tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:47:06 +0000iPadSonycalendarexcelplanner3D Pen3DSAppleHDR-HC5LixNintendoRubik's CubeStruxxTiVofreegeneratork850imakersascoteardowntemplatetoywatchyearplanner201720182019240X3D3D Printing9000A0AdventAirPodsBRODCanonCitizenDSDSiDefiantDiscoveryDisney InfinityDixonsEnterpriseFace RaidersFlash driveFossilGPU FixGameboyGaragebandKindleLaptopMZ-R55Mac CompatibleMacbookNASANerfNodeBeatPSPPalmPuzzleRoboRobo-QRobonovaRubik's Touch CubeSDHCSandiskScartSnakeSolidSpace ShuttleStar TrekSuper SoakerTVThinkpadTokyoflashTomTomTomyTornado StrikeTouchpadTronTwitterUSBV-MateVAIOVGN-F18ZX820academic.appbuttcalibrecamcordercameracatclimbcranecreatordescende-inke-readerfirewiregadgetsheat gunholidayhologramhorizontalhumanoidiMaciPodlegomobilenVidiaperpetualphonepuzzlessamsungsolder reflowstairstouchverticalwallwarmerwater pistolwrist PDAxenonyearComment and reviews of gadgets old and new in my gadget fuelled life.http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Steven)Blogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-6420219550984606354Thu, 25 Oct 2018 14:14:00 +00002018-10-25T15:14:05.164+01:002019academic.calendarexcelplannertemplateyearplannerAround this time of year, folks may be looking for smart, customisable year planner charts for their desk or office. Remember my planner can do academic style charts simply by changing the start month. My old planner was last updated in 2013 and still works great - all you need to do is change the year in the Start tab. Please do check it out if an Excel based year planner is what you are http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2018/10/2019-excel-year-planner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-6059889651285121628Fri, 18 Aug 2017 00:42:00 +00002017-08-18T01:49:04.713+01:00AirPodsApple Disclaimer: I’m not an audiophile, or a tech reviewer, but I love my music and enjoy the tech. I stopped buying CDs when iTunes Store opened. I have purchased many cheap and not so cheap headphones and earbuds over the years. My current wired cans came free with a magazine subscription - AirPods are just the latest addition to a long line of listening tech. Upon unboxing, the immediate thing http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2017/08/apple-airpods-mini-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-7741474201751926143Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:36:00 +00002016-11-07T12:36:28.127+00:00I'm not a hipster, at least I don't think I am, yet for some reason I bought a Polaroid instant camera on eBay, and I love it. I've owned and used Polaroids before, around 30 years ago when everybody had one. It was magic back then, and to some degree it's still magic in this age of instant digital gratification. The model I purchased was the iconic SX-70. Mine has the sonar autofocus on board http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2016/11/im-not-hipster-at-least-i-dont-think-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-2036904736399502870Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:38:00 +00002016-09-20T12:38:40.507+01:003D PenLixteardownOk, so not really a teardown, more a why-the-heck-wont-it-feed? kind of taking apart. As I said in the review, the Lix team have done a remarkable job of squeezing a 3D printer into the barrel of a pen. Overall, the way the pen is constructed is pretty good. Plastic separators to hold the components in place are tethered together by slim steel rods running the length of the mechanism. A tiny http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/lix-3d-pen-teardown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-3351433307552650052Sat, 17 Sep 2016 15:56:00 +00002016-09-17T16:56:57.455+01:00Disney Infinity A while back, Disney put the stops on their Infinity game system. I will confess to having some small investment in this having parted with hard cash for the Avengers deluxe starter set (natch) complete with inexplicable (and huge) light up diorama with touch controls. Let me say that again - a diorama with touch controls. Moving on, I am somewhat saddened by this news, while also happy - http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/disney-infinity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-5217078373209552135Tue, 13 Sep 2016 19:41:00 +00002016-09-13T20:41:49.229+01:00DefiantDiscoveryEnterpriseStar Trek Can I talk about the 50th anniversary of Star Trek? I’m already in my 50th year as I write, so the franchise has been part of my life for a long, long time. However there was a period, maybe in the last 10 years where my suspension of disbelief was completely absent. I think it was while I was watching an old episode of ST: TNG I couldn’t see past the fact that these people on screen were http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/star-trek-at-50.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-4229606230270159368Sat, 10 Sep 2016 14:14:00 +00002016-09-10T15:14:48.504+01:003D Pen3D PrintingLixSo, the Lix pen. For those that don’t know, this is the result of a much delayed Kickstarter campaign. Amidst much acrimony from backers, the small team behind the Lix pen finally delivered mine after backing the project 27 months earlier. So I’m happy to report that after all that time they pretty much pulled off the original promise of producing the world’s smallest 3D pen. The upmarket feel ofhttp://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-lix-3d-pen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-5589489997207962688Thu, 01 Sep 2016 09:23:00 +00002016-09-01T10:23:24.226+01:00New posts incoming! It's almost embarrassing how long ago the last post was made, however after careful consideration, I'm returning to the blog for a number of reasons. First, I got majorly distracted by a new hobby - 3D printing. There's a link to my Shapeways shop on the blog, but it has taken up a lot of my time both designing and promoting my stuff but another outlet (this blog) won't do http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-posts-incoming-its-almost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-2498572695736045803Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:28:00 +00002013-07-15T16:28:53.926+01:00No, not a radio channel dedicated to the works of Philip Glass (although I'm fairly certain one exists, somewhere), but a simple radio rig utilising an iPod Nano and a pair of X-Mini MAX capsule speakers. Now, these aren't going to blow your socks off, especially coupled to the Nano's anaemic maximum volume, but they're sufficient for a little personal sound if, as I have been doing all http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2013/07/radio-minimal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-1081630221354616672Fri, 10 May 2013 18:53:00 +00002013-05-10T19:53:57.105+01:00 This does what it says on the tin: it's a pen, that writes like a pencil, but doesn't have a lead that can break or needs sharpening. I got mine off the shelf in Hobbycraft (they have a big Sharpie display) and immediately after unpacking, I noticed a tiny bit of sealant on the nib - something to watch out for when opening a fresh pack. It feels very much like a smooth ballpoint pen whenhttp://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2013/05/sharpie-liquid-pencil.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-6756014757541579211Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:10:00 +00002012-09-29T17:10:59.988+01:00GPU Fixheat gunnVidiasolder reflowteardownVAIOVGN-F18Z As one of the office 'Computer Guys', I often get called upon to fix other people's computers. More often than not, they tend to be laptops. This time it was a faulty Sony VAIO VGN-FZ18M. The fault was with the GPU, a nVidia 8400GT. This is a well known fault - Sony and nVidia admitted fault and extended the warranty to 4 years after purchase. Of course many folks may just be encountering http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/mr-fixit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-7220161098567317160Sun, 13 May 2012 16:17:00 +00002012-05-13T17:41:33.904+01:00 Click for the big picture Seems the thing to do if you run a tech site is to write about what you carry about in your bag on a daily basis. And while 'run' might be a bit optimistic for MyGadgetLife (more like 'curate'…) I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and post about the stuff I carry about with me pretty much everywhere. First up is my trusty Swatch Irony. And it is an irony, since http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/click-for-big-picture-seems-thing-to-do.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-2799768693822505153Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:13:00 +00002017-11-22T17:09:52.714+00:00A0calendarexcelfreegeneratorhorizontalmakerplannersascotemplateverticalwall 22 November 2017: Hi folks! Thanks to everyone who's downloaded and enjoyed my year planner macro over the years. I have had reports that the macro does not work under Office 2016 which until now I have not been able to test. As I write, the macro (V4.1) works unchanged on a new Office 365 install on a Mac. However if you have another workbook open it will fail with a 'Subscript http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2012/01/yearplanner-v40-available.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-3790304072082080231Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:26:00 +00002012-07-16T21:45:26.255+01:00TokyoflashTronwatch Movie props. I love them. Particularly those from science fiction movies. It's hard, of course, acquire genuine props, so I keep a keen eye out for good quality replicas. It's handy if they're low cost, too. I often think of the Playmates Star Trek toys - which were toys, but sufficiently detailed and 'working' as to make them closer to props than some of the wood and rubber mockups http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/tokyoflash-seven.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-7039268066396714862Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:21:00 +00002011-11-29T19:34:55.300+00:003DSFace RaidersNintendo I couldn't find a quick answer after a spot of googling for the following problem: how to delete a face from Nintendos Face Raiders on the 3DS. I found the solution after a spot of prodding the buttons: what you have to do is choose Face Collection, choose the face to delete, then press and hold X then press A. Now you have access to various customisation options, including delete. I http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/11/face-raiders.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-679908435290835234Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:55:00 +00002011-11-24T21:46:55.513+00:00iPodMZ-R55Sony I skipped posting about the passing of Steve Jobs simply because so many others wrote so much better than I ever could. But it was indeed a sad day. Better, I think, commemorate the arrival of the ubiquitous iPod. Except, 10 years ago, it was a niche hard drive based mp3 player in a fledgling market dominated by the Nomad Jukebox and Archos Jukebox. Unlike these players, Apple presentedhttp://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/11/10-years-of-ipod.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-6377146044859387490Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:41:00 +00002011-11-24T21:47:36.238+00:00Twitter ...I've gone and done it.That's right, I've joined Twitter, so help me.Follow if you dare with the button on the right.http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/09/ok-so.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-5439404629410583647Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:17:00 +00002011-08-20T19:15:02.486+01:00Touchpad Ok, so I literally spent about two minutes with HPs ill fated Touchpad down at my local PC world. First impressions - yup, it's a little bulky and carries a real heft... but I think that was more down to the security device and umbilical attached to the back of the unit. Honestly, other than the smooth plastic casing that makes up the rear, it didn't feel much different from my iPad. But my http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/hp-touchpad-hands-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-2013187967899383488Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:41:00 +00002011-11-24T21:48:09.334+00:00iPadNodeBeat I discovered NodeBeat [iTunes link] by accident after seeing it demoed on Youtube. Based on the idea of note generators and receptors, the app offers a quick and easy way to make pleasing sounding ambient audio on the iPad. My video below gives you an idea what it's about. Actually, it was while playing around with this app I was reminded of an old Jean Michel Jarre track, http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/ipad-app-of-week-nodebeat-hd.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-5405149026891808156Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:19:00 +00002011-08-05T18:01:36.433+01:00NerfSuper SoakerTornado Strikewater pistolWhen nice weather arrives, you just can't resist the allure of running around the garden with a water pistol. Ok, there are plenty of other ways of enjoying the sun, but bear with me here.Now, this isn't any old water pistol. The Nerf Tornado Strike takes its style cues from something you might find in or around District 9, the white, blue, and day-glo orange aqua armament being as satisfying to http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/perfect-storm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-4797562220241307331Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:41:00 +00002011-07-08T19:03:43.319+01:00NASASpace ShuttleWhat's this? Two posts in as many days? My eyes!I didn't think I needed to write about this, but seeing as it's one the biggest, most complicated gadgets the world has ever seen, I though it apt post some words on this day.Of course, I'm talking about the Space Shuttle, and the successful launch of Atlantis - the last ever shuttle launch - not more than about two hours ago as I write.To echo http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/shuttling-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-5053051998375105714Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:25:00 +00002011-07-07T22:56:34.072+01:00GaragebandRobo-QTomyI stumbled across Robo-Q at a local discount store - they had a pile of them selling at 8 GBP so just had to pick one up, er, for research purposes of course.Tomy's Robo-Q claims to be the smallest autonomous robot. There's no denying he's small - measuring just 3.4 cm tall - but a robot? Let's see...Like these indoor 'copters, Robo-Q charges his tiny battery from the handset. Like Apple's http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/littlest-bot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-3126859733671794424Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:12:00 +00002011-04-25T18:36:23.488+01:00e-inke-readeriPadKindleIt's not often I'm fooled by technology. I like to know how stuff works. It helps me evaluate the relative merits of the common consumer gadgets on a purely technical basis. But on the run up to Christmas last year, as I was browsing the technology section of our local department store, I got completely taken in by one gadget in particular - Amazon's Kindle.I'd played with Sony e-readers http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/iread.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-2917729732911635935Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:01:00 +00002011-04-02T21:13:55.605+01:003DSDSDSiGameboyNintendoOK, so the above patently isn't a 3DS, but it did remind me that for better or worse I've owned nearly all Nintendos' handheld devices. There was the original Gameboy, a Gameboy Color, the Gameboy Advance, a phat DS and a slim DS. I still have a space reserved on the list for a Gameboy Micro, but fear my eyesight isn't up to it. (And they still fetch quite a lot on eBay...) So, after a cursory http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/nintendo-3ds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18059089.post-399101988048099299Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:53:00 +00002011-11-24T21:49:01.104+00:00PuzzleRubik's CubeRubik's Touch Cubetouchtoy The Rubik's Touch Cube is a great idea on paper that actually made it to product. The familiar look of the Rubik Cube is replicated here not with crude stickers on a rotating frame, but with multi-coloured LEDs projected onto a blank shell. As the name suggests, the cube is operated by touch, and not only that, but by gesture control.Even before you reach the product, the packaging is premium http://mygadgetlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/rubiks-touch-cube.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steven)0