Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By May 13, 2016 Read More →

Hands on with the Predator 17 laptop #Acerliveblog2016

Photogallery_Predator_17_front-rightSun, Blue Skies and Acer Products Galore, It’s a rare day in Belfast that the sun shines continuously but with it being the infamous Friday the 13th today luckily is one of those days! With the added bonus of Belfast hosting this years #Acerliveblog2016 this weekend will definitely be one to remember.

With bloggers from all over the UK attending Acer’s annual event, we met up at the luxurious 5 star Merchant Hotel and entered the ‘room’  to which could only be described as an undercover communications room you would see in a blockbuster films. Forget the red room of pain Acer have created a red room for playing with Acer;s iconic Predator logos glowing on the back of the laptops and the rooms red back lighting this would be a gamers dream come true.

  • The Predator monitor range Predator Z35 £799.99, Predator X34 £899.99 Predator XB271HU £549.99
  • The Predator Desktop range G6 £1199.99 G3 £972.95, G1 £549.99
  • The Predator 15 laptop £1187.97 Predator 17 £1449.79
  • Predator Z650 projector £939.32
  • Predator 8 tablet £199.99
  • Liquid Zest 4G £109 available June
  • Jade Primo £429 without dock £475 with doc

Hands on with the Predator 17 laptop

This laptop looks and feels premium. With the back lit keyboard and sleek matt rubberised casing you know Acer have not spare any expense in creating this laptop range.

Specs:

  • Intel core i7
  • Nvidia Geforce GTX 980m
  • Blu ray Disc
  • Full HD 1080
  • Preloaded was metal gear solid V The Phantom, I was  PC gamer in my younger days however moved to popular consoles as  the desktop I had could not sustain the constant spec needed for games. This laptop could reignite my love for PC gaming.
  • Subwooofer speakers – powerful sound
  • Thunderbolt 3 8x faster than usb 3.0
  • Acer also have the Predator gaming headset
  • Curved Gaming at Full Throttle: Predator Z35 Monitor

The Predator Z35 is the first 35-inch product of Acer’s Predator Z Series curved gaming monitors with NVIDIA® G-SYNC™. Its 35-inch 21:9 UltraWide Full HD (2560×1080) panel features a curvature of 2000R for an immersive, wraparound gaming experience. The Predator Z35 gaming monitor incorporates NVIDIA® ULMB™ (Ultra Low Motion Blur) technology , reducing motion blur by delivering sharp edges in fast-paced gaming environments, and supports overclocking to a lightning-fast 200Hz refresh rate, so gamers can find their enemies before they spot them and enjoy crystal clear turns on the racetrack.

Pixel-Perfect for a Competitive Edge: Predator XB1 Monitor The Predator XB1 Series gaming monitors feature the latest NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ technology, giving gamers a competitive edge with pixel-perfect images and smooth visuals. The 27-inch models (XB271HK / XB271HU) all feature a ZeroFrame edge-to-edge design, with 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) or WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panels that support 100% of the sRGB color gamut, while the XB271HU support NVIDIA® ULMB™ and refresh rates of up to 144Hz. The 28-inch model (XB281HK) features a 4K UHD panel that has a fast  GTG (Gray to Gray) response time of 1ms, rendering fast-moving actions or dramatic transitions smoothly without smearing or ghosting.

In-Game Advantage with GameView The new Predator gaming monitors feature Acer’s GameView technology, which allow gamers to swiftly toggle between three customizable display profiles, tweaking settings such as Dark Boost, Overclock, and aim-point assistance for different types of games. This allows quick display adjustment while in- game, without the need to navigate through layers of OSD menus, especially when every split second counts.

Pricing and Availability

The Predator Z35 gaming monitor will be available in EMEA in November with prices starting at €1,099.

The Predator XB1 Series gaming monitors will be available in EMEA in October with prices starting at €699.

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via www.acer.com.

The new products were unveiled today at the next@acer press event at IFA Berlin in Germany, where the company announced its latest devices and solutions for gamers and consumers for the holiday season. Visit Acer’s booth at IFA 2015 in Messe Berlin (Hall 12/101) or learn about the new product range on acer.com/nextatacer.

See the fun as it happens:

Posted in: Editorial, gaming, Laptops, News
By May 13, 2016 Read More →

Synology DS916+ is the successor of DS415+

f-DS916+_right-45Synology® Inc. today launched DS916+, a 4-bay scalable NAS designed for professionals and growing businesses. Powered by a quad-core CPU, DS916+ performs high-speed computing and data encryption tasks. With flexible scalability up to 9 drives, DS916+ is able to handle rapidly growing storage capacity needs. Equipped with DiskStation Manager (DSM) 6.0 and versatile add-on packages, users are able to perform seamless file syncing and sharing, productive collaboration, and smooth disaster recovery on DS916+.

DS916+ delivers outstanding performance exceeding 225 MB/s reading and 221 MB/s writing. When transferring encrypted data, DS916+ also achieves 225 MB/s reading and 209 MB/s writing and can handle a wide range of computing tasks in a secured and robust working environment. DS916+ comes with two memory options, 2GB and 8GB for more flexibility in concurrent connections and virtualisation.

“Designed to meet fast growing businesses’ increasing storage capacity demands, DS916+ bridges the gap between costly enterprise level capacity and personal storage that are insufficient for expanding businesses,” said Michael Wang, Product Manager at Synology Inc. “With DS916+ and an expansion unit, DX513, businesses can now enjoy flexible scalability and all the powerful features DSM 6.0 delivers.”

DS916+ runs DSM 6.0, the most advanced and intuitive operating system for NAS devices. Featuring a wide range of applications from backup to network management, DS916+ provides all essential business services and increased productivity at work. Synology has received numerous media accolades, such as topping the midrange NAS category in TechTarget’s storage solution survey.

For more information, please visit click here.

By May 13, 2016 Read More →

Synology DS116 is the successor of DS115

002Synology  Inc. has launched the new DiskStation DS116. The 1-bay NAS server, powered by a dual-core processor with impressive encrypted data transmission capabilities, is one of the top picks for home users and small workgroups seeking a budget friendly storage solution that comes with comprehensive add-on features such as file sharing, collaboration software, and much more.

“DS116 is an excellent choice for home users and workgroup environments,” said Jason Fan, product manager at Synology Inc. “Its handy software packages include everything you need to boost work productivity and improve day-to-day workflow. Synology NAS comes with a set of robust file management tools allowing users to share, access, and sync files across desktops, laptops and mobile devices, integrate multiple public cloud storage services in one single interface, and improve team dynamics with modern collaboration packages.”

Powered by a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, DS116 delivers high speed performance exceeding 112 MB/s writing and 111 MB/s reading. Equipped with dedicated hardware encryption engine, DS116 ensures significantly improved performance when transferring encrypted data, with 112 MB/s encrypted reading and 93 MB/s encrypted writing — an increase exceeding 241% and 364% respectively compared with its predecessor.

In addition, the dual USB 3.0 ports provides fast data transmission to a wide range of external devices. DS116 energy efficient design consumes only 10.68 watts while accessing data and 6.28 watts during disk hibernation. DS116 runs on DiskStation Manager (DSM), the most advanced and intuitive operating system for network-attached storage devices that offers a wide range of applications from backup to multimedia for home and personal uses. Synology was voted by PC Pro readers as “The Best NAS Device of 2015”.

According to their survey, more than a quarter of all NAS drives bought by PC Pro readers are made by Synology and 97% of them would buy Synology again.

For more information, please click here.  

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News
By May 12, 2016 Read More →

Pick up the Samsung Galaxy S7 from Mobile Phones Direct

samsung-galaxy-s7-blackMobilephonesdirect.com has an neat idea up their sleeves. If you are pondering over the idea of purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S7 you can have an extra read over some interviews with several Bloggers, including myself, as to why we are excited about the Samsung Galaxy S7. We were asked what we would do first if we had the phone, each answer was wildy different from the next and the article covers many aspects of the phone in different walks of life. In the end, one of the bloggers will have the opportunity to win the device to review.

Check out the answers on mobilephonesdirect.com and you could convince yourself that the Galaxy S7 is the phone you want next.

Posted in: News, Phones
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By May 12, 2016 Read More →

Lazertouch mini projector transforms a surface into 150-inch touchscreen

Lazertouch - lifestyle photo - playing drumsEasitech announced today Lazertouch, the world’s first mini projector that transforms any surface into a finger-activated touchscreen. Small, weighing just 5 ounces, Lasertouch  projects a tablet-sized 20-inch to gigantic 150-inch display onto any wall or surface to create a virtual touchscreen and interactive white board for meetings, presentations, 3D movies, immersive gaming, VR, and more. Winner of 7 patents, with 5 years of R&D research, Lazertouch emits an invisible laser beam parallel to the projection screen. Go to https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/1916956-7-steps-for-obtaining-invention-patent-referrals—inventhelp for a guide to successful patenting. Much like a scene from a futuristic movie, when a finger or stylus touches the laser beam, the sensor detects and interprets the touch to add your comments, double click on an icon, stop or start a movie, or do anything else you would normally do with a touchscreen computer or device.

Lazertouch works the same as a tablet PC, featuring a built-in Android OS, downloadable apps, speakers, 32GB of storage, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a 13,600mAh rechargeable battery, and ports for HDMI, USB, headphones and Micro SD. Lazertouch comes with an IR e-pen stylus, remote control, and pointer.

Lazertouch - in meeting

Perfect for Business Meetings, Presentations, & Educational Use 
No Need for Calibration – Works with Just a Finger – Don’t Worry about Losing the Stylus

Lazertouch is perfect for meetings, speeches, presentations and classes, with an instant push-to-start mode with no need for calibration — just turn on and go. Lazertouch is the only mini projector that allows you to use a finger to quickly perform operations on the screen – no need to worry about a lost stylus. Users can also write smoothly with the included e-pen stylus, helping you deliver a powerful whiteboard interactive presentation with notes and comments. It even includes a pointer for clarification and emphasis – the essential portable device for teachers, speakers, and business executives. When conducting a group meeting, Lazertouch projects an approximately 15-inch screen on a desk or table that can be operated by finger or stylus as you would a tablet. Its versatile operation lets you transition to full screen on an up to 150-inch wall when more people come into the meeting – and it even works with interactive advertising boards. Lazertouch’s LED projection lamp also promises years of use with an estimated lifetime of over 30,000 hours. See the Youtube video for meeting demo:

For at Home and School Use — Saves Eyesight Strain from Computer, Tablet and Smartphone Use – Supports 200-inch HD & 3D Movies

Lazertouch - in meeting2

Lazertouch lets you watch 4K, 3D, or HD movies at home with your family, supporting 200-inch HD movies and immersive VR gaming, and projecting musical instruments, such as a drum or piano without damaging a tablet or other device. Since Lazertouch works as a tablet PC projecting the image without a harmful LED screen, it is safe for children’s and adult’s eyesight — perfect for learning and watching TV and movies with children at home or in school.

Features:

  • Employs Lasertouch’s patented technology to turn any surface into a finger touchscreen — awarded 7 patents.
  • Supports one-key auto-correct and auto-calibration.
  • Includes built-in Android 4.4 OS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 32GB storage, built-in speakers, and 13,600mAh rechargeable battery.
  • Can also be used as a tablet PC.
  • Comes with an E-pen stylus, remote and pointer.
  • Works as an interactive whiteboard.
  • Supports 4K video, Miracast, and Airplay.
  • Supports 3D movies and 3D holographic projection. Check out the best hologram companies here.
  • Lifetime of over 30,000 hours of use.
  • Features 2 Modes:
    • Desktop projection touch mode: use as a tablet PC, but with no harm to eyesight.
    • Wall projection mode: use as interactive whiteboard with finger activated or included e-pen stylus touchscreen.

For Business Meetings/Advertising:

  • No need for computers or cables, Lazertouch works as tablet PC.
  • For presentations and meetings: instant quick push-to-start mode with no need for calibration.
  • Supports Miracast and Airplay so smartphone and tablet presentations and information can be displayed in a large screen.
  • Writes smoothly with the included stylus.
  • Includes ports for HDMI, headphones, USB, and Micro SD.
  • Supports 3D projection.
  • Allows note-taking within PowerPoint and other apps.
  • Supports Interactive advertising.

For Educational Use:

  • For use with small training courses (best for around 20 people).
  • Works as an interactive whiteboard for classes.

For Home Use:

  • Work as a tablet PC: children and adults can play games, safely play musical instruments without  damaging the tablet or other device, and watch movies with no harm to eyesight.
  • In-wall projection mode: video games can be played at home projected on any wall.
  • Virtual Reality: allows VR effects when in large-screen mode, for immersive movies and games.
  • Connects to smartphones or tablets wirelessly via Airplay or Miracast.
  • Compatible with 3D movies.
  • Supports 4K HD.
  • Supports Android apps, movies, and games.

Lazertouch is available through Indiegogo at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lazertouch-mini-projector–2#/, with discount pricing for a limited time of $475 ($650 Suggested Retail Price). Business and educational wholesale pricing is available for large orders of $550/each for 30-100 units, $530/each for 101-300 units, and $510/each for 301-1000 units. Lazertouch comes with the mini projector, IR e-pen stylus, remote control, and pointer. For more information, see Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lazertouch-mini-projector–2#/, Website: http://www.easitech.com.cn/en.

Posted in: Uncategorized
By May 11, 2016 Read More →

Tech Addicts UK Podcast – 11th May 2016 – No O2 for Three

uwFGWPjeGareth Myles, Gavin Fabiani-Laymond and Jay Garrett are back for a second podcast. With a slight hiccup last time in the recording the guys are ready for action and reporting back on their experiences in technology over the last four weeks. 

Direct Download

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Show Notes

What have you been playing with?
Gareth: Archos F24 Power, Petcube, PitPat and ChargePit
Gavin – LG G5 – 2 more Friends. LG HiFi DAC & LG Tone Platinum (world’s first headphones with APTX HD) now reviewed every LG G5 Friend, Cam Plus, 360 cam, 360 VR, Samsung S7 – Official Samsung Wireless Battery Pack, Audioquest Dragonfly RED, Huawei P9 – “00” really  
Jay – Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 tablet, reviewed P9, a Guild Hammer Drill, Ratchet and Clank the movie and was at the launch of the IXION Maestro and Solo:2 compact Hi-Fi at Harrods last night.
Discussion: Three & O2 merger not allowed. Problems ? Three #makeitright advert banned by Advertising Agency. EE won appeal.
Discussion:  The Next@Acer line up Aspire S 13 Acer Chromebook 14 for Work Switch Alpha 12 Predator Gaming Line

Main Show URL: www.techaddicts.uk

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @garethmyles ; @gavinfabiani ; @samjpullen ; @GadgetyNewsCom ; @JayGarrett

Web: http://gavinsgadgets.com ; http://GadgetyNews.com

Google Plus: +garethmyles ; +gavinfabiani-laymond  ; +samjpullen ; +JayGarrett

Posted in: News, Podcast
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By May 11, 2016 Read More →

How to bring the European football championship to life in the living room

276E7QDSW_ftl bk_LRWith just one month to go until the European football championship kicks off in Stade de France in Paris, football fans throughout Europe are making plans for a month-long football fest. A lucky few have tickets for the stadiums. The majority will be watching at home – and pre-tournament prep for most people is all about studying match schedules and planning their own fixtures in the form of get-togethers with friends and family. To maximise viewing pleasure, it is also worth making a technology upgrade part of the game plan. MMD, a leading technology company and brand license partner for Philips Monitors, highlights some display choices to enjoy an even more brilliant viewing experience in the many hours of football over the coming weeks. How to get fantasy premier league information in Thai language? Go to FPL thailand facebook  page, they post the mos important articles before every fantasy premier league gameweek in Thai language.

For fans on a budget
A new display does not have to be a big-budget decision. Price-aware fans who are also short of space still want their football viewing to be a sociable experience, with plenty of people around to share the highs and lows. The 27-inch 276E7QDSW display from MMD fits the bill. The format is 16:9, with enhanced Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, which creates a widescreen picture with detailed imaging that works perfectly for fast-moving matches. Despite its modest dimensions, the display is clear and vivid – and thanks to the wide-angle panel technology (PLS), an entire group of people can gather round and still see the picture even when looking from virtually side-on. With Flicker-Free technology, the display eliminates flicker effects, keeping eyes fresh for hours of football. Watching football is more fun when you placed a bet at https://footballaustralia.info. Viewers can expect crisp detail paired with brightness, incredible contrast and realistic colours for a true-to-life match experience.

276E7QDSW_f imge MHL_LR

For technology fans with more cash to spend
It is not like having Premier League tickets to the real-life match. But even without passing through the stadium turnstiles for security, football fans can get closer to the action with an UltraWide screen, Quad HD resolution and one-billion-colour support. What makes the BDM3490UC special is its curvature: it wraps around the viewer’s line of vision to create a truly immersive, focused experience. The flicker-free, high resolution visuals (3440 x 1440 pixels) and smooth colour gradations are complemented by the 34-inch display’s integrated audio technology, the DTS™ sound enrichment suite that brings the unique stadium sound alive through integrated speakers. It all makes for totally captivating football!

BDM3490UC_00-RTP-global-001

For non-fans (rumoured to exist)
Of course (dare we say it), not everyone relishes the prospect of a month-long football-only viewing diet. People who are not fans themselves but have one (or several) in the family should take a look at the 27-inch 275C5QHGSW display with Ambiglow Plus Base. Its special lighting effects are guaranteed to restore a good mood. Even when the display is off, the Ambiglow Plus technology shines a halo of light on and around the base that can be adjusted to create a unique room ambience. When the display is on, it can be programmed to synchronize colour and brightness with the display image (inevitably football) to create a more intense viewing experience that moves colour and vibrancy beyond the screen itself. The picture is also superb: AH-IPS widescreen visuals, vivid colours and contrast will keep the football fans happy too.

275C5_m

In the new extended format, the championship is a 51-match tournament: more than ever before. All the more reason to get the right display for these extra viewing hours in time for the opening match on 10 June – and make the experience simply unforgettable.

By May 11, 2016 Read More →

Sennheiser launches HD 650 and Apogee Groove

HD_650_Apogee_Groove_Bundle_product_shot_RGB_redAudio specialist Sennheiser and digital audio recording specialist Apogee are launching a new bundle that brings together Sennheiser’s HD 650 open, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones with the Apogee Groove – a high-performance USB DAC and headphone amp. This combination lets Mac and PC users enjoy the full dynamic range and ultra-low distortion levels of one of the classics of Sennheiser’s audiophile headphone world powered by the legendary sound quality of Apogee.

Crafted with handpicked components for incredibly narrow tolerances, special acoustic materials and exceptional engineering, they deliver reference-class fidelity and a balanced sound with crisp bass, excellent mid frequency response and a gentle, pleasantly natural treble: the iconic, oval-shaped Sennheiser HD 650 are a true headphone classic by the leader in audio.

With the HD 650, Sennheiser created the first dynamic headphones to achieve such authentic and natural sound reproduction, both accurate and transparent. Manuel Ricke, Product Manager Audiophile at Sennheiser, explains how the headphones have been perfectly paired to the Apogee Groove headphone amp to bring their captivating sound to PCs and Macs: “With more music stored on PC and Macs, the output of the computer can prove to be a bottleneck that limits the ability to deliver sufficient power to audiophile-grade headphone models. The HD 650 are excellent open, dynamic headphones. However, their high, 300-ohm impedance means they require more power than can usually be provided by a computer. Drawing on Apogee’s 30-year pedigree as an innovator and industry leader in digital audio recording, the Groove amp increases the output signal to do full justice to the capabilities of the HD 650.”

HD650_Kopfhoerer

A headphone classic meets world-class digital audio expertise

The world’s most successful artists, producers and audio engineers rely on Apogee gear to capture GRAMMY-winning recordings. The Apogee Groove headphone amp makes this recording studio technology available in a premium compact DAC and headphone amp, providing a simple yet powerful, take-anywhere solution. Groove is designed to deliver every sonic detail from streaming music services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Google Play Music and provides exceptional playback quality for high-res files like WAV, AIFF and FLAC. Groove’s output provides ample power at any impedance for a punchy bass and stunningly clear mid and high frequencies. Its Constant Current Drive™ technology delivers a smooth frequency response with any headphones – with Apogee recommending Sennheiser headphones to the discerning listener. Groove also features Apogee’s Quad Sum DAC design which utilizes four digital-to-analog converters per channel to achieve the highest dynamic range and lowest distortion (THD+N) of any device in its class.

“The combination of Sennheiser’s HD 650, the undisputed benchmark in headphones, with Apogee Groove’s driving power and sonic excellence, is a match made in heaven”, commented Betty Bennett, co-founder and CEO of Apogee Electronics.

The exceptional performance delivered by the new bundle is effortlessly easy to obtain – simply connect the Apogee Groove to a computer’s USB port and the HD 650 to its audio output and you will enjoy a new standard in sound.

The bundle will be distributed exclusively via Sennheiser’s online shop from the end of June.

http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/audiophile-headphones-high-end-hd-650

By May 9, 2016 Read More →

Huawei P9 is now available at Carphone Warehouse

image002 [2437597]The eagerly anticipated Huawei P9 is now available at Carphone Warehouse in-store nationwide and online!

Thanks to its elegant, aluminium body the Huawei P9 boasts a sleek design, with rounded corners making it feel seamless and classic in the palm of your hand. The Huawei P9 is available in black and white on a wide range of tariffs including a £26 per month plan with no upfront cost on Vodafone. This includes 500 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB of data.

Yet do not be fooled by its slim exterior – the device’s slight frame does not compromise its muscle. Behind the scenes, the Huawei P9 pairs a powerful 2.5GHz Kirin 955 processor with a sizeable 3,000mAh battery which really packs a punch ensuring your apps and games open instantly and run efficiently.

The handset features a pair of Leica-certified cameras, both with 12-megapixel sensors. One camera has a red, green and blue sensor, while the other is black and white. These work together to create photos with improved contrast and better depth of field, making it the perfect companion to capture moments in incredible detail and displaying quality visuals on the 2 inch Full HD display.

Carphone Warehouse compares the widest range of tariffs on the market so is offering its Price Promise** to any new or upgrading customer. Price Promise means anyone who thinks they’ve found a better deal from either O2, Vodafone or EE on a Pay monthly or SIM Only plan, will have the deal matched by Carphone Warehouse and their first month’s line rental paid for free.

Posted in: News, Phones
By May 6, 2016 Read More →

Petcube Camera Unboxing

vlcsnap-00001The Petcube camera is a dedicated piece of hardware to look after your animal friends whilst away from the home. Allowing the user a secure window into your house from a smartphone the Petcube also allows you to vocally interact with the animals and even play with them.

  • Check up on your pets when away from home
  • High Definition 138 degree wide angle camera
  • 2-way audio so you can hear and speak to your pet
  • Built-in laser to play with your pet
  • Connect to your existing home Wi-Fi
  • Tripod mount compatible
  • iOS and Android compatible

The Petcube Camera is for sale from Mobilefun for £170 here.

https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/surgical-face-masks