Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts 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.

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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!

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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.

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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.”

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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.

By May 6, 2016 Read More →

Vivitek introduces the D830 series

Vivitek_DH833 [1512422]Vivitek, a leading brand of visual display products, presents the D830 series, a new range of powerful multimedia projectors. Developed to make a great impression with their elegant design in any environment, their outstanding features include their high brightness in a compact body with a weight of just 3.2 kg. The Vivitek DH833 and DX831 deliver 4,500 ANSI lumens while the DW832 provides 5,000 ANSI lumens brightness with a choice of resolution at 1080p, XGA, or WXGA respectively.

The new Vivitek D830 series is characterised by its versatility. The projectors offer all common digital and analogue connectivity options including the possibility to connect compatible mobile devices via MHL. With their high brightness and a contrast ratio of 15,000: 1, the D830 series delivers brilliant images even in bright conference rooms and classrooms.

 The new Vivitek projectors are environmentally friendly with an easily replaceable lamp offering up to 4,000 hours life time, and energy-saving features such as Dynamic Eco Plus mode and Auto Power Off function when there is no signal input. Furthermore, the D830 series is compatible with major systems such as   Crestron® RoomView™, Extron, AMX SSDP etc., and thus can be integrated into existing networks to be centrally queried for status information or to change settings.

 “The D830 series is the ideal complement to our multimedia projectors,” says Holger Graeff, General Manager, Vivitek EMEA. “The strong brightness level of the projectors together with the wide 1.5x zoom for flexibility and full connectivity make them ideal for variable presentations for companies, schools and government agencies.”

 To make the user experience with the D830 series even more engaging, the Vivitek NovoPRO solution can be added for full wireless connectivity and collaboration for up to 64 users in the room. The NovoPRO platform is designed to ensure a top quality wireless experience to accommodate today’s popular Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) concept. NovoPRO ensures cross OS platform compatibility, yet at a price-performance point that makes it easily affordable for any meeting room, boardroom or brainstorm space.

With NovoPRO as the hub, multiple devices can be connected fast and simple at one time, while four can be simultaneously projecting in a split screen. To make operation simpler, the optional Launcher allows for instantaneous screen sharing though this USB plug-and-play connected device.

 Prices and Availability:

DH833: £819 (excl. VAT). Available immediately, also available with Education Warranty.

DW832: £669 (excl. VAT). Available immediately, also available with Education Warranty.

DX831: £629 (excl. VAT). Available immediately.

NovoPRO & 4-Launcher-set:  £699 (excl. VAT). Available immediately. 

Specifications D830 series:

·         Great flexibility with 1.5x zoom

·         Variety of display connectivity options including: HDMI and MHL

·         Built-in 10W audio speaker with multiple audio-in and audio-out ports

·         Integrated network monitoring and management solutions including Crestron® RoomView™, Extron, AMX SSDP and Telnet

·         Enhanced environmentally friendly power functions to increase lamp life, power savings and energy consumption

By May 4, 2016 Read More →

WIN Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights White 100 LEDs

blingstring_100_whiteRed Robin Solar are giving one lucky winner the opportunity to bling up their garden this summer with an enchanting set of Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights.

The Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights and gavita pro 1700e led are the best grow lights for indoor planting. The Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights come with an amorphous solar panel designed to give improved performance in dull weather. The back of the solar panel has been designed to enhance the waterproofing and professionals from sites like https://solarroofvent.com/how-do-solar-panels-work-in-the-home/ can help you installing them in your home. Incredibly easy to install and free to run you will not be disappointed with your Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights. This particular version has 100 white LEDs.

To be in with a chance of winning some Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights, all you have to do is follow tracyandmatt on Twitter and retweet the following tweet: “RT I want to win some Blingstring Solar Fairy Lights from @tracyandmatt  and @redrobinsolar – You could too: http://wp.me/p3WUB6-fNO ” You can also click the retweet link below to save you copying and pasting the phrase. Your twitter name will be entered in to the draw.

RETWEET ME!

You’ll have to keep following us as we’ll notify winners via DM.

Entry is open until midnight on the 15th May 2016 and the winner will be picked at random on the 16th May. Will that be a lucky day for you?

We’ll contact the winner via twitter so make sure that you are still following us!

Good luck.

Posted in: Competitions, News
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By May 3, 2016 Read More →

PitPat Unboxing

4The idea of a Fitbit for your dog is a humourous one however our K9 pals need a great deal of exercise to keep them in shape, not to mention happy. Sometimes throwing a lead on them and zipping around the block might not be enough.

Using a small piece of collar mounted tech and an app for your phone the Pitpat works like most fitness trackers, without the biometric readings. Designed to keep up with a doggies varied lifestyle the Pitpat is waterproof, lightweight and simple to use.

  • Check up on your dog’s health with ease
  • Attaches simply to your dog’s collar
  • Comfortable, small and lightweight design
  • Robust and waterproof
  • Bluetooth technology for safe wire-free communication
  • Free companion app for iOS and Android
  • Over 1 year battery life

The Pitpat is £39.99 from Mobilefun

By May 1, 2016 Read More →

Limited Edition Kahn Land Rover Defender at The London Motor Show

 

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The London Motor Show will be taking place at Battersea Evolution from the 5th-8th May where more than 40 car brands and 130 models will be on display to visitors from around the world. The ultimate automotive event will be opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent on Thursday 5th May at an exclusive, ticketed preview evening.

 

Visitors to The London Motor Show will experience something rather special… On display for the very first time will be a limited edition, one-off, Land Rover Defender designed by Afzal Kahn.

 

Entitled the Ultimate Defender, this vehicle is a true collector’s item that celebrates the world-renowned Land Rover Defender mode that is sadly no longer in production. It will feature a variety of visual elements that give the classic design a more contemporary feel while recalling the long and storied history of the SUV – as the first and only Defender of its kind this car is extremely rare.

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Priced at £65,000, this Santorini Black model has been adorned with a purposeful and muscular appearance thanks to the addition of front and rear Satin Black wide wings with body coloured arches, integrated vents and exposed bolt apertures. A new front bumper incorporates integrated lighting and a sump guard, whilst an X-Lander front grille, mesh hood vents and Kahn vinyl stripes complete the facelift.

 

The vehicle proudly wears a set of 9.0” x 20” Mondial wheels in Volcanic Black with 275/55/20 tyres. In addition, Burnt Orange Metallic brake calipers, twin cross-hair exhaust system and hard-wearing mud flaps improve the off-road performance of the vehicle. Towards the rear, the vehicle proudly wears a Chelsea Truck Company spare wheel cover.

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Occupants are also treated to a wealth of custom tailored opulence that you won’t see in standard models.  The standard seats have been replaced with front and rear GTB seats in Hield Fabric, whilst the same fabric has also been integrated into the fillets. A centre glove box, passenger dashboard, handles, door panels, instrument binnacle, front door cards and boot panel, Churchill time clock, sat nav, reverse camera, Kahn billet and leather steering wheel, 4 speed auto gear box and vented machined aluminium foot pedals complete the package.

 

Designer of the Ultimate Defender, Afzal Kahn says: “I have designed a vehicle that celebrates the history and unique personality of the Defender. This is a fitting tribute to one of the world’s best loved vehicles and I would welcome feedback from Defender owners and enthusiasts alike who are welcome to visit my Kings Road boutique in Chelsea.”

 

 

Stephen Maitland-Oxley, Events Director at The London Motor Show says: “It’s an honour to be able to play host to this magnificent one-off Land Rover Defender and to offer visitors the opportunity to see this limited edition vehicle. The Defender is such an iconic car and now holds an even larger legacy following its production ending in January this year, so to be able to get one more glimpse of this model is fantastic.”

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Across The London Motor Show weekend, exhibitors will be showcasing their latest vehicles with prices ranging from £8,000, to in excess of £200,000, to cater to everyone’s pocket. Alongside the vehicles, the lecture theatre will play host to a fantastic line-up of honoured speakers including, Sir Stirling Moss, Tiff Needell, Ben Collins and Nigel Mansell who’ll be focussing on a number of major motoring issues.

 

The exhibition is designed with families in mind with fantastic activities on hand including the TOP GEAR simulator and a chance to play the Project CARS racing game using a VR headset.

 

The general early bird admission ticket is £15 from 6th-8th May and children under 10 go free. On the door ticket price is £20. For more information visit www.thelondonmotorshow.co.uk/

 

Opening times:

 

Friday 6th May: 10.00am – 6.00pm, Saturday 7th May: 10.00am – 6.00pm, Sunday 8th May: 10.00am-5.00pm.

By April 29, 2016 Read More →

Vivitek adds new model to bring sports and games alive

medium_Vivitek_H1060_FrontVivitek has announced the immediate availability of the H1060 projector.  With 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and a contrast ratio of 15,000:1, the new H1060 is a perfect entry level projector for those who want to enjoy the upcoming Qatar World Cup or the Olympic Games on a large screen in the comfort of their home.

The Texas Instruments’ DLP® and BrilliantColor™ technologies included ensure brilliant and rich digital picture quality with full colour saturation thanks to its 6-segment (GYRWCB) colour wheel. The Vivitek H1060 offers Full HD 3D directly via an HDMI port while its native 1080p resolution allows users to enjoy the top 3D and 2D video games.

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“With its attractive price positioning, the new H1060 perfectly complements our existing range of home cinema projectors. It delivers an unrivalled price-performance ratio at a smaller budget and boosts very modest operational costs as the H1060 is equipped with an energy efficient lamp. This allows the user to enjoy a great image for up to 10,000 hours making it the ideal solution for enjoying many great entertainment moments at home,” comments Holger Graeff, General Manager EMEA of Vivitek Corporation.

The new model features a complete set of connectivity options including dual HDMI v1.4 inputs to allow users to connect their cable/satellite receiver, Blu-Ray disc player or video gaming console. The H1060 provides MHL support for easy streaming of video and audio content from any compatible mobile device. It includes several additional I/O ports including an audio in port to use the built-in 2 watt speaker or audio out port to connect to the external sound system. Nintronics are a trusted provider of high quality speakers. Moreover, thanks to its new energy efficient lamp, the lamp lifetime in dynamic eco mode is extended up to 10,000 hours and its position on the top of the projector also facilitates easy replacement by the user. The compact size and weight of only 2.3 kg ensures that the H1060 is easy to store and carry in order to enjoy sports events or games sessions with friends everywhere.

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Positioned as an ideal projector for anyone who wants to enjoy the big picture, the H1060 is a great budget choice that complements the existing range of Full HD home theatre projectors launched last year which already includes the Vivitek H1186 and H1188.

Key features / Specifications of the Vivitek H1060

–          High definition 1080p resolution (1920×1080) for clear and crisp visuals

–          DLP® technology with BrilliantColor™ for vibrant and rich picture quality

–          Powerful 3,000 ANSI lumens brightness with a 15,000 high contrast ratio to display sharp images even when the lights are on

–          6-segment colour wheel for outstanding colour reproduction (GYRWCB)

–          A long lamp life up to 10,000 hours for low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

–          Compact and lightweight at only 2.3kg for easy portability

–          Audio ready with built-in 2 watt speaker and audio out port

–          Dual HDMI inputs and MHL compatibility for streaming of video and audio content from any compatible mobile device

Pricing and Availability

The Vivitek H1060 is immediately available and is priced at £629 including VAT. It benefits from a three year warranty on the projector and one year on the lamp (or 1,000 hours, whichever comes first).

By April 29, 2016 Read More →

An AOC AGON Series Premium Gaming Monitor

2016-04-29 (2)AOC, one of the top global brands in the display market, recently presented their premium line of gaming monitors – the AGON series. Its first model is the 27″ (68.6 cm) AG271QX powered by a high-speed TN panel at a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. It delivers ultra-smooth images with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a response time of 1 ms, supported by Adaptive-Sync Technology (FreeSync™ compatible, at a 30-144 Hz range) that reduces stuttering and tearing – focusing on the best gaming performance.

Gamers that play competitively not only rely on fast and smooth images, but also on instantaneously-executed commands and perfect vision in every situation. The AOC Low Input Lag mode disables picture post-processing on the monitor’s electronics and, therefore, accelerates the command pass-through from mouse, keyboard and gamepad to result in immediate actions while the AOC Shadow Control enables gamers to quickly adjust contrast in overly dark or bright areas without sacrificing the quality of well-balanced areas across the rest of the screen.

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Gamers that never run out of steam would also want perfect ergonomics and to be able to rely on convenient features to adjust their monitor. The AOC AGON ergonomic base provides plenty of comfort when enabling adjustments of height, tilt and swivel, and is accurately marked by a scale, so gamers can always jump back to their preferred settings. What is more, the stand is equipped with a carry-handle for easy transportation of the monitor. For example to and from eSports events like casino games, especially slots games, on sites like draftkings ny that are available online. When not using the headset, there is a practical holder at the side of the display to hook it over. Even more comfort is delivered by the eye-protecting AOC Flicker-Free Technology and the AOC Low Blue Light mode, both reducing eye strain, discomfort and fatigue during long gaming sessions. Monitor settings are key features when it comes to individuality, and they need to be easily accessible. Adjustable gaming presets will grant gamers exactly that. AOC has not just implemented changeable Game Mode Presets, but also added the AOC QuickSwitch Controller, enabling the user to switch effortlessly between modes and adjust brightness, contrast and other gaming features.

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The AOC AGON AG271QX premium gaming monitor, clearly addressing competitive gamers, will be available in June 2016 for an MSRP of £479.

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