Archos unveils today its new ARCHOS Helium range, including the ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra. Presented next week at IFA 2016, available from October 2016, this smartphone offers many possibilities at a wallet-friendly pricing.
The ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra flaunts a quad-core Mediatek MT6737 chipset, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB internal storage. Launched in Dark Grey and Pearl White, it features a refined design and form factor.
It also packs a large 5.5-inch HD IPS screen and a display resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, making it comfortable for heavy multimedia users to view their favorite content.
Along with a microSD card slot, to extend the internal storage up to 128 GB, the ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra contains two SIM cards spaces and allows fast downloads thanks to their 4G/LTE connectivity. It is therefore the best companion for professional and personal uses.
It includes two cameras, 8 MP with autofocus and LED flash on the back, 2 MP on the front, to catch and share what is necessary.
With its 2700 mAh removable battery, the ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra easily gets through an entire day without needing to be charged.
The ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra runs Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) in its purest version.
As of today, a Lite version, the ARCHOS 55 Helium, with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage in Pearl White, is available on the company’s website
In view of the success ARCHOS continually meets with colourful smartphones and back casings, such as with the Yellow ARCHOS 50 Diamond or with the Pink and Blue back casings that came with the 50c Platinum, a third version of the ARCHOS 55 Helium will be commercialized: the ARCHOS 55 Helium 4 Seasons. This smartphone doesn’t differentiate itself with its interior; it has the same technical specifications as the ARCHOS 55 Helium, but with its four interchangeable back casings: Blooming Gold, Blazing Yellow, Autumn Woodland and Frosted Grey allowing for a change of style and color at a moment’s notice.
On top of all uses provided by Google Android and its Google Play Store, the three models offer elaborate functionalities:
- Smart Gesture, to control the phone and make it take various actions to save time and keep things simple, through a defined motion.
- HotKnot, to transfer content from/to another device by simply having them in close proximity.
- Turbo Download, to run simultaneously 4G and WiFi connections as a super pipe and to download large files much faster.
The ARCHOS 55 Helium, ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra and ARCHOS 55 Helium 4 Seasons will be exhibited on ARCHOS’s booth at IFA 2016 (Hall 25, Booth 206). They will be available for purchase on www.archos.com and through its distribution’s channel worldwide starting at £89.00
- ARCHOS 55 Helium (1 GB RAM / 16 GB of internal storage): £89.00 in September 2016
- ARCHOS 55 Helium Ultra (3 GB RAM / 32 GB of internal storage): £119.00 in October 2016
- ARCHOS 55 Helium 4 Seasons (1 GB RAM / 16 GB of internal storage / 4 back casings): £100 in October 2016
ARCHOS unveils today its ARCHOS 50f Helium. Demonstrated next week at IFA 2016, available in October 2016, this model places itself as the legacy product of the Helium range. It combines an HD screen, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, 4G/LTE connectivity, a fingerprint sensor, runs on Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), all in an elegant package for an affordable price.
The ARCHOS 50f Helium features a premium design, with rounded edges and metal finishes.
Common on high-end products, ARCHOS has chosen to include a fingerprint sensor on a budget friendly smartphone. Located on the backside, the sensor allows for an ease of use by unlocking the smartphone in just one second.
It sports a 5-inch IPS HD screen with a display resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, for accurate colour reproduction and large viewing angles.
The ARCHOS 50f Helium offers a 4G/LTE connectivity, providing fast speeds especially for multimedia content downloads.
It is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chip and 2 GB of RAM. It has 32 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 128 GB with a microSD card.
It includes two cameras: 8 MP with autofocus and LED flash on the back, 2 MP at the front, to benefit from all the essentials in terms of photo and video.
The ARCHOS 50f Helium packs a 2000 mAh removable battery.
This wallet-friendly smartphone runs Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) in its purest form, with fancy functionalities:
- Google Now, with its focus on “context” and its improved digital assistant, for a better understanding of where the user is and what he/she will need to know as a result.
- Customisable lock screen message, a new textbox that is the perfect place for motivational quotes, important reminders, name tags and much more.
- Doze, that uses motion sensors to detect when the smartphone is not moving, enters automatically in a deep sleep, stopping all non-essential tasks such as Wi-Fi, syncs and jobs until the handset starts moving again, optimising drastically the battery life.
It gives a complete access to the Google Play Store and its millions of apps.
A Lite version, with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, will also be available at a lower price.
vMall, Honor’s officially licensed online store, is celebrating its one-year anniversary. Enabling customers to get products right off the manufacturer’s production line and benefit from fantastic promotions, vMall is the go-to destination for online shoppers who want to get the latest flagship device, the new Honor 8 (£369.99).
To add to this, the online store has now also unveiled a plethora of gifts for its loyal and prospective digital native customers in celebration of the launch. With every Honor 8 purchase, customers will receive a free anniversary package – each totaling up to £86 – for free!
The vMall anniversary package is an amazing offer, with a range of vouchers to choose from giving you access to other exciting products.
Honor has partnered with several companies, such as Deezer and Car2Go, to bring its customers the most value. Redeem a Gameloft voucher for £43 and get all the extras you always wanted! On top of that, the first 2,000 customers to buy between the 08/24 and the 08/31 will get a 3-month full damage insurance package, also for free, as well.
The Honor 8 device is the brand’s new ground-breaking flagship, with superior features that include a glass back and front, a special dual camera enabling high quality photos even in dark environments and a super-fast, but energy-saving, Kirin octa-core CPU. It will be exclusively sold in the first weeks through vMall from 24 August.
Honor is calling on all digital natives to vMall buy an Honor 8 and get an anniversary package while stocks last.
![Honor8 EN [55177]](https://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Honor8-EN-55177.jpg)
Today we saw the launch of the latest in the line of Honor phones. Each year improving over the last with more style and value packed in. This year we see greatly improved looks, commendable specs and some of an new approach to make the Honor stand out in it’s price range.
Honor’s newest flagship device, the much-anticipated Honor 8, has officially launched in Europe, bringing state-of-the-art mobile and camera technology into the hands of digital natives, at a price tag of just £369.99.
Every generation has its own idols, its own point of view on the world and its own rules. The Honor 8 has been specifically designed by Honor, the leading e-commerce smartphone brand for digital natives, to meet the ambitious, fast-paced lifestyles of this generation. It combines breakthrough design with supreme speed, high-quality camera capabilities and smart functions, making it the perfect match.
Premium materials and design
Encased in glass, which is made from fifteen layers of Process on the back, the handset’s sleek 5.2 inch design has an unrivaled finish. Within the layers are lithography and 3D grating coatings that come together to create lots of fine prism lines. Although invisible to the human eye, these generate bright colours for a stunning visual experience. Thanks to its 2.5D curves, the glass fits seamlessly into a diamond-cut metal frame making the device exceptional to hold, and acts as a protective layer against occasional drops and rough handling.
Two cameras join forces for extreme quality
Following with previous models, the device holds a dual camera with two 12 MP sensors; one RGB sensor to capture colours and one monochrome sensor for detail. Minus an optical filter, the monochrome sensor captures three times more light than normal, improving the dynamic range of the image and reducing noise – even in darkness – delivering unparalleled picture quality. The two sensors also enable photographers to utilise a range of filters, from setting focus after the shot to changing the appearance of the Bokeh effect.
On top of this, the Honor 8 camera supports an extensive set of functions and filters, from light painting and beauty mode to panorama frames, slow-mo, food mode, HDR, super night and water mark. In a world where we now turn the camera on ourselves, the Perfect Selfie mode will enhance every smile, pout or pose which, when combined with an 8 MP shooter on the front, promises a shareable snap. Perfect every photo or finesse video content with a whole host of editing tools to make your content stand-out whether you post it on Instagram, add it to your blog or print it for your walls.
Power in your hands
The Honor 8 has been built with a Kirin octa-core CPU chipset containing an i5 co-processor, which work in tandem to increase processing speeds, response times and battery life, making sure you are powered-up when you need to be (4x 2.3 GHz). Supporting this further, the device supports Wi-Fi connections on both bands (2.4GHz/ 5 GHz).
Smart features at your fingertips
Knowing that speed is key, Honor has made sure you can access a full set of functions in the blink of an eye with its unique Smart Key function: the fingerprint sensor acts as a multi-purpose button, where you tap, double tap or tap and hold to start apps like WhatsApp or Pokémon Go. Everything you need to keep your daily routine ticking is at your fingertips. Its Type-C USB sets a new standard in charging ports, bringing an end to fiddling with cables, as the plug fits in no matter how you turn it, on top of enabling super-fast charging in only 30 minutes from 0-50%. Honor 8’s fingerprint sensor has a self-learning capability, meaning the more it is used the faster it will perform, reaching less than 0.4 seconds.
High specs at an affordable price
The Honor 8 is available from August 24 on Honor’s vMall for an incredible offer of just £369.99, including an anniversary package worth £69.99 (while stocks last).
Shoppers can choose from three colors: Pearl White, Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue. At Amazon, the Honor 8 will be bundled with an Amazon Fire TV Stick free of charge (while stocks last). With stocktrades.ca you can get a deeper report of your investments.
Selected online retailers like Clove, Ebuyer and Expansys will also stock the Honor 8 Sim-free along with it being available on contract exclusively at 3 in the next coming weeks.
Key specifications
- Kirin 950 chipset in flagship-grade 16 nm FinFET production
- Four 2.3 GHz high-performance cores and four 1.8 GHz high efficiency, energy saving cores
- 4GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard memory, expandable up to 128 GB via microSD card
- 3,000 mAh(Typ.), 2900 mAh(Rat.) battery
- 2-inch Full-HD LTPS display
- 12MPx2 main dual camera with separate RGB and monochrome sensor, capturing more, HDR mode, Slow-Mo, pro-mode, etc…
- 8MP front-facing camera
Online electronics and tech retailer, reichelt.co.uk, has seen sales of smart home products boom by 21 per cent, highlighting that the trend shows no sign of slowing down – and is set to continue revolutionising our homes.
The security category has been a key driving factor with a noticeable surge around the summer holiday period, with alarm devices up by 11 per cent, signifying people are taking additional steps to protect their homes whilst on holiday.
Sales show no sign of slowing down, with reichelt.co.uk predicting a 25% rise as we head into 2017.
From decor-friendly gadgets and wireless power controls, right through to sophisticated security systems, advances in technology continue to make it easier to make homes smarter and safer, and it seems consumers are seeing the value.
Some of the most popular and innovative products have been:
- Konig Smart Home Security Set – A reliable security system enabling you to manage your home security devices and appliances from anywhere in the world, via an app
- Olympia Glass Break Detector – With buzzer plate technology, this wireless module for smart devices instantly detects glass breakage.
- m-e Smoke Detector – A wireless smoke detector with an integrated heat sensor
- Eurotronic Energy-Saving Controller – With Z-Wave technology, this intelligent energy-saving controller helps to manage heating within the home and monitor energy output
- Konig Wireless Surveillance System – Supplied with a 4-channel recorder and an integrated 7” colour monitor, this surveillance system allows home observation without the hassle of all the cables to set it up
Product Manager of Home & Security, and Tools of reichelt.co.uk, Holger Engelbrecht, says, “As an innovative retailer in the tech and electronics space, we’ve long been aware of consumers’ desire to discover products that make their homes smarter and safer, and day-to-day household tasks simpler. We’re seeing more exciting smart home products available than ever before, and this is reflected in the range we have available. From wireless video intercom systems through to infrared motion detectors – reichelt.co.uk boasts a large and exciting range of home tech.”
As well as its smart home range, reichelt.co.uk offers a wider variety of tools, components, tech accessories and more – offering many items up to 20% cheaper than elsewhere in the UK.
The Kodak Pixpro 360 4K Camera is the world’s first and most complete 4K recording device to capture stunning 360° immersive videos and still images without the need for multiple cameras.
Natively compatible with Facebook and YouTube 360 video products, the Kodak Pixpro 360 4K captures 360-degree field of view in multiple directions via its dome-shaped lens design and can be panned not only 360-degrees horizontally, but also up and down with a host of different vantage points and views for playback post capture.
It is easy-to-use and small enough to fit in the palm of a hand or pocket for extreme portability, as well as being NFC and Wifi enabled so it can be used everywhere and anywhere.
Powered with a professional-quality BSI Image sensor for better videos, the 12MP BSI CMOS sensor and advanced optics helps the device capture rich, detailed images in 4K (2880:2880), and also includes features including time-lapse video, burst mode as well as 4K still photos.
SPECIFICATIONS SP360 4K:
Effective Image Sensor Pixels – 12.40 Megapixels
Total Image Sensor Pixels – 12.76 Megapixels [1/2.33” BSI CMOS]
Lens Focal Length 0.850 mm [ 35mm film equivalent ] [8.20 mm]
F number – F2.8
Lens Construction – 7 groups 9 elements
Optical Zoom – Fix Focus
Field of View Max. 235 Degree (Without Lens Cover)
Focusing Range – 50 cm — ∞
Anti-Handshake – Electronic Image Stabilization
Number of Recording Pixels:
Still Image (1:1) 8MP: 2880×2880, (4:3) 4MP: 2304×1728, (16:9) 2MP: 1920×1080
Video Round Video: 2880×2880: 30fps (1:1), 2048×2048: 30fps (1:1), 1440×1440: 60fps/30fps (1:1), 1072×1072: 60fps/30fps (1:1)
Flat Video: (3840×2160): 30fps (16:9), 1920×1080: 60fps/30fps (16:9), 1280×720: 60fps/30fps (16:9), 848×480: 60fps (16:9)
High Speed Video: 720×720: 120fps (1:1), 1280×720: 120fps (16:9), 848×480: 240fps (16:9)
File Format:
Still Image – Exif 2.3 (JPEG)
Movie MP4 [Image: H.264; Audio: AAC [Stereo]
Shooting Modes – Still, Burst Shot, Movie, Time Lapse, Loop Recording, Hi-Speed Movie
Splashproof – Equivalent to JIS/IEC IPX5 (Body)
Shockproof – Up to 2m (With Lens Cover)
Dustproof – Equivalent to JIS/IEC (IP6X)
Freezeproof – 14° F / – 10° C
Status LCD – 1.0 inch TN LCD
Level Gauge – 3-Axis
ISO Sensitivity – Auto, (100 – 800)
Exposure Metering Method – Artificial Intelligence AE (AiAE)
Exposure Contol – Method Program AE
Burst Mode – Approx. 10fps (Full Resolution)
White Balance Control – Auto (AWB), Daylight, Cloudy, Flourescent, Incandescent, Underwater
Recording Media – Micro SD/Micro SDHC Card/Micro SDXC Card (Up to 128GB Support) [MMC Card Not Supported] * Use Class 10 Card or Better
Language Support – English
Jacks – USB 2.0 (Micro 5 pin USB), HDMI (Type D)
Wi-Fi – Yes (802.11 b/g/n)
NFC – Yes
Remote Control – Yes (via Smart Device), RF Remote Control (Sold Separately)
Power – Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LB-080, 3.6V 1250mAh, In-Camera Charging
Shooting Capability – Approx. 160 Shots (Based on CIPA Standards)(Wi-Fi On)
Battery Performance – Approx. 55 min. for Video (@ 4K/30fps) (Wi-Fi-On)
Operation Environment Temperature: 14° – 104°F / -10° – 40°C, Humidity: 0 – 90%
Dimensions – (WxHxD) Approx. 1.88 x 1.96 x 2.06 in. / 48.0 x 50.0 x 52.5 mm (Based on CIPA Standards) (Without Glass Lens Cover)
Weight – Approx. 3.59 oz. / 102g (Body Only), Approx. 128g (With Battery and Micro SD Card)
Supplied Accessories – Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, USB Cable, AC Adapter, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Service Card, Lens Cover, Protective Cover, Lens Ring, Battery Charger, Carrying Case, Cleaning Cloth, SP360 4K Overview Card and SP360 4K Online Company Store Card
Compatible Devices – iOS Devices (version 8.0 and up) / ANDROID Devices (version 4.2 and up) supported. iPad mini 1/ iPad 2/ iPhone 4s and below not supported.
The UK’s biggest gaming festival is just around the corner, showcasing some of the latest games and gaming equipment as well as exciting live panels and evening activities. This year, AOC not only supports the festival as a partner, but also invites you to take a look at the new premium gaming monitor series AGON, boasting high resolution display models with handy features geared entirely towards gamers’ needs. Explore the just recently launched 27″ AOC AG271QG/QX and 24″ AOC AG24QG/QX monitors, which are available with G-SYNC or Adaptive Sync (FreeSync compatible) and respectively boast powerful IPS and TN panels. Each model is further kitted out with useful gaming features such as changeable AOC Game Mode Presets or AOC QuickSwitch Controller, enabling the user to easily switch between modes and adjust the display settings.
Of course, visitors will also get the opportunity to experience the monitors in action. The first-person shooters Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as well as Overwatch can be played at the booth. AOC also sponsors the CS:GO tournament during the event while others are on csgo betting sites. Those interested in challenging themselves or updating their gaming skills can look forward to meeting and competing against the professional gamers of Team Infused at the stand.
A special AOC treat is also awaiting visitors of the BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) hall. The first 500 gamers who enter through the BYOC door on Friday and Saturday will receive AOC branded goodies. These will make sure they enjoy the intense matches taking place at BYOC hall even more.
On all four days, lucky guests can also win an AOC monitor at the GIGABYTE UK Charity Raffle while at the same time helping to raise funds for the baby hospice Zoe’s Place.
INSOMNIA58 takes place from 26 until 29 August 2016 at THE NEC, North Ave, Birmingham, B40 1NT.
Archos are forever trying to find a sweet spot between bargain budget and quality products, Often having to take a step back on one particular feature in order to bring the whole price of the unit down to a more acceptable level. It is difficult to say whether they have a hit more often than a miss however of late Archos products have really taken a step up over a few years of substandard products. The image may never repair however take it from me they know what they’re doing.
This £139.99 phone is a little bit of a misfire from Archos this time round. There is only one killer feature inside amidst a specification list that really doesn’t excite. For the money, you will find better value however it will be lacking that killer feature that this phone has.
Looking around the phone, to the right of the screen is the sim card tray and a power button. The 50 Power can take both a Mini and Nano Sim, the MicroSD shares the Mini Sim seat so you are limited to two sims, or a Nano sim plus expanded storage.
To the Left is a volume rocker. The sides of the device are rounded and really comfortable.
On top is a 3.5mm headphone socket and little else.
On the bottom, there is a MircoUSB port offset to the left and the microphone.
The back has a LED flash plus the 13mp camera. There is a second microphone above the camera. The whole device is coated in a non-slip rubber that feels good in the hand.
That killer feature is a 4000 mAh battery. The last few phones from Argos have featured fairly hefty batteries and this seems to be one staple they are determined to keep in their book. You can easily clear around three days of use out of this device and if it isn’t heavily used that could possibly stretch to four or five. While some manufacturers lean toward faster-charging solutions with standard size batteries, Archos have you covered if you don’t want to have to plug your phone in at all. Whilst it has a huge battery charge time isn’t massively increased as we have seen with other products. The 4000 mAh battery can go from 0 to 100% in two and a half hours of charging. Those with fast charge facilities on their phone may scoff at that, however, it wasn’t long ago that two and a half to three hours was a standard charge for a standard battery. In fact, some may have even been quite pleased to have that sort of charge time. Especially when you consider a 50% will last as long as the average phone on 100%.
Otherwise the device it’s fairly unremarkable. I wish I could just say it’s a very strong device with nothing really wrong however it has a mediocre build quality, something of a bland design. Even Android has little in the way of enhancements save for the typical Archos additions.
If I was to criticise one thing about the phone is the screen is fairly disappointing, whilst it’s quite sharp at 294ppi, brightness appears very dull. There are no details on the Archos website regarding the Nit count however I dare say it is very low. You will have to run the screen at full brightness in all conditions. The speaker is largely disappointing also, being tinny and lacking any substantial depth. It really caters only for notification sounds and perhaps the odd YouTube video.
Benchmarks aren’t horrible. The device can hold its own against some of the budget phones out there, albeit at a lower price.
The camera is actually pretty good, certainly, it doesn’t pack the punch of maybe something like a Samsung, however, it does captured colours quite well. There isn’t any apparent noise however light levels can bleed into each other quite easily from intense sources.
There isn’t a host of options available here there other than things like gesture functions and HDR. The HDR didn’t really blow my socks off and probably won’t blow yours off either.
Video quality is pretty poor however you could certainly make do if absolutely necessary.
The Archos 50 Power isn’t a terrible phone, far from it, it’s probably the blandest, middle of the road phone I’ve ever had to review. I think it’s slightly overpriced and the only justification for this price is the 4000 mAh. If that’s what you’re looking for above all else, this is the phone for you. A great backup or business phone but otherwise I couldn’t recommend it for day-to-day use and there are certainly better options on the market available now.
Scales. More precisely Smart Scales. Most folks have a set and probably don’t think about how it is possible to enhance the feedback one receives from them, save for a little weight watching.
There is plenty of functionality in these scales, known as a Body Analyser. Instead of counting your fat chunks and adding them into a figure more depressing than your own figure, the Smart Body Analyser plots graphs to should you how the following is differing daily:
Body Weight
Body Water
Body Fat
BMI
BMR(KCAL)
Muscle Mass
Bone Mass
Visceral Fat
Given the lovely looking design and added functionality, the scales are certainly an interesting investment. We will have our review on the site in the coming weeks.
Lumsing have extended a little discount to our readers. If you purchase one before 23:59 BST on 31/08 from the link below you will receive 20% off
Product link: http://amzn.to/2aMSHKh
Discount: 20% off (£11 off)
Code: Q7XY6FX6
End Date: 31/08 23:59 BST
Oblumi have sent over a little thermometer to simple click into the 3.5mm headphone jack of your phone and instantly start taking temperatures.
This is an example of something so simple done right and done well. In the execution, Oblumi have added some tremendously useful features such as a suite to store and share data for your family or perhaps people in your care.
Priced competitively the Oblumi Tapp is a great addition for any parent or carer to keep a record of a loved one.
For more information, check out Oblumi’s website.
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