Category Archives: Gadget reviews

While headphones will always be the best method for carrying your music around with you, sometimes they are just not enough and you need something a bit more open so that you can share the sound. Of course, carrying proper speakers around with you would be far too cumbersome but mini, portable speakers have been around for some time now and with developers finding ways to cram more technology into smaller spaces, the portable speakers currently on the market provide a surprisingly high quality of sound. One of the better examples currently available is the JBL Micro Wireless speaker, which can be yours for $59.

The JBL Micro Wireless is very true to its name as it is indeed very tiny and at just 3.3 inches in diameter and 1.6 inches thick, you would not expect to achieve much sound from it, especially since it could easily fit in your pocket. But appearances can often be deceiving and that is very much the case here because the sound is very good for its size and cost.

The speaker is available in a number of colours and comes with all the standard features you would expect. The power button doubles as a pairing button for Bluetooth connectivity while a dial provides the volume control. The speaker has a battery that can be charged by connecting the included USB cable to its Micro-USB port and the compatible power source of your choice. Charging takes around to hours but will provide you with around five hours of playback time on a full battery.

Another great feature is the 35mm auxiliary output jack that allows you to connect it to a device without the use of Bluetooth if need be. However it also provides another rather cool function. If you happen to own more than one of these speakers, you can connect them together with this jack and achieve more coverage with the sound. Better still, there is no limit to how many you can add to your chain.

The sound is far from perfect but then on a micro speaker like this that would be near-impossible to achieve. It does however rise above its tiny size and produce a clear sound that is not let down by the tinny sound often associated with small, portable speakers. Considering its size, the sound quality is excellent. It is also supposed to have bass capabilities but this aspect is not so easy to hear and, while it does not ruin the sound at all, it would be nice if this had been tweaked a bit as it does take something away from certain types of music. Overall, the sound is fine but you will need to take placement and angle into consideration as it will affect the quality.

For what it is, the JBL Micro Wireless speaker is a great little device and excellent value for money. It is easy to use and connect to, the battery life is generous and the sound quality it is capable of is impressive. If you need a portable speaker, this will not disappoint.

The problem with such valuable items like the iPad is that if they ever become damaged they are often expensive to fix and even more so to replace. Devices like this require special care because if the screen is scratched, you are stuck with it that way but that’s if you are lucky. Dropping it and various other impacts can cause much more serious damage so if you are likely to encounter a lot of iPad-threatening situations, you may want to invest in some protection for it. One option is the LifeProof Nuud iPad case, which can accommodate the iPad 2 and onwards, apart from the iPad Mini which would of course fall out. The case is available now for $150.

The Nuud case is actually made up of two parts and while one of them may look inadequate as a means of protection, it actually does a stunning job. The front part is a hollow ring, which means the screen itself is always open and exposed but this just means you have access to it while it is in the case. Fortunately the ring is thick enough so that should you drop the iPad face-down, the screen should remain untouched, provided you do not drop it onto a spike. While encased, you will still have access to all the vital ports and buttons, although some of them may be a bit more difficult to reach but overall it all works fine. Supposedly the part of the case covering the speaker enhances the sound but it does not sound quite as good as its creators would like us to think and while sound is mostly clear, there is some muffling. The camera works fine with the case on however.

With the Nuud case on, your iPad receives protection from such harsh conditions as dust, ice and snow exposure, as well as being dropped from 4 feet and submerged 6.6 feet underwater, and sure enough your tablet will come through unscathed. The ring on the front of it is tight enough to stop any unwanted debris slipping through and it certainly lives up to its promise as a sturdy protective case. This may put someone off as it really is a big, thick, heavy-duty case and while it offers the iPad sufficient protection, it is slightly unwieldy and if you are unlikely to encounter these conditions on a regular basis, you may want to turn your attention to a more lightweight case. If however you want your protection to be a bit more hard core, this will not let you down. It’s so good at its job, it does take some work to remove it.

The case comes with a handy cover for the screen when not in use and it can also double as a stand, although it is a bit flimsy but it does the job. Overall this is as protective as a case can get and if the size doesn’t put you off, you will not be disappointed.

If you are looking for an innovative way to increase your valuable desktop space then there is an alternative to just reducing the size of everything open. If you have more than one monitor at your disposal then you may just be able to connect them and spread your desktop over multiple screens. The DualHead2Go Digital ME is an external multi-display adapter that allows you to do just that by adding up to two DVI monitors to your Mac. All it will cost you is $179 and one of your Mac’s precious USB ports, plus however much you paid for the extra monitors. Admittedly it isn’t the cheapest accessory but it certainly does a good job.

The adapter measures just 3.8 by 2.5 by 1.1 inches and will not clutter up your workstation. It is housed in a silver aluminium case and provides video output via two DVI connectors on the back of it, while the front end has two different ports; a DisplayPort connection for video input and a USB port for the power supply. Included with the adapter is a USB cable, a Mini-DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable, relevant software and a two-year warranty. However, there are no DVI cables or video adapters included so if you need these you will have to buy them separately.

The DualHead2Go Digital ME is very simple to use and it will not take long to install at all. To power it simply connect it to your Mac with the USB cable. Meanwhile, the DisplayPort cable connects it to your Mac and then it is a simple case of connecting your secondary monitors to the DVI ports on the back of it. Now that everything is all connected up you just need to install the software that comes with it.

With everything up and running you get various options to customise your desktop to your liking. Mode Management is more for the display settings, such as resolution, while the Desktop Divider option lets you choose between spreading your desktop across all of the screens available, or using each one individually. The latter option will configure them in such a way that allows for up to four different applications visible on each monitor, making multi-tasking a breeze.

That’s all there is to it and it really is very simple to set up and utilise. Installing does not take long and once it is in place you can use your desktop space more effectively. The only real flaw is the fact that you lose a USB port to it so if you have a lot of other things to connect this way, you will have to be more selective, but for many people this will not even be a problem. However, if you happen to use a Thunderbolt external drive, the DualHead2Go Digital ME can be connected to it in a chain.

Overall this is a simple device with a very specific function but if you need some extra desktop space and have the right monitors handy, it does a great job of extending your desktop.

From the great minds of Bang & Olufsen comes a new way to enjoy your music. With their first foray into the iPad speaker world they have brought us the Beoplay A3 iPad speaker, designed by Danish designer Steffen Schmelling. This stand and speaker unit is a nicely designed piece of hardware that fits in perfectly with the sleek, compact style of the iPad but be warned; it does not come cheap.

At first glance it may appear rather unexceptional but any doubts the minimalist design causes will soon be forgotten when you try it out. It has a very basic wedge shape that proves to be deceptively practical while the iPad itself is simply tucked into the front, giving it the appearance of a picture frame. Due to its triangular shape it can stand up in both portrait and landscape mode, or simply sit on your lap to create a neat little terminal for easy playlist scrolling.

So as a stand it does the job perfectly but the real reason for buying it is for the speakers and they do not disappoint. The A3 speakers may be small but this only adds to how impressive they are as the sound is rich, clear and detailed. This makes it ideal for both music and movies and a vast improvement on the sound quality of the iPad alone.

Buttons are also minimal in accordance with the design but the bare essentials are all present and correct with the volume controls and standby switch located on the thinner edge. Everything else is done through the iPad but this is hardly a flaw on the speaker’s part.

A nice touch is the Adaptive Stereo Orientation motion sensor that allows the A3 to know whether the iPad is in portrait or landscape mode so it can adjust the sound accordingly, while a woofer and tweeters enhance the sound with a solid, bassy feel.

The A3 has decent a battery life of around 5 hours before it needs recharging and, when plugged in, will also power your iPad.

However the A3 is not without its flaws, although they are few. While the sound is good for speakers of that size, it is not perfect. Added to this is the fact that Apple’s latest third generation iPad is not currently compatible, although this is apparently soon to be fixed. Another worry is the fact that if future models of the iPad change their design then the A3 will be rendered obsolete as it is very specifically created to house the iPad’s current size.

Another issue is that the iPad’s integration into the A3 is not so ideal for games. While the sound will undoubtedly be improved, they will be much more cumbersome to play when housed in the stand so if you are looking to buy the A3 you need to consider what you primarily use your iPad for first.

Overall though this is a great product if you have the money for it, but since it retails at around £450/$700 it may be a bit too steep for some.

If you ever thought that the world of iPhone-related accessories could not grow any weirder or more diverse – repent right now, sinner! The Shaka Wind Meter proves that are still plenty of depths yet to plumb.

The Shaka is a simple tiny gadget – it is a fan that plugs into the headphone socket of your iPhone and tells you the wind speed. It had originally been made for surfers, but it definitely has way more uses than just surfing.
For instance, windsurfers find it handy to know the wind speed, and amateur meteorologists will like the idea that they can keep records of the wind speed and direction as well as the temperature.

Another cool idea would be to use it for running. All those iOS apps for training are good and they all do a fairly decent job counting burnt calories and miles we’ve covered, but, what they don’t do is account for headwinds. Sometimes, you could’ve done a run at half the normal speed, when you actually have made more of an effort than usual – it’s all because of the wind. What if all those workout/training apps measured the speed of the wind and then made up the best solution for your training session?Sounds cool, huh?
Anyhow, the Shaka will be available soon, and you can sign up to receive details at the site.