Adamok.Net

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G. Pro and cons.

2024-02-15T16:30:00.002+08:00

I have been using the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G for about 7 months now.

I normally change my phones regularly - at least 2 - 3 phones every year, but since my son grew older and stopped breaking/ drowning them, they last longer now. That was the reason I used Redmi phones in the first place and I am really happy that they still offer the best value for money in the market.

So let me go through the Pro and Cons of the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G.

PROS:

1. Camera: I bought this phone along with the Redmi Note 12 Pro ( 4G version) for my wife and I am not sure why but her phone is equipped with a 108 megapixel main rear camera, while my 5 G version comes with 50 MP wide camera +8MP ultra-wide camera +2MP macro camera. The results of my camera is slightly better which shows that megapixels do not mean better results. Plus it has optical image stabilization and slow-motion recording at 960FPS,.

The rear camera reords video: 4K at 30fps1080p at 30/60fps720p at 30fpsSlow motion: 1080p at 120fps | 720p at 120/240/960fps

It has a 16MP front camera. You can also record videos: 1080p at 30/60fps and 720p at 30fps. The front camera can also take slow motion vids: 720p at 120fps. Also does well in video conferencing sessions over Zoom or Teams.

2. Battery Life: The Battery capacity is quite decent: 5000 mAh and comes with 67W Hypercharge charger included in the box. This is great because a lot of the more expensive brands don't come with chargers now. The charging speed is amazing.

3. Audio: Has Dual speakers, supports Dolby Atmos and best of all supports 3.5mm headphone jacks. I also received the Redmi Buds 4 Lite as free gifts when I bought the phones.

4. Display: It is much better than the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G. Here are the specs:

6.67" FHD+ Flow AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

5. CPU: The phone is powered by a Dimensity 1080 Oct-core CPU with max. 2.6GHz. So performance is quite smooth.

Others:

It is currently running the Xiaomi Hyper OS. version 1.0.1.0 (Android 1.4).

The screen is Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5.

Can accommodate 2 SIM cards.

The phone is IP53-certified against dust or splashes so ok if it gets caught in the occasional; rain but do not take it swimming or even in the shower.

CONS:

Just some minor issues.

Camera: The camera has issues in low light conditions. Also, in the 4K video mode, there is no EIS. So videos are quite shaky.

When I recently visited the official Xiaomi page, I noticed that they have come out with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro + 5G which has a 200MP wide camera. This phone was not available when I bought the phone. I also noticed that they are no longer selling the Redmi Note 10 Pro 4G, which is slightly cheaper and with a similar performance.

Overheating: After prolonged usage, especially when playing games, I can feel that the phone is quite warm and it is a warning for me to put down the phone for a while. I read this complaint from other users as well.

Battery life over time: The battery used to last about 1 and a half days with normal usage but I now need to recharge every day. This is quite normal but other friends with more expensive phones don't seem to have to problem even after more than a year.

Speaker Quality: The speaker quality has also gone down over time and I have to push the volume to maximum when I am using it in the car in handsfree mode.

Summary:

I can confidently say that the phone is the best in the price range.

Disclaimer: I was not sponsored by Xiaomi.

Watch my short comparison between the 4G and 5 G models on YouTube.

Unboxing the Armaggeddon Ironsight Nuke 7 budget gaming headphones

2024-01-13T13:48:00.099+08:00

It was time to get another budget headphones to replace my old Logitech headphones. While scrolling through the internet, I came across these budget gaming headphones from Armaggeddon - the Ironsight Nuke 7 2019 Edition 7.1 surround sound gaming headset.

The main reason I bought the headphones was because I had good a experience in the past with their Molotov-5 headset. That pair of headsets lasted me a long time.

I bought them from the All IT Hypermarket for only RM89 + RM6.50 (delivery charge). A real deal.

The headphones have 7-colour lighting with pulsating EFX. The colours change automatically. They connect to my PC or laptop via USB.

The earpads are comfortable and cover my ears completely. As for the sound, I can't complain. The bass is good and clear. I watched several movies and it was fine. Though it looks big, it is not heavy (258g).

The cables (2.2 m long) are durable kevlar reinforced which means that they will last longer. I have realised that the first things to go on headphones are normally the cables and the earpads.

I will review these headphones again in the future to let you know how they performed in the long run.

Here are the specifications:

Drivers: 50mm, with Neodymium magnets.

Frequency range 20 - 20Khz

Impedance 32Ω ± 5Ω

Sensitivity 112 dB ± 3 dB

Mic impedance <2.2KΩ

Mic Sensitivity - 43 ± 3db

Mic Frequency range 20 - 16KHz

Directivity Omnidirectional

The HP GK100F Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review

2023-09-23T14:32:00.006+08:00

I finally bought a mechanical keyboard – the affordable HP GK100F mechanical gaming keyboard.

It cost me only RM 65.70 with a shipping fee of RM4.90 from the HP official shop on Lazada.

I have been using it for over 3 months now, and despite some negative reviews I read on the net, I have no complaints whatsoever. It has performed magnificently.

This is the GK100F Blue Switch variation with 104 keys and has backlights, which look great at night with the lights off.

It took a while to get used to the clickity-clack sound of typing. I chose one with a plastic base and not the GK100F Plus, which has an aluminium base, which I suspect would be much noisier.

The only negative would be that the keys are not swappable (nor hot swappable), but that is not a concern for me as I am not into that kind of thing.

I will give this keyboard 5 stars.

Here are some Lighting Controls for HP GK100F:

Toggle Lights On/Off: Fn + Home.
Adjust Brightness: Use Fn + Up Arrow (brighter) or Fn + Down Arrow (dimmer).
Preset Lighting Effects: Switch through various modes using Fn + 0-9.
Custom Lighting: Press Fn + 9 or Fn + 0 to enter custom mode, then Fn + Home to record, and Fn + End to save .

Review of HP km100 Budget gaming keyboard

2021-12-27T18:54:00.003+08:00

My son recently spilt a glass of water over my old Logitech keyboard and after a few days, the keyboard started having issues. The old Logitech MK120 keyboard was really good and lasted me a long time. I bought it in 2019 and cost me just RM 38.90 and came with a mouse as well.

I needed the replacement keyboard urgently and drove down to the IT Mall in Petaling Jaya near my house. I was tempted to buy one of the mechanical keyboards. However, they were way overpriced (in my personal opinion). Also, I am not a big fan of blinking led lights which can be quite distracting. I have been a Logitech fan for a long time and all my replacement keyboards have been Logitech but decided to try out the HP km100. One of the main reasons was that it was mentioned that the keyboard was "waterproof design". It also came with a free mouse. It cost me RM59 (about USD14). I have been using it for a while now. Very comfortable and responsive. If you are looking for an affordable yet good quality keyboard, I recommend the HP km100.

Watch the unboxing video here:

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro - best budget phone in the World

2021-09-29T21:26:00.002+08:00

I bought the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro phone from Malaysian online store Lazada. I didn't buy it from the official Xiaomi store but from another Malaysian seller as it was cheaper and they were giving away free gifts. It cost me RM1,086.91 (about USD260 as of 12/7/21) + a shipping fee: RM 3.80.

I am a big Xiaomi fan and this is the 6th Xiaomi phone I have bought so far, for myself and family members. In fact, we are all using Xiaomi phones in my family. They offer so much value for money.

This is one of the most feature-packed and yet affordable phones out there in the market. Check out the unbelievable specifications.

The phone has a bright 6.67" AMOLED display. Comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM. The battery is fast charging 5020mAh - which lasts me more than a whole day on normal usage. The phone chipset is the Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm), which is quite responsive and fast enough for most mobile phone games.

It has a glass front (Gorilla Glass 5) with a plastic frame and is dust and splash-proof (IPS53) - meaning that it will probably survive getting wet in a heavy downpour or accidental drop in a puddle.

I guess the most impressive thing about the phone is the rear quad camera setup with:

108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF. That's crazy.
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.4, (macro), AF
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)

Take a look at a close-up shot of a Mooncake. What do you think?

One of the common complaints about Redmi phones are the poor quality of their night or low light conditions but looks like Xiaomi has looked into the complaints as the night shots came out really well.

It has LED flash and HDR capability. The videos came out very good, either 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 30/60fps.

The front camera is not that impressive but it is good enough for selfies: 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm

Other extras that you will not find in other more expensive phones are: Infrared port, FM radio and wait for it - a headphone port. That was the reason I bought the Redmi rather than the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro.

Sensors include fingerprint (side-mounted as opposed to the rear in older models), accelerometer, gyro, proximity and compass.

The phone comes in three colours Onyx Gray, Glacier Blue and Gradient Bronze. I choose Gradient Bronze because it is quite unique.

And all of this for just RM1,086.91.

See the unboxing video here:

Review of the HP Gaming Headset H360G

2021-04-20T03:04:00.001+08:00

This is my new budget gaming headset from HP - the H360G.

It is made in China and costs only RM59 on Lazada Malaysia.

I was a bit worried about the quality but was pleasantly surprised. It is light and comfortable and fits over my ears fully. The sound quality is not bad as well. The headset also has volume control. The headsets connect to my PC or laptop via a USB2.0 port.

I am not a big fan of RGB lights but the blue LEDs are cool, even more so when the lights are off.

The only negative is that the cables are not removable however, the nylon braided cables look stronger than other headsets I have bought in the past including my old Edifer headsets.

Great value for money headsets - definitely recommended.

My unboxing video:

Edifer G4 gaming headphones

2020-05-26T21:33:00.001+08:00

My wife just bought herself new headphones for her online classes - the Edifer G4 gaming headphones.

Really comfy and great sound, with retractable mics and virtual surround soundcard vibration. Great for gaming but not sure about online lectures.

Reminds me that I need a replacement for my old worn out Armaggeddon Molotov 5 budget gaming headset, which has seen better days. Any suggestions?

Power Button for my Lenovo PC

2020-05-21T00:16:00.001+08:00

A few guys came across my old post (or rant) about spare parts for my Lenovo PC. Yes, I did ultimately find an external power button for the PC on Lazada. I have not updated this blog for a long time so I thought that now would be a good time to start posting up stuff on this old neglected blog again.

The external button came all the way from China. It was big and red with blue LED lights.

Installing the new external power button to my old Lenovo PC was not as easy as I thought it would be as Lenovo does not follow industry standards.

With help from Google, I ultimately found some diagrams and was able to finally get the power button working.

Review Redmi Note 8

2020-02-09T09:10:00.001+08:00

I have not updated this blog for a while. I will be updating it more often in the future.

As most of my friends are aware, I am a huge fan of Xiaomi because they offer excellent value for money. In fact, this is my 6th Xiaomi phone. My last one was the Redmi Note 6 pro. I also bought a Redmi Note 7 pro for my mum.

I will never buy a phone costing over RM 1000. (Approx. USD243 at the current exchange rate) and this phone is way below that budget on Lazada

My priority was battery life and this one is powered by a 4000mAh Li-Po battery.

Other amazing specs:

6.3" IPS LCD screen 1080 x 2340px resolution

Quad rear cameras: Primary rear camera: 48MP, Ultra wide: 8MP, Macro: 2MP and 2MP depth sensor.

Front camera: 13MP

Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection - front and back.

RAM: 4GB, ROM128GB

MIUI 11 OS

Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 octa-core

I am really happy that this phone has 2 SIM card slots plus an extra slot for a micro SD card.

Really enjoying this phone.

Why is it so hard to find spare parts for Lenovo PCs

2018-11-10T21:04:00.003+08:00

In late 2016, my old Dell PC decided to suddenly die on my in the middle of a project. I rushed out and totally unlike myself, I bought a cheap Lenovo PC. The Lenovo Ideacentre 300S 11ISH. It came with INTEL I5-6400 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM which I upgraded to 8GB, 1TB SATA HDD (Not enough I know, but I have a huge backup storage), Intel HD GRAPHICS, Windows 10 HOME SL OS.

As compared to my old Dell PC, the PC had many disadvantages - only two RAM slot and so limited my ability to upgrade the memory and also only one monitor port. Of course, I could always buy new bigger RAM and use a VGA splitter cable but why should I have to go to all the trouble. On the bright side, the profile is quite small as compared to my old huge Dell PC.

To be fair, it was the best value for money based on the specs as compared to the Acer and HP PCs. It was not the fastest PC but it got my work done and was even able to run some of the memory heavy statistical software.

Middle of last year, the power button started to give me problems. In order to turn the pC, I would need to push the power button on the top right a couple of times before it would decide to start. After doing a bit of research on the net, I realised that this was a common issue with Lenovo PC. Maybe part of a planned planned obsolescence where their PCs start breaking down after a year or two. Eventually I ended breaking the button and I would need to use a pencil to press the tiny button inside. I realised that the external button was used to press the internal button but the contact had got worn out over time. I totally forgot that I had bought 1 year Lenovo On-site Warranty. Just realised it yesterday and that was money wasted.

Yesterday, my son took a screwdriver and pushed it inside the hole and broke the button. Now I cannot start the PC.

Did a search on the net and I could not find a replacement - not even on the Lenovo support site.

Today I went to the Digital Mall in Petaling Jaya, near my house to get a replacement cable. There are hundreds of shops selling all kind of electronic stuff and I thought I would be able to find the replacement cable. I thought wrong.

None of the shops could help me. A repair shop could not even find the cable online as well and they are professionals. I was even willing to get any compatible cable as I do not mind sticking it outside the PC case with superglue but No!

The Lenovo shop from where I had bought the PC was not helpful at all - though one guy did pull up my information in their database and gave me the name of the PC model.

One guy advised me to go to Imbi Plaza in KL.

Really frustrating - why is it so hard to buy a simple power button cable.

Thermomix - the future of cooking

2018-09-30T23:44:00.002+08:00

A few days back, my wife's family had a family get-together. We stayed at Sarang by the Brook at Kuala Kubu Bahru - all 40 of us. To feed the whole lot, all the cooking was done on Thermomix. I was so impressed, that I invited Aunty Adrina to write a post on this amazing hi-tech cooking tool
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Guest post by Adrina Awaludin.

Thermomix is what the future of cooking looks like. If you can imagine how a smart phone has changed our lives in the past 10 years... that’s what Thermomix is.

My name is Adrina Awaludin. I am a Thermomix Advisor. I was introduced to this wonderful machine in 2014. I have a full-time job, 3 growing up children, a busy working husband. I didn’t cook. I have a lived in maid to assist me at home with cooking and cleaning. Since I was introduced to Thermomix, I not only cook but I bake my own bread and cookies. I even make my own jams and mayonnaise, as well as chicken, meat and vegetable stocks... and people ask me why I bother when it is readily available at the grocery? Well, those items in the shops have a shelf-life, which means that chemicals are added to ensure that they can last longer on the shelves. The other reason why I make them is because it is so easy and convenient now.

One gadget in your kitchen to replace 12 functions! So, imagine going on holiday with just your smart phone without having to bring your camera, video recorder, and laptop as we would have probably done over 10 years ago. Well, this gadget replaces all your other standalone kitchen appliances that does your chopping, grinding, kneading, whisking, controlled heating, steaming, stirring, cooking, weighing, blending, mixing and emulsifying and also replaces your saucepan.

What else can you expect from a German product with probably the best technology in the market? There are no other similar products in the world today, I believe, that can match its superiority and functions. And when we say it’s the future of cooking.... there’s a reason for it. It considers all the expectations we want from our food - home-cooking is healthier and safer (no added preservatives and unknown contents), faster meals as one can manage entire meals under an hour with time-saving multi-layer cooking. It is also your Reliable Cooking Assistant - no need to take a day off. This “German maid” helps with auto cooking, stirring and even self-washing. Thermomix keeps your kitchen grease-free, taking over the cooking to free you up to do other things. It is hassle-free to cook at home.

Other than its superior safety features, it also has a Recipe chip attached to it for step-by-step guided cooking instruction.... Now, this I don’t think you will understand just by reading this article, so that is a real good reason for a person to experience the Thermomix Cooking first hand. With thousands of recipes and the guided cooking feature, enjoy endless fun cooking with your loves ones together.

Now everyone can cook!

And on the question "who would want a Thermomix?". Well the answer - literally anyone who can manage a smartphone. And why not, did you check the Master Chef Jr contestants cooking with their Thermomix? A 7 year old who can read, would be able to cook with the Thermomix.

Imagine those people who are on special diets: gluten free, paleo, vegan, etc. Home cooked food, managed and monitored easily from ingredients to the process. In our group, we have cancer survivors, including those who are still undergoing chemo and other treatments, those who need special diets and Thermomix helps these people everyday.

Actually, anyone would love this gadget and how it can save them time and money. All it takes, is a Thermomix cooking experience.

Contact me at 019 235 8733 to fix a date.

Review of the new PaMu Scroll wireless earphones

2018-09-26T03:54:00.000+08:00

Recently I had the opportunity to review the new PaMu Scroll wireless earphones which recently . This is the second generation bluetooth earphones from Xiamen Padmate Technology following on the footsteps of their successful Waterproof Wireless Earbuds. The new earphones has already secured more than $600,043 on Indegogo when I last checked - 3000% more than their target of $20,000.

Unboxing and First impressions

I was quite impressed with the design and quality of the box considering that it was a review sample. Most of the time, I often receive these samples wrapped in brown boxes and bubble wrap without a box and sometimes without even any instruction booklet.

In the box were the earphones, the really nice scroll design leather charging/ carry case with magnetic clasp, a wireless charging receiver, a USB cable and as I mentioned before, a user manual.

Using the earphones

There are so many bluetooth earphones in the market and you might be wondering what makes the PaMu Scroll different from the competition. Well, it has several features which makes it stand out from the crowd.

First of all, it is Bluetooth 5.0 with auto pairing, and as mentioned before, with wireless charging, which you can use with a standard Qi wireless charge pad to charge.

Easy pairing - blue lights on the phones indicate that they are paired with your mobile device.

My son loving the earphones. He has got them on wrong - the led lights should be on the top with the mic down but it does not really affect the performance in any way.

Well, you might argue that these features are now common in so many others as well. Well, other special features include call audio in both ears, as opposed to only one in most bluetooth earphones, touch control and my favourite - it is water resistant (IPX6). Which means that you do not have to worry if you get caught in the rain with the earphones on. I am a bit sceptical about claims manufacturers make and this was one of the first things I tested - to see if the earphones were indeed water resistant. So I put it under my shower for about a minute - put it in my ear and it works.

Also most bluetooth earphones will have an extended arm with the mic near your mouth and I was a bit concerned about the quality of communication. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the person on the other line could hear me perfectly. Their manual reminds you to wear the earphones with the mic downwards but I did not make any difference in the performance or sound quality if the mics are up as well.

The review earphones came charged and again as I wanted to test out the claims that had a playtime of 3.5 hours. I was quite surprised that the playtime actually lasted slightly more than 3.5 hours on a full charge. Not as much as the 5 hours on the Apple Airpods but much better than other bluetooth earphones in the market.

However, all these features mean nothing if the sound quality is not good, and again I was pleasantly surprised as it was in fact amazing. The bass was really good without any distortion, even when playing Led Zepplin's Kashmir.

I am not too found of my bluetooth earphones because they are quite heavy and uncomfortable and only on one ear. I only put them on when I need to take a call while driving and I often forget to bring them along. However, the PaMu scroll is really comfortable and fits perfectly in my ear. It is quite light as well at just 5gms, 1.5gms lighter than the PaMu 0.1 earbuds.

About the touch control, which is again one of the unique features of the Pamu Scroll each phone has specific controls. The user manual mentions 'Click' and I was expecting a button but actually all you have to do is tap. While listening to music, you just tap it once to play or pause (on either ear) and tap twice to go forward to the next track (on left ear). To answer calls, you tap once and tap twice to reject a call (on both ear). Also double tap to activate Siri or Google assistant (on Android phones). Had to practise a bit to get used to the tapping controls.

Another thing that sets the phones apart is of course the fantastic looking leather scroll charging/ carry case (and hence I guess the name) which can be a great conversation starter. I have had so many people admiring the case more than the earphones. They have four colours/ designs, namely, Rock 'n' Roll, Graphene, Glory Edition and Sakura (Pink) and I received the Rock 'n' Roll, design which has a dark brown shade. I think they got it wrong on their box as it says Graphene.

After using the earphones for about two weeks now, I would definitely recommend these earphones - they look great, are comfortable with fantastic sound quality and several unique features as highlighted above.

The earphones are now only US $39 on Indegogo with free shipping for the super early birds. There are only 415 pairs left when I last checked so hurry. Here is the link to their Indegogo page: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pamu-scroll-bt-5-0-earphones-with-wireless-charge#/

Watch my unboxing video:

Unboxing the Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker

2018-08-12T11:56:00.000+08:00

Just bought the SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® speaker. We were looking for something light and portable and also waterproof and tough. My son loves to experiment with speakers and for that matter with other gadgets as well. His favourite is to put them inside a bucket of water and that's how my old JBL speakers died.

The new Bose speakers ticks all the boxes and the sound is amazing. This was not really surprising - it is a Bose.

My only complaint is the cable. When I first tried it out, it would not go in fully into the speakers and I was worried about force it in. I played around with the springs and the speaker end of the cable and after a bit of force, it finally went it. No problems after that.

The speakers lasts up to 6 hours on a full charge. It also comes with a really handy flexible rubber band that allows you to attach the speaker to your belt, bag, etc.

Anyway, here is the unboxing video:

Review of Lotushirt: The stain resistant wrinkle free shirt

2018-04-08T15:16:00.002+08:00

Recently received an offer to review a shirt which sounded almost too good to be true. I was sceptical but I agreed to test it out anyway.

It is a shirt which the inventors claim to be stain resistant, fast drying, wrinkle free, stretchable, breathable and comfortable as well. I know! That's why I said it sounded too good to be true. In fact, it is the shirt I have been waiting for all this time.

Anyway, the shirt arrived quite fast. Based on my dimensions, I received the size L shirt. It was comfortable and quite light and yes, wearing it straight from the box, there were no wrinkles.

Anyway, this button down shirt looks like any casual shirt but that is where the similarity ends - I have worn it twice to work and the shirt is still wrinkle free because of the fabric's ‘memory yarn’ - which apparently took the founders Andy Lai and Jeff Yang, more than a year of research to perfect and weave into a shirt that doesn’t wrinkle, is water and stain resistant and is also breathable. The idea was inspired by the Lotus leaf, the nanoteach fabric mimics the hydrophobic structure of the lotus leaf, where the outside surface repeals water but the inner layer wicks away the sweat. The fabric is a blend of 80% polyester and 20% ‘memory yarn’ featuring nanotechnology.

The shirt also features what they call a 'Flying Fish' breathable underarm netting, which is really ideal for the hot and humid Malaysian weather.

It had been raining on and off for the past few days and it was perfect to try out their water resistant claims and yes, it is water resistant. The rain drops just bounced off. Here is a video I took at home with my son as my model:

However, I have to warn you - it is water resistant and not water-proof. I tried going under the shower and though most of the water bounced off, water did go in. It was also effective against hot tea spills (a big Thumbs Up!) but I did not try other drinks like coke or black coffee. I also wonder whether the water resistance will hold up after it has been washed. The water resistance of my Levis commuter jeans went off once I washed it. I will tell you the results later.

Anyway, the shirt is now on Kickstarter and they have already reached their target with 55 days to go. Go and get this amazing shirt on their Kickstarter page for a special price of USD59 (HK$463).

Here is the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/454615361/lotushirt-the-stainless-wrinkle-free-shirt?ref=8obb3z

Review of MP Magic socks

2017-10-04T08:07:00.001+08:00

When we talk about technology, the first thing that comes to mind are the gadgets and ICT related stuff. However, technology is improving our lives in so many different way and that includes innovation in the clothes we wear.

I recently received 2 pairs of socks - called MP Magic socks to try out. One was the short ankle type (ankle grey) and the other one was a regular length sock (crew black).

So what is so special about these shocks?

Well, the people who make them, claim that these socks are odourless. These are made from unique fabric material which are infused with three different types of metals, namely, Silver, Copper and Zinc. The metal are supposed to kill the bacteria which cause odour.

To be honest, I was a bit sceptical. The material was soft and the socks they sent me were the exact fit for me.

To test them out, I wore them to work - for almost 9 hours. Malaysia is a hot country and I was walking a lot the first time I wore the socks.

Got home and my feet were really hot and sweaty. I do not have any sophisticated odour measuring equipment so I had to rely on my own nose and I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it did not smell as fresh as it did in the morning before I put them on but - there was definitely no odour. I have worn them on a couple of occasions since then and seem quite durable.

If you are interested to find out more about the MP magic socks, visit their Indiegogo funding page. They have already exceeded their target with 11 days left.

GOGO Lantern review

2017-06-30T17:00:00.000+08:00

This is a long overdue review. I received another fabulous product to review - the GOGO Lantern.

Well if you are the outdoorsy type and love camping, among the essentials you have to carry include a lamp, a torch and buckets - well, now you can have all of that in one cool package with the GOGO lantern. It is not yet available in the market and I received a review sample.

The bucket is collapsible and made from plastic thus making it highly portable. Attached to the bucket is the lamp with the LED lights.

Fully charge it up and it will last between 6-8 hours. You can charge the lantern via the built in solar panel or via USB cable. The indicator turns green when it is charged above 80% and turns red when the charge is below. The red indicator starts blinking when the power is low.

The review piece I received did not come with any instructions so I had to figure out some of the features myself. The lights detaches from the bucket by turning it slightly counterclockwise at the bottom. It is completely waterproof (IP67 certified).

The amazing thing about the lantern is that it comes with capacitative sensors and automatically turns on when you put in in water or attach it via the built-in magnet, to a metallic surface. You can also turn it on manually by pressing the button in the centre. It has three modes. First press: normal mode; Second press: bright mode and Third press: blinking lights. You then press it again to shut it off.

The lantern also came with a lanyard which you can use to attach the lamp and hang it around your neck converting it to a great hands free lantern.

It come in three colours, namely orange, light blue and light green. You can further customise the lantern by painting the bucket with a design of your choice.

Though ideal for a camping trip, the lantern would be perfect for a hiking trip, BBQ party or a trip to the beach.

Their Indiegogo page should be up soon and I am sure that they would be able to reach their funding target really fast.

Flextail Helio Lantern review

2017-06-03T17:44:00.000+08:00

There is nothing more I love then reviewing gadgets which are not even out in the market yet. I was recently sent a review sample of the Helio - a multifunctional outdoor lantern. It is so new that it came without even any "How to" guides or even a proper cover.

As compared to other typical camping lanterns, the Helio is much more compact and efficient and really bright as well.

Flextail is a Chinese startup company based in Dalian, China and founded two years ago by Li Tao with his classmates, all students of mechanical engineering at Dalian Maritime University.
Helio is their second product and this amazing lantern reached it's funding goals on Kickstarter in just 20 hours.It is not hard to see why. The lantern is just 45 gms and outputs 200 lumens with a lighting distance of up to a distance of 20 meters. It takes only 20 minutes to charge and on a full charge, the lantern will last 10 hours - yes, that's right 10 freaking hours. It also has an water resistance rating of IP34 (which means water resistant to water spray from any direction).

And according to the company, the lantern will last for 400 hours of uninterrupted light if you use a 10000mAh powerbank - that's slightly more than 16 days.

The Lantern comes with a hook and a magnet which makes it really easy to attach it / hook it up.

Go and check the Helio out on their Kickstarter page. It is just $29 for one lamp (retail price of $34).

Glovax adventure gloves review

2017-05-20T19:41:00.002+08:00

This is a long overdue review.

Received a fantastic pair of gloves a couple of weeks ago and is here is my review after testing them out. The gloves I got were the Glovax pro gloves - which are bright orange. I tried them out while preparing food, repairing my car and also when gardening and it was perfect.

The Glovax pro gloves are meant for outdoors and daily use and though they look like the rubberized gloves you can get in your local DIY store, they are very different. According to Owen Zhang, the guy behind the gloves, the gloves are made from special yarn materials developed by their partner factory in Zhejiang China - really amazing tech as I found out.

The gloves are abrasion, cut resistant and tear resistant (watch the video). The micro pattern of the coating on the gloves makes them water proof (at least where the coating is present), oil proof and very grippy, making them a perfect glove for various activities including fishing, car repair work, gardening, etc.

The gloves are very soft and comfortable ( I got the XL size) and quite light weight (about 40 gms). Moreover, I found the glove doesn't become uncomfortable when I sweat as the fabric absorbs the sweat.

They have recently launched their campaign on Indiegogo.

The MSRP of the Glovax pro will be US$49 but you can now get them for just US$29 (+ shipping).

Watch me trying to cut the gloves while I was wearing them, with a really sharp kitchen knife.

The New Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

2017-03-31T14:18:00.000+08:00

I have a long time fan of Samsung phones but they have been quite disappointing the past few years. In fact, it has been 2 years since I last had a Samsung phone.

Following the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle, I was looking forward to see what the company would come up with. And they have not disappointed..

There are so many reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S8 out there so I will just focus on the highlights of the new phones,

The first one would have to be the new edge-to-edge bezel-less "Infinity Display". It simply looks amazing. And even though the new S8 is almost the same size as the S7, the new phones have much bigger screens.

Regarding the camera, the only difference to the S7 seems to be a software upgrade which automatically combines multiple shots to create a great looking picture. The front camera (8MP) now comes with autofocus.

The phones also have a IP68 rating, meaning that being caught in a heady downpour or sand storm will not kill the phone.

However, the unique innovation has to be the iris scanning tech. That and the fingerprint sensor makes the S8 quite secure - the stuff we used to see in sci-fi movies are a reality now.

Other extras include 4GB RAM, 64GB storage plus expandable SD card slot.

New Huawei nova Series

2016-09-02T20:16:00.002+08:00

The Chinese mobile brands are slowly biting into Samsung and Apple's market share. They are constantly improving the quality, building up their brands and offering mobile phones which are much more affordable then the two companies.

Huawei announced the launch of the new Huawei nova series comprising of two stunning smartphones, namely the nova and nova plus.

With bold curves, the Huawei nova feature contoured surfaces that join together seamlessly. The phones are available in three colours: Prestige Gold, Mystic Silver and Titanium Grey.

The Huawei nova comes with a 12MP rear camera which delivers fantastic photography even in low-light. Meanwhile, the nova plus includes an incredible 16MP rear camera with image stabilisation. Both devices have a 8MP front camera. other features include full HD screens and they claim to have a best-in-category battery lifespan of up to two days.

A unique addition is Huawei's 3D fingerprint sensor supports faster and more accurate unlocking for improved security and convenience. The fingerprint sensor can be further personalised to control many of the phone's functions, including photography, so taking the perfect selfie is literally at your fingertips.

Price in Europe:

Huawei nova €399
Huawei nova plus €429

Huawei nova will be available from October and Huawei nova plus will be available from late September in more than 50 countries and regions

Armaggeddon Molotov-5 mobile gaming headset reviewed

2016-06-27T11:52:00.003+08:00

Updated: 12/05/2017

Singapore based gaming gadget brand Armaggeddon recently launched the Molotov-5 headset. I was delighted to get the opportunity to review a set. See my unboxing post here.

I have been trying it out for a couple of days now and I have I have to say, I am quite impressed.

This headset is compatible with both Android and iPhones and has been clearly designed with the mobile gamer in mind - with strong durable braided nylon cables (1.5m long) protecting the inner wires. The cables are among the most vulnerable parts of a headsets/ earphones and it feels like they have done a great job with the Molotov-5. The headphones can be folded up as well making it easy to carry in your jacket pocket when not in use.

Regarding the audio quality, the Molotov-5 delivers great audio performance with rich bass, surprisingly generated by only 2 40mm audio drivers (Frequency response: 20Hz to 20KHz, Impedence: 320, Sensitivity: 103+- 3Db). It was a bit worried that they would project sound outwards (a problem with the Logitech headphones I normally use) but according to my wife, they were OK.

As for comfort, the headphones are not that chunky and quite light. They don’t clamp down too hard on my ears, unlike a few other affordable headsets I have tried so far. The earpads are comfortable and provide good soundproofing. I was surprised that the headphones did a better job of keeping out external noise as compared to my old Sennheiser HD 558 headphones which covers my ears completely.

Sennheiser HD 558

I love the fact that it comes with an in-line microphone (Frequency response-75Hz-20KHz, Sensitivity:-42+-4dB) with push-to-talk button and not sticking out in front of your face.

Also included with the headsets is an audio splitter so that I can use them with my PC and laptop. It is perfect for my Smule and Skype video conferencing sessions - not necessarily what the guys at Armaggeddon had in mind when they designed the headset. I did not have to raise my voice and could talk normally and according to people I talked to, my voice was clear with no distortions.

The Molotov-5 comes in three different striking colour variations with exciting names - Scarlet Soviets (Red, Alpine Allies (Blue) and Armaggeddon (Yellow). I got the yellow one which is not necessarily my favourite colour and does attract a bit of attention because it stands out from far.

What would I have liked different - not much actually apart from maybe a volume knob, removable cables and maybe bluetooth. Yeah! maybe I am a bit too demanding

I have to admit, I have come to really like the Molotov-5 headset and would recommend it for all audiophiles on the go (not just gamers). It retails for only RM 69.90 on Lazada ~~RM99.90~~ , which is amazing value for the price. One of the best-sounding headphones in its price range.

Armaggeddon Molotov-5 headset unboxing

2016-06-24T06:21:00.000+08:00

I recently received a set of the new Armaggeddon Molotov-5 mobile gaming headset. It was delivered to me in person.

What is in the bag?

I was surprised when I also received a hoodie with my own name on it as well.

This is the one in the Armaggeddon flag colours - Yellow

With adapter jacks

I would like to thank the guys at Armaggeddon for giving me a chance to review the new gaming headset. Watch out for a review of the headset soon.

Various Services Offered By Ecommerce Development Companies

2016-03-25T23:44:00.002+08:00

It is a fact that the internet has entered all fields and walks of life. It has a great influence as well as role in accomplishment of numbers of tasks related to anything in personal as well as in professional life. Same holds equally true for various types of businesses too. Now almost all businesses, regardless of whether they are big or small, have their own websites for ease of customers. Also it helps in simplifying various business operations. The websites for real-time and online businesses are called as ecommerce websites. It is because these are operating though the electronic mode or online mode. To help business owners develop such websites, numbers of ecommerce development companies are there. These companies or agencies offer some of the most important services to the customers as discussed below.

Planning for the ecommerce websites
It is one among the most important services offered by the ecommerce websites companies. They help business owners to plan about their business website well-in-advance. It may include outline, size, content, designing, images and such other features related to the website. They also help customers to decide about the numbers of pages and the numbers of words and images per page for their website. All this is planned well-in-advance so as to get the best model for the ecommerce website.

Designing of the ecommerce website
Again it is an important service offered by the ecommerce development companies. These companies help in proper and most excellent designing of all the pages of the client's websites. Unique designs, layout and images are used so as get the most attractive designs. It requires lots of efforts, hard work and intelligence.

Content creation
The ecommerce development companies help their clients in yet another important way. They help in drafting and development of relevant content for the business website. It is done by getting input from the concerned business owners so that most effective content may be provided to the concerned business website.

Final development of the ecommerce website
After finalizing everything and developing all the parts of the ecommerce website, the final development of the ecommerce website is accomplished. For this, all the things such as content, images, options etc. are inserted at proper pages and places throughout the site.

Editing
Once the final layout is ready, final editing of the website is carried out. It is done so as to identify any mistakes and rectify the same before finally going live on the internet.

SEO or internet marketing
It is yet another important service in the list of services offered by the ecommerce development companies. Apart from development of the websites for the businesses, these companies also help in promotion and marketing of the business in the online world. It is done by using tools such as search engine optimization (SEO) or social media marketing.

This was all about the most important services offered by the ecommerce development companies to the business owners or clients in general.

The Most Unusual Watches Designs in the World 2

2016-02-11T17:00:00.000+08:00

We continue with some more Unusual Watches Designs in the World.

Guest post by Brian Jens.

Time Machine Design by Jones Watches
This is a watch that shows the time worldwide. Minimalist watch with digital dial by Mr. Jones will help you not to get lost in time, remind you of holidays, and prompt the time wherever you are.

Vibrating Watches by Skrekkogle Company
There are no arrows or numbers indicating the hours and minutes on the flat round dial, fixed on a thin leather strap. This model of watches just vibrates every five minutes, thereby giving its owner a sense of time. An original way, nothing to say…

Watches with a Wooden Clock Face by Grovemade
There are no numbers or arrows on a wooden dial – only the two labels and twelve holes. The red mark indicates the hour while black or white plays a role of a minute hand. The novelty is made of maple and eastern black walnut. Each dial is handmade.

Watches by a Projects Watches Company
The American company is famous for the fact that the design of each model of watches is made by creative persons – architects, artists, designers, the pioneers of computer graphics, etc.

Roger Dubuis Easy Diver SED Tourbillon Waterproof Wrist Watch
Manual winding, power reserve of 50 hours, and alligator leather strap with a gold insert – this water resistant (300m) watch will not leave you indifferent.

Moto 360 by Motorola
A stunning and stylish watch that will not appear on the wrist of human as an alien element that has come into our reality from fantasy films of the seventies. Moto 360 is a classical watch, generally indistinguishable from the mechanical ones.

Smart Moto 360 watch can work in phone and navigator mode. It allows you to read and send e-mails, as well as manage music, chat with friends, check the weather forecast, etc. It also has several sensors for monitoring the health condition of the person on whom they put on.

Pebble
The touch screens of today's smart watches consume a lot of energy, that is, they must be charged almost every day. But this disadvantage is eliminated in Pebble watches.
Pebble is one of many cases when a good idea has collected enough money on Kickstarter. The watch is based on the e-paper technology.

The use of e-paper allows intelligent Pebble to work for a long time – from 5 to 7 days. The watch can manage calls, and the wireless network connects some other functions of the phone. The absence of expensive components makes Pebble the cheapest smart watches in the market.

A Fatalist Watches
No comments.

The Blind Watch Design by Hyunsoo Kim
These watches use magnetic beads attached to a spring. The ball in the facial circle shows minutes; the one on the lateral shows hours.

Well, what time it is?

About the author:

Brian Jens is a part of a DesignContest website team. He’s a blogger involved in the design process, so he perfectly knows the topics he covers. Being always on a crest of a wave, Brian gladly presents his researches to a wide audience.

The Most Unusual Watches Designs in the World

2016-02-09T12:49:00.000+08:00

By Brian Jens

The emergence of smartphones has made watches and clocks a kind of obsolete, and that’s unfair to some extent considering their rich heritage of craftsmanship and beautiful decoration. Digital watches opened new possibilities for watchmakers that simply were not available before. Modern design, lighting, and the absence of moving parts are just some of the main features of the digital clock on the list.

Watchmakers are now moving in new directions: they present information in completely new ways; watches can be flexible or transparent. However, some masters try to keep the interest in watches by unusual approaches to the design. Many greatest watchmakers in the world no longer limit themselves to the simple documentation of a day. And the display of a week, month, and time in world’s cities is far from the limit.

The scale at which things happen is one of the top things we can observe in the modern design of watches. Not only the designer watches are incredibly beautiful, but they are also sometimes quaint and charming, displaying data in ways that you could not even imagine.

So let’s have a look at the most magnificent watches designs in the world.

Astronomical Watch from Van Cleef & Arpels

This watch shows you the Solar System’s motion. The clock face of Poétique Midnight Planétarium shows you the movement of six solar planets: Saturn, Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. However, it’s quite enough to feel like a real astrologer. These planets were chosen no by chance since only these 6 can see from the Earth to the naked eye.

The sun is situated in the center of the dial; the planets are made of natural stones. For example, Earth is made of turquoise, Mars is made of jasper, and Jupiter is made of agate while the sky is made of dark blue aventurine. It is worth noting that the planets on the face reflect their position in real time.

Another feature of this watch is the ability to set your "happy day". When it comes, the Earth and the stars on the dial will connect. The case of the cosmic watch is made of rose gold; clockwork has automatic winding. Each stone move with a speed corresponding to the planet: for example, Mercury will pass the orbit in three months while the same movement will take twenty-nine and a half year for Saturn. Uranus and Neptune would move very slowly, so probably it was the reason they were not included on the dial.

Salvador Dali’s Watch by the Unemployed Philosophers Guild

The idea of creating a watch, repeating the famous "running down" clock of Salvador Dali is not new. Hour and minute hands are made in the form of Salvador Dali mustache, funny rotating on the axis while the ant is running around the circumference of the dial indicates seconds.

Watch for the Knights of the Round Table by Roger Dubuis
The dial was created by analogy with the picture of Winchester Round Table painted in 1552:

The handmade painting depicts the King Arthur’s round table (enamel disc) with the red rose (Rose Tudor) in the center, a symbol of a royal house of the Tudors. Around the table, there are 12 gold figures of knights. Minute and hours hands specially shortened so as not to touch the tip of the sword:

Eye of the Storm Watches without a Dial by Yiran Qian
When pressing a small button on the case, the watches display time using two indexes on the borders of the "absent" dial.

Labyrinth Watches
The dial of this watch is stylized as a circular labyrinth, each level of which rotates at a speed of a second, minute and hours hands. Accordingly, the indicators of levels’ outputs play a role of watch hands.

Watches with the Legend by Cornelius & Cie
The dial has the engraved floating carp, which turns into a dragon. This image illustrates the ancient Chinese legend that a carp saw the top of the mountain and decided to get to it. The carp swam up against a strong stream and finally got to the top. There he found a draconian gate and when jumping through it turned into a dragon. This legend allegorically explains that the only way to achieve goals and success in life is to overcome difficulties and obstacles.

Earth and Moon Watch by Aleksandr Sorokin
This watch has no arrows and numbers, but instead it has a vivid image of our planet. The moon goes around the Earth in a circle, counting hours while its shadow counts minutes. The larger the area covered with shade, the more minutes had passed since the beginning of the new hour.

Emotional Watch by Mathilde Ampe
According to the creators of this watch, a person needs no so much to be happy: for example, a watch with eyes showing minutes and hours. For more joy, an owner can use changeable elements with different designs.

One-Hand Watches by Denis Guidone
The main feature is the absent of the usual clock face: the functions of minute and hour arrows is performed by the ends of a cleverly interwoven strip.

Look out for the second part of this post.

About the author:

Brian Jens is a part of a DesignContest website team. He’s a blogger involved in the design process, so he perfectly knows the topics he covers. Being always on a crest of a wave, Brian gladly presents his researches to a wide audience.