Wii Fit Plus Review With Video

The Wii Fit balance board and the accompanying software caused quite a stir when it was released last year. Now the Wii Fit Plus has hit the stores, but will it be able to coax Wii owners into dusting off their neglected peripherals and get back on the path to fitness, or is it just another gimmicky, flawed piece of populist tat?

Wii Fit Plus is not a completely new fitness game. It is in fact an enhanced version of the software bundled with the balance board and as such it is packed with the same features that owners of the original will be familiar with. The aim again is to build muscles, teach you some yoga positions and improve your balance skills through a series of fun exercises, most of which utilise the capabilities of the balance board. The main inclusion that bolsters out the performance of the software here is the ability to create your own workouts. This is great if you have a particular area which you want to improve on and allows a lot more flexibility that makes the Wii Fit Plus software package an easily recommendable upgrade over the original.

Other additions include more yoga poses and muscle building workouts to satisfy the real fitness freaks out there. The user interface has also been improved and makes selecting a workout or choosing an exercise much easier than in the previous version. You can now string together exercises you enjoy into long sessions and there are plenty of pre-determined sessions which you can access if you do not fancy creating your own. This is a massive improvement over the first Wii Fit software and provides a level of customisability which will appeal to many. You have instant access to all of the new and old exercises straight away, which removes the unlocking element included in the original. Whilst this may be a good thing in general, the game element of the package becomes even less prominent as a result.

Speaking of the gaming element, this makes up the largest new set of features in the Wii Fit Plus rostra. There are 12 brand new games which use the Wii Balance Board, combining both fitness and fun with varying results. The balance board can be used to play a golf game, take part in a snowball fight and adjust the courses of balls in a puzzle game. Some utilise the motion and balance controls to great effect, whilst others are slightly more frustrating thanks to clumsy or inaccurate controls.

The Wii Fit Plus software adds a whole host of new ways to keep track of your fitness levels. It can quickly calculate your BMI and keep a record of how your fitness is improving if you continue to use the software over a long period of time. However, like the first version of the game, some of the advice which it doles out in relation to your fitness can be questionable to say the least. There is at least a fairly complex calorie counter which works out how much energy you have burned during a session and then compares this total to how much food energy you have burned off. Obviously such information and advice is intended to be motivational, but it can be equally disheartening when you consider that a lot of effort and time needs to be put in to burn off a significant number of calories. Such is the nature of fitness.
If you have the first Wii Fit and you have kept a save file stored on your Wii then all of the information is automatically converted for use with the new Wii Fit Plus software. This makes continuing to achieve your fitness goals painless. The look and feel of the Wii Fit Plus is identical to the game from last year. It incorporates the cartoonish, simplistic graphics of the Wii’s other home-grown titles like Wii Sports and even incorporates the island from Wii Sports Resort into certain games. The animated version of the Wii Balance Board is also back to help guide you through the different aspects of the software and it is easy for people of any ability to get to grips with the exercises and interface.

Overall the Wii Fit Plus software adds some much needed support for the excellent Balance Board peripheral. Since few other games offer compatibility with this device, owners will be pleased to see something taking advantage of it. It is also good to see that since this is a revision of existing software rather than an entirely new package they have kept the price low. Whilst the Wii Fit Plus programme is not quite perfect, it is at least an admirable attempt to get gamers off the sofa and burning off some fat, as well as attracting a wider audience to the home gaming scene.

Casio Exilim EXH10 Hi zoom Digital Camera Review

The marriage of the compact camera with the pretentions of a high-spec digital SLR has been an uneasy one in recent history. It has been difficult for manufactures to justify the high prices that ultra-slim, high quality compacts with extensive optical zoom levels fetch. However, the Exilim EXH10 is not only the slimmest addition to this range, it may also offer the most ‘bang per buck’ to the avid amateur photography fanatic. In the following in-depth analysis we will dissect the various features and functions on offer and hopefully expose the true nature of this superficially super digital camera.

Pictured left: Front view of the h10

 

Basic Technical Specifications
It is easier to get down to the nitty-gritty straight away, so let’s look at how the EXH10 performs on paper. The 10x optical zoom puts it in the lower echelons of the superzoom camera range, but is still a significant improvement over most other compact cameras in this area. The zoom is complimented by a 24mm wide angle lens and the EXH10 has a 12.1 megapixel CCD image sensor. On the back of the camera there is no optical viewfinder and you will take all your pictures and access the menus via a 3 inch LCD screen. The screen itself is not particularly high resolution and the true quality of the images you take cannot be appreciated on the small scale. As such any reviewing of shots you do in the field should be for reference only and is not representative of the final pictures.

One of the most impressive features of the EXH10 is its lithium-ion battery. In standardised tests endorsed by the Camera and Imaging Products Association the EXH10 was able to take 1000 shots before the battery ran out. This is near class-leading performance in this category and makes the EXH10 a great choice for extensive use away from the nearest mains outlet. Obviously your own usage and battery life will vary and with lots of shot reviewing and menu use the number of shots you can take per charge will obviously decrease.

You can adjust the shutter speed of the EXH10 for between 4 to 2000 seconds and an ISO of 3200 is the maximum on offer. Overall the EXH10 has a wide range of adjustable settings you would expect to find on similar cameras and though the image quality is impressive for basic shooting, it is not a world-beater by any means. The question is what exactly the EXH10 has to offer the market. If you are willing to delve a little deeper into its menu systems you will discover that there are a host of unique shooting options that most competitors do not offer. Whether this is enough to make the EXH10 the best choice for you will depend on your reaction to these software-based capabilities.

Dynamic Photo – Gimmick or Killer App?

There has been much debate about the main unique function offered by the EXH10. Casio are keen to instil their cameras with at least one quirky function that no other manufacturer has bothered to include and they should be partially praised for their ingenuity. The Dynamic Photo function on the EXH10 is almost like a built-in greenscreen capability, in which you can swap out the background of one photo for the background of another. The foreground image has to be a moving object, whether it is a waving hand or a crazily dancing friend or relative. Then you can overlay the image on a background of your choosing.

Without too many onscreen prompts and little information in the included documentation you may do well to consult the detailed web page that Casio have set up to help EXH10 users make the most of the Dynamic Photo function. But since the camera gives you hints and suggestions as you make your way through the Dynamic Photo process we will rely on these to make an assessment of the function.

The first step is to find a suitably blank background against which you can capture the ‘dynamic’ moving image. You need a uniform, plain surface such as a wall, because then the EXH10 will automatically detect the moving foreground object and be able to crop it out for use without too much bother. It may be slightly difficult to find an uncluttered piece of wall and a particularly keen user could hang a sheet up for complete uniformity.

Once you have your blank wall you need to take the dynamic shot. This consists of 20 frames of movement and of course you can make whatever you wish of the allotted frames. Because of the speed at which the shots are taken you will not be able to see what you are shooting on the LCD viewfinder. As such it is possible for your subject to move out of the frame as they flail and cavort, so it may take some practise and multiple uses to ensure you have captured the movement properly. The camera will quickly single out the moving portion of the picture, remove the background and then present it to you suspended in mid air against a grey backdrop. This will allow you to assess the suitability of the image and then you can move on to the next stage.

Once you have taken your dynamic shots you need to take a reference shot. You can combine the two, but you need to set the camera to Playback mode. You will be asked to select a reference image for use behind the dynamic image, though sadly you will only be able to use images shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is slightly disappointing considering the wide angle ability of the lens. The background image will be resized to 2 megapixels to make it suitable for conversion to a video file later on. You can choose where you want to place the dynamic picture on the background image and once you have made your decision the EXH10 creates a composite of the two layers and you can see roughly what the finished video will look like.

The composite images need to be transferred to your PC if you want to create a single video file of the 20 individual shots. If you have a bit of technical knowledge and access to your own software then you can use the images as you see fit, but for most people using the Casio Dynamic Studio site online is the quickest and easiest way to convert your images into a usable video file. All you need to do is upload the sequence and then you can download a video in many popular file formats, including FLV Flash and MP4. You can even turn the sequence into a GIF file.

The best thing about the dynamic photo is you have the choice to use the reference image you chose when you shot the picture in the first place, or use the dynamic image set separately over whichever background you choose to upload. The Casio Dynamic Studio is simple to use and most importantly it is free.

The Dynamic Photo mode can also incorporate moving clip art into the sequence and you can adjust the length of the sequence to a maximum of 4 seconds, though regardless of your choice you will only have 20 frames at your disposal. At the end of the day the Dynamic Photo mode is a fine addition to the EXH10, but it is little more than a fun function. If you are a serious photographer you may only use it once. On the other hand, there is no limit to the amount of creative fun you could have with the software if you are willing to spend a bit of time and exert a little imagination.

Other Unique Modes
There are two more noteworthy modes built into the EXH10. The first, called ‘Make-Up Mode’, is a glorified combination of face recognition and image re-touching. Simply take a shot of your face and the EXH10 will get to work on it, smoothing out lines and decreasing the shadows on your face, most notably the bags under any tired eyes. It is a slightly eerie mode to include, though it is given its own dedicated access button, suggesting that it is highly regarded by Casio. It will at least keep any particularly vain subjects happy.

The second is an enhanced version of a feature many compact cameras include; Landscape mode. According to the promotional material, the Landscape mode is not just a simple adjustment to contrast and colour levels when you are shooting outdoor scenes. Instead there are thousands of high-speed calculations made when you capture a scene using either the Vivid Landscape or Mist Removal options. Though these enhancements are welcome and can improve landscape shots, they are not as revolutionary as they sound in practise.

Ease of Use

If you are going to be living with the Exilim EXH10 every day and taking advantage of its ample battery life, the most important consideration will be how easy it is to get along with as a camera. In terms of design, the EXH10 is small enough to be easily slipped into a pocket or a bag and you can choose either a black or silver finish, the former being the least brash. The controls are laid out as you might expect, with the shutter and power buttons adorning the top, along with the zoom lever which actually circles the shutter button for ease of access. Both the Landscape and Make-Up mode dedicated buttons are also found on the top.

 

 

On the back you have two mode buttons, a menu button and navigation keys. There is also a dedicated record button which automatically begins capturing video when you select the Video mode. The button is slightly too small to be hugely helpful, but it is nice to see another dedicated button put to good use.

Conclusion
Overall the Casio Exilim EXH10 is an excellent compact superzoom camera that bolsters out some basic functionality with unique and interesting modes and features.

 

 

Our test shots

Cinemin Swivel Pico Projector Review by Wowwee

Pocket projectors were being tipped as the must have gadget this Christmas months ago, and now the most eagerly awaited pocket projector has hit UK shelves. The Cinemin Swivel Pico Projector by Wowwee is now available to buy from RED5, and promises to open up a whole world of sharing opportunities for anyone who likes to share their photos and videos.

So what makes the Cinemin Swivel Pocket projector stand out from any other pocket projector? Well the most immediately obvious answer is the brilliant 90 degree hinge making it even easier to project onto any surface, without the need to prop it up against anything else or use a tripod. After all it is a pocket projector so you don’t want to carry anything else do you?

The other difference between the Cinemin Swivel and other pocket projectors on the market, is the quality of the image that is projected onto your chosen surface. With Texas Instruments’ DLP Technology the Swivel can project a clean and crisp image up to 1.5m from over 8 feet away – or from floor to ceiling in an average sized room. There’s no blurring and the quality of the colours projected are superb, so you won’t be straining your eyes to look at the projections.

This is all packed into a compact 120mm x 52mm x 22mm, weighing in at only 170g (6 oz). And the battery will last for a full 2 hours, giving you enough time to get through most movies – when it does run out you can fully re-charge the battery in 180 minutes.

The Cinemin Swivel is the perfect accessory for phones, iPods and portable video players. You can easily connect your iPod, iPhone, digital camera, netbook and smartphone to the Cinemin Swivel through the AV-in jack. For the majority of media devices the two cables included with your Cinemin Swivel will be suitable to connect so you wont need to buy any other cables to get started. You can connect to most Apple products including the iPhone using the 30-pin connector and 3.5mm-to-3.5mm AV cable, as well as most Flip Video models, camcorders, digital cameras, DVD players and Blu-Ray players using the composite-to-3.5mm cable.

The Swivel won’t connect to all mobile phones, but it will connect to most smartphones and the most popular recently released models from the likes of Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung. You might need a proprietary connector to hook your phone up with the Swivel though, so it’s worth checking this out – there is a list of phones that are compatible with the Swivel on the RED5 site. If you’re going to part with £300 it’s best to make sure it’s compatible with the devices you’re planning to hook it up to!

There is a built in speaker on the Cinemin Swivel, but it’s not as powerful as the images that it projects, so you might want to connect up some portable speakers if you want to get a fuller sound if you’re watching videos or films.

Overall, the Cinemin Swivel Pico Projector lives up to the hype and expectation which preceeded its release. Packed inside the same size of most mainstream mobile phones, the Cinemin Swivel will packs a massive punch with high quality image projection that will bring the small screen to life and transform any room into a cinema. At £300 it’s not the cheapest gadget around, but if you want to command the attention and envy of your mates it’s probably worth every penny!

 

You can buy the Cinemin Swivel Pico Projector by Wowwee from RED5 now, for £300.00.

Imobsters for the iphone strategy guide

IMobsters is the latest in a string of mafia themed text-based RPGs for the iPhone and arguably the least original, but it still has some interesting features which makes it stand out from the crowd (which includes iMafia, Mafia Live, Undead Live and Rockstar Live!). Unlike many of its competitors, IMobsters is actually pretty tricky and you have to be on the ball from the start to really give yourself a chance at becoming the biggest Don!

A handy tutorial is provided to all new players once you start and can be found at the very top of the iMobster display. In this box there should be a list of certain actions you can try, with six steps to follow in total. Completing this tutorial is essential and will really help you get the feel of the game and what to do, fast.
The six steps of the tutorial includes basic information on the Missions, Equipment, Attacking and Levelling Up. It doesn’t take long to complete these and once you’ve finished you should be rewarded with five thousand dollars and the disconcerting message that one of your mafia relatives has tried to have you “whacked”! Time for revenge, I feel, so give yourself a proper mafia name and select a class for your character so we can teach him a lesson.

 

Classes
Choose your class carefully, as once you have made your choice you can only change if via loyalty points or resetting your character! Current classes include:
Tycoon – Allows you to gain cash faster
Muscle – Lets you heal faster
Operative – Allows you to gain energy faster.
Each of these classes has their benefits, but arguably Tycoon is the best as it will let you earn money much faster. Money is very important in the iMobsters world and you will need to get a lot of it, fast, to buy your first piece of profitable real estate! Although you can earn some money by fighting in the attack mode, or performing missions, this will not be enough to sustain yourself effectively. Once you’ve levelled up you can buy bigger and better properties and weapons – but these come at a high price tag!

The Basics

Character Status
The current condition of your character can always be seen on your main screen. These should include:
Cash – How much cash you are carrying
Experience – How experienced you are (in points) and how many more points you will need to level up.
Level – The current level of your character
Energy – You need energy to complete missions, which slowly regenerates on a timer.
Stamina – Each time you attack another player you will use one stamina point. This also regenerates on a timer.

Time
Even if you are not playing iMobsters, the game continues without you. As time passes, your character will regain health, stamina and energy until they reach the maximum. You will also receive cash from your Real Estate on a set timer.

Level
Each time you level up, your character will gain skill points and a full recharge of all your energy, health and stamina points. Levelling up also will unlock more Missions, Equipment and Real Estate. You level up by earning Experience points from attacking other players, successfully defending an attack from another player and completing Missions.

Skills
There are five types of skill available in iMobster. These include:
Attack – Makes you stronger when attacking other players.
Defence – Allows you to successfully defend more attacks.
Max Energy – Increases your maximum Energy points.
Max Stamina – Increases your maximum Stamina points.
Max Health – Increases your maximum Health points.

Each time you level up you will be awarded with three skills points, which can be spent increasing any of the above skills.

Money
When you first start playing, even if you did complete the tutorial, you will have a very small amount of money. As mentioned above, money really does ‘make the world go round’ in iMobsters, so you will have to perform some simple missions just to get some cash. Try and earn an extra two or three thousand dollars by performing some Muggings or Petty Thefts. Of course, you can try some of the harder missions right away, but this will require you to buy a weapon and will mean you have less cash to buy your first valuable piece of real estate.
As soon and you have your first couple of grand, buy a New Stand. Although the $50 an hour return may not seem like much, it’s a good first step. Keep buying News Stands until you have about four of them – you may notice their price rising each time and after four they’re no longer the best option.

Patience is a virtue in iMobsters, so kick back, relax and wait for your News Stands to make you some cash. After some time, you should have enough to buy a Shack and you should buy three of four of these the same way as you did with the News Stands. Next up is Convenience Stores! This strategy should earn you a fantastic base of real estate with little risk – which means you can save up for those fantastic-looking weapons you’ve had you eye on! With a Tycoon character and this method of play, you shouldn’t need to do many of those low-level missions and by level 4 or 5 you should have an enviable portfolio.

Part of The Family
It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there and to ensure you don’t get whacked too often, you’ll need a strong family. iMobsters allows you to group up with other iMobster players and become stronger and more protected – and less of a target for more experienced players. To be added to a Mob or add members to your Mob, you’ll need your Mob Code.

Mob Codes
Mob Codes are a 5 digit code that are used to add people to your mob and it is essential you use these as much as possible. Don’t be shy, add as many people as possible! Be aware, however, that as soon as you begin posting your Mob Code you will get a huge amount of requests in return. At present, it’s impossible to accept all of these requests in one go, like you can in other iPhone mafia games such as iMob Online or Mafia Wars. Each request must be dealt with individually and this can take a long time to do, so be prepared to suffer for a huge and powerful mob! To deal with this, I recommend that new users keep a close eye on their iMobsters game and check it frequently – so you can accept a manageable amount of requests bit by bit rather than having to deal with several hundred at once after an absence!

Starting Your Mob
Adding to a mob can be tricky, so here is a step-by-step guide on quickly bringing your gang together. Start on the Home tab which is on the bottom task bar. From there, go to ‘My Mob’, which can be found in the middle of the Home display at the very top of the column on the right side. Once My Mob is selected, you should be given some options on how to add people to your mob. The easiest way is by the Mob Code, of course, so use the top option to invite someone using their 5 digit Mob Code.

Each Mob Code is completely unique, making it ideal to post and share wherever you can to get the biggest mob possible. Try and post your code on plenty of iMobster forums and encourage your friends to do the same to ensure you get plenty of invites.

Equipment
Although equipment is very important in iMobsters, all your early money should mostly go towards buying Real Estate (See ‘Money’ section). A good strategy is to buy just enough good equipment to perform some Missions and win fights, but keep a good chunk for your investments. Although it may seem tempting to blow all your cash on cool equipment to do those tempting missions, later on in the iMobster game the money you will receive from Missions will seem petty in comparison to the huge cash that can be made with Real Estate!

Bank
iMobsters isn’t a sweet, sedate game where all players get along and you will quickly become a target for other players to try and destroy! Players can earn money, credit and experience for fighting other players, so financially you will always be at risk. Bigger and better players will often target new players and you will often lose a huge chunk of your hard-earned cash this way. Help is at hand, however, in the form of the iMobsters bank.

The bank can be found by going to the main Home page and selecting the left-hand column – under Godfather and above Hospital. Once inside, you’ll see your current balance in the bank displayed at the very top of the screen, with a text box just below prompting you deposit. In this box you can enter an amount of iMobster money to deposit – by default the game will often have the complete contents of your wallet.

Although you may rush to deposit all of your cash into the safe space of the bank, hold on a second. A ten percent fee is applied on all of the money that you deposit, which can often be a fair chunk of cash. Think carefully if you can hold onto your money without sacrificing your fee – an early player is often a target for thieves, but a more advanced player may not need to use the bank at all.

Games of the Month October 2009

With the summer release slump out of the way everyone can being to look forward to the games released in the run up to the all important Christmas season. There are some big sequels as well as future classics on the cards in October, so it may be time to break open your piggy bank and splash out on some truly excellent games.

 

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
Nowadays, what with casual gaming and the Wii inviting the whole family into the living room to play, it’s hard to find a truly challenging game. Thankfully the Ninja Gaiden series has had its head stuck firmly in the past in terms of relentless difficulty. With the newest release exclusively for PlayStation 3 owners the hardcore faction will be slavering with anticipation. Playing as vengeful ninja Ryu you’ll take on supernatural villains, huge bosses and gorgeously rendered environments for a blood bathed ride to gaming bliss.

  October Game releases

Blu Ray of the Month October 2009

Another month, another selection of fantastic new movies, as well as the added bonus of loads of old classics becoming available in high definition on Blu Ray!

Observe and Report
This is a black comedy at its most subtle, released in stark contrast to Paul Blart: Mall Cop, the family friendly slap stick block buster which also follows the life of a Mall Security Guard in suburban America. Observe and Report, starring Seth Rogan of Knocked Up fame, is a very different film all together. Rogan plays a Mall cop who is delusional, depressive, schizophrenic and terminally naive. It’s got some laughs and comes close to being a great film, but some may find its subject matter and characters a little too disquieting for their tastes.

October Blu Rays

Apps of the Month October 2009

Postage ~ Postcards
Though this is described as a postcard maker it is essentially a fully featured image editor that expands on the standard offering from Apple. This app allows you to edit all of the photos you’ve taken with your iPhone, or any which you have transferred to its gargantuan storage space. You can then add frames and cut-outs overlaid on top to create something that looks unique or quirky. For example you can place a bear costume over the top of a picture of yourself or add a speech bubble with some witty quip to a picture of your cat. You can also jazz up any of your photos with animations, graphics and additional effects. Once you’re happy with the results, you can email the finished product to friends and family for a personalised greeting.

More apps

Atomic Pico Bluetooth Dongle Review

Bluetooth has become the most common way of connecting wireless peripherals and mobile devices to a PC or laptop. In the world of the Bluetooth dongles arms race it has always been about miniaturisation, without compromising on features and functionality. That’s where the Atomic Pico Bluetooth dongle comes in, rightly claiming the title of smallest USB Bluetooth dongle in the world. With its tiny design it is dwarfed by even the next closes competitor, the Nano. The question is, should you consider picking one up for yourself?

The Design
Aesthetically there is very little to comment on because of the Atomic Pico’s small size. It will fit into a USB port and remain virtually flush with the edge of your PC or laptop while it is in use. The main benefits of this unobtrusive operation is that it will be impossible to knock, damage or snap off when in use. This makes it extremely suitable for users who take their laptops and Bluetooth dongles with them and use them whilst out and about. It is not the most attractive device ever conceived, but it is designed for covert operation rather than as a flashy accessory.

The Functionality and Technical Specifications
The Atomic Pico may be small but it packs in all of the capabilities that you would expect from a modern Bluetooth dongle. It uses the advancements of Bluetooth v2.0+ in order to transfer data at a maximum rate of 3Mbps. Additionally you can connect up to six different Bluetooth devices to your PC at the same time using a single Atomic Pico dongle and it can broadcast in stereo for those with advanced Bluetooth headsets. It is also backwards compatible with devices operating with older Bluetooth standards. The Atomic Pico can be used for simple drag and drop file transfer between mobile devices wirelessly, but it is also compatible with top mobile phone software suites for more complete control. The manufacturers state that it has a 10 meter coverage range, which is adequate if you are going to be sitting near your computer whilst you utilise the Bluetooth connectivity. However, for connecting to devices in adjacent rooms, such as printers or networked drives, you may have more trouble. However, since the most common use of a Bluetooth dongle is for data transfer between a mobile phone or PDA and a computer this will not affect a majority of Atomic Pico customers.

The Compatibility
Like most modern USB Bluetooth dongles the Atomic Pico is a plug and play device. That means you can slot it into a spare USB port and in a matter of moments it will have installed all of the drivers that you will need to begin using it. It is also compatible with Windows XP, Vista and 7 so it will work with future as well as past operating systems. Mac users running OSX can also enjoy the Atomic Pico dongle. There is even the option to install BlueSoliel software for free which will give you access to advanced connectivity options, although for standard use the device will function well without this. Because of the frequencies which this device uses the manufacturers claim you will experience less interference with wireless networks that you would with other Bluetooth dongles. However this will of course depend on the specific calibration of your own wireless network.

The Negatives
Though on the surface the Atomic Pico Bluetooth dongle is ideal, there are a couple of problems that could surface through prolonged use. The first issue is that because of its small size it is very easy to misplace if not stored safely. On the flip side the manufacturers suggest that because of its small size, low power consumption and unobtrusive installation you could leave it plugged in to your laptop at all times. The problem with permanent use is that you will always have one of your precious USB ports taken up by the Atomic Pico. This issue goes hand in hand with the next problem. Bluetooth connectivity is now fairly common in mid range laptops, but the inexpensive netbooks with which this device will be most commonly used will also have fewer USB ports available. This may result in a Catch 22 situation, so you will have to weigh up the convenience of such a small device against the potential downsides.

Conclusion
There is simply no smaller Bluetooth dongle solution available at the moment, so if you have a laptop or PC without built in Bluetooth then this product should be a serious consideration. You could use this single dongle to connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, a mobile phone and a headset while still keeping the ability to connect more devices should you need to. This product is available exclusively from the mobile fun website.

Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Watch Review With Pictures

Though the name of this watch may make it sound like a mixture between a gun, a car and a German tennis star, this is a serious piece of time telling machinery. This is partly because of TAG Heuer’s association with motor racing, Formula 1 in particular. They even produce a watch to accompany the Mercedes Benz hyper car, the McLaren SLR. The Carrera 16 Calibre is a chronograph and timekeeping luxury watch that attempts to combine niche market functionality with wider appeal. The results are varied, though objectively impressive by any standards.

The Design
Impeccable masculinity is exuded by the Calibre 16, though it could not be called ostentatious or pretentious. It is available in a number of combinations with different materials used for the strap, though the most popular and attractive pairing is the black alligator strap, with the black dial nestling in a black aluminium bezel. Fans of silver or stainless steel bracelet fastenings can adjust their choice accordingly. The Carrera 16 Calibre comes presented in a stainless steel case that adds a suitable amount of ceremony to its arrival. It also has a sapphire crystal dome entombing its various dials and this dome is anti-reflective so as to allow use in any conditions. The detailing on the digits and the various sub dials is all exquisitely rendered in contrast with your choice of bezel. To increase the overall usability the hands of the Calibre 16 are marked with luminous sections, ideally suited for use during the night stage of a Grand Prix. Or simply when you roll over to check the time in the wee hours. For the money you will pay for the Calibre 16 you would expect a world class level of craftsmanship and there is little here to disappoint.

The Functionality
This watch is based on a limited run produced to commemorate the Singapore F1 Grand Prix and so firmly asserts itself as a chronograph timepiece. That means that it can be used both as a stopwatch and as a standard timekeeping device. For day to day use its automatic movement and date and time windows, located at 3 o’clock, are convenient and easy to interpret.

The three main sub dials enhance the chronographic pretensions of the Carrerra Calibre 16, measuring chronograph hours, minutes and seconds respectively. Using these dials for timekeeping is simple and the layout of the buttons is intuitive enough for new owners to grasp quickly.

The tachometer which rims the edge of the Calibre 16 can be used to convert the times you take with it into speeds. Though the Calibre 16 is marketed and priced as a luxury watch and comes with all the associated aesthetic trappings, it is at its heart a workhorse. It will give you the ability to record the time of events, make calculations and monitor multiple laps whilst still keeping track of the time and date as any normal watch would. In order to adhere to the sporting pretensions which it exhibits the Calibre 16 is rated as water resistant to up to 100 meters. It is unlikely that TAG Heuer owners will ever test this claim, though its inclusion is comforting.

The Negatives
As with any luxury watch brand there is an unfortunate raft of fakes available on-line and on the street. As a result you will have to be very careful to purchase from a respectable dealer, especially if the watch is being advertised as authentic and sold at close to the RRP. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. One further issue may be that of the relatively hardcore audience which the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 is aimed at. With its stop watch dials and dedicated chronograph functions it yearns to be used as it was intended. If you are looking for a simple timepiece that doesn’t cater to such specific tastes then you might want to consider alternative luxury watch brands.

Conclusion
The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 cannot be faulted for its design ideals or functionality. It is a real timekeeping enthusiast’s watch, which may work against its popularity in some circles. However, for fans of motor racing or sport of any kind it blends its chronograph roots with the luxury finish and of course the respected brand name very well. It might be worth examining the other watch ranges offered by TAG Heuer, especially if you are an admirer of their design aesthetic and their racing heritage, but want something a little more mainstream. As long as you are thorough in your research of the watches you desire and the places to buy them, you won’t be disappointed.

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