GadgetSpeak Articles

GadgetSpeak has close to 5,000 product reviews and other articles. You can use this page to find others opinions on anything from mobile phones to computers to the latest kitchen appliance

 
885880 Epson Expression Home XP 3100 Printe

Epson XP-3100

This is a quiet small four ink printer that can also scan and copy. However for those who print large documents or lots of pictures not for you as the ink cartridges are not large, they do an XL option but still in the space for cartridges this cannot be for the heavy user. However for those who want to print a few top quality images its fine.
It is 36x29x16cm when closed. It’s not heavy at around 4.5kilos. With a stack of A4 paper in the back tray and the front outlet tray fully extended it’s around 50cm from back to front. Power enters back left. In the past I have had problems setting Epson printers up via Wi-Fi, here no difficult questions or having to attach a USB lead (none supplied) to complete the setup.
As its title should indicate,Witch Island 2, subtitled Legacy, is a follow-up offering that casts you in the role of a determined young woman who needs to use her wits and knowledge of magic to break a spell inflicted, by an evil witch, on the local inhabitants.
Belonging to the Hidden Object genre of game play, Witch Island 2 allows you to create profiles for individual players so that the game can be played by other family members.  These profiles can contain the volume levels for features such as music, sound effects and the spoken dialogue delivered by voice actors playing the parts of in-game characters.  You can also decide whether the game should be played in full screen mode or not.
885833 brando usb mouse pa

Mousepad with USB Hub

This is an aluminium alloy mouse mat (Mousepad) but apart from controlling your mouse it lets you get extra USB ports via lead supplied as well as a Gigabit Ethernet port and both SD and Micro SD ports. So your notebook – even USB ‘C’ only now has standard USB3 and more on tap. I am told it also works with MacBooks.
The 21cm square mouse mat has a 6cm angled up extension at the back that has all the ports at the rear, the metal will not scratch the surface it is placed on as it has a grippy leather style base that also stops the pad moving. Two short leads of 15cm long each are supplied the first USB3 to USB3, second USB3 to USB ‘C’ so it does not matter if the port from the PC/Notebook/Tablet is full sized USB or USB ‘C’. My unit was silver but it is also available in grey.
Turn your child into a dinosaur loving music fan.
DNo doubt you have heard of the Big Red London Bus concept.  This applies when you do not see an item for a period of time, then several do appear in close proximity.  While I will admit that just two products do not count as several, I do feel that the arrival within a couple of days of each other, as happened with two sets  of headphones, designed specifically for use by a child, does qualify as a Big Red London Bus moment.
885742 Nero Platinum Unlimite

Nero Platinum or Nero 365

No longer do Nero do a standard version but now you can get a Nero 365 Platinum that expires in a year or Nero Platinum that will keep working – without the addition of any new features – for ever, either way the contents of the package is Nero Platinum.
This is a new departure for Nero partially following that of others like Microsoft that were I think the first to produce a 365 version with Office. Here I am looking at the Platinum version which is Nero 2020 in all but name. To be clear you will still be able to download any bug fixes but not any totally new parts. Nero started – a long time ago – as a product to burn CD’s and DVD’s then it gradually added features.
Join Alice and Sam as they try to restore the Hobbit Village.
Forming part of the Enthralling Realms series of game, is the Curse of Darkness.  This offering belongs to the Match-3 genre of game playing.  Other titles in this particular series include An Alchemist Tale, The Witch and the Elven Princess, plus the Blacksmith's Revenge.
885868 Neos SmartCam security camer

NEOS Smart Cam

Originally only available for those taking out insurance from this company, it is now available for all. I looked at the early offering in February. Now it comes with packaging more fitment options and the chance to get far longer video clips.
Since my first review nine months ago the camera will now work with Alexa and you have the option via a subscription to get far longer video clips, the basic is twelve seconds and this increases with the extra subscription to sixty seconds, either way your videos are stored for 14 days. The camera itself is a five centimetre cube but the height can increase by another three centimetres by the base lifting on itself in a three way movement to let you get it pointing in exactly the correct place.
The Epson WF7715DWF is a versatile A3+ multi-function inkjet that will meet the needs of the majority of small offices
Although A4 is the basic office norm there are occasions when being able to handle A3 would prove to be useful. For example one could work with larger spreadsheets as well as printing two A4 pages onto each A3 sheet and then fold to make a booklet which is much more business-like that separate A4 pages. Being A3+ with an automatic document feeder (ADF) it can be appreciated that this machine, while suitable for the smaller office, may not fit into the smallest one.
As part of the Strange Case Files series, this next title involves the secrets of Grey Mist Lake.
With a title that could not be described as snappy. "Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove Sacred Grove Collector's Edition" is classified as belonging to the Hidden Object Adventure genre.
While most think of Adidas for trainers they do other items, here something you might use while you have your trainers on and even during a workout as the earpieces are sweat resistant, yes these are a small set of Bluetooth headphones.
At their smallest they are 18cm from the lower tip of the earpieces and 14cm across at the same point when the earpieces are parallel; there is 4cm of expansion on each side. Their total weight is 213 grams. The material of the earpieces and headband are sweat resistant and removable to wash. The earpieces are round at 7cm and have a good amount of padding.
Continuing its drive towards product development, Xiaomi has made a number of wireless charging announcements.
Since being founded in 2010 Xiaomi has been busy developing smartphones and other smart hardware items that are connected by the Internet of Things (IoT) platform in order to push the boundaries of what is available from such devices.
885703 gogi noise canceling headphone

Goji PRO Headphones

When considering the purchase of a set of ear buds, Currys/PC World can offer a product with its own neck band.
Headphones come in a variety of styles. shapes and sizes.  In the case of the Goji PRO Wireless Headphones, this personal listening audio piece of equipment is of the in-ear variety. These headphones combine a necklace support facility with wireless Bluetooth connectivity with fast battery charging facility giving up to 12 hours of power to produce its personal audio functionality.
885686 Google Pixel 3a Android Smart Phon

Google Pixel 3A

Having told you about a far larger Google offering the 3XL in February as summer turns to autumn a smaller more compact offering crosses my desk this may suit those who have slightly smaller hands or pockets both cost and size.
It is 15x7x.7cm and weighs 144grams. The viewable screen is 12.7x6.5cm which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of 5.6inches. The display is 2220x1080. The pixel per inch ratio is rather good at 441. It has 64GB storage. Firstly Google Stadia will be coming to the Pixel 3a later this year so those into gaming will be able to stream to this device. This is a mid range phone that has pretentions to be like its bigger and more expensive cousins.
885662 Zyxel Multy X Tri Band AC3000 Whole Home Wi Fi Mesh Syste

Zyxel Multy WiFi

The Zyxel Multy WiFi system has been designed to provide enhanced wireless coverage over an area of up to 4,500 sq. ft.
Consisting of a Zyxel Multy X node and a Multy Mini to act as a satellite it provides wireless mesh coverage at both 2.4 and 5GHz with separate 5GHz channels being used to provide wireless “backhaul” communication between the two units. The node is roughly 9 x 7 x 2 inches thick and has all its connections on one of the long sides. It is white in colour so won’t look out of place in any home when it is sitting flat on a desk or hung on the wall.
Continuing the Lost Land saga, FIVE-BN mixes a wandering Harpy with gold tainted by a curse.
Categorised as a Hidden Object Adventure game, the FIVE BN Games developed "The Golden Curse" forms part of the "Lost Lands" series of offerings set in a world inhabited by strange characters featuring more than its fair share of magical influences.  I have been looking at the Collector's edition of the game which is supplied with a number of bonus items that add to the appeal of the game.
885692 MOFT Laptop Stand Adjustable Height Folding Laptop Stan

MOFT Thin Laptop Stand

Those old enough to remember manual typewriters will know that you had a good rake on the keys so your hands were always in the right position to type. Desktop computer keyboards less so but if you used the fold out keyboard support correctly there was still some rake, now sadly notebooks have flat keyboards, here is one solution.
This is a single flat sheet that is already partially cut through and pressed out to form a shape – well three shapes actually – that can either sit flat onto the back of your notebook increasing its thickness by less than .2 cm and raising it by zero degrees or by 15 degrees which can give a 5cm rake, finally it can raise the unit by 25 degrees which is around 8cm all this depends on the size of the notebook you attach it to. It fits any notebook from 11.6 to 15.6 inches.

Ransomeware Increases : Ransoneware

Offering to look after YOUR money, criminals continue to increase their activities.
885624 Philips Viva Collection Air Fryer XX

Philips AirFryer XXL

Over the years I have reviewed a couple of earlier – and smaller – versions of this item. When I saw this at the recent Philips demonstration day ‘Xmas In July’ the claim was made that it could cook a whole chicken in a small amount of time so never one to turn down a challenge I accepted.
As stated this is somewhat larger than previous versions but is still small enough to sit on the average kitchen worktop it is 43cm from back to front, 30cm from side to side and 29cm tall. Unlike other Air Fryers the whole fryer can be extracted on runners so if you wish you can baste the item being cooked without having to hold the cooking basket in on hand or perhaps harder finding somewhere to put it down that can withstand heat.
I am sure that at some time or other you must have encountered a situation where your mobile device emits a warning to reduce the volume output level. This next product could help in this respect.
While being aimed specifically, though not entirely. at the younger generation, the latest product to come from Puro Sound Labs is the PuroQuiet offering.  This combines Active Noise Reduction with Bluetooth connectivity and volume limiting features within a set of headphones.  The headphones are available in a choice of Blue/Black or Pink/White.
885591 AOC U2790PQU LED Monito

AOC 27inch Panel

A good sized panel capable of showing up to 4K as well as a range of screen sizes upwards from HD. Its stand means that the amount of desk space it takes is less than most of a similar screen size and the ability to lower or raise the panel is just another good point that can make this something that can fulfil so many demands without costing a fortune.
It is 61x36.5x1.5cm and it sits on a 20cm circular stand that’s arm raises from the rear so the screen itself sits within the stand. The stand raises the panel by between 4 and 16.5cm from your desk. There is a good amount of back tilt as well as a little forward tilt. The viewable dimensions are 59.5x34cm which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of 27 inches.
The Allroundo from German company Vonmählen is a USB charging cable kit that is pocketable and offers a useful way of connecting one’s Apple or Android phone or tablet to an appropriate power source.
Available in a range of colours it is 65mm in diameter and 19mm thick with curved edges so that it is shaped rather like my grandfather’s pocket watch and weighs just 46g. It has an elasticated belt loop on it which rather increases that similarity. Opening the hinged lid allows access to the curly cable and the associated adapters. The cable is black in colour and neatly fits around the inside of the shell. One end has a USB-A plug and the other micro-USB.
There are some strange goings-on in Kronville. Can you help?
Mixing together elements of a mysterious fire, a missing school bus with its passengers plus ideas gathered from child-centric stories, is a Hidden Object Adventure game entitled Kronville: Stolen Dreams.
885609 brando11in

USB ‘C’ All the ports you need

As notebooks get smaller something had to go, the easiest to lose was the optical drive, other things were harder possibly the Ethernet connection and then the flood gates opened as some devices have just a single USB ‘C’ and sometimes little else.
So the market for third parties to produce the ability to let your notebook have all the connectivity when in the office and still be as small and light when out of the office. So from Brando those clever people in Hong Kong comes the ‘USB-C Multifunctional Converter’ which gives everything you used to have but no longer do with the exception of the optical drive. It is 28cm long 7.5cm wide and a minimum of 1cm and maximum of 2cm thick, it weighs just 258 grams.
When televisions began to dominate our Living Rooms, neighbours would pop in to view important televised events. But today it does not happen.
But times have changed and we all seem more inclined to indulge ourselves in more individual viewing experiences such as those involving PSP, XBox, tablets or smartphone devices.  Yet according to recent information from Epson we might be about to come across a sea change as the concept of a family viewing  session continues to complete the circle and regains its popularity.
885586 12181061 222467787135801

Adding Iron Man : CableGuts Iron Man

Do you need encouragement to tidy up a work area?
It is surprising how easily and quickly the area given over to your computer system can develop into, what could be described as, a dump site - I am actual looking at my "dump site" now and it is not an attractive sight.  This is especially true when the computer system is home based, rather than within an office environment where it is visible to others who work there or pass through, and you are the one responsible for both its usage and its general appearance.  In such instances.
885599 Acronis True Image 202

Acronis 2020

I have used Acronis for years it has often been able to replace a file or files that would otherwise be lost, earlier this year after a hard disc crash I was able to say ‘thank you’ when I was able to restore everything on a new hard drive. These days Ransonware is one of the most popular tools for thieves and used correctly even that can be thwarted.
On the 20 August they launched the 2020 version – as far as I know this is the first in the rush to be first – but only once version 17750 the March update is installed does this option appear. Acronis is running on both my Windows 7 and my Windows 10 system.
885608 Ring Door View Cam Video doorbel

Ring Door View Cam

The Ring Door View Cam combines a video camera, motion sensor and two-way talk with a traditional wide-angle viewer so as to improve front door security.
The front doors of many houses and flats have a peep hole with viewer fitted. While this is ideal for enabling you to have a quick look before deciding whether or not to open the door, the Ring Door View Cam does a lot more.
Mixing together Match-3 and Hidden Object game play takes you to the Opera.
Not to be confused with the classic Night at the Opera movie, starring the Marx Brother, A Night At The Opera is a murder mystery game designed by Angler Games.  In this particular storyline, the unfortunate victim of the ultimate crime is Prima Donna Madame Agnes who is a travelling opera singer.  No doubt you will be pleased to hear that you are not cast in the role of the victim.
885592 D Link DCS 2670L Full HD 180 Degree Outdoor Wi%E2%80%91Fi Camer

D-Link Outdoor Camera

Having recently told you about a camera that looks like the Star Trek R2D2 droid that is stated as usable outside here a real outdoor offering that needs mains power and possibly Ethernet – read on to find out why I say possibly – or Bluetooth but it can also work indoors.
The measures 9.5cm from back to front, 8.5cm tall and 7.5.cm from side to side, however as the both the lens and the housing can be twisted and it can be wall mounted the figures given can be in almost any combination. It has the ability to record to Micro SD card but as with all cameras the data can be downloaded however most external cameras should be in a position that is not that easy to reach/remove for logical reasons. A single round cable at .
What first attracts you to a game? Is its the title or other issues.
I sometimes feel that the name of the production company to be more appealing than its latest product offering.  Take, for instance, the which failed to really excite me.  However I was amused by the developer's company name which was "Jolly Bears Games". With this particular title, Jolly Bears Games has produced a Hidden Object Adventure game that places the player in the role of an anonymous explorer.  This character has a strong interest in the legend of the Incan Sun.
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