Poor air quality has become one of the largest environmental risks to the health of people of the United Kingdom and with the Coronavirus Pandemic, it has become more important than ever that we breathe healthy air that is free from harmful particles and unpleasant viruses.
So, it was incredibly timely that I was recently contacted by Kebao to test their new ‘filterless’ air purifier, namely the Kebao Air 3.
The Air 3 combines sleek design with cutting edge technology, which in turn completely eliminates 99.99% of airborne pollutants, viruses, bacteria and allergens and consequently provides ‘Surgical Grade’ air and deodorisation.
Instead of using standard High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can capture particulate matter of 0.3 microns or larger with 99.95% efficiency (a human hair is between 17 and 181 microns), the Kebao Air 3 is capable of eliminating particles down to a size of 0.01 microns. This is a big deal because COVID19 particles are around 0.12 microns in size, small enough to pass through a HEPA filter, but the too big to pass through the Air 3!
Kebao Air 3 – now available to buy on Amazon
The Kebao Air 3 does this using a brand-new type of 5-stage filtration. Stage 1 is a pre-filter which removes larger particles from the air and can be cleaned and reused for the lifetime of the product. Stage 2 uses a high-voltage negative charge to deactivate viruses and bacteria and retains the debris on charged plates stopping re-release. Stage 3 using a mind-blowing ‘Photocatalytic Oxidisation’ based on Albert Einstein’s ‘Photon Energy’. UV light initiates a stepwise free radical decomposition of organic compounds, which produces water and carbon dioxide as a by-product. The Air 3 has 48 LED bulbs and a Ti02 alumina ceramic photocatalytic ozone-free filter. Stage 4 uses 4kg of loose granulated carbon, impregnated with amines which absorb and decomposes any harmful gasses. Stage 5 Surgical grade, deodorised air is circulated through you room clear of 99.99% of harmful particulates!
The display shows PM2.5 and TVOC readings!
The display shows air quality in two readings, the first two numbers are the temperature and humidity, the second set is PM2.5 and TVOC readings. PM2.5 is a measure of the number of particles less than 2.5 microns in size and are caused by burning fuel, chemical reactions and forest fires. PM2.5 particles are very unhealthy, causing eye, nose and throat irritations, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. They can also cause asthma, chronic bronchitis and heart disease. In the UK, air must remain below 25, the WHO recommends below 10, London’s average is 10, my house is currently 1 after having the Air 3 running for over a week!
The second setting is TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) which is another way of measuring air quality, again this was negligible at 0.02 after a week of running.
The Kebao Air 3 is both sleek and quiet
All of this amazing technology comes at a price. The unit is aimed at commercial enterprises who want to keep their staff and customers safe, so it would suit a restaurant or office space as it is actively cleaning the air the whole time. The price of £1680 reflects a premium commercial product, but I can honestly see it becoming something of a norm in the UK especially due to the current crisis!
It is available to buy on Amazon via the link below, we may earn a commission for sales made through these links
Welcome to Gadget Man Episode 170, here I talk to James Hazell at BBC Radio Suffolk about the CAT S62 Pro mobile phone with FLIR thermal imaging camera, the Humax Aura Android TV 4K Freeview Play Recorder, and the issues that some owners of Ring doorbells have been experiencing due to incorrect installation.
Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera
I will be adding full reviews of the CAT S62 Pro and Humax Aura over the coming days.
In this episode, I chat to James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk about the ban on locking mobile phone handsets in the UK.
Mobile phone companies will be banned from selling ‘locked’ handsets, under a range of new rules from Ofcom that will make switching even simpler.
Some companies – including BT/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone – still sell mobile phones that can’t be used on other networks unless they are unlocked. But this is a potentially complicated process which can also cost around £10. Ofcoms research shows that more than a third of people who decided against switching said this put them off.
Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling
Almost half of the customers who try to unlock their phone have difficulties doing so. For example, they might experience a long delay before getting the code they need to unlock their phone; the code might not work, or they could suffer a loss of service if they did not realise their phone was locked before they tried to switch.
So, following consultation, Ofcom has confirmed that mobile companies will be banned from selling locked phones. This will allow people to move to a different network with their existing handset, hassle-free. The new rules will come in from December 2021.
This is the slightly delayed episode from 15th October 2020. Packed with lots of news and comment. Here I discuss the Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit Package , Covid Track and Trace, the Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush and the iPhone 12 (in four different sizes!).
You can listen in to the recording above or subscribe using your favourite podcast player. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, share or comment! See you presently! Matt.
Ordo Sonic+ ToothbrushSnakebyte E-Sports Starter KitApple iPhone12, iPhone12 Pro, iPad Air – Image Apple Inc
Pioneering cordless vacuum cleaner brand, ROIDMI, has launched a powerful flagship cordless vacuum cleaner with proven antiviral/antibacterial technology and a wealth of class-leading features. The RS60 builds on the multi-award winning X20, retaining Scandinavian inspired design and innovative clip-on water tank for simultaneous vacuuming and wet-wiping on hard floors, while adding more power, longer run times and 6-layer micro-particle filtration to capture 99.9% of pollen and dust particles.
It’s colour OLED display shows functions such as power level, battery remaining, filter alerts and even calories burned while cleaning. These features are backed up with a high-power 120000rpm digital motor, automatic headlights on the main floorhead, smart features via a Bluetooth connected app, and the unique aesthetic with its 270-degrees handle that has already secured ROIDMI six International Design Awards.
RS60 Dustbin
Antiviral technology
The RS60 adds a patented ZiWei Novoron ION antibacterial sterilising system within the brush roller, dust separator and filter system to help eliminate bacteria and other biological pathogens on contact. ZiWei technology is a joint venture between ROIDMI Labs and two Japanese tech-giants, Toagosei and Toray, and is the result of three years of research and development.
The technology builds on the proven antimicrobial and antiviral properties of silver ion nanoparticles (NCBI white paper) that the trio of companies has developed into a long-lasting surface treatment for the vital air-contact points of the RS60 cleaner. The final stage filter is a Toray H11 filter cartridge, more commonly used in home air purifiers, extensively treated with the Novoron ION antibacterial technology. The result is exceptionally clean exhaust air that has passed through multiple stages of antimicrobial treatment and filtration to improve the quality of the air around the home.
RS60 Vacuum
Hygienic clean
For homes with hard floors, the RS60’s magnetic clip-on water tank and wet mopping attachment have been upgraded to improve capillary wetting action, and an Ionic antibacterial coating now reduces potential mould growth in the reservoir tank when stored. The system magnetically clips onto the RS60 floorhead, allowing you to vacuum and wet-wipe with its microfibre cloth in one action – halving the time it takes to clean tiles, laminates, marble and vinyl floor coverings.
Answering customer feedback from the X20, the new ROIDMI multi-surface roller brush has been designed to clean all floor types without swapping brush rollers between carpets and hard floors. The soft textile surface of the roller along with the V-shaped brush fibres offer 30% higher pick-up rate than traditional brushes, as well as being quieter to use and gentler on hard floor surfaces. The floorhead has been designed to comb the roller brush as it cleans, ensuring pet and human hairs are drawn into the bin and do not get tangled around the brush. The roller material has Nanoscale Hydrophobic fibres that resist water and stains, even when you are using the wet mop attachment.
ROIDMI RS60 Handle
Light and long-lasting
The RS60 is extremely lightweight at just 2,7kg and can be used as a stick cleaner, handheld vacuum or with its flexible hose and selection of tools to clean every corner of your home. The powered mini-brush / mattress brush tool is ideal for carpeted stairs, upholstery and beds, with its concentrated suction and high-speed brush roller designed to effectively lift dust, dust mites and pet dander from soft surfaces. The Air-X 2.0 8-cyclone dust separation system and 6-layer filtration system ensures these particles are captured in the bin and not blown back into your room. The 0.55l bin offers one-touch emptying to minimise dust exposure from start to finish.
ROIDMI’S largest capacity BMS-X battery system is standard on the RS60, delivering over an hour of cleaning (70 minutes) on a single charge. The high-power mode offers 40 minutes runtime and the Max mode over 10 minutes of cleaning at a potent 150W / 26500Pa suction pressure. The BMS-X battery uses premium LG and Samsung cells, allowing ROIDMI to offer an exceptional two-year battery warranty.
ROIDMI RS60
Accessories, guarantee, availability
The wall-mounted magnetic dock is a neat addition to the RS60, combining simple charging with a sophisticated storage system. The dock comes with a peel-back sticky pad or can be mounted to tricker surfaces with screw fixings as required. Each RS60 comes supplied with a selection of tools and accessories including the main floorhead and magnetic detachable water tank module, powered mini brush tool (mattress brush), crevice tool, dusting brush, extension tube, extension hose and pet brush. The machine is complete with washable microfibre pad for wet cleaning, washable filters and a floorhead cleaning brush.
The RS60 has an SRP of £579.99 and come with a five-year motor guarantee as standard, with a two-year warranty on the battery. The ROIDMI RS60 is available now from Harrods, Selfridges, Amazon and Euronics independent retailers
Ausounds is set to take the UK by storm as it releases a range of premium audio products designed by some of the most innovative minds in the music business.
The creative team behind the Los Angeles based brand has designed a range of earphones with leading technology and superior sound, featuring tech such as hybrid planar-magnetic drivers, active noise cancelling developed to have zero effect on sound reproduction and IPX5 rating for use whatever the weather.
Five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Kennedy
Made for music lovers and music creators, the range of headphones, earphones and audio signature products start from £119.95.
With a variety of models and colours, consumers can choose from in-ear and over-ear designs with features including true wireless, noise cancellation and wireless charging.
Ausounds want to make its mark on the UK music industry and is keen to collaborate with passionate unsigned musicians, producers and songwriters.
Made for music lovers and music creators, the range of headphones, earphones and audio signature products start from £119.95.
Marcus Sanchez, President and CMO, said: “The role of music creators in the industry is tantamount to everything; this is where our sound comes from.
“We wanted to create a brand that addresses the many needs of creators at all levels – in their everyday lives and in their work.
“Using our industry knowledge and working with music influencers and leaders, we are redefining the sound of audio.”
Combining innovative technology with style and design, Ausounds’ products deliver the full music experience to the listener – just as the producers and songwriters intended for it to be heard.
The brand is committed to supporting up-and-coming artists and talent, helping to drive forward the vibrant British music scene.
Ausounds is also working with music influencers and leaders, including its first brand ambassador, five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Kennedy.
The Ausounds engineering team has unsurpassed experience in research and development for established brands such as Beats, JBL, Bose, and Sennheiser; winning multiple awards for audio performance and industrial design. All of the products are designed, developed and manufactured in Ausounds’ own facilities.
Blaq Tuxedo
Ausounds represents the future generation of audio technology, and, after huge success in the USA, Canadian and Japanese markets, the earphone giant set its sights on the UK.
The team behind Ausounds is on a mission to provide premium products for everyday use, at an accessible price point.
Lil Eddie Judge and vocal coach on the XFactor US
Ausounds is led by its CEO, Michael Chen, an Oxford Brookes University graduate with over 16 years of experience in audio manufacturing.
Joining him is President and CMO, Marcus Sanchez, a music industry veteran who has worked with huge brands including Audeze, Universal Music Group and Monster Cable, as well as musicians like Rihanna and Usher.
Ausounds’ products are currently available to buy from Richer Sounds, iamaudio.co.uk and independent high street retailers.
** UPDATE ** I will be receiving a review unit this week, which is very exciting. Keep up to date with my review of the Aura by subscribing to notifications by clicking on the padlock symbol and ‘Allowing’ notifications
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Ultra High Definition Recorder powered by Android TV with built-in Google Assistant, Chromecast, Google Play Store apps and Kids’ Zone
First Freeview Play Recorder powered by Android TV technology with crystal clear 4K HDR picture quality
Built-in voice control via Google Assistant and access to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BT Sport and thousands of other apps via the Google Play Store
Freeview Play provides 70+ subscription-free channels and 20,000+ hours of on-demand entertainment
Quick and easy set-up – simply log in with a Google account
Humax AURA App for iOS and Android enables remote planning, recording and viewing on the go
Watch TV on any screen: download and enjoy recordings on mobile devices
Chromecast built-in: stream favourite content from phone, tablet or laptop to a TV screen
Dedicated Kids’ Zone with timed content, safe for the youngest family members
Three digital tuners: record up to four programmes at once while watching a fifth*
1TB and 2TB options for up to 500 and 1,000 hours of recordings
Humax AURA
Humax has today announced AURA: the first 4K Freeview Play Recorder powered by Android TV technology. This Ultra High Definition TV recorder provides a multitude of subscription-free and top-up entertainment delivered with crystal clear 4K HDR picture quality.
With integrated Google Assistant and access to thousands of apps via the Google Play Store, AURA syncs with the user’s Google account to deliver a customised home entertainment experience built around the individual or family. For ultimate flexibility, Google Assistant also provides voice control for frequently-used TV commands, and allows users to ask questions, discover information and activate smart home devices.
Humax AURA Freeview Play home_whitebkg
Humax AURA will be available from November 2020 from Amazon, Humax Direct and electrical retailers with an SRP of £249 for the 1TB model and £279 for the 2TB version.
Powered by the ultra-fast Android TV platform and with Freeview Play built-in, the new Humax box enables rapid access to favourite shows, movies, sports and other programming on live TV. Freeview Play provides the UK’s most popular on-demand apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4, all of which are located together for maximum ease and convenience. For even further entertainment options, users can top up their viewing with paid streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BT Sport and Google Play Movies, and explore and choose from a huge variety of apps and games to download from the Google Play Store.
Humax AURA Freeview Play home
Freeview Play provides 95% of the nation’s most-watched TV, all for free. There are more than 70 live TV channels, alongside nine on-demand players: BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play, CBS Catchup Channels UK, Horror Bites, STV Player and BBC Sounds.
With more than 20,000 hours of on-demand content and over 700 box sets to choose from, Freeview Play also helps viewers make the most of its content with its Explore Freeview Play interface hosted at Channel 100. Home to a universal search function and hand-picked content recommendations, it is easy for viewers to find their favourites and discover new shows. As well as the ability to watch, pause, rewind and record live TV, Freeview Play includes an intuitive seven day TV guide with scroll back functionality.
Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV
Catering for even the most avid of viewers, AURA incorporates three digital tuners, allowing up to four programmes to be recorded at once while the user watches another live channel*. Two hard drive options (1TB and 2TB) are available, enabling up to 500 or 1,000 hours of recordings to be stored, giving owners almost unlimited capacity to capture their favourite programmes, series and movies.
Thanks to the Humax AURA app, many features of AURA can be accessed on a mobile device, such as streaming recordings around the home or downloading shows to watch later on the move. The app also affords users the freedom to schedule recordings or set reminders when away from home.
Setting up AURA is extremely simple. By logging into their Google account, users have instant access to all their downloaded apps, YouTube settings, music downloads, as well as Google Home connectivity.
Creating a home screen that is completely personalised to the viewer’s preferences, AURA allows app icons to be moved around easily, keeping all frequently-used apps and content in one place. Suggestions for content the user might enjoy based on their Google preferences are also displayed on this page.
Humax introduces AURA: First Android TV
With Chromecast built-in as standard on Android TV, AURA enables users to stream photos, videos, music and other media to their TV screen from a laptop, tablet or mobile phone via a home Wi-Fi network.
AURA’s accompanying remote control offers several quick access ‘hotkeys’: a Freeview Play button, Top Picks for content recommendations, a Google Assistant button to activate voice control, TV Guide button plus dedicated keys for Android Home, Amazon Prime Video and the Humax Kids’ Zone.
Google Assistant is integrated into the remote control, allowing users to benefit from Google Home services – simply press the button to activate voice control and ask an unlimited number of questions such as finding out the weather or travel information, choose favourite types of content, change channel or volume – or connect to smart home devices to play music, switch on the lights or heating, and much more.
Developed by Humax, the Kids’ Zone on AURA provides a safe environment for children to watch content curated specially for the youngest members of the family. Episodes can be browsed, searched and selected by duration, allowing parents to pick a show that will fill a suitable slot before dinner or bedtime, for example.
Rob Peacock, director at Humax, commented, “AURA is designed to sit at the heart of a family’s home entertainment experience. The very first Freeview Play Recorder to be built on the Android TV platform, it provides a fully integrated environment that reflects the preferences and favourite content of the individual or family – with lightning-fast access to everything they need in one place, and outstanding picture quality. With such an extensive array of features, users will never miss their favourite show, movie or sporting event, and thanks to a combination of Google technology and the Humax AURA app, they can enjoy the freedom of entertainment on any screen or device, wherever and whenever they wish.”
Available from November 2020, Humax AURA has a suggested retail price of £249 for the 1TB model and £279 for the 2TB model. Retailers include Currys, Argos, Amazon, very.co.uk, Richer Sounds, Euronics (CIH), independent electrical stores and Humax Direct. Prices include VAT.
If you click to buy through Amazon via this website, we will receive a small commission.
We all carry a smartphone on us at all times these days and we rely on them for so many things. But if you carry something around on you at all times, shouldn’t you make it look good? A lot of people don’t really think about how their phone looks and they aren’t bothered that it looks just the same as everybody else’s phone, but if you want to make your phone more unique, there are some simple ways to customize it and make it your own. These are some of the best ways to personalize your smartphone and make it more unique.
Image From Pexels CCO License
Choose A Different Brand
Everybody is walking around with iPhones or Samsungs, so if you want to set yourself apart from the crowd, why not go for something different? When you are choosing a phone, look at some of the less popular brands and see what they have to offer. In a lot of cases, the phone itself will be just as good as the well-known brands, but it will be a lot cheaper. You’ll get a more interesting phone that not as many people have and it will save you a lot of money at the same time.
Get A Good Case
Getting a good smartphone case is important because phones are fragile and the screen will easily break if you drop it. But you should also see your case as a good opportunity to personalize your smartphone and make it more unique. There are so many amazing cases out there, so when you are buying one, think about something that reflects you and your interests. For example, if you love cars, you can get some great Formula 1 Phone Cases online. You can also get custom made photo ones with pictures of your friends and family. The right case can make your phone a lot more unique to you while also protecting it from damage.
Customize Your Wallpaper And Lock Screen
The case makes a big difference, but you should also customize the wallpaper and lock screen on your phone. Usually, your phone comes with a default wallpaper, which will probably be pretty boring. If you want your phone to be unique to you, make sure to change it to something different right away, like a photo of your family and friends or a great picture of something that you are passionate about, like your favourite place. You can also make a live wallpaper with dynamic moving images, which is much better than a boring static picture.
Add Widgets To The Home Screen
You can improve the look of your phone and boost the user experience at the same time by adding a few widgets to the home screen. Most people already have things like a clock or the weather on their home screen, but why not add something more interesting? You can get some great note-taking widgets to keep things organized or even use a custom widget-maker to create your own.
Make these simple customizations and you can make your smartphone a lot more unique to you.
It’s not often I get to directly compare technology, but this month is an exception because I’m reviewing another set of wireless earbuds, this time from Edifier in the guise of the TWS6.
The Edifier TWS6 Earbuds come with Knowles balanced armature drivers which in turn, deliver great sound quality. Without becoming too technical, Knowles is a world-leading manufacturer of ‘balanced armatures’ which use an electronic signal to vibrate a tiny reed that is balanced between two magnets inside a tiny enclosure. The motion of the reed is transferred to a very stiff aluminium diaphragm. This diaphragm is free of unwanted resonances in the audio band, allowing it to produce excellent clarity. They are also exceeding small components which mean that other functions can be added.
The earbuds connect using Bluetooth 5 which means they can also be used for handsfree calls with microphones in both left and right buds and provide excellent clarity using CVC noise cancellation when making calls.
As with most other wireless earbuds, the TWS6 have their own charger case which can itself be charged wirelessly by placing it on a charging pad which features in most modern cars or via USB-C cable. The buds are magnetically docked in the charger meaning they make good contact themselves and provide 8 hours of battery life but can be recharged three times before the case needs recharging itself
Playback can be controlled by tapping either the left or right buds and simply provide stop/start and track skipping, it would have been nice to see some more functionality, but generally, you have your phone at hand when listening to music, so it wasn’t a big deal.
In the box were a large variety of interchangeable earbuds of different sizes including two different sizes of Memory Foam which I found really comfortable and they were less prone to falling out of your ears.
They are IPX5 waterproof and sweatproof, so if you get caught in the rain or overdo it in the gym, they will survive just fine.
As a child of the 80s, I was used to listening to horrible tinny music through headphones, so listening to today’s wireless earbuds in supreme quality still blows me away, especially when they are APTx and Dolby Atmos compatible which makes watching movies really impressive.
The Edifier TWS6 can be purchase through many online retailers for around £90 and thought they are great value for money.
Feature Bluetooth V5.0 with Qualcomm aptX HD decoding and carry a Hi-res certification for components – the planar diaphragm tweeters and 5.5-inch woofers – normally found in HiFi level speaker models
Edifier® International, prominent designer and award-winning manufacturer of consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets announces the S2000MKIII powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker. The Edifier S2000MKIII pays tribute to speakers from the past with its elegant wood side panelling, however the components inside are state-of-the-art high-end audio.
The S2000MKIII is designed for home recording and mixing, bringing a highly professional sound quality to a bookshelf speaker. The S2000MKIII features the latest Bluetooth V5.0 with Qualcomm aptX HD decoding. The chipset will wirelessly transmit lossless and high-definition music signals, so that the Bluetooth playback can obtain the same outstanding music quality as for wired digital transmission.
New Edifier S2000MKIII Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf 2.0 Speaker
Only high-end audiophile components usually used in HiFi level speakers have been used for the S2000MKIII. This speaker holds a Hi-res certification; the planar diaphragm tweeters and 5.5-inch woofers normally found in HiFi speaker models, deliver clear, powerful tones and outstanding audio quality. The flat diaphragm provides a fast response rate that gives benefits such as excellent high frequencies that lower tiered bookshelf speakers do not provide. An aluminium cone woofer with Digital Sound Processing digital electronic crossover makes sounds unique and clear with high-strength, low-distortion and achieves incredibly loud and heavy bass. With RMS power of 15W for the tweeters and 50W for the woofers, these speakers are perfect for use in a large room or space over 50m² as well as smaller spaces where you really want to rock that audio.
New Edifier S2000MKIII Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf 2.0 Speaker
The Edifier S2000MKIII active speaker allows you to hook up multiple devices to the same speaker. In addition to Bluetooth v5.0, there are also wired digital inputs plus wired digital analogue input to allow connection to multiple devices such as TV sets, TV boxes, Blu-ray players, games consoles, CD/DVD players, smartphones, computers, tablets and other devices.
You can change the sound of your speakers at the touch of a button. The S2000MKIII has four on-board Equalizer settings: vocal, monitor, classic, and dynamic. The treble and bass are independently adjustable according to personal preference and music/audio choice.
The smart start-up volume protects both your hearing and the speaker from harm; however, a 50-level high-precision adjustment of the master volume ensures a totally immersive listening experience when required. With the wireless remote included you can easily adjust the volume, switch the sound source, select mode and power on/off. To make using the S2000MKIII as seamless as possible, there is a clear OLED LCD screen for source, sound effect modes and volume. With the Display mode selected the input status of the speaker shows you which input you are using.
The speaker casing is made off a wood veneer while the volume, bass and treble knobs are made from metal and have a professional-grade feel.
Main Features:
Bluetooth V5.0 with Qualcomm aptX HD decoding
5 ½” aluminium diaphragm drivers for ultimate bass response
Patent-pending planar diaphragm tweeters
Hi-res sound certification
High-efficiency Class-D digital power amplification
Electronic crossovers and dynamic control based on dual advanced DSP chips
Digital audio signal with a sample rate up to 24BIT/192KHZ
Listening pre-sets: Monitor, Dynamic, Classical, and Vocal
