UrbanEars Medis Headphones Review

If we look at the past product line of urbanears we would find stylish headphones at an affordable price. The new Medis headphones are a cross between an in ear-bud and a more traditional headphone; they are also the cheapest headphones that urbanears make.

Looks

The first thing you will notice about the urban ears Medis is the huge array of colours that are available. Seriously they come in all colours of the rainbow, for the purists out there you can even get them in standard Apple white. I was sent a set of blue headphones, which is amazing as blue is my favourite colour. There really is a colour for everyone’s taste.

Sticking to aesthetics these headphones look great both in and out of the ear for a few reasons. Instead of a plastic covered cord urbanears have covered the Media cord in fabric, a nice touch. This feeds through the outer cover of the headphone which in our opinion serves two purposes; firstly it looks retro cool and secondly it keeps the headphone ergonomic – a big selling point for the Medis.

Function

The ergonomics of the urbanears Medis not only look good but also make use comfortable and pain free. The Medis earphone has a patented system called ‘EarClick’, this sounds like a painful experience but it is actually the complete opposite.

Basically you get four different sized attachments in the box (nothing new there) with an added feature that sets them apart from other in ear headphones. The Medis earphones rest on two parts of the ear instead of one with the actual earphone part positioned in the optimum position. This makes them comfortable and very stable in the ear, unlike other buds which have a tendency to fall out.

Urbanears have also included a microphone and remote that will work with a range of devices included the iPhone, Nokia, Blackberry and HTC. This supports things like answering calls or skipping tracks.

Specification

The headphones use 15.7mm handmade drivers with a frequency of 20-20 kHz, they have a sensitivity of 113 dB all of which results in pure crisp sounds that are as good as any in ear headphones we have tested.

The bottom line

I think these are great looking headphones, you can choose from 12 colours so you can choose something that suits your personality and budget. You can pick them up for $50 in the USA or £44.99 in the UK.

What colour would you go for?

Exspect iPhone 4 Toughskin Case

If you own an iPhone 4 and think that the supplied bumper case doesn’t do much for the look of your iPhone you may want to consider one of these new cases from Exspect. The new Tough Skin case wraps your iphone in a flexible form hugging material that is impact resistant which will protect the body of your phone from knocks and scratches.

The case allows full access to the screen and buttons with any restriction. In the past we have found that some cases allowed poor access to the charging cable input, thankfully this is not the case with the tough skin as all cut outs are carefully tailored for easy access.

As with other iPhone 4 cases the Exspect Iphone 4 case is designed to solve the reception problems that caused so much controversy when Apple launched their new flagship phone. You can hold the phone however you want and the case ensures your signal stays as good as it the local surroundings will allow (unfortunately is can’t boost a mobile signal black spot. I.E. on the moors – that would be cool).

The Tough Skin also comes with a screen protector and a card to help you apply it. The addition of a screen protector is a nice touch as not all manufactures include it with a case. This stops the screen getting scratched and solves the dreaded finger print problem that blights all touch phones – trust us, it is better to scratch a screen guard than the actual screen itself!

The Exspect iPhone 4 Toughskin case  retails at around £6.99 and is available in a number of fetching colours. For a case that is as durable and functional as this that is a really good price – it looks a lot better than the standard Apple bumper case too.

Get it from Amazon | Play

The Ultimate Coffee Making Machines From Jura

When it comes to creating the perfect cup of coffee, your average instant doesn’t come anywhere close. For cappuccinos, lattes, and proper coffee you need to look at decent coffee machines and Jura coffee machines have long been considered the yardstick to measure other coffee machines by. Two new additions to the J line of Jura coffee machines, as well as the new Z7, have been announced offering even greater tasting coffee and a host of nifty little gadgets to get the high-tech gadget loving coffee drinker really steamed up.

The J7 is the least expensive of the bunch although you will need to pay around £1,300 for the privilege. It comes in a sleek black design and is an upgraded version of the J5. It has a touch screen display and an intuitive but option rich coffee selection process. Three new coffee strengths and two new coffee aroma settings have also been added so that you can make your coffee exactly how you want it.

The J9 is even more intelligent. Costing only a little extra at £1,400 it offers one touch coffee making. This brand new concept for Jura enables you to create your perfect brew first time and then the one touch coffee making option allows you to make it just right every time. The platinum shell and chrome front make it a stunning piece of kitchen equipment too.

The Z7 is the coffee making daddy. It costs from £2,000 to £2,200 depending on whether you want an aluminium or chrome finish. Both finishes offer the same functions including an intelligent heating system that offers espresso at exactly the right temperature every cup. The adjustable coffee spout is a new addition to the Jura line and it means that you can use any latte or cappuccino cup because you can simply adjust the spout to ensure that it fits.

All of the new models include an innovative Zero-Energy Switch which means that you can do your bit for energy conservation while still enjoying the perfect cup of coffee.

Jura coffee machines are available from Harrods, Selfridges, Curry’s Mega Stores, Brown Thomas, Dublin, and independent cook shops. If you love nothing more than a proper cup of decent coffee made exactly how you like to enjoy it then one of these is the ultimate in home coffee makers and will bring your kitchen to life too.

Pets Eye View Camera Review

This little gadget has been designed on the basis that you would like to see what your pet has been up to and to see life from their point of view. This little gadget takes and stores pictures on its’ internal memory so you can look at them at the end of the day. It’s big brother for your pet that is actually quite interesting and can have practical uses.

Design

It is a small, lightweight little thing (5.5cm, x 5.5cm x 3.5 cm) which you clip onto your pet’s collar. When we tried on ‘Allfluff’, our gadget loving cat it did seem a little big and would probably be best suited to larger cats or dogs. The pet’s eye view camera is robust and survived all that our cat could throw at it. It is rechargable but can only take a decent picture during the day as the device does not have infrared, this would be cool as cats are nocturnal creatures.

What does it do?

Working on the assumption that your cat, dog or anacononda is unable to work even the simplest camera the Pets Eye View Camera automatically takes the pictures for them. You can set the period to every 1, 5 or 15 minutes and it holds up to 40 pictures. Included with the camera are a Lithium-ion battery and a USB cable for charging and downloading purposes.

It offers owners an insight into the lifes of their animals, you might be surprised what they get up to when your back is turned.

Value

Many pet owners would love to find out a little more about their pets day to day life, this little camera can tell a story if your pet is adventouous. Many reviews have said that their pets rarely venture out of the garden so I guess it is a judegement only the pet owner can make, will your pet be a filmstar or not? We thought the pets eye provided an interesting insight into ‘Allfluffs’ day and discovered he likes to spend a lot of time next door. We would suggest that if you don’t already have a pet you’ll have to calculate the cost of buying one of those too.

Summary

Do we love our pets? We sure do.

Do we want to see 40 pictures of our cat licking itself and stealing small pieces of food from the neighbours? Well, actually yes. Yes, we do.

If you get fed up with seeing another slideshow of the sleep/bark pointlessly/sleep/sniff around a bit variety then you could try just leaving the Pets Eye View Camera lying around when you go out and leave you spouse alone. Now that could be an interesting photo collection.

Premier Popcorn Maker Review

Giant HD telly? Check.

Top movie ready to slot into the entertainment device of your choosing? Check.

Popcorn? Eh, no.

What is an evening watching a Hollywood blockbuster without popcorn? Why, it is akin to a game of footer without the ruddy ball old chap. Better get yourself a Premier Popcorn Maker then.

Design

This is actually rather stylish. It is made of stainless steel and the dimensions measure in at 201 x 142 x 272mm. It weighs 1.2kg and might look quite good in your kitchen, as well as feeding your insane popcorn habit.

What does it do?

You put up to 100g of corn into the chamber and it churns out piping hot popcorn. A good feature on the Premier Popcorn Maker is the fact that it has butter melting dish, for when you are feeling partuicularly rakish. It also uses hot air instead of oil, so it is  healthy popcorn you are making after all.

The one thing we found is that some of the kernals do sometimes escape with the popped corn. All you need to do is pour them back in for a second go, this is great if you have kids as if supervised is a great warm up to a movie.

Value

How many bags of cinema popcorn would you get for £29.95? Not a lot at these days prices. Once you have the machine the only thing you will need is corn kernals which can be cheaply purchased at any supermarket.

Summary

A fun gadget which makes good, additive free popcorn on demand.

Get it from: Gadgets.co.uk | Play.com or Amazon

Peanut Butter Maker Review

Some gadgets are for the masses and some are for a group of people. Peanut butter could be described in this way too which is why this peanut butter maker is probably best suited to those of you who actually like peanut butter (sounds obvious I know).

Design

The peanut butter maker comprises of a red base unit with a transparent peanut holder. It is not a design classic but it is a fairly compact size at 86 x 157 x 254m. It weighs just over a kilo when not laden with nuts, so it is light enough to tuck out of site when needed. The Peanut Butter Maker churns out the finished product in the handy dispenser. It comes with suction pads that we found to be essential in stopping the machine moving over the kitchen surface – this is not stated in the instructions so make sure you use them.

What does it do?

It turns peanuts into peanut butter. But’s that not all. It can be used with other types of nuts, to provide novel and wholesome spreads to delight your cashew biased friends with. You also have the choice of smooth butter or chunky (I personally think you can tell a lot about someone by the simple fact that they choose chunky over smooth). The Peanut Butter Maker comes with the warning that the grinding process can be quite noisy and it really is. Make sure you forwarn friends or family before starting the process because it can be heard throughout the house, on a positive note it is quite cool to watch the peanut to butter process.

Value

To me 30 quid sounds about right for a gadget that can be used over and over again.

Summary

Who will buy this¨? Peanut butter lovers (no, really?) who want to produce their own spreads. The two real benefits I can see are that you are getting an entirely natural product and that you can experiment with different flavours. As I suggested make sure you try is with cashews.

Get the peanut butter maker from: Play | Firebox

Digitrex CTF2685 26″ HD Ready LCD TV Review

Anyone looking for a HD telly which is compatible with the full range of modern accessories and which doesn’t take over their whole living room might want to consider the Digitrex CTF2685 26” HD Ready LCD TV. Alternatively you might want a tv for the bedroom, if so this 26 inch tv might be a frugal solution for you.

Design

Digtrex have gone with black for their tv which looks good. The gloss finish adds a modern twist but can cause a problem if people with greasy fingers poke at it, however a remote is obviuosly included so poking can be kept to a minimum.  The screen size is a decent 26” but the overall package is fairly modest in size at 664 x 471 x 100 mm (W x H x D) excluding the stand. People who want a quality, HD picture but don’t have a cavernous living room may find that this is a good size for them.

 

Specifications

The screen  format is 16:9 and the contrast 850:1 meaning widescreen viewing looks good. The resolution is 1366×768  and is HD ready (740p)while the audio is supplied by 2 x 8watt speakers, these provide ample sound for a TV of this size.

This television comes with a pleasingly complete range of sockets and connectivity options; you can choose from Scart, component, composite, s-video, VGA/15 pin D-Sub (for PC input), headphone socket and USB.

 

Value

Rapacious High Street outlets may well bleed you dry for the Digitrex CTF2685 26” HD Ready LCD TV. Fortunately, on the internet we are all friends and under £200 is required to make the transition from virtual shopping basket to real living room.

Summary

This is an excellent choice for any avid telly watcher who wants to move with the times and get a decent TV. It has all the components of a quality TV but not the massive size which can sometimes put you off.

Get it with free delivery from

pixmania | Currys | PC world

Hitachi XL500 External Hard Drive – 500GB Review

Don’t be ashamed. Your problem is a common one and can be fairly easily treated. So, your photos / music /movies / games collection has got too big for your PC and you’ve got a CD here, a flash drive there and basically your cherished information is all over the place. What you need is to think about buying an external hard drive. A what? But aren’t they expensive and complicated and stuff like that? Not any more, my son, not any more. This Hitachi XL500 external hard drive will expand your storage space by 500 GB, which should be enough to store your files, unless you are a ‘heavy’ downloader.

Design

What do you expect and want from the Hitachi XL500 External Hard Drive – 500GB unit? Unless my powers of clairvoyance have entirely deserted me I expect you want something small enough to be unobtrusive and robust enough not to worry about giving it the odd nudge. If you want the stats then it is black, sturdy and measures up at 185.42 x 134.62 x 50.8 mm (W x D x H). In short it will fit in a small space and looks good.

Notable Specifications

I guess that the most important point about any external hard drive is the amount of storage space it gives you. This one gives you a very healthy 500GB and is connected straight into your USB. It works with PCs and with Macs and comes with all the accessories you could reasonably expect. It is equally and if not quicker than most standard har drives which makes transfering and using files quick and carefree.

 

Value

Gullible High Street shoppers will smilingly hand over 5 crisp tenners and wander off home in the biting wind, through dilapidated streets filled with Victorian style street urchins who will probably steal the hard drive off them in order to buy some jellied eels and flat caps. You, however, have chosen the internet route and will not only save yourself a tenner but will also avoid those troublesome urchins.

Summary

The HITACHI XL500 External Hard Drive – 500GB unit does everything you could want it to do, and with a good internet offer price that is enough for me.

ASUS X5AE-SX002V Laptop Review

There is a plethora of laptops around at the moment. This ASUS X5AE-SX002V is a mid range laptop, it has mid range specification, mid range looks but has an entry level price. That is just one of its’ selling points, we have had a look to see if it is worth the £399 it currently costs.

Design

Asus have delighted us in the past with such bizarre computers as the bamboo laptop and the scented laptops. Fortunately (for people who want a “normal” laptop)  the Asus X5AE-SX002V plays a straight bat on the design front and gives us a look which we are very familiar with. The case is finished in hard wearing black composite, it looks good and takes general wear and tear without too much drama.

It is not the lightest laptop with a 15.6 inch screen, however its by no means a porker and weighs in at 2.6KG, carrying it around was not a problem in either a shoulder or back pack style bag.

The keyboard is well designed and typing is both comfortable and quick with a good balance between not to hard and not to soft (just like Goldilocks). All in all the X5AE-SX002V design team have done a good job with the look and feel, it looks good without being too flashy.

 

Notable Specifications

4GB of memory is plenty to run Windows 7, which is great for multi tasking. Asus have included a generous 320GB hard drive which is moe than enough for a laptop. The display is kept crisp by the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 graphics processor. There are more USB ports than you can shake a stick at and wireless comes as standard.

Value

As a wise man once said;

Some people make a fortune,

Others earn a mint,

My old man don’t earn much,

In fact he’s flippin’ skint.

Even if your old man wears cor blimey trousers he could possibly still cough up £400 to get this laptop online.

Summary

The Asus X5AE-SX002V is a laptop which knows what it wants and how to get it. It isn’t the most powerful laptop in the world but it does give a performance which makes the price tag look a little silly. If you want a stunning laptop then you may to spend more money, but if you want function in a good looking machine then you could do a lot worse than the ASUS X5AE-SX002V. A good bargain buy for a student, a home user or someone after a second machine to carry between work and home.

Get it today from Pixmania | PC world - £399 | Curry’s

HP DeskJet F4580 Multifunction Inkjet Printer Review

Are you looking for a new printer? Would you like one which is compact, user friendly, versatile and on offer? Well HP have been making compact all in one printers for years all with a similar look and feel. I had one of the first models (HP 1215) when I was at university and it still works to this day, we have reviewed the latest HP Deskjet F4580 Multi  function printer to see what has changed and if it is as good as the origional.

Design

With dimensions of 162 x 291 x 438 mm (H x D x W), the HP DeskJet F4580 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is one of these compact, Nobby Stiles types of printers which packs a lot of punch into its small, dynamic frame. Whether you consider it to be as good looking as Mr Stiles is down to personal preference. The best thing about this size is that it will fit easily into any office, bedroom or uni room of any size.

Notable Specifications

Nowadays no machine is worthwhile if it only does one thing, is it? This is a combined printer, scanner and photocopier.

The best part of this printer is that it comes wireless ready, so you have a lot more mobility and flexibility than with a cabled printer. The technical data is that it prints up to 28 ppm in black and up to a highly respectable 22 ppm colour. The scanner’s maximum resolution is a powerful 1200 x 2400 dpi, which give you really sharp images once uploaded to your pc or laptop, again this can be done wirelessly.

Value

Experienced internet bargain sniffers will not be expecting to pay more than 50 pounds for this little combined printer, scanner and photocopier. We have found some of the better deals and posted them below this article, we like to help where we can.

Summary

The HP DeskJet F4580 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is a very decent choice for a small office, home workers or just someone who prints, copies or scans a lot of things. The current price is good and you can see why this is a top selling machine. We have to admit the addition of wireless and the improved resolution, print speed and wireless printing have allowed this little all in one to remain a real bargain machine packed with spec.

Buy from : PC world - 10% off with the voucher code ‘10PRINT‘.

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