Table of contents for Vol 8 2023 in Coding User

There’s some amazing gadgets and gizmos out there for all your tech gear. From carry bags to computer stands, from phone cases to wearable tech, from novelties to serious productivity tools, if its available for home technology, you can probably get it for your desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet. Over the next few pages, we round up some of the best techno-treats and fashionable fripperies available. groov-e SportBuds groov-e, www.groov-e.co.uk Price: £39.99/$49.99/43,99 € Do you like to watch videos or listen to music on your tablet while using your cross trainer, exercise bike or other such workout equipment? These sporting true wireless earbuds from groov-e feature an ear hook design to keep them in place while you work out and are rated IPX4 sweat resistant. Their carry case is a…

Unlike most of AVM’s range of wireless routers, the FRITZ!Box 4060 lacks a built-in modem. This means regardless of how your network interacts with the Internet, you can use the 4060 by connecting it to your existing modem, which was probably supplied by your ISP. Whatever your type of Internet connection (be it ADSL, fibre, cable or mobile data), even if your Internet Service Provider forces you to use their own modem hardware, you can switch off the router section of your ISP-supplied device and connect the FRITZ!Box 4060 instead. But what advantages does this bring? As you’d expect, the router’s wireless capabilities include compatibility with the new Wi-Fi 6 protocol, which gives faster speeds, and is much better at dealing with multiple, simultaneous connections. If you’re working on your…

Twelve South has a reputation for making excellent Apple peripherals that are both useful and decorative. Unfortunately, TimePorter is not such a device. An accessory travel case and charging stand for your Apple Watch, TimePorter is the same size and shape as a spectacle case but with a hole on the top for you to fit your watch’s charging cable. You have to supply your own – there’s no Apple Watch cable in the box. So what you’re left with is a metal case with space for your spare watch bands and a rubber interior frame for wrapping your charger. Is this enough to justify the price? Not really. You could just as easily keep your cable and watch straps in a real spectacle case (who doesn’t have a spare?)…

If you’re lucky enough to have a FRITZ!Box router with DECT compatibility, you can connect up to six wireless phones and position them anywhere in the house. They connect to the phone line through your router, so they don’t need to be plugged into a telephone socket. FRITZ!Fon C6 is such a phone and it’s had an impressive makeover. The body of the phone is pleasingly ergonomic and although it’s pretty minimalist in design, a clever interface makes it easy to access its unique features such as Internet radio, answer machine, email, podcasts, RSS feeds and even a baby monitor. If you have more than one FRITZ!Fon in the house, you can make internal calls between them. The new C6 model has an excellent hi-res colour screen and you can…

Alert Indoor Security Camera is an affordable way to keep an eye on your home, but it doesn't lack in smart features. After connecting the camera to your Wi-Fi network and pairing it with the SWANN Security app on your smartphone or tablet, you can view and capture high-quality video in 1080p full HD. It has a passive infrared sensor that can detect movement at up to 32 feet, and it can also detect loud noises and heat too. The camera then sends a push notification to your phone and starts video recording. You get free cloud storage, which saves clips for seven days, and they're also stored locally for two days. A full 110-degree viewing angle decreases blind spots, and there’s a mic and speaker built-in for two-way talk…

Western Digital’s My Cloud series of network attached storage (NAS), drives are highly respected. With support ending for older versions of the My Cloud operating system, and therefore My Cloud NAS drives that cannot be updated beyond them, it might be time to update to a modern release, such as this My Cloud Home single-drive device. It’s available in capacities from 2TB to 8TB, or 4TB to 20TB if you opt for the dual drive version. Here we’re reviewing the 6TB model with a single hard drive. The idea behind a NAS drive means instead of connecting it directly to your computer, you attach it to your network. As is typical for such a drive, you connect it to your router using the bundled Ethernet cable, after which you can…

Instead of fitting directly into your ear while the cables dangle underneath, Shure’s SE215 earbuds loop the cable over the ear and let the body of the buds rest in it. The body of the device clips neatly onto your shirt, and it has controls on the right-hand cable. It’s a little awkward at first, but when in place, it makes for a comfortable fit and a decent degree of sound isolation. The sound quality is excellent, as you’d expect from Shure. The balance is just right, with a rich bass underpinning a detailed mid-section and well realised vocals. A common criticism of Shure audio devices is they can be a little clinical and lacking in warmth. This is certainly not the case here. Your music loses none of its…

These days, you can never have too many USB device chargers. Macally’s Nightstand LED Light gives you four of them, set into the base of this handy lamp. A useful addition to your bedside table, the light has three levels of brightness; simply tap the metal ring atop the device to turn it on and advance through dim, medium and bright light, then again to turn it off. Much easier than feeling around in the dark for a physical switch. The lamp is white, with a false wood design at the base. It plugs into the mains to power both the lamp and the chargers. It’s well designed, if a little cheap looking, and its four USB ports will undoubtedly come in handy when you need to charge several devices…

How small can a portable storage drive get? Back in the day they got thinner and thinner but their other dimensions were restricted by the 2.5-inch drives they contained. With the advent of SSD drives, which use solid state storage chips instead of hard disks, the size of portable storage drives fell once more. At 75 x 52 x 14mm (480GB version reviewed), the Envoy Elektron is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand. As well as being small and easy to carry around, it’s also stylish, attractive and robust. Built from lightweight silver aluminium, it keeps its cool even when transferring files at its full 10Gb/s speed. It’s USB-C for the latest Macs and also compatible with tablet Pros that have this connector. The cable in…

It’s amazing how much prices of top-quality displays have fallen over the last few years. This QHD (Quad High Definition) monitor offers 2560x1440 resolution and a 27-inch screen for under five hundred notes. Its low price certainly isn't at the expense of build quality. Solid and robust, its metal base has a very sturdy feel. You certainly won't knock it over by accidentally bumping your desk. It’s very configurable too. You can adjust the height of the screen to suit, swivel it right and left without turning the stand and even rotate it 90 degrees into a portrait view. You can connect it to your desktop through HDMI or DisplayPort, and if you also connect a USB cable, there’s a four-port USB 3.2 hub. It’s a gaming monitor, so as…

It looks like a mouse, it does the same job as a mouse but it isn’t a mouse. Logitech’s Ergo M575 is, in fact, a thumb-operated trackball with mouse-like controller buttons. Pop in a AA battery (supplied) and plug the USB dongle into your desktop, then use the M575’s thumb-operated trackball to move your pointer around the screen. The device stays in one place on your desk – you don’t drag it around like a regular mouse controller. There are twin left and right buttons and a scroll wheel, just like a traditional mouse, and back/forward buttons within easy reach of your forefinger. Assuming you’re right-handed, of course. This is not a device for southpaws. As well as a USB dongle, the M575 is also Bluetooth-compatible; switch between connectivity methods…

The iPad has really come on as a go-to machine for both business and leisure. Today’s iPad is so versatile it can replace your notebook when you’re out and about. It’s with this in mind that Birmingham, Alabama startup Fledgeling built the Hubble for iPad. Available for the iPad Pro 12.9” and 11”, and the fourth-gen iPad Air, the Hubble connects to your tablet’s USB-C port. It’s not available for any iPad with a Lightning port or 30-pin dock. It greatly expands the iPad’s connectivity options, offering (from left to right): a headphone socket, HDMI port, SD and microSD card readers, a USB-A port, two USB-C ports (one for charging and one for data), and a travel switch for saving energy when you’re not using the iPad. The whole truth……

This handy, mains-powered device is more than just an iPad stand. Sure, it can hold your iPad Pro (2018 or later, either size), or iPad Air (2020), in Landscape or portrait mode, so you can watch media, draw with your Apple Pencil or type comfortably by connecting a keyboard and mouse. But it’s also a wireless charger for your iPhone and/or AirPods. Just place them on the pad at the foot of the stand. You can also buy an optional Apple Watch charger that fits on the side of the device. The stand connects to your iPad’s USB-C socket, and you can plug in peripherals using the ports at the back. There’s three USB 3 ports, a HDMI port and an Ethernet port. There’s an SD Card reader and headphone…

There are several reasons why you might prefer a trackball over a mouse. Those with RSI might find them more ergonomic. As the unit doesn’t physically move, they take up less room on your desk. Or you might just want a decent game of Missile Command. Whatever the reason, if you want a trackball, this Kensington model might fit the bill. It’s USB only, so make sure you have a spare port and aren’t too bothered about trailing cables. There’s a button on either side of the ball standing in as left and right mouse buttons, but you can’t press the ball itself for a third click. There is a scroll wheel surrounding the trackball, though. Download Kensington’s TrackballWorks app and you can configure the buttons, adjust the pointer speed…

The days when you had to spend a lot to get decent Bluetooth earbuds are long gone. These days, most mid-priced sets give excellent sonic reproduction, and are often packed with features that were previously only found in high-end models too. Take these TWS330 NB earbuds from Edifier. They offer active noise cancellation up to-38dB, deep neural network call noise cancellation for an excellent telephone experience, AAC HD audio decoding for higher-quality sounds and a companion app, all from a relatively affordable set of earbuds. The pellet-shaped carry case is comfortable in the pocket, and the earbuds are comfortable in the ears, though they’re a little difficult to get out of the case. They’re good for five hours on a full charge, and 20 hours when you throw in the…

There are some amazing software applications out there for your desktop, tablet and smartphone. Whatever it is you want to get done, there’s almost certainly an app for that. Here we take a look at some of the latest releases, including the digital illustrator Amadine for smartphone and tablet, Parallels Desktop 17 for running alternative operating systems on a desktop, the latest updates to Evernote and more. Look out too for apps for making life easier on your device and the best free software that’s out there.…

Multiple award-winning Things is widely regarded as the best task management app for Apple devices. Those with power-user needs might prefer OmniFocus but for the vast majority of us, ease of use and a clear, Apple-like interface make Things the ‘getting things done’ (GTD) app of choice. But what makes it so good? Things is designed to help you organise every aspect of your life, from daily routines to long-term goals. When you first launch Things, there’s a tutorial project you can keep or delete. If you’re new to the app, it’s best to work your way through it; in ten minutes, you’ll have a decent understanding of how it all works and how to get the most from the app. You can then delete it when you’re done and…

JustStream is an excellent alternative to AirPlay. It can stream video from your Mac to any AirPlay or Chromecast compatible device, as well as smart TVs from Samsung and LG, Roku boxes, Apple TV and Sony devices. It’s great for viewing slideshows of photos with the family, for example, and as it can mirror your Mac’s screen to the television, it’s good for presentations and demos too, as well as playing movies and videos. You can queue videos and play them in sequence, no need to keep running to your computer room to load the next five-minute holiday movie. Subtitles are supported, and the entire app runs from a menu bar icon and is never in the way while you're streaming. It’s very straightforward to use. Click on the JustStream…

It’s always nice to come across an app that does something a little bit differently, or takes an existing idea and puts its own unique spin on it. Especially considering that everyone is talking about Netflix’s new undead action romp, Army of the Dead. Zombies, Run! does exactly that, and it helps you to get fit as well. It’s part adventure game, part fitness app and part interactive story. The concept might sound a little strange at first but it makes perfect sense when you start using it, so you just have to trust us that it works. Zombies, Run! is an app designed to help people who want to run, but lack the motivation to actually get out there and do it. The incentive in this case is to…

HELLO, DAVE You have already used cout, the standard output stream, throughout our code. Now you’re going to be using cin, the standard input stream, to prompt a user response. STEP 1 Anything that you want the user to input into the program needs to be stored somewhere in the system memory, so it can be retrieved and used. Therefore, any input must first be declared as a variable, so it’s ready to be used by the user. Start by creating a blank C++ file with headers. STEP 2 The data type of the variable must also match the type of input you want from the user. For example, to ask a user their age, you would use an integer like this: STEP 3 The cin command works in the…

It’s amazing how far display prices have fallen, while their quality continues to rise. Take this one, for example. It’s a specialist, quad hidefinition (QHD) gaming monitor with a giant 31.5-inch screen. It runs at 165Hz, has a 1ms response time and a 300 nits rating, yet it costs well south of 400 notes. The AOC CQ32G2SE Gaming Monitor features a tool-free setup. You can get it up and running out of the box in five minutes flat, without having to root around for the right spanner or screwdriver. Just snap the display onto the stand and fit the foot using a finger-turned screw. It’s no hassle at all. Around the back of the display are two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort. There’s no Thunderbolt connectivity (though you can use…

If you’re serious about your gaming, you have to get a decent controller. A joypad that feels comfortable in the hands, with all its buttons and inputs within easy reach. Something with a full range of controls, including four face buttons, a D-pad, two analogue sticks and twin shoulder buttons; a now-standard setup as used by recent Xbox and PlayStation consoles. A joypad like the GameSir G4 Pro. You can connect your G4 Pro to a Windows PC using a dongle that fits in the back of the joypad when not in use or via the USB-C charging cable supplied. Unfortunately, it’s not Mac-compatible and nor can it be used with an Apple TV set-top box. You can use it with your smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth and even with…

WaterField Designs makes deluxe bags for connoisseurs. They’re not cheap, but the quality is outstanding. You could use a WaterField bag every day of your working life, then give it to your grandchild and it would still be in good condition. This particular WaterField Designs product, the Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag, is available in two sizes. The Compact version fits devices up to 11 x 8 inches, and is ideal for your tablet Pro and a Magic Keyboard. The Tall version can handle notebooks up to 12.75 x 8.75 inches such as Apple’s 13-inch range, including the new M1-powered MacBook Pros. It’s available in a range of colours, and sports a comfortable shoulder strap that holds your Apple gear in a portrait position. The main body of the bag is…

Risers for your computer or monitor aren’t exactly thin on the ground but as you’d expect, this model from Twelve South goes that extra yard with careful planning and design. As well as raising your iMac or external display to a more comfortable height, it features a handy space underneath for all your bits and pieces. The shelf, which is perforated for airflow, is the perfect size and shape for a Mac mini too. If you use Apple’s small form factor Mac with a monitor, Curve Riser is the ideal way to keep them tidy on your desk; saving space. Alternatively, use it for a USB optical drive, Thunderbolt hub, audio interface or just about anything else you can think of. The space underneath the riser is a good fit…

This home security camera is a different beast from the SWANN model covered elsewhere on the page. It lacks heat and noise detection, but it can detect motion at up to 16 feet. When it does so, it records 30 seconds of footage and uploads them to the cloud or your Dropbox account. It has a 130-degree angle-view and a fixed focus from between just under two feet to infinity. You can watch live too, of course, and, unusually for a security monitor, there’s a privacy shutter you can activate when you don't want the camera to record you. Video quality is excellent and it works well both night and day. It’s designed to stand on a flat surface. If you want to wall-mount it, you have to buy a…

Earlier in the year we saw the release of the NEO P2 4-Port GaN Charger. This is a remarkable and extremely useful multi-port charger that’s bristling with features and comes in at a fantastic price. However, MINX has since upped its game yet again and released the P2’s smaller but just as capable brother, the NEO P1. The MINIX NEO P1 is a three-port charging station, with a pair of USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 ports offering 65W, 5~15V/3A, 20V/3.25A and a single USB-A1 36W Quick Charge 3.0 port at 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A and 20V/1.8A. While it may lack an extra port over its sibling, it certainly makes up for that in portability. The NEO P2 wasn’t a huge charging station by any stretch of the imagination but the P1 is…

What an awesome set of earbuds. They’re for far more than just music. In fact the Jabra Evolve 65t is aimed at business professionals who spend most of their time on the go, taking phone calls and teleconferencing as well as listening to their tunes on the train or in their hotel room. With its four-microphone technology, phone calls are crystal clear. It sounds like the other person is sitting right next to you. They’re great for video chat with Skype or FaceTime too. They’re good for five hours on a single charge, with two full charges in the case. Naturally, these true wireless earbuds are Bluetooth-paired, but they also come with a USB dongle for your Mac or PC, so all you have to do to switch from…

'Wash your hands,’ screams a dozen posters and TV adverts, all trying to keep us safe from the coronavirus. ‘Sanitise before entering the store,’ says the hand-written note next to the bottle of sanitiser in every shop doorway. Keeping clean is certainly the order of the day but what’s the point in washing and sanitising your hands every hour if they only get mucky again next time you pick up your phone? That’s where QDOS’ UV Gadget Sanitizer & Wireless Charger comes in. It’s a closed box big enough to take a phone of up to 6.7 inches in screen size or you could drop in your keys, earbuds, cables or other such items. Plug it into a USB charger (not supplied) with the USB-A to USB-C cable (supplied) and…

YubiKey 5Ci is an encrypted dongle that provides two-factor authentication for web services. In a nutshell, this means you have to plug it into your desktop or mobile device in order to log on. Even if a hacker breaks or steals your password, they still can’t get in without also connecting your dongle. It has a Lightning connector on one end for iPhones and tablets, and a USB-C plug on the other for desktops that have this facility. It’s not yet compatible with tablets that use USB-C and it’s not compatible with all sites and apps. For example, you can’t use it with the mobile version of Safari; you need to switch to a browser such as Brave. It’s compatible with several password management apps, such as 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane…

If you need a gaming headset but can’t justify splashing out on the latest Bluetooth model, these are a decent option. 50mm speakers deliver stereo sound and there’s a mic on a flexible arm that folds away when you don’t need it. The Spirits headset is cabled, with a 3.5mm jack and a bundled extension for connecting to USB dongles or aeroplane seats. It can be used on home consoles as well as desktops and mobile devices. At this price, you wouldn't expect them to replace your favourite music earbuds, and they won't. Bass is lively and intense, but the vocals and treble sound muted. The ear pads are comfortable and do a decent job of blocking out external noises, though, after wearing them for a while they make your…

If you prefer a traditional mouse to your Mac notebook’s built-in trackpad, Logitech’s mobile take on its MX Master 3 is for you. MX Anywhere 3 for Mac is a pocket-sized controller that’s small and light enough to take wherever you need it. The mouse offers Bluetooth connectivity and can switch between three different connected devices at the touch of a button found under the mouse. Just the thing if you want to use the mouse with your tablet as well as your Mac, which is entirely possible when you’re using tabletOS 14. It charges through USB-C and as the charging port is at the front of the mouse, you can carry on using it while charging. It lasts up to 70 days on a full charge and three hours…

We’ve all seen these devices before – gaming controllers that sandwich your iPhone between two sets of controls, effectively turning it into a mobile console. But the Backbone One is a controller with a difference. As well as being compatible with your iPhone games, including those downloaded with Apple Arcade, it also supports Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Google Stadia and GeForce Now. Subscribers to these services can stream games directly to their iPhone without needing their console or PC to be on. It also supports Xbox Remote Play, PS Remote Play and Steam Link, so you can stream your purchased games from your console or PC too. Backbone One is compatible with all iPhones running iOS 13 or later, and you can even connect a cable to any USB-C screen…

At AppleUser, we’ve long championed devolo’s excellent range of powerline adapters. By connecting an adapter plug to your router, and positioning the others around the house, you can extend your cabled and wireless network using your home’s electrical cabling to transfer data. The powerline adapters plug into your regular electrical sockets and offer Ethernet ports for cabled connections, wireless access points for Wi-Fi or both. What plugs you get, and how many, depends on the pack in question, but whichever you buy, you can always purchase and add individual adapters later. This particular pack is devolo’s Magic 2 WiFi 6 Multiroom Kit, which gives you three powerline adapters, all of which offer two gigabit Ethernet ports and a Wi-Fi 6 access point. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest wireless standard, and…

Logitech Lift for Business is an ergonomic mouse for smaller hands. Instead of sitting flat on the table, it’s set at a 57-degree angle. It has a soft rubber grip and a thumb rest so you can use it for hours without triggering your RSI. You can connect it through Bluetooth to three devices at a time, switching between them with a button on the base of the mouse, or use a USB dongle offering Logi Bolt, Logitech’s secure wireless connectivity protocol that’s ideal for congested office environments. Available in white or black and in right-or left-hand versions, the mouse takes one AA battery which should last around 24 months. Atop the device are two mouse buttons and a scroll wheel, along with a smaller button that can be configured.…

If you enjoy going out and about with your digital SLR and your Mac notebook, take a look at this ruck sack. Manfrotto Street Slim Camera Backpack has a space for a laptop of up to 14 inches, as well as two separate compartments for your bits and pieces. The lower compartment, accessed by opening the zipped flap around the front, conceals a padded chamber with dividers that velcro into position and make neat safe areas for your camera and peripherals. The upper compartment is an open space for your extra gadgets. Of course, if you want to use the bag for a weekend away, perhaps, you can remove the velcro dividers and pack it with your clothes and overnight bag. There are other pockets too, such as a document…

Here at AppleUser, we’re big fans of DxO Labs’ PhotoLab image editing software. A high-end image editing suite, it’s aimed firmly at the high-needs user; photography professionals and very keen amateurs. It’s not for the casual snapper but those who are serious about photography will find it a comprehensive and feature-packed suite that really brings out the best in your photographic art. This, the fourth version, introduces some great new features. The most significant is DeepPRIME, an artificial intelligence technology that learns from the millions of photos DxO’s laboratories have analysed over the last 15 years. This learning is used to better process photographs taken in the RAW format with regards to digital noise reduction and demosaicing (yes, that is a word). As a result, images look more natural. It’s…

Back in the day, you could gather your snaps in the Photos app, design a calendar, a book, greetings cards and more; and order them in print directly from Apple. You can’t do this any more but several third-party services have stepped in to fill the gap. Motif is one such service. Using the free Motif app for your Mac, iPhone or tablet, you can use your photos to create exciting books and calendars directly from your Apple device. On a Mac you can also create and order greetings cards but this feature has yet to make it to the mobile apps. Your pictures are curated automatically so your favourite memories and pictures are easily to hand; and it’s easy to make impressive, professional-looking designs. There are ready-made templates and…

Now here’s a useful app to have on your phone. It can translate typed text into and out of 103 languages, as long as you've got an Internet connection. If you're offline, it can still translate 59 languages. If your typing finger is getting tired, you can simply point your smartphone’s camera at a piece of text and translate it between 90 languages, or 50 languages at a higher quality if you use a photo. It can handle 95 languages using handwriting recognition and translate conversations in 43 languages. You can save translated words and phrases for future reference too. Naturally, it caters for all widely spoken European languages. It’s a real boon for travellers. Not only can it make communication easier, if you're confused by signage or instructions, just…

Welcome to the launch issue of Tech Shopper Magazine. In this new publication from Papercut Ltd, our team of technology experts combine their many, MANY years of experience to craft the ultimate buyers guide that covers all major formats. In this first issue, we take an in-depth look at all sorts of gadgets and gismos for your Apple gear. If it’s a head turner, for good or bad reasons and is compatible with a Windows, Android, Samsung, iPhone, iPad or Mac, we’ve covered it inside. In fact, this magazine is 100% reviews and previews as we devote the whole magazine to covering the latest software, add-ons and more. And we haven’t neglected software either. We cover a wide range of apps and games for all your tech gear. In the…

This wireless charger powers three of your Apple devices at once. The vertical stand on the left holds – and charges – your Apple Watch. The charger is built-in. You don’t have to use the one that came with your watch like you do with some charging stands, so you can keep that for travel. In front of it is a recessed area where you place your AirPods (2nd gen or Pro). On the right of the unit is a regular wireless charger for your smartphone, as long as it’s wireless-charging compatible. Three chargers in one. Unfortunately, there’s no USB port around the back for cabled charging. The charger is available in both black and white. The black model has a premium Ultrasuede fabric finish, while the white one boasts…

You can’t fault the price. For less than 60 notes, the Kami Indoor 360 Smart-Home Camera offers 340° rotation and 90° tilt, dual band wi-fi, two-way audio, night vision and 1080p high definition recording. It’s not at the expense of quality either. It’s robust and stylish, with an understated profile that sits discreetly wherever you wish to position it; and its recordings are sharp and smooth. It has to be used indoors, of course. The camera is not weatherproof or waterproof, so it cannot be set up outside. It has to be reasonably close to a plug socket too. A long USB lead is supplied so you can power it from the mains plug provided or a computer’s USB port but there’s no battery option. The Kami Indoor 360 Smart-Home…

Your brand-new smartphone might well be the pinnacle of mobile phone gaming but is your controller up to speed? Do you even have a controller? If not, this amazing, pocket-sized add-on could be just what you’re looking for. The Kishi folds down when not in use for easy storage and portability. When opened up it stretches out to accommodate smartphones of all sizes. A Lightning connector plugs into your phone and a through-port lets you plug in your Lightning cable and charge while you play. There’s no need to cut your gaming short because your smartphone’s battery is almost drained. There’s a free app too but this is just for firmware updates and information; there’s no heavy setting up to do. Its comprehensive control set will prove familiar to anyone…

If you remember the review we did of the devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi Starter Kit back in Issue 2, you know that powerline adapters are a great way of extending the reach of your cabled and wireless network using your house’s electrical wiring. A powerline setup consists of at least two plugs, which fit in your household mains sockets. By connecting one of them to your router using a supplied Ethernet cable and plugging the other into any mains socket in the house, you create a cabled connection between your router and the second adapter. This unit can offer a wireless access point for your network, Ethernet ports for cabled connectivity, or both. devolo’s Magic 2 LAN Triple powerline adapter starter set doesn’t offer Wi-Fi access, but it does have…

If you prefer traditional cans to in-the-ear audio, you might well have had your head turned by Apple’s own AirPods Max. When you saw the ridiculous £549/$549/612,70 € price point, you probably looked away just as quickly. Groov-e’s new Ultra headphones are at the other end of the price scale, so should you look this way instead? Out of the box, the Ultra Headphones are light on frills. You get the headphones themselves (of course), an optional 3.5mm jack cable for a wired connection to your audio player and a USB charging cable. Surprisingly at this price point, you can also use a Qi charger (not supplied). The headphones fold down when not in use but there’s no carry case to put them in. A full charge gives you up…

These cabled earbuds are made with mobile gaming in mind. They feature vibration effects, a removable mic that plugs into the left earbud and an optional extension with two 3.5mm jacks so you can use them with devices that require dual inputs. Although primarily intended for mobile games with voice chat facilities, you can use them with your computer or home console too. Despite the size of the earbud units, they feel very comfortable in the ears. They look good too. There’s onboard controls for volume, pause, taking calls, skipping tracks and Siri, and a second mic in the control unit is used for phone calls when the main boom mic is not connected. When listening to music, the sound stage is crisp and lively, but not quite as expansive…

Bluetooth headphones and earbuds are fabulous. You can listen to your music anywhere, without being hampered by annoying cables. But not every audio player has Bluetooth; this is where AirFly comes in. A small dongle that comfortably fits in the palm of your hand, it connects to the headphone socket of a non-Bluetooth device, from where it acts as a wireless transmitter. Just pair your headphones or earbuds with AirFly, and you can use them with anything that plays audio. Its onboard battery gives up to 16 hours of life on a single charge. The new AirFly Pro brings several new features. For the first time, you can pair two sets of headphones so that you can listen in with a friend; Just the thing for watching TV, for example.…

Netatmo’s Smart Video Doorbell has been around for a couple of years now, but thanks to two new transformers, designed and built to accompany it, the doorbell can now be installed in a wider variety of situations. These transformers, sold as separate items or in a pack with the doorbell, come in two varieties: a plug-in transformer that simply needs a wall socket, and an in-wall transformer that’s a little more demanding regarding installation. If you’re not a talented DIYer, you’ll need a professional electrician for the latter. Whichever transformer you use, the video doorbell can be used with or without a chime. When someone rings the bell, you get an alert on your phone. If you wish, you can also have it ring on your smart speaker. It’s compatible…

Here’s a wireless charger with a difference. Install the iXpand Charger App and as well as charging your smartphone it also backs up your photos, videos and contacts. It’s available in 128GB and 256GB capacities, so there’s plenty of space for your snaps, and it isn't much more expensive than a regular QI charger. Obviously, it only works with iPhones that can charge wirelessly, but as it’s QI certified, you can charge your AirPods or other QI-compatible devices too. After Bluetooth pairing the charger with your phone and connecting it to your local network, it’s simple to use; just place your phone on the pad and, as long as the battery is at 20% or more, it backs up your data. If you want to share the charger with more…

Mixcder is noted for decent headphones at an affordable price, and these E10 noise-cancelling cans are no exception. They've certainly done a decent job on the build quality. Its all-metal skeleton is finished with comfortable padding, and its understated design is perfect for those who prefer gadgets with a minimalistic look. The latest tech is incorporated too, with Bluetooth v5.0 for faster transmission and Advanced Apt-X Low Latency Technology. Battery life is 30 hours on a full charge, and if you're in a rush, five to eight minutes of charging can give you two or three hours of music time. In our tests, the ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) proved adequate rather than remarkable. It wasn't bad; just not perfect. The overall sound is impressive. Although activating the ANC reduces the…

As you’d expect from a monitor in AOC’s respected AGON range, the Pro AG324UX is built for gaming. That’s not to say it isn’t a capable screen for creative design or general computing, but the focus is on keeping the joypad jugglers happy with fast, smooth updates at a very high resolution. The IPS screen is 31.5 inches corner to corner, and has a pixel resolution of 3840 x 2160; that’s over eight million pixels in total. It has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 1ms. These are excellent figures, but if the screen rate drops, a little ghosting is evident; make sure you have a Mac that has the power to keep things snappy. The display can connect to your Mac through its DisplayPort 1.4…

You can use this double-ended flash drive to transfer files between devices, and back up your photos and videos from your iPad or iPhone. Available in 64GB, 128GB or 256GB capacities, it has a USB-C 3.1 plug on one end, and a Lightning connector at the other. You can only copy media and contacts from an iPhone or iPad, using the iXpand app, but plug it into a Mac and you can copy any file. Transferring files to the flash drive is super speedy; it’s certainly faster than its predecessor, the iXpand Flash Drive Go. The iXpand app is easy to use too. It’s a great way of getting more from your mobile device’s internal storage, without clogging it up with things that could be stored elsewhere. DA Info// SanDisk…

Everyone loves robots. Whether it’s Metal Mickey, C-3PO or the Terminator, we just can’t get enough of them. We all love dogs too. They’re cute, cuddly and playful. So you can’t go far wrong with a robot dog, right? Petoi certainly thinks so. That’s why they created Bittle the open-source bionic robot dog, an amazing mechanical mutt that can do tricks just like a real hound. Designed for coding and fun, Bittle operates on OpenCat, an open-source platform that offers amazing programming and customisation possibilities. It’s based on an Arduino-compatible board which you can connect to a Raspberry Pi or purpose-made modules and add-ons through wired and wireless connections. You can configure and control it through a dedicated iOS app. It’s great for learning about STEM and robotics.. Build a…

Airpulse’s latest offering, the P100X stereo Bluetooth speaker, should appeal to those who like their tech to be beautiful as well as practical. Inspired by traditional FM radios of old, it has a gorgeous mesh finish at the front and back, and an elegant cherry wood speaker casing at the top and sides. Sound-wise, it features a pair of custom-designed 10w tweeters and a 4.5-inch 40w mid-woofer, for 60w in total. The tweeters use an oval-shaped diaphragm to deliver a better high frequency response, accurately reproducing even the highest audio frequencies. The mid woofer is a 4.5-inch unit, featuring a hard anodised aluminium alloy cone suspended in a heavy, rigid cast magnesium alloy frame. The device connects to your audio source via Bluetooth v5.1, supporting the aptX HD codec, or…

Oclean’s new X Pro Elite Smart Electric Toothbrush connects to your iPhone through Bluetooth. A downloadable app keeps a record of your brushing, and offers tips to help you brush better. It’s stylish looking and feels very tactile in the hand, and is very quiet in operation. It even has a ‘Quiet Mark’, a symbol of approval from the Noise Abatement Society. The brush’s textured surface makes it easy to hold on to, and the conventional oval brush head (as opposed to a rotating circular head found on most electric toothbrushes) makes it very easy to use, especially if you have a small mouth or irregular teeth. It’s lightweight too, and well balanced. A rechargeable device, it comes with a charging cradle which connects to the mains through a USB…

Universal Purchases are awesome. Rolled out earlier this year, the feature lets developers bundle iOS, tabletOS and macOS versions of an app into a single purchase. Instead of having to pay once on the Mac App Store and again on the Mobile App Store, a single payment unlocks the software on all your Apple devices. GoodLinks is a read-later app that syncs your links across all your Apple gear and being a Universal Purchase isn’t the only thing it gets right. Using GoodLinks is very straightforward. When surfing the web in Safari or a third-party browser, you might come across an article you’d like to save for later perusal. Sure, you can bookmark it or add it to Safari’s Read Later list but GoodLinks gives a more comprehensive and flexible…

Ever come across a video on YouTube and wished you could download it for offline viewing, or cut it to DVD and watch it on your living-room TV? Of course you have. Everybody has. With Airy, you can do just that. It’s easy to use. Simply navigate to the YouTube video you want to download, then copy and paste the URL into the field in the Airy app, choose a resolution and click Download. You can download videos as MP4, FLV, and 3GP, with HD, 4K and 8K Ultra HD resolutions supported, or go for MP3 to download only the audio. Airy can also be integrated into most popular web browsers, such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Explorer too, to download directly from your bookmarks bar. If you've a…