mophie powerstation plus mini review

The mophie powerstation plus mini is a portable premium looking charging bank with 5000mAh of juice packed inside and looks really neat and will fir in any pocket and travel bag.

With a short cable built in you will not have to worry about loosing a cable again which is another handy feature here and the cable is also braided which makes it look better and will be better in the long run.

With the second charging port on the device you can use a second cable to charge two devices at once which is hand for those on the go or just to have at your office desk.

Given they target the Apple product here this works on other USB-C enabled devices such as Android phones earbuds and tablets and we have tested all in the video review down below.

I have tested many powerbanks over the years and this is the most premium one to date that would suit any individual who is worried about their battery running out on their phone or even earbuds as they are the two most popular products we carry with us today and it is ideal for those people and more and affordable and looks premium too.

 

The powerstation plus is your superfast charging solution that fits almost any Apple device. The integrated cables offer up to 20W of PD power, fast charging your compatible devices at the optimal speed. And the compact, stylish powerstation plus fits in any bag and has a sleek look that complements your Apple accessories.

 

Powerful Battery: Contains 5,000 mAh Battery providing at least 1 full charge to your iPhone.

Built-in USB-C cable, 20W PD output: Up to 20W allows you to charge your iPad, or iPhone using the reinforced, integrated USB-C cable.

Cable Management: Keep your cable neat and tidy, while having a ready-to-go solution

Versatile USB-C PD Port with Pass-Thru Charging: Recharge the powerstation plus or use USB-C port to charge your device with pass-thru charging from the wall to the device.

EnduraFlex™ Silicone: Braided outer cable sheath for durability and premium feel, with silicone interior for flexibility and durability. Soft yet pliable!

Heavy-duty, durable braided cable: Carefully designed cable creates optimized strain relief to ensure a long life at the most common failure point. Tested to survive up to 30,000 bends.

BUY

Other Mophie reviews

Video Review

instax mini Link 3 smartphone printer review

The FUJIFILM instax mini Link 3 smartphone printer has been part of my daily carry some time now and it is the latest addition to their portfolio of products and in fact a great fun piece of tech to bring on holiday, to the pub or to the beach or anywhere for that matter as it is portable and not huge by any stretch and will fit in most bags.

Coming in several colours Sage Green, Clay White, and Rose Pin there is something for everyone to pick from here and like before has a solid sturdy build and is  not heavy, it also ha s a grippy texture to it which makes it easy to hold, there is a USB-C charging port on the side a film tray on the rear and of course a slot up top to eject the photos when printing right there and then.

There is a power key on the left side paired up with the function button, you can reprint photos by pressing the and holding the power button for 1 second but can order up to ten prints per shot as there is only ten in a pack but it will ask to refill if you have more. There is also some nice light effects up front on the device.

Picture quality has improved I think this time around as you will see in the video review with samples vs on device photos and with the options to edit in the app is great, there is also a AR app you can have fun with if that is your thing, it could be seen as a gimmick for some however for others not you will understand more when you play with it and see the premise behind it as it has been used before in shopping scenarios and sizing for example. Your photo will take around 3 minutes to complete which is fun to watch especially for those who never seen such or held a photo in their life with how things are today.

The battery is decent and will easily see you through 80 prints not that you would be shooting off that many prints in one sitting however this still means you can charge it up and if taking out and about there is plenty of charge on board and also they have ditched the micro USB for USB-C this time thankfully.

Overall again a cool product to have and get creative with some upgrades and useful apps to use, the cost of the film though again is a small caveat however this is something one can overcome by holding an actual photo after printing it there and then and can make a nice photo wall or frame from the results.

The Instax App

Instax MIni Link App techbuzzireland

 

Instax Mini LInk App – techbuzzireland

Instax Air Studio 

Instax Air Studio Techbuzzireland
Instax Air Studio techbuzzireland

 

instax UP! Smartphone App Update

Fujifilm also announced an update to its free, downloadable instax UP! App. An App designed for instax users to digitally scan, import, organize, and store their photos in one place, regardless of which Fujifilm instax instant film, camera or printer product they use.  The latest addition to the instax UP! App is the introduction of “instax Days”, a new calendar function where your scanned-in instax photos are automatically dated and added to a calendar. Users know the date of key moments instantly, as well as can modify dates.

Fujifilm’s instax mini Link 3 instant photo printer will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of EUR 130.00 (incl. VAT). Available for purchase across Europe now and Available at Fujifilm stockists nationwide or visit https://www.instax.ie/printers/mini-link-3/

See our other instax reviews 

Video review

Bring fun to life with the new instax mini Link 3 photo printer

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Solutions Division, is set to launch the new instax mini Link 3™ instant photo printer, designed to transform your everyday moments into vibrant, colorful instax™ mini photos. This innovative product, an update to the highly popular instax mini Link 2™ printer, combines cutting-edge technology with playful features, making it the perfect companion for capturing, printing and sharing life’s moments simply in fun & creative ways. 

Available in three on-trend colors – Sage Green, Clay White, and Rose Pink – the textured and easy-to-hold instax mini Link 3™ printer is designed to be as mobile as your smartphone, allowing you to print photos simply and effortlessly from anywhere. Adorned with three unique LED lights on the front to tell you what the printer is doing, this instant photo printer is both functional and stylish. The printer also supports the instax Pal™ digital camera for direct print and features a USB-Type C port for easy charging.

Pricing and Availability:

Fujifilm’s instax mini Link 3™ instant photo printer will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of EUR 130.00 (incl. VAT). It is expected to be available for purchase across Europe on 28th August 2024. Available at Fujifilm stockists nationwide or visit https://www.instax.ie/printers/mini-link-3/

Launching new instax mini film “SPRINKLES”Fujifilm is also thrilled to announce the launch of the new instax™ mini film “SPRINKLES.” Inspired by the new instax AiR Studio™ effects, the film features a colorful sprinkle pattern reminiscent of cakes, ice cream, and other sweets. The silver sprinkles have a metallic sheen that accentuates the design, making the film both colorful, fun and eye-catching.

The SPRINKLES film pairs perfectly with the instax mini Link 3™ printer’s distinctive instax AiR Studio™ and Click to Collage modes, adding that extra touch of fun and creativity to your instant photos.

Pricing and Availability:

The new instaxmini film “SPRINKLES” will be launched on the same date, 28th August 2024, at a manufacturer suggested retail price of EUR 10.50 (incl, VAT). Available at Fujifilm stockists nationwide or visit https://www.instax.ie/film/

instax UP!™ Smartphone App Update

And that’s not it! Fujifilm also announces an update to its free, downloadable instax UP!™ App. An App designed for instax™ users to digitally scan, import, organize, and store their photos in one place, regardless of which Fujifilm instax™ instant film, camera or printer product they use. 

The latest addition to the instax UP!™ App is the introduction of “instax Days™”, a new calendar function where your scanned-in instax™ photos are automatically dated and added to a calendar. Users know the date of key moments instantly, as well as can modify dates.  

The updated instax UP!™ App is available today.

For more product information, visit www.instax.ie

See our other instax reviews

Tech Review – MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds

The MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds are one of their latest earbuds to hit the shelves and have much more to offer than the StreamBuds Solo 1 we recently reviewed here and this time they have access to their app which offers more features.

OK so first thing to note is the packaging which is well presented again and hard to open but joking aside they do give a good presentation to start off with which for me means a lot and it only gets better from there.

The charge case is certainly one that gets a thumbs up for me with a weighty feel to it and also an LED display so you know where you stand with your battery life, this is nothing new however looks well on this case and it good to see, the case have MIXX on top to and the build quality of the case is excellent and has a secure lid and magnets inside to keep the buds secure and the case is made with Zinc Alloy.

These buds have a small stem on them which I prefer and a similar footprint on the earbuds themselves to the Solo 1 so if you are moving from one to the other here there is no real difference when it comes to the feel of them. They are also super light.

Controls
The earbuds have controls which you can take control of via their MIXX Control app which has a nice UI and is simple to use which is a great start and when you open the app first it looks really well with a tiled approach. It is simple to navigate and we go though this in the video review below to show you the features.
Find it:
The App has another useful function which may prove invaluable to many who are constantly misplacing earbuds. Just use ‘find it’ and it will show the last location the Ultra Mini earbuds picked up signal and by pressing the ‘click to play’ button it will produce a noise to help find them.
Clear Voice:
‘Beam-forming’ technology is used to focus the four 4 built-in microphones which pick up more of the voice and less of the surrounding noise, making phone calls sound much clearer. Ideal in a noisy environment, a busy office or for a conference call from home and in my testing the calls do sound great both ends also working with Zoom and Teams.
Sound

The sound is crisp and sharp and overall decent for the price you pay there is no lag latency and no tinny sound when maxed out, they are loud enough for me and overall the audio was good, highs lows and mids fine and all genres tested had no issues to report and anyone that just wants to have a decent pair of earbuds that will not break the bank and a cool case will be happy, they have no ANC on board which is the only gripe for me but other than that they are a worthy pair of earbuds to put on your list.

MIXX Control App

 

Product Features:
  • Robust zinc alloy charge case
  • Customise sound settings with the mixx control app
  • Touch sensor controls – play, pause and more
  • Digital display screen showing battery
  • Hands free calling
  • 6 Hours battery time on single charge
  • 24 Hours total play time with charge case
  • 15 Minute quick charge – 15 mins = 2 hours of play time

BUY

Video Review

MIXX launches its new StreamBuds Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds offering true customisation of sound and touch control at an affordable price

Mixx, known for its premium yet affordable audio solutions, is pleased to introduce the Mixx StreamBuds Ultra Mini True Wireless Earbuds range. They provide the ultimate audio immersion with a beautifully designed, robust zinc alloy charge case and sound settings that are fully customisable via the Mixx Control App. With hands free calling, personalised touch sensor control and quick charge, they are ideal for use when exercising, on a daily commute or on a holiday break. The earbuds are made from a silicon stem design, perfect for those that prefer the more traditional stem design. They come with three sizes of silicon cushions for the perfect fit to make them comfortable enough for all day use. The MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds are available from MIXX in a choice of black gun metal, silver white or champagne for a very affordable RRP of £69.
Personalise EQ sounds and customise controls:
The Ultra Mini earbuds bring customisation to a whole new level and users can now completely change the sound to suit individual personal preference. With the Mixx Control APP, the earphones can be tuned with a simple 10 band graphic equaliser and once the sound is as desired, the earbuds will be programmed instantly with the wearers’ personal sound signature. Offering a truly hassle free experience, this only needs to be done once so, afterwards, the App is not needed, and the sound does not need to be configured again unless any changes are required. It is not only possible to customise the sound but the touch controls too. The fully configurable touch controls allow for complete personalisation of the way the earbuds operate so a user can programme the touch buttons. The touch buttons on the earbuds make controlling music an absolute breeze and users can play and pause, answer or decline calls on the go and activate Google Assistant or Siri with a single touch.
Find it:
The App has another useful function which may prove invaluable to many who are constantly misplacing earbuds. Just use ‘find it’ and it will show the last location the Ultra Mini earbuds picked up signal and by pressing the ‘click to play’ button it will produce a noise to help find them.
Clear Voice:
‘Beam-forming’ technology is used to focus the four 4 built-in microphones which pick up more of the voice and less of the surrounding noise, making phone calls sound much clearer. Ideal in a noisy environment, a busy office or for a conference call from home. 
 
 
Quick charging:
The Ultra Mini earbuds offer 6 hours of playtime on a single charge with the magnetic flip top case adding another 18 hours of charge totaling an impressive 24 hours. In the unlikely event, a wearer runs out of juice, the quick charge feature gives 2 hours of additional playtime in only 15 minutes, so the music never needs to stop. The digital display on the charging case shows the battery status so users know when a recharge is needed. Ideal for long commutes, for holiday travel or to keep the tunes coming all day long.
The MIXX Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds are the ultimate partner for a premium, customisable audio journey and at only £69 offer true value for money too.

Tech Review – AI Huddle Mini light 4K tracking webcam from Coolpo

The camera looked and felt solid, slightly heavier than many used before at 220g, which is relevant when connected to a laptop. The kit came with an effective manual private shutter with a USB Type-C port and white light on when the camera is in use. The included Microphone had a Pickup Range of 6m and was not obtrusive in the form of a camera. The camera is quoted as a 4K Real-Time Auto-Tracking webcam.

 Key features:

  •       Camera   Sensor Resolution  4K
  •       Digital Zoom  4x
  •       Field of View  120°
  •       Focal Length  2.02mm
  •       Aperture 2.5
  •       Encoding Format   H.265, H.264, MJPEG
  •       Resolution   4k 30fps, 2k 30fps, 1080P 30fps, 720P 30fps
  •       Image Noise Reduction  2D&3D Digital   noise reduction
  •       Microphone  Electret Microphone  Pickup Range 6m
  •       USB Protocol
  •       Operating System  Windows WIN 10 or above MacOS macOS 10.10 and above

 

 Compatibility :

 

 

Setup and use,

The software is standard in terms of download from https://www.coolpo.io/resources/download-coolpotools  with options for Mac or Windows. This was used on a Windows laptop which resulted in a Microsoft firewall wanting to block the installation and a separate Antivirus package doing similar. ( the software was double-checked, but no instances of any risks were noted rather a compatibility  related to anti-virus software )

The kit works directly from the box by plugging into the USB port on the laptop, but the Coolpotools software allows advanced features in terms of turning the AI  on / off.  This included the  Frame Master (Group and Individual Mode) and Division Master with 4K video conference solutions and a 120-degree Field of View (FOV).

 

Warranty 1 year

Conclusion:

The kit came in a nice packing with the key features displayed on the box. The supplied setup guide was clear and concise, while the manual on testing on a Windows laptop did not allow the downloading of the manuals, the software Coolpotoolsetup download caused 2 separate anti-virus packages to pop warning messages; both were found to be a false alarm which may need the manufacturers to work with the software vendors. The software was easy to set up and use and gave an extra multitude of features.

Typically, many manufacturers use the term AI in their software with little to show what it does.  The AI Huddle Mini light had a WOW feeling to the AI option when tested on the screen to move around the room and attempts to trick the software using the face of a teddy bear; this clearly distinguished the difference and had the faster response time I have seen on other webcams. The audio was surprisingly good, having used it at a distance from the unit on numerous calls.

Overall a pleasure to use; while there are slight niggles on the website, testing of the software and the lack of a carry case if carrying in a laptop bag etc., The AI  4 x Digital Zoom 4K@30fps  Real-Time Auto-Tracking webcam has been the best / fastest camera I have seen to follow the presenter on a call; Group Framing was good with the adjustable microphone pickup with a range of 6m to provide noticeable audio quality.

BUY –   https://store.coolpo.io/products/coolpo-ai-huddle-mini-lite

Video Review 

Tech Review – Xiaomi Mi Vacuum Cleaner Mini (EU)

Portable Vacuum devices are kinda popular these days and we have reviewed some here before on the site and they do a good job and can be used at home or in the car, this model here can be used for both and most geared towards your car in my opinion and it will not be as strong as a convention hoover you would have in your house.

That being said it has enough power to clean up a mess really quickly in a hurry and get the most of it up and is ideal for removing dust from shelves and so on, even more it is great for cleaning you keys on your computer which is where I spend much of my time and it can get grubby with crumbs and other bits of food which is a habit I need to drop but now this little guy is here to save the days o that habit may not change after all..

This is a simple to use and clean product and very portable and is charged with USB-C which is good to see and you get two parts inside the box to get to work straight away, the top simply flips open and you can empty the tray and the job is done without getting your hands dirty, the filter comes in two parts and can also be removed and washed so you can use it again and again though over time it might be an idea to change the inner filter as the outer one prevents big particles getting in and the inside on stops the particles, it is a clever set-up.

You will get about 30 mins use out of it (10 continuous) which is not bad considering its size and it can be stored anywhere, even in your car glove box and can be charged via your own charger inside your car via the cable provided. So for me it is handy to have it and will most likely stay in one of my vehicles here not worried about having to move it into the home either for doing the more delicate dusting jobs.

It is not as quite like most hoovers are and it’s not the loudest either from what I have tested before and in fact quieter than the previous ones reviewed. Overall it is a handy little gadget to have at your disposal and looks great to as when people first seen it here they could not figure out what it was until I revealed the details on the bottom of the box..

Features

  • Vacuum Cleaner 30W
  • Tank capacity: 100 ml
  • Battery: 2000 mAh
  • Washable HEPA filter

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Soundpeats Mini Pro HS

The Soundpeats Mini Pro HS are one of the latest affordable earbuds on offer from the company and after some time testing them they deliver on sound and has access to their app which is excellent and helps the consumer get more for their money and at this price point having an app is not seen too often and there is a notable difference in sound with the EQ settings in the app whilst most at this price do not offer much of a notable difference between profiles.

The earbuds are a comfortable fit and sit well in the ears and as always it is best you select the right sized tips to get the maximum effect from your earbuds. Again the controls  here are excellent and work well and I have said before Soundpeats have done a great job here with the touch controls and have seemed to nailed it again in comparison to others at this price.

The design is familiar and the build is robust housed in plastic however all round they look well and feel solid and do the job they set out to do here. The controls work really well and you can see more of this and the app in the video review below..

The case as seen in the video is also really cool with a pebble like shape offering decent battery life for the earbuds which are small offering up to 28Hrs of use in total, in real life terms this is slightly less when tested on max volume which is how I like o use my earbuds or headphones.

You also get ANC here and when on it will hit the battery life but the ANC is quite good too and fair at this price point, with the 10mm drivers on board they certainly deliver excellent sound and not forgetting the app also helps the performance overall with no lag latency noted at all and overall and excellent listening experience be it for music or movies put you pretty much central and speaking of latency none was noted for gaming either as you have the option to turn on/off the game mode which makes these an excellent all round pair of earbuds for those who listen to music or is into gaming.The SoundPeats Mini Pro HS supports LDAC codec and is Hi-Res certified so you are getting a really good bargain here for the price of the earbuds and they are certainly worth a look, I would like more colours going forward but after that there is not much to complain about here..

The App

Overall here the Soundpeats Mini Pro HS deliver on sound no matter what genre and pumps out some real bass and with the EQ app you are in control to fine tune them to your own needs.. See the video review for more.

Features 

    • Hi-Res Audio & LDAC Codec Tech
    • 10mm Driver for Immersive Bass
    • 40dB Hybrid ANC& Clear Call with 6 mics
    • 4.9g Ultra Light& In-ear Ergonomic Design
    • 8 Hrs Single Playtime &28H Full Playtime

Video Review

First LOOK – Fujifilm INSTAX MINI 12 Instant Camera and the new INSTAX UP App!

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Division, has launched the new INSTAX MINI 12 Instant Camera (hereinafter “MINI 12”). Built with all the best bits of the popular INSTAX MINI instant camera series in mind, plus impressive upgrades, MINI 12 combines a fun aesthetic and enhanced features in a camera designed to fill the world with joy.

With its inflated, bubble design, MINI 12 carries over the main features of the most recent INSTAX MINI 11 Instant Camera (launched in 2020), including Close-Up/Selfie Mode and Auto Exposure adjustment capabilities, but also features a new Parallax Correction feature, in which the camera’s viewfinder aligns with the lens when using Close-Up Mode, reducing object shifts, resulting in a centered photo. MINI 12 also features automatic flash control, which helps create beautiful images in both bright or low-light situations. Its updated lens structure provides intuitive steps for both powering the camera on and off and accessing the popular Close-Up/Selfie Mode with a simple twist of the lens.

“The INSTAX MINI series has long been an incredibly popular choice to introduce the fun of instant cameras to photography lovers, old and new, thanks to its playful design, ease of use, and affordable price,” said Shin Udono, Senior Vice President, Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM Europe.  “MINI 12 takes this series to the next level with an iconic bubble design that pops with joy and creativity. How you see the world is shaped by the lens you see it through, and MINI 12 brings users a new unique perspective.”

Five exciting colorways

MINI 12 will be available in Blossom Pink, Mint Green, Clay White, Lilac Purple, and Pastel Blue. It is expected to be available from 16th March 2023 at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of €90.00. The INSTAX MINI 12 will be available for purchase at FUJIFILMI stockists nationwide.  For more information, please visit  www.instax.ie/cameras/mini-12 

And that’s not all – FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Division, have also 

announced the launch of Fujifilm’s free, downloadable INSTAX UP! Smartphone App (hereinafter “INSTAX UP!”), designed for INSTAX instant photography fans to digitally scan, store, and share their photos in one place. 

With INSTAX UP! users can:

 

  • Scan their INSTAX prints and store them digitally in one place
  • Organize their photos by category/list views for easy locating
  • Easily share stored photos and collections via social media or text
  • Import photos from other INSTAX apps (INSTAX mini LINK, INSTAX Link WIDE etc.) into the INSTAX Up! 
  • Keep informed about the latest INSTAX updates, tips, and other creative content

INSTAX UP! has been developed with the help of consumer feedback; where users wanting to digitally store and share INSTAX prints have previously used simple smartphone picture taking of photographs. This technique can result in the glossy surface of the print to cause reflections, as well some distortion including loss of texture of the border film. INSTAX UP! simplifies and improves the process for storing your favourite INSTAX prints digitally and turning them into shareable posts.

“INSTAX UP! is a new solution that solves the problem of easily digitizing and sharing high-quality INSTAX prints,” said Shin Udono, Senior Vice President, Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM Europe. “Enhancing the overall INSTAX experience, INSTAX UP! will enable instant photo fans to digitally organize and archive their creativity, and easily share their photos with the world, helping preserve special memories and inspire more.”

 

INSTAX UP! is available to download today. 

https://apps.apple.com/app/instax-up/id1664064756

OR 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fujifilm.instaxup

Unboxing Video