July 2016 Edit: Summer Tech

Edit

So I’m told there’s warmer weather on its way (… I’ll believe it when I see it) which means it’s time to squeeze into something my mother would disapprove of, stock up the fridge with enough alcohol to cause some serious drama and lust over some summer tech.

This time of year, I always pull out last year’s tech wish list and berate myself for not buying it all in the January sales. Craig and I are technology addicts and are always DMing each other our latest finds throughout the day. Whether it’s a DAB radio rammed full of smart features, wearable tech or a killer app - we’re all over it. So we thought we’d bring you our July 2016 edit - devices that are at the top of our wish list for summer entertaining:

Pure Evoke Contour D1

The ultimate speaker dock for our iPhones and iPads, this slick bit of kit has to be my favourite in terms of style and additional features. We’ve been looking to upgrade our lounge docking station for some time as the speakers have become raspy & it doesn’t hold an iPod Air comfortably. We’ve been checking out YouTube reviews on the Evoke Contour and the spec is definitely hitting the right notes.

Ultimately we need something small, powerful, compatible with all Apple products, and with Bluetooth technology for visitors. Pure’s reputation for DABs also speaks for itself; combining sleek design with superior acoustics and fresh functionality. I’m also loving the slimline remote, headphone jack for night time listening & alarm functions should this eventually work its way onto my bedside table - as a bedtime podcast listener, this is a definite possibility.

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Specification: Full DAB and FM capabilites / Apple compatibility with lightning connector / Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP support / Two full-range 3″ drive unit speakers / 3.5mm stereo headphone socket / Custom auto-dimming LCD display, large text and feature icons /Infrared slimline remote control

Available from Pure - RRP £149.99

VQ Hepburn DAB radio

I already have a Retro Mini VQ which I love. I thought this might be a case of style over substance but I’m happy to report this isn’t the case. Aesthetically it’s the most beautiful DAB I’ve seen, retaining a retro cool vibe with faux leather surround and contrasting white speakers and polished silver dials. Yet these radios also boast some serious acoustics and slick LCD screens. The Hepburn is also equipped with 10 available preset channels, bluetooth functionality should you want to stream from other devices, and a USB charging port if you’re stuck for phone battery whilst doing the gardening.

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Specification: Dual ultra-wide speaker drivers enhanced with Digital Sound Processing technology / Full DAB & FM reception / 10 preset channels / Bluetooth compatible / 3.5mm Aux-in & USB Port / DC power supply + battery operation (76hrs Standby) / LCD Screen

Available from MyVQ - RRP £129.99

Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones

I’ve been toying with the idea of podcasting for some time now - a sort of Sex in the Suburbs vibe that’ll make Craig blush and put our house on the map for prosecco evenings with my girlfriends. Through chatting to some of my favourite hosts in the UK & the US, these over-the-ear headphones are largely considered the ultimate for noise cancellation. Not only that, but these are stunners in their own right.

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Your music is deep, powerful and balanced, and so quiet that every note sounds clearer. Even air travel becomes enjoyable, as engine roar gently fades away. No matter how noisy the world is, it’s just you and your music—or simply peace and quiet.

Specifications: Lightweight around-ear fit / 56 in (1.42 m) QC®25 Inline mic & remote for music and calls on Apple devices / Bose engineered acoustics for deeper sound / Noise reduction technology / Airline adapter / Carrying case

Available from Bose - RRP £249.95

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Lumie Bodyclock ELITE 300

I’ve tweeted about these a few times recently. Whilst I appreciate we’re in the throes of summer and even the earliest risers are likely to wake post-sunrise, as an insomnia sufferer I’m all about anything that helps me sleep / wake-up without a mardy on.

Recently it’s been even worse as I’ve found myself losing my temper with Craig over his ear-splitting iPhone alarm. He insists this is the only alarm that’ll get him up in time for work (5.30am) but I’m kind of desperate to find a solution that won’t result in frantic stomping, swearing & the whacking the buttons of various devices around the home whilst the kids are still sleeping. So I’m thinking of getting him one of these bad boys so he can wake up gradually without hitting snooze, falling back asleep, then hurriedly hitting the floor some 20 minutes later.

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Helps the body to ease production of sleep hormones (e.g. melatonin) and increase those that help you get up and go (e.g. cortisol). Wake-up lights help to keep your sleep cycle on track, boosting mood, energy and productivity levels all day.

Specification: Adjustable sunrise & sunset simulation (duration: 15, 30, 60 or 90-minutes) / AM/FM radio with digital tuning / Sounds for sleep and wake-up (including dawn chorus, waves and rain) & optional beep alarm / Dimmable bedside lighting & nightlight feature / Snooze feature / Fully dimmable display / Security option to turn on the light randomly while you’re away / Power failure back-up / Guided meditation by Meditainment / SD slot to play MP3 tracks / White noise setting to mask sounds that might keep you awake / 7 day alarm setting

Available from Lumie - RRP £160

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Beats Solo² by Dre

Having broken my last set of Beats whilst attempting to jog (yes jog!) around my local park, I’m missing them badly. As casual ear-huggers for listening to music, tv or podcasts on the move, they’re just spot on. I know you’re paying through the nose for the logo, but the battery life and sound quality whilst belting out tunes is enough for me - especially the wired Beats with the handy remote. Breaking my last set was a freak accident - I defy any headphone to survive being stomped on by a 12st jogger - durability-wise I was happily bending and twisting mine for transport with no problems. I miss them, I want a new set - it’s as simple as that.

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Specification: Fine-tuned acoustics for clarity, breadth and balance / Streamlined design for a custom fit / Durable and foldable so you can take them on-the-go / Take calls and control music with RemoteTalk™ cable / Compatible with iOS devices

Available from Beats by Dre - RRP £169.95

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Epson EcoTank ET-4500

A multi-functional fax, printer, copier and scanner that can hold enough ink to last two years without a single refill? YES PLEASE. With its newly designed integrated ultra-high-capacity ink tank system, Epson state average yearly printing costs will be reduced by as much as 70% - and that has to appeal to everyone with a household printer out there. Given we print anywhere between 20 & 40 documents per week (contracts, invoices, colouring-in pages for the kids and the odd voucher) - this is one investment I’m seriously considering.

How does it work? Well the EcoTank series come with a set of ink bottles that you simply empty into a refillable reservoir on the side. This is enough ink to print about 4,000 pages of black ink and 6,500 pages of colour (roughly the equivalent of a two-year supply at moderate print volumes) at just 1p per page. Reviews seems to show that print speed and quality aren’t compromised, and there’s the added functionality of Wi-Fi and the usual apps that allow you to print remotely or email the ET-4500 a print job. Sorted.

Specification: Epson Micro Piezo™ print head / Print speed: 9.2 Pages per min Monochrome, 4.5 Pages per min Colour / Contact image sensor (CIS) @ 1,200 DPI x 2,400 DPI / Walk-up black and white and colour fax capability with 60 fax Speed Dials, & Memory Reception & Auto Redial / 30 page Automatic Document Feeder / ENERGY STAR® qualified / Mac OS & Windows compatible / Mobile and Cloud printing services / Ethernet, WiFi, USB, Wi-Fi Direct interfaces

Available from Epson - RRP £299.99

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Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool

Funnily enough, my local pub has one of these. Given this is a dingy village pub with low beams and resident drunks who’ll regularly forgo a shave for a pint of Old Golden Hen, this ultra-modern fan looks more than a little out of place. That said, it kicks ass when it comes to cooling punters down on a summer’s day.

Given my two kids are prone to unsightly sweaty foreheads and the odd heat-inspired tantrum, this has made our wish list as it’s capable of cooling entire rooms down without dangerous motors or fins. Not just for summer either, this midi model also comes with heating technology for all season-round use - only further justifying the price tag for us owing to our draughty lounge. It’s worth pointing out this also boasts automatic cut-out technology should the kids knock it over, making it the go-to air treatment device for safety-conscious parents - that would be us then!

Dyson AM05