Tag Archives: Technology

Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speakers | Tech Reviews

Posted on by

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.

Why Technology is Ruining Christmas By Ian Shepherd, author of The Sleighmaker

Posted on by

A third of children will be sending their wish lists to Santa by smartphone app this Christmas.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Now, when the kids aren’t looking, swipe their gadgets – all of them – and hide them in a sock drawer until December 26. Because technology is ruining Christmas. And I mean ruining it.

I wrote an unashamedly traditional children’s book called The Sleighmaker, which is out this week. My publisher assures me that it will capture the public’s imagination in much the same way as The Snowman did all those years ago. Except that it won’t. Because that was then, and this is now. Raymond Brigg’s classic picture book was released in 1982, long before Britain’s obsession with all things ‘smart’. In those days, children read books for entertainment, not homework. Books were the must-have ‘device’, the original hand-held tablet.

Children still love to read – a lot. Sales of children’s books rose 16 per cent last year to £365million, according to figures released by the Publisher’s Association. But in today’s tech-obsessed households, where youngsters spend an average of six hours-a-day (yes, you read that correctly) glued to an array of ‘smart’ screens, the paperback no longer takes centre stage. Technology and its new leading lady, the smartphone (which has never been, er, smarter), steal the show. A quarter of children will use one to send Christmas wishes via Facebook on December 25. Yes, technology has written off the humble pen, too.

And so back to Christmas and the thankless pursuit of that impossibly perfect day. Nothing, even the in-laws, should be allowed to spoil it.

Except that technology in any of its guises almost certainly will. Its availability anywhere in the home will prevent kids from focusing on wonderful books like The Snowman (and The Sleighmaker). It will fill your home with irritating noises, and reduce your children’s vocabulary to monosyllabic grunts. It will also cause your children more harm that cocaine, if you believe the warnings (Earlier this year, an addiction therapist claimed that giving children a smartphone is like “giving them a gram of cocaine”. She said time spent messages pals on Snapchat and Instagram could be just as dangerously addictive for teenagers and drugs and alcohol).

A new smartphone app lets kids scan the barcode of a toy they want for Christmas before sending their parents an automated email with the details.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Now, when the kids aren’t looking, swipe their gadgets – all of them – and hide them in a sock drawer until December 26. Because technology is ruining Christmas. And I mean ruining it.

The Sleighmaker (Raj Joshi Publishing) is out now priced £11.99 in hardback, £6.99 paperback and £4.60 as a Kindle eBook. Signed copies and further information from www.thesleighmaker.com 

 

Penclic B2 And Penclic B3 Review | Time To Change Your Mouse?

Posted on by

Some technology seems to stay the same, and the humble computer mouse may have changed in some ways- became wireless, have different buttons- but really it is a design that has stayed the same. Now Penclic has changed that thanks to high-quality Scandinavian design. These mice are more like pens, and the design has helped many people with RSI or carpel tunnel. In fact, it was designed to help people with RSI. And it does. We reviewed the B2 and the B3. We are a fan of Penclic. It looks great, is easy to use, even if it does not look like it would be, and is easier on your poor hands and wrist. Penclic B2

 

If you dont have any left over USB ports the Penclic Mouse B2 connects seamlessly to both PC and Mac through bluetooth. The sleek pen looks great in white.

    • The supported platforms for Penclic MouseTM 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 5-button and scroll wheel. The left click, right click and middle click are on the pen shaft’s right side. On the pen shaft’s left side the backward click and forward click for surfing are positioned.
    • AAA 1.2V NiMH Recharging battery (Everyday use last approximately 1 months before charging is needed).
    • LR 03/AAA/1.5V Alkaline None rechargeable battery can be used. NOTE: Do not recharge.
    • Energy saving mode starts after 10 minutes, press a button to start.
    • Wireless reach, minimum 5 metres.Dpi setting 1200.

A wonderful mouse. Highly recommended.

Penclic B3

 

The Penclic Mouse B3 is perfect for both lefties and righties, it connects seamlessly to any pc or mac by bluetooth.

  • 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 dpi button is located under the mouse, the cursor will move faster for each setting. It will rotate around frequency from 800-1600 and then go back to low 800. Once the power is shut of the dpi setting will return to its default setting, 1200 dpi.

A great mouse which can be used with either hand. Convenient and stylish..

Penclic is available here.

Christmas Gift List For The Tech Lover

Posted on by

tileslimTile Slim

This great gadget allows you to find your phone, wallet or anything else. It makes a great gift for the forgetful. It will even make your phone ring if you tap it twice, can be slipped into pockets and it adheres to flat surfaces. I am going to try to attach it to the remote.

Tile Slim is available here.

meem

Meem.

This absolutely brilliant device ‘mirrors’ what’s on your iPhone in case you lose it or change it. It also automatically backs up your iPhone every time you charge it. We can’t praise it enough.

MEEM Memory for iPhones available here.

rokustreamingstick

Roku

This great streaming stick just plugs straight into your TV. It then allows you stream from over 1000 channels. Yes, that is right, 1000 channels. From YouTube, 4OD, Netflix and the BBC iPlayer, there is lots to choose from. Will give hours of fun and entertainment. An ideal present for Christmas when TV watching is at its peak.

Roku Streaming Stick is available here.

moovnowMoov Now

Fitness is more popular than ever and we could not be happier about it. This personal coach and sports tracker not only talks you through your workout, but is also so stylish and gorgeous. It analyses and coaches your form, counts reps for you (very handy!), talks to you as you work out, and has sport-specific metrics. It will tell you if you are landing too hard and makes workouts more fun and challenging. It also does activity and sleep tracking. The perfect gift for a fitness bunny.

Moov Now Wearable Audio Coach is available here.

alcosenseexcelreview

Alcosense Excel

We could not be more of a fan of this at home breathalyser. It is superb value and it can save your life and your job. It is hard to know if you are over the limit sometimes, especially the next morning. The Alcosense has been in development for three years and it costs less than £100. A brilliant device to keep in your bag. We can’t recommend it enough.

AlcoSense Elite Breathalyzer & alcohol tester is available here.

 

New Pastel Edition of Urbanista’s Earphones

Posted on by

New pastel edition of Urbanista’s earphonesa

There was a time when earphones were just – well, earphones.

 

Forget that for a game of marbles: Urbanista, the Swedish lifestyle brand delivering portable audio for young urban people has announced the availability of its popular San Francisco earphones in fantastic mosaic pastel colours.

 

Perfect for music lovers that want a patterned earphone that complements their summer style, the print is reminiscent of Mediterranean mosaic in bright pastel colours.

New pastel edition of Urbanista’s earphonesbI found that the earphones ergonomic design was comfortable – just for once. (I find it hard to find earphones that are)  and the audio quality excellent.

 

So, though this range targets the young and trendy, it also suits the not so young, but still trendy. Or so say I.

 

Daniel Roose, designer at Urbanista says, ‘Big and bold patterns is one of the biggest trends of the summer, and we wanted to take advantage of the flat cable to experiment with graphical prints. We haven’t previously seen many prints on earphone and this is why the unique pattern feels absolutely right for this summer special edition.’

New pastel edition of Urbanista’s earphones3

So, how is it used? There is a single button remote to control music and calls, and the built-in mic allows you to take calls anywhere. The earphones come with tangle-free, colour matched cables and work with Android, iOS and Windows.

 

Summer colours, such as ocean drive and pink paradise is a fun complement to the San Francisco family, which is available in 13 colours.

 

Available from the Urbanista website for £19   –   uk.urbanista.com

 

 

Gear4 BookCase Phone Case Review

Posted on by

gear 4 d30 review iPhone book case

I love the Gear4 BookCase phone cover for my iPhone 6. It is stylish, well made, and it really works. I rarely use my purse now, I just take my phone and put my debit card into the slot. It has D30 world beating protection. In fact, it is military standard and exceeds 9ft in the drop test. This protective wallet has all round protection and a viewing standard. It may have unbeatable shock protection, but is also soft and flexible. It does the job and is handsome to boot. What more could you want?

Available for Samsung S6, S6 Edge/S6 Edge Plus, iPhone 5/5s, 6/6s/ and 6s Plus

Providing advanced impact protection, the GEAR4 BookCase features a stylish flip-over screen cover and magnetic closure offering complete protection. It includes two card slots ideal for those who like to keep their phone and wallet in one place, plus a convenient stand feature for watching movies while commuting.

Gear4 Folio Book Case Cover for iPhone 6 is available here.k

Top 3 Gadgets For Christmas

Posted on by

For the adventurer…Griffin Survivor iPhone Cases

griffin griffinsurviror griffinsurvivor griffinsurvivoriphonecase griffintech

Griffin Technology Survivor Summit and Survivor Journey. Designed and tested to meet military standards, both Summit and Journey offer ‘ready for anything’ protection for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Key features:

  • Survives 10-foot (3-metre) drops onto concrete
  • Sealed, weather-proof design to withstand rain, dirt, dust, mud, snow and splash damage
  • Impact Dispersion System makes Summit rugged enough to withstand extreme drops, yet slim enough to easily slide into pockets
  • New system suspends and cushions the phone within the rigid case and absorbs impact forces to prevent drop damage
  • Screen shield which slides on to keep the phone’s touchscreen, home button and Touch ID safe from damage and dirt
  • Rotating holster-style clip that keeps the phone safe and secure and functions as a stand.
  • Survivor Summit is available for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • Colours: Black/Blue, Black/Clear, Black, and Pink/Grey
  • Price: £34.99-£44.99.

Griffin Survivor Summit Case for iPhone 6/6S is available here.

 

 Survivor Journey’s patent pending, ultra-thin, ultra-tough, design offers drop protection with style for city slickers.

Key features:

  • Built to withstand 6.6 foot (2-metre) drops onto concrete
  • One piece, snap-on shell design
  • Features Griffin’s Impact Dispersion System that deflects and absorbs impacts wherever it is
  • Multiple layers for one tough case which cushions and cradles the phone inside a rigid, shatterproof shell
  • Outer layer that’s easy to grip and slides effortlessly into pockets.
  • Survivor Journey is available for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • Colours: Black/Blue, Black/White, Black/Gray, and Pink/Gray
  • Price: £24.99-£34.99.

 

These are brilliant iPhone cases which keep iPhones safe. A perfect gift for any adventurer. They just work. 

Griffin Survivor Journey Case for iPhone 6/6S -is available here.

 

For the cyclist…Mio Cyclo 200 – £149.99

cyclo-mio Mio Cyclo 200 Mio Cyclo 200navigationcycling

  • Easy and user friendly navigation – large control buttons and simple menu structure
  • OpenStreetMaps pre-installed – ready to go right out of the box
  • Surprise Me™ feature – just choose time or distance and the Mio Cyclo™ will offer three surprise routes to choose from
  • Turn-by-turn instructions – clear guidance with a sound alert to indicate every instruction
  • Where am I – displays the user’s exact location. In case of emergency, this function shows current address, along with longitude and latitude
  • Desktop application – one tool to easily manage the device, download new routes and share experiences
  • Long-life rechargeable batteries – up to 10 hours performance
  • Water resistant (IPX5) – find your way in every weather

This is an amazing gadget for any cyclists. We tested it and it really works. Never get lost cycling again. A perfect gift for any cyclists in your life. It will keep them safe and happy. 

MIO Cyclo 200 GPS is available here.

 

For the driver…Mio MiVue 618

Mio MiVue 618 Mio MiVaue 618

MiVue 618 – £99,99

  • Extreme HD recording – 2304 x 1296 at 30 fps – with the latest H.264 technology for high quality videos at a smaller file size
  • Safety camera warnings – free safety camera data with monthly updates for the lifetime of your device
  • GPS tracking – automatically records your driving information, including speed, altitude, longitude, latitude and heading
  • Wide viewing angle – 140° wide-angle lens
  • F1.8 lens – this results in brighter and clearer videos, even in low light conditions
  • 3-Axis G-Sensor – records direction and force, including impact, turns and acceleration
  • Rotating mount design – mount is easily rotated to any desired angle
  • Parking mode – motion detection activates and records from a parked car with no driver present.

 

A really great gift for motorists. The HD recording is really high quality, it keeps you safer, has GPS tracking and even has a parking mode. A truly awesome gift. Perfect for Christmas. 

Mio MiVue 618 is available here.

 

 

Leef iBridge Review | The Perfect Gift For Christmas

Posted on by

Leef iBridge Review The Perfect Gift For ChristmasNot many products actually make a huge difference to your life, but ever since the Leef iBridge arrived I have been singing its praises. In fact, I have even bought some for relatives, that is how amazing it is.

So, I hear you ask: what is it? The Leef iBridge is a compact and convenient must-have for all Apple users, featuring a lightning connector at one end and a standard USB connector on the other. Users can also take photos and videos directly to the iBridge, bypassing their Apple device’s internal memory altogether.

Before this arrived my iPhone was struggling and I could not take any more pictures as I had no memory. My son is not even a year old and I have thousands of pictures and videos of him. I could not even access Twitter or Whatsapp. Enter Leaf iBridge. It can bypass the internal memory of the iPhone so you never have to see the ‘memory full’ pop-up message ever again. It backs-up your iPhone AND it makes it easy to transfer your files to your computer. Or any other computer for that matter. It can also be used on an iPad and an android version is available. I did have to delete some pictures to download the app which goes with the iBridge but it was not a big hassle. I am obsessed with this and have already bought some for other people. I reckon I might even buy another for myself. LOVE.

–    Ideal for… anyone with a full to capacity iPhone – Instagram addicts, commuters or holidaymakers.
–    Device in 10 words: Never see the dreaded ‘memory full’ pop-up ever again
–    Price: starts at £69.99 for 32GB (64, 128 and 256GB also available)
–    Available to purchase: From Leefco.com, Amazon.co.uk, CarphoneWarehouse.com, Argos.com and TescoDirect.com

Leef iBridge Review

Android compatible devices are also available – the Leef Bridge 3.0 and Leef Access are available to purchase from Leefco.com and Amazon.co.uk.