The Mi Band 2 is the latest fitness tracker from Xiaomi. Perfectly pricey to encompass everything a fitness fanatic needs to keep track of their exercise.
Record daily motion data, Xiaomi bracelet to help you record all-day event, calculate walking distance, and calorie consumption.
Smart Vibration alarm clock, simulate wake up naturally status: You can set the alarm on the APP, in front of the preset alarm within 30 minutes, with a slight vibration to wake you from a shallow sleep, when to wake up slowly shallow sleep, naturally wake up closer.
Grabs one here: http://amzn.to/2hsAZed
The nice folks at Wraps recently sent us some if their funky headphones to check out. The range starts out around the £15 mark for the bright and colourful entry level models, right up to the model I’ve been playing with, the £50 “Core” version. This differs from its cheaper stablemates due to its braided faux leather cable and improved speakers which are made from titanium no less.
Right out of the box, they are a good-looking set of headphones. I’m not a fan of bling, so the nicely subdued colour scheme of “space grey” buds on black faux leather was right up my street. The unique selling point (gimmick) of the wraps headphones is that they are designed in such a way that they can be worn around the wrist when you aren’t using them. This is a bit fiddly at first, but after a few goes, you get the hang of it. The mechanism for securing the headphones is simple but effective, the 3.5mm jack is the peg and there is a hole for it either in the ear bud separator or in a small piece that slides freely along the length of the cable, so you can achieve a good fit. This works really well and I can definitely see people using it as an alternative to having the big over ear headphones hanging around your neck all day.
Personally I tried it out for the sake of the review, but to be honest, I preferred to store the headphones in a small pouch in my bag. I always have headphones with me, but I don’t always need them (literally) right at hand all the time. Your mileage may vary. As for sound quality, I was initially somewhat disappointed. Gimmicks aside, for £50, I expect a set of
As for sound quality, I was initially somewhat disappointed. Gimmicks aside, for £50, I expect a set of headphones to sound good. The Cores sounded a bit subdued, almost to the point of sounding muffled. I tried the various sizes of silicone buds provided in the package, but even with a good fit, the sound wasn’t great.
Now, I know that the sound can change once headphones “burn in”, but I have never experienced such a noticeable difference in any other set. After a few days, the sound transformed. The fuzzy, dampened sound cleared up and the details started to come through. Maybe it is because of the use of titanium speakers, but an extended burn-in time certainly made a massive difference. The overall sound is not what I would call outstanding, at this price point there are competitors that will give a much richer sound quality, but I would say that it is still very good and more than up to the task. You get a nice amount of detail and it has a bass that is nicely rounded but can deliver a bit of a thump when asked. Sometimes with braided cables, you get a lot of noise coming through when they rub against clothing etc, thankfully I didn’t find this was the case with the wraps.
If I was to level a criticism against the headphones, one tiny niggle is the size of the ear buds themselves. They are rather small. This is a good thing when they are stored on your wrist, but I found that when I was wearing them whilst out for a walk, I kept having to push them into my ear regularly. I have pretty small ears, so if you have Dumbo lugs, this might be an issue for you.
Overall I really like these headphones. The styling is really nice and the sound quality is totally decent. Yeah, they are maybe a bit pricey compared to others on the market, but the addition of the wearable feature is pretty handy and does set it apart. There is obviously an element of personal taste with non-conventional designs, but if these appeal to you, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Available in Gold, Space Grey, Silver and Rose Gold from www.mywraps.com for £49.99
reichelt have sponsored a challenge to build a computer for £300. With a budget of only £300 I have to source the best bits of computer equipment for a main central processor unit (CPU) to build the most competent computer I can.
Part two, we look at the processor. An AMD A6-7400K Black Edition, 2x 3.50GHz costing £50.53 incl. VAT. Certainly, there are better processors on the market, however not at this price for a budget build. The AMD features the following:
• Dual core: “Kaveri”
• Clock speed: 3.50 GHz, Turbo: 3.90 GHz
• TDP: 65 W
• Production: 28 nm
• Interface: UMI, 5 GT/s
• L2 cache: 1 MB shared
• L3 cache: N/A
• Stepping: KV-A1
• Graphics: AMD Radeon R5, 756 MHz, 256 shaders, 387GFLOPS
• Memory controller: Dual-channel PC3-14900U (DDR3-1866)
• Features: SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, CLMUL, XOP, FMA3, FMA4, CVT16, NX bit, AMD64, AMD-V, Cool’n’Quiet, Turbo Core 3.0, Eyefinity, unlocked multiplier
Hit the subscribe button as tomorrow we will be looking at the main board into which this processor slots.
Check out reichelt.co.uk, an online electronics retailer…many products up to 20% cheaper than elsewhere in the UK!
reichelt have sponsored a challenge to build a computer for £300. With a budget of only £300 I have to source the best bits of computer equipment for a main central processor unit (CPU) to build the most competent computer I can.
In part one, I select the case. An Inter-Tech K-11 midi-tower including SL-500 for £33.71 inc VAT. This case includes:
External: 1 x 5.25″, 1x 3.5″
Internal: 4 x 2.5″, 3x 2.5″
Front I/O: 2x USB 2.0, 1x headphones, 1x microphone
PCI slots: 6
Fan (front): N/A
Mainboard: up to ATX
Power supply unit: ATX, 500 W
Power supply location: top
Colour: black, inside black
Dimensions (WxHxD): 190 x 410 x 405 mm
Weight: 4.02 kg
Hit the subscribe button as tomorrow we will be looking at the processor to provide the heart of the system.
Check out reichelt.co.uk, an online electronics retailer…many products up to 20% cheaper than elsewhere in the UK!
The Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual Slot Reader Compatible with SD and UDMA Flash Memory Card is a professional-level, portable USB reader that leverages SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology to deliver blazing-fast transfer speeds from card to computer, with a USB interface speed up to 500MB/s (reads up to 5 times faster than USB 2.0).
It lets you leverage the performance capabilities of the latest UDMA CompactFlash (CF) (including UDMA 7 CF 6.0) and SD, SDHC, SDXC, and SD UHS-I and UHS-II (SD 3.0) memory cards. The reader is also compatible with standard CF and SD cards and USB 2.0.
For most people, it is rare to leave the house with just one mobile device in today’s times. Changing lifestyles have turned tablets, phones or computers into frequent and indispensable companions during most day-to-day activities, making it all the more inconvenient when these suddenly run out of battery. For car drivers and their passengers, ADAM elements presents a convenient solution to this problem, the all-in-one car charger CASA CO³. Boasting both a USB-C and two USB-A ports, the intelligent and elegant device enables users to charge multiple mobile devices simultaneously while driving.
Four times faster than traditional car chargers.
With the CASA CO³, ADAM elements makes sure that your devices never run low on battery. The intelligently designed car charger features a USB-C and two USB-A ports that enable users to charge mobile devices while driving. For drivers who seldom travel with just one device, this means that neither their iPhone, iPad nor MacBook will be left behind – all can be charged simultaneously. This comes in handy especially with several people in the backseat, who no longer need to argue about who will be first to charge his or her device. Moreover, CASA CO³ is equipped with QuickCharge 3.0 technology, making it faster than traditional car chargers while remaining downward compatible with QuickCharge 2.0. Even shorter trips consequently provide sufficient time to instil users’ mobile devices with new battery life.
Stylish and safe.
Made from a black polycarbonate blend, the sleek design of the CASA CO³ fits perfectly into any car interior. Its light weight further makes it easy to take along during travels, while multiple protective failsafe designs and high quality electronics ensure that nothing can go wrong when multiple mobile devices are being charged. This way, the device is protected from overheating, short-circuits, over-voltage and over-currents.
The CASA CO³ comes with a one-year warranty and is available to purchase online from the Taiwan-based ADAM Store. The MSRP is £24.99.
THINKWARE F770, RRP £199 – With its sleek, unobtrusive design the F770 is THINKWARE’s global flagship dash cam supporting an optional second camera for filming behind the vehicle.
With a built-in GPS antenna, the F770 embeds speed, time and location data to the recorded videos to give you all the information you may need and the Dual Save™ technology allows you to save recorded footage in both the micro SD memory card and the last event in the built-in internal memory. This safeguards against the loss of data in the aftermath of a severe collision if the memory card is damaged and the Dual Save Technology guarantees a backup copy of the video in the internal memory.
The built-in Wi-Fi enables you to easily control, manage and configure the settings of your Dash Cam via your iOS or Android smart phone and provides a truly convenient way for you to view recordings, download, access or delete recorded videos, all on your mobile phone.
The THINKWARE DASH CAM F770 also features ‘Super Night Vision’, a night image correction feature and ‘Time Lapse Photography’ that records one frame per second for up to two days. The ‘Super Night Vision’, which is optimised for dark parking environments, delivers up to 10 times higher brightness than existing products, featuring a new image signal processing (ISP) technology and a real-time video processing function.
The ‘Time Lapse Photography,’ embracing improved video storage methods, can record the details of the parked vehicle by maintaining the continuous recording while parked, instead of recording 20 second events triggered by motion detection or the camera’s g-sensor. Parking mode operates for up to 2 days after the ignition is turned off.
The THINKWARE DASH CAM F770’ has also adopted the ‘Advanced Driving Assistance System’ (ADAS), which assures driver’s safety and convenience with numerous driver alerts. The Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) alerts drivers when drifting out of lane and the Front Collision Warning System (FCWS) advises drivers of when to brake by calculating the speed of your vehicle and the vehicle in front in real time.
Equipped with 1080p Full HD cameras, Ambarella chipsets, advanced video clear technology and Sony Exmor CMOS Image Sensors, the THINKWARE DASH CAM F770 also features Safety Camera Alerts using the built in GPS. In partnership with award winning camera alert specialist, Cyclops, it provides drivers regularly updated information on verified speed/red–light camera locations and known mobile speed traps.
THINKWARE DASH CAM F50, RRP £79.99 – With prices starting at just £79.99, the F50 is the perfect feature-packed dash cam for those wanting piece of mind whilst on the road and whilst parked. It is equally as popular with commercial vehicles owners offering security, accountability and possible reductions in insurance premiums.
The F50 is equipped with an Ambarella chipset and Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor that records detailed full HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second, a 130-degree viewing angle and a built in Active Impact monitoring system. The THINKWARE F50 dash cam certainly fits a lot of features into its small and elegant design.
When hardwired, the F50 features Parking Surveillance Modes with Motion and Impact Detection triggering the recording of 20 second video clips, ensuring car, van or taxi owners are able to record incidents in parking mode for 48 hours. The built-in impact sensor, which detects the level of force when your vehicle sustains an impact, is a 3 axis G-sensor whose settings are different for parking mode and continuous mode. You want it to be as sensitive as possible whilst parked but don’t want it to record incidents every time you go over a pothole. All footage is instantaneously saved to a memory card reducing potential data corruption.
The dash cams are also able to work in extreme conditions thanks to the integrated Thermal Protection. If the temperature rises and exceeds a certain level, the Self Protection Shut Down function will automatically switch off the device to protect the camera optics. In the event of power loss during an accident, the dash cam’s fail-safe recording uses the Super Capacitor to ensure that any recordings in progress are stored securely, so you can be confident your data is safe.
When the THINKWARE F50 dash cam is connected to the optional GPS Antenna it provides drivers regularly updated information on verified speed/red–light camera locations and known mobile speed traps thanks to the partnership THINKWARE has with award winning camera alert specialist, Cyclops.
The THINKWARE F50 allows for discreet installation due to its minimal size and black appearance. It can be placed behind the rear view mirror on the windscreen using the 3M tape so the driver’s vision is not obscured. However, to fully ensure the THINKWARE F50 dash cam is not a target for thieves, there is also a locking box accessory available to make its removal from the vehicle difficult; an attractive option for commercial vehicles.
The THINKWARE F50 Dash Cam is currently available from www.thinkwaredashcam.uk for £79 plug and play or £99 with optional GPS antenna. For more information visit the company’s website at www.thinkware.com
Gareth Myles, Jay Garrett, Gavin Fabiani-Laymond and Leila Gregory
RSS Link: http://mobiletechaddicts.libsyn.com/rss
Show Notes
Listeners:
Hi Guys, can you tell me when and where the Asus Zenwatch 3 will be on sale in the U.K. Regards Howard
What have you been playing with?
Gavin
- Zecti Aluminium State of the Art Ballhead
- Amazon Echo Dot vs Apple Homekit
- Sennheiser HD598 cs headphones review
Leila
Gareth
Main Show URL: www.techaddicts.uk
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Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @garethmyles ; @gavinfabiani ; @GadgetyNewsCom ; @JayGarrett ; @swanny
Web: http://gavinsgadgets.com ; http://GadgetyNews.com ; http://swanny.me/
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With the Christmas party season in full swing and that festive tipple turning into your tenth Jaeger bomb, certain party events become inevitable; someone trying to corner you for a heart-to-heart, that person crying in the toilets, the David Brent style dancing and the all too predictable smashed phone. Whilst we can’t help you improve your dancing, we can offer some tips to help avoid waking up next to a smashed phone after the infamous work Christmas party…..
Provided by gadget and tech accessories provider, Griffin Technology.
- Keep it out of sight and zipped away
The more barriers there are to your phone, the less chance it has of falling to its demise. Whether it’s a zipped compartment in a handbag or buttoned pockets, something to stop you reaching for it every 10 seconds can work wonders.
- Watch out for office geeks in YOLO party mode
If you must grab that group shot on the dance floor, stand well out of the way of wayward dancers. People tend to go overboard at parties and their excitement is just too much – they’ll fling their arms in the air like they just don’t care and that’s the moment your phone’s knocked out of your hands.
- Resist the urge to take a bathroom selfie
Running water (amongst other things) spells disaster for your phone, so do your phone a favour and take your selfies away from the taps. The last thing you want to be doing is attempting to take your phone apart and pop it into a container of dry rice at 2am…….
- Invest in a super-sturdy phone case
Suffer from butterfingers on the dance floor when taking that obligatory selfie? It’s worth ensuring your phone is up to the action you put it through and invest in some reliable protection. Even if you’re convinced you won’t hit the floor no matter how many beers you have (and we guarantee you will!) or your table dancing skills are something to be marvelled at, it’s best to guarantee your device will stay safe. Griffin’s Survivor range offers some of the best drop protection going. Now go dance your heart out.
- Download the Find My Phone app
Just in case the worst happens and your precious phone does go walkies, give yourself the best chance to be reunited with it. Download the Find My Phone app if you have an iPhone or the Where’s My Droid app for Android users. Both will allow you to stalk your phone until you discover where it’s been hiding.
- Don’t drink too much
Not a popular tip, but it works.
For gadget protection and accessories, Griffin Technology provides a range of cases to suit smartphones, tablets and more. For superior protection of the new iPhone 7, the Survivor Summit is recommended, as it has been tested to meet military standards making it super tough with 10-foot drop protection and a sealed, splash-proof design. Newly launched is the Survivor Clear Wallet – the ultimate in showcasing the new iPhone 7 whilst providing the best defense of it simultaneously. In addition to its premium shock-absorbing bumper, the case contains an integrated folio-type wallet with card slots, where IDs, credit cards, bus passes, cash and more can be stored. To check out the rest of the Griffin range, go to www.griffintechnology.com.
Swedish brand, Urbanista, today launches the new wireless version of its hugely popular Seattle on-ear headphones. Using Bluetooth technology, the Seattle wireless allow users to look sleek and stylish whilst listening to all their favourite songs, without being tethered to a cord.
Perfect for music lovers who want a crisp sound and impressive bass for an extraordinary listening experience, the Seattle Wireless now feature advanced swipe technology meaning users can answer calls, play or pause music and change tracks using their fingertip making listening to music enjoyable and easy. The headphones also feature an in-built microphone for calls and ‘share sound’ plug to enable users to share music with friends.
Urbanista has combined Scandinavian minimalistic design with a practical folding feature that makes these headphones ideal for taking on holiday, for travelling and commuting. The Seattle wireless also comes with a complimentary power cord – so unlike many other Bluetooth headphones, if the battery runs out, the music doesn’t have to stop.
The adjustable, seamless headband and modern design with memory foam cushions that moulds to the user’s ear ensures the Seattle headphones are not only stylish but extremely comfortable too.
Available in four stylish colours, Rose Gold, White, Black and Blue Petroleum, the Seattle headphones are available from: https://uk.urbanista.com/ for £89.00.
Specifications:
- Speaker size: φ40mm
- Sensitivity: 102+/-3dB at 1Khz 1mW
- Impedance: 26+/-15% at 1Khz
- Frequency: 20-20.000Hz
- Handsfree with microphone
- Bluetooth: 4.0
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