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Wireless

Tell us about your wi-fi set-up or why you have or are looking to invest in a DAB radio?

See also : Bluetooth accessoriesDAB RadiosFM TransmittersHeadsetsPure
Roberts RadioWireless
roberts solar dab radi

Roberts Solar DAB Radio

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Dec 4, 2008
This is quite a squat unit, it is DAB only so no FM. However the white unit with grey sides looks quite nice. Normally a DAB radio on batteries is unlikely to get beyond ten hours this unit shatters that by a long way.
It is 19x11x7cm, weight is around 700grams, the grey sides are rubberised as is the base of the seven section rod aerial that extends 58cm from the top of the unit. The back has 3.5mm connectors for line in and earbuds. There is also an input for the mains adapter. Everything else is controlled by five small rubberised buttons and below that two larger rubberised twist knobs are below back. Above these knobs is a 5.7x1.
561868 pocket surfe

The Internet in your Pocket

Published in Wireless by mfereday on Dec 1, 2008
We live in a mobile world thanks to the advancements made possible by a range of technical innovations. Where ever we are there is an almost compulsive desire to remain close contact with all the trappings of this digital environment.
This is the last of the items I saw at Marks & Spencer’s Christmas in July event. This unlike some of the previous items I have reviewed has a real purpose. With all the talk of black outs a radio driven by a alternator certainly has a place.
Slightly blocky in shape and unusual in layout for a DAB/FM radio and add the hand crank on the rear it is unusual. It is 20x12x8cm and weights1060grams. Remember the extra weight of the built in Ni-MH battery and the alternator. The face has a single 8cm round speaker housing, eight silvered well labelled buttons, a grey volume knob and a double tuning knob the outer one for FM and the inner one for DAB.
lindy wireless sudio voice recorde

Wireless Voice Recorder

Published in Wireless by mfereday on Sep 18, 2008
In the past I have checked out various digital voice recorders from different manufacturers but this is the first time that the voice recorder bears the LINDY brand name.
It was certainly not what I expected when I requested a review unit.  Unlike the other voice recorders, this LINDY Wireless Voice Recorder requires to be connected to a computer running appropriate software before you gain access to its functionality which is rather restrictive when compared to some other voice recording devices.
The first some speakers that can work wired or Bluetooth these are from Parrot. The second a headset from Sony that looks unlike any normal headsets I know.
They are a pair of cone shaped speakers that need power but not necessarily any connection as they can operate by Bluetooth. However they can be connected conventionally. They are 15cm long, 13cm across and stand 16cm high. Each has it's own power supply and lead so they do not even need to be in the same room. The signal is transmitted from one to the other so if setup in a stereo configuration that is what you hear. Each speaker weights around 1100grams.
dualit dab radio lite digital fm radi

Dualit Radio

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Aug 1, 2008
This is a DAB/FM radio that comes in chrome and looks rather like a toaster. Not simply looks like a toaster but the brand is more famous for kitchen equipment like toasters.
The DualIt Lite DAB radio is 22x16x8cm, it can be run either from batteries or mains. It has a 66cm six piece rod aerial that folds out from an indentation in the top that looks exactly like the hole that you would insert bread in. The back has a very tight entry point for batteries and if you use rechargeables there is flip a switch in the compartment it can recharge them in situ while still listening from the mains.
navman s30 GPS satnav uni

Navman S30 Sat Nav

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on June 22, 2008
After looking at Sat Nav’s that have all the bells and whistles it’s quite refreshing to review a unit that has one aim to get you from A to B. Some extras are missing but some things you might think of as extras are included at a reasonable price.
Intended for use in the car (the only charger provided is the one for a cigar lighter) a standard mini USB to USB will charge it in less than four hours. I always test it on trains and or buses as well as in a car. Unless you are a passenger you cannot really look at the screen of the unit and while travelling in a bus or train gives you that opportunity.
tangent cinque dab radio and cd playe

Tangent Cinque Table Radio

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on June 11, 2008
This is a top quality DAB radio, it also allows you to play CD’s using a lot loading drive. Various colours are available, mine was shiny black but most things can be done using the 32 key remote control.
The Tangent Cinque DAB radio is 23x21x12.5cm, as stated mine was shiny black that will normally show all the fingermarks but once in place you really only need to touch it to insert or remove CD's and as that is a slot loader not really even then. It looks magnificent with the black mirror finish. The rear has the various connections and an eight piece (67cm) rod aerial.
spycatcher walkie talkie watche

Spy Gadgets Walkie Talkie Watches

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on May 11, 2008
As with a lot of these gadgets they (or something like them) were first shown in films like various inventions developed by ‘Q’ in the James Bond films. However I doubt at that time they ever actually worked.
The box contains a pair of Freetalkie XFD-008 wrist watches. They are chunky and you need to wear one for awhile before you get used to it. Yes it does tell the time but the main point is that the watch is a walkie talkie. After a couple of days of wear you get to the bulk. The weight of each unit is 80grams so it's not that heavy just bulky. The stated range is 'about 1.
This is far more than a standard photo frame in a body not that much bigger. It is also a wide angle frame so images taken in the newer formats display full screen, however standard images can be enlarged.
The Polaroid frame itself is black and 25x18x3.5cm. The screen itself is 15.5x8.5cm this gives the 7inch diagonal measurement. Under the screen is an LCD display 15.5x1.5cm that displays indoor temperature and humidity as well as outdoor temperature and the likely weather. I found the latter was not that believable but the outdoor temperature was correct as this was sent by the provided wireless sensor that you place somewhere outside.
parrot 7220 bluetooth wireless picture fram

Parrot 7inch Photo Frame

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Apr 30, 2008
Photo frames that can view content from SD cards are not uncommon however this offering from Parrot does not only that but it can also -via Bluetooth- view images on your phone, PDA or other such device.
It is 20.5x16.5x2.2cm. The unit I had was white with a couple of blue horizontal stripes across the front. The centre part of the front is the display screen and this is 13x8.5cm and this gives by my mathematics a diagonal measurement of 6.2inches so I am not sure where the stated 7inches comes from. In another of life's situations if you told a lady to expect 7inches and you delivered 6.2inches she would almost certainly notice the difference.
revo blik dab wifi internet radi

DAB, Wi-Fi and Internet Radio

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Apr 4, 2008
If you add Podcasts and FM radio then the title above just about covers the abilities of this, the first of – that I know – a new breed of dual radio that can cover such a wide band of features, this is the Revo Blik.
It is a maximum of 25x12x6cm, mine was white, but they also do black. The rear has a six section 55cm rod aerial, jack sockets for output to stereo speakers. A 3.5mm earbud socket and input for the power socket, the only other socket is on the right side 'Mport' that allows inputs from other sources such as an MP3 player. The centre of the front has a 6.5x2cm three line display, white on black. When in standby this will show time and date.
pure highway in car dab radi

Pure Highway

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Mar 31, 2008
Using Pure Highway turns your car stereo into a DAB radio, until now there have been very few DAB car radios and this unit from Pure makes it available without spending a fortune.
In the box is a lead to go to your cigar lighter to provide the power. A rather flimsy aerial to attach to the inside of the windscreen, a bracket (much like those for Sat Nav systems) to fit the unit into, an optional line out lead and of course the DAB radio module. It is 12x7x2.5cm. When you first apply power it tunes so you need to have connected the aerial first.
bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth Headsets

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Mar 30, 2008
Here I am looking at two rather different offerings. The first from Jabra to give you stereo from your phone. The second from Mobile Fun with a rather novel way of working.
Jabra BT3030 As the box states 'Music and Talk meets the streets'. This is far more than a basic answer/call unit it can of course do that but it also allows you to increase/decrease volume, move back/forward tracks as well as star and stop. Of course there is also a phone button. The whole thing is a 5.5x3.5x1cm 'dog tag' style unit that comes on a chain to fit round your neck.
A true wireless keyboard, small in size and your only loss is the numeric keypad, it also has the possibility of being a mouse substitute as it has a rollball and mouse keys, ideal for use with a media centre type PC.
The FK-760 - sold by Gizoo details at the end - is available according to the box in Black or Silver or Red I was sent the more normal Black. However for lounge use the other colours might get a look in. This is the same model I looked at first close to 18 months ago. Once I reviewed it several people said that the one they were selling was different well it's now back in stock and indeed at less money.
lindy homeplug 25144 home mains networking 200

Lindy Home Plugs

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Feb 27, 2008
If you live somewhere where extending Ethernet is not feasible or should there be a pressing reason not to use Wireless then the Lindy HomePlug Ethernet Starter Kit could solve your dilemma.
Each of the two plugs is 10x7x4cm when inserted into a 13amp plug socket. The actual power socket is at the bottom of the unit so you could have problems if there is limited clearance above the plug. In fact you need to add 3cm to the 10cm height for the supplied 1.8metre Ethernet cable. So you actually need 9cm of clearance above the socket.
The Bluetooth headset is the first comes from Parrott their Minikit, and, the second comes from the USA the quality V-Moda Vibe Duo earbuds.
Parrot Hands-free Speakerphone This is designed to fit over a sun visor enabling almost any Bluetooth phone to be used hands free. The unit is 10.5x6x2.5 and is two tone shiny black plastic and matt black rubberised for the edges and side of the end knob.
hp ipaq 314 pd

HP iPAQ Travel Companion

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Feb 6, 2008
While HP is no stranger to navigation this is the first of their units I have seen that is dedicated to satellite navigation. The others were iPAQ’s where an SD card provided the facility to the PDA, this is totally different as it’s primarily a navigation device.
Click image to enlarge First the size it's 11x8.5x2cm and although I have used it on a bus there is no pedestrian mode so only designed for in car use and of course all the required fittings are supplied. However the battery gives enough power for around two hours use away from the cars cigar lighter power.
mio c620 gps satna

Mio DigiWalker C620

Published in Wireless by paul_smart on Jan 30, 2008
Mio do several units suitable for pedestrians with an average battery life between charges of four to five hours. This could be used handheld but only for occasional use as the battery life is less than two hours, this is certainly an in car unit.
My first question then is why is it called a DigiWalker? However lets assume there is a reason this seems to me to be a rather good unit. Trying to assume the role of someone who has never had a similar unit could I insert it in my car by using the 13 pages in the getting started guide that are in English, answer yes. Could I plan a simple route answer yes.
blueant supertooth voice bluetooth speaker phon

SuperTooth Voice handsfree kit

Published in Wireless by petew on Jan 21, 2008
You still see a lot of people making calls from their mobile while steering with their other hand. This is now of course an offence in the UK. The answer is a hands free kit. Until recently these have involved installation of a wired device and was not cheap.
Recently though BlueTooth - the short range wireless standard - has come to the rescue with a number of solutions. The simplest of course is to use a . These often not geared to car use - and of course you have the problem of looking like a berk. BlueTooth headset The alternative is a BlueTooth speaker phone. There are a few on the market and here I'm reviewing the 'SuperTooth Voice' product.
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