CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand review

Now that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X are out and shipping more people are becoming interested in Qi charging. I have been using Qi charging for a while on both my iPhone 5 and 6 with a Dog&Bone case that I previously reviewed, I love the convenience. CHOETECH, a maker of cases, stands chargers, other gear and gadgets have sent me one of their new Qi Fast Wireless Charging Stands to review.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

As I mentioned from above, I have an iPhone 6 with a Qi-enabled case, so that is what I will be using to test this charger. I will also note that on the CHOETECH Amazon page the iPhone 8 and X are listed as phones that it will charge in the standard charging mode. I will test this and post my results when our iPhone X arrives. Although I don’t usually cut and paste all this type of information from a product website (I usually just post the specs and or features) I believe this information is important for an informed choice.

Wireless Convenience
Bid farewell to tangled wires and messy cables with CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charger. It is compatible with Qi-enabled device or device with a Qi-enabled cover.

Two Charge Modes
(1). Fast Charge Compatible Devices:
– Samsung Galaxy S8/S8 Plus S7/S7 Edge/S6 Edge+/Note 5
(2). Standard Charge Compatible Device:
– Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge
– Nexus 4/Nexus 5/Nexus 6
– Nokia Lumia 920/1020/928, Lumia 950/950 XL
– HTC 8X (not UK version) / HTC Droid DNA / Rzound

Incompatible device:
Moto Droid Turbo/LG V10

Specifications:
Input: 5V/2A; 9V/1.8A (Max.)
Output: 10W (Max.)

Note:
1.The wireless charger needs to plugged into a wall outlet to work. It is a bit incompatible with original adapter that came from S8 or S8 Plus.
2.The Fast Charge feature is only compatible with Galaxy Note5 / S6 edge+,S7 and S7 Edge, S8/S8 Plus models.
3.QC 2.0 Adaptive Fast Charger is required for the fast charge wireless charging feature, please use QC 2.0 original adapter( Except adapter from S8 or S8 Plus) as its power source.
4.The protective case is normally suggested to be removed if it is too thick during charging as it will affect charging or may lead to overheating (OtterBox case must remove).
5.Some devices such as iPhone 7/7 Plus/6/6 Plus, LG G4, Note 4 require an additional wireless charging receiver (Not Included).

The CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand comes with the charging stand and a USB to Micro USB cable,

The front of the charging stand has the CHOETECH name, a ledge to rest your phone on and an indicator light to allow you to see if the stand is charging or in standby mode. The indicator light also changes color depending on the charge speed, a green light means you are charging at the standard rate and a blue light lets you know that you are fast charging

The rear of the CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand has the Micro USB port at the bottom of the stand.

The sides of the stand have a little architectural style to it making it a little more interesting to look at.

The bottom of the stand has four rubberized foot pads to keep the stand from slipping, the model number and various bits of technical information.

To charge your phone all you need to do is place it on the stand as long as it is Qi capable or you have a Qi-capable cover on your phone the indicator light should change to show you are charging. Notice my phone charges at the regular rate so the light is green.

So, what is my bottom line here? I like the CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand. The charging stand does exactly what it is designed to do, charge your phone using induction charging (Qi). The CHOETECH Wireless Charging Stand is sturdy to use and attractive to look at. The stand seems solid and has some weight to it. The indicator light is a nice feature letting you know that your phone is charging. Although I did not have a chance to test the fast charging feature (up to 1.4x faster than regular charge) I think this is a nice feature to have. I can only think of two shortcomings of the stand. First, it does not include a power plug or charging block to plug your USB to Micro USB cable into a power outlet. The other issue is that the indicator light does not change to show when your phone is charged, it always stays the same color (in my case green) when your phone is on the stand fully charged or not. Overall, if you are looking for a nice, fairly priced Qi charging stand, I think that the CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand is well worth a look.

Positives:

  • Fast Charging capability
  • Simple but sturdy design

Negatives:

  • No charging block

Price: $21.45
Where you can buy one: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by CHOETECH.

Slow-cook your food in a cloth bag

The Wonderbag is a cloth slow cooker that cooks your food using less energy.  You simply bring your soup, stew, or other recipe’s  ingredients to a boil on your stovetop, then you transfer the pot to this insulated bag and close it up.  The insulation retains the heat and continues to cook the food.  It’s great for use at home or while traveling or picnicking.

The Wonderbag was created by Sarah Collins, a South Africa-based maker.  She wanted to find a method that would free up South African women and children from the time-consuming job of collecting firewood necessary to cook their food.  Less time hunting for wood frees children up for school and gives the women time for work or other family-strengthening efforts.  Less time working over a fire also reduces the negative health and safety risks, too.

When you buy a Wonderbag, you not only save yourself some energy, but you are helping the Wonderbag Foundation act as a “catalyst out of poverty” by giving families in need a safer, quicker, easier method of cooking.

A small Wonderbag is available from The Grommet for $39 right now.  There’s also a large Wonderbag for $49, but it’s temporarily out of stock at The Grommet.

Flexispot all in one Deskcise Pro desk bike review

Did you succumb to the recent trend and buy a standing desk or are you still slouching in a chair behind your computer all day? I had a standing desk for a short time but just couldn’t learn to love it, so I gave it away and went back to slouching behind my computer all day at work and then going home and doing the same.

When the folks at Flexispot contacted me to see if I would be interested in giving their all in one Deskcise Pro desk bike a try, I was curious and said yes.

What is it?

The Flexispot all in one Deskcise Pro desk bike is a small low impact exercise bike with a built-in platform for a laptop that has been designed for people between 5’1″ and 6’2″

Product specs

Desktop size: 19.6″ x 22.8″
Bike size: 36″ x 22.8″ x 43.3″- 49″
Height adjustable seat range: 30.7″ – 38.1″
8 level magnetic tension resistance
Weight capacity: 300 lbs

Design and features

The Flexispot is made of white plastic and metal and is compact enough to fit in even small homes. It arrives assembled except for attaching the desktop which requires no tools to attach.

As mentioned in the product specs, the Flexispot is designed for people between 5’1″ and 6’2″. I am 5’6″, so I had no trouble adjusting the height of the desktop to accommodate me.

To adjust the height level of the desktop, you just press the lever on the side of the desk and lift upwards or press downwards till the height is where you like it. Then you let go of the lever to lock the placement.

A lever on the opposite side of the desktop allows you to slide the desktop forwards or backward to bring the platform closer or farther away from you. You can even pull the desktop back as far as it will go and then stand behind the seat to use the Flexispot as a standing desk.

You can do the same with the padded seat to raise and lower it.

The Flexispot has hard rubber pedals that work well when you are wearing shoes. FYI, I find it a little amusing that the pedals have reflectors on them considering you won’t be riding this “vehicle” on the roads.

If you want to ride the Flexispot without shoes, soft rubber covers are included to make riding more comfortable.

You’ll also notice that the Flexispot has caster wheels. This makes it easy to move the desk bike where ever you want to place it. The wheels also lock in place when you’re on the bike so that it won’t move while you’re getting your exercise.

The all in one Deskcise Pro has a large knob that you use to adjust the magnetic tension resistance. There are 8 adjustable settings to choose from so you set things up to be easy or challenging.

An LCD display above the knob will show workout time, pedal revolutions, distance, calories burned and speed. A button below the display is used to cycle through each of the readouts.

There’s even a built-in cup holder so you can stay hydrated during your bike desk sessions.

The desk platform is large enough for magazines, books, tablets, and laptops, and has a padded wrist rest for comfort.

Let’s go for a spin!

When I first jumped on the Flexispot, I thought that pumping my legs while trying to do work on my computer or reading a magazine would be really distracting. It was a little distracting at first, but after a few minutes, I forgot all about the fact that I was riding a “bike” and zoned out on what I was doing with my eyes and brain.


Before I knew it, 20 minutes passed by and I’d “traveled” a couple miles. I was surprised and felt good about myself because I was actually moving parts of my body that are usually sitting still while I surf and read. Getting a little extra movement without really trying is pretty cool.

The Flexispot seat is padded and pretty comfortable, but I did notice my rear end getting a little sore after using the bike for an extended time. I don’t have a lot of padding back there, so I have comfort problems with most bicycle seats but thought I should still mention it.

I like that the Flexispot comes 99% assembled and that it’s easy to adjust and use. There’s no thick manual to read. You just get on and ride.

I also like that the desk bike is small and that it doesn’t make a lot of noise while you’re pedaling it to bother other people in the room.

One thing that I’d like to see added to a future version is a tilt feature added to the desktop platform to make it easier to read or watch videos on a tablet without needing a separate stand.

Positives

  • Comes assembled
  • Small and compact
  • Doesn’t make much noise

Negatives

  • Expensive
  • Desk platform doesn’t tilt

Price: $499.99
Where to buy: Amazon

Final thoughts

We all know that it’s not good for our health to sit for hours at a time. Finding easy ways to add movement while still doing the activities that we like and need to do on a daily basis can be a challenge but the Flexispot all in one Deskcise Pro makes it easy and fun to go from sitting to low impact exercising with minimal effort.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Flexispot. Please visit their site for more info.

Gift Guide: Gear for Android enthusiasts

A couple weeks ago we posted an iPhone accessories gift guide for people who own or want to own an iPhone or iPad, and now it’s time for us to post a gift guide for people who own or want to own an Android device. This guide includes devices as well as accessories.

Kenu Airframe Leather Edition

I still use this daily in my car. I couldn’t live without it. The size is perfect for a stocking stuffer, and it’s affordable enough to give as a gift to anyone. – Steve Holt

Read our review
Price: $39.95 for the leather version, $29.95 for the non-leather version
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iClever Tri-folding Bluetooth Keyboard (IC-BK05)

A Bluetooth keyboard for your Android smartphone or tablet is a handy accessory that makes it much easier to type data on your device for long sessions instead of using the onscreen keyboard. This folding keyboard from iClever is one of my all time favorites because it’s well made and folds up into a small form factor that fits easily in your gear bag.

Read our review
Price: $39.99
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Airdroid

I use this app almost every day to transfer images that I take with my Pixel 2 XL to my MacBook. Unlike Windows PCs, you can’t just plug a cable between your phone and your Mac when you want to transfer a bunch of files or images. Airdroid lets you transfer images and other files wirelessly between your computer and your phone. This app will also let you send and receive SMS messages using your PC/Mac, and the premium version provides features like seeing through the phone’s camera remotely, and remotely controlling the phone from the web or computer client.

Price: Free or $19.99/yr for the premium version
Where you can buy it: Airdroid.com

Nonda Type-C to HDMI adapter

The Nonda USB-C to HDMI Adapter is very small and features 4K with resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 @60Hz in a fold-up form factor that you’ll have no trouble finding space to store it in your bag or pocket.

Price: $22.99
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Kenu Stance smartphone tripod

This gadget has been one of those items that I didn’t know I needed, but I am so glad I have. Especially at family gatherings when we needed to get a family picture and not leave anybody out! – Steve Holt

Read our review
Price: $19.95
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Amazon Fire HD 10.1″ Android tablet

If you know someone who would like to try an Android tablet without spending a fortune, the Fire HD 10.1″ tablet from Amazon is a very inexpensive way to give Android a try. At least than $150 for the 32GB version, this tablet has features like a microSD card slot for memory expansion, built in Alexa voice assistant, 10hr battery, and more.

Price: $134.99
Where to buy one: Amazon

Mujjo touchscreen gloves

If you live in an area where it gets cold enough to wear gloves (it was 22 degrees F here in Southern Indiana this morning!), then a pair of touchscreen gloves are a must-have for any smartphone user. I’ve used and reviewed several brands of touchscreen gloves over the years and keep coming back to Mujjo because they are well made, keep my hands warm AND let me interact with my phone when it’s cold outside.

Read our review
Price: $24.13 – $96.64
Where you can buy them: Mujjo.com

ZTE Axon M dual-screen Android smartphone

If you are looking for an Android smartphone that looks nothing like all the other Android smartphones that are currently on the market, then the ZTE Axon M is the only one to consider. This phone has not one but two displays that offer an extended view or two-screen viewing experience.

Read our review
Price: $724.99 off contract
Where you can buy one: AT&T

Samsung DeX Station

In my gadget daydreams, I have just one device that can be my phone, my camera, and my desktop computer. The Samsung DeX Station is the first device that brings that dream to a reality IF you own a Samsung smartphone. Plug your Samsung phone into this dock, hook up an HDMI monitor and you have as close to a desktop computer experience from your phone as I’ve ever seen/used.

Read our review
Price: $93.01
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Chromecast Ultra

If you have a 4K TV and a mobile device, a Chromecast Ultra is the easiest way to stream audio and video to your 4K TV wirelessly from apps like Netflix, YouTube, NBC, Spotify, Sling, and 1000’s more. You can also use this device to mirror your Android screen to your big screen. I use a Chromecast all the time and just love it.

Price: $54.00 for the Ultra, $35 for the non-4K version
Where to buy: Google

You’ll always have a fully-charged backup battery with the Grab & Go station

Having a backup battery for your phone is always smart, but unfortunately, you also have to remember to charge your backup battery.  It’s a bad day when you find your phone is dead, you aren’t near an outlet, and your backup is dead, too.  With the Grab & Go Powerbank Station, you’ll have three batteries that can be charged and ready simultaneously for you to grab one on your way out each morning.

The charging station plugs into the wall and can charge the three included batteries, plus it has a USB port where you can also charge a phone.  Each power bank has a 2600mAh battery, which may not be enough to fully charge some of the biggest mobile devices, but should certainly be enough to keep you going until you can get to a power source.  With the three batteries, you’ll have enough for the family to each grab one, or you’ll have one in use and two at the ready.  The Grab & Go Powerbank Station is available for $39.99 at The Container Store.