Category Archives: accessories

groov-e Dual Power Bank Review – Pokemon Go players – Charge 2 phones at the same time!

July 29, 2016accessories, Reviews, Tech Newsgroov-e dual power bank reviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Welcome to my review of the groov-e Dual Power Bank.

The Key features –

– 12,000 mAh battery

– Portable Battery Charger for Smartphones, Tablets, e-Readers, GPS, Cameras

– Intelligent Charging with Auto Safety Cut-Off
– Pre-Charged & Ready To Use. Also includes a Travel Pouch.
– Device charging time 1.5-2 hours
– 2 x USB Charging ports – charge two devices at the same time.
– Input 4.5V-5.8V/1A
– Output 5V/1A or 5V/2.4A (dual USB ports)
– Recharging time via USB 12 hours
– Device charging time 1.5-2 hours
– Stylish
– In the box – Charging cable plus tips for Micro USB, Mini USB, Nokia,Travel Pouch
– Torch Light

The groov-e dual power bank is a stylish looking power bank, yet functional with a large battery. It can recharge two devices at the same time and has a built in torch light. For the full review see video below.

The official retail price is £59.99 although it is currently on offer at £30.44, which is a bit more realistic.

For the latest pricing on Amazon UK – Click HERE.

Choetech 10,400 mAh Portable QC3 Power Bank with Lightning Port – review

July 27, 2016accessories, Tech NewsChoetech QC3 Portable Power Bank, lightning port, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Welcome to my review of the Choetech Quick Charge 3 Portable Power Bank complete with iOS lightning port as well.

The Key Features –

– Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Output and backward compatible with Quick Charge 2 and 1.
– Built in LG high-quality battery cells. LG cells much more reliable and higher efficiency than major battery cells in the market to fully use the capacity of 10400mAh.
– Multiple intelligent security protections (over current, over voltage, overload and short circuit protection).
– With a Quick Charge 2 charger you can recharge the power bank at Quick Charge 2 speeds.
– Use either a micro USB or lightning cable to recharge the power bank.

A power bank is a power bank. Not very exciting but functional. I have replaced my old Aukey power bank with this new Choetech power bank as it offers quick charge 3 speeds and the ability to recharge it via a lightning or micro USB cable. A neat feature is the ability to recharge the power bank itself at quick charge 2 speeds. You will need an QC2 charger to do this.

If you want to know more and find the latest deal on Amazon Click HERE.

To view the entire Choetech range of products – Click HERE.

In a meantime, enjoy the video review of the Choetech Power Bank.

Samsung Gear 360 – Editorial – Shooting in 360 and 110 degrees with your phone

July 21, 2016accessories, Android, Tech NewsSamsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Gear 360, Samsung Lens Cover, shots of the weekGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Samsung Gear 360 is one piece of tech that I absolutely love. Its execution is beautiful and its a joy to use. The downside is that it only works with Samsung’s flagship phones. It also works upside down.

I also have the Samsung Lens Cover which is available for the S7 and S7 Edge. This is the wide angle lens fitted to the S7.

Even without the lenses fitted to the S7 you can obtain some amazing shots. See below.

The bee shot below is taken without any add on lenses. Just used Pro mode, macro and fixed the shutter speed.

But now inside the church and outside here are shots using the wide angle lens attachment. See how the extra width at 110 degrees does make a difference.

So now you can see the difference with the outside view of the church with using the wide angle lens.Looks great.

Anyway back to the Gear 360. This can take some amazing photos. For these to display in 360 degrees, you will need to click on photo and view via a desktop PC. Or make sure you change Chrome or Safari web browser to Desktop Mode and make sure you’re viewing Flickr in desktop mode.

The shot below is of the inside of the church. Here the 360 degree camera shines and is ideal for such a scenario.

I really love the difference photographing makes in 360 degrees. However, shooting in 360 degrees does not work all the time. Sometimes just using the phone without any attachments is the best option, but other times have either the wide or 2 x Telephoto lens changes the end result completely.

Samsung Galaxy S7 – Two Months Later + 1 Month with the S7 Edge

June 29, 2016accessories, Android, Tech News3 months later, Samsung Galaxy S7Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

I have now had a Samsung S7/Edge for 3 months with a few other phones in review within this time period.

I started with the Samsung S7 Edge but migrated to the S7 Standard. Why? Same phone in a more practical shell, that as slightly smaller, also easier to fit, hold, use, grip and more.

So what makes using the Samsung S7 so special and such a great user experience.

Well, one of the reasons is the accessories. The Lens Cover case is fantastic. My review is HERE. I also have the S7 Wireless Battery Back Pack. My review click HERE. Then there is the Samsung Gear VR and Gear 360, the Samsung Level One Pro headphones and more. Click HERE. for my thoughts on the S7 Edge.

My S7 is always kept in the Lens Cover case. It is worth getting the Lens Cover just for the case alone. The case feels like leather, its not, reassuringly grippy and has a slightly raised section to help with more grip when taking photos. Then you can add either a wide angle or 2 x telephoto lens. I use these lenses all the time now. I also use the Gear 360. The other accessories like the Gear VR, Level One Pro headphones and Gear S2 don’t get used that much.

Continuing with the camera, the S7 just snaps a great shot nearly every time. Being water resistant means I am not worried about if its raining either. Between the S7 and S7 Edge I now have nearly 300 shots in my Flickr albums. That is a record number over every previous smartphone.

S7 Edge Flickr Album

Samsung S7 Flickr Album

Then the rest of the phone is all superb. Fast charging, Qi charging, an amazing QHD screen, great battery life, a proper gaming mode with options to remove disturbances and improve battery life. I even use Touchwiz on my S7 and love changing themes. The loudspeaker isn’t the loudest or clearest, but its usable for podcasts. The audio output via headphones is only good when matched with easy to drive headphones. Luckily using bluetooth headphones and HiFiMan Edition S headphones I have superb audio via headphones, although I do miss the HTC 10 for headphone audio.

But overall, the S7 package and experience is second to none. There are phones available that are better than the S7 in particular fields, but nobody beats Samsung for the whole package.

Some shots from the camera below and aboe –

Choetech 50W 6 Port USB Charger with QC3 – Review

June 21, 2016accessories, ReviewsChoetech 50W 6 Port USB Charger R review, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Welcome to my review of the Choetech 50W 6 Port USB Desktop Charger with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.

Specifications

– Rapid multi-ports charger with universal compatibility with Android, Apple and other devices to get charged at up to 10 amps among 6 ports or 2.4 amps per port
– Smart multi-ports identifies your device intelligently and meets its unique charging requirement
– Package contents: CHOETECH 50W 6-Port Wall Charger, 5ft / 150cm detachable power cord, welcome guide, USB Type C cable, Stand
– Input AC 100-240V
– Total Maximum Output: 5V/10A
– Charging Port Output: 5V/10A(max)
– Dimension: 88.4 x 29 x 71.5mm
– Weight: 158g
– Qualcomm Quick Charge 3, Qualcomm Quick Charge 2

Basics

The Choetech 6 Port USB Charger does what it says on the tin. It has 2 ports for fast charging and 4 multi ports for everything else. It also came with a USB Type C cable and a stand which was a nice touch. I now use this as my main USB charger.

Video

Below is a video to help you get a better feel for this charger.

Conclusion

This is now my main multi port USB charger. I like the fact it comes with a stand, has Qualcomm Quick Charge 3 and 2 and comes with a USB Type C lead.

For the latest pricing and deal on Amazon UK – Click HERE.

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