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HP Sprocket portable photo printer review

If you’re like me, you probably take a lot of pictures with your phone. Flipping through pics on our phones is fun, but most of us don’t get a chance to enjoy them OUTSIDE of the phone. One way to do that is to print the pictures and one solution that can help you with that task is the HP Sprocket portable photo printer. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The HP Sprocket portable photo printer is a battery-powered printer that is about the size of a deck of cards and pairs with your phone and the HP Sprocket app to allow you to easily and quickly print your images on 2 x 3-inch sticky-backed paper without using ink.

What’s in the box?

HP Sprocket printer
micro USB cable
10 pack of HP ZINK sticky backed photo sheets

Design and features

The HP Sprocket printer is available in several colors, but I was sent the white version of the printer which has bronze colored accents.

The small printer has a plastic case with one button on the side which toggles power.

On the back of the printer is what looks like a lanyard attachement point… weird. You’ll also find the micro USB port for charging, two status LEDs, and a reset switch/hole.

The front edge of the Sprocket is where the printed photo is ejected.

The top of the printer slides off to reveal the compartment where you place the photo paper.

The photo paper is packaged in 10 sheet packs and probably has some sort of coding that won’t allow you to use other types of ZINK paper that are marketed for other brands of printers like the Sprocket.

I’ve reviewed a couple other printers that also use this type of paper and they all include a special blue card that has to be left in the stack of paper face down when you install the paper into the printer.

Here we see the stack of 10 sheets of ZINK paper placed in the Sprocket printer.

A spring-loaded pressure lever keeps the paper in place so that it doesn’t jam up inside of the printer during the printing process. I’ve had this problem with another older printer that I reviewed years ago, so I like to see that HP has designed a solution for this potential problem.

HP Sprocket app




To print your pictures, you need to install the HP Sprocket app on your phone. This app will let you view, edit, and print the images in your phone’s memory, on your Instagram account, Facebook account, and Google Photos account.

The app also lets you do some rudimentary editing like cropping, adjusting levels, adding text, and stickers.

Printing is quick and easy and since the HP Sprocket uses ZINK photo paper, you don’t have to worry about ink drying, smearing your smudging. The prints are ready to use and pass around as soon as the print ejects from the Sprocket.

My favorite thing about the prints is that they are peel and stick. I usually have problems peeling the other ZINK photo paper that I’ve used with my other photo printers, but the paper backing on the HP ZINK paper is noticeably easier to separate. I like to use the prints to embellish the entries in my journal.

What I like

  • Easy setup
  • Quick photo prints
  • Crisp and good color

What needs to be improved

  • Only comes with 10 sheets of photo paper

Final thoughts

I’ve reviewed a couple other printers very similar to the HP Sprocket, so I wasn’t expecting the resulting prints to be much if any different than ones I’ve been using for years. But I actually was surprised. The prints from the HP Sprocket look a bit crisper and have more vibrant colors than prints from Polaroid and Panasonic ZINK printers which have always looked a bit washed out to me. The HP Sprocket app is a bit more polished as well compared to the other printer apps. If I was in the market for a pocket-sized photo printer today, my first choice would be the HP Sprocket portable photo printer. It’s a keeper.

Price: $129.99
Where to buy: HP and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by HP.

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HP Sprocket portable photo printer review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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MultiGrip and T’Spin EDC tools, Lyd bottle, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

NEWS – This week we are bringing you info about four different crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. This week’s campaigns are for people who like to travel, love music, and more.

MultiGrip | 25+ Tools-In-1 Utility Everyday Carry Multitool

What is it?

MultiGrip is a stainless steel multi-tool that has 25 built in tools and can be carried on your keychain.

Why is it cool?

Disc Brand Co. sent me an early sample of the MultiGrip and it’s a well EDC multi-tools that’s designed to last a lifetime. I have used it quite a few times for tasks that would have had me looking for individual tools to do the same job that this one tool was able to do. Some tasks that I’ve used it for so far are opening boxes, scratching off lottery tickets, splitting pills, removing staples, and opening the battery cover of my AV receiver’s remote.

Where can I find more info?

The MultiGrip campaign ends on 9/14/18 and they are still working towards their funding goal of $6,500. You can pre-order a MultiGrip starting at $19. After the MultiGrip campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Lyd: Opens at the touch of your lips & never spills

What is it?

Lyd is a specially designed travel bottle that is spill proof and automatically opens when your lips touch the lid.

Why is it cool?

I like the Lyd because it provides 360-degree drinking access around the lid instead of just one small opening that you need to position correctly when you want a drink. The battery-powered touch sensor in the Lyd opens the lid (getting confused yet?) as soon as your lips touch it and close when you stop drinking. The Lyd’s lid recharges wirelessly on any Qi-enabled charger. Don’t worry though, it will only need to be recharged every couple of weeks.

Where can I find more info?

The Lyd campaign ends on 9/17/18 and they are still working towards their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a Lyd starting at $42. After the Lyd campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Turtlebox: The Loudest, Toughest Outdoor Speaker

blurb by Julian Perry

What is it?

The Turtlebox is being touted as the Loudest and toughest Portable Bluetooth Outdoor Speaker

Why is it cool?

I like the Turtlebox because within the crowded field of portable Bluetooth speakers it stands out for its design, and seems to be loud enough to overcome the usual environmental noise. The manufacturer claims that it provides 128db of distortion-free sound and is IP67 waterproof rated. That fact that it measures only 11.5” x 6.5” x 8.75” makes it a very desirable portable Bluetooth speaker if it lives up to the hype.

Where can I find more info?

www.indiegogo.com
The Turtlebox campaign ends on 8/24/18 and they have already raised $119,000 which is 596% of their initial goal of $20,000. You can back the project now at a cost of $247 for one. After the Turtlebox campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Indiegogo for all the details.

T’spin – Titanium Travel Tool

What is it?

T’spin is an EDC multi-tool.

Why is it cool?

T’spin is not only an every day carry tool that features tools that we normally don’t see in an EDC tool, but it’s also a fidget spinner! Some of the tools include a smartphone stand, SIM eject tool, nano SIM card holder, cord organizer, and traditional tools like a screwdriver, and a bottle opener.

Where can I find more info?

The T’spin campaign ends on 9/28/18 and they are still working towards their funding goal of $24,778. You can pre-order a T’spin starting at $28. After the T’spin campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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MultiGrip and T’Spin EDC tools, Lyd bottle, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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V-MODA permanently cuts prices on award-winning products

NEWS – One of the frustrating parts of reviewing and recommending audio gear is that the price usually reflects the quality. With rare exceptions, that means the cost is more than many are willing to pay. However, as time passes, prices drop simply because great tech trickles down into more affordable gear or the same item becomes less expensive. Such is the case with V-Moda. I’ve reviewed—and liked—their Crossfade 2 Wireless headphone and Remix Bluetooth speaker. Now, V-Moda has permanently reduced prices on some of their more popular products.

While the Crossfade 2 headphones are still not cheap, they are cheapER—by $50-$70, selling for $279.99, so they are even more of an audio bargain than last holiday season. If you’ve been holding out, now may be the time to consider these terrific headphones. They are that good. As I said in my review, “V-Moda clearly has a winner with the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones. They’re not cheap, but if you want a pair of headphones that fit that middle spot where they sound good with all kinds of music, are built like a tank and are wireless, then the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones will start to look like a bargain.”

The Remix Bluetooth speaker gets an even bigger price reduction—down from $299.99 to $199.99. I said in my review at the time, “How does the V-Moda speaker sound? For its size, the Remix sounds great. If you like plenty of bass, this is the speaker to get.” ‘Nuff said.

The Forza line of earphones have also been reduced from $20-$40, depending on the model. Gadgeteer reviewer Howard Sneider said of the Forza Metallo wireless earphones, “The Forza Metallo Wireless earphones are a great sounding set of wireless earphones that rival the sound produced by many wired earphones. They are comfortable to wear and quick to charge.”

V-MODA has sweetened the deal even more by offering complimentary 3D printed fiber or 2D laser-engraved custom shields worth up to $70 to their line of on-ear and over-ear headphones.

These price reductions are in effect now at either Amazon or V-Moda. Visit v-moda.com for information.

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V-MODA permanently cuts prices on award-winning products originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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BenQ ScreenBar Plus LED Lamp Review

REVIEW – At home, I do most of my “work” at my computer desk paying bills, sorting papers, and staying up late. Lighting up my workspace has always been a little tricky since the computer screens themselves give of light and can get in the way. The BenQ ScreenBar Plus is a lamp that sits atop your monitor in a way that gives off even illumination without getting in your way.

What is it?

The ScreenBar Plus is an LED lamp that doesn’t add glare to your monitors, yet provides an even pool of light in your work area. It’s dimmable and color temperature adjustable.

Hardware specs

  • USB powered
  • Color temperature adjustable between 2700K and 6500K
  • Auto-dimming
  • Fits on any monitor thickness from 0.4″ to 1.2″

What’s in the box?

You’ll find the LED tube, the monitor clip, and a round controller with USB cables.

There’s a warning sticker in the box too. I guess they really don’t want you to use a USB extension.

Design and features

The LED tube itself has tiny, individual LED lights all along the length of the assembly.

Note that there are actually two “colors” of LED lights. The lamp is able to adjust between the two.

The controller has a cord permanently attached to it. There’s a standard USB-A for power, and a micro USB for the lamp itself.

The bottom of the controller has a large, non-skid pad. It feels rubbery.

Here’s the monitor clip. The cylinder actually has a bit of weight to it to serve as a counterbalance to the LED bar.

There’s a cutout on the back for the micro USB cable. The cutout is larger than the port itself, which allows the entire LED tube to rotate up to 20 degrees.

Setup

All controls are on the round “puck”. The dial is like an encoder that rotates infinitely in either direction and has detents like a mouse wheel. Depending on what mode you’re in (Brightness or Hue adjust), twisting the dial will raise brightness or change the color temperature.

Pressing the center knob turns the lamp on or off. You can also plug the lamp into a USB port on your computer so it turns on or off with the computer. Either way, the lamp remembers the previous setting.

The Auto Dimmer button illuminates with a green ring. When pressed, the light sensor (top position) determines a suitable brightness level, and the color temperature goes right in the middle. I like to choose my own brightness and color temperature, so I don’t use this. Twisting the knob returns control back to manual.

Performance

I attached the light to the top of my mess of monitors. Here are some shots of the warmest (L) vs. coolest (R) color temperature settings.

I placed some random objects on my desk and tried again. Warmest (top) and coolest (bottom).

What I like

Fits out of the way on top of your monitor, yet minimal glare on your screens. Adjustable brightness and color temperature is easy with the remote knob.

What needs to be improved

I haven’t seen much use for the auto dimmer.

Final thoughts

I’ve been trying to figure out what kind of lamp works best for my desk. I can stop looking. The BenQ ScreenBar Plus is a bright idea!

Price: $129.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by BenQ.

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BenQ ScreenBar Plus LED Lamp Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Charge your iPhone and Apple Watch in half the space with Twelve South

NEWS – Nightstands are usually small, so you need to maximize the usefulness of anything you keep on them.  The Twelve South HiRise Duet packs a lot of utility in a small footprint to earn its place there.  It charges your iPhone, charges your Apple Watch, and puts the Watch in Nightstand mode to serve as your alarm clock – all in a 3.5″ x 3.75″ footprint.

The HiRise Duet is made of metal with a Napa leather accent.  The Lightning charging cable and Apple Watch charging puck are integrated into the stand, so you won’t need to provide your own cables.  Up to 15W of power is provided to the chargers from a single AC power cable.  Twelve South says: “With 15-watts of Lightning Power, HiRise Duet charges your iPhone 40% faster than standard USB, and almost *twice* as fast as wireless.”

The height of the Lightning connector can be adjusted to accommodate most thin iPhone cases.  The Duet works with all iPhones all the way back to the iPhone 5; it can even charge Apple remotes and the Pencil, too.  The watch charger works with all generations and sizes of the Apple Watch.  Since it weighs about a pound, you won’t have to worry the stand will tip over when you try to interact with your iPhone as it charges or fumble to snooze the alarm.

Normally priced at $119.99, the HiRise Duet is currently only $99.99 at Twelve South.

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Charge your iPhone and Apple Watch in half the space with Twelve South originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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