Publication History For : Paul Smart
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A lot of my time recently has involved showing screens of one device on another device (Mirroring) this is a young task and the solutions sometimes do and sometimes dont work. This tiny device from Kingston is rather better at transferring data between two incompatible devices.
A few Android devices had a simple cable that connected a micro USB port to one that allowed you to insert a standard memory stick into it as if it was a standard USB port; this was a great feature that for some reason did not work with all devices. If you can persuade your Android device to show USB storage then this will normally work. To do this I found that a free App from the Play Store ES File Explorer is the most likely to give you this functionality.
My first task here is to find a category to place this in. It could be computers, PDAs, Phones or the one I choose Cameras. The reason is it has a proper lens and 10x optical zoom but it is also an Android device doing all that does as well.
It is 12.5x6.5x2.5cm and weights 210grams. The width is when the unit is off or not being used in camera mode, with the full 10x zoom in use this figure increases by 4cm. You can use it to capture selfies in 1.9MP, 1.3MP, 1MP or VGA. Using the standard lens to capture images there are ten different resolutions available. 16MP, 14MP, 12MP, 10MP, 10MP, 9.2MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2MP and 1MP these are in a range of sizes 4:3, 16:9 and 3:2.
This is a simple box to do a simple job. However probably through no fault of the box it has been a VERY FRUSTRATING and time consuming review which involved three separate phone calls with Netgears technical support, one lasting well over an hour.
The aim of the box is via an HDMI cable to display the contents of your mobile phone or tablet on your TV screen. It is called Mirror Casting. The box is 10.2x5x1cm. It has two connections on the back one for HDMI (not supplied) and the other for a mini USB lead that goes into a mains plug. A single button lies flush on the right side. As sometimes happens this arrived without instructions and I was sent a PDF version which I knew the salient parts of by the time I started to get results.
This is a three in one cable, you can charge your device, you can mirror your device on your PC and even use your computer keyboard and mouse to move around your Android devices screens and even type on it should you need. Finally you can transfer data between the two.
A dual SIM Android phone almost as large as a Tablet could be the solution to solve a multitude of problems to suit a range of users. This offering from Prestigio gives a large clear screen as well as letting you choose how to communicate.
It comes with a fitted flip case that blanks the screen when closed. It weights 260grams (including case) and it is 16.5x10.5x1cm. It has speakers front and back, the front one is at the top above the screen to the left of the front facing ‘selfie’ camera. The rear one is at the base of the back, both have cut outs in the case so they can be clearly heard. The other cut out is for the higher capacity rear facing camera.
A rather different Camcorder in that it is very slim and fits easily in the palm of the hand. There are various angles to have the screen so you can capture images from various positions. There are two shooting modes one normal and one almost fish eye like.
The Canon Legria Mini measures 9.5x7.2x2cm when closed; the last figure the thickness can increase to 6cm with the viewing screen raised to 90degrees. It weighs only 174grams. The front has the lens that is covered when off and beside this two rather good stereo microphones. The right side has the on/off slider, then a flip open door that conceals a mini HDMI and DC input, next the on camera playback button and finally a wrist strap anchor point. The back is clear.
Having recently told you about a JML Halogen Cooker this is rather different. Most people will know of a Microware and those like me or a certain age know about a Slow Cooker but what does this 8 in 1 have to offer.
Glass, Ceramic and Non Stick all words in today’s vocabulary how to they fit into the GoChef. The GoChef can be used to Boil, Slow Cook, Fry that is Flash Frying Shallow Frying and Pan Frying, Sautéing, Steaming, Roasting, Fondue, Reheat and Defrost. Unlike a Microwave you can use metal utensils and two racks and a frying basket are supplied. The twelve page Instruction and User Guide has five pages of description and useful hints.
While this is a box of magic it is not innocent stuff but often lives up to the box title of Gross Magic. The box states 8+ but perhaps its best for those of even more mature minds as we dont want to give children any ideas.
I find it strange the number of young children who are traumatised by pigeons, certainly if your child is affected by them then the magic in this box will certainly make them puke or worse. Perhaps for a company who makes their name on board games and other such delightful and harmless offering this offering from Hankypanky-toys.com is a step in the wrong direction but you must decide.
First an item for those who remember or maybe like me those who still have a collection of cassette tapes and a use you maybe put one to. Second a Coffee Mug with attitude that will certainly be a talking point around the office.
For those of you of the younger vintage before the CD were cassette tapes, these contained audio like an LP – hope vinyl is in your memory – however they were the first easy way to copy music so buy a 45 and copy it for your friends. Here is the up to date version for those trying to woo (impress) a friend and perhaps promote more than a friendship so in modern parlance they become an item or partnership through music of whatever style or type happens to be that persons taste.
I have looked at several different Kindles, the HDX7 breaks new ground in that apart from it being an excellent book reader the thing Kindle started as it is now almost a full Android tablet so the screen is in colour at 1920x1080.
The Kindle Fire HDX 7" tablet measures 18x12.5x(less than 1cm), weights 304grams and boots in 21 seconds, but of course most never turn it off and just blank the screen. Shutdown is 3 seconds. One word of warning although this can do most things an Android tablet can do you can only access the Kindle (Amazon) store which does not have such a wide range of Apps as the Android Play Store does. The viewable screen is 15x9.
These are both mature products and for not a great deal of money give you lots of control over your data. Both packages work with music and give the best output available from the data input. They are Samplitude Music Studio and Music Maker both from Magix and both 2014 versions.
Without spending thousands of pounds you can produce great sounding music. While it will work with Windows XP the other specifications probably mean it will be a Windows 7 or 8 PC as you need 1.5 GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. 4.3GB of hard disc space and at least a 1024x768 display. Finally to load the software you need a DVD Drive. This product has won awards between 2005 and 2013 for its software.
With first living spaces getting smaller one solution is to cut the kitchen. With people of working age and no children eating out for time saving or pleasure is often more important than preparing a meal from scratch so oven.
Here is one solution that takes little room and can be used from a standard 13amp plug. In actual size it is smaller than a microwave. The glass container is round at 30cm it is 30cm tall to the top of the control unit and 36cm either side where the stand and handles jut out. Unlike a microwave that cannot use anything metallic there are no restrictions as to the material you use here. You can even cover the food with metallic foil.
A pair of speakers and a rather nice sub woofer that might even pass the other halfs scrutiny as it is in fact shiny white and therefore is more likely to go with whatever the lounge police think is acceptable whereas black probably will not.
The subwoofer is diagonal in shape 24.5x10x29.5cm. the pair of speakers are the 9.5x23.5x12cm, the total weight is just over 4kilos. While they are sold as Bluetooth speakers they also work perfectly well as a wired unit using a 3.5mm cable to the Auxiliary Input socket.
This is an All In One unit, that means it can Print, Scan Copy and Fax. It is very compact and you can print by normal use from a PC or by sending items across the Network or even across the world by using your special email.
The HP OfficeJet 4630e measures 41x33x17cm with the paper tray shut but the difference between shut and open is only 5cm and the paper is within that. No further increase on the 17cm height is required if you are using the sheet feed. The connections are all back left of the unit. All the controls are on the fixed sloping front lid, twenty two buttons and the 4.5x3cm six line display. Unlike some such units there is less dead time before a simple page is printed.
After their ground breaking Moto G handset recently reviewed what could Motorola produce next. Its called the Moto X and it looks very inviting, you can get it to answer your questions and the curve in its back suits your hands shape.
The Motorola Moto X measures 12.5x6.5x1cm the last figure is at the centre of the back, at the sides it is .5cm and it weights 137grams. The case is sealed meaning the battery cannot be changed and you have no expansion possibilities as there is no micro SD card slot. The top has a 3.5mm socket for headphones; the right side has bar buttons for on/off and a volume up and down rocker. The base has input for the supplied micro USB cable to charge it.
iPhone Camera and Case
Published in Misc
on
6 Apr 2014
Two items that may suit those with a recent iPhone (it also works with a 5th Generation iPod Touch) a clip on camera to give both zoom and macro. Second a slip case that cleans your screen every time you place it in the case.
I see from the olloclip web site that this should also work with iPhone 4 models but as I do not have one I would check before purchase to make sure. It is an attachment that clips over the edge of your iPhone 5, 5S or iPod 5 generation device that gives four different possible views. Connect the red lens one way and your compatible ‘i’ device has a fish eye view, switch it round and you have a wide angle view.
This is a small inkjet all in one unit. That means not only can it print, but it can also scan, copy and for those who still need it fax. It also has the ability to print from memory stick and even to scan to memory stick if the PC is not available.
The Canon Pixma MX390 measures 42x32x20cm, add 18cm to the second figure the depth when the paper tray is open, you will need to add a few centimetres to the last figure the height to use the flatbed. The external connections power, USB fax lead etc are all back left of the unit.
TV sound even on an expensive unit is not great so a sound bar can improve the quality and clarity of the volume. My own bugbear is movies where they tend to speak in a whisper and even turning up the TV volume cannot always help.
The soundbar is 88x10x11cm, the middle figure is the measurement at the front, at the back it is only 7cm. I used it in a variety of places as it is far more than a TV soundbar. I used it sitting on tables and stands as the shape allows sound from the small 7cm under speakers to come out. It can also be wall mounted but as it is not light do check your wall can support it, in this case the mountings are on the rear. The main speakers are behind the grill that runs the length of the unit.
The last unit from Gigabyte had a problem with battery loss when not in use so one of my first jobs here was to charge this fully and then leave it, four days later it still had 99% so no problems there. Maybe it was the lid colour that was bright yellow this is a more sober orange.
The Gigabyte P27 latop measures 51x27x4cm, the last figure at the back and this is 2cm at the front, it weights almost 3.2kilos. So this is a desktop replacement and if you took it anywhere then may I suggest by car rather than public transport as walking around with it could soon have muscles complaining. It has a solid feel, the left side has a Kensington Lock port, a USB2 socket, three 3.
The word Wireless is often misunderstood to mean Bluetooth and sometimes people think Bluetooth means Wireless so just to help things here I have a set of Bluetooth called Wireless Conspiracy and a set of Wireless from Geemarc.
When fully collapsed they are only 16cm from the top of the headband to the base of the earpiece. The earpieces are 5.5cm across and the extension is 3.5cm per side. I needed 1.5cm of extension so someone with a large head may struggle. They are very light at 127grams and as mentioned the earpieces are small so definitely an on ear offering. The padding on the inside of the headband is soft so even if you are bald they are comfortable.
Cameras that fit in a pocket or purse are often considered only for novices, not so this offering from Canon. The SX270HS is a member of the PowerShot range which used to be larger until they swapped to using solid batteries. Now its only the size that's small.
The Canon PowerShot SX270HS measures 10x6x3cm the last figure can increase to 8.5cm when fully zoomed, it weights 225grams. It feels solid without feeling heavy in the hand. Looking from the rear the right side has a wrist strap anchor point and a rubberised bung behind which is a multi out port for HDMI, Digital and A/V. The left side is clear. The base has a tripod screw and a door behind which is the solid battery and any SD card you may use.
The Ricoh HZ15 is a small digital camera from a brand that is both Pentax and Ricoh as they are now one company. A lot of people think of Ricoh for printers but cameras are also their thing both digital and DSLR. Here one to fit into a small pocket or purse.
The Ricoh HZ15 digital camera measures 10.5x5.5cm these figures are width and height, the depth is interesting when off and the lens is retracted a single figure would normally suffice here at the right end its 3cm and at the left end little more than 2cm. With the lens fully zoomed it is 8cm. This is a 16MP and 15x optical zoom offering. RICOH produce their own lenses and this offering is24-360mm.
8 inch Tablet for £99
Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple
on
24 Mar 2014
Marketed as a way of saving the overweight placed on a number of childrens backs with all the text books they have to carry to a from schools a 8 inch Android tablet and a Bluetooth Pen could be the future to save later life back problems.
It is 20x15x1cm and weights 426grams. The viewable screen is 16x12cm giving the notional diagonal imperial measurement of 8 inches. The tablet itself worked fine it comes up with the logo nextbook during boot up. The boot takes around 20 seconds with shutdown being less than two seconds. Battery life was rather good and no doubt it will be left in standby most of the time. It is Android 4.1.1 which today seems rather old but it is stable. The Wi-Fi on it works well but there is no .
This is nothing to do with NFC as the word Touch might cause you to think. It is a mobile speaker that allows you to place any Smartphone or i device on top of it and the internal speaker output is greatly increased and I mean greatly.
It is 12.5cm deep and 10x10cm at the front and 7x10cm at the back. It weighs only 218 grams. No other connection is required it has an internal solid battery that you can recharge by the micro USB to USB cable provided. So when you want to share your music simply place your device on top of the Boombox switch it on and whatever is coming from your unit’s internal speaker is greatly increased without distortion.
This is a DAB, FM and Internet radio; however it is also a music player and has a full Last FM trial. Roberts are one of the main names in these devices so how does this mid sized unit shape up overall for both quality and value.
The Roberts Stream 205 measures 28x22x9cm which include the handle but not the five piece rod aerial that will add 60cm if used vertically. It can be used on mains or on batteries but the latter requires six ‘D’ cells. The control panel is on the sloping top of the unit there are 15 well marked buttons of different size and shape spread along the top and a large silvered knob to change station. There is a large clear display 6.5x3.4cm which shows relevant information.
This rather nice unit from Philips turns any PC or Notebook of recent vintage into a touch unit with the aid of any normal connection method and a USB lead, so all your finger messages are transferred from the screen to the PC.
This Philips touch sensitive LCD monitor measures 55x36x3cm not including the flip out stand that extends backwards to allow the screen to sit at an almost infinite range of angles to near flat. So whatever your standing or sitting angle can be accommodated. The viewable screen is 51x28.5cm which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of 23inches.
If you are considering Windows 8.1 for you next PC then it really should have touch and this offering from HP has it. Windows 8 was made for touch so if you can change your working style then this could well be a good way to adapt.
The HP Pavilion TouchSmart measures 38x25.5x2cm, the thickest point is at the back and it is barely 1cm at the front. The left side has DC input, Kensington Lock point, Ethernet, full size HDMI port, two USB2 ports and a Card slot. The front is clear, the right side has a couple of pin hole LEDs a 3.5mm socket for headphones, a USB port and the Optical drive. The back is also clear as the screen goes over it. The viewable screen is 36x19.
Brando Zip and Bendable LED Torch
Published in Misc
on
16 Mar 2014
Its not often a single word describes a product here is does as its a ZIP with USB on one end and splits for Micro USB and Lightning on the other. The second item is a magnetized three LED Torch capable of being twisted to almost any angle.
This is 37cm long – the maximum distance between the cable plugs is 31cm – but when the zip is fully unzipped there can be 60cm between the Lightning and Micro USB plug ends. My unit was yellow with just the plugs in a more normal black, but I see they also do Black, Blue, Red and White. However if you have the normal mass of various cables dotted around colour is a good item differentiator. The voltage supported is up to 2.4amp with 30/30 AWG Micro USB transmission.
This is a speaker with a handle that can be mains or battery powered. Apart from Bluetooth, NFC and the ability to have a hands free conversation with it from a Smartphone it also has a 3.5mm socket so an MP3 player can be connected.
The Sony SRS-BTM8 Portable Speaker measures 19x8.5cm at the base and 25x2cm at the top where the handle has all the controls. The total height is a tad over 16cm. With the optional 4x 'AA' batteries inserted in the base it weights 1060grams. At the base of the back you can insert the provided power adapter it has a 1.5metre lead to a small power brick built into a 13amp plug. The base of the back is also where you will find the 3.5mm socket for Auxiliary input.
In the past I have often asked to review HTC devices as they looked smart and had little extra bits of quality. My name never seemed to come to the top of the list, with this unit however I was offered it I did not even have to ask.
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