Home 2019 June

Ekster Parliament Wallet review

REVIEW – Losing your wallet is guaranteed to wreck your day, especially if you’re absent-minded like me. Fortunately, the folks at Ekster have us covered! Not only is the Parliament Wallet a fine transporter of your cash & cards, but it has a tracking device that makes lost wallets a thing of the past. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a bifold style wallet with RFID protection and a tracking device that you can use with a mobile app, Alexa, or Google Assistant.

What’s in the box?

You’ll get the wallet and the tracking card (if you add the card to the package).

Hardware specs

The Wallet:

  • 0.4″ by 4.1″ by 0.25″
  • Stores 10+ cards
  • Integrated RFID-blocking card case which will hold up to 6 cards
  • European top-grain leather

The Tracking Card:

  • Powered by Chipolo technology
  • IOS9 or Android 4.4 (and greater) compatible
  • Worldwide Lost & Found Platform, QR Safety Net
  • 200 foot range with Bluetooth
  • Solar powered, with 2-3 month life between charges (3 hour charge time)
  • Voice activation compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa & Siri

Design and features

I reviewed a previous iteration of the Ekster wallet, and the newest version is identical in form factor. It’s a bifold design that’s built around and RFID-blocking case to hold your sensitive cards. Construction is excellent with top-notch fit and finish. It looks like Ekster is using a more refined leather and tighter stitching in the new model. It’s a solid build that’s available in multiple leather finishes, all of which look upscale and classy as all get-out:

The exterior pocket on the rear panel will hold the tracking card, or 2-3 regular cards if you choose not to use the tracker.

The inside of the front flap has 2 card slots. You could stretch them to hold 4 cards in all, but I think the 2-card configuration is nice and tight:

An elastic band on the body holds some cash, receipts, or a couple of extra cards:

The big design element that is unique to the Ekster, however, is the RFID-blocking case that’s built into the body of the wallet. See this little thumb button on the base?

You’ll insert your cards into the RFID-blocking case. This case will hold 4-6 cards depending on their depth (embossed cards take up more room). You slide them all into the case, as seen here:

When you push that thumb button the cards pop out of the case, fanned so that you can access the desired card:

The Tracking Card

The key to locating your wallet is the tracking card. This particular card is solar powered. Leave it in direct sunlight for a couple of hours, and you’ll have enough charge to last 2-3 months.

You’ll download the TrackR app to your mobile device, and pair the card to the app. Once you’re set up, you can use the app to find your wallet when it goes astray. Tap the “start searching” button on the app’s home page:

The card will now emit a tone that you can follow to track it down. The tone itself is nice and loud, and continues to ring until you stop it on the app or push the Ekster logo on the card:

The app now shows the location of your phone on a map. If the card is within Bluetooth range it will pick right up.

If it’s outside of the range, the app is connected to a crowdsourced GPS system through the Worldwide Chipolo Network. As long as another app is active within the range, the location will be picked up. The card also has a QR code printed on it that can be scanned by someone that finds your wallet, sending you a notification that it has been found.

Your tracking card can also be set up to work with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri for voice-activated location to trigger the tone. It’s easy to set up and use, but I prefer to use the app since my phone is always within arm’s reach.

Performance

The design for the Ekster Parliament is excellent as a day-to-day wallet. The form factor is a bit on the chunky side, but that’s the trade off you get for the RFID-blocking case. I like the ability to stash quick-access cards in the slots on the front flaps, and the elastic band is a flexible solution for securing an assortment of cash, cards, or receipts on the go.

While the whole package is a tad more refined from the previous version, there are some issues that I had mentioned in the previous iteration. Your cards slide out of the RFID box in a tight grouping, which means some fumbling if you’re trying to pick a specific card. This isn’t a big deal if you’re not getting to those cards often, but can be a pain if you’re in line at the convenience store. There’s also not a lot of flexibility in the design, so things get chunky if you have a wad of bills secured with that elastic band. If your daily carry consists of 8-10 cards and a couple of bills for emergencies, however, you won’t have a problem with this.

Beyond that, the build quality is absolutely top notch. It looks great and is very durable, with no moving parts beyond the thumb switch. I expect this wallet to last a long time.

The location service is hit-or-miss for me. It’s great if I am within Bluetooth range, but the long-range tracking requires other smartphones with the app activated to be within range of the card to work. I live on the edge of suburbia and haven’t had any luck locating my wallet a few miles away in testing. Perhaps this is more effective in urban areas where the network is more active, but I am not seeing the benefit where I live.

What I like

  • High quality, durable construction.
  • RFID blocking capability.
  • Tracking card is great for locating your wallet within Bluetooth range (about 200 feet).

What needs to be improved

  • RFID case can be difficult to use if you need to get to a specific card quickly.
  • Rigid structure does not allow for flexibility if you need to carry extra stuff.
  • Long-range tracking card location seems to be inconsistent.

Final thoughts

The Ekster Parlaiment wallet is a fine wallet on its own. There are some form factor issues that may not appeal to all users, but I think you’ll be pretty happy with it if your daily carry favors keeping 8-10 cards at the ready with minimal cash. The tracking card is great for locating your wallet within Bluetooth range if you are absent-minded, but I am not convinced that it will work consistently over greater distances due to the crowdsourced nature of the network.

Price: Currently $79 USD for the wallet, and $29 USD for the tracker card.
Where to buy: Ekster Parliament product page and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Ekster.

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Ekster Parliament Wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 21, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Joovv Go red light therapy device review

REVIEW – Can light therapy that our eyes can’t see help heal wounds, reduce inflammation, and provide other health benefits? The Joovv Go is a portable Infrared device that claims to do these things. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Joovv Go is a handheld device that is available in 2 versions. The red light has a light wavelength of 660 nm and the near infrared light is at 850 nm. I was sent the NIR (near infrared version) to review. What’s the difference?

Both red light at 660 nm and near infrared light at 850 nm have been proven across hundreds of clinical studies to enhance cellular function. The main difference is that red light at 660 nm is readily absorbed by skin tissue, leading to improved skin health and collagen production. Near infrared light at 850 nm is invisible to the human eye and penetrates deeper into tissue, leading to benefits like increased muscle recovery and reduced joint pain.

Note: Joovv Go has been given class II clearance by the FDA.

Hardware specs

Approximate Size: 5.75″ x 3.78″
Power Input: 100 to 240V
Charger Power Output: 3A, 5V
Wavelengths: 650nm red or 850nm near infrared (there are two versions of the Go)

What’s in the box?


  • Joovv Go light therapy device
  • USB-C cable
  • AC adapter
  • Carrying case

Design and features

The Joovv Go is surprisingly well made. There’s no plastic here; it has a painted white metal case with 12 LEDs on the front.

On the top are a row of air vents, the power button, and a USB-C charging port. Above the power button are three white charging status LEDs.

The sides also have slots for ventilation.

Using the device is simple. You just hold down the power button to turn it on and hold it 2-6 inches away from the body part that you want to treat with red light therapy. The default treatment time is 10 minutes at which time the Joovv Go will automatically power down. When fully charged, the Joovv Go should provide 5-6 treatment sessions before it needs to be recharged. Recharge time is about 2.5hrs.

While in operation, you will hear the internal fan, but you can’t see the light shining on your skin. However, if you look directly at the LEDs (which isn’t harmful), you can see a faint red glow.

Note that it’s a good idea to do a test on your skin for photosensitivity BEFORE your first treatment. To do this test, you can just hold the Joovv Go over a body part for a couple of minutes and then hold down the power button on the unit to manually stop the session. Then you can check for redness or irritation.

I did most of my testing like you see above with the left side of my right hand which has some beginning stages of arthritis or inflammation. I have done a 10-minute session every day for the last couple of weeks and so far I think I am noticing some improvement with flexibility and lessening of the slight swelling that I’ve noticed. I say that I think I am noticing an improvement because I’m not 100% sure. It could just be in my head as a placebo.

I also did a treatment on my left triceps to see if it would alleviate muscle soreness after a workout. I didn’t notice any improvements in the soreness.

It’s also worth mentioning that it’s awkward to hold the device over the body part that you want to treat because the Joovv Go is a little heavy. It would be great if there was some sort of holder/stand that you could use to position the device for hands-free treatments.

What I like

  • Easy to use
  • Very well made device
  • Wireless
  • 2yr warranty
  • 60 day trial

What needs to be improved

  • Only treats a small area at a time
  • Hard to test if it is actually working

Final thoughts

It’s difficult to review health products because there isn’t an easy way to figure out if it works or works for everyone. Although I can’t be 100% sure that RLT from this device has helped me, if you are already familiar with red light and near infrared light therapy and know that it works for you, the Joovv Go devices are very well made and are easy to use. The company offers a 60-day return policy, so that should be enough time to decide if one does work for you.

Price: $265.00
Where to buy: Joovv
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Joovv.

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Joovv Go red light therapy device review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 21, 2019 at 10:06 am.

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ElevationShelf adds storage without clutter

NEWS – ElevationLab has an attention to detail that’s been present with all their products since the launch of their original phone dock in 2012. The latest product to come from their focus is an under-shelf to help declutter your workspace.

The ElevationShelf mounts under your desk where you may already have their “Anchor” managing your headphones. The shelf comes with pre-applied 3M tape and a cable management clip to make installation simple (screws also included if you’re looking to really lock it down).

Made of a reinforced polymer, it’s extra light and stiff to help carry the load, keeping your workspace clean and pristine. Available now at ElevationLab for $24.95 and you can find more of their products on Amazon.

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ElevationShelf adds storage without clutter originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 21, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Adonit PhotoGrip Qi review


REVIEW – These days, everywhere you look you can easily find someone taking pictures with their smartphones. This convenience has become the norm since phone cameras have become pretty darn good for general photography, and since just about everyone has one. What I have found is that unlike my ergonomic DSLR, holding the phone just right can sometimes be a challenge, especially while having to touch the screen to activate the shutter and while making sure to keep my fingers from blocking the camera lens.  Also, taking lots of photo on my phone especially when I constantly need to use the flash really puts a dent in the charge level of my battery. The Adonit PhotoGrip QI may solve all of my issues.

What is it?

The Adonit PhotoGrip is a uniquely designed smartphone camera grip that allows you to easily take photos continuously in a very comfortable way. It also features Qi charging via its built-in 3000mAh battery and remote control via its removable Bluetooth shutter button.

What’s in the box


1 x Adonit PhotoGrip
1 x Mini Tripod
1 x Neck Strap
1 x Carrying Pouch
1 x USB-C Charging Cable
1 x User Guide

Design and features

Specifications
Bluetooth: 3.0 and Above
Size Compatibility: 4.5″” or larger smartphones
Width range: 58mm – 85mm
Max. Depth: 10mm
Battery for Wireless Charging Input: USB Type C
OS Compatibility: iOS 5.0 and above / Android v4.3+
Battery Capacity for Wireless Charging: 3000mAh
Battery for Shutter Remote: CR2016
Shutter Remote Continuous Use: 1000 hours
Weight: 129.6g
Dimensions: 120.6 * 82 * 43.9mm
Material: PC+ABS/Silicone Rubber
Color: Black or White/Mint

Features

  • QI Wireless Charging
  • Bluetooth Shutter Remote
  • Self-Standing Base
  • Bonus Travel Pack

On the bottom of the PhotoGrip, there is the micro USB-C charging port to charge the internal built-in battery and the 1/4-20″ mount that will fit any tripod.

On the opposite side of the PhotoGrip, there is the removable shutter module and an on/off button. To the right of the on/off button, there is a LED indicator light that shows the following levels of battery charge:

  • White: Power levels at 70% to 100%
  • Yellow: Power levels at 30% to 69%
  • Red: Power levels under 30%
    The PhotoGrip comes with a bonus pack that includes a mini tripod.

Performance

The Adonit PhotoGrip is easy to use and works very well. Once fully charged, you power it up and then pair to your Bluetooth and it is ready to go. To pair to your Bluetooth, you first turn on the shutter remote by pressing the button on the shutter remote control, and the LED next to the Shutter button will flash green. You then go through the usual routine on your smartphone to pair.

One side of the phone holder is spring loaded and expands to accommodate various sizes of phones.

A nice small tripod is included with the bonus pack and that allows you to mount the PhotoGrip and have it stand alone and then use the removable shutter button to take pictures either of yourself, or if you want to take some  nature shots and maybe need to be a bit away from the phone so that you don’t disturb your subject. There are obviously many more scenarios where this feature can be very convenient.


In the case where you want to take handsfree portrait pictures, the PhotoGrip stands on its own.

The instruction manual states that the remote shutter will work up to about 10 meters away. I tested it up to about 6 meters away and it worked.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The built-in battery
  • The Qi wireless charging
  • The built-in tripod Mount
  • The removable shutter button

What can be improved

  • It does exactly what it is designed to do

Final thoughts

While I hate carrying around extra “stuff”, I really like this device. It really does make it easier to take pictures when using my smartphone. There are many occasions when I know I will take pictures but I don’t want to take my DSLR. This device is small and portable and works every time. I can even place it in a “perfect” spot and take pictures remotely. And, since it has the built-in battery, neck strap, and Qi wireless charging, it takes care of every need. I am giving the Adonit PhotoGrip Qi a well done and two thumbs up!

Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Adonit website and Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Adonit

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Adonit PhotoGrip Qi review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 21, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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SiteGround With WP Rocket Cache – Does It Make a Difference? Is It Worth It?

If you’re hosting your WordPress site at SiteGround, SiteGround gives you multiple ways to optimize your site for performance. First, you get built-in caching via SiteGround’s SuperCacher. Then, SiteGround also offers a companion SG Optimizer plugin to make other performance tweaks. So if you’re already using those tools, do you need to do anything else… View Article

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