Dongxi Universal Qi Fast Wireless Charger

Purchased from Lazada during “singles day”

Box will come with a short instruction manual and a MicroUSB cable.

It has 1 LED light in front… Blue if charging and green when the device is full.

As for the charging speed (using my tester).

I was getting 5.2V and 1A when used on my Pixel 3XL and iPhone 8.

However, it was giving 1.2A when both devices were on landscape.

I don’t expect charging speed to be faster than my old charger… But it’s easier to use since the phone will always be docked on the right position.

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air

If you ask me about Anker, I will start talking about their chargers and cables. I have a few at home and (especially for lightning cables, Anker is my #1 option for third party cables.

Portable speakers, been a X-Mini fan for quite sometime and still recommend their products any day.

Anker’s soundcore has been releasing speakers and earbuds recently and the Liberty Air caught my attention.

Compared to wireless earbuds from Jabra and Bose, I prefer ones with a stem to easily show other people that I have earbuds on my ears. Yes, Bose earbuds are very noticeable (thanks to its size) but Jabra can easily be kept if you have the right ears 🙂 another thing against Jabra and Bose are their prices.

Purchased my Liberty Air online, and it arrived after a week.

My daughter’s first impression… It looks like black Airpods! – this is the reason why I purchased the black version. It will look like an Airpods look alike, if white.

Physically, compared to fake Airpods which has a bigger stem, this one has a good size with noticeable edges.

I would have preferred a more noticeable “Soundcore” name on the side.

The case is shorted but wider and thicker compared to the Airpods’ case which can be annoying in your pocket.

Small complain, it uses a MicroUSB which is located at the bottom of the device. If your charging and the battery indicator is on top, the word Soundcore is printed upside down.

Sound quality – I’m not an audiophile, I must say better than my Xiaomi and Skull Candy

Pairing – very easy

Daily use – basic controls, but you can’t control the volume! Wife was also complaining about the ambient noise during calls.

Final verdict… I bought it for S$100.00, I wouldn’t purchase it at S$200! Connection is very stable, how I wish the volume can be higher.

 

The Replacements… Pixel 3 XL

OK. So my wife has found an easy formula to get me presents…

DJI and watches… Then every 2 years, a phone.

My Nexus 6P is still at home, I’m using it to stream videos to my Android TV and to control my home devices.

It’s running Oreo with the January 2019 security patch… I don’t expect another update in the future.

Had to say goodbye to my Zenfone 3, passed it to my mom to replace her Galaxy S5.

Zenfone 3 was also running Oreo but the security patch ended in July.

If you’re reading this post, I’m sure you’ve seen numerous reviews of the Pixel 3 XL…

Why the Pixel 3 XL, my wife knows I love plain stock Android… 80% of family photos are taken by the phone I’m holding… Nexus 6P‘s camera isn’t perfect, but photo quality is very good (for a technically old phone)

Some surprises from the Pixel 3 XL… Transferring content from my 6P was very easy.
Using the USB-C to headphone adapter, my Bose SoundTrue Ultra volume control works! (It didn’t with the 6P).

Battery life is great, I hope it stays that way. Cameras as expected are very good.

Compared to others, I can honestly get more work done on Android.

I love the notifications, the assigning of default apps the “personalization”…

I’m very happy with the Pixel 3 XL and I can’t wait to see what future devices (and Android Q) will look like.

Valore Type-C Hub

The dongle life!

Valore Type-C to USB 3.0 (3 ports) with SD and MicroSD card reader.

My first ever Type-C USB Hub!

Bought this from Challenger, it was the cheapest one I found.

Aluminum cover has a nice feel and the USB-C has a nice snap when connecting it to the Macbook Pro.

Using a regular external hard disk… Transfer data transfer speed will not change the world.

It’s comparable to my Windows PC – I guess I can blame my old hard disk for it.

This thing is cheap! And well built.

You’re buying this because your laptop doesn’t have a card reader and USB-A ports.

You also don’t need VGA/HDMI ports.

Headphones Headband Cover (Audio Technica ATH-M40x)

Follow-up to my earlier post.

Found an inexpensive headband cover from Lazada.

“Miracle Shining Replacement Headband Cushion Pad for Audio technica M30 M40 M50 M50X M50S”

Since my daughter thinks that I used electrical tape to cover up my headphone’s chipping headband. I decided to give it a try…

Material… Think of those cheap joint support used for sports.

It’s a bit tight, but once you’ve locked the zipper, it’s not so bad.

It will add significant size to your headband. My wife thinks my headphones are now too bulky for her.

But again, it’s a cheap solution if your headband starts to show its age…

Baseus USB-C to Lightning Cable

I am one of those guys who would use any cable on his mobile device…

I’ve had cheap lightning adapters, cables from Daiso and even unbranded ones from the supermarket!

MFi or not, as long as my device charges!

But when USB-C came out, and USB-C to lightning promised faster charging on the iPhone 8 and X, I started to think twice before purchasing 3rd party USB-C to Lightning Cables.

I was planning to get a USB-C to Lightning Cable from Apple but had no chance to purchase one lately.

So I decided to get one from Baseus…

I’ve used their other products before, so I hope they know what they’re doing when they released this cable.

If you need information about the brand, you can visit their site.

Based on my weeks use, it can charge my iPad mini and data transfer from iPhone to Macbook Pro works.

Charging feels faster, but will have to do more tests later when I get my hands on the upcoming iPhone.

Goodbye iMac

It’s been a good 7 years!

I bought 2 computers in 2011.

An MSI Wind for my daughter, and a 21.5inch iMac for me.

To be specific, it was an iMac 12,1, mid-2011 with a 2.5 GHz quad-core (Sandy Bridge) processor.

500GB hard disk, 4GM RAM which I upgraded to 8GB before leaving the store.

Small screen dent and 2 trackpads later, I finally passed my iMac to the next guy.

Why did I decided to sell?

More of the space it consumed no longer justifies it’s main purpose.

If I am still at my parent’s house in Manila, I could have easily changed the hard disk to a SSD and kept this iMac in my room, or our study room…

But this is Singapore and space is a premium… Room is too small, and I can’t keep it in our living room.

My iMac won’t get macOS Mojave, but it’s fine with High Sierra.

Using iMovie, it can still edit my 4K videos (exporting them is another story).

It’s still more than enough for all my needs, if only it was more compact.

Madventure 360 Camera

Ever since Google released Jelly Bean I have been taking photo spheres.

Especially when travelling, there are places I will not visit again! Taking photo spheres is a nice way of remembering how the place looked like during my trip…

Yes, using my phone means zero cost to taking a photo sphere, but using a dedicated camera means the photo will look better, with me inside it.

So I bet you’re reading this post because you’re considering to buy a 360 camera…

Before making that purchase, you have to know that you don’t need one!

It’s nice to have, but it won’t replace your phone, camera and GoPro and I don’t think you have an extra hand to use it.

Resolution of my Hero 5 is much better, distortion on a 360 camera is highly noticeable, and you even get lower resolution when you share it on Facebook!

I guess it’s time to start talking about the Madventure 360 Camera.

*photo*

It’s Orange! – Yes, people will notice it once you start taking a selfie

Compared to Xiaomi’s (black) version, MadV gives you a selfie stick with remote and GoPro mount. (Bought my Madventure 360 from Lazada and price was the same with the Xiaomi version)

I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of sample photos/videos taken by the Madventure 360 Camera. I was impressed with the quality even in low light.

Few issues which no one mentioned before I purchased the camera.

1. You can’t use 1 side only, once you turn it on, you can only take 360 video/photos
2. U3 memory cards are recommended
3. It gets really hot

Physically, this camera is well built, even the monopod and case that came with it look and felt really good.

Camera is bulging out, make sure you have the case all the time.

Power button will also select between photo and video mode, then beside it is the Wi-Fi button, shutter button is the 3rd button available.

*photo*

USB-C and Memory card slots are on the side with a rubber cover.

Bottom has the tripod mount and contacts for the selfie stick control.

The phone app is pretty basic and will need lots of imporvement. Once connected to a phone, you can use the phone’s volume buttons to take a photo/video.

Editing 360 Videos only allows you to cut the videos, you cannot join 2 videos together.

Once connected to the camera, you’ll notice that 360 photos were automatically stitched by the camera. For videos, you will need to extract the video and save on your device.

Haven’t tried using the PC App, but it’s only available for Windows.

Thanks to inexpensive VR headsets (where you put your phone inside as the screen), Google Photos and Facebook’s support for 360 photos/videos. You can justify why you need a 360 camera. Personally, if you can afford it, why not?

But, I personally have one for the memories…

Am I buying a better one in the future? Probably not.

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Time to let go of another “gadget”

I find myself actually lucky to find a buyer for my E-PL2.

Sold the body only as the original kit lens that came with it is no longer working.

The E-PL2 was an excellent back up to my E-M10, but that role has been taken over by my phone.

It’s also a big plus that it works with my Meike MK320 flash.

My E-PL2 had less than 2 thousand shutter count, been to 2 countries (Indonesia and Hong Kong) and has been a trusty walk around camera for my daughter.

My personal reason for selling? Video capabilities… It can only take 7 minutes videos at HD.

Do I regret holding on to the camera for so long? Yes. Should have sold it earlier!

Sony HT-CT80 Soundbar

Just purchased my first ever soundbar… And after watching TV last night… I’m wondering why it took me this long to buy one.

Bought my HT-CT80 from Sony Singapore’s Official Lazada Store.

Why did I choose the HT-CT80?

I was initially searching for soundbars. So under Categories -> Electronic Devices -> Home Entertainment -> Soundbars! Sort by: Price low to high, clicked the brands I want to see in my living room (underneath my TV) – Sony, Samsung, LG and Bose

Sony’s HT-CT80 was the cheapest at S$138.00! Don’t get me wrong, I was so close to get Samsung’s HW-M360, I was willing to pay extra for the wireless sub-woofer which I can place behind my sofa… But after doing my research, I preferred the wired sub-woofer of the Sony.

First thing you have to know is that this thing is big…

My TV is 42 inches, the woofer was also bigger than expected.

Had it delivered to my office and the packaging required me to book an Uber home.

*Shoe cabinet behind if from Ikea*

As for the sound… Better than expected!

I’m not an audiophile and I know there are other Soundbars that sound better.

For it’s price, free delivery (option is available) and features (BT and NFC for easy pairing with your phone) the HT-CT80 is a good start if you want to improve the sound of your TV.

You’re not buying it for convenience, looks and ease of set-up… It’s all about the price!