Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By October 21, 2015 Read More →

HTC One A9 has arrived

one a9 coverAnnounced on 20 October was HTC’s new flagship, originally codenamed the Hima Aero, the HTC One A9. HTC One A9 has a 5-inch display on the front, topped with Gorilla Glass 4. With a pixel resolution of 1920 x 1080 giving for a ppi of 440 leaving a beautiful crisp display. The HTC One A9 measures 145.75 x 70.8 x 7.26mm and is a lightweight 143g. Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 chipset.

Like a number of manufacturers seem to be offering, there will be two versions available, one with 2gb and one with 3gb of RAM. Different territories will get different models. In the UK, we are penciled to get the 2GB version. There will be 16 and 32GB storage options too, although the HTC One A9 supports microSD card expansion up to 2TB.

The battery only has a capacity of 2150mAh which is likely to attract some criticism, however the 617 chipset maybe refined enough to make a difference alongside Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s battery saving techniques. HTC is promising you’ll get 16 hours of talk time from it, 60 hours of music playback or 18 days of standby.

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A 13-megapixel sensor, with F/2.0 aperture, and optical image stablisation sits at the very top of the rear next to a dual tone flash. Video capture is limited to full HD so 4K UHD is not an option here, sadly. Like the M9 a 4-megapixel UltraPixel sensor has been placed on the front to increase selfie quality. However, missing from this is HTC’s much loved BoomSound speakers on the front, instead opting for a single speaker in the bottom.

The HTC One A9 will be available in Opal Silver, Deep Garnet, Topaz Gold and Carbon Grey.

UK availability

The 2GB of RAM and 16GB version of the HTC One A9 will be available SIM free from htc.com for £429.99. The HTC One A9 will be available in November.

Only two networks have announced the phone. O2 will offer the HTC One A9, including an exclusive Topaz Gold version. And if you want to trade in your old phone, you can use O2’s Recycle scheme. Giffgaff will offer the HTC One A9, but we’re waiting on specific pricing and release details.

Posted in: News, Phones
By October 20, 2015 Read More →

Help Lycamobile win Website of the Year and win goodies

downloadLycamobile has been nominated for Website of the Year. Your vote for the Website of the Year award could win some great prizes! This year there is a 1 Samsung Ultra HD TV, 2 Apple Watch Sport Edition smart watches and 5 AKG headphones to be won by some lucky voters. Lycamobile have a simple and easy to use website that clearly defines exactly what you get for your money, like all retail websites should.

The British public can vote for their favourite websites and rate the websites on their quality. Each category has two winners. The website with the highest quality score will win the award for Best Website. The award for Most Popular Website goes to the website with the highest number of votes. The website with the best relative assessment within their category will be the overall winner of the Website of the Year award. 

You can vote from 21 September up to and including 30 October.

Posted in: Competitions, Promotion
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By October 20, 2015 Read More →

Blackvue Dashcam Unboxing and Review

vlcsnap-error491The Blackvue is, simply put, a high end dashboard camera. Recording the daily routine with every feature you could imagine. In the following video we take a look at the key features of the camera, the additional hardware, the quality of the footage and the desktop software.

The Blackvue gives users the ability to record their journeys in full 1080p at 30 frame per second. A built in G-Sensor reacts to movement as you drive and adds additional peace of mind to the recording practice. Adding WiFi support allows for the unit to connect to a phone and utilise the Blackvue app to modify settings and preview footage on the go. Built in GPS ensures increased accuracy when travelling and integrates the position into the desktop suite to help locate any incidents that may have occurred with the added help of the G-sensor.

The camera is a wide angle 133 degree lens with an optional rear camera. A 16GB class 10 Micro SD card has been included however there is support for cards up to 64GB

You can purchase the single camera option from Mobilefun for £180:

Or the dual for £274

By October 18, 2015 Read More →

Whats new on Amazon Prime 12 – 18th October 2015

TWoAP 4x5Lets take a look and see what was new on Amazon Prime from 12 – 18th October 2015 in the UK

Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
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By October 18, 2015 Read More →

Whats new on Netflix 12 – 18th October 2015

TWoNFLets take a look and see what was new on Netflix from 12 – 18th October 2015 in the UK

Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
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By October 15, 2015 Read More →

Vivitek Launch New Qumi Q6 Pocket Projector

PR Shot 1Vivitek, a leading brand of visual display products, is today introducing the LED HD Qumi Q6, the new addition to its Qumi Series of pocket projectors. Designed for compatibility with  any portable digital lifestyle and business mobile device, Q6 is lightweight and compact, offers high brightness and long life performance, to make it perfect for business and home users who want to wirelessly display digital content from a tablet or smartphone instantly onto an impressive, 90”/2.3m sized screen area.

“This latest model in the Qumi Series continues the trend for innovation we’ve shown with each new generation of the product,” comments Holger Graeff, General Manager, Vivitek EMEA. “We’ve increased the brightness as well as the ability to easily share content – whatever the source. So whether it’s content from a digital camera, laptop, smart phone, tablet, USB flash drive or even directly from its 2.5GB user accessible on-board memory, the Q6 is the perfect high-impact projection device.

Thanks to its native WXGA resolution, the 800 ANSI Lumens of brightness and its 30,000:1 contrast ratio, the Q6 projects an outstanding colour image onto a screen area of up to 90’’ diagonal. The Q6 also offers long life and low maintenance as its LED light source gives up to 30,000 hours of use. The LED light source also means that the Q6 is able to operate at any angle through a 360° spectrum, so portrait mode, ceiling to floor, or any tile angle is achievable with the same visually stunning results.

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The Q6 uses the industry standard MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) standard for streaming video and audio content. So from any MHL-enabled mobile device, such as smartphone or tablet, it is possible to reproduce its screen onto a large screen area while charging it with the MHL cable (included).

For those who prefer to project directly from the Q6 (without connecting any device) the embedded media player can display documents, photos, videos and audio files instantly. The Q6 also features built-in Wi-Fi for cable-free projection to deliver uncompressed HD digital content transmitted smoothly and beautifully using EZCast Pro application. The Wi-Fi connection to Qumi is not limited to projecting images or video, it essentially replicates the screen of the mobile devices. Q6 is designed with an intuitive touch-sensitive keypad and illuminated backlit controls, and to complete the feature set, the Q6 has a built-in 2 watt loudspeaker.

Small, light and slim, the pocket sized Q6 is the perfect companion for sharing content from mobile devices. The size of a paperback book, and with a weight of only 475 grams and a thickness of 34mm, the Q6 can be conveniently carried around in a purse, briefcase or backpack. Available in 7 fashionable colors – black, white, light blue, red, orange, charcoal gray and gold – the Q6 is a personal device that matches your style, whether in business, school or home environment.

 

Key features/Specifications

  • Native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution with high definition 720p compatibility
  • Bright 800 ANSI lumens and 30,000:1 contrast for brilliant and sharp images
  • Project a large and wide screen image up to 90” in diameter
  • Weighs just 475 grams and is 34mm thick
  • Energy efficient LED light source offers up to 30,000 hours of operation
  • Wirelessly stream and all types of content
  • MHL compatible
  • Integrated media and document viewer 
  • Display contents directly from a USB flash drive or from the on board memory
  • Advanced display connectivity including: HDMI, USB, and internal Wifi
  • 3D compatibility with DLP® Link™ and HDMI 1.4b Blu-Ray support for dazzling and realistic life-like images
  • Built-in 2 watt audio speaker with multiple audio ports for easy device connection
  • Touch-sensitive keypad with illuminated backlit controls
  • Intuitive mobile remote control app* (Andriod™/iOS) for convenient control of the projector’s functions and features
  • 7 exciting colors including: black, white, light blue, red, orange,  gold, charcoal gray

 

Pricing and availability

The new Qumi Q6 pocket projector will be available from September 2015, at a list price of £480 inc. VAT, and it benefits a 3 year warranty. Education warranty upon registration is 5 years.

In addition to the Qumi Q6, the Qumi range is composed of two others pocket projectors: the Qumi Q4 with a brightness up to 500 ANSI lumens and the Qumi Q5 which adds MHL compatibility and includes a multimedia player as well as a Wi-Fi connection via a dongle. Two personal projectors complete the range: the Qumi Q7 Lite with a brightness up to 700 ANSI lumens and the Qumi Q7 Plus with a brightness up to 1000 ANSI lumens.

Posted in: News, Press Releases
By October 13, 2015 Read More →

Debo Steadyvid EX Video Stabilizer Unboxing

vlcsnap-error287The Debo Steadyvid EX Video Stabilizer is a video stabilizing system designed to help  reduce shake and stabilize video on cameras and camcorders weighting up to 2.1 lbs (0.95kg). The Steady Vid EX features aluminum construction, comfort grip handle, super-smooth gimbal, polished chrome counter-weight, sprit level, rubberized camera mount and thumb stabilizer. The Steady Vid EX is probably the most affordable full-featured stabilizer on the market. 

Features:
1.Supports digital cameras and camcorders up to 2.1 lbs 
2.Comfort grip handle 
3.Super gimbal for smooth, accurate motion 
4.Polished chrome counter-weight 
Specifications:
Load Capacity: 2.1 lbs (0.95kg) 
Construction: Aluminum body, rubber padded handle, polished chrome counterweight
Package Contents :
Stabilizer x1

By October 12, 2015 Read More →

Brew Barrel unboxing and review

vlcsnap-error720Here at TracyandMatt we entertain every gadget that comes our way, someone, somewhere will be interested. Every once in a while a product pops up that isn’t really tech related but for the greater good we have to knuckle down and experience the product, up close and personal. Take for example, beer. One of the most important staples in many of our lives and we are so dedicated to our responsability we will risk everything to report back to you that a home brewing kit is good or bad.

Brew Barrel are far from a one trick pony and offer a great solution to the bar at an upcoming party you might be throwing. With the ability to brew 5 litres of Pilsnser, Lager, Wheat beer, Pale Ale or Dark Beer infused with a flavour of your choice, be it Oak, Bourbon Timber, Lemon Grass, even Raspberry and Hersbrucker are on the long list of additions in one go there is certainly a lot to choose from. Keeping the price to £25.00 per barrel with an additional flavour between £1.50 and £3.00, this £30 solution works out charger than the cost at the pump in your local (depending on your location) and you have the satisfaction that “I made that.” The Brew Barrel kit is easy to follow, well thought out and pleasant to put together. 

 

Check out Brewbarrel and order one!

By October 11, 2015 Read More →

Whats new on Netflix and Amazon Prime in the UK?

vlcsnap-error709Lets take a look as what is new to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime in the UK from 05th – 11th October.

 

 

By October 10, 2015 Read More →

Suaoki 3 Port USB Car Charger review

P1020353There is a good chance that your dashboard is becoming more cluttered. A phone in a mount, a dashcam and a dedicated GPS are popular additions to the control centre of the average car. However, looking at the layout of the dashboard there is one glaring problem that anyone with more than one mounted dashboard device has had to tackle, the single cigarette lighter socket. Most cars have them and car manufactures are not jumping onboard the multi USB socket as of yet. Using the cigarette lighter is still the main source of power for the majority of drivers out there.

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There are several accessories out there that remedy this problem however Suaoki have developed a little entry to the market that is worth writing about, the Suaoki USB car charger. The simple fact that makes this plugin device so attractive is the size, it’s very small. Initially, when Suaoki sent one over I might have actually taken a couple of days to even open the Amazon packaging. I am very glad I did,

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This is a typical USB adapter that features a fantastic build quality, low price, is flexible to your needs, looks great and performs even better. I would honestly say this is a perfect fit,

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From the outset the USB adapter comes with a clever configuration, a 2 port plug is £7, 3 ports are £9 and 4 ports will set you back only £11. It is true that you can get cheaper elsewhere however they will either be larger or flimsy.

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The Suaoki has a very small footprint and does not overhang as much as other USB adapters, it also has a solid finish. Whilst the plug itself is plastic the visible base containing the ports is faux metal and really gives the unit a more robust feel.

You can purchase the Suaoki 7.2A 36W 3 Port USB Car Charger from Amazon for £8.99 

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