Jingle Bells, Batman Smells… and all that. Sigh, yes it’s Christmas again but it does mean PRESENTS! Giving & receiving, remember? So this week we have a sack full of techy gift ideas for you.

Ailsa Bay – Whisky Hacked

Kicking us off is the awesome Ailsa Bay a ‘Precision Distilled’ single malt. Ailsa Bay is the first whisky to have an analysed measurement of sweetness identified. This is possible through a revolutionary technological process managed by master blender Brian Kinsman. The whisky is defined as having a measurement of ‘Phenol’ content in parts per million, more precisely 022 PPM. The higher the ‘phenol’ levels the more ‘Peaty’ the whisky will taste plus a measurement of sweetness that is 019 SPPM, giving a perfect balance between the peat and sweetness. I can attest to this, in fact, it has an almost uncanny balance of sweet and salty peat flavours that keeps the taste buds jumping pleasantly between the two long after you swallow.

Ailsa Bay is the only scotch whisky to undergo a process called ‘micro maturation’. the distillery’s newly made spirit is first filled into Hudson baby bourbon casks that are between 25-100 litres in size, for six to nine months. the relatively small casks – traditional american oak barrels can contain up to 200 litres of spirit – enables intense rapid maturation. the liquid is then transferred into virgin, first-fill and refill American oak casks for several years. the process is the first of its kind in the scotch whisky industry.

Ailsa Bay is the first whisky to have an analysed measurement of sweetness enabling a perfect balance between the peat and sweetness
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Now the thing that makes this whisky stand out is the technical approach to distilling, these guys are super into their numbers and from trying out the whisky I can say the results are unlike any traditionally made drop. The distillery team use data points to adapt the flavour and apply modern engineering alongside the family’s traditional approach to whisky making, allowing them to create an incredible single malt that delivers a unique balance of smoke and sweetness. The result is a taste that is more mellow and complex.

“No other whisky is made with this much science. Using data points to adapt the flavour and applying modern engineering alongside our family’s traditional approach is truly innovative”. Explained Stuart Watts, Distillery Manager at William Grant & Sons “Ailsa Bay’s new look takes its inspiration from the creativity of science, which reflects the boundary-pushing technology used in our state-of-the-art distillery at Girvan in Ayrshire.

No other whisky is made with this much science. Using data points to adapt the flavour and applying modern engineering alongside our family’s traditional approach is truly innovative
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Tasting notes:

• Nose: Fresh wood smoke with notes of smouldering damp heather and an extinguished bonfire. Following the smoke is a wave of oaky sweetness and vanilla oak, candied orange peel.
• Taste: Beautifully balanced peat and rich vanilla oakiness, this batch maintains an intriguing flavour meandering between smoke, fruit and creamy toffee. The extra maturation period has developed deeper toasty oak notes with every sip.
• Finish: An intriguing balance of oaky sweetness and peaty dryness.

Ailsa Bay is bloody delicious, has an ABV of 48.9% and is available from Amazon, The Whisky Exchange and The Whisky Shop at an RRP of £60 and offers itself as the perfect alternative gift for the tech-lover in your life this Christmas.

Coby Wireless Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Coby USA makes some really neat audio solutions including these cute little waterproof Bluetooth speakers. I tried out the smaller of their two models below and was very impressed with the quality of sound. Small size and a light plastic design make it super easy to carry around then add in the carabiner (included) and a sturdy loop and this tiny speaker will clip on to any bag you might be using. The sound is not great when at higher volumes but is really good at lower levels, speech, in particular, is very clear and defined.

Small size and a light plastic design make the Coby super easy to carry around then add in the carabiner (included) and a sturdy loop and this tiny speaker will clip on to any bag you might be using
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If your phone or device has no Bluetooth then there is a mini-jack IN port which is a nice touch. Surprisingly for a tiny unit, it offers 12 hours of play time from the 1800 mHa battery, easily a day of playback. Each wireless speaker also comes with a USB charging cable and has an amazing 55 hours of standby time and charges fully in just 3 hours. They also boast a built-in microphone that lets you answer and decline phone calls. A smart choice when your hands are busy or you’re enjoying the pool!

FEATURES:

•Play music wirelessly via Bluetooth

•Output power: 8w

•Waterproof: IPX5

•Built-in rechargeable battery •TWS Function

•Includes carrying carabiner

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Each wireless speaker also comes with a USB charging cable and has an amazing 12 hours of playback, 55 hours of standby time and charges fully in just 3 hours
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The slightly larger model pictured below includes a larger battery but basically the same features. I didn’t test this one but the larger size and weight will probably mean a bit better sound when cranked up but overall I like the smaller one for its shape and size. There are lots of similar speakers out there but the Coby models are hard not to like in these bold colours and simple design. Tech Trends recommends these and finally, I must point out their very reasonable price!

 

CSBT-351 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $79.99

Vype eTank Pro 2

Back in October, we reviewed the Vype ePen 3 and today we are looking at its bigger brother, the eTank Pro 2. As the word Tank in the name suggests, this model holds more eLiquid and a larger 1500mAh battery so should keep you shrouded in scented smoke all through a long day. The ‘Tank’ is heavier and much sturdier than the smaller ePen 3. That is a good thing if like me you appreciate a bit of weight in your hand when smoking.

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The 'Tank' is heavier and much sturdier than the smaller ePen 3. That's a good thing if you appreciate a bit of weight in your hand when smoking
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With a powerful 1500 mAh battery and a Japanese cotton wick, the smooth and easy-to-use Vype eTank Pro 2 delivers an intense vaping experience. What’s more, being an open-system device, you can play with mixology and flavour exploration.

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With a powerful 1500 mAh battery and a Japanese cotton wick, the Vype eTank Pro 2 delivers an intense vaping experience
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It is easy to fill up and a really easy smoke with a light pull. The battery lasted longer than I ever used it so I just topped it up every day or so. I found the eTank Pro 2 easy to construct, charge and fill but did encounter an issue where eLiquid leaked into the mouthpiece if the eTank was left horizontal on a table or in a pocket. The eLiquid is foul tasting and leaves your lips tingling which is not very nice. I haven’t yet stripped and cleaned the eTank to see if that fixes the problem so won’t say it is a design problem but something to watch out for.

In the hand, the eTank feels great and the button is well placed. I like the rubberised texture and the mouthpiece was a good size, in fact, the whole package is a good size and pleasant to use. There is a whole range of flavoured eLiquids available but my favourite was Creme Brulee, it really appealed to my cultured palate Ho Ho. No, I think the creamy flavour was the closest of the eLiquids I tested to a flavoured pipe tobacco I like. It is not expensive at £29.99 on the Vype website so check one out for your self, I really like mine.

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In the hand, the eTank feels great and the button is well placed. I like the rubberised texture and the mouthpiece was a good size, in fact, the whole package is a good size and pleasant to use
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eTank Pro 2 Starter Kit Contains

• 1x eTank Pro 2 device
• 1x glass tank
• 1x stainless steel atomiser
• 1x USB charging cable
• 1x user manual

Design Features

• Optimised wattage setting (up to 14 watts) and one activation button for ease of use.
• Colour range with a choice of 3 premium metallic colours with soft touch finish for a comfortable feel/grip
• LED for battery-life indicator
• eTank Pro 2 has a +50% increase vs eTank Pro in terms of battery capacity

Safety Features

• Intelligent software with:
• Device short-circuit protection
• Cell over-discharge protection
• Cell over-charge protection
• Micro USB for simple charging
• CE Certified

 

Colonna Coffee Capsules

The UK barista champion, Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood has launched a recyclable coffee capsule range. Based in lovely Bath, Colonna marries their best competition winning coffees with cutting-edge capsule technology to enable ‘coffee lovers to take the coffee shop home’. Colonna is the only pod company that started in a café and employ a scientific approach with a real love of the finest coffees to offer us a coffee pod you don’t feel so bad about throwing away with fully recyclable aluminium pods (from £11 per box of 20 capsules).

Maxwell and his wife Lesley set up their first coffee company providing people with, as Special Agent Dale Cooper would say “A damn fine cup of Coffee!” at events around the UK. Travelling far and wide, the couple brewed espresso through the night for revellers at music festivals and rain-soaked crowds at regattas. This was fun, but they quickly wanted a physical space to build something special for people from far and wide to visit, as well as creating a coffee lovers hub. The fruit of this vision is Colonna and Small’s in Bath, which is dedicated to showcasing coffee as a drink full of flavour, complexity and as an artisan experience in its own right. Utilising roller grinder technology, a new aluminium design and a revised capsule roasting approach, the Bath-based startup has been able to create Nespresso compatible capsules that translate from bean to cup ever more successfully.

“We are always in search of technology that will help us showcase the full character of the best coffees from all over the world, whilst also trying to improve sustainability. We are constantly looking to improve the aromatics and quality of our capsules. Utilising roller grinder technology, a new aluminium design and a revised capsule roasting approach, we have been able to create capsules that are brighter, stronger and more characterful than ever before.” Said Colonna-Dashwood.

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By embracing new technology, Colonna has also been able to lower the oxygen content in each capsule to under 0.5%. This allows them to capture the freshness and character of each coffee for longer
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By embracing new technology, Colonna has also been able to lower the oxygen content in each capsule to under 0.5%. This allows them to capture the freshness and character of each coffee for incredible lengths of time. The revised life of each capsule is now 18 months, allowing the coffee to shine even longer. Driven by a scientific approach and a pursuit of excellence, Colonna underwent life cycle sustainability studies with Bath University and combined with industry-accepted research, it is clear that recycled aluminium is the most sustainable material for pods. Previously the challenge with aluminium capsules is they contained small amounts of plastic, making them hard to recycle. Colonna’s new plastic-free design can be recycled simply and conveniently, just as you would a canned drink.

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Previously the challenge with aluminium capsules is they contained small amounts of plastic, making them hard to recycle. Colonna’s new plastic-free design can be recycled simply and conveniently
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Colonna is now about to launch a new Bartender Series in January 2019, three unique, single origin coffees but not for your cup, for your glass
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Colonna is about to launch a new range in January 2019, three unique, single origin coffees (RRP £5.50 per box of 10 capsules) but not for your cup, for your glass. The Bartender Series, created by award-winning author and bar owner Tristan Stephenson and Colonna Dashwood, uses Nespresso-compatible technology to deliver an exceptional coffee ingredient at the touch of a button. Designed by bartenders, the capsules are also ideal for coffee-loving home mixologists, to take both the bar and the coffee shop home!

“The Bartender Series by Colonna is a landmark collaboration between barista and mixologist, enabling better tasting and more consistent coffee based mixed drinks. Maxwell and I have spent months exploring the potential in flavour pairing specific coffees with different styles of spirits, with the goal of elevating the role of coffee in cocktails well beyond the generic and into the fantastic. To that end we have sourced three coffees from three unique territories, each with a unique style that leans towards one of three specific flavour camps: FRUIT, EARTH, SWEET.”  Explains Tristan Stephenson. “The solution to ensure consistency, ease of use, and sustainability was to use recyclable capsules that work in any Nespresso machine. For the modern bar this solution meets all their needs, as it is inexpensive, takes up very little space, is easy to stock take, produces delicious results, and it couldn’t be easier to switch between different coffees during a busy shift. We think that this approach to implementing coffee in a cocktail bar environment has the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of drinks like the espresso martini as well as myriad other coffee-based drinks.”

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The Bartender Series by Colonna is a landmark collaboration between barista and mixologist, enabling better tasting and more consistent coffee based mixed drinks
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I drink too much coffee (and some might say a little too much alcohol) so unsurprisingly enjoyed all these coffees and coffee mixers from Colonna. The flavours were a step above your average shop-bought stuff and flooded the mouth with sweet, fruity flavours with nice, balanced bitterness and long pleasing aftertaste. They are not expensive for boutique capsules so I recommend you give them a try (if you have a Nespresso machine) and experience what new tech can bring to the coffee-making process.

Lots more info about the growers and the process here on ColonnaCoffee.com and you can subscribe to buy their capsules or beans here.

Duracell Powerbank

With new Duracell research data revealing Brits are in danger of running out of battery as many as 260 days of the year, this might just be the perfect gift for that person who is always on 20% battery

Duracell research data reveals Brits are in danger of running out of battery as many as 260 days of the year
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Available in three different sizes, these lightweight and great value Powerbanks are designed to keep you swiping, scrolling and surfing for up to 72 hours longer so you can wave goodbye to the dread of running flat at the most inconvenient time. These new Duracell Powerbanks are an ideal gift for the on-the-go commuter, the cultured traveller, the gadget geek craving power for their latest devices or the Instagram obsessed!

These new Duracell Powerbanks are an ideal gift for the on-the-go commuter, the cultured traveller, the gadget geek craving power for their latest devices or the Instagram obsessed
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Product Features:

Ready to use (pre-charged)
Up to 2 x faster with fast charge technology
Up to 5 x iPhone 7 charges
Dual-Charge – Phone or Tablet + Powerbank for simultaneous charging
10 safety features inc. over temperature protection, flame retardant case and overcharge
3-year guarantee
Universal compatibility
Approved for flying
72hr device can charge multiple devices with 2 x USB ports

Further findings from Duracell’s low-battery research include:

1. On average, Brits consider their phone battery almost 10 x a day
2. Over 250,000 of us have shed a tear during a low battery low.
3. 1 in 10 fail to catch a train, tube or bus because their e-ticket was made redundant due to overused battery
4. The average Brit would pay £240 a month to keep out of the red. That’s more than a monthly London travel card for zones 1 – 6!
5. 20,000 Brits have such a symbiotic relationship with their phone that they feel physically drained when their phone is powerless
6. 1 in 7 have sat on the floor in a public place to charge their phone

These new, updated power banks from the most trusted name in batteries are really very nice looking and come with all the latest safety and charging tech options and most importantly for travellers are flight safe, so no confiscations at security or better yet no in-flight explosions!

Duracell Powerbanks are available in three different sizes:
Rechargeable Powerbank 3350 mAH

• For up to 24 hours of extra talk or surf time
• For Apple, Android and most USB-powered devices
• RRP £19.99

Rechargeable Powerbank 6700 mAH

• For up to 48 hours extra talk or surf time
• For Apple, Android and most USB-powered devices
• RRP £24.99

Rechargeable Powerbank 10050 mAH

• For up to 72 hours extra talk or surf time
• For Apple, Android and most USB-powered devices
• RRP £34.99

These cool new Duracell Powerbanks can be had from leading online retailers including Argos and Amazon, and instore at Sainsburys and Morrisons, they are even approved for carry-on!

Johnson’s Baby Bath Time Gift Set and Bedtime Baby range – Johnson’s, still the original and best?

If you refuse to buy your infant child an iPad mini or similar tech products, shame on you! So the least you can do is keep your baby clean and smelling good through Christmas! Johnson’s has the answer, even if it is a non-techy one. As soon as you open any of these products you’ll be hit by that nostalgic Johnson’s smell, you know what you’re getting here and it doesn’t disappoint. The gift set includes Baby Oil, Baby Bath, Baby Shampoo and Baby Lotion. They’ve also included quite a big duck sponge and a bath book which counts up sea animals, both of which genuinely delighted my daughter. There are also some ‘milestone cards’ which aren’t of much interest, and the large clear sponge bag it comes in which is actually really handy.

If you refuse to buy your infant child an iPad mini or similar tech products, shame on you! So the least you can do is keep your baby clean and smelling good through Christmas!
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The Bedtime products (I tested the oil, shampoo, baby bath and baby wash; there is also a cream, powder and lotion) are essentially versions of the traditional range with a different, lavender scent designed to chill out a baby at bedtime. They smell recognisably Johnson’s but distinctly soothing. Giving our baby ‘cues’ that it is bedtime has really helped us in getting our 18-month-old daughter to sleep, I cannot speak highly enough of an established evening routine and it’s really astonishing what a difference we have found with little things like always saying the same final thing before leaving the room. Because of that, I’ll be carrying on with the Bedtime products in the evening to help her know what time it is.

As soon as you open these products you’ll be hit by that nostalgic Johnson’s smell, you know what you’re getting and it doesn’t disappoint
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The bath time set would be good for parents who are establishing a bedtime routine and want to wind down with some calmer fun
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None of the products aggravated my daughter’s dry, sensitive skin and she is clean, moisturised and gorgeous. She loved playing with the bubbles (pop pop pop).
These Johnson’s products are lovely for toddlers; they’d make a great present for the first birthday but in my opinion are not suitable for newborns. The bath time set would be particularly good for parents who are establishing a bedtime routine and want to wind down with some calmer fun, the gift set is a convenient and economical way of getting all the classics in a nicely presented collection.

Available for £19.95 on Amazon here in the UK

Review by Naomi Hepworth-Andrews, Digital & IT Consultant, mother, ferret fanatic and tech enthusiast

Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation

How can innovators thrive in a disruptive future? The President of the Consumer Technology Association shares tips for success in a new book out this month. As the much-missed playwright William Goldman once said, where it comes to predicting success, ‘Nobody Knows Anything’. And that certainly holds for technology as well as screenwriting. In fact, it holds for most things in life, but let’s stick with Tech for now. Highlighting case studies from global brands, breakout innovators and startup companies, Shapiro offers an inside look at the emerging technologies that are shaping our world. Read the Full Review here.

Tile Mate – New 2018 Version

The Tile Mate is a great stocking filler and damn handy to have on your important objects. Ring your Tile when you’ve misplaced your belonging if it’s close by, and use it in reverse to call your phone – even when it’s on silent. If you fear you’ve left your belonging further away, check where your item was last seen on a map, or tap into Tile’s community, the world’s largest lost-and-found network, which will anonymously help find the lost or stolen item almost anywhere in the world.

Ring your Tile when you’ve misplaced your belonging if it’s close by, and use it in reverse to call your phone - even when it’s on silent
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This new 2018 version of the Tile Mate has a replaceable battery which is a big improvement meaning it will last as long as you keep replacing the battery. Previously you had to post the old flat Mate back to Tile and pay a little bit for a replacement or just buy a new one. I have had one of these on my keys for a couple of years but always wanted another to go inside my camera bag so I stashed this Tile Mate attached to the interior zip in my bag and know it will be in there if I ever lose it… again! On my keys, it has been a lifesaver so trust me when I say, you will not regret getting a few of these to help keep track of your valuables.

These go for £20 in the UK on the company website.

GP M-Series PowerBanks

Tech Trends tested the new M-Series GP PowerBank Mobile Chargers, the MP15MA 15000mAh in Grey and the MP10MA 10000mAh in Mid Teal.

With an impressive energy capacity of 15000 mAh, the bigger of these two sexy looking power banks is remarkably compact. I loved the solid hardwearing metal case and the full range of connections, compatible with Apple and Android devices. GP make great quality rechargeable batteries so you know you are getting quality and durability in these products and GP’s high safety standards make me feel better about leaving them in hand luggage and charging overnight or on the go. To top them up you get USB-C and Micro-USB IN/OUT ports and a matching 2-in-1 charge and sync cable included in the pack.

The 10000 mAh version is really very slim, perfect for carry-on bags or briefcases. This one will be my new day trip charger and should charge my phone 2.5 times, more than I will ever need while out and about. The solidity and hardwearing designs of these power banks are excellent and they are a pleasure to just hold in the hand, while my testing shows they do their job perfectly, including fast charging from the USB-C Port.

They come with a range of colours and capacities, from 5000mAh to 15000mAh however the 10000mAh and 15000mAh PowerBanks feature a better range of useful ports, including USB-A and USB-C, allowing you to charge up to three devices at the same time in 3A rapid speed. Both these models handle pass-through charging so you can plug the bank into the wall and three devices into the bank at the same time! Stay prepared for anything and keep your devices at full power, always.

Technical Specifications:

• Capacity: 5000/10000 or 15000 mAh
• Input: USB-C: 5V DC 3A, Micro-USB: 5V DC 2A
• Output: USB-C: 5V DC 3A, USB-A x 2: 5V DC 2.4A
• Battery Type: Li-Polymer
• Recharging Time: up to 6.5 hours with USB-C port ^
• 2-in-1 USB Charge & Sync Cable (USB-C & Micro-USB connector) included

Check out the new M-Series range here for more details. They sell for between £19.99 and £34.99 here in the UK.

Devolo Magic 2 WiFi

These network extenders from Devolo are flipping great! Really awesome and I now have a stable cable network in my house after living on pure WiFi for two years, not much fun. The most important thing to do before you start setting these up… download the app!! I did not do this and so there was much stomping up and down stairs, shouting and fiddling about before I found out that there even was an app. Grrrrrrr.

These network extenders from Devolo are flipping great! Really awesome and I now have a stable cable network in my house after living on pure WiFi for two years
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In my defence, I don’t think this was made clear enough in the instruction booklet being mentioned on only one page. Anyway, with the app, available online here and for Android and iOS it was a snip and I was up and running in fifteen minutes. It was simple and is now rock solid across a two PCs, a Mac Mini, a printer plus two servers and integrates with other WiFi connected devices well. I am now a happy rabbit! There is a lot more technical info on their website so you geeks out there can learn about the Devolo system.

It was simple and is now rock solid across a two PCs, a Mac Mini, a printer plus two servers and integrates with other WiFi connected devices well. I am now a happy rabbit!
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Experience the new no-border world of surfing with all-encompassing devolo Mesh WiFi. Magic 2 WiFi streams incredibly stable, ultra-fast Internet through your home at up to 2400 Mbps – and is phenomenally simple, using your power lines. Stream films in fantastic UHD. Enjoy high-speed surfing in any corner of your home. Travel in virtual realities and discover the expanse of the Internet of things (IoT). Everything is possible, nothing impossible – with devolo’s magical Mesh WiFi.

The brochure says - Magic 2 WiFi will be your bridge to the future - and they might just be right. It's simple, get this now
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Dead WiFi spaces are a thing of the past since real Mesh WiFi ensures that you always access the fastest hub
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Devolo Magic 2 WiFi brings fast & stable internet to even the weirdest laid out homes. Dead WiFi spaces are a thing of the past since real Mesh WiFi ensures that you always access the fastest hub. In the remotest corner of your house. Let’s face it, in the UK we are not going to be building advanced connected homes for the masses anytime soon – if ever – so technology like this is essential if we are going to engage with the IoT future in any meaningful way.

Let's face it, in the UK we are not going to be building advanced connected homes anytime soon - if ever - so technology like this is essential if we are going to engage with the IoT future in any meaningful way
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Devolo’s magical WiFi brings the Internet wherever you need it. I daily enjoy UHD films in fantastic resolution without any lags. I test out a lot of VR experiences and this new stable network means less laggy behaviour, quicker connections and more fluid VR frolics. The brochure says “Magic 2 WiFi will be your bridge to the future” and they might just be right. It’s simple, get this now!!! You will not regret it plus it is really cheap 🙂

The Starter Kit is only £169.99 in the UK and a larger kit or extenders enable you to fit the network to your needs.

IQOS 3 & IQOS Mesh – Heated Tobacco vs Vaping

In the quest to avoid smoking classic cigarettes the IQOS 3 is just about the fanciest alternative I have seen. The ‘Heet’ sticks it takes contain a filter and real, compressed tobacco and look exactly like a mini cigarette. They insert into a hand-held battery-powered device that heats the tobacco rather than burning it. The idea is that the vapour produced contains less unpleasant chemicals and nasty cancer causing carcinogens. Once your ‘Heet’ stick is dead you simply swap it out and the IQOS 3 is ready for the next one. My kit came with an excellent how-to video guide inside a small booklet. Very useful and got me started quickly.

In the quest to avoid smoking classic cigarettes the IQOS 3 is just about the fanciest alternative I have seen
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IQOS 3 is a new two-part heated tobacco system that works hand-in-hand to deliver the best taste satisfaction. A newly designed pocket charger fits perfectly in your hand to keep you recharged for 20 single tobacco stick uses. IQOS 3 is engineered to last. Our new IQOS ProtectPlus System uses robust materials and fortified design to safeguard your heated tobacco system.

Charging the device is easy, just slip it back into the ‘Protect Plus’ case and it will recharge itself and stay protected in your pocket or bag. I have to say smoking it is a very nice experience! The smoke is lighter than I expected but has the authentic smell and taste of tobacco and when inhaled gives an almost identical feeling and effect. You definitely get the nicotine through this new heating system and your fingers retain none of that rank old smoke smell. Another hugely enjoyable feature is that the ‘Heet’ sticks feel exactly like a regular cigarette in the mouth with a paper wrapped filter for you to puff on.

I have to say smoking it is a very nice experience! The smoke is lighter than I expected but has the authentic smell and taste of tobacco and when inhaled gives an almost identical feeling and effect
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A robust outer shell enhances shock resistance while stress-tested door openings provide guaranteed performance, even after many uses. We give you peace of mind that your IQOS will remain your reliable companion with a longer battery lifespan. The new IQOS 3 is designed to withstand a greater range of temperatures so that you have guaranteed performance across a range of weather conditions that you and your IQOS encounter.

To be honest I was at first a little baffled by the whole thing but that is just because I had never heard of this cunning technology before
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To be honest I was at first a little baffled by the whole thing but that is just because I had never heard of this cunning technology before but it works perfectly and gives a really nice smoke. Hats off to the inventors for surprising this cynical journalist, it really is something new. Take a closer look on the site for more info and to get a better idea of how it works. The designers have made both the handheld IQOS and the case customisable and there are a vast range of clip-on or slide over options in the shop so you can make this 21st-century smoking device fit with your personal aesthetic, but the Starter Kit they offer starts at £99 and looks like a good place to start.

Next up is the IQOS Mesh, a vaping device similar to the Vype ePen 3 I tested recently but a bit sturdier feeling and nicer looking. It works on the replaceable mouthpiece system with each new mouthpiece already containing the flavoured ‘Veev’ liquid so there is no need for unscrewing tops and dribbling in smelly sticky stuff from horrible little bottles. Of all the vaping device designs out there I think this is the one that will really catch on given time.

Unlike wick and coil e-cigarettes, the IQOS MESH heater, made in Germany, is in constant contact with the e-liquid for a consistent vaping experience. Its smart digital controls detect when liquid levels are low, avoiding overheating and burnt taste. Our IQOS MESH battery is certified according to ISO standards featuring 3 protection levels to prevent overheating, short circuiting and pressure build-up.

It works on the replaceable mouthpiece system with each new mouthpiece already containing the flavoured 'Veev' liquid
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VEEV flavour caps are for exclusive use with IQOS MESH. The cap design eliminates the need for refilling and enables quick and easy flavour switching on the go. VEEV flavour caps contain high quality liquids made in the EU. The liquids contain pharmaceutical-grade nicotine for purity, and authentic taste experience.

It has a big battery that is easily charged in the usual expected way and changing the mouthpiece is really simple, a doddle in fact. The smoking experience is very pleasant as you don’t need to keep pressing a little button everytime you want a drag, it is always active until you turn it off. This made a surprisingly big difference for me, I think it was just less to think about so I could concentrate on something else while I was smoking. More relaxing I guess.

The smoking experience is very pleasant as you don't need to keep pressing a little button everytime you want a drag, it is always active until you turn it off
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They offer seven ‘Veev’ flavours at the moment but I got on pretty well with the Tobacco Harmony and the Mellow Tobacco, not stepping too far from the traditional taste I enjoy. Red Berry Fusion sound like hell to me but everyone to their own. There’s a lot more info on the website but I can give it a thumbs up from Tech Trends. If this is your thing then check out their Starter Kits here, however, the IQOS 3 gave me the 21st-century smoking experience I was after. The kits start at £19.99.

GP Xplor PHR15 Head Torch

If you are like me and spend an unusual amount of time crawling around under desks messing about with PCs then you need a hands-free rechargeable prosumer headlamp “designed for the most demanding conditions”, with distance sensor smart brightness control that automatically adjusts light levels to your surroundings. Trust me you do need one… and you could use it for picking up dog poo in the dark, which I also do, Sob!

As with all GP products you get style (as much as possible in a head torch), quality and performance, this 300-lumen lamp has a beam distance of up to 157 metres. Choose from 3 brightness levels plus flashing mode, plus IPX-6 water resistant. Thanks to the headlamp’s distance sensor, the brightness is adjusted automatically by increasing or decreasing the lumen output to suit the environment. USB rechargeable, the lamp provides up to 69 hours of continuous illumination on a single charge. Mini USB charge cable included.

Whether you need a bright light for caving (as if…) or dimmer setting to read your map, the versatile XPLOR equips you with 3 brightness levels as well as a flashing mode for emergency signalling. Other key features include its safety lock to prevent accidental activation, a really useful multi-position tilt clicker thing for near or far objects plus it comes bundled with a reflective washable head strap, making it comfortable and easy to wear even for long stretches of time. I love mine, it is just so damn useful! With the GP XPLOR Headlamp, you know you are ready for whatever comes next.

GP’s excellent batteries, power banks and head torches are available here and the Xplor PHR15 sells for £34.99 in the UK.

Johnnie Walker – White Walker

Send a raven – Scotch has officially entered the realm. Johnnie Walker is proud to present this limited-edition Scotch whisky, inspired by the most enigmatic and feared characters on the hit HBO® show Game of Thrones – the White Walkers.

Created by whisky specialist George Harper, alongside the small team of expert blenders at Johnnie Walker, this innovative whisky is best served directly from the freezer, echoing the chilling presence of the White Walkers.

“Whiskies from Clynelish have endured long, Scottish Winters, not dissimilar to the long periods endured by the Night’s Watch who have ventured north of the wall – so it was the perfect place to create this unique whisky.” Explained Master Blender George Harper.

The Scotch has notes of caramelised sugar and vanilla, fresh red berries with a touch of orchard fruit and features Single Malts from Cardhu and Clynelish – one of Scotland’s most Northern distilleries
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The Scotch has notes of caramelised sugar and vanilla, fresh red berries with a touch of orchard fruit and features Single Malts from Cardhu and Clynelish – one of Scotland’s most Northern distilleries. Blender George Harper used the Frozen North as his starting point for creating White Walker by Johnnie Walker.

This limited edition blend brings you right to the Frozen North with the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man now fashioned in armour to fit in among the ranks of the Night King’s forces
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This limited edition blend brings you right to the Frozen North with an icy white and blue design along with the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man now fashioned in armour to fit in among the ranks of the Night King’s forces. Utilising temperature-sensitive ink technology, fans will be reminded that “Winter is Here” from an unexpected graphic icy reveal on the bottle when frozen.

Now I have drunk a lot of whisky in my time and am not generally a fan of spiced whisky but this is pretty damn good
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Now I have drunk a lot of single malt in my time and am not generally a fan of spiced whisky but this is pretty damn good. I took their advice and chilled the heck out of it like a good vodka and it was definitely better like that than warm. The bottle is very cool (pun intended) and for a special edition whisky, it is a good price so if you fancy a frosty tipple from beyond the wall give it a try.

Pick up a bottle for £33.83 here.

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post Christmas 2018 Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

Another batch of cutting-edge gadgets and accessories for your consideration.

Aukey SK-M30 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

After a positive review of their SK-S1 BT Speaker a few months ago I was excited to get my hands on the Aukey SK-M30 model that although less sturdy, looks much more stylish and comes with the more advanced BT 4.2.

After a positive review of their SK-S1 BT Speaker I was excited to get my hands on the Aukey SK-M30 that although less sturdy, looks more stylish and comes with the more advanced BT 4.2
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Like its cheaper brother, the SK-M30 is super simple to use. Charge the 4000mAh battery via the supplied micro USB cable and you’ll get up to 12 hours of portable music. Instantly connect and wirelessly stream music from your device at a range of up to 10m (33ft) via BT 4.2 or use the included 3.5mm audio cable to connect pretty much anything else and you have a lightweight and super-useful speaker with enough grunt to fill a good-sized room.

Charge up the 4000mAh battery via the supplied micro USB cable and you will get up to 12 hours of portable music
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The sound quality is excellent and I couldn’t fault it when testing out talky radio and music of all types. For its small size the dual 10W drivers and subwoofers put out a really nice sound and for the money, the SK-M30 is a steal and highly recommended. Five simple buttons control power, play, track skipping (back/forward), volume, and even calls with the built-in mic.

Retails at: £43.99 on Amazon in the UK

Catalyst Impact Protection cases for Galaxy S9 & S9+

Only last month I gave Catalyst’s Apple device cases deservedly excellent reviews and wished they would make a case for my Samsung Galaxy S9+, well blow me down, now they do! This month Catalyst announced these brand new S9 & S9+ Impact Protection cases and I am very happy to report that my S9+ is now snuggly protected by the bright but pleasing blue and orange version.

This month Catalyst announced these brand new S9 & S9+ Impact Protection cases and I am very happy to report that my S9+ is now snuggly protected by the bright but pleasing blue and orange version
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They also come in black and clear rubber that forms a protective bumper around the phone’s edge but also cushions and protects around the cameras with a sloped rubber seal that provides easy and smooth access to the fingerprint sensor.

The two S9 cases also come in black and clear rubber that forms a protective bumper around the phone’s edge but also cushions and protects around the cameras
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The back is clear plastic to facilitate wireless charging and as a whole, the cases are sturdy and comfortable to hold. Catalyst’s innovative ‘truss cushioning system’ combined with a proprietary rubber polymer blend provides drop protection up to 3m (9.9ft).

Catalyst’s innovative ‘truss cushioning system’ combined with a proprietary rubber polymer blend provides drop protection up to 3m (9.9ft)
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The ports are a generous size that should fit pretty much any size headphone and charging cable and in the hand, it feels grippy and secure. They really are excellent cases and are a pleasure to pick up and hold.

Retail for: $39.99

USB C Multi Adaptor Hubs from Aukey & Inateck

If you have bought an Apple Mac in the last few years you will be living the nightmare that is USB-C. Last month we reviewed a load of cables & adaptors that might make living with USB-C a little less hellish and this month we are looking at Multi Adaptor Hubs, one from Aukey and one from Inateck, two budget accessory specialists.

If you have bought an Apple Mac in the last few years you will be living the nightmare that is USB-C
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How Apple has convinced large parts of the planet’s population that less is more and that you should pay a premium price for a computer without the connections you need then pay more to add those connections with shitty adaptors is a trick on par with the Devil convincing us he doesn’t exist. He does though, and his name is ignorance!

For those of you suffering loss of connectivity on your Mac the best solution is a Multi Adaptor Hub like the Inateck 9-in-1 USB C Hub with PD Type C Ports, 4K HDMI, VGA, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, Micro SD/SD Card Reader or the Aukey USB C Hub with HDMI 4k, VGA, SD & Micro SD Card Slots, Ethernet up to 1K Mbps, 2 USB 3 Ports and 60W USB C PD Throughput. Amongst all that jargon you might have spotted that they are almost identical, with the Inatech offering one extra USB C port for data.

The prices are actually identical, both selling for £59.99 on Amazon in the UK. That is £59.99 of connections that anyone with a brain should expect a computer costing multiple thousands of £/$ to include, right? Hint, buy Microsoft, or anyone else. Enough Apple bashing and onto the Hubs.

The prices are actually identical, both selling for £59.99 on Amazon in the UK. That is £59.99 of connections that anyone with a brain should expect a computer costing multiple thousands of £/$ to include, right?
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Both provide USB C PD (Power Delivery) throughput but where Aukey’s single USB C port handles both data and power the Inateck has two ports, one for data and one for power. This is a small but key difference and I think the Inateck is more flexible in this area. 4K via HDMI was excellent with both hubs and I had no issues there. I will admit to not trying the VGA out on either hub because… I don’t have a VGA monitor anymore, but if you regularly walk into conference rooms and need to hook up with legacy (shit) old projection kit then this will be a life saver.

I didn’t find anything wrong with either hub but they both felt more flimsy than I had hoped, rattling if tapped or shaken
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As a photographer, an SD slot is a must for me, and both hubs performed perfectly in my tests, transferring video and images very quickly indeed. Both Ethernet ports worked well when connected directly to my router, no complaints there either. The Type A USB 3.0 ports did exactly what they needed to and were quick at transferring data and great for connecting external mice and keyboards. I didn’t find anything wrong with either hub but would observe that they were both more flimsy feeling than I had hoped for. They both also rattled if tapped or shaken. For the price, I would like a more solidly built device that might last a bit longer, but Hey Ho.

If I had to pick one of the two it would be the Inateck because the cable folds neatly into the hub and for the extra USB C data port. The Aukey looks a bit better I think but for the cash, the Inateck just beats it.

Retail at: Aukey Hub £59.99 on Amazon UK – Inatech Hub £59.99 on Amazon UK

Ragu Z400 Mini Projector

 

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post July 2018 Tech Trends Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

Spring finally arrived but Tech Trends has been closeted indoors testing and reviewing all sorts of cool gadgets and thingamabobs for you lucky readers!

Sphero Mini

The Sphero Mini follows in the line of the original Sphero, Sprk+ and the popular Sphero BB-8. The new Mini takes much of what its previous models so successful and shrinks it down to a smaller – and more economical – package.

Sphero Mini packs tons of fun into a tiny, app-enabled robotic ball. drive, play games, learn to code, and more.

The new Mini takes much of what its previous models so successful and shrinks it down to a smaller - and more economical - package
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Now the size of a snooker ball the Sphero Mini comes in a range of robust-coloured shells which open to reveal its components within (a gyroscope and accelerator). A few fun accessories are also enclosed in the package – including half a dozen colourful mini skittles and some cones so you can layout your own course and steer your Mini through it.

Initially, a little slow to charge -especially if you have children eager to play – the app intel is easy to download and boot up and once launched is quick to get going with a colourful simple interface which is very child-friendly and easy to navigate.

Packed with teeny tiny tech such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights and almost an hour of play time, Sphero Mini is the next big thing.

The app intel is easy to download and boot up and once launched is quick to get going with a colourful simple interface which is very child-friendly and easy to navigate
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In the app you can choose between a variety of control methods: standard joystick, tilt control, slingshot and face driving – which although may prove fun for younger players is actually quite a frustrating experience. Apart from the standard tech toy drive modes, there are also a few arcade style games tucked within the app wherein you can use the Sphero as a controller. They’re a fun little distraction but compared to what kids can play on their phones nowadays they won’t amuse them for long.

Drive Mini using different modes with the Sphero Mini app, or just by using your lovely mug. This Ball is also a Video Game controller! Use Mini as a controller to shoot your way through space, race through a tunnel, or to destroy a polygon of bricks.

The app is a great introduction to the basics of programming and with a simple drag and drop approach even younger players can make their own programs or adapt provided templates
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But it’s the Sphero Edu coding app that raises this tech toy above that of your average remote control car. The app is a great introduction to the basics of programming and with a simple drag and drop approach even younger players can make their own programs or adapt provided templates. Once you’ve become familiar with the paths and blocks that represent code you can then write your own JavaScript text programs.

Program the Mini with Javascript. If you’re feeling extra clever, download the Sphero Edu app and program your robot using JavaScript. The SPRK+ robot was built for programming. What’s the difference?

Overall the Sphero Mini is a solid reasonably priced tech toy
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Overall the Sphero Mini is a solid reasonably priced tech toy. In some ways, it suffers from the general failure of many of the interactive educational bots in that you really have to encourage the child to explore its capabilities or they will just become an expensive remote control car and have a very limited replay value. Given proper guidance, however – if you have the patience – they are a great way to encourage a basic grasp of coding.

RRP: $49.00

Review by Ashley Thorpe, Animator & Filmmaker at Carrion Films and Film & Games Correspondent at Tech Trends. Follow him on Twitter @CarrionScreamin

Dell Visor Windows MR Headset

The first thing that hit me when I popped on the Dell Visor was its weightless comfort. It is similar in design to the PS4 VR headset and puts the weight of the device on the top of your head but is just a bit easier to get used to wearing and less front-heavy.

The first thing that hit me when I popped on the Dell Visor was its weightless comfort
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After trying some VR headsets that clamp the screen onto the front of your face with straps I have been left in physical pain (especially around the nose and ears) and so have become a connoisseur of VR comfort (or lack thereof) and the Dell design gets top marks.  Read the full review here.

Carlton AR Children’s Books

Carlton Books are at the forefront of early stage, educational AR books and I can’t think of a better use for mobile AR tech. Visually exciting and interactive technology paired with real-world play and learning should draw kids into new subjects and areas of study in a new and exciting way. It is important to note how early stage this technology is but Carlton have thrown themselves behind AR with exciting results.

Carlton Books are at the forefront of early stage, educational AR books and I can’t think of a better use for mobile AR tech
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It is important to note how early stage this technology is but Carlton have thrown themselves behind AR with exciting results
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Last year I was very impressed with their more adult-focused Alien: Augmented Reality Survival Manual, it had some very engaging AR content and is still my benchmark for this hybrid publishing format, so I was keen to try out this new series of educational AR books Tech Trends picked up at the 2018 London Book Fair. I was particularly keen to see how easy they made the process of linking the technology, the AR content and the physical books as the interaction between paper and digital needs to be seamless, immersing the reader (or user?) in the content with minimal UI friction.

First up was iExplore Bugs, off the bat this should be good as who doesn’t love creepy crawlies! The first page had clear instructions showing you how to download the app and use it. The App icon and the printed AR activation symbols were the same, making it really clear how it worked but there was no printed QR code to take you straight to the app in the iOS or Android app stores, why not? I had to open the app store and search for the app, luckily the printed instruction had the correct app name so this was not too hard but it should have been much easier.

Flying the Dragons around the room was serious fun and the quality or the AR was excellent
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After activating the AR there was a clear prompt on what to do next, look through the phone's camera and point it at the app symbol on each page to bring the bug to life
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The app is pretty large and took a while to download and install but when opened offered a taste of what was to come with a friendly animated cricket, instructions and links to other apps in the publisher series. After activating the AR there was a clear prompt on what to do next, look through the phone’s camera and point it at the app symbol on each page to bring the bug to life. My Galaxy S8 would not focus the camera inside the app and so detecting the symbol was a bit tricky, everything was permanently out of focus so the camera was not quick to activate the AR. However when it popped up the AR quality was great and the in-app bug controller, information and mini test were well designed and fun to use. The only niggle was the juddery bugs, when they were standing on the page they juddered constantly as the app calculated the ground level. This was a bit distracting but when the bugs took off and flew around the room under my control it improved a lot. This was serious fun and the quality or the AR Dragons was excellent.

The flying creatures got even better in Dragons Come to Life (so cool) where the Dragons from Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon leap off the page and let you fly them around the room. The book’s instructions and app were just as clear and the AR dragons and little human characters were really very cool. You could also swat up on the Dragon’s special powers and its Top Trumps style, abilities followed by a little knowledge test. Again the S8 camera would not focus in the app so it failed completely to activate some of the dragons, even in very bright light, quite annoying.

Carlton Books have done a really good job here and the books and apps are fun to use and very reasonably priced considering the background work this AR tech requires
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All in all Carlton Books have done a really good job here and the books and apps are fun to use and very reasonably priced considering the background work this AR tech requires. The books absolutely must have printed QR codes to take you to the right app or Carlton need to issue one app that works across all their books in a series. The friction of looking for the right app to go with the right book is simply unnecessary and easily fixed. The in-app camera failing to focus was a big issue but an app update should fix this and my only other minor niggle is the visuals and text in the books, particularly the covers. They are overselling the concept with too many images and too many mixed up fonts and bold graphics, it all looks too busy and hectic on the page. However, with publishers like Carlton pushing the Print & AR format I can see other publishers getting onboard but for now, none match the quality on show here from Carlton.

RRP: Individual books £9.99 and the Carlton AR range is here.

Aukey Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

If asked to sum up Aukey’s products I would have to say ‘best bang for your buck’ is the phrase that comes to mind. They are invariably much better quality than the price suggests, solidly built, practical and reliable. In the case of this 16W, SK-S1 wireless Bluetooth speaker I can also add, attractive.

The SK-S1 is surprisingly solid for its size. When you first pick it up gives off a feeling of quality and confidence, and the sound is very good
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There are some wacky and expensive looking portable speakers out there but this one just looks smart and modern, blending into my office, kitchen and garden. It is also surprisingly solid for its small size and when you first pick it up gives off a feeling of quality and confidence. The curved metal grills and the brushed steel top ooze a stylish simplicity and the silicone base promises to keep it clinging to any surface. Read the full review here.

ZeroWater Filter and TDS Meter

This 12-cup water filter jug from ZeroWater looks much like every other water filter out there but what makes it a more high-tech drinking solution is its patented, 5-stage Ion Exchange Filtration system, which removes virtually all dissolved solids from your water. These solids may include minerals, salts, metals, chemicals and runoff. Mmmm runoff, my favourite non-specific dissolved solid!

It removes virtually all dissolved solids from your water. These solids may include minerals, salts, metals, chemicals and runoff. Mmmm runoff, my favourite non-specific dissolved solid!
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The ZeroWater filter is also the first in its class to benefit from a sealed lid and reservoir, which allows filtered water to be poured while water, which hasn’t yet been, filtered remains in the reservoir. This adds a further 2 cups of capacity to the 10 cups of filtered water in the jug. It also features a very cool one-handed, pull and pour button spout for easy pouring from the fridge or for filling bottles. Four additional stages of water filtration ensure larger particles and other impurities are removed.

Well, I used the laboratory-grade Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter provided on our unfiltered tap water and got a reading of 078. I then filled up the jug and measured the filtered water and… dum dum duuuum! Got a reading of 000. So this seems to do a fine job of removing those unpleasant impurities from your water, and that can only be a good thing. Our water normally tastes fine if a little chloriney and after filtering through the ZeroWater tasted very different. It’s difficult to describe the taste but it is not unpleasant and definitely better than straight out of the tap.

I used the laboratory-grade Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter provided on our unfiltered tap water and got a reading of 078. I then filled up the jug and measured the filtered water and got a reading of 000
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• Certified* to reduce Lead, Chromium, & Mercury
• Premium 5-Stage Dual-Ion Exchange filtration system
• Ion-Exchange system that removes virtually all dissolved solids in your water
• The FDA requires the TDS level in PURIFIED bottled water to reach 000-010ppm. ZeroWater is the only filter in its class to achieve this level.

RRP: £39.99

Dell Precision 7720 VR-Ready Mobile Workstation

It was love at first sight when I unpacked the top spec Dell Precision 7720 VR-Ready Mobile Workstation last week. Cupid’s bow twanged and his poison arrow thudded deep into the meat of my heart, I was a gonna. She was over £7k of laptop and I was a drooling geek, palms sweaty at the prospect of an Intel Xeon E3-1535M v6 server processor, Nvidia Quadro P5000 and a Samsung SM961 M.2 SSD. My shaking hands slowly peeled off her cardboard clothes, plugged her straight into the mains and turned myself on So how was it? Well, it was sweet while it lasted but she soon left me and drove away with the same cheeky UPS driver! Read the full review here.

Aukey Powered USB 3.0 Hub

Like Apple, PC motherboard makers seem to be on a crusade to limit external connections. I suspect this might be due to the variety of new superspeed connections users expect every board to have pushing out the more practical and proven connections such as USB 3. I have never had the need for an expansion card or hub like this one from Aukey before but with only six USB 3 ports on my PC (four on the rear and two on the front) and a wealth of USB dongles and devices I was struggling. Sure I tried a few small two or three port extenders that did the job but a mains powered, six-port hub like this provided a much-needed connectivity boost.

I have never had the need for an expansion card or hub like this one from Aukey before but with only six USB 3 ports on my PC and a wealth of USB dongles and devices I was struggling
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The hub adds six SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports to your laptop or desktop computer, plus Aukey threw in one Smart Quick-Charging Aipower port and a Gigabit Ethernet port capable of accessing superfast network speeds of up to 1000Mbps. With the palm-size and lightweight design the CB-H17 Powered USB hub retains high-speed access to all of your devices without overloading your pocket or desktop. With USB data transfer rates of up to 5Gbps, you’ll be able to sync files and interact with your Mac or PC more efficiently than ever.

This hub adds six SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports to your computer, plus one Smart Quick-Charging Aipower port and a Gigabit Ethernet port capable of accessing superfast network speeds
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This is a very robust little hub from Aukey and is a worthy addition to your home computer, you won't know how you survived without one
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Powered by a 12V/3A mains adapter you can use your all external USB hard drives and even charge your smartphone or tablet when your computer is turned off (except for the iOS system), that could come in pretty handy! This is a very robust little hub and is a worthy addition to your home computer, you won’t know how you survived without one.

• Compact and slim design effectively saves your desk space and expands your connectivity
• One 2.4A output smart charging port provides full-speed and sufficient powers to charge all Apple and Android Smartphone, tablets and other USB charged devices
• The Ethernet port supports 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet. Support WinXP/ 7/ 8/ 10, Linux, Mac OS
• Package Contents: AUKEY CB-H17 Powered USB Hub, 3.3ft USB Cable, 12V/3A Power Adapter, User Manual, 24 Month Warranty Card

RRP: £19.99 reduced from £24.99 on Amazon UK

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post April 2018 Tech Trends Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

Another cracking product from Aukey. A stylish & portable Bluetooth speaker with a classy sound.

The market is flooded with Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, from cheap and dreadful to staggeringly expensive and (in my experience) mediocre. The technology of Bluetooth has been widely criticised when used for audio as audiophiles like myself are harsh judges of quality but the implementation of Bluetooth 4.0 (as in this device), 4.2 and more recently 5 have seen these things improve.

The market is flooded with Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, from cheap and dreadful to staggeringly expensive and (in my experience) mediocre, but this one is special
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You will always get a better signal and better sound over a wired connection but these days some hardware manufacturers are ponying up and using good quality chips in their handsets and receivers, including speakers and headphones, meaning Bluetooth has become a widely accepted and convenient solution for wireless audio.

If asked to sum up Aukey’s products I would have to say ‘best bang for your buck’ is the phrase that comes to mind. They are invariably much better quality than the price suggests, solidly built, practical and reliable. In the case of this 16W, SK-S1 wireless Bluetooth speaker I can also add, attractive.

The SK-S1 is also surprisingly solid for its small size and when you first pick it up gives off a feeling of quality and confidence
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There are some wacky and expensive-looking portable speakers out there but this one just looks smart and modern, blending equally well in my office, kitchen or garden. It is also surprisingly solid for its small size and when you first pick it up gives off a feeling of quality and confidence. The curved metal grills and the brushed steel top ooze a stylish simplicity and the silicone base promises to keep it clinging to any surface.

This Aukey Bluetooth Speaker will emit sound waves to neutralize the environmental noise and give you better sound
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You can expect 8-12 hours non-stop playback with built-in 4000mAh rechargeable battery and the sound quality is really very good. When playing music, the SK-S1 collects environmental noise through the built-in microphone. After calculation by the built-in DSP chip, it will emit sound waves to neutralize the environmental noise and give you better sound. It also goes pretty loud and sound has a solid weight to it that makes it feel even louder, comfortably filling a room.

The speaker automatically connects to your paired device when switched on and six simple buttons control power, play, track skipping (nice touch), volume, and even calls via the built-in mic. I have only one complaint and it is not a big one, when turning on, connecting and providing notifications received on your attached device it is much too loud and jarring. Their alert volume does not seem to be at the same level as the music and the built-in sounds are also horrible and cheap. Of course, you only notice this every now and again but it is a niggle that bothers me.

The speaker automatically connects to your paired device when switched on and six simple buttons control power, play, track skipping (nice touch), volume, and even calls via the built-in mic
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However, take a look at the price! £28.99 on Amazon in the UK is a steal and I can assure you it looks, feels and sounds like a speaker that costs many times that. Highly recommended!

• AWESOME STEREO SOUND: Dedicated DSP (digital signal processor) utilises MaxxBass technology which enhanced audio performance. And 16W dual-driver and dual passive radiators ensure full-bodied stereo delivers pumping bass and high volume
• EXTENDED PLAYTIME: It provides 8-12 hours non-stop playback with built-in 4000mAh high capacity rechargeable battery. Enjoy your music all week without charging based on average usage
• CSR AND A2DP: Equipped with the advanced technology Bluetooth 4.0 and A2DP ensures lossless CD-quality audio streaming and fast pairing, excellent connection stability for almost any Bluetooth-enabled devices at a range of up to 10m / 33ft. And it will automatically connect to the last paired device when switched on
• SIMPLE METAL DESIGN: The body of speaker incorporates aluminium and steel for excellent performance and durability. And Simple button layout for effortless audio playback control-play, skip tracks, adjust volume and take hands-free calls.
• PACKAGE CONTENTS: AUKEY SK-S1 Wireless Portable Speaker, Micro-USB Cable, 3.5mm Audio Cable, User Manual, 24-Month Product Replacement Warranty and Customer Service

Specifications
Technology: BT4.0, A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: ≥80dB
Power Input: DC 5V
Charging Time: 4 hours
Play Time: 8-12 hours
Battery Type: Li-Polymer (4000mAh)
Operating Range: Up to 10m / 33ft
Material: Aluminum Alloy, Steel, ABS, Silicone

RRP: £28.99 on Amazon in the UK

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post Product Review: Aukey Bluetooth Speaker appeared first on Tech Trends.