glennzb's GADGET GIFT GUIDE (Vol. III)

This week is my last collection of heavenly tech highlights to add to your Christmas wish list.

I'm sure any one of these would be guaranteed to pin a smile on the face of even the most demanding digital devil.

To begin, what could be more appropriate than the answer to all your Christmas calendar printing requirements?...

The Epson Ecotank Printer Range.

Well, it's been almost 6 months since I installed my trusty Epson Ecotank and guess what? It's still printing strong without a single refill.

Okay, maybe I'm still 18 months away from hitting Epson's 2 year promise, but I certainly can't complain so far.

Click here for my full review

This is the printer that is guaranteed to get all those home-made Christmas cards done without a problem. In fact, it's such a breakthrough in home-printing, Epson's Ecotank technology has just won the prestigious CES Innovation Award.

If you've always wanted a tablet, but you've always hated tablets...

The Samsung Tab S2 is for you.

So light and skinny, it's almost like using a phone, except the functionality is more like a real computer.

Lightning fast, super smooth operation and the battery life puts it among the leaders in its class.

Click here for my full review

Over the last 2 weeks I've put a mid-priced phone in this slot, but you can go even cheaper...

The Vodafone Smart Prime.

Just because this phone is priced low, doesn't mean it won't perform.

Sure you'll have to compromise on sheer power and storage space, but if you keep it simple when you're using your handset, there probably isn't more bang for your buck out there... unless you steal one.

Click here for my full review

And it actually looks quite cool too. Nobody has to know what a cheapskate you were.



At the other end of the scale... 

The Galaxy Note 5.

Meet the best phone I have ever used. Full stop.

I keep trying to find something this thing can't do. I've had it a while now. Haven't found anything yet.

Apart from working so well I suspect there's alien technology inside, the battery life is off the charts - not just for a phone with a screen this size, for any phone.

Click here for my full review

I can now die a happy man having used this phone.


Let's finish up with the wearable that finally got it...

The Huawei Watch.

I know; looks exactly like a watch, right?

What a crazy idea.

Easily the most stylish smart watch on the market, although essentially the same Android Wear device as many of its uglier competitors.

Click here for my full review

If looking good matters as much to your geek as being geeky, this is the luxury gift that tells him or her you really love their brain.

Those were this year's most addictive, alluring and downright genius tech treats.

Can't wait to find out what they'll come up with in 2016. Maybe that hover-car will finally be a reality. Hard to wrap though...

glennzb's GADGET GIFT GUIDE (Volume II)

Last week I gave you your first tech-based taste of Christmas, with some pressie suggestions for your favourite geek.

If none of those really stoked your festive fire, or if she/he already has all those toys, try this list. Check it twice if you like...

First up, something that could actually ease the pain of the most stressful time of year...

The Backpod.

Yes, I know it just looks like a weird, green blob, but it's a brilliantly designed weird, green blob.
If you know someone who's constantly complaining about back tension caused by hunching over tablets and keyboards, the Backpod may offer some welcome relief for them and you.

Click here for my full review

I use mine every night before bed. Nothing like a little pre-slumber crackety-crack.

Or how about something you can use in a variety of positions so you can avoid that iHunch altogether?...

The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi.

Is it a tablet or is it a laptop?
Yes, it is. In fact, I like to call it a laplet.

A very solid, powerful performer with a unique detachable keyboard design that won't let you down.

Click here for my full review



Meanwhile, in the mid-priced phone market...

There's always the Samsung A3 or A5

These two handsets may be missing a few bells and whistles offered by Samsung's flagship phones, but start using one for a while and you'll be hard-pushed to remember what those extra features were.

Click here for my full review

Great cameras and displays, both very slim and both very sexy phones indeed - especially for the price.





However, if you are happy to pay just a little more... 

The Huawei P8 is genuine class.

Yes, that's right. Even though it's not an Apple or a Samsung, this is the phone that can box with the big boys.

Super slim, but with a solid feel. A high performance camera that sits flush with the rear casing and a raft of built-in settings that are genuinely helpful rather than annoying.

A top-end phone that's actually a bit cheaper than those other show-offs.

Click here for my full review



Lastly, the wearable of the year...

May I present the Samsung Gear S2.

This is quite possibly the coolest thing ever in the history of everything.
If somebody wants to wrap mine up and give it to me again on Christmas Day, I'd be perfectly satisfied.

Super comfortable. Unrivaled functionality. Effortless wireless charging. IP68 dust and water resistance. I'm totally in love.

Click here for my full review

What's more, my new red strap just arrived. What could be more Christmassy than that?

If you can't find something to whet your techie's taste-buds in that lot, he/she's a hard man/woman/robot to please.

All is not lost though; I'll back with my final batch of gadgety gifts next week.

JUST ABOUT SO VERY NEARLY PERFECT

I'm biased. There's no denying it. I'm a Samsung guy.

I'd like to think I give credit where credit is due, but come on, everybody has a favourite brand.

But now I've admitted how one-eyed I am, it's really important you believe me when I tell you the world's first faultless wearable has finally arrived. (Oh my god, I think I just basically said, "Next Is Now." I've been brainwashed!)

The Samsung Gear S2 is a truly remarkable thing. But first, some history...

Over the past couple of years I've worn more than my fair share of smart watches, and I've copped my fair share of flack for it too. Admittedly most of them looked pretty ridiculous, like something out of an old movie about the future. What's worse, many of them didn't really do much - certainly not enough to justify making your wrist look like such a nerd.

Battery life has also been a constant niggle, as people resent having to charge their wristwear too often. What's more, the various charging accessories involved have usually been cumbersome to use and in some cases, almost impossible to attach.

And yet, I persisted. So did Samsung.

They were relatively early players in the wearable market. 2013's Galaxy Gear was certainly innovative, perhaps too innovative. The camera embedded in the band was not only over the top and unnecessary, it made a device that already looked clunky and oversized seem even more so.

Meanwhile, Android Wear devices started to appear from various manufacturers - appealing because of their universal compatibility with any Android phone, but offering much less functionality than the Samsung-only devices.

Samsung fired back with the Gear 2 (and Gear 2 Neo) - more streamlined than the Gear... but not much. Still square, still nerdy.

Some round-faced Android Wear options surfaced. The Moto 360 was still too big and had that weird flat-tyre thing going on at the bottom of the screen. Then LG's G Watch R almost nailed it. Finally a smart watch that looked just like a watch. What a great idea.

Still just another Android Wear device though, so on the inside, the same as all the others.

Samsung lost the plot again with the Gear S. This was the first watch with its own sim card so it was effectively a phone on your wrist. Unbelievable functionality. Trouble was, it was the size of a phone on your wrist. Maybe the design team was away that day.

2015 and suddenly the smart watch market has really gathered momentum. Apple finally got their act together and gave their acolytes something to wear. Nifty little magnetic charger, nice interface option using the winder, but still big, square and ugly.

Activity trackers are everywhere, ranging hugely in price, quality and functionality.

Wearables have finally gained main-stream acceptance.

More recently, the Huawei Watch has wrapped up the same old Android Wear operating system in some seriously fashionable design options, with a serious price tag to match - but they do look fabulous.

Then, the one I'd been waiting for.

Samsung's design team came back from their holiday and presented us with perfection.

First up, the Gear S2 actually looks like a watch - a very nice watch too. The standard model comes in dark grey or silver, with a grey or white sports band. (Other band colours are also available) While the Classic is slightly smaller with a leather strap you can change out with any similar sized band.

The casing is a very classy stainless steel with a brushed finish and the first thing you'll notice is how streamlined the whole package is - just like any "normal" watch.

The next thing you'll notice is how comfortable the Gear S2 is to wear. Unlike some wearables with heart-rate monitors that poke into your wrist, this watch has a completely smooth glass back that settles snugly against your skin. I found the sports strap soft yet secure.

One of the many unique features separating the Gear S2 from the rest of the pack is the rotating bezel around the edge of the screen. This, combined with the go-back and home buttons on the right-hand side can be used for easy navigation, if you find dealing with a touch screen this small is a bit fiddly. Everybody who's used this watch loves, loves, LOVES the bezel controller. There seems to be something very intuitive about using a circular interface to operate a round device.

Like Samsung's previous watches, the Gear S2 still relies on the Tizen operating system, which has it's pros and cons. I've found apps designed for Tizen are generally more advanced and more interactive than the way Android Wear merely ports existing phone apps across to your wrist. On the downside, the selection of Tizen-based apps available on the Samsung Gear app store is extremely limited, compared to the ever expanding range you'll find for Android Wear devices on the Play store. In saying that, I wouldn't be put off by the lack of selection - you'll find what is there works very well indeed and from previous experience, it won't be too long before app developers come to the party and jump on the Gear S2 train. (I'm talking to you, Endomondo)

Apps already installed on the Gear S2 include a very stable media controller, which you can open with a double-click of the home button. There's also a shortcut to the media controller when you swipe down the home screen. This gives you quick access to brightness and do-not-disturb controls too, as well as battery level and connection displays.

Another great feature smart watch users have been waiting for is the ambient light sensor. Until now, to read your watch outside you had to manually ramp the brightness up, tricky if you're already outside in the sun and can't read your watch! Now, the Gear S2 does that for you. This means I never have to set my brightness level higher than 2 or 3, a real battery saver.

The heart rate monitor is the most reliable I have used on any watch to date. As I mentioned earlier, it works perfectly without protruding an uncomfortable bump into your wrist. In terms of compatibility with fitness apps other than Samsung's limited S Health, at the moment this is restricted to Nike+ Running, which is even MORE limited. I'm sure this will improve over the next few months. (Right, Endomondo? Hint, hint)

But perhaps the greatest new feature the Gear S2 brings to the table is its wireless charger. It just works. The charger is a small stand which holds the watch magnetically. Simple as that. Doesn't matter which way up. You can basically throw the Gear S2 in the general direction of the charger and it'll snap into place. Coolest thing ever. You'll get pretty good battery life too, around 36 hours on a full charge.

There are just 2 things I miss from my trusty old Gear 2 Neo. The Gear S2 has no IR Blaster, so I can't use it to adjust the volume on my telly or change channels on my Sky decoder. And I can't actually take phone calls on it like a secret agent. The Gear S2 doesn't have a speaker, so phone conversations would be pretty one directional. (There is a 3G option available in other regions that does take calls, but at the time of writing, it isn't on sale in New Zealand)

I don't want to finish on those 2 tiny downers though, because the Gear S2 is easily the best smart watch I have encountered. It's comfortable, reliable, has great functionality, good battery life and easily the best-designed charging setup ever.

The really good news is, you can now pair it to almost any phone running Android 4.4 or above. Welcome to the club, guys.

And I can change the strap to a red one. What more could you ask for?

Click here for more information on the Samsung Gear S2

glennzb's GADGET GIFT GUIDE (Vol. I)

If you have a geek in your life and you're currently racking your brain to come up with the perfect Christmas surprise, over the next few weeks I'll be compiling a review of my reviews to make things a little more straightforward for you.

On the other hand, if you ARE a tech-junkie like me, and you'd like to drop a few heavy hints in someone special's inbox, why don't you forward them the URL of this page and get the ball rolling?...

First, something fun...

The Samsung Gear VR

This is so much more than 3D, it's the visual equivalent of surround sound.

Just whack your phone in and blow your mind with an ever expanding selection of virtual experiences.

Click here for my full review

The latest edition of the Gear VR is compatible with more phones than ever, including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, S6 and S6 Edge.

Or how about something really useful?...

The ASUS Transformer Book Flip TP200

This bendy wee beastie gives you genuine flexibility on a budget.

The easy touch of the keyboard, the rounded corners on the casing and the dependability of its long battery life, all add up to a solid, reasonably priced alternative to being stuck with either a tablet or a laptop.

Click here for my full review



If it's a mid-priced phone you're looking for...

There's always the Huawei P8 Lite

If you need a decent phone rather than a spaceship in a tiny box, this might be the one.

An elegant-looking handset with plenty of functionality for the money. It's an option well worth considering if you can't justify the spend on the latest high-end features you might never use.

Click here for my full review



Although, if you are looking for a rocket ship, it's hard to go past... 

The Galaxy S6 Edge+

Stupidly long name and fairly pricey, but something this beautiful is worth every syllable... and every cent.

In fact, this phone was too good for me. I wasn't stylish enough to hang around with the Edge+.

(What's really annoying is it works amazingly too)

Click here for my full review



Finally, how about something to wear?...

Introducing the Fitbit Surge

Just in time for Christmas, Fitbit's flagship device is now available in blue and tangerine, not just black.

The Surge is exactly what it claims to be; a fitness super watch. A self-sufficient, stand alone device that will track your workout completely independently of your phone or computer.

Click here for my full review

While the Surge is not expensive compared to other smart watches, the slightly less functional Fitbit Charge and Charge HR models are even more economical, and also come in a new range of colours.


So that's something to get Santa's little helpers thinking anyway. But if you're still waiting for just the perfect pressie idea, I'll be back with more gadgety gift suggestions next week.

CUTE. STAMINA. BUT WHERE'S THE BEEF?

So the battle continues between tablet, laptop and 2-in-1.

Portability versus computing power.

Battery life versus functionality.

Is the Asus Transformer Book Flip TP200 the compromise for you?

One look at this 2-in-1 from Asus and you'll be impressed by it's compact design. If it's screen size you're after, this isn't the machine for you but then the TP200 is all about staying mobile. Although the device itself is a little wee thing, the physical keyboard is very user friendly. The keys are responsive and I didn't feel cramped at all.

The virtual keyboard wasn't quite as fun to use. When the TP200 is flipped into tablet mode, you get to choose if the on-screen keyboard displays automatically. Unfortunately, while the phone-style word prediction at the top of the keyboard is useful enough, it means about 50% of the screen is obscured. (Unless you swing everything around into portrait mode, but then the keys really are too narrow to use easily)

So laptop typing; tick. Tablet typing... not so much.

And I think it's either typing or watching you'll be using the TP200 for. If you're currently spending your evenings squinting at your social media streams on your smart phone, this is the device that'll give your optometrist a break.

As a laptop, the TP200 is small, light, quiet and cool to run - the ultimate screen stacker while watching telly out of the corner of your eye.

The other big feature of a 2-in-1 like this is tent mode. This is where you sit device in an "A" shape, on its edges to watch video or view pictures. I'm a big fan of tent mode because it provides real stability for your device without requiring much flat surface. (Great for cooking along with Youtube recipes, for example)

At the same time, this is no gaming appliance - there's just not enough grunt under the hood to drive any whizzy graphics. In fact, I found the TP200 quite laggy when performing too many complicated operations (downloading, streaming, browsing) all at once. A lot of this frustration can be avoided by putting the device to sleep rather than shutting it down completely, as it's during start-up the TP200 really struggles to get all its services up and running.

Sleeping instead of powering off is a totally viable option by the way, because the battery life department is where the TP200 totally kills it. This is the first Windows tablet/laptop I have used that comes close to matching the battery ability of an iPad. In fact, every time I use it I can't believe how much charge is left. As I write this, I'm getting warning messages my battery level is very low (7 %) and yet the indicator also tells me I still have an hour's use left! Come on, even the most devout Apple disciple would have to be impressed by that.

There's a surprising versatility to how you can interface with the TP200 as well; a heap of ports to choose from - both USB 2.0 and 3.0, Micro HDMI, Micro SD slot and the new Type-c socket that doesn't care which way up your plug is. I love this because I'm forever frustrated by the limited connectivity offered by most modern devices. Unfortunately, once again it's a combined headphone/mic socket but I fear this is the way of the future and my dislike of this combination is something I'll just have to get over.

The more I use this device, the more I enjoy it - there's a comfortable-old-pair-of-slippers feel to it. Whether that's due to the easy touch of the keyboard, the rounded corners on the casing or just the dependability of its long battery life, it all adds up to a solid, reasonably priced alternative to being stuck with either a tablet or a laptop.

The lack of processing power is frustrating at times, but for casual domestic use, with a battery you can rely on, the ASUS Transformer Book Flip TP200 is a safe option.

Click here for more information on the ASUS Transformer Book Flip TP200

STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE. YES PLEASE!

This year I've become a bit confused about what I'm looking for in a smart watch.

The smarter the better I suppose... but at what cost?

And by cost, I'm not just talking price, I'm talking cosmetic cost too; till recently most smart watches have sacrificed form for function.

Well not anymore...

Meet the Huawei Watch, perhaps the first smart watch to really blur the line between tech gadget and fashion accessory.

There are two contrasting stories to tell about the Huawei Watch - we'll get to the inside story soon enough, but let's go with look and feel first.

At last we have something most people would consider to be a good-looking watch in its own right. There's quite a selection of casing/band combinations, ranging from the classic silver stainless steel casing with black leather band, right up to the rose gold stainless steel casing with matching gold stainless steel link strap. Whichever option you choose, there's a real feeling of quality and traditional style to this watch and it starts with the packaging.

The Huawei Watch is sealed within a sturdy box within a box, all mounted on a padded display stand that would be sure to knock the socks off anybody lucky enough to receive one as a gift. They say first impressions last and with this device you are left in no doubt you're dealing with quality workmanship... and that's before you even pick it up.

When you do, there's a solidity and heft to the Huawei Watch that really sets it apart from its more "plasticky" competitors. The screen is sapphire crystal, the casing cold-forged stainless steel. In short, this is a real watch.

If I had to criticise the style of this watch, I might highlight how thick it is (ie: how high it sits on top of your wrist) but it's not at all over-the-top in comparison with other large-style time pieces.

No. I loved the look of this thing, from the moment I picked up its black on black box to the second I had it on my wrist.

Pairing it with my phone posed no particular challenges; there was the usual firmware update but that didn't take long at all, then I was able to fire this baby up.

Like many other smart watches on the market, the Huawei Watch runs the Android Wear OS, which has its advantages, but a fair few drawbacks too. Because of the number of manufacturers using Android Wear, when it comes to options like face styles, the list to choose from is almost limitless. Huawei has installed quite a nice selection to begin with, but there are several apps around that let you customise the face to whatever colour and style you prefer; analogue, digital the choice is yours. The display definition is very sharp and clear, so if you choose the right face the casual observer would never suspect what lies beneath.

Huawei has built in the option to leave your screen on all the time, or you can save battery by activating it with a screen tap or a push of the home button situated at the 2 o'clock position on the side.

As good as the display is, I struggled to read it in bright sunlight conditions, especially with sunglasses on which was annoying when running.

Which brings me to the limitations of Android Wear. Unlike Samsung's Tizen-based watches, or purpose-built fitness trackers like the Fitbit Surge, Android Wear doesn't really seem to install apps on the watch itself. Instead, the watch relies more on Android Wear functionality being built into the app on the phone it's paired with.

This means notifications are sent to the watch and controls are sent back to the phone, sort of like a smart remote. This arrangement seems to work very well for things like the media controller (skipping tracks, pausing video, turning volume up and down etc) but I've found it's less effective when it comes to activating fitness apps like Endomondo. Sometimes it would start, sometimes not. Sometimes my durations and progress would display on the watch in real time. Sometimes I was left with the impression the app had stopped, even though it hadn't. Of course, all this could be a programming issue at Endomondo's end, which may be resolved down the track. (See what I did there? "Track?"... Never mind)

There's a step counter built in and being an Android Wear device, you can easily sync with your Google Fit account if you have one.

What was in no doubt was the inconsistent performance of the heart rate monitor. Good on Huawei for including one at all, I'm constantly amazed when other brands don't. But the readings I got were random to say the least. I'd love to think I can make it through a whole Attack class without my pulse getting above 90BPM, but I think we all know that ain't happening.

In saying that, I really don't think many people would by this watch as a fitness device. It's a fashion accessory and despite its IP67 water/dust-proof rating, its not a watch you really want to sweat all over.

Another frustrating thing about Android Wear is while you can read texts and notifications when they come in, you can only read emails if they arrive one at a time. Once they start stacking up, you're forced to get your phone out to go back through them. Again, maybe Android will figure this out eventually, but for now, it's a real barrier to productivity.

Let's talk battery life. In my experience, wearables like this usually last about a day on a single charge. Critics are always going on about how this is the problem with smart watches but I disagree. Most people take their watch off at night anyway and the Huawei Watch's magnetic charging cradle is super easy to attach and detach. There's also an easily accessible Theatre Mode which turns off the screen and notifications, without affecting any alarms you have set. I found this useful for bedside table use as well.

As I review this review, I feel like most of my complaints have to do with the Android Wear operating system, not the watch itself. So given so many of the smart watches on the market run the same OS, you may as well buy the one that looks the best.

By the way, Apple disciples, I'm talking to you too. Whatever you've been brainwashed into thinking, the Apple Watch is still big, square, awkward and geeky. The good news is, the Huawei Watch will work with your iPhone as well.

It's not cheap, but nothing truly fashionable ever is, is it?

Click here for more information on the Huawei Watch