Product review — Page 11

Belkin Qode detachable app-enabled iPad wireless keyboard

November 28, 2015 by Greg Gazin · 1 Comment

Belkin Front If you find yourself using your iPad Air 2 for more of your daily tasks, you may also find a greater need to carry around a physical keyboard. If that’s the case, then it might be time to have a look at the Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard for iPad Air 2.

While it does have an unusual name, the Qode Ultimate Pro is both a keyboard and a protective case. Unlike other Belkin models, the case component attaches with its magnetic flap so the keyboard is never permanently tethered. It’s handy, so you can quickly and conveniently detach and use your iPad in handheld mode. And should you decide to leave the keyboard at home, you can still have added protection. The case component is fully compatible with the Apple Smart Cover if you already own one. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog,

Filed Under: accessories, Apple, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Product review · Tagged With: accessories, iPad, keyboard, product review, wireless

NETGEAR AirCard instant mobile hotspot for 15

November 22, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

If you’re frequently on the road and travel with a lot of gadgets or with a family who needs Internet access and Wi-Fi is not always around, then the NETGEAR AirCard 785S 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot might just be a viable solution.

The AirCard 785S is an ultra-portable device, about the size of a smart phone measuring 4.3” x 2.7” x 0.6” and weighing only 127g. It connects to the TELUS LTE/4G network through a micro SIM, which in turn allows up to 15 wireless devices to securely share the data connection and giving them all 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity. Read Full Review…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Canoe Technology, Hands On, Internet, Product review · Tagged With: hotspot, Internet, product review, wireless

Phiaton BT-110 funky square bluetooth earbuds

November 14, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

bt110-man Every time I come across a new set of earbuds or headphones I always hear from the vendors that theirs are a little bit different. Taking the opportunity to test drive the new Phiaton BT-110 wireless compact sport Bluetooth earbuds, I have to admit that these do fit that description.

First of all, looking at them, they seem to be something you’d find as an implant on an episode of Star Trek. Rather than the typical round bodies you find on most earbuds, these are actually rectangular so they sort of cover part of your ear.

To make sure you have a good fit, you get three sets of Vulcan-style silicon ear wings, featuring their aptly named RightFit+ technology and four sizes of traditional silicon tips. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, Hands On, New Product, Product review · Tagged With: accessories, bluetooth, earbuds, New product, product review

Review: Sound Blaster JAM Budget Bluetooth Headphones

September 21, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

1 SoundBlaster Jam Finding a pair of budget headphones that has both a recognized brand name and wireless is not always the easiest thing. So when I discovered the Creative Sound Blaster JAM is Bluetooth enabled, supports NFC (near field communications) and retails for under $50 U.S., it certainly piqued my curiosity.

Sound Blaster Jam looks like a typical set of charcoal grey pre-millennium on-ear headphones fitted with a pair of traditional foam cushions except without wires. They have an operating range of up to 15 m, a little less than typical Bluetooth, but then again, the further you stray from your music source, the more breakup you’ll probably get. READ Full Review at G4TV Canada.

Filed Under: accessories, G4 TechTV Canada, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, Hands On, New Product, Product review, Review · Tagged With: bluetooth, headphones, New product, product review

Whistle iOS app helps you discover your fitness buddies

September 11, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Whistle is a new location-based social discovery iOS app determined to bring both die-hard and aspiring fitness enthusiasts together within their community. It’s designed to help alleviate the challenge of finding partners to workout with or to find a time that would work best for all.

“I know first-hand how frustrating it can be to be pumped up to exercise, only to have your workout partner cancel on you at the last minute. When you’ve got plans to workout with friends and family, they are often more likely to skip out on breaking a sweat,” says Laura Davidson, founder of WHISTLE. ” Our app makes it easy to find people interested in similar forms of fitness, with a similar schedule. And we’ve found that our users are much less likely to cancel on a new partner than a friend or family member.” Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: Apple, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, New Product, Product review · Tagged With: app, fitness, product review

iKlip Case iPhone 6 multi-angle viewing stand

September 4, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

These days more musicians are taking their portable recording studio on the road. And they’re not just using laptops and iPads they are also creating music on their iPhones. So IK created the iKlip Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus a case that would protect your phone but also double as a stand and allow for the flexibility of multi-angle viewing.

4 Viewing Options

iKlip Case has both practical and protective design elements. Built into the case are two ridged polycarbonate wing-style legs that can be adjusted in various positions to create a stand. It allows you to view your iPhone screen four different ways; two positions in portrait mode i.e. 45° and 60° angles and two in landscape mode, 60° or 80° angles. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Apple, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Hands On, New Product, Product review, Review · Tagged With: accessories, music, new, product review

IK Multimedia iRig Mic Studio digital pocket-sized studio quality mic

August 14, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

IK Multimedia, known for the iRIG series of hand-held and portable microphones for artists and podcasters has added yet another flavour to its line with iRig Mic Studio. It’s a large-diaphragm, digital desktop condenser mic designed for iOS and Android as well as for Mac and PC. It features an ultra-compact form-factor, smaller than their other handhelds that can actually sit in the palm of your hand.

What’s impressive, for it’s size, is it packs a hefty 1-inch diameter condenser, back electret capsule into an ultra-compact enclosure. It’s digital, so it has a built-in 24-bit audiophile-grade A/D converter offering 44.1/48kHz sample rates and a built-in low-noise, high-definition preamp all powered from whatever device you’re connected to. It has the capacity and sensitivity to capture a wide range of sounds from something that’s loud and proud to a soft whisper, making it very useful in a wide range of applications, including professional and broadcast quality recordings. Read full Review at G4TV Canada.

Filed Under: Audio, G4 TechTV Canada, GadgetGreg, Hands On, New Product, Product review, sound · Tagged With: digital audio, mic, music, product review

Review: The Pop, Universal Pop Filter by Blue Microphones

August 5, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

If you’re a podcaster or record lots of audio, you just might need The Pop. No, it’s not the ultimate soda beverage or someone’s Dad; it’s a universal windscreen that helps eliminate those extremely annoying popping “P” sounds that can really ruin what could have been an awesome voice recording.

While The Pop is commonly used with the Blue Yeti or Yeti Pro desktop USB microphones by Blue Microphones, it can be used with virtually any microphone as long as you can find a way to attach it.

The Pop is an interesting looking gadget. It consists of a curved brass frame with embedded wire mesh attached to a pliable gooseneck that is then attached by thumbscrew to a steel bracket. At the end of the bracket is another thumbscrew, which is then used to attach to either the frame of the microphone, mic stand or desk. The general idea is that you attach the bracket to some sturdy anchor point then bend the gooseneck so that the steel mesh frame sits nicely in front of a microphone and in essence filtering out the popping “P” sounds as you speak, or maybe sing. Read the Full Review at G4TV Canada.

Filed Under: accessories, G4 TechTV Canada, GadgetGreg, Hands On, Product review, sound · Tagged With: accessories, Audio, microphone, podcasting, product review

Boombotix Boombot mini speaker clips on to go

July 29, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

It’s starting to sound cliché that I’ve seen speakers in all different shapes and sizes but I have to admit I haven’t come across one like the Boombotix Boombot mini that’s shaped like a triangle and features a reinforced clip to boot. Seeing it attached to a backpack strap or hip belt seems like something you’d see while walking the promenade on Deep Space 9 – well, almost.

Designed to be used for someone on the go, it’s made of lightweight yet shockproof high-impact ABS plastic designed to withstand impacts of up to 3m. Also, it’s IPX 4 weatherproof so while it may not survive being totally immersed in water it should be okay while out running or biking in the rain or snow. Read full post at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, New Product, Product review · Tagged With: accessory, bluetooth, New product, wireless

Bracketron PowerFlex hybrid battery and stand

July 24, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Review: Battery packs and stands come in all different shapes and sizes but it’s not often that you find the two together. Such is the case with the Bracketron PowerFlex Stand tablet/smart phone stand with integrated battery and charger. It has a unique look and combines the ideal travel accessory with a rechargeable high-capacity power pack that you can easily take on the road, on the plane or have as a permanent fixture on your desk.

The rectangular base of the stand gives it the weight to stay in place and it’s also where the battery is housed. On the top surface is the power button and four bright green status LED lights. On the front is a microUSB 5v power-in port that’s used to recharge the battery. On the right face are two standard USB ports that you can use to recharge your smartphone or tablet. In fact, the ports are labelled Smartphone and Tablet that output 5V/1A and 5V/2.1A respectively. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.