Audio

The Gadget Man – Episode 22 – BMW i8

BMW i8 from Cooper BMW
BMW i8 from Cooper BMW

Completing our reviews of BMW electric vehicles (or EV’s), this week we talk about the BMW i8 Super car.

 

 

The i8 was one the most exciting vehicle I have been able to drive, and again; a BIG shout out to Matt Dawson at Cooper BMW Ipswich and Emily Adcock at Cooper BMW Norwich for providing the car for review. What an amazing opportunity, Matt went to a great deal of effort and Emily was amazing with her describing the car and demonstrating it’s features.

Full reviews of both the BMW i3 and BMW i8 are in the pipeline. For now, listen to myself and Mark Murphy chatting about the i8 on BBC Radio Suffolk this morning.

The interior of the BMW i8 is amazing in its own right
The interior of the BMW i8 is amazing in its own right
Matt Porter and Emily Adcock from Cooper BMW Norwich
Matt Porter and Emily Adcock from Cooper BMW Norwich

The Gadget Man – Episode 21 – BMW i3

BMW i3 front view
BMW i3 front view

Staying on the subject electric cars (or EV’s), this week we talk about the BMW i3, a supermini sized electric vehicle. I really enjoyed driving this vehicle and I am massively appreciative of the help I received in organising the use of the car from Matt Dawson at Cooper BMW Ipswich and Emily Adcock at Cooper BMW Norwich. Both dealerships went way beyond the call of duty to help us out.

Don’t forget to tune in next week as I also had a test drive in BMW’s i8, which was something to behold!!

BMW i3 Rear View
BMW i3 Rear View
Electric Charge Points at Waitrose in Ipswich
Electric Charge Points at Waitrose in Ipswich

The Gadget Man Episode 20 Chromecast

This week we chat about the Google Chromecast, a very nice little thumb sized gadget that allows your to stream your videos, images and music from your Android phone, Tablet, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac (providing you are using Chrome browser) or Chromebook.

Google uses the term ‘casting’, similar to cast a fishing rod, but put more simply you are controlling your audio or video using your mobile device and then playing it to a TV connected to the Chromecast.

Jack reviewed the Chromecast back in July, you can read it here.

The Gadget Man Episode 19 – C63 AMG Edition 507

This week Matt chats to Mark Matthews about the AMG Drive Experience he attended at the weekend at Ipswich Mercedes.

Find out what it’s like to ride in a 507bhp car electronically limited to 174mph!!!

Big thanks to Carl Beer and everyone else at Lancaster Mercedes who made the experience so memorable!!

The Gadget Man – Episode 18 – Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G3

This week we chat about the alternatives to iPhones that are available.

Most popular is the Samsung Galaxy S5 with its faux leather back and amazing functions. We also talk about the LG G3 which has an amazing Quad HD screen and laser focus camera technology. Both devices can record 4K video and a massive amount of other functions.

Thanks as ever to Iyesha and Laura at Kazoo for the loan of the Galaxy S5 and also thanks to LG One for the loan of the G3

 

The Gadget Man – Episode 17 – Samsung Smart TV – Open WIFI – Shellshocked

This week we talk about the Samsung Series 6 32″ Smart LED TV, the potential dangers of connecting to open WiFi access points and the worldwide server vulnerability better known as ‘shellshocked’.

Lots of exciting things coming up included more electric car fun from BMW. Don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes or your favourite podcast software, you can also find us on Google Play Newsstand.

 

The Gadget Man Episode 16 – Autographer

This week’s gadget is one that is difficult to place in a category. It’s a wearable camera that requires no intervention by the wearer. Using it’s multitude of sensors, it decides the best time to take a photo. We’ll be reviewing it in full shortly, in the mean time listen to the stream with Mark Murphy.

Matt's hands and Mark Murphy taken by the Autographer at BBC Radio Suffolk
Matt’s hands and Mark Murphy taken by the Autographer at BBC Radio Suffolk
BBC Radio Suffolk taken by the Autographer
BBC Radio Suffolk taken by the Autographer

Gadget Man – Episode 15 – Big Screen Phones!!

Following Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 plus announcement last week, we talk about big screen phones, notably the Asus Zenfone 6 and the LG G3. The Asus Zenfone features a 6 inch 720p screen with the phone running using Intel’s Atom processor (similar to what you would find in some of your computers). The LG G3 features and incredible 1440p Quad HD screen which is mind blowing to view and also a laser focus camera which gives super fast focusing in photos.

BBC Radio Suffolk are also in the middle of upgrading their kit and this episode was recorded in a spanking new studio.

We’ve included photos of the Asus Zenfone 6 and LG G3

ASUS Zenfone 6 - Intel® Atom™ Z2580 ( 2.0 GHz ), 2GB RAM, 16GB Memory, 6in 720p, IPS multi-touch, 3300mAh, 13mp PixelMaster Camera
ASUS Zenfone 6 – Intel® Atom™ Z2580 ( 2.0 GHz ), 2GB RAM, 16GB Memory, 6in 720p, IPS multi-touch, 3300mAh, 13mp PixelMaster Camera – available off contract for around £210.

 

LG G3, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad Core 2.5Ghz, 5.5in 1440 x 2560 LCD touchscreen. 16GB , 2GB Ram,  13mp rear camera- £404.47
LG G3, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad Core 2.5Ghz, 5.5in 1440 x 2560 LCD touchscreen. 16GB , 2GB Ram, 13mp rear camera -availble off contract for around £400.00.

 

The 'All New' studio at BBC Radio Suffolk, modelled here by Mark Matthews!!
The ‘All New’ studio at BBC Radio Suffolk, modelled here by Mark Matthews!!

Big thanks to Sammy at HotWire PR for the loan of the ASUS Zenfone 6 and for LG-One for the loan of the LG G3

Gadget Man – Episode 14 – Renault Zoe

The Renault Zoe, Kindly provided by Peter at Bristos Ipswich
The Renault Zoe, Kindly provided by Peter at Bristos Ipswich

This week we review the Renault Zoe Electric Car. This is a full sized 5 door hatchback and it really was absolutely amazing to drive. If you haven’t test driven an electric vehicle, you should. You will be surprised at the performance and comfort.

Massive thanks to ‘Electric’ Pete Frost at Bristos Renault for being so helpful at a very busy time!!

Peter Frost

Above image displayed in the Renault Zoe over the weekend!!

Gadget Man – Episode 13 – Renault Twizy

This week Mark and Matt chat about the Renault Twizy 2 seater electric car.

Matt spent a day reviewing the vehicle last week and today he tells us how he got on with this unique, quirky little vehicle.

Thank you very much to Peter Frost at Bristos in Ipswich for the loan of the Twizy.