Category Archives: The Gadget Man

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

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

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

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

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

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

AVITA launch AVITA LIBER V R3 and R5 14” notebooks starting at 459.99 GBP

International premium fashionable-technology brand, AVITA, today launches its LIBER V 14” Windows Notebook series in the UK. Continuing to build upon AVITA’s bold and innovative philosophy, the LIBER V offers an unprecedented visual experience with its boundless ultra-narrow bezel and post-modern aesthetic. The LIBER V R3 is now available from Currys PC World for £459.99 and the LIBER V R5 from Currys PC World for £559.99 in Matt Black.

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The expansion of the notebook’s webcam, coupled with its ultra-wide screen, brings users an improved experience, particularly useful for video conferencing whether social or work-related. Equipped with professional-level functionality and a mainly metallic chassis, the LIBER V meets diverse multi-tasking needs whilst still being a stylish and sleek design aesthetically too.

The LIBER V’s design is inspired by Ricardo Bofill, the architect known for his “Visions of Architecture.” The LIBER V mimics his fortresses’ designs with neat geometric lines and the extremely slim chassis, featuring an easy-to-open clip with a top-mounted 720p HD webcam, offers a much-improved shooting angle.

The LIBER V is engineered with further advancements including an impressive 78.2% screen-to-body ratio and also weighs in at approximately 1.30kg, making it easy to fit in a bag to use when out and about and an ideal travel partner. Its 3.7mm boundless ultra-narrow bezel is at least 10% slimmer than other similar notebooks on the market and has been reduced by approximately 63% compared with previous LIBER series notebooks. Along with the ultra-wide viewing angle of 178 degrees, the LIBER V creates an excellent viewing experience for users. The LIBER V also adapts a full HD 16:9 IPS display with anti-glare, allowing presentation of detailed images clearly with a stable response time under indoor and outdoor environments, further improving the visual and auditory enjoyment for users.

AVITA launch AVITA LIBER V R3 and R5 14” notebooks starting at £459.99
AVITA launch AVITA LIBER V R3 and R5 14” notebooks starting at £459.99

AVITA understands the increasingly diverse needs of young professionals, and so the LIBER V certainly packs a punch. With AMD Ryzen™ 3 3200U and AMD Ryzen™ 5 3500U processor options for high-performance speed, Radeon Vega 3 (R3) and Vega 8 (R5) graphics chip and 4GB DDR4 (R3) and 8GB DDR4 (R5) RAM, the LIBER V can swiftly process and access files, allowing the user to work with ease; even with complex workflows. The superfast 256GB SSD internal memory (microSD card slot supporting up to an additional 2TB, subject to compatibility) ensures the notebooks are able to start up in a lightning-quick speed of fewer than 20 seconds.

Available with Windows 10 Home, the LIBER V’s full-size backlit keyboard delivers the ultimate word processing experience. Additionally, the extra-large touchpad and multi-touch support for up to four fingers enable users to effortlessly browse and switch between web pages. The LIBER V incorporates a fingerprint reader and works seamlessly with Windows Hello for both convenient log-in and strengthened privacy protection. Users can rest assured that every piece of work and personal data is well protected.

The LIBER V’s battery life lasts for 7.5 hours for working on the go and the notebook is equipped with complete connectivity: a set of USB-C, two sets of USBs, a full-size HDMI and Micro SD ports, making it possible to simultaneously charge, transfer data, display, and connect to various devices. Also included are two full-range speakers, dual-radio microphones, 4.2 Bluetooth, thus delivering a truly personal mobile office.

The AVITA LIBER V 14” R3 Windows Notebook is available in Matt Black from Currys PC World for £459.99 and the LIBER V R5 from Currys PC World for £559.99

 

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand WeSC launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

Fashion and lifestyle brand WeSC, known for stand-out creativity and style, has released a line of headphones.

Specifically designed for youth on-the-go, the range is made up of affordable yet stylish true wireless in-ear and on-ear headphones, as well as a more traditional wired stereo headset.

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones
Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

Featuring high-quality dynamic sound and with a minimal, striking and contemporary look, the headphones are in-keeping with the brand’s young, fresh and stylish aesthetic.

Founded in 1999, WeSC (We Are the Superlative Conspiracy) is known for its fashionable designs, mixing skateboarding, music, and art youth sub-cultures to create stand-out pieces.

Joseph Janus, CEO of WeSC, said: “We are extremely excited to be launching our latest headphone range.

“True wireless continues to grow in the market and customers are looking for trusted brands where fashion meets function, and we are confident our products deliver.”

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones
Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

The headphones are available in an assortment of colours – black, white, navy and pink and include a variety of features aimed at the needs of urban teens.

The brand’s true wireless earbuds boast up to 20 hours playing time when fully charged, and the over-ear model was designed with travel in mind with a foldable and light design.

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones
Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

WeSC is known for numerous exclusive collaborations and limited editions with renowned brands and artists such as Adidas, Absolut Vodka, Nokia, Smart and the Andy Warhol Foundation, RZA, Skrillex, Axwell, Beny Fairfax, Jason Lee, Arto Saari, Galantis and more.

The new collection of lifestyle-inspired headphones is available from Amazon and start from £14.95

If you decide to purchase using the links below, we may receive a commission.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

 

LA music industry experts launch premium headphone brand in the UK

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.

We Finally Launch Our Custom T-Shirt Store – tshirtslogans.uk

My Summer of creativity continues with the launch of my much pondered Custom T-Shirt Store.

I was a massive fan of the 1980s Slogan T-Shirts such as ‘Choose Life’, ‘Go-Go’, ‘Frankie Say Relax Don’t Do It!’, ‘Frankie Say Arm the Unemployed’, ‘Frankie Say War! Hide Yourself’, ‘Save the Whale’ etc, so, to code a website to generate these for people nearly forty years after they were so popular, as well as having them printed and posted, finally ticks that box.

All text is customisable with 1 to 3 lines available to print.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how creative people can be!

You can also order mugs too!

Turtles all the way down
Turtles all the way down