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With the Internet Of Things becoming increasingly popular, the number of products that fall under this banner are increasing too. One of the fastest expanding segments within this market is that of the security camera, that can allow you to monitor your home, office or other locations from your smartphone, tablet or web browser (use the app it is better). For me, security cameras are one of the logical first steps in connecting your home.  The peace of mind it brings for many, is quite great.  Could we cope without? Yes of course, but being able to remotely check in has many advantages. Motorola Focus 66 – £55 Motorola Focus 85 – £75 Motorola Focus 73 – £130 A full CCTV system is not what Motorola Focus cameras are about.  You could kind of create a full CCTV system, with them but there are some limitations in the way they work that make this more difficult to achieve. If you want assurances of constant recording and logs of activity a more premium solution is likely the route to go. I will not get into the moral discussion on whether it is ‘right’ or not to be able to use cameras as a way of checking on family, tradespeople or possibly employees, but cameras do serve a purpose and the Motorola Focus range I am reviewing here offers a fairly simple and cost effective way to achieve such. In this review I am looking at 3 cameras. All 3 are different but similar. Focus 66 Entry level designed for indoor use. Infrared night vision up to 6 metres. Wall mountable. Two way communication Focus 73 IP rated for use outdoors. Wall or ceiling mountable Infrared night vision up to 10 meters Pan & zoom options Focus 85 Premium camera for Indoor use only. Infrared night vision up to 6 metres. Pan & zoom options Wall mountable. Two way communication What all the cameras share is a simple setup process, connecting to your wireless network and once connected you have the ability to access the camera(s) via a Hubble application on mobile devices and web browser on a PC or MAC. The Focus 66 and 85 offer two way communication whereby you can listen to what is going on within the camera surroundings as well as speak via the camera.  For example, you could speak to someone at your home via the camera, whilst you are at work. All record in 720p HD and have motion and temperature sensors built in.  Alerts can be received if motion is detected and temperatures above or below set levels. There are to, options for  alerts based on sounds. These alerts are logged in the Hubble for Motorola application and you can have them pushed through to you so that you get instant notification of what is/has been going on. When motion is detected you can also have the recording saved so that you can watch it back or download it for review at a later date.  This recording is saved in the cloud on Motorolas servers. Depending on your needs and desires of a security camera will depend on your view of the Motorola Focus range and whether it works for you. As the cameras are so similar in what they achieve, I thought it best to list out below what I like and did not like so much about these. What I liked All Cameras Simple to setup Good value for money Motion, sound & heat detection Night vision Take a photo Focus 66 Simplistic and functional Two way communication Focus 73 Ideal for outdoors overlooking the front or back door IP rated Solid construction Option to be connected via ethernet rather than WiFi Focus 85 Premium look and feel to the camera Pan and tilt option Two way communication Hubble App Simple to use and remotely control settings Available for iOS & Android Logs of events What I disliked All cameras No 1080p video function.  Image results were ok but not great. No option to record constantly Focus 66 The the design looks and feels a bit cheap. The thermometer hangs out the back Focus 73 Heavy and takes a bit more effort to instal with cabled due to taking power outside. Focus 85 Can’t really find a fault with it. Hubble App No option to view all the cameras at the same time like an overview. Lag in the application.  Caused a lot by the wireless connectivity but it did hamper the experience at times. Having spent a few weeks testing these cameras at home overall I am quite impressed with them. I would like to show you some sample footage.  However, this can only be viewed in the app. Although it can be downloaded to the phone you can’t extract it. Check out our video to get an idea of what it is like. There are a couple of things that I feel should be mentioned, but are perhaps not big enough issues to say that I did not like them, but more points to note. This is really around the motion and sound detection and notifications. When it comes to notifications, you are going to want to tinker with the settings as you can end up with lots of notification in quick succession.  This will depend on your setup and preferences but it is a word of warning that in the first couple of days, unless you have got your settings just right or turned them off expect lots of notifications. I found a few inconsistencies with the motion detection.  The camera was pointing out over my drive but was in view of the main road and although about 40 meters away there was a lot of motion detection.  However, it was inconsistent, sometimes there was lots of activity on the camera and other times considerably less, yet the traffic was passing regularly. I think in my case it was because the camera was looking out over a vast area and was at the limits of its motion detection range.   It is a point to consider when positioning cameras as for me the notification of the road activity was pointless, I wanted to know when someone was coming up the drive or to the door.  Moving the camera’s position slightly assisted greatly as does reconfiguring the sensitivity levels. This is a similar situation with the sound. The scales of detection are not really based on anything like decibels, which is fairly standard, but different environments and setups will require different setups. There is always a delay of at least 5 seconds, even when on the same wireless network when viewing footage or controlling the cameras.  This is to be expected to a point, but it can be longer depending on your connection setup and speeds.  Over 3G it can be 20 seconds. This is not a real problem, but it is a bit of a hassle if you try to remotely pan and tilt a camera.  By the time you have sent commands and they have been followed through you may have missed what you were trying to catch etc. Whilst logs remain for as long as you have the camera setup, any recordings of motion appear to be available for no longer than a month after capture.  So, if you want to save a clip, you need to download it.  What is frustrating is this can only be viewed back in the hubble app and not exported for use elsewhere. Personally, for me, the focus range do not offer enough for what I want in a security system.  I want to be able to get an overview of the camera’s view at all times and record activity to a hard drive for review at a later time and these cameras simply do not offer that. This is my personal view however when it comes to essentially setting up a CCTV system. What I cannot dispute is the simplicity in setting these cameras up and just keeping an eye on things. At all times the cameras appeared to keep working, I noticed no downtime and the app is simple to use. If you simply wanted to have a camera in a room at home to check the kids are home safe from school or to check the window cleaner did come, then these cameras certainly serve a purpose with limited hassle and cost. Motorola are a reputable brand and I think for the money you could do worse. If you are interested, you can pick any of the focus range up on the links below for the mention prices. Motorola Focus 66 – £55 Motorola Focus 85 – £75 Motorola Focus 73 – £130

The camera. Reimagined. In 2017 Samsung re-envisaged the smartphone screen with the Infinity Display, pushing the boundaries of contemporary design. For 2018, they have a similar trick for the camera. Using the human eye as inspiration the dual-aperture lens can automatically adapt to lighting conditions to provide the best possible images in bright or dark situations. When it comes to video recording, you can also slow down time with an incredible super slow-mo effect that you can be switched on during recording or turned into GIFs. Want to know before you buy? Below you can find the digital version of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus user manual –  click the PDF icon to download it, or access it here. If you would like a printed version, please click here. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus User Guide Hopefully the user manual will answer any of the outstanding questions that you have about the device. If you still have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments or to contact our sales team. Clove Technology. We Print User Manuals.

Find the answers to your Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini questions with the user manual.    Click the icon below to open the official Samsung Galaxy S III Mini user manual.   Click the icon below to open the Samsung Galaxy S3 quick start guide.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Huawei Mate 20 X have been praised for their speedy processors, top-of-the-class photography skills and stunning displays, but how do the two compare when they’re put head to head? Display and Design Now, of course the first thing that is likely to catch your eye with these two devices, is the sheer size of the Huawei Mate 20 X. The Full HD OLED display measures in at a whopping 7.2-inches and so the device is almost more of a phablet than your standard smartphone. Despite the size, it’s surprisingly comfortable to hold the phone and use it to perform a one-handed operation as well as accessing the rear sensor and side buttons. Huawei has achieved this by minimising the bezels as much as possible, so much so that you can hardly see them at all. The sides really are tiny, whilst a small waterdrop notch minimises the top. We know that many are not a fan of the notch, but it does allow for a really immersive experience, as the Mate 20 X offers an impressive 87% screen-to-body ratio as well as a wide 18.7:9 aspect ratio. The display of the Note 9 is smaller at 6.4-inches and has a narrower 18:5 aspect ratio, however it’s certainly not slacking, as the edge-to-edge Infinity Display is crafted with 3D curved glass and really is stunning to look at. Many of you will also have been pleased to see that the device does not come with that infamous notch and instead, all the required front-facing sensors are neatly tucked away in the smallest possible space at the top. Despite the smaller screen size, the Note 9 actually has a higher pixel resolution at 2960 x 1440 in comparison to the 2244 x 1080-pixel resolution of the Mate 20 X. Both devices come with a fingerprint sensor to the rear that can easily be accessed whilst using the phone one-handed and come draped in Gorilla Glass to protect from dust and scratches. The rear of the Mate 20 X has a very unique texture that we personally really like – you can literally hear it as you rub your nail over the back – whilst the design of the Note 9 is a little more understated and classic. So, if you’re going to make your decision based on the display of each device, then you have a tough call to make. It’s really hard to imagine a more immersive all-round experience than the Mate 20 X, however it may just be a too large for some. It simply comes down to personal preference. Huawei Mate 20 X: Full HD OLED 7.2-inch display 87% screen-to-body ratio 18.7:9 aspect ratio 2244 x 1080-pixel resolution Corning Gorilla Glass Samsung Galaxy Note 9: 6.4-inch Infinity Display with 3D Curved Glass 18.5 aspect ratio 2960 x 1440-pixel resolution Corning Gorilla Glass   Camera Both of these devices are a media lover’s dream and we’re sure you’ll be pleased to hear that the Mate 20 X comes fitted with the same triple lens setup as the Mate 20 Pro. A number of Clove staff have personally had the Mate 20 Pro for around a month now and the pictures that we have managed to take it on it really are stunning. The main 40MP sensor is perfect for capturing details of shots, the 20MP ultra-wide-lens comes in for those landscape shots, macro shots and big group pictures, whilst the 8MP telephoto lens is perfect for distant shots. If you’re no photography pro, well then Huawei’s AI technology will have you covered. This recognises over 1500 scenes automatically and adjusts colours, brightness and contrast accordingly. The results for us have been extraordinary and to look back at these on such a large display is amazing. In contrast, the Note 9 comes fitted with a dual rear camera that features Samsung’s popular f/1.5 – 2.4 variable aperture technology that allows for great night time photography. This intelligent technology adapts automatically to surroundings, choosing between the two f modes accordingly. Both lenses are 12MP, and one is a telephoto lens whilst the other is a super-wide-angle for those big group shots. If selfies are more your thing, well then both devices will more than have you covered, as the Mate 20 X comes with a 24MP front shooter. Beauty mode and portrait mode work really effectively and a wide-angle lens allows everybody to fit into those group selfies. In comparison, the Note 9 comes with an 8MP front camera with a wide f/1.7 aperture that works really well even in low light situations. All your smartphone camera needs will be met with these devices. Huawei Mate 20 X: Leica triple lens rear setup 40MP main sensor, 20MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 8MP telephoto lens AI technology recognises over 1500 scenes 24MP front camera Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Dual rear camera Both 12MP, one telephoto lens, one super-wide-angle lens f/1.5 – f/2.4 variable aperture technology 8MP front camera Other When we said the Mate 20 X was a media lover’s dream, we weren’t exaggerating. I mean, what is a film or game without accompanying sound? At both ends of Huawei’s device you’ll find dual symmetrical speakers that offer a super high dynamic range of up to 40 decibels so that every sound – no matter how loud – is produced in astounding clarity, richness and depth. In comparison, the Note 9 caters more to the needs of business professionals and has included Bluetooth capabilities to its much-loved S-Pen that has brought with it a world of possibilities to the device. If this wasn’t enough, the Note 9 is the first of Samsung’s devices to have its DeX system incorporated directly into it which allows you to transform your phone into a desktop like environment quickly and efficiently. Huawei Mate 20 X: Dual Symmetrical Speakers Dynamic range of up to 40 decibels Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Bluetooth-enabled S-Pen DeX System incorporated   Performance Now again, when it comes to performance, you won’t find any problems with these two. The Mate 20 X comes with a HiSilicon Kirin 980 octa-core processor which has worked fantastically quickly on our Mate 20 Pro’s and seems perfect for gamers with no problems with lag or frame rate issues. The device is powered by GPU Turbo 2.0 technology in which hardware and software work together to accelerate speed and power for faster, smoother and more stable gaming, even in graphically intense games. If things do become intense, the Mate 20 X is fitted with Huawei SuperCool, the first liquid cooling system that conducts heat away from the core to keep the device cool. We probably haven’t had the chance to do enough serious gaming on the device to make a judgement on this just yet, but we’ve encountered no problems whatsoever thus far. Alongside this, the device comes with an industry leading 5000mAh battery which is considerably larger than the 4000mAh offering of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. That said, the Note 9 is available with both 128GB and 512GB internal storage as well as microSD support, whilst the Huawei Mate 20 X comes with only 128GB of internal memory. Huawei Mate 20 X: HiSilicon Kirin 980 octa-core processor GPU Turbo 2.0 Technology Huawei SuperCool – liquid cooling system 5000mAh battery Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 4000mAh battery 128GB and 512GB memory options microSD support   Result? So I suppose the question is this; what do you want the device for? Work or play? If you’re using your phone to take pictures, watch videos and game then the Huawei Mate 20 X is definitely for you. The display really is fantastic and pictures just cannot do it justice. In comparison, if you’re using your phone for business means, then the Note 9 probably edges it, with it’s Bluetooth S-Pen and incorporated DeX system. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is available in both Dual and Single SIM variants, 128GB or 256GB or storage and in a variety of colour variants starting at £780. In comparison, the Huawei Mate 20 X is now available for pre-order as a 128GB Dual SIM variant in Midnight Blue for £799.99.

Set recordings from your smartphone We have talked about how technology is about making your life easier and television is something that plays a part in many of our lives. Many of us probably have Sky or Virgin Media installed in your home, and their services have greatly improved over the years, more content when we want it, now in HD or even 3D.  However for such interactive services there have been limitations with how we can interact with out content outside our home. From the likes of actually watching the TV through to setting recordings.   Now I know there are workarounds such as Slingbox but they cost extra. I wanted to draw your attention to apps/elements of these television services that are FREE and are under promoted and get missed. Sky have pioneered the way in letting customers set programmes to record from their mobile with the Sky+ App (Android/iPhone) and now their Sky Go app (Android/iPhone) that allows customers to watch channels on the go. Virgin Media might be a bit behind the times, but not wanting to be left out they have created an App, Virgin Media TV Guide (Android/iPhone) to allow you to remotely record programmes from your mobile device. This service is only available to those customers with a TiVo box however (thousands still don’t).   The app allows you to see what’s on TV and set recordings on your Virgin Media: TiVo Service by a one time login. You can get a quick overview of what’s on now, or delve deeper for a full schedule for each TV channel. Once logged in you can from your mobile device set a programme or a whole series to record on your TiVo box.  You can even send an email or text to someone to suggest that they watch it. A really excellent additional feature is the ability to customise the list of channels you see.  So for example it is quite likely that you have 100+ channels but only 30 you watch regularly.  Just customise the display to show you only your preferred channels. Virgin do have an app to allow you to watch channels remotely like Sky but it is fair to say at this time it is poor. The following is a short promotional video about the service. The following are some screenshots from the Android version of the app. So if you are a Virgin Media customer with TiVo and a smartphone, get this app.  And if you are a Sky customer get their apps too.

The split screen function that appears on the majority of modern smartphones is perfect for multitaskers, allowing you to use two apps simultaneously. This means that you can watch a video on YouTube or Netflix whilst messaging your friends on WhatsApp at the same time. Here we show you how you can enable Split Screen mode on the Huawei P30 Pro and other Huawei devices. Huawei P30 Pro | From £899 inc-VAT    OPTION ONE: Knuckle Swipe  Now the first way you can do this is with a simple swipe of your knuckle – but first you need to make sure that split screen gesture is turned on. Now open the first app that you want to use and firmly press your knuckle on the screen, drawing a line across the screen to enter split-screen mode. It’s important to remember that if you’re using your phone in portrait mode, the line needs to be horizontal and if you’re using in landscape, then the line needs to be vertical. Then select, the other app you want to use and off you go! Ensure that split screen gesture is turned on  Open the first app that you want to use Firmly press your knuckle on the display until you see a blue fuzzy line Without breaking contact, draw a line horizontally across the screen  This app will display in the top half of your screen, whilst you can choose the app you’d like to view in the bottom half      OPTION TWO: Recent Apps  If you’re not as comfortable using gestures, then you can also enable split-screen mode through the recent apps button. Simply open the first app that you would like to use and then tap on the recent apps button which is this square button at the bottom – you’ll see the list of all of the applications that you have running in the background. On the top right corner of the application, you will see the split screen icon. Click this and the display will be automatically divided, loading the app in the first half and allowing you to select your second app. It also automatically rotates as you move your device. Open the first app that you want to use Tap on the recent apps icon – the square in the bottom right corner On the top right hand corner of the app, you’ll see the split screen icon – two rectangles parallel to eachother Click this and the display will automatically divide    Exit Split Screen Mode  When you want to switch back to just the one display, there are two easy ways to do this. Firstly, you can hold the split screen app at the bottom of the screen. By doing this, the bottom app automatically closes, and you’ll have the first one on full screen. Similarly, you can drag the divider line all the way to the top or bottom.   Now, we hope that this has helped, and you can fully utilise the multitasking capabilities of the Huawei P30 Pro. If there’s anything else you would like us to demonstrate, please leave a comment below and we will do our best to assist you. Huawei P30 Pro | From £899 inc-VAT 

With the overabundance of flagship launches within the last six months and accompanying hype, it’s been easy to overlook several of the mid-range options that have been released. It would be criminal to do this with the Samsung Galaxy A50. It manages to include some of the features that you would usually only expect from a high-end handset, wrapping it up in a stunning design, for a spit of the cost. Here are some of the reasons why we believe that the Samsung Galaxy A50 is a mid-range device you need to consider, highlighting just some of the features at play. Samsung Galaxy A50 | From £299.99 inc-VAT   5 Reasons to Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50 #1: Triple-lens camera There are endless benefits of having a device with multiple lenses, however these are often reserved for more flagship devices. But not when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy A50. The A50 has been crafted with a triple-lens rear camera, consisting of a 25MP main lens with an f/1.7 aperture for bright, clear photos all day, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2) with a 123-degree field of view and a 5MP (f/2.2) depth camera, perfect for adjusting depth of field. This setup is quite phenomenal for a mid-ranger and allows you to capture highly detailed images including immersive panoramic landscapes. Portrait photography is exceptional thanks to the 5MP depth sensor, giving you full control over the amount of background blur that you want to apply to an image. Further, expert AI tech ensures that every photo you take is Instagram-ready with Scene Optimiser. This tech recognises different scenarios and enhances them accordingly, giving optimum levels of things such as brightness and saturation. Flaw detection similarly works to catch blinks, blurs and backlighting so that you can get the right shot in the right moment. #2: Convenient security Your smartphone devices stores it all – contacts, pictures, messages and more – so security measures are of paramount importance when choosing your new device. The Samsung Galaxy A50 comes with a number of features to make this easy for you. The first of these is Face Unlock which allows you to instantly unlock your device simply by holding your smartphone to your face. In setting this up, your front camera will scan your face and map your biometric data. This grants mobile access to you alone, ensuring your personal data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. The A50 is also Samsung’s first mid-ranger to come with an optical in-screen fingerprint scanner. Not only does this streamline design, but it works in a similar way by storing and recognising the biometrics of your finger. Alongside this, Samsung’s One UI has a Secure Folder function; a security solution that lets you create a private and encrypted space to store content such as photos and other documents under an additional layer of protection.   #3: Stunning display Samsung has become deservedly renowned for producing some striking displays, and they haven’t held back when it comes to their latest mid-ranger. The Galaxy A50 comes crafted with a 6.4-inch Infinity-U Super AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2340 FHD+ resolution. This gives vivid colours, extremely high brightness levels, deep blacks and exceptionally wide viewing angles – with the option to tweak settings according to your preferences. The Super AMOLED panel covers the phone edge-to-edge for an almost bezel-less experience that comes into its own when viewing media. Indeed, the Galaxy A50 has an impressive 85.2% screen to body ratio, making the most of every single inch. With support for the Widevine L1 DRM, the A50 is also capable of streaming HD content from Netflix. #4: Improved One UI Interface   If you’ve been the proud owner of a Samsung device previously, then you’ll notice that the interface has been completely overhauled and streamlined for a more intuitive performance. One UI is straightforward and ridiculously easy to use and become accustomed to, with colourful iconography and nifty animations. The focus is clearly on ease and intuition and hardware and software combine when it comes to the Galaxy A50, with content right at your fingertips so that you can access it faster. There are a plethora of options available so that you can tweak the software exactly to your liking, whilst improved tech learns your behaviour patterns and adjusts accordingly. For example, if you turn the brightness down on your screen at a certain time of day, the A50 will remember this and do it for you.   #5: Premium Design We’ve touched on the Infinity display adorning the front, however the overall build of the Samsung Galaxy A50 is equally as striking. The A50 is slim and ergonomic, sitting comfortably in the hand thanks to the seamless curves on all sides. Indeed, the back panel of the device is crafted from 3D glasstic (plastic that looks like glass) for a very smooth finish and we’re big fans of this here at Clove. Four colour variations are available; white, black, coral or blue, however there’s much more to the story than this, as each has a gradient colouring, giving colourful rainbow-like reflections depending on the angle in which the A50 is held. In using plastic, Samsung has also kept the overall weight of the phone down to 166g, making it all the more comfortable in hand.   Is the Samsung Galaxy A50 Worth Buying? Based on these key features, we believe that the Samsung Galaxy A50 is an essential device for those looking for a mid-ranger with several features usually reserved for higher tier phones. But are there better all-round value-for-money options? It’s important to remember that the Samsung Galaxy A50 is only a spit under £300 inc-VAT. If smartphone photography is important to you, then you’re not going to find many better camera setups for this kind of money. Three different lenses suit a whole variety of needs and Samsung’s AI tech is really quite something. You’re also not going to find many better displays at any price, let alone £300. The Samsung Galaxy A50 is a true all-rounder and is easily one of the best value-for-money options on the market right now. You’d be mad to miss out! Samsung Galaxy A50 | From £299.99 inc-VAT   Samsung Galaxy A50 Key Features Android 9 (Pie) with One UI 4-inch 1080 x 2340 Super AMOLED Infinity-U display Samsung Exynos 9610 Octa-core processor 128GB with 6GB RAM MicroSD support (up to 512GB) TRIPLE 25MP + 8MP + 5MP rear cameras with phase-detection autofocus 25MP selfie camera 4,000mAh battery with fast charging Gorilla Glass 3 / USB Type-C / 3.5mm audio jack   Where Can I Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50? As always, the Samsung Galaxy A50 is available from Clove Technology, with same-day worldwide dispatch. Whether you’re looking for a Single or Dual SIM variant, UK or EU Model, we have the Samsung Galaxy A50 available in White, Black, Coral and Blue.   Samsung Galaxy A50 | From £299.99 inc-VAT    

There are now more ways than ever to get the contents of your phone across to a big screen display. We covered the topic in depth last year and since then there haven’t been many changes or new additions to the technologies. There has though been a shift in which options people are using and what is being made readily available. Not too long ago, the easiest way to share your phone or tablet screen was to use a cable. A lot of higher end mobile devices were equipped with MHL technology so you could convert the USB port and use a normal HDMI cable. In 2015 though we’ve seen a shift away from this technology to using wireless options. Samsung, probably the biggest proponent of MHL in their Galaxy range of smartphones in the last few years, no longer includes the technology, so the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge plus and Note 5 all have to use a wireless technology. Miracast or Chromecast? One thing to note is that these two technologies are different. It doesn’t help that they both have the word ‘cast’ included which can confuse matters! The easiest thing to remember is that Google make the Chrome web browser, so the Chromecast is also made by them. Chromecast is a physical product that you buy and works with almost all modern Android phones. Miracast is a technology that is part of the Wi-Fi specification. Support for Miracast has been a part of Android since version 4.2, so all new Android phones should support it. Chromecast is great for apps The Chromecast dongle is best described like a little computer. It connects to your home Wi-Fi connection, into your TV by HDMI and needs to be powered (if your TV has a USB connection you can often use this). Once it’s all connected, it sits and waits to be talked to. You can download the Google Cast / Chomecast app to any Android device from Google Play or to compatible iOS devices from iTunes. Once installed on your phone, you can set up the Chromecast dongle when connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The setup takes a couple of minutes and once it’s done, anyone who has access to your Wi-Fi network can also connect to your Chromecast(s). After installing the app and setting up the Chromecast, you should start to see some ‘cast’ icons appear in certain applications. Netflix has excellent support for Chromecast, as do other major applications such as BBC Sport & iPlayer, ITV Player, All4, SKY GO and other streaming services such as Crunchyroll. Video PlayerWhen you press the cast icon inside an app, a link for the content gets sent to the Chromecast dongle. The dongle then goes off and gets the content itself, because it is connected to the Internet. This is pretty cool because it means you can continue to do something else on the phone while the Chromecast directly streams the content. YouTube is an excellent option for Chromecast, as it allows anyone in the room to send a video link over to the TV, plus you can also build a queue – great for building a playlist when getting ready to go out! It can also make for some funny pranks if you interrupt what someone else is watching by sending them a video! Not that I would condone that sort of behaviour… Chromecast can also do screen mirroring Once you have a Chromecast set up, look at the options for the Chromecast / Google Cast app on your phone. There should be an option to ‘Cast screen / audio’. When you select this, the screen will be mirrored in much the same way as Miracast. One thing to note though is that this is happening over the Wi-Fi connection and is not a direct communication like Miracast. This is a subtle but important distinction, as it means app sharing or screen mirroring with Chromecast won’t work in some situations. For instance I took mine to a major UK hotel chain and was unable to connect. Whilst I could use their Wi-Fi to browse the web on my phone/laptop, there must have been restrictions that stopped the communication between the phone and Chromecast on their network. This is worth bearing in mind should you be thinking of taking a Chromecast with you on travels or as an aid to giving presentations for instance. Similar restrictions could be in place in corporate environments, or on free access Wi-Fi in stores, libraries and high streets. Chromecast is best used in your home, with a Miracast receiver the better choice for those on the move, due to its direct communication. The screen casting within the Chromecast app isn’t perfect for every application. It has been tested to work well on Android phones running 4.4.2 or higher, however as the signal is transmitted over the Wi-Fi network rather than directly between devices, there is more chance of the stream being interrupted. There is also more noticeable lag than with direct Miracast, so it’s not great for games. Miracast is like a wireless HDMI cable If you go into the settings of your Android, you should find an option, usually in the display sub-menu, for “Screen Mirroring”. Sometimes this is called ‘screen sharing’, ‘screen casting’ or something else along the same vein. Tapping this option should bring up a screen where your phone will be searching for a connection, just like when you search for a Wi-Fi point or a Bluetooth headset. At this point the phone is looking for a compatible Miracast enabled product to share with. If you have bought a new smart TV in the last couple of years, this might be built in (especially if it’s a Samsung model). Otherwise, you can purchase a Miracast adapter or dongle to attach to the TV by HDMI. Once you connect by Miracast, everything that happens on your phone screen will be shared in real time. That could be a game, an app, a document, anything! The connection is made directly between the phone and the Miracast receiver in an ‘ad-hoc’ connection. This means it doesn’t go through your Wi-Fi network, so it doesn’t impact network speed for anyone else in the house and isn’t affected by your Internet connection. Miracast adapters can be especially useful if you travel, give presentations or in any situation where you may need to connect to an HDMI equipped monitor. Because you’re not accessing a wider Wi-Fi network for the connection, there’s no security issues. This is perfect in hotels that might lock down what a guest can do on their Wi-Fi connections, or a corporate setting with similar restrictions.

Sony BSP10 Bluetooth Speaker User Guide It has never been so easy to consume media on the go. If it is not already stored on your device it is relatively simple to stream content to it. When it is so easy to obtain it, then it should be just as vital that we enjoy that content on the best possible hardware. Take music for example, if you have a high quality audio file, you want to appreciate the full sound as the artist intended, so you should opt for the best speakers possible to appreciate such. Of course we all have a budget on what we can afford and is practical and that practicality comes into its own when listening to music on the go. Sony have for a long time produced a range of Bluetooth speakers, and the BSP10 is their latest version and it is packed full of features. Pairing with your phone, tablet or mobile device via Bluetooth, the sound is pumped through the high quality 5 Watt speaker. The SRS-BTV5 that the BSP10 replaces has just a 1.2 Watt speaker. Great for music and even voice calls, delivering deeper bass and clearer highs, the compact speaker comes in two colours, black and white. Weighing 300grams it is portable enough with a height of 6cm and diameter of just 8cm. A built in battery should last for 7 hours of streaming and is capable of up to 400 hours of standby. At some point that battery will deplete so you will need to recharge it. This is where the BSP10 is really quite innovative. It has Qi wireless charging on board, meaning all you need so is sit it on a wireless charging plate and the battery will be recharged. It works perfectly with the WCH10 charging plate from Sony. Of course there is a microUSB connection for traditional charging. To make pairing simple too, the BSP10 has NFC in built for one touch pairing too. Below you can find the digital version of the Sony BSP10 speaker user manual, so you can know all there is to know about this speaker. Hopefully the user manual will answer any of the outstanding questions that you have about the SBH60, but if there is anything that isn’t covered or if you have any questions prior to purchasing, please feel free to ask in the comments or to contact our sales team.

Motorola has added a new member to its mid-range family, and this really is one to be excited about. The Motorola One Vision offers a whole host of features usually reserved for more premium priced handsets, but is the Motorola One Vision water resistant? The Motorola One Vision comes with an IP52 rating for water resistance. This offers protection from vertical drops of water at an angle up to 15 degrees, but not full immersion. The device is also coated in Gorilla Glass which offers an extra layer of protection. The Motorola One Vision is available from Clove Technology with 128GB of internal memory and 4GB of RAM for £269.99 inc-VAT Motorola One Vision | £269.99 inc-VAT What is an IP rating and is it important? An IP rating is an international standard that is used to define levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies (such as dirt and dust) and moisture. An IP rating is presented in the form of ‘IP’ (Ingress Protection) followed by two numbers. The first of these numbers refers to protection provided against solids. This number ranges from 1 to 6 and the higher the number the better the protection. For example, 1 promises protection against solid objects over 50mm, whilst a 6 rating indicates that a device is dust tight. The second number then, refers to protection from liquids and ranges from 1 to 8. In this instance, a ‘1’ rating describes protection against vertically falling drops of water (such as rain), whilst a top-of-the-class ‘8’ rating promises protection against the effects of long periods of immersion under water, usually outlined by the manufacturer. As such, an IP68 rating is currently the best certification that can be ascribed to a smartphone device, however it’s important to remember that the relevant testing is only performed on fresh water. As such, you may experience an extremely different outcome in the face of salt water and other liquids such as spilt drinks.   What does IP52 mean? In line with Ingress Protection certifications, IP52 has two clear meanings for the Motorola One Vision. The ‘5’ rating against dust and solids means that ingress of dust is not entirely prevented. Whilst this means that the Motorola One Vision is protected against contact with small particles, they must not enter in sufficient quantity as to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment. In short, the Motorola One Vision has some protection against dust and complete protection against contact. The ‘2’ rating against moisture, certifies protection against vertically dripping water when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of up to 15 degrees from its normal position. This means that the Motorola One Vision does not come with guaranteed protection from immersion under water for any period of time or powerful jets and sprays of water. As such, whilst you should not encounter any problems using the device in rain, we wouldn’t advise taking it for a shower with you.     What is Gorilla Glass, and does it help with water resistance? As well as having an IP52 rating for water and dust resistance, the Motorola One Vision has a 4D sheet of Gorilla Glass draped across the device both back and front. Gorilla Glass is a well-known brand, producing chemically strengthened glass that is designed to be thin and light so that it can be used on a range of handheld electronic devices, and importantly damage resistant. Indeed, in production, the glass is immersed in a proprietary, hot, potassium-salt, ion-exchange bath to gain its surface strength and crack-resistance. Gorilla Glass undergoes testing for flexibility, scratch resistance and impact protection before mass production. From this, it’s claimed that Gorilla Glass is able to survive drops of up to 1.6 meters (or selfie height!) onto hard surfaces 80% of the time as well as 15 consecutive drops from 1 meter onto rough surfaces. As such, whilst not being produced for water resistance, this essentially provides your smartphone device with a thin layer which is durable and resilient. When you think about it as an extra layer of protection to your Motorola One Vision, you get a rough idea of how this might work in the face of small drops of water such as light rain.   Are there any other ways to protect the Motorola One Vision from water? Whilst the Motorola One Vision does come with a level of certified water resistance, there are a number of ways in which you can further protect your device from water. The best of these is by purchasing a waterproof case for your device. The DiCAPac Action Universal Case is perfect for wet scenarios and provides all of the protection that you need to be more adventurous with your smartphone device in tandem. As well as coming with the highest grade JIS IPX8 waterproof rating, the window on the front is crystal clear so that you can easily see the screen on your phone and still use all of the features that you need. Indeed, you are still able to make full use of the touchscreen whilst it’s in the case and also make calls. The case also protects against dust and other particles, as well as water.   Is the Motorola One Vision worth it? The Motorola One Vision offers a new way to enjoy your favourite movies and programmes whilst on-the-go, with its CinemaVision Full HD+ display. This matches the aspect ratio of the cinema and a 1080 x 2520-pixel resolution at 411ppi means that colours are bright and vivid. The Motorola One Vision is also the first Motorola device to feature a front O-shaped cutout for the selfie camera, maximising the display fully. This lends the One Vision an 85% screen-to-body ratio so you can fully enjoy photos, videos and app content. The 48MP main lens, coupled with a 5MP depth sensor is exceptional and captures some amazing images. It benefits from AI and Quad Pixel technology, which delivers four times the low light sensitivity. There is also Optical Image Stabilisation and Night Vision so you snap great photos even in dimly lit rooms or on dark, cloudy days. With a 3,500mAh battery you will get through a full day with ease. But when you do need some juice, then Turbo Power Charging will get you up again in 15 minutes.   Motorola One Vision Key Features Android 9.0 (Pie) with Android One 3” CinemaVision (21:9) FHD+ Display Dual 48MP main camera with 5MP depth sensor Quad Pixel technology, OIS and Night Vision 25MP Selfie Camera 128GB internal storage / 4GB RAM USB Type-C / BT 5.0 / Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 3,500mAh battery / Turbopower charging Motorola One Vision | £269.99 inc-VAT  

The Honor 8X and Huawei P Smart 2019 are two of the best budget devices currently on the market, and two devices that we’ve genuinely really enjoyed our time with. Honor are a brand very much renowned for providing exceptional value for money, however as a sub-brand of Huawei, there are understandably many similarities between the pair. So, how do the two really compare? Design and Display So, first thing’s first, when looking at these two devices, you’ll notice that they look very similar indeed. The general setup and layout on the rear is almost identical and both the Honor 8X and P Smart 2019 are fitted with a Full HD+ IPS LCD panel. The display of the Honor 8X is notably bigger though, and measures in at 6.5-inches compared to the 6.21-inch screen of the P Smart. Both produce bright and vivid colours and come evenly matched with a 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution, which is more than respectable for devices at this price point. As you may have gleaned, both devices do come with that notch, with that of the Honor 8X being slightly more obvious. For us, these have been so small that we’ve barely noticed them. But if you’re really not a fan, then you are able to hide them both within the settings of the device which simply places a black bar either side of it. What you can’t argue with, is the screen-to-body ratio that a notch lends a device and the Honor 8X boasts an incredible 91% ratio which we have been particularly impressed with. We’ve used this device a lot, and it’s been great for watching videos and playing games. The Huawei P Smart 2019 comes with a smaller 83.1% screen-to-body ratio which is in part due to the size of the chin at the bottom. That said, the overall design of the device makes it feel more expensive than it is. The rounded edges make the handset feel really sturdy and the reflective finish is simple and sleek. Honor seem to have developed a trademark in their reflective finishes and the 8X shines lights in all directions depending on the angle in which the device is held, creating a really unique design. 2.5D curved glass drapes over the front and back of the devices, sandwiching an aluminium frame which, in a similar vein to the P Smart 2019, helps to grip the phone comfortably and gives a more premium feel. Both devices feature a fingerprint sensor in almost identical locations which have worked particularly quickly for us and are easy to locate when using the phone one-handed, even for smaller hands. That said, both the P Smart 2019 and Honor 8X come with Facial Recognition that unlocks in a matter of moments so you may prefer to make the most of that. Honor 8X 6.5-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution 91% screen-to-body ratio Trademark reflective finish 2.5D curved glass Rear fingerprint scanner Face unlock Huawei P Smart 2019 6.21-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution 83.1% screen-to-body ratio Curved edges Rear fingerprint scanner Face unlock   Camera Camera-wise, it’s again difficult to separate the two. The Honor 8X comes fitted with a dual-camera on the rear, consisting of a 20MP main colour sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP black and white telephoto lens also with an f/1.8 aperture. AI technology is able to distinguish over 500 scenes and adjust settings accordingly and produces images that are far less saturated than can often be produced on other devices. Dedicated night photo mode works by stitching together multiple frames and requires you to be still for a couple of seconds in order to produce the best image. For the price point, we have been very impressed with the results. The dual camera setup to the rear of the Huawei P Smart 2019 is not too dissimilar and consists of a 13MP primary sensor with an f/2.2 aperture that is slightly smaller than the Honor 8X, as well as a 2MP secondary lens with that much needed depth sensor. The AI software is similarly impressive and can also intelligently scan over 500 scenarios, adjusting the camera settings accordingly. It’s important to note that if AI mode is turned on then the camera will capture images at 8MP rather than the full resolution. Both devices come fitted with Pro mode that allows you to customise shootings settings even further, including exposure, ISO, shutter speed, white balance and focus. You probably need to be a bit more of a photography pro to master this though. If selfies are more your thing, then the Honor 8X has a 16MP front camera that comes with beauty mode, filtering skin textures for better portrait photography. In a similar vein, the 8MP front camera of the Huawei P Smart 2019 has several filter modes and post-processing options that uses fancy AI tech to recognise 8 unique selfie scenes.   Honor 8X Dual rear camera 20MP main colour sensor with f/1.8 aperture 2MP telephoto lens with f/1.8 aperture AI technology distinguishes 500+ scenes Night photo mode Pro mode 16MP front camera Beauty mode Huawei P Smart 2019 Dual rear camera 13MP primary lens with f/2.2 aperture 2MP secondary lens with depth sensor AI technology distinguishes 500+ scenes Pro mode 8MP front camera AI recognises 8 unique selfie scenes   Performance On the performance side of things, both the Honor 8X and Huawei P Smart 2019 come fitted with Huawei’s Kirin 710 processor which is fairly mid-range but can handle most games without any real issues. As a slightly older device, the Honor 8X still runs Android 8.1 Oreo, however, should be getting an update soon. In comparison, the Huawei P Smart 2019 is fit with the newest Android 9.0 Pie. This also means a newer EMUI that comes with digital balance, allowing you to set a time limit on how long you or your children use your phone for, which is a really handy extra. Eye Comfort mode is available on both devices and reduces blue light, making it safer to read long articles or endure long periods of screen time, especially when viewing in low light. The Honor 8X has a slightly larger battery at 3570mAh compared to 3400mAh of the P Smart 2019, however other than that the two can’t be easily pulled apart. Both come with that trusty 3.5mm headphone jack, a micro-USB port rather than the standard USB-C, support for a microSD card and unfortunately, no IP rating. Honor 8X Kirin 710 processor Android 8.1 Oreo Eye comfort mode 3570mAh battery 3.5mm headphone jack Micro-USB port No IP rating Huawei P Smart 2019 Kirin 710 processor Android 9.0 Pie Digital balance Eye comfort mode 3400mAh battery 3.5mm headphone jack Micro-USB port No IP rating   Huawei P Smart (2019) | 64GB & 3GB RAM | £195 including VAT Honor 8X | 64GB & 4GB RAM | £225 including VAT    

With the increasing popularity for touch screen phones over the last decade you would be forgiven to thinking that a keyboard phone is something that belongs very much in the past. That’s certainly not the case with the new Blackberry Key2 device. It manages to combine the functionality you would expect from a high-end handset, all wrapped in a stunning design whilst still managing to look modern.And, if you’ve been using Blackberry devices with a physical keyboard since they were first launched in 1999, we understand that you might not want to let go of this particular style of smartphone. If you like the touch and feeling that a physical keyboard gives you, then it’s an excellent choice.But it is really worth the upgrade cost? Here are just some of our reasons why we believe the Blackberry Key2 is worth it, highlighting just some of the new features at play. 6 Reasons to Buy the Key2 #1: Stunning Design Many phones that carry a keyboard can look chunky, with the keys often taking up at least a third of the front unit.The Key2 keyboard still does take up that amount of space, but it manages to look a lot more aesthetically pleasing than the KeyOne.It has a sleek and light feel, with a rear side designed to literally stick into your hand due to the quality plastic casing.In an age where smartphones are increasingly morphing into what can sometimes appear to be a similar design, the Key2 goes against that trend.It also weighs less than the Blackberry KeyOne. #2: Improved Keyboard Key2 on the left has a much improved keyboard. The main selling point of the Key2 is the keyboard, and the with this upgrade you will benefit larger keys than the KeyOne, with an increase in size of 20%.For those used to using phone keyboards this should, in theory, let you type quicker and reduce how many mistakes you might make when typing.The finish on the keyboard is also much improved, with a matte finish this time around which feels a lot better on your fingertips or thumb. #3: Faster than the KeyOne  As with any upgrade you would expect it to be faster than its predecessor and that’s certainly the case with the Key2.It’s way more responsive and comes with a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 with 6GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage.In terms of performance that should increase the battery life, offer a 30% improvement on graphics, and double the downlink speeds compared to the previous model. #4: Impressive Dual-Lens Camera  Cameras have never really been a massive concern for many Blackberry users, but the Key2 has finally caught up with the rest of the smartphone market. With this release you will benefit from Blackberry’s first dual-lens camera on the rear.The rear camera is 12MP and the front 8MP, giving it parity with many rival smartphone camera set-ups.  #5: Security Features  Blackberry phones have always been high on security features, but the Key2 takes that even further with some improved software features that come with Android Oreo.  Secure Locker has also been improved. In addition to being able to store private folders, files, and photos you can also now password-protect applications (or even via a fingerprint scan). As you would expect, it has private browsing mode included with the Firefox Focus browser.  #6: Quick Charge Functionality  The typical Blackberry user tends to be someone frequently switching between calling, emailing, messaging and work-based apps. With most smartphones that’s going to result in a quick battery drain, but the Key2 runs off a 3,500mAh battery that should last the day with ease.Should the battery drain at an inconvenient moment you have Quick Charge 3.0 which lets you get powered up to 50% in around 35 minutes.  Is the Blackberry Key2 Worth Buying? Based on those new features, we believe that the Blackberry Key2 is an essential upgrade for those already used to and using the Blackberry brand of phones.But what about those people who haven’t used a Blackberry device before?Will it be worth buying and going through the learning curve of adapting to a physical keyboard-based handset?As with any change, there will be some adjustment required if you are used to a touch screen keyboard.However, the keys are positioned in roughly the same place so from an ergonomic perspective it won’t be massively different.In fact, there’s something strangely satisfying about using real keys versus a touch screen.From a business use angle, it has excellent connectivity and an amazing email client that will also sync up with your enterprise server.We believe that the Blackberry Key2 is the best keyboard phone currently on the market, and here are some of the features you can expect. Android 8.1 (Oreo) with BlackBerry Hub and productivity apps Physical QWERTY keyboard with integrated touchpad and fingerprint sensor Octa-core Snapdragon 660 processor with Adreno 512 GPU 64GB storage and 6GB RAM 5″ Full HD 1080 x 1620 screen with Corning Gorilla Glass DUAL 12MP rear cameras with PDAF & dual LED flash 4 x 71.8 x 8.5 mm / 168 grams 5mm audio jack 3,500 mAh battery USB Type-C with QuickCharge 3.0 Where Can I Buy the Blackberry Key2? The new Blackberry Key2 is now in stock and available to buy from Clove Technology.We offer great deals and prices, plus will ship the same day.We’re also able to deliver to customers not just in the UK, but also worldwide.No matter where you are, there’s never been a better time to order the new Key2.It really is worth it. Buy the Blackberry Key2 Unlocked & SIM Free