Category: #Reviews

Tech Review – AENO RC2S Robot Vacuum Cleaner

The AENO RC2S Robot Vacuum Cleaner is an affordable piece of kit your home should have especially if you hate doing the cleaning which is why most of my place is done in flooring but not only that the hoovering is a chore most do not like to do but has to be done and if you have a pet even  more so on a regular basis, The vacuum cleaner works effectively with all types of surfaces: carpets, laminate, parquet, tiles and other surfaces that might be useful for the user. You can check out a first look at it here for all the parts etc.

This Vacuum cleaner not only maps you the ares required to be cleaned but you a hoover and wash with the same product meaning less clutter and cables and it has a home base with its own charge station and returns home when low on power and not only that it comes with an app so you are in full control of what does on which is handy.

It is on the large size however this is average if you have seen any similar products out there or some of the ones we previously check out on site you would be best to find a good permanent spot for it in my opinion and then you will not encounter any problems.

The set up can take a few minutes and there is several buttons up on top of the unit and it is pretty simple to use once you get to grips with how it all works via the app or unit itself.

There are two removable trays on the cleaner one for dirt and one for washing which simply swaps out making it easy giving you more room than ones that come with both built in. On the underside you will see the wheels and brushes and on the outer ring there is the bumper loaded with sensors allowing you to get the harder spots done like under tables and chairs etc.

The product is not that hard to get to know via the app you can of course just hit the start/power button on the unit itself and let it do what you have set up on the app which I think is the easy option, you can abort a cleaning return it for charge and more and when the battery runs low it auto returns to base.

I found it to work well with objects and no issues to report there was no hassle picking up any dirt or grime and then you could run the mop over it after use and the brushes keep moving with it, the trays are simple to remove and you can get a bottom floor complete in your house if say the sitting room runs into the kitchen for example and it handles objects in the way well not that mine where large anyway but most houses are the same now.

See the video below for more.

 

The App is both available on Android and iOS and tested on both and there seems to be no difference between both in my testing the app is simple to use and works well and keeps track of all the details and lets you know when something needs adjusting or changing you can also reset items in the wear part of the app should you need to swap brushes or fabric mop etc.

Features

Efficient wet cleaning

3 modes of electronic water flow provide effective and safe cleaning for different floor types and mess levels

Cleans of all types of surfaces

The vacuum cleaner works effectively with all types of surfaces: carpets, laminate, parquet, tiles and more. You won’t need other devices to complete your cleaning

Effective daily cleaning of pet hair

Save yourself the discomfort of a large amount of pet hair around the house

Up to 130 min of cleaning without recharging

5 hours charge will be enough to clean an area up to 150 m²

Modes for every need

Need to remove pet hair from carpet? Turbo mode will help you. Spread grain over the floor area? Use Spot mode. Child’s room requires daily cleaning? Single room mode is a good solution

Super powerful

The exceptional power 2500 Pa of the robot vacuum cleaner AENO can clean even long pile carpets, thoroughly collects any debris on the floor. Just use the Turbo mode for highly messed areas

Reliable Japanese Nidec motor

Nidec motor provides peak performance and long-lasting reliability

Up to 150 m² wet cleaning without water refill

Enlarged 350 ml water tank capacity makes it possible. Just fill the water tank before cleaning and don’t think about it anymore

High step overcoming – 18 mm Threshold, cable, high pile carpet – won’t be a hindrance to cleaning the whole home

All consumables always available

Regular cleaning in hard-to-reach places

Forget about inconvenient cleaning under dressers, beds, and other furniture

Includes:

  • HEPA 12 filter
  • Fabric mop
  • 2 x Side brushes

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Video Review

Tech Review – Creative Pebble X Plus

Previously reviewed on techbuzz the Creative Pebble X which for me are worth every cent their big brother the Creative Pebble Plus outdo those which i did not think would be possible however the Plus sign here unlike phone is worth the name on the end and these pack even more of a punch and notable if ran side by side but the configuration is different and the there is some difference between the Pebble X.

This time around we get a subwoofer which is super solid and has some decent weight to it meaning it will not wobble around even when maxed out on volume and they do get seriously loud too. The woofer has no lighting at all however the speakers retain the RGB lighting that is customizable to your own requirements

The design of the speakers is the same but lacks the radiators on the side, these have moved onto the box if you will giving you a centre stage sound but mighty, the controls and ports remain the same as the Pebble X and set up is the same again and fairly simple, there has been some updates to the app since my testing and you most likely will need to update when you pick them up, this will prompt you to remove the cable and when setting up again holding down the RGB button and plugging in the USB-C cable at the same time and things go back to normal..

Overall here if you have the extra few quid to spend I would spend it on these but if not the Pebble X is more than good enough, the sound on these is louder more punchy excellent bass and you do see me get a little excited in the full video review below. If you want great sound for more than a reasonable price for your Laptop/PC or Phone this is where it is at and easy to recommend. You can see a software demo here but we have a good look below in the video review.

Click to enlarge

 

Taking the audio game up a notch, the Creative Pebble X Plus sports a sleek subwoofer with dual passive radiators, designed to be compact enough to sit seamlessly on any desk setup. With added features like Dialog+ and BassFlex, these latest speakers can deliver powerful bass and crystal-clear spoken dialogues without compromising volume.

Despite their small footprint, these speakers can envelop users with an acoustic power output reaching up to 15W RMS and a peak of 30W when plugged into a PC port. When connected to a 30W (or higher) PD adaptor*, these speakers truly shine as it can deliver a peak power of up to 60W, unleashing their complete audio potential for an outstanding listening experience.

 

Creative App offers the following features for the Creative Pebble X series.

  • Ability to apply different Sound Modes, Equalizer and Acoustic Engine settings.
  • Configure the lighting effects on the speaker.
  • Configure the Microphone Equalizer.
  • Perform firmware or software upgrades.

    Creative Pebble X Plus is priced at US$129.99, UK£134.99, EU€139.99 and is available for pre-order at Creative.com

    For more information, visit creative.com/PebbleXPlus

Video Review

Tech Review – Skullcandy KILO Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

The Skullcandy KILO Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is one of their latest additions to their portfolio of tech which comes in several flavours being Black, Astro Dust Blue blaze and Light Grey and we have been testing the Black version which by all means is easy to maintain coming with an IPX7 rating which means it can be brought anywhere.

The presentation is as normal from Skullcandy coming in their standout packaging and giving details on the box before you delve in which you can see below in the unboxing and video review.

This speaker is durable and rugged and as mentioned can be used anywhere so it can be taken to the beach picnic  and even for a shower if you fancy doing so and it comes with a carabiner clip to make it even easier to hang somewhere.

You can connect two of these guys together if you want to make a statement but we have just the one but on its own it still makes a statement and plenty loud, there is no app to go along with it but this is common with speakers and I think users will be please for their money here considering the other benefits you get with it.

This is a decent sized speaker and not too big meaning it is portable and manageable too so can be placed in your travel bag or tech bag if like me to bring along and blast out the sounds. The controls are simple to use and tactile too and easy to get the commands right first go and we go through all this in the full video review below.

Overall this speaker packs a punch with some nice bass thrown in and loud enough to fill a decent sized room in any house or even your back garden.

Kilo Wireless Bluetooth Speaker – £44.99 MSRP

  • Up to 24 Hours Battery Life
  • IPX7 Waterproof – Fully waterproof design means this Bluetooth speaker is able to withstand full immersion down to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Acoustically transparent waterproof fabric mesh is engineered to maximize the passthrough of high frequency audio waves, keeping the speaker’s sound bright and crystal clear.
  • Rugged & Durable – Seamless mesh fabric material and rugged housing ensures speaker’s durability for fearless entertainment.
  • Clip it Anywhere – Included aluminum anodized carabiner along with allows you to attach the speaker’s built-in nylon strap easily to your bag or bike.
  • Wireless Bluetooth 5.3 Streaming – Advanced Bluetooth 5.3 chip, ensures stable transmission up to 33 ft (10m) long range.
  • True Wireless Stereo – Create an immersive stereo sound experience by connecting two Kilo speakers to each other wirelessly.
  • Downward Firing Passive Radiator – Surface resonating passive radiator with contoured foot for maximum bass.
  • USB-CTM Input Charging – USB-CTM charging provides a reliable, fast charge to your speaker.

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Video Review

Tech Review – Creative Aurvana Ace 2

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 are the next step up from the Creative Aurvana Ace which we recently reviewed here on techbuzz and given the shape and size of the case are the same the looks are not giving us a peep inside of the technology, transparent tech is now a thing and we have check quite a few bits of tech showing their inner glory. Though this one has a slightly smoked tint to it which still looks great.

The inside of the case is also surrounded in a copper colour which looks really neat and matches the earbuds looks and gives them a premium look there is a USB-C port on the bottom and indicator light and a button for pairing/resetting.

The fit is the same as before so no difference there at all and give a good seal with the right earbuds again I always say this with any earbuds and the better the seal the better the fit and the better the sound. These are again IPX5 rated so for outdoor use is no issue here at all where half of my testing was done anyway.

The tech inside this time around gives you more although they still use 10mm drivers but have the all new xMEM technology inside which really gives your earbuds a boost which they did with the Aurvana Ace. There is 6 mics this time over the Aurvana Aces 3 mics giving you crystal clear calls and from my testing both ends seemed top notch here and powered by Qualcomm cVc (Clear Voice capture) noise cancellation technology.

In case you are wondering both models support a variety of audio codecs, including LE Audio featuring the LC3 Codec for superior wireless audio quality, SBC, AAC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive, ensuring compatibility with various devices and offering high-quality audio streaming.

Coupled with Qualcomm for the integration of Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless technology, the audio codec delivers hi-fidelity audio at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz, providing a CD-level experience that faithfully recreates the original recording right in your ears.

Overall there is not much difference between the Ace and Ace 2, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 supports AptX Lossless audio codec and has Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation and you can tell the difference if you are a regular user of earbuds and can hear the distinct intricacies with the sound and you will not be disappointed by any means here at all and the same goes for the Ace too, you can’t go wrong for the money here with what you pay for either.

 

Check the video review below for more.

 

The Creative App

Creative Aurvana controls – techbuzzireland

Features and specs

Driver Frequency Response: 5–40,000 Hz / Type: xMEMS Solid-state x 2 Type: Dynamic x 2

Bluetooth Version/5.3

Wireless Codecs / LC3, AptX Adaptive, AptX Lossless, aptX, AAC, SBC

Profiles / (HFP) Hands-free Profile, (A2DP) Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, (AVRCP) Audio / Video Remote Control Profile, TMAP, HSP

Operating Frequency/ 2402–2480 MHz

Operating Range/ Up to 10m / 33 ft*, *Measured in open space. Walls and structures may affect range of device.

Battery Life / Up to 24 hours total (ANC / Ambient Mode off), Up to 16 hours total (ANC / Ambient Mode on), Up to 6 hours per charge (ANC / Ambient Mode off), Up to 4 hours per charge (ANC / Ambient Mode on)
Based on moderate volume level. Actual battery life will vary with usage settings and environmental conditions.

 

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Video Review

Tech Review – Creative Pebble X

The Creative Pebble X and Pebble X Plus are here for review and over the last while we have put both to the test but today we are looking at the Pebble X which are the cheaper of the two, recently we checked out the Pebble V3 Artisan Edition here and these are quite a bump up from them when it comes to sound and slightly larger packing a serious punch.

These have enhanced custom-tuned 2.75″ full-range drivers for a truly immersive listening experience. The two models boast the iconic 45° elevated design, meticulously angled for an optimized listening experience and are slightly larger giving more space to thump out the tunes and if you like bass you are in for a treat.

There is rubber ring underneath and an option to mount them if required the build quality is excellent and there is simple controls up front as before being an RGB control and a switch mode between bluetooth and PC connections also the volume dial acts as a voice control to turn it on or off. On the rear is the two USB-C ports one being PD which we had no charger to test, I do have one somewhere in the house but it has gone for a walk and there is also an aux port.

Once set up on your PC this is where the games changes, there is options on the mobile app but too however the PC app is where it shines most you will most likely get an update when connected, be sure to install the app first then the connect your speakers via cables provided.

In the app you will see below all the features at hand to custom tune the looks and sound and the sound is what people want to know about here.

They pack a serious loud punch highs lows and mids are great and for the concerning person who likes to customize things the app allows you to do so.

In short these are an excellent pair of speakers and well worth the money here and better than previous models and takes things to a new level you will not be disappointed with the sound and the features even for the most concerning audio folk.

Creative App offers the following features for the Creative Pebble X series.

  • Ability to apply different Sound Modes, Equalizer and Acoustic Engine settings.
  • Configure the lighting effects on the speaker.
  • Configure the Microphone Equalizer.
  • Perform firmware or software upgrades.
Creative Pebble X software – techbuzzireland

There are 6 modules in Device:

  • Sound Mode
  • Acoustic Engine
  • Equalizer
  • Mixer
  • CrystalVoice
  • Lighting

See the full list of features here there is that many to feature however we go through them in the video review below.

To unlock the full potential of the speakers, users can easily download the Creative app on Windows. This app grants users’ access to the Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine audio technologies, such as Surround, Smart Volume, Bass, Crystallizer and EQ. Users can also personalize the RGB lighting and other features using the Creative app’s modules, which are available on Windows, the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Pebble X is priced at US$89.99, UK£84.99, EU€99.99 and is available at Creative.com

For more information, visit creative.com/PebbleX

Video Review 

Tech Review – QDOS Galaxy S24 Ultra HYBRID CLEAR Case

Just picked up your  Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? Check out the QDOS S24 Ultra Hybrid clear case now on offer from the company which will save you from an expensive drop which is something you do not want, the S24 Ultra is an expensive piece of kit and requires a case in my book no matter if you prefer to go naked as they say.

With this case you are kind of naked being a clear case which many will like, it has anti yellowing treatment and made with a flexible TPU frame with air cushioning which feels nice to hold in the hand and giving you additional grip and giving you peace of mind should you drop the phone you are in good hands.

All the keys work well with nice travel and no interruption in the ports either and allowing you to access the SPen when you need it.

You can still wirelessly charge your phone with this case too and we have tested on several chargers in the house and all work with no issues with any which is great.

There is a raised lip top and bottom and slightly lower on the sides meaning it can be placed face or back down as the camera array is also protected with a raised edge and again giving you some peace of mind.

Overall for the price the case is a worthy investment and best practice to save you from an expensive repair bill.

 

 

Ultra-transparent protective case designed with a combination of 2 recycled materials:

• Rigid polycarbonate back with scratch-resistant coating
• Flexible TPU frame with air cushions to absorb falls of up to 2m

Unrivalled clarity, perfectly showcasing the design of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G:

• Microdot technology, preventing light interference (Newton ring effect)
• Treated with an anti-yellowing agent for long-lasting transparency

Case optimally adapted to the shape of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G:

• Flexible edges for easy installation and a perfect fit
• Easy to press button cover, responsive touch
• Raised edges protect the screen and lens when placed face down

Environmentally friendly:

• Made from premium recycled materials
• Eco-responsible packaging, FSC cardboard

Versatile:

• Wireless charging compatible
• Compatible with OptiGuard® screen protectors (not included)

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Video Review

Tech Review – BACKBONE One Gen 2 mobile gaming controller

Gaming phones are rising in popularity but remains a niche market for many even though they are powerful phones they often come with caveats being targeted at gamers and generally expensive and you will not see many in retail here in Ireland anyway as in your typical mobile shop but you can find some sim free in other retail outlets, The BACKBONE Gen 2 mobile gaming controller brings gaming to mobile phones and makes it a better experience and costs much less than buying gaming phones and this is their latest on offer and there is some key differences between this and their last model.

The BACKBONE Gen 2 offers more new features and are as follows.

    • Both USB-C generations support iPhone 15 and USB-C (OTG) Android phones, enabling immersive game experiences.
      • There are a few key differences:
        • The 2nd generation controller supports a wider range of phones and compatible phone cases via swappable magnetic adapters and increased bridge extension
        • The 2nd generation controller D-pad and face buttons have been updated to ensure even more precise and responsive input

The product is well presented as seen below in the unboxing video and in partnership with Red Bull and the product itself is solid with nice tactile buttons and controls across the front of it with two buttons on each side up top namely called shoulder buttons.

They key difference here now you can use your iPhone with the Gen 2 model so for iPhone users it is most welcome as I use both Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 pro means it is a hand gaming accessory for me to use. Also tested on my Pixel 8 pro this is a great accessory to use given I have not much time for gaming in the first place but plan to change this it is a simple to set up device and you are good to go in a few minutes and you also need to download the app to get full use of the product.

Now we can play games on our phones without the likes of this but I have never been a fan of on screen controls and this changes the game here if you have never used such a product as it gives you the full hand controller experince you would find on your Xbox or PS5 for example and you can play the console and PC games you have with Backbone’s support for PS Remote Play, Xbox Remote Play, and Steam Link mobile apps.

 

BACKBONE One mobile gaming controller rear view Gen 2 – techbuzzireland

Overall if you are into mobile gaming and cant afford to splash out on a gaming phone that can be expensive this is an ideal bit of kit to have that works with many devices and now iPhones which are powerful phones and can handle games better than before.

Features 

  • PLAY ANY CONTROLLER-SUPPORTED GAMES: Responsive analog triggers, tactile buttons, and clickable thumbsticks for the ultimate mobile gaming experience.
  • LOWEST LATENCY, PASS-THROUGH CHARGING & 3.5MM HEADSET JACK: Connects to your phone’s USB-C port for ultra-responsive gameplay. Charge and use your favorite headset while you play.
  • WORKS WITH MOST ANDROID PHONES AND IPHONE 15 SERIES: Compatible with most Android devices 10.0 and up as well as the new iPhone 15 series. For iPhone 14 Series and older, please see our Lightning version.
  • EARLY ACCESS TO THE BACKBONE APP – The Backbone app is your gaming destination–the feature-rich home for gaming on mobile devices complete with 20+ unique features. Record and share gameplay, party up with friends, and launch your favorite games all from one place
  • PLAY YOUR XBOX, PLAYSTATION OR PC FROM ANYWHERE: Play the console and PC games you have with Backbone’s support for PS Remote Play, Xbox Remote Play, and Steam Link mobile apps

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Video Review

Tech Review – The Nokia Clarity Earbuds 2+ So Pink

The Nokia Clarity Earbuds 2+ So Pink is one of the latest on offer from the company and they also come in two other color variants being So Grey and So Purple so there is choice for everyone here and this also moves away from the traditional Black color we see to much of these days from all brands.

So being Pink these are for the ladies and the case they come in too is pretty solid and looks nice and fits in any pocket and the case seems really robust and will stand the test of time and it looks nice too with a small LED light up front a small button for pairing and USB-C port underneath with a nice solid closing lid and comes with wireless charging.

The earbuds themselves are a standard looking affair with small stem and they do look nice from the side and have a busy light so to speak that surrounds the outer shell which looks really nice when lit and overall the fit is tight giving a good seal and some passive noise isolation, there is ANC on board that can be turned off and is also decent at the price point.

The fit is solid and secure once the right tips are applied and they will not fall out even for the more energetic folk and can be easily used for runs or trips to the gym if required to.

The controls are great on these and have a large touch are making it easy to get the commands you put in so for me in my testing they worked really well not dishing out any unwarranted actions as this often happens with smaller sized earbuds even for me with big fingers they worked a treat as seen in the video review below.

On the control side you have call controls access to your voice assistant skip and reverse tracks and play and pause, there is no volume control on these which is odd and there is no app which hopefully will change over time but overall the basics are present.

Nokia Clarity Earbuds 2 + So Pink – techbuzzireland

The sound is pretty good all round given there is no app to change EQs and they are loud and punchy and well balanced is the best word to describe them, highs lows and mids all good and with my usual test run with all genres everything was great here it has to be said and calls included.

Overall for me these are easy to recommend with my favourite features including wireless charging, busy light and multipoint connection so for those on the go or working in an office environment they should be on your radar.

Features 

Bluetooth: 5.2
Features: Active Noise Cancelling, Dual mic noise reduction with Qualcomm® cVc™ technology, Multipoint connectivity, In-call -light ring indicator
IPX4 sweat and splash resistant
USB connection: USB Type-C
Fast Pair and Low Latency for Gaming and Video
Wireless charging with up to 35h with ANC on
Product is made with 60% Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) material and packaging is made of 100% recycled materials.
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Tech Review – New Bee M51 Wireless Bluetooth Headset

The New Bee M51 Wireless Bluetooth Headset is a handy headset for call and music and ideal for those on the go or those who work in an office environment with decent battery life and comes in a handy carry case which is on the larger size compared to earbuds.

Offering all functions you would find on earbuds this headset has access to your voice assistant you can control your calls and you can manage your music being able to skip and reverse tracks play and pause and higher and lower the volume.

The mic also has a silent button which also acts as your voice assistant button and all the controls are tactile and work well and well placed on the device.

The fit is secure and will not fall off your ear with good noise isolation due to the large tip on the but still comfortable and still fits well in the ear and comfortable to wear.

The main part of the headset is quite malleable and can be moved into any position for all ears as they all differ in size and shape so this will work on anyones ears.

Call quality is also decent and the music is too considering it is not intended for music so to speak but the sound is decent and well balanced although there is no app for me it does a decent job and serves not just as a tool to manage calls on the go but a well rounded audio device in general.

Check the video review below for a detailed look and how it works.

New Bee M51 in case with digital display – techbuzzireland

Specifications

Model:NB-M51

Bluetooth Version: 5.2  / Battery: 115mAh

Charging Box:500mAh (Charging 3 times) Talk Time: About 12 hours

Music Time: About 15 hours /  Standby Time: About 1440 hours

Charging Time: 2 hours / Transmission Distance: 15 meters

Microphones: Dual Microphones / Connection: Bluetooth/Connects to 2 cell phones simultaneously

Digital Display/ Sound Quality: HIFI

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Video Review