Category Archives: Technology

Gadget Man, Headphones, Matt Porter, Press Release, Technology, The Gadget Man

Shure Aonic 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones debut in a New Colour

Leave a comment

With Christmas just around the corner, a great sounding pair of noise-cancelling headphones should be at the top of everyone’s list. Whether drowning out background sound while working from home or rocking out to the greatest hits in the back of the family car, noise-cancelling headphones help listeners make the most of the moment.

Expanding users’ choices—and fusing together style + function—Shure is unveiling a new White/Tan colour option of its award-winning AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. Also available in Black and Brown, all three colours will be available at a special promotional price of £289 from now through November, that’s a more than a 30% discount!

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

Music and style icons all over the globe have relied on Shure on and off the stage for decades – Adam Levine, J Balvin, and Jennifer Lopez just to name a few. They—along with Elvis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, and others—have trusted Shure microphones and gear in the studio and on stages worldwide.

“Shure has an impressive history of creating headphones for the professional audio industry – people who wear them all day for a living – so creating comfortable, high-quality headphones for anyone, including consumers, is in the Shure DNA,” said Eduardo Valdes, Senior Director, Global Marketing, Musician and Consumer Audio, at Shure. “Now, with Shure’s AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, music lovers can also experience that same quality of audio wherever they may be. The additional colour choices fit into consumers’ style and aesthetic – no matter their preference.”

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

When it comes to headphones, consumers expect audio that is high-quality, clear, and an accurate reflection of the artist they’re listening to. But today, headphones can also represent your personality and style. The addition of the gorgeous White/Tan colour completes the aesthetic portfolio of AONIC 50, giving listeners even more ways to express themselves.

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

Built To Provide Studio-Quality Audio For Work and Play

Engineered from decades of stage and studio experience, AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones deliver a premium listening experience with exceptional comfort and durability. Shure’s first wireless headphones, AONIC 50, feature adjustable noise cancellation to help block distractions for a truly immersive experience with the flip of a switch. Users who want to interact with the world around them can activate Environment Mode to hear immediate surroundings.

Up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge provides a week of use without needing to recharge. Fingertip controls provide quick access to answer calls, adjust volume, or pause music with a push of a button. AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones offer Bluetooth® 5 wireless technology for enhanced stability and a range of up to 30 feet. Featuring a dedicated, high-performance headphone amplifier, AONIC 50 supports popular audio codecs, including Qualcomm® aptX™, aptX™ HD, aptX™ Low Latency audio, Sony LDAC, AAC, and SBC.

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

When Bluetooth isn’t an option, AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones can connect to wired sources with a 3.5mm analogue audio input to ensure an uninterrupted connection to any device.

Shure’s AONIC 50 headphones are a precise blend of cutting-edge technology and tried-and-true design. Developed with comfort in mind, the sleek, modern AONIC 50 is beautifully crafted with elegant stitching on an adjustable headband for precise ear-to-ear fit, ensuring users get the most out of each listening session. The earpads and underside of the headband are cushioned with plush memory foam and lined for outstanding comfort while taking long calls from home or while on-the-go.

Customisable Listening Experience with the ShurePlus™ PLAY App

When paired with the free ShurePlus™ PLAY App, listeners can personalize their noise cancellation and Environment Mode levels. Available for iOS and Android, the PLAY app is also a full-featured music player with EQ, supporting standard and hi-res music files.

In addition to the feature controls, the PLAY app lets users customize tone and voice prompts for important notifications, like power on/off, connection confirmation, and low battery. It can also be used to upgrade firmware for AONIC 50 headphones.

The limited-time promotional pricing is effective for all AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones (Black, Brown, White/Tan) now through November 30.

We may earn commission if you visit Amazon through our links

Air Purifiers, antibacterial, Coronavirus, Gadget Man, Kebao, Matt Porter, Photo Energy, Review, Technology, The Gadget Man

Kebao Air 3: Game-Changing air purification comes to the UK

1 Comment

Poor air quality has become one of the largest environmental risks to the health of people of the United Kingdom and with the Coronavirus Pandemic, it has become more important than ever that we breathe healthy air that is free from harmful particles and unpleasant viruses.

So, it was incredibly timely that I was recently contacted by Kebao to test their new ‘filterless’ air purifier, namely the Kebao Air 3.

The Air 3 combines sleek design with cutting edge technology, which in turn completely eliminates 99.99% of airborne pollutants, viruses, bacteria and allergens and consequently provides ‘Surgical Grade’ air and deodorisation.

Instead of using standard High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can capture particulate matter of 0.3 microns or larger with 99.95% efficiency (a human hair is between 17 and 181 microns), the Kebao Air 3 is capable of eliminating particles down to a size of 0.01 microns. This is a big deal because COVID19 particles are around 0.12 microns in size, small enough to pass through a HEPA filter, but the too big to pass through the Air 3!

Kebao Air 3 is now available on Amazon
Kebao Air 3 – now available to buy on Amazon

The Kebao Air 3 does this using a brand-new type of 5-stage filtration. Stage 1 is a pre-filter which removes larger particles from the air and can be cleaned and reused for the lifetime of the product. Stage 2 uses a high-voltage negative charge to deactivate viruses and bacteria and retains the debris on charged plates stopping re-release. Stage 3 using a mind-blowing ‘Photocatalytic Oxidisation’ based on Albert Einstein’s ‘Photon Energy’. UV light initiates a stepwise free radical decomposition of organic compounds, which produces water and carbon dioxide as a by-product. The Air 3 has 48 LED bulbs and a Ti02 alumina ceramic photocatalytic ozone-free filter. Stage 4 uses 4kg of loose granulated carbon, impregnated with amines which absorb and decomposes any harmful gasses. Stage 5 Surgical grade, deodorised air is circulated through you room clear of 99.99% of harmful particulates!

The display shows PM2.5 and TVOC readings
The display shows PM2.5 and TVOC readings!

The display shows air quality in two readings, the first two numbers are the temperature and humidity, the second set is PM2.5 and TVOC readings. PM2.5 is a measure of the number of particles less than 2.5 microns in size and are caused by burning fuel, chemical reactions and forest fires. PM2.5 particles are very unhealthy, causing eye, nose and throat irritations, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. They can also cause asthma, chronic bronchitis and heart disease. In the UK, air must remain below 25, the WHO recommends below 10, London’s average is 10, my house is currently 1 after having the Air 3 running for over a week!

The second setting is TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) which is another way of measuring air quality, again this was negligible at 0.02 after a week of running.

The Kebao Air 3 is both sleek and quiet
The Kebao Air 3 is both sleek and quiet

All of this amazing technology comes at a price. The unit is aimed at commercial enterprises who want to keep their staff and customers safe, so it would suit a restaurant or office space as it is actively cleaning the air the whole time. The price of £1680 reflects a premium commercial product, but I can honestly see it becoming something of a norm in the UK especially due to the current crisis!

It is available to buy on Amazon via the link below, we may earn a commission for sales made through these links

BBC Radio Suffolk, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Mobile Phone, Podcast, Radio, Review, Technology, The Gadget Man, Thermal Imaging

Gadget Man – Episode 170 – Cat S62 Pro with Thermal Imaging, Humax Aura 4K Freeview Box and problems with Ring

Audio Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Welcome to Gadget Man Episode 170, here I talk to James Hazell at BBC Radio Suffolk about the CAT S62 Pro mobile phone with FLIR thermal imaging camera, the Humax Aura Android TV 4K Freeview Play Recorder, and the issues that some owners of Ring doorbells have been experiencing due to incorrect installation.

Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera
Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera

I will be adding full reviews of the CAT S62 Pro and Humax Aura over the coming days.

The Humax Aura 4K Freeview  can be purchased through Amazon here

The CAT S62 Pro can also be purchased from Rugged Mobiles

We earn a commission from Amazon for sales made through our links.


Stay well
Matt

Gadget Man, Smart Phone, Technology, Telephones, The Gadget Man

New Cat® S62 Pro Smartphone featuring FLIR Lepton Advanced Integrated Thermal Camera – Reviewing Soon!

Leave a comment

The launch of the Cat® S62 Pro is the pinnacle of innovation, functional design and rugged durability. It incorporates the highest resolution FLIR Lepton® thermal imaging, which is a game-changer for more demanding work environments, such as engineering, mining, manufacture, agriculture and wildlife. Compared with its predecessor, it is 12% more compact, with a 10% bigger screen. It is faster, more powerful and incredibly tough, making it the ultimate work phone.

Cat S62 Pro Dirtproof
Cat S62 Pro Dirtproof

With isotherm alarming, you can monitor a custom temperature range (anything between -20 degrees Celsius to +400 degrees Celsius) and add alarms to alert you when something falls within that range. This is hugely useful and time-saving when watching for machinery to reach a specified temperature, screening for unusually elevated temperatures, finding game or livestock at night, or even checking if the braai is at the right temperature. 

Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera
Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera

Powered by the FLIR Lepton 3.5 and the new MyFLIR™ Pro app, the S62 Pro offers a four-fold increase in the number of thermal pixels and an unmatched feature set within the included application. For the first time, professionals and consumers can access FLIR Systems’ VividIR™ image processing, enhanced MSX® (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging), and visible-to-thermal blending technologies integrated into their smartphone. 

Users can now vary the intensity of MSX®, which overlays visual outline detail from the scene onto the thermal image or use the new alpha blending feature to combine thermal detail with the visual image from the Sony dual-pixel camera. Together these upgrades deliver dramatically enhanced image quality, sharper images and higher thermal resolution to provide greater context and understanding of the thermal image you are seeing.

Cat S62 Pro Waterproof Smartphone
Cat S62 Pro Waterproof Smartphone

Tested to Cat® phones’ demanding, market-leading rugged standards, the S62 Pro is incredibly tough. It achieves and surpasses an ingress protection rating of IP68 and US military standard, Mil-Spec 810H. It has undergone rigorous testing including repeated drop tests from 1.8m onto steel, with multiple drops onto every side and corner, as well as extensive waterproof, dirt and dustproof, temperature extreme survivability, and vibration and tumble tests. 

It is hygienic too – it can be fully submerged and easily washed with soaps and disinfectants or cleaned with alcohol wipes, which makes it ideal for hygiene-conscious consumers, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The IP69 rating has recently been added, which includes the ability to withstand washing with high-pressure washers. 

The S62 Pro’s display has been upgraded to 5.7” FHD+ (18 x 9), and memory is now 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. It also features a faster Qualcomm chipset, Android™ 10, and a large, optimised long-life battery. The Cat® S62 Pro is fully enterprise-ready. It supports Android Enterprise features, including Zero-touch, and has undergone a series of enrolment and policy provisioning tests with leading EMM solutions. Manage all the Android devices in your organisation simply. It is built for business, is rugged and ready to go anywhere – work or play.

We will be reviewing this product very soon!

Key Specifications:

• Picks up heat and measures surface temperatures from a distance of up to 30m.
• Scalable and movable regions of interest with ‘hottest’ and ‘coldest’ indicators.
• Horizontal field of vision is expanded to 57 degrees to capture more of the scene.
• 9 thermal colour palettes to choose from depending on the situation.
• PDF reporting.
• Powerful 4,000mAh battery.
• 12MP Sony dual pixel rear camera and 8MP front camera.
• Hardwearing, non-slip rubberised TPU back.
• Bluetooth 5.0, NFC.

5G, BBC Radio Suffolk, Covid19, Gadget Man, Interview, James Hazell, Matt Porter, Radio, Radio Interview, Technology, The Gadget Man

Gadget Man – Episode 169 – Ofcom orders Phone Networks to Stop Locking Phones + Advice and Tips about Switching Networks

Audio Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

In this episode, I chat to James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk about the ban on locking mobile phone handsets in the UK.

Mobile phone companies will be banned from selling ‘locked’ handsets, under a range of new rules from Ofcom that will make switching even simpler.

Some companies – including BT/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone – still sell mobile phones that can’t be used on other networks unless they are unlocked. But this is a potentially complicated process which can also cost around £10. Ofcoms research shows that more than a third of people who decided against switching said this put them off.

Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling
Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling

Almost half of the customers who try to unlock their phone have difficulties doing so. For example, they might experience a long delay before getting the code they need to unlock their phone; the code might not work, or they could suffer a loss of service if they did not realise their phone was locked before they tried to switch.

So, following consultation, Ofcom has confirmed that mobile companies will be banned from selling locked phones. This will allow people to move to a different network with their existing handset, hassle-free. The new rules will come in from December 2021.

Apple, BBC Radio Suffolk, Gadget Man, James Hazell, Matt Porter, Online Gaming, Podcast, Radio, Radio Interview, Technology, The Gadget Man

Gadget Man – Episode 168 – Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit – Covid Track and Trace – Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush – iPhone 12

Audio Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

This is the slightly delayed episode from 15th October 2020. Packed with lots of news and comment. Here I discuss the Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit Package , Covid Track and Trace, the Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush and the iPhone 12 (in four different sizes!).

You can listen in to the recording above or subscribe using your favourite podcast player. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, share or comment! See you presently! Matt.

Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush
Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush
Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit
Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit
Apple iPhone12, iPhone12 Pro, iPad Air
Apple iPhone12, iPhone12 Pro, iPad Air – Image Apple Inc

 

antibacterial, Cleaning, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Technology, Vacuum Cleaner

ROIDMI launches RS60 cordless vacuum cleaner with antiviral technology

Leave a comment

Pioneering cordless vacuum cleaner brand, ROIDMI, has launched a powerful flagship cordless vacuum cleaner with proven antiviral/antibacterial technology and a wealth of class-leading features. The RS60 builds on the multi-award winning X20, retaining Scandinavian inspired design and innovative clip-on water tank for simultaneous vacuuming and wet-wiping on hard floors, while adding more power, longer run times and 6-layer micro-particle filtration to capture 99.9% of pollen and dust particles.

It’s colour OLED display shows functions such as power level, battery remaining, filter alerts and even calories burned while cleaning. These features are backed up with a high-power 120000rpm digital motor, automatic headlights on the main floorhead, smart features via a Bluetooth connected app, and the unique aesthetic with its 270-degrees handle that has already secured ROIDMI six International Design Awards.

RS60 Dustbin
RS60 Dustbin

Antiviral technology

The RS60 adds a patented ZiWei Novoron ION antibacterial sterilising system within the brush roller, dust separator and filter system to help eliminate bacteria and other biological pathogens on contact. ZiWei technology is a joint venture between ROIDMI Labs and two Japanese tech-giants, Toagosei and Toray, and is the result of three years of research and development.

The technology builds on the proven antimicrobial and antiviral properties of silver ion nanoparticles (NCBI white paper) that the trio of companies has developed into a long-lasting surface treatment for the vital air-contact points of the RS60 cleaner. The final stage filter is a Toray H11 filter cartridge, more commonly used in home air purifiers, extensively treated with the Novoron ION antibacterial technology. The result is exceptionally clean exhaust air that has passed through multiple stages of antimicrobial treatment and filtration to improve the quality of the air around the home.

RS60 Vacuum
RS60 Vacuum

Hygienic clean

For homes with hard floors, the RS60’s magnetic clip-on water tank and wet mopping attachment have been upgraded to improve capillary wetting action, and an Ionic antibacterial coating now reduces potential mould growth in the reservoir tank when stored. The system magnetically clips onto the RS60 floorhead, allowing you to vacuum and wet-wipe with its microfibre cloth in one action – halving the time it takes to clean tiles, laminates, marble and vinyl floor coverings.

Answering customer feedback from the X20, the new ROIDMI multi-surface roller brush has been designed to clean all floor types without swapping brush rollers between carpets and hard floors. The soft textile surface of the roller along with the V-shaped brush fibres offer 30% higher pick-up rate than traditional brushes, as well as being quieter to use and gentler on hard floor surfaces. The floorhead has been designed to comb the roller brush as it cleans, ensuring pet and human hairs are drawn into the bin and do not get tangled around the brush. The roller material has Nanoscale Hydrophobic fibres that resist water and stains, even when you are using the wet mop attachment.

ROIDMI RS60 Handle
ROIDMI RS60 Handle

Light and long-lasting

The RS60 is extremely lightweight at just 2,7kg and can be used as a stick cleaner, handheld vacuum or with its flexible hose and selection of tools to clean every corner of your home. The powered mini-brush / mattress brush tool is ideal for carpeted stairs, upholstery and beds, with its concentrated suction and high-speed brush roller designed to effectively lift dust, dust mites and pet dander from soft surfaces. The Air-X 2.0 8-cyclone dust separation system and 6-layer filtration system ensures these particles are captured in the bin and not blown back into your room. The 0.55l bin offers one-touch emptying to minimise dust exposure from start to finish.

ROIDMI’S largest capacity BMS-X battery system is standard on the RS60, delivering over an hour of cleaning (70 minutes) on a single charge. The high-power mode offers 40 minutes runtime and the Max mode over 10 minutes of cleaning at a potent 150W / 26500Pa suction pressure. The BMS-X battery uses premium LG and Samsung cells, allowing ROIDMI to offer an exceptional two-year battery warranty.

ROIDMI RS60
ROIDMI RS60

Accessories, guarantee, availability

The wall-mounted magnetic dock is a neat addition to the RS60, combining simple charging with a sophisticated storage system. The dock comes with a peel-back sticky pad or can be mounted to tricker surfaces with screw fixings as required. Each RS60 comes supplied with a selection of tools and accessories including the main floorhead and magnetic detachable water tank module, powered mini brush tool (mattress brush), crevice tool, dusting brush, extension tube, extension hose and pet brush. The machine is complete with washable microfibre pad for wet cleaning, washable filters and a floorhead cleaning brush.

The RS60 has an SRP of £579.99 and come with a five-year motor guarantee as standard, with a two-year warranty on the battery. The ROIDMI RS60 is available now from Harrods, Selfridges, Amazon and Euronics independent retailers

Audio, Earbuds, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Press Release, Technology, The Gadget Man, Wireless broadband

LA music industry experts launch premium headphone brand in the UK

1 Comment

Ausounds is set to take the UK by storm as it releases a range of premium audio products designed by some of the most innovative minds in the music business.

The creative team behind the Los Angeles based brand has designed a range of earphones with leading technology and superior sound, featuring tech such as hybrid planar-magnetic drivers, active noise cancelling developed to have zero effect on sound reproduction and IPX5 rating for use whatever the weather.

Five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Kennedy
Five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Kennedy

Made for music lovers and music creators, the range of headphones, earphones and audio signature products start from £119.95.

With a variety of models and colours, consumers can choose from in-ear and over-ear designs with features including true wireless, noise cancellation and wireless charging.

Ausounds want to make its mark on the UK music industry and is keen to collaborate with passionate unsigned musicians, producers and songwriters.

Made for music lovers and music creators, the range of headphones, earphones and audio signature products start from £119.95.
Made for music lovers and music creators, the range of headphones, earphones and audio signature products start from £119.95.

Marcus Sanchez, President and CMO, said: “The role of music creators in the industry is tantamount to everything; this is where our sound comes from.

“We wanted to create a brand that addresses the many needs of creators at all levels – in their everyday lives and in their work.

“Using our industry knowledge and working with music influencers and leaders, we are redefining the sound of audio.”

Combining innovative technology with style and design, Ausounds’ products deliver the full music experience to the listener – just as the producers and songwriters intended for it to be heard.

The brand is committed to supporting up-and-coming artists and talent, helping to drive forward the vibrant British music scene.

Ausounds is also working with music influencers and leaders, including its first brand ambassador, five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Kennedy.

The Ausounds engineering team has unsurpassed experience in research and development for established brands such as Beats, JBL, Bose, and Sennheiser; winning multiple awards for audio performance and industrial design. All of the products are designed, developed and manufactured in Ausounds’ own facilities.

Blaq Tuxedo
Blaq Tuxedo

Ausounds represents the future generation of audio technology, and, after huge success in the USA, Canadian and Japanese markets, the earphone giant set its sights on the UK.

The team behind Ausounds is on a mission to provide premium products for everyday use, at an accessible price point.

Lil Eddie Judge and vocal coach on the XFactor US
Lil Eddie Judge and vocal coach on the XFactor US

Ausounds is led by its CEO, Michael Chen, an Oxford Brookes University graduate with over 16 years of experience in audio manufacturing.

Joining him is President and CMO, Marcus Sanchez, a music industry veteran who has worked with huge brands including Audeze, Universal Music Group and Monster Cable, as well as musicians like Rihanna and Usher.

Ausounds’ products are currently available to buy from Richer Sounds, iamaudio.co.uk and independent high street retailers.

Android TV, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Press Release, Technology

Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV 4K Freeview Play Recorder

Leave a comment

** UPDATE **
I will be receiving a review unit this week, which is very exciting. Keep up to date with my review of the Aura by subscribing to notifications by clicking on the padlock symbol and ‘Allowing’ notifications

Enable Notifications
Enable Notifications

Ultra High Definition Recorder powered by Android TV with built-in Google Assistant, Chromecast, Google Play Store apps and Kids’ Zone

  • First Freeview Play Recorder powered by Android TV technology with crystal clear 4K HDR picture quality
  • Built-in voice control via Google Assistant and access to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BT Sport and thousands of other apps via the Google Play Store
  • Freeview Play provides 70+ subscription-free channels and 20,000+ hours of on-demand entertainment
  • Quick and easy set-up – simply log in with a Google account
  • Humax AURA App for iOS and Android enables remote planning, recording and viewing on the go
  • Watch TV on any screen: download and enjoy recordings on mobile devices
  • Chromecast built-in: stream favourite content from phone, tablet or laptop to a TV screen
  • Dedicated Kids’ Zone with timed content, safe for the youngest family members
  • Three digital tuners: record up to four programmes at once while watching a fifth*
  • 1TB and 2TB options for up to 500 and 1,000 hours of recordings
Humax AURA_angle left
Humax AURA

Humax has today announced AURA: the first 4K Freeview Play Recorder powered by Android TV technology. This Ultra High Definition TV recorder provides a multitude of subscription-free and top-up entertainment delivered with crystal clear 4K HDR picture quality.

With integrated Google Assistant and access to thousands of apps via the Google Play Store, AURA syncs with the user’s Google account to deliver a customised home entertainment experience built around the individual or family. For ultimate flexibility, Google Assistant also provides voice control for frequently-used TV commands, and allows users to ask questions, discover information and activate smart home devices.

Humax AURA Freeview Play home_whitebkg
Humax AURA Freeview Play home_whitebkg

Humax AURA will be available from November 2020 from Amazon, Humax Direct and electrical retailers with an SRP of £249 for the 1TB model and £279 for the 2TB version.

Powered by the ultra-fast Android TV platform and with Freeview Play built-in, the new Humax box enables rapid access to favourite shows, movies, sports and other programming on live TV. Freeview Play provides the UK’s most popular on-demand apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4, all of which are located together for maximum ease and convenience. For even further entertainment options, users can top up their viewing with paid streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BT Sport and Google Play Movies, and explore and choose from a huge variety of apps and games to download from the Google Play Store.

Humax AURA Freeview Play home
Humax AURA Freeview Play home

Freeview Play provides 95% of the nation’s most-watched TV, all for free. There are more than 70 live TV channels, alongside nine on-demand players: BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play, CBS Catchup Channels UK, Horror Bites, STV Player and BBC Sounds.

With more than 20,000 hours of on-demand content and over 700 box sets to choose from, Freeview Play also helps viewers make the most of its content with its Explore Freeview Play interface hosted at Channel 100. Home to a universal search function and hand-picked content recommendations, it is easy for viewers to find their favourites and discover new shows. As well as the ability to watch, pause, rewind and record live TV, Freeview Play includes an intuitive seven day TV guide with scroll back functionality.

Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV Freeview Play Recorder
Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV

Catering for even the most avid of viewers, AURA incorporates three digital tuners, allowing up to four programmes to be recorded at once while the user watches another live channel*. Two hard drive options (1TB and 2TB) are available, enabling up to 500 or 1,000 hours of recordings to be stored, giving owners almost unlimited capacity to capture their favourite programmes, series and movies.

Thanks to the Humax AURA app, many features of AURA can be accessed on a mobile device, such as streaming recordings around the home or downloading shows to watch later on the move. The app also affords users the freedom to schedule recordings or set reminders when away from home.

Setting up AURA is extremely simple. By logging into their Google account, users have instant access to all their downloaded apps, YouTube settings, music downloads, as well as Google Home connectivity.

Creating a home screen that is completely personalised to the viewer’s preferences, AURA allows app icons to be moved around easily, keeping all frequently-used apps and content in one place. Suggestions for content the user might enjoy based on their Google preferences are also displayed on this page.

Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV
Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV

With Chromecast built-in as standard on Android TV, AURA enables users to stream photos, videos, music and other media to their TV screen from a laptop, tablet or mobile phone via a home Wi-Fi network.

AURA’s accompanying remote control offers several quick access ‘hotkeys’: a Freeview Play button, Top Picks for content recommendations, a Google Assistant button to activate voice control, TV Guide button plus dedicated keys for Android Home, Amazon Prime Video and the Humax Kids’ Zone.

Google Assistant is integrated into the remote control, allowing users to benefit from Google Home services – simply press the button to activate voice control and ask an unlimited number of questions such as finding out the weather or travel information, choose favourite types of content, change channel or volume – or connect to smart home devices to play music, switch on the lights or heating, and much more.

Developed by Humax, the Kids’ Zone on AURA provides a safe environment for children to watch content curated specially for the youngest members of the family. Episodes can be browsed, searched and selected by duration, allowing parents to pick a show that will fill a suitable slot before dinner or bedtime, for example.

Rob Peacock, director at Humax, commented, “AURA is designed to sit at the heart of a family’s home entertainment experience. The very first Freeview Play Recorder to be built on the Android TV platform, it provides a fully integrated environment that reflects the preferences and favourite content of the individual or family – with lightning-fast access to everything they need in one place, and outstanding picture quality. With such an extensive array of features, users will never miss their favourite show, movie or sporting event, and thanks to a combination of Google technology and the Humax AURA app, they can enjoy the freedom of entertainment on any screen or device, wherever and whenever they wish.”

More information on Humax AURA can be found at https://uk.humaxdigital.com.
Visit www.freeview.co.uk for a full list of Freeview Play channels and services.

Pricing and availability

Available from November 2020, Humax AURA has a suggested retail price of £249 for the 1TB model and £279 for the 2TB model. Retailers include Currys, Argos, Amazon, very.co.uk, Richer Sounds, Euronics (CIH), independent electrical stores and Humax Direct. Prices include VAT.

If you click to buy through Amazon via this website, we will receive a small commission.

Gadget Man, Technology, The Gadget Man

Modern Tech Gadgets All Homeowners Will Want

Leave a comment

We are living in the future. It’s just that we don’t realise it yet. There are more and more home gadgets coming out all the time, and some of them are seriously impressive. If you’re a homeowner who wants to be at the cutting edge of all that’s hot, then this is the article for you! We’re going to run through some of the best, most exciting, and most useful tech gadgets available for purchase. Install them in your home, and you’ll feel like you’re living in the future!

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Robot Assistants

Home devices such as the Alexa and Next are increasingly popular, and it’s not hard to see why: you can do so much with them. From dimming the lights to playing television shows and songs, these devices not only make the home more convenient; they also make it more fun. You can get as many as you need for your home, so why not have one in a couple of different rooms? There are new features coming out all the time on these devices, so you never know just what they’ll be able to do in the coming years. 

Clean Homes

Who wants to spend all of their time cleaning the home? Not us. They’ve been talking about technology that’ll clean the home for around a century, but it feels as if now, the time has finally come. There are some excellent robot vacuum cleaners available on the market. Perhaps right at the top of the list is the D77, which has some seriously impressive features. For instance, you can program it so that it can clean a variety of different floor types, and it’ll even empty its contents into another bin. A seriously cool gadget, and one that reduces the time you spend cleaning your home. Perfect. 

Keeping the Home Secure

The security of your home will be right at the top of the list of your priorities. And in this day and age, there are plenty of tech tools that can help to keep your home even more secure. There are tech-enabled deadbolts, for example, which can only be opened with a code or smartphone. Then there are services such as those offered by Minut, a company that specializes in smart home monitoring. This is especially useful if you rent out your property, since you’ll always know that everything is just as it should be. There are also video doorbells, so you can always see who’s outside of your home, whether you’re at home or not. 

Air Quality Assistance

There’s something that has a big impact on the quality of a home that many people overlook: the quality of the air. If you want to improve your air, then look at investing in a tech air purifier. It’ll automatically detect the quality of your air and make adjustments as and when it’s needed, and it can even remove bad odors too. It’s one of those things you won’t know that you needed for your property until you get one.