STEALTH AND POWER

If you think all WiFi routers are pretty much the same, you need to think about how often you've been frustrated by dodgy connections, slow downloads and streaming issues.

It's possible your ISP has sent you a premium device to keep your whole household connected, but if they sent it to you for free, it's probably not that premium.

You don't actually have to spend your life rebooting your router or accidentally using up your mobile data because you've disconnected from your WiFi without realising...

The EXO AC2600 router from D-Link is one of the quickest and easiest ways you can supe up your WiFi. I'm not going to bog you down with too many techie stats and figures, but I can tell you the AC2600 is one of D-Link's range of MU-MIMO devices. Not only is that fun to say, but it's good news if you have multiple people trying to stream multiple things on multiple devices all at once. Those antennae that are so long they don't even fit in my photo, enable the AC2600 to separate out different streams for different devices, meaning everybody gets the most efficient use of the available WiFi without getting all clogged up fighting over one access point.

The sheer brute power of the AC2600 is a real boon too. Although the unit itself is very compact and easily concealed, I found the area covered to be as big, if not bigger than any other router I've tried. However, if like me, you have a house that seems to be specifically designed to defeat any attempts at comprehensive and consistent WiFi coverage, the good news is D-Link has a range of extenders that are not only easier to set up than ever, but are genuinely powerful enough to really fill up those WiFi dead spots.

One such device is the AC1200...

I'll happily endorse this as the easiest-to-set-up extender I've ever plugged in. By simply pushing the quick-connect buttons on both the AC2600 router and AC1200 extender, they pair themselves in about 60 seconds and you're good to go. The AC1200 adopts the name of your existing network, adds an "EXT" to the end of it and keeps the same password to make connecting easy.

Again there are external antennae providing excellent reception and even though it's a mere extender, you still get the choice of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to split up the traffic.

That all works brilliantly - as long as you keep it simple.

However, D-Link claims both these devices are "Whole Home WiFi Ready." This apparently is D-Link's version of MESH WiFi - the idea being you have just one network name (SSID) all over your home and your devices just grab hold of the most powerful signal.

Sounds good... trouble is, I couldn't figure out how to do it. Now, I'm used to setting up gadgets. I'm a nerd. Setting up gadgets is my jam. But this had me stumped. What's really bizarre is I can't find any instructions on how to do it anywhere. Not in the box. Not online. Not on the D-Link website. And what's really weird is, nobody else in the world seems to have tried to do it either. I keep thinking I've imagined that "Whole Home WiFi Ready" is a thing. But no, it's definitely on the website, there's a logo on the boxes so... how do you do it???

I tried simply naming the extender's network the same name as the base unit. (You can make more advanced adjustments like this using D-Link's QRS app) This looked like it was working, as only one name then appeared in the list of available networks. I was able to connect my Galaxy Note8 to this new, super network and it did indeed seem to provide me with comprehensive coverage wherever I roamed around the homestead.

Other, older phones experienced uncharacteristic dropouts though and as for my Chromecast, it got totally confused and refused to stay connected at all, no matter how many times I told it which network to join. So, either this isn't how "Whole Home WiFi Ready" networks are supposed to be set up, or older devices just aren't up to it.

So yeah... as for "Whole Home WiFi Ready" sadly I'm still none the wiser.

On the plus side, as I've already mentioned, the AC2600 is a lot more slimline, compact and subtle than some of its brightly coloured modem router cousins. This makes it a lot easier to hide away behind cabinets or on top shelves. In spite of its smaller size, you still get four LAN ports for direct connection and 2 USB ports, including a USB-3 which makes for a great media server interface.

The AC1200 extender is weirdly less easy to tuck away than some other similar devices. It actually sticks out from the wall socket quite some way and takes up more than its fair share of socket space making it impossible to plug something else in if you're using a double socket, either side-by-side or in a vertical configuration.

And yet, it definitely provides a strong, stable signal and also includes an ethernet port so in effect you can use the AC1200 as a wireless access point for devices that don't have their own WiFi capability.

In concert, the AC2600 router and AC1200 extender are certainly capable of covering every inch of most New Zealand homes, reliably and at great speeds.

If only we could get that "Whole Home WiFi" up and running, then we'd really be cooking.


Click here for more information and pricing on the D-Link EXO AC2600 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Router

Click here for more information and pricing on the D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender

BUT WHAT'S IT ACTUALLY FOR?

I've been reviewing gadgets for a while now.

I've tried things that make my WiFi work better.

I've attached things to computers to make them run faster.

I've beefed up my security with clever cameras.

I've sampled an array of speakers, headphones and earbuds to see which sound best.

I've worn things on my wrist that are smarter than I am.

I've even used devices to help me sleep, ease my back pain and make me sit up straighter.

As for the phones... Ah, such wonderful phones.

But I've never come across anything quite as useless as this...

Just to clarify, by "useless," I mean I still literally haven't found a practical use for the Nanoleaf Aurora.

That doesn't mean I'm not a fan.

The picture above does these things no justice at all, of course. The Nanoleaf Aurora is a starter pack of 9 LED triangles that can be joined together by a collection of small connectors (supplied) in whatever configuration you desire.

Plug it all in, download the app, connect to your WiFi network and millions of colour combinations are at your disposal.

There's a selection of preset patterns, both static and constantly changing. Or, using the app, you can design your own. You can colour each section individually, or create a more general scheme over the whole display.

If it sounds fun, it is - mostly because it's so easy and it works. Even once the Nanoleaf Aurora is turned on, I've witnessed a bunch of idiot teenagers do their best to completely wreck the thing and the only result was more cool colours and shapes.

It gets better.

By adding the small Rhythm module, the Nanoleaf Aurora now reacts to sound - changing colour and pattern in time with your music, or just lighting up when you make noise.

This means you can now bring your party to life both visually and musically.

What's more, you can keep adding to your customised lighting display with more and more tiles - expansion packs come in sets of three. Go really crazy and you can run up to 30 tiles off one controller.

Of course, as I've said already, it's all completely pointless. But then, so is the Mona Lisa I suppose. Whether white triangles that light up in the colours of your choice can be considered art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. But you can certainly hang them on the wall as there are plenty of 3M Command strips included in the pack.

The power cable is conveniently thin, long and white, which means you don't have to be particularly close to a wall socket to hang your Nanoleaf creation where you want it... but where would you want it?

My feeling is this is a games room, bar area, media room sort of a vibe - anywhere you want to set the mood with coloured lights I guess. Kids bedrooms could be a definite possibility, but they won't be buying their own Nanoleaf Aurora setup on their pocket money - the 9-panel starter pack currently retails for $339 - which I think is a bit stiff for what is essentially a set of pretty lights. The Rhythm module is much better buying at just $59.

All of this is hard to imagine from my bad photos, so head to the Nanoleaf website to get a much better idea of what we're dealing with.

$400+ may seem a little steep for a bit of mindless fun, but if the Nanoleaf Aurora really is art waiting for you to create it, it works out a lot cheaper than the Mona Lisa.


Nanoleaf products are available at JB Hi-Fi and Noel Leeming.

EAR GEAR TO WEAR ANYWHERE

Somewhere along the way, headphones became a fashion accessory.

Sure, sound quality has always been important but for quite some time, for quite a number of people, the look, the style, the brand has become the most crucial consideration.

Not for me.

Given it's my job to monitor a 2 and 1/2 hour radio show every day, not to mention cutting and editing audio before and after, my headphones take serious punishment.

Obviously, they need to sound great, but they need to last the distance too.

I couldn't really care what they look like - although red is always nice...

There's no avoiding it, the AKG N60NC wireless headphones are not the coolest looking set of cans you've ever seen. In fact, the word "cans" seems very apt; the first thing that struck me about the N60's was their can-like profile.

The N60's are on-ear rather than over-ear headphones, so the ear cups are relatively small in diameter, while having to accommodate premium amplification, bluetooth and noise-cancelling technology. Add to that the luxurious cushioning combination of memory foam and protein leather, and well... they stick out a bit.

They're not curved or streamlined at all really, but the N60's are about functionality, not style. Like me. So I love them.

It goes without saying AKG headphones are going to sound great. That's why they're the choice of so many recording studios and radio stations. The N60's are no exception. So let's take that as read and move onto some of the more unique features.

Hard to say which feature AKG has put more emphasis on; noise-cancelling or bluetooth connectivity. This is partly because both features are activated with the same switch on the right-hand ear cup. If you choose to plug in using the supplied 1.2m cable, the bluetooth function is disabled automatically, but you still get noise-cancellation flicking the same switch. It's really good too. The moment you slide that switch across it's a lot like going deaf.

I've tried other noise cancelling headphones and earbuds before, some work well, some not at all. Usually it's a battery operated system which is a pain when you're travelling because sooner or later you'll have to replace those batteries. The N60's are rechargeable via microUSB, and promise around 15 hours of use under both bluetooth/noise cancelling conditions. Although I haven't worn them for 15 hours straight, I've certainly used them all day without running them flat so I wouldn't be surprised if that figure is pretty accurate. I've also been impressed at how quickly they charge.

Right next to the bluetooth/NC switch is a multifunctional play/pause, next/previous track, answer call button and I do mean, right next to. This is one of the few design flaws to be found on these headphones as both switches feel almost identical and I can never remember which one is which. As a result, I've turned off the bluetooth instead of skipping tracks on a number of occasions. I don't get why they didn't put one switch on one side and one on the other. Instead, all the controls are on the right-hand ear cup including volume up and down - although thankfully these buttons are at the front, well away from the other two.

The left-hand ear cup holds the charging port and the socket for the detachable cable. AKG describes this as "a tangle-free fabric cable." It isn't. Flat ribbon-style cables are hard to tangle. Fabric cables like these might be a bit better than standard rubber ones, but not much. Maybe I'm just really good at tangling things. Unfortunately, the included USB charging cable is made of the same material. I've managed to tangle that one too.

But that's it. That's all that's wrong with the N60's and of course, depending on what device you're connecting to, you won't need the cable anyway. The bluetooth is clear, strong and reliable. Combined with the noise cancellation, I can barely hear the vacuum cleaner I'm using. This makes it much easier to pretend I'm not using it at all.

Answering calls via the N60's is kind of surreal, because while you can hear your caller perfectly, due to the efficacy of the noise cancellation you can hardly hear yourself. The people at the other end seem to have no trouble however. 

I was a bit concerned when I saw each ear cup is only connected to the headband on one side. I assumed this would give an overall feeling of instability, if not resulting in actual instability. But rest assured this is definitely not the case. I've put in several weeks of constant use with these headphones and they're showing absolutely no signs of wear and tear whatsoever. This is of course what you'd expect from a high-end headset like this although I've been disappointed with the lack of durability from other brands in the past.

Not only do the N60's feel solid as, they're some of the most comfortable, well balanced headphones I've ever bunged on my bonce. Because they're on-ear rather than over-ear, I've found I don't overheat even after prolonged use and that memory foam is definitely the ticket.

These are genuine traveling companions too, folding completely flat inside the profile of the headband, taking up very little space in my laptop bag's front pocket, or the convenient carrying pouch, with compartments for cables and the included flight adapter plug.

As someone who wears headphones for a living, I've certainly tried my fair share and the AKG N60NC's are right up there, if not the best I've worn. What's more, they fold up neatly for travel. Sure they only come in black, black or black, but this ain't no beauty contest.

They cost a pretty penny, but they'll probably last years rather than months, saving you money in the long run.


Click here for more information and pricing on the AKG N60NC wireless headphones.

SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON SECURITY

What's the state of your security light?

It's supposed to come on when someone walks by, right?

But what if you want to leave it on?

Is there some kind of weird combination of switching on and off fast and/or slow that makes it do that? Can you remember what that combination is?

Does it work at all?

Do you know if it's working?

So many questions.

The Netatmo Presence is a lot more than just a light. It's a super-smart outdoor security camera that lets you access all its features from wherever you are, whether you're inside the house or out of the country.

Because it simply replaces any existing outdoor light and connects via WiFi to your home network, there's no tricky wiring involved. Installation took me about 15 minutes. I was a bit worried when I first took it out of the box because all the instructions were for placement on a vertical wall, whereas the broken-down hunk of junk I was replacing had been attached under the eaves above my garage door. On an angle. With very little space to move.

It's a bit hard to visualise, so here's a pic of the Presence in place...

As you can see, it's a pretty subtle, modern-looking device, constructed from durable aluminium and UV protected plastic. The bracket allows you to swivel the Presence to adjust its angle, but there's no real ability to rotate it around. Would this mean my footage would be all skew-whiff? We're getting ahead of ourselves.

Once installed, setting up the Presence is just a matter of downloading Netatmo's Security app. Via the app, you'll need to set up an account and join the device to your WiFi network.

The moment I'd done this, I started getting notifications from the Presence - primarily because I was standing directly below it. Turns out, the weird angle I'd been forced into mounting it at didn't make too much difference at all...

That's the Presence filming me taking a picture of it. Very meta.

As this screenshot shows, the 100 degree filming angle more than adequately covers the driveway and the pathways that lead off in both directions around my house.

The really clever thing about the Presence's security sensor, is it's smart enough to differentiate between people, cars and pets. What's more, you can customise precise zones to monitor, which is obviously a major advantage if you've got a busy street with lots of foot traffic in shot.

That's the real beauty of this device; not so much what the Presence can detect, but all the things you can tell it to ignore. If you only want to record people walking up your front path and don't care about cats rolling around on your driveway, those are precisely the notifications you'll receive.

If you have the sound up on your phone you can be alerted by quite a cool little siren noise that's hard to miss. This is great for me, because I live in a 3-level house and it's not unusual for me to miss the doorbell if I'm upstairs in my bedroom. Now, because I always have my phone with me (not to mention my smart watch on my wrist) I can view my cat rolling on the driveway day or night.

Detection isn't completely foolproof. At certain times of the day, depending on the location of the sun, I have large trees casting shadows into the monitoring zone and if it's breezy, the Presence can be fooled into thinking these are pets.

But I'd rather pick up too many movements than not enough - for some reason, and I suspect this might be the only downside of the weird angle I have the camera mounted at, the Presence rarely picks up our cars driving in and out of the garage, although I don't think it's ever missed a person walking past. Cars parked on the driveway are identified correctly so it's a bit of a weird one.

The Presence comes with an 8GB microSD card pre-installed which doesn't sound like much storage but it's actually plenty because a) the camera only records when it detects movement and b) you can choose to save videos to Dropbox, your own FTP or straight to your device. It's really very user friendly. The videos are excellent quality, full colour during the day (black and white via infra-red at night) and there's sound too so you can even hear your cat purring while it rolls around. (My cat purrs pretty loudly)

Of course, where this all began was replacing a crappy security light that wasn't working properly, and in this department, the Presence definitely over-delivers.

From the app you can turn the LED floodlight on or off and even adjust how brightly it shines (if you thought LEDs couldn't blast out a decent glare, think again) Because the Presence is so damn smart, you can also tell it to ignore your pets and only light up for cars or people.

At around $500, the Presence is a pretty pricey security light, but as a 24hr security system giving you the option to constantly monitor a whole side of your house, from anywhere, this could be the all-in-one peace-of-mind device you've been looking for.


Click here for more information on the Netatmo Presence outdoor security camera and floodlight

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

I was filling up at the service station today and I noticed the stand with all the headphones and charging cables now also offers a bluetooth speaker.

They're pretty much everywhere. But I can tell you from experience; not all bluetooth speakers are created equal. I can also now tell you from experience, JBL makes some good ones...

Firstly, don't ever let anybody convince you you can get decent sound out of something you can fit in your pocket. There are some mini speakers that sound okayish at low level, but basic physics tells us low frequency waves are bigger and it stands to reason you need something a bit bigger to reproduce them.

In other words, it's all about that bass.

The Flip 4 from JBL actually almost does fit in my pocket (on my baggy shorts) It's certainly compact enough to chuck in a bag or strap to a bike and it's robust enough, with its rubberised ends and controls, to take a few knocks.

What's more, it's literally waterproof. The Flip 4's IPX7 rating means it can withstand being submerged down to a metre for up to 30 minutes. I don't fully understand why you'd want to do this, given it's tricky to listen to music underwater, but good to know you're perfectly safe around the pool or on the beach.

In fact, just between you and me, the Flip 4 has become my personal shower buddy. I can now listen to my mindless podcasts while I wash. What more could I ask for?

Maybe a little mood lighting?

That's where the JBL Pulse 3 comes in. All of those features I just mentioned, plus a 360 degree light display, that's fully customisable, via the JBL Connect app. I have to admit, I'm not a massive fan of devices that light up, but the Pulse 3 offers eight different preset patterns you can modify to your own colour tastes, or you can even design your own from scratch. It's a bit like having a lava lamp you can change to suit your mood. Best of all, you can turn it off and just listen to the music.

And that's really what this is all about right? All very well having pretty lights by the pool, but not if it sounds rubbish.

These speakers sound the opposite of rubbish.

Without getting into decibel response figures and frequency ranges, I can tell you both these speakers out-perform most other devices in their class.

The Pulse 3 produces a 360 degree, surround effect which easily fills a room while the Flip 4 performs best on its side to make the most of its stereo output.

Both speakers feature external passive bass radiators (x 2 on the Flip 4) In layman's (ie: my) terms, there's a wobbly disc that bounces up and down that not only looks impressive, but does real justice to those banging, bassy dance tracks you love pumping out so much. I'm begging you now; do not waste any money on a speaker that doesn't offer bass response as good as these JBLs. You'll regret it.

Of course, perhaps the coolest feature of these devices is their connectivity. With a simple push of a button, the speakers will pair with any other JBL Connect+ enabled device. In fact, according to the website, you can connect over 100 speakers. While that would indeed result in an amazing party, I think Noise Control would be there within minutes. (Some previous models of JBL speakers may require a firmware upgrade before being connectable with the new ones, but this is a straightforward process via the JBL Connect app)

Again, let me assure you, both these speakers really fill a room with great sound across all frequencies and people seem to really enjoy the light show put on by the Pulse 3. Personally, and I can't say exactly why, I prefer the stereo performance from the Flip 4 over its big brother's 360 degree design. Maybe I'm a little O.G. that way.

There are other speakers offering similar audio quality out there, but price-wise, the Pulse 3 and especially the Flip 4 are hard to beat.

Don't go cheap, go good. JBL definitely seems to know what it's doing.


Click here for more information on the JBL Flip 4

Click here for more information on the JBL Pulse 3

TIME TO STRAIGHTEN UP

After millennia of evolution, human beings stood on their hind limbs and eventually became one of the most erect species around. Then we invented the typewriter, the desktop computer, the laptop and the tablet and now we've bent ourselves back over again.

What's become recognised as "iHunch" has resulted in widespread neck and shoulder tension, back pain and basically just a bad look.

So if technology is the leading cause of this condition, maybe there's a gadget to combat it...

Upright Go is a small device with big potential, not only tracking your posture habits but training you to sit and stand up straighter.

I've always had terrible posture and I'd never really done much about it
until my back pain became so persistent and invasive my quality of life was starting to suffer.

A big part of my problem is a lack of basic core strength. I've tried various exercise regimes in an attempt to sort this out, which has certainly made a difference.

Yet I still find sitting or standing tall and pulling my shoulders back just doesn't come naturally.

What's really distressing is I seem to have passed on some of my bad posture habits to my 16 year-old daughter - so I gave her first crack with the Upright Go...

When I was told about the Upright Go, my first thought was that it sounded like one of those electric dog collars that you use to zap your dog when it’s misbehaving. And that’s exactly what it is. But there’s a reason those collars exist, and there’s a reason this exists... because it works.  You put it on and you’re basically given the choice to sit up straight or be told off. It doesn’t hurt when it vibrates but it makes you feel bad for disappointing it! I don’t know how such a tiny device can have such power over you, but somehow it made me want to impress it. So I instantly sat up straighter and I stood with a straight back. It only recommended I train for nine minutes the first time before setting it back to tracking mode, but even after I turned it off I could still feel it’s presence, and still imagine it vibrating every time I slouched. So it kept working, without even being turned on. The Upright Go is always watching.

The second day I had trouble connecting the Upright Go to my phone, but this didn’t matter because you can use it without the app. Unfortunately I couldn’t remember if two blue flashes of the LED light meant it had been turned on or off, or if calibration was shown by two short vibrations or one long one, or what a green blinking light meant... What I’m getting at is that while you’re getting to know it, figuring out what the Upright Go is trying to tell you can be difficult. But maybe that’s just because I was born in 2001 and I don’t remember what using devices without a screen is like.

Day 3 and the Upright Go is starting to lose its stickiness. I only have a limited amount of adhesive pads so I’m reluctant to change, but I also don’t want it falling off my back during the day. The manual says you can clean it with a little water, so this is what I do, and it looks promising. But when sticking the Upright Go back on it again, it feels almost less sticky than before. After another half day of feeling like it’s about to fall off, I turn to the alcohol wipes provided in the starter pack. I’m ready for the magic they will work on the adhesive pad. And at first, it seems to be working! But then it falls off and gets tangled in my shirt. And falls off again. And again. And again. Apparently the pad is meant to last up to two weeks but mine made it... Three days.

Day 4: My sister asked why I had a security tag stuck to my back. Hmm.

Day 5: I had two exams today and knowing I wasn’t going to be sitting up straight, I decided I valued good grades more than a good posture. However, I made it through my twelve minutes training when I got home without slouching once. Go me! - Billie Hart

It was at about this point she lost interest and gave up. Teenagers; what are you gonna do?

I figured I better give this thing a try too, especially since my natural stance is about one notch away from Quasimodo.

Like my daughter, at first I found managing the adhesive pads a bit tricky and keeping the Upright Go attached to me somewhat challenging. But I persisted and by storing the Upright Go in its case when not using it and making sure all surfaces involved were super clean, I managed to keep things sticky in all the right spots.

If you can get over the initial hurdle of actually keeping the Upright Go in place, the rest is simple - and effective. As Billie said, even when you're not in training mode, you're ever so slightly aware it's there, so you try that little bit harder.

The process is very like keeping a food diary or tracking your exercise - once you have some statistics, you naturally want to improve your performance. To do this, there is of course the obligatory app. While the app is extremely simple and easy-to-use, it's also rather limited.

When you first use it to set up your device, you're required to create an account inputting your gender, height and weight. Weirdly, once you've done this, there's no option to adjust these details which is a pain as I think I accidentally told my Upright Go I'm a woman.

On the bright side, the customer support from the qualified Upright experts is prompt and proactive - when I asked how give my profile a sex change they got back to me straight away... to say I couldn't. (They're working on it though, apparently)

I've also received several messages and emails of encouragement and advice, not to mention the promise of replacement adhesives if I keep training. (These can also be purchased from PB Tech and JB HiFi)

You'll only get about a day's usage out of the battery, but the good news is the device charges very quickly if you want to top it up so you can wear it out for some late-night posturing.

While it's still early days, I do believe the Upright Go is already having effect. I know this, not just because of the slouching statistics I'm monitoring, but because my upper back muscles are tired - good tired, like after a workout.

Hopefully next time you see me, I may even look taller!


Click here for more information and pricing on the Upright Go

I DON'T DO WINDOWS... TILL NOW

What is it that's so damn frustrating about cleaning glass?

Probably something to do with how tricky it is to get them absolutely streak-free.

Sure, the professionals always seem to have some magic formula in their spray bottles that makes it look easy. As for their squeegees, where do they get those streak-proof magic wands from?

Karcher may have an alternative that's actually kind of fun...

The WV 2 Premium window vacuum does not instantly, effortlessly clean your windows for you. But used properly, I found it pretty much guaranteed a totally streak-free result in a fraction of the time.

Till now, my usual method had been based around lots of paper towels. I'd tried a soft-cloth followed-by-squeegee technique, but it never seemed to work as efficiently as I wanted it too. There's nothing more depressing than coming inside and seeing the sun catching all the dried-up drips you missed.

I'd initially hoped the WV 2 Premium was an all-in-one window cleaning machine - a bit like some kind of wet'n'dry carpet cleaner. But it's much more accurate to think of this device as a window drier - because that's what it does so perfectly.

I was surprised to discover a few other things in the box, other than the window vacuum itself. Aside from 2 different sizes of suction nozzle, there's also a cleverly designed spray bottle with a microfibre cleaning cloth attachment. A sachet of Karcher's own cleaning concentrate is included too. You can buy this by the bottle but I assume regular glass cleaners work almost as well.

Yes, I'm afraid you'll still have to spray and wipe before you suck, but the good news is, with Karcher's ingenuous all-in-one bottle/wiper, you can hold that in one hand and the WV 2 Premium in the other, rather than swapping between bottles, cloths, paper towels and squeegees.

So while it's still a two-step operation, the steps are so easy, I reckon even my teenagers could figure it out without breaking or spilling anything.

After spraying and wiping the first window, I turned the WV 2 Premium on and vacuumed up the dirty water. Just like that. Three swipes and one window was done. No streaks. It was an emotional moment.

I was only going to try it out. I was supposed to be making dinner. But this thing is so well designed, once you start using it, there's no stopping.

I had the whole bottom storey of my house done in under an hour, inside and out. It was almost as though I'd dreamed it but no, as I sit here, I'm definitely looking out through crystal clean, streak-free glass.

I even did some table-tops. I was out of control.

Karcher's new way of doing things is so great, it's easy to be fooled into thinking it's perfect. There are still a few pitfalls to be wary of, however. I've found it's a bit tricky steering the WV 2 Premium's suction nozzle right into the edges, top, sides and bottom. It's possible, but you do have to take your time about it and it may be more efficient to quickly run a dry cloth around to finish each pane off.

The process is literally streak free - provided the window is wet enough when you vacuum it. I found cleaning windows in bright sunlight was a bit more challenging because they'd dry more quickly and then the WV 2 Premium has nothing to suck up. This is easily sorted with an extra spray and an extra swipe of the vacuum.

So both those things are just about technique and practice really.

The only actual design flaw I've detected is the streamlined cover on the top of the spray bottle nozzle. I kept knocking this off and in the end I simply left it off altogether - it doesn't serve any useful purpose other than making it look cool, sleek and black. A weird little blemish on an otherwise inspired cleaning device.

This model doesn't sit in its own charging base unit, instead it just plugs in. The power light flashes until it's fully charged then it turns itself off. In terms of how long that charge lasts, I'm not sure because it was still going strong when I finished that first storey.

I'm just popping out to get the extension handle now so I can do the high windows. That sounds even more fun. Yes, I said it; the Karcher WV 2 Premium makes doing windows fun.

I don't know what's real anymore.


Click here for more information on the Karcher WV 2 Premium window vacuum

THE FUTURE OF STORAGE IS TINY

For a while there. memory space was a bit of an obsession.

I still remember having to delete texts on my phone because I'd run out of room.

Even on PC's, video files needed to be erased as soon as they were watched. Rewriteable DVD's were a revelation. At last we could back up large numbers of photos.

I edit audio for a living and it takes up a lot of space. DVD backups were an easily accessible archive option.

Hard drives got bigger, but we still filled them up. The cleverer our phones got, the better the cameras, the bigger the video and image files, the more space they required.

Finally, the Cloud came to the rescue... sort of. We'll cover off cloud-based limitations shortly but we all know there's something to be said for storage you can physically hold in your hand...

The Samsung T5 portable SSD's will definitely fit in your hand... and not just one of them, the whole range all at once.

By now most of us have come to rely on some form of external hard drive when it comes to supplementing our everyday storage needs. Whether this is for secure backups or a standalone media server for movie and music files, there's a wide selection available. With the evolution of Solid State technology taking over from the more traditional hard drives, these external storage devices have grown quieter and slimmer.

In spite of these advances, when it comes to portability, we still generally rely on USB thumb drives to carry around just a few files at a time. The Samsung T5 challenges this idea, offering up to 2TB of storage in a package not much bigger than a matchbox.

Available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB variants, even the smallest-capacity T5 is capable of storing pretty much everything on your laptop. It fits in your pocket and weighs practically nothing. The T5's attractive aluminium unibody suggests sturdy construction and the Samsung website claims the device is shock-proof enough to withstand being dropped from a height of up to 2 metres.

Apart from its oh-so-petite stature, the T5 offers something else; versatility. There are two high-speed transfer cables in the box, offering a standard USB connection or USB-Type C for the latest smart phones and Macs. I could quote transfer speeds from Samsung and other tests, but the reality is, the T5 is definitely quick, probably faster than the device you're transferring to or from.

Mere numbers don't mean much, but I can cite a few real-life experiments. I backed up my entire phone in less than 5 minutes - contacts, music, photos, videos, everything. I also transferred a full-length movie file (1080HD) from the T5 to my phone in under 10 seconds.

This is where physical storage still trumps the Cloud every time. If you've ever tried backing up a whole phone or tablet to the Cloud, it can be a pretty frustrating experience and if you don't have a rock-solid WiFi connection, forget it. And speed isn't the only barrier to a cloud-based existence. Obviously downloading movies and sharing images uses up a lot of your data if you're out and about... and then there's the security issue.

Once you've uploaded your personal stuff, how secure is it really? Do you even know where it is?

Not only does the T5 let you keep all your nude selfies with you, the bundled app means you can encrypt the device with a password so your files are secure even if they fall into the wrong hands. Very James Bond.

So basically, this about the most useful little gadget ever.

The only thing I can't get my head around is the price. I've been playing with the 500GB version which is plenty big enough for all the movies I've been meaning to watch but haven't got around to yet. That'll set you back $379. Now that's a lot more than an external hard drive of the same size. But you can't throw a hard drive around, fit it in your pocket and it won't be nearly this fast. I think the price tag makes me balk simply because this thing is just so damn small.

You don't even want to know how much the 2TB version is. (Here's a clue; 2TB is 4 times bigger than 500GB)

While I feel the T5 is a bit pricey, I can't deny its speed, versatility and tinyness. If those are the storage features you're looking for, maybe you should make the investment.


Click here for more information an pricing on the Samsung T5 portable SSD

I'LL BE WATCHING YOU... ON THE MOVE

I'm afraid I don't really get it.

There seems to be a massive community of tattle-tales driving around out there and now they have the video evidence to back themselves up.

The Navman MiVUE780 dashcam makes recording, saving and sharing your journeys easier than ever before.

This was my first experience with a dashcam, but being a typical New Zealander I ignored the accompanying instruction manual and just plugged the thing in.

Navman makes this process as easy as possible by including a very long charging cable and ample stick-on cable clips to tidy the cable safely away. I don't know why car manufacturers don't include charging ports either on the roof (preferably by the interior light) or on top of the console close to the windscreen. Instead, you're usually stuck with the completely obsolete "cigarette lighter" which, positioned in the centre of your console, is about as far away from any of the accessories you want to power as it could be.

In the case of the MiVUE780, the ideal location for a charging port would be in the back of the rear-vision mirror, because Navman recommends you mount the device just to the side of your mirror.

The suction-cup bracket is very versatile and sturdy, assuring secure placement, regardless of the exact angle of your windscreen.

The device itself is tiny - much smaller than I was expecting, less than 9cm across. This means the monitor display is a mere 2.7 inches - still colour, still big enough to see what's happening but not too distracting when you're driving.

So setup is literally just sticking it on the windscreen, bunging a micoSD card into the slot, plugging it in and away you go.

What impressed me most was how the MiVUE780 started working straight away - I didn't even need to switch it on. The moment I started the car, it came to life and started recording my journey automatically. Then it shuts itself down once you switch off the ignition.

While there are settings you can adjust, the only one I really had to was the time zone... very important to have the right time recorded on those vids... which brings me to the real reason we should all probably use one of these things.

Unfortunately, traffic accidents do happen and it's not always clear exactly what went wrong and whose fault it was. I managed to total my car once and I still have absolutely no recollection of the event. Would have been nice to be able to review the footage to find out how the hell I ended up upside down, facing the wrong way.

Whether it's for insurance purposes, police reports or just your own piece of mind, having crystal clear footage with the time, speed and exact location all recorded should probably be mandatory.

And the footage really is super clear - I couldn't believe how good it was first time I watched one of the files back. I don't know how they do it, but even nighttime footage is easy to see. The default setting breaks the recording into 3 minute chunks, but this can be adjusted, along with other options like recording quality and whether to include sound or not. The MiVUE780 keeps recording until your memory card is full, then starts recording over the top again. (Supports cards up to 128GB)

You can pop your microSD card out to transfer videos to PC, but the MiVUE780 also works as a WiFi hotspot, so you can easily transfer videos and images to your phone using Navman's MiVUE app. Once you've transferred your footage to your phone or PC, you can then share instantly to your favourite social media stream. Believe it or not, there are even entire websites out there dedicated to outing stupid driving - like http://www.comroads.com. I don't pretend to understand the fascination, although I have to admit, once you start watching, it's weirdly addictive.

To be honest, there are more features packed into the MiVUE780 than you'll probably ever need. You can set driver fatigue and speed alerts and there's even a helpful lady who chimes in to remind you to turn your headlights on when it's dark.

Oddly, there are red light and speed camera locations preloaded and you can add others with the push of a button. The odd thing is, while you can turn off the audio warnings about safety cameras, you can't stop them hijacking your display as you approach them. This is especially annoying when you're on the motorway and you pass over an intersection controlled by a red light camera, because you still get the warning even though you're not driving through the intersection. Something for Navman to work on in future models maybe.

Back to the real reason behind this device though; in the event of a collision, the MiVUE780 usues its 3-Axis G-Sensor to record the direction of the impact and instantly saves a protected recording of the event so you can look it up later.

That really is a pretty good insurance policy for just $279.


Click here for more information and pricing on the Navman MiVUE780 dashcam.

SMARTER. FITTER. BETTER

As the world's most popular producer of activity trackers, Fitbit has been flirting with the idea of a genuine smart watch for a while now.

The closest we've seen so far has been the Surge, boasting a standalone GPS and the Blaze, an eye-catching wristwatch with a colour screen to display a wide selection of notifications.

While they were great devices, both of these stopped short of a full-featured smart watch.

Now Fitbit has moved a step closer to bridging the tracker/smart watch divide...

The Fitbit Ionic, apart from anything else, is the most watch-looking thing Fitbit has ever come up with. For some reason, though I've never understood it, Fitbit has never made any real attempt to disguise any of its wearables as an ordinary, every-day watch.

That's fine, if you're a technophile like me and you don't care who knows what a colossal nerd you are. It could also be argued Fitbit, being the most widely sold brand of activity tracker, has attained a certain coolness factor, especially within the gym-going community - the "Fitbit look" if you will.

However, there are plenty of people who want a watch that looks like a watch, no matter how many other nifty tricks it can perform.

The Ionic is most definitely a nifty trickster, and while you still couldn't claim it resembles any kind of classical time-piece, it certainly leans towards the futuristic end of watchy fashion. What I'm trying to say is, most people would probably be happy to wear this thing out at night without feeling like too much of a geek.

In fact, the slightly curved face, seamlessly molded into the elegant stainless steel body is really quite beautiful. Definitely more streamlined than the octagonal corners of its predecessor, the Blaze. The strap is also easily swapped out if you prefer a different colour to match your outfit.

Although Fitbit has evolved the software for the Ionic from the OS used in previous Pebble devices (Fitbit bought up Pebble late last year) at first the user experience seems quite familiar to previous Fitbits like the Alta HR, Charge 2 and most of all, the aforementioned Blaze.

However, it's the promise of features to come that makes the Ionic such an exciting breakthrough.

There are new apps like Weather and Strava(fitness tracking) installed and the new operating system has been opened up for developers to come up with more content for the Ionic and future devices. It's yet to be seen how effectively those developers will rise to the challenge but at least the opportunity is now there.

There are a few minor teething problems around exactly how smart the Ionic really is. For example, while I reliably received all my chosen notifications with the attention-grabbing vibration of my choice, I kept getting my emails twice. After an intensive Google session and a solid perusal of the Fitbit forums, it appears this is a common problem among users who've paired their Ionics with Samsung Galaxy phones. I'm sure it's something that'll be worked out in an update somewhere along the line. Slightly annoying though.

And unfortunately, while you can choose to receive notifications from practically any app installed on your paired phone, you still can't use the Ionic to answer back. Nor can you take calls or reply to texts. These functions are pretty much commonplace on other genuine smart watches so in some ways, the Ionic is still an imposter.

Except, it can do things a lot of those other watches won't.

The Ionic sports NFC functionality, so touchless payments (payWave) are now a reality, although at this point ASB customers are the only New Zealanders who can utilise this service. Here's hoping other banks will be on board soon.

Obviously the range of activity tracking is still excellent and accurate. In fact, for the first time I really trusted the automatic tracking functions. Instead of telling the Ionic I was going for a run or doing an Attack class, I just let it figure it out for itself - which it always did without fail.

The Ionic is the first smart watch I've been able to wear swimming (it can track your swims too). While other devices on the market have limited water resistance, the Ionic claims to withstand a 50m dive which makes it a hell of a lot more than just shower-proof. I was also relieved to find the touch screen impressively responsive when wet.

That's the kind of feature which tempts you to wear it constantly, so I have been. Running, working, going out, gardening, the gym - what's surprised me is the quality and durability of the construction. I've had the Ionic on my wrist for a couple of weeks straight and I can't find a scratch on it. It's not just pretty, it's tough too.

Sleep tracking is becoming more and more of a focus for Fitbit all the time. Here again, the Ionic is a big improvement over the bulkier Blaze and Surge devices because it's just so much more comfortable to wear. What's more, with a simple right-swipe you can access the Screen Wake and Notification toggles so you're not disturbed by a blazing display or unexpected vibration in the middle of the night. What's more, there's a new kind of sensor built into the Ionic that measures blood oxygen levels. Some time in the near future, these guys are hoping to detect sleep apnea, possibly saving lives in the process. Crazy.

So the Ionic is a watch with a lot of potential, some of it already accessible, some not so much. Let me show you another new feature...

Meet the Fitbit Flyer. (I don't know why it's Flyer and not Flyers. I mean, most of us have two ears, right? Anyway...) 

The Flyer is Fitbit's own bluetooth listening solution, enabling you to make full use of the Ionic's standalone GPS by leaving your phone at home when you go for a run. The Ionic has over 2GB of on-board storage which is plenty for your favourite playlist. I tried pairing the Ionic with a few other sets of bluetooth earbuds but I'd recommend the official Flyer for a couple of reasons; I don't know why, but the non-Fitbit buds seemed to drain the Ionic battery more and secondly, the Flyer is probably the most customisable earphone arrangement I've ever encountered.

We've all experienced the inconvenience of buds that either don't fit, fall out or are just too uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods. Sometimes you're expected to pay hundreds for something you're not even sure will make it to the end of the driveway without bobbling out of your earhole.

The Fitbit flyer offers 3 sizes of eartips along with a choice of wings or fins, large or small. It may take a bit of experimentation, but all these options virtually guarantee a snug, comfortable fit - even if one ear is weirder than the other. I always thought I was a medium eartip, large wing guy. Turns out, I'm more of a small eartip, fin man. And I don't care who knows it.

Oh, and the sound quality is incredible by the way. Bass response almost the best I've experienced in an earbud. Boom.

One problem... getting your sounds onto the Ionic. I really wish they'd kept it simple. Why can't you just plug the watch into your computer and drag the sound files into it? Nope. Instead you'll need the desktop app (not the browser dashboard) and you'll have to connect the Ionic to the same network your computer is on. Already too complicated? We're not even halfway there. Then, in the app, not on the watch, you either create a playlist or drag one in, to transfer to the watch.

Not finished yet.

Then...

You need to open the music app on the Ionic itself, select the transfer function and hope the computer starts talking to the watch. Which it probably won't until you've restarted either the watch, the app or the computer.

Works really well once the music has synced though. Nothing like the freedom of running without a phone. It's a bit like streaking.

In all seriousness, Fitbit needs to sort this process out, it really is too hard - especially when using the media controller on the Ionic to play music on your phone seems to work better than ever. Why would you bother with all that other palaver?

At least we finally have a user-friendly charging cable. Oh, obviously it's different to every other Fitbit charging cable that's ever been produced because they ALWAYS ARE... but this one's magnetic so it pretty much attaches itself. Massive improvement on the take-the-whole-watch-apart-to-charge-it design of the Blaze which was pretty bamboozling.

As always, you'll get excellent battery life from the Ionic - several days. The tricky thing is, with it being so comfortable, so stylish, so durable and so water resistant, it's hard to know when you're supposed to take it off to charge, especially if you're tracking your sleep as well.

Talk about your first world problems.


Click here for more information and pricing on the Fitbit Ionic

THE WATCH WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Samsung has been making smart watches for a while now.

I know you think I'm biased. You think I'm a Samsung sellout. I've drunk the Samsung Kool-Aid and all I ever talk about is Samsung.

But here's the thing; Samsung just does some stuff better. The reason is simple - they've been doing it longer.

While their latest watch is just a logical progression in Samsung's line of wearable accessories, remember, it's now a very long line.

I've been using the Samsung Gear S2 since its launch in 2015. It's probably the device I've come to rely on most and it's definitely proven to be the most surprisingly useful. The S2 was Samsung's reinvention of the boxy, square, oversized Star Trek-style devices that preceded it. When it introduced the unique bezel controller and with its round face and wireless charger, the Gear S2 made smart watches more accessible than ever before.

The only thing missing was the ability to take and make calls like I could with previous versions.

The Gear S3 Frontier has that feature, due to its speaker, but it takes it a step further with its independent, built-in sim.

This means the watch retains full functionality even when out of range of the phone it's paired with. You can receive and compose emails and texts while you're out and about. In fact, at one point I literally called my mum on the run. That sure confused the hell out of her, but what does she expect when she texts me while I'm exercising?

The S3 Frontier is bigger and I guess (to compound sexist stereotypes) more masculine than the S2. What's more, it feels a bit more rough and tumble too. The bezel controller is more tactile and the watch is quite a bit heavier. In short, the S3 Frontier is definitely more solid, but perhaps a little less comfortable than the S2.

My biggest issue with this device is the strap. I don't exactly know why, but the default band is just too hard and rubbery and I find if I think about it too much I develop a serious case of wristy-claustrophobia. Luckily, you can easily swap it with any other 22mm band, so it's only a minor problem.

Performance-wise, there's a definite improvement in the speed and smoothness of operation, which you'd expect given it now has twice the processing power. In saying that, in terms of navigating your way around, the S3 Frontier works pretty much the exact same way as it's predecessor. Samsung have stuck fast to their Tizen OS (which you'll now find running other products in their range, like TV's). This is a double edged sword. As an OS, Tizen totally rocks. Everything is smooth and clear and so, so stable. The downside? A lack of content. There just aren't anywhere enough developers creating stuff for Tizen devices, or even adapting existing apps... especially compared to the endless armies queuing up to create software for Apple or Android. Don't let this put you off though, because it's really a kind of quality control and it means only high-performing apps end up making the grade.

For example, due to a partnership with Under Armour, their range of fitness apps including stellar performers like Map My Run and Endomondo have all been formatted for Samsung Gear devices.

The big upgrade with the S3 Frontier is the independent sim - something the latest Apple Watch is promising in some places, but NOT New Zealand. This may be because currently the Spark network is only the one that can support these kind of devices.

This is where it gets a bit complicated, but stay with me, I'll try and make it worth your while.

Because the S3 Frontier connects directly to Spark's mobile network, you'll get all your notifications wherever you are. As I've already said, (but it's important, because very few wearables have this kind of functionality) you can answer back too. Emails, texts, phone calls - not a problem. The catch? Obviously you need to pay for that connection. In saying that, given you're not consuming video, or uploading pictures, that connection doesn't need to cost very much at all.

But what if, like me, you're not with Spark already?

This is where it gets really complicated. There's now a function in the Gear app that lets you forward calls to your watch when it's not connected to your phone.

Trouble is, I couldn't get it to work. I have absolutely no idea why. I got emails. I got texts. Ironically, I even got missed-call notifications. Even more ironically, when I received those missed-call notifications, I could call the missed caller back - so really, no dramas. Odd though. Maybe it's something that'll be sorted with a future update.

I'm assuming everything's a lot more seamless when paired with a Spark mobile.

Other than that, this watch delivers. It has its own GPS, so you really can map those runs. There's also 4GB of internal storage which is plenty for a workout playlist or two. Pair some bluetooth earbuds and you're good to go. Transferring music from your phone to the watch is pretty straight-forward, but I'd love someone to come up with a dedicated podcast app for Tizen, because exporting them for a one-time listen is a bit more labour-intensive.

Basically, if you're sick of lugging your phone with you everywhere you go, especially running, hiking or biking, the Gear S3 Frontier is the obvious choice. It works, it works well, it's totally reliable and best of all - it looks like a normal watch.

Well, a really cool watch.


Click here for more information and pricing on the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

THE TECH THAT COULD SAVE MARRIAGES

Okay, embarrassing confession time.

I don't own a smart TV.

I know, I know. What kind of self-respecting tech reviewer doesn't have his own 4K telly hardwired into the matrix?

Strangely, and you might find this hard to believe, but not everybody in the glennzb household thinks a man's existence is defined solely by his diagonal screen measurement and the number of online streaming services he has access to.

Turns out, Domestic Manager seems to think other trivialities like food, heating and clothing our children should take precedence over setting up the ultimate home theatre experience.

So what if my dream TV didn't have to look like an elephant in the room?...

Samsung have been pushing the boundaries of television tech for some time now, really shaking things up a couple of years ago with their cool, curvy, 4K screens.

The curve wasn't the only thing to set this new breed apart. By introducing a separate control unit(or "One Connect Box") these TV's created the illusion of being a super thin screen and nothing else. In fact. with only one power lead and one AV cable from the One Connect Box, you ended up with something that was almost as pretty from behind as it was from the front.

This was a major breakthrough because for too long TV's had been getting bigger and bigger while doing almost nothing to make them more aesthetically pleasing to the eye of the interior decorator - or Domestic Manager, for that matter.

At least a crazy-slim curved television with virtually no cable cluster was a step in the right direction - although all too often any TV still becomes the main focus of whatever room it inhabits - even when it's switched off.

So Samsung went back to the drawing board - or in this case, the easel.

The Frame is one of those, "Why didn't I think of it?" concepts that is so elegant in its simplicity, there is no doubt it's a work of art in its own right.

By combining some innovative tech solutions with a unique wall-mounting system, Samsung has once again done what should have been done years ago.

The Frame is a high spec 4K UHD TV anyone would be happy with. Its 55" or 65" screen is flat, not curved, but it still features the latest enhancements Samsung has to offer.

The difference with The Frame is you might not even know it's there. I'm not even joking. And it's not because it's got so skinny it's disappeared completely. It's because when The Frame is off, it displays a piece of art of your choice, essentially becoming just another picture on the wall.

If you think it sounds too good to be true, like I'm exaggerating the effect, let me give you a bit more detail. Samsung uses a few clever little tricks that make this thing a lot cooler than a glorified digital photo frame.

Firstly, by sensing the ambient light, The Frame automatically dims or brightens the artwork on display so there's no artificial illumination blaring out into the room, resulting in a surprisingly natural effect.

Combine that with your choice of mattes (to match the either the artwork or your decor) and your choice of frame (walnut, beige-wood or white) and the illusion is complete.

Best of all, you have a large choice of art available, either via Samsung's Smart View app, or online using the options menu on the TV itself.

While there's a wide selection of images you can choose for free, ranging from landscapes to abstracts to photography and more, you can also subscribe to Samsung's ever-expanding Art Store. Here you can choose from hundreds of pieces by artists from all over the world for just $7 a month.

This thing is literally the artwork you will never tire of.

Or, just put your own family photos up instead.

The idea is executed brilliantly, with great attention to detail. The frame you choose to fit around The Frame is one of the most cunning parts of the equation. We've recently repainted with what is basically a white on white colour scheme. As a result, a black telly is just a bad look. So I chose a white frame for The Frame and it looks fantastic. (How many other white TVs have you seen recently?) What's more, the wood-look frame is very easy to attach, as it comes in 4 separate pieces that magnetise easily to the TV itself. The pieces are precisely engineered and fit together exactly. This took me a total of about 64 seconds.

There is a basic stand (or rather, two subtle, slide-in feet) included in the box, as well as the genius wall mount which lets you fit The Frame completely flush with the wall, or you can choose to tilt it out slightly, just way a real picture would hang.

If you want to get really carried away, you can go for the Studio Stand, which looks like a painters' easel. 

Another nice touch is Samsung's Clear Connection cable, which is almost transparent and very skinny. How this nearly invisible lead transfers all the data it needs to between the screen and its One Connect Box is a mystery, but combined with the light-coloured power cable, setup is very inconspicuous indeed.

As far as the operation of the TV itself? It's just about the best available, so it'll do pretty much what you expect. As I've already admitted, I've never owned a smart TV so I've been like a kid in a streaming candy store.

Even Samsung's universal remote is a thing of beauty.

This telly doesn't sound too bad either. Somewhere (don't ask me where, because you definitely can't see it) is a 40 watt speaker array which pumps out enough volume. Unfortunately, my home theatre is as old as my existing TV, so it wasn't particularly compatible with such a thing of technological grace.

And it really is beautiful, before you even turn it on. Could this be the bigger television even Domestic Managers wouldn't mind upgrading to?

At just under $4000, The Frame is at the higher end of the mainstream TV market but what price art? Especially a work of art you can change every day.


Click here for more information about The Frame by Samsung