Author Archive: Matt

More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.

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By June 1, 2014 Read More →

Kujali iPad Mini case review

c_ipad_case_006_kujali_largeLet’s be honest, phone and tablet cases are not the most exciting things (unless you’re the one making them!) and there are hundreds of manufacturers out there, each with a variety of designs. So it’s not often that we review cases and covers, it’s too subjective and there’s too many.

However, now and then we do make exceptions and here in the video below you’ll see the Kujali iPad Mini case. Not only is it an extremely well made case/cover, constructed from black leather, red suede and shock absorbant inner polyeurathane and silicone glove. It’s multimode with a wrist strap to boot.

But that’s not the only reason that this case got out attention. No. For every case that you buy from Kujali, they will donate a malaria net to a child in Africa. So buying one could literally save a life!

 

Check it out… 

 

 

You’re a style conscious passionate guy or gal who cares about what they buy. Someone like you needs a cover to match!

Well thank your lucky stars for the KUJALI Classic, a smart mini iPad cover that oozes class and sophistication. Inspired from Africa its lined with a super soft red suede interior, contrasting with a sleek black leather outer to make you stand out from the crowd.

 

Style, protection and function is what this little wonder is all about. With its fantastic shock absorbent silicone skin and PU shell protection, you will be relaxed when out and about with your beloved iPad mini, happily knowing that all four corners are completely covered in case of that accidental bump or drop. With integrated volume controls and dust plugs the silicone skin keeps your ipad mini scratch free and looking as good as new for years to come.

 

Pull together the front and back leather covers with the exterior strap closure and slide your hand into the soft suede integrated handstrap to comfortably hold your mini in one hand. Perfect for presenting at work or jumping back into your favourite book.

 

And when ready to unwind after a hard days work, pop open your KUJALI Classic to kick back your iPad mini into one of the indentations to give you the perfect angle for watching a film. When you’re done, the embedded magnets in the front cover will put your iPad mini to sleep and the integrated strap closure keeps it safely shut, ready for another exciting adventure tomorrow.

 

To top it off, for every protective iPad Mini cover you purchase KUJALI gives a mosquito net or life saving treatment to protect a child in Africa from malaria. Style never felt so good!
By May 31, 2014 Read More →

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ unboxing and hands-on

Lenovo-Yoga-Tablet-10-HD+Back in November of last year we reviewed the previous Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10, that had a 1280 x 800 pixel display but Lenovo have built upon that earlier model and have come up with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+. This new version has a better than HD display with 1920 x 1200 pixels.

Otherwise the design of this Yoga 10 is much the same as the other model. Both are still on sale and both are available with or without 3G capapbility. £299 for WiFi model, £329 for 3G model, it’s currently on sale from Lenovo.com and, from the first week of June, from Amazon, Currys/PC World and John Lewis.

 

 

Innovative Multimode Design

Yoga Tablet 10 HD+’s pioneering design places a battery cylinder and kickstand on the side of the device, shifting the center of gravity and opening up multiple usage modes: Hold, Tilt, and Stand.  In Hold mode, the weight of the device falls into your palm rather than your fingers, making it more comfortable for reading and browsing.  Lay it down into Tilt mode and you have a perfect viewing angle for typing or gaming. Flick the kickstand and rest it upright in Stand mode to comfortably watch videos, listen to music, or video-chat. 

Powerful Processing

Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 400 1.6GHz processor combined with 2GB RAM gives the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ an incredible combination of high performance and power efficiency. Switch seamlessly between your favorite apps and enjoy amazing visuals whether you’re surfing online, streaming movies or playing the latest 3D games.

Epic Battery Life

Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ keeps going over the long haul with its off-the-charts battery life. Its triple-cell battery lasts up to 18 hours so you can go all day — and into the night — without recharging. The secret: Yoga Tablet’s unique, cylinder-shaped side chamber allows more room for battery storage — and more time between charges.

Ultra Sharp Visuals

The Yoga Tablet 10 HD+’s 10.1″ 20/20 Vision Full HD (1920 x 1200 resolution) display delivers sharper, more detailed images and high definition video with a 178° wide viewing angle. Plus, adaptive display technology auto-adjusts screen brightness and colors to match where you are, making reading more comfortable.

Immersive Audio

Unlike most tablets, the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+’s speakers face front — toward you — rather than to the side our out the bottom. Combine that with Dolby® audio enhancement and you have a rich, immersive sound experience that’s perfect for watching videos or listening to music.

Optional Wireless Keyboard

Turn your Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ into a productivity machine with the optional Accutype keyboard, a stylish Bluetooth accessory that also serves as a cover for your device.

Front and Rear Cameras

The 8.0M rear and 1.6M front cameras let you take high-definition pictures and enjoy crisp, clear video chats.

Complete Connectivity Options

Optional 3G, integrated Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and GPS that even works offline keep you connected and make navigation easy.

Lenovo DOit Apps

Do more with your Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ with premium Lenovo Applications like SHAREit, which lets you share files quickly without network charges or a WiFi connection and SYNCit, which backs up and restores your contacts and SMS messages.

Micro SD storage

Expand the native 16GB or 32GB of eMMC storage with up to 64GB of micro-SD card storage support — perfect for transferring photos or storing large files like movies.

 

 

Lenovo Yoga Table 10 HD+ Specification

Processor
Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 400 quad core 1.6GHz MSM8228(3G) / APQ8028(Wi-Fi)
Operating System
Android OS, v4.3 Jelly Bean (Free upgrade to Android KitKat 4.4, shortly)
Sound
2x Front-facing speakers / Dolby® Audio / 3.5mm Jack
Memory
  • RAM: LP DDR2 2GB
  • ROM: 16GB
  • Micro SD up to 64GB
Battery
  • 9000mAh Li-ion, fixed
  • Up to 18 hours*
Dimensions (W x T x H)
(261mm) x (9.1mm – 3.0mm) x (180mm)
Weight
  • WiFi: 626g (1.38 lbs)
  • 3G : 628g (1.38 lbs)
Integrated Cameras
  • Rear: 8MP Auto-focus
  • Front: 1.6 MP HD Fixed-focus
Display
  • Size: 10.1” Full HD (1920 x 1200) IPS
  • Type: Capacitive touchscreen 10-Point multitouch
Color
Silver
SIM
Single, micro-SIM (3G model only)
Sensors
  • Accelerometer
  • e-Compass
  • Ambient Light
  • Hall
  • Vibration
Connectivity/Radios
  • 3G Network: WCDMA 900/2100MHz (3G model only)
  • 2G Network: GSM/EDGE 900/1800/1900MHz
  • Speed: HSPA+ 42Mbps(DL) / 5.76Mbps(UL)
  • Data: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA
  • WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n,Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 4.0
  • Satellite, A-GPS
By May 29, 2014 Read More →

Smartphones – your best budget options

SAMSUNG G X2014 is a great year for those of you looking for a budget smartphone. The Apple range of smartphones won’t be within your budget bracket but there are more than enough great handsets with good performance for you to choose from.

 

ZTE Blade V

Budget quad core/5MP camera phone

 ZTE BLADE V

 

 

Coming in at a mere £100, the ZTE Blade is a great handset for those wanting to get the most for their money. With a small 4-inch, 480 x 800 LCD screen you’ll be more than able to enjoy video and photographic content. Coming pre-loaded with Android 4.1 means you’ll have all the features that Android users enjoy as well as a host of apps available through the Google Play store.

 

Build quality isn’t the best but at this price it’s one of the nicer looking phones available.

 

Sony Xperia M

Affordable well designed smartphone with great battery life

 SONY XPERIA M

 

 

The Experia M is a great budget phone for those of you who’ve got a little more to splash out. It’s no Xperia Z1 but for £180 this is a great little smartphone. Featuring many design similarities see in the rest of the Xperia series, the build quality looks and feels great. The M runs on the Jelly Bean Android OS and is powered by a more than capable Qualcomm S4 plus dual-core CPU which means you’ll be able to run most apps with extreme ease.

 

With 9 hours of battery life, one charge cycle will get you through the day with no problem unless you’re a real smartphone addict. However with only 2GB of memory, it’s advised you purchase a microSD card to make use of the expandable memory slots on the phone. If you’re looking for a sub £200 smartphone this is a more than capable handset.

 

Samsung Galaxy Y

Ultra budget smartphone

 SAMSUNG G X

 

 

If spending more than £100 seems like a daunting prospect, you’ll be more than glad to discover this handset costs a mere £45! This ultra compact smartphone has a 3-inch screen and a 2 megapixel camera. For the price it’s a good phone but don’t expect to be playing the latest games on it. If you just need a simple phone for light internet browsing, emails, texts and phone calls then this is a great little number. Be sure to check out the Samsung Galaxy Y from Mobile by Sainsbury’s for a really competitive price!

 

HTC Desire500

Attractive handset at an attractive price

 HTC DESIRE 500

 

The HTC desire is our favourite looking budget handset of the moment. With a 4.3-inch screen with 480 x 800 resolution, viewing photos and videos is really enjoyable. The 8megapixel camera is more than useable and great for snapping a quick picture.  With a Snapdragon 200 quad-core processer with 1GB of RAM, the Desire500 is up there with the high performance budget handsets.

 

At a price like this you’ll be hard pushed to find a handset that combines design and powerful processing with such success.

 

Nokia Lumia 620

Windows phone with unique and quirky design

 NOKIA LUMIA 620

 

 

If you’re after something a bit different the Nokia Lumia 620 is a great option. The quirky and colourful design make this an eye catching handset and for a mere £150 this phone very reasonably priced.  What also makes this phone different is that it runs on Windows 8, unlike the rest of the Androids on this list. Windows 8 is a beautiful operating system and the 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU is more than capable of running the OS without lag. One of the disadvantages of the Windows 8 operating system is that you’ll have access to less apps, though the majority of popular downloads do have windows versions!

 

Nokia handsets are renowned for the quality of their cameras, and the Lumia 620 is no exception. Despite not having as many megapixels as other phones in this list (the Lumia 620 sits at just 5MP) the lens and overall picture quality is significantly higher. At the great price it’s easily one of the best handsets in the budget bracket range.

 

Motorola Moto G

The Rolls Royce of the budget smartphone range

 MOTO G

 

Finding faults with the Moto G was extremely hard when we got our hands on this smartphone. The Moto G features a great 4.5-inch screen that makes apps, photos and video look great. When you consider you’re getting 720p resolution, this is the best screen for your money.

 

Design wise it isn’t the best looking phone, or the slimmest. But what it lacks in looks it more than makes up for in specs. With a Snapdragon 400 CPU with 1GB ram and using the latest build of Jellybean, you’ll be able to enjoy the vast majority of games and apps in HD!

 

For a mere £135 for the 8GB model and £160 for the 16GB model – the Moto G is a top pick for us as it’s very affordable and performs like more expensive phones. What more could you want?

 

With so many great budget options for smartphones, there’s no excuse not to get involved. Take a look at what you can get for your money today.

Posted in: Editorial, Phones
By May 28, 2014 Read More →

Samsung Galaxy S5 is it worth the hype?

s5The Samsung Galaxy S5 is the natural successor of the Samsung Galaxy S4, which was one of the most sought after models released to the market. However, does the Samsung Galaxy S5 offer anything worth getting excited about or is it better to wait for the S6?

The S5 features various improvements to its camera, display, design and operating software. However, there has been significant debate in the tech world about if an upgrade to the Samsung S5 is necessary in spite of the improvements.

Here, we will explore if the Samsung Galaxy S5 is worth the hype or if it a development that will ultimately fail until the release of the S6.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Design

It is evident that Samsung has put in a lot of effort to make the S5 design different from its predecessor. It features a dimpled back to differentiate it from the glossy and smooth design on the S4. One of the main drawbacks, however, is that this handset is mostly made of plastic.

As this is supposed to be a high-end phone, some might expect a more expensive, luxurious material. Sony, Apple, Nokia, and HTC have all experimented with metal to make their high-end phones but Samsung seems reluctant to shift from plastic.

The Samsung S5 has been designed to be both dust and water resistant in about 3.3 feet of water for almost 30 minutes. The phone is available in a variety of colour finishes including sweet pink, champagne pink, shimmery white, copper gold, electric blue and charcoal black among others.

The S5 features a big and bold 5.1-inch full HD super AMOLED screen. One of the best aspects of this handset is its clear screen. It is a bright screen and this makes it ideal for users who spend a lot of time browsing the internet.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Main Features

You can tell after just a few minutes that the S5 is definitely more usable when compared to the S4. Mostly because it includes more features that consumers are likely to use every day.

S Health

S Health is one of the most noticeable features on this phone. It includes a heart rate monitor that is placed at the back just below the camera. The monitor allows you to track your pulse. S Health has been designed to help users monitor their daily activity. However, it does not offer the same benefits you get from devices solely designed for this function.

Ultra Power Saving Mode

Samsung is making an effort to come up with a battery that will last longer when you need it the most. The ultra-power saving mode activates on your phone when you need it to reduce power consumption when the handset is not in use. The feature reduces available apps to six to reduce total power use and increase battery life.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S5 camera offers selective focus. This feature allows users to take pictures and then defocus the background. The downside is that the camera takes a while to ‘fire up’, especially if it is in sleep mode. Furthermore, its autofocus is swift but it is not always accurate.

Fingerprint Scanner

Samsung have decided to place a fingerprint scanner on the S5 home key. This is an intuitive program, but risky as it does not always pick up the fingerprint. Users are required to swipe vertically for the scanner to work but it is also possible to swipe sideways with less accuracy.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S5 handset comes with a 2.5 GHz CPU that makes it one of the
most powerful models on the market. However, with that being said, some of the features are slow. As mentioned, the camera can take a while before it is ready to work.

The model offers 16 GB internal memory, but only about 11 GB is available for use. The good news is that Samsung has eliminated some apps that were considered less significant on the S4, but you can still choose to download them in the Google Play Store. This gives users greater control over their internal memory.

Conclusion

The progression when it comes to performance and in-phone features make this upgrade more than worthwhile if you are coming up to the end of one of a number of long term mobile phones contracts. There are a number of great value contracts from Virgin Media available now that you can take advantage of to get the Samsung Galaxy S5 for a great price.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has an amazing screen and it offers plenty of battery life. This is a powerful and competent phone with unique elements that make it different from any other model available.

 

 s5colourss5_v_5s

Samsung Galaxy S5 – Size comparison with iPhone 5S

 

 

Posted in: Editorial, Phones
By May 27, 2014 Read More →

4 Technological Advances to Influence the Gaming Industry

Gaming innovation articleNintendo revolutionised the gaming market in 2006 when they introduced their motion sensing Wii console. Their innovative controller brought about a host of new ways for the whole family to play and made their Wii the bestselling console of the last generation.

Microsoft then went one step further and followed up with their Kinect technology, making motion detection without the need for a controller the next gaming success.  Nintendo attempted to match this success with their new Wii U device, but the impact was far less impressive than expected.

Now there is innovative new gaming technology in development. Here are four technological developments that are set to change the future of gaming success:

 

Super-sensitive motion tracking

Motion gaming is set to escape the living room and be introduced to our portable devices.  Technology such as the Leap Motion device will be controlling games on laptops and PCs. The controller masters super-sensitive tracking of hand and finger actions, accurately detecting movements as small as 1/100th of a millimetre.

What’s more, motion gaming of the future won’t even require players to move their bodies to control the game. Eye tracking sensors will integrate into smartphone and gaming devices to allow control of games with eye movements alone.

 

Motion gaming for smartphones

The 2014 Silver Edison Award for the most innovative new product of the year was awarded to Rolocule Games for their Rolomotion technology. Their product turns your smartphone into your gaming controller so you can control games on your television. The Rolomotion app links to a smart TV and utilises the in-built sensors to control the game with the players’ natural movements.

 

Immersive gaming

Headsets that allow complete immersion into the game are already in the pipeline, with the Oculus Rift being highly anticipated. The headset will allow the gamer to experience the game with a 100˚ field of vision and head tracking abilities that let you look around as in real life.

Combine the headgear with a 360˚ treadmill and you have total immersion into the gaming reality. Virtuix are set to release their treadmill that allows players to walk and run in any direction within their virtual realities.

 

EEG headsets

EEG headsets in gaming are bringing the ability to monitor players’ emotions and focus and translate that into gaming commands. Throw Trucks With Your Mind is one example in which an EEG headset measures electrical impulses in the scalp to gauge the players focus. Normal directional gaming controls are used, but the level of focus of the gamer determines the power at which objects are thrown in the game.

 

This article was provided by The IT Job Board, who are currently advertising over 150 game developer jobs on their site.

Posted in: Apps & Games, Editorial
By May 22, 2014 Read More →

Another massive security breach at Ebay – What you need to know!

Ebay are encouraging all users to change their passwords.

Ebay are encouraging all users to change their passwords.

Ebay has fallen victim to a massive security breach, proving that not even corporate giants are immune to hacking. According to USA Today, the huge cyber-attack occurred sometime between February and March; however, officials state that the breach was not discovered until May.

Triggered by hackers who managed to gain access to employee login credentials, it allowed the intruders to target the main database and steal usernames, passwords and other personal information. 145 million active users’ data has now been compromised and Ebay are strongly urging everybody – even those with inactive accounts – to change their passwords.

If you are based in UK remember that you can opt for a GDPR breach compensation just reach out a lawyer that guide you with the claim.

Widespread panic

It is still not known how much information was actually stolen; however, Ebay are confident that they will find an answer within the next couple of weeks.

After this widespread disaster many users are now stuck wondering how to increase their security systems, not just on their online accounts, but also their home PCs. The popularity of cloud based security systems is steadily increasing and companies such as Cheeky Munkey are at the top of the security food chain, providing innovative and bespoke systems that are near impenetrable.

On a positive note, Ebay have stated that the breached database did not hold any financial information; furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that the hackers have attempted to gain entry to Paypal. However, regardless of whether or not users are encountering problems, Ebay are taking the security breach very seriously.

Changing passwords

Studies conducted by Software Advice, a company that review IT security software, revealed that 67% of Internet users who have accounts registered with companies that have suffered from hacks don’t change their passwords. Hackers can remain under the radar for months, possibly even years, withholding user information and waiting for the opportune moment to strike; therefore, even those who don’t suffer from issues straight away are still subject to problems in the future.

Experts state that the best way to combat hackers is to choose a password that has a unique combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Most websites now contain a password strength indicator that can give new users an idea of how well protected they are.

Having a different password for every website can also be beneficial. While this can be difficult to maintain, password managers make the process easier. These programs will require one master password in order to gain access to every other password; therefore, this “master password” should be very strong. In addition, password manager software usually contains a generator that will create highly complex passwords for website registration; ensuring users have the best possible security systems available.

Conclusion

While this Ebay security breach is unfortunate and inconvenient, it’s certainly been a wakeup call. Most Internet users aren’t aware of the dangers of hacking, and sometimes, a widespread panic is just what the world needs for people start taking the severity of cyber-attacks seriously.

Image Credit: Cult of Android

Posted in: Editorial, News
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By May 21, 2014 Read More →

Android Excite Pure review

Toshiba-Excite-Pure1Toshiba are relatively new to the tablet market, but their recent offering of 3 new tablets, Excite Write, Excite Pro and Excite Pure, demonstrate that they’re more than capable of competing with the big hitters in the tablet market. The Excite Pure is the most affordable of the range, and in our opinion, the best model. The Excite Pro and Write are both excellent in their own right, but current pricing means they can’t compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung. So what’s exciting about the Excite Pure? Read our review to find out.

 

Toshiba Excite Pure Basic Info:

  • 1.2GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad Core (Cortex A9) Processor
  • 1GB Memory
  • 16GB Storage
  • 10.1″ WXGA (1280×800) Multitouch Display
  • 1.2 Megapixel Front Camera
  • NVIDIA Tegra Graphics
  • Micro-USB 2.00, Micro HDMI, MicroSD Card Slot, 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Android 4.2

 

Design:

The Excite Pure falls within the 10” category, measuring in at 10.3 x 7.0 x 0.4 inches. The design is sturdy and features a two-tone design – silver casing with a black border around the screen. The Pure features micro SD slot, meaning you can expand the 16GB storage to anywhere up to 128GB. Unfortunately the Excite Pure only features one front facing camera, meaning this isn’t the best tablet for budding photographers. At an additional cost, you can purchase a nifty Toshiba Bluetooth keyboard which also acts as a stand.

 

Display:

At 10 inches, the Excite Pure offers great screen quality and resolution. The Autobright display has ten-finger multitouch support and boasts a 1280 x 800 resolution. For the price it’s one of the better screens available – viewing HD content will never be an issue.

 

Graphics:

If you plan to play games on a micro tablet such as the Excite, you’ll be glad to hear that it can handle almost anything thrown at it. We were incredibly impressed by the quad-core Tegra 3 processor (1GB RAM) that managed to handle every game we tested, without issue. Benchmark test reveal that the Pure outperforms the Kindle Fire and Asus Transformer but lags slightly behind the likes of the Nexus 10 and Galaxy Tab. If you’re looking for something with a bit more power we recommend you go with something like the Excite Pro from Toshiba.co.uk.

 

Camera:

Our biggest issue with the Pure was the lack of a rear camera, that being said, it’s to be expected when Toshiba release three differently priced tablets. The Pure’s 1.2MP camera is more than adequate for a basic photo but you won’t be taking it out of the house to take pictures any time soon.

 

Battery Life:

If you’re looking for a reliable tablet that will hold its charge for an entire day, the Pure is more than up to the job. When compared against the other tablets, it may not be the longest lasting but it’s definitely up there.

 

Verdict:

We loved using the Excite Pure. For the money (£260) you’re getting a great piece of kit that is more than capable of doing your day-to-day tasks. It’s not often that we have been impressed by a tablet that isn’t from the big hitters in the industry.

 

 

Posted in: Reviews, Tablets
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By May 20, 2014 Read More →

The ultimate guide to gifts and gadgets in 2014

The increasingly popular car shaped mouse

The increasingly popular car shaped mouse

As modern technology develops, every year more and more exciting, unusual and unique gadgets are released. Quirky pieces of technology make perfect gifts, whether it’s for your sister’s birthday, your parents’ wedding anniversary or for your boyfriend on Valentine’s Day.

Another great option to consider when looking for a gift are the romance novels of AnyStories.

You won’t want to buy a loved one the same gift as someone else. So why not buy a unique gift that the person will definitely remember? 2014 is a great year for fantastic gadgets being released that all make perfect gifts.

Below is the ultimate guide to some of the top gadgets and gifts for 2014.

 

Projection Clock

We’ve all experienced fumbling around to try and find out the time while we’re in bed. With this fantastic gadget, when you’re laid in bed and its dark, all you need to do is press a button and the time will be projected onto the ceiling or a wall, making it easily visible.

This great clock projects the time in 2 foot tall writing, so even if you don’t have your glasses on you’ll be able to see the numbers. This is a fantastic gift in 2014, and is sure to be useful as well as unique.

 

Bendable Keyboard

Another of 2014’s top gadgets is the bendable keyboard. This silicone keyboard comes in a variety of bright colours and adds a lot of style to your computer. But as well as adding a touch of class, there are many functional advantages to the bendable keyboard.

The silicone offering is practically indestructible compared to standard keyboards and is also waterproof, so if you accidentally spill a bit of tea on it then there’s no need to worry!  It is very easy to wipe and very flexible…which means it’s easily cleaned. Finally, it is very lightweight, so if you want to move around taking the keyboard with you is no problem.

 

Electronic Cigars

Cigar smoking is increasing in popularity, not least because of the dramatic rise in Celebrities smoking cigars over cigarettes. Electronic cigars using e-liquid are set to continue their meteoric rise in popularity throughout 2014 and into 2015. There is now a wide selection of electronic cigars available online, from different strengths to colours or other models like iqos uae you can get for this. There’s also replacement vape glass australia if your vaporizer needs fixing.

There are many cigar distributors online, I have personally bought cigars from The Cigar Club online, so if you are curious to try your very own electronic cigar check out their range.

 

Mouse Designs

Another computer-related gadget of 2014 has quite a big fan-base already: interesting mouse designs. Instead of having the standard mouse to go along with your computer, why not buy someone a unique and unusual mouse to go with their bendable keyboard?

One of the most popular mouse gadgets is a car shaped mouse, also known as a ‘street mouse’. The owner of this mouse can enjoy ‘driving’ their mouse around while on the computer. You can also get an inflatable mouse, egg shaped mouse, arrow shaped mouse, washable mouse or even an actual mouse shaped mouse! With so many choices this is a great way to buy some-one the perfect gift to suit them.

In conclusion, 2014 has seen the release of many exciting gadgets that will make perfect unique and unusual gifts. You’re sure to wow the gift recipient with one of these fantastic gadgets. There’s a seriously low chance you’d end up getting them the same gift as someone else, and it’ll definitely be a memorable present. If you’re looking for a great way to save money on high-quality merchandise, then a bargain bins store may be the perfect place for you.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets
By May 19, 2014 Read More →

5 Must have tech gadgets for summer 2014

panono-panoramic-ball-camera-designboom04

The Panono Ball Camera is set to revolutionize the way we take panoramic images.

With each new season comes an abundance of new gadgets; and summer 2014 is certainly no exception. The tech industry is all about increasing efficiency and improving upon previous inventions with new innovative tools that were not available in the past. These 5 must have tech gadgets have been hotly anticipated ever since they were announced and are expected to become market leaders in each of their sectors.

 

Panono

A few years ago everybody was raving about the GoPro. Taking HD footage while on the move revolutionized the way in which photographers shot extreme sports and other dangerous activities. The Panono Ball Camera takes still photography to a whole new level. When it’s thrown in the air it will take 360 images to create one complete panoramic image. Its robust design ensures that it won’t break under pressure and can withstand freefalling from huge heights without even suffering a dent. At 549 Euros, it’s not cheap; however, as with other cameras, no doubt after the first year of release prices will plummet into the lower hundreds.

 

Kenwood DNX521DAB

The Kenwood DNX521DAB will no doubt give tablets, smart phones and GPS systems a run for their money in the near future. This device is specifically designed for Volkswagen vehicles and is one of the most comprehensive multimedia systems on the planet. With a wide selection of media playback functions; a high definition touch screen; and Bluetooth capabilities, it’s not only a well-equipped entertainment station, but also completely hands-free. And that’s not to mention the world class GPS navigation system that it’s actually intended for.

 

Sony Short Throw 4K Projector

At an estimated $30,000 – $40,000 the Sony Short Throw 4K Projector will without a doubt be one of the most expensive gadgets on this list. This home cinema system is disguised as a piece of furniture and will provide a crisp image that can’t be matched by any conventional televisions. The device is capable of projecting a 147 inch image without hindering the quality. Although at present very few people will be able to fork out this much money for a home entertainment system, it could be the future of television viewing.

 

JVC Everio

The new JVC Everio is a compact little camcorder with some very impressive features. With a 40x optical zoom; 60x dynamic zoom; 4.5 hours of battery life; and excellent low light performance, it’s a more than worthy companion for a pocket. In addition, it is water, dust, freeze and shock proof, making it pretty robust and ready to tackle any challenges that natural elements throw its way.

 

PS Vita TV

Sony’s PS Vita TV is one of the most talked about gadgets in the console market. While it’s currently only available in Japan and yet to have an official Western release date (though it’s expected in the summer), this micro-console is yielding more excitement than many of the larger next-gen devices. This is because more and more people are making the transition over to PC gaming. The PS Vita TV allows users to play handheld games on the television; stream from the PS4; and watch television shows and films using a variety of third party TV streaming applications.

Technology moves at an alarming rate. While it can be mildly frustrating, new tech gadgets significantly drive down the price of older models. Although these five gadgets will certainly be on the pricey side when they’re released, perhaps by the time the autumn and winter comes around, they’ll be more affordable.

Image Credit: Mangahaikei

 

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets, News
By May 17, 2014 Read More →

HTC One mini 2 hands-on video

HTC One mini 2Just a few days ago HTC offcially announced the HTC One mini 2, successor to last year’s HTC One mini and little-brother to the HTC One (M8) released a couple of months ago.

As always, there had been a lot of leaks, speculation and rumours surrounding the mini 2 so much of the specification and design was alread ‘known’ but the full and official specification can be found below.

I’ve managed to get hold of an HTC One mini 2 and I’ve recorded an initial unboxing and hands-on video for you below. Covering the specification, hardware, side-by-side with the HTC One (M8) and a look at the user interface this is just a quick video for now, futher in-depth details and a review are to follow.

 

 

HTC One mini 2 specification:

SIZE: 137.43 x 65.04 x 10.6mm

WEIGHT: 137 grams

DISPLAY: 4.5 inch, HD 720p

 

CPU SPEED

  • Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400, 1.2GHz quad-core CPU

 

PLATFORM

  • Android™ 4.4 with HTC Sense™ 6
  • HTC BlinkFeed™

 

MEMORY

  • Total storage:  16GB
  • RAM: 1GB
  • Expansion card slot supports microSD™ memory card for up to 128GB additional storage (card not included)

 

NETWORK

2G/2.5G – GSM/GPRS/EDGE:

  • 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

 

3G – WCDMA:

  • 850/900/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps

 

 4G – LTE:

  • EMEA: Bands 3, 7, 8, 20
  • Asia: Bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 28

 

SIM

  • Nano SIM

 

SENSORS

  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor

 

CONNECTIVITY

  • 3.5 mm stereo audio jack
  • NFCii
  • Bluetooth® 4.0 with aptX™ enabled
  • Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 & 5 GHz)
  • DLNA® for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to a compatible TV or computer,
  • HTC Connect™
  • micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port

 

SOUND

  • HTC BoomSound™
  • Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers
  • Sense Voice

 

CaMeRA

Rear camera

  • 13MP, BSI sensor with f/2.2 lens
  • 1080p Full HD video recording

 

Front camera

  • 5MP, BSI sensor
  • 1080p Full HD video recording

 

MULTIMEDIA

Audio supported formats:

  • Playback: .aac, .amr, .ogg, .m4a, .mid, .mp3, .flac, .wav, .wma (Windows Media Audio 10)
  • Recording: .aac

 

Video supported formats:

  • Playback: .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .mkv, .wmv (Windows Media Video 10), .avi (MP4 ASP and MP3)
  • Recording: .mp4

 

Location

  • Internal GPS antenna + GLONASS
  • Digital compass

 

BATTERY

  • Capacity: 2100 mAh

 

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