It’s that time of the month again… when Tech Trends curates a selection of all the weird and wonderful stuff out there that might tempt you to part with cash!

Ember Temperature Control Mug

Prolong the enjoyment of your coffee, tea or warm milk with the world’s first temperature control mug. Designed to be used in your home or at your desk, the Ember Ceramic Mug allows you to set your precise drinking temperature. It will then maintain that temperature for approximately one hour, so your hot beverage is perfect from first sip to last drop.

@Ember_Tech makes the world’s first mug that lets you customize and maintain the perfect temperature for your beverage
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The Ember Ceramic Mug automatically wakes up when your hot beverage is poured in and remembers your last preferred drinking temperature.
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The Mug

• 295 ml (10 oz)Approx.
• 1-hour battery life, or all day on charging coaster
• Temperature range is 50°C – 62.5°C

My memory and/or attention span is so bad that almost every cup of tea I make is left to go cold after the first sip so I was excited to test this out. It works, that’s it really, it is a good idea well executed! The mug itself, the 10oz version, is a little small but now available, in the US only, is a larger 14oz version that will keep fans of venti lattes happy.

The app allows you to select your optimum drinking temperature, save favorite presets, receive notifications when your ideal drinking temperature is reached, and track caffeine consumption
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Ember mugs connect to the Ember app for complete customization. The app allows you to select your optimum drinking temperature, save favorite presets, receive notifications when your ideal drinking temperature is reached, and track caffeine consumption with Apple Health integration. The app works well and the mug itself is comfortable to hold and the heavy base plate is not too distracting in use.

This weightier than normal mug does, however, lead to you thinking there is tea left in it when in fact it’s empty, not really a criticism, just an amusing observation. Personally, I’d fill it with lovely thick (aaaahhhhh) Bisto Gravy but whatever your tipple try one out for £79.95.

Personally, my hot tipple of choice is a mug of Bisto Gravy, but whatever floats your boat, the @Ember_Tech mug has your back
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Opløft Sit-Stand Platform

Work actively with Opløft – a slim and portable sit-stand platform for a healthier, more dynamic working life.

If you are sick of sitting on your arse all day Tech Trends can recommend this pleasingly small and light Sit-Stand Platform/Desk solution! The excellent Varidesk option is frankly huge and so heavy one person should not really move one alone but this Opløft desk, and yes I will call it a desk instead of a ‘platform’, from Posturite, is a less daunting option and packs super flat.

“Our most portable sit-stand desk yet is beautifully slim and light without compromising on quality or stability. The secret of Opløft’s strength lies in the unique cross-structure frame, which not only gives the platform a minimalist, classically Scandinavian aesthetic when extended to standing height, but also enables it to fold neatly into its own footprint for convenience. Simply push the handles on either side to float the surface effortlessly to any of the 14 height settings.”

When flat, Opløft is only 30mm thick and weighs just 12 kg – making it possible to carry safely between workstations or neatly store away. It’s taken Oploft many months of reengineering and perfecting to take it from a Kickstarter prototype to what it is today: a thing of beauty.

When flat, Opløft is only 30mm thick and weighs just 12 kg - making it possible to carry safely between workstations or neatly store away
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The secret of Opløft’s strength lies in the unique cross-structure frame, which gives the platform a minimalist, classically Scandinavian aesthetic
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You can also add a monitor arm to your Opløft set-up which positions your screen above the surface of the Sit-Stand Platform giving you more space and limitless configuration. Find the perfect height, tilt and angle to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

If you are sick of sitting on your arse all day Tech Trends can recommend this pleasingly small and light Sit-Stand Platform/Desk solution!
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• 14 height settings give you the freedom to sit or stand up to work
• Gas lift technology makes height adjustment effortless
• Cross structure design offers style and stability
• Slim 30mm profile when flat
• Easy to carry at 12 kg
• Sleek, contemporary looks inspired by Scandinavian minimalism
• Exceptional engineering with high-quality materials and components
• Encourages physical activity and healthier working behaviours

WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD

For high-end computing applications like gaming, HD media playback, or creative 3D software the affordable new Western Digital Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD might be just what you’re looking for. 3D NAND technology helps enable sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 530MB/s for fast system boot-ups, quick application responses, and rapid transfer speeds.

WD's new 3D NAND technology helps enable sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 530MB/s for fast system boot-ups, quick application responses, and rapid transfer speeds
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Offering improved endurance, a WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD features an active power draw up to 25% lower than previous generations
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A WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD uses 3D NAND technology not only for higher capacities (up to 2TB) than the previous generation WD Blue SSDs, but also to help reduce cell-to-cell interference for enhanced reliability. Offering improved endurance, these new models feature an active power draw up to 25% lower than previous generations. And with less power used, you’re able to work longer before recharging your device.

An SSD is designed with no moving parts to help protect against data loss if it is accidentally bumped or dropped. And with 1.75M hours MTTF (mean time to failure), up to 500 TBW (terabytes written), and several error correction technologies, WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSDs can help guard your data for years to come.

This model comes in two form factors: A traditional SATA interface or the increasingly common M.2 connection that enables drive size to be drastically reduced. This is popular in modern laptops and also in newer generations PC motherboards, so take your pick.

As usual, you get access to a few handy little tools with your purchase. Monitor your drive’s available capacity, operating temperatures, SMART attributes and more with the WD SSD Dashboard. Acronis True Image WD Edition software, available as a free download, can clone drives and backup your operating system, applications, settings and all of your data.

Ready for your high-performance computing needs, a WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD offers high capacity, enhanced reliability, and blazing speed for a nice low price. The 1TB SSD version I tried out is available for $149.99 here.

Book Review: The Great Firewall of China

James Griffiths shows how it was possible to build and control an alternative version of the Internet.

This book is a compelling and rather disturbing tale of how something that started out as little more than a glorified porn filter has now become an exportable and sophisticated model of mass censorship; one that is already being actively implemented in places like Russia and Africa. Griffiths has been a tech correspondent in China and SE Asia for almost a decade – first as a reporter in Shanghai, then as an editor at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong – he currently continues to work in the region as a senior producer for CNN in Hong Kong. Having had a front-row seat to the development of the “Great Firewall,” he felt compelled to write this book in order to highlight the important issues at stake, and how these matter not only inside China but within a global context too. Read the full review here.

Seedlip Grove 42

Seedlip is the world’s first properly distilled non-alcoholic spirit, solving the ever-growing dilemma of ‘what to drink when you’re not drinking’. Headquartered in London, Seedlip is a company dedicated to changing the way the world drinks by offering sophisticated alternatives to commonly available, overly sweet or fruity options.

“My family’s 300-year farming heritage coupled with a career working on drinks brands laid the foundations to spend two years working with distillers, growers & historians to create adult, complex drinks when, for whatever reason, you’re not drinking alcohol.” Explains Founder Ben Branson

Blended & bottled in England, Seedlip has created a coveted bespoke maceration, copper pot distillation & filtration process for each individual botanical that takes 6 weeks. Seedlip’s spirits boast zero calories, are sugar-free, sweetener-free & artificial flavour-free, making a Seedlip & Tonic the credible adult alternative to alcohol if not drinking. Such unfortunate circumstances might include, a school night, nominated driver, being up the duff or foolishly choosing to be teetotal. All Seedlip spirits are best served with tonic or as the base for martini or sour style non-alcoholic cocktails.

Blended & bottled in England, @SeedlipDrinks has created a coveted bespoke maceration, copper pot distillation & filtration process for each individual botanical that takes 6 weeks
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These delicious tipples are served in over 6000 prestigious cocktail bars, hotels, restaurants & retailers in over 26x international cities, 250 Michelin * restaurants including The Fat Duck & Eleven Madison Park as well as the world’s top cocktail bars including The Dead Rabbit, Dandelyan, Baxter Inn & The Savoy.

These delicious @SeedlipDrinks are served in over 6000 prestigious cocktail bars, hotels, restaurants & retailers in over 26x international cities
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@SeedlipDrinks spirits boast zero calories, are sugar-free, sweetener-free & artificial flavour-free, making a Seedlip & Tonic the credible adult alternative to alcohol if not drinking
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Available in three expressions:

@SeedlipDrinks does not disappoint and has created a wonderful option for drinking while maintaining a clear head
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1. Seedlip Spice 94 is aromatic with strong spice (All Spice Berries & Cardamom) & citrus (lemon & grapefruit peel) top notes & a long bitter from the highest quality barks (Oak & Cascarilla).
2. Seedlip Garden 108 captures the essence of the English countryside with sophisticated top notes of the handpicked peas & hay from the founder’s family farm with a complex herbal base character of spearmint, rosemary & thyme.
3. Seedlip Grove 42 is a celebration of the Orange; an adult, citrus blend of copper-pot distillates including Bitter Orange, Mandarin, Blood Orange, Lemongrass, Ginger & Lemon.

“The response from both the trade & consumers has been overwhelming & we are both proud & humbled to be championed by the world’s food & drink pioneers. Exciting times!” Concluded Branson

Tech Trends tried out the Grove 42 with ice and tonic and was genuinely surprised. Firstly, the spirit is as strong in taste per shot as very strong Gin so you really don’t need a lot in your glass. Secondly, flipping hell it’s lovely! It really is a perfect match for a nice quality tonic water such as Fever Tree and due to the intricate flavours and pungent fragrance, it is as satisfying to sip on a hot day as any traditional alcoholic tipple.

It really is a perfect match for a nice quality tonic water such as Fever Tree and due to the intricate flavours and pungent fragrance @SeedlipDrinks is as satisfying to sip on a hot day as any traditional alcoholic tipple
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You have to try this, I mean it. Seedlip does not disappoint and has created a wonderful option for drinking while maintaining a clear head. Sophisticated is too small a word for this excellent non-alcoholic spirit.

Check out the website here for more info and a bottle of Grove 42 costs £27.99 here.

Plugable UD-6950H USB 3.0 Dual 4K Display Horizontal Docking Station

A one-stop upgrade for your Windows laptop or desktop the Plugable UD-6950H USB 3.0 Dual 4K Display Horizontal Docking Station with DisplayPort and HDMI allows you to connect up to two additional monitors and up to eight accessories through a single USB cable. It features two DisplayPort or two HDMI outputs for mirroring/extending your desktop to up to two external monitors, a Gigabit Ethernet port, audio input and output ports, and six USB 3.0 ports.

The two DisplayPort outputs are Dual-Mode DisplayPort 1.2 (DP++) ports and they are backwards compatible with previous DisplayPort specifications. The two HDMI outputs support HDMI 2.0 specifications and are backwards compatible to previous HDMI standards. The display functions of this device are Windows specific and users might need drivers but take a look for much more info here.

The two HDMI outputs support HDMI 2.0 specifications and are backwards compatible to previous HDMI standards
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Windows-specific or not I used all the features (except monitors) perfectly on my MacOS laptops, the Ethernet connection was alone incredibly useful since Apple dropped that post on modern MacBooks
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Features:

• Supports two DisplayPort or HDMI connected displays at resolutions up to 4K@60Hz per display (3840×2160@60Hz) or one single 5K@60Hz display using both DisplayPort outputs. Displays and cables must support the desired resolution
• Equipped with six USB 3.0 ports for peripherals
• Audio input and output ports allow connection of external speakers, headphones or a microphone. Also supports audio pass through via DisplayPort or HDMI cable to a monitor or TV with built-in speakers
• Gigabit Ethernet port for hard-wired network connectivity
• Includes a USB 3.0 Type-C to Type-A cable and a USB 3.0 Type-C to Type-C cable to provide flexible host connectivity
• Supported on modern Windows systems running Windows 10, 8.1, and 7. Additional compatibility information below

Windows specific or not I used all the features (except monitors) perfectly on my MacOS laptops, the Ethernet connection was alone incredibly useful since Apple dropped that post on modern MacBooks. However this device is definitly not for everyone and comes with some significant limitations, see below.

System Requirements
For optimal performance the below system specifications are recommended:
Operating System: Windows 10, 8.1, or 7
CPU: Intel SkyLake i3 or Intel Core i7, AMD A10 at 2.0GHz or better
Graphics Processor: Intel HD 4000, AMD Radeon HD 8650, NVidia GeForce 7xxM or better
Memory: 8GB RAM
Host connection: USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C port

Incompatible Systems
Cannot be mixed with non-DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and drivers (e.g. MCT, j5, or SMSC).
Not supported with macOS, Linux/Unix or ARM based Windows or ChromeOS systems.

Monitor Compatibility
Supports dual monitors up to 4K@60Hz (3840×2160@60Hz) each with DisplayPort or HDMI, or a single 5K@60Hz monitor with Dual DisplayPort inputs. DisplayPort equipped monitors and the DisplayPort cable must support DisplayPort 1.2 specification and HDMI equipped monitors and HDMI cables must support HDMI 2.0 specification in order to support 4K@60Hz. While backwards compatible with DisplayPort 1.1 and HDMI 1.4 standards, the resolution will be limited to 4K@30Hz.
Does not support DisplayPort MST daisy-chain connections or Dual-Link DVI conversions.
Does not support monitors with 1366×768 optimal resolutions.

Application Compatibility
Does not support HDCP copy protected content (Blu-Ray, Netflix, Amazon Prime video, etc.)
Suggested for web/productivity software; not recommended for gaming.

Gaming
We don’t recommend running games on USB attached displays as there are significant compatibility challenges. And even without specific compatibility problems, performance will always be a challenge – the extra CPU work required for USB graphics will be a source of reduced frame rates and problems. Normal desktop and application use are typically fine because they don’t push the system as hard as 3D games do.

If the Plugable UD-6950H suits your needs I can recommend it so pick one up here for £149.95.

Naked Nutrition Protein Powders & Supplements

We have been looking at wellness products here at Tech Trends and seeing innovation everywhere in this booming market. In September we tried out Soylent Meal Replacements and this month it’s the turn of Naked Nutrition. From Grass-Fed Whey Protein to Pea Protein Powder to Organic Brown Rice Protein Powder, Naked Nutrition provides the “purest supplements”. They claim their powders are loaded with essential amino acids and no artificial sweeteners or colours and commit to offering the best protein powders and supplements including Powdered Peanut Butter, Casein Protein, Creatine Monohydrate and many more.

We are looking at health and wellness products here at Tech Trends and are seeing innovation everywhere in this booming market
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We tested out their Collagen Peptides Powder, the Powdered Peanut Butter and the mindboggling Branched Chain Amino Acids, WTF? Well, this last one claims “the highest pharmaceutical grade, fastest dissolving, and rapidly absorbed Branch Chain Amino Acids available”. OK, so that does what? Naken Nutrition says studies have shown that BCAA supplementation improves strength and muscle development, speeds recovery, and increases endurance for men and women at all fitness levels. I am afraid all I can say is that it tasted OK but as a slothful couch potato I can’t speak to its powers of recovery or muscle boosting powers. I might be the wrong person to review these…? Anyway the Powdered Peanut Butter next!

Naked PB is a vegan peanut butter protein powder made exclusively from peanuts grown on US farms. Our powdered peanut butter is made from slow-roasted, non-GMO peanuts that are mechanically pressed to remove fat and oil. The result is a peanut butter powder that is over 40% protein. Gain the nutritional benefits of powdered peanut butter and enjoy its flavor by using it in recipes from cakes and muffins to smoothies. Naked Nutrition is committed to shortening the steps between our farms and you.

Studies have shown that BCAA supplementation improves strength and muscle development, speeds recovery, and increases endurance for men and women at all fitness levels
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If you love peanuts and crave protein then this is for you, but not me. Now, this next one I can relate to. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and a major component of connective tissues in tendons, ligaments and having a long-term knee injury I can recommend others with joint problems regularly consume collagen and this supplement is as good a way as any to do that.

Consuming collagen provides health benefits including joint health, youthful skin, healthy hair, protecting cartilage and bones, and workout recovery. Our hydrolyzed collagen powder is sourced from European cows that are pasture raised. Highly soluble and tasteless, use our grass fed collagen peptide powder in hot beverages such as your morning coffee, cold sports drinks, tea before sleep or as an unflavored protein base in pre and post-workout smoothies.

I have taken Glucosamine for a few years and this should provide similar benefits without struggling to swallow those enormous horse pills
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Now, this tub will stay on my counter and I’ll keep myself topped up to ease pain and stiffness in my knee. I have taken Glucosamine for a few years and this should provide similar benefits without struggling to swallow the enormous horse pills I used to take. Check out Naked Nutrition here and sample some of their range of 21st-century health supplements.

Oculus Go Facial Interface & Foam Replacement Set

Take your Oculus Go experiences to the next level with our custom interface and foam replacement set. This nifty new interface from VR Cover allows you to attach and remove foam replacements with ease, making it possible to customize the fit to suit your face. Having a funny shaped face I found this not only made the HMD comfier but blocked out more light.

This nifty new interface from VR Cover allows you to attach and remove foam replacements with ease, making it possible to customize the fit to suit your face
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The Oculus Go is known for being one of the most comfortable headsets on the market but it never hurts to make the comfy even cushier. VR Cover take this to the next level by using foam replacements with an extra large surface area – this has the effect of reducing pressure on your face and red marks around your eyes. Oh, and they use vegan leather so no small furry animals were inconvenienced in their making 😉

Less Red panda face has to be a winner so check these out for $29.00 here.

SanDisk Extreme Portable 1TB SSD

We all need more storage these days and a few of us need really fast storage for large media files or thousands of RAW photographs. We also need that storage to be portable and convenient to use and there are some very expensive solutions out there… but this new 1TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a remarkable bit of kit and very competitively priced.

This 1TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a remarkable bit of kit and very competitively priced
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Speed up the flow. Move files faster. The rugged SanDisk® Extreme Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers with up to 550MB/s read speeds. This makes it perfect for saving and editing hi-res photos and videos. With an IP55 rating, it also stands up to rain, splashes, spills and dust.1

This tiny little drive boasts incredibly fast read speeds. With high-performance transfers at up to 550MB/s the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD lets you offload files in a snap. Capacities range from 250GB up to 2TB and it plays well with Windows or Mac via USB-C or USB-A.

With high-performance transfers at up to 550MB/s the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD lets you offload files in a snap
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Designed to work with both Windows and Mac, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is equipped with a USB 3.1 Type-C connector and also includes a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a Type-C to Type-A adapter, meaning it will work with the PCs and Macs of today, tomorrow and yesterday.

• Dimensions 8.850 x 49.550 x 96.200 mm
• Weight 38.9g
• IP55 for water and dust resistance
• Interface USB 3.1 (Gen 2)
• Shock-resistant (up to 1500G) and vibration resistant (5g RMS, 10-2000HZ)
• Compatible with PC & Mac computers – no driver needed
• Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows® 7, Windows Vista and Mac OS 10.4+

This drive is the definition of awesome compact, pocket-sized design. Smaller than a smartphone it really is easy to pop on a keychain and tuck in a decent-sized pocket
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Good things do come in small sizes! This drive is the definition of awesome compact, pocket-sized design. Smaller than a smartphone it really is easy to pop on a keychain and tuck in a decent-sized pocket. The very small but effective cable and attached adapter SanDisk provides will cover all your needs and save you a few quid too.

The 1TB drive I tested out is now discounted and available for only $187.99 here so grab one now

The post March 2019 Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

Boy have we got some cool reviews for you this month. From the latest Coffee tech to Vape pens and secure USB keys it’s all right here.

Vype ePen 3

It is all the rage these days and this new ePen 3 from Vype is easily the best-looking vape pen out there. It is small and slick looking when the average pen looks more like an industrial breathalizer kit. It slips nicely into a jeans pocket and the tasty replaceable pods are easy to change and bring a clean new mouthpiece with each load.

It is all the rage these days and this new ePen 3 from Vype is easily the best-looking vape pen out there
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I tried it out with Tech Trends new Crypto Correspondent, Richard Andrews who is currently kicking the rollie habit by vaping and he was impressed. We both concluded that despite its low price and slim design it really packs a punch. Give it a go if you want a low profile vape pen that gives you plenty of bang for your buck.

Available online from Vype for £14.99 down from £17.99 at the moment.

More Bike, less BS

People don’t really need to be sold on the advantages of getting on your bike where it comes to urban mobility. Compared to driving, cycling is better for the environment, cheaper, fewer issues with parking, and any time there is traffic you’re likely to get to your destination sooner than the cars anyway. And unless you really enjoy getting up-close and personal with random strangers every day, commuting on public transport can quickly lose its appeal, even if we forget about price rises, strikes and random delays. Read the full story here.

WILD ONE – Pet Accessories

In the past decade, Gen Z and Millennials accounted for more than half of the growth in the pet owner population. In fact, the 57 million pet owners under the age of 40 account for 41% of all pet-owning adults in the United States. It’s estimated that in 2018, Americans will spend $72 billion on their pets, $15 billion of that specifically on pet supplies. In New York City alone, there are roughly 425,000 dogs in homes across the five boroughs. That’s a lot of poop bags!

Wild One will also host a series of interactive experiences and events such as Wild One Wednesday Happy Hours, movie nights, collaborations with Sofar Sounds, and more
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Americans will spend $72 billion on their pets, $15 billion of that specifically on pet supplies. In New York City alone, there are roughly 425,000 dogs in homes across the five boroughs. That's a lot of poop bags!
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As the owner of three dogs, yes three, I was excited to hear about Wild One, a new line of design-conscious pet essentials that has announced its first retail pop-up shop in NoLita, 242 Lafayette Street, New York. Located just around the corner from the new Amazon 4-Star and operational from October 20 through January 1, the immersive brick-and-mortar shop will serve as a dog-friendly community hub, designed to simplify and enhance the pet shopping experience and encourage visitors to relax, meet fellow pet parents, and enjoy the space. Wild One will also host a series of interactive experiences and events such as Wild One Wednesday Happy Hours, movie nights, collaborations with Sofar Sounds, and more.

Wild One has opened its first retail pop-up shop in NoLita, 242 Lafayette Street, New York. Located just around the corner from the new Amazon 4-Star and operational from October 20 through January 1.
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While unable to jet my pooches to NY to try out the Sofar Sounds (whatever they are?) I was able to try out some Wild One products and found them well made, sturdy and modern looking. No leather or chains here, more of an Ikea or Apple feel to everything.

Wild Ones Products:

• Collar – $45: Easy to use. Simple to clean. Made to last with a strong yet comfortable flex-poly strap that’s water-, odour-, tangle- and park-proof.
• Leash – $75: Made from flex-poly straps and sturdy hardware, it’s ideal for easy temporary tie-up, quick short-leash adjustment, and everyday adventures.
• Carrier – $180: A comfortable way to seize the day together. Cushioned base, soft straps, durable exterior, and a clever cut-out to enjoy the view. Perfect for pint-sized pups.
• Harness – $75: A cushioned, lightweight harness that’s simple to secure and easy to link up with (in both the front and back).
• Tennis Balls – $10 (6 / set): A set of tennis balls made from ultra pet-friendly materials, featuring extra bouncy rubber cores.
• Bed – $125 to $225: Tiered foam for comfort, side rails for snuggling, water-resistant lining for accidents, and a layered poly-weave cover for durability.
• Bowl – $25: Looks good on a living room floor and works well with enthusiastic eaters. Dishwasher safe with a non-slip base. 4-cup capacity for the super hungry.
• Poop Bags – $10 (60 / box): Designed to take care of business after your dog takes care of theirs, these eco-friendly, blush-coloured bags are extra thick, leak-proof, and unscented.
• Poop Bag Carrier – $12: A proper home for poop bags. Elastic attachment that plays well with any leash or tote. Easy-twist top for quick reloads.

Inspired by technical apparel and subtle style, Wild One applies performance materials and clean design to pet gear, focusing on form and function in equal measure
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Inspired by technical apparel and subtle style, Wild One applies performance materials and clean design to pet gear, focusing on form and function in equal measure. All of the brand’s items are designed to heighten ease and practicality, making it simple (and fun!) for people to incorporate their wild ones into their busy lives.

Check them out online and the Wild One pop-up will be open through the end of 2018.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Infinissima Coffee Machine

I am regularly up into the early hours hacking away at articles or digital projects and need a quick hit of caffeine. My usual coffee making routine is wonderful but it takes a long time, grinding the beans, boiling the kettle, setting up the paper filter plus warming the milk. Yes, I take it rather seriously! So I was very pleased when the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Infinissima Coffee Machine by Krups arrived along with a couple of boxes of capsules. Now colour me sceptical about quick coffee but this little machine was not bad, not bad at all.

Now colour me sceptical about quick coffee but this little Nescafe machine was not bad, not bad at all.
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Apart from looking a lot like a toy duck that spits out coffee, it is a tidy little machine and when charged with some strong pods and some filtered water puts out very nice if small cups of coffee. I normally take my coffee like I take my beer, in pints but the sheer tastiness of this Nescafe coffee has opened my eyes to quality over quantity.

My recipe for heaven using this Infinissima Machine is take a small espresso-style cup, add half a teaspoon of brown sugar and a splash for milk. Pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds while you warm up the Coffee Duck and charge with an Espresso Intenso pod. Flick the switch to hot and wow, the resulting macchiato type beverage will rock your world.

Flick the switch to hot and wow, the resulting macchiato type beverage will rock your world
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Nescafé Dolce Gusto Infinissima manual coffee machine by Krups

• Minimalist design, fitting seamlessly into compact kitchens
• Maximum 15 bar pump pressure for coffee shop quality
• 1.2 Litre water tank
• Adjustable drip tray to suit all cup size
• Available in White & Black, Black or Red & Black
• Easy to use manual system
• Can prepare both hot and cold beverages
• A slimline offering at just 15cm (W) x 37cm (H) x 28cm (D)

The Infinissima is very reasonable and Available at Debenhams for £100 and takes up very little space on the counter so give it a go, you might end up drinking more coffee but hey, so what.

Tech That Every Poker Player Should Own

Playing online Poker is great, but it can get even better with some help from modern-day tech. From having the proper noise-cancelling headphones to owning a travel-friendly cigar humidor, here are ten things that will bring your game to a whole new level. Read the full story here.

Inateck Camera Bag & USB 3 SSD Drive Enclosure

As well as editing Tech Trends I work around the world as a photographer for clients including Samsung and HP so travelling with a tonne of kit plus the valuable digital files I produce is a serious pain. I’ve never had a bag or kit case that could fit everything I needed and be comfortable to carry so I was happy to get my hands on the Inateck 3 in 1 DSLR Camera + 15.6 inch Laptop & Travel Backpack. It’s a multifunctional water resistant rucksack with a rain cover and tripod holder.

I’ve never had a bag or kit case that could fit everything I needed and be comfortable to carry so I was happy to get my hands on the Inateck 3 in 1 DSLR Camera + 15.6 inch Laptop & Travel Backpack
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I can get my camera, five lenses, cables, batteries and chargers plus a bunch of accessories and a 15 inch MacBook Pro in this thing and it is still comfortable and fits in overhead luggage racks. I can strap a small tripod to the outside and the rollout waterproof cover can be deployed quickly in downpours. Can you tell I like it? Well, I do, it is awesome and also has a quick access flap so you can get your camera out the side of the rucksack very quickly without opening the case via the main compartment or zips.

I can get my camera, five lenses, cables, batteries and chargers plus a bunch of accessories and a 15 inch MacBook Pro in this thing and it is still comfortable and fits in overhead luggage racks
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I have used this Inateck rucksack on location in New York, Barcelona and Berlin and have had no problems at all. Another point worth noting is that it doesn’t look special or technical, it looks like any normal bag so no one can tell you are carrying thousands of dollars of kit around. My old hard case was a bit too Mission Impossible and I always expected to get mugged and my hand sawn off at the wrist to release the nuclear codes!

Along with the rucksack I tested out the Inateck external USB 3.0 to SATA SSD hard drive enclosure and Inateck’s USB-A Male to USB-C 3.1 Gen2 nylon braided cable.
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However, the images themselves are what I get paid for and keeping those backed up, safe and easily accessible is another challenge. Along with the rucksack I tested out the Inateck external USB 3.0 to SATA SSD hard drive enclosure and Inateck’s USB-A Male to USB-C 3.1 Gen2 nylon braided cable.

This combo delivers the flexibility and transfer speeds I needed in a practical, low profile setup. The drive case is optimised for 9.5mm/7mm 2.5 Inch SATA SSDs so I could stick one of my own super speed 1TB SanDisk SSDs in there and know that it would be reliable. The case is slim and would fit in a pants pocket but one extra touch I loved was the on-off button recessed into a slanted corner. This avoids possible corruption issues when swapping the USB powered drive between computers and was a very neat touch.

This combo delivers the flexibility and transfer speeds I needed in a practical, low profile setup
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To go with it and link to my Mac The USB A to C cable was perfect and fast as lightning. The connectors are sturdy and the braided cable more flexible than boring old rubber. The reality of cell phone networks means that on location you never get a good enough signal to back photos up to the cloud so a fast portable set up like this is vital to ensure you don’t lose any images. Did I say it was fast? Yes, the bottleneck in this set up is the USB 3 port but that is plenty fast enough in real-world use.

Did I say it was fast? Yes, the bottleneck in this set up is the USB 3 port but that is plenty fast enough in real-world use
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Available via Amazon here in the UK at the links below these Inateck products are reasonably priced and excellent quality, recommended by me!

Inateck 3 in 1 DSLR Camera/15.6 Inch Laptop/Travel Backpack – £47.99
Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA Hard Drive Enclosure External – £9.99
Inateck USB 3.1 Cable USB-A Male to USB-C 3.1 Gen2 Nylon Braided Cable – £5.99

BlitzWolf BW-FYE1 TWS Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds

These are the first BT 5.0 headphones I have tested and in reality, this new 5.0 classification probably just means better battery life rather than improvements to audio quality. Not that this is to be sniffed at, better battery life is always a plus and I can say these earbuds from Blitzwolf lasted for 3 hours between charges for me, so pretty good. The charging case is also small and well designed and carries a claimed 12 hours of charge.

Sound was pretty good, full, with a rounded profile. They were pleasant to wear and connected to my smartphone quickly. Nothing to complain about here, a good pair of BT buds
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Unlike other earbuds I have used, these make contact with your ear in a couple of places rather than just slipping in your ear canal. This is a bit strange in use but you quickly get used to it and they don’t look as strange in use as the xFyro xS2s I reviewed last month. Sound was pretty good, full, with a nice balenced profile. They were pleasant to wear and connected to my smartphone quickly. Nothing to complain about here, a good pair of BT buds.

Available from BangGood.com for £26.82 and use DISCOUNT CODE: 15fye1 to get 15% off now!

Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3NX – USB 3.1 Flash Drive

I was really quite excited when the lovely Jon Fielding from Apricorn let me know the next generation of their secure key: the Aegis Secure Key 3NX was out! The last version of this handy little USB key got an excellent review from me earlier this year and has gone on to be the core of my personal digital security. My taxes, finances, insurance and all manner or boring but necessary records live merrily on my old Secure Key 3Z and I have 100% confidence they are safe there. This is the fourth generation of Secure Key and brings some next-generation security features and up to 25% cooler operating temperatures, which is a good thing as to be honest the old 3Z got bloody hot. Maybe most importantly the new 3NX comes at an even lower price with my new 128GB sample costing a very reasonable £189 while the base unit has dropped from £70 to $59.

I was really quite excited when the lovely Jon Fielding from Apricorn let me know the next generation of their secure key: the Aegis Secure Key 3NX was out!
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As before the 3NX is software-free, 100% hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encrypted, onboard keypad PIN authenticated with ultra-fast USB 3.1 (3.0) data transfer speeds. All Data is encrypted on the fly and the device’s PINs and Data remain encrypted while the drive is at rest. Completely cross-platform compatible and OS agnostic the 3NX thrives in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, Chrome, embedded systems, and equipment possessing a powered USB port and storage file system. All internal componentry is protected from physical tampering with a layer of hardened epoxy, and locked-down firmware brings immunity to malware attacks such as BadUSB.

The polymer-coated wear-resistant onboard keypad stays the same and the drive is unlocked by entering a PIN on the keypad and not the host computer’s keyboard. Until the device is unlocked via its keypad, it remains invisible to the host. The embedded keypad circumvents all hardware and software key logging attempts to capture passwords by excluding the host system from the authentication process. Polymer-coated buttons are wear-resistant and designed to not reveal most commonly used buttons.

The embedded keypad circumvents all hardware and software key logging attempts to capture passwords by excluding the host system from the authentication process
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The FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Validation (pending 4Q 2018) meets the U.S. government standards for information technology and computer security. NIST FIPS 140 is the cryptography standard program required by the US federal government for protection of sensitive data. I am a huge fan on the unattended auto-lock feature, a programmable period of Inactivity permitted before drive locks Itself. All Aegis Secure Drives will automatically lock once disconnected from a computer’s USB port or the power to that USB port is interrupted or after a pre-programmed period of inactivity. Super handy!

The awesome self-destruct PIN also remains so when programmed and activated, performs a Crypto-Erase and becomes a new access PIN. The last line of defence for data security when the device’s physical security and your personal safety are at risk. The self-destruct PIN defends against these physically compromising situations by erasing the key’s contents, leaving it in normal working order appearing yet to be deployed. Suck on that MI6! or is it MI5?

The self-destruct PIN defends against physically compromising situations by erasing the key’s contents, leaving it in working order appearing yet to be deployed. Suck on that MI6! or is it MI5?
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The Brute-Force defence is also a useful real-world security measure. Select the Number of Consecutive Invalid PIN Attempts Permitted (4-20) Before Crypto-Erase. All Aegis Secure Drives are unlocked (authenticated) by entering a PIN on their own onboard keypad. Since the PIN is not entered using the host computer’s keyboard, they are not vulnerable to software or hardware-based key-loggers or software-based brute force attacks. However, if the device comes under a physical brute force attack, your data is protected with a programmable “Brute Force Hack Defense Mechanism” which, if the programmed number (between 4 and 20) of consecutive incorrect password entries has been attempted, the device will delete its own encryption key and destroy the ability to decrypt its stored data.

In this day and age, everybody needs one of these and the self-discipline to use it and regularly back their shit up. No excuses with this price drop!
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With a shiny new 3NX in my hand, the least I could do was pass the old 3Z to my dear wife so the drive reset feature came in handy. All Apricorn devices can be reset and redeployed over and over. Activating drive reset clears both the User and Admin PINs, destroys the data, creates a new randomly generated encryption key and allows the drive to be reused repeatedly, with an infinite number of randomly generated encryption keys, allowing the admin and or user to reset the drive as often as is needed. I just don’t know how I got by without one for so long!

For more info on all the incredible tech built into this tiny device check out Apricorn’s website. In this day and age, everybody needs one of these and the self-discipline to use it and regularly back their shit up. No excuses with this price drop! The Aegis Secure Key 3NX is available from Apricorn starting at $59.00

BlitzWolf BW-LT7 Smart LED Desk Lamp with Qi Wireless Charger

Blitzwolf is another high-quality manufacturer from China that makes devices and accessories you actually need and want. This multipurpose desk lamp is a great example, offering useful control of the LED lighting system plus USB and wireless charging in a very neat and stylish package.

The aluminium and plastic design is very tough and reassuringly heavy. No quality issues here. The controls are simple and intuitive plus in English and it simply does what it says on the tin, lights your desk in several really practical ways depending on your working practices or the time of day and charges a couple of modern devices.

It’s a very sleek and cool looking lamp that offers flexible lighting and USB + Wireless charging for your smartphone and devices. It looks great and works well, what more is there to say! This is now on my desk and it should be on yours.

Available from BangGood.com for £41.03 and use DISCOUNT CODE 33df5d for 11% off now!

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 October 2018 Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

True wireless headphones get a test alongside Skullcandy’s latest offering, Swiss engineering wins the day and liquid meals go down the hatch.

Skullcandy Venue Wireless BT Headphones

Not yet available to purchase, these new Venue Bluetooth headphones from Skullcandy launched the other day with a Skate Creative event on Windmill Street in Soho, London. Tech Trends handpainted our own skateboard and got a sneak peek at these new headphones. Our previous review of the Skullcandy Crusher BT headphones was very positive and after hooking up these new Venue cans we can report they are very good indeed. The active noise cancellation was effective on the train and in the street plus the really welcome ‘Monitor Mode’ means that you can click a button to engage in conversation or order a coffee without removing your cans, then click again to be reabsorbed into the music. They also come with fast charging and a mic so you can use your voice assistant on the move. A 10 min fast charge gets you five hours listening time, so not bad.

Our previous review of the @Skullcandy #Crusher BT headphones was very positive and after hooking up these new Venue cans we can report they are very good indeed
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The@Skullcandy Crushers were aimed at bass lovers so were naturally more solid sounding but these new Venues give a clear and detailed presentation that is very pleasing
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The Crushers were aimed at bass lovers so were naturally more solid sounding but these new Venues give a clear and detailed presentation that is very pleasing. If you prefer a crisp sound to your tunes these Venue headphones are for you. Connectivity was faultless and the physical buttons are much nicer in look and feel than the Crushers. As a bonus, the Venues also come with built in Tile support so you can keep track of them if left behind the sofa or under the dog. The Tile app will connect and locate them just like any other Tile. They are also super comfortable, I listened for an hour and a half with no discomfort at all so am happy to recommend these. A good quality set of wireless cans for the price!

Available to pre-order now for £149.99 online here.

Honor 10 + GPU Turbo

The term Flagship Killer takes on new meaning with the Honor 10 + GPU Turbo. After using the brand new Honor 10 for a couple of months I can say with total confidence it really is a Flagship Killer. Producing phones that exceed expectations and challenge the stupidly high prices of new class-leading handsets from Apple and Samsung has raised Huawei, the parent company of Honor to be the second largest global smartphone maker. With Samsung still in top spot but Apple languishing in third. Most impressively Huawei has achieved this without access to the huge US market where the government and regulators have restricted their access due to security concerns. Being a Chinese company and China phobia in the US as it is, Huawei has suffered in North America but still excelled globally. Read the full review here.

The term Flagship Killer takes on new meaning with the @Honor 10 + GPU Turbo. After using the brand new @UKHonor 10 for a couple of months I can say with total confidence it really is a Flagship Killer
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SKROSS Travel Adapters

I first found out about the Swiss company SKROSS at IFA this year and boy am I glad I did! Everyone at Tech Trends knows the misery of international travel when you have phones, laptops, headphones and god knows how many other devices to charge. I seem to have been buying a new adapter almost every trip but not anymore. SKROSS make super flexible international power adapters meaning one is all most travellers will need, no matter where you go. They don’t quite have a single universal adapter but sent me two of their flagship units, between which I can go anywhere and power anything. This makes me very happy!

SKROSS don't quite have a single universal adapter but sent me two of their flagship units, between which I can go anywhere and power anything. This makes me very happy!
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The Pro Light USB combined with the World to EU connector gives me amazing connection options, often in both directions, covering the Euro, Australia / China, Italy, Switzerland, UK, USA, Brasil, China and Japan, oh and USB of course, see below for more details.

Pro Light USB – Technical Specifications

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The Pro Light USB combined with the World to EU connector gives me amazing connection options, often in both directions, covering the Euro, Australia / China, Italy, Switzerland, UK, USA, Brasil, China and Japan, oh and USB!
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SKROSS also sent me the World Adapter MUV USB which I passed to our US-based Editor and provides Euro, USA / Japan, Australia / China and UK connections as well as USB. More info below.

World Adapter MUV USB – Technical Specifications

• Suitable for all 2-pole (unearthed) devices
• Dual USB port for charging USB devices
• Receptacles for: Euro, USA/Japan, Australia/China, UK (UK not in the Swiss version)
• Retractable plugs: Euro, USA/Japan, Australia/China, UK
• Input voltage: 100 V – 250 V
• Max. load: 2.5 A
• Power rating: e.g. 100 V – 250 W / 250 V – 625 W
• Replaceable fuse: T2.5 A
• USB output: 5 V / 2400 mA
• Does not convert voltage

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Above the sheer convenience, these #SKROSS adapters offer it is their tough construction that recommends them
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Tech Trends has also tested out their sturdy UK 4 Port USB Adapter and their thin and delicious Wireless Charger 10 which is easily the best looking and least bulky wireless charger I have seen yet. Above the sheer convenience, these adapters offer it is their tough construction that recommends them. They are simple to use but made of seriously strong plastic and the metal elements have none of that flimsy, second-rate feel your average airport bought adapter presents. If you aren’t impressed so far you should go and get really geeky on the SKROSS website where you can use their configuration tool to work out which product works best for you and your regular trips! Swiss engineering at its best, these incredible adapters from SKROSS are highly recommended!

Soylent – Meal Replacement

If you’ve ever skipped a meal, made a compromised nutritional choice, or forgotten your lunch at home, you’ve been in a food void. “Food Void” is Soylent’s way of describing the place where you’re stuck eating something you’ll likely regret or when you don’t eat at all. Soylent is the easy, delicious solution to help you avoid food voids. Soylent also claims to be better for the planet. Unlike other meal replacement drinks, Soylent offers a comprehensive nutritional makeup and their protein is plant-based! Meaning it takes fewer resources to produce than drinks with animal-based proteins like whey or casein.

Unlike other meal replacement drinks, @Soylent offers a comprehensive nutritional makeup and their protein is plant-based!
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I have tried a few protein meal replacement drinks over the years, but often with that kind of thing they either aren’t as healthy as they seem or quite frankly taste like crap, not @Soylent #PoweredbySoylent
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I have tried a few protein/meal replacement drinks over the years, but often with that kind of thing they either aren’t as healthy as they seem or quite frankly taste like crap. I also have no patience for the messy business of mixing powders myself, as it seems to defeat the whole point of a convenient meal alternative. Soylent has just released 3 flavours of its ready-to-drink meal replacements in the UK (Original, Cocao and Café Mocha) and I tried them all over the course of a few days. I don’t mind the taste of soy, so I really liked the flavours, especially the coffee, which made me feel like I was getting an extra energy kick and really came in handy during a long road trip.

Fancy trying Soylent? Follow us and tweet using the hashtag #PoweredbySoylent and we will pick one lucky – UK Based – winner to receive a goodie bag including a week’s supply of all 3 flavours pic.twitter.com/qqVr5JXdSm

— TechTrends (@techtrends_tech) September 24, 2018

Each bottle has 400 calories, so definitely a meal replacement rather than an extra if you’re watching your intake, but it actually does take care of those hunger pains, and contains about 20% of your daily nutrition requirements. As an added bonus for the environmentally conscious, the fact that the bottles don’t need to be kept refrigerated until opened and have a year-long shelf life is kinder on the planet.

Now in the UK, Soylent will be sold in ready-to-drink form via Amazon, retailing at £39.00 ($52) for 12 bottles.

xFyro xS2 Waterproof True Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

These nifty xFyro xS2 earbuds deliver a completely wireless experience for listening to music and making calls in a stylish and waterproof package. The xS2s offer cutting edge v4.2 CSR Bluetooth technology for seamless connection and after testing them out in the street, on planes and trains I can say they work flawlessly. Not something that can be said for more expensive true wireless BT headphones such as the Crazybaby Air.

The xS2s offer cutting edge v4.2 CSR Bluetooth technology for seamless connection and after testing them out in the street, on planes and trains I can say they work flawlessly
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These earbuds are housed in a sleek and compact carrying tube that acts as a power bank that protects and charges your buds when stored and can even charge your phone or tablet while on the go. Now that’s a nice touch! The case is not really to my taste with the gold rims but is very solid and does what it says on the tin, it charges well and is comfortable in a pocket. I didn’t test the waterproofing but in this category of headphones that is a rare feat, so if you need music underwater these might be the answer.

I didn't test the waterproofing in the shower but in this category of headphones that feature is a rare feat, so if you need music underwater these might be the answer
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The earbuds themselves have an aluminium alloy shell that xFyro claim helps block out external sounds and come with three sizes of silicon bud allowing for a better seal no matter the size of your lugs. For me, the right earbud never fitted well. I tried all the silicone bud options but must conclude that my right ear is unnaturally shaped! This inconvenience was made up for by the excellent sound. Clear crisp but also weighty the xS2s gave a great performance with all types of music so come recommended.

@xFyroDesigns xS2's produce excellent sound. Clear crisp but also weighty the xS2s gave a great performance with all types of music so come recommended
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Specs:

– Materials: Aluminum Alloy, Silicone
– Measurements: 6.25″L x 1″W x .75″H
– Warranty: Manufacturer’s 1 Year Limited
– 2-in-1 Wireless Earbuds And Charging Tube
– IP67 Certified Dust-proof And Waterproof Technology
– V4.2 + EDR Bluetooth Technology With 10 Meter Wireless Range
– CVC 6.0 Noise Cancellation
– Aluminum Alloy Shell
– Lightweight and Portable
– Answer, Reject, and Redial Calls
– Pause And Play Music
– Built-In Microphone
– Dual-Port Charging Tube With USB And Micro USB Ports
– Rechargeable 850 MAh Capacity Power Bank
– Patented Aluminum Polishing
– Music / Talk Time: 5 Hours
– Charging Time: 2 Hours
– Standby Time: 300 Hours

The xFyros are available now for £95 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 September 2018 Tech Trends Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

Encased in metal and wrapped in encryption, this is the only way to keep your data safe and it looks good too!

This super tough, ultra-compact SSD is pretty fast. I got 176MBs write and 185MBs read which is more than most people will need for anything except 4K video editing. IP56 certified against water, dust and grit, with a crush-resistant aluminium enclosure and built-in USB 3.0 cable, your data is protected well beyond just encryption. The Aegis Padlock SSD’s resilient design makes it perfect for travel, in fact, it has joined me on trips to Dubai, New York, Paris and well… Bristol, and has served as my main backup drive for media on recent photo and video commisions.

IP56 certified against water and dust and grit, with a crush-resistant aluminium enclosure and built-in USB 3.0 cable, your data is protected well beyond just encryption
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This is my favourite Apricorn product, principally because of its small size, robust metal construction, ultra-fast USB 3.1 (3.0) data transfer speeds, and software-free operation. The 100% hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption hides elegantly behind solid engineering and practical design, leaving you free to get on with your job. Just relax and know all your important data is encrypted on the fly, the PINs and data remaining encrypted even while the drive is at rest.

For the super paranoid rest assured that the Aegis Padlock’s FIPS 140-2 validation covers 11 areas of its cryptographic security system, including physical security, cryptographic key management and design integrity.

The FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encryption validation encompasses both the Padlock SSD’s physical tamper-resistant features as well as its identity-based authentication. Tested and validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by the Federal governments of the USA, Canada and others, the Aegis Padlock SSD Drive is based on Apricorn’s FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validated encryption module as indicated by certificate #2835. The Padlock SSD’s security policy is located on the NIST site at the following link. The epoxy coated boundary includes all encryption functions and all Critical Security Parameters (CSPs) such as PIN storage, encryption key generation and storage, random number and seed generators, and all firmware storage.

Tested and validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by the Federal governments of the USA, Canada and others, the Aegis Padlock SSD Drive is the business
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Completely cross-platform compatible and OS agnostic, the Padlock SSD thrives with Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and Chrome, it even worked when I plugged it into the back of an HD projector, acting as a media drive. All internal componentry is protected from physical tampering with a layer of hardened epoxy, firmly secured inside the metal shell and its firmware is locked down to prevent any tampering, making it impervious to malware attacks and any but the largest of hammers.

It is Aegis Configurator Software & Configurator Hub compatible, a Windows-Based app and accompanying powered drive dock that quickly sets up multiple devices simultaneously. We tested it back in January with the Aegis Secure Key 3z and can see it being an excellent and secure time-saver for companies rolling out drives like these to multiple staff. The Configurator lets you create custom profiles and mass configures multiple devices in a matter of seconds using the Aegis Configurator and Hub.

When programmed and activated this Self Destruct PIN performs a crypto-erase
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However its coolest feature is the self-destruct PIN, so when you are up against evil international spies, cornered in a crumbling dock-side warehouse and down to your last bullet (I know… Round) you can punch in your secret PIN, wiping all the data for good before you chamber your solitary ‘Round’ and cop-out. When programmed and activated this PIN of last resort performs a crypto-erase. Truly the last line of defence for data security when the device’s physical security is at risk.

Truly the last line of defence for data security when the device’s physical security is at risk the Self Destruct feature has you covered
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This is a great external drive and the price is very reasonable for the quality of the product. This SSD goes everywhere with me and my only regret is I didn’t get the 2TB version as I can’t seem to stop producing data! Tech Trends highly recommends the Aegis Padlock USB 3 SSD and advises you to look at the other products from Apricorn, all of which are truly excellent quality. If your data is worth keeping, it is worth keeping safe.

Specifications:

RRP: 120GB – 2TB – $249.00 – $1,039.00 US & £185 – £750 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: Aegis Padlock SSD appeared first on Tech Trends.

Following our review of the diskAshur 2 SSD we test drive another super secure USB 3.1 encrypted portable hard drive, the Pro2 model. How does it compare?

Since I started building computers 15 years ago I have tried every kind of drive – and every type of  encryption – out there. And I can tell you, it was never simple. It never “just worked”. Until now.  I was very impressed in my quick test of the non Pro, SSD version of this drive but the Pro2 manages to keep the interface just as simple, while ramping up both the security and capacity.

DiskAshur's Pro2 manages to keep the simplicity while ramping up capacity and security
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Weighing in at half a pound this 1TB Pro2 from diskAshur has plenty of room for sensitive company or private documents and can lock them away behind impressive levels of encryption, designed to be certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 3, NCSC CPA (Foundation Level), Common Criteria and NLNCSA government accreditations. No one is getting their grubby hands on your data with this drive.

This 1TB Pro2 from diskAshur has room for all your sensitive documents
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No one is getting their grubby hands on your data with this drive
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If you think a knack for Sudoku is going to get you into this drive, think again. The iStorage diskAshur Pro2 is intelligently programmed to protect against all forms of Brute Force attacks. Firstly, a wear-resistant epoxy coated keypad, designed with protection in mind, hides key usage to avoid tipping off a potential hacker to commonly used keys.

A wear-resistant keypad doesn't tip off hackers to your most-used keys
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Then after five consecutive incorrect PIN entries the drive will freeze, requiring the drive to be disconnected and reconnected to the USB port to get a further five PIN entry attempts. If a further five (10 in total) consecutive incorrect PIN attempts are entered, the Pro2 will freeze again. To get a further and final five PIN attempts (15 in total), phew, I am sweating now, the “shift” button must be pressed whilst inserting the USB cable to the USB port and then an iStorage preset PIN will need to be entered.

After 15 incorrect PIN attempts the Pro2 deletes encryption key and data
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On the fifteenth consecutive incorrect PIN entry, the Pro2 assumes it is being attacked and will delete the encryption key and lock itself, rendering all data previously stored on the drive lost forever. At this point the data is gone but your valuable hard drive is still ready to use again and can now be reset to factory default settings and redeployed, nice!

The drive locks itself after a pre-set amount of time without being used
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If this weren’t enough, the Pro2 features the same James Bond style Self-Destruct PIN option as the SSD version as well as a second Unattended Auto-Lock Feature that sets an unattended diskAshur Pro2 to automatically lock after a pre-determined amount of time where the drive has not been used, but don’t use this if time keeping is a personal issue.

All the components of the diskAshur Pro2 are covered in super tough epoxy resin
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Oh, and put your hammer and screwdriver away, in addition to incorporating a secure microprocessor, encrypting the data and the encryption key, the drive adds another physical barrier between your data and a hacker. All the components of the diskAshur Pro2 are completely covered by a layer of super tough epoxy resin, which is virtually impossible to remove without causing permanent damage to the components.

The drive also comes with a rather tasty waterproof case
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This barrier prevents a potential hacker from accessing the critical components and launching a variety of patently futile attacks. Furthermore, the tamper evident design of the Pro2 if, god forbid, it were breached, will provide visible evidence that tampering has occurred. I must also point out the rather tasty waterproof case that comes with the drive. It has a nice leatherish feel to it, a sturdy zip and includes a useful wrist strap.

Whatever I plugged into these drives worked pretty seamlessly
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I trusted this 1TB drive with the Mastercut of my film Borley Rectory
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I took the opportunity to test out this huge 1TB drive and entrusted it with the Master Cut of my recently finished feature film Borley Rectory as I toured the country screening it at festivals far and wide. The sheer size of the drive was welcome as I had to transport 832GB of valuable video and promotional material around, and knowing that the five years of work I put into the film was secure was a relief as I trundled from city to city on Britain’s terrible train network

A feature of these diskAshur drives is their cross-platform compatibility
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iStorage thoughtfully designed the Pro2 with a sleek looking silver grey finish so I looked a little more professional than if I had taken the bright, Tonka Toy red SSD version I have. The other outstanding feature of all these diskAshur drives is their cross platform compatibility meaning whatever system I plugged the Pro2 into it worked seamlessly, this was magic as you wouldn’t believe the problems I have had in the past with drive format clashes… Well you might if you know your NTFS from your exFAT and your OSX Journaled. But overall, these drives do come highly recommended by Tech Trends!

RRP: £269 for 1TB Drive

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: iStorage diskAshur Pro2 appeared first on Tech Trends.

We certainly had our share of gorgeous gadgets this month, from a spy’s dream drive to the lovely Microsoft Surface Book to the Samsung Galaxy S8, plus the usual sprinkling of more random tech.  

iStorage diskAshur 2 SSD

Testing out the new diskAshur 2 SSD 256GB from iStorage shows that industrial grade security need not slow down your workflow, or look unappealing. This very sexy little portable USB SSD features real-time AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption and software free design, setup and operation. Unlike any other portable drive I have tested before, this is platform/device independent and works across all operating systems including all versions of MS Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome, Thin Clients, Zero Clients and embedded systems, any device with a USB port, in fact. Now THAT’s impressive.

DiskAshur from iStorage shows how industrial grade security can be efficient and look good
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As a media professional who is constantly moving large and rather important files around on drives this was a bit of a  revelation. On the subject of large files, I tested out the speed of the diskAshur 2 SSD via its built-in USB 3.1 cable and wow! Blackmagic Disk Speed Test read 310 MBps READ / 250 MBps WRITE with 5GB files. This is very swift indeed, specially when you consider the encryption involved. I think the drive is able to be so fast due to a dedicated hardware-based secure microprocessor (Common Criteria EAL4+ ready), which also employs built-in physical protection mechanisms designed to defend against external tamper, bypass attacks and more.

The diskAshur 2 SSD has a really nice keypad and each key clicks softly but confidently when pushed so you know when a number has registered. The keypad lets you securely access the drive with your own unique 7-15 digit PIN. Following the instructions to setup my personalised passcode was easy, but do choose carefully, as you’ll only want to do this once. When that is done you simply plug it into your computer, input your code and push the unlock button, and off you go! A really nice feature is that when you want to finish using the drive you simply use your computer interface to eject the drive and that is that, your data is automatically secured.

Input the wrong pin code 15 times and the drive automatically wipes out its data
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Unlike other solutions out there, the diskAshur 2 SSD reacts to an automated attack by entering the deadlock frozen state, which renders all such attacks as useless, and if you input the code wrongly fifteen consecutive times, the device assumes it is being attacked and will delete the encryption key and lock itself, rendering all data previously stored on the drive lost forever. At this point the drive can be reset to factory default settings.

You can pre-program the drive with a self-destruct function, handy for spies on the run
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And if you are on the run from the foreign spies or the KGB and need to ensure your data does not fall into enemy hands you can pre-program the diskAshur 2 SSD with your own unique Self Destruct PIN which, once implemented, instantly deletes the encryption key, all PINs, data and then creates a new encryption key! Below are a few more specs and you can check out the full spec here.

• USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD
• Capacities up to 4TB*
• FIPS PUB 197 validated
• AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption – no software required
• OS & Platform independent
• Employs EDGE* Technology
• Available in 4 colours: Phantom Black, Ocean Blue, Fiery Red & Racing Green

RRP: £219 256GB version

Samsung Galaxy S8

When I first realised that the Galaxy S8 was entirely buttonless, I wondered whether I’d miss the functionality of the home button in any way, but the short answer to that has been a resounding “No”. The most impressive thing about this phone is its screen, and the fact that you don’t get a button, together with the gorgeous Infinity Display, means that every inch of real estate on this baby is pure, vivid screen. And that’s no bad thing in my book. Besides, for those – like me – who are upgrading from the previous Galaxy models, there is still the exact same button functionality, in the same place where the physical one used to be. So your brain soon gets used to it, and starts wondering why we ever put up with buttons in the first place.

Read Tech Trends full review here

RRP: £689

Microsoft Surface Book

In October last year Microsoft released an upgraded Surface Book with a Performance Base featuring a new, more powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M with 2GB of VRAM and a larger battery. They had not bumped the Intel i7 up from 6th generation to 7th but that was not a deal breaker and promises of a faster internal SSD and the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update hooked me in. Unfortunately these things do take time to arrive here in the UK, but as I unpacked it last week I couldn’t help but think it had been worth the wait.

Read Tech Trends full review here.

RRP: $2,799 / £2,399

Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel

RRP: $995

AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener

We like to stay sharp here at Tech Trends so were pleased to see that the AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener lives up to its claim of being ‘The Worlds Best Knife Sharpener’. A sharp knife is essential for opening all those ultra-securely packaged gadgets that arrive in the post, specially those those evil clear plastic blister packs that USB drives always come in. I tell you, a sharp knife can really save your sanity when trying to open one of those!

I find that a sharp knife always comes in handy
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AnySharp claim that sculpting your old dull blades to the perfect 20 degree angle was no problem, and I duly tested this on some of my very old knives (I hate throwing knives away) I found the best candidate rattling around in my toolkit, where it had lived for about fifteen years or so. It was a serious challenge, but a few swipes across the tungsten carbide v section brought it right back to life. It works on most blades; hunting knives, kitchen knives and even serrated knives but maybe not your good old zombie machete. I was always a purist and favoured whetstones for knife sharpening but I am, well, a rather lazy man, so the AnySharp is a very welcome addition to the kitchen drawer. The best thing about it is its PowerGrip suction cup base, which attaches securely to any smooth surface or worktop without the need for any tools. Once it’s attached you can sharpen any knife safely hands-free! No whetstone does that!

Add endorsements from Jamie Oliver and (bizarrely) Jilly Cooper, plus a lifetime warranty and you’re laughing. Say good-bye to those raggedy tomato slices.

RRP: $22.99

You will rarely pass a Techie at work without spotting a fancy water bottle or filter bottle on their desk. We Technophiles take hydration seriously! Sitting in front of a computer for days on end with the aircon drying you out like an Inca mummy is no joke so Tech Trends is looking at two top level water filter devices, one very old school and one 21st century.

Black+Blum Eau Good Filter Bottle

This super elegant Eau Good Filter water bottle from Black+Blum uses a ancient traditional Japanese Binchotan charcoal to make your tap water taste great. Yes charcoal, you read me right, but this is no ordinary charcoal like for a BBQ, Binchotan charcoal was introduced to Japan by a Japanese monk and scholar called Kukai 1,200 years ago and is made by wood being placed in a kiln and charred at a relatively low temperature for some time, then, near the end of the process, the kiln temperature is raised to about 1000 degree Celsius to make the wood red-hot. The charcoal is then removed and quickly covered with a special powder made from earth, sand and ash, and this gives the charcoal surface a whitish hue. The rapid rise in temperature, followed by a rapid cooling, incinerates the bark and leaves a smooth, hard surface. If you strike it, you’ll hear a clear, metallic sound. Now this is sounding serious! This super charcoal has an incredibly porous surface with tiny cavities oriented in many directions. Just 1 gram has a surface area in excess of 500 m2 (about one tenth the size of a football field). It is also known as active carbon as the ions of contaminants are attracted to the surface of the carbon, where they will be held. It is also able to release minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium back into the water, which enhances its taste and health benefits.

OK so that was all quite complex but does it do the job? Tech Trends first flicked the charcoal and blow me down if it didn’t ping a bit like metal, popped it in the bottle, wedged it into the special locking bulge and filled it up. After leaving it for a few hours we quaffed it down and indeed it tasted a lot better that straight out the tap. It’s a winner! Five replacement charcoal sticks are £30.95 including a 10% discount but it probably works out cheaper than buying water, specially if you happen to travel a lot. You can take an empty water bottle through security and most airports now have handy taps to refill them at the other end, so with one of these you can avoid paying that ever-so-reasonable  who said good water was cheap.

• BPA free tritan, cork, stainless steel, silicon
• Includes x1 binchotan active charcoal filter (6 months life)
• Automatic email updates for when to boil and replace charcoal
• W 8.5cm  H 24cm  / W 3.3″  H 9.4″
• 800 ml  27 floz

RRP: £19.95

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! 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.

• 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

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 August 2017 Tech Trends Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

After getting hands-on with Microsoft’s latest shiny thing, we definitely wants one, precious…  

Sure, upon receiving the Surface Book to test, Tech Trends put it diligently through its paces, and below you’ll find our honest impressions of what was good as well as the niggles and shortcomings that came up. But overall the greatest downside is that we’re having to return it, and – given the fact that my MacBook Pro is currently fully functional – I can’t quite justify spending the 2K to upgrade my setup just now.

My MacBook Pro is still working, so I can't quite justify the upgrade to the Surface yet
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I bought my current machine – to quote the merchant in Resident Evil – “at a very high price” about four years ago. At the time it was really the only portable laptop that could keep up with the demands of Avid & Adobe video editing and heavy Lightroom use, and apart from the tendency to overheat and melt my thighs, plus the interminable niggles with OSX updates, it did the job.

Last year Microsoft released an upgraded Surface Book with a Performance Base
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But over the years I have watched with increased interest and building excitement as Microsoft brought out products like the Surface Pro 3. The signs were definitely encouraging, but it didn’t have the grunt I needed. Then out came the first version of the Surface Book, which did pack the required grunt and frankly looked the bollox. Plus – at a time when Apple was randomly removing things like USB ports from its new MacBooks – it had all the connections I needed, plus a lovely removable touchscreen. Yet the graphics were not great and the battery looked a bit underwhelming, so I stayed put.

Then in October last year Microsoft released an upgraded Surface Book with a Performance Base featuring a new, more powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M with 2GB of VRAM and a larger battery. They had not bumped the Intel i7 up from 6th generation to 7th but that was not a deal breaker and promises of a faster internal SSD and the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update hooked me in. Unfortunately these things do take time to arrive here in the UK, but as I unpacked it last week I couldn’t help but think it had been worth the wait.

Featuring a new, more powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M with 2GB of VRAM and a larger battery
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Now, this won’t be a hugely technical review, there are plenty of those out there if that’s your thing, but more of a candid test drive from someone who’s used to demanding quite a bit from their kit with a photo & video intensive workflow.

I'm used to pushing these machines with intensive video and photo workflow
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First impression was that it’s definitely fast! It is fleet of foot and start ups and shut downs are just a joy to behold. The i7 eats through day-to-day tasks and the SSD (tested with Blackmagic Disk Speed Test) reads and writes at over 1GB/s.

Start ups and shut downs are just a joy to behold
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The first thing I tested was what I had been waiting most keenly for, the touch screen in laptop mode. I know other machines got here first but on a true power laptop this was my first experience and oh boy it is liberating; pinching, swiping and scrolling on my work laptop just as I would on my phone felt so good I found myself grinning at that lovely high-res screen. And on that beauty:

It’s a 13.5 “PixelSense display with a resolution of 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) and an slightly unusual aspect ratio of 3:2. It is gorgeous with solid blacks, great detail and a very impressive maximum brightness of 355 lux and outstanding contrast level of 1,440:1, these are all vitally important for anyone like me who deals in imagery.

The Surface lets you interact with the machine in any way that makes sense to you
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My wife always comments on how filthy my MacBook screen always looks because I’m always touching it as I point out things, etc. It’s the intuitive way in which visual and creative professionals work, so not having the touchscreen functionality always felt like something of a handicap with Macs. The surface just feels like what it has meant to be all along, allowing you to interact with the machine in whatever way makes sense for you at the time – be it keyboard, trackpad, pen, or even those filthy fingers.

The screen has great detail and very impressive maximum brightness and outstanding contrast
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Being used to the very solid aluminium hunk that is my MacBook Pro, the magnesium Surface Book felt light and I didn’t mind the unusual-looking hinge as its unique design enables the tablet mode, more on that later. A minor gripe would be the keyboard which is a bit “clicky clacky” and the keys feel a bit light for my taste, as I prefer them firmer, but the travel on them is nice.

The surface book has an SDXC reader and two fast USB 3 ports meaning I can edit video and photos stored on external SSD drives and enjoy the speeds they offer. In another win over Apple the power connection is magnetic! Why Apple removed the legendary MagSafe connection on their newest laptops is a mystery and will result in thousands more smashed laptops as people and pets trip over trailing cables (with 3 boisterous Staffies with very active whipping tails in the house, I can tell you that’s a very real problem). Admittedly the Microsoft solution is not as elegant but it is reversible and does the job well. After my minor complaint about the keyboard I have nothing but praise for the trackpad. I barely noticed the difference between my Mac and the Surface Book and that is a big compliment. The trackpad is precise, tactile and lovely to use, plus performs a host of common multi-finger functions and is a good size too.

As a laptop the Surface Book’s only oddity is that the hinge is a bit wobbly and getting the screen at the right angle and balancing it on your lap takes some getting used to. Remember that the CPU and a second battery live in the tablet section, so the screen is heavier that on most laptops and the hinge has to be stronger to account for that. The annoyance this creates, however, is soon outweighed by the possibility of taking that wonderful screen off and having a HUGE tablet on your hands! Simply push and hold the tablet release button and a second later there is a satisfying click and the screen pulls easily off. Wow it is light! Much lighter than you expect and also big, very big, but in a GOOD way.

The tablet is comfortable to hold and the screen looks even more impressive when off the base
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The tablet is comfortable to hold and the screen looks even more impressive when off the base. It does get warm as you browse the web and noticeably so when watching videos but never hot, and the tablet sports a very quiet fan and ventilation holes all around the edge so it cools back down quickly.

I did run into a few software glitches in Tablet mode
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I did run into a few software glitches in Tablet mode, while browsing the web in Chrome the screen froze for 40 seconds or so before suddenly working again and twice I tried to open Windows 10 settings and this would not work at all, a quick restart fixed it but this did happen a couple of times within an hour of use. These issues were not a huge problem though, and I am sure future Windows 10 updates will continue to improve on the software functions when using the Tablet.

You can’t try out the tablet without using the Surface Pen, a simple tube of matt silver metal with a flat magnetic side so you can secure it to the Tablet on any side surface. I have used a lot of tablets and pens and this one is functional, i.e. does exactly what it says on the tin. The Surface Pen has 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and an eraser on the other end, so handwritten notes on your screen are just like pen on paper, and writing is really comfortable. Writing and drawing in Paint 3D is great fun and the ink pen is particularly satisfying to use, creating lovely elegant lines. The quality of the screen really comes across when drawing and painting, the colours are bright and rich and the six million pixels mean the lines and shapes look truly fluid.

Writing and drawing in Paint 3D is great fun and the ink pen is particularly satisfying
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I honestly love the Tablet and just reading the newspapers is such a pleasure as the text looks so crisp and clear. You do however notice the lower powered GPU when in Tablet mode and scrolling web pages could be a little smoother and switching apps is also a little slow but this is nothing unusual on other tablets. Fitting the Tablet back onto the base is a sinch, just line it up and it gently clicks back with a faint magnetic thunk and once it is back on the connection is so strong I had no fears about the base dropping off when picking up the whole thing by the screen, it is very secure.

Fitting the Tablet back onto the base is a sinch, just line it up and it gently clicks back
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OK now onto performance. As a video producer and photographer I need a light, portable machine with a great screen, good battery, lots of processing power, fast USB ports and an SDXC reader.  I installed Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 14, Adobe CC and a range of apps including Premier Pro, After Effects and Lightroom, loaded up some HD and 4K video as well as 40GB of RAW photos and went to work. I won’t go into too much detail but summing up my experience I have to say I am impressed. The Surface Book performed at least as well as my MacBook Pro in HD & 4K video editing and playback and was very capable of building and rendering out video graphics and tiles in After Effects.

The Surface Book performed at least as well as my MacBook Pro in HD & 4K video editing
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It did struggle when grading 4K video in DaVinci Resolve but that is no surprise, as even my workstation PC finds this a challenge. What was very pleasing was editing photos in Lightroom, although not a huge improvement, working with a large catalogue of high res photos was quicker than on my Mac. The super-fast SSD and a newer generation processor no doubt helped out here, making browsing the catalogue quick and pleasurable. Again the screen made a huge difference here, the colours really pop and the incredible contrast it offers makes manipulating images a real joy. I have inserted a gallery below with a few examples of images from my recent trip to Cannes Film Festival and edited on the Surface Book in Lightroom.

The super-fast SSD and newer generation processor made for quick browsing
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Sound is the next thing I looked at and the Surface Book had its work cut out here as Macs famously deliver great sound, at least through headphones. Either side of the detachable screen are two forward-facing speakers that look tiny but don’t sound it. They pump out a very loud and impressive sound, easily enough to fill a room with good bass and mids. Did I mention it was loud? Playing the trailer for Thor: Ragnarok I was blown away and had to quickly turn the audio down to 60% to avoid disturbing the neighbours, which was unexpected. You could easily sit a group of people around the laptop and share a pretty good movie experience. I next connected up my Skullcandy Crusher Bluetooth headphones and ran the same trailer. As you would expect the audio was much better through cans with a really well-balanced sound that I could listen to for quite a while without getting bored, all round a good performance!

To sum up, I think Microsoft have finally produced a contender in the power laptop category, but really they have done much more than that. The combination of the detachable and impressive tablet screen, a capable pen tool, and all the standard connections that Apple have tossed aside means they’ve built a very compelling package for creative professionals.

When you look at the direct competition from Apple the benefits of the Surface Book over the 2017 MacBook Pros become very obvious. The version I tested directly compares to the 13inch MacBook Pro with an Intel i7, 500GB and 16GB RAM and Touch Bar which retails at £2399 but has no Tablet mode or Pen support, both of which are key for the modern creative and design professionals Macs are marketed at. When you consider the Surface Book costs exactly the same (RRP: $2,799 / £2,399), I think I have just seen the future.

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

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The post Product Review: Microsoft Surface Book appeared first on Tech Trends.