Accessories

By January 13, 2016 Read More →

Adam Elements launches its brand new Apple Lightning flash drive iKlips DUO

aAdam Elements, a leading smart lifestyle solutions brand, is excited to announce the launch of its latest version of iKlips – the iKlips DUO. Combining a perfected flash drive with a refined, intuitive app for managing your device in so many more ways, it is quite the DUO.

A redesigned body to fit iPhone and iPad cases and a silicone body sleeve for added protection: iKlips DUO

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iKlips DUO – the best made better
If you became attached to iKlips the first time round, you will love what we have in store with the new iKlips DUO. It is a design that has been perfected to be more practical, with a redesigned body to fit even more iPhone and iPad cases and a silicone body sleeve for added protection. Losing connector caps is now a thing of the past. Like the first iKlips, the new iKlips DUO is also produced with top quality and super high-speed MLC flash memory for iPhone, iPad, and iPad Pro. In addition to enabling greater speeds, it also provides greater stability and a longer lifespan, so it will last as long as you want it to. And with its gorgeous high-grade aluminum body, you will be wanting to use it as often as possible. It is gorgeous to hold and use.

Comfortable data management thanks to the new app iKlips 2

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iKlips 2 – the DUO’s other half
iKlips 2 is the other half of what makes iKlips DUO even better. It is an intuitive app that makes using your iKlips DUO an even easier experience, featuring 3D Touch support, multi-select, Spilt View, password protection, Drop To, and even integration with Apple’s Music app to access your iTunes purchases. Now all your music, photos, videos, work projects, Adobe files, and all your other creations can be securely shared between devices – iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro, Mac, and PC. Having the ability to organise, store more and share on the go with friends, family, and colleagues gives you the power to do more. iKlips 2 is the way you want to manage your device – easily.

Posted in: Accessories, News, Press Releases
By January 11, 2016 Read More →

EasyAcc PowerBank PB10000CF Review

easyacc-2nd-gen-brilliant-10000mah-power-bank-“Make it easy to keep running.” We are becoming a more power hungry society, with technology connecting us instantly to friends, family and news there is nothing worse than that dreaded notification on your mobile device that your battery is running low. You hope that the remaining 8% battery life will enable you to make that important phone call, or let you listen to a few tracks on the journey home but there is no need to worry if you have a portable powerbank to charge your device on the go.

The EasyAcc powerbank PB10000CF is a fine example of many of the power banks available by the company. The company describe it as a super battery pack that can give your smart devices enough juice to keep them running.

Specifications:

  • Capacity 10,0000 mAh/37 Wh
  • Battery Type Lithium-polymer rechargeable battery cell
  • Input DC 5V 2A (max)
  • Smart Outputs DC 5V 2.4A (max)
  • Size – 144x75x14.8mm/ 5.7×2.95×0.58 in.

I have previously used powerbanks to give my battery a boost but this power bank can fully charge your phone not once, twice but three times on a single charge. The battery takes about six hours to fully charge and about 90 mins to fully charge my phone from zero battery. The device is quite weighty and is about the size of my palm. EasyAcc describe it as i phone 6 plus size and boast it is capable of charging the new mac book.There are two USB ports on the device and a flashlight in between.  Double tapping the button on the right hand side turns the torch on and off. There is a 4 light indicator of the power banks charge, and it is charged with a micro usb port.  

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This is the 2nd generation of this battery and the advance on style and shape is a great improvement from the 1st generation.

I have used this power bank extensively over the Christmas period, and to my surprise have used it more than I imagined I could, the 10,000mAh battery just keeps going. Not only did I take it with me as a charging source in the car, on my commute to work I have also found use in charging my gaming consoles’ controllers. I have battery packs on the controller that the charge never lasted for any great length of time. My son used it as an excuse to sit too close to the television as the charging cable was plugged into the console. Now he has to sit at an appropriate distance away from the television as this power bank can keep up with his gaming needs.  No longer do i hear cries of despair as batteries are running low, it is now pass the power bank.

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Currently priced at amazon.co.uk from £10.39 this EasyAcc powerbank is a great purchase for any user of smart technologies. It really does make life easier and help you keep running all day long.  It is also available in a variety of colours. Black and Orange, Black and Green, Black and Gray, Black and Purple, White and Gray…

This is a fantastic product and is now an essential item that i do not think I could do without. Head over to Easyacc’s website to read more about this product.

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Other specifications

  • OUTER CASE – premium grinding craftsmanship with better touch
  • BATTERY – High-quality Li-polymer battery cell
  • CENTER FRAME – Uniquely colored and durably constructed
  • Auto On/Off – Auto on/off when devices are connected or unplugged
  • PCB – Highly sophisticated and safe smart ICs;
  • Short circuit protection;
  • Overcharge protection;
  • Overdischarge protection;
  • Overcurrent protection;

 

Posted in: Accessories, Reviews
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By January 7, 2016 Read More →

Kit: Type C to A Cable review

ctoaMany will grumble however evolution is necessary and Type C USBs are here. A new phone, tablet Chromebook or laptop you purchase has a small chance of having one and its time to let go of those the majority of the MicroUSB cables you have knocking about. If you are rocking a MiniUSB or even ExtUSB then my hat is off to you. 

Kit: Type C to A Cable is a robust option for charging and syncing your Nexus, One+, Nokia, or Pixel devices. The cable acts as as a charger, adapter, and data transfer providing ultra fast data transfer speeds of up to 20x faster than standard USB 2.0. The cable can also to power anything with a Type-C connector this includes even laptops. The Holy Grail for anyone with Type-C is the reversibility, which means that it doesn’t matter which way round you plug it into your device it will be ready for action, something Apple users have been used to for a few years now.

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However, much like Apple’s Lightening cables it isn’t just a case of picking up any old cable off Ebay, Google have warned that buyers need to identify the best cables for their devices. There is a method to test, using a 2015 Chromebook Pixel. 

Kit: offer a number of different cables and are no strangers to the market. This Type C to A is to hit market shortly and whilst currently a no-frills affair the cable delivers some pretty solid results. Copying the HD video a Nexus 6P took much less time than expected. Copying a 3gb video file was measured by Windows 10 to take 15 minutes, however in reality the transfer was 60 seconds. Charging was no slower than the cable included in the box.

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Playback of UHD video files located on the phone through Windows Explorer resulted in a buffering icon however I would go as far to say this might be more a problem with Windows 10 than the cable. 

Kit will be releasing a variety of Type C cables, and they are all compatible with the new Macbook and Chromebook, the Nexus 6P/5X, the Nokia N1 tablet, Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL, and the OnePlus 2. It is even being rumoured that the new iPhone will have a Type C connection. 

RRPs start from £9.99

Website: http://yourkit.co.uk/

Twitter: @KitaccessoryUK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kit-Accessory/

YouTube: YouTube Channel

Posted in: Accessories, Reviews
By January 6, 2016 Read More →

Sennheiser Presents AMBEO 3D Audio Technology

amAt CES 2016, audio specialist Sennheiser is unveiling a strategic focus on 3D immersive audio, a groundbreaking technology that promises the ultimate in audio capture and reproduction. “3D audio is the new frontier of excellence, set to transform the listening experience for users across a broad range of applications, from virtual reality gaming to audio recording and broadcasting,” announced co-CEOs Daniel Sennheiser and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser. “We have been active in this area for some time with 9.1 mixing and recording and the audio design for high-profile exhibitions. We are now increasing our efforts considerably to introduce this amazing sound quality into new products and applications, enabling users to experience and shape the future of audio.” Sennheiser’s 3D immersive audio products and activities will bear the new AMBEO trademark.

3D immersive audio is increasingly becoming a format of choice in professional recording, mixing and listening. The composer, producer, and musician Simon Franglen, well known for his work on the films Titanic, Avatar, and most recently Spectre, commented: “Every time I do an immersive mix, I notice how much more clearly I can hear what’s going on within a track. The extra playback area allows individual voices and instruments room to breathe in a way that the flat plane of a stereo mix can never hope to accomplish. 3D audio gives a completely new experience to the listener. Not only are they inside the music, but they get the opportunity to really hear the detail and the arrangement that the musicians, arrangers and producers put into the recordings. Even as a professional, I have listened to tracks that I have thought I knew intimately to discover so much more than the stereo or mono mix was able to give me. Once you hear this, music changes forever.”

AMBEO 3D Audio Listening Experience

Show visitors will experience AMBEO 3D Audio firsthand in the booth’s dedicated 9.1 listening room. Here, Sennheiser’s expert tonmeister Gregor Zielinsky is presenting original 9.1 recordings and remixes of legacy music for the 9.1 format. To bring this experience to every day music listening, visitors are invited to bring their own stereo sound material, have it upmixed via Sennheiser’s proprietary upmix algorithm and replayed in stunning 9.1 sound quality.

EDEN VR Game

Sennheiser’s expertise in 3D audio technology is also being featured by gaming specialist, Soulpix, which has drawn on the audio specialist’s long experience in the field for its virtual-reality game, EDEN. Through a proprietary Sennheiser algorithm, the sounds in the game are easily localizable and transport the listener to an imaginary yet utterly realistic soundscape. CES visitors can experience this in the demo area. “The Sennheiser 3D sound rendering engine used in EDEN allows a smooth transition between real-life sounds and virtual audio sources,” explained Andreas Sennheiser. “Such an engine will be the future of 3D sound in augmented reality applications.”

Virtual reality mic

Another part of the 3D audio experience zone is dedicated to a virtual reality microphone. Designed with VR content producers, the unobtrusive mic captures high quality audio in four quadrants. The VR microphone will be a staple tool in any live action VR production and will launch in the third quarter of 2016, followed in 2017 by a bundle with the same mic and a software plug-in for post-production of VR content.

Venue Modeling

A further highlight in the 3D audio section is the Venue Modeling software. The demo version features the room characteristics of several clubs, such as Mighty in San Francisco, and the Rex Club in Paris, and enables DJs to experience their sets as if they were in the middle of their audience.

The Venue Modeling technology will be a milestone in virtual room acoustics replication. Unlike other reverb tools and plug-ins, this VST plug-in lets ambitious DJs, PA artists and EM producers experience their audio tracks in the location they want to perform in. The plug-in helps to tailor the audio to any desired room atmosphere, and a growing venue database connected to the plug-in will offer DJs an ideal source to prepare for their show. The VST plug-in will become available in mid-2016. 

Posted in: Accessories, News, Press Releases
By January 4, 2016 Read More →

Elite 8 Pin Braided USB Cable from Gadjet Review

P1020514There is an ongoing problem that Apple users are constantly having to deal with, Lightening cable burn out. Living in a household with a number of Apple’s recent portable offerings there seems to be a silent struggle with the lack of charging cables as those that are provided with the device might not last as long as the purchaser will have expected. The first is usually replaced by a second official Apple cable with grumblings about the price, for a cable. Thereafter most folks hit Ebay or Amazon looking for a cheaper alternative. This seems like a great solution until that packs in a few months later, sometimes longer, sometimes a lot shorter.

There are many reasons for a cable to stop working, burn out, something snapped inside, heat problems when using cases, even firmware updates can get the blame. The advice is always back to getting the official cable.

Gadjetsupply however have another solution, their Elite 8 Pin Braided USB Cable. Priced at £7.99 this is sitting right in the mid range of the Apple cable price list however you would be hard pressed to destroy this cable so easily. Compatible with all devices rocking a Lightning port: iPhone 6 plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, iPad Mini, iPad Air, this cable features one of the most solid connectors I have used for a while.

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When using an iPad in bed, with the cable providing power, the cable felt somewhat resilient. Previously, having lost one cable to such a challenging task, I have watched a cable tear and fray in slow motion. I have faith that the Elite will withhold a large amount of movement whilst continuing to charge. Oddly enough, using a device in bed does put a lot of strain on the cable as it is usually stretched to the maximum, in this case 1.2 metres, a little longer than Apple’s.  Additionally the cable also transfers file, as the user would expect, between your computer and iPad/iPhone.

Apple’s devices are normally considered fashion accessories, aside from the recently released Smart Battery Case, however you could easily carry the GadJet cable with you instead as there are a variety of colours available. Orange, Green, Blue, Pink, Charcoal make for a pretty if basic look however there is also the Elite Metal 8 Pin USB Cable available with striking looks whilst loosing the unique braided feel.

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Moving forward I will be using this cable to power and charge my devices on the go, I have no fear throwing it in a bag, oddly the braided texture allows the cable to keeps it shape a little more than Apple’s. I have been rough with this in testing and believe me I will be updating this review in the future if the cable does give in. However, be aware, this has been stretched, coiled, left in a car overnight through freezing conditions, subject to a chair rolling over it on carpet and crucially given to a 17 year old girl, with lots of friends, for a week whilst home, sick in bed. Without resorting to fire, water and methods of actual destruction the cable looks like new. At £7.99 this isn’t breaking the bank to have a little piece of mind that your cable will work when you need it to.

The charge cable shouldn’t be a cause for concern, talk to an Android or Windows Phone user and they will not know the woe. If you need one, I heartily recommend the Elite USB range.

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By December 17, 2015 Read More →

Avoid waking up next to a sad cracked phone screen this festive season

Bathroom selfieThe Christmas party season is in full swing and we’ve all been there. A “get into the spirit” festive tipple turns into seventeen “IT’S CHRIIIIIISTMAAAAS” Jagerbombs and before you know it, you’ve a smashed phone screen staring back at you, accompanied by a hollow feeling of regret.

  • Over a quarter of UK revellers aged 18-40 have damaged their phone on a night out
  • London named the clumsiest region (29%), and Newcastle the most accident-prone city (23%)
  • Only 1 in 10 covered by insurance
  • Average amount spent on repairs is £49, roughly double the price of a protective case

Ahead of ‘Mad Friday’, the last Friday before Christmas and most popular for office parties, it has been revealed that 27% of lumbering UK revellers aged 18-40 have damaged their phone on a night out. In the survey of 2,000 British adults, conducted by Griffin Technology, Newcastle topped the list of clumsy cities, while London is the region reporting most mobile emergencies.

As only 12% of damages were covered by insurance, our resident Griffin Gadgetologist, the brains behind the tough-as-nails Survivor phone cases, is on a mission to help the buttery-fingered amongst you.

So if you’re a ham-fisted Harry, or your BFF is a regular blundering Barbara, take note – here are some top tips to avoid having to fork out for a pricey repair, or even a new phone, come Christmas.

  • Resist the urge to take a bathroom selfie

 Tiled flooring and all that running water (amongst other things) spells disaster for your phone, both inside and out. Research shows water damage comes second only to cracked screens as the cause of smartphone failure, so do your phone a favour and protect them from the elements.

 

  • Watch out for office geeks in YOLO party mode

If you must grab that group shot on the dance floor, stand well out of the way of errant dancers. Christmas does funny things to people – we tend to get overexcited and fling our arms in the air like we just don’t care, cue phones being knocked out of hands left, right and centre.

 

  • Keep it zipped

The more barriers there are to your phone, the less chance it has of falling to its demise. Whether it’s a zipped compartment in a handbag or buttoned pockets, something to stop you reaching for it every 10 seconds can work wonders.

 

  • Invest in a super-sturdy phone case

If you’ve been known to hit the deck after a few shandies, it could be worth taking a good hard look at your phone’s attire to decide if it’s up to the job. Even if you’re the type to dance on tables, Griffin’s new Survivor Summit and Journey cases survive drops of up to 3 metres!

Emojis

  • Simplicity is key

Everyone knows that nothing says it better than an emoji, but the tinier the buttons and more intricate your conversation, the longer it takes to text and the more likely your phone is to slip from your hand. Do everyone a favour and stick to the classic … “by the bar”.

 

  • Don’t drink too much

Not a popular tip, but it works.

 The toughest Griffin Survivor cases yet are available now from http://bit.ly/GriffinTechnology

Posted in: Accessories, Press Releases
By December 15, 2015 Read More →

Sennheiser unveils new version of the HD 800

opopopThe Sennheiser HD 800 is cherished by music lovers throughout the world for its brilliant sound image and impressive spatiality. With the HD 800 S, the audio specialist now presents a new version, which even surpasses the listening experience of its predecessor: Acoustically, the proven transducer technology and the innovative earcup design of the HD 800 are still being employed, while the sound image has once again been further optimized in the medium and low frequency range. Sennheiser has also enhanced the equipment level of the HD 800 S with the addition of a symmetrical XLR4 cable. The color was also slightly changed: the earcups of the new model are resplendent in a premium matte-black finish.

Ever since its launch, the HD 800 has been a firm favourite among music lovers and audiophiles. Brilliant trebles, precise bass reproduction and a particularly clear sound image combined with a frequency response from 4 to 51,000 Hz – these are the outstanding qualities of the multi-award-winning HD 800.

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With the HD 800 S, sound reproduction has been optimized even beyond the high benchmark set by the HD 800. This is made possible through the innovative absorber technology that was first introduced in the IE 800. This patented technology ensures that the so-called “masking effect” is neutralized. This acoustic phenomenon, that diminishes sound quality, arises as the human ear is unable to perceive higher-pitched sounds, that have low-volumes, at the same time that sigificantly louder sounds in a lower frequency range occur. Through the application of the absorber technology, the energy of the resonances is absorbed, thus preventing any unwanted peaks in the frequency response and ensuring that even the finest nuances in the music remain audible over the entire frequency range.

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Impressive sound experience – outstanding technology

The improved audio quality of the HD 800 S is based on the high-end technology of its legendary predecessor. As before, the core of the new model is a unique transducer system which, as in the HD 800, is the source and guarantee of an exceptionally detailed sound image. Measuring 56 millimetres, it is the largest transducer currently to be found in a set of dynamic headphones. In spite of the size of the transducer, the patented diaphragm with its innovative ring design minimizes any distortion that might occur especially at higher frequencies – keeping total harmonic distortion to less than 0.02 percent. Meticulous attention was also paid to the design of the earcups. These are designed in such a way that the sound waves are directed to the ear at a slight angle. This ensures a particularly natural and spatial sound perception.

In order to achieve even better audio quality in the reproduction of audio sources with a symmetrical output, such as the Sennheiser HDVD 800, the HD 800 S comes with a symmetrical XLR4 cable.

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Luxurious materials for luxury headphones

“The HD 800 is in a class of its own. During its development, we took time to focus on every single detail,” explained Maurice Quarré, Director Business Segment Select & Audiophile at Sennheiser. And that is also true for the new HD 800 S. Like their predecessor, these high-end headphones from the audio specialist use only the highest quality materials – not least to optimally support the outstanding sound properties. For example, the transducer is embedded in a specially manufactured stainless steel gauze. For the headband, the audio specialist has chosen a design consisting of several layers of sound-attenuating plastic and stainless steel, while the connector contacts are gold-plated to ensure optimum contact. The earcups are made of high-quality, high-attenuation plastic, which is used in aviation engineering as a substitute for metal. It is precisely these components on the HD 800 S that feature a matte-black, silk-gloss finish, providing the new high-end headphones with a unique, silky luxurious look. In this way, the outer appearance of the HD 800 S is in perfect harmony with the exceptional quality of the sound image.

Like the HD 800, the HD 800 S is hand-crafted at the company’s German headquarters in Wedemark. It will be available from mid-December 2015.

Posted in: Accessories, Headphones, Press Releases
By November 26, 2015 Read More →

Think ROMA for USB-C and USB 3.1 dual-connector flash drive

usb1With USB-C and USB 3.1, ROMA combines two of the latest high-speed connectors in one flash drive, encased in a highly robust and elegant gold or space grey aluminium body. This way, up to 64 GB of data can be easily shared between the latest MacBook and other devices.

Following its award-winning Lightning and USB 3.0 flash drive iKlips for iOS devices, Adam Elements now presents a new dual connector storage innovation for MacBook. ROMA comes with both a USB-C connector and a standard USB 3.1 plug, which can be easily swivelled around. This way, users can easily store up to 64 GB of data from e.g. the latest USB-C-only MacBook models. The files can then be shared with other USB-C devices, including the latest Chromebook Pixel, other new notebooks or even selected smartphone models. But also data sharing with older USB compatible computers is possible, thanks to the standard USB 3.1 connector.


USB-C for the latest MacBook, USB 3.1 for a variety of USB devices:
the 64 GB dual-connector flash drive ROMA by Adam Elements

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High-end connectors for fast data transfer
ROMA’s USB-C plug works either way up, so users will never need a second attempt when trying to connect it to their MacBook, smartphone or other compatible device. Whenever data needs to be moved to another computer with a standard USB socket only, the connector can simply be swivelled around, and a full-sized USB 3.1 plug is ready to go. On both ends, ROMA boasts high-end transfer speeds of up to 130 MB/s.


Dual-connectivity:
the USB-C and standard USB 3.1 plugs can be easily swivelled around

A perfect match for the MacBook
ROMA’s advanced connector technology comes encased in a both classy and robust design crafted from high quality materials. The flash drive’s casing is forged using a premium zinc-aluminium alloy. It is not only shock-resistant and dustproof, making it ideal for day-to-day use and transport. The two gold and space grey colour options give all enthusiasts a perfect match for the latest MacBook models. In order to make transport easier and add to the flash drive’s elegant design, ROMA comes with a brown handmade genuine leather strap, which fastens neatly onto bags and clothes. This way, ROMA serves as both a convenient storage solution and a stylish accessory.


An elegant storage companion:
ROMA in gold and space grey colours with handmade genuine leather strap

ROMA can be ordered directly from the Taiwan-based Adam Store at www.adamelements.com/store/. Starting in early December 2015, it will also become available at selected European retailers. The MSRP is £39.99.

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For more information about ROMA and detailed product specifications, please visit www.adamelements.com

Posted in: Accessories, Press Releases
By November 19, 2015 Read More →

AOC launches 23.6″ display with 4K resolution

aocDisplay specialist AOC presents a new high-end monitor that brings 4K into a more compact format to fit on any desk at home or in offices. The AOC U2477PWQ’s space-saving 23.6″ (59.9 cm) 4K display provides the user with an impressive UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Its PLS panel delivers the best colour uniformity at any viewing angle and exploits 100 % of the sRGB colour gamut. Ultra-fast HDMI 2.0 ensures a bandwidth up to 18 Gb/s, which allows a fluid playback of 4K videos, e.g. when connected to a 4K Blu-ray player, 4K camcorder or 4K gaming. The monitor comes in a premium timeless design: With its textured and transparent base, the monitor is an eye-catching companion for professional work and ambitious home users.  

 

Impressive 4K resolution in a practical size
Many users have become accustomed to displays with high pixel densities, for example on their smartphones, so they do not want to forego this image quality on their monitor screens, too. However, most 4K displays pack the imposing 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels into large monitor sizes which do not necessarily fit into smaller offices. The new AOC U2477PWQ offers a compact solution for everyone: With its display size of 23.6″ the monitor is an ideal option for users who look for a 4K solution but do not have a big office or desk. What is more, with the new Windows 10 operating system, detecting and setting up 4K resolutions has become far more intuitive, making the use of 4K much easier with monitors of all sizes and formats. The combination of a 4K resolution with a compact screen size entails an extra high pixel density, which leads to ultra-sharp images and a crystal clear reproduction of photos and 4K videos. Users do not have to scroll or down scale their images anymore to see the whole picture and at the same time enjoy the smallest details.

Professional panel power
The PLS panel delivers a vivid as well as very precise colour reproduction and comes with wide viewing angles of 178°/178° – horizontal and vertical. PLS panels have an extremely good colour uniformity at any viewing angle. The 8-bit colour support and sRGB colour gamut rounds off the high performance of this display. This way, the U2477PWQ offers the user vibrant pictures, making it ideal for professional users like graphic designers, photographers and movie makers who prefer a smaller display size. Also, ambitious home users find a convincing solution for private photo and video editing. And even if those tasks require long-time work, the display offers a helpful technology to prevent the user from eye fatigue: Flicker FREE helps to reduce imperceptible, but eye-affecting flickering.

Timeless design, fully equipped
The stylish design of the monitor makes it a true eye-catcher in every workplace. With its textured finish and transparent stand, the display combines timelessness and modern understatement. Various ergonomic options complete the performance: Users can adjust the height, and use the tilt or pivot function to find the ideal setting for a healthy posture. And the monitor is very well equipped with advanced connectors, too. In addition to the ultra-fast HDMI 2.0 input that increases the bandwidth significantly up to 18 Gb/s and allows for 60 fps 4K video playback MHL 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 are also on board. MHL allows users to display content from a smartphone or tablet while charging it at the same time.

The AOC U2477PWQ will be available in November 2015. The MSRP will be £289. As with all of its displays, AOC offers a 3-year warranty with on-site exchange service.

Posted in: Accessories, Desktop Computing, Press Releases
By November 16, 2015 Read More →

Sony Smartwatch 3 Review

P1020431Sony is no stranger to the smart watch, they have produced a few generations of their signature Sony SmartWatch over the last couple of years. I personally owned the original Sony Smartwatch when it first came out 4 years ago. Whilst it might not be a conventional SmartWatch as we know it is perhaps better described as more of an iPod Shuffle with a screen on a wrist strap. This really was one of the first smartwatch devices and was a pretty big  trendsetter.

The second Sony Smartwatch made a lot of big changes and sorted out many of the problems of the original, notably becoming a pure Smartwatch, no clips, just a small screen with a processor on a strap. Of the smartwatches available at the time, the Sony smartwatch 2 was probably the most impressive, that is until the Samsung Galaxy Gear appeared shortly after.

My current smartwatch is the LG G Watch, a simple approach to Android Wear and a cheaper option for anyone wanting to test the water. Moving to the SmartWatch 3 from the LG G watch isn’t as exciting as as one might think. Android Wear is the same from device to device with very little in the way of modification. What we really have to look at is mainly just the physical differences between the two devices and how they operate from your wrist. The Sony SmartWatch and the LG G Watch are practically identical when it comes to many are the physical aspects of these devices.

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The big bonus of the Sony SmartWatch 3 over the LG G watch is comfort, I really noticed a big difference with the Smart Watch on my wrist. I seem to remember adjusting the LG G watch quite frequently as it became somewhat uncomfortable over the course of the day, I was always reminded that I had it on. The SmartWatch 3 has a much more snug fit around your wrist and is ultimately more comfortable. That’s not to say it’s like a second skin, it just has a better fit when it comes to the watch face.

Another major difference is the button on the side, the LG G Watch uses a couple of taps to the watch screen to wake it up whereas the SmartWatch relies on an old fashioned button, some may prefer this however.

The screen itself occupies a strange portion of the front facing panel. It isn’t quite centralised on the y axis leaving a bar at the bottom that looks almost like an Android phone where capacitive controls  may have once resided. The screen feels smaller than the LG G watch and appear to be roughly the same size to the eye. The resolution of the screen works, if not as pretty as some of the other competitors from Motorola, Huawei and Samsung.

There is a price difference between the LG G Watch and the Sony SmartWatch 3 and this price difference certainly feels like it made it’s way into the stock straps provided. LG of gone for a very basic approach to keep the price down whereas the Sony SmartWatch 3 has an infinitely superior strap  with a good solid clip to keep it from falling off the wrist. Additionally, being interchangeable with other ones that Sony sell the watch can be equipped for various different life challenges whether it be a marathon, a day in the office or a holiday.

The biggest annoyance of the Sony SmartWatch 3 is the charging port, a single micro USB connector is pushed into the back of the device. This can be a little annoying especially late at night when you just want to get the thing on charge and get into bed. The typical micro USB “is this the right way round?” syndrome happens whilst you attempt to keep a small rubber flap out of the way. On a number of occasions I have picked up the watch in the morning to find that it is dead, I had not put the charger in fully and the battery does not last more than the day. The little LG G Watch sits beside it in it’s cosy cradle enjoying a flow of constant power.

The Sony SmartWatch 3 is a decent entry into the Android wear catalogue at a cheaper price than some of the high-end watches making it one to consider or perhaps a backup. There will be the odd moment it infuriates you however these are hopefully going to be few and far between. I have a feeling that  if Sony provide a Smartwatch 4  it really will be  a contender.

You can purchase the Sony Smartwatch 3 from Mobilefun for £179.00

Posted in: Accessories, Reviews, Wearables
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