Publication History For : Michael Fereday
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Just before Christmas I attended a Braun event that included the companys latest range of electric shavers.
Braun is part of the P&G (Procter & Gamble) family of popular brands found in many homes. This family includes Ariel, Fairy, Oral-B, Duracell, Gillette and Febreze. As such, with its range of products classified as Male Grooming, Female Grooming and Hair Care, Braun believes by combining design and functionality into its products this will improve the customer’s lifestyle. One such product range is the company’s new line-up of electric shavers.
Somewhere in the virtual world of adventure game play is the Palace of Laroche. Built to serve and protect the family of De La Roche as they rule their kingdom, Laroche Palace has recently become a place of mystery as everybody within this magnificent building has succumbed to a deep sleep - everybody that is until you awake. Initially you will have no memory as to who you are or how you came to be there. So starts the game of Mystery Murders: The Sleeping Palace.
Available from Avanquest’s GSP games’ label, Mystery Murders: The Sleeping Palace is a Hidden Object Adventure title. Before starting the game, which is spread over six chapters, you can adjust the volume levels for music and other effects including the spoken dialogue that occurs throughout the game. You can also opt to play in full screen mode and use the rather stylish mouse cursor which changes shape to indicate when various actions are possible.
As a store within a store, Kobo offers readers a viable alternative to that available from the Amazon Kindle family. Kobo even offers a full fledged tablet option.
The Kobo Arc 10 HD+ could be accused of having a split personality. The device could be considered to be your personal eBook Reader or you might prefer to regard it as an Android tablet with all that that entails. In fact the Kobo Arc 10 HD+ fulfils both of these functions within a single device.
Set in a nightmarish world, this next title sets a mother against a clown in a battle over a husband and a daughter. Just who will win?
Released as a sequel to Alawar’s Stray Souls: Dollhouse game is Stray Souls: Stolen Memories. This Hidden Object Adventure game is now available as part of the Focus Multimedia extensive game catalogue in Collector’s Edition format. Along with the main game, this offering contains a range of bonus items made up of wallpaper, concept art, music, character art, video clips and mini games.
In the past I have reported on a Sandberg Bluetooth speaker and now it is the turn of a Bluetooth headset from the same company.
Headsets come in a variety of shapes and sizes with feature sets to suit the needs and budget constraints of individual users. For example there are in-the-ear, on-the-ear and over-the-ear styles with choices such as tethered, noise-cancelling and Bluetooth connectivity plus a range of colours that could put a rainbow to shame. And of course there is always the issue of the price tag.
Having looked at various Philips toothbrush products in the past, it was time to check out a process that some dentists consider to be even more important with regards to the health of your gums and teeth.
Do you floss or just rely on brushing for your oral hygiene needs? According to a survey conducted in 2008, admittedly in America, 49% of those questioned confirmed that they flossed on a daily basis while 10% admitted that they never flossed. I somehow think that these figures would not be a true reflection of the current situation in the UK with the first figure being lower and the latter percentage being far higher.
Like the recently reviewed Moto G, the ZTE Blade V considers itself to be a smartphone for those on a limited budget.
With the release of the Blade V handset, ZTE (recognised as the 4 largest smartphone manufacturer in the world) has added to its range of budget-priced smartphone models. This particular model is currently exclusive to Virgin Media in the UK priced at £71.99 on a PAYG basis.
If you are hoping for a relaxing sea cruise with this next title then you could be disappointed as gigantic waves make an appearance.
Epic Escapes Dark Seas is a Hidden Object Adventure game that was originally released by Alawar Games and is now available as part of Avanquest’s GSP catalogue of games titles. Your role in this game is that of a character who decides to combat her fears by facing them head on with a sea cruise.
The latest multifunction device to arrive from Samsung offers print, scan, copy and remote printing facilities to users looking for a monochrome environment.
Following the trend I have noticed with recent Samsung multifunction units, he company’s M2070 model combines a two-tone arrangement of a black A4 flatbed scanner mounted on top of a computer grey coloured printer. The arrangement may not be aesthetic pleasing or what I would consider stylist but the overall look is of a solid device that is reasonably compact with dimensions of 406 x 359.6 x 253mm (W x D x H).
While it wasnt on my schedule for forthcoming reviews, I did not need to think twice when offered the opportunity to review a Toshiba FlashAir Card by the companys PR Agency.
For those not familiar with FlashAir™ and its capabilities, I should explain that this technology combines the flash memory normally resident on an SD card with a wireless LAN chipset plus an antenna to facilitate wireless communication between connected devices. This hybrid construction allows data stored on the card to be accessed wirelessly by other devices without the need of a physical connection.
It is time to embark on a task to rescue somebody who has been taken prisoner by a succubus in a Hidden Object Adventure game.
A visit to the Maxell stand at a recent event introduced me to some of the companys new products including the subject of this review.
As part of the Hitachi Maxell company set up in 1960, Maxell Europe started life manufacturing alkaline batteries. In fact the company’s name was formed from the first three and last three letters of the company’s initial product. This was a MAXimum capacity dry cELL. Since those early days, Maxell has become involved in the development and manufacture of a wide range of products such as the subject of this next review.
Not having to worry about navigation issues can help reduce the stress of driving which is why a SatNav device can be a useful aid for the motorist.
As part of its 2013 line-up of SatNav products, Garmin released a number of new models including the nuvi 3598 LMT-D. This product consists of the main mini tablet-like rectangular unit with various connection add-ons. These add-ons are a suction cup, magnetic mount, standard to mini USB lead and a power lead with a mini USB connection at one end and a cigarette lighter plug at the other. This power lead also has an attached antenna lead to help with signal reception.
Whether to keep your ears warm while still looking fashionable or allowing you to pretend you are unable to hear unwanted questions such as whose turn is it to wash up?, headphones were primarily designed with the idea of allowing you to listen to your favourite music without disturbing others.
While the name may not say it all, it does say enough to possible cause a merry quip or two when the subject comes up. For example imagine going into your favourite audio store and asking “What’s new?” only to hear the response “Nutz”. Of course seen in print the spelling does give a clue that might not be immediately obvious from the spoken word.
Modern technology, in general, has been designed for the modern world in which it is meant to operate. Unfortunately not every aspect of the environment, in which we may live, is capable of handling the demands placed upon it by modern technology. For example many of us do not live in buildings designed to cope with allowing users full access to their wireless network that has been set up for computing and entertainment needs. Brick walls and other immovable impedimenta tend to get in the way. Offering to help in widening and expanding the range of a home wireless network is the NETGEAR WN3500RP product with support for both 2.4 and 5GHz wireless connectivity
This product has the descriptive but rather lengthy title of Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender, Wall-plug Edition. Designed to work with any standard WiFi router or gateway, this product consists of five items. These are the main Extender unit, slot in AC plug adapter, power cord with appropriate plug, docking stand and a small Installation Guide. All the hardware items are decked out in white.
Drawn is a magical kingdom with mythical creatures and an on-going battle between the forces of Good and Evil. One defining factor of this land is that pictures play an important role in its existence.
Adding to its range of All-in-One devices, Canon has released a product that leans towards quality as against speed of delivery
The Canon PIXMA MG5550 is an inkjet All-in-One product that offers print, scan and copy facilities with a choice of wireless or USB connectivity. Rather unassuming, but not unattractive, in appearance, this predominately matte box with rounded corners and a top that tapes inwards towards the scanner cover, has dimensions of 455 x 369 x 148mm (W x D x H). The unit weighs 13.8 lbs which means it should not be a problem to move the device to another location if the need arises.
Velodyne, the California based design and development company specialising in audio equipment and responsible for the vFree headset reviewed recently, has a second headset model entitled the vQuiet. Manufactured in China, this new headset offers over-the-ear noise cancelling functionality as you listen to your favourite music in solitude but only if you really want to (see later).
Designed by international artist Marta Hall (who I have to admit was completely unknown to me prior to the arrival of this product), who created the signature style and shape of the headset, the vQuiet is predominately matte black in colour apart from the metallic light blue logos on each ear-pad. When not in use, this headset can be folded up and stored in the soft carry-pouch provided in the box. You also get a cord-style 123cm audio lead with “L” shaped 3.
As part of its Signature Series, Creative has developed its T4 Wireless product.
Arriving in a fairly substantial box, the T4 Wireless kit consists of the subwoofer and two small satellite speakers mounted on their own permanently attached stands. You also get a mains power lead for two and three-pin sockets, a wired control pod, infrared control unit and a RCA to 3.5mm stereo cable plus various safety and setup documentation. Unpacking the kit proved to be a far easier tasks that the actual setting up of the product but more on this a little later.
With the same three main characters, the next episode in the Haunted Halls series arrives to challenge your Hidden Object Adventure game-playing skills.
This story began with Haunted Halls: Green Hills Sanatorium when the evil Doctor Blackmore and his experiments made their initial appearance. Later Haunted Halls: Fears from Children continued the story and revealed further details of the Doctor’s work. In both cases your role was that of a young journalist intent of rescuing her boyfriend Tim from the evil Doctor’s clutches. Now we have the third instalment entitled Haunted Halls: Revenge of Doctor Blackmore.
While mobile devices are extremely useful, and some people seem to be incapable of existing without them, they can run out of power at the most inconvenient moments.
A disaster caused by the loss of your valuable data could be, at least, partially alleviated by the setting up of a regular back-up schedule. In the same way a loss of communication ability, when on the move, could be reduced by the use of a portable battery charging facility to power up your smartphone or similar device. Recently I have had the opportunity to look at a couple of solutions to help in such circumstances.
No Avoiding Fate
Published in Entertainment
on
4 Jan 2014
Fate, they say will eventually catch up with you. In the case of Madame Fate Carnival, the catching up could be considered to last over four years as this was the interval between my looking at the original Madame Fate title and the arrival of the sequel in the form of a Collectors Edition of Mystery Case Files: Fates Carnival from Big Fish Games. This gap was more than long enough for my memory to erase any useful tips I may have gleaned from the initial playing experience.
As usual with Collector’s Edition format, Fate’s Carnival features several additional items some of which are immediately available while others require the main game to be completed first. Among the items that are accessible straightaway are those dealing with wallpaper, music, a shop, concept art and the solitaire card game for earning money to be spent in the shop. Video, Secret Room and an additional game are locked until the main Madame Fate game has been completed.
Many mobile phones tend to spread their net wide with regards to their functionality but this next handset is aimed mainly at the hard of hearing.
The CL8450 is a GSM telephone with voice amplification from the South African company of Geemarc. This product is being targeted primarily at those with a hearing impediment but it could also be of interest to the elderly members of society. The phone is of the clamshell variety and is available in a limited choice of colour schemes. You can opt for either Black & Silver or, as in the case of my review sample, Red & White.
Everything is not how it seems as this next game goes to prove as your investigations take you to Black Isle.
The life of an investigative journalist working for television might appear to be a glamorous role but that is not always the case. Take, for example, the fate that befell Sarah Steplton. She was investigating Black Isle, supposedly abandoned after an earthquake, when she was seemingly taken prisoner by a mysterious robbed figure with a beak-like nose.
When considering a new smartphone, do you look for the latest, high price model with all the latest bells & whistle or check out the more economical models?
The ownership of smartphones, in the opinion of Motorola, is divided between those who are willing to pay over £400 (in some cases well over) for the latest technology plus the kudos of possessing the appropriate status symbol and those on a more practical and restricted budget that put pricing at the head of the queue when a new handset comes under consideration.
Adding to its expanding range of audio products, HDMX has released a wireless headset.
Not so long ago I took a look at a small Bluetooth speaker unit developed by HMDX. This product was delivered in the style of a pot of jam and was appropriately enough entitled Jam. Now it is a turn of a second product in the Jam series from the same source. This is a set of on-the-ear type wireless stereo headphones which are available in a choice of red, white or black and bear the title of Jam Fusion.
Rather than let the train take the strain, you can take the train in this next Hidden Object Adventure game and not worry about being punctual because it is a Timeless experience.
Released on Focus Multimedia’s budget BlackLime Games label, Timeless: The Forgotten Town is a Hidden Object Adventure game. It places you in the role of a train traveller who is mysteriously snatched from his normal reality and transported to a town that time forgot.
According to popular conception, every picture tells a story. So why not use your collection of pictures or photos to create a story of your own. Offering to help in this respect is MAGIXs Photostory software in its latest 2014 Deluxe edition.
Those of you who are familiar with MAGIX products will not be surprised to hear that this German-based company has bundled one or two extra bonus items with the main slideshow creating software. In this case you get a copy of MAGIX’s Mufin 2.5, offering MP3 audio management and playing functionality, and Catooh Free bonus pack containing various sound effects and the like.
As part of its Signature Series of audio products, Creative has released the T30 Wireless speaker system. The T30 is a 2.0 speaker system consisting of left and right satellite units that offer support for Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology.
Along with the two satellite speakers, this T30 kit contains a two-piece mains power lead that gives you a 2.6m of positioning play when the two elements are joined together. You also get a 2m audio lead, for when Bluetooth is not supported, and an adapter should you prefer using a RCA type dual connection. Various items of documentation cover set-up and safety issues plus a €10 EMUSIC card and a voucher for a free audio book.
A trip to the London-based version of the Gadget Show introduced me to a product designed for those far more energetic than myself.
The iON Air Pro 3 is a high-definition video camera designed to appeal to those who have an energetic lifestyle but could still appeal to those of us who prefer a more relaxed environment. This third-generation POV (point-of-view) camera combines features such as being Wi-Fi enabled, waterproof and wearable to add to its ability to record HD video at up to 60 frames per second for 1080p quality output.
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