lundi 31 octobre 2016

A motorized mount for your smartphone – Meet Picbot

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If you’re a blogger, a traveler, or you simply like to create great shots with your smartphone, you may want to look into the Picbot.  It has fully automated self-rotating facial tracking capabilities so you can walk around a room and stay centered and focused during your video. It has the ability to track more than one person as well, so you could shoot a creative holiday skit or movie with your friends and family to share this season.  You can create either 180 or 360 degree panoramas and the Picbots automation does it all for you, so you can be in the photo. Another great feature is the ability to create a timelapse which is so fun to do during parties, or family gatherings. If you’re more of a take control kind of person, you can forgo the automation and pair the included Bluetooth controller to spin, adjust the zoom and snap photos and videos with the touch of a button.  It comes in black, white and rose gold and can be mounted on a standard 1/4″ tripod or stand. The fully intuitive app makes it a breeze to shoot and edit all your pics to share on your favorite social media sites or you can store them in the cloud for safe keeping.  You can still preorder on the fully funded Kickstarter campaign for an estimated delivery of Dec. 2016 for $99.00 (retail is $200.00), plus you get a mini tripod to go along with it. Check out the campaign for some great videos on all the features and more detailed information.

Filed in categories: Camera Gear, News

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A motorized mount for your smartphone – Meet Picbot originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 31, 2016 at 1:05 pm.

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A motorized mount for your smartphone – Meet Picbot

Makers South A5 notebook cover review

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I have an addiction to pens, notebooks, and notebook covers, so it’s a bad idea for me to surf Pinterest because I always find too many items to add to my wish lists. I can’t remember if I stumbled upon Makers South notebook covers on Pinterest or elsewhere, but I do know that the moment I saw one online that I wanted to see one in person. Luckily for me, they sent me their A5 notebook cover and now I can share what I think about it with you.

What is it?

The Makers South A5 sized notebook cover that I’ll be talking about in this review is made of Herman Oak vegetable tanned leather. Makers South also sells covers made of Horween leather.

The Makers South A5 sized notebook cover has been designed to protect thicker notebooks like the Seven Seas Writer, Midori MD A5, Hobonichi Techo A5, Leuchtturm 1917 A5, Moleskine A5 and others.

Design and features

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This is a no frills cover that has a simple but beautiful design. It’s basically a slip cover that protects your existing notebook.

The cover that I picked out was made for an A5 sized (5.8 x 8.3 in) notebooks like my Leuchtthurm 1917 dotted notebook that I’ve been using since May.

I went with the Herman Oak vegetable tanned leather because I like the raw look that gets better looking with age. Makers South offers other leathers too which you can see here.

The front of the cover is completely plain, no logos or anything other than the stitches that go around three sides. You can choose the color of the thread. I went with brown. You can see the thread colors here.

Other customizations that can be requested include elastic bands, pen loops, etc.

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The Makers South logo is branded into the back of the cover.

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The cover is made of three pieces of leather. There’s the main cover and two smaller pieces that are sewn to the cover and are used to create pockets for the front and back cover of your existing notebook.

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“Installing” your existing notebook takes a bit of effort because you have to slide the notebook covers into the pockets in the Makers South cover.

You will also notice in the image above and below that edges of the cover are smooth and burnished. This provides a nicer finished look.

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Once inserted, the A5 leather cover transforms your existing notebook into a rugged book that can travel with you on all your adventures, even if those adventures only happen in your office or home.

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The Makers South cover worked great with my Leuchtthurm 1917 dotted notebook. The notebook still opens and remains flat which is one of my critical must-have features when I pick a notebook and / or cover.

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This type of leather starts off stiff but gets software with age. Right now the cover won’t stay closed but that will change with use.

Final thoughts

Makers South makes gorgeous notebook leather covers that are pretty much perfect as far as workmanship and materials. I could find no flaws in the leather. But of course, with any leather goods you may find some marks, so you might not receive a 100% perfect cover. And if you do, it probably won’t stay that way  very long once you start using it. But that’s what makes any leather cover great… at least to me. I like the look of a well-worn leather cover and I can’t wait to see how the Makers South A5 notebook cover wears and ages over time.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Makers South. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $60 - $75
Manufacturer: Makers South
Pros:
  • Will last forever
  • Perfect construction
  • Ability to customize with thread color, pen loops, elastic closure, etc.
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Paper and Pens, Reviews

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Makers South A5 notebook cover review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 31, 2016 at 12:05 pm.

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Makers South A5 notebook cover review

WaterField unveils Syde MacBook case

waterfield-syde

The new MacBooks will be available soon, so it’s time to shop for a bag to protect them when you’re going from place to place. WaterField’s newest bag for the MacBook is the Syde. The Syde MacBook Case features a sleeve for the MacBook and another leather pocket that is attached to the syde (side) of the case that can be used to hold other gear like your phone, cables, AC adapter, your wallet and more. The Syde case will be available in sizes for the 12, 13 and 15 inch MacBooks. You can choose from black ballistic nylon or waxed canvas in black or grizzly leather. Priced at $159, the Syde case will ship in early November for the 12 and 13 inch versions and later November for the 15-inch size. Head over to WaterField for all the details.

Filed in categories: Bags, Laptops and Gear, News

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WaterField unveils Syde MacBook case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 31, 2016 at 10:00 am.

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WaterField unveils Syde MacBook case

Native Union DOCK+ LIGHTNING review

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One of the perks about going back to the iPhone is the huge world of Apple-centric accessories. Julie and I both looked awhile for a USB-C dock for our Nexus 6p‘s and failed to find one that was even halfway worthy. But thankfully there are many charging stands and holders created specifically for iOS devices. In this case, I will be reviewing the Native Union DOCK+ Lightning charging stand to power-up and securely/safely hold my fancy new 7 Plus. 

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The Native Union DOCK+ Lightning charging stand is comprised of four pieces: weighted silicone base, “slice” of aircraft grade aluminum for back support, plastic adapters and color-matched, reinforced Lightning cable. The base has a solid quality feel and good hefty weight to it. The silicone covering the base is soft and should not scratch or mar your iOS device. Though if your unprotected iDevice impacted the aluminum back plate too fast it would definitely leave a mark…but I would call that operator error more than anything 😉 .

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In the Box:

  • Native Union Lightning DOCK+
  • Aluminum back rest/support
  • Color-matched Lightning cable
  • Three case adapters and base holder for them

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The DOCK+ is engineered to work with any Lightning enabled Apple device from the iPhone 5/5S/SE to the 9.7″ iPad Pro (not sure if the 12.9″ Pro will fit or would perhaps topple over due to its weight). Native Union includes three plastic adapters that tweaks the distance the Lightning plug is from the back support.

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The three adapters can accommodate naked iPhones/iPads/iPods to iOS devices with cases up to 3.5mm thick. The official Native Union compatibility list for the DOCK+ Lightning include: iPhone 5/5s, iPhone 6/6s, iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPad 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini (all generations), iPod Touch (5th generation or higher), iPod Nano (7th generation or higher), Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Magic Trackpad 2, Apple Magic Mouse 2 (if you remove the DOCK’s back-plate), Apple TV Remove with Touch (for 4th generation Apple TV), and the Apple Smart Battery Case.

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Here is the middle adapter working very well with my iPhone 7 Plus wearing an Apple leather case.

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The DOCK+ is available in Slate/Space Gray, Stone/Rose Gold, and Midnight Blue/Gold.  Native Union has recently released a special edition DOCK+ cut from solid marble, available in black or white stone. They also feature matching stands to hold and charge your Apple Watch as well.

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The Native Union DOCK+ Lightning is an excellent addition to any desk, nightstand, kitchen, or flat surface, providing a sleek and stable base for charging your iPhone or iPad. The DOCK+ is very well made with a solid utilitarian design that works well in nearly any setting. For the most part, I prefer having dedicated locations for all my tech so I know where it is and that it is out of harm’s way in my hectic life. The DOCK+ Lightning does all that and  charges my iPhone while doing it.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Native Union. Please visit their website for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $59.99
Manufacturer: Native Union
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Well made from premium materials
  • Solid and sturdy base
  • Good weight, does not come off desk when removing device
  • Adjustable for case thickness
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Cables, Batteries and Chargers, iOS, Reviews

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Native Union DOCK+ LIGHTNING review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 31, 2016 at 9:00 am.

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Native Union DOCK+ LIGHTNING review

You and your kids will have a blast with SplashLight which shoots bioluminescent water

biotoy-splashlight

SplashLight is a unique water blaster that shoots bioluminescent water by using the protein luciferin and protein enzyme luciferase in tablet form (BioToy calls the tablets reLumes) such that when inserted into the squirt gun and mixed with ordinary tap water it creates the bioluminescent water. SplashLight shoots a stream of up to 12 feet and the bioluminescence lasts for about 3-4 hours and is brightest when used just after inserting the tablets into the blaster. You’ll get about 200 blasts of glowing water before needing to replace the tablets. SplashLight is for kids eight years old or older, is non-toxic and doesn’t stain clothing. The SplashLight Hero package sells for $24.95 (blaster and two sets of reLumes for 400 blasts) + $5.95 shipping while the reLume replacements (2 packets for 400 more blasts) sell for $9.95 from BioToy. The blaster comes in blue, red, and purple colors. This would be a total blast for kids and adults alike!

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

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You and your kids will have a blast with SplashLight which shoots bioluminescent water originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 31, 2016 at 7:45 am.

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You and your kids will have a blast with SplashLight which shoots bioluminescent water

dimanche 30 octobre 2016

Is there a place for a dedicated digital photo album on your coffee table?

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A few years ago, digital photo frames were really popular, but I haven’t seen them advertised that much recently. That’s why I’m not sure the Joy Album dedicated photo viewing device is a compelling family gadget. It does look nice with its wireless tablet form factor that features a magnetic wireless charging stand, 13.3-inch touch screen display and stereo speakers. And the fact that you can import your photos and videos from Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox and Google Photos is a plus too.

But from the sparse info on their website, I can’t tell how much internal storage the device has. It does come with 10GB cloud storage account though. Then there’s the $299 price tag. I think I’d rather put that kind of money towards a large tablet which can do more things like play games, double as a TV and web surfing device.

The Joy Album is currently up for pre-order and will not ship until next summer (2017). For more info visit joy.co

Filed in categories: News

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Is there a place for a dedicated digital photo album on your coffee table? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 30, 2016 at 3:32 pm.

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Is there a place for a dedicated digital photo album on your coffee table?

SumSonic Bluetooth Speaker review

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Sandworms.  Admiral Ackbar. Dual-lens Camera. These are a few of the things folks said this Bluetooth speaker looks like. I thought the speaker market was nearing its endpoint with different designs, but this tubular doughnut came out of nowhere. SumSonic calls it the LLX-01 – which is not helpful in imagining what it looks like. But, the proof of the speaker is in the listening. And this little gem offers a lot.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

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The enclosure is a tube 2″ in diameter, divided into thirds. The two end pieces swivel 180º from the middle section, and will stay anywhere along that range. Closed, the unit is a 5.5″ doughnut that would make Homer Simpson drool. The surface of the tube is soft, yet slippery. It’s easy to hold on to, and clings to angles as high as 30º (informally tested), but it doesn’t feel like a gumball machine spider or anything.

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On the ends of the two outer cross-sections, there are speakers with no grille. The cones are very silvery, so this would not be good around young children. It’s tough for me not to poke them myself. The surround seems to be made with a silicon or rubberized material.

On the center section, there are four buttons with 3D molded symbols for repeat, play/pause, next track, and On/Off/answer phone. in the inner crook of this section, there is a inset panel with a place to charge (microUSB cable included), connect to AUX (cable also included), and a TFT slot which can be used as a source if desired. Charging was fast and as expected. I could play it for several hours without running the battery down.

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The hinges which connect the two end pieces to the center section are translucent discs that have LEDs inside which pulsate during playback and pairing. They pulse in different patterns and there is no way to turn them off that I have read about or discovered. It’s not too bright, or too wild of a pattern, but it you’re wanting some romantic music playing in the background, you may want to put these behind a chair or bookcase. In a dark room, it’s quite distracting.

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When you turn it on, a voice says “Bluetooth Mode. Paired.” It’s a strange sounding voice (my daughter just asked from the other room “What is that sound I hear every now and then?”) but I guess it’s better than some loud “Bing!” like some speakers make.

The sound is pretty good for an inexpensive speaker, and the stereo separation can be adjusted by twisting the speakers at greater or lesser angles.

The device paired easily to my iPads, iPhone, and Mac, but I had to manually remove it from one device in order to have it get back into pairing mode, but that’s common with Bluetooth devices in this price range.

The speaker unit is available from Amazon for $36 currently, but usually retails for $60. I can see this as a great small gift for a younger family member, because it folds up for storage. Nothing like a soccer cleat or a pencil point through a speaker cone to wreck your day. With this unit folded for transport, the speakers are well-protected. And your young charge may become the DJ at their next skate party or BMX event with the light show.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SumSonic. Please visit their Amazon store for purchasing information.

 

Product Information

Price: MSRP $60 Current price $36
Manufacturer: Sumsonic
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Sound source or TFT card with music files
Pros:
  • Adjustable speaker directions
  • Easy Pairing
  • Nice feel, protected cones during travel
Cons:
  • Strange shape
  • Lighting that con't be turned off

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth Gear, Music Gear, Reviews

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SumSonic Bluetooth Speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 30, 2016 at 12:00 pm.

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SumSonic Bluetooth Speaker review

Let BB-8 brighten your day!

thinkgeek-bb8-desk-lamp

Sometimes sitting down at your desk represents the drudgery of long hours of work. So if you’re looking to brighten up your desk and your day, AND you’re a Star Wars fan, this BB-8 Architectural Desk Lamp is sure to do the trick.  It uses up to a 40 watt incandescent light bulb or a 13 watt fluorescent bulb and has a 60 inch long cord. The large size lamp measures 25.5 inches tall x 7.8 inches base diameter and the small lamp measures 16 inches tall x 5.5 inches base diameter (120V 60Hz AC only). The droid you’re looking for is available from ThinkGeek for $49.99 for the small lamp or $59.99 for the large – and hey, ThinkGeek promises he won’t roll away!

Filed in categories: Home and Kitchen, News

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Let BB-8 brighten your day! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 30, 2016 at 10:40 am.

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Let BB-8 brighten your day!

samedi 29 octobre 2016

Dashcams, under desk elliptical machines, breathometers and more – Weekly roundup

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Every day of the week, we bring you at least one review and a few news posts on my favorite topic: gadgets! If you don’t have time to visit The Gadgeteer every day you might miss out, so on Saturday evenings I always compile a list of everything we’ve posted in the past seven days so you can browse and catch up. Click through to see this week’s list.

Reviews

News

Filed in categories: News

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Dashcams, under desk elliptical machines, breathometers and more – Weekly roundup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 29, 2016 at 6:14 pm.

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Dashcams, under desk elliptical machines, breathometers and more – Weekly roundup

Misfit joins the smartwatch revolution with new Phase Hybrid Smartwatch

misfit-phase

Popular fitness tracker manufacturer Misfit has announced the Phase Hybrid. It’s an activity tracker wearable that records all the same data that the Misfit Ray and their other trackers track, but adds an analog watch face and smartwatch features that include vibration alerts for call and text notifications, alarms and custom app notifications. The Phase Hybrid also has a smart button function so you can play and pause music, take a selfie, control smart home devices and more. 

The watch has a stainless steel and aluminum body that is water resistant up to 5 ATM and the watch hands move to show your activity status and notifications.

There’s also no hassle of charging the watch because it uses a replaceable battery that lasts up to 6 months. The Misfit Phase Hybrid Smartwatch is priced at $175 – $195 and will be available for pre-order on November 7th in six colors from Misfit.com

Filed in categories: Health, Fitness, Sports, News, Watches and Clocks

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Misfit joins the smartwatch revolution with new Phase Hybrid Smartwatch originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 29, 2016 at 11:39 am.

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Misfit joins the smartwatch revolution with new Phase Hybrid Smartwatch

UGreen iPhone 6/6S Battery Case review

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Smart Phones….They have become a way of life for most of us. I don’t think anyone can imagine going back to the old “dumb phones” that did just the basics of making a phone call. But those old dumb single purpose phones had one thing that none of today’s smart phones seem to have; Battery life. You could easily go two or more days without charging those old devices and they seemed to always be there for you when you needed them. Well, today is much different. We use our phones constantly and are always “connected” which means we are always draining our battery power. Most of us moderate to heavy user can’t even get through a day without recharging. So what to do? Well, UGreen has the answer with an integrated battery case that will more than double your normal battery life. This is much more convenient than carrying around one of those brick or cylindrical spare battery chargers where you have to remember to keep the spare charged. Ugreen’s integrated battery case is a great option for those of us who are “charge challenged”. Once your battery runs low, you just touch a button on the back and it will charge your phone completely. I actually got about 1.5 charges from this nifty device lasting me two full days. That’s an eternity in the smart phone world.

In the Box

Inside the box is a uni-body battery case made out of rubber.  I’ve used two piece cases that snap together in the past and they just seem cheap. The uni-body design makes the phone look like it just belongs in this case. A USB micro cable is included to charge the case.

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A nice addition is the audio extension cable. This is necessary as the audio jack becomes too recessed to put your wired headphones in after the case is installed. It was nice of UGreen to include this. I just keep it connected to my wired headphones at all times.

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A side view will show the volume and power buttons that line up perfectly with the iPhone’s buttons making operation flawless.

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There are four LED’s that will indicate how charged the battery case is. Once your iPhone battery needs charging, you just tap the power button underneath the LED’s and it will begin the charge cycle. I said tap, and if there’s one flaw with this case, it can turn on easily in your pocket. A better design would be to require a long press of the power button to turn the unit on and off to prevent from turning it on/off accidentally.

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The front speaker vents at the bottom actually improve the Iphone’s audio by making the sound appear louder since sound is now directed at you instead of downward.

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On the back of the unit is a flip out kick stand to prop the unit up for viewing in landscape mode. The kickstand is a bit flimsy and doesn’t feel very sturdy. I prefer a kickstand design that also allows for portrait viewing as well as landscape. This one only works in landscape only but does its job of propping the phone up for viewing videos or pictures.

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Usage

Inserting the phone into the case was easy. Since it’s rubberized, the phone snaps into place very easily. Removing is a little tricky as you have to press and push through the camera’s recessed flash hole and work it out. Once you get the knack of this, it comes out easily.

When the phone needs charging, the included micro USB cable will charge both the iPhone and the case at the same time. The case has 3100 mah of power  that for me resulted in about two full days of battery life. The weight is only .23 lbs but you will feel the difference in both weight and bulk. However, that added weight and bulk is a nice trade off for those of us who don’t have access to charging outlets throughout our day.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by UGreen. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer: UGreen
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • IPhone 6 or 6S
Pros:
  • Price
  • Long Battery Life
  • Improved Speaker Sound
Cons:
  • Turns on/off accidently
  • Flimsy kickstand

Filed in categories: Cables, Batteries and Chargers, Cases and Covers, iOS, Reviews

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UGreen iPhone 6/6S Battery Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 29, 2016 at 10:00 am.

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UGreen iPhone 6/6S Battery Case review

Would you trust John McAfee with your passwords?

everykey

 

The name McAfee will sound familiar to a lot of people reading this story because John McAfee is the founder of the McAfee anti-virus software that a lot of us have or had on our Windows PCs. John is a colorful character to say the least. He’s no longer associated with the anti-virus software company that bears his name, he moved on to other things like trying to become the Libertarian nominee for president in our current election. He’s also the guy that was a person of interest in the murder of an American ex-pat on the island of Belize a few years ago. McAfee evaded the authorities for awhile but was later caught in Guatemala. I said he was colorful, didn’t I? I’m not sure what’s up with the murder situation in Belize, but now he’s back in the US and is working in computer security again with a successfully funded Indiegogo crowdfunded product called Everykey. 

Everykey is a small plastic low energy Bluetooth device that has been designed to automatically unlock your car, house, phone and replace your fingers… to automatically type secure passwords into the websites you visit.  It uses AES 128-bit encryption and if you happen to lose Everykey or it’s stolen, you can freeze it so that it can’t be used by evil doers.

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You can wear Everykey in a wrist band or place it on your keychain. The device has a 30 day battery life and can be recharged via USB.

Info on the website is kind of sparse. It doesn’t list compatibilities for the cars and locks that it will work with.  The Everykey website does have a couple of quirky videos featuring Mr. McAfee though.

Everykey looks interesting, but would you buy into a product backed by a guy who seems to be a bit sketchy?  It’s also interesting to note that there are lots of people complaining that the have not received their product from the Indiegogo project that was fully funded back in January of this year. I wasn’t able to find a comment from someone who actually received an Everykey but people can order keys for $128 each (less for a multiple key order) through the Everykey.com website.

I would love a one gadget/dongle solution that would do what Everykey is supposed to do, does such a gadget exist?

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

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Would you trust John McAfee with your passwords? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 29, 2016 at 9:17 am.

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Would you trust John McAfee with your passwords?

vendredi 28 octobre 2016

Harry Potter fans and Moleskine fans unite with these new notebooks

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Moleskine has unveiled two Harry Potter Limited Edition Notebooks that have artwork and special touches that true fans will immediately recognize. There’s a clothbound notebook that features the Marauder’s Map on the cover along with the inscription “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”, and the other notebook has a Patronus Charm burgundy cover with artwork of the young wizard casting the powerful charm to fight off Dementors. Both notebooks come with an exclusive sticker set featuring popular spells like Expelliarmus and iconic Harry Potter objects like the Golden Snitch and the Hogwarts crest. Even the paper band that wraps the notebooks will let fans turn their water bottle into a magic potion like Polyjuice or Veritaserum. Both books are 5 x 8.25 inches, have 240 ruled pages and are priced at $24.95 through Moleskine.com or you can get them for less $18 each from Amazon.

Filed in categories: News, Paper and Pens

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Harry Potter fans and Moleskine fans unite with these new notebooks originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2016 at 5:10 pm.

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Harry Potter fans and Moleskine fans unite with these new notebooks

The new Master & Dynamic MW50 wireless on-ear headphone is made for portability

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Everyone seems to be jumping on the wireless headphone bandwagon, including premium audio company, Master & Dynamic. Their new MW50 Wireless on-ear headphone is their second wireless model, closely following the successful over-ear MW60. The MW50 uses some of the same material as other Master & Dynamic headphones: Beryllium drivers, Stainless steel, leather and aluminum and lambskin ear pads and are designed for decades of use. Unlike the MW60, the MW50 is built for portability.

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The MW50 is 30% smaller than the MW60 without losing any of Master & Dynamic’s wireless transmission, connectivity or sound quality. It also uses the same discrete, tactile buttons found on their other headphones. Like the MW60, the MW50 employs a microphone array for increased noise rejection and clear phone audio. The Master & Dynamic MW50’s battery is charged through a USB-C port and lasts 16 hours, long enough for any long overseas flight. It can also be directly wired to a music source if desired.

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The Master & Dynamic MW50 comes in Silver/black and silver/brown and is available now from http://ift.tt/1fV1WVU for $449 US.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV, News

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The new Master & Dynamic MW50 wireless on-ear headphone is made for portability originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2016 at 3:55 pm.

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The new Master & Dynamic MW50 wireless on-ear headphone is made for portability

Invoxia’s NVX 200 will turn your smartphone into a desk phone

invoxia-nvx200

If your smartphone is your only phone and you no longer have a landline, you should look into a device like the Invoxia NVX 200 docking station. First of all, it’s a universal phone charging dock as long as you don’t have a smartphone with a USB Type-C connector. Micro USB, Apple Lightning connector and even Apple’s 30-pin connector (seriously?) are supported though. This device is not just a charging dock. It also offers speakerphone features, a dedicated handset and a number pad that can be used to dial numbers like a traditional touch-tone desk phone or can be used as speed dial buttons. Also, your contact list and your call logs are accessible with the super wheel and screen. This device looks to be infinitely more comfortable to use than holding a smartphone up to your ear for long calls and should be safer too if you’re worried about SAR levels. If you’re interested and your budget is not an issue, you can buy the Invoxia NVX 200 for $249. Visit Invoxia for more info and Amazon to order one.

Filed in categories: Android, iOS, News

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Invoxia’s NVX 200 will turn your smartphone into a desk phone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2016 at 12:34 pm.

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Invoxia’s NVX 200 will turn your smartphone into a desk phone

See your schedule at a glance with the Calendar Watch

calendarwatch

Analog meets digital with the Calendar Watch from What? Watch. Available in several styles, this wristwatch pairs with an app on your phone and displays the next 12 hours of your scheduled appointments as darkened segments on the LCD face behind the analog watch. The watch runs for up to 2 months per charge which is significantly better than most “smart” watches on the market, and a 3hr charge is all you need to enjoy another 2 months of use. The watches can be customized with different straps and rails which are kinda cool, but here’s the biggest problem – the price. You’ll pay from $299 up to $329. Considering the fact that the only compelling feature is the calendar display and the watch has no other smart features, makes this a very expensive sorta smart watch. Still interested? Head over to whatwatch.com for more info.

Filed in categories: News, Watches and Clocks

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See your schedule at a glance with the Calendar Watch originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2016 at 11:30 am.

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See your schedule at a glance with the Calendar Watch

Trayvax Axis wallet review

trayvax-axis-1

Wallets are a simple device on the surface, basically designed to carry your cards and cash. Not unlike many, I have complicated my wallet by adding things like a pen and pen knife. I have been pretty loyal to my old wallet for a while since it was custom made for me. But wallets have changed a lot over the years going from the simple leather to nylon to other materials, the trends today seems to be carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum, or stainless steel. Along with the materials they are made of, the wallets today range from simple to complex. Enter today’s reviewed item, the Trayvax Axis wallet. I know that simple complexity is a conflict of terms but hear me out on this. The basis of this wallet is simple, the body is basically two stainless steel plates that hold your wallet contents between them. The complexity issue comes into play in how you attach those plates together and secure your items inside.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

 

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As I mentioned above, the wallet has two stainless steel plates with a nylon lanyard holding them together and a nylon webbed strap holding the wallet closed. The Axis is 5.15 inches long, 2.5 inches wide and .05 inches thick when empty. The plates offer RFID protection for your cards inside the wallet.

Trayvax Axis-3

The top plate for the Axis wallet is the complicated part of the wallet. The top has the Trayvax logo and made in the USA stamped on it. At the bottom of the stainless steel plate are four cutouts which the adjustable cord run through. In the upper left-hand corner is a tab with a hole in it big enough to run a carabiner through it. In the cutout at the top is a nipple lifted up so that the nylon webbing strap can keep the wallet securely closed. Running along the left side of the top plate is a cutout designed to hold the inner nylon webbing strap (it is hard to see the cutout with the strap in place). The right side of the Axis wallet is bent down with two cutouts allowing the nylon webbed strap to run through it. This webbing is designed to help the contents inside of the wallet.

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The bottom plate is less complicated, it has the same cord hole cutouts and a tab that mirrors the front plate to allow for a carabiner to be placed through both of them. I took this picture from the inside of the plate so you could get a look at the long tab. This can be used for quick access items. At the top of the bottom plate is another cut out for the nylon webbed closure strap.

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Inside of the Axis top plate is a webbing system designed to hold your items securely in the wallet (no rattling around). The strap is held fairly tight to the contents by tension. The Trayvax website says that the wallet can hold up to 14 cards (I don’t have 14 cards to test with). At the bottom, you can see where the nylon cord was permanently affixed.

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A chain is only as good as its weakest link and that is also true with the Axis wallet. The linchpin in this wallet is the nylon cord. The cord secures the two plates together and holds the nylon webbed closing strap. Besides holding all these items together, the nylon cord also holds a plastic slide that allows you keep the cord tight and the wallet size consistent. So far, the cord has held up great.

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The nylon webbed strap the runs from the back to the front of the Axis wallet keeps the wallet closed and helps keep your items from sliding out of the top of it. The metal grommet slips over the nipple in the front to keep the strap secure. Because the strap is attached to the wallet by the nylon cord it adjusts with your wallet (as your wallet expands or shrinks the strap can be adjusted longer or shorter).

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So what’s my bottom line here? I really like the Trayvax Axis wallet, in fact, I like it so much it has become my new everyday carry wallet. Materials and workmanship quality are high on the Axis. I have traveled with the Axis while reviewing it and found that the RFID blocking works well. The ability to securely carry the Axis many ways is a plus. The wallet I would compare it to is my partners HuMn wallet which I previously reviewed. Although the HuMn wallet is a simpler design , I like the design, look, and feel of the Axis wallet. At a price of $49.99 from the Trayvax site, this made in the USA wallet should be considered for your next adventure.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Trayvax. Please visit their site for more info and also check their Amazon shop.

 

Product Information

Price: $49.99
Manufacturer: Trayvax
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Sturdy
  • Light (for a metal wallet)
  • Stylish
  • High cool factor
  • Made in the USA
Cons:
  • Limited card space

Filed in categories: Reviews, Wallets

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Trayvax Axis wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2016 at 9:08 am.

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Trayvax Axis wallet review