Friday, December 16th, 2011
With the Samsung Galaxy S2 packing a powerful 8MP camera capable of shooting stunning full HD video it’s just as well it comes with 16GB of onboard storage as standard; but what about when you want to share all your photos and videos with your friends? True it has an impressive array of features for sharing and uploading your recordings but it also has one rather well kept secret.
Instead of a normal USB port the Samsung Galaxy S2 has a Mobile High-Definition Link (or MHL) port, which allows you to plug all manner of things into it. The best use I’ve found though, is to plug that big TV in your living room in via an HDMI adapter to play back all those videos back on a massive display the way they were meant to be viewed.
One of the best solutions I’ve found is to use a mobile phone dock with an HDMI output which allowed me to output holiday videos to a 40” TV at 1080i resolution. Seeing them on a large screen really demonstrates how good the camera on the S2 is. Of course it isn’t just things you’ve recorded yourself, with the ability to stream and download videos and films from YouTube and – more recently – Android Market.
Samsung Galaxy S2 Desktop Sync and Charge Cradle With HDMI Out
The dock I used felt well built and had some weight to it, which is handy considering the S2 certainly doesn’t! When docked the phone sat at just the right angle to still use it when placed on my desk, and didn’t budge when using the touchscreen or home button.
In order to fully test the dock I downloaded and watched a film from Android Market, and whilst the lack of an HD option was a bit annoying (but perhaps something we can look forward to in the next year or so as Android devices start sporting HD displays) it still played really well, and looked and sounded great. The Galaxy S2 being as powerful as it is of course this didn’t surprise me!
Throughout my testing of the dock I did experience one problem I couldn’t quite eliminate, which was that my Wi-Fi signal would drop out when docked and outputting via HDMI. This wasn’t a massive bother as I was still able to download extra content beforehand (the film downloaded straight off Market and could be rewatched for up to 48 hours after the first viewing), and obviously all of my holiday films were already on the phone’s memory; however it did rule out streaming which would have been useful. Admittedly though, streaming aside, if you’re watching a film you probably don’t need an internet connection!
Pros:
- Watch films and home videos from your Galaxy S2 using just a normal HDMI cable.
- Demonstrate to your friends your (not so) amazing skills on Angry Birds.
- Charge your phone while it’s docked so it never runs out of power when you need it.
Cons:
- Wi-Fi signal dropouts made streaming impossible.
- The Galaxy S2 appears to only support 1080i, which (some claim) lacks the full quality of 1080p. This is a limitation of the handset however; not the dock.
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Monday, February 15th, 2010
Back in November we launched the Desk Genie – a non slip desk stand that works with any mobile phone or portable device. It’s now one of our top selling Desk Stands, so I thought I’d take a closer look at it to see why this desk stand is proving to be so popular.
Desk Genie - Non Slip Charging Desk Stand
In the Box
I was a little surprised when I received my test Desk Genie as the box was smaller than I was expecting. Despite the compact packaging though, you still get a lot with it. In addition to the Stand itself, you get a Mini USB data cable, a charging cable and 8 different charging tips. The tips connect to the charging cable and allow you to charge your phone. Tips are included for:
- Apple iPod/iPhone
- Sony Ericsson ‘Fast Port’
- Nokia 2mm
- LG
- Samsung (older style)
- Samsung (newer style)
- Micro USB
- Mini USB
The Mini USB adapter will work with most BlackBerry, Motorola and HTC devices. The Micro USB adapter will work with any brand of handset that has a Micro USB charging port.
Desk Genie Charging Tips
Design
The Desk Genie is a solid looking desk stand, but I did wonder how it was going to hold anything. The near 45° angle of the stand with what looked like a smooth, shiny surface made me think that it wasn’t going to hold anything. The angled pad has a rubberised, non slip mat attached to it, which although shiny and smooth is extremely grippy. You can’t really tell by touching it, but as soon as you place anything on it you’ll be surprised. Your phone, MP3 player PVP just don’t move. On the front of the stand is a discreet blue LED that lights to show that it’s connected to a power supply and each of the two sides has a brushed metal plate housing the USB and memory card slots.
Desk Genie Non-Slip Charging Desk Stand
USB Hub
The Desk Genie isn’t just a phone holder. It connects to your computer or laptop using a Mini USB cable. This would normally be a problem if you only have a couple of USB ports and have other USB devices connected to your computer, (printers, mice, keyboards, cameras, hard drives etc) but the Desk Genie has a 2 port USB Hub built into the base. This means that you’re not tying up a USB port unnecessarily but gaining and additional one and also means that you’ve now got 2 easily accessible USB ports on your desktop.
Memory Card Reader
On the other side of the base is an 8-in-1 memory card reader. It can read MicroSD, M2, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, SD, MMC, RSMMC and Mini SD cards although you will need adapters for some of them (not included). Card readers aren’t as necessary as they once were given that most mobile phones and cameras can now connect using a USB cable, but if you prefer to work straight from the memory card, this is a much better way of handling them and saves you the hassle of rummaging around to find a USB card reader or unplugging other devices just to free up a USB port.
Charging
As mentioned before, you get a charging cable and a number of charging tips in the box with the Desk Genie. These tips should cover just about every phone that’s been made by one of the leading handset manufacturers. To charge your phone, you just connect the relevant tip to the charging cable and plug it in to the Desk Genie and your phone. Easy. If you also want to sync your phone with your PC or Mac while it’s charging, then you’ll need to use your existing USB Cable and connect it to one of the USB ports on the base of the Desk Genie. If your phone uses the same port for charging and data then you won’t need to use the charging cable.
The Desk Genie can hold and charge almost any phone
Why Choose the Desk Genie
The Desk Genie is a great accessory for anyone that likes their phone to be visible when they’re sat at their desk. It’s compatible with just about every phone on the market, and the fact that it’s got a card reader and USB hub built in means that you can free up some ports on your computer and won’t have to get down on your hands and knees under your desk to plug your camera in. It’s one of our biggest selling Desk Stands and is getting some great reviews online. The most recent was Smartphone Essentials Magazine – you can see what their editors had to say about it below:
SmartPhone Essentials Magazine Review
The Desk Genie is a multi-talented non-slip charging desk stand. The magic lies in the strange, grippy mat that takes up the front of the stand. The surface doesn’t look or even feel like it could hold a coin, but it can hold more than that. We tried an iPod, mobile phone and a hefty smartphone and all stuck to the pad as intended. You are probably now asking yourself why?
The non-slip holds a device which is then plugged into the stand, which is plugged into a USB port, ready to charge up the attached device. The Desk Genie comes with a plethora of connectors offering support for pretty much every mobile device available. The stand is also more than just a stand. The base incorporates two USB ports and four memory card slots, ideal for transferring files to the connected desktop.
The Desk Genie is a neat and almost understated device, if not a little cable and connection crazy, and we have to say it’s definitely worth your hard-earned cash. 8/10
The Desk Genie is available to order now for just £14.99.
Prices and availability are correct as of the date of this post and are subject to change.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
Bluetooth Headsets come in all shapes and sizes, from the incredibly tiny Smalltalk to the larger Qstik. On paper they all do the same job, and with so many to choose from , so choosing the best one can be hit and miss.
Jabra have always made great Bluetooth headsets and until recently their flagship Bluetooth Headset was the Jabra BT530 – a great handsfree solution that incorporates twin noise cancelling microphones, but with rivals such as the Jawbone Prime and the Plantronics 975 becoming increasingly popular an update was much needed, so along came the Jabra Stone.
Jabra Stone Bluetooth Headset
The Jabra Stone is a compact Bluetooth Headset with advanced noise cancellation technology and unique styling. It looks great, but how does it compare? I managed to get my hands on a Jabra Stone and test it out to see just how good it is.
Design
When the headset is in the charger it’s easy to see how they came up with the name. When the headset is charging, it looks like a bit like a stone. Once you pop the headset out by pushing it from underneath you’re left with a stylish Bluetooth Headset and a portable charging unit that can provide 3 full charges to the headset.
At first glance it appears that there are no controls on the Stone, and you may wonder how it works. The designers at Jabra have done a great job of ‘hiding’ the controls without making it difficult to use. If you look closely you’ll notice that the Jabra logo is in fact a button, and it’s this single button that controls the headset.
There are a couple of downsides to the design of the Stone though – neither of them that major, but worth mentioning. Firstly, the fixed style of the headset means that it can only be worn in the right ear, and with it not having an adjustable earloop, some people may find it to be a little on the loose side. There are a few different sized ear gels included to help you get a better fit. Like I said, neither of these are major problems and they shouldn’t be a problem for most users.
In the Box
As usual, Jabra are quite generous with the accessories included with the Stone. It comes with a Micro USB mains adapter that allows you to recharge the charger part of the headset using mains power. Oddly though, the cable on the mains adapter is only about 6 inches long, so if you’re planning on plugging this in under your desk or on your bedside table you might want to think again. Also included are 2 spare ear gels. These are small rubber covers for the earpiece to make wearing it more comfortable.
Noticeable by it’s absence is a USB charging cable or car charger – given the length of the mains adapter, being able to charge it from your PC using a USB cable would have been extremely useful, but as the charger has built in batteries it’s not the end of the world. You get a clothing clip for the charger so you can clip it on your clothes, but it’s not that secure so personally I wouldn’t use it. As with any device you buy these days you get a number of quick start guides and user manuals.
Contents of the Jabra Stone Box
Controls & Set up
As I mentioned earlier, there is just one button on the headset. One press will answer a call, activate voice dialling or end an active call. A double press will re-dial the last number you called or reject a call, and a long press will turn the headset on or off. It might seem complicated, but once you start to use it, it’s a very natural sequence and one that you’ll master after just a few calls.
Adjusting the volume however is slightly different and if you’ve used the Jabra Halo Stereo Bluetooth Headset you should find it really easy. The surface of the headset above the answer button is touch sensitive and controls the volume, slide your finger upwards to increase the volume, slide it down again to decrease the volume.
The volume control worked reasonably well, but it did take a little bit of getting used to. I found that I was adjusting the volume on my phone rather than on the headset as it was easier to make smaller adjustments.
I paired the Jabra Stone with my iPhone 3G and found the process to be surprisingly quick and painless. The first time you remove the headset from the charger it turns on and enters pairing mode automatically. A quick search on my phone and the headset was paired and ready to use – I didn’t even need to enter a pin number or pass key – although this will vary depending on the phone that you’re using. That was all there was to it. The Jabra Stone has two LED lights on it – a green one to confirm the headset is turned on and a blue one to confirm that the headset was connected to my phone.
Jabra Stone Bluetooth Headset
The Jabra Stone is a Multipoint Bluetooth Headset, this means you can connect it to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, allowing you to use it with your Phone & PC, 2 Phones, Phone & PS3/XBox. Pairing to a second device is just as simple, just turn the headset off and then press and hold the answer key for about 15 seconds to put it into pairing mode, then repeat the steps detailed above – easy.
Sound Quality
The sound quality on the Jabra Stone is excellent as you’d expect, but it’s the microphone that I’ve focused on here. The Stone has two built in microphones and unlike Jawbone and Plantronics it doesn’t feature a boom mic. Instead it uses Noise Blackout technology to work out what is background noise and remove it from the call. I made a number of phone calls to test this out.
I used the Jabra Stone while driving with the window open, stood next to a busy dual carriageway and inside a fairly noisy pub. Each time the caller had no problem in hearing me. I then made a call to them using the Jawbone the caller commented that when using the Jawbone I sounded ‘robotic’, but with the Stone I sounded normal. My pet hates with Bluetooth Headsets are wind noise and intermittent cut-outs. The Stone did a great job of eliminating wind noise and during my test calls I didn’t experience any cut-outs.
Music Playback
The Jabra Stone supports the A2DP Bluetooth Profile which means that you can use it to listen to music from your phone, but as the Stone only has one earpiece you’ll obviously only be able to hear it in one ear. To make sure that you don’t miss anything, the Stone converts stereo audio into mono audio. It’s fine for listening to video soundtracks on youtube or MP3 previews, but if you use your phone as an MP3 player, you might want to go for the Jabra Halo instead.
Jabra Stone has touch sensitive volume controls
Battery Life
The Jabra Stone is quoted as having upto 8 hours talk time and 12 days stand by which is pretty decent considering it’s size, but these are with the headset docked in the charger. The headset on its own will only give you 2 hours talktime and 2.5 days standby. For this reason you’ll need to make sure you carry the Stone charger around with you because the headset can only be charged when it’s in the docked.
I’ve not really mentioned the charger much in this review, but it’s actually a vital part of the headset. It charges your headset and provides somewhere safe to store it, but it also has a built in battery that can charge the headset 3 times after being on charge for just 2 hours. The Stone Charger uses a standard Micro USB charger, so can be charged easily enough with a Micro USB Car Charger or Micro USB Data Cable as well as the ridiculously short mains adapter that came with it.
Jabra Stone includes portable charger
Why Choose the Jabra Stone?
The Jabra Stone is a very competent Bluetooth headset, one that manages to deliver the kind of sound quality that you’d normally associate with a headset that has a Boom Mic and for a larger headset, it’s comfortable to wear. The lack of a charging port on the headset itself, or only being able to wear it in your right ear may cause some frustration, but if you can look past these, the Stone is a great headset. It’s simple controls and excellent audio quality make it a great choice whether it’s your first Bluetooth Headset or a replacement for one you’ve been using for years.
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Thursday, October 8th, 2009
Since the launch of Sat Nav on the iPhone earlier this year, the number of in-car holders for the iPhone has grown significantly and with so many available, I decided to go hands on with one of the latest car holders for the iPhone 3G & 3GS – the iPhone Car Pack – to see what makes this one different from the rest.
iPhone 3G Car Pack
The Car Pack is made up of 3 items – a suction mount, a cradle for your iPhone and a car charger and putting it together takes just a few seconds.
Mouting it on your windscreen is quick and easy too. The suction mount is solid and unlike some cheap suction holders, doesn’t need to be moistened to stick to the windscreen and once it’s attached the only way to remove it is to release the clamp. The clamp itself is a lot easier to use than you’d expect too. Normally, suction mounts have a small plastic lever that doesn’t seem to move very much and as a result it doesn’t create much suction to hold the cradle in place – that’s not the case with the Car Pack though, the level moves a considerable amount, which provides plenty of suction to keep your holder in place.
- Strong suction mount and a locking arm prevent unwanted movement
Once it’s attached to the windscreen, you’ll need to adjust the angle of the holder to suit your driving position. This is done easily enough as the cradle can be adjusted in 3 ways. Depending on which way up you’ve attached it to the windscreen, you can adjust it up/down, left/right and the cradle can rotate through 360°. While it’s easy enough to adjust, it’s not really something that you can do once you’ve started driving, so I’d make sure that you’re happy with the position before you set off – the reason I say that is the up/down and left/right joints are locked in place and to adjust them you need to press a button and then rotate it – something that really needs two hands.
- Push the button to rotate the arm
The Cradle that you slide your phone does a great job too. You slide your phone in from the top, and once inserted, a spring loaded clip moves into place to prevent the phone from falling out – (more useful for when the phone is being used in landscape mode).
Overall it’s a great holder. I’ve tried many different car holders over the years, but can happily say the iPhone Car Pack is one of the most solid I’ve ever used. The locking arm means that once set, it’s not going to keep moving around or start to drop every time you go over a bump in the road.
My rating: 9/10
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
One of LG’s most successful handsets was the Viewty. Launched back in July 2007, the Viewty was released at the same time as the original iPhone, but with much higher spec – two years later and the Viewty gets a make over and becomes the Viewty Smart, but what’s changed? Apart from the obvious cosmetic changes, the Viewty Smart has been pretty much rebuilt from scratch, with an improved camera, a better menu system, improved battery life, more storage and a load of new features. If you’re considering getting the LG Viewty Smart, this quick guide will point out the key changes.
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