1. Razer Kraken headphones

The Razer Kraken X for Console is the perfect headset for console players, bringing the best audio  quality and voice comms to the living room, bedroom or wherever you want to game, whether it’s on Xbox, PlayStation or Switch.

Using custom-tuned 40mm drivers in the earcups, the Kraken X gives amazingly clear, rich sound, from the quiet footsteps of approaching enemies to the thundering explosions of an all-out battle. And for competitive games, there’s nothing quite like the Kraken X for positional audio.

Coming in at an ultra-light 250g, the Kraken X for Console is designed for long-term comfort during intense play sessions. The ear cups are fitted with plush memory foam cushions for excellent comfort and noise isolation, with a soft, cushioned, adjustable headband for a secure fit with minimal head clamping. Sit tight and play for hours – your console gaming marathons are about to be a breeze.

Find out more at razor.com

2. CeX products

If you’re in need of upgrading some parts or getting a pre-owned console for cheap, CeX is a great company to keep in mind.

They buy, sell and exchange a range of technology and entertainment products including mobile phones, video games, DVDs and Blu-ray movies, computers, digital electronics, TVs and monitors, and music CDs.

Buying new tech can be expensive, but it pays to be prudent.

If you’re considering an upgrade, remember that your old tech and games can save you cash. You’ll get more if they’re in good condition. Keep the box and accessories these could add value.

CeX has the widest choice of phones, tablets, electronics, and games, all with a free 24-month warranty. With over 380 stores, they are the UK’s leading second-hand tech and entertainment retailer.

Find out more at uk.webuy.com

3. Arcade Depot

Who remembers the 70s and 80s? Take back a bit of the past with a retro arcade machine, including all the classic games you remember. Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong just to name a few.

Arcade Depot’s UK-built machines are the perfect addition to an entertainment space, with a variety of styles, finishes, and themes to choose from. With at least 60 games there is something for the whole family to enjoy, just plug it in and start playing.

With more than 10 years of experience manufacturing arcade machines, the Arcade Depot bring you premium arcade machines at affordable prices.

Their designs have been refined to offer the best looking, best performing, and most practical machines available today. These machines would look great in your home bar, man cave, games room or living room.

Find out more at thedepot.uk

4. MSI Computers

Thinking of purchasing RGB peripherals for friends and family? Well, look no further. Whether you’re after a gift for a casual gamer or a professional, they’ve got you covered – offering premium mechanical keyboards, high-fidelity headsets, ultra-high DPI gaming mice, wireless gaming controller, and lightning-fast surfaces to go with them.

Looking for a hardware upgrade? MSI offers the latest in groundbreaking GeForce RTX 30 Series Graphics Card as well as powerful AMD 5000 series. The ultimate MSI gaming experience wrapped up just for you.

In the gaming gift guide, you could find reviews and recommendations from the best gaming and technology media, giving you a quick grasp of why it’s worth investing in high-quality gaming peripherals.

Find out more at uk.msi.com

5. Wifi UK

Have you ever experienced endless buffering when you stream music or videos? Or weak Wi-Fi signals in different rooms?

Wi-Fi UK understands how important connectivity, reliability and convenience may be to you. Which is why they have created a powerful Mesh Wi-Fi network to guarantee that once you are connected, you stay connected.

Wi-Fi UK allows your devices to connect to their full potential. No more Wi-Fi complaints from the kids. Just smooth 4K Netflix, Apple TV streaming and Sonos speakers play with ease.

Mesh Wi-Fi uses your internet, then spreads it across the property via intelligent access points. Each has three powerful antennae to guarantee uninterrupted communication between access points, creating blanket-like coverage.

The team design and install the system then set it up in 90 minutes. There’s no drilling or wires to run and it works with any internet providers.

Find out more at meshwifi.co.uk

6. Kano Computing

Learning how to code is a valuable skill in many professions today. This is why schools are encouraging children to master this from as early as the age of five. Teaching little ones how to code can be challenging though; which is where Kano comes in.

Build a tablet, learn to code games, apps, and music with a DIY computer kit that teaches kids how their PC works. Children can put together the hardware aspects of a computer themselves while discovering the bits and bytes that keep the technology running.

Kano’s coding kits make teaching how to build computers fun with themed hands-on play. Disney Frozen 2 and Star Wars, along with Harry Potter, are among the themed games that Kano offers. Anyone can give kids an incentive to learn basic coding.

The make-your-own computer firm has designed its kits so that children can be guided through loops, logic and variables using puzzle games and challenges.

Find out more at world.kano.me

7. Retrosix

Do you remember the sheer exhilaration you experienced while playing your first gaming console? Get ready to take yourself back to pixelated paradise this Christmas with RetroSix.

RetroSix was formed by a small group of gamers passionate about all things retro. Their focus is restoring original consoles to like-new, adding modern tech to vintage consoles.

You can experience the nostalgia of your favourite games without the limitations of old outdated hardware. RetroSix believe that products nowadays are mass-produced and not designed to last; and are here to change this.

RetroSix was formed to provide hand-built products with limited quantity and restored to absolute gaming perfection.

All work and improvements are carried out in the UK, in-house, by hand. Attention to detail is provided for every customer.

Find out more at retrosix.co.uk

8. Dan Clark Audio Aeon headphones

It’s time to listen up. Multi-award-winning brand Dan Clark Audio has unveiled the latest in high-performance headphones in three different series: Aeon, Ether and Voce.

Why the multiple awards? Dan Clark Audio’s headphones pull off a game-changing feat; their advanced planar magnetic and electrostatic drivers are engineered to deliver outstanding sound quality. Yet they are among the lightest, most comfortable headphones on the market, perfect for those long gaming marathons.

The company achieves this by building its models from the ground up, avoiding off-the-shelf components and insteadq creating its own proprietary technology, for exceptional results.

These headphones reach ‘out of your head’ and play your favourite sounds with their full emotional impact. Immerse yourself for hours on end, with absolutely no fear of headphone fatigue.

Find out more at electromod.co.uk

9. CCL Computers

Next-level gaming is here, with the multi-award-winning CCL Reaper GT gaming PC, featuring the 2nd generation AMD Ryzen 7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics with Ray-Tracing technology.

Housed in a sleek Corsair Carbide chassis with a tempered glass side panel, the Reaper GT offers great value, performance and upgradability.

Enjoy blistering speeds with fast 3000MHz DDR4 memory and NVMe solid state drive with read speeds of up to 3500MB/s and write speeds of 1200MB/s. Keeping the system running cool and silent is the Corsair Hydro Series high performance liquid CPU cooler.

All CCL systems are expertly built and tested and come with a three-year collect and return warranty as standard.

Find out more at cclonline.com

10. Defy Gaming

Defy Gaming provides the opportunity to build your own personalised custom controller individual to you. For a completely bespoke gaming accessory, the online controller builder allows you to personalise and customise every aspect of your controller with thousands of possible design combinations on offer.

Personalise controls for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Defy Gaming only use brand new controllers from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo and include warranty as standard.

Defy Gaming also caters to the more serious gamer, providing a variety of controller upgrades such as interchangeable thumb sticks, trigger extenders and rear paddles for PlayStation and Xbox controllers.

With the largest selection of options to customise your controller worldwide, Defy Gaming are the biggest providers of custom controllers in the UK. The team offer fast dispatch, free tracked delivery in the UK, worldwide shipping and warranty is included as standard.

Find out more at defygaminguk.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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1. Proofvision

Looking to upgrade your garden party? Try an outdoor television from ProofvVision to expand your entertainment options at any time of the year.

Outdoor living took on a new meaning this year. This is why ProofVision is here to help with an excellent range of TVs to help you enjoy working, workouts, movie nights, and more in the comfort of your own back garden.

A ProofVision Outdoor TV offers high brightness and anti-glare to ensure you can see your screen in direct sunlight. Ultra-high brightness screens go up to 3000cd/m2, so they’re clearly visible, even on the sunniest of days. Plus an IP66 rating means that the TVs are waterproof to heavy rain, snow and can be left outside all year round. They are simply one of the best outdoor TVs around.

Find out more here.

2. Swann Smart Security Camera

A house may have a ‘value’, but your home is priceless – and something so precious should be protected. With Swann Smart Security products, there has never been a better time or a smarter way to bless your home with perfect safety and security.

Giving you the ultimate peace of mind, the Swann Alert Indoor Security Camera works with both Google Assistant and Alexa, and offers free recording via secure cloud recording and internal offline backup. It has infrared night vision, sends you Smart Sound Alerts when it hears any sudden loud noise, and offers stunningly crystal-clear 1080p video quality.

Powered by the Swann Security app, this indoor Alert Cam features Swann’s True Detect technology combining motion and thermal sensors, all but eliminating false alarms. There’s genuine two-way audio with both a microphone and a speaker, as well as a highly effective siren.

Find out more here.

3. ViewSonic M1 Projector

ViewSonic’s ultra-portable M1+ projector is the size of a paperback book, yet it can put a 60-inch image on a wall or ceiling from only one meter away thanks to its short-throw ratio.

The lamp life is up to 30,000 hours of use and battery life is a respectable six hours. The M1+’s clever, space-saving design includes a lens cover that turns into a stand. And its dual, built-in Bluetooth Harman Kardon speakers sound surprisingly good for their size.

Integrated Wi-Fi connectivity lets you stream from your favourite content providers – making the M1+ a great option for sharing and displaying videos and other multimedia content.

It’s a handy tool for business presentations but it’s also perfect for impromptu movie or gaming nights.

Find out more here.

4. Kenwood dash cam

A dashcam can prove invaluable if you are involved in an accident, as the automatically stored video footage can be used as evidence which could save your no-claims discount.

However, the recorded footage must capture all the relevant detail needed – even down to the number plate, not just when driving, but also when your car is parked up and unattended.

The DRV-A501WD is a dashcam with brains. Its Wide Quad HD camera integrates HDR and a polarisation filter for superior quality regardless of lighting conditions. Recordings can then be viewed instantly on its full colour three-inch display and transferred via onboard Wi-Fi to a smart device for editing and uploading.

A Smart Parking Mode uses the in-built G-Sensor to automatically instigate recording, while a second rear camera (KCA-R100) can be added. A Quick Release mounting system makes installation slick and simple. This dashcam solution will let you drive with confidence.

Find out more here.

5. Digital Converters

Videotapes are part of the far distant past, yet can still be commonly found hidden away in attics, cupboards and drawers.

While these tapes are easily forgotten about, time is now running out to digitise these relics, with only an estimated five years left to transfer the video on them before they are beyond repair.

Digital Converters was founded with the mission to preserve as many home movies as possible. The service provides an easy and cost-effective solution to transfer videotapes to modern digital formats such as DVD, memory stick and cloud. These can be watched back easily on televisions, phones, computers and tablets, safely backed up for the years to come.

Find out more here.

6. Fuji Film X-T100 camera

In this fast-paced, Insta-glam world, taking photos is as much about share-ability as it is about image quality. With the FUJIFILM X-T100, you get the best of both worlds.

For some people, a day is just like any other day. For you, every day is unique. Only you can capture your story as you see it. Every moment is a memory waiting to be captured. The FUJIFILM X-T100 is your companion in everyday life, letting you document your day through photography

This fantastic, interchangeable lens camera links seamlessly with your phone, so you can transfer high-quality photos instantly and share them in seconds. What’s more, it’s small enough to be carried everywhere you go. So, whether you’re at home roasting a Christmas turkey, or on holiday baking in the winter sun, you can share every moment, instantly.

Find out more here.

7. Satmap GPS

In these days of smartphones with an app for everything, what’s the point of a dedicated GPS device? Well, despite advances in smartphone technology, there are some really good reasons, especially for serious outdoor stuff. Dedicated GPS gadgets like the Satmap Active 20 Outdoor GPS have been designed to do one job and do it really well, namely to enable you to explore more and stay safe at the same time.

This device boasts a huge GPS antenna that stays locked on with 50cm accuracy when most smartphones have given up the ghost the serious terrain of canyons, forests and wilderness calls for serious GPS.

Smartphone mapping is great for a local bimble but for the serious stuff really good mapping, a host of dedicated functions and features has distinct advantages.

Find out more here.

8. Neo SmartCam

As the UK’s first-ever connected home insurance specialist, Neo are pioneering a smarter way to look after your home using smart technology to actively protect the things that matter to you, when it matters the most.

The Neos indoor smart camera is packed with top-of-the-range features found in more expensive indoor cameras including live streaming in razor-sharp 1080p full HD, night vision and 8X digital zoom.

Its flexible design allows you to point the camera to any specific area you want to monitor. Compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, the Neos SmartCam has two-way audio capability, so you can check in with your loved ones at home, at any time.

Equipped with motion and noise sensors, the Neos SmartCam sends alerts directly to your smartphone, should anything unusual occur. Free cloud storage means that you can check back on video footage, so you never miss a moment.

Find out more here.

9. Bitcade arcade machines

We’ve all found ourselves with a bit more spare time to spend at home at the moment, so why not indulge in some retro-gaming nostalgia with Bitcade’s custom arcade machines?

Bitcade is the UK’s largest provider of custom-built arcade machines and is the brainchild of Jack England, who started the business to feed his passion for the 70s and 80s inspired gaming experiences, including classics such as Pac-Mac, Space Invaders, and Street Fighter.

Nothing says 80s’ arcade nostalgia like Street Fighter, and the 27-inch upright arcade cabinet is the perfect addition to any gamer’s life. The sleek design incorporates a 1080p brand new monitor and a superb 2.0 in-built sound system, and allows you to play up to 2,992 classic games, giving you a totally immersive gaming experience for one or two players.

Find out more here.

10. Tension VR

Tension VR is proudly positioned as the UK’s leader in delivering virtual reality experiences to both the public and the commercial sectors.

If you’ve never tried VR before, it’s completely immersive; the realism and engagement will leave you speechless. As well as being amazing fun, Tension use VR to expand the realms of team building, giving it another dimension. 

Their facilities are used by everyone, from families to the largest multinational companies, and also by HM Forces. Tension’s highly-trained technicians ensure that every session is specifically tailored to the requirement of each individual.

Tension are situated in the historic city of Lincoln, with over 1,000 years of history, offering a multitude of first-class eateries and boutiques. There’s everything you need in one place.

Find out more here.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The 10 top visual products to amp up your entertainment at home appeared first on Checklists.

1. Jabra Evolve2

Jabra built this headset with powerful leak‐tolerant 40mm speakers and powered it with their most advanced digital chipset ever. With Evolve, Jabra brought you great music while you work. With Evolve2, they’re taking audio quality to a whole new level. It’s a professional headset, but not as you know it.

The audio company used a state-of-the-art sound lab to simulate a noisy office environment, with an office speech soundtrack played back through a speaker in a dummy head. Jabra tested each product in exactly the same way as the same office soundtrack played, recording the microphone performance, to show how the call would sound to whoever you’re talking to.

Find out more at jabra.co.uk

2. Dali Audio IO wireless headphones

World-famous Danish loudspeaker manufacturer, DALI, enters the headphone market for the very first time with their new wireless headphone range; DALI IO.

Offering class-leading battery life, quality build and excellent sound performance, DALI IO lets you listen to your favourite music on the go with no compromise on comfort or sound quality.

Using a large custom made 50mm paper fibre driver, DALI IO delivers unrivalled sound performance. As well as the wireless Bluetooth connection, DALI IO also supports wired connections through the USB-C and the 3.5mm mini-jack input.

The range consists of two models; IO-4 and IO-6. The IO-6 offers active noise cancellation (ANC) and 30 hours of battery life. The IO-4 doesn’t include ANC, but offers an incredible class-leading 60 hours of battery life. Both models are available in two stunning finishes; Iron Black and Caramel White.

Find out more at dali-speakers.com

3. Mixx Audio JX2 headphones

The JX2 Bluetooth wireless headphones from MIXX Audio are the perfect travel companion for yourself or a gift for a loved one. Available in black, space grey and rose gold, the JX2 not only look stunning, they also sound great thanks to their dynamic stereo which provides a more refined and immersive listening experience.

The JX2 boast an impressive 14-hour battery life which makes them ideal for regular commutes or long journeys. If the juice does start to run out, simply plug in the 3.5mm audio cable included so the music doesn’t have to stop. With integrated headphone controls, the phone can stay safely in the pocket as calls can be taken hands-free and songs skipped, paused or turned up and down as desired.

MIXX Audio understands that comfort is paramount while travelling, so the JX2 have bigger, extra soft and comfortable faux-leather ear pads that tilt to fit the contours of the head for the ultimate snug fit.

Find out more at mixxaudio.com

4. Blue Aura

Enjoy the warm, detailed and natural sound that valve amplification offers with the Blackline v40 amplifier from Blue Aura, designed and engineered in our Cambridgeshire HQ.

Part of their Blackline range, the v40 is an audiophile’s dream: an integrated stereo amplifier that allows you to connect all your source devices: CD players, TVs, laptops, tablets, DVD/Blu-ray players and smartphones.

The inclusion of Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX allows all Bluetooth-enabled devices to connect effortlessly for optimal wireless streaming.

Acoustically and aesthetically matching PS40 loudspeakers are available separately.

Established in 2010, the team behind Blue Aura has over thirty years experience of working within some of the UK’s best-known audio companies. Their aim is to harness that experience and employ it in the development of new and innovative products that we hope will help ignite your enthusiasm for listening to music.

Find out more at blueaura.co.uk

5. Pioneer headphones

Pioneer has upgraded their affordable HDJ-X5 DJ headphones, adding Bluetooth® wireless technology to create the HDJ-X5BT. The new over-ear DJ headphones are ideal for DJing in the club and monitoring tracks on the move and are available in three colours: metallic black, metallic red and gloss white.

Power up and pair with your Bluetooth device to start enjoying your beats. You’ll get around 20 hours of playback from a three-hour charge, but if you use your headphones for DJ monitoring or you simply forget to charge them (we’ve all been there) you can also listen via the included 1.2m coiled cable. Thanks to the built-in microphone, you can also talk hands-free on calls when the headphones are connected to your phone.

Find out more at gak.co.uk

6. Yamaha MusicCast record players

Yamaha bring you closer to the artist, and with 130 years of experience in making music, who better to bring you true sound?

Meet the new MusicCast family. Yamaha is proud to introduce a brand new range of multi-room audio solutions, which means enjoying your favourite music around the home has never been easier.

Unlock a world of music with the MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50; where style meets versatility. Stream what you like, wherever you like, using the MusicCast app.

If you’re looking to dust off an old record collection, or excited to discover some new ones, the MusicCast VINYL 500 has it covered. Whether it’s through streaming content from YouTube or playing your favourite vinyl records. The MusicCast VINYL 500 debuts as the world’s first network turntable, perfect for music lovers everywhere. From the hi-fi buff to the casual music listener, there’s an option for you.

Find out more at yamaha.com

7. Master & Dynamic

Featuring handcrafted acetate and a stainless steel charging case, the MW07 PLUS True Wireless Earphones feature a standout design as well as advanced tech.

The 10mm Beryllium drivers provide a rich, expansive sound that resembles a live performance. Best-in-class Bluetooth 5.0 has connectivity of up to 30 meters. Patented silicone Fit Wings offer an unparalleled acoustic seal and comfort during extended listening and with 40 hours of total playtime between the earphones and charging case, you’ll never be without your music. Available in six colours, the MW07 PLUS is available online and in stores.

Master & Dynamic is a New York City-based premium audio brand obsessed with building beautifully crafted, technically sophisticated sound tools.

Find out more at masterdynamic.co.uk

8. Vox

The VOX SDC-1 mini electric guitar provides the sound and feel of a full-sized guitar in a compact format.

It’s perfect for both kids and adults and its handy size makes it the ideal guitar to have both in the home and on the move.

VOX have been making quality guitar amplifiers and guitars for over 60 years. Today, VOX products are used by countless musicians around the globe spanning a wide range of musical styles. Now you can have a slice of that heritage in your own home, with this mini guitar range.

The Vox SDC-1 features a classic double-cutaway electric guitar shape which grants easy access to the upper frets – perfect for high-flying guitar solos. Plus, it just looks cool.

Just pair the SDC-1 mini guitar with your favourite guitar amp from VOX’s range and you’re ready to rock.

Find out more at voxamps.co.uk

9. Kirmus Audio vinyl restoration system

For the recent revival of vinyl, you may be bargain hunting to find pre-loved records on the cheap, looking for those amazing bargains. But a lot of these records can be dirty or even damaged and need to be cleaned properly to recover their complete audio quality and lustre.

Records over time become noisy and dull due to surface contamination. Kirmus Audio undertook over three years of research, design and engineering to bring their patented and award-winning ultrasonic record restoration system to the industry.

Professors, record curators, engineers, designers and audio professionals are astounded by what they are achieving.

Proven to safely remove fungus, mould, soap and chemicals left by other cleaning products and systems in vinyl, shellac and glass records. It restores 2 x 12″, 1 x 10″, 1 x 7″ records simultaneously – and at an affordable price.

Find out more at kirmussaudio.net

10. Devialet’s Phantom Reactor

This is Phantom Reactor, a new breed of wireless speaker. By stretching size and performance beyond reasonable limits, Devialet engineers have brought to life the only ultra-compact home sound system capable of delivering high fidelity and physical impact, whatever volume you listen to. Insanely powerful. Defiantly small. You won’t know what hit you.

Lose yourself in Devialet’s immersive, ultra-dense sound and experience its physical impact. Meet the most extreme concentration of high technology known to any sound system: 981 parts protected by over 160 patents.

Phantom Reactor is the first home speaker designed to take you deeper into sound. Blending into your space makes it all the better to invade it.

From 18Hz to 21kHz, feel every note with phenomenal purity, precision and richness. Zero distortion, zero saturation and zero background noise mean you get nothing but audiophile-grade playback. That’s a habit you won’t want to quit in a hurry.

Find out more at devialet.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The 10 products to optimise your sound and listening experience appeared first on Checklists.

1. HoMedic

We’ve all had a lot to deal with this year, and the ongoing disruption to our daily lives can leave a lot of us feeling increasingly stressed. Finding time to unwind is key to our wellbeing, and neglecting to do this can cause our bodies to absorb a lot of stress, leading to tension in our muscles. However, making the most of downtime is easier than you think, particularly when you can enjoy a massage with a HoMedics Massager.

From massage chairs and hand-held devices, to massagers for your feet and neck, there is a vast selection of different tools on offer which can help you ease sore muscles and achieve ultimate relaxation.

Each massager can help you achieve deep-kneading shiatsu, invigorating vibration, muscle-relieving percussion or even gentle yoga massage in the comfort of your own home, making it easier than ever to truly unwind and destress after a long day.

Find out more at homedics.co.uk

2. Ibeani

The award-winning iBeani tablet cushion will securely hold any size iPad, tablet, eReader or book on any surface. The viewing angle is fully adjustable to provide hands-free comfort. Being ultra-lightweight and with five-star reviews, the iBeani tablet cushion will help make learning a breeze.

Thanks to its unique design, you can position your iPad, Tablet, eReader or book at any viewing angle on any surface. Great on your lap, on the sofa, in bed or for holding recipes in the kitchen; offering a stable and comfortable experience wherever you require a tablet device holder.

Designed in the UK and with many great benefits, iBeani is simply the best quality and most useful iPad stand and tablet bean bag cushion you can buy.

Available in a range of designs to suit all, iBeani tablet cushions will complement any room in the home.

Find out more at ibeani.co.uk

3. Vodafone GPS Curve

Never has it meant more to stay connected with the people and things we love, so keep them in sight with the Vodafone Curve, available on Amazon. Smart and compact, the smart GPS tracker designed and connected by Vodafone, makes it easy to stay in touch with family and possessions – all through the Vodafone Smart App.

Curve is different to Bluetooth-only trackers, which mostly require phone proximity to work. With a built-in smart SIM* connecting the device to the internet via Vodafone’s global network, it also uses four different tracking technologies: GPS, Wi-Fi, Cellular and Bluetooth for reliable connection no matter the location.

Not only is Curve as light as a house key; its handy keyring accessory allows you to attach it to almost anything, meaning it’s always with you. With its smart technology, versatility and long-lasting battery, Curve fits into your life, however you live it.

Find out more at vodafone.com

4. Stealth gaming headset

If you’ve got kids or grandkids who love playing video games, then already be aware that there are some top new games out there ready to purchase for Christmas. Why not treat them to some premium accessory products, to get the best out of their gaming exploits this coming festive season.

British gaming accessory brand STEALTH offer a wide range of accessories, from stylish high-performance headsets to console cases to powerful charging solutions for XBOX Series X, PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch.

Plus, they’re currently the only gaming accessory company to use 100 per cent plastic-free packaging with all of their products, so you can be sure that your choice is a sustainable one.

Find out more at stealthgaming.net

5. Olympus Cameras

Just about as hot as you can get in photography at the moment is this pro-spec marvel from Olympus.

The brand new OM-D E-M1X incorporates all the benefits of the Micro Four-Thirds system and some seriously useful advanced features for sports and action photographers.

It enjoys intuitive design with an integrated vertical grip for superb ergonomic control in horizontal and vertical modes. Camera-shake is a thing of the past, it has the world’s best image stabilisation, with up to 7.5 EV steps of compensation for incredible hand-held performance, through the 5-axis IS system.

Plus it has a re-developed autofocus system with a variety of AF target modes and settings, plus the ultimate game-changer for sports and action photographers: intelligent subject tracking. All this is crammed into a super portable dust-, splash- and freeze-proof all-weather body.

Find out more at olympus.co.uk

6. Smeg home appliances

Looking to gear up your kitchen ahead of the imminent party season? Cue Smeg, the iconic Italian appliance manufacturer.

There’s a present idea to suit even the trickiest of recipients. For that budding star baker, it’s got to be a stand mixer or hand blender, while for the coffee connoisseur, an espresso coffee machine in a choice of colours. Fitness enthusiasts will adore Smeg’s citrus juicer or blender complete with Smeg’s bottle-to-go for smoothies on the run.

On the large appliance front, if you’re considering a change to your kitchen there’s a Smeg product to suit, from state-of-the-art touch-controlled built-in ovens, microwaves and hobs through to wine coolers, sous vide systems and blast chillers. Smeg’s collection of range cookers and hoods are also worth considering, should you be seeking out a focal point and extra oven capacity in your kitchen.

Find out more at smegukcom

7. Celestron telescopes

Celestron’s range of AstroMaster telescopes are ideal for those looking to start out on their astronomical journey of exploration. Suitable for all ages and experience, you’ll be ready to observe in minutes thanks to the AstroMasters’ quick and easy no-tool setup.

The AstroMaster 70 AZ gives wonderfully bright, clear images of the Moon, nearest planets, and many more objects for great night-time viewing.

Using additional accessories, this beautiful telescope is also perfect to set up at home for daytime views of distant land or seascapes. What’s more, if you purchase an AstroMaster telescope from either the website, or direct from one of their authorised dealers you will receive extra accessories including a smartphone adaptor to take images through the telescope.

Find out more at celestron.com

8. Mixx Charge headphones

The JX2 wireless headphones from MIXX Audio are available in black, space grey and rose gold. Not only do they look stunning but they sound great too, thanks to their dynamic stereo providing a refined listening experience. 

The JX2 headphones boast an impressive 14-hour battery life, making them ideal for commuters looking to immerse themselves in their favourite music or movie. If the juice does start to run low, simply plug in the 3.5mm audio cable to ensure the entertainment doesn’t stop.

With integrated headphone controls, calls can be picked up hands-free and songs skipped, paused or the volume can be turned up or down. The JX2 is designed with extra soft faux leather earpads that tilt to fit the contours of the head, users can experience the ultimate snug fit and noise isolation.

Find out more at mixxaudio.com

9. Power Plate

Using Power Plate is an innovative, time-saving and results-driven way to improve health and fitness at home. Power Plate’s vibration technology is safe, effective and trusted around the world by professional sports teams, fitness pioneers and wellness advocates.

Power Plate delivers accelerated health and wellness results, whatever the fitness level or training style. Power Plate’s whole-body vibration products help users prepare faster, perform better and recover quicker by stimulating natural reflexes and helping with muscle activation.

With easy-to-follow exercises, on-demand workouts and coaching tips on the free Power Plate app, there has never been a better time to take control of your fitness.

Power Plate’s targeted vibration products deliver therapeutic relief directly to the areas that need it most. Perfect before and after a workout or to provide relief for tight and sore muscles.

Find out more at powerplate.co.uk

10. JLL Fitness equipment

If you are looking to build your very own home gym, so you can work out in the comfort of your own home, look no further. JLL Fitness offers a great range of cardio equipment, treadmills, rowing machines, indoor cycling bikes, and more.

Their in-home premium 500 Series is designed to be stylish and easy to store within your own home. The 500 Series is built with you in mind. Thanks to the ergonomic design, you can always work out in full comfort. The 500 Series monitor helps you keep track of your speed, distance, calorie, time, and pulse while you are working out, and so helps you stay focused on your goals.

Their T350 Folding Treadmill is perfect for in-home use. The running deck has a 16-point cushion system which reduces the impact on your joints when running.

Find out more at jllfitness.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The 10 top gadgets and tech to make the most of your downtime appeared first on Checklists.

Here’s Checklist’s selection of the top 10 best computing accessories.

1. Razer Viper Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse

For those who need ultimate responsiveness in their mouse, or for those who just want a ‘bulletproof’ and high-quality piece of kit for their home office set-up, then this accessory is one of the best.

With a super hi-spec optical sensor with 99.6% resolution accuracy, hyperspeed wireless technology and eight independently programmable buttons, it won’t let you down in the heat of the moment. The Razer’s switches are even rated for a ‘lifetime’ of 70 million clicks.

The Viper also has a true ambidextrous shape, so good for both left and right hands, a gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel with sensitivity adjustment, and the ability to store your own user profiles in its onboard memory, so it can adjust itself to your personalised user settings each time you’re ready to work.

It also comes with a manufacturer’s two-year guarantee, so you know you’re in safe hands.

Visit argos.co.uk

2. Sandstrom Cable Management Sleeve

Perhaps not the most exciting bit of kit on this list but certainly one of the most useful, the 183cm Sandstrom SCMS214 Cable Management Sleeve is specially designed to help to keep your cables organised in a neat and tidy fashion; perfect for sorting out those under-desk, foot-tangling environments.

The sleeve is reversible and features velcro fasteners that make it simple to separate and secure your cables in place, whilst the numerous entrance and exit points mean that you can have the cables branching off, right where you need them, and at the right length.

So, whether you’re tidying up those home-office wires, or organising round the back of the telly, the Sandstrom cable management sleeve helps you to keep things ship-shape.

Visit currys.co.uk

3. Targus Chill Mat

The Targus Chill Mat is a quiet and portable cooling pad for keeping your over-worked laptop at optimum performance, and also for protecting your lap.

It boasts a fan speed of 1900RPM and provides a comfortable and ergonomic work surface for laptops 15 to 17 inches in size.

The mat simply rests on your lap, plugs in via USB and disperses laptop heat via its dual fans.

Its ergonomic tilt makes typing easy while the soft neoprene surround provides cushioned comfort for your lap, as heat is dispersed through its special open-ventilation design.

Visit amazon.co.uk

4. Acer Nitro 49’’ Double Full HD Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor

Now that’s a mouthful. But just take one look at this beast of a monitor and you’ll see why. Get yourself totally immersed in the action with this huge 49 inch DFHD curved monitor from Acer.

Expand your field of view to encompass large action sequences and wide gaming vistas in glorious DFHD. Even with the increased screen size of this hulking monitor, the details stay sharp and colours remain accurate thanks to its 3840 x 1080 resolution, 1800R curved screen and 32:9 aspect ratio.

AMD Radeon FreeSync 2, which supports HDR content and dynamic refresh rates, means that the monitor’s refresh rate is synced to your computer’s framerate, allowing for the smoothest, most seamless experience possible.

Experience ultra-smooth, lag-free gameplay with faster frame rendering with a rapid refresh rate you can overclock to 144Hz. More frames per second mean better 2D action scenes and outstanding image fluidity.

For those in an office environment, you can multitask with PIP (picture-in-picture) and PBP (picture-by-picture) functions, whereby you can make use of the monitor’s massive real estate.

Visit amazon.co.uk

5. G-Technology 4TB External Hard Drive

G-Technology’s 4TB ArmorATD, a rugged, shock-proof and water-resistant external hard drive allows you to go through the extremes and be safe in the knowledge that anything you have saved on your drive is totally secure.

This drive has triple-layer shock resistance for added durability alongside a rain-and dust-resistant enclosure with a 1000lb ‘crush rating’. So you can be sure it’ll survive attacks from rogue monster trucks and/or escaped elephants. It’s USB-C ready and USB-3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible, with no set-up required for operation with Mac and Windows.

Visit amazon.co.uk

6. Sabrent 16-port USB 3.0 data hub and charger

You’re busy, you’ve got more devices than you can carry, and everyone wants to borrow a charger. What do you need? You need the Sabrent 16-port USB 3.0 data hub and charger with individual switches of course.

This super-useful bit of kit allows you to attach your collection of USB devices to one super-speed hub, quickly expanding any available USB 3.0 port into 16 USB 3.0 ports by simply plugging into your computer, with no drivers or software required.

Individual power switches provide device independence and allow you to preserve power and prolong the lifespan of your various devices by not overusing them while they are plugged into the hub.

Each USB 3.0 port is capable of delivering up to 1.1mA of current with transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps and the block itself has short-circuit, over-current, over-voltage, and over-heating protection.

Visit amazon.co.uk

7. Logitech HD Pro Webcam

The latest webcam from Logitech is the HD Pro which allows for full-HD video calling, operating in full-HD 1080p video at 30-fps.

Connecting to your computer via USB, this device allows for the crispest video quality, giving you that professional touch to your Zoom calls or other content creation.

The full-HD glass lens captures a wide 78-degree field of view with the five-element glass lens allowing for premium auto-focus capability.

Its automatic HD autofocus and light correction fine-tunes to your lighting conditions to produce bright, well-contrasted images – even if you’re in a dim office setting or under strong artificial lights – and the dual microphones capture natural stereo audio while filtering out background noise.

Visit amazon.co.uk

8. Hcman RGB Gaming Mat

Probably the best computing accessory you didn’t realise you needed – this gaming pad from Hcman is designed to deliver high precision, optimal comfort and response when gaming.

Not only does it add an extra element of practical usage to your set-up, but the RGB soft mouse pad has a true RGB backlit effect with 10 lighting modes – lighting up your life like never before.

With a size of 80cm by 30cm it will fit your desktop keyboard and mouse perfectly, provide ample movement space.

The soft, cloth surface and non-slip rubber base ensure precise, accurate mouse control and consistent stability and comfort on your desk. It is powered by plug and play USB, with a one-touch control.

Visit amazon.co.uk

9. SteelSeries Apex Pro – Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Steelseries say the Apex Pro is ‘the biggest leap in mechanical keyboards since the invention of the mechanical Switch over 35 years ago’. And it’s easy to see why!

Each key can be adjusted to meet your preferred sensitivity level, whether it’s for gaming, work, or anything else you might be doing on your screen. Its integrated OLED smart display, with on-board storage, becomes your command centre for on-the-fly info and settings from the online world.

With a 100 million keypress guarantee and an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame, built for a lifetime of durability, means this is one bit of kit that doesn’t mind getting bashed about. The Omni point adjustable mechanical switches allow for customisation of ‘press’ distance from 0.4mm to 3.6mm and the premium magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support and long-term comfort.

Visit amazon.co.uk

10. Elgato Stream Deck XL – Live Content Creation Controller

The Elgato Stream Deck XL Live Content Creation Controller is perfect for live streaming, presentations, gaming or almost anything else you can think of. It allows for enhanced ‘live’ production and experiences, whereby you can easily control your favourite tools and platforms from the 32 customisable keys – instantly triggering unlimited actions with a tap.

Once set up you can use its one-touch operations to change scenes, launch media, switch cameras, tweak lighting, adjust audio, post tweets, or anything else you can think to assign to the keypad, on-the-fly.

It features powerful platform integrations: Elgato Game Capture, OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Mixer, Spotify, Philips Hue, Vmix, VoiceMod and more, and interfaces via USB 3.0 directly into your computer.

Visit amazon.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Top 10: Best computing accessories appeared first on Checklists.

1. Cello 50” full HD widescreen LED TV

As TVs get ever-bigger in our homes (read Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 to know why), at the increasingly popular size of 50” comes this 4K Ultra HD LED TV from new-on-the-block manufacturer, Cello.

It’s worth noting that all Cello TVs are manufactured in the United Kingdom at their purpose-built factory in Bishop Auckland.

Not only does this hunky screen come with T2 high definition Freeview, providing you with a stunning viewing experience, it’s USB input enables the recording of digital TV channels or viewing of any stored media you might have on there. The three HDMI inputs mean you’ve got ample connections for your external viewing devices, players and games consoles, without having to fiddle about around the back to swap cables over like it was the ’90s.

Price: £450 – Visit celloelectronics.com

2. Hisense 40” Full HD Smart TV

This budget-range, slimline Smart LED comes equipped with a Quad Core processor allowing it to provide you with the fiest Intelligent Sound by dbx-tv, so you can experience soundbar-like audio quality without the space-taking bulkiness of all that audio equipment.

It has all the necessary connections for your home entertainment stack: 2 HDMI, 2 USB, 1 x Composite, 1 x Optical, Ethernet, WiFi & 3.5mm headphone socket – so you can be confident it’ll link with whatever complimentary tech you want to add to boost your home cinema experience.

As a modern smart telly, it also comes with Hisense’ VIDAA U 2.5 OS platform – so you can access Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Freeview Play and Rakuten from their own dedicated keys on the buttonbox.

Price: £279 – Visit hisense.co.uk

3. LG 32” LED Full HD Smart TV

The LG 32LM63 32” LED Full HD Smart TV (to give it its full title), is a features packed unit from well-known manufacturer, LG.

This telly has onboard tech which enhances an already brilliant HD viewing experience with its Active HDR technology (shows up all the darkest tones & shades), Dynamic Colour Enhancer (makes the colours really pop) and Virtual Surround Plus sound (sounds bangin’), while a Quad Core processor supports advanced picture processing for really optimising those visuals with the utmost brightness and clarity.

Utilising LG’s webOS Smart Platform to stream shows via all the usual apps, this box can also work seamlessly with compatible Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices for easy voice control. You can link it up to compatible smart speakers too.

Price: £249 – Visit hughes.co.uk

4. Sony Bravia 43” Full HD HDR Smart TV

This Sony Bravia ‘set features some of the best high-quality imaging available at this price point. Its features high dynamic range (HDR), which preserves the details and textures found in the brightest and darkest scenes found in modern movies and games, so your PS4 and Netflix titles never looked more dynamic and realistic.

Adding to its visual armoury, is an X-Reality PRO upscaling engine, which up-scales and refines the pixels you see on screen for reduced visual noise and enhanced clarity, and Motionflow XR, which allows you to enjoy the details in fast-paced action scenes without it all turning into an exploding blur.

Oh yeah, it’s also a full Smart TV with all the webby apps you’d expect and also HDD recording so you can record stuff and watch it later by sticking a USB hard drive in the back.

Price: £377 – Visit amazon.co.uk

5. Westinghouse 32″ Inch HD TV with built-in DVD

Ok, so it’s not a Smart TV, but it has a HD screen, Freeview and a built-in DVD player, so is different enough to be of interest to those looking for a HD set, with more traditional functions. You don’t have to throw away your DVD collection just yet!

This telly features (in no particular order), a built-in DVD player; 3x HDMI ports, a Scart, an Antenna input, and a VGA connection so you can use it for PC gaming if you should so wish. So, even though it’s not a Smart TV per se, you can still plug what you want into it!

Price: £209.95 – Visit amazon.co.uk

6. Samsung 43” Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV

New for 2021, this beauty from the Samsung AU7110 Smart TV Series features the 4K Crystal Processor which allows you to view all your favourite content in 4K Ultra HD detail, and experience the very best in picture quality with PurColour (which focuses on primary and also secondary colours, such as Magenta, Cyan and Yellow), so you can view stuff as nature intended and really squeeze the absolute best out of your streaming services.

The HDR Technology means you can see the finest details in the darkest and brightest of scenes. As a Smart TV it comes with all the apps you’d expect preloadad and also your favourite voice assistants: Bixby, Alexa and Google built-in, so you can talk to the telly when you throw things at it.

Price £499 – Visit samsung.com

7. Blaupunkt 40” Full HD LED TV

Another non-Smart TV, but firmly in the HD bracket and at a good price point, is this 40-incher from quality manufacturer, Blaupunkt.

Bringing telly to life with it’s stunning clarity and vibrant colours, Blaupunkts superb widescreen picture quality, matched with Dolby audio technology ensures the best viewing platform for your content.

It has all the HDMI, USB, and PC connectivity you’d expect and a built-in Freeview HD tuner which gives you access to over 70 subscription-free entertainment channels.

Price: £239.99 – Visit electricmania.co.uk

8. JVC Fire TV Edition 50” Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV

JVC say everything looks better in 4K – and with this super-set’s x4 the resolution of Full HD abilities – you’ll marvel at the detail and colour definition!

It packs HDR for depth of colour and brilliant brightness, the full Fire TV experience is built-in, so you can enjoy enjoy thousands of apps, Alexa skills, and all the best channels including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Disney and more.

You can control the telly with the included Voice Remote with Alexa; launch apps, search for TV shows, play music, switch inputs and control compatible smart home devices.

Price: £379 – Visit currys.co.uk

9. LG 55″ 4K Ultra HD OLED Smart TV

The LG 55″ 4K Ultra HD OLED Smart TV delivers incredible picture quality alongside LG’s award winning webOS Smart Platform to give you the ultimate viewing experience. It features the a9 Gen 3 Processor for outstanding colour & contrast, cinematic quality sound with Dolby Atmos, a load of really cool sounding other stuff (HDR: Dolby Vision IQ / HDR10 / Hybrid Log-Gamma), and offers streaming in 4k alongside Freeview HD and Freesat HD.

Also, with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control built-in, it’s never been easier to find what you want to watch, control your smart home, and get your personal updates!

Price: £1185 – Visit currys.co.uk

10. TCL 65” 4K Ultra HD Smart Android TV

Packed with Freeview Play, HDR10, Micro Dimming Pro, Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Dolby Audio, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3xHDMI, 2xUSBs and an ultrs slim design – this ‘set from TCL is a worthy entrant in the last slot.

At a good price-point for a 65-incher, this 4K Smart Android TV combines slim contemporary design, with all the smarter viewing experiences you’d expect – Freeview play, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube et al. You can watch blockbuster movies on moment, acces your apps and enjoy multiplayer games the next.

And with the Google Assistant and far-field voice control built-in, you can do more, and faster. Ask it questions, discover the best content, control smart devices around your home – this set has it all.

Price: £499 – Visit amazon.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Looking for a new television? Here’s the top HD TVs on the market just now appeared first on Checklists.

1. Thodio EcoBox

Not only does this speaker box look brilliant, but it’s also the most sustainable bluetooth speaker in the world.

The EcoBox is carved out of compressed wheat residue, an agricultural waste product, which is normally incinerated. Due to this, instead of having a low carbon footprint, it actually has a negative carbon footprint.

The speaker itself has a very efficient, strong and crisp sounding 2x15w class-T Tripath amplifier, up to 18hrs battery life, 5’’ coaxial glassfibre speakers with softdome tweeters and an HD lossless aptX/AAC bluetooth receiver, which boasts up to 300% more reach compared to other bluetooth speakers.

Including a 2 year warranty and fully handmade in Amsterdam, this speaker is even shipped for free worldwide!

Price: £303.54 store.thodio.com

2. Transparent Speaker

This stripped-back, minimalist looking speaker includes only the essential elements, surrounded by glass panels on each side that allow you to view the inner technology at work: “A statement of timeless, modular electronics that blends into any environment” say the makers – and we think it looks awesome too!

Transparent tune their speakers to achieve as true a reproduction close to the actual recording from the studio as possible, with an aim to channel the true intention of the musicians through to the listener, enlisting the world’s best audio engineers to tune the digital sound processor to reach full transparency.

With a power output of 140w and a frequency response of 35Hz – 20kHz, the custom designed 6’’ woofer creates a very controlled reproduction of sound, allowing you to wirelessly play your favourite music using Bluetooth and dual speaker streaming.

Price: £775 transpa.rent/en

3. Gradient Helsinki 1.5

Gradient Helsinki are designed and handbuilt in Finland by professional craftsmen and may be customised with numerous options of colours and real wood veneers to suit your taste.

These amazing looking speakers are tailored to produce the most beautiful sound in all environments, by directing more of the speakers’ high and mid-range frequencies to the listener and less to the reflecting surfaces of the room, the listener hears more of the original recording.

These speakers are designed to be adjustable, with the bass response/reprodcution of the Helsinki being easily adjusted via tilting the speaker. The more you toe-in, the stronger bass you will get! Perfect for showing off to your friends.

Price: €4016 gradient.fi/en

4. Deluxe Acoustics DAF-350

With production located in Saint-Petersburg, Russia and distributed via their partner in Hamburg, Germany, Deluxe Acoustics is a truly global designer brand. Producing high quality spherical Hi-Fi speakers with a unique design and top-flight sound, Deluxe Acoustics are handmade from the best premium materials and innovative technologies.

Thanks to their unique spherical shape and patented technologies, the sound that comes through these speakers is airy, bright, rich and multidimensional.

Available in numerous colours and models, including floor standing, desktop, wall-mounted and shelf models, their ‘soft-touch’ covers means reduced sound distortion and improved medium and high frequency ranges.

Price £1540 deluxe-a.com

5. Bossa Moonraker

One for all those James Bond fans out there; kit out your secret base in futuristic audio style with these cool looking floorstanders from California based loudspeaker designer and manufacturer, Bossa.

Their Class D amplifiers are rated at 150 watts RMS each: one for bass 50 watts RMS x 2, the other for treble 25 watts RMS x 2. These Moonrakers work wirelessly with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with AAC and aptX connectivity.

Bossa say their “engineered low-diffraction, low-resonance speaker offers exceptional acoustic properties attributable to the Moonraker’s curved polymer shell design”, which basically means owning these means you can look good and sound smooth just like 007 himself!

Price: £1740 bossasound.com

6. OM Audio ONE Levitating Speaker

This speaker takes ‘isolating a speaker from its stand’ to the enth degree. OM Audio’s ONE is an innovative electromagnetic design compromising a levitating driver designed to eliminate all external distortion by isolating its 3.6″ diameter speaker from its base. The OM/ONE connects to mobile devices and computers via Bluetooth 4.0 and has a range of 33ft.

The speakers can be linked in pairs for room-filling sound, with each speaker capable of creating 100dB of noise from just a 3W amp for up to 15hrs on one charge.

Price: £180 / amazon.com

7. Spinnaker Design

High end technology meets innovative design to create this utterly modern bookshelf speaker. With its Viking horn shaped design, flat sturdy base and elegant dome shaped remote, this crazy state-of-the-art technology will be a natural conversation starter when added to your home!

This bookshelf speaker not only won the Consumer Electronic Show Innovations Design and Engineering award, but is also loaded with features that make it standout from the crowd. Packing powerful, robust volume and clearly detailed audio with DSP technology, the 2.6” silk-domed front-facing tweeters and 2.75” midrange drivers reinforced with 4” subwoofers deliver a punchy soundstage.

Available in black or burgundy, this artistically different, yet high quality audio kit will surely make a mark in room!

Price: £217 modernspeakers.com

8. Jarre Aerotwist Wireless

This AeroTwist Bluetooth Speaker from Jean Michel Jarre’s Jarre Technologies is constructed to be twisted on to attachable to anything it can fit around, such as a bag strap, arm or bicycle frame.

Packing aptX and A2DP wireless connectivity, including NFC, this high-quality unit can delievr 10hrs playback on a single charge. The AeroTwist includes a 3.5mm audio jack built in, so it can also be connected via a cable to most things the analogue way.

This speaker even has a built-in microphone so it can be used as a speakerphone with your mobile, whether on the beach, in the car or anywhere else you might choose.

Time to get cool for the summer!

Price: £99 selfridges.com

9. Bang & Olufsen Emerge

This slim design WiFi speaker is built to fit in anywhere in your home with full-range, ultra-wide sound.

Its revolutionary driver configuration, finely tuned by Bang & Olufsen engineers, means its tiny drivers have been specially arranged to create a full-range audio experience, with clear and punchy clarity.

The 4″ woofer produces omnidirectional low frequencies no matter where it is pointing, an ultra-slim profile with a book-inspired design delivers a footprint of only 6.7cm.

Price: £669 bang-olufsen.com

10. Estelon Extreme

This handcrafted cabinet comes in a sleek two-tone finish, making this speaker system a true statement piece, but one that doesn’t need to shout about its achievements!

With a frequency response of 20-45 000Hz and a power rating of 500w, these impressive speakers will fill your home with rich, warm sound.

Price: £173,000 estelon.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Top 10: Designer audio speakers appeared first on Checklists.

1. Tado Smart Thermostat

If you just want to install one thing that makes a big difference, a smart thermostat is it. Tado’s thermostats often come bundled when you buy a new boiler, but can also be retrofitted to most gas heating systems, including underfloor heating. It works with a central sensor but you can bolt on individual controls to each radiator – meaning you can adjust the heat of every room with the merest swipe of an app. Price varies depending on kit and installation.

Find out more: tado.com

2. Arlo Essential Video Doorbell

Wireless and high-definition, this smart doorbell captures a clear 1080p feed of whoever’s at the door, sending it to you directly via video call. It also incorporates 180-degree viewing, night vision, and even a built-in siren. Upgrade to the ‘constant monitoring’ package and it becomes a CCTV camera at the same time.

Find out more: ukshop.arlo.com

3. Amazon Echo Dot 4^th Gen

You’ll be familiar with smart speakers and home hubs by now, with Amazon’s Echo, Google’s Nest Audio and Apple’s HomePod among the most popular options. But the newest generation of the Amazon Echo Dot is worth highlighting. This is the most compact Amazon speaker, which typically comes with compromises to sound quality – but the sound on this device has been improved from previous models. Plus, an LED clock display has been added, which also supports alarms and timers.

Find out more: amazon.co.uk

4. Philips Hue

Installing Hue bulbs makes your household lights adjustable in brightness – and, depending on which bulbs you buy, colour too. You’ll need to buy a router hub to get started, but once set up, the bulbs will work with most popular voice assistants. You can add motion sensors, set lighting routines, or even set the lights to sync in time with an entertainment system. 

Find out more: Starter kit, philips-hue.com

5. Peloton Bike+

You’ll be forking out a fair amount for Peloton’s top-of-the-range ‘smart exercise bike’, but for the money you’ll get the highest-spec stationary bike on the market. It’s got a rotating 24” HD touchscreen, through which it can display one of thousands of spin classes. The ‘smart resistance’ automatically adjusts the pedalling difficulty based on the class’s virtual instructions – and it also supports Apple GymKit, meaning results are synced straight to your Apple Watch.

Find out more: onepeloton.co.uk

6. Tile item finder

You can ‘ping’ your phone when you’ve mislaid it – don’t you wish you could ping your wallet, keys, bag, Fitbit, or just about anything else as well? Now you can, with the Tile, which attaches to valuable items and uses Bluetooth to track them, giving an audible beep when it is nearby. This is a growing product area – Apple has just launched its own equivalent, which also uses ultra-wide band technology for location.

Find out more: uk.tile.com

7. Roomba i7+ vacuum cleaner

The Roomba has been around for a while, but that doesn’t mean its technology has stood still. The latest model, the i7+, is the first to be self-cleaning. This award-winning ‘cleaning robot’ empties itself into a bin that can hold 30 full bags, reducing the amount of maintenance time you need to give it. Plus, it’s got intelligent navigation that ‘teaches’ it your room layout, allowing you to customise which rooms are cleaned and when.

Find out more: irobot.co.uk

8. Sonos Beam sound bar

You don’t need to be an audiophile to appreciate a good sound bar – any regular TV or movie watcher will benefit from its clear, bass-rich audio in a compact form factor. Not only will it deliver a more immersive watching experience, it can also link to other Sonos speakers to mimic surround sound or offer multi-room playback.

Find out more: sonos.com

9. Nest Protect smoke alarm

Ultimately, what matters most about your home is that it is safe – which is why you should upgrade your smoke detector to a ‘smart’ model, which can alert you to a fire or carbon monoxide leak anywhere. If you’re at home, the Nest Protect will converse with Google Assistant to turn on the lights, making it easier to get out. If you’re out, it can send you an alert via your phone. It can also distinguish between different types of fire and tell you what’s wrong and where the problem is. 

Find out more: store.google.com

10. TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug

Ever heard the old teaser: You walk into a dark room and see a lamp, a TV and a microwave, all connected to a single power strip. What do you turn on first? That’s right, the power strip… It’s not just devices that have gone smart, it’s their power supplies too. This smart plug from TP-Link can be controlled manually as well as over Wi-Fi with the Kasa app, and can be set up with an automatic power timer, so you can set the lights to come on automatically. 

Find out more: tp-link.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post 10 smart home accessories you really need appeared first on Checklists.

1. Smartphones are getting smarter

Mobile phones are taken for granted, but their rate of advancement is nothing short of astonishing – from monophonic ringtones to making the sum total of the world’s knowledge available at the touch of a button, all in around 10 years. These days it’s easy to think that we’ve seen all the major advancements in smartphone tech, and the latest releases are just small upgrades designed to make us part with cash. Think again – we’re about to see some serious disruptions to the market.

At CES 2021, LG gave us a glimpse of its rollable smartphone – a concept that might become a reality, rather than just a concept, this year. Oppo also unveiled a rollable phone, which uses two small motors to ‘unfurl’ its digital screen. More than just feeling futuristic, this could be of serious benefit for presentations or creative work, when you could do with a bigger canvas.

2. Tech to keep you fit and healthy

It’s fairly likely that you already own a Fitbit, Apple Watch or one of the many other fitness-tracking devices on the market – which are designed not only to track your activity, but to subtly (or not-so-subtly) encourage you to exercise more and build it into your daily routine. These days, health tech goes far deeper than that – from 3D-printed prosthetics to AI-powered imaging, new technologies are driving the future of health, fitness and self-care.

Wondering how this will affect you? The answer is that there’s a new wave of health care and monitoring services making their way into your home in a non-intrusive way, through gadgets and apps. Anura is an app available on iOS and Android that can assess your health based only on a photo – and it’s expanding to gauge blood pressure as well. Another app, GP At Hand, allows you to video call a GP. Home blood pressure and glucose monitoring kits are also coming to the market; these can incorporate automatic alerts and even a voice assistant.

3. Amplify your well-being with the right headphones

Given how much time we all spend wearing headphones these days, you may as well make sure you have the right set – or, more likely, sets. For work and video calls, a good set of noise-cancelling headphones is best. There are many brands out there, catering to different tastes and budgets – but if you’re looking for somewhere to start, the Sony WH-1000XM3s have won several awards and have come down in price over the last year.

Don’t wear them for everything, though – for exercise, you’ll need a dedicated set of in-ear running headphones, which are moisture-resistant and secure enough to stay in place. Of the big brands, the Sennheiser CX Sport and Powerbeats 3 are good starting points.

Of course, headphone tech is evolving all the time. We mentioned rollable phones – well, you can get rollable headphones too, though these are more conventional, inspired by a roll-up metal watch strap. They’ll cost a penny or two, but you can’t deny they are rather unique.

4. Surprising uses for VR

Virtual reality has been one of the most talked-about emerging technologies of the last few years, but there’s still a preconception that it’s just for video gaming. In fact, it’s in use across almost every industry – a study found that 75% of the Forbes Most Valuable Brands are using VR or augmented reality for one purpose or another.

Major automotive companies use VR to design and test new parts before they’ve even been made. Architects are using it as a souped-up version of 3D modelling. Travel companies are creating ‘virtual holidays’ to encourage prospective customers to buy the real thing. VR is even in use in the healthcare system, after its therapeutic benefits were highlighted.

Even at home, you can find uses of VR for exercise, health and education. So a headset might not be such a frivolous buy after all.

5. Not sure which voice assistant to get?

Alexa, set a timer. Siri, turn that light off. OK Google, tell me a joke. We’ve formed a whole cultural language around the weird and wonderful interactions we have with our voice assistants. But as their software grows and integration increases, it’s worth thinking more seriously about using one, getting the most out of it, and which one is right for you.

Comparisons between the major options are rife, but in brief: Amazon Alexa offers the most comprehensive integration with smart-home devices, and as an Amazon product, also offers seamless voice-activated shopping (which is handy – but dangerous). Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri, on the other hand, will offer better smartphone support, depending on whether you have an iOS or Android phone.

Can’t decide which one to go for? You could always hedge your bets with a smart speaker like the SONOS ONE, which support both Google and Amazon’s voice assistants. You’ll be having conversations for days.

6. Everything is smart – including your house

If you’re an existing user of a smart speaker, you’ll be no stranger to their ability to interface with other connected objects in your home, effectively allowing you to control them all through one device.

The best-known uses of this are also the most universally helpful: controlling your heating system through Tado or Google Nest, or changing the tone and brightness of your lighting with Philips Hue. Get into the routine of adjusting these, and you’ll save on bills as well as improving the ambience of your home.

But it doesn’t stop there. As the ‘Internet of Things’ grows, everything is connected, from fridges to doorbells. Smart table? You can fund one right now. Smart toothbrush? They’re quite common, actually. Smart egg tray? Yep.

7. Become a ‘smartographer’ with the right tech

For a while it’s been a common preconception that ‘true’ photographers use a DSLR camera while less-skilled wannabes use a smartphone. 2021 could be the year when we cast that notion aside, as the quality of top-of-the-range smartphone cameras today is astonishing.

The phone with the most high-spec camera is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with a 108MP f/1.8 rear camera paired with a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens. It’s also got a telephoto lens, offering 5x optical zoom.

Another top-notch camera set-up is found on the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, which pairs a 50MP rear camera with 20MP f/1.8 ultrawide, 5x optical zoom, and a depth-sensing 13MP front camera – an enviable degree of versatility. 

Apple aficionados will gravitate to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which boasts class-leading low-light and HDR photography on top of its triple 12MP cameras.

And it’s not just photography – photo editing on smartphones has also come on in leaps and bounds. Adobe Photoshop Express is available for free and gives you an impressive range of parameters and dynamic effects to adjust.

8. Lockdown tech: Gadgets that clean surfaces – and themselves

We’re all cleanliness freaks now. Cleaning and sanitising surfaces doesn’t specifically stop coronavirus, it can certainly help limit its spread as part of a wider routine of hand-washing, mask-wearing and space-making.

Before you reach for the spray bottle and cloth, you’ll be pleased to know there’s new cleaning tech making its way onto the market – specifically UV cleaning lights. UV-C light is effective against a range of bacteria, which has led to a proliferation of handheld UV sanitisers. They’re lightweight and versatile – just remember they aren’t a substitute for the regular COVID protocols you’re familiar with. Or if you can’t be bothered with any cleaning routine whatsoever, you can now buy everyday objects that clean themselves – such as this self-cleaning water bottle. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, it can also maintain the temperature of a hot drink for 12 hours.

9. Lockdown tech: Make video calls more bearable

It looks like video conferencing is here to stay – so you may as well get the best possible viewing experience, thanks to a high-quality monitor. These days, there are monitors specifically designed for videoconferencing – such as HP’s E27d G4, which comes with a pop-up webcam, a built-in speaker bar, and integrated microphones, all of which will cut out the faff plugging in USB devices and rearranging wires.

Going higher up the price ladder, a curved monitor will deliver a premium experience for any video work: calls, watching or editing. The BenQ EX3510R is designed for “video enjoyment” and is wider than most standard monitors, meaning you can fit a Zoom window and a presentation on screen at once.

Or look at the product from a new angle (literally): Samsung’s S22E45KMS offers full rotation so you can turn the screen vertical – almost like a giant smartphone. Ideal for video calls with people in portrait mode… or watching TikTok videos.

10. Lockdown tech: Yes, there are smart masks now

Every company has tried to contribute to anti-COVID efforts in some way, and gaming company Razer’s effort is its ‘smart mask’ prototype. It’s translucent so you can see the wearer’s mouth moving, and comes with an integrated amplified – no more struggling to make out what people are saying. The built-in ventilator also filters out 95% of bacteria, according to the manufacturer.

Sadly, the Razer mask isn’t actually out yet. In the meantime, check out some other options, including LG’s Puricare wearable air purifier, which uses two H13 HEPA filters to deliver clean air. Every part of it is replaceable and recyclable, which is a nice touch.

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