It was about two years ago that I first encountered the Chromecast technology that allowed user to stream content from the small screen of a mobile device to the larger viewing area offered by a television set.  It has to be stated that my experience with the product and technology was hardly inspiring.  In fact I was so disappointed that I quickly put the product to one side and forgot about it as more appealing offerings grabbed my attention.

The software in question is Paint Shop Pro.  This product has developed, over the years, from a file conversion utility into a photo editing and graphics designer package.  As with the previous version, Paint Shop Pro X9 is available in either a Standard or Ultimate offering. When installing this product I was given the choice of either working with the 32 or 64-bit version or, as I finally opted for, going for both varieties.

That old chestnut of a question that asks “How long is a piece of string?” could well be adapted to apply to the WiFi signal in your WLAN.  “How wide is the range of your WiFi?”  The answer will depend on the circumstances regarding the layout of your home and the surrounding environment.  Distances and signal strengths could be affected by the number, thickness and constitution of walls and other blockages plus household applications.

Since it was founded in 2003, Acronis has built up an impressive reputation with its backup disaster recovery and secure access solutions powered by the company’s AnyData Engine.  With more than 50 patents, Acronis currently protects the data of over five million consumers and 500,000 businesses in over 145 countries.

With the numerous televised food programmes, especially the Great British Bake Off, food and its preparation has become a hot (no pun intended) topic.  Jumping on the bandwagon, Salter, part of the HoMedics family and the UK’s number one brand for domestic weighing scales, has released the Kitchen Gift Set.  This set comes with the claim of being ideal for the avid baker, whether of the Mary or Paul variety, and even those who are just beginning their culinary journey.

Shiatsu was officially recognised as therapy by the Japanese Government in 1964.  It is a physical therapy used to support and strengthen the body’s nature ability to heal and balance itself.  The concept originated in Japan from traditional Chinese medicine with influences from more recent Western therapies.

Adding to its Chromecast product, Google has developed Chromecast Audio.  This is a small pocket size device that can be carried around and used when necessary to provide the facility to stream (or cast) audio to your favourite speakers or whatever is available such as a hi-fi kit.

Aimed at the younger members of the family, this next product combines a night light with the ability to project images on an available wall or ceiling.  Designed by Philips and manufactured in China, the product is aptly named the 2-in-1 Projector and Night Light. Shaped like an upside down ice-cream cone, this night light projector has dimensions of 115 x 115 x 118mm (L x W x H).  The night light element forms the base of the unit with the projector positioned on top of the unit.

Supplied by , from its extensive range of products, the Tykho Booster is a rechargeable Bluetooth speaker.  This particular product, designed by Marc Berthier, comes from the French design brand Lexon.  The Tykho Booster, developed as part of Lexon’s 25 birthday celebrations, is a remastered version of the company’s iconic Tykho radio.  I had been sent the lime green version of the product which perhaps will not be to everybody’s taste.

While smartphones are a popular choice with users, especially with the younger and fashion conscious market sectors, there is an alternative type of communication device.  I am referring to a feature phone such as the Doro 6520 which is the subject of this review. The Doro 6520 is a clamshell handset that is available in a choice of magenta and white or, as in the case of my review sample, graphite and white.

The Eclipse 3 is a Li-Ion battery power bank from Besiter.  For those, like myself, who perhaps know little about Besiter, I should offer a few words of explanation.  Besiter is a professional power bank manufacturer.  The company was founded in 2008 in Shenzhen, China where it has a factory covering 17,000 square meters with around 700 employees. The Eclipse product comes in capacities that include 2500mAh, 5000mAh, 7500mAh and 10000mAh.

Developed by Two Desperadoes, Evil Pumpkin: The Lost Halloween is a Hidden Object Adventure game.  This game is set in the city of Dern, a location that, for some reason, has been ostracised from the Halloween community.  You are cast in the role of a young boy named Lemuel Barnabus who is tasked with the challenge of discovering what has happened to Halloween and help the residents of Dern.

Sengled is an internationally active manufacturer and supplier of innovative lighting solutions.  With more than a decade of experience in the lighting industry, Sengled has registered more than 200 patents both domestically and internationally.  In 2014, the company started its smart lighting portfolio with one of the offerings being the Sengled Pulse which is the subject of this review. The Sengled Pulse is an LED bulb with a built-in loudspeaker from JBL.

The Jam Transit Lite is a pair of Bluetooth wireless headphones.  As part of the HoMedics Jam series of products, the Jam Transit Lite belongs to the On-the-Ear style of headphones.  Predominately black in colour, with a mixture of matte for the headband element and lacquered surrounds for the earpieces, this headset is supplied with a micro-to-standard USB lead for charging purposes and an audio lead with 3.

The UE Roll 2 is a wireless speaker available as a Limited Edition Drippy model featuring a design by the American artist Jen Stark who is probably best known for her paper sculptures.  As well as its rather unusual name, the Drippy UE Roll 2 also stands out with regards to its circular appearance and the patterned Jen Stark inspired front fabric skin.

Developed by Green Sauce Games, Age of Heroes – The Beginning is a game based on the battle between Good and Evil with your role being that of the former element.  The game starts with a retelling of the tale of how the evil incarnate entity, known as Ysellian, was captured and bound up in chains by a band of heroes.

Sometimes I am of the opinion that inanimate objects have a life of their own.  Items, such as mobile phones, tablets and keys, have a habit of managing to move themselves from where ever you carefully placed them.  I have lost count of the number of times that my keys or smartphone is not where I was sure I had left them ready for when I needed them.

Following the launch of the Huawei Honor 5X, the next product on the cab rank is the Honor 5C handset.  This particular model is available in a choice of gold, silver or grey with the latter being the colour of my review sample.  This handset, aimed at the young and courageous, has a price tag of £149 on a PAYG basis via sources such as Amazon, Ebuyer, Expansys and Honor’s own online store at vMail.eu.

When out and about with the constant companionship of your mobile devices, it can be a challenge to ensure that these devices are kept in a charged state ready for use.  While several companies have taken the approach to offer a solution consisting of a power bank type of product that can supply a recharge capability to your power hungry devices when required, this is not the only solution available.  One possible example is the solution on offer from a company entitled Made in Mind.

Haunted Hotel: Eclipse is a Hidden Object Adventure game from the Elephant Games stable.  I have been looking at the Collector’s Edition of the game.  This particular version comes with a number of bonus items.  While most of the bonus items, such as Strategy Guide, Wallpapers, Concept Art and Music, can be accessed immediately, there are a couple of bonus items which require progress to be made before they become available.

Along with the multitude of third-party products on offer from its Aladdin’s Cave of delights, sometimes known as its catalogue, Amazon has a number of its own brand offerings.  One such brand is that of the company’s Fire tablets with the 7-inch model currently being one of the company’s favourite products of the year according to its own literature.

You may have seen the television advert, involving a helicopter, regarding the new BT Smart Hub which has been launched with the impressive claim of having the UK’s most powerful Wi-Fi signal when measured against its major competitors.  As BT expects this particular product to be delivered to many customers via the postal route, this Smart Hub comes packaged in a box that BT feels should fit most letterboxes.

My home is on a single level.  What it lacks in height is partially compensated by its spread from the front to the back as it encompasses several intervening solid walls.  As a result my wireless local area network (WLAN) does tend to struggle when delivering a signal from my work system and router-modem situated at the front of my home to a second computer located at the rear of my home.

Developed by Boomzap, Otherworld Shades of Fall is a Hidden Object Adventure game that is available for downloading from sites such as Big Fish Games and Gamehouse.  I have been looking at the Collector’s Edition of this game which features various bonus items.  There is an Epilogue which only becomes available once the main game has been completed plus you can replay any of the various cut-scenes and mini-games once there have been covered in the main game.

To clear up any confusion, I should explain that the “365” part of the product’s title does not imply that Designer Pro X is a subscription type product, although there are certain online services available to which you could subscribe.  The “365” is more to do with the Xara Update Services which allows the user to access updates regarding new features and additional content immediately without waiting for the appearance of a new version.

Following the release of its LS Linear PCM audio recorders in 2014, Olympus has now developed its LS Pocket Series of Hi-res audio recorders.  I have been trying out the pocket sixed LS-P1 unit which is the base model in the series. With dimensions of 108.9 x 39.1 x 14.1mm (H x W x D) and weighing 75g (including the battery) the LS-P1 is eminently portable whether carried in a pocket / bag or held in the hand for capturing sound bytes or whole audio performances when attending a concert.