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Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock review


REVIEW – As technology evolves, newer and better connectivity options are continuously emerging. One of the relatively recent additions is the USB-C connection, with many devices like the MacBook pioneering this option. As a result, I have been testing a few USB-C docks for performance, flexibility, and connectivity. The Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock is another addition to the USB-C dock/expansion devices. Here is my experience with it.

What is it?

The Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock is an expansion dock that provides multiple and various ports and connectivity via one USB-C connection. It is USB port powered and also includes a USB-C pass-through power delivery port.

What’s in the box


1 x USB-C Dock
1 x Instruction Manual

Design and features

This USB-C hub is compact in size measuring just 5″ x 3″ x 1/2″. It has a built-in USB-C cable that tucks into the side. On one side of the hub, as shown in the picture below, from left to right, there is a VGA port, an HDMI port, and an ethernet port.


On the opposite side from left to right, there are 2 USB 3.1 ports and a USB-C pass-through power delivery port. As you can see below, I have a USB mouse dongle connected to one of the USB ports. The second picture below shows the USB dongle and the USB-C charger connected.


Below is a picture of the HDMI cable for the external monitor connected to the USB.


The next picture below shows the hub connected to my MacBook and the connection to the external monitor via the HDMI cable. It also shows the wireless mouse that I use. The second picture below shows the same with the USB-C adapter connected.



Next, you can see the MacBook Pro and an external monitor attached to the USB-C hub.

Performance

This Kensington USB-C hub performs exactly as it is supposed to without any hiccups. There is not a whole lot to say about performance once the ports operate as designed, which they do. There is no lag with the attached external monitor nor with the mouse. All USB drives that I connected performed well. Unlike other similar hubs that I have tested, this one gets just slightly warm after hours of use, and not in any way that I deem to be significant.

What I like

  • Compact size and lightweight
  • Ports and versatility
  • Pass-through charging port

What can be improved

  • A design that does not restrict the width of the USB device that can be connected
  • The lack of a card reader/s.

Final thoughts

This Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock performs very well and fulfills the exact function it is designed for. For the price, I wish that it had some additional functionality like a multi-port card reader. Otherwise, it is a very lightweight, compact and portable dock that provides good expansion for my MacBook Pro that only has one type of built-in port which is the 2 USB-C  ports.

Price: $89.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kensington.

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Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer review

REVIEW – I take a LOT of pictures with my smartphone and I like to print some of them to put in my journal to help me remember things that have happened. Small photo printers are cool, but they require an app and have batteries that have to be charged. Is there an easier way to print your favorite pics? Tomy things so with their KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The Tomy KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer is actually a modern take on the iconic Polaroid cameras of the 70’s and 80’s.

What’s in the box?

KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer
Instructions
*Fujifilm Instax mini film cartridge is NOT included

Design and features

The KiiPix device is made of white and black plastic and features a film ejection dial on one side that is used to advance and eject each print.

The prints eject from the side of the unit.

On the bottom of the KiiPix, you’ll find the printer paper compartment and the print count indicator.

The paper compartment opens to reveal the camera lens. That’s right, this isn’t really a photo printer, it’s actually an instant camera.

To use it, you’ll have to load a cartridge of Fujifilm Instax mini film into the bottom of the KiiPix.

Each Fujifilm cartridge has 10 films inside.

The film cartridge easily snaps in place and the door secures shut with a click.

The next step is to unfold/open the KiiPix by lifting the two “wings”. You will then see a white plastic frame.

The frame lifts out of the camera and is placed over the two wings to create a platform.

The frame is designed so that your iPhone or Android phone’s display rests over the opening so that the camera below it can take a photo of the phone’s screen.

To line up the photo, you need to have it displayed on the phone and then stick the frame (it has sticky strips on the edges to the display.

There’s also a tiny mirror that you can use to line up the image.

I tested the KiiPix with my Pixel 2 XL. Note that you don’t have to pair the KiiPix with your phone or load a special app. All you have to do is display the image on the phone’s screen that you want to print. The KiiPix will then take a picture of the image on the phone’s display when you press the shutter button on the side of KiiPix.

The first time you use the KiiPix, you have to rotate the film ejection dial until the first sheet is ejected.

Then you can take an actual picture and it will eject from the KiiPix when you turn the dial.

 

The 3.4 inch x 2.1 inch print comes out black, but the image will become visible within a few seconds.

Within about 90 seconds – 2 minutes, the 2.4 inch x 1.8 inch image will be fully visible. Check out the video below that shows the film developing over time.

The resulting photo quality was a mixed bag. My first image can be seen above and in the video had strange black arcs on the side and the whole print got much darker as time went by. Here are some more prints that I made.

My first two images were really dark, and then I read that you’re supposed to turn the phone’s brightness to the max. But even then, I still felt like the images were darker than I would like. I also ran into issues where I accidentally pressed the shutter button twice. Can you see which image that was? Yes, it’s the one with double flowers. That’s actually a cool “feature” that can allow you to make some creative photos by having double exposures. Then there’s the issue of the screen rotating when you don’t want it too like the selfie at 9 o’clock where you can see black bars on the side. That image is supposed to be oriented the other way…

What I like

  • No cables, no Bluetooth, no batteries
  • Doesn’t require an app

What needs to be improved

  • Doesn’t come with a Fujifilm Instax Mini print pack
  • Print quality isn’t very impressive

Final thoughts

The KiiPix has a few things going for it when compared to the more expensive small photo printers like my favorite HP Sprocket. First of all, the KiiPix costs about $90 less than the HP Sprocket. The KiiPix also doesn’t need to be charged, paired, or used with an app. But both printers require that you buy film/photo packs. I like the Zink prints from photo printers like the HP Sprocket better than the Fujifilm Instax Mini prints because the Zink prints have peel and stick backs which make it much easier to put the photos in a journal. The Fujifilm prints are also thicker and have a large white frame around them instead of the image being edge to edge like the Zink prints.

But when it comes right down to it. I prefer the smaller HP Sprocket style printer because I don’t have to line up the camera on top of the printer itself and the print results are much better and don’t depend on how bright the screen. In my opinion, the Tomy KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer is more of a toy than a photo printer. Yes, it prints photos, but the results won’t impress.

Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tomy.

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KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 26, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Buckle & Seam Ralph Leather Portfolio review

REVIEW – I’m a big fan of the style and practicality of the business portfolio. This week we’re looking at a good one: the Ralph Portfolio from Buckle & Seam. Not only is it a nice piece of leather with excellent usability, but you can also personalize it a bit to match your style. Buckle & Seam also donates a portion of their sales to a very worthy cause. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a leather business portfolio and organizer for your meeting essentials.

  • Hardware specs
  • Vegetable tanned leather with custom fabric lining
  • Padded laptop compartment fits up to 14” laptops
  • 14.2” by 9.8” by 1.2”
  • 1.5 Pounds

Design and features

The Buckle & Seam is a classy piece of office gear. Vegetable tanned cow leather is the primary fabric, with a minimum thickness of 1.6mm throughout the build. It’s also padded for extra protection of your electronic bits. You can personalize the front cover with your embossed initials in the lower right corner if you like.

Dual zips run the perimeter of the portfolio to keep your stuff from falling out as you run between meetings. There’s some nice, simple finishing detail in the construction that doesn’t distract from the leather:

The Ralph Portfolio also has excellent usability for managing your essential meeting requirements as you run about doing businesslike things. Open it up, and you’ll find all of your gear organized and ready for action:

The right side is a sleeve, sized for up to a 14″ laptop. I’ve got a 13″ MacBook Pro in here for size reference, but it will also fit a 12.9″ iPad Pro with the Apple cover & keyboard. The portfolio is *just* a bit oversized, so slipping your moneymaker in and out of the sleeve doesn’t become a wrestling match:

The organizer panel features 7 different spots for your gear. The size of the portfolio also works in your favor here, as the different pockets and slots are well-spaced for quick access to the thing you need at the moment.

Walking around the organizer panel, you start with business card (or credit card) holder site below the logo. I found that my business cards fit here, but it did need some stretching at first. This spot is probably better served for your essential credit cards or a keycard.

Below this is a 3.75″ by 3.75″ fabric pouch that seals with a magnet. You get to choose your fabric color from 6 different patterns, which are also used to line all the portfolio’s pockets. This pocket is gusseted for some extra expandability.

The top center of the panel has two leather strips fastened with buttons, designed to wrangle charging cables or your headphones.

Below the chord ranger is a 4.75″ by 2.75″ pouch that bellows a bit for thicker items. My iPad power brick is in this slot for reference:

Three pen loops sit below the pocket. I appreciate the sizing on these, which work for thicker writing instruments as well:

Moving to the right of the organizer panel, there’s a 3.25″ by 3.75″ bellowed pocket that will fit a smart phone. My iPhone 6s in its case fits with some room to spare. You’ll want to check the dimensions for larger phones. Smaller notebooks (like Field Notes) will fit nicely in this space, too.

Finally, you have another card slot below the phone pocket. This one is ideal for business cards.

Made in Pakistan, the assembly is tight throughout. The leather has a smooth burnished finish. While it’s not the thickest leather I’ve seen, additional padding and reinforcement throughout the build give it a nice balance of substance and flexibility. As you can see from the pics it quickly pics up character marks from daily use, but I’m not seeing any signs of wear that would impact the portfolio’s functionality. I expect the patina to age nicely as I continue to use it.

With an overall depth of 1.2″, you won’t get a lot of extra stuff in the portfolio beyond what fits in the organizer areas. But this is for minimalist carry, and not meant to be a replacement for a regular bag. I’ll add a small notebook that sits in there when I am carrying it about, or maybe some folders with my laptop… but that’s about all you need.

I should note that there’s not really a good place in this setup for a laptop power brick. My MacBook Pro brick is just too bulky to fit comfortably in any of the organizer spots. I’m not as worried about that given the battery life, but it is something to consider if you need access to power all day for your laptop.

Buckle & Seam is also dedicated to a great cause. They’ve developed a partnership with Anum School, supporting girl’s education in economically challenged neighborhoods in Karachi, Pakistan. A portion of all sales go towards the school.

What I like

  • Excellent quality in the build and materials
  • Great organization for common business tools and accessories
  • Perfect sizing for easy carry, but big enough to give your gear room to breathe

What needs to be improved

  • Smartphone pocket may not be big enough for plus-sized devices
  • No space for a laptop power brick

Final thoughts

There’s nothing worse than shuffling between meetings with a bunch of stuff under your arm while juggling your coffee, phone, and tech. The Buckle & Seam Ralph Portfolio makes for an ideal work companion for those who don’t want to haul a bag through the halls all day. It’s got just enough organization to keep your bits and doodads in order in a sleek, professional package. The leather is good. The quality is good. And the company is supporting a great cause. Overall I call this one a winner.

Price: $214.00 USD
Where to buy: Buy it at the Buckle & Seam web site.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Buckle & Seam

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Buckle & Seam Ralph Leather Portfolio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 26, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Phiaton Bolt BT 700 wireless Bluetooth earbuds review

REVIEW – So here we go again. One of the most exciting testing series for me has been the earbud challenge and that battlefield where I enlist all earbuds to try out for the top spot. It is the battle to see which pair can be the best of the best for me and my personal taste. While individually subjective, it continues to be a great way to compare the various brands and what they offer. Now the Phiaton Bolt BT 700 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds have entered the competition. Let’s see how they perform.

What is it?

The Phiaton Bolt BT 700 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are like most earbuds that handle audio listening as well as phone call functions. These earbuds feature Balanced Armature Drivers and a charging case that includes a built-in speaker.

What’s in the box



1 x Pair of Phiaton Earbuds
1 x Charging Case
1 x Micro USB Cable
4 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Warranty Leaflet

Design and features

The Phiaton earbuds are not tiny but not large either. They come in a charging case that is approximately 3 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 1/.2″. The left side of the case is longer than the right because there is a  speaker that is housed in the left side.

On the right side, there is a Bluetooth button, 4 blue led lights for charging status and remaining charge, and the micro USB charging port.



On the other side of the charging case, there is a built-in speaker.

Performance

Specifications:
Communication Network: Bluetooth 5.0
Driver unit: Balanced Armature
Impedance: 40 Ohm
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
Driver Unit Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 KHz
Max. Input Power: 40 mW
Operating Range: Within 10 m / 33 ft.
Call Time: 5 hrs Max.
Music Play Time: 5 hrs Max.
Standby Time: 94 hrs Max.
Full Charge Time: 2 hrs (2.5 hrs including Charging Speaker Case)
Fast Charging: Support 10 min. Charging= 1 hr Playing
Audio Codec: SBC, AAC
Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz(2.402 GHz – 2.480 GHz)
Earbud Weight: 6.5 g
Charging Speaker Case: Input Power: DC 5 V / over 1 A
Battery: Lithium Ion, DC 3.7 / 750 mAh
Full Charging Time including Earphones: 2.5 Hrs
Number of charges with the case: 3 times (4 X 5 Hrs + 20 hrs with fully charged earbuds)
Speaker Output: 3W Max.
Music Play Time via earbuds & Speaker: 8 Hrs Max.
Standby Time: 220 Hrs Max
IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistant

In terms of music, these earbuds fit comfortably in my ears, and they function quite well. They have a nice volume range that works for me for all of my favorite genres, with a maximum volume that does not overwhelm and will not cause any damage to my hearing. The lows, mids, and highs are good and without distortion, but if you want to experience the lows in their full capability, it is very important to use the correct size and properly fitting ear tips.

For phone calls, these earbuds work ok even for someone like me that has had issues with all of the earbuds that I have tested except for one set. These are decently clear for both parties as long as I raise the volume of my voice just a bit for the other party to hear me clearly.


The earbuds automatically pair with the Bluetooth connection when removed from the charging case, and the connection is consistently solid and did not once disconnect involuntarily. These earbuds like most others have voice commands that confirm the connectivity. You should keep in mind that because there is a speaker built into the case and because it also operates via Bluetooth, the earbuds do not automatically disconnect when returned to their respective place in the charging case. A standard function of earbuds is to disconnect when placed in the case and the charging contacts are engaged. With these earbuds, I can place them in the case, close the case and they will not disconnect until you press the Bluetooth button on the side of the case to disconnect them, or you disconnect via your phone settings. Otherwise, and as I experienced, when you receive a phone call, you are unable to hear the other party on the line until you realize that the earbuds you put away a while ago are still connected.



In terms of the built-in speaker, it sounds surprisingly pleasant albeit closer to a full range sound as opposed to the earbud sound that provides the easily recognizable separation of lows, mids, and highs.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The sound
  • The comfortable fit

What can be improved

  • The ability to disconnect the Bluetooth connection when the earbuds are placed in the case without having to press the case button to power off/disconnect.
  • The manual is in such fine print that it is almost impossible to read

Final thoughts

The Phiaton earbuds do a great job with sound for all of the genres I tested including, jazz, R&B, Easy Listening, Reggae, Gospel. etc. They are well built and quite comfortable. They stay securely in my ears irrespective of any vigorous head movements, The only issue that bothers me is that they do not disconnect the Bluetooth connection when placed into the charging case. I quite understand the intended logic behind this design, but I would prefer them to automatically disconnect and I would re-engage them should I want to use the speaker that is built into the case. Since this is a challenge for the best of the best for me (my taste), this feature takes them out of the race for first place. It this issue does not bother you,  these would be a great buy and they still get two thumbs up!!

Price: $139
Where to buy: Currently available on Kickstarter with shipping in December.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Phiaton.

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Phiaton Bolt BT 700 wireless Bluetooth earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2018 at 9:43 am.

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Phiaton Bolt BT 700 wireless Bluetooth earbuds review

REVIEW – So here we go again. One of the most exciting testing series for me has been the earbud challenge and that battlefield where I enlist all earbuds to try out for the top spot. It is the battle to see which pair can be the best of the best for me and my personal taste. While individually subjective, it continues to be a great way to compare the various brands and what they offer. Now the Phiaton Bolt BT 700 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds have entered the competition. Let’s see how they perform.

What is it?

The Phiaton Bolt BT 700 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are like most earbuds that handle audio listening as well as phone call functions. These earbuds feature Balanced Armature Drivers and a charging case that includes a built-in speaker.

What’s in the box



1 x Pair of Phiaton Earbuds
1 x Charging Case
1 x Micro USB Cable
4 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Warranty Leaflet

Design and features

The Phiaton earbuds are not tiny but not large either. They come in a charging case that is approximately 3 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 1/.2″. The left side of the case is longer than the right because there is a  speaker that is housed in the left side.

On the right side, there is a Bluetooth button, 4 blue led lights for charging status and remaining charge, and the micro USB charging port.



On the other side of the charging case, there is a built-in speaker.

Performance

Specifications:
Communication Network: Bluetooth 5.0
Driver unit: Balanced Armature
Impedance: 40 Ohm
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
Driver Unit Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 KHz
Max. Input Power: 40 mW
Operating Range: Within 10 m / 33 ft.
Call Time: 5 hrs Max.
Music Play Time: 5 hrs Max.
Standby Time: 94 hrs Max.
Full Charge Time: 2 hrs (2.5 hrs including Charging Speaker Case)
Fast Charging: Support 10 min. Charging= 1 hr Playing
Audio Codec: SBC, AAC
Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz(2.402 GHz – 2.480 GHz)
Earbud Weight: 6.5 g
Charging Speaker Case: Input Power: DC 5 V / over 1 A
Battery: Lithium Ion, DC 3.7 / 750 mAh
Full Charging Time including Earphones: 2.5 Hrs
Number of charges with the case: 3 times (4 X 5 Hrs + 20 hrs with fully charged earbuds)
Speaker Output: 3W Max.
Music Play Time via earbuds & Speaker: 8 Hrs Max.
Standby Time: 220 Hrs Max
IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistant

In terms of music, these earbuds fit comfortably in my ears, and they function quite well. They have a nice volume range that works for me for all of my favorite genres, with a maximum volume that does not overwhelm and will not cause any damage to my hearing. The lows, mids, and highs are good and without distortion, but if you want to experience the lows in their full capability, it is very important to use the correct size and properly fitting ear tips.

For phone calls, these earbuds work ok even for someone like me that has had issues with all of the earbuds that I have tested except for one set. These are decently clear for both parties as long as I raise the volume of my voice just a bit for the other party to hear me clearly.


The earbuds automatically pair with the Bluetooth connection when removed from the charging case, and the connection is consistently solid and did not once disconnect involuntarily. These earbuds like most others have voice commands that confirm the connectivity. You should keep in mind that because there is a speaker built into the case and because it also operates via Bluetooth, the earbuds do not automatically disconnect when returned to their respective place in the charging case. A standard function of earbuds is to disconnect when placed in the case and the charging contacts are engaged. With these earbuds, I can place them in the case, close the case and they will not disconnect until you press the Bluetooth button on the side of the case to disconnect them, or you disconnect via your phone settings. Otherwise, and as I experienced, when you receive a phone call, you are unable to hear the other party on the line until you realize that the earbuds you put away a while ago are still connected.



In terms of the built-in speaker, it sounds surprisingly pleasant albeit closer to a full range sound as opposed to the earbud sound that provides the easily recognizable separation of lows, mids, and highs.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The sound
  • The comfortable fit

What can be improved

  • The ability to disconnect the Bluetooth connection when the earbuds are placed in the case without having to press the case button to power off/disconnect.
  • The manual is in such fine print that it is almost impossible to read

Final thoughts

The Phiaton earbuds do a great job with sound for all of the genres I tested including, jazz, R&B, Easy Listening, Reggae, Gospel. etc. They are well built and quite comfortable. They stay securely in my ears irrespective of any vigorous head movements, The only issue that bothers me is that they do not disconnect the Bluetooth connection when placed into the charging case. I quite understand the intended logic behind this design, but I would prefer them to automatically disconnect and I would re-engage them should I want to use the speaker that is built into the case. Since this is a challenge for the best of the best for me (my taste), this feature takes them out of the race for first place. It this issue does not bother you,  these would be a great buy and they still get two thumbs up!!

Price: $139
Where to buy: Currently available on Kickstarter with shipping in December.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Phiaton.

Filed in categories: Reviews

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Phiaton Bolt BT 700 wireless Bluetooth earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2018 at 9:43 am.

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