Category: #Reviews

Tech Review – Allway Open-Ear True Wireless Earphones OE10

Earbuds come in all shapes and sizes and this is a new fresh design this time around from a company called Allway. Allway is an innovative tech brand principally engaged in the R&D, manufacture, and distribution of Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and other creative devices. The company has established solid partnerships with Huawei, Philips, Sony, Apple, Farouk Systems, Lenovo, Alibaba, JD.com, Baidu, and other world-renowned brands.

We have been testing their latest product to the market the OE10 over the last while and from their presentation to their looks do they pass the tests we conduct here which is hours of music, movies videos and more…

Unlike the TWS headphones with a semi-in-ear design which may generate pressure inside the ears, in particular for long-time wearing. OE10, the true-wireless, open-ear earphones don’t go in your ears at all, they are more like a personal stereo that sits on your ears. Different from the bone-conduction headphones which people have suggested these were to me and I quickly pointed out they are not rely on the sound being transmitted through vibrations on the bones of the head and jaw,  the Allway OE10 uses Open Audio directional sound transmission technology to deliver sound waves through the air for a more natural listening experience, reducing the issue of sound spillage and amplification. Relying on 30 years of experience in audio devices manufacturing, we use our self-developed bass enhancement technology to deliver rich, full-range sound that far exceeds the standard of similar products in the market. 

Allway Open-Ear true wireless – techbuzzireland

Precision ports direct sound from two 16.2 mm drivers with a frequency range of up to 20KHz,  and are equipped with a high-quality composite diaphragm and optimised adjustment by Allway Acoustics Laboratory, the low frequency is full of volume, and the mid and high frequency is clear and delicate. Dual-mic ENC noise reduction captures the sound and eliminates background noise, providing clear, and excellent conversation quality.

With the touch sensor control panel on both sides, you can perform operations with taps and swipes, without taking out your mobile phone from your pocket.  Adjust the volume or answer a call plus a variety of functions with just a tap.  Bluetooth connection between two devices, audio can be switched between devices in real-time. Leverage the latest Bluetooth 5.3, and support AAC HD decoding, users can customise operation with the Free Allway App ( available for both iOS and Android devices) which we will show you in the video review below and also see the screenshots provided here. 

The Allway OE10 is rated IPX4. Whether it’s sweat after a workout or sudden rain, the full angle splash protection ensures OE10 has a longer service life. OE10 charges can be charged with a Type-C cable in 1.5 hours, earphones play time is up to 6 hours under moderate settings; the charging case offers an extra 4 full charges, which makes the total play time up to 24 hours, making them easy to cope with long training sessions or sports. 

Features

Key features:
  • Open-ear design, hear the music and environment, perfect for running, cycling, hiking.
  • Stay safe, be aware of noise in the world around you. 
  • Priced at $79,  a more affordable alternative to other open earbuds like Bose($119), Sony($159.99), Cleer($129.99) and shokz($129) . 
  • A more comfortable listening experience without bone conduction vibration. 
  • Crystal-clear conversations with high-quality sound 
  • Simple touch controls, up to 6 hours of battery, and a total of up to 16 hours with the charging case.
  • IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof design, simple touch controls. Personalize the earbuds with the Allway App.

Specs

Brand: Allway

Product Name: Open Earbuds 10

Product Model: OE10

Product Size: 48*63*16mm

Distance: 10m

Bluetooth Version: BT5.3

Drive Unit: 16.2mm

Impedance: 20±15% ohm

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz

Frequency Band: 2.400GHz-2.4835GHz

Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dBV@1kHz

Type of Charge: Typ-C

Input： 5V/0.5A

Earbuds Battery: 130mAh

Case Battery: 450mAh

Charging Time: About 1.5h

Battery Life: 6h per single charge/16h with case

Number of Connections: 2

Weight: 13.8g（earbuds）
Price: $79

Discount –  $10 coupon code with: techbuzz

BUY

Video Review

Review – Hearprotek earplugs

Go to concerts loud events or work on a building site this simple product can save your ears from harms way. A simple and affordable solution to save the ears is a good investment. These also can  be useful for sleeping and whilst they are not a product loaded with tech they do not provide a full ANC experience but more a passive noise cancelling one.

In my testing they do the job they are set out to do and ideal for DJs and concert goers more so where it can be extra loud and hard on the ears they can also be stored in the portable tin and clipped onto your bag or jeans with the carabiner clip which is handy and also be kept clean in the storage tin.

Whilst using these it must be noted no clarity is lost with the venue or event you are at and it can be heard in all its glory but they do dampen the loudness which in effect what the product is set out to do.If you go to concerts like I do and often hear your ears ringing afterwards this is what you need.

 

Check the video below and check them out.

  • 【Preserve High Fidelity Audio】 Hearprotek Music ear plugs do an effective job of bringing down the overall volume, blocking background noises at a comfortable level while preserving the sound clarity and sharpness. You won’t experience any muffling with these plugs as you would foam-based ones and you will be able to hear different sound frequencies and talk to people without having to worry of muffling.
  • 【20db Noise Reduction】 Comes with 2 sets of 20db ear plugs in different sizes (small & standard), cutting up an impressive 20db’s of sound volume which is a pretty good amount for a concert or band rehearsal, and you can always have your spare plug in case any plugs are fallen out unfortunately or missing.
  • 【Designed For Comfort】 Made of high quality silicone material that provides comfort from prolonged usage. If you have small ear canals, the small size of ear plugs are your best choice, they are designed to have an ergonomic curved body with two flange tip that follows the shape of your ear canal, which provides a snag and comfortable fit.

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Video

 

Tech Review – ZTE Axon 40 Ultra 5g

The last time I seen a ZTE phone was at an IFA event in Malta many years ago which was called the Spro 2 if I recall correctly  which had a projector built in and I wanted it there and then, I am a projector fan as our reader know having several in house and reviewed many over the years but getting access to the device here in Ireland did not work out so well and some other manufacturers had offerings with projectors built in to but ZTE was a new brand for me to discover back then and getting hands on time with them never worked out sadly but it is what it is and that has changed and I am glad I have now after using the Axon 40 Ultra 5G for the last few months it is a beast of a phone and is one of the main phones I have been doing tech reviews with for that time alongside some other phones but this phone has been easily the best to get the job done with results and faster than other devices I have including the iPhone 14 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra and other devices like Pixel phones which I have mentioned in my reviews about this particular area which for me is essential due to the product review count we go through here which is the most in Ireland for a tech blog.

What do I mean then, it simply kills the video processing with the same app I use across all my devices faster making productivity better for me. Now I do have plenty of phones here however as we test phones in real time and show you how they work I know what phones work for me and video processing is one thing I test and this phone has simply laughed at any device I have used during the test period and still in use today, might  some but considering the amount of tech reviews we do I need something that is fast and does not slow me down and this does not and nor has it been slack when it comes to daily use and gaming, I will admit gaming is one of the last things I do on my phone due to my workload here but lets just say it gets plenty of time regardless be it resting in bed or sitting on the bit white telephone where I kinda forget where I am once I get immersed ina a game which happens more often that I probably admit be-known to myself.

This device was sent for a long term review and it has been that now so we do not do a clickbait title “is it worth it” we just tell you how products are here and it is up to you to decide or not to click and read and to not follow trends on Google to get the clicks with a silly question for a headline.

Unboxing and walkthrough of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra 5G

OK so after some time with this device how does it fair out you ask, well for me this phone is one of my favourite phones this year, big battery big screen and just works, its a multi tasking beast and served me well, I took this on a trip recently as my main driver and has been a daily driver for some time now and including videos on our channel and just did everything i wanted it to do, it is on the large side but it just works

The design and build is also something I like about the phone and I like the camera set up too, yes most phones have this today but this one stands out which is fine and not many folk here have this device and quite a few asked about it when out and about or out having dinner and lunch etc.

The curved edge/waterfall display is glorious which is great for media consumption and the speakers also loud and decent enough and made the overall media consumption a joy to watch and if you are a gamer the same also applies.

The cameras also quite good although I did find the front facing camera lacking quality but I have seen worse you can see more below in the vlog I did on a recent trip as mentioned above and decide for yourself ow the performance is, I am not one to go on about specs or a photography expert but overall it did a good job for me.

Biometrics also feature on this device with face unlock fingerprint sensor which is under the display and all worked fine for me during my testing but it is good to have all options at hand including your typical screen unlock options..

If you are fed up with other brands like Samsung and want something different this phone is certainly worth a look at.

Features 

– 3rd-gen Under Display Camera
– 6.8” AMOLED 120Hz Full-view Screen
– 100% DCI-P3, 10-bit Color Depth
– Snapdragon™ 8 Gen 1
– 64MP AI Triple-cam PRO System
– 5000mAh Battery + 65W Charging

BUY 

Image and video samples

 

 

 

 

Tech Review – Jabra Connect 5t

Jabra has had quite a few sets of earbuds this year and the 5t is no different and in fact after testing no different to the Elite 5 we recently tested so what we have here is the same earbuds more or less but packaged with a wireless charger.

The Jabra Connect 5t true wireless earbuds are optimized for use in any environment – working from home, office, or on the go. These earbuds have 6-mic call technology for clear virtual meetings or mobile phone calls, Hybrid ANC for better focus, and are comfortable for all day use. The Bluetooth Multipoint lets you stay connected to two devices, like a laptop and a smartphone, at the same time which makes it a seamless process for those working on more than one device at a time like I would for instance.

Design is familiar here and in line with the current portfolio of earbuds which we have recently reviewed which for me is fine, if you are a current user of Jabras line this will fit in well and no learning curves or muscle memory to use the earbuds, we have the SoundPlus app to enhance the listening experience and again this is excellent as expected, as mentioned above the ANC works a treat whilst not the best they are excellent for calls and the most important feature I guess is the audio experience.

Highs lows and mids are fine and the volume is loud enough even for me, we have SBC AAC and aptX codex here which the later people look for these days and for a mid priced pair of earbuds that is good. For music movies and more they do a great job and very centred, on my usual test loop they pass my test which is hours of music videos and movies and I cant complain and for the price paid nor should you. Call also again fine as always with Jabra and if using multiple devices the seamless switching over is a super feature and then we have wireless charging which I have adopted along time ago so they just work for me and perfect for those in a similar environment and in fact can be paired to up to 6 devices

Check the video review for more and check out the app.

 

Features

  • Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
  • 6-microphone call technology with wind noise suppression
  • Powerful 6mm speakers for goosebump-inducing, heart-racing, soaring sound
  • Customizable EQ and Spotify Tap Playback
  • Up to 7 hours play time with ANC on (up to 28 hours with wireless charging case)
  • Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio
  • Google Assistant and Alexa Built In for hands-free assistance on-the-go
  • Easy pairing with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair
  • Bluetooth Multipoint keeps you connected to two devices at once
  • IP55-rated protection against dust and water

BUY
Video Review

Tech Review – Instax Square Link smartphone printer

The FUJIFILM Instax Square link is another addition to their popular range of smartphone printers whereby users can actually hold a photograph in their hand not long after it has been taken, the days of sending off your camera prints are long gone it seems and is a nice throwback to how things were done back in the day only better with just a few seconds to wait to hold the photo in your hand, I have loads of these dotted around the house and some of them framed having tested many of their printers and love it.

The latest model is no different and has some new features like AR prints which you can see how it works in the video review and also a sample there in the header image it is really cool and can add some flair to the bog standard photos which this machine also does.

You can also share images to others via the Connect feature which can be then edited or kept as is which again is a handy tool for some, speaking of tools there is plenty inside the app to get creative as before which is fun and you can really add some cool effects to your image taken or what’s already on your smartphone and it is a clean easy to use UI and everyone should have no issues navigating the menu but we show you this also in the video below if you have not seen previous reviews.

The printer is portable and robust and can fit in a bag or big pocket and the battery life is decent too and makes it a great gadget to bring out to take photos and create real memories which you can then edit and more and have that photo in your hand rather than all over social media.

Key features of SQUARE Link include:

AR (Augmented Reality) Print: 

SQUARE Link offers the ability to add Augmented Reality features to images, including special effects, text, images, background colours, doodles, and animations. A QR code printed on the photo unlocks the augmented reality content that users can then view on and around their print by simply scanning the code with their Smartphone to see the effects in action.

INSTAX Connect:

Using the SQUARE Link App, the INSTAX Connect feature allows users to share INSTAX images digitally by selecting a smartphone image, adding text content and/or effects, and sending it to any connected device (i.e. smartphone, tablet, etc.). Users can add text to their images and get text responses sent back directly on the image. Recipients who are also SQUARE Link users can even print a copy of the image with or without the text included.

Ability to customize your INSTAX prints with Image Modes, Design Frames, and Stickers

Like all products in the INSTAX Link Smartphone printer line-up, SQUARE Link includes a variety of frame templates, digital stickers, and print mode options that allow the image maker to creatively enhance the image. Users can choose between two print mode options – INSTAX-Rich Mode for deep, enhanced colours and INSTAX-Natural Mode for a more classic look. Smartphone images can also be enhanced with artistic filters or by adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation of the image. Users of SQUARE Link also can combine up to nine pictures into a single INSTAX print collage via the collage feature of the App.

Lightweight Portability and Speed 

Compact, lightweight, and finished with a striped texture, SQUARE Link transfers an image from the user’s smartphone and commences printing in about 12 seconds, supports continuous printing, and is capable of printing about 100 INSTAX prints per charge seamlessly via Bluetooth.

For more information about the INSTAX SQUARE LINK, visit https://INSTAX.ie/printers/square-link

Video Review

Tech Review – Bose QC 45 headphones

Bose have been a popular brand here in Ireland and with a range of headphones and earphones there is a selection of products for everyone but the most prominent pair of headphones for the brand has been the QC 35 which many reviewers raved about, I have not owned a pair of the QC 35 but did try them for a day and they were quite impressive it has to be said so how does the latest pair of cans hold up and in general how are they and are they worth the money, well lets have a look..

The presentation is good so that is a good start and you can see the unboxing and full review below to see more but the product itself is really nice and feels solid and I do like the colour we have here although over time I would be interested to see if this fades or gets dirty but so far so good and I always take case of my earbuds and headphones using the cases provided which is probably why I get good distance with my huge collection..

They are comfortable very comfortable and light and can be worn for hours on end with no issues and for me that is great as I tend to watch alot of movies and listen to music at home and on the go and it is part of my daily routine with the amount of earbuds I test every day of the week.

The cups are super comfortable as is the headband and they sit nicely on the ears and block out pretty much all the outside world when on the head. there is a ratchet style extension arm each side which is made of plastic and metal the entire headset is mostly plastic but solid.

Ok so onto the app and here is where I get pissed off straight away with the amount of information they require however this is now becoming a common feature with headphones and earbuds and over time I can see this getting on peoples nerves and perhaps move to other products but it is common today and Bose are not the only ones looking for TMI to use a product you pay big money for as is..

 

The app is easy to use and all you require is present inside for you to use the headphones along with the physical buttons on the cans themselves. Again we go through this in the video review below it is a simple straight forward process overall and you will be up and running in no time, you can access your voice assistant, skip and reverse tracks, higher and lower the volume and control your calls, all is good here.

How do they sound then.. Well good as a whole and depending on your personal taste there was some overlapping in certain songs from my playlists overall good but the volume not the loudest for me, I like my music loud and have louder headphones but again this is personal. For music in general and movies they provide a decent balance and great vocals and direction so for anyone who is in the market and not an audiophile looking for new cans they are worth the look.

Are they worth the price? No in short, Bose like other brands have a fan-base but in this day and age there is great value costing less and more of it we have seen this with earbuds and headphones no different. The Bose QC 45 are widely available for 349 euros.

Video Review

 

Tech Review – Creative Pebble Pro speakers

The Creative Pebble Pro speakers are certainly something to look at if you are one to spend all day at your pc and more, they would also make an ideal gift for a tech fan in your life or even something just for you, The design is familiar and the colour in which we have to review is quite nice and neutral with the controls on one side which is handy and you can also pop in wired headphones if you wish but then again we have got Bluetooth 5.3 on board here which is the latest. The 45 degree angle delivers the sound where it should be going and unlike your TV which is mostly downward firing and your laptop up ward firing this sends the audio the right direction to make it more immersive and give you a better audio experience no matter if it is gaming music or even movies you might be doing on your PC.

Small and portable these can be moved into any room in the house which I like and the colour too as it is simple to keep clean, the build and design is robust and will last and overall looks well with simple controls on one side which allows you to change the volume the RGB lights and pair a new device so simplicity is another key factor here.

With the longer cable provided this can be used for almost any set up unlike mine which is on the small side but I do have two areas at home where I work. When it comes to the sound they sound great and better than before with more bass more volume and better direction but check the video below for more.

Features 

  • A wide array of connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology, 3.5mm AUX-in port, USB-C port for audio streaming and power

  • Headphone and microphone ports to transform the Pebble Pro as a convenient communications tool, or for late-night private listening

  • Series signature 45-degree elevated angle for optimal audio projection to users’ ears

  • Long wire (1.8m / 5.9 ft) connecting both speakers; offers more flexibility in placement

  • Long USB-C cable (1.5m / 4.92 ft) for connection to the computer

The Creative Pebble Pro is priced at € 79.99, £ 65.99, US$59.99 and is available at Creative.com.

Buy – www.creative.com/PebblePro.

Video Review

Tech Review – HHOGene GPods

The HHOGene Gpods are a first of its kind and it is what we like to do here and recently we have reviewed another brand which had a similar first of its kind product with their outer casing and sci-fi based and it gave consumers something different over the industry standard today which is boring but it is what it is and it is hard to come up with new ideas keeping the cost down and giving someone totally different. As is we have most manufactures of earbuds etc giving us a refreshed model each year with some design hues kept from previous iterations and it works for most and is fine with me being honest it is how the tech cycle works.

Yes we do get these random new products into market they either succeeded or fail and go on to make more products and again we have worked with companies before that have succeeded still today with new products each year and so on. We have worked with many kickstarter and indiegogo tech products and this latest one is something to take note of..

The presentation is great to start with as you would have seen here in the full unboxing experience so that gets a thumbs up to start with so how does it go after that is what people want to know and how they sound as well as look..

These are comfortable to wear and fit really well in the ears with small stems however the stems is where it is at with how they work and are controlled via an app which allows you to pick from a selection of colours or even create your own we go through all that in the video review below anyway..

Yes they are comfortable to wear with a good seal and as always ensure you have the right tips to get the best results. So how do they sound and is a light show enough to attract the buyers?

So lets talk about the app, the app is really well done it has to be said and again we look at this below in the review in detail and it has many features, there is some features lacking that hopefully can be added later such as an EQ setting and volume control however after that it is quite good and gives you a preview also of shell types and can adjust some settings for the controls, there is no voice assistant access present as yet.

Artificial Intelligence with algorithmic capabilities allow for arranging photos and analysing the colour ratios found in stored photo images. Colours for each pixel point in an image are sorted in order to calculate colour blocks. These blocks are transformed into light which is then projected in colorful style from each earbud.

How do they sound then. These are powered by 10 mm drivers, they are balanced well with some bass thrown in but with no EQ you cant control the music to your requirements but they sound good out of the box and this can be addressed with third party apps but I find them useless being honest, there is no volume control or voice assistant access and limited controls all of which can be changed by software which i would like to see but for a pair of earbuds thy sound good and overall do a good job and by no means sound cheap. The ANC is ok and there is many more settings to customise them to an extent. Battery life is around 3 hours even with the light show on and again this could be also used as a safety feature in the dark mornings and evenings. You also have fast charge where 10 mins will give you two hours use.

Overall here this is something new giving a complete new aesthetic look to earbuds which have become boring looking now and it is a new design that could and most likely will be repeated by others, combining great looks and a decent audio experience I hope to see more in the future from the company and some updates on their app.

BUY

Video review

 

Tech Review – Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X soundbar

Creative over the years have had many soundbars which we have tried and tested and recently I have a private viewing of what other soundbars they have and they keep upping their game, A soundbar for me is essential as the speakers in your TV are in general rubbish and downward firing which still today is funny knowing it will not give the user the full effect unless hung on a wall, most have their TV sat on a unit and the sound goes nowhere nor gives you a real experience, now some TVs are good and do give you a decent audio experience but for the most it is rubbish and I have always had a soundbar regardless and mostly for Creative.

This bad boy is targeted for the gamer but lets not forget audio is important no matter be it a movie or a game session and this covers them all, not only that as a general speaker you can connect your phone and blow the floorboards out of it and enjoy superb sound too. So in short this latest package is not just restricted to the gamer but for the whole audio experience in general after my testing and audio has been a key feature for me many years now investing in home cinema packages before I got into the tech review scene and so on and most people will note this involves wires all over the place which is annoying.

Not the case today though with how tech has moved on, you do not need huge speakers or subwoofers and cables all over the place along with satellite speakers in all corners followed by wires things have advanced and there is also wireless options at hand for those who want them.

There are various connectivity options to choose from, including HDMI ARC and optical ports, wireless Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C port for USB audio support, 3.5mm AUX-in and SXFI-out for certified Super X-Fi products. This versatile soundbar is compatible with desktops and consoles alike, including PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

This soundbar retains the familiar sound signature of a high-end Sound Blaster, delivering hi-fidelity multichannel audio via the acclaimed tri-amplified Xamp technology, where Creative’s proprietary multi-core DSP controller powers the tweeters, mid-range and subwoofer drivers individually. Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, an award-winning technology which recreates the soundstage of a high-end multi-speaker system in headphones, is perfect for late-night game binges without disturbing the neighbors. If you do get your hands on one you should try it with headphones too as it is immersive and you have access to the app as mentioned

Overall this is a must have for the home be it for gaming movies music and more and check the video below on how it operates and sounds, go get one if you want superb sound with the RGB factor thrown in for good measure.

BUY 

Video