It might have been released stateside 6 months ago, Google Home has now bee released in the UK with some optimisation for the UK consumer. This is a hands-free smart speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. It’s your assistant, triggered by saying, “Ok Google”.
Here we take a look at the basic setup and first operation before a full review.
Thanks to Maplin for sending over a review sample. You can pick one up from here.
Speedlink have sent over their latest Ultor Mechanical Gaming Keyboard and a keyboard that can be considered as a portable offering. Featuring Red switches the Ultro loses the numerical pad leaving the keyboard much shorter than other on the market and a lower price tag than some of the competitors.
This mechanical keyboard has an impressive metallic red chassis buried under its keys. There are only small portions of the chassis peeking out in various places as Speedlink have cut down on any excess to make a keyboard truly too the point. The Chassis might have a plastic underside however that makes sense as it is rarely visible.
The keys on the Ultor feature Red switches, also known as Kailh switches. Kailh switches may be a copy of Cherry MX (Red) however they have a good reputation in the gaming community and are not a cheap alternative or second best. that are almost indistinguishable from their Cherry MX (Red) counterparts.
Some may take issue with the lack of additional keys, volume control and no USB or audio ports. There is a multitude of gaming keyboards on the market and it’s refreshing to have a mechanical keyboard in its purest form. There will be a market out there.
Underneath, the keyboard features three rubber feet that keep the keyboard in one place when in use and two rear legs can be raised or lower depending on the angle required. These 10mm legs can be locked into position and only feature one locking position. The are not adjustable.
Connecting the keyboard to the computer is a hard wearing braided cable. Oddly this connects off centre on the keyboard, however, I can’t imagine too many people finding fault with this, perhaps it was in the centre before a D’Pad was chopped off. The cable is 1.7m long and that feels generous.
When activated the keys glow blue and leak light stylishly onto the red chassis and things look pretty good. Some might scoff that the keys should glow red to match the keyboard, however, the blue allows for a much clear visual especially when tapping away, late at night, much like I am doing now. The buttons are bright and eye catching and I am personally a fan of the blue on red. A nice mix from Speedlink. The WASD and cursor buttons glow white to differentiate themselves and it’s a nice touch. However, there is no option for the user to colour coordinate and this might both some. The default is good, but customisation is always better.
Losing keys does not mean losing functions, additional functionality comes from the Fn button found to the right of the Space Bar. This alters the functionality of all of the F keys along the top of the keyboard alongside the Print Screen and Scrl Lock keys.
F1 through to F4 adjusts the USB polling Rate.
F5 through to F8 are media controls
F9 pulls up your media player and F10 through to F12 are volume controls
The Print Screen key turns the Ultor into Gaming mode, activating the Macro keys. Scrl Lock key adjusts of Brightness in a cycling mode and a Breathing Effect thrown in for fun. There are 11 different brightness levels (10% increments including off.) Under these buttons is a total of Six Macros keys described as M1 to M6 are configurable through the Speedlink software.
In use I found the keys to be responsive and comfortable. The odd time I had to remind myself that this is a mechanical keyboard and it responds to the tiniest pressure and resting a finger on the button can accidentally register a hit.
For typing, the keys don’t feel too crammed together, however, there isn’t much space between each for someone with large fingers like myself. If you think you might have encroached on a neighbouring key then you likely have as the keys are that sensitive. The Return button does have an odd quirk. Tapping the bottom right corner can cause a crunch, it will still register the stroke however it just feels a little unnatural.
The Speedlink software is not lacking in any features however it doesn’t really go above and beyond either. We have three tabs, Main keys, Macros and Advanced. Along the bottom are five profile tabs, when selected each of these profiles will be configurable by the three tabs above.
Under the Main Keys tab, you can remap keys for each profile and remapping is as simple as clicking on the key and reassigning the function in a pop-up menu. This is for key remapping only, not button combinations.
The Macro tab is where you can reassign any of the six Macro keys. The Macro keys allow for simple keyboard commands or more complex commands such as Windows functions and key combination.
The Advanced tab allows you to adjust various other settings on the keyboard such as USB Polling Rate, Windows Key Setting Key, Response Time and Light Intensity. Not entirely sure why these are summarised as Advanced and adjusting something like the brightness here adds an awkward delay in the outcome on the keyboard. You are better off using the Fn key.
If I was to gripe about one thing, it would be the tray icon, it’s the same as other peripherals from Speedlink, if you own a Speedlink mouse you will have to guess or hover over to assess which tray icon you need to open to adjust any settings.
Overall, I like the Speedlink Ultro very much and it has become my main keyboard, at least for the time being. The compact design saves space and the red, metal chassis is a subtle eye-catcher. With the price tag of around £80, the Ultro is great value and a superb example of a gaming keyboard on a budget. This much quality at such a low price is hard to find.
With Gareth Myles, Jay Garrett and Leila Gregory
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Show Notes
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Twitter: @garethmyles ; @gavinfabiani ; @GadgetyNewsCom ; @JayGarrett ; @swanny ; @girlsngadgets ; @wildlime
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Sennheiser has sent over their good looking Momentum In-Ear Bluetooth headphones for evaluation.
The new MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless combines sleek design, immaculate sound performance and take-anywhere mobility. This premium neckband headset made of luxurious, high-quality materials, offers exceptional hi-fi wireless sound assured by Bluetooth 4.1 and Qualcomm® apt-X™. With NFC for simple one-touch pairing, an integrated microphone, and a ten-hour battery life, it is the perfect companion to mobile devices.
You can grab them off Amazon for £169.99 here.
Olixar has officially released their full line-up of premium affordable cases for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, ranging from thin to tough cases. Many of their cases are already in stock and available from Mobile Fun and Amazon. Well known for their premium, innovative gadgets and accessories, which have been featured by the likes of Unbox Therapy, Olixar will have a complete selection of accessories available on release of the S8 and S8 Plus, including screen protectors and chargers.
With the long awaited Galaxy flagships finally becoming available this month, many people will be looking for the perfect case to protect Samsung’s beautifully designed Infinity Display. Olixar will have a wide selection available to suit any need with all their tried and tested cases such as the ExoShield with its reinforced corners, the rugged ArmourDillo and the carbon fibre X-Duo cases. / The Olixar range of cases for the S8 and S8 Plus include many of their most popular cases such as the Ultra-Thin, ArmourDillo and Genuine Leather cases.
There will also be some exciting newcomers in this line-up, such as the X-Trex Rugged Card Case. This tough case is the ultimate combination of protection and practicality in a sleek straightforward design. The X-Trex comes with a functional built-in stand that can be used in both landscape and portrait mode as well as a handy card slot with enough space to store two cards. On top of that it features a robust multi-layered design to protect the S8 or S8 Plus against anything life throws at it.
“With the X-Trex we wanted to create a case that can really do it all,” says Sally Wijers from Olixar. “The multi-layered design and enhanced drop protection will safeguard your phone on hiking trips or during other outdoor activities. At the same time it features a sleek design and practical innovation that make it the perfect companion case for the S8 and the S8 Plus.”
Two further additions come in the form of fashion cases: the X-Ring and X-Tome. The slim X-Ring offers stylish protection and has the added benefit of a practical finger loop on the back for extra grip that also doubles as a viewing stand. The X-Tome has a vintage, leather bound book design that benefits from two interior card slots and a document pocket to keep important possessions together when out and about.
“Having an all-round collection is important to us,” explains Wijers. “We want to offer cases for all situations without compromising on quality. Our focus has always been to offer premium innovation at an affordable price and that is exactly what we are offering for the S8 and S8 Plus.”
Olixar’s X-Trex, X-Ring and X-Tome cases can be pre-ordered now, the rest of the line-up is available for purchase from Mobile Fun and Amazon. More information on product availability can be found on Mobile Fun.
8848, China’s leading luxury phone company, presented its high-end smartphones for the first time in Europe at the well-known Baselword fair, taking place from 23 to 30 March in Switzerland. On this occasion, three different ranges of telephones were presented including one designed by the Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
2017 is a pivotal year for this flagship of Chinese industry that turns to Europe to present the finesse and quality of its smartphones which are the combination of modern technology and traditional Chinese culture. Among the collections presented exclusively at the show were:
8848 will also release private ordering for 2017 S ring and Summer colour series. It will give consumers more personalisation options for their 8848 mobile phone, with wide range of different skins and materials
In 2016, 8848 sold 100,000 phones, becoming a leading player in the Chinese telephony industry.
” We believe that luxury phones and high-end watches have many things in common and this was confirmed by the commercialization of the M3 range, which was a great success with our Chinese customers,” said Zhou Jia, CEO of 8848. “Baselworld is a unique forum for exchanges and of sharing where it was essential for us to come and present our know-how to Western buyers. We hope to better understand the needs of the European market and to understand and interact with European and global high-end consumers. ”
“Our latest phones are a perfect illustration of our know-how in the very high technology and Chinese goldsmithing. In the near future, our goal is to combine Eastern and Western cultural elements in our products as we plan to sell our phones to the European market very quickly, “adds Zhou Jia.
With Gareth Myles and Jay Garrett
RSS Link: http://mobiletechaddicts.libsyn.com/rss
Show Notes
Listener Feedback:
Hi Gareth,
You might remember I contacted you a while ago about the difficulty we have purchasing power banks from the mainland here in N. Ireland, and you discussed the issue in some depth on the podcast. Just wanted to let you know I came across one product on Amazon which doesn’t have the dreaded red “No delivery for you” warning. Not sure if this is an oversight or if there is some specific reason why this one is not restricted.
Anyway, it’s a Vinsic 12,000mAh Power Bank with built-in Qi Wireless charging, which just happened to be exactly the specs I was looking for. I managed to successfully order one and have been using it for over a week. It allows charging of three devices at once (two wired and one wireless), and seems very well built. So I can recommend this for any folks in our power bank deprived province: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N6NPDFI
Thanks again for the podcast and product reviews. Keep up the good work!
Andrew
Hi Guys and dolls,
Was up with apple. They reckon it is a firmware issue specifically the interface between the battery and the power management software. They did a software and firmware reset so I’m just restoring my content now and hoping for the best!
The battery is constantly feeding into to the power management software through the firmware. If the firmware isn’t working properly it causes mini crashes and is constantly resetting itself and sucking away the battery.
The guy I was speaking to was very helpful and he could see that there was a problem (it dropped 3% during the battery diagnostic test). He reckons it was the firmware as I have already wiped and restored the software and the actual battery checked out fine.
Paul
News:
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Jay
Gareth
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Main Show URL: http://www.techaddicts.uk
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Twitter: @garethmyles ; @gavinfabiani ; @GadgetyNewsCom ; @JayGarrett ; @swanny ; @girlsngadgets ; @wildlime
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Thinkware are pushing the boundaries of what dashcams can do and cost. The F770 is one of their more attractive offerings and a newer the F800 is about to arrive on our shores.
The F770’s mount sticks onto your windscreen directly and I’m sure a number of users will be instantly put off the device. No suction cup has been included, only a piece of 3m tape. The mount is a simple piece of plastic with a few clips that click into the main camera’s body.
Thinkware were kind enough to clear up this issue with the following statement:
It is common sense to avoid obstructing the field of view of the driver, so the recommended location for a dash cam is behind the rear view mirror and as you can see from the below picture the THINKWARE F770 is totally hidden behind the rear view mirror from the driver’s perspective and looks like part of the original equipment. If a suction mount was used this would not be the case.
More importantly the decision was made due to legal considerations. If you use a suction mounted car camera in the UK, if the device (camera and / or cradle and / or suction cup) intrudes more than 4cm into the secondary (pink) wiper clearance zone, or intrudes more than 1cm into the primary (red) wiper clearance zone of the windscreen, you are committing a serious traffic offence (dangerous driving) under the UK Road Traffic Act 1988, and your vehicle is not roadworthy (it would fail an MOT).The company selling a windscreen suction mounted car camera has a legal duty to ensure a) that the camera can actually be attached to a section of the windscreen of the vehicle which does not result in an unlawful intrusion of the primary (red) and / or secondary (pink) wiper clearance zone, b) that the screen does not remain on or visible to the driver and c) that the user is aware of the law. If the company sells a suction mounted car camera without doing this, they have committed a crime.
Looking at the device, on the “front” you have the camera lens, this rotates through (around) 87° to allow for coverage depending on the angle of your windscreen.
On one side there is only a little groove for heat dissipation and the reset button.
The other side has a hatch for access to the power socket and the microUSB port. There is also a groove for a penny or tough thumbnail to turn the camera lens.
On top, there are more vents for heats and cooling. Two LEDs, WiFi and GPS. Dedicated buttons for Manual Record start/stop, turning off and on the microphone, WiFi on/off, formatting the SD card and the power button. The device turns on when the car is started so this power button is purely for exceptions to that rule.
Along the back is the slot for the MicroSD card, some more vents and the hole for the cables for the side hatch.
Recording at Full HD 1080p at 30 frames per second. The F770 records at 9.5Mbps bitrate with a mono 48kHz audio track at 728Kbps. Footage is captured to expandable storage and the F770 takes a microSD card and there should be a 16GB card included. A 16GB MicroSD card will store up to 200 minutes of footage. As with most dashboard cameras the recording loops and overwrites the oldest files provided they have not been tagged as an incident. In this case, the footage is moved to a separate folder for safe keeping. The OS on the camera as a few settings to change the storage capacities for kept footage.
To connect your camera to your phone the F770 has Wi-Fi access built in. Using Thinkware’s app a simple ad-hoc connection it made and the two devices shake hands. Connecting to the camera with your phone allows the user to stream the footage live to the phone, personalise the settings, and align the camera so image captures as much as possible.
Other settings include the sensitivity of the G-sensor, configuring the Parking recording, silencing warning for lane departure and speed zones.
The app includes an explorer function to allow the user to stream or copy video footage to their smartphone. This was something of a laborious task and it was a lot quick to remove the SD card, plug it into a computer or phone and copy the files directly
Remarkably this is a handy feature that turns off the device input voltage drops to avoid draining the battery in standby mode.
A special Dual save function is also included whereby built-in memory is used for incident recordings, in the even the removable memory is damaged you will still have the files. A good backup consideration.
Footage shot on the Thinkware Camera is good, a fine example of how paying extra give the user a big step up in quality. Night video is also acceptable with no blobs of light or underexposure. Crucially there are no lost frames either. The 30fps is consistent. Footage can be seen in the Unboxing video above.
GPS has been built in and location data is added to the footage. This can be viewed using desktop software.
It all sounds great, what the catch? The warnings are a pain, the camera will shout as you if you slip over the speed limit, and one occasion the camera’s speed limit database is incorrect. A bong will sound when changing lanes and whilst this is great for a tired driver who might drift, it can be irritating when on a long motorway drive.
One gripe I have with this and most other cameras is the power cable, at the one end is the connector for the 12v socket however as in some cars there might only be on 12v socket the dashcam will monopolise it. I have a phone charger and Bluetooth hands-free kit that sit in a three port USB converter with my current dashboard camera, however, the Thinkware has upset this happy arrangement.
It’s pricey and gets pricier if you want a rear camera as well. For the money, I would have expected a better mount, rather than have a lump of plastic permanently attached to the windscreen, it’s a relatively small footprint, but makes this difficult when you sell a car or want to switch the camera to a second car.
The Thinkware F770 has a few shortcomings however it’s indiscreet and produces the goods. It’s up there with the best of them and if you are purchasing then you better be sure this is the one for you.
The Thinkware F770 is for sale on Amazon.co.uk for £199
Griffin Technology, creator of award-winning and thoughtfully designed mobile accessories, today announces the Survivor Strong and Survivor Clear cases for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ devices, immediately following the recent Samsung Galaxy UNPACKED 2017 event. Griffin’s range of cases offer unparalleled protection and sleek designs to complement the innovative features of the next generation Samsung Galaxy devices.
“As a new partner of the Designed for Samsung Mobile program, Griffin is thrilled to support Samsung’s revolutionary S8 devices with two of our best-selling protective solutions, Survivor Strong and Survivor Clear,” said Ethan Opelt, Survivor Category Manager at Griffin Technology. “Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 and S8+ are truly remarkable in both intelligent functionality and cutting-edge design and our range of complementary solutions helps Samsung users stay stylish while protecting their device.”
Leading Griffin’s collection for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ is the ultra-slim Survivor Strong. Built to meet or exceed Military Standard 810-G standards for durability and protection, Survivor Strong offers unmatched drop protection without bulk. Weighing in at less than 2 ounces, Survivor Strong is light, but delivers heavy-duty protection from 7 foot (2.1 meters) drops onto concrete. The dual-material snap-on shell is designed with Griffin’s proprietary Impact Dispersion System to protect the device securely within its shatter-resistant shell, keeping it safe from impacts. To keep the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ safe, users need something strong, Survivor Strong.
Survivor Clear is one of Griffin’s slimmest Survivors ever while still delivering the same legendary Military Standard 810G protection from 4 foot (1.2 meter) falls. Composed of optics-clarity polycarbonate, the high-gloss case wards off scratches and looks newer longer. Survivor Clear’s impact-deflecting bumper protects the Samsung Galaxy S8’s sides and corners with anti-yellow rubber that maintains its impeccable clarity longer than other see-through cases. Allowing users to show off the sleek design and form of their new Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+, Survivor Clear offers ultimate protection without getting in the way of the devices’ stunning screen.
Rounding out Griffin’s case collection for Samsung’s newest Galaxy is Reveal. The unbelievably slim polycarbonate case lets the Galaxy S8’s beautiful design shine through, but protects against impacts and scratches. Adding barely over a millimeter of thickness, Reveal protects with thin rubber edges that cushion the phone and give users a secure grip.
Griffin’s USB-C power and connectivity solutions are readily available to support the latest functionality of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ devices. Users can stay prepared and powered up with Griffin’s USB-C PowerBlock SE, USB-C to Micro Cable, USB-C to USB-A Cable, and USB-C to USB-C Cable. Not only does Griffin offer protection for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+, also accessories to outfit the device ensuring it is powered up and ready for use.
The USB-C PowerBlock SE is built to last with its power strip-friendly compact design. Keeping the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ charged up and connected, the USB-C PowerBlock SE delivers up to 15 watts of charging with its heavy-duty 4 foot (1.2 meter) cable integrated with the power supply, so users are never left looking for their cable.
Griffin knows how important it is to stay connected and users can rely on their USB-C to Micro Cable, USB-C to USB-A Cable, and USB-C to USB-C Cable to connect the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ with multiple devices including backup batteries, laptops, and other USB-C enabled devices.
Pricing & Availability
Survivor Strong, £29.99, for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ will be available in late April 2017. Color options will include Black/Gray, Navy/Coral Blue, Arctic Gray/White, Arctic Gray/Pink, Black Tint, Blue Tint, Pink Tint, and Clear.
Survivor Clear, £19.99, for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ will be available in late April 2017. Color options will include Black/Smoke/Clear, Blue/Black/Clear, Arctic Gray, Gold, Coral Blue, and Clear.
Reveal for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ will be available in late April 2017.
Griffin’s USB-C PowerBlock SE, £30.00, USB-C to Micro Cable, £14.99, USB-C to USB-A Cable, £14.99, and USB-C to USB-C Cable, £14.99 are now available online.
Sign up for stock availability updates at griffintechnology.com/protect-the-galaxy
When it comes to dashboards there is precious little space to add extra that might not have been included in your cars loadout. It would then make sense to add anything that was missing and keep the footprint as small as possible. A dedicated GPS is handy for most, however, the rise of the dashcam is a sensible and useful addition to all driver’s in-car tech. Combining them together is also a great saving when it comes to space. The Mio MiVue is another option that takes both and rams them together with a 6.2” Transmissive LCD with touch panel to enjoy it all on. The screen sits at 800 x 480 pixels however the video recorded manages to both 1080p at 30fps and 1296p at 30fps. Interestingly the system is built around Windows CE 6.0.
Check out the Mio MiMvue 65 on their official website.
Stay tuned for the full review in the coming weeks.
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