Keep It Clean. Really Clean

For a long time, moisture has been the arch-enemy of most gadgets.

Every morning I work in a radio studio and officially, all liquids are banned. Despite this, from time to time, various bits of that studio mysteriously stop working... well, mysteriously until those bits are taken to pieces and it's discovered someone's spilled half a can of Coke, a mug of coffee or a cup of tea into it.

At least if it's just water, sometimes things can be dried out and if you're lucky, plugged back in and fired up again.

But if it's softdrink damage, forget it. That stuff's like nuclear waste.

Then there's dust and crumbs. Is there anything more disgusting than tipping your keyboard upside-down, banging it on the desk a couple of times and seeing what falls out? Ick.

And those are just normal, everyday scenarios. Imagine trying to use a mouse and keyboard in a workshop... or a dental surgery... or a garden centre... I can only imagine the turnover in hardware.

So what if you could just run them under the tap?...

Imagine being so confident in the washability of your PC accessories, you make them in white as well as black? Well that's what Man & Machine does and in a sterile environment like a medical office or even on a kitchen benchtop, the white looks pretty great.

I'm not so enamoured with the name, I have to say. Sure, the company is thirty-eight years old but I'm pretty sure women needed machines like this back then too. Anyway, let's not get bogged down with that because we've got a pretty elegant solution to a fairly common problem here.

The Its Cool wireless keyboard and C-Mouse Wireless are IP65 washable, can be wiped down with a wide range of disinfectants and detergents and yes, you can literally rinse them off under running water.

And for even more hygienic spill protection, Man & Machine produces the Its Cool Fitted Drape, specifically for the keyboard, making it completely impervious to any spills altogether.

As a mouse, the C-Mouse Wireless is relatively unremarkable in everyday use - two buttons and a scroll wheel - what more do you need? It connects via a 2.4 Ghz USB dongle, not bluetooth and can be paired with the same dongle you use for the Its Cool keyboard. Pairing is quick and straightforward; simply a matter of pressing the right button and scroll wheel together then plugging in the dongle. I've found the connection to be instantaneous and reliable and the good news is, no batteries required.

The mouse is rechargeable via a micro-USB port at the front, sealed when not in use by a watertight plug. Normally, I'd be worried about losing a little rubber plug like this, especially given you can continue using the C-Mouse Wireless while connected for charging. Luckily, there's a made-to-fit cavity under the mouse to stow the plug when not in place. I like it when they think of little details like that.

There's a similar rubber bung on the back of the Its Cool keyboard, sealing up its microUSB charging port and on/off switch. This plug is longer and stays connected, swivelling around to fit tidily into its stowaway cavity while the keyboard is charging.

Other than that, like the mouse, the Its Cool keyboard functions exactly as you'd expect it to. It's essentially a full-sized keyboard with number pad and dedicated arrow keys, although I'm surprised they didn't make it a little wider to allow space for standalone Home, End, Page-Up and Page-Down keys - instead you'll have to release the Number Lock if you want to access these. The top row of keys - function keys, Insert, Delete etc - are also strangely cramped. Not sure why, given this is a wireless keyboard and surely you can basically make it any size and shape you like.

In saying that, I haven't found it much of a learning process to get used to the layout here; Delete and BackSpace seem familiar enough for me to avoid any mistypes and the keys are nicely spaced out to accommodate my fat fingers too. Of course, one reason the keys are spaced this way is because the Its Cool keyboard has been designed to be used with the Its Cool Fitted Drape, a custom cover that fits precisely over the keyboard, effectively sealing it off from any kind of spill at all.

Not only is the fitted drape wipeable and washable, it can be sterilised using hard surface cleaners and will even survive dishwashers and autoclaves. Perhaps best of all, it's easily replaced.

It's certainly easily fitted and removed and is a dramatically superior solution to the one-size-fits-all (but doesn't really fit anything) disposable option you may be currently using. I was initially concerned typing would be hampered by what is essentially a flat piece of rubber with keys printed on it but it turned out those fears were unfounded. I can't believe how responsive the keyboard still is with the fitted drape installed. The keys still feel quite clicky with good travel and I still only mistype as much as I usually do - so quite a lot... but that's nothing to do with the keyboard.

I'm not going to try and convince you this is a great keyboard for gaming - unless you're gaming under a waterfall - but it certainly fulfills all my everyday needs. I have no idea what the battery life is like for either the Its Cool Keyboard or the C-Mouse Wireless - it's not listed on the Man & Machine website - but I've been using both devices several hours a day for a couple of weeks now and only charged them when I first took them out of their boxes.

If you need to operate a PC in a wet, dusty or dirty environment, or you want to keep things sterile, or maybe you're just a hot mess and can't keep your coffee cups upright, I'd heartily suggest you give Man & Machine a try. Oh, and don't worry about the name... it's just a name.

Click here for more information on the Man & Machine C-Mouse Wireless

Click here for more information on the Man & Machine Its Cool Keyboard.

A Bud for Every Ear

In a few short years the market for True Wireless earbuds has matured dramatically. In just the same way one size doesn't fit all, both the manufacturers and the consumers have come to understand no single pair of earbuds is likely to be the perfect solution for every situation.

Some customers use their earbuds primarily to make and take phone calls. Others listen to podcasts or music on the train or bus. Mobile gaming and streaming video require a personal audio solution and then there's video conferencing, just a fact of life these days in most businesses.

And obviously, plugging into your playlists while exercising is still a major focus.

Depending on the main use, the primary emphasis can shift from a good fit, to noise cancellation, to mic quality, to battery life, to durability.

Or maybe you just want them to look cool.

Expecting one pair of buds to excel in all those areas seems to be a big ask - yes, there are options that come close to doing it all but expect to pay a hefty premium.

JBL seems to be taking a slightly different approach...

If last year's entry into the gaming headset market showed us anything, it's that JBL isn't afraid to launch a whole heap of products all at once. Suddenly there were seven different options to choose from in its Quantum range - from budget-friendly entry level options up to premium headsets with all the bells and whistles you could possibly ask for.

Now JBL has done something similar with a choice of nine - yes nine - new "Truly Wireless" options.

Ranging in price from $119 right up to $349.95, once again JBL is offering you everything including the kitchen sink.

At the tippy-top of that pile is the Club Pro+ TWS.

These are the flagship earbuds in JBL's "Lifestyle" range - but in fact, they're so full-featured they'll probably suit most scenarios. 

To start with, thanks to JBL's My Headphones app and its Dual Connect + Sync technology, setup is very easy. In much the same way Samsung phones automatically sense Samsung earbuds, or iPhones pick up on AirPods waiting to be paired, the My Headphones pairing notification pops up as soon as you flip open the lid on the Club Pro+ case. The difference here being it doesn't matter which brand of phone or device you are pairing the Club Pro+ with.

The app gives you access to a lot of customisation - not just EQ  and noise cancellation settings but firmware updates, different modes depending on whether you're listening to music or watching video - you can even adjust the time after which the buds will automatically turn themselves off once they are idle.

Oddly, I've read reviews where people claim there's no volume control on the Club Pro+ buds themselves. Quite the opposite is true. You can configure either bud to control either playback, ambient sound, volume or voice assistant - the only issue being obviously you can only run two of the four options at any given time. So in fact, this makes the controls on the Club Pro+ the most programmable I've come across.

Build quality is first rate, both the buds and case feel sturdy and the buds look stylish bot not show-offy. This is important because they do protrude from your ears a bit more than some, so you don't want them to be too eye-catching. This may feel a bit out of balance to some users but I've actually found the shape combined with the choice of small, medium or large eartips to be a very comfortable and surprisingly secure fit.

Sound-wise, it's very difficult to find anything to complain about here. As I've already pointed out, the My Headphones app offers a lot of customisations, especially when it comes to EQ options. You can choose from preset settings curated by famous DJ's or create and save your own - as much or as little treble, mids and bass as you prefer. My general  impression is an decent sense of space from such small speakers, combined with plenty of warm bass response - but not so much it overwhelms.

The pill-box case is one of the smallest around, charges wirelessly or via USB-C and the dimpled profile of the buds themselves make them far easier for my fat fingers to remove them from the case than other JBL buds I've used in the past. You'll get up to eight hours play time from the buds alone with another three full charges in the case - basically you don't really have to think about charging them, just do it when its convenient and you'll probably be fine.

The Active Noise Cancellation is also impressive. In my testing it doesn't block out the whole world but it certainly works well on the most annoying things around you, like traffic and conversations you aren't part of. I keep being freaked out by the way I can't hear my own footsteps when I run so yeah, it's pretty good.

The Club Pro+ are even IPX4 rated for water resistance - weirdly, this isn't even referenced on the JBL website although it is printed on the box. The point is, yes, you can wear them running and I have. The comfy, tight fit means they're very secure and require very little fiddling with from start to finish.

However, for the most secure earbuds I've ever used, JBL has another option on offer. (Remember, there are a lot of options)

The Endurance Peak II are easily the weirdest-looking earbuds I've tried in a long time. They look like they've been built for one thing and it's all in the name; peak endurance. There's a rubbery knobbley-ness to these things that makes you suspect they've been constructed from old truck tyres. Most weirdly of all, they're actually super comfortable.

The Endurance Peak II are not the easiest buds in the world to put in - there's a bit of prodding and twisting involved - but once they're in, they're in. And they're in for good. Every time I've worn them running I haven't had to adjust them - not once. Despite their size, they are superbly balanced and the magnetic hook system means it's simply impossible for them to fall out.

Unfortunately, none of the EQ, ANC or customiseable control settings are available on the Endurance Peak II as they don't connect to the My Headphones app, so you'll be left with whatever sound settings your phone offers in terms of adjusting the EQ. Don't be too concerned, there's still plenty of bass and volume on offer here - these are JBL earbuds after all.

In terms of controls, I've found them surprisingly easy to get a handle on (pun intended). Again, this is due to the large, oblong shape of the buds working as easily accessible touchpads. I thought sliding my finger backwards and forwards to adjust the volume might be a bit clumsy while running but it's ended up working well.

If you thought the buds were big, the case is enormous, kind of like half a sunglasses case. It's curved so it will fit in your pocket but not without a very conspicuous bulge. On the bright side, you'll get almost as much playback time as with the Club Pro+ - six hours from the buds and another 24 in the case.

These are not a fashion statement, although they do come in white as well as black but if you lead an active lifestyle and you're sick of your earbuds falling out at the gym, on the road or even in the garden, I highly recommend the Endurance Peak II. I was blown away by the comfort and the dependable, secure fit.

Oh, and they're IPX7 sweat and waterproof, so pretty indestructible.

And that's just two out of nine. If there isn't an option in the new JBL True Wireless range for you, you must have extremely specific tastes. After all, I've only tried a couple and now I think I'm set for anything.

Click here for more information on the new range of JBL True Wireless earbuds.

A Confusing Step Sideways

There's no doubt smart lighting isn't for everyone - after all, what's wrong with the old switch on the wall? Flick it on - light. Off - dark. Simple, right?

Bit boring though.

So now we've definitely got options and plenty of them. All kinds of smart bulbs offering limitless colours, a range of brightness settings and depending on which one you choose, the ability to link with virtual assistants and connect with smart hubs.

Nanoleaf stepped up the game with a selection of shapes, flat panels... squares, hexagons, triangles... to create not just funky lighting effects for your spaces but genuine art installations. Or in my case, a Christmas tree for my holiday entranceway.

So what now?...

If you were expecting more shapes - maybe circles or stars - you're out of luck. The Nanoleaf Essentials range is billed as being "Your Smart Lighting Basics" and the range begins with a bulb and a lighting strip - at first glance, perhaps nothing too crazy to see here.

Look a bit harder, or at least turn them on and set them up, and you'll soon discover there are indeed a few things that set these new Nanoleaf products apart, justifying the slightly (but only slightly) higher price than the stock-standard competing products available.

Let's start where I did, with the Bulb. On closer inspection, straight away you can see this isn't just a round globe as we've grown used to for generations. In fact, the Essentials Bulb has been shaped into a 62-sided rhombicosidodecahedron... you know? That classic 3D shape made up of squares, triangles and pentagons. Why on earth Nanoleaf decided to do that, I have no idea. But because they did, it makes the Bulb quite a bit more interesting to look at than a traditional round one - meaning it instantly adds character to more exposed light fittings.

However, that'll also depend on how brightly you run the Bulb and which of the more-than sixteen-million colours you choose. You see, at the lighter end of the scale and at maximum brightness, you won't be able to discern any of the Bulb's 120 edges because you'll be blinded - this is easily one of the brightest smart bulbs I've encountered.

Likewise, the Lightstrip is capable of glowing extremely brightly - in fact, brighter than might be your preference if you're using it for subtle highlights under a benchtop or behind a display or cabinet.

Of course, settings like brightness and colour can be altered via the Nanoleaf app, which you'll need to set these devices up with in the first place and this is where things get rather convoluted. Setting up and controlling previous Nanoleaf products has always been a bit hit and miss and I don't really know why. The lighting panels connect to your home Wi-Fi network and then you can adjust them via the app, from a connected smart hub or speaker, or even from the desktop app on your PC. That works eventually but I've always had issues connecting - especially when trying to install firmware updates and often I've had to perform multiple factory resets to get the Nanoleaf controllers to co-operate.

Well, things have got decidedly weird with the essentials range. I actually had no issues at all using the Nanoleaf app on my Android phone - for the Bulb and Lightstrips no Wi-Fi is required, it all happens via bluetooth. Knowing this, I was surprised how quickly the devices responded, although I was disappointed to discover a lack of functionality compared to the previous lighting panels I've used before. Yes you can choose any colour at all, using the colour wheel or manually typing in specific codes if you already have a favourite. However, you can't opt for animated, preset scenes like you can with the panels and you can't schedule the Bulb or Lightstrip to turn on or off automatically either. This is odd because I've seen screenshots from other markets where the app does offer these options, so perhaps an update is coming.

What's really strange is you can also set up the Essentials through Google's Home app or with Apple Homekit. Except... to use the Apple option you'll need a smart hub like the Apple Homepod or the new Homepod Mini, neither of which are currently widely available in New Zealand. This is because the Essentials are Thread-enabled. I hadn't even heard of Thread before using these products so I did a bit of research on your behalf. Thread is a kind of bluetooth alternative but works more like a mesh Wi-Fi system; the more Thread devices you have set up the stronger and more responsive your network becomes but because you can't really buy a Homepod Mini right now, we'll have to leave that to one side.

Google Home is better news. Most of us have used this to set up our Chromecasts and if you have Google Assistant smart speakers or even Google Nest Wi-Fi points, you'll be all over Google Home and you'll know how easy it is to add and set up new devices, naming them and assigning them to various rooms around your house. Once again, I had to factory reset the Nanoleaf Lightstrip to get it to respond to my Home app but I had no issues at all connecting to the Bulb. Now the fun can really begin, as you create Google routines to turn these things on and off when you want, changing colour and brightness too. They'll also now respond to voice commands via Google smart speakers or Google Assistant on your phone. Great.

Have you noticed something missing?

That's right; Alexa hasn't been invited to this party which is a bit inconvenient for me, not just because I have a lot of Amazon gear set up around the house but my existing Nanoleaf devices are Alexa-enabled and that's how I control them.

Again, maybe this is a feature that's still to come but only if the Wi-Fi-dependent Amazon Alexa chip has been built into the devices already and given their small form factors, I don't think this is a given.

What I do really like is the versatility of the Lightstrip. The starter pack is a simple, two-metre length with an adhesive backing. Installation is as simple as cutting the strip to length, and sticking it where you want it. There are one-metre expansion packs available and you can drive up to ten metres from a single controller. (You can go longer still but it will cost you some brightness) That controller lets you turn the Lightstrip on and off, adjust the brightness and cycle through a selection of colours too. The only minor design flaw here is the Lightstrip can easily slip out of its socket in the end of the controller but I can live with that, given once it's in place, you're unlikely to be fiddling with it too much, especially if you're using Google Assistant to operate it and not the manual option instead.

So I'm torn. The hardware is indisputably high quality and is definitely more practical, more "useful" than the previous Nanoleaf panels which were a bit of fun but didn't really serve any actual purpose. The Bulb and Lightstrip are both economical, simple ways to add striking (or subtle) lighting accents to any indoor setting. Unfortunately, the setup is all a bit of a mess, with limited options available in the Nanoleaf app itself, no Alexa option and a focus on Thread technology that hasn't really arrived in the country yet.

If you're running Google Assistant at your place, then Nanoleaf Essentials should definitely be your go-to smart lighting solution. If you're not a Google gal or guy, you may need to do a bit more research.

Click here for more information on the Nanoleaf Essentials Bulb and Lightstrip.