You searched for skateboard • GadgetyNews https://gadgetynews.com/ Low Jargon: High Tech Sun, 15 Apr 2018 12:00:58 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://gadgetynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-icon-32x32.jpg You searched for skateboard • GadgetyNews https://gadgetynews.com/ 32 32 MGCool Explorer Pro 2 4K action cam review https://gadgetynews.com/mgcool-explorer-pro-2-4k-action-cam-review/ https://gadgetynews.com/mgcool-explorer-pro-2-4k-action-cam-review/#respond Mon, 16 Apr 2018 07:45:04 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=66346 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action camMGCool might be an odd company name but the Explorer Pro 2 has some serious

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MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action cam

MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action camMGCool might be an odd company name but the Explorer Pro 2 has some serious claims. This is a 4K 25fps action camera that costs only £40.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive action cam there are a few to choose from. However, usually when you’re looking at the budget end 4K stops being an option.

Furthermore, getting an entry level one with a usable touchscreen is another big ask.

MGCool seems to have managed it all, but how does it all stack up in the real world?

MGCool Explorer Pro 2 design

The Explorer Pro 2 is lightweight and offers two color choices; silver and black.

The sides of the camera have a grippy, textured finish whereas the front has a nice, soft-touch coating.

MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action camAround the back is a 2-inch 320×240 pixel touchscreen. This is used to flick through the settings menu. There is also two buttons on the right side (as you use the camera), a mode button on the front and, finally, a capture/stop button up top.

The MGCool Explorer Pro 2 sports a Pega S350 SoC which is paired with a 16mpx Sony IMX179 Sensor. It’s able to shot videos @4K 25FPS, ultra HD resolution.

The Sony sensor looks through a 6G Sharkeye lens. This lens boasts a 170 degrees wide-angle field.

MGCool Explorer Pro 2 performance

MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action camMGCool really want you to use this camera wherever, and whenever possible. To this end they have bundled in a wide array of additions.

Accessories

MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action cam accessoriesAs well as the camera, in the box you will find a waterproof case, camera bracket, a Clip, a USB Cable, a bicycle bracket, a helmet base, an adapter and the user manual.

That’s pretty generous for a sub-£45 camera.

More control

As well as the onboard buttons, the Explorer Pro 2, of course, has an app. You can use this app on iOS and Android devices and connects to the camera through its own WiFi connection. Yup, this inexpensive action cam even has WiFi.

In use

MGCool explorer pro 2 4k action camI really wasn’t expecting much from this little camera. I mean, how good can a forty-quid 4K camera be?

Well, I took it out with the intention of filming my recent road-trip with my band. However, I did not realise that the camera is defaulted to not record audio.

This means that my little reportage of the traffic jam on the motorway and where I was heading was silent. Some will say that’s for the best.

So, here’s the 4K video:

In order to quickly capture the audio quality I just mumbled some nonsense as I wandered around my garden. Yes, the garden needs tidying but my Acer has grown back and the daffodils are out!

This is rendered in 720p and the audio comes in at 1:16.

The MGCool also offers super slomo and timelapse recording. It’s even  IP68 waterproof if you use the bundled case. It really does have everything that most people will need.

There does appear to be a couple of occasions where the image breaks up but, in all honesty, I think that the MGCool does really well. I wouldn’t have any issues in strapping one of these to my handlebars or helmet if I was a sporty type. Better still, this would make an excellent headcam for skateboarders.

MGCool Explorer Pro 2 review conclusion

The MGCOOL Explorer Pro 2 4K is an action camera that you won’t mind putting at risk. Furthermore, it’s one that does quite a decent job of recording the action in 4K at 25fps.

Additionally, the touchscreen controls are simple and intuitive – just remember to turn the audio on if you’re wanting to record sound.

I don’t think that you can go far wrong with one of these at this price.

Price and availability

You can buy an Explorer Pro 2 right now from GearBest for £40 and Amazon for £50.

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Techno Geek April 2018 – Top 5 fastest tech https://gadgetynews.com/techno-geek-april-2018-top-5-fastest-tech/ https://gadgetynews.com/techno-geek-april-2018-top-5-fastest-tech/#respond Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:29:23 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=66245 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

OT Magazine April 2018Scream if you want to go faster! This month I take a look at the

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OT Magazine April 2018

OT Magazine April 2018Scream if you want to go faster! This month I take a look at the speediest gadge out there.

When my editor told with that this month’s Oracle Time Magazine was going to the the speed edition, I was quite excited about it. However, after a while of pondering what I could put forward, I then realised that some lateral thinking would be involved.

You see, there are already people on the team that handle cars, bikes, and the usual stuff that you would associate with fast tech. What on earth would you class as swift gadgets?

The fastest gadgets of 2018

Even though my colleagues on the mag will have the usual transport options covered, I still had options. How about a powered skateboard that can hit 22mph? I also found a remote controlled car that boasts a sub-5 second 0-100mph time! Additionally, I have included a record breaking drone.

But speed isn’t always about covering distances in the shortest amount of time. To this end I have added two of the most powerful computers I could track down for you, one laptop and one desktop.

Strap yourself in then and satisfy your need for speed.

The full magazine has plenty more fast stuff, why not subscribe so you don’t miss the next one?

Subscribe to Oracle Time Magazine

You really should subscribe to the free online magazine.

If print is more your thing, you can get a hard copy too.

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Pholio – putting photos back in an album on the shelf https://gadgetynews.com/pholio-putting-photos-back-album-shelf/ https://gadgetynews.com/pholio-putting-photos-back-album-shelf/#respond Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:00:02 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=62186 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

Pholio is looking to put the photo album back on the bookshelf – but in

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PholioPholio is looking to put the photo album back on the bookshelf – but in a very modern way.

Pholio is launching a 21st century photo album that brings all of our online photos back to the living room bookshelf.

The intelligent album will slurp up your vast collection of online images, as well as searching your collections instantly against 20,000 pre-programmed search terms.

You can teach Pholio to recognise your Aunt Mabel or Uncle Robert (Bob’s your uncle, right?). It will then return all the relevant images.

Pholio will also store and hunt through home videos, finding the moment in your dad’s 4-hour epic video when the cat skateboarded.

Finally, before you ask, yes, Pholio also works offline.

Pholio features

pholio deskThis new British device is able to pull content from the cloud, hard drives, mobile devices and computers. It will even gather those stored on your social platforms.

Its built-in A.I. recognises 20,000 complex visual search terms and will learn based on your own collections.

This is all pretty handy as, apparently, the average person has created more than 20,000 digital photos and personal videos. Moreover, these are most likely scattered around the web.

The technology has been developed in conjunction with academics at the University of Oxford. It has been tested on the extensive Courtauld Institute collection at Somerset House, enabling historians to classify work by content.

[youtube id=”Gxkv_nDmLiw”]

Design

The Pholio device, shaped like a stylish photo album. Its aim is to bring all images and home videos loaded to file sharing sites such as Facebook, Google and Flickr back to a central storage unit on a home shelf.

The software in Pholio then automatically checks all images in the ‘album’ against 20,000 in-built search terms, from ‘birthday’ to ‘license plate’ and ‘house renovation’.
[youtube id=”QXi5mwQm7xY”]
By keying a relevant search term into a browser on a connected TV screen, tablet, phone or laptop at home, families can search for all sorts of things in their own photo collections – from day trips to Bangor to bungie jumps in Niagara.

House trained

Pholio was trained in the lab by showing it millions of images with a wide range of content.

A clever set of deep learning algorithms, codenamed ‘Haystack’, has learnt how to create a unique summary of the contents of images.

Now, Pholio can recognise and classify faces, objects and scenes that it has never seen before.

pholio bookshelfFurthermore, there are 20,000 custom search terms are already built into Pholio. You can even teach it to recognise your friends and relatives by name.

The 20,000 search terms can still be used if the device can is run offline. However, if the box is connected to the Internet, you can search for anything (Pholio can learn new search terms on the fly based on what users search for).

A short history of our photography collections

  • 1850s The earliest photo albums created. Owners often put the albums on display and they featured ornate illustrations surrounding the images.
  • 1920s 35mm film invented
  • 1948 First Polaroid camera launched
  • 1997 Philippe Kahn instantly shared the first pictures from the maternity ward where his daughter Sophie was born. He wirelessly transmitted his cell phone pictures to more than 2,000 family, friends and associates around the world. Kahn’s wireless sharing software and camera integrated into his cell phone signalled the birth of instant visual communications. Kahn’s cell phone transmission is the first known publicly shared picture via a mobile phone.
  • 2000 The first dedicated camera phone sold in Japan
  • 2004 Launch of Flickr
  • 2005 Dixons ends 35mm film camera sales
  • 2010 Launch of Instagram
  • 2017 An estimated 1.2 trillion digital images taken, scattering our collections worldwide
  • 2017 Pholio launches, bringing the photo album home

Price and availability

Pholio is taking pre-orders via Kickstarter for today. Prices start at £199, with first deliveries in time for Christmas.

It will be available in two flavours:

  • Pholio – 500GB Storage-140k photos
  • PholioPro: 2TB Storage –560k photos

Head to the website for more details.

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Mako Boardsports Slingshot – jet-powered surfboarding https://gadgetynews.com/mako-slingshot-jet-powered-surfboarding/ https://gadgetynews.com/mako-slingshot-jet-powered-surfboarding/#respond Fri, 06 Oct 2017 17:29:24 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=62076 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

Surfing is about to become even more retro as jet-boarding becomes the thing, thanks to

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mako slingshot rider airSurfing is about to become even more retro as jet-boarding becomes the thing, thanks to Mako and their Slingshot.

Mako, the mad geniuses behind the Slingshot, have watched numerous powered surfboards be created but none excited them.

Firstly, they eschewed battery power for jet power. Secondly, they used herringbone carbon fibre for the body. Thirdly, they implemented aerospace manufacturing techniques.

This is no ordinary shortboard, people.

Mako Slingshot

mako jetboard slingshotPower

The Slingshot is powered by a 100cc two-stroke engine hooked up to a direct-drive axial-flow jet drive.

This adds up to pushing out speeds north of 30 mph (48 km/h). That said, Mako states that the power plant has been tuned for punchy low-down torque.

You can expect to get around 40 minutes of high-speed wakeboarding thrills from the With a 2.8-litre (0.74-gal) fuel tank.

The engine is held in place on easy-access mounting points behind a press-catch cowling that opens at the touch of three buttons. This provides convenient, direct access to the spacious engine bay and the Rotron XT100 two-stroke powerplant.

Portable

mako slingshot 3-wayMeasuring up at 1.88 m (74 in) long and 59.6 cm (23.5 in) wide, the board should be relatively easy to carry on the roof of a regular car.

Furthermore, Mako says that, due to Slingshot’s lightweight carbon fibre construction and size, there’s no need for a friend to lend a hand when getting the board down to the water.

Additionally, set up sounds a breeze. From the external re-fuelling cap to the accessible quick release battery pack, Slingshot’s organised layout gets rid of unnecessary faff. Great news for those impulsive riders out there.

Stable

Power is nothing without control and Mako says that the Slingshot has been designed to feel rock solid in adverse conditions, both in a straight line and whilst cornering.

Moreover, It’s going to feel quick and light underfoot, weighing in at just 19.5 kg (42 lb) dry thanks to that carbon fiber construction.

The rider controls the throttle using a handheld remote – just like electric skateboards.

To start the engine, you use a simple push button.

Mako says it’s tuned to be easy to handle for beginners, but won’t leave advanced riders feeling cold.

Price and availability

Only the more monied, athletic types (the board will take riders weighing up to 100 kg (220 lb)) need apply.

If you fit that criteria, then you can order direct from Mako – http://makoboardsports.com

The Slingshot has a starting price of £7,500 (US$9,800).

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Emicro One electric scooter review https://gadgetynews.com/emicro-one-electric-scooter-review/ https://gadgetynews.com/emicro-one-electric-scooter-review/#respond Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:49:24 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=56960 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

emicro one and spikeI’ve spent the week being a hazard to myself and others thanks to the loan

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emicro one and spike

emicro one wallI’ve spent the week being a hazard to myself and others thanks to the loan of an Emicro One powered scooter.

I’ve never been good at skateboarding. So, in the early 80s, I was a BMX rider. However, Micro Scooters has noticed a growing trend and has birthed a version for those who want more speed but without the extra effort. Please welcome the Emicro One powered scooter.

When I was asked to review this electric scooter I was excited. Perhaps a little too excited for a man of my years.

To be honest, I was expecting something with a throttle that would power me effortlessly through the pedestrian masses. I was wrong. The Emicro One works in a similar way to those power-assisted bikes. Basically, for the effort you put in, you get a lot more in return. This also makes hills less of an issue.

So, what did I think about it?

Emicro One design

Chances are, you’ve seen kids blazing up and down the pavements on their scooters. Well, this one looks pretty much like one of those, but bigger; and more black.

Just like the kid’s models the company sells, this scooter can be folded when you need to store it or carry it on to the tube, for example.

The main difference in design between the Emicro One and the less adult versions is the height the handle bars can go up to and the size of the foot-plate.

emicro one foldedFolding is taken care of by pressing buttons at the base of the handlebar stem after unlocking a latch.

The handlebars are also locked in by at latch as well as a locking button.

I do like the fact that this has a little kick-stand too. Very handy when stopping off for a refreshing beverage.

The brake, just as on other scooters, is a rear mudflap that you heel down on. There’s even tech here as, just like Grand Prix cars, regenerative breaking helps recharge the One’s battery.

So, the tech bits. As I mentioned, there is no throttle to squeeze or twist. There’s actually no real evidence that this is an electric scooter until you look really closely.

emicro one battery indicatorThe only giveaway is four LED lights on the foot-plate that tells you how much charge you’ve got left. This only lights up when your using it.

The other hint is the fact that it’s not as light as you’d expect a regular model to be. It only weighs 7.5kg (16lbs) but that feels hefty if you’re not prepared for it. The scooter is light enough to carry on to public transport though.

The One does a decent job of looking grown-up (that’s coming from a rock musician though), whilst retaining that juvenile sense of fun.

Marked proudly with ‘Swiss Engineering’, the Emicro One is certainly well built.

Emicro One performance

As previously stated, this scooter electrically assists your scooting so be prepared to scoot.

That said, the Emicro One does give you a decent boost.

To activate the power assist just tap the break three times with your foot. Do the same again in order to deactivate.

Once you’ve pushed off and the electric motor kicks in your scoots can be less frequent as the distance covered in between them has been increased.

emicro one wheel and folding mechanismYou’ll soon be overtaking pedestrians with very little effort.

Kinda like cars, the One has three performance programmes to dial in from the 500W motor: Eco, Standard and Sport.

  • Eco mode – 250 Watt – 15 km/h
  • Standard mode – 250 Watt – 25 km/h
  • Sport mode – 500 Watt – 25 km/h

As you can see, the modes limit the maximum speed of the support and the maximum power of the motor.

So, select Eco and you can cover more distance on a single charge but your assisted top speed will be lower.

emicro one and spikeNot that distance is a major problem, as this electric scooter has a range of around 12km on a single charge. Using it to commute should give you a couple of days without having to plug it in. Even if you do have to charge it, you’re back up and running within 60-minutes of plugging it into the wall.

It’s probably also worth remembering that, even with a flat battery, you can still scoot manually.

Let’s rock!

Once used to the addition of power assisted scooting, it gets really fun.

You see, not only does it take less effort, you don’t even need to scoot all the time. Once cruising you can keep your speed up just with the occasional light push, or by simply shifting your body-weight forwards in a kind of rocking motion.

emicro one footThe thing is, with size 10 feet in boots, finding space on the footplate wasn’t always relaxing. Even if I kept my back foot with its heel hovering over the break space is at a premium.

Most of the time, the 25kmh (over 15mph) was plenty for me as this feels quite fast on two little wheels.

The scooter seems to recognise when you’re going uphill and adjusts the power output accordingly to compensate.

Power delivered

I did enjoy that added power boost. Once I got my skill and confidence levels up I was soon (safely) weaving my way through quiet suburban areas and pedestrian precincts.

I must declare that the use of electric scooters, since the hoverboard issues, is not entirely legal on pavements. No one will be able to really tell, apart from the whine given out by the motor. But best to give the break three little taps and disengage though. 😉

[youtube id=”GMJYJhuqCkI”]

Smooth was how I’d describe the power delivery. Smooth is also the kind of surface that works best. There is some give from the dual core wheels but a lot of shocks are still fed right up from the wheels to the handlebars and deck. Just like any other scooter, really.

Emicro One review conclusion

This thing is fun! As you can see in the video of my first attempt, I started off quite unsure. However, it doesn’t take long before you’re nipping up and down confidently.

Be prepared for some quizzical looks though. Even in hipster-central, I got some odd looks. Perhaps it was because I was wearing a biker jacket whilst pushing an electric scooter around?

I did enjoy overtaking kids, as well as some cyclists – and I’m not even that competitive.

The handlebar post is only just long enough for me, I am just over 6 feet tall (1.89 meters). I would also prefer a little more room on the deck.

At the end of the day, I really had a blast. I would actually now be tempted to get one but, there’s the issue of price.

Emicro One price and availability

The Emicro One is available now direct from Micro Scooters and costs £750.

That’s slightly too rich for my blood but if I was looking to buy a Brompton, for instance, it could be tempting.

 

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Motorola VerveRider+ fitness earphones review https://gadgetynews.com/motorola-ververider-fitness-earphones-review/ https://gadgetynews.com/motorola-ververider-fitness-earphones-review/#respond Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:00:48 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=55022 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

vervelife-ververiderYou have probably read the review of the totally wireless VerveOnes+ (think a chunky AirPod

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vervelife-ververider

motorola-ververider-reviewYou have probably read the review of the totally wireless VerveOnes+ (think a chunky AirPod that looks less like you’ve shoved an electric toothbrush tip in your ear). Here is its slightly less technically amazing, but still darned fine looking, stablemate. I give you the VerveRider+.

The Motorola VerveRider+ Bluetooth earphones are, as its name suggests, aimed at those who tend to ride things for fitness. So, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, horses, you get the idea.

Saying that though, I reckon that these would fit the running types too.

You see, where the VerveOnes+ were great in that they had absolutely no chords attaching them to anything (or each other) that ‘leads’ to a problem. You can’t just flick out an earpiece to listen to something/one. Well, you could and watch that rather non-cheap earpiece barrel along the floor.

The VerveRider+, however, do have cables attaching them but to a natty control collar.

VerveRider+ design

As I have already hinted at, the VerveRider+ is based around a flexible, yet sturdy collar.

This collar hosts all of the controls as well as giving the earbuds something to be attached to. Attached in more than one way.

Firstly, the controls. Most of this live on the right end of the collar.

ververider-forward-backOn the edge you have the joint volume/track skip rocker control.

ververider-buttonsThe face of this side is home to the play/pause button recessed in a little circular area.

Over on the left hand side, you get the call answer/end button in its exact opposite location.

ververider-power-and-usbWhile we’re over on this side the bottom edge here is where you power these on and control the Bluetooth sync. This button can be a bit tricky to find at first.

Also this is where you’ll find the USB charging port.

At the very tips on both sides is a microphone, for extra clear hands-free calling.

I did mention that the earbuds were attached in more than one way. Those cool recessed buttons on the front of the collar are magnetic as are the bases of the earbuds. So, when they are not in use they can be attached to the collar, out of harms way. Neat huh?

VerveRider+ performance

Having that plus symbol in the VerveRider’s name signifies that this kit is happy to get moist. Sweat and a little bit of rain won’t stop this fitness freak from performing.

Just don’t wear it in the shower or go swimming with it, ok?

The battery life is quoted at 12 hours before needing a boost and I have easily managed to get a good week of commutes and lunchtime listening.

Sound quality

I must say that I hardly noticed the collar at all. Which is good as that was my main concern having never worn any earphones like this before.

The accompanying Hubble Connect app doesn’t have the same array of features as it does with the VerveOnes+ but it still has the tracker. Which is handy.

motorola-ververider-reviewThe audio is comparable to the other Verve headphones which is pretty good. You don’t get the variety of EQ settings as the Ones but, to be honest, these didn’t need them.

The bass-end is favoured, of course, but everything else sits just about right in the mix. The tips offer decent isolation ones you have found the optimum fit.

Comfort

The VerveRider+ comes with a selection of tips so getting a good fit shouldn’t be a problem.

Having all the electronic gadgety in the collar means that the earbuds themselves are fairly light. Wearing these for long periods of time, on a bike ride for example, should be easily acheived without discomfort.

I don’t cycle but I do buy coffee. A lot. And being able to flick one of the earbuds out in order to converse with a Barista is something most earbuds can achieve. But not having the earbud flail around loose could be distracting when cycling. This isn’t something you have to worry about with the Rider+ thanks to those little magnets.

ververider-band-detailI will openly admit that I have sat at my desk all day with the collar around my neck and earbuds sat in their magnets and never noticed til home time. Yes, that’s the kind of colleagues I have.

Still, it just shows how unobtrusive the VerveRider+ is.

VerveRider+ review conclusion

The Motorola VerveRider+ might look a bit odd, but most specialist equipment does.

I was extremely dubious about wearing a bright orange collar with earbuds hanging from it but the design works; and it works well.

Being water and sweat resistant is good but having the magnetic buds attach to the collar when not in use is great.

The sound quality is good enough to get that motivational playlist pumping in to your ears. Should you need to chat to anyone, at least you know that you’ll easily find your earbud again.

VerveRider+ price and availability

The Motorola VerveRider+ is available now for £55 from Amazon.

 

gb-sponsor

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ISAW Edge 4K action camera review https://gadgetynews.com/isaw-edge-4k-action-camera-review/ https://gadgetynews.com/isaw-edge-4k-action-camera-review/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:26:51 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=42708 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

isaw edge lensThe ISAW Edge is aiming to offer the same as the leading action cameras –

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isaw edge lens

isaw edge reviewThe ISAW Edge is aiming to offer the same as the leading action cameras – solid design, performance and features – but for a less purse pounding price. It promises a lot, but does the ISAW action cam actually have the Edge over the others?

Looking at the ISAW Edge you can definitely tell that it is cut from similar cloth to the GoPro Heroes and Rollei ActionCams of this world with its box shape. I can understand that there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, especially one as popular as the GoPro, but does the Edge have the chops?

What really caught my eye amongst the Edge’s high-end features was the boast of 4K capture. Other than that it also offers 120fps slow motion at 720p resolution, Wi-Fi (and a companion app) and a small live view LCD.

That’s quite an impressive list of features for a camera at this price point.

ISAW Edge 4K action camera design

As I’ve already said, the ISAW Edge is your usual box camera with a little screen on the back, but that’s a good thing – there must be a reason for so many companies following this design.

The camera is encased within a waterproof housing that enables a maximum dive depth of 40m, should you feel so inclined.

The quality of the case is pretty decent and has good seals on the back door to stop any liquidy ingress. The compression lever lock provides a solid snap when closed and takes a little effort to re-open, so little chance of catching it by accident and letting anything camera-destroying enter.

isaw edge and waterproof housingThere are three sealed buttons that control the camera and each of these is, again, well designed and works as it should. The two on the front and one on top are surrounded by a raised ridge to avoid accidental knocking of the buttons and each features a firm spring to offer some resistance when pushed.

Unlike some of cheaper cases of similar design, pushing these buttons gives a decent amount of feedback but without having to use excessive force.

On the base of the case is the standard GoPro-style mount, which enables this camera to take advantage of the vast array of mounts already on the market, as it does look like it will take most GoPro accessories.

In addition to these mounts ISAW states that there will be a range from its own company but this Edge does come bundled with an amazing array of accessories already. Just check out the unboxing video below:

[youtube id=”E5hpKY5iDHI”]

Taking the camera out from its protective case the ISAW Edge is almost identical in size and weight to a GoPro, although the button layout is different, also the build quality is not quite as high as the GoPros.

isaw edge lensThe front features the lens which is a 7 element fixed f/2.5 with 170 degree field of view.

isaw edge portsOn the side you’ll find three ports – one for the MicroSD, one for a USB connection and one for mini HDMI.

On the base is the battery hatch, which holds the small 3.7v 1,000 mAh cell.

ISAW Edge 4K action camera performance

Looking at the camera, to the left are the setup and mode buttons and on top is the bright orange record button which doubles as the power switch.

isaw edge speakerCamera operation with these three buttons is really quite straightforward once you get used to it – the manual certainly helped in this matter; hitting the Mode button toggles you through the video, stills and review modes, while the Setup button takes you into the camera options. Navigating through these options is far easier than it is on the majority of other action cameras of this design, even the GoPro Hero, as the two buttons on the front can be used to navigate up and down, with the shutter button being used to confirm the selection – so there’s no carousel style navigation, which is a welcome change.

Switching between some options requires you to hold buttons down for a couple of seconds (again, thank you manual) – for example, to turn on Wi-fi you hold down the Mode button. Likewise, in the Settings menu, holding down the Mode button switches through the Video, Photo, My Tune and Settings options.

Out in the field, the small LCD on the back proves useful both for composition and checking the settings. It’s also a great reference for checking the camera’s status and enabling you to quickly see if you’re recording, and how much battery life you have left.

isaw edge rhino screenVideo quality is handled automatically by the camera, and this is common with action cameras – but there is an option called MyTune that gives you greater control over the visual quality of the footage you capture.

MyTune enables the adjustment of Sharpness, Exposure, Sensitivity, Metering and White balance. All these options will appeal to advanced users who like to fine-tune the quality of the footage that they’re capturing.

GoPro Heros offer a similar Protune feature, and for many professionals who use action cameras this feature is invaluable – so to see a similar feature here on the Edge is an interesting development, especially at this price point.

Images – both video and stills – are captured with impressive clarity by the Sony Exmor 16 million pixel CMOS sensor inside the camera. Video quality at 1080p was definitely sharp, bright and useable. See the video clip taken from a moving bus below – why isn’t there any action footage? Read on.

isaw edge on sucker mountThe plan was to attach the impressive suction attachment to a skateboard and record some video like that. Unfortunately, the sticker/sucker took the paint off the skateboard we tried to test it on and it fell off – you can still see some of the grip tape attached to the sucker in the photo above.

Thankfully, we tested this with gentle knocks before the kid took off down the concrete skate park.

skateLow light performance is limited, as it always is with these small cameras, as the footage looks noisy and has limited dynamic range with dull colour. In bright conditions, however, the colours pop with a good balance of saturation and contrast without the over-saturation or the loss of detail that is common with many cheaper action cameras.

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Using the different resolution and frame rate settings gives you a good variety of options. The biggest disappointment was that 4K was a joke at the available framerate.

As soon as the pace of action picks up, this camera’s 10fps limit for 4K video really starts to become apparent. Reducing the resolution down to 1080p allows 50fps in PAL, 60fps in NTSC, and the smoothness of footage really improves and looks great.

isaw viewer 2What was impressive about the ISAW Edge is that it comes with a fully featured app that works through Wi-Fi. ISAW Viewer 2, as it is called, enables the usual range of features such as Live View and complete control over the camera’s operation and settings. Sometimes this found it hard to keep up with tracking so the picture on my mobile would stop and then catch up, but it is a handy tool and allows you to swap from video to still and activate the camera’s shutter remotely.

Battery life is always an important consideration for an action cam and in real-word use we averaged around 80 minutes on a single charge, which is fair. This time included checking and changing settings, using the Wi-Fi connect for a few minutes, and reviewing as well as recording footage.

ISAW claims 100 minutes of battery life which would sounds like it might be achievable if you’re just recording.

ISAW Edge 4K action camera review conclusion

The ISAW Edge does have a lot going for it although the 4K claim is a dubious one on a camera built for capturing high speed shots, which is a shame as as a HD action cam it is darned good.

The user interface was not very intuitive but can be learned after a few goes with it so is not necessarily a deal breaker.

The LCD monitor, although small, works perfectly for composition and for finding your way around the menus and options.

Most importantly though is that the video quality is excellent and the camera offers a good number of options to adjust the video resolution and frame rate. Yes, the 4K video works for situations with little to no motion, but 10fps isn’t enough to capture smooth action footage.

The ISAW Edge has an impressive feature set and is capable of capturing some superb quality footage. Its design means that it will have access to much of the GoPro accessories already out there on the market.

Feature-wise it has plenty to offer and at just under half the price of the Hero4 Black there is much that you can forgive ISAW Edge for. Saying that though, what the Edge does offer is a good (if you ignore the cheeky 4K claim), solid action camera that will no doubt enable you to capture superb quality footage at a decent price.

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ISAW Edge 4K action camera availability and price

You can buy the ISAW Edge now from Stratos UK priced at £159.99.

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C6 Day Backpack review https://gadgetynews.com/c6-day-backpack-review/ https://gadgetynews.com/c6-day-backpack-review/#respond Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:38:17 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=41260 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

C6 side zipYou might not have heard of C6 yet but, if you watch Dragon’s Den or

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C6 side zip

c6 day packpack redYou might not have heard of C6 yet but, if you watch Dragon’s Den or keep your finger firmly on the fashion industry’s pulse, will be aware of The Idle Man. I’ve been living with the gadgety-friendly C6 Day Backpack which is available now from the online men’s fashion retailer.

C6 are putting themselves forward as being a company dedidated to keeping all your gadgety goodness safe and cosy.

The Day Backpack certainly seems to try – but does it all work?

C6 Day Backpack design

I am sporting the rather conspicuous red version which is ideal should you be a cyclist or of a more extrovert nature. Not so great if you’re, say, a Ninja.

The C6 Day Backpack does come in a more subdued navy hue though.

The bag itself is constructed from hard-wearing ballistic nylon and features padded pockets and straps aplenty.

C6 pack openThe 24 litre capacity pack measures 34x47x21cm (LxHxW) and, for me, is just about as big as a commuter bag should be. I do tend to spend my daily trip to and from the office seething and glaring at those who insist on keeping their oversized rucksacks on their backs whilst riding the tube like an army of canvas-shelled turtles bumping in to people or obstructing the passage of others. If you need to carry all of that, take off your backpack and place it ‘tween your feet if standing or on your knees if sat. Simple.

Being from a fashion brand there are plenty of nice touches and details on the C6 Day Backpack.

C6 fastenersThe large main pocket has the very on trend duffle-style cord closure and double strap fastening. The top flap is equipped with a neat zipped pocket and the fasteners are of polished gun metal.

I am digging the easy access offered by the side zipped compartment which is large enough to slip in my Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro in to its padded home. It will accommodate any 13-inch laptop.

The back is also padded with a handy pouch where you can store the shoulder straps should you want to just use the carrying handle.

C6 Day Backpack performance

C6 are here to add to your digital life. All of their accessories are built with your gadgets in mind and so should prove to be perfect for any commuter, freelancer, student or tech-head.

Not only is this backpack perfect for any commuter, it will be the ideal day backpack for any traveller in need of a compact overnight bag.

c6 side viewThe Day Backpack features extra padding where it is needed most – on the back but also there is a padded laptop storage area which is accessed by a side zip.

C6 side zipI have always got my tablet with me and being able to slip to it through the side instead of having to open the catches and pull-chord of the main bag is a serious bonus when on a packed tube. The fact that it can also house my laptop in the same area, for when I need a full keyboard and a larger screen, is the killer blow.

c6 zipped flap pocketYou can never have too many pockets and the one on the flap is mighty handy for keys and security passes – anything that you might need swift access to. The zip closure is better than relying on velcro and should be safer too. The pocket is almost the full size of the flap so there’s plenty of room in there.

strapsThe pack’s shoulder straps are fully adjustable and even feature a cross-chest strap so that you can lock it in place when cycling or jogging. These straps can even be hidden away should you want to just use the handle grip.

The clasps click firmly closed in to the gun metal finished fasteners and these straps are also adjustable. I much prefer this style to the leather/leather look ones available on other commuter packs.

This has been a busy week for me with most days finding me at a PR event of some kind or other after finishing my day job and the C6 Day Backpack has helped me carry all my essentials (headphones, portable DAC/Amp, tablet, laptop, jacket, umbrella, charging cables, DSLR camera, wallet, keys, business card holder, etc) without any problem.

That reminds me, the Day Backpack also comes with a great string-pull pouch. I’ve been using it to keep my cables and plugs together as this has the added benefit of preventing the plugs scratching anything.

The reinforced bottom of the Day Backpack rounds things off nicely and adds that extra bit of premium styling.

C6 Day Backpack review conclusion

It seems that the fashionable backpack is the thing right now with a couple of brand names springing instantly to mind (yes, one starts with H) but I am glad that C6 have gone their own way with the Day Backpack.

The flap pocket is very handy but it is the side zip entry to the padded laptop compartment which, for me, is the genius addition to this pack. Add in the mesh inner organiser pocket and classic styling then this is set to be a winner.

The only things that I would change on the C6 Day Backpack would be to perhaps utilise the same gun metal fasteners on the shoulder straps to tie it all in and add a side zip on the other side of the pack so you could access the laptop area from either side – also, it would allow you to slip in a skateboard or similar.

After using this bag for just over a week now, I can certainly recommend the C6 Day Backpack for those who tend to carry a lot of tech with them or perhaps just a tablet or laptop but also go to the gym in their lunch-breaks or cycle their commute.

The C6 Day Backpack is available in Navy or Red for £75

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Lexus have a working hoverboard? #LexusHover https://gadgetynews.com/lexus-have-a-working-hoverboard-lexushover/ https://gadgetynews.com/lexus-have-a-working-hoverboard-lexushover/#respond Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:26:07 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=40976 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

lexus hoverboardLexus has revealed that its been working on developing a hoverboard for the past 18

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lexus hoverboard

lexus hoverboardLexus has revealed that its been working on developing a hoverboard for the past 18 months.

I’ve shown you a record breaking hoverboard and the kickstarter campaign which was launched for the Hendo Hoverboard. Now, luxury brand Lexus has announced that it has a similar floating board in development.

The Hendo board, if you recall, relies upon magnets but the more weight you intend to add, the colder and stronger those magnets need to be.

lexus hoverboard frontLexus claims its hoverboard uses liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors and permanent magnets to support an actual rider. Well, that explains the cool looking mist coming off the board.

Apparently, Lexus has been working on this project for around 18 months with teams in both Germany and London, and it’s currently being tested by a professional skateboarder in Barcelona.

The magnetic tech still means that it will only work on a metal track but hey, it’s getting closer and it being the year of Back to the Future and all it would make a great marketing campaign wouldn’t it? 😉

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An actual Hoverboard breaks World Record https://gadgetynews.com/an-actual-hoverboard-breaks-world-record/ https://gadgetynews.com/an-actual-hoverboard-breaks-world-record/#respond Fri, 22 May 2015 17:18:07 +0000 https://gadgetynews.com/?p=40681 GadgetyNews - Low Jargon: High Tech

hoverboard recordThis is the dream of anyone who has watched Marty McFly cruise on his Mattel

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hoverboard record

hoverboard recordThis is the dream of anyone who has watched Marty McFly cruise on his Mattel Hoverboard, and the reality of hoverboard ownership is on its way.

The latest chapter of the hoverboard being a real thing is down to one Canadian called Catalina Alexandru Duru.

Duru has got in to the official Guinness Book of World Records by traveling 275.9 meters (905-feet 2-inches) on a hoverboard.

Granted, this is not the floating skateboard variety, more a quadrocopter you strap your feet on to. Still, the Guinness Book of World Records has recognised this as being the furthest flight on a hoverboard so it must all be above… err.. board.

The previous record was only 50 meters (164 feet). Pah!

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