From environmentally friendly, bright green meal replacement drinks to accessories for your new Oculus Quest, our July 2019 reviews post has it all!

Ambronite Real Food Meal Shakes

These guys from Ambronite have some big goals!

Ambronite’s mission is to transform humans and our planet from surviving to thriving, through a sustainable plant-based lifestyle. We are helping urban professionals to live their life to the fullest by creating delicious, plant-based foods designed for a modern lifestyle. People who dare to transform stay at the heart of our tribe who we want to serve. These are the movers and shakers — leaders, creative professionals and athletes who set new boundaries in human capability.

Ambronite's mission is to transform humans and our planet from surviving to thriving, through a sustainable plant-based lifestyle
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Launched in 2014 Finnish company Ambronite began disrupting the nutrition market and has been getting a lot of media and industry attention
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As a ‘mover and shaker’ myself I thought I had better give these meal replacements a try and do my bit to save the planet if that is possible. Launched in 2014 Finnish company Ambronite began disrupting the nutrition market and has been getting a lot of media and industry attention.

The meal replacement market is, however, still in its infancy and while legacy shake products have fallen out of fashion – nutritionally complete, natural, plant-based and sustainable alternatives are gaining traction. This summer Ambronite is releasing three new products – a bar, a balanced shake, and a green juice, the last two of which Tech Trends has dutifully quaffed. From its inception, Ambronite vowed to never use artificial or synthetic ingredients, or GMOs, unlike the vast majority of competitors.

“Our relationship with food has been dangerously distorted by corporations and many of us are living a life that is unsustainable, for the individual and the planet. Our vision is to provide access to clean, plant-based, sustainable nutrition options 24/7”. Commented co-founder Simo Suoheimo

This summer Ambronite is releasing three new products - a bar, a balanced shake, and a green juice, the last two of which Tech Trends has dutifully quaffed
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There’s a myriad of super greens already on the market but Ambronite’s research found that the majority don’t taste great and as a result consumption is low. To truly change daily nutritional habits Ambronite created a blend of greens that tastes great and contains key superfoods like cranberry, spinach, spirulina, bilberry, and sea buckthorn.

There’s a myriad of super greens already on the market but Ambronite’s research found that the majority don’t taste great and as a result consumption is low
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Juicing and hand-made smoothies are great, but when you add up finding the good stuff, shopping, spinning your blender, cleaning the machines… honestly, most people simply have more important (and fun) things to do in everyday life. With AmbroGreens, you should cover all your bases in just 1 minute every morning! And most importantly, it’s the healthy habit you can enjoy while saving your valuable time from shopping, prepping and cleaning up. Simply scoop one tablespoon of AmbroGreens and enjoy with water or add it to your favourite smoothie.

With AmbroGreens, you should cover all your bases in just 1 minute every morning! And most importantly, it's the healthy habit you can enjoy while saving your valuable time from shopping, prepping and cleaning up
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I found AmbroGreens to be really excellent. It was easy to prepare, not gummy and lumpy, very tasty and not too sweet (as these things often are). I would say it is naturally sweet tasting and a pleasant drink. I did feel that I got my greens boost every morning. Take a look at the video for a bit more info.

I found AmbroGreens to be really excellent. It was easy to prepare, not gummy and lumpy, very tasty and not too sweet
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Each meal is designed to quench hunger for four hours. I had the Ambronite shake for breakfast today and I added a bit more water than stated because it initially felt too thick
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Ambronite Balanced Meal Shake delivers a real food meal that is more affordable, gentle on the stomach and provides 20 grams of protein, plenty of fibre, and food-based vitamins and minerals. Each meal is designed to quench hunger for four hours. I had the Ambronite shake for breakfast today and I added a bit more water than stated because it initially felt too thick.

My first impression was that there was not any one outstanding taste, just a thorough blend of the ingredient tastes. Not too sweet, not too salty (even though there’s a lot of sodium and potassium in it), not too ‘berry-y’, not too ‘other’. Which on a whole made it not unpleasant, but maybe not something I would look forward to every day. It was filling, but not in a heavy way and I can say that I didn’t feel hungry until about 4 hours after I drank the shake.

It was filling, but not in a heavy way and I can say that I didn't feel hungry until about 4 hours after I drank the shake
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Truthfully, I don't know that I felt any more 'focused' than I usually do but am sure the effects would be more obvious with repeated or regular use
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As to the claims of optimized nutrition, it seems they’ve done a good job. I like that it’s high-protein without the use of soy. As to the ‘power-kick that keeps you focused’. Truthfully, I don’t know that I felt any more ‘focused’ than I usually do but am sure the effects would be more obvious with repeated or regular use.

“Most of us succumb to the stresses of modern life and compromise our nutrition as a result. We’re a solution for professionals and health-conscious consumers who demand optimal nutrition in any circumstance”. Concludes Suoheimo

Not bad all around and these were definitely the tastiest and least gunky food in a glass products we have tried here at Tech Trends so check out their products here and see if Ambronite works for you and your gut!

Book: Blockchain Babel

Igor Pejic provides a handy guide to understanding what the flip the Blockchain is about, and what it will really mean for us all. If you ever wondered how a cryptocurrency wallet worked (it functions more like a key than a wallet) or what “hashing” means (it’s where original information is transformed into a code via mathematical scrambling with one-way cryptography) this book explains all of that, alongside the basic principles and workings of the Blockchain and the cryptos that run off it. Read the full review here.

Skross – US Adapters for World Travellers

We have tested and loved the sturdy and almost endlessly flexible power adapters from Skross before so when my summer 2019 schedule shaped up to be an epic American road trip of conferences, tech company visits and tours as well as the usual tech journo shenanigans I thought I’d try out their best solutions for overseas US travellers.

With a satchel creaking under the weight of two MacBooks, five phones (yes five) and various power banks and electronic gadgets I knew I’d put the Skross products through their paces and indeed they were worked hard and even saved my bacon a couple of times.

With a satchel creaking under the weight of two MacBooks, five phones (yes five) and various power banks and electronic gadgets I knew I’d put the Skross products through their paces
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To keep my gadgets juiced up while in the US Skross kindly sent me their Combo World to US a 2 in 1 solution for the USA and Europe combined in a single adapter.

Specs

– Designed in Switzerland
– Suitable for equipment with earthed & unearthed plugs (2- & 3-pole)
– Input plugs: Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, UK, USA/Japan,
– Europe (Schuko & 2-pole Euro), Australia/China
– Output plugs: USA, Europe (Schuko)
– Input voltage: 100 V – 250 V
– Max. load: 15 A
– Power rating: e.g. 100 V – 1500 W / 250 V – 3750 W
– Does not convert voltage
– Adapter: 94 g
– Adapter: W 58 mm H 60 mm D 71 mm

This adapter ensures getting connected is super easy, not just in the USA but also in all other countries with Schuko standard sockets (as predominantly found in Europe). This adapter provides global travellers with a safe, reliable and easy connection in all countries with the US and Schuko standard, making it an ideal solution for business and leisure travellers or, in fact, journos like myself. It lacks a USB-B but does just about everything else.

This Skross adapter provides global travellers with a safe, reliable and easy connection in all countries with the US and Schuko standard, making it an ideal solution for business and leisure travellers or, in fact, journos
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I also tested their Skross Steel Line USB-C Cable which proved very strong and powered up everything from my MacBook Pro to three of my phones and my two power banks
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I also tested their Steel Line USB-C Cable which proved very strong (if a little inflexible, Duh… it is a Steel Line cable) and powered up everything from my MacBook Pro to three of my phones and my two power banks. I have nothing bad to say about this cable, it took everything I threw at it and laughed!

Specs

– Designed in Switzerland
– Input voltage: 5 V
– Output voltage: 5 V
– Output current: max. 3 A
– USB standard: 3.0
– Charges and synchronises all devices with USB Type-C
– Robust aluminium housing is made-to-last
– No more tangled wires
– Cable length: 1 m (3.3 ft)
– Reinforced jacket on Type-C and USB Connector

The Skross US USB-C Charger is perfect if you live in or travel to a country with the US or Japanese socket standard. The two USB ports (Type-C and Type-A) enable a traveller to charge two USB devices at the same time in over 50 countries around the world. This is very slim and probably got the most use during my trip, staying in my bag all the time due to its size while the other adapters mostly stayed in my hotel room for overnight use.

The Skross US USB-C Charger is perfect if you live in or travel to a country with the US or Japanese socket standard
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Specs

– Designed in Switzerland
– Suitable in all countries with US socket standard (more than 50 countries worldwide)
– Input: 100 V – 240 V ~ 50/60 Hz 700 mA (max.)
– Output A: DC 5 V, 2.4 A
– Output C: DC 5 V, 3 A
– Output max.: DC 5 V, 5.4 A total
– The two USB ports (Type-C and Type-A) enable to charge two USB devices at the same time
– Charges smartphones, tablets or any other USB devices in over 50 countries around the world.
– Not only for USB Type-C devices: the Type-A USB port can charge any USB device!

The World to USA USB is perfect whether you’re planning to see the sights of New York, visit Vancouver, trek in US national parks (which I did!) or experience the wonder of Niagara Falls (also did), this country adapter is the ideal charging companion with the added bonus of a USB port.

Specs

– Designed in Switzerland
– Suitable for equipment with earthed & unearthed plugs (2- & 3-pole) and USB devices
– Input plugs: Euro, Australia/China, UK, USA/Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil
– Output plugs: USA
– Input voltage: 100 V – 250 V
– Max. load: 15 A
– Power rating: e.g. 100 V – 1500 W / 250 V – 3750 W
– USB output: 5 V / 2.4 A
– Does not convert voltage
– Suitable even for powerful devices such as laptops and travel hairdryers
– Applicable in many destinations: USA, Canada, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico and many more.
– The 1 x USB port easily charges smartphone, tablet or other USB devices

It’s small and very lightweight. It is also well constructed, unlike the shoddy cheap products found on Amazon for a few bucks, only the best Swiss manufacturing here!
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The best thing about this adapter (apart from its flexibility) is its size. It’s small and very lightweight. It is also well constructed, unlike the shoddy cheap products found on Amazon for a few bucks, only the best Swiss manufacturing here! All round, the Skross products I have used here and over the last couple of years have been excellent investments. They are not cheap but boy are they reliable and well built, these adapters will last years of international travel and are well worth the outlay.

Check out the huge range of product this excellent Swiss company makes here and trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Airfree Tulip 1000

Clean the air in your home with the Airfree Tulip 1000 silent air purifier. More and more of us are paying attention to the air we breathe, both in and out of the home. While the UK Government are letting us all down by failing to comply with EU laws on air pollution in our towns and cities, inside our own homes we can at least try to control things. Airfree sent us their elegant Tulip 1000 to test so we read the very simple instructions, chose the fuggiest room in our house and plugged it in. After a day or two, I started to wonder how I could know if it is working as the cleaning supposedly takes place on a microscopic level and apart from giving off faint heat and an array of pretty colours the Tulip 1000 is completely silent and requires no maintenance, not even the occasional replacement of parts. Read the full review here.

VR Covers for your new Oculus Quest

If your HMD is shared around with family or colleagues it’s probably worth getting some changeable and hygienic pads or covers, as no matter how much you love your nearest and dearest or your workmates nobody likes sharing grease! The guys at VR Cover have been making affordable and comfortable solutions for a variety of headsets for a while now and they have quickly produced a few products for the shiny new Oculus Quest.

The guys at VRCover.com have been making affordable and comfortable solutions for a variety of headsets for a while now and they have quickly produced a few products for the shiny new Oculus Quest
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For only $29 they offer an Oculus Quest Foam & Interface Basic Set containing two easy-clean leather-like foam pads – one more padded than the other – to ensure you get the fit you want with your Quest. Both foam paddings prevent light leakage and you can simply switch between them to find the best fit and immersion. I found the comfort version with its thicker, broader pad helped to distribute the weight of the device better.

Effective at reducing pressure and red marks on the face, these ultra-soft foam replacements will make long VR sessions much more comfortable. Cleaning the accessories is easy. Simply use a cloth or anti-bacterial wipes to remove sweat and grime and you will have a fresh and hygienic headset again in no time.

Effective at reducing pressure and red marks on the face, these ultra-soft foam replacements will make long VR sessions much more comfortable
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Get your order in now as this basic set is expected to ship at the end of August 2019 & includes:
1 x Facial Interface (black)
1 x Oculus Quest PU Leather Foam Replacement (standard)
1 x Oculus Quest PU Leather Foam Replacement (comfort)

Make your Quest basic set even more comfortable and add one of their $19 Oculus Quest Cotton VR Covers comprising two, soft, washable cotton covers in one set. Made of quick-absorbing 100% cotton, the covers wick away moisture, so your VR experience feels comfortable and your headset stays protected.

To make your Quest basic set even more comfortable, add one of their $19 Oculus Quest Cotton VR Covers comprising two, soft, washable cotton covers in one set
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Installation is straightforward, thanks to a unique hook and strap system. The in-built elastic straps and hooks fasten onto the back of the interface, assuring a secure fit even during active gaming. This set is expected to ship around the 15 July 2019 so order soon. Each set contains 2 machine-washable covers so just swap one out for the other and get a clean headset every time.

Designed to optimise hygiene and comfort, these VR Covers are perfect whether you are sharing headsets or flying solo. Check out more of their products here.

Tech Energi USB Charger and LED USB Cables

Each USB port intelligently identifies your device to deliver the fastest possible charge at maximum speed (up to 3.1A) or will share the charge when 3 devices are connected simultaneously
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Tom Atkinson is Reviews & Dep. Editor at Tech Trends.

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

According to a recent Forbes survey, 77% of people who use VR want more social engagement, and I’ve long believed social is they key to getting the tech to a mass-market stage, but that needs to be done in the context of things that people already want to do rather than gimmicks.

Booking travel is one of those strange things that are simultaneously pleasurable and a complete nightmare, so any way that technology can improve on the experience is likely to fall under that desirable category.

According to a recent Forbes survey, 77% of people who use VR want more social engagement
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Travel is a social experience. Planning and booking a vacation is a clear example of that
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“Travel is a social experience. Planning and booking a vacation is a clear example of that and can sometimes be a grueling task. Forty percent of users prefer using VR in the company of others and the latest version of the Rizort VR app does just that. We want all travelers to be able interact in a fun and collaborative way in the process,” says Sachin Kanodia, CEO of Rizort.

The Rizort VR app works on headsets such as the Oculus Go and Samsung Gear to allow potential guests to virtually explore hotels, resorts and experiences from anywhere in the world
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The Rizort VR app works on headsets such as the Oculus Go and Samsung Gear to allow potential guests to virtually explore hotels, resorts and experiences from anywhere in the world. It also supports a multiuser mode where several people can check out a location or experience at the same time and compare notes and impressions, thus maximizing the chances of making everyone happy with the final booking.

To date, the San-Francisco based company has raised $2.9M dollars
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Rizort's multiuser mode allows several people to check out a location or experience at the same time
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Recently, Rizort added Dubai, Mexico and the Caribbean to its growing roster of destination offerings. Current destinations also include Bali, Thailand, the Maldives and destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fiji and Japan will be added in 2019.

Their hope is that the mixture of VR and 360 degree video will do a better job of enticing customers to try the destinations for real than a photo gallery or glossy brochure ever could.

“The guest can simply stroll through the hotel areas such as lobby, swimming pool, rooms, restaurants, bar etc to really understand the property better.”

To date, the San-Francisco based company has raised $2.9M dollars in seed funding to develop its platform, which uses a proprietary algorithm to match user intent to highly curated luxury hotels, resorts and experiences across multiple destinations.

So far, Rizort says they are very pleased with the results of the VR social feature and plan to keep making enhancements to the platform
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Rizort added Dubai, Mexico and the Caribbean to its growing roster of destination offerings
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So far, Rizort says they are very pleased with the results of the VR social feature and plan to keep making enhancements to the platform to further integrate the booking process into the virtual reality experience, making it into one seamless immersive travel platform.

This article was originally published on VRScout

Check Out Your Travel Destination In VR Before You Book via @alicebonasio https://t.co/hrF8HPcYuh pic.twitter.com/XTxFLqDAVt

— VRScout (@VRScout) December 15, 2018

For companies looking to get into Immersive technologies our VR Consultancy service offers comprehensive support in strategic deployment of Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality

Alice Bonasio is a VR Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio on Twitter.

The post Traveling in Virtual Reality 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.

The world and his wife are jumping on the VR bandwagon, and that means we’re seeing a lot more interesting content emerging every day.

Much of this is 360 video, which is the easiest to produce, but also the most limited in terms of interaction – you can look around the scene presented to you, but you can’t actually influence how the action unfolds.

360 video is the most common type of VR content but also the most limited in terms of interaction
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To keep users engaged and enjoying that content for longer, building more interactivity into those experiences is key. That’s what Virtual Reality production company YouVisit is doing in partnership with West Hollywood visitors bureau.

“Unlike traditional 360-degree videos that simply show a location, we give viewers the power to choose their own path and explore the areas they are interested in,” explains Abi Mandelbaum, CEO and cofounder of YouVisit

Viewers the power to choose their own path and explore the areas they're interested in
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The West Hollywood Experience takes viewers beyond 360 video and turns the city into an interactive playground, enabling you to choose which paths you explore, and which locals you talk to.

“In the past, West Hollywood has fallen victim to stereotypes about what the city is like and the types of people it caters to. Putting the experience in the viewer’s hands makes them an active participant in VR and helps them create an intimate connection with what they are seeing. For Visit West Hollywood, this means prospective travelers can explore the city by bike, jump into a high-intensity dodgeball game or get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the area’s top restaurants,” says Mandelbaum

The travel sector is fast catching on to the fact that VR will become an essential part of their toolkit in future, not only enabling “try before you buy” use cases, but making it possible for those who cannot physically visit places to still experience what makes them special.

This goes beyond straightforward tours, and allows creative content producers to dig deeper and present users with a different angle on a place; something they might not have experienced as a tourist. One example of this is the FT’s The City Within documentary which explores the social dynamics of Rio’s Favelas as part of its Hidden City VR experience, recently launched in partnership with Google.

West Hollywood Experience turns the city into an interactive playground
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“The world of VR has presented amazing opportunities to showcase properties, events and now entire destinations,” adds Jaimie du Bois, Director of Business Development for Visit West Hollywood   When working with the team at YouVisit, we were able to conceptualise and create a unique VR experience that allows visitors, travel agents and even residents to see a different side of West Hollywood through six separate vignettes. This experience can be showcased on our website and social media channels, but it’s also a great training tool to take on the road for trade shows and sales missions,” she concludes

You Can experience West Hollywood in all its VR Glory here

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Alice Bonasio is a VR Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio and @techtrends_tech on Twitter.

The post Less Camera, More Action: Exploring Hollywood in Virtual Reality appeared first on Tech Trends.