Category Archives: Review

App of the Week, Gadget Man, Podcast, Review, Technology

The Gadget Man – Episode 26 – Smart Phones for Vision Impaired People

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This week we discussed the availability of mobile phone devices for vision impaired people.

Matt specifically discussed the assistance provided by phone manufacturers in the form of ‘Easy Mode’ and ‘Accessibility’ options. We also discussed addons such as ‘Georgiephone’ and screen readers.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Silver
Samsung Galaxy Alpha Silver

There was also some discussion on the development of active screens that actually change shape to provide haptic feedback.

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was specifically mentioned as it provides Easy Mode and Accessibility features such as Magnify Glass, Torch and easy to read buttons.

Listen to the stream to find out more and I have attached a photo of the Alpha in Easy Mode.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha in Easy Mode
Samsung Galaxy Alpha in Easy Mode

 

Gadget Man, Review, Technology

Star Wars Episode VII Teaser Trailers, Spoofs and Lens Flare

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Like many, we are really looking forward to the next trilogy of Star Wars movies coming our way, starting in December 2015 with Episode VII The Force Awakens.

Apple iPhone 6 64GB GoldThe new trilogy is being directed by J.J. Abrams, who is famous for adding plentiful lens flare into his movies. There’s been much  discussion on Twitter and Facebook about whether the new Star Wars movies will inherit this trait along with maintaining the visible style of the previous ‘Hexalogy’.

Right up to the release of the teaser last week YouTube became  awash with fan made versions, some good and some bad, we’ve added a selection of the above, including the official version with added lens flare and George Lucas’ ‘Special Edition’.

If you have found some Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens teasers that you think should be added to the list, include them in a comment below!!

Enjoy

The Official ‘Teaser’

The ‘Lens Flare’ Edition

The George Lucas ‘Special Edition’

The ‘Lego’ Edition

Finally, a fake version….

Gadget Man, Podcast, Review

The Gadget Man – Episode 25 – Selfie Sticks

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Another Selfie Stick assisted Selfy
Another Selfie Stick assisted Selfy

They’re all the rage at the moment and it looks like they could be the gadget gift choice for this Christmas….

 

Yes, I’m talking about the Selfie Stick, GoPole, Monopole or Monopod.

These are telescopic poles that allow for the fitting of a camera at the end. Some include inbuilt shutter buttons, others are sold separately.

Listen to the recording of the show to find out whether selfies can replace autographs.

 

Gadget Man, Podcast, Review

The Gadget Man – Episode 24 – Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from Three and Samsung Galaxy Alpha

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Samsung Galaxy Alpha Black | 2GB Data, 600 Minutes
Samsung Galaxy Alpha

This week Mark and I chat about the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from Three and also the Galaxy Alpha. There is so much to talk about with these devices, so full online reviews will be uploaded soon!!

Thanks to Jocelyn Medhurst at Cow PR for providing me with the Galaxy Note 4 and the Three sim to test it with!!

Thanks also to Laura Gale at Kazoo who provided the Galaxy Alpha as well as lots of other tech in the past!!

I took a selfie of myself and Mark, which is attached below, I think I can safely say that isn’t my best side!!

Mark Murphy and Matt Porter Wide Selfie
Mark Murphy and Matt Porter Wide Selfie
Gadget Man, Podcast, Review

The Gadget Man – Episode 23 – BT Smart Home Cam 100

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This week I chat about the BT Smart Home Cam 100 as nice wireless video camera capable of broadcasting at high definition (720p). It’s nice a simple to set up and you can view the footage using either Android, iPhone or via the web portal. Full review will be posted here soon, in the meantime listen to what I had to say about it.

Massive thanks to Laura from Kazoo for arranging the loan of the camera.

We also has a brief conversation about attaching camera’s to pets, below is the video I mentioned in the recording… Enjoy!

Electric Car, Electric Vehicles, Gadget Man, Review, Video Review

BMW i8 – I just stepped into the future

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BMW i8
The BMW i8

BMW have just released a game changing sports car, a vehicle with the performance of a super car and the fuel consumption better than… well, anything on the market. Let me introduce you to the BMW i8. Continue reading BMW i8 – I just stepped into the future →

Electric Car, Electric Vehicles, Gadget Man, Podcast, Review

The Gadget Man – Episode 22 – BMW i8

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BMW i8 from Cooper BMW
BMW i8 from Cooper BMW

Completing our reviews of BMW electric vehicles (or EV’s), this week we talk about the BMW i8 Super car.

 

 

The i8 was one the most exciting vehicle I have been able to drive, and again; a BIG shout out to Matt Dawson at Cooper BMW Ipswich and Emily Adcock at Cooper BMW Norwich for providing the car for review. What an amazing opportunity, Matt went to a great deal of effort and Emily was amazing with her describing the car and demonstrating it’s features.

Full reviews of both the BMW i3 and BMW i8 are in the pipeline. For now, listen to myself and Mark Murphy chatting about the i8 on BBC Radio Suffolk this morning.

The interior of the BMW i8 is amazing in its own right
The interior of the BMW i8 is amazing in its own right
Matt Porter and Emily Adcock from Cooper BMW Norwich
Matt Porter and Emily Adcock from Cooper BMW Norwich
Electric Car, Electric Vehicles, Gadget Man, Podcast, Review

The Gadget Man – Episode 21 – BMW i3

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BMW i3 front view
BMW i3 front view

Staying on the subject electric cars (or EV’s), this week we talk about the BMW i3, a supermini sized electric vehicle. I really enjoyed driving this vehicle and I am massively appreciative of the help I received in organising the use of the car from Matt Dawson at Cooper BMW Ipswich and Emily Adcock at Cooper BMW Norwich. Both dealerships went way beyond the call of duty to help us out.

Don’t forget to tune in next week as I also had a test drive in BMW’s i8, which was something to behold!!

BMW i3 Rear View
BMW i3 Rear View
Electric Charge Points at Waitrose in Ipswich
Electric Charge Points at Waitrose in Ipswich
Electric Car, Gadget Man, Review

Hello Zoe!! Breathe easy with the whisper quiet family sized electric vehicle from Renault

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We were very lucky to have been given the opportunity to review the Renault Twizy, so upon arrival at Bristo’s Ipswich  we were really looking forward to trying out the full sized family friendly electric car from Renault. We are of course referring to the Zoe. Continue reading Hello Zoe!! Breathe easy with the whisper quiet family sized electric vehicle from Renault →

Gadget Man, Podcast, Review

The Gadget Man Episode 20 Chromecast

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This week we chat about the Google Chromecast, a very nice little thumb sized gadget that allows your to stream your videos, images and music from your Android phone, Tablet, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac (providing you are using Chrome browser) or Chromebook.

Google uses the term ‘casting’, similar to cast a fishing rod, but put more simply you are controlling your audio or video using your mobile device and then playing it to a TV connected to the Chromecast.

Jack reviewed the Chromecast back in July, you can read it here.