Download and Activate Windows Media Player 12

Windows Media Player was once the default player for Windows, but that’s no longer the case with Windows 10. If you cannot find it on your computer, you will need to install and activate it. How you do this depends on which version of Windows 10 you are running. What happened to Windows Media Player? Windows Media Player disappeared because the European Commission ruled that Microsoft’s practice of pre-installing some software on their operating systems was anti-competitive. This ruling forced the company to offer different versions of Windows 10 that did not include Windows Media Player, Groove Music, Movies & TV, Voice Recorder, and Skype…. Read more

Edge of Belgravia Stingray frying pan review

REVIEW – The award-winning designers at Edge of Belgravia are at it again. But this time we’re not looking at knives… we’re looking at cookware! The Stingray nonstick pan is kicking off a new kickstarter campaign this week. I got a pre-launch sample to see if it’s more than just sharp looks. How did it perform in the kitchen? Let’s cook!

What is it

It’s a nonstick frying pan.

Hardware specs

  • 19.25″ long by 12.25″ wide by 2.5″ deep.
  • 2 pounds, 14 ounces.
  • Aircraft grade aluminum construction.
  • New ILAG nonstick surface.
  • FDA tested non-toxic and PFOA free.
  • Induction range compatible.
  • Oven safe to 480 degrees fahrenheit.

Design and features

I reviewed the Edge of Belgravia Gallatine knife set and Black Diamond knife block last year, and loved the combination of avant-garde design and performance. They’re still my day-to-day weapons of choice. The Stingray is the company’s first foray into other cooking products, carrying through their unique design language in a frying pan design.

The hexagonal design of the Stingray just looks incredible. The “Stingray” moniker comes from the unique shape coupled with the contoured handle, that vaguely resembles the sea beastie that we all know and love.

But there’s more than pretty looks behind the design of this pan. Heavy-duty aluminum is the primary material. It’s got the stability and thickness of cast iron, but weighs in at just under three pounds. A diffuser on the base promotes even heating and is compatible with induction cooktops.

The handle has a nice contoured grip that makes for comfortable maneuvering when put to task. Notice that the angle of the handle keeps your knuckles from brushing against the stove top, and the 9″ length gives you plenty of room to keep your digits safe from the heat.

A pair of bolts connect the handle to the pan, and there’s no wiggle to be found in the grip. The construction is rock-solid.

To put the pan to the test, I decided that stir-fry was the way to go. The thick walls of the pan do a great job of absorbing & retaining heat, which is essential for stir-fry. I started with browning some chicken. The hexagonal shape is perfect for that fancy flipping maneuver that makes your guests say “oooh!” I was also able to get a nice sear on the chicken. Check out the action shot below.

The pan is coated with a new nonstick formula that is reportedly provides better durability and will last longer than traditional nonstick coatings. After browning my chicken, I was able to get nice even searing on the veggies with just a touch of cooking oil for flavor.

With a 2.5″ pan depth, this pan is great for both frying and simmering tasks. I added all my ingredients back in the pan along with a sauce to simmer for a few minutes. There’s 1.5 pounds of chicken in there, a whole bunch of vegetables, and a cup of the sauce liquid. I’ve got a meal for 6 in one pan.

Once the cooking is complete, that hexagonal shape is ideal for pouring out your masterpiece. Check out how the corners help me control things when I am pouring out the contents of the pan. I have a LOT of stuff in there, and nothing is leaking out onto my counter.

The finished product, ready to serve:

I’m liking the way the pan retains a consistent heat without the heft of a cast iron skillet. Check out the close-up. We’ve got some nice searing going on.

We’ll have to see how the nonstick surface holds up to long-term use, but I am pretty impressed with what I am seeing so far. It looks pretty tough in my brief test under higher heat, and cleans up well, and leaves no marks or residue on the pan. Edge of Belgravia states that the pan can handle up to 480 degrees in the oven, a temperature that will destroy many nonstick surfaces. We’ll see how that lasts in extended testing.

There are a few things I did find in my testing that you should be aware of. That abrupt vertical angle on the sidewalls is great for simmering and pouring out liquids, but I haven’t tested it on dispensing large flat items (like omelets) yet. I think it should do the job well. The handle can also get warm at higher heats, closer to the contact point with the pan. It does stay cool at the far end of the handle. I think a matching lid for this piece would also be an excellent addition. I used a round lid to steam some broccoli for this dish, but the mismatching shape does cause liquids to condense and dribble down the sides. Maybe we will see that in the future.

What I like

  • Hefty, yet well balanced for handling
  • Great handle design
  • Durable, with an excellent nonstick surface
  • Hexagon shape aids with flipping and pouring

What needs to be improved

  • Handle can get warm neat the contact point with the pan at higher heats.
  • Would like to see a matching lid for steaming and simmering.

Final thoughts

I’m really liking this pan, and have used it several times already for routine cooking tasks. It does a great job of retaining heat and even heat distribution, even on my old glass cooktop. It’s very maneuverable compared to cast iron, and that lighter weight combined with a great handle design makes for confident cooking. The nonstick surface looks to be a winner, too.

The Edge of Belgravia Stingray Kickstarter fires up this week. The pan will be offered in 8″, 10″ and 12″ sizes with a starting pledge of about $60 for the 8″ model. You can choose from a variety of packages and combinations from there. The Kickstarter ends on April 30, with a planned delivery date of November 2019. Check out the link below to learn more!

Price: Starting pledge of about $60 US.
Where to buy: Go to the Edge of Belgravia Kickstarter page.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Edge of Belgravia.

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Edge of Belgravia Stingray frying pan review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm.

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Keyport offers a sneak peek at their new OmniFob

If you’ve been reading our EDC gear reviews for a while, you’ll know that I am a fan of Keyport gear. I recently reviewed their modular Anywhere Tools system which is worth a read if you like keychain tools. But today I want to tell you about a new product that Keyport is rolling out this year. It’s the OmniFob and it looks pretty awesome from what little details are currently available.

The OmniFob is an IoT (Internet of Things) remote for your smart home and your connected car. It appears to be compatible with their latest Keyport Slide and Anywhere Tool system but time will tell on that.

The OmniFob will let you control things like your garage door, smart logs, smart lights, remote start your car, pop the trunk, and it has a built-in BLE locator powered by Chipolo.

You can check for more teaser pics by visiting their blog and social pages:

Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet, but you can enter your name on their omnifob.com page to be notified when more info is available.

 

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Keyport offers a sneak peek at their new OmniFob originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2019 at 1:44 pm.

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Recovery Toolbox for Project: A Powerful Project Recovery Tool

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Recovery Toolbox. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored. If your daily schedule revolves around tasks and project management, you probably have heard or used Microsoft Project, the world’s most popular project management software developed and sold by Microsoft. This program is designed to assist project managers in developing schedules, assigning resources to tasks, analyzing workloads, tracking progress, and managing the budget. While Microsoft Project excels at organizing work and people to make sure projects are completed on time, *.MPP… Read more

AUKEY Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver review


REVIEW – Bluetooth connectivity has been around long enough now that I have been spoiled by it and simply refuse to consider portable audio devices that do not include this feature and I even look for it as an included feature in some non-portable components. None of the televisions in my home have built-in Bluetooth, but I figure that it would be great to use my Bluetooth headphones and watch TV in the living room while being able to ignore the kids as they engage in activities that I am now convinced are designed to blow my eardrums and make my head spin!! LOL!! The Aukey Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver seems like it could be the answer for me and finally an opportunity to score one win in the dad vs kids duel.

What is it?

The AUKEY Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver provides dual-mode connectivity for devices lacking built-in Bluetooth. It offers a connectivity range of up to 50m/164’, and it features the aptX Low Latency codec to ensure high-quality wireless sound and synchronized audio and video for gaming and watching movies. It also features a touch control display to control functions and to display the connection status and audio codec used. There are also two slide switches on one side to select the operational mode and function.

What’s in the box


1 x AUKEY BR-O8 2-in-1 Wireless Transmitter and Receiver
1 x Micro-USB Cable
1 x 3.5mm Audio Cable
1 x 3.5mm to RCA Audio Cable
1 x Toslink Optical Cable
1 x User Manual

Design and features

Specifications

Model Number: BR-O8
Technology: BT 5, aptX, aptX-LL
Frequency Range: 2.402GHz – 2.480GHz
Input: DC 5V
Operating Range: Up to 50m / 164ft
Dimensions: 113 x 110 x 73mm / 4.45” x 4.33” x 2.87”
Weight: 300g / 10.58oz

Features

Bluetooth 5 Technology:
The latest Bluetooth 5 greatly increases the connection range (up to 50m/164ft). Higher bandwidth enables faster pairing and better audio quality for compatible devices.
Low Latency Audio:
aptX Low Latency codec avoids sound sync issues when watching movies or playing games.
Dual-Device Connection:
Simultaneously connect two pairs of Bluetooth headphones. Share your favorite TV series or play a game with a friend or a family member.
Transmitter Mode:
Wirelessly broadcast audio from your non-Bluetooth TV or computer to your Bluetooth headphones, headset or speakers.
Receiver Mode:
Wirelessly broadcast audio from your smartphone to your non-Bluetooth speaker or home stereo system.
Bypass Mode:
Switch to a pure cable connection between two adjacent or non-Bluetooth devices without unplugging from the BR-O8.

On the back of this device, there are 2 slide switches. the top one allows you to power on in Bluetooth mode or in Bypass mode. The second switches the device to either Transmit or Receive mode.

At the bottom of the device, there are the connectivity ports that include a DC in power port, an RX Output 3.5mm port, a TX Input 3.5mm port and one Optical port each for Transmit and Receive connections.
The illustrations below show the functionality, connectivity, and operational options.

Performance

This Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver is very easy to use. Right out of the box it is plug-n-play ready. Pairing with one or two devices is quite easy and I did not experience any issues using it in either Transmitter or Receiver mode. The diagram below lists the indicators and the meaning of each.

Connecting using Bluetooth is very simple and the instructions are clear and accurate. The touch screen at the top of the device displays the mode of operation (TX/RX), the type of connection and the audio mode. The circular button shown on the bottom right of the touch screen is the selector button that you use to switch connection types. For example Aux or Opt. The “A” shown indicates that one Bluetooth device is connected. In this case, it was headphones.


The photo below shows “A” and “B” indicating that I had 2 Bluetooth devices connected. In this case, it was headphones and earbuds. Oddly enough I forgot to change the connectivity selection to Aux, but it still worked in OPT mode with the auxiliary cable as the connection.

As shown in the picture below, the status indicator is white when it is in RX mode as opposed to green when it is in TX mode. The “A” indicates that I had one device connected which in this case was wired earphones, and I used the device in Receive mode to listen to music from my cell phone.


The following information confirms what you see in the pictures above with the indicator as green in Transmit mode and white in Receive mode. It also explains the visual indicators.

While testing this device, I became obsessed with trying to make it completely portable and I connected it to my USB power bank. It worked, but it seemed to draw too little power to be continuously recognized by the power bank and so the after less than a minute the power bank would turn off.

For additional information, you can read the manual by clicking here.

What I like

  • It is lightweight but not fragile
  • It is both a Transmitter and a Receiver
  • It can connect to two accessories simultaneously
  • The ease of pairing

What can be improved

  • The addition of a built-in battery so it is a stand-alone portable device
  • The touch control top is a fingerprint magnet

Final thoughts

This Aukey Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver is a handy, compact and lightweight device that functions very well for what it is designed to do. I have no complaints except that since it is so lightweight, I can think of some scenarios I could use it for if it had a long-lasting built-in battery. Since it seems to need very little power, I would think that the addition of a battery would be doable even if it adds a bit of weight. Regardless, I am giving this device a two thumbs up and a well done!!

Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Aukey.

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AUKEY Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2019 at 11:30 am.

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