Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speakers | Tech Reviews

Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speakers Powered by Anker with Alarm Clock, Stereo Sound, FM Radio, White Noise, Qi Wireless Charger with 7.5W Charging for iPhone and 10W for SamsungI am not a fan of clutter so I ask a lot from my possessions. It has to be either beautiful or useful. Or both. I especially like things that double up. This Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speakers certainly ticks all of the relevant boxes, and then some more. It has built-in wireless charger powered by Anker technology. It works with Samsung and iPhone*.

It is also a radio and a speaker you can connect via Bluetooth or AUX cable. It wakes you up with 15 individual alarms which have 10 different alarm tones. It is also a white noise machine. Choose from 10 sleep-inducing ambient sounds or compose your own soothing soundscape using the Soundcore app.

The touch bar allows you to turn on the Bluetooth connection, FM radio, increase or decrease volume, and snooze the alarm. It also features a built-in sensor that adjusts the brightness of the LED screen. As you room darkens the display dims and as the sun rises it brightens again.

It also looks stylish and has a lovely, clean, minimalistic design. It has pride of place on our bedside table now. This is a brilliant multi-tasking gadget and it gets the Frost Gold Standard.

Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speaker is available here.

*Charge Qi-compatible devices at up to 10W for Samsung S10, S10+, S9, S9+, S8, S8+, and Note 9 and 7.5W for iPhone XR, Xs Max, XS, X, and 8 Plus.

Penclic B3 Mouse Review

The Penclic B3 review

I am always excited about trying something different and the Penclic B3 mouse is certainly that. It looks more like a joystick than a mouse. But it is stylish. Very much so. It is a beautiful piece of technology. 

At first is feels a little strange to use. You have to get used to it. But it quickly becomes natural. The mouse is also wireless which makes it convenient. I am at my computer a lot so anything that reduces the risk of RSI is great in my books. 

I like the Penclic B3 mouse. So much so that I reckon it will replace my own mouse. It can be used by right-handed and left-handed people. This mouse is great Swedish technology. I think it might even catch on. 

 

For the last three decades we have used computer devices that were never ergonomically designed for long-term human usage. The negative effects of improper ergonomics are only now beginning to show on a generation of computer users. Mouse Arm Syndrome (MAS), is a form of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), and has been studied extensively in a number of countries. Much of the pioneering work has been undertaken in Sweden.

It’s well documented that prolonged use of a traditional computer mouse may cause pain, stiffness and even permanent damage to the muscles and tendons of the human body. A traditional computer mouse requires exertion from shoulder muscles, biceps and triceps. These muscles were never intended for such high precision tasks. Consistently using these muscles may cause static tension and injury. A large portion of the human brain controls the fine motor abilities of our hand and fingers. That is why writing with a pen is so easy, comfortable and naturally ergonomic. Due to this it focuses on harnessing the natural power and control within our fingertips.

The Penclic B3 is the ideal companion for left and right handed users. It enables the extension of our bodily movements and harnesses the natural power and dexterity in our fingers and hands. It creates a healthy and natural working position. Penclic‘s innovative pen grip counteracts RSI, obtained from using a traditional computer mouse.

penclic mouse B3. tech

The Penclic B3 looks, feels and moves like a pen. It’s responsive and intuitive and feels like the mouse predicts where you are planning to move the cursor. It allows users to be more exact and precise which leads to better results in less time.

Penclic Mouse creates a relaxed and natural working position which allows your forearm to rest on the work surface which contributes to less pain. The cursor can be moved all over the computer screen quickly and effectively.  The mouse has 5 buttons and a scroll wheel suited for both left- and right-handed users with its symmetrical design, it has Bluetooth connectivity.

Features

  • The supported platforms for Penclic Mouse are all operating systems that support HID 1.1. These include Windows XP or later, Mac OSX version 10.1 or later and most Linux/BSD flavors. No extra software/driver installation is needed.
  • Bluetooth connection (not supported by standard iOS).
  • Operates on almost any surface without any pad or tablet.
  • Implements a 3-buttons and scroll wheel mouse.
  • AAA 1.2V NiMH Recharging battery (Everyday use last approximately 1 months before charging is needed).
  • Charging via USB.
  • LR 03/AAA/1.5V Alkaline None rechargeable battery can be used. NOTE: DO NOT RECHARGE
  • Energy saving mode starts after 10 min, press a button to start.
  • Wireless reach, minimum 5 metres.
  • Dpi settings 800 – 1200 – 1600.

The Penclic B3 Mouse costs £79.99 from Amazon

 

 

Boom Shake Shake Shake the Room with The UE BOOM 2 Bluetooth® speaker

Following on from the award-winning UE BOOM 360 degree speaker, Ultimate Ears have upped the ante once more to bring you unparalleled party sounds with their new anywhere-you-go-proof UE BOOM 2 and trust us you will be blown away.

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UE BOOM 2 appeals to everyone with it’s stylish design, fantastic sound quality, connectivity to multiple devices and perfect for those crazy parties where there’s always a clumsy one which will knock over anything and everything. Yes people, this device is ‘clumsy people’ proof designed to get wet, muddy and beat up, the UE BOOM 2 will continue to blast those block-rocking beats in every direction after enduring a round or two with Mike Tyson We can assure you, you would struggle to find anything quite like it in the Bluetooth® speaker category with the durability factor just as impressive as the sound quality.

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So what makes it different from the original;

Waterproof

Drop-Proof from up to five feet

Practical Size no larger than a water bottle, it’s completely the right kind of portable without compromising on volume or sound

UE BOOM 2 is 25 percent louder

Longer Wireless Range up to 100-feet

15 hour battery life

Even after all of those impressive feats, our favourite innovation on the UE BOOM 2 has got to be the new tap controls which allow you to skip songs without needing to have your device to hand. So what’s not to love…?

Our verdict is this speaker really intends to deliver everything it promises, after all we did win it by knocking it off a podium with a water balloon into a pit of water! Yes that’s right, completely adventure proof! We love it and unlike a lot of our competitors really appreciate the hard case it comes in which will prevent it turning on in luggage etc. and rinsing the battery life. A problem I always seem to have with other portable speakers.

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Oh did we mention that theUE BOOM 2 also comes with an app for iOS® and AndroidTM which will allow you to double the sound by pairing UE BOOM 2 with any other Ultimate Ears speaker. The UE BOOM 2 is compatible with Smartphones, Tablets and any device which supports Bluetooth and is also built with a 3.5mm audio port.

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The UE BOOM 2 comes in six new colour variations and is retailed at £169 with a Two-Year limited hardware warranty.

www.ultimateears.com

The Bass Connect Speaker | Tech

The Bass Connect Speaker | TechWe thought this was super cool at Frost. In fact, this beauty gives five hours of wireless sound at full volume. Enjoy a crystal clear treble and amazingly deep bass with this pocket-sized cuboid, compact speaker. Easily connected to bluetooth, the portable speaker has powerful and high quality sound that uses a new breed of circuit board to amplify, equalize and filter the sound waves through the speaker.

Using a new breed of circuit board to amplify, equalise and filter the sound waves through the speaker, the next-generation sound technology renders the compact size of the speaker irrelevant.

The speaker is ideal for parties, in the garden and at home. With a battery that lasts up to 5 hours and Bluetooth 3.0 that works within a range of 10m , this speaker is sure to be of envy to all your friends.

The Bass Connect Speaker Costs £29.99 from thehut.com

 

 

Christmas Gift List For Your Cousin

Cousins can be hard to buy for but we have put together a selection of very cool things indeed. There should be something here no matter what your cousins gender and age.

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Wacom Bamboo Duo stylus

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Most people have a tablet these days and this is very handy and looks great. Perfect for anyone that uses a tablet, the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Duo is a dual-purpose stylus for Apple and Android devices. With a premium ball-point ink pen at one end and a stylus at the opposite end, this stylus is ideal for writing, drawing or doodling.

Available from Wacom.com and johnlewis.com

 

BeeWi Bluetooth Helicopter Storm Bee

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Just a very cool flying helicopter for kids of any age. Even big ones. High drivability and stability: 3 Channels, dual rotor structure and gyroscope. Your smartphone acts as the remote.

Available from ebuyer.com and here

 

BeeWi Bluetooth Controlled Mini Cooper Car

Mini Cooper S Bluetooth Car

Cool and classic. Will give hours of fun. Intuitive motion control using mobile’s orientation sensor or touch-screen button interface

Available from iwantoneofthose.com and here.

 

Looksi Aquarium

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This is cool, relaxing and looks amazing. It is easy to use, just download the app and put your iPad on top. Make sure you have batteries for Christmas day though.

Transforms your iPad into an underwater world. You can even go fishing in the Aquarium. The Aquarium is also a charging station and a clock – every hour the fish tell the time with a display of synchronised swimming. Compatible with all iPads except the iPad Mini.

Available from ebuyer.com and here.

 

If your cousin is not happy about getting one of these beauties, slap ’em.

 

 

The Best of Tech | Christmas Gift Guide

For those who you truly love giving the gift of great sound, music or even just a retro Mad Men style telephone is going to make you truly popular indeed. We have been blasting music and making calls galore. Our neighbours probably hate us, or they were dancing away as much as we were. Time will tell. Either way: here is out best of tech.

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Stellé Audio Pillar

£249 / Available from Apple stores and selfridges.com

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The Stellé Audio Pillar was a lot of fun to test. It was very easy to use, had amazing sound and could even be used wirelessly. You can even take calls on it. We have fallen completely in love with it. Just AMAZING. The Stellé Audio Pillar is for those who refuse to compromise style, boasting high-quality sound and fashion a  subwoofer connecting to any Bluetooth enabled device in a 50ft range. With a built-in microphone, users can enjoy handsfree calls and 15 hours of continuous play. The Pillar is currently available in four colours; Hi Gloss White, Brushed Aluminium, Matte Black and Pewter.

Stelle Audio Brushed Aluminium Audio Pillar Bluetooth Speakers

 

Stellé Audio Couture Pillar Carriers in Leather and Suede

£99 / Available from Stelleaudio.com

Stellé Audio Couture DwellStudio Pillar

Great for carrying around this amazing speaker. Effortlessly stylish. Available in four styles, black and white python, black and midnight blue cross hatch and Pantone’s new Colour of the Year, radiant orchid, these bags have been designed to securely transport the elegant Audio Pillar.

Libratone Loop 

£399 / Johnlewis.com and on Apple Online

speakerreview libratoneloop

The sound on this unique and beautiful speaker is amazing. It is also wireless and has a lot of connectivity options. Some of us found it hard initially to connect it wirelessly and some of us also had technology that was too advanced. It is still brilliant, has amazing sound and is perfect for people who are not as inept technically as some of us are.

Create the perfect Christmas soundtrack with the Libratone Loop. It’s not only a powerful sound source, equipped with Libratone’s signature FullRoom™ technology and numerous connectivity options including DLNA, PlayDirect™ and Apple’s Airplay, it also really stands out, whether mounted on the wall or free standing thanks to its svelte cylindrical design. The Loop comes in three colours – pepper black, salt grey and raspberry red.

 

View Quest ColourGen Retro Radio

59.99 / Available from viewquest.co.uk

viewquestretro viewquest

We love this radio. Retro is very much in at the moment. That doesn’t mean there is any compromise on sound or quality however. It has the best of both worlds. The much-loved Retro radio is now available in a smaller and more compact form. Offering both DAB and Bluetooth functionality this radio is sure to put a smile on the face of any loved one. 

 

View Quest Emma Bridgewater Black Toast radio 

Available from Apple for 129 

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There is also this unique one from Emma Bridgewater: With an in-vogue vintage look, the Emma Bridgewater Black Toast Retro radio features all the latest technology and functionality for unbeaten audio quality.

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Pure Evoke D2 Digital Radio

Also retro and very cute. Is small and portable along with great sound. Has Bluetooth which enables wireless music streaming both inside and outside the home. Is ideal for small spaces. Equipped with kitchen timers and alarm function. Additional features include an aux input for iPod/iPhone and the option to purchase a chargePAK for portability.

Pure Evoke D2 Portable DAB/FM Radio is available here.

leitzspeaker letizportablebluetoothspeaker

 Leitz Complete Professional Bluetooth Stereo Speaker £134.91 Via Amazon.co.uk

This stereo speaker is absolutely gorgeous. Just slick and glamorous. It allows you to listen to music anytime, anywhere via wireless Bluetooth technology. The sound is crystal clear and the adjustable base and treble give perfect sound From Amazon.

retrotelephone

GPO Classic Rotary Telephone

We are completely obsessed with this phone. The fact we have been watching Mad Men has not helped. It is just so freakin’ cool. This is a wonderful blend of modern tech and retro inspired design that runs through the GPO brand. Sometimes when you can have just about anything, stylish and retro is best. It even has the proper traditional rotary dial up. Each of the products is stocked in GPO’s online store but also NotontheHighStreet.com, Tesco.com, Amazon.co.uk and Very.co.uk so plenty of choice.

GPO 746 Rotary in red is available here.

 

What is your favourite?

 

 

Win a new igbloo; music’s latest innovation which has been picked up by BAFTA.

THIS COMPETITION HAS CLOSED. Please click on the ‘competition’ tag for other competitions you can enter. Thank you.

 

Frost are bringing you the opportunity to be one of the first to receive an all NEW igbloo; music’s latest innovation which has been picked up by BAFTA.

BAFTA have backed the latest gadget to the market, igbloo, by inviting them to become an official gift partner to the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2014win a igbloo. Banishing tinny tunes and dodgy docks for good, igbloo from Stage One Technology – the innovators behind the all NEW Bluetooth music receiver – will bring music to the ears of Hollywood’s A-List, such as Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

 

Having only launched last week on kickstarter.com, the response from the public and media alike has been overwhelming, with people pre-ordering to secure their place at the front of the queue on igbloo’s launch day.

To have the chance to be the first of TEN lucky winners who will receive this latest gadget before anyone else , all you have to do is tweet the below to enter – the more you tweet the more chances you get!

“The BAFTAs are backing @igbloo, are you? http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stage1tec/igbloo-no-more-tinny-tunes-no-more-dodgy-docks