Tag: #review

Tech Review – ZHIYUN Smooth 5S Combo gimbal

The kit came in a professional-looking box, clean and smart with all the accessories listed on the side with the QR code directly for the app. Inside the box came a solid practical carry case with all the accessories located with the additional slots to allow to add additional accessories. The carry case allows the portability to carry the case without the worries of losing odd accessories. The Zhiyun Smooth 5S is solid yet lightweight with 3-Axis Stabilizer which an appropriate locking mechanism, the kit has a Detachable Tripod, and USB-C Charging Cable. There is a digital display while minimal in terms of size of the screen, with a Light as required controlled via the dials. The Light has Dual-Side Magnetic to allow the colours to change with an extensive  Smartphone Compatibility List

Contents:

  •       1x Zhiyun Smooth 5S
  •       1x Mini Tripod For Smooth 5S
  •       1x USB Type-C Cable
  •       1x Wrist Strap
  •       1x Protective Bag
  •       1x Magnetic Fill Light
  •       4x Fill Light Filter
  •       1x Zhiyun Prime 1-Year Membership Card

 

Key features:

  •       3-Axis Stabilizer for 1-Person Capture
  •       Integrated & Magnetic Fill Lights
  •       Supports Larger Smartphones 5.3-10.6 oz
  •       For Phones 2 to 3.5″ Wide, 0.4″ Thick
  •       Sturdy Motors, Upgraded Algorithm
  •       Livestreaming via Mobile App
  •       Various Templates & Gimbal Modes
  •       2-Hour PD Charging/Up to 25-Hour Runtime
  •       Detachable Tripod, USB-C Charging Cable
  •       Zhiyun Prime 1-Year Membership

Setup and use:

The Smooth 5S Combo come with clear instructions with a QR code available to download the instructions easily. The setup for an android phone is relatively easy and playing with the Stabilizes and balances the phone to the correct settings. Allow at least 30 minutes to play with the setting and balancing on the first go. If you have the same phone taking note of the setting on the scale ( or Tipp-Ex to the mark ) allows for easy future setting up which can be done in a minute or 2 once familiar with the balancing. This model was found to be easy and practical to set up as compared to other models use. Once set up and balanced the choice then becomes on the shooting modes including PF, L, F, POV and V  which is technically easy rather than a user-artistic approach to filming.

Zhiyun Smooth 5S Combo,  buttons

Multiple classic shooting modes including PF, L, F, POV and V

  •       Pan Follow mode (PF): The tilt axis and roll axis motors are locked, and the camera rotates with the handle while panning horizontally. Push the joystick up/down to control the tilt axis angle, and push it left/right to control the pan axis of the camera.

 

  •       Follow mode (F): The roll axis motor is locked, and the tilt axis and pan axis motors follow the rotation of the handle. Push the joystick up/down to change the tilt angle of the camera and the left/right to change the horizontal orientation of the camera.

 

  •       Point of View mode (POV): All three motors move when the handle is rotated.

 

  •       Vortex mode (V): The tilt axis motor rotates upward by 90°, and the tilt axis, roll axis, and pan axis motors follow the rotation of the handle. Push the joystick to the left/ right to control the rotation of the pan axis. How to Use CRANE-M2 S

 

  •       Go mode (GO): The roll axis motor is locked, and the tilt axis and pan axis motors quickly follow the rotation of the handle.

App use: ZY Cami

The app got a rating of 1.6 out of 1.59 k reviews. I would agree with this poor rating for an Android phone. This app requires getting a verification code matching certain pictures in the background, sounds simple,  similar to eg ticks of boats on a screen but is made more complicated by the system used in a different format. this is further complicated by when getting a code the email states must be used within 10 minutes while the phone has a timer count down of 60 seconds, This is before you get to log in to the software. The experience of using the app with an iPhone is much improved as per conversations with colleagues and feedback but not tried it during this review.

Warranty:  1 year

Models comparison

 Conclusion:

The physical setup of the gimble works well with the calibration process easier than others used before with minimal effort / technical knowledge/experience required.  This product is let down by the Android App if used as this has an overly complicated setup process and depending on the model used results in a different experience having tried it on a few phones.

This Zhiyun brand stands out in terms of accessories supplied and case, A lot of work has gone into this area with a well-designed case with all the accessories compartmentalised and the option to carry additional bits in the strong carry case.  The shooting modes are easy to use for the PF, L, F, POV and V to allow a variety of filming tableau and artistic presentations.

Overall a sturdy easy-to-use gimbal with an abundance of accessories and features for any budding filming enthusiastic to allow creative filming.

BUY

Video review

Tech Review – Tronsmart Bang SE portable party speaker

Tronmsart have released a new Party Speaker and we had early access to it so we could check it out and give you our thoughts, Tronsmart are well know for delivering great speakers at affordable prices and this one is no different and if you have not seen the Tronsmart Bang review check it out HERE.

Again we have got RGB on board with beat driven breathing and circling RGB lights on the device and not only on the sides this time as there is  behind the mesh grill on the front of the speaker to make it stand out and it looks well in action as you will see in the video review below.

The speaker is IPX6 waterproof and can be used indoors and outdoors making this super portable and can enhance that beach or pool party no matter where you go. We have again soundpulse technology but no app access and 40w speakers and from my testing this packs a real punch is loud and will easily fill a large room or garden.

When it comes to the audio experience it is exactly what you need for that indoor or outdoor party with great bass and volume highs lows and mids are fine and no tinny or distortion at maxed out volume, the speaker also takes a Micro SD card which is handy for those who have the tunes on a chip which many still do today.

The build quality is also excellent here and is very robust with easy to use control on top of the speaker with your I/O ports on the rear and the speaker itself is not heavy by any means.

Overall an affordable speaking keeping inline with its current portfolio giving decent sound with additional light effects.

Check the video below for a full demo and audio experience.

Technical Specifications

Model Bang SE
Bluetooth Version 5.3
Bluetooth Profile HSP / HFP / A2DP /AVRCP
Audio Codec SBC
Bluetooth Range Up to 15m/49ft (open area)
IP Rating IPX6
Output Power 40W
Input Power 5V/2A, via Type-C port
Frequency Range 60Hz – 20kHz 
Battery  8000mAh(7,4V/4000mAh) 
Playtime(Varied by Volume Level & Audio Content) Up to 24 Hours(Varied by Light Display) 

Up to 16 Hours(Varied by Light Display)
Charging Time ≤5 Hours
Dimension 298 x 164.5 x 118.8mm/11.73 x 6.48 x 4.68inch
Weight 2.16kg/4.76 lbs

 

Special offer:  https://bit.ly/3B2JUhx
Sold on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BG93TZ5N/

Video Review

Tech Review – OneOdio Fusion A70 headphones

OneOdio is brand we have worked with before and they have some new headphones to check out and first out to test was the A70 fusion which are super affordable and thats what people like these days with the cost of living crisis. But what most people are interested in is how a product that is affordable sounds and it is a good report here.

Bass driven is the word I would use here after testing these for a few days, comfort too with soft plush cups they can be worn for long periods of time, with the controls on one side it makes navigation easy and works well and for me I had no issues with them and they just simply work..

You can use these if you are a DJ or have equipment to do the same but for my testing they were tested on a smartphone, there is no app and it is a simple pairing process and off you go and listen to your hearts content.

The controls allow you to make your last phone call, access your voice assistant, skip and reverse tracks and of course volume and call control and all kept simple as mentioned placed on one side.

The sound is bass driven as mentioned above with no overlapping or distortion at max volume,highs lows and mids are fine and overall these are a great pair of headphones with really good bass powered with 40mm drivers and battery life is decent too at 70 hrs at 80% volume and less on full volume, there is no ANC present but the cups cover your ears and block out most of the outside world and with no ANC present this also gives them better longevity with the battery.

See the video below for more.

  • Hi-Res Sound Quality by Professional Audio Team – Equipped with custom-made Aluminium Fascia for Punchy Bass & Dynamic 40-millimeter Neodymium drivers, we provide you with stereo sound & powerful bass. Wearing this over-ear headphone, you can hear every detail of the music, and will be amazed by its sound quality
  • Dual Mode & Never Power Off – 1) Wireless mode, OneOdio Fusion A70 provides up to 72 hrs playtime on a single charge. 2) Wired mode, you can also use it as a wired headphone with the provided 2 different audio jack cables (6.35mm to 3.5mm; 3.5mm to 3.5mm), so the headphone will be never powered off
  • Maximum Comfort & Space Saving – Over-ear ergonomic design ensures long-lasting wearing. The rotatable and foldable structure ensures this over-ear headphone fits your head properly and gives great sound isolation. Soft memory cotton and skin-friendly protein leather ensure long-lasting comfort. The foldable headband for saving space and is convenient for carrying
  • Music or Audio Sharing – Our headphones have developed and applied this technology for allowing 2 or more people to listen to music or watch TV simultaneously. Pair the 1st main headphones with your device via Bluetooth, plug the 6.35mm jack into the headphone and the other side 3.5mm jack into the 2nd headphone, and so on, then be ready to share your tunes with your friends or families
  • Wired Aux Jack Lock Design – To make sure the cable lock is in place for a stable connection, we add a jack lock system on the Aux plug. You don’t need to worry about any connection problems when connecting the jacks and sockets

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Heyup Boxe Projector

Projectors have come down in price over the last two years which now means you can pick them up fairly cheaply however that depends on what you want, be it picture quality and more, this little minion type one that everyone has said is one better off for the kids or perhaps gamers and serves a 1080p experience which is decent with the right conditions which is a dark room and a good background to project onto the lumen count is another factor to look out for, I currently use 4K projectors and this whilst it supports up to 4K does not transcribe when it comes to the picture quality but with the right conditions it does fine with 1080p a big 120 inch screen and decent sound.

Another point to make is the noise level, some are loud just like gaming consoles but this one is actually quite which again is a benefit, You get an app store to download apps which most are there if comparing to the play store and the remote is simple to use as well as the UI is to navigate so all in all an easy experience overall and one to keep the kids quite for a few hours, it is also portable enough to bring to hotels or friends houses and also doubles as a bluetooth speaker and powerbank. You can also cast to the projector which is also handy be it on Android or iOS.

Check out the video review below for more as this is a more visual aspect and we don’t do stock image reviews with no context and context is what it is all about here. If you missed the unboxing you can see that

 

The key features of Boxe are:
  • Native 1080p resolution and supports 4K 
  • Lightweight and portable for entertainment on the go
  • Easy Wireless Bluetooth iOS & Android Phones casting（in-app cast as well）
  • Flexible picture size of 40” – 120” with a 1.34:1 throw ratio 
  • Built-in 7800 mAh battery for up to 90 mins playtime without external power
  • Keystone correction options for quick screen adjustments, fine-tuning, and reset
  • FengOS – Intuitive and smart OS design
  • Light diffusion for better eye protection
  • Quiet whispering for immersive TV& movie experience

BUY

VIdeo Link

Tech Review – XNANO X1 Android 9.0 LCD Projector

Projectors are a must have in any home these days in my opinion as they take up less room stop having that TV centerpiece in your home and in general gives you a bigger screen and in most cases any games console or device can be plugged in giving you a larger screen to showcase things, and speaking of they are great for presentations..

One thing though is the cost of projectors and in most cases again you get what you pay for and quite often overpriced imo. Over the last while I have tried several projectors and the the saying certainly applies however this time around you get more for your money and it is an easy recommend if you are just starting off with a projector or want to buy a second one for your home for your kids etc.

You will see more of what I mean in the video review below with what you get for you money here including a good picture and ports at hand and you can also screencast, you have the Google play store in there too with 12000 lumens which is a high figure for this price point and it shows in comparison to others ones covered. Not only that you have keystone correction which is not really seen at this price point alongside the other features with 8K decoding, not that there is much options out there for that now it has kind of future proofed itself. Also what is cool you have a voice control remote control which is mega handy rather than typing.

You also get a cool carry case for the projector making it portable for travelling which I did on my holidays recently and it made for better viewing over the typical country hotel TV that lacks with locked ports, with this projector as mentioned you have access to the play store and apps already loaded such as Netflix and Disney+ and that is probably enough for many folk. You can also plug in gaming consoles which is great for the kids and will keep them occupied.

Check the video review below for a full tour of the device and see what you can expect.

 

Highlights

Native 1080p, Supported 8K Decoding & H.265
Native 1080p resolution casts more vertical and horizontal pixels and supported 8K decoding with 16.7 million displayable colors for incredibly clear, smooth playback of videos and images. H.265 doubles date compression rate to stream, download, or rip the same quality video to your hard drive at half the bitrate compared to H.264 for clearer images.
HDR 10+, Amlogic Quad Core CPU & Anti-aliasing 
HDR 10+ that delivers higher contrast with shades of primary colors and high color depth which is visually impactful. Experience enhanced, sharper image and image denoising with Amlogic T972 quad core A55 CPU, the anti-aliasing can smooth jagged edges in images.
High Brightness, Diffuse Imaging & 2.4G&5.8G 802.11ac & Bluetooth5.0 
LCD projector features 1200 lumen high brightness and diffuse imaging for a stunning visual experience without eye stress. Support 2.4G&5.8G 802.11ac & Bluetooth5.0, 5.8GHz supports up to 1300 Mbps, cuts through network clutter disturbance and interference to mirror-cast images with no latency.
Large Throw Distance, Voice Remote Control & Multiple Ports
Experience large screen of 35-200” from 1.8-6.6 meters away; screen size can be adjusted without moving the projector with an included voice remote control in the package. Easily connect to TV box, laptops, game consoles, speakers and headphones with 2x HDMI ports, 2x USB-A ports, 1x AV port and 1x 3.5mm audio port(a HDMI cable is included in the package).
Dolby Audio, Ambient LED & Skew Sensor
Support Dolby Audio including Dolby Digital plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby AC3, together with the breathing light effect, it will bring you a breathtaking cinematic experience. Keystone correction that automatically corrects a skewed image (horizontal, vertical 45 degree, left, right 15 degree)

Video Link 

 

Tech Review – XGIMI Halo+ portable projector

I have reviewed many projectors and several this year have been 1080p projectors which whilst OK for someone not expecting fantastic viewing do a great job and keep the kids entertained the overall picture is underwhelming when you are into your tech and already own large screen tvs and have other projectors in your home, with this projector however it changes the game completely and not only does it offer a great picture it has great audio and of course access to the play store.

Most projectors today use other methods of installing apps from other third party stores and while it works people prefer the seamless Google option which of course makes it easier to sign in and sync devices and link to your home set up and this is what we get here.

The projector itself is also well built and not a cheap lightweight plastic yet still portable and easy to use with your voice assistant built in which is excellent. The Harmon Kardon built in speakers gives you a real movie experience here and you can also add speakers if you wish to enhance the experience and for me this is what everyone should do.

The question remains though is a projector better than a TV and for me it is a simple yes having several in my house now and one good reason is not having a big lump of a TV hung on a wall or taking up space on a press etc and again most would have their TV in the living room and this is always a centre piece and the highlight of most folks living rooms today and with these getting bigger for me they are an eyesore and I can easily do without and having a little box on a table beside me with everything built in it just makes things cleaner.

The picture quality here is also top notch and it has that LIVE effect, there is other picture settings to pick from and audio settings and of course gaming options at hand so in short anyone can use it in the home, the bedroom or even travelling to a hotel for instance. There is also an option to view 3D content if you have any.

Our 3D feature provides profound depth perception and image fusion thanks to DLP cinema-grade tech used in most cinemas worldwide. With Halo+, you can easily set up a 200” display and enjoy the excitement of your 3D content anywhere, anytime

You can also use it as a speaker and yes it sounds good the video review below demos this and of course the picture quality and not only that you can use it as a music player too so it has more than one function but the image it throws out is what people want projectors for and this will not disappoint you at all, in fact I am super impressed by the picture quality here and the sound and it laughs at the past few projectors I have reviewed.

 

Above you will see the features and one thing I point out to people is the Lumen count this might seem low in comparison and some had a higher count than this but the brightness was horrific overall..

It has at 1-2-1 throw ratio with HDR 10 that gives out a really bright picture you will notice this immediate and the blacks do not look pixelated like they do in most projectors under a certain price point. Even watching 4K content was immersive and sharp and worked really well with no lag noted either. It has a fast start up, a current one I use takes double the time here and once set up you have auto focus and auto keystone correction, another great feature here is Intelligent Obstacle correction which means if something is in the picture the it will move the entire screen out of the way and readjust itself and this works really well and is a great feature.

The integrated 60Hz motion compensation technology (MEMC) utilizes a specialized algorithm to deliver super-low image blur and latency rates. Even in the heat of any sporting action, your image stays incredibly sharp and clear.

For gamers it has a game mode boost so as mentioned no lag latency or sound delay either, with most cheap projectors you will notice the lag but not the case here this just simply works well no matter what you watch.

You could watch it with sunlight in the room however it is best to watch in a darker environment in fact there is no really need to even pull the blinds down as it is still viewable but again depends on HOW much sunlight is coming in the window. Once dark though you will enjoy a super experience if gaming watching movies or Youtube and also enjoy the sound quality to go with it giving you an experience that will make you not want a TV anymore. You also get around 2.5 hours of battery life without being plugged in here it must be noted.

You also have the benefit of Bluetooth connectivity, USB port and HDMI port so anything can more or less plug into it and of course it has chromecast built in making things even easier. And to top things off we have very little fan speed which is also a notable thing on cheaper projectors this one is basically silent.

Features

Standard Resolution 1920 × 1080 pixels

Display Technique – DLP

Lamp Life – 25000 Hours

Display Chip – 0.33” DMD

Brightness – 900 ANSI Lumens

Supported Formats – HDR10, HLG

Lens – High Light Transmission Coated Lens 3D

MEMC

Throw Ratio – 1.2:1 – Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance

Auto Focus – Image Size 40” – 200”

Auto Keystone Correction

Projection Method –  Front, Rear, Front Ceiling, Rear Ceiling

Intelligent Screen Alignment
Audio – DTS-HD –  DTS-Studio Sound – 2 × 5W Harman/Kardon

Dolby Audio Dolby Digital (DD) Dolby Digital Plus (DD+)

GET A 15% discount below using the code – XGIMITBI15

Video review

 

 

 

Tech Review – HUION Inspiroy Giano digital tablet and pen

This is a first for me and is a very niche product but can appreciate it, it was not what I expected either and can see the use for such a product and it is ideal for those into art and kids. For me though not something I would use every day but it is fun to use and cross platform too so this can be used with your mobile phone a tablet mac and windows and of course a chromebook which  I tested it out on along with my phone, you do need a bigger screen though to get the most out of it, you could hook up to your smart tv too and keep the kids entertained.

This in short saves you on paper too and feels like writing on paper in fact there is several tips to pick from in the cleverly designed pen holder that does not require a battery which is excellent so no need to worry there which is something more traditional tablet users would not be use to.

The tablet is on the large side making it a nice space to get creative with it does have boundaries marked on each corner and will take time to get use to them, there is a mini display on the top left which is nice and you also have some buttons on the left below them which can be changed to suit your needs, there is hundreds of apps to pick from and basically any sketch app in the play store will work with this which is nice and makes it easier to use with no shortage of ideas.

The smart LCD screen on the upper left of the tablet indicates the status of Inspiroy Giano and digital pen such as the power, connectivity, and whether the press keys are pressed or not, allowing you to quickly check the information at a glance. A special icon (phone/Huion logo/moon) shows up at the center of the screen to reveal if the tablet is connected to a phone/computer or enters sleeping mode. In addition, a flashing exercise icon appears to remind you that it is time to get out of your seat after 2 hours of working with the pen tablet.

 

Sketch apps

Bluetooth 5.0 guarantees improved speed, greater range, and more stable data transmission compared with the old versions. Besides promising an easy connection between Inspiroy Giano and a computer, a Mac laptop, or an Android device, Bluetooth 5.0 frees you from the messy cables and keeps a tidy tabletop.

The build quality of the tablet too is excellent and makes for and ideal gift for the artist or kids and will keep them busy for hours on end.

Check the video review below for more.

BUY

Video Review

 

Revolut data reveals 2022 as year of dining out and donating, saving and streaming, hairdressers and holidays

As 2022 draws to a close, Revolut, the global financial super app with more than two million customers in Ireland, has packaged up its customers’ spending habits from 2022 into personalised characteristics as part of its annual RevReview. Whether you’re ‘The Alchemist’ (earned plenty of cashback) or ‘Night Owl’ (spent mostly at night), users can find their personalised stories, revealing their money traits, and are available to view in the Revolut app from today.

But how has Ireland as a whole fared over the past year? Revolut has dived deep into the spending habits of its Irish users, and has found that although inflation has had an effect on consumer spending, post-lockdown living has amplified the biggest changes.

After being in and out of lockdown, with many consumers spending more at supermarkets and less at restaurants, Revolut reports the average user spent 7% less on groceries in 2022 compared to 2021. However, 18-24 year olds spent 10.4% more, in contrast to those aged 65-74 who spent 15.1% less on groceries this year.

As indoor dining resumed after closures and restrictions, Revolut data shows that Irish consumers have supported the industry by flocking to restaurants in 2022. The average user spent 50% more at restaurants, year-on-year. The biggest increase was by 65-74 year olds, who spent 55.6% more. At the lowest end of the spectrum, those aged 35-44 still spent 39.3% more, year on year.

During lockdown and restrictions, many consumers took to meal delivery services to scratch the restaurant food itch many were feeling in 2021. However, Revolut reports the amount spent on meal delivery has declined this year, as the average user spent 5.7% less on meal delivery, year-on-year. The biggest decrease was those aged 75 and over, who spent 13.6% less. However, 18-24 year olds spent 0.5% more than the previous year.

As the rise in the cost of living affected many aspects of life this year, Irish consumers cut back where they could. The average user spent 1.6% less at clothing stores, year-on-year. Interestingly, those aged 18-24 spent 11.1% less, year-on-year. However, those aged 75 and over spent 7.8% more. This year also saw the launch of Revolut ‘Shops’ in Ireland, enabling users to earn 3% instant cashback rewards for every purchase from shopping thousands of brands and products from hundreds of retailers.

Despite the rise of inflation, the average user spent 1% less at pharmacies, year-on-year. The biggest decrease was amongst users aged 75 and over, who spent 7.9% less. Zoomers on the other hand increased their spending, 18-24 year olds spent 6.3% more at pharmacies, year on year.

Many are thankful to be able to get back to professional grooming, and Revolut reports the average user spent 17.7% more at barbers, hair salons, and beauticians, year on year. The biggest increase was by users aged 75 and over, who spent 27.8% more. At the lowest end, 35-44 year olds still spent 12.7% more than the previous year.

Culture & Entertainment

In entertainment, Irish consumers continued to stream and subscribe, post-lockdown. Revolut data shows a 4.3% increase in spending on digital goods including media, books, video, and music. The most popular video streaming services being (starting from most popular): Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. The most popular music streaming services being (starting from most popular): Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

‘The Globetrotter’

After lockdown travel restrictions affected lots of holiday plans in the previous two years, 2022 saw the return of globetrotting for many. This year also saw the launch of Revolut Homes, a new holiday home rental feature with cashback, part of Revolut’s accommodation booking service, Revolut Stays. Irish holiday-makers spent money in an average of 3 (3.83) countries over the past year, a 23.4% increase, year on year.

In the past year, the most popular countries for Irish consumers to spend money in, in order starting with the most popular, were the UK, the U.S., Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Malta, France, Lithuania, and Germany.

‘The White Knight’

2022 has been challenging for many, but Revolut data shows that the generosity of its customers has known no bounds this year. ‘Donations’ in the Revolut app allows charities to list themselves to receive donations from Revolut customers. The most popular charities donated to by customer in Ireland this year are:

  1. Irish Red Cross – €4.6 million has been donated in 2022 by Revolut customers in Ireland to the Irish Red Cross to help those impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

  2. Toy Show Appeal – This year, Revolut teamed up with RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show Appeal for the second year to enable viewers to donate instantly from their Revolut app, topping €2.4 million for The Community Foundation for Ireland, helping children and family members across the island.

  3. Irish Cancer Society – Over €450,000 has been donated to the Irish Cancer Society to help transform the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer through our advocacy, support services and research.

  4. Pieta – Revolut customers in Ireland have donated over €150,000 to Pieta, a charity working to prevent suicide and self-harm.

  5. Focus Ireland – €135,000 has been donated to Focus Ireland, a non profit organisation that provides services for people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness in Ireland.

Revolut has just integrated a new feature within the Donations section that allows customers to suggest a charity they would like to donate to. In this way, Revolut will be able to improve the charity assortment in each country based on the causes that users feel closest to them.

To make their suggestion, customers simply need to  open Donations, tap on “All charities” and “Suggest a charity”.

‘Little By Little’

Vaults are the easiest way for Revolut customers to stash away cash and achieve financial goals faster. This year, 41% more customers in Ireland have been saving money in Revolut Vaults, and the average user in Ireland has increased their savings by 52%. Customers can customise the name of their Vaults, with ‘Christmas’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Education’, and ‘Car’ being some of the most popular names in Ireland this year.

Crypto

The total number of active people trading crypto on Revolut in Ireland has increased by 61%, year-on-year. Crypto enthusiasts and the crypto-curious continued to educate themselves and earn rewards with Revolut’s Learn & Earn courses, new to the app this year. Through bite-size lessons and quizzes, Learn & Earn breaks down complex crypto lingo into more accessible information for a broader audience. This year, the crypto tokens that have seen the largest increase in volume traded by Revolut customers in Ireland are:

  1. SHIB

  2. QNT

  3. KNC

Christopher Guttridge, General Manager of Lifestyle Products at Revolut, said: “Whatever your RevReview characteristics have been this year, whether you’re a ‘Globetrotter’ or ‘The White Knight’, 2023 offers a new start for all. As the global financial super app, our Budgeting and Analytics tools are available to our customers year-round, helping them to take control of their money.

“We are delivering ongoing product innovations aimed at meeting our customers’ everyday financial needs and aspirations, from shopping and travel, savings and insurance, subscriptions and donations, to democratising wealth and crypto.”

Revolut customers will receive a notification on December 21st 2022 when their personalised RevReview characteristics are ready.

Tech Review – Twinkly Squares Multicolour Edition

Twinkly Squares are small LED panels that light up to further connect your home. Composed of 64-pixel RGB LEDs, Squares are available in packs of 9 or 16 panels. Twinkly Squares is a revolutionary product that combines the power of an LED wall with the sophistication of interior design. The system can be connected to other Twinkly products, to create amazing environmental effects, from DJ set lighting to immersive gaming consoles.

Not only do these spruce up your home they have other features built in which is controlled via their app which we go through in great detail in the video review below but these are pretty cool and a nice addition to my home.

What is great with Twinkly squares is they are modular and it is not hard to set up it took me about ten minutes to set my pack up and again this can be arranged in any form you want, the more you have the better would be a good way to put it and you can customise the layout and what shows up on the well built panels, they are very robust and better than others I have seen and own as is here at home dotted around the house and often seen on one of my review tables.

Now setting up did have some issues and this must be set up over a 2.5ghz network I have both here and had to change my router settings you can get started with bluetooth then connect to the app, there was an update on my app to which possibly contributed to my set up you can see the images below, you have to map the squares to get set up fully and you can also connect to the squares Wi-Fi but it is best to use your home Wi-Fi.

After that it is basically fun and games on what you want to show on the squares which comes loaded with options in the app itself or you can pick from your phones gallery.

It is more on the expensive side however more is on offer via their app and the build quality alone is worth it, this could be an ideal present for someone for Christmas too and it is just a nice addition to you home regardless.

Revolutionary Twinkly Squares smart LED wall panels completely redefine decorative lighting. Whether you want pixel-perfect artwork and GIFs for your home or office space, cool ambience and mood lighting, reactive gaming lights, or a unique night light for kids, Squares is a must-have display screen and lighting decoration. Available in starter and extension kits, each Squares wall panel features 64 premium, app-controlled, addressable LEDs that were designed for extraordinary brightness and color quality in over 16 million colors. Physically combine each master panel with up to 15 extension panels, and use the Twinkly App to sync larger groups of Squares and create huge displays of virtually endless preset and customizable effects, animations, GIFs, and pixel art on your walls and ceilings.

 

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