Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By June 22, 2015 Read More →

Unboxing Felix FlipWrite

vlcsnap-2015-06-22-07h10m22s415There are many folio covers for the Apple IPad out there and some come with an addition keyboard attached to increase productivity and just increase the tablets abilities making it closer to a laptop.

Felix have released a new high-ish end folio combing a multi-angle setup and Bluetooth keyboard wrapped up in a durable high quality package with a couple of novel approaches.

The Felix FlipWite is available for $99.99 from this site:
http://felixbrand.com/products/flipwrite

The options cover most in of the larger iPad options options, sadly no Mini variant yet.

By June 12, 2015 Read More →

Sony’s RX100 IV and RX10 II Professional Grade Cyber-shots

sonySony has announced two of the most advanced, versatile Cyber-shot cameras ever to come to market, the compact RX100 IV (model DSC-RX100M4) and high-zoom RX10 II (model DSC-RX10M2) cameras.

The two new models both feature the world’s first 1.0 type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with advanced signal processing and an attached DRAM memory chip. The high speed signal processing and DRAM memory chip work together to enable more than 5x faster readout of image data and are responsible for a variety of standout features that have previously been available in only a select few professional-level video cameras. These impressive capabilities include 40x super slow motion video capture at up to 1000fps, an ultra-fast Anti-Distortion Shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000 second, high resolution 4K movie shooting and more.

Up to 40x Super Slow Motion Shooting

A first for Sony consumer cameras, the new RX100 IV and RX10 II both have the ability to record super slow-motion video at up to 40x slower than the standard rate, allowing users to capture and replay fleeting moments of action with incredible detail, resolution and clarity.

Prior to shooting, users will have the ability to choose among 1000fps, 500fps and 250fps frame rates and among 50p and 25p playback formats to optimise the recording to fit the speed of the moving subject, with the option to use the movie record button as a ‘start trigger’ to begin recording once button is pressed or ‘end trigger’ to record footage up until the button is pressed. The ‘end trigger’ mode lets shooting begin 2 to 4 seconds before the movie button is pressed, enabling shooters to capture the decisive moment with much more consistency and accuracy. For reference, two seconds of movie footage shot at 1000fps and 25p would take about 80 seconds to play back.

High Speed Shutter, High Speed Shooting

The impressive speed and power of the 1.0 type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with an attached DRAM chip allows the new RX100 IV and RX10 II to perform exceptionally well while capturing fast-moving subjects.

Specifically, it’s fast processing capability results in continuous speeds at up to 16 fps on the RX100 IV and up to 14 fps on the RX10 II for an extended period of time.

Additionally, the ultra-fast readout of the image sensor is responsible for the high speed Anti-Distortion Shutter (maximum speed of 1/32000 second), which allow the new cameras to capture sharp, crystal clear images with a wide open aperture at brightness levels up to EV19. It also minimises the “rolling shutter” effect commonly experienced with fast moving subjects. This allows photographers and videographers to capture beautiful content with sharply focused subjects and defocused backgrounds under some of the most difficult, bright lighting conditions.

High Precision Direct 4K Movie Recording

The new RX100 IV and RX10 II models are the first Cyber-shot cameras to offer the advantages of 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) movie recording. The cameras utilise full pixel readout without pixel binning to ensure that all the finer details of 4K video are captured with minimal moire and ‘jaggies’. These high-quality results are achieved through use of the XAVC S codec, which records video at a high data rate of 100 Mbps during 4K recording and 50 Mbps during full HD shooting.

The capacity for shooting 4K differs slightly on each of the two cameras, as the more professionally styled RX10 II can shoot 4K video at extended lengths (up to 29 minutes in Europe), while the more casual, pocket-friendly RX100 IV can shoot 4K clips at up to about 5 minutes in length. Additional professional calibre video features on both of the new cameras include Picture Profile, S-Log2/S-Gamut, and more.

Both cameras also have advanced dual video recording functionality, allowing shooters to capture 16.8 MP still images during 4K video recording in any of 11 different composition patterns simply by pressing the shutter button.

Versatility in Design, High Speed AF

The new RX100 IV maintains the compact, pocket-sized design of the RX100 family, and has a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) F1.8-F2.8 lens, while the new RX10 II maintains the same body design as the original RX10 and has a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) F2.8 lens.

Each of the cameras is equipped with a new high-contrast XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with approximately 2.35 million dots of resolution, ensuring true-to-life image preview and playback functionality. The RX100 IV maintains the convenient retractable EVF with ZEISS® T* coating from the RX100 III model that debuted last year.

Both of the two new models feature an upgraded Fast Intelligent AF system that enables high-speed, high-precision contrast detection of a moving subject in as little as 0.09 seconds. Sony’s proprietary AF algorithm allows them to recognise and lock-in on a subject with a simple half-press of the shutter button at a much more efficient rate compared to previous models. The new cameras are also Wi-Fi® and NFC™ compatible and can access Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Applications. Learn more at www.sony.net/pmca.

Aesthetically, both of the new models feature a variety of customisable controls and buttons to fit any shooter’s style. The RX10 II adds dust and moisture resistance as well.

There is also a new stylish soft carrying case for, model LCS-RXG, that has been introduced. Made of quality natural leather and available in brown and black colours, it is an ideal complement to the sleek designs of all the RX100 series cameras including the new RX100 IV model.

The RX100 IV and RX10 II will start shipping in Europe in summer 2015. The RX100 IV will be priced at approximately €1,150 and the RX10 II will be priced approximately €1,600.

Posted in: Cameras, News
By June 11, 2015 Read More →

Olixar X2 Pro Bluetooth Headphones review

olixar-x2-pro-bluetooth-stereo-headphones-p47042-aA little money can get you quite a lot in technology now. Years ago the idea of bluetooth headphones left the user unhappy with laggy audio, bulky form factors, short battery lives and high price tags. Now all that seems to be reversed. Bluetooth headphones are cheap as chips and you don’t need to spend a lot of get good value.

Take the Olixar X2 Pro Bluetooth headphones. £25 from Mobilefun. They look good, promise around 10 hours of usage and impressive sound. All completely accurate.

The headphones are made from predominantly from plastic. You can’t really expect a high quality finish at this price however they are sturdy and will withstand any number of light to medium knocks. They certainly are not ugly either. In fact the spongy head band has an ample cushion and looks quite elegant at a glance. A little aluminum around the screws break the blackness quite nicely and give just the tiniest addition of quality.

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Everything is glossy plastic around the exterior. Some will be a little put off by this as it might have been better suited to have a matte finish. The shiny finish does seem to be used on many cheaper gadgets in an attempt to add a high quality feel.

The fold mechanism is quite strong, you will break it if you are very careless however it will take some heavy use before it fails. The same with the adjustable legs.

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Playback produced commendable results for the 20mW output. There is more than adequate bass, however this does seem to be of a higher focus than the treble. Whilst the sound produced is quite agreeable there is something missing in the mix and it doesn’t feel as full as you might get on higher end phones. They thump but don’t dazzle.

For calls the microphone and receiver were both adequate. Speaking on 3uk’s HD network, calls were crisp and rich. The person on the other end didn’t notice an particular issues with the call quality at their end.

There is mention of noise cancellation technology and it doesn’t quite cut it. Use on the plane was irritating. The volume limiting on my tablet has always been a problem however in ear noise cancelling headphones have helped boost the experience in a the constant hum of the engines. The olixar X2 don’t have this benefit and there were moments I was having to strain to hear lightly dialogue in a movie. The noise cancellation does not work very well in either direction, letting sound in or keeping it from seeping out.

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Comfort is one of the most important aspects of headphones, almost on par with sound quality. For short bursts the X2 are perfectly comfortable. Using the headphones on a three hour flight I found my ears were growing weary of the padding and I switched to my in ear headphones for the journey back.

NFC seemed like a really nice inclusion to bypass the anguish of having to open Bluetooth and connect  on the go however I never managed to get it to work. Read reviews like this review for the best bluetooth headphones available today. Perhaps it is my phone, I saw an attempt to connect short followed by a failure notification soon after. Hardly  a deal breaker, but enough to annoy.

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In built controls were a little wonky on my Samsung. A problem I have had with other headphones. Volume Up and Down skipped tracks or exited a movie. Depending on the app in use. There are a great many button combinations to interact with calls, apps and tracks however they will take a while to learn to get the most out of them. I became a little frustrated trying to remember them, I wonder just how many folk out there make the effort.

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I honestly cannot comment negatively on the battery. I have charged it once and maybe used it for about 10 hours over the course of the week. The are still going and I have the audio cable with me in the event the charge depletes. I would say the estimate from Olixar is accurate and in comparison to other, more expensive, headphones I have used of late, I am very happy.

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The Olixar X2 are fine headphones. You could do a lot worse for the money. I would have been a little happier paying an extra £5-£10 for better noise cancelling set however these work, and work well. I would imagine they will continue to work for the next while and whilst I will not be using them for travel, I will find a place for them in the house.

Available from Mobilefun for £24.99.

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By June 10, 2015 Read More →

iWalk Spartan unboxing

vlcsnap-2015-06-10-06h52m44s165An extra tough backup battery for all your charging needs arrives in the shape of the iWalk Spartan. The iWALK Spartan is perfect for charging your devices while outdoors – Camping, Shows, Markets, Festivals ect.

The 13,000mAh battery can keep your phone charged for days (even up to a week on some devices) 13000mAh Mega High capacity Lithium-ion rechargeable battery Made for all USB Devices including Apple (Certified – ‘Made for iPhone’) Rugged and durable build makes the Spartan waterprrof, shock proof, dust proof and snow proof – IP66 5v/1.0A and 5v/2.4A dual USB Outputs Rapid Charge with a maximum 2.1A input current.

Pass-through charging so you can charge the Spartan and two devices simultaneously.

 

You can pick one up for £69.99 here.

By June 9, 2015 Read More →

ALCATEL ONETOUCH POP 7S wins ‘Best Value Tablet’ at the Mobile Industry Awards 2015

popThe ALCATEL ONETOUCH POP 7S was last night announced as the ‘Best Value Tablet’ at the annual Mobile Industry Awards. Beating competition from the likes of Samsung, Acer and Tesco, the POP 7S was awarded the prize at the awards ceremony held at The Brewery in London. Judged by leaders in the mobile industry, the POP 7S tablet was recognised for offering super-fast LTE connectivity at a smart price.

The super slim and light 4G entry-level tablet is perfect for streaming music, watching TV or browsing the internet. Sporting Android KitKat 4.4, the POP 7S is a fun and feature-packed POP series tablet that is easy-to-use and easy-to-choose. It offers a customised user interface and wide range of dedicated colourful accessories.

The POP 7S is one of the most competitive LTE 7” entry-level tablets available to the mass market. At 8.9mm thin and weighing only 285 grams it is ideal to be effortlessly carried in any backpack, satchel or handbag. Powered by a Quad Core processor, the POP 7S allows seamless multi-tasking between different activities such as gaming or streaming music and comes equipped with a 3 megapixel rear camera to capture priceless moments on the go.

With Miracast, IR blaster technology and a pre-installed app, the POP 7S will become the TV’s best friend. It allows users to mirror screens, control their TV and personalise their daily TV entertainment. Its full-featured TV guide allows users to choose what they want to watch and makes it easy to share with friends and family through social media. The POP 7S brings a brand new interaction to consumers between their tablets and TV, reflecting

ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s design ideology of bringing smart technology to daily life.

Voice call support means that the POP 7S is able to make and receive calls via a Bluetooth phone – Sidekick, headset or loudspeaker. Users can continue to browse while catching up with friends and family about the latest films, favourite music or online games.

William Paterson, UK & Ireland Country Director commented: “We are delighted to accept this award. ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s aim is to democratize technology and make it affordable and accessible for all. This award is fantastic recognition of our work to achieve this.”

The POP 7S is available from nationwide retailers including Carphone Warehouse, EE, O2 and Amazon.co.uk priced from £95.00.  

Posted in: News, Press Releases, Tablets
By June 9, 2015 Read More →

Checking in with easyJet

EASYJET  NEW PLANE LIVERY Pix.Tim AndersonThis last week easyJet has taken the opportunity to share some of their recent developments with the public in what seems to be becoming a yearly tradition. For select group of the press an event in an aircraft hangar in Milan contained a demonstration of some of the research alongside a positive attitude and some beaming pride in what easyJet has achieved.

EasyJet has the reputation of being a better quality of low end travel providing something of a bus service to popular areas in Europe. Whilst maintaining a steady and commendable reputation easyJet has a lot of interesting developments happening behind the scenes to reduce time for which their planes are out of action and efforts to reduce costs across the board to pass on to the customers.

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One of the first innovations easyJet are proud to demonstrate is a simple but cost efficient inclusion. Oculus Rift can help engineers determine problems by posting virtual notes to areas in need of repair around a virtual aircraft. There was also reference made to cabin staff receiving training via the wearable goggles. This does not seem to be a massive stride however from easyJet’s internal point of view there is potential.

EasyJet are upgrading their application. Throwing in a few new features to keep their app fast and easy to use, not to mention a handy tool to cover everything you might need from your flight experience. For starters the app has been reformatted for 64 bit architecture to keep it running lightning fast.

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Secondly, a new feature will allow the user to receive updates about their flight including notifications from the likes of Periscope if there has been a disruption. A helping hand has been extended to the user to guide them through the airport to find their gate, at the moment this only works in Gatwick however the are rolling it out to their busiest 10 airports and they hope to have it in place by launch in July.

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Whilst it sounds alarming easyJet demonstrated their ability to print parts for their aircraft. Rather than having to pay for costly replacements a process is being finalised whereby easyJet can utilise some cutting edge 3D printing technologies and first class materials to manufacture their own parts. Whilst this is a time consuming process the cost implications will be notable without any impact on safety.

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Two years ago easyJet demonstrated their drone scanning ideas to scan a plane in minutes to access damage that would normally take a the human eye a few hours. The drone technology is constantly evolving and new developments are being made at a refreshing rate. Safety seems to be the focus this year with collision detection being a new addition. Not only for the drone to keep a close yet safe distance from the surface of the plane but for Engineers who might be working within close proximity to the plane and drone at the time of scanning.

It is refreshing to see a company that may not have a reputation for innovation, yet easyJet has become an example of proactive development, not only in cost saving but technological advancements. Their model is interesting and somewhat commendable.

By June 5, 2015 Read More →

ViewSonic’s new Ultra HD 4K Multimedia Monitor for Home Entertainment

0ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solution products, today introduces the VX2475SMHL-4K, a 24-inch Ultra HD monitor designed with a professional grade panel and advanced features for home entertainment, gaming and photo editing.

According to research conducted by DisplayCast, demand for 4K monitors in Europe is forecasted to achieve 60% growth in 2015 and another 31% in 2016. “With the rise of video games, DSLR and sports cameras supporting 4K, UHD content is now widely available.  People show more interest in using Ultra HD displays at work and at home.  Seeing such demand, ViewSonic has introduced a complete portfolio of Ultra HD monitors,” said Claire Chuang LCD Monitor Product Manager at ViewSonic Europe Ltd. “The VX2475Smhl-4K has already shown it’s pedigree. We were proud to partner with Intel to showcase the VX2475Smhl-4K at Intel’s gaming booth during the CES show this year. Our sponsored eSports team, Epsilon will start using the VX2475Smhl-4K for training. ViewSonic is confident this display will deliver a whole new viewing experience for our customers.”

The VX2475Smhl-4K Ultra HD multimedia monitor features 3840×2160 native resolution which displays 4 times the image and twice more pixels per inch than full HD of the same size for an incredible entertainment experience. The sleek 24-inch monitor benefits from SuperClear® PLS panel technology with 100% sRGB colour coverage and impeccable colour accuracy across 178 degrees horizontal and 178 degrees vertical wide viewing angle for phenomenal colour performance.  Clear Motive technology with 2ms (GtG Delta) response time ensures smooth and blur free movement both for 4K gaming and video. Future-proof connectivity options including HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2a which supports Ultra HD content at 60Hz frame rate, deliver smooth 4K gaming and video content without blurring, streaking, or ghosting.  The MHL 2.0 / HDMI 1.4 input allows end users to display photos and videos from mobile devices to the VX2475SMHL-4K screen while charging it at the same time.  Equipped with dual 2W speakers, users can enjoy immersive sound and enjoy the ultimate multimedia experience.  The VX2475SMHL-4K also comes with Flicker Free and Blue Light Filter for a more comfortable viewing experience and ViewMode™ technology providing optimized monitor screen performance for different applications. 

 

Premium screen performance, fast response time, versatile connectivity options, crystal clear sound and advanced features make the VX2475SMHL-4K great for home entertainment. It is the perfect choice for watching 4K movies online, enjoying 4K home video, video editing, gaming, viewing photos and image editing.

 

The VX2475SMHL-4K will be available from June at an SRP of £329

By June 3, 2015 Read More →

Olixar Power Up Kit 4 in 1 Charging Pack with Travel Case

vlcsnap-2015-06-01-17h58m40s766Ideal for the holiday season, this pack contains almost everything you need for a family holiday to keep your families phones and tablets working all packaged inside an attractive, padded case.

Introducing the perfect travel companion. This 4-in-1 charging accessory kit with case is perfect for ensuring your devices are fully charged wherever you may go featuring a mains USB travel adapter, power bank and two non-tangle retractable cables.

  • 4-in-1 charging accessory pack
  • Mains travel adapter with 4 USB ports and 4 travel adapters
  • Portable power bank for charging on the go
  • Two retractable Lightning / Micro USB charge & sync cables
  • Travel case for portability

You can pick one up from Mobilefun here.

By June 2, 2015 Read More →

Olixar X2 Pro Bluetooth Stereo Headphones unboxing

vlcsnap-2015-06-01-17h58m40s766The Olixar X2 Pro Bluetooth headphones promise to combine both a low price and a big sound. Mobilefun have sent over a set for a quick unboxing. for £24.99 there is little to recommend in the market for over ear headphones and Olixar seem to want to change that. 

Enjoy an immersive audio experience with crystal clear audio and rich bass. Olixar X2 Pro Bluetooth Stereo Headphones feature wireless Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, microphone for hands-free calling and NFC for super simple pairing.

  • Lightweight, portable yet crystal clear sound
  • Wireless Bluetooth connectivity allows for greater freedom
  • Easily pair with NFC supported mobile devices
  • Hands-free calling
  • On-ear controls for easy navigation and control of music
  • Cushioned ear cup design for comfortable listening
  • Up to 10 hours of music playback and unlimited playback via the 3.5mm connection
  • 3.5mm line-in input for universal compatibility

Specifications

  • Bluetooth: Version 4.0 (A2DP 1.2, AVRCP 1.4, HSP 1.2, HFP 1.6)
  • DSP: CVC 6.0 Noise and Echo Cancellation
  • RF Range: 10m
  • Frequency Response: 60Hz-20KHz
  • Loudspeaker Output: 20mW
  • Playback Time: Up to 10 hours
  • Charging time: ~ 2.5 hours
  • Dimensions: 172 x 190 x 69mm
  • Weight: 165g

You can purchase a set for £24.99 here.

By May 31, 2015 Read More →

KitSound Introduces the New Storm Gaming Headphones

kitsoundKitSound introduces the new Storm Gaming Headphones, featuring wireless connectivity, 40 mm drivers and delicate tuning to ensure that no sound is lost as well as, a detachable microphone and multi platform compatibility.

The new Storm Gaming Headphones will make you experience your gaming in a totally fresh way. Purposefully designed for multi-compatibility, the Storm engages with Xbox, Playstation, and PC. The 2.4 GHz transmission connectivity provides a wire-free alternative that will offer you clear sound with the minimum of lag.

Now you can decide whether you want to play alone or team up with others thanks to the detachable microphone that comes with each Storm. With up to seven hours of battery life, your Storm Gaming Headphones give you the chance to bring the storm to your opponents hour after hour.

What’s more the Storm Gaming Headphones are comfortable to wear thanks to the soft and delicate ear cups and the flexible headband. RRP £30.00

Specifications

  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Drivers: 40 mm
  • Connection: 2.4 GHz
  • Connection range: up to 10 metres
  • Play time: up to 7 hours
  • Microphone input: 3. 5 mm

 

KitSound products are available in most high street and online retailers.

For further product information and details on where to buy, please visit www.kitsound.co.uk

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