Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
I have never had wireless headphones before, and with all the commuting I do and going to the gym, I really should have done before now! Opening these pink Edifier ear buds, it was nice to have them in their own case, which also doubles up as a charging unit. The buds fit snugly in the magnetic case where they snap into place and fit the connectors to charge.
Placing them straight into my ears was obviously the first thing I did, but like any good reviewer, I tried to connect them to my iPhone X without reading the instructions. It turns out that these TWS1 Pro headphones are super easy to set up. From my phone, all I had to do is go to the Bluetooth settings and the headphones were already there. I just clicked on ‘connect’ and the headphones were working, playing the songs from my phone straight away. They turn themselves on when you take them out of the case and turn themselves off again when put back in place.
Using the headphones was easy too. It was just a matter of tapping once (on either ear) to play or pause, twice on the left ear for the previous track and twice on the right for the next track. Volume up and down is a hold on either ear bud. It’s one tap to accept a call and 2-3 taps to disconnect a call on your phone too.
The ear phones stayed in for the whole of my cycle and weights workout which I was surprised about. The sound is balanced between both ear buds but there’s not the best bass on them and I can’t find a way of changing the settings. There’s a long battery life on them and they’re very sharp when listening to audio books etc.
For the price, these are great stocking fillers or for teenager who already have a smart phone. It’s difficult to go wrong with how easy they are and compact but well designed in the case and they come with not one but two sets of spare ear pieces. I am converted to using these headphones now instead of my wire ones for everyday use and I’m not going back!
Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love music, especially heavy metal and rock, but my music choices aren’t to everyone’s taste, so a good set of headphones is a must for me.
The Edifier W240TN headphones are the perfect choice for me as they not only look great in a stylish gunmetal black (available in gunmetal black or white finish) they feel comfortable and most importantly the sound quality is astonishing!
I have had in-ear headphones before both wireless and wired that didn’t fit well, had connectivity problems and sounded very tinny.
Thankfully, the Edifier W240TN ticks all the boxes and is a cracking set of earphones with fast charging, meaning you can use them sooner (a 10 minute charge will give you approximately 2 hours of use).
Connecting them to my devices was simple via Bluetooth and the booklet gives a rundown of all the settings available.
When it comes to earphones, one size does not fit all and Edifier has helped with this by including 4 different sized pairs of rubber earbuds XS, S, M and L meaning the Edifier W240TN can fit all.
The active noise cancellation with ambient sound mode is a great feature, meaning you won’t be disturbed whilst listening and you really will be immersed in your music, calls, film or game, etc.
Advanced Bluetooth V5.3AI DNN noise cancellation is another great feature meaning calls using the Edifier W240TN are crystal clear, which is what we all want!
Long-lasting battery life with almost 7 hours playback per charge, the Edifier W240TN has by far the longest battery life I’ve experienced in earphones and I am really impressed with them.
Customized settings can be created via Edifier Connect App, which I downloaded from the Google Play Store.
Overall, the Edifier W240TN are a tremendous pair of earphones, the sound quality is superb, and the appearance is very sleek and trendy, the W240TN is inspired by the shape of a robust piston head and looks effortlessly stylish.
The metallic design carries the legacy of the TWS1 Pro and the finished product speaks volumes about Edifier’s pursuit of style.
The result has an iconic profile that balances modern lines with a retro, almost 80s-like character; think Robocop meets Blade Runner 2049.
Disclaimer – We were loaned this item for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
Are you struggling to treat the tech lover in your life this Christmas?
Look no further as the XGIMI Elfin Projector is a wonderful gadget and bound to be received well by any lucky recipient.
Projectors have certainly come a long way in terms of design and user ability since my childhood. Gone are the bulky space taking projectors and in their place are a new generation of slimline devices.
Elfin’s slim, lightweight design is similar in size to a standard book and can be transported easily in a bag wherever you go.
As a family of keen campers, we think the Elfin would make a welcome addition to our camping kit as it takes up minimal space, and would be a great way to entertain us all by providing some much needed relaxation during the evenings at the campsites we visit. The idea of a movie under the stars after a fun day’s camping really excites our children.
The XGIMI Elfin Projector was really easy to set up (remote control takes 2 x AAA batteries which were not included) and the user manual was easy to understand and came in a variety of languages.
The Elfin doesn’t come with a stand as standard but this can be bought separately for £72 from XGIMI.
Elfin’s Intelligent Screen Adaption (ISA) technology automatically optimizes your display in seconds meaning more time for movies!
1080p, 800 ANSI Lumens provides a crystal clear and vividly colourful visual experience for anyone watching thanks to its super powerful lens.
Choosing the right place to protect your movie is important. A patterned wallpaper wouldn’t be suitable so a plain wall is perfect. Our walls are a latte colour and this didn’t affect the colours at all, which was brilliant.
Alternatively, a projector screen can be used. We used our own projector screen outside to see how well the projector would work and it was perfect! The projected images were again crystal clear, and it felt like we were watching a TV.
The integrated Android TV™ delivers 5000+ apps, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney +. It was really easy to download these apps with a few clicks of a button and all that I needed to do was log in to my accounts.
Sound wise the Elfin didn’t disappoint, its two 3W built-in Harman Kardon speakers really enhanced our viewing experience with high-quality surround sound.
Overall I am really impressed with the XGIMI Elfin Projector and have really enjoyed using it, it’s an amazing piece of tech!
Disclaimer: We received the earbuds for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own.
I have been trying out the Edifier TWS1 Pro wireless earbuds for the last week and I’m really impressed with them. They are comfortable to wear and feel very secure in my ear, I had got out of the habit of listening to music on the go as my previous pair kept slipping out and I never felt happy wearing them, so I am really pleased to have found a replacement that do actually stay put.
The earbuds are really easy to set up, simply switch on the Bluetooth pairing, connect & go. The earbuds power off when placed in the case and the lid is closed and power on and connect automatically to your device the moment you open the case.
To use the earbuds you simply tap them, controls include play, pause and skip to the next track as well as adjusting the volume and answering calls.
The Edifier TWS1 Pro earbuds feature Qualcomm®’s second-generation aptX™ adaptive technology which combines aptX™ high definition audio and aptX™ low latency, and dynamically switch to the best option depending on different scenarios. I found the sound quality to be excellent, with no distortion and perfect for my rock and pop playlists!
The charging case holds the earphones securely with magnets and once placed in the case the earphones start charging automatically A single charge provides 12 hours of playback time and the case provides an additional 30 hours of charge, so in total you can enjoy 42 hours of playback before you need to charge, which is enough for most people. When it does run out of charge the case has fast charging capabilities and reaches a full charge within 40 minutes.
I wear my earbuds when exercising so was pleased to discover that the earbuds have an IP65 dust and water-proof test rating making them the perfect choice for any outdoor activity.
The earbuds have a RRP of £49.99 and are available in black, dark grey, ivory or pink from Amazon
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
I am loving the TCL 30+ Smartphone that was sent to me this week! I am usually an iPhone user and have been for about 10 years so having never tried an Android phone before, I didn’t know what to expect.
TCL 30+M Smartphone
Firstly, the phone looks like a smartphone. Its screen is 16cm height and 7.5cm wide whilst less than 1cm thick, comparable to other smart phones and at 184g it’s lightweight too. The screen isn’t too big for my little hands (and they are little!) and like other smartphones, it’s touchscreen.
If, like me you don’t like reading instructions and just want to get started with setting it up, then it’s easy. You don’t need a SIM card to get started and luckily the phone is already slightly charged so you can take it out the box and start the settings straight away. It doesn’t take that long to set up either. The phone asks you which wi-fi network you want to use so I chose my home network just to get started. Using the QR reader on the phone, it set up and sync-ed with my wifi easily. Next, there was the security which included a ‘pattern’ to open the phone and then the fingerprint recognition. This takes a few minutes as the phone has to build up your profile slowly. You can choose to open the phone with a PIN or face recognition though if you prefer.
There are ample apps already installed or more you can download yourself
Other settings which you can choose are your search engine preferences, G Pay (so you can checkout with your phone for payments), other additional apps like YouTube, Google Drive etc and setting up your Gmail account. It also makes it easy for you to transfer your old apps and data (including photos) from an old device to the TCL 30+.
I particularly liked the ‘Hey Google’ voice recognition. I used this a few times when my hands were full to do things like set up an alarm (the alarm noise was surprisingly soothing!) and ask questions which I was easily able to do from a distance.
Once the phone was set up, I started using it to see how it compared. There are actually 3 cameras; the main camera (50MP), plus two more cameras on the back to give a wider field of view. There’s also a video lens with features such as Steady Snap, Portrait Mode, Movie Mode, Stop Motion and various Filters. Additionally, there’s a 13MP ultrawide camera at the front of the phone, for taking selfies and video. It has features such as Face Beautification, Auto Capture and Touch to Capture.
The cameras are great quality, and to test them, I took the same photo (below) on both the TCL 30+M and my iPhone X. There’s not much difference, you can see that the quality is similar although perhaps slightly better on the iPhone when it comes to detail. The colours are less saturated on the TCL too.
iPhone X image compared to…the same subject on a TCL 30+M phone
There is 128GB of memory on the phone (which is the same as the new iPhone 13 Pro) and the ability to add a MicroSD card up to 1TB. If you prefer not to use a card though, the phone can link up with your Google Drive and you can store all your photos, files and apps on the cloud so there isn’t a huge need for an SD card unless you really want one.
There are so many features that it takes a while to find your way around all the apps etc but once you do they work brilliantly. The box contains a charger and Type-C cable which are the quickest way to charge the phone. The battery life is much longer than my iPhone too, lasting days instead of just 1 day so there isn’t a big need to keep charging it. The phone also comes with a clear plastic cover, a SIM card pin and a device bag.
If I had never owned a Smartphone before, then I would be overwhelmed by all the apps and what was on offer, but I think I would get used to using it very quickly. As much as I hate to admit it though, I can see why people prefer the Android over an Apple iPhone. A lot of the work is already done for you, it’s consistent (and I think easier to use) with a PC and all the modern features you want with a phone are there. You don’t even need to buy extra accessories like a phone cover.
As with every product, there are pros and cons. This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few things I’ve noticed after using the TCL 30+ for a couple of weeks:
Pros
The battery charges quickly and lasts for days!
Easy to set up
Lots of cameras with filters already installed
Already installed with loads of apps including Google apps and social media
More in-depth apps like Weather that also features satellite images, news etc
Cons
Not 5G
Takes a while to register fingerprint security when you pick it up
Response time is slower than I would like when using apps – they take a while to load up or to load more information
At a fraction of the price of an iPhone (currently £159 on Amazon) there are few reasons not to use it, especially if you prefer Androids or aren’t already a Smartphone or Apple user. This would make a fantastic Christmas gift for a teenager, or for anyone who wants to be able to access all of the apps, features and smartphone technology we’ve all come to expect!
Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Say Hello to the swipe-free emporia SUPEReasy
emporia Telecom, a leading brand in the design and development of simplified smartphones for seniors, has revealed the World’s easiest smartphone – the emporia SUPEReasy.
This simplified device removes the need to swipe to operate – combining two screens, one to make calls and the second to scroll through for apps, with two physical keys for easy operation.
The SUPEReasy is built on Android 10 and provides a full, content rich and limitless smartphone experience. It is not stripped-down in any way, just simplified to offer the easiest operation and includes useful apps like a QR code reader, magnifier function and NFC for mobile payments.
It has a 13MP camera, a 5” touch screen with three quick dial icons and two large built-in physical keys for ‘answer/send’ and ‘end’ functions.
These physical keys are located directly below the screen for intuitive use. The device comes with a flat charging cradle, interchangeable back cover and emporia’s signature tangle-free headphones – making it a beautifully simple device for the user, regardless of age.
Included:
Two battery covers (one with an emergency button and one without it)
Desktop Charger
Display: Large screen with text that is easy to read & Touchscreen
Features: HAC: compatible with M4/T4 hearing aids and IP54 splash resistance
VoLTE: 4G mobile data connectivity
NFC: for contactless and cashless payments
System: Android 10
Making a phone call with a smartphone has never been easier. With real buttons for accepting and ending a call. Green to accept, Red to hang up – no need to swipe. And of course the tools to surf the web or snap a few nice photos. Everything made simply, SE = everything super easy.
Chris Millington, UK Managing Director at emporia Telecom explains the market opportunity behind this portfolio launch: “This is the first smartphone designed with a specific focus on making and receiving voice calls. Mainstream smartphones are based on the concept of ‘swipe to answer’ – this is often physically challenging for seniors due to age-related changes to circulation and moisture loss in the fingertips. The niche audience for this product is huge. Ofcom’s figures show that only 36% of people aged over 65yrs in the UK own a smartphone – so there are clearly critical barriers for the industry to address that have not really changed in the last 10 years.”
emporia invests heavily in senior insights including an ongoing research collaboration with Cambridge University. As such the business has amassed a deep understanding of the growing ageing population – specifically within the +65yr senior segment. Research shows rising demand and appetite for smart technology, but with an increasingly tactile experience. Studies show that physical buttons and responsive operation are key especially for those users who experience circulation or dexterity issues, meaning a traditional smartphone may be harder to navigate.
Chris concludes: “The pandemic has made our reliance on smart technology far greater – for daily functions including banking, parking and purchases, plus venue check-ins, health management, prescriptions and ticketing. Yet, smartphone penetration within the senior market segment remains relatively low. Our research shows that one of the biggest barriers to adoption is that seniors like physical buttons to answer and end voice calls. We have acted upon this insight with this device, which is not just ‘easy’ – it has revolutionised the design of smartphones. It combines powerful functionality with simplicity. That’s why, with a ‘what you touch is what you get’ design, we are able to offer a unique user experience for this important group.”
Ben Branson, CEO of Fonehouse added: “We are delighted to offer the new SUPEReasy across our retail stores and online. Our success with emporia smartphones over the last year has shown us how to address the needs of this growing customer segment. We find that older users are now often moving away from featurephones, this is a revolutionary step to help make the transition much easier.”
Oral health is incredibly important and something that we need to take more seriously. I remember my parents telling me to look after my teeth as they will be the I my set I get and from that day I have cared for my pearly whites.
Over the years I’ve tried many electric toothbrushes but found them horribly abrasive or the vibrations far too strong. Tooth brushing should be a pleasant experience not one you dread.
As part of #worldsmileday I have been reviewing the Silk’n Toothwave electric toothbrush, the 1st toothbrush with patented DentalRF™ technology.
So far it’s been a great experience!
The Toothwave box contained the following…2 brush heads, 1 handle, 1 charging cable with USB cable & transparent bade, 1 USB wall adapter, 1 warranty booklet and 1 user manual.
From the moment I unwrapped the toothbrushe I knew I had something incredibly special as it’s stunning with its sleek white and silver colouring and a pop of lime green on the brush heads. It’s a very attractive toothbrush and significantly bigger and more robust than my usual electric toothbrush.
Charging took little time and the 3 intensity setting were easy to master. I used my Toothwave for 2 minutes morning and night and it didn’t feel like a chore.
The soft bristles were not harsh on my gums nor did it feel abrasive.Driven by innovation, the Silk’n ToothWave uses DentalRF™ technology.
This works by sending radiofrequency waves consisting of charged molecules, to the surface of each tooth, even reaching under the gumline. These molecules destabilise the strong bonds that connect impurity molecules to the tooth’s surface until they are detached and washed away. Impurity molecules get replaced by new, harmless water and toothpaste molecules, creating a strong protective layer.
After 6 weeks the Toothwave shows a significant reduction of tartar, stains, gum inflammation and bleeding compared to other electric toothbrushes.
This toothbrush is amazing and is a real treat to use. Gone are the days of my violent vibrating brushes and in their place is the beautiful Silk’n Toothwave.
Disclaimer: We received the SodaStream Art for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own.
The forecast next week is predicted to be hot, hot, hot with temperatures up in the 30’s. We are not used to those temperatures in the UK so it is really important to stay hydrated. We all know we should drink 8 glasses of water a day, but I really struggle to do this so was really pleased when Sodastream sent me a Sodastream Art to try.
SodaStream have been making fizzy bubbles for over 100 years now and their aim is simple, allowing people to make fizzy drinks in their own homes and saving the planet in the process. One SodaStream bottle can save up to thousands of single use plastic bottles, so is the perfect swap this Plastic Free July.
The Sodastream Art is a stunning machine with its sleek black housing and looks great in the kitchen. I was a little disappointed that the machine didn’t come with any syrups so until I could get to the shops, we just made fizzy water and added it to cordial which is a great way to get children (and adults) to drink more water. When I went shopping, I discovered our local supermarket stocked the Pepsi Max and 7Up , so I picked a bottle of each, much to the delight of my sons!
We were really impressed with the flavours of the syrups and the thing I liked most was each drink can be made fresh, so they are always fizzy. Normally once you open a 2l bottle you really need to drink it the same day, otherwise it quickly goes flat but with SodaStream each drink can be made fresh and you can even control the fizz, making your drink lightly sparkling to super fizzy.
The C02 cylinder that comes with the machine holds enough gas to make 60 litres of sparkling drinks and refills are available from the Sodastream website.
Staying hydrated has never been easier and when it’s hot why not liven up your drinks with plenty of ice and a slice of lemon or lime.
The Review Studio 