Misc

Vendors Verbatim and Kingston Technology are both using the USB OTG (On-The-Go) technology to enable users to overcome the lack of a micro-SD slot in some Android tablets or smartphones which prevents additional memory being added. This technology provides the means of expanding the storage of compatible devises to as much as 64GB.

It’s not often a single word describes a product here is does as it’s 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.

The original Amazon Kindle eBook Reader was quickly followed by the Kindle Touch model. This version, in turn, gave way to the current Kindle offering named the Paperwhite.

An expression you do not hear often today, but the quality photography within them makes them such items, however they also contain the means for you to improve your image capturing and with practice your photos can be almost as good.

With its logo of three colourful finches, ViewSonic’s latest monitor to arrive for consideration has high specifications and a price to match

The Freecom ToughDrive SSD is a portable 256GB USB3.0 drive that, being all solid state, will not be vulnerable to the knocks that could well damage a conventional hard drive. Consequently, despite its price, it should meet the needs of road warriors who want a physically small, large capacity, lightweight and robust portable storage device.

What would you do with an extra 8 terabytes of available storage? In my case I opted to use this storage space for a full system backup plus my collection of digital music and videos for starters.

While desktop and lap systems usually feature an optical drive with burning capabilities, the supported format tends to be of the DVD variety. This next product includes Blu-Ray support.

The first a smaller version of the USB dongle I reviewed last year, this one less likely to protrude excessively. Second a large capacity USB stick that has lack of overall size as the connection to the port is interior rather than exterior. The last is a simple thing for a simple job.

The Tablet Tail is also called a Monkey Kit useful to hold your Android or IOS device in a viewable position. Parrot Flower Power is a device to stick in the soil near your plant and it will notify wirelessly when it needs watering or is too hot or cold.

First Deezer a free streaming service most will have heard of but it can – for a fee – offer far more and its rather good. Second a SIM for those who just require Mobile Data or for those with dual SIM units at a very good price.

A while ago I told you about Philips Hue lights which change to any colour and intensity you want using an IOS App. Now a link up with Disney and various story books linked to a Philips Hue Mickey Mouse light that works in a similar way.

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.

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.

If anyone can guess what these two items are from the title you are clever. The first came from the Gadget Show in November and the second is another USB item but not from Hong Kong – where a lot of these items come from - but the UK.

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.

This is a rather unusual watch in so much as the person who markets it in the UK is a serving pilot. So what better recommendation could there be, a pilots watch promoted by a pilot. It looks good and of course keeps perfect time.

While the PC is still more popular than Android or IOS devices we still need a keyboard and within reason the smaller the better. The second item is something for those using almost any modern Android device or Smartphone.

It looks like a plastic ball, it runs via solid battery a charging station is supplied. It works on IOS or Android devices via Apps free from either the Apple or Android store and not only will it work on the floor but also in water.

First an offering from one of the largest names in Laptop or Notebook bags STM, second an offering from probably the most used peripheral manufacturer but this time a name associated with quality DSLR cameras.

A recent visit to a trade show introduced me to a company that was involved in the development of various products that might stop me moaning about the condition of some hardware items.

At the moment I am in the doghouse – well not literally but my cat no longer considers me his best mate and is doing his best to ignore me. The reason for this unfortunate state of affairs is the arrival of the Sphero 2 from Orbotix. I have been testing this device much to the cat’s disgust and annoyance as he can not understand what it is or why it does the things it does.

As winter draws on it is becoming more and more useful to have a torch with you. Not only does the ifrogz GoLite meet this need it also provides a pocket sized universal battery backup for virtually any smartphone.

Two items that would make ideal gifts that would get used there's a battery charger to charge Ni-MH ‘AA’ or ‘AAA’ batteries, both things almost everyone uses and not just live in a cupboard. Second a pen – and more - from a well-respected company, second .

Powerline communications provides a convenient way of using the mains wiring to extend the range of one’s home Ethernet network. In addition to doing this, the Linksys PLWK400 Powerline AV Wireless Network Extender Kit also provides a wireless connection which is particularly useful if one has a Wi-Fi only tablet.

The title “Gel Shiatsu 2 in 1 Back and Shoulder Massager with Technogel” is certainly a mouthful. It is also not one that you would expect to come across every day or act as the title of a product being reviewed on Gadgetspeak.com. Yet, unlikely as it may seem, this over-long title belongs to the next product on my review schedule.

No matter how skilled one is when using a virtual keyboard on a touch screen, a proper keyboard is far better when working with text. ZAGGkeys Universal Bluetooth keyboard has been designed to work with various sizes of tablets and smartphones irrespective of whether they are iOS, Windows or Android devices. It is small and light and will make a very useful accessory for those who need to do a reasonable amount of typing on their tablet or smartphone.

One of the most unsatisfactory issues when using an iPad, or any other touch screen tablet for that matter, are the finger prints and smears on the screen. The iKlear spray cleaner/polish from US company Meridrew Enterprises offers an effective solution to the problem.

A laptop bag is as much a tool as the laptop that goes in it. Consequently, it must be comfortable to use while protecting the machine and its associated accessories together with any other necessities. The Stockholm 16 inch notebook backpack in Verbatim’s Bags for Business range has been designed to meet these criteria.

Offering to increase the connectivity options of your laptop is a new product from Sandberg