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Affordable Listening

Skullcandy Ink’d Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

The first thing you notice about these Skullcandy Ink’d wireless Bluetooth headphones is how light they are. Initially this can give the impression of them being cheap and disposable. But you will soon find that the opposite is true and the design grows on you. They are a flexible collar-style fit and extremely comfortable. What’s more, after a short while you barely feel that you are wearing them. This makes it easy to go about your daily duties, at work or jogging in the park, with ease. The slim low-profile design means not attracting attention. They easily blend in to whatever you are wearing.  

As for the quality, Skullcandy’s Ink’d is a consistently decent sound quality that compliments its already comfortable design fit. For one, it avoids the treble and bass push you get from many contemporary headphones so has a balanced decent clarity sound in the midrange. The drawback on reduction in bass means these aren’t going to be the greatest headphones for every type of music. However, it still competes well against other neckband-style Bluetooth headphones on offer. 

It also functions as a headset for making and receiving cellphone calls with an instant pause on the music as notification. The integrated remote is on the left side of the neckband and the controls are large and easy to operate by touch. When fully charged, the battery life is somewhere around seven hours which is pretty good. Perhaps the only drawback is that it’s missing extra features like magnetized buds and there’s also no way to adjust the cord lengths. Overall though, better than it looks and definitely competitive in its price range. 

By Steven Yates

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Technology

IFA

 

IFA16 Highlights

Bang and Olufsen

Futuristic minimalism in the shape of a cone from Bang and Olufsen, always known for superior sound quality, the brand played to its strength by introducing two wireless 360 degree speaker designs, the small BeoSound 1 and larger BeoSound 2.  Both are rechargeable with a battery life of 16 hours.   The shining models stuck out but I liked the softer toned ones.

Sphero

Star Wars Fans will have hours of fun with the motion controlled BB8 droid.   The wrist band enables the user to push and pull the droid with arm gestures.  The app describes in details how to full use the small robot.   I saw a demonstration.  It could get addictive, connective toys are the future.

Aedle

Designed and made in Paris, Aedle headphones are for those looking for a subtler but higher style quality with headphone gear.  Constructed with fine leather and other materials there are two choices to choose, over ear or in-ear, both are elegant.   When I travel to Paris I will interview the team behind the brand.

Philips

The consumer brand giant had two products we liked.  The new Innergizer blender can mix anything in a moment.  The second appliance we played with was the Air Cooker, no grease, or oil is needed, all is done by recycled hot air even French Fries.

ZTE

Affordable high end smartphone from the ZTE with Axom 7 mini, a smaller version of the company’s flagship phone but still packing a punch using Android 6.0  OS featuring a 5.2 inch screen, all metal body and curved designed. it delivers a number of good features without breaking the bank including  Dolby Speakers and a 16 megapixel camera.

Huawei

I handled the phone, it is smooth and stylish but what attracted me the most were the colors blue and red.  It is slim and light with a Leica camera.  I have not tested the device yet but soon.

Honorable Mentions

SkullCandy

Skullcandy’s New Crusher Wireless headphones looked nice.  A good accessory for the street wear looks. Check back here for a review.

AfterShockz

I am testing their new sportswear wireless headsets, so far so good.  Check back for the full review.

Xtorm

A better source of mobile recharging, the company improved the capacity of this year’s power bank models while retaining an attractive design. (See our upcoming video)

Samsonite

Added new class to their collection with a slim wireless power bank fitted for a 15 inch laptop integrated into a travel backpack.

Dbramante1928

Affordable leather carrying  cases designed in Denmark for every tech device.  The material is sourced from India.

Fossil

A company introduced a number of wearables this year to track and monitor all activity.  We are using one now.  See the upcoming review.

Keep checking back for more reviews and interviews on tech.