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Tech Review Crusher ANC 2 Headphones, Bass has just got better.

Skullcandy has just announced the release of their all new Crusher ANC 2 Headphones, the newest edition to the iconic Crusher Franchise. The headphones take Skullcandy’s patented Adjustable Sensory Bass to the next level and we have tried and tested and you will love it and also comes with the addition of Active Noise Cancelling, upgradable features, hands-free voice control and more, all for an unbeatable price of $229.99 MSRP. With up to 60 hours of battery life, rapid charge technology and customizable EQ modes, these headphones are perfect for tech-savvy audiophiles who crave an immersive audio experience. And we have been testing these out for some time now and delighted to do so as I am a huge fan of the crusher range but not only that their other products too which you can find here on site and there is lots to pick from.

The Crusher ANC 2 headphones have been designed to deliver personalised, customizable experiences for every listener, with Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology, users are enabled to create and tune features to their unique hearing preferences. If you are a fan of bass there is no need to look anywhere else for bass driven headphones plus you can customise these to your own taste. Lightweight and durable, these headphones boast design updates with comfort-ability in mind. Having tested these out long enough now I am the type that wears my headphones or earbuds for hours on end and these are super comfortable with no clamping effect or get sweaty either.

Built with larger ear cups, an asymmetric yoke and a notch in the headband for improved comfort, ideal for all day wearing. The headphones are also flat-folding and collapsible, packaged in a durable travel case, making them perfect for on-the-go use. Again a carry case provided which will keep your headphones safe and away from dirt or dust and this is something instilled in me for many years now as I have a big range of headphones I use in a cycle over time and keep them protected and all look like new today even ones that are near ten years old.

“This latest generation of Crusher gives fans the bass response they loved in its predecessors, with the added feature of Active Noise Cancelling,” said Jason Luthman, Director of Global Product Management.“We have been refining and improving the Crusher Technology for over a decade now, Crusher ANC 2 is our 7th iteration in the family. For those looking for a premium headphone, the all-new Crusher ANC 2 has it all and will no doubt deliver the world-class listening experience they crave, while layering on robust, in-demand features at a ridiculously good value.”

Skullcandy iQ app

Skullcandy developed a user experience centred around individual customization. Users can personalise the proprietary haptic bass one of three ways; rotating the adjustment wheel on the left ear cup, using the hands-free voice command “Hey Skullcandy, More Crusher,” or creating bass preferences directly on the Skull-iQ app. Adjustable four-mic Active Noise Cancelling not only detects and cancels noise but can now be customised and refined. Users can also set up a Personal Sound profile to tune Crusher ANC 2 to their unique hearing through a short hearing test on the app. We go through the app below and show you what is involved here and again the Skull iQ offer and experience to make life so handy for you without having to touch your phone or headphones when using it to do all the things you usually do with your headphones and more.

Additional details surrounding Crusher ANC 2 Headphones include:

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Headphones – $229.99 MSRP

Up to 60 Hours of Battery Life (ANC off) – And up to 50 Hours of Battery Life with ANC turned on.
Rapid Charge – 10 minutes of charging gives you up to 4 hours of playtime
Adjustable Sensory Bass – Skullcandy’s patented bass technology, is responsible for the experiential bass for ‘Music You Can Feel’
Adjustable 4-Mic Active Noise Canceling – Actively monitors the surrounding environment to filter out external noise, maintaining a crisp audio quality
Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology® – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks, adjust volume, turn on and adjust Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, Take Photo and more
Over-the-Air Updates – Update headphones via the Skull-iQ App to add new features for enhanced functionality and to extend the life of the headphones
Personal Sound – Tune your audio experience to your unique hearing ability by taking a real-time audio test to create a Personal Sound Profile for optimized audio levels
Multipoint Pairing – Seamlessly pair to multiple devices at once, regardless of platform or manufacturer
Clear Voice Smart Mic – Experience a reduction in background noise to ensure calls are crystal clear
Preset & Custom EQ Modes – Choose one of the preset EQ modes or create your own custom EQ
Customizable Button Functions – Personalize your headphones by customizing your on-board button controls
Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic connection and pairing with the last device used
Built-In Tile Finding Technology – If headphone is misplaced, simply “ring” it from the Tile app
Durable, Lightweight Design – All-day comfort with asymmetrical, ergonomic earcups

Conclusion

Skullcandy have done it again with a winning pair of cans and I certainly welcome the new addition, they have been on a roll of late with their collabs too and if you want headphones that you own and you take control of with excellent ANC sound and bass with sensory adjustment these are what you need right now.

For more information, visit Skullcandy.com

Video Review

Tech Review – Canon MAXIFY GX6050 printer

The Canon MAXIFY GX6050 is a high-volume inkjet printer for small office or home use. The design is sturdy, strong, and solid to feel without the potential of bits falling off or trays breaking,

This kit comes with a 3-in-1 refillable ink tank which is visible through the front display. This came with a colour 6.9cm LCD Tiltable display allowing you to view the various settings or use the touch screen options.

Contents

MAXIFY GX6050 Refillable MegaTank Inkjet Printer
4 high-yield ink bottles (1x Black and 1 x C/M/Y)
Power cord
Setup CD-ROM (CD only for Windows)
Manuals and other documents

Functions: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Print, Copy, Scan & Cloud

Ink

The kit comes with a 3-in-1 refillable ink tank with ink included in the box.

The ink supplied allows for 14,000 A4 pages from a full set of colour ink bottles or up to 6,000 pages from a black ink bottle, when Switching to Economy mode this can print up to 1.5 times more pages for even increased capacity.

To put this in perspective in terms of Ink used

The cost of an All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer in the region of 60 euros from a high street store had a Multipack printer option of ink for approx 60 euros, this had a yield of print 180 Pages colour & Black – 180 Pages as compared to the up to 18,000 pages available for the Canon MAXIFY GX6050

Note Prices are included for reference only to give a perspective in terms of cost per page

Setup:

The setup is straightforward in following the user guide instructions. And downloading the relevant software, The QR looks positive but does very little in terms of saving time or efficiency as it only takes you to the website. A search is required for the model printer near and then downloaded for a Windows laptop or Android phone. This works as required and the use of the printer display option is very good. The software appeared slow and clunky which I suspect has been pulled from the legacy products.

Additional help & initial set up faultfinding videoes etc available under https://www.canon.ie/support/consumer_products/videos/maxify-gx6050/

Removing the protective materials

Turning on the power
Pouring ink
Loading paper
Loading paper: for installation
Loading paper: rear tray
Loading paper: cassette

Problems with printing

Colours are uneven or printing is faint
Printing is misaligned

Removing paper jam

Removing jammed paper: paper output slot
Removing jammed paper: rear tray
Removing jammed paper: inside printer
Removing jammed paper: inside rear cover

Network connection

Connecting the printer and a computer via Wi-Fi
iOS: Connecting the printer and a smartphone via Wi-Fi
Android: Connecting the printer and a smartphone via Wi-Fi

Note, caution when accessing this website to ensure typed correctly ( putting a dash in instead of a dot will give detrimental results and be linked to another site.

Connecting to a Smartphone

If you are using multiple smartphones, perform these steps on each smartphone

Typically for an Android phone, the expectation would scan the QR code and then takes you to the play store, instead, this takes you to the Canon support website, where you have to manually enter the printer model and then go to the play store to download the app, ( this defeated the purpose of the QR code) given the impression the software works but old fashioned.

The user guide does give details about Using the Fax function. This model does not come with that option.

Warranty: This is great to see a business printer with a 3-year warranty ensuring confidence in Canon on their product with expected high usage in terms of the number of pages it can print from a single refill.

Comparison of Canon models:

Conclusion

The Canon Maxify GX6050 is a printer with experience from Canon experience dating back to 1985 having the world’s first inkjet printer using Bubble Jet technology, this can be seen in the design and the key features required in terms of the basic you would expect and eco option and quiet mode.

This printer has one major advantage as compared to budget inkjet printers Its Low running cost and comes with four ink straight out of the box in terms of black ink can Print up to 6,000 pages (or 9,000 pages when printing in Economy Mode) from a single bottle or 14,000 colour pages from a full set of colour ink bottles. This can be improved even further with access to Economy mode, where you can print up to 1.5 times more pages.

Canon has placed a Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO) Calculator on their website to give value saving of 90% Average Savings On The Total Cost of Ownership vs top 10 laser and inkjet printers ( see https://www.canon.ie/printers/tco-calculator/ for a comparison)

The setup is straightforward but this is where Canon are using older technologies which can be seen from the software process and looking at the installation guides. The guide looks modern with QR codes from your phone or laptop, Unfortunately this is as far as it goes, Th QR code takes you to their website where you have to manually type in the model of your printer and download the Android app from the play store. For Windows, you have to choose a file and download the exe file and run. This process works and connects to the Wifi but felt old and sluggish. A CD is included and the mention of a fax machine on the installation again reinforces this outdated software view. (On a positive note, this model does not come with fax machine options which is an outdated technology )

The design in terms of the colour 6.9cm LCD Tiltable Touch screen display is a real positive in terms of getting into the printer setting, this was fast and responsive to touch. Printing via a laptop Android phone was easy while slower than some used before when Printing top quality.

Overall this is a solid printer in terms of build quality, with Key features, easy to use, excellent ink options, and a 3-in-1 refillable ink tank to provide years of cost-effective printing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-4470C006-MAXIFY-GX-6050/dp/B08ZG2R58Q

Video Review

Tech Review – CASEKOO MagicStand iPhone 14 Pro cases and pay with Klarna

Casekoo have a range of new cool cases for the iPhone 14 range and with us having the iPhone 14 Pro we have their latest MagicStand cases which allow you to use your device in more ways than one and not only that you can also pay with Klarna which allows you to buy now and pay later which is really cool, and even more we have a discount code below for you to avail of which saves you even more money.

The Invisible MagicStand design brings a better experience on hand, very stable in use, and supports multi-angle. With the strongest N52 Magnets, our cases have more magnetic than other cases with MagSafe rings. These cases are not only available iPhone 14 series but also the 12 and 13 series.

The cases have a super strong magnet and can be used horizontally or vertically so you can watch movies and more without the need to remove the case and the same for wirelessy charging the device too, the ring can be also a bit of security as you can use this to slip finger through whilst on calls as we are aware we have many phone snatchers who try to steal phones from people when making calls etc whilst walking down the street, overall these cases are clean cool and look good and give your device the protection it needs to save you a hefty bill if you drop it with no case on board.

Features

With the invisible MagicStand design, the stand function is not visible, but there is a hidden stand on the back of the case, making it silky smooth, and easy to carry around. The adjustable stand allows you to use it at a different angle
Between 40°~120°. Gives you the perfect angle for making video
Calls at work and watching food recipes while cooking
Arranged with CASEKOO’s array technology, making its magnesium STRONGER than others. Excellent charging performance works both on your MagSafe
charger or Qi-certified charger.

Discount code – TechBuzz10

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – TOZO Golden X1 earbuds

TOZO is a new brand to the channel and we like new things here and especially earbuds, we test all types size and price so consumers can get a look at what there is out there and what you get for your money and we have had plenty of messages about these new buds over the last while and the usual question is how they sound so we have the answer now and it is not only the sound that is good it is the look and they come in at around 140 euros depending on region.

The presentation was good and it is also nice to see a good presentation as it goes along way when selling a product in my book as you would have seen in the unboxing they come in a nice presentation all round and with great packaging too..

The fit is another question I was asked about and the fit is excellent and with the right tips it will be for anyone else and again I say it all the time that you should check the tips in the box for the best results overall, the block much of the outside world when you get the right tips and then you need to get moving on playing with the app and there you will do a test to get the optimal settings and you are good to go.

They look cool with a very short stem too and garner attention, as I am always out in my local town people are always curious to see what is in my ears and several people asked about these and complimented on the looks which is a good thing and they are sleek looking in Black shiny coated earbuds with the Gold brand lettering.

Next up is the case, again questions asked as not many have seen cases with the charge indicator display which is not new to me and not a new feature on a case but I love it and all earbuds cases should have it present as it looks good and gives you info at a glance for your own peace of mind.

X1 meets the treble to 44.1kHz which higher than the 20kHz that human can hear. It can even restore the ultrasonic sound of dolphins. The Balanced Armature Driver can excellently reproduction high-frequency sounds such as guitar metals, treble cymbal for drums, etc.

The sound. Always the key question from people and of course me as a tester I was curious as to how these would check out after testing and the news is all good here, superb ANC and more which you will see in the screenshots below and the video review.

The level of customisation to get the right sound is top notch here and audio heads will enjoy the level they go to here and the options at hand, the sound quality for me is excellent and better than I had anticipated here with great bass and much more all round for those who want a top notch audio experience and for your gaming, movies and music you will not be disappointed here and also to note I done some teams and other calls similar and spent quite some time on that aspect and the quality again excellent, even walking down a street in one instance doing a teams chat and it was excellent quality with little or nothing getting in from the outside.

The TOZO Golden X1 is equipped with LDAC technology, which can stream 24bit/96khz music (also known as high- resolution audio music) via Bluetooth at speeds up to 990 kbit/s, which can transmit data more than 3 times compared to the ordinary Bluetooth SBC.

We have no auto play or pause here which is no huge deal we have wireless charging which is great for me and those who have adopted it and have wireless chargers all over the house and speaking of charging and battery longevity we do get around 31 hours with the case which is good, you can fast charge with the USB- Cable or wireless charge.

The App

Conclusion

Overall these are a really fine tuned pair of earbuds and for those who want some more for their money and at an affordable price considering what is on offer with the overall package here. Check out the review and we also check out their app below.

Features

Specs:

12mm bass / Midrange dynamic speaker – able to show as low as 12Hz frequency range
Tweeter with Knowles electronic sound solutions – able to show as high as 44.1Hz frequency range
LDAC Sony headphone decoding software – LDAC can transmit high res audio via Bluetooth at a bit rate about 3 times higher than ordinary Bluetooth audio signals
Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certification – for performance in exquisite music quality and original sound reproduction
Acoustic experts – The golden frequency response curves in line with the characteristics of the human ear canal with an original lossless sound effect
ANC and ENC noise cancellation

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Fairphone Fairbuds XL teardown and a look at their app

Fairphone is a brand well known for their mobile phones and being able to repair them yourself or the right the repair might be a better way to put this and this company lets you do that all by yourself which other manufacturers should take note of. We had their last phone to review the Fairphone 4 and was quite a hit with us and others and now they have just launched a pair of headphones into the mix and we have been testing these out for some time now and we can tell you how they fair out.

The presentation is top notch and on point as with any product they have on offer with and hints about climate change and sustainability which many manufacturers are now trying to do following the steps of Fairphone. You can read more on that below.

The fit is excellent here and very comfortable to wear and no issues wearing for many hours at a time like I tend to do and it just gets better from there, First up the ANC it is one of the best if not the best I have seen in a long time and you have to try it to believe it, simply nothing gets in from the outside no matter if outdoors or indoors and this for me is great but you can also change them to hear what is going on around you for safety purposes. The sound is excellent too and offers several preset choices to pick from but I would like to see more additions to the app as time goes on within the app but for now it is fine and how they sound is also fine and an excellent audio experience to be had.

I love the control feature on these which is like a small navi key and this is something I would like to see more of instead of buttons and here you do not miss out on any functions either you can still play pause, skip and reverse tracks and adjust the volume with no issues at all.

What is important to note here is being able to fix the headphones yourself just like their phones in the past and this should be taken on board by all manufacturers going forward in my opinion and it just makes like easier for everyone all round.

By introducing Fairbuds XL, Fairphone is applying its market-leading experience in making sustainable, repairable smartphones. The headphones are produced with the same values used to make all Fairphone devices – focus on people and planet. Like all Fairphone devices, the headphones are designed to last. The modular construction and spare parts make them easy to repair, which lets users enjoy and keep their device for longer. Fairbuds XL allow for the replacement of parts that can
wear over time, such as the ear cushions. The long-term use of electronics isn’t only great for the user experience, it also helps reduce their environmental footprint. The headphones are the next step in Fairphone’s journey to develop fair and long-lasting audio devices, after launching its first generation earbuds in 2021.

Eva Gouwens, CEO of Fairphone, comments: “After spending almost 10 years making sustainable smartphones, we are ready to expand our focus and bring sustainability to a new category of audio products. We’re introducing our unique core features – fair materials, improved working conditions, our climate conscious approach and repairability – to the market and raising the bar on impact for people and planet, in the headphone segment. Fairbuds XL are for users who are searching for a sustainable alternative on the market and want to push for change in the electronics industry.”

Fairphone’s focus on people and planet has been its key market differentiator, making Fairphone the market leader in sustainable electronics. Through its dual focus on the social and environmental impact on the supply chain, Fairphone is
setting an example and pushing the industry to act more responsibly.

• Fairbuds XL are among the most sustainably designed headphones on the market. They have Fairtrade gold integrated in the supply chain and are made with vegan leather as well as several recycled materials, such as 100% recycled plastic in all parts it can be used in, 100% recycled aluminium in structural elements such as the headband base and recycled tin. The travel
pouch is made from 100% recycled polyester and nylon.

• Fairphone will pay 0.55 USD per headphone to fill the living wage gap of the production line workers, and is working with the supplier on improving working conditions based on workers’ needs.

• Fairbuds XL are climate-conscious, meaning that Fairphone takes action to reduce the carbon footprint of the Fairbuds XL through longer use, using recycled materials and also investing in carbon reduction projects that lower CO2 emissions while benefiting the surrounding communities. The amount Fairphone invests in these projects equals the left over amount of carbon
emissions created throughout the life-cycle of the headphones after
reduction measures.

According to recent figures, in 2021 alone 548 million headphones were sold and sales volumes have increased since 2013. The electronics industry faces a make use-dispose attitude driven by a business model that encourages short product life cycles, which has caused an electronic waste (e-waste) problem that increases each year. Despite being one of the fastest growing waste streams, only a small fraction of e-waste (17.4%) is actually taken back to be recycled. The electronics industry is
also dealing with a steep demand for minerals needed to make electronics, as well as poor working conditions for millions of people working in mines and factories.

It’s clear that the industry needs to change its practices. With each product launched, Fairphone wants to show how an industry that cares for people and planet could look like in practice. In addition to being climate conscious and fair, the headphones also provide users with superior sound quality, strong bass, warm mids and clear bright highs, delivered by a 40mm dynamic driver and enhanced with state-of-the-art noise cancellation. Two-point bluetooth connection ensures that users switch seamlessly between devices. The headphone’s replaceable battery encourages longevity with a long lasting battery that has a lifetime of up to 30 hours. While being a modular device, the headphones have IP54 certification, meaning they are weather resistant.

The headphones also come with the Fairbuds App, available on Play Store and App Store, which allows users to change the Signature EQ presets (professionally tuned by Sonarworks) and tune the headphones to their preferences. The app will also
give quick access to support such as quick start guides, tutorials, support articles and customer service. It will also ensure longevity by allowing users to update their headphones over time, introduce new features and provide occasional bug-fixes.

Users will also be able to order replacement parts if repairs are needed, as well as learn about the parts that make up the headphones. Fairphone relied on the expertise of Sonarworks, a world-leader in sound calibration, to deliver the signature sound of Fairbuds XL. The company has had its technology used by Grammy-Award winning engineers recording with top artists such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, Rihanna, Adele and Coldplay. Fairphone headphones will be available from 11 May on Fairphone’s website and selected partners, at a suggested retail price of €249. The two variants of the device
that will be available: green speckled and black speckled.

Company ethos.

Superior sound. Sustainably designed.

EASY TO REPAIR – modular design allows you to repair the device yourself with spare parts available in our online store.

FAIR MATERIALS – Fairbuds XL has Fairtrade Gold integrated into its supply chain.. It contains vegan leather in the cushions and headbands

FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS We are extending our living wage and fair labour programs to new suppliers in the audio category.

RECYCLED MATERIALS – We are Innovating where it counts with recycled aluminium, plastic and tin used in our headphones.

LONG LASTING BATTERY – Designed with our dedication to getting the longest battery lifetime possible with a battery life of 30 hours

CLIMATE CONSCIOUS – We take action to reduce the carbon footprint of the Fairbuds XL. through longer use, using recycled materials and also investing in carbon reduction projects that lower CO2 emissions while benefiting the surrounding communities. The amount Fairphone invests in these projects equals the left over amount of carbon emissions created throughout the lifecycle of the headphones after reduction measures

Features

Battery duration: 30h – 800 mAh
ANC: Yes, including ambient sound mode
Spare parts: battery, speaker to speaker cable, earcap covers, headband, ear cushion,
headband base, speaker, headband cover
Bluetooth Range: 10m
Bluetooth & codecs: Bluetooth 5.1 – AAC, SBC, APTX HD
IP Rating: IP54
Weight: 330g
Portability: foldable
Multipoint calling: available
Smart assistant: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri
Connector: USB-C (for charging, digital and analog music)
Driver diameter: 40mm

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Google Pixel 7a Official Case

New Pixel means new case and yes more to come but today we have the Original Pixel case for the new 7a and it is a nice one and will be welcomed by users of the new phone and we have tried it out and we like it alot..

It is a case and after all so it will be a short review and you can see more in the hands on video below and what to expect when you pick your up from the store in which there is several colours to pick from matching your device which is nice. This case will offer protection for your device all round and has a nice lip around the front too making it blend in the the front of the screen and also gives you additional grip which again is welcome, all ports are accessible and you can still use wireless charging with the case on. The keys are excellent too and have good travel and makes using the keys better in my opinion.

Your charging cables should be fine and the speaker ports are also clear so you have no interruption of functionality here at all. The only one downside I can see is perhaps the same as last year is dust building up at the end of the camera bar if kept in pockets and so on but no huge deal it can be cleaned off with a cloth.

Materials

Case made with over 35% recycled plastics based on product weight

The external portion of the case’s power and volume buttons is made of 100% recycled aluminium
Case has a polycarbonate shell made with 75% recycled plastics

Extra protection, edge to edge.

Featuring durable, stain-resistant silicone material and raised edges, the case helps to protect your phone in all those ‘oops’ moments.

Thoughtfully made. A smooth feel.

It’s made with over 35% recycled plastics, and the soft silicone puts premium comfort in the palm of your hand.

Buy

Video Review

Tech Review – Google Pixel 7a

The Pixel 7a has been launched and we have been testing it the last week or two and of course we steered clear of the leaks and of course we remain leak free on our site and take word from the horses mouth as they say and that is how it always has been here and will remain that way and we leave others who cant help themselves for clicks to do that. We have had the phone for almost 2 weeks so you could say this is an early review and we will look at it again in a few months time.

So yes as mentioned we have been testing the device in our hands and right now I can tell you this device is going to fly off the shelves with the price it comes in at and even some pixel 7 owners might feel a bit peeved even going by what is being said on social media when it comes to the specs on this phone, I am a Pixel 7 owner and it has been my daily driver since launch and it still working a treat and the Pixel devices are known for getting better over time and that much is true but the 7a is going to be a phone to watch and it is now my daily driver but in a smaller package how does it fair out against its predecessors.

In the unboxing and walk through below we go through the device in better detail but out of the box the build quality is excellent and on par with the Pixel 7 which I still also use on a daily basis and it is just a smaller footprint in size overall yet built to last and better than I had expected being the a series. Some small differences overall but nothing out of kilter when you place both devices side by side as you will see in the video below.

Size matters for some and the Pixel 7a hits the sweet spot for me I am not a huge fan of big devices like I once was and since I started using this it hits the spot for me, given you have less screen estate it is not important and for me and how I use my phone on the go and when at home I can use a bigger device for media consumption as during the day it is business and I like to have a phone in my pocket that is not to intrusive or weighty.

The Pixel 7a is the same productivity tool and comes packed again with the same tools on board and is great for multitasking and for those like me who use their device for multiple tasks during the day not including social media and emails etc it flies along as before with no signs of being sluggish and for me worked a treat just as my Pixel 7 still does today and for those who need a device that is capable and offers such tools as the Pixel 7 does the 7a will be a worthy investment.

The Pixel 7a comes with a decent screen with a 90hz refresh rate again a thing that people nitpick at and the 120hz refresh rate that should be a standard which is an argument for another day as most people cant tell the difference. We also get a 6.1-inch (155 mm) 20:9 aspect ratio FHD+ (1080×2400) OLED at 429 PPI and Smooth Display (up to 90Hz)

Pixel 7a camera samples front and rear day and night

The camera, again a powerhouse and I have had some time to test this out this time around before my review and again it is simply excellent and for a point and shoot you cant beat it. You can decide from the image gallery below with day and night images videos and more. The front facing camera offers 13 MP, 1.12 μm pixel width , ƒ/2.2 aperture, Fixed focus 95° ultrawide field of view photo unblur, magic eraser, night sight, face unblur, real tone, top shot and much more. The video is again great offering 4K video recording at 30/60 FPS and 1080p video recording at 30/60 FPS, The front camera offers 4K video recording at 30 FPS 1080p video recording at 30 FPS.

Thunderstorm taken on the Pixel7a compared to same storm taken with the Pixel 7

Other features include – Cinematic Pan, Slo-mo video support up to 240 FPS , 4K time lapse with stabilisation Astrophotography time lapse , Optical image stabilisation, Fused video stabilisation, 4K Cinematic Pan video stabilisation

4K locked video stabilisation, 1080p active video stabilisation, Digital zoom up to 5x14 , Video formats: HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264).

Security wise we have got the usual with face unlock and this works really well as does the fingerprint scanner which has been a bit troublesome over the years but seems fine now and the same for my Pixel 7 you also can avail of the old fashioned patter, pin or password but most today prefer the bio-metric approach.. Lastly we have a 4300 mAh and for me lasts almost a day given I am a power user it will get most through the day this time round though we have wireless charging which has been a bugbear of previous a series devices but now finally solved.

Google Pixel 7a unboxing and walk through

Ten things to know about the Google Pixel 7a

1. Built to perform and priced just right
Meet Pixel 7a, engineered by Google. The Google Tensor G2 chip makes it fast. The Pixel Camera takes amazing photos and video. Pixel 7a features are rated highest in security. VPN by Google One protects your online activity (available to new eligible users, three months of Google One included, then €1.99 per month, recurring billing, cancel anytime)And the battery lasts all day,3 and charges wirelessly. The smooth 6.1-inch display,4 with up to 90 Hz refresh rate, is super responsive. With 8 GB of RAM, switching between apps is quick and efficient. And it all makes Pixel 7a more helpful throughout the day.Pixel 7a starts at only €‎509. And it’s available in Charcoal, Sea, Snow and Coral (Google Store exclusive).

2. Beautiful and durable inside and out
Pixel 7a is Google’s most durable A-Series phone yet. And it’s as beautiful as it is durable. It’s colourful and sophisticated, with a smooth, sleek back and a metal frame and camera bar. Pixel 7a can handle water and dust with IP67 protection.5 The display is scratch resistant, featuring Corning® Gorilla® Glass. And it’s made with recycled aluminium, glass and plastic.6

3. Tensor G2 the brains
Google Tensor G2 is the next-gen processor that’s custom-built for Pixel. It’s the same chip that’s in Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, powering Google’s advanced machine learning and speech recognition, and Google’s AI for improved audio on phone calls, great battery life, and amazing photo and video quality. It makes Pixel 7a faster, more efficient, more secure and even more helpful.7

4. Great photography made simple

With an upgraded dual rear camera system and Google Tensor G2’s advanced image processing, Pixel’s camera makes photos perfect, every time. It’s easy to take amazing pictures in low light with Night Sight. You can even fix your blurry photos, whether they’re new or old, or remove distractions with a few taps in Google Photos with Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur.8 All skin tones are represented beautifully and accurately with Real Tone. Pixel 7a includes Super Res Zoom for clear close-up portraits from far away. And for the first time on the A-Series, Long Exposure adds motion, texture and energy to your photos.

5. Wireless charging and all day battery
Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours.9 It learns your favourite apps, so it doesn’t waste power on ones that you rarely use. Turn on Extreme Battery Saver, and the battery can last up to 72 hours.9 And your Pixel charges wirelessly with a Pixel Stand or any Qi-certified device.

6. Highest rating security features
With Google Tensor G2 and the Titan M2 security chip, Pixel is built with multiple layers of security to help keep your personal info safe.10 Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock quickly and easily unlock your phone with just a glance or a tap. With a VPN by Google One, Pixel will help protect your online activity no matter what app or web browser you use (available to new eligible users, three months of Google One included, then €1.99 per month, recurring billing, cancel anytime).2 And Pixel comes with at least five years of security updates, so your phone gets even more secure over time.11

7. AI features with so much help

Pixel is more helpful than ever. Phone calls are smoother with clear calling. At a Glance shows you useful info at the right time, like the weather or when it’s time to leave for your flight. With voice message transcription, you can read audio messages. And Assistant voice typing lets you type with your voice.12

8. Gets better with age

Pixel gets Feature Drops – automatic software updates with new and improved features, tips, tricks and more. So your Pixel just keeps getting better.13

9. Get the best of Google with Pixel
Pixel 7a includes three months of YouTube Premium (then €11.99 per month) and Google One Basic 100 GB Plan (then €1.99 per month) to help you get the most out of your new Pixel (available to new eligible users only, recurring billing, cancel anytime).14 Google One keeps your photos and files safe with 100 GB of storage and automatic phone backup. And with YouTube Premium, you can enjoy YouTube videos and music without ads, in the background and offline.

10. Made for Google for all that you doPixel phones, tablets, watches and earbuds are engineered by Google for personalised help throughout your day.15 So you can save time, live better and do more of the things that you enjoy. Take stunning photos and easily edit them. Track your health and fitness with the power of Fitbit on your Pixel Watch. Enjoy immersive entertainment at home and on the go. And manage your smart home devices from anywhere.16

Tech Review – Quntis Solar Spotlight Outdoor Garden Lights

Quntis is a brand that sells decorative and useful light solutions for at home and more alongside other gadgets for the tech fan which we have test many over the years, their newest addition is their new solar powered lights which are affordable and can really make your back or front garden stand out, last year we checked out their outdoor landscape lights but there is new ones on offer coming in two variants which is Warm Light and Cool Light which is simple to install and use.

This time around you have got the option to charge via USB cable as well as using solar powered and in certain regions this would work better than others even Ireland with the lack of sun we get here after that it is just drop in the ground in your desired spot and let it do its job you could not ask for anything simpler to do as is with all solar powered lights. Check the video below for more and see how they compare to the last model we tested out.

Features

Super Bright Warm White Solar Spotlights】28 LEDs Solar spot lights adopts optical lens design for 30% more brightness, luminous intensity 800 Lumen which can focus the light source to the greatest extent and increase the brightness of the light. Solar spotlights can completely light up driveway garage wall porch pool path etc.
【High-efficient Solar Panel】Solar spot lights outdoor using laminated monocrystalline solar panels, 30% faster than ordinary panels to convert solar energy, higher charging efficiency, life expectancy of more than three years, energy saving and environmentally friendly
【IP65 Waterproof Solar Garden Lights】Quntis Solar spotlights are made up of high quality ABS plastic material with a fully sealed IP65 waterproof design that effectively protects the inside of the light panel, resulting in better water resistance and longer life, whether it is raining, snowing, hot or other extreme weather, our solar garden lights offer better durability
【Automatic On/Off & 3 Brightness modes】Quntis Solar uplighters has 3 brightness modes, 45% brightness (lasts for 12 hours), 75% brightness (lasts for 8 hours) and 100% brightness (lasts for 6 hours), the memory function will continue to hold the last set mode after a full charge
【Solar-powered or USB-charged】Solar spotlights can be charged through solar power or USB chargers, allowing for ample electricity even on rainy or winter days. As garden lighting or outdoor activity lighting, they are very practical
【Two-way Easy Installation】Our Solar landscape spotlights with 120° light angle adjustment, Provide super bright large area lighting. You can choose to wall mount or fix the solar garden lights to the ground as required. Upgraded version of the ground stakes, easier to insert into the ground and will be more stable.

Apply discount code – 10%DMC9CTTV

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Video Review

Tech Review – Skullcandy Grind HAZE limited edition earbuds

The Skullcandy Grind HAZE are the latest on offer from the company who has been dishing out some really cool collaborations over the last while and it does not seem like it is stopping anytime soon either and we say let it continue to bring something different to the market albeit updated models of past but we love it and the 420 friendly earbuds are the newest and affordable and not shy on features either and after my testing the last while they get my approval and not only that they look cool to boot.

You can see the full unboxing if you missed that to get an idea of what to expect should you wish to pick these up but be quick.

The case these come with is cool with a somewhat transparent lid with a beige colour case which I think complements each other well and also well built, the case is pocketable too and does not get dirty with a matt finish and draws attention like the earbuds themselves.

Yes the earbuds also draw attention with several colours and a cloth like material on them which makes it easy to remove from the case and this is a good idea I think as some earbuds have been known to be tricky to remove from the case over my years of testing but not here, there is LED lights on each side and the outer part has a purple and orange tone which all blends in well and not only that they fit well too and again this is down to you on deciding the right tips to suit your ears.

How do they sound? Well as expected they sound great as all Skullcandy earbuds do from my testing and no features dropped over the aesthetics here which is good we have all the features as expected and more and the bonus here is Skull IQ which we have spoken about several times here which just makes life super easy by calling out the commands rather than fuss about with your phone or even the earbuds themselves, the controls on the earbuds are excellent too and again we go through this and the app in the video review below.

The sound is great as expected no lag latency nice volume highs lows and mids no distortion on max volume and in general well balance and of course you have the app to set these up to your liking too, you have a decent battery life too and not forgetting all the features packed in here for the money if you want a flashy case and pair of earbuds you need to check these out.

The App

Product specs:

Limited-Edition Grind HAZE True Wireless Earbuds – £69.99 MSRP

Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks, adjust volume, turn on Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, and more
Over-the-Air Updates – Update earbuds via the Skullcandy App to add new features for enhanced functionality and to extend the life of the earbuds
Premium Audio Quality – Experience supreme sound thanks to expertly-tuned acoustic drivers, dual noise-reducing microphones for natural and clear call quality and a noise-isolating fit
Up to 40 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 9 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 31 hours in the charging case
Personal Sound – Tune your audio experience to your unique hearing ability via the Skullcandy App by taking a real-time audio test to create a Personal Sound Profile for optimized audio levels
USB-C Rapid Charging Case – For 10 minutes spent in the case, receive 2 hours of battery life
Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn-on and pairing with the last device used
IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure without missing a beat
Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology – If an earbud is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app

The Grind Haze can be bought for £69.99 MSRP on Skullcandy.com

Video review

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