Tag: #gadgets

Top 5 Portable Gaming Gadgets for 2022

We are living through a golden era for gaming on the go. From full blown handheld consoles to versatile smartphones, gamers can enjoy a wealth of experiences across a range of form factors.

Of course not all portable gaming gadgets are created equal, so here are the top contenders to take for a spin in 2022.

Nintendo Switch OLED

The Switch is fast becoming one of the best selling consoles of all time, and the recent hardware refresh which added an OLED screen in place of the older LCD panel is much appreciated.

While the power under the skin is much lower than other consoles, the portability combined with the quality of the first party games is hard to match. There’s also ample support for third party titles, whether you’re into arcade classics or modern shooters.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

One of the world’s most powerful mobile devices, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the pinnacle of what can be achieved in the smartphone space right now, and has received rave reviews as a result.

It’s got enough grunt to make light work of even the most demanding gaming experiences, and being an Android-based handset it also supports every other conceivable format of play you could imagine. So whether you’re into online first person shooters, or you want to spin the reels at some of the best Irish casinos in the market, this Samsung flagship has got you covered.

The price is the main downside, but on the right pay monthly contract it becomes more manageable as an option.

Realme GT 2

You might not have heard of mobile brand Realme, but its latest release is definitely going to help it make its mark, thanks to the sheer value for money it represents.

For gaming, the 6.6 inch QHD screen is a welcome inclusion. And with the Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it is no slouch in the number-crunching department either.

Add in the hefty 5000mAh battery, and it’s easy to be impressed by just how much bang for your buck you get with this wallet-friendly phone.

Soundpeats Free2 Classic Earbuds

The name may be a bit of a mouthful, but we loved the cost-conscious Free2 Classic Earbuds from Soundpeats. And for gaming on the go, where you don’t want to disturb other people with the audio from your interactive entertainment, having wireless audio accessories like this to hand is essential.

Don’t expect market-leading sound quality, but also don’t be fooled into thinking that because these are affordable earbuds, they’ll also be unable to deliver a decent experience. Compared with equivalent budget products, they are a breath of fresh air, and with bonuses like integrated touch controls and Bluetooth call support, they’re good for more than just gaming.

Razer Kishi

If you are a fan of the idea of the Switch, but you don’t want to carry around a portable console as well as your smartphone, then the Kishi controller accessory from Razer is a good investment.

This is a tried and tested solution for adding physical controls to a touchscreen device, and it adds in a pair of analogue sticks, a D-pad, face and shoulder buttons to transform the way you can play.

Versions of the Kishi for both iOS and Android devices are available, but compatibility is not universal, so do check carefully to see if your phone is supported.

So with 2022 well underway, now’s the perfect time to gear up on portable gaming gadgets, and as you can see there are options in all price points.

Fall in love with these his and her gadgets this Valentine’s Day. #Tech #ValentinesDay

With just over two weeks until Valentine’s Day, the challenge is on for lovers across the UK and Ireland to find the perfect gift for their partners. Here is a selection of tech gadget and accessory gift suggestions for shoppers searching for the perfect presents – no matter who you are buying for. Ranging from £9.99 to £54.99, including stylish cases for mobile devices and headphones, there’s a special gift for everyone.

Groov-e Stylish & Fashionable iPhone 6/7/8 Plus Case – Marble with Heart

Price: £9.99  Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

This stylish and fashionable case is the perfect gift for romantics on Valentine’s Day with its heart shape design. With precision cut outs for ports and buttons, this stylish case also offers scratch protection plus it also supports wireless charging (iPhone 8 Plus only).

Groov-e EarMOJI headphones

Price: £9.99 Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

These fun stereo earphones with their cute heart emoji’s design are perfect if you are looking for a small token gift for your loved one. With a comfortable fit, they are ideal for use with smartphones or tablets. There’s also six great designs to choose from including ‘heart eyes’ and ‘kissing face’.

Groov-e Ultra wireless charging Bluetooth headphones (Gold)
Price: £34.99
Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

Reviewed –  https://techbuzzireland.com/2020/01/05/tech-review-the-groov-e-ultra-headphones-with-wireless-charging-headphones-tech/


The sleek Groov-e Ultra Bluetooth headphones would make a great Valentine’s Day gift for music lovers. Available in black or gold, the Ultra headphones are affordable at just £34.99 yet feature the latest technology. Bluetooth 5.0 and 40mm drivers deliver high quality sound with dynamic bass making them perfect for listening to music or watching videos. Completely free from cables, they also support wireless charging.

Twelve South AirSnap Pro

Price: £34.99

Available from: www.amazon.co.uk

A premium leather case accessory designed to protect Apple’s AirPods Pro noise-cancelling earbuds while offering convenient carrying and charging options. The stylish AirSnap Pro is the ideal gift for those wanting to protect their shiny white AirPods Pro wireless charging case from scratches and scuffs. Offering more than just protection, it also allows users to charge the earbuds and case wirelessly using their favourite Qi-certified wireless charger or via a Lightning cable.

Groov-e Light Curve

Price: £39.99

Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

 

Help your loved one start their day a little easier with the Groov-e Light Curve wake-up light, alarm and radio. The light, which mimics natural daylight, will come on at the selected time, starting off gently and gradually getting brighter until it’s at the optimum level to help rouse sleepy-heads up – better than a Valentine’s breakfast in bed.

Additionally, for those who have trouble going to sleep, the sunset stimulation mimics the end of the daylight, helping users ease into a relaxing light as they head into slumber.

If your other half likes to read or you need the light on darker mornings to get ready without waking anyone else, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. And for those who want to create more of an atmosphere, one of the seven coloured mood lighting options can be selected.

Twelve South BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite

Price: £49.99                                                                                                      

Available from: Amazon.co.uk

The BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite is a vintage inspired, one-of-a-kind case designed to protect Amazon’s latest e-reader. Enhancing the joy of reading, BookBook transforms the Kindle Paperwhite into what looks and feels like an elegant, leather-bound hardcover book. Made from hand-distressed, genuine leather which is different and unique on every BookBook, the case even features an integrated folding kickstand that props up the Kindle Paperwhite for hands-free reading, perfect for those bookworms who want to finish a chapter over breakfast or lunch. The BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite is the ideal gift for anyone who takes their personal library everywhere.

Twelve South PowerPic

Price: From £59.99  Available from: www.very.co.uk

The perfect Valentine’s gift for him or her, the PowerPic is a beautiful picture frame and Qi wireless charger in one. Modern and stylish and crafted from the finest New Zealand pine, the frame blends seamlessly into any home or office décor, making it ideal to display favorite photos on a desk, bedside table or shelf. Getting rid of ugly cables or docks, the PowerPic doubles up as a Qi wireless charger – just set any Qi-compatible phone inside the frame to start charging. PowerPic holds any 5” x 7” photo and is available in black or white.

Twelve South accessories for this Christmas’s hottest gadgets. #TwelveSouth #Apple #Tech

Smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles… Gadgets are now among the most sought after gifts on Christmas wish lists for adults and children alike. Recent research found parents will apparently spend €1000 on tech gifts this year with the PS5 and Nintendo Switch being the most wanted gifts.

If you’re buying a gift for one of those lucky enough to receive a hot new gadget from Santa, or you’re on the ‘nice’ list yourself, Twelve South has a fantastic selection of products to accessorise, charge and protect this year’s most sought after gadget gifts.

AirFly Pro – best for Nintendo Switch and AirPods Max RRP: £49.99

Buy from Amazon  

Available in black and white. REVIEWED HERE

This nifty adaptor allows users to pair their Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite with their favourite pair of Bluetooth headphones for an improved audio experience that doesn’t disturb others. The AirFly Pro connects wireless headphones or earbuds that would otherwise be incompatible with the Switch, for an immersive gaming experience free from wires at home or on-the-go. AirFly Pro also lets users stream audio to two sets of headphones, which works well for local multiplayer games. The AirFly Pro is self-powered too, so it won’t drain the Switch’s battery.

AirFly Pro also allows users to wirelessly connect their brand new AirPods Max to devices typically only accessible via a headphone jack, such as gym equipment and in-flight entertainment. Now users can continue to enjoy the outstanding audio from their AirPods Max completely free from wires wherever they are.

AirSnap Pro – best for AirPods Pro

RRP: £34.99

Buy from Amazon UK

Available in slate blue, cognac, black

House that new precious pair of AirPods Pro in this stylish leather case to protect them from damage and dust. Uses simply place their Airpods Pro and charging case inside, to charge them wirelessly or via lightning cable. The handy S-clip, which can be attached to coats, bags, keys and more, is ideal for anyone who is known for ‘misplacing’ things… There is even a nylon wristlet included to offer another way of keeping Airpods Pro safe. Made from premium top-grain leather and available in three different colours slate blue, cognac and black, the AirSnap Pro is a fashionable way to keep AirPods Pro safe.

BookBook case – best for Kindle Paperwhite and iPad

RRP: £49.99 (Kindle), £89.99 (iPad)

Buy Kindle Paperwhite case from Amazon UK

Buy iPad case from Amazon UK

Kindle has transformed the way we read books, but avid readers can often be heard saying that it can’t be compared to reading a real book… The BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite, gives readers the feel of reading a print book on their digital device. Made with beautiful distressed vintage leather, the case mimics the feel of an ancient book and spine that one might discover in a traditional library while offering useful modern features. The integrated kick-stand gives users a hands-free reading option, ideal for reading over breakfast or lunch. The BookBook case is also available for iPhone, iPad and MacBook models, making a whole library of book themed gadgets possible!

BookBook for iPhone 12 and 12 Pro

RRP: $69.99

Compatible with iPhone 12/12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 mini

Buy from TwelveSouth.com

Give Apple’s latest flagship phones a vintage twist with the BookBook for iPhone 12. Hand crafted from distressed full-grain leather, the BookBook wallet case turns one of the world’s most modern smartphones into a gorgeous ancient book. Keep the new Apple Card as well as other credit and membership cards safe with the wallet section or separate the magnetic shell to keep the phone protected while using it in the gym or docked in a car holder. The case also folds to serve as a viewing stand so users can watch their favourite movies and TV shows while on the move.

BookBook for MacBook

RRP: £95.70

Compatible models: 12 inch Macbook, 13 Inch Pro USB-C / Air Retina, 13 Inch Pro USB-C / Air Retina, 16 Inch MacBook

Available from Amazon UK

BookBook is the iconic MacBook case that makes a statement wherever it goes, the hand-crafted full grain leather cases giving MacBooks the appearance of a vintage book. The vol 2 edition is refined and tailored exclusively for the USB-C MacBooks with a slim silhouette and a strong, crush-resistant spine, with the added bonus of a hidden portfolio pocket to carry printed reports, swatch samples, contracts and so on. Not only does this case protect MacBooks while not in use, it can also be used as an outer shell while in use too, ideal for protection while on transport and in cafes.

SuitCase – best for MacBook

RRP: £79.99

Available from Amazon UK Compatible models: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

A thoughtful gift for Apple lovers who have a MacBook Air or Macbook Pro. Available in two sizes (13in and 16in), SuitCase boasts many features that are designed to protect precious Macbooks from scratches, bumps, water damage and more. The quilted signature diamond pattern exterior and thermoform shell securely hold and protect the MacBook inside. Inside, there is a small pocket ideal for carrying a small notebook or cable. With a slim design and a recessing leather handle, the SuitCase will fit comfortably into a work bag or backpack.

Users can also work on their MacBook without removing it from the SuitCase, again helping to keep it in pristine condition. Twelve South’s innovative suspension system holds the SuitCase securely against the MacBook without interfering with its display.

It’s ideal for professionals and creatives who enjoy taking their Macbooks for trips to coffee shops and the office or far-flung business trips and holidays.

Review – Lost universe accessories to brighten up the room or studio. #LostUniverse #Tech

Lost universe recently launched in the UK which offers tech and gaming gadgets to people and at good prices they recently sent us two to check out and they are a PS4 controller light and the ON AIR neon sign which can brighten things up in the house of if you have a little studio.

ON AIR NEON WALL SIGN..

You can transform any room into your very own recording studio with this Neon on Air Wall Sign.

When switched on this wall light will glow bright red which could indicate that you do not want to be disturbed. It is also a great way to decoate a make-shift recording room.

Add some character to your room with this stunning wall light that will illuminate your room. This would also make the perfect gift for anyone aiming to be a studio owner or radio host.

BUY

Sony Playstation DS4 Controller Icon Desk Light

This icon light is a scaled-down version of a PlayStation 4 DualShock (DS4) controller. Designed with details that stay true to the famous PlayStation hand-held device which is known and loved around the world. The light is decorated with the triangle, circle, square and X symbols plus the PlayStation logo on the stand which when pressed illuminates the controller with bright white light. A great piece of gaming memorabilia, it makes the perfect gift for any PlayStation fan or gamer. Powered by 2x AAA batteries (not included) so you can place the light anywhere in your home, gaming den or brighten up your desk at the office.

BUY

Lost universe sent us these to review with no compensation,influence or pre approval of my thoughts.

 

 

Could You be Sitting on a Gadget Goldmine? #Tech #Gadgets #CurrysPcWorld

Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ can be easier said than done and looking back at the good old days can be a nice reprieve from the realities of the pandemic. The past is very present in our culture, including in the TV shows we watch (such as Stranger Things and Hollywood), memorabilia we keep hold of from way back when, and the resurfacing of “Throwback Thursday” photos. It is clear we are a nostalgic nation.

A recent study by Currys PC World sent to us surveyed 2042 UK residents to unearth why the nation loves to reminisce on days gone by. From what decade we miss the most and how nostalgia makes us feel, to who yearns for the past the most, we reveal it all. Like me there is many collectors out there and I have one of the biggest collection of NOKIA devices in Europe and have other collectibles in mobile phones too but you could have something worth a few quid in your drawer and perhaps now might be a time to check, let us know what you have.

 

 

Old is the new “new”: Nostalgia can be your next side hustle 

Even in today’s digital age, vintage gadgets can remind us of a time when life was as simple as the technology in our phones, games consoles, and music devices. And thanks to this nostalgia, you can make money selling vintage technology, on the basis they are in working condition. When it comes to buying vintage gadgets, people are willing to spend more money on older generations of phones (34%), followed by music devices (32%) and gaming consoles (21%).

Those old mobiles sitting in your drawer gathering dust may also be gathering interest. Currys PC World looked at some of the classic mobile phones and found that the Motorola DynaTac has increased in value by 147% between 1983 and 2020. The original iPhone has also appreciated in value by 264% between 2003 and 2020. We wanted to know who is willing to pay the most for vintage gadgets and here’s what was found:

·         Over a fifth (21%) of top-tier earners are willing to pay more money for vintage record players than the latest technology

·         Women are willing to pay more (30%) for mid-generation phones than men (27%)

·         28% of mid-tier earners sell their items on to make more money

·         Over 1 in 10 people are willing to spend more money on mid-generation games consoles than the latest technology

·         35% of people aged 55+ are willing to pay out for mid-generation phones

The most nostalgic city in the U.K.  

The nation is full of idiosyncrasies and it turns out that opinions on nostalgia are no different, as how we reminisce differs from city to city across Britain. Londoners love the most up-to-date games consoles (33%) and are willing to pay a higher price for it. Whereas Bristol, Birmingham and Plymouth (13%) are willing to spend more on vintage games consoles. When it comes to the most missed decades, Belfast longs for the 80s the most (47%) but Leeds (30%) and Liverpool (38%) miss the 60s the most. Sheffield residents miss the 90s (26%)– the decade that Spice Girls found international stardom – the most.

·         Norwich residents are the most nostalgic in the U.K. (59%)

·         Newcastle residents are the least nostalgic (11%)

·         Southampton residents get the most stressed when thinking about the past (8%)

·         Plymouth is a city of technology hoarders, as 43% keep their vintage technology

·         30% of Edinburgh residents give their technology away

The battle of the sexes: Women are more nostalgic than men  

Reminiscing is a very personal experience and impacts some people more so than others. There are all sorts of things that can trigger nostalgia and bring on a whole host of emotions too. According to the research, it turns out that vintage games consoles are three times (14%) more likely to trigger nostalgia in men than women (4%), which could explain why they are almost twice as likely (12%) to buy them than women. Music, films and chatting to family are most likely to trigger feelings of nostalgia in women.

·         Music triggers nostalgia in women (60%) more than men (50%)

·         Men (6%) feel more stressed than women when reminiscing (3%)

·         Men are twice as likely (14%) to see nostalgia as an avoidance of the present than women (7%)

More information on the study can be found here: https://techtalk.currys.co.uk/gadgets/mobile-phones/nostalgia-why-britain-loves-to-look-back/

Methodology

Survey data was collected through Censuswide with 2042 participants across the U.K. All mobile phone value data was based on the original retail price and the highest asking price for a working model on eBay (25/05/2020). Mobile retail price data was sourced from:

·         https://www.knowyourmobile.com/phones/the-history-of-mobile-phones-from-1973-to-2008-the-handsets-that-made-it-all-happen-d58/

·         https://www.oldest.org/technology/cell-phones/

·         https://qz.com/1450916/how-much-every-apple-iphone-costs-today/

Whether it’s because of the music, the fashion or the simpler technology, looking back to a bygone era is a popular pastime for the nation. With the right SIM-free phone, it’s easy to enjoy the simplicity of the past without getting lockdown with expensive contracts.