Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock - Supercharge that Single Port

USB-C is now officially everywhere. Thanks to EU regulations and just the fact it's what everybody wanted, it's now pretty hard to find a tech device that doesn't run on USB-C.

And yet, despite this increasing universality, many laptops and most tablets only have one or two ports to plug things into.

This means if you want to be anything like productive, you're going to need some kind of dock. But be warned; not all docks are created equal. Hell, not all USB-C cables are even created equal.

Sheesh...

The Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is pretty much exactly what I've been looking for.

Here's my problem - and it doesn't get any more first-world than this; I have too many gadgets. I'm sure this comes as no surprise, after all, I do review them every day. However, it turns out it can be a bit of a challenge if you want to use several of them at once.

Specifically, I've found if I want to connect an external camera, a mic, headphones, a mouse, a keyboard and a streaming mixer to my MacBook all at once, not everything gets its own port. My MacBook only has three USB ports and they're all Type-C. Limiting, to say the least.

I've tried a few external hubs over the years but unless they have their own power supply, any connected accessories end up relying on the Macbook itself to power them - a problem that's only exacerbated if you want to connect an ethernet LAN line for better internet connectivity.

Generally, the camera is the first device to stop working - usually right when I want to film something.

The Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 solved all that instantly and all I had to do was plug it in.

Physically, it's a reasonably solid device - a little larger and heavier than some of the portable docks I've used but attractive enough with its brushed metal casing, curved ends and glossy front and rear panels. That glossy finish is a slightly flawed concept though, because with 12 different ports to plug things into, you're not going to get the right plug in the right slot first time, every time. Metal plug VS glossy plastic means scratches - and plenty of them. I've trialled a few other Belkin products with a similar finish and they're also pretty scratched up now. Hey Belkin design team? Please take note.

That minor cosmetic criticism aside, in every other way, the Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 is essentially perfect. Let's cover off exactly what you're getting here; an SD card reader, audio jack, 2x HDMI ports, 2x USB-A 2.0, 2x USB-A 3.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4(USB-C), gigabit ethernet and perhaps most importantly, a 3.1 USB-C Gen 2 port with QuickCharge. That last slot will deliver up to 90W of power to your laptop or tablet.

This is a crucial distinction between this dock and other portable hubs that don't come with their own power supply; the Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 will literally charge your laptop while connecting it to up to 11 other gadgets. Talk about a productivity boost.

I'm sure I don't need to sell you on the advantages of having an ethernet connection or dual HDMI displays sitting there, ready to go. All those extra USB-A ports will certainly come in handy too - especially for Mac users who probably don't have any on their devices at all.

But it's the latest Thunderbolt 4 technology where the Connect Pro really comes into its own.

Now that this year's iPhone 15 range - and even the latest AirPods Pro - have all converted to USB-C, pretty much everything can be charged or connected with the same cable. But please heed this warning; just because two USB-C cables look the same, they may be worlds apart in terms of what they can actually do. In fact, some USB-C cables are only for charging - they won't transfer data at all.

The best of the best right now is Thunderbolt 4. Unless you're being scammed, you'll be able to tell it's a Thunderbolt 4 cable by the lightning symbol and the number 4 on each plug. What's the difference? Only Thunderbolt 4 is capable of transfer rates of up to 40Gbps - and that's while fast charging devices up to 100W.

This makes it the perfect link when it comes to connecting your device to eleven other things at once.

Perhaps you like to use your tablet with an external storage device? A physical keyboard? Maybe even a monitor? While you might be able to plug one of those things into your tablet's single USB-C port, you then lose the ability to charge it while you're using it. This issue is compounded by the fact it usually uses extra battery to run external devices so your productive time will be severely curtailed.

Alternatively, you could go with the Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4.

Not only are USB ports in short supply on laptops and tablets but most tablets now rely on their single USB-C connection if you want to plug in headphones too. How handy having that audio jack on the dock instead?

This is yet another example of why I love this device. You plug it in and everything just works. I know that sounds basic but in my experience, it doesn't always turn out that way. The Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock has streamlined my desk setup with a single cable - I now need fewer chargers and when I get my laptop out I only need to plug in one thing to access eleven. First-world problem solved.

    

Click here for more information on the Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation - 2023) - You're Too Pushy for Me

I'm a big fan of streaming sticks. I really like the way you can essentially upgrade your whole home theatre by plugging a reasonably inexpensive dongle into an available HDMI port and turning it on.

All your favourite streaming services are ready and waiting, along with the latest audio and video protocols.

These days you'll usually get a pretty decent remote to control it all too - and thanks to the wonders of HDMI ARC, that remote will likely run your TV and your sound system as well.

The only question that remains is which one to choose? Supplementary question; if you're already using the original Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, is there any reason to upgrade to this year's version?

Physically, it's a little tricky to spot the difference between the first and second generations of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. They're both fairly featureless black sticks - apart from an Amazon logo engraved into one side and they both come with an HDMI adapter for TVs with limited space around the rear ports and an external power supply with a microUSB cable to plug into the dongle itself.

Yes, you read that right. Even though pretty much every other device in the known universe now connects via USB-C, for some bizarre reason Amazon has stuck with the very outdated and limited microUSB port on this one. This probably won't affect most users that much, unless they want to do something crazy like connect external storage or perhaps an ethernet adapter for more reliable connectivity. There are ways to do this via microUSB but they require very specific adapters.

The 2023 Fire TV Stick 4K Max looks so similar to its predecessor, I had a nervous moment at one stage when I couldn't immediately figure out which was which and was at risk of setting up the same device I'd only just removed. Luckily, a quick image search confirmed the new model has curvy corners while the old one has nasty, pointy, square ones.

The included remote controls, on the other hand, are a lot easier to differentiate. The new remote is longer and has several extra buttons; a physical up/down channel button, a dedicated settings shortcut, a recent apps button and a shortcut to take you straight to your apps library (this replaces the Disney+ button on the earlier model, although there are still shortcuts for Prime Video, Netflix and Amazon Music.)

Personally, I'm not particularly energised by the inclusion of a channel-changer - I never watch live TV so have no need for it. However, the Apps shortcut and Recents button are an absolute godsend and here's why; I hate FireOS 8.

From the moment you fire up this device (pun intended) the home screen assaults you with a bewildering array of viewing recommendations. Previews of mostly Amazon Original shows scroll across the top of the screen - that's fine, I get this is an Amazon device and Prime Video has some fantastic content; The Peripheral, The Boys, Gen V, Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan... they've got all the Jacks covered and I'm into it.

What I'm not into is all the junk below the tiny row of favourite apps, most of which I can't access because I either don't have a subscription for it or it simply isn't available in this part of the world. I really, really despise being given the hard sell on content I can only rent or buy separately from my existing subscriptions. Some people may prefer to browse their viewing options that way but to not even have the option to turn this suggested content off drives me nuts.

The FireOS home screen has the option to display "Free" content only - except when you click on many of the suggestions they might only be free if you sign up for a trial period with a provider that again, may or may not be available in New Zealand.

As a result, I resolutely ignore all these suggestions as hard as I can which luckily, is now made oh so much easier with the new buttons on the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced; with a single press of either the Recents or Apps buttons, I can avoid the infuriating home screen altogether and go straight to my streaming preferences - like Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix or Plex... or indeed plenty of other things too.

This is one advantage the Fire Stick TV 4K Max has over many other options - there's a lot of content out there. Not just streaming services but useful tools like VPN apps too. And the good news is this year's model brings you twice the storage; 16GB to house all those extra apps and utilities. (Still modest... but better than 8GB)

You also get a slight bump in processing power - which is always welcome - and a connectivity upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E. This is the very latest Wi-Fi protocol and offers the opportunity for dramatic download speed increases and a more reliable connection due to less congestion from surrounding networks. Assuming you're linked to a W-Fi 6E router that is. Otherwise, things will stay pretty much the same.

Despite the fact I am indeed connected via Wi-Fi 6E, I've been a little frustrated with how long some apps take to boot up - especially Plex which I'm only using to stream content from my own server on the same network. I guess these things aren't necessarily network-related. It could just be the app developers need to do a bit more work to make their software respond as quickly as the native Prime Video app does.

There's a new Fire TV Ambient Experience - which is a fancy name for screensaver. This is surprisingly customisable and you can use it to display a rotating selection of art and photography - pretty cool if your TV is wall mounted, or better still, one of Samsung's ingenious Frame TVs.

Ambient Experience can be set to launch automatically after a period of inactivity or you can ask Alexa to start it straight away. You can even add widgets to this screen like calendar entries, sticky notes or a shortcut to control your smart home accessories.

Speaking of which, one last way you can make the most of the very latest home cinema protocols built into the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is to connect to other Amazon Echo devices. Dolby Atmos audio isn't much fun through most TV speakers but add a couple of Echo Studios and perhaps an Echo Sub and you'll be able to blast out the soundtrack of any great blockbuster to compliment the fantastic picture you'll be getting via the stick's Dolby Vision, HDR and HDR10+ wizardry. Unfortunately, I don't own a matching pair of Echo speakers or an Echo Sub - but I can certainly imagine the result. 

There's no question the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a powerful and useful streaming device - especially priced less than NZ$130.00. It's a great way to access better storage, the latest Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and new features like Ambient Experience. But until it stops trying to sell me stuff I don't want every time I start it up, it can't be my first-choice recommendation.

    

Click for more information on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation - 2023).

Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Ultra Is No Exaggeration

I'm a relatively recent but super-enthusiastic convert to Apple Watch.

The more I use it, the more I love it and the less I enjoy changing to other wearables when it's time to review them.

Like any well-designed piece of tech, what makes Apple Watch so great is the way it makes your life easier - not more complicated.

By seamlessly integrating with your phone (and other devices) the many features on offer just work... and work well. Even something like swapping out bands is just so easy - and has been for generations.

This inevitably poses the question; when you have a near-perfect product, do you risk ruining it by trying to improve it?

Let's find out.

I didn't have the opportunity to test the first Apple Watch Ultra last year, so it was with eager anticipation I unboxed the 2023 version, Apple Watch Ultra 2.

My review device was equipped with a choice of bands; Alpine Loop (in Blue) and Trail Loop (Orange and Beige). While both these options are designed specifically for the Apple Watch Ultra, any band from the 44/45mm Apple Watch range is compatible and vice versa. The carbon-neutral Alpine Loop is particularly impressive - a comfy combination of polyester and spandex with a titanium G-hook to hold it in place. There's no stitching to come apart; the entire band has been woven together into one continuous piece. You know those action movies where the hero is thrown off a building and he's miraculously saved by his watch strap catching onto something and somehow supporting his entire body weight? I reckon this is probably the one you want to be wearing.

The Watch Ultra 2 is also titanium, in its natural, silvery-grey colour with a brushed finish that seems very tough and scratch-resistant - as is the sapphire crystal display. This is one of the few smartwatches I've tested I haven't managed to damage in any way within the first few days of wearing it.

It isn't just swim-proof, like the other Series 9 Apple Watches, it's rated water resistant to 100m, can be used for scuba diving down to 40m and has been militarily tested against shock, vibration, freezing and extreme heat. The Watch Ultra 2 carries an IPX6 dust resistance rating (which I haven't even heard of before) and can withstand altitudes of up to 9,000 metres and down to 500 metres BELOW sea level. In short, this watch is many times tougher than I am.

Like the Series 9 Watch, the Ultra 2 is run by Apple's latest S9 SiP processor in combination with its 4-core Apple Neural Engine and 64GB of onboard storage. And yet, it seems to run even faster and smoother than the standard Apple Watch - although perhaps that's just my imagination. And like the new iPhone 15 series, there's a second-gen Utra-Wideband chip for enhanced connectivity and to take full advantage of Apple's new Precision Finding feature.

The extra battery life you get by moving up to the Watch Ultra 2 is definitely impressive. The Apple website suggests you'll get through 36 hours under "normal use" and up to 72 hours in Low Power mode. As we all know, there's no such thing as "normal use" - but I've been wearing it constantly, with Always On Display activated, using GPS for daily exercise and all my notifications activated. The battery life claims stack up - perhaps not a full three days if you're really hammering it but you'll coast through a weekend no problem. The included USB-C magnetic fast-charger seems to top things up pretty rapidly too.

Speaking of GPS, that's another Ultra boost over the standard Series 9 Watches - the Ultra 2 uses dual-frequency GPS for more precise positioning. This should give you the confidence to trust the compass app completely and let it guide you back to your starting point using Retrace Steps if you do get lost. In fact, if you're out in the wild and things go really sour, not only do you have all the safety features Apple Watch has already made famous - fall and crash detection, automatically calling emergency numbers - but there's even a siren that'll blare from the Watch Ultra 2's dual speakers. I've tested it. It's both loud and annoying.

The Depth app comes pre-installed on the Watch Ultra 2 and can be set to launch automatically when submerged. This clearly displays not only current depth but also maximum depth, water temperature, duration underwater and current time. It's not a full-featured dive computer, although you can easily download one - for either scuba or free diving.

The great thing about the physical design of the Watch Ultra 2 is the controls are bigger - the scroll wheel especially. You can use them underwater or with gloves on and... oh yeah; there's a whole other button.

Just like the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the Watch Ultra 2 has an Action Button - except this one is big and orange. It can be programmed for any of a growing list of functions and shortcuts, or perhaps just to launch your favourite app. In some cases, the Action Button has multiple uses. For example, it can fire off your favourite workout with a single press. You can then mark each new segment of your workout with another press. This is great news for multisport athletes who now no longer have to try and control their watch with wet or sweaty fingers on a small touch screen.

Let's not forget Apple's ingenious new Double Tap gesture I've been trying out on the Watch Series 9. The Ultra Two can do this trick too and as I expected, more and more developers are making use of this new feature in WatchOS 10 - pinching your thumb and forefinger together now activates the primary control on dozens of apps with more to come I'm sure.

The much larger 49mm watch means a much larger display and Apple has definitely made the most of it with the new Modular Ultra watch face - rows and rows of customisable complications, including the option of a real-time compass widget which can be swapped out for all kinds of other useful options like Google Maps, a Now Playing media controller or maybe just your calendar. Not only can you physically fit more info on this bigger screen, it's brighter too - brighter than ever. Up to 3000 nits in fact. If you think that sounds like a lot of nits, it sure is. 50 per cent brighter than the original Watch Ultra and it also gets nice and dim when it's dark. The Modular Utra watch face makes use of this to automatically enter a preset night mode if you like.

Or you could go with Apple's much more simple Snoopy watch face and get a laugh every time you check it.

This is a genuine marvel of modern technology and it all fits comfortably on your wrist - well, hopefully. Sadly, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still only comes in one size, so if you're not into a chunkier bit of wrist-wear, you might be out of luck here. For everyone else, there's a lot to like. A whole lot. And you don't have to be a free diver or a mountaineer to get your money's worth; who doesn't want a tougher watch with better battery life and an extra button?

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

JBL Authentics 500 - This Is the Coolest Speaker I've Ever Seen... and Heard

Well I guess I've kind of blown it all in the headline, haven't I?

Before I even got my hands on this speaker I had a feeling we were going to get on... a bit like online dating.

What I didn't realise is it would be love at first sight - and double love at first listen.

Come on. How cool is the JBL Authentics 500? Just look at it. It's as though JBL was commissioned to create the illustration for the picture dictionary definition of "Retro."

It shouldn't be too much of a surprise; JBL is a genuine heritage brand, powering a long list of significant rock'n'roll moments in history dating right back to Woodstock in 1969.

Everything about the Authentics 500 is organic and tactile and screams, "Vintage." With its leather-feel outer surface, big, chunky volume, bass and treble knobs and trademark Quadrex front grille, this chillybin-sized box of wonder looks more like something you might find gathering dust in a hidden corner of a second-hand store than a cutting-edge example of smart speaker technology.

And boy is it solid. That's not a criticism, by the way - I was raised to believe the heavier the speaker the better. Basically, there's nothing about the Authentics 500 that bears any resemblance to JBL's other brightly-coloured, cylindrical, splash-and-tumble ranges of bluetooth speakers - although to be sure, they're all fine products in themselves.

This is a different beast altogether. This is a work of art.

When it comes to sheer power, you'd be hard-pushed to find another smart speaker that crams so much into one enclosure; there are three aluminium tweeters, three mid-range woofers and a big, juicy, downward-firing sub that'll definitely get the floorboards rumbling if you really crank up all 270 watts.

There are even a pair of JBL's patented Slipstream Ports - the horn-shaped holes in the back panel that ensure there's no distortion, vibration or "chuffing" from low frequencies played at high volume.

And you can definitely fill a room with this speaker alone. The Authentics 500 is Dolby Atmos-rated for high-res ("lossless") streaming services like Tidal or Qobuz. What's rather unique about the Authentics 500 is it'll connect to virtually anything, via any connection. Want to play audio straight from your phone via Bluetooth 5.3? Too easy. Airplay from your Apple device? Yup, got that covered. Or maybe you're more of a Google/Android kind of person? No problem - you can Chromecast too.

But that's only the beginning of how connected the Authentics 500 can be - not just bluetooth and Wi-Fi - there's even an ethernet port at the back so you can hardwire into your home network. This ensures a more reliable link to your preferred streaming services - especially for the high data transfer rates required for more lossless formats. 

You can use both Alexa and Google Assistant to control the speaker and ironically, I've found the built-in mics on the Authentics 500 to be even more sensitive and responsive than most of the Alexa or Google branded speakers I've tried. Even when the volume is up fairly loud, I can generally get the speaker's attention with just my voice.

There's also another way to get your party going straight away, with the "Moment" button. This is a button with a loveheart on it below the bluetooth button in the middle of the control console. Using the JBL One app, you can choose a specific playlist from a selection of subscribed services to start playing when you push that button. When you program the Moment button, you can even set your preferred volume level.

Unfortunately this feature doesn't work with Spotify playlists, which is odd as you can select Spotify as your default music service. Perhaps this is something that will change with a future firmware update - also something you do via the JBL One app.

This app also features an on-screen EQ setting - although as I've already mentioned, there are manual jog-wheels for bass and treble on the speaker itself.

So as you can see, however you prefer to access your music library, the Authentics 500 has you covered - there's even a mini-jack input at the back if you want to physically connect another device.

But all of this is a waste of technology and design if it doesn't sound good, right?

No worries there. The Authentics 500 sounds every bit as great as it looks. Warm. Rich. Deep. Roomy. Intimate. Powerful. Think of an adjective, I'll add it to the list.

My favourite playlist at the moment is "Gregory Porter Radio" on Spotify. This is a varied and mellow mix featuring artists like Jamie Cullum, Stevie Wonder, Katie Melua and of course, Porter himself. It's the perfect, retro sounding jam to compliment the style of this speaker and I can't get enough of it.

As I always say, for me, the true test of a speaker is not so much how it sounds when you wind it up loud. I'm more interested in how it fills the room when you're using it down low - you know; for a bit of background atmos. This is where the Authentics 500 absolutely reigns supreme. The good vibes and retro grooves reach every corner of the room, no matter the volume.

There's an organic, home-cooked feel to the sound of this speaker that's made me fall in love with music again. The sterile, repetitive and formulaic nature of streaming music over cheap, bright, plasticky speakers had slowly turned me off over time, to the point some days I wouldn't even bother listening to anything.

That's all changed now. Now I can't wait to get home and ask for a mix of my favourite artist as soon as I walk in the door. By perfectly blending a combination of the latest connectivity technology, the most iconic retro aesthetics from JBL's long history and truly great audio design, this is easily my favourite device of the year. Perhaps ever.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Authentics 500.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - Now Only One Thing Holds These Buds Back

Apple doesn't make rubbish. It simply doesn't. So a few years back when I first started using Apple products on a more regular basis, I was hardly surprised to discover how good AirPods were and I began to understand that people weren't just wearing them to look cool, they actually sounded cool too.

There have been a few upgrades over the years - but only a few. In its usual style, Apple doesn't change for the sake of it - only when the changes are deemed important and necessary.

As we've seen with this year's iPhone 15 series, the change to USB-C charging has definitely become important and necessary. So inevitably, that change has come to AirPods too.

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are essentially still the same devices I reviewed this time last year, when I declared them the "true stars" of 2022's big September launch.

I was blown away by what the new H2 chip was capable of - not just running its Adaptive EQ to perfection but offering standout Active Noise Cancelling and extended battery life.

None of that has really been tweaked here - although I did recently read one review where the author suggested he could hear a slight improvement in sound quality between the '22 and '23 models. 

Either way, yes, the charging case is now USB-C and both the case and AirPods are IP54 water, dust and sweat-resistant. Most people have been wearing their AirPods to exercise with anyway but now it's nice to know they are officially rated for it.

As convenient as USB-C is, wireless charging is even more so and I'd completely forgotten you can also charge using via MagSafe using an Apple Watch charger. You still get about 6 hours on a full charge - 30 including the case. This is good - not the best on offer but I haven't accidentally gone flat yet.

Other features well worth a mention (or a re-mention if we've already covered this before) include Adaptive Audio, which lets the H2 chip decide on a mix of Transparency Mode and ANC - depending on the environment. Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what you're listening to if you start talking to someone - hopefully, this'll save some of those pesky, "Stop ignoring me!" comments. 

Then there's Personalised Volume - a feature I only discovered because it was toggled on by default when I set the AirPods Pro up. This uses "machine learning" (whatever that is) to learn your listening preferences and fine-tune your audio - mostly volume - to adapt to your environment. It took me by surprise because I couldn't figure out why the volume kept turning itself down every time I started listening to my podcasts. It was because I was usually alone in a quiet house and the H2 chip had decided the podcast didn't need to be so loud.

I've turned that feature off. I hate being told what to do.

In saying that, I don't really mind that I can't manually EQ the AirPods Pro like I can on other earbuds. This is because Apple's already done such an amazing job for me.

As I sit here listening to "Zoltan" by Larry Young, the duelling sax and trumpet desperately play against each other, mixed in opposite ears and it sounds so clean, so precise. Although this is a small jazz combo, there's a lot going on in the background with organ, bass and drums - so subtle you might miss it, except the AirPods Pro bring out every little detail.

This precise reproduction absolutely zings on Herbie Hancock's "Man-Child" - not just sax and trumpet this time but a full horn section in concert with some of the best-mixed funk guitar and Fender Rhodes piano you'll ever hear... and what a great way to hear it.

Of course, it's not just music that'll take you on a magical mystery tour using the AirPods Pro - I've started using them to watch Apple TV. The Spatial Audio provides absolutely convincing surround sound effects - creating realistic impressions of distance and direction. This is aided by intelligent head-tracking which means the audio stays in the right place even if you don't. It's so good sometimes I watch Loki with my AirPods in even when there's no-one else home.

Lossless audio is another bold new world and with the introduction of the Vision Pro headset next year you'll literally be able to transport yourself to that world, with the AirPods Pro already tuned to take you there.

I only ever really had two significant pain points with the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - the first being the lightning charging cable which we've now kissed goodbye.

Unfortunately, there remains a rather large elephant in the room... or at least, in my ear. While you get four sizes of eartips in the box - including XS for more petite earholes - they still don't stay in. I know I've chosen the correct sized tips because I've run the tip size test in the settings menu on my iPhone. While this means they sound incredible and are ultra-comfy, when I'm digging in the garden, scrubbing windows or heaven forbid, exercising vigorously, the AirPods wiggle around, get looser and looser and eventually one falls out. Usually the left one. (I've started referring to that ear as "Lefty Loosey.")

I can't understand why Apple has let its competitors get the jump on it in the fit department. I can't be the only one to run into this issue and yet for years, other than changing to a more oval tip shape, the basic form factor has remained essentially the same and essentially too fally-outy. One can only hope the next generation meets this challenge and gets more of a grip.

In short, as much as I love my AirPods, all the clever audio features and the new USB-C charging port, there's no way I'm going to risk wearing them next time I go hand-gliding or extreme downhill snowmobiling. Just as well I don't do either of those things, so for now, I'll keep them in.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on Apple Airpods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C.

Kärcher VC 7 Cordless yourMax - Quiet Achiever

Of all the big names in home vacuums, I'd bet Kärcher probably isn't the first one that springs to mind.

When I think Kärcher, I usually think water blasters or perhaps the electric window cleaner I've tried in the past.

It turns out, Kärcher actually has quite an extensive range of vacuums - some very specialised; steam cleaners, ash vacuums, floor polishers and more.

Either I was a total ignoramus or I just haven't had the need to suck up any ash lately.

The point is, I'm a stick vacuum guy and once I discovered Kärcher makes those too, I felt compelled to give one a go.

The Kärcher VC 7 Cordless yourMax is an industrial-looking piece of kit. The main unit especially is quite bulky and angular - which is not to say it's uncomfortable to hold - in fact, there's a nice, thick, grippy palm rest - it just feels more like a power tool than a home appliance.

In keeping with that idea, the 25.2V Li-ion battery is easily swapped out - presumably, there are other compatible Kärcher products - or you might wish to keep a spare one charged if you're planning a particularly long vacuuming session and need to swap batteries halfway through.

That'll depend on how much "Boosting" you do. The VC 7 boasts an automatic dust sensor that varies the suction depending on the surface and how much detritus you're cleaning up. I found this was pretty effective when using the standard vacuum head (or "Active Floor Nozzle) and I didn't need to use the Boost function very often. Without Boost, you'll get nearly an hour's vacuuming in on a full charge which should easily see you through a whole average home.

You can charge the VC 7 by plugging in the AC adapter directly or use the supplied wall bracket instead.

The Boost button is large and easily accessible, on the back of the main unit. Conveniently, you can lock the trigger into the on position to save your finger from getting tired and that main head also has a row of LED lights on the front to help illuminate dark, dusty nooks.

There are, of course, some other useful tools; the traditional crevice nozzle, a cunning 2-in-1 nozzle with removable brush for upholstery and a longer, soft brush ideal for blinds, shelves and other corners. You can keep two of these tools on hand by sliding them into slots at the bottom of the wall bracket.

This is all fantastic except... I can't deny there's a cheap-feeling clunkyness to this device. It's light - which is obviously not necessarily a bad thing - but that lightness feels flimsy somehow. The main tube is especially weightless. I have no idea what it's made out of and to be fair, I haven't so much as scratched it, let alone dented it in the time I've been using it but it just seems too lightweight. Perhaps I'm simply not used to a machine that's been designed to come in well under 3 kgs. Regardless, it was alarming to hear the vacuum head squeaking as it rolled and bumped its way across the carpet.

Despite the squeaking and bumping the head seems effective enough, although it was clogged with long hair in next to no time. That's the problem with the other people in my house; they have hair.

The only way to unclog the ensnared roller is to remove it from the head and cut the hair off - and the only way to do that is to unscrew and detach a little plastic panel at the side. This requires a screwdriver which immediately damages the plastic panel, both when you unscrew it and tighten it back in place. Assuming you haven't lost the little panel while you were dealing with all that gross hair. Ick. Quite a process.

Ironically, on the other hand, Kärcher's solution to the problem of keeping the filter clean is nothing short of genius. When I first unboxed the VC 7 I was confused to discover an attachment that seemed to be completely sealed, with no exposed cleaning head. It wasn't until I consulted the manual (a massive blow to my tech-nerd pride) I discovered what this was for; it's a filter cleaner. You simply pull the filter out of the dust chamber, swap it with the one in the cleaner head, attach it and run the vacuum until it's clean. This is a much better, no dust, no fuss system than other vacuums offer. Some make you run their filter under the tap and then you have to wait a day or two for it to dry out. This process makes much more sense.

And ultimately I have to admit, it's Kärcher's common-sense, no-fuss approach to the whole device that really sets it apart from the rest. Most things are logical and very well thought out - like the filter cleaning head for example. But then the main cleaning head seems far less considered, prone to jamming up with long hair tangles and fiddly to clear when it does.

The big selling points of the VC 7 are its battery life, how easy it is to swap batteries and how quietly it runs. It's perhaps the quietest vacuum I've ever used - check out the video below and you'll hear I don't have to raise my voice at all, even in Boost mode. If these are your vacuum priorities, this is the one for you.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Kärcher VC 7 Cordless yourMax.

JBL Tune 770NC - Priced About Right

When it comes to personal audio devices, JBL must be in the running for the title of "Most Prolific." From high-end gaming headsets to entry-level earbuds, the brand seems to be continuously updating each product line with slightly new features.

It's easy to focus on the upper end of the price range to see what's at the cutting edge of JBL's latest innovations.

It's also fun to see what you get for not much money at the entry point.

But how about the middle?

I don't know about you but I'd never be comfortable laying down $500 or more for a set of headphones I might lose or sit on. However, $200 seems much more realistic - especially if I can fulfil all my basic requirements.

The JBL Tune 770NC wireless, over-ear headphones might fit right into that Goldilocks, just-right zone where price meets product to create genuine value for money.

These headphones are on the smaller side - just big enough to be considered over-ear rather than on-ear cans. That's not necessarily a bad thing as their pared-down form-factor combined with their folding design certainly makes them easy to stuff in your bag.

They seem to be durable enough to handle this kind of treatment too - while everything feels quite light and plasticky, I haven't managed to break, dent or even scratch them yet. There's not even any creaking when I flex the headband.

That headband is not as squishily padded as some - and neither are the ear cups - and yet I've found the Tune 770NC plenty comfortable enough to wear for hours on end, every day at work.

On the downside, there's no carry case included and the AUX cable is just terrible. It's a flimsy, flat, tangly thing with a standard 3.5mm jack at one end and JBL's usual (and annoying) mini jack at the other that only fits into the headphones themselves. This means you can't easily swap this dumb cable out for a decent one you don't have to untangle every time you use it.

I guess when you're trying to keep things "mid-range" you have to cut costs somewhere.

And it's out-and-out sound quality where the Tune 770NC also doesn't quite match up to some of those higher-priced headsets. While the sweeping surround effects on U2's classic, "Beautiful Day" definitely come across, along with Bono's emphatic lead vocal, there doesn't seem to be quite enough space for the rest of the band to fit in without sounding somewhat squashed. Larry and Adam's bass guitar and bass drum seem to get muddled somehow. This is a shame because JBL usually excels when it comes to pushing out booming, lower frequencies.

However, it's a totally different story when it comes to Oliver Nelson's classic jazz combo performing "Stolen Moments." This exquisitely mixed track is the ultimate in stripped-back cool, with each instrument finding its place in the room - flute to the left, sax to the right, piano in the background... it's quite a trip.

My conclusion is it's probably worth tweaking the EQ using the JBL Headphones app to suit the kind of content you're likely to be listening to.

I'm impressed with the Active Noise Cancelling - I've tried it in several settings; out walking the dog, working at home and while I've been using the Tune 770NC to monitor the breakfast radio show I work on every morning. The ANC does an excellent job of blocking out unwanted distractions everywhere I go.

Previously when I've tried to use JBL wireless headphones at work, I've had to leave ANC switched off because it would result a slight phasing effect due to the delay caused by the processing. There's still a minuscule delay with these headphones but it's next to nothing and I've found I can definitely live with it. This tells me not only has JBL upped its ANC game but the latest Bluetooth 5.3 codec also makes a big difference.

I've tried quite a few Bluetooth 5.3-enabled devices lately and it basically means lag is no longer an issue - especially when gaming or watching video. In fact, I enjoyed a totally lag-free, immersive experience watching the final episode of the John Wick prequel, "The Continental" last night - and I hadn't even switched across to Video Mode in the JBL Headphones app.

The onboard controls are all on the right-hand ear-cup - such as they are. An on/off/pairing button, a button to toggle ANC on and off and a volume rocker with a play/pause/answer button in the middle. While it takes a while to get used to exactly where each of these controls are - they're jammed together pretty tightly along with the AUX input jack - if you've owned JBL headphones before you'll find this setup pretty familiar.

Voice quality is surprisingly good for both phone and video calls and you can access your virtual assistant with the press of a button.

Battery life is also impressive; you'll get forty hours playback or more with ANC on and charging up is quite speedy, although the USB charging port is in kind of a weird place at the top of the right-hand earcup. Not only does this mean you can't charge the headset while you're wearing it but you couldn't anyway because it turns off as soon as you plug it in.

It's little quirks and limitations like these which keep these headphones from joining my list of best headphones ever... but those headphones all cost hundreds of dollars more. At an RRP of NZ$199.95, the Tune 770NC does indeed give me pretty much everything I actually need, just maybe not some of those nice-to-have extras.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Tune 770NC.

Apple Watch Series 9 - Just Feels So Right

No other smartwatch comes close to the Apple Watch.

I've tried quite a few and while some specialised fitness trackers may offer more intensive and perhaps more accurate tracking, they can't compete with other features like rich notifications and messaging.

Some watches may offer specific health monitoring options - perhaps even blood pressure - but can they turn my bedside light on and off and control my air conditioning throughout the house? Probably not.

While it's true Apple Watch may not have every single feature out there, it certainly has more in total than any other wrist-bound device I've ever used.

And yet, they keep improving.

The Apple Watch Series 9 looks pretty much the same as the Apple Watches of the past couple of years. In fact, even if you compare it side-by-side with the 2022 model, you'll be hard-pressed to tell which is which... unless you go for the Pink aluminium case, a new colour this year to go with Midnight, Silver, Starlight, (PRODUCT)Red or the stainless steel options of Silver, Gold and Graphite.

That's not to say there isn't a wide range of new bands to zhush things up a bit though - as usual there's quite a selection of colours, patterns and materials, including several in the Nike Sport Band range.

2023 is the year of FineWoven, as far as Apple is concerned. This is its more environmentally-friendly leather replacement - it has a convincing suede-like feel yet is actually made from 68 per cent post-consumer recycled polyester. What's more, when you pair your aluminium Apple Watch 9 with a 2023 Sport Loop, it'll actually be carbon neutral, thanks to 82 per cent recycled yarn in the band and recycled metals in the watch. Even the cobalt in the battery is 100 per cent not new.

Regardless of the similar size and shape, the numerous upgrades Apple has made to this year's watch start to become apparent the moment you turn it on. While the screen is basically the same size, the display is now practically edge-to-edge, effectively curving over the top, bottom and sides meaning the watch itself doesn't have to be any bigger to offer more screen real estate.

The display is also twice as bright as the Series 8, which is great news when exercising outside. On the other hand, when in Sleep Focus mode the display will dim right down to one single "nit" of brightness. That's great news for vampires like me who have to get up in the middle of the night to go to work, preferably without disturbing their partners.

But perhaps the most significant Series 9 improvement is the most invisible - the S9 SiP; the chip that controls the phone. This dual-core CPU seems incredibly powerful for a smartwatch and I was immediately impressed by the sheer speed and fluidity I experienced as soon as I started using this watch. Navigating around the new WatchOS 10 is lightning quick and apps open instantly.

The S9 SiP is more efficient too, although some of the power savings are perhaps soaked up by the brighter display - especially if you opt for always-on mode. However, I certainly have no issue getting through the day on a full charge. I then boost the battery while I'm getting ready for bed so can wear it again at night for sleep-tracking and the vibrating alarm. (Remember that "not-disturbing-the-partner" thng? Very important)

The other big news for Apple Watch Series 9 (and Apple Watch Ultra, which we'll cover off in a future review) is the introduction of Double Tap; simply pinch your fingers twice and the new watch is clever enough to recognise the unique wrist movements and changes in blood-flow. Double Tap can be programmed to activate a number of things; answer a call, play and pause music and yes, stop that 2:52AM alarm without having to fumble around for the right button.

This feature is coming to Apple Watch with the WatchOS 10.1 update, although I've downloaded the beta version to try it out. It feels a bit like a magic trick the first few times you use it and then it quickly becomes second nature. While the list of things Double Tap can do is varied - stop a timer or open your new Smart Stack of widgets for example - at this point it's still quite a short list. I'm assuming as more app developers get their heads around it, they'll add Double Tap features to their third-party apps. 

I also assume Apple will add more gestures - perhaps single, triple or long taps. The reason I assume this is there's already the option to activate Assisted Touch, an accessibility feature that not only incorporates programmable taps and double taps but fist clenches as well. This is fun to try out but it's a lot more invasive on-screen as it works by highlighting any available actions whenever you look at your watch. Let's just say the new Double Tap is a more finessed way of going about it.

Apple keeps improving its Workout app, this year paying particular attention to cycling, with the ability to connect with a range of Bluetooth cycling accessories.

In fact, thanks to its second-gen Ultra Wideband chip, there are several new connectivity features that make life just that little bit easier. Conveniently, when you get close to your HomePod, your Apple Watch automatically brings up the Now Playing screen so you can control it from your wrist. That one always impresses the guests.

Less impressive is putting your phone down and forgetting where. Like the Watch 9, this year's iPhones speak the same Ultra Wideband language so when you use the FindiPhone feature from the Watch control menu, not only can you make your phone ring but you'll get a tracking display onscreen giving you the exact distance and direction to find your handset... even if it's between the couch cushions or in the jacket pocket of your suit hanging in the wardrobe.

That's yet another clear example of how Apple Watch is so much more than just a fitness tracker or a bunch of notifications on your wrist. With features like Double Tap, enhanced connectivity and a bigger, brighter display, it's a genuinely useful smart tool powered by a very impressive chip. All the more shame you can only use it with iOS handsets. Ah well, I guess if you want the best smartwatch, you'll just have to move to Apple.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Apple Watch Series 9.