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Sunday, November 18, 2018

Review: MJYUN In Ear Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case, Bluetooth Headphones for iPhone Samsung Android Phones (White)

Disclaimer: This product was provided by MJYUN in exchange for an unbiased review.

Today I'm reviewing the MJYUN In Ear Earbuds, which cost £23.99 on Amazon at the time of writing this review.


Pros

  • Compact
  • Works as expected
  • Long cable
  • Built-in battery charger
  • Easy paring
  • Fits comfortably in the ear
  • Drowns out surrounding sounds
  • Small size

Cons:

  • Sound quality a bit tinny
  • Not easy to adjust the volume
  • Case and earbud a bit slippery so easy to get lost


In the box you get:
  • 2x earbuds
  • 1x charging case
  • USB charging cable
  • 2x manuals
  • 1x spare eartips
First, off the bat, there is no denying that the product is very Apple-like.  Whether that's a good thing is up to you.  However, unlike the Apple Airpods, there is no dangling bit at the end; the entire unit fit entirely in the ear.  The product is lightweight and portable, and the earbuds are surprisingly comfortable.  The earbuds fit snugly in the ear and stay in place despite moving my head around.

The product is easy to use.  You press and hold the large button on both devices to turn it on.  To pair the device, as with other Bluetooth devices, you go to your phone's Bluetooth settings and select the device named MJYUN M1.

The control works rather well but leaves much to be desired.  For example, it doesn't have a way to control the volume.  To do that you have to take out your phone and adjust the volume there.  However, you can easily pause the music or hang up calls with a single tap.  A double tap is needed to go to the next song.

It also has a charging case like the Airpods, which is also sturdy and light and can easily fit into a pocket.  The product automatically powers off when you put it back into the case.  The case has a magnet that guides the earbuds into place.  The case charges via USB-C which is rather nice.  According to the product page, the case has a 500 mAH battery and is able to charge the product 3-4 times to full charge.

For an earbud, the audio quality is rather mediocre.  The bass is missing and, compared to other earbuds, the sound is rather tinny.  Also, the sound crackles at high volume.

I used the product during my commute and it pleasingly drowns out the surrounding sound.  Despite that, I find it struggling to overcome the noise of the surrounding.  I also think that due to the design of the device, there is no pass through to let you hear the surrounding like the way more expensive Bose QuietControl (QC) 30 or the Bose QuietComfort 20i.  Therefore, you have to remove the device if you want to hear your surrounding, where its size becomes a drawback.  You can easily lose the product by dropping it.  The slipperiness of the case and the earbuds due to the smooth surface made the problem worse. Also, sometimes its a bit fiddly to get them out of the charging case.


During my use, I find that it was easy to get the two buds to disconnect from each other, and it happened twice to me.  To fix it, you have to turn off the device and then restart it.  Despite the relatively easy procedure to re-pair the two buds, it was annoying to find the two buds had disconnected from each other.  In addition, the first set I got from MJYUN had a defect where the right earbud would not switch on.  I got a replacement device from MJYUN, which thankfully didn't have the defect. 

The manual that came with the product is rather sparse but contains troubleshooting steps for common problems.  One quirk I found was that Bluetooth was misspelled as "Blueteeth."  I suspect that this might be due to a translation error.






Would I recommend this device?  Maybe.  With phone manufacturer's adversity to include headphone jacks, the only way to listen to music without using dongles is to use Bluetooth headphones.   However, you can still use your existing headphones using a Bluetooth receiver like the Mpow Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Updated: Review: VicTsing Dehumidifier


Disclaimer: This product was provided by VicTsing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Update: September 24, 2018: The dehumidifier finally gave up the ghost on me.  It no longer turned on.  So the answer to the below question about how long the product last is 2 years.

The original review is below.




Today I'm reviewing the VicTsing Dehumidifier, which cost £47.99 on Amazon.

Pros
  • Compact
  • Works as expected
  • Long cable
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy construction
  • Large water catchment container

Cons:
  • High pitch whirring
  • Need to be plugged in
  • Limited by 2.5m power cable

At first I quite skeptical about the product after reading the negative reviews on the Amazon page.  However, to my surprise it works as expected.  During my week of use it managed to collect about a mm of water in the container.

In the box you get:
  • 1x Dehumidifier
  • 1x Adapter
  • 1x Instruction Manual

The dehumidifier is quite easy to use.  On the back of the product, there is an "on" button and that's it.  There is no other dials or switches on the product.   Plug it in and switch it on and it starts working.  At the top, there is an LED indicator to check if the water tank is full.  This also doubles as a shut-off system as if the water tank is full it will automatically shut the system off so it doesn't overflow.

The water container is easily removed. Just give it a tug and it comes out.  One thing I dislike about the product is the high pitch whirring it produces when it is working.  I am using it in an ensuite room and I can hear it through the closed bathroom door.  Though it doesn't disturb sleep, this, in my opinion, is quite annoying.  I had to turn off the product at night.

The product is lightweight and portable.  However, you are limited by the length of the power cable (2.5 m).  So if there isn't an outlet near the place you want to use the product, you will need an extension socket.

I can't comment on whether it's worth the price or not or how long it would last, but if you're skeptical on the quality, all I can say is that it works.  For how long, I don't know.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Train company lost property charges

Update (September 14 2018): Arriva Trains Wales have slightly changed their tune regarding the 10% charge:

Our customers feedback is really important to us and following recent feedback on this issue we will now be changing our policy with immediate effect. In this instance we are happy to refund the percentage that was charged to the customer who brought this to our attention. We are happy to begin the process of reviewing the Lost Property policy with customer groups and rail industry regulatory bodies.
Tens of thousands of items are lost on the railway network every year. At Arriva Trains Wales, we charge the minimum amount possible and have done since the franchise began. In addition any unclaimed items that we receive are donated to charity or are recycled appropriately. It must be noted that our lost property service is a non-profit making service and all charges are used to support the cost of administrating the service.
To safely store, record and process all these items takes a considerable amount of resource and as such we, like other train operators in the UK, have a small handling and administration fee which is clearly outlined on our website and Passenger’s Charter. Lost property charges vary across the UK train operators and this is set out in the National Rail Conditions of Travel which states train operators can charge up to £30 per item.


I was shocked to find out that Arriva Train Wales charges for lost property.


That got me thinking. Was this an isolated incident or do other train companies charge for items?

This is what I found out.

Train companies that don't charge for lost properties

  • Virgin (Network rail may charge a small fee for holding items if recovered at one of their stations)
  • ScotRail (Free if recovered at a station run by Scotrail.  Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Central are run by Network rail)
  • Hull Trains
  • Transpennine Express
  • C2C Rail
  • Northern

Train companies that charge for lost properties

  • Arriva
  • Chiltern Railways
  • London Northwestern Railway / West Midlands Railway
  • Southeastern

Misc

  • CrossCountry Trains (charges may be incurred depending on who runs the terminus station)

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Review: Chrome OS -- Give Chrome OS a try (Updated)





Apple vs. Windows?  That's the question we often hear.  Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS have dominated the computer industry for a long time and comparison between the two is often a heated debate among computer enthusiasts and fanboys.  The two tech giants are synonymous with modern-day computing.  But there is a contender on the block and its name is Chrome OS.

I have an Acer Spin 13 Chromebook, a Google Slate tablet, as well as a Core i7 Chromebox, which is my main desktop.  And my Windows desktop?  Given to my parents and converted to Chrome OS by installing the CloudReady home edition by Neverware.

What is Chrome OS you might ask?  Well, Chrome OS is a brand new operating system built by Google from the ground up with a view toward the web.  If you have used a Chrome browser, you have pretty much used the operating system.  Chrome OS is lightweight and requires very few resources.











There is plenty of misinformation going around that Chromebooks are useless and cannot run Windows software.

While it is true that Chromebooks cannot run Windows software like Microsoft Office or iTunes, the bigger question is there replacements for that software? And the answer to that is yes.

Photo editing

Photo by Caio Resende from Pexels
Chromebook naysayers are often drumming on how Chromebooks can't run Photoshop.  But how many people actually use Photoshop to touch up holiday pictures.  Photoshop is really resource-intensive and expensive so unless you're a professional photographer or your work deal with photographs, I bet you don't really need to use the software just to crop a few images or touch up your snaps.  Pixlr is a perfectly good replacement to Photoshop and Chrome OS can natively crop your photographs.  Another good alternative is LunaPic and Fotor. In addition, new Chromebooks can access the Play Store and almost all the apps available to Android.  That means that you can install the Adobe Photoshop Express software.  You can also access these apps made by Adobe.

Word processing

No problem.  Two solutions are available: Google docs or Microsoft Office online.  Also, you can access all these Word Processing apps made for Android.

In addition, if your Chromebook supports Linux apps (Crostini), you can install all the various open software out there like Libreoffice.

Video editing

You can cut or trim videos using the various online editing tools available.  You can also use Android apps from the play store.

Music

No biggy.  I'm pretty sure most of you are on YouTube anyway.  You can also access the large library on Spotify or Amazon Prime Music.  Plus you can upload your music to Google Play Music online and it will work on any PC.  With the advent of the Play Store, the Android version of Play Music is also available.

Android Apps

Almost all modern Chromebooks have access to the Android Play store.  That means that any apps that you use on your phone will now run on your Chromebook.  This includes popular applications like WhatsApp and Microsoft Office, your bank's app for online banking, and games like Candy Crush.  However, to take full advantage of Android apps, I would recommend getting a Chromebook with a touch screen display.

Linux Runtime
Image by User:Qubodup
on Wikimedia Commons.

Also, many Chromebooks can run Linux apps (Crostini)!  The beta feature will allow you to access all the apps available on Linux including LibreOffice and Gimp.  These are the Chromebooks that currently support Crostini aka Linux on Chromebooks.

Codename/BoardnameBrandModel Name
banon [R70]AcerChromebook 15 (CB3-532)
bob [R69]ASUSChromebook Flip C101PA
celes [R70]SamsungChromebook 3 (XE500C13)
coral [R69]AcerChromebook 11 (C732, C732T, C732L & C732LT ),
Chromebook 11 (CB311 - 8H / 8HT),
Chromebook 15 CB315-1H / 1HT,
Chromebook Spin 15 CP315-1H / 1HT,
Chromebook Spin 11 (CP311-1H & CP311-1HN)
ASUSChromebook C223 / C423 / C523,
CTLChromebook J41 / J41T,
Chromebook NL7,
Chromebook NL7T-360
DellChromebook 11 5190, Chromebook 11 2-in-1 5190
Lenovo100e Chromebook, 500e Chromebook
cyan [R70]AcerChromebook R11 (CB5-132T / C738T / CB3-132)
edgar [R70]AcerChromebook 14 (CB3-431)
elm [R72]AcerChromebook R13 (CB5-312T)
eve [R69]GooglePixelbook
fizz [R69]AcerChromebox CXI3
ASUSChromebox 3
CTLChromebox CBx1
HPChromebox G2
ViewSonicNMP660 Chromebox
hana [R72]LenovoN23 Yoga
kefka [R70]DellChromebook 11 Model 3180 / 3189
kevin [R69]SamsungChromebook Plus
nami [R69]AcerChromebook 13 (CB713-1W ),
Chromebook Spin 13 (CP713-1WN-53NF)
DellInspiron 14 2-in-1 7486
HPx360 14
LenovoYoga C630
nautilus [R69]SamsungChromebook Plus (V2)/(LTE)
nocturne [R70]GooglePixel Slate
pyro [R69]LenovoThinkpad 11e Chromebook (4th Gen),
Thinkpad Yoga 11e Chromebook (4th Gen)
reef [R69]AcerChromebook Spin 11 (R751T / CP511)
ASUSChromebook C213NA
reks [R70]LenovoN22 (Touch) Chromebook,
N23 Chromebook,
N23 Chromebook (Touch),
N42 (Touch) Chromebook
relm [R70]AcerChromebook 11 N7 (C731 / CB311)
CTLNL61 Chromebook
EdxisEducation Chromebook
HPChromebook 11 G5 EE
MecerV2 Chromebook
PositivoChromebook C216B
sand [R69]AcerChromebook 15 (CB515-1HT/1H)
scarlet [?]AcerChromebook Tab 10 (D651N / D650N)
snappy [R69]HPChromebook 11 G6 EE,
Chromebook 14 G5,
Chromebook x360 11 G1 EE
setzer [R70]HPChromebook 11 G5,
Chromebook 11-vxxx
soraka [R69]HPChromebook x2
terra [R70]ASUSChromebook C202SA,
Chromebook C300SA/C301SA
ultima [R70]LenovoThinkPad 11e Chromebook 3rd Gen (Yoga/Clamshell)
wizpig [R70]CTLJ5 Chromebook
EdugearCMT Chromebook
HaierConvertible Chromebook 11 C
MultilaserM11C Chromebook
PCMergeChromebook PCM-116T-432B
ProwiseProLine Chromebook
ViglenChromebook 360

Expected to get Crostini soon

The following list of devices is expected to receive Crostini soon based on recent code commits (source).
Codename/BoardnameBrandModel Name
nasher/coralDellChromebook 11 5190
nasher 360/coralDellChromebook 11 2-in-1 5190

Unsupported Devices According to Google

Device DescriptionReason
Any device with BayTrail.No VT-x.
Any device with Linux kernel 3.14 or older.Requires backports.
Any device with a 32-bit ARM CPU.Firmware issues, limited storage/RAM.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Crostini/wiki/getstarted/crostini-enabled-devices

And as an added bonus, Chrome OS cannot be infected (unless you install a dodgy Linux app)!  It is basically a web browser so there is nothing to infect.  No nasty viruses or spyware.  Also, updates install in the background and simply require a reboot to start.  In addition, Chrome OS takes mere seconds (around 7 in my tests) from pressing the power button to being on the web.

So for hassle-free computing, give Chrome OS a try.

This blog post was created and edited on Chrome OS.

Friday, August 31, 2018

Tips on how to keep yourself safe online


Image by RyanMcGuire
On the Internet, you can be whoever you want.  Usually, these impersonations are harmless like roleplaying on Twitter as your favorite characters like Superman or Batman.  However, it becomes worrying when scammers pretend to be a trusted institution like a bank to part you from your hard earned money.

To prevent that, here are four tips on how to protect yourself.

Look for the blue tick

Credits: Wikipedia
Twitter, one of the most prominent social media websites, have a feature that verifies an account of public interest is authentic.  That is if the account is really who they say they are.  Facebook also has a similar feature.
Here’s an example from Twitter and Facebook, respectively





This feature can be used to alert you to the fact that the page you’re visiting may not actually be the company they’re claiming to be.  Take this very fake P&O Cruise Facebook page.


There isn’t a blue checkmark next to the name so we know that the person behind the page doesn’t actually represent P&O Cruises.

Social media accounts belonging to large companies such as P&O Cruises or Natwest will have a blue tick next to their name.  Pages of small companies sometimes don’t have the checkmark but the company will usually have a link to their social media pages from their website.

Credits: Wikipedia

Look for the green padlock

The padlock symbolizes that the connection to the website is made over a secure connection.  Extended validation certificates, which will produce a green padlock in all major browsers, require identity checks before they are issued.



However, it’s not a sure fire way as sometimes fake competition slip through the net like this fake Cadbury competition.





Also, there had been cases where security researchers had been able to circumvent extended validations to create fake websites.

Thus, if the website doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to search for the company’s name to find their website.

Don’t click on links sent in SMS texts or email

Photo by Rainy Lake on Unsplash

You may get a text proclaiming your bank account will be suspended unless you go to a website and change your password now!  DON’T CLICK ON IT!  That’s just a scammer trying to get your details or worse install malware (malicious software) on your computer.

The link could lead to a website that plants malicious software on your account.  At its tamest, the link could just be a phishing site. As the name suggests, the scammer is trying to “fish” for your details like your email, password, or other personal details that they could use to compromise your accounts.

While browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge try to warn you of phishing links, phishing sites might be so new that it hasn’t been added to the warning database.  Also, the site might be gone long when these browsers finally come around to warn you.

To learn more about phishing see this video:

Credits: Revolution689

Google is your friend

To avoid being phished, don’t click on links in text messages or emails.  Instead, go to Google (or Bing if you’re so inclined) and search for the company’s name.  Then go to the contact us page to contact the company directly if you have concerns about your account.



With these 4 trusty tips in mind, stay safe out there and remember, Google is your friend.  If in doubt, Google it.