Today for review I’ve got one of the newest products from EagleTech that really doesn’t have any fancy name, it’s simply called the Neptor External Battery Pack. There are a few things that separate this portable battery pack from others on the market today. The first of them being the rather large 10,000mAh battery that’s inside of it that can charge most anything from phones to tablets. The second thing, and one of the most important I think, is the battery is user replaceable. The third thing that separates this from others out there is the fact that you don’t need any special tips or adapters, so there’s no additional cost. Some battery packs on the market are pricey initially, but then you have to go and spend more money on different tips for all the devices you would like to charge. You can easily end up spending close to or as much as the battery pack itself just on tips. The Neptor battery pack works very well at charging basically anything that can be charged over USB without the need for adapters and it has two USB ports, one with 2.1a and one with .5a output. So read on to learn more about what I think is one of the best portable power solutions on the market today…

The packaging is attractive for the Neptor external battery pack. There’s a nice picture on the front of the product and then some spec and features listed on the back. When you open it you’ll find another box, so it’s actually a box inside of a box.

When you open the second box you’ll be greeted with the top of the carrying case actually.

The carrying case is very nice, it’s zippered closed most of the way around and on the side is a regular microUSB cable. The case is semi-hard and does have padding on the top, bottom and sides.

When you open the carrying case you’ll find the user manual and the Neptor battery pack itself. The battery pack is held securely in place in the case by an elastic band. The inside of the carrying case is covered with a soft black cloth material and on the top half you’ll find a net style pocket to hold your cables etc.

The Neptor battery pack comes in either black or white colors and I got the white for review. The front of the Neptor housing is plastic. The unit itself seems very well made and sturdy, it’s heavier than it looks, but then again it does have a rather large battery inside of it.

On the top you’ll see the name and the battery capacity.

On the bottom of the front you’ll find three LEDs to indicate power levels and charging, along with labels for the USB ports on the edge and a large silver button. The button is used to check the power level or turn it on and off. Yes you can manually turn the Neptor off and on for charging.

Here’s the front edge which has two USB ports, one is 2100mA and the other is 500mA. The center microUSB port is for charging the Neptor itself.

The bottom if the Neptor is a solid metal plate, aluminum it seems to be.

On both the right and left sides you’ll find tabs which are locks, they’re used to unlock the Neptor to get to the battery inside.

You just have to squeeze the tabs and slide the bottom metal cover off, fairly simple to do, but the tabs do hold the cover on tightly. The battery takes up about three-fourths of the housing.

The 10,000mAh battery gets connected to the Neptor unit via a two wire connection that ends in a plug. You can replace the battery whenever you need to.

To give you an idea of the size of the Neptor battery pack here’s a regular 2.5” hard drive with it for comparison. The battery pack isn’t what I would call tiny, but it isn’t overly large at all, it really is portable.

Review of EagleTech ET-NP100K Neptor 10,000mAh External Battery Pack is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

I can understand not having it in disc form, but why not downloads?   I read the PS4 won’t be able to read the PS3 discs, but you’ll still be able to get the games eventually in downloadable format so it’s not totally abandoned.

It seems to me that they just want to get rid of the Xbox 360 altogether.  I know a good chunk of Xbox 360 current users won’t be able to afford the Xbox One when it comes out, many owners waited until the price dropped.

Also what about those huge collections of games that people have for their Xbox 360?

Supposedly they’ll be selling the Xbox 360 side-by-side with the Xbox One, so it will sort of be in direct competition with one another.

I don’t think this is a good move at all on the part of Microsoft….. 

Xbox One Not Backwards Compatible with Xbox 360 is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

A new vision for the future comes to life today as Microsoft Corp. unveils Xbox One, the all-in-one gaming and entertainment system created for today and the next generation. At Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash., the company showcased how Xbox One puts you at the center of all your games, TV, movies, music, sports and Skype.

"Xbox One is designed to deliver a whole new generation of blockbuster games, television and entertainment in a powerful, all-in-one device," said Don Mattrick, president, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Our unique, modern architecture brings simplicity to the living room and, for the first time ever, the ability to instantly switch across your games and entertainment."

Introducing Xbox One
With Xbox One, games push the boundaries of realism, and TV obeys your commands.¹ Say "Xbox On" to launch your personalized Xbox One Home screen, discover what is popular on TV or see friends’ latest gaming achievements all using the most natural interface — your voice. The more you interact with Xbox One, the more it gets to know you and learns what you like. Some of the breakthrough Xbox One features that put you at the center of your living room entertainment include the following:

• TV on Xbox One . ¹ Navigate and watch live TV from your cable, telco or satellite set-top box through your Xbox One. Microsoft is committed to bringing live TV through various solutions to all the markets where Xbox One will be available.³
• Home. Turn on your entertainment system with two powerful words, "Xbox On," and a custom-tailored Home dashboard welcomes you with your favorite games, TV and entertainment.
• Snap. Do two things at once on the biggest screen in your home. Use Snap to jump into a multiplayer battle while watching your favorite movie, talk with friends on Skype while watching live TV, or track your fantasy team on TV as you watch the big game and more.
• Skype for Xbox One . Specially designed for Xbox One, talk with friends on your TV in stunning HD, or for the first time ever, hold group Skype calls on your TV.
• Trending. ¹ Stay on top of what is hot on TV by discovering the entertainment that is popular among your friends, and see what is trending within the Xbox community.
• One Guide. ^{1, 2} Find your favorite entertainment easily, searching by network, name or time, all with the sound of your voice and presented in a tailored program guide.

To create the most advanced Xbox system ever designed for games, TV and entertainment, Microsoft created a state-of-the-art gaming operating system and fused it with an equally amazing entertainment platform, so you will not have to switch inputs to watch TV or play a game. An eight-core, x86 processor and more than 5 billion transistors helps make lag and load times a thing of the past, so you can instantly jump between a game and your entertainment at lightning speed or run a host of apps right alongside your game with no loss in performance.

Introducing Xbox One titles and exclusives
Gaming on Xbox One immerses gamers in cinematic worlds that look like real life, with characters that feel more human than ever before. AAA blockbuster titles unveiled for Xbox One include the following:

• "Forza Motorsport 5" from Turn 10 Studios is the latest edition of the highest-rated racing franchise of the past 10 years.³ Built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox One and the infinite power of the cloud, no game better delivers the sensation of being behind the wheel. "Forza Motorsport 5" sets a new bar for racing games and will be available exclusively for Xbox One at launch.
• "Call of Duty: Ghosts" is the next generation of "Call of Duty" and a stunning leap forward for the franchise. It delivers an all-new world, an all-new cast of characters and an all-new story, built on a new, next-generation engine. The next-generation technical innovations built to support the incredible gameplay advancements make this the most beautiful and immersive "Call of Duty" experience yet. Activision and Microsoft also announced the renewal of their close partnership that will see both the return of the "Call of Duty^® Championship," presented by Xbox, as well as all-new downloadable content debuting first and exclusively on the Xbox platform.
• "FIFA 14," "Madden NFL 25," "NBA LIVE 14," and "EA SPORTS UFC" from EA SPORTS will change the way consumers experience and play sports games. Driven by the new EA SPORTS Ignite engine, these new EA SPORTS games will deliver massive innovations in human intelligence, true player motion and living worlds. Adding to its commitment to Xbox One, EA SPORTS also announced the promise of exclusive content to be revealed in the coming months.
• "Quantum Break" from Remedy Entertainment is a revolutionary entertainment experience from the creators of "Max Payne" and "Alan Wake" that blurs the line between gaming and TV by integrating drama and gameplay into one seamless, uniquely immersive experience. How you play the game impacts the show, and the show informs how you play the game.

In addition to the amazing lineup of games coming to Xbox One, Microsoft unveiled exclusive content partnerships with some of the top names in TV, sports and entertainment.

• "Halo" television series. Award-winning filmmaker, director and producer, Steven Spielberg will executive-produce an original "Halo" live-action television series with exclusive interactive Xbox One content, created in partnership with 343 Industries and Xbox Entertainment Studios.
• National Football League (NFL).¹ A multiyear, landmark partnership will deliver the ultimate interactive NFL television experiences for the next-generation Xbox One and leverage Microsoft devices and services to evolve both in-game and on the sideline. The NFL on Xbox will redefine broadcast experiences through innovations around Skype, Xbox SmartGlass and player-worn technology; add an all-new fantasy football solution for the biggest screen in the house; and create a personalized NFL destination only available on Xbox One.

Introducing a new generation of Xbox Live
Xbox One is built to amplify an all-new generation of Xbox Live that is more powerful, more personal and more intelligent. Unleashing the virtually unlimited power of the cloud makes everything more convenient and accessible, from allowing games to be installed in segments so that gameplay can start quickly to updates downloading in the background. Save and store your personalized profile, games and entertainment in the cloud to access them anytime, from any Xbox One console.⁴ In addition, existing Xbox Live Gold Membership for Xbox 360 will seamlessly carry over to Xbox One.⁵ Xbox Live takes you deeper into the games you love with all-new features.

• Smart Match. A new Smart Match matchmaking system virtually eliminates waiting in lobbies by estimating wait times and finding people you want to play with while you are enjoying other activities — reputation fundamentally matters and helps find best matches.
• Game DVR. A dedicated Game DVR captures and accesses your magic moments, all saved to the cloud. Along with sharing tools, you will have the most amazing bragging rights with Xbox Live.
• Living Games . ⁶ Dynamic, living worlds evolve and improve the more you play, and advanced artificial intelligence can learn to play like you, so friends can play against your shadow.
• Expanded achievements. A new and expanded achievements system captures video of your epic moments, continues to grow a game’s achievements over time and rewards you in new ways, and your Gamerscore carries over from Xbox 360.
• Xbox SmartGlass. ⁶ Xbox SmartGlass is natively part of the Xbox One platform, built in from the beginning with the ability to quickly render content directly onto your device, and now more devices can connect at one time for multiplayer and shared entertainment.

Introducing the Xbox One look and feel
New Xbox One hardware is sleek and modern and complements any decor. The console is shaped in the 16:9 aspect ratio and employs a horizontal orientation optimized for its high-speed Blu-ray^™ disc player. It is molded in a deep and rich liquid black color and includes a distinctive beveled edge.

The completely redesigned, revolutionary 1080p Kinect is more precise, more responsive and more intuitive. Its unparalleled vision, motion and voice technology let you reach into games and entertainment like never before by dramatically expanding its field of view and fidelity. It works in nearly any lighting condition, recognizes precise motion control from a slight wrist rotation, and distinguishes your voice even in a noisy room using advanced noise isolation.

The class-leading Xbox controller is refreshed with more than 40 technical and design innovations. Updated directional pad, thumb stick and ergonomic fit immerse all gamers in ways that are uniquely Xbox, and precision and control have been dramatically increased with all new vibrating impulse triggers.⁶The Xbox One Wireless Controller is designed to work in concert with the new Kinect, allowing the two to be paired automatically to create seamless player syncing.

Xbox One will launch in markets around the world later this year. Visit the new Xbox Wire blog athttp://news.xbox.com for in-depth features on the new system, including photos and videos from the unveiling event and new and rotating content from Xbox. More details about Xbox One and blockbuster games will be explored at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June.

About Xbox
Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of movies, TV, music, and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass, and Xbox Live, the world’s premier social entertainment network. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Features and requirements are under development and may change prior to release. Available features and content may vary by country. Broadband Internet (ISP fees apply) and advanced TV hardware required. Games and media content sold separately. Xbox Live Gold Membership, paid subscription and other requirements apply for some Xbox Live features.

¹ Live TV with Kinect navigation, Live TV with One Guide, Trending, and NFL on Xbox available in U.S. at launch; anticipating global scale over time.
² Kinect voice functionality only available in supported locales and languages.
³ At launch, Live TV will require a supported receiver device with HDMI output (sold separately).
⁴ Subject to geographical content restrictions.
⁵ Some Xbox Live content and features available on Xbox 360, including avatar content and some apps, are not available with Xbox Live on Xbox One.
⁶ In supported games.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

 

Web Site: http://www.microsoft.com

Microsoft Unveils Xbox One Official Announcement is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

It will of course be compatible with SmartGlass and your phone or tablet will work with the Xbox One.

There’s also a new Kinect coming, aptly named the Kinect 2.

The Xbox Live will have over 300,00 servers across the world supporting it so hopefully there won’t be any downtime…

At the moment they’re talking about Halo and the Halo based live action TV series with Steven Spielberg  being involved with it.

I haven’t gotten the official press releases yet but as soon as I do I’ll get them posted for you….

Microsoft Announces the Xbox One is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

i-Mego Walker Junior Noise Cancelling Headphones Review

The i-Mego Walker Junior headphones come in an attractive looking box with specs and features listed on the back for you to learn more about the product inside.

The blue outside is actually more of a slipcover and when you remove that you’ll find a black box with the i-Mego logo on it.

When you open the box you’ll find the Walker Junior nestled into a plastic tray for protection while in transport. The accessories are in plastic bags in a center section of the tray.

When you unpack the box you’ll find two accessory bags, the user manual and the headphones themselves.

Inside of one of the plastic bags you’ll find four things, an AAA battery, airplane adapter, 1/4” stereo adapter and a 4ft cord.

The Walker Junior headphones don’t have the audio cord attached, it’s on the side.

Inside of the other plastic bag you’ll find the carrying bag rolled up. When you unroll the bag you’ll see it mesh and cloth with a drawstring on it.

So here are the headphones and yes they are black in color which is the only color available for these. The earpieces have an X design that looks stitched but it isn’t it, it just looks that way. The Walker Junior feels solidly made, they are plastic, but they feel durable and able to withstand regular usage.

The earpads are oval in shape, which is more natural and the shape of your ears so they fit better than the common round style I think.

The earpads  have a leather covering over memory foam padding making them very comfortable.

Review of i-Mego Walker Junior Noise Cancelling Headphones is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

Yes it’s that time again, time for the news from around the world and then later on I’ll have another review for you of another i-Mego set of headphones!  So why don’t you go read the news and I’ll get to writing that review and posting some other stuff. So go ahead and read on…

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News for Tuesday May 21st 2013 is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

i-Mego Throne Gold Over Ear Headphones Review

As you might expect with a product of this quality, the packaging is nice and just looks great. The front opens to let you see the Throne headphones.

On the back is a lot of information about the headphones.

The Throne headphones are packaged very well in a plastic protective casing inside of the box.

When you get everything unpacked you’ll find the user manual, cloth carrying bag, stereo adapter and adapter for Nokia, Samsung and Sony phones.

Here’s the two adapters so you can get a better look:

The carrying bag is just a drawstring style cloth bag, nothing really special or protective about it.

Here’s the headphones themselves. The i-Mego Throne headphones come in several colors, but the ones I got are gold. The headphones have leather earpads and headband.

In-line of the cord you’ll find the microphone and button so you can use these for phone calls if you need to.

The earpieces are very soft, they’re made of leather on the outside and have memory foam inside.

If you’ll notice the earpieces aren’t round like many other, they’re elongated or an oval shape which more matches the natural shape of your ears.

The Throne Gold gets its name from the color of the outside of the earpieces which isn’t really gold, more of a copper I think. The pieces are adjustable up and down to fit your head size and they’re also on swivels in the centers.

Here’s a better look at the top section that adjust up and down. There’s a large range of adjustment so you can use them no matter how big your head is, or if you’re wearing a hat they’ll fit just fine.

The top of the headband of the Throne has the i-Mego logo stitched into the leather. It looks nice and it’s not flashy, it sort of blends in.

The inside of the headband isn’t leather, instead it’s a soft cloth material for comfort and of course it’s nicely padded as well.

Review of i-Mego Throne Gold Over Ear Headphones is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

Seidio Active Case Combo for HTC One Review

The Seidio Active Case Combo comes in a rather hard to open package. The container is both plastic and cardboard but the cardboard is firmly attached to the plastic and I really had to work at it and I ended up ripping it off and destroying it in the process. Not a big deal of course as most people don’t keep packaging, just thought it was worth mentioning.

Once you get the cardboard off you’re left with the plastic outer case for the Active case. It’s hard plastic so it will more than protect the Active while in transit to you.

The Active Combo is both the case and the holster. You can purchase them separately if you want as I know not everyone uses a holster.

The holster actually locks onto the case with a spring clip on the top.

The inside of the holster is a felt like material, that’s the part that the screen of the HTC One will be facing.

The holster features a large and sturdy spring loaded clip and it can also can rotate so you can have the phone either vertical or horizontal or even angled on your belt.

Inside of the Active case you’ll find installation instructions for the case itself and how to use the holster.

The case comes assembled, but it’s in two parts really, a hard outer case and an inner soft rubber case.

The Active case has a built-in metal kickstand so you can enjoy using your phone in landscape or widescreen mode which is great for video watching on the nice large screen of the HTC One.

Here’s the two parts of the case separated, without the phone they come apart very easily.

Here’s a few views of the soft and hard parts of the case for you:

Review of Seidio Active Case Combo for HTC One is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

Ballistic, award-winning designers of advanced mobile accessories, is proud to announce its highly anticipated cases for the new Samsung Galaxy S4, each of which adds protection and style to this newest smartphone.
All Ballistic cases are crafted with dependable rugged materials to deliver consistent high-impact protection. The new LS Jewel, SG and Aspira S4 cases are tested to ensure they survive a minimum of 6 ft drops, while the SG Maxx, Every1 and HC S4 cases can protect against drops of 8 to 15 feet. With the intelligently designed rugged exterior, Ballistic collections still maintain a pocket-friendly slim build.
“We’re dedicated to always being on top of the mobile industry and guaranteeing our customers have dependable cases available to them, no matter what device they own,” said Adam Stubin, VP of Business Development, Ballistic. “The Samsung Galaxy S4 is projected to sell to more than 30 million users by the end of June, so it’s our job to get dependable cases into consumer’s hands. All of our solutions for the S4 offer consistent protection, without sacrificing look.”
The LS Jewel, SG, SG Maxx, and Aspira are available now and the HC and Every1 will be available in June.  
All the new Ballistic cases for Samsung Galaxy S4 can be found at www.goballistic.com  and at various retailers nationwide including AT&T and US Cellular, ranging from $20-$60.

 

LS Jewel
The newest case in the Ballistic family, the LS Jewel is the “gem of protection,” offering maximum protection with minimal bulk. This sleek case provides the utmost in impact protection for your S4 with the durable Ballistic Corners™. Also crafted with flexible TPU, the LS Jewel boasts a thin and smooth design that allows you to easily pocket your device. Available in a plethora of bold designs and colors, this gem offers an aesthetically appealing look. Available in AT&T stores only.

 

SG Case
Offering three layers of the best engineered drop protection on the market, the SG (Shell Gel), offers a no-slip grip, reinforced corners and an extremely durable polycarbonate shell. The raised lip design delivers added protection for the sensitive screen on the Galaxy S4. When laid down the phone will also stay in place, without any worry of slipping off of your desk.

SG Maxx Case
Offering four layers of protection, including a screen protector, polycarbonate shell, soft silicone and rugged holster with swivel grip, the SG (Shell Gel) Maxx comes equipped with port covers, a no-slip grip, reinforced corners and a replaceable, rigid screen protector. Users can be confident in the ultimate impact protection which can be easily interchanged. See the SG Maxx in action HERE.

Aspira Case
Best known for its stylish design and staying true to customers’ needs for aesthetic appeal, the Aspira sports bold colors and patterns while offering pocket-able protection. This dual layer series provides the industry leading protection that Ballistic is famous for, while combining fashionable flare. It’s engineered with reinforced corner protection and crafted with a high polish finish on plastic. The Aspira also features durable rubber to absorb shock and a raised lip design for screen protection. See the Aspira in action HERE.

Ballistic Announces Case Support for Galaxy S4 is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

It’s been a weird week so far, I’ve been busy not here working on a job site. I’ve always been having weird dreams and actually nightmares, I can’t remember the last time I had a nightmare and I’ve had three since Sunday, really weird. I’ve got a few articles coming up I’ve been working on, big ones and small ones. Today I’ve got this news posting for you and a few other things coming up, and then I’ve got to run later. Tomorrow kids are off so that will be fun, but I’[ve got to get some reviews up. Another case review, along with a couple headphones, and a graphics tablet and more, so read the news and come back later for some other new stuffs…

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News for Thursday May 16th 2013 is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

We will be looking at the Impact Snap with Cover Case for the iPhone 5. This is a minimalistic hardshell case with a leather front cover that protects the phone’s front screen while giving the case a more sophisticated appearance.

The product arrives in clear plastic box with the case visualized within. On the back is an image of the case along with a description of its features. A QR code links to the Tech21 website.

Opening the package we find just the case itself. Tech21 offers the Impact Snap with Cover Case in four colors – black, blue, purple and white. For our review we will be looking at the blue version.

The case is composed of a polycarbonate back that houses the iPhone 5. The inner portion of the case has two orange rubbery panels to secure the iPhone 5 in place and a honeycomb pattern in the center. Whether this is a structural implementation or just for design that is unknown.

Looking at the outer portion of this section we see off the left-hand side an attached leather flip cover. The case is open on three sides allowing access to the dock connector, speakers and headphone jack on the bottom, the volume and mute switch on the left-hand side and the power button on top. The right-hand side of the iPhone 5 is protected by the case.

On the back is an opening for the camera and flash along with the Tech21 Impactology logo embossed on the bottom.

The front of the cover is smooth leather with stitching on the periphery that is the same color as the case and cover. The inside cover is a velvety material with the D3O logo on the bottom.

Overall the Impact Snap with Cover case is a very low profile case for the iPhone 5. It only adds a slight amount of bulk to the phone’s form factor.

Specifications and Features

Impact Snap with Cover

Blue – iPhone 5

The Impact Snap with Cover for iPhone 5 is the ultimate impact protection case, integrated with D3O® and 100% Impactology approved thanks to our obsessive research and development.

With its minimalistic, yet revolutionary, hard shell polycarbonate casing, the Impact Snap with Cover simply clips on to the back of your iPhone 5 to provide high-impact protection. Meanwhile, an additional, leather flip cover protects the phone’s front screen. Access to all ports and function buttons are retained when the Impact Snap with Cover is securely attached to your phone.

What is impactology?

Originally devised in response to increasing customer demand, few have gone further than Tech21 in turning impact protection into a science. Our technology is testimony to the innovative scientific thinking and inspirational commitment that informs everything we do.
Impactology is a defining seal of approval, so you’ll know that when surrounded by one of our cases your mobile device, tablet or laptop has the highest standard of impact protection available.
Technological advances are never achieved by copying your competitors. Impactology makes a difference because Tech21 is the only brand dedicated enough to turn protection into more than just a veneer.

How does it work?

Impactology combines advanced science and pioneering innovation to deliver a unique, new level of protection for mobile devices, tablets and laptops. However, you don’t need to be a mad scientist with a PhD to see exactly how effective it can be.
It’s all about the molecules inside the revolutionary D3O Impact Material. In everyday use, the molecules flow freely, but upon shock or impact they lock together – absorbing the impact force and spreading the shock evenly across the surface of the material. That means your device stays in one piece, no matter how hard the impact!
What makes Impactology unique is the secret ingredient D3O Impact Material used within our designs. It’s composed of a non-Newtonian polymer with an intelligent molecular structure. So clever in fact, that it has been adopted worldwide by the military for its power in impact protection on the battlefield.
We call it IMPACTOLOGY …the science in protection.

Why do you need it?

A day without your mobile phone, tablet or laptop can have a dramatic effect on your life, business and livelihood!
Impactology was born through our passion to evolve with the ever-changing needs of our customers, who demand the best protection for their mobile electronic devices.
Only Impactology gives you this unique level of advanced protection. It’s the culmination of years of research, development and testing that, frankly, borders on the obsessive. We continually strive to find fault by stress testing, analyzing and looking for new ways to advance the levels of protection.
Through our dedication and passion, you’ll discover that the mobile electronics that add value to your day are always in safe hands with Impactology.

Price: $49.99

Installation of the iPhone 5 involves inserting the right edge of the iPhone 5 into the case and then pressing down. The four corners of the Impact Snap with Cover should lock onto the iPhone 5.

To remove the iPhone 5 simply lift the top left and bottom left corners of the case off the iPhone 5.

Once housed within the Impact Snap with Cover, the iPhone is securely in place while providing access to all of the buttons and controls.

The flip cover rests over the phone’s screen until you’re ready to use it. This cover flips all the way back keeping it out of the way when you are actively working with your iPhone 5.

There is plenty of room around the camera on the back of the case.

While the design of the case is elegant, I couldn’t help being reminded of an old school calculator when the cover was closed, while others may look at it as a small notebook.

In terms of protection, the Impact Snap with Cover provides plenty of coverage as all sides of the iPhone 5 are protected especially when the case is closed.

Having a cover also keeps prying eyes away from your phone when private texts or messages pop up on the screen. Also as a Smart Cover user on my iPad, I’ve becpme spoiled with the instant on and off features of that cover, unfortunately this case does not offer that feature, in fact no iPhone 5 cover cases do.

The polycarbonate back feels solid and looks like it can take a fair amount of punishment. The leather cover on the other hand is more prone to getting scuff and damaged, but the point of a case is to protect its contents, which is what the Impact Snap with Cover does.

Conclusion

The Impact Snap with Cover from Tech21 is an excellent compromise between style and protection. The case is low profile enough that your iPhone 5 still feels like a phone and not a large brick like some other cases.

I generally do not like iPhone cases with covers as I find they usually get in the way. However, the Impact Snap with Cover does an excellent job of making the cover feel unobtrusive.

If you are looking for a well-designed and solidly constructed iPhone 5 case then the Impact Snap with Cover is a pretty good option.

Pros:
+Good protection
+Protects screen
+Offers additional privacy

Cons:
-Cover does not lock down

Grades:
Overall
Design / Aesthetic
Value / Price
Performance / Usage

To learn more about our review policy please visit this page HERE.

Review of Impact Snap with Cover Case for iPhone 5 is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

Geneva, the Switzerland based award winning sound system company is pleased to announce the newest member of its legendary family: the Geneva Sound System Model S Wireless. Simple yet sublime, the original Model S upheld the Geneva tradition of combining superb musical fidelity with unique-high concept design. Today, the new Model S Wireless offers even more with completely re-engineered components, higher-grade electronics, speaker drivers and the convenience of instant wireless connectivity for a more impressive sound experience.
“Like the original Model S – which won the 2010 International Design Magazine Consumer Products Award – the new Model S Wireless is remarkably easy to operate and visually stunning, with a timeless style that fits any décor,” says Chuck Vath, Managing Director of Geneva Lab USA. “Its sleek lacquered sides, clean lines, and effortless setup lift it above the world of lackluster visuals and perplexing gadgetry.”
With the touch of a button, one can stream music wirelessly to the Model S from an iPhone, iPod, or any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Featuring patented true stereo technology, wide frequency range, and exceptional audio, the Model S offers full-sized fidelity in a tabletop system. It amplifies and transforms music, giving it unparalleled depth, detail, and warmth.

As compact, beautiful, and versatile as its predecessor, the new Model S Wireless is designed to earn the highest marks in its class around the world and includes the following features and functions:
•    A: FM Radio: digital tuner with 6 presets (DAB+ version also available)
•    B: Digital clock with alarm
•    C: Built-In Wireless: Bluetooth A2DP for high quality audio streaming
•    D: Stereo line-in jack for external audio inputs like PC, Game Console or TV
•    E: Touch light controls: backlit, touch-sensitive
•    F: Two 3” full range speakers
•    G: Two Class AB amplifiers
The Geneva Model S Wireless is available in black, white or red finishes for $299.95 MSRP at www.genevalab.com.

Geneva Lab Unveils the Model S Wireless Speaker is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

The Case Scenario Alexis Mabille Bowtie iPhone 5 case collection, now available, reinvents your style with a fashion-forward, protective case. Incorporating the timeless bowtie on a high-tech device is the best way to mix past and present on a functional and stylish electronic accessory.

The Alexis Mabille one piece, hard, clip-on case protects the iPhone 5 and allows easy access to all ports and camera on the device without compromising its refined, couture touch – a nod at tradition.

The Alexis Mabille Bowtie iPhone 5 cases are available in two sleek colors – pink on white and blue on yellow – for $35 at Maison 24.

Alexis Mabille Bowtie Case Collection Now Available for iPhone 5 is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

Noctua today presented a new revision of its much acclaimed NH-U12DX and NH-U9DX quiet CPU coolers for Intel Xeon workstations and servers. The new i4 models support LGA2011 (both Square and Narrow ILM), LGA1356 and LGA1366 based Xeon platforms and now come with PWM fans for automatic speed control. Fitted with the professional SecuFirm2™ mounting system and bundled with Noctua’s industrial-grade NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-U12DX i4 and NH-U9DX i4 form complete premium quality packages for quietly cooling Xeon based workstations and servers.
"Builders of quiet workstations and servers still have trouble finding quality cooling solutions for Intel’s LGA2011 socket with Narrow ILM mounting", explains Mag. Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO), "so we’ve decided to update our DX line of coolers to work with both Square ILM and Narrow ILM based LGA2011 platforms. At the same time, we’ve added PWM control and switched the U12 version to the new, slimmer layout of the NH-U12S, which not only provides better performance but also ensures easier access to the RAM slots, which was another long time request from our industry partners."
Supporting Intel’s LGA2011 (both Square and Narrow ILM), LGA1356 and LGA1366 Xeon platforms, the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-U12DX i4 and NH-U9DX i4 has been custom designed for system integrators who require both perfect contact pressure and quick, convenient installation.
Both the NF-F12 120mm fan of the NH-U12DX i4 and the two NF-B9 92mm fans of the NH-U9DX i4 now support PWM for fully automatic speed control. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptors for even quieter operation.
Thanks to its slim design with only 45mm fin depth, the NH-U12DX i4 ensures easy access to the RAM slots. When installed parallel to the slots, it will not overhang the memory on LGA1356, LGA1366 and LGA2011 Square ILM even with two fans installed, thus providing full compatibility with tall RAM heatsinks.
While the superior cooling performance of the NH-U12DX i4 makes it ideal for quiet workstation builds, the 125mm height of the NH-U9DX i4 makes it fully compatible with standard 4U server cases.

Pricing and availability The NH-U9DX i4 and NH-U12DX i4 will be available shortly at suggested retail prices of EUR 59.90 / USD 64.90 (NH-U9DX i4) and EUR 69.90 / USD 74.90 (NH-U12DX i4).

Details NH-U12DX i4: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=66
Details NH-U9DX i4: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=67

Noctua Intros Intel Xeon Coolers is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog

The first deal is WinX DVD Ripper software for only $11.95, it’s normally $59.95.

The second deal is a few things in a pack called the Summer Holiday Video pack that includes:

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
Air Playit
WinX DVD Copy Pro

As a bonus you can get their Blu-ray Decrypter software for free, but that’s only to the first 30 buyers of the pack per day….

Here’s the link for you to check it out yourself: http://www.winxdvd.com/specialoffer/summer-promo.htm

Digiarty Summer Promotion is a post from: Testfreaks | The Blog