip surrounding the device leaving it exposed to the elements so perhaps this is a case you could sport in the office or at home but not outdoors if you are the active type but nonetheless its all over a nice case that feels and looks good..

 

LUCID Series for Samsung Galaxy S7 EDGE Premium Impact Protective Armor Case Cover | Clear TPU | Lifetime Warranty Exchange | PUNK SHIELD Screen Protector | Ultra Fit

  • PRECISELY CUT: With the case cut so precisely, the Galaxy S7 EDGE headphone and microphone jacks will be just as accessible. You’ll only have to carry what you need, making international travels a breeze.
  • COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM: Gold, Silver, Black & Rose Gold. Perfect for any suit of action.
  • CARD SLOT DESIGN: Easy acess to card storage only by sliding one finger.
  • COMES PUNK SHIELD SCREEN PROTECTOR: Your phone will be with you at the center of all the action.

BUY HERE 

VIDEO REVIEW