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Have you ever considered what happens to games once they get past the first flush of popularity?
Occasionally an unsold copy could be left to gather dust on a retailer's shelves or maybe it could be purchased by another publisher to be re-released as a single offering or packaged along with other similar titles. Falling into the latter category is a collection of five Hidden Object games. These titles are National Threat 2, Echoes of Sorrow 2, Dark Strokes, Treasure Masters Inc - The Lost City and Esoteria - Hollow Earth.
Tablets are great when out and about, however when back in the office be it at home or at work it is nice to have a larger screen to view the output but a lot of Tablets have few connections on the unit to save space, some in fact have just a single USB ‘C’ port used for charging and connecting external devices so this USB ‘C’ to HDMI lead can solve the problem.
This converter cable is 19cm long from the tip of the USB ‘C’ end of the lead to the point where your HDMI lead is inserted. At the other end is a 3.5x3x1.5cm connection area. While most will use this for the times they want to read or work on a long document or view a long or complex webpage without recourse to strong glasses, it is well known that staring at internet pages and the like on small Tablets or Notebooks is a major cause of headaches.
Set in an area of London during the late 19th Century, you find yourself in the role of an investigator attempting to solve a series of horrific crimes.
With the original story coming from the pen of Robert Louis Stevenson, Joindot created The Mysterious Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde game. This title belongs to the Hidden Object Adventure genre. Profiles can be set up in the game so that different people can play and have their progress recorded. Options are available to adjust the volume levels for background music and sound effects plus view the game in full screen mode and make use of a hardware cursor.
This offering from Xiaomi is another recent offering that is perhaps sold on its photographic and video abilities but instead of it costing a lot it’s more of a mid-range to budget offering. This is a name that may not be known that much in the UK.
The Redmi Note 10 from Xiaomi measures 16x7.5x.9cm, the last figure is at the rear cameras that protrude slightly from the case. The viewable screen is 15.6x7cm and this gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of a tad under 6½ inches as the corners are chamfered. The display is 1080x2400. Going around the outside on the right side are the volume rocker with on/off and fingerprint reader.
Described as the "True story of Sleeping Beauty", the Curse of the Briar Rose belongs to the Dark Parables series of titles. Developed by Blue Tea Games, this title offers Hidden Object game play as you take on the role of a detective tasked with solving the mystery of fast spreading vines threatening the local environment.
The story of Sleeping Beauty began, as I am sure you know, with the birth of a new princess who was cursed at birth. Later, when pricked by a spindle, the princess and everybody else residing in the castle fell into a deep sleep that could only be broken by the princess being kissed by a prince. At this point, the kiss woke up everybody apart from the princess and thus the legend of the Sleeping Beauty was born.
Joining the ranks of Match-3 game play is Arabian Treasure - Midnight Match. The game has been developed by REDZONE Studios, a company I have not encountered before.
This game certainly qualifies as one of the slowest title to load that I have come across. It felt you were left staring at its initial screen displaying a hand shape cursor for what seems ages. This continues until you click the mouse and are then moved on to the game's title screen displayed in a central area of the monitor. This rather compact view of the action is a foretaste of what you have got to come when actually tackling the Match-3 game play.
As far as I know this is the first Wash and Dry unit, earlier units shampooed and then washed drying often meant that that room was out of bounds for a good length of time. Here this unit automatically washes on the forward stroke and dry’s on the back stroke, for even quicker results there is a dry only mode.
The VAX Platinum Smart Wash comes in a 60x50x36cm box and the main installation is placing the handle into the base unit, having done that the water container fit in, everything is well documented in the instructions. It is 107cm tall, 42cm deep at the foot and 33cm wide. Total assembly time is less than fifteen minutes and involves fitting the top tank and the handle that just clips in.
By the time you read this review, we could be allowed to take holidays where ever we want. But perhaps not to this location.By the time you read this review, we could be allowed to take holidays where ever we want. But perhaps not to this location.
This BOOLAT Games, this title belongs to the Hidden Object Adventure game genre. It sets you the task of exploring a town where the inhabitants have disappeared and time seems to stand still. Prior to starting this adventure, you can make the usual collection of adjustments as you create profiles to record the progress of individual players. Adjustments can be made to the audio levels for environment, music and sound effects.
This is the latest offering from Ring, the Ring Video Doorbell 4. As far as I remember this is the smallest ever box yet it still has everything required in it. Dependent on where you live a problem could well be false positives which may be generated by field of view, it is possible to limit certain factors in what the camera sees however bushes and trees may still be a problem, but there is a solution with ‘People only Mode’.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 unit measures 12x6x2.5cm and this only increases should you use the angled slice device that is provided for those on hills or where fitting the unit flat is impractical. Having reviewed earlier Ring devices I had an idea of what to do, here however the setup is even simpler as is linking to your Wi-Fi that could previously be a little problematic. Providing you have charged the units battery and you have a drill everything else is in the 13.5x8x6.5cm box.
It is time to travel around Egypt as you search for objects concealed in various locations.
Thinking back, and it did require some delving into my memory bank of past-playing gaming, my first encounter with Hidden Object titles was the Amazing Adventures series developed by SpinTop Gaming and released on the PopCap label. This series of titles took you to different locations where you needed to find hidden objects and play a number of puzzle type games. I was reminded of the series when I came across a boxed copy of Amazing Adventures: The Lost Tomb.
Step back to Victorian London as you investigate and foil an attempt to take over the world.
Stepping back just over a century in time, e-Funsoft has based its latest Match-3 offering in London as it was during the reign of Queen Victoria. The game in question is Gaslamp Cases - The Deadly Machine. Following the usual pattern of recent 3-Funsoft Match-3 titles, this game consists of a series of chapters made up of a number of grids, conversational interludes between two static characters and various sets of upgrades that need to be completed in order to progress.
This is filter coffee machine, simple in design but works well with easy to use controls. Perhaps best of all very it is easy to clean so if your tipple is filter coffee then this offering from Melitta should certainly be on your short list.
The 'epour' from Melitta has a total footprint of 32x37x16cm. Cold water is placed into the rear of the machine at the top by removing the lid, this can store up to 1litre of water. It comes with a 70cm long hard wired mains lead. There are just three buttons on the area below the coffee pot at the front, Pre-Brew, Brew and Control. The front of the machine at the top has the area that you place a filter in and then add coffee to your taste.
As restrictions are eased and life begins to revert to a more normal existence, here is some news from Huawei.
When I wrote a piece about face masks a year ago they were still a talking point and one that few - if any - of us thought would still be a feature of day to day life a year later. Now when we leave home it is a thing we check along with wallet and keys as while in an open area they are not currently compulsory they are on public transport and shops.
The vast majority of masks that I see are what are deemed as single use pale blue with white elastic to go round your ears. Some more fashion conscious people – mainly ladies – make their own and they are very inventive and sometimes very colourful but do they fulfill the requirement? I see more of the Perspex shield that start at the forehead and come down to the mouth, again I wonder if they stop germs coming from the wearer.
Starting at a new school can be difficult, especially one run by an evil witch.
Now available on the budget BlackLime label, Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga is classified as an Hidden Object Adventure title. Developed by ERS Game Studio, you are cast in the role of a young mother who will do anything to rescue her daughter from the clutches of an evil witch. Allowing different people to play the game and have their progress recorded, the game supports the creation of profiles.
This is a very powerful and also rather expensive offering but when you get a boot at six seconds and shutdown at two seconds this immediately tells you it will not be ‘cheap’ so what exactly does this latest offering from Porsche and marketed by Acer offer.
Porsche AP714-51GT laptop measures 32x19.5x1.5cm the last measurement is at the rear because at the front it is only 1cm thick. The viewable screen is 30.5x17.5cm which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of very close to 14 inches, the display is full HD 1920x1080 and the default is to show this at 150%. Going around the outside has connections on the left for power in, HDMI out, USB3 and USB ‘C’. The front is clear while the right side has a 3.
A previous client asks you for help to solve a mystery. Are you up to the task?
Developed by Iki Games, the 10th Corpse is a Match-3 offering. In this game you are cast in the role of a private detective. You have been hired by Madame Vinterfragen, a renowned philanthropist, who you have worked for before. This time you have been asked to investigate various mysterious incidents that have been occurring recently in her family mansion. Profiles can be created to allow different people to play the game at their own speed and have their progress recorded.
This is the latest Samsung offering to cross my desk, my unit has a matt sky blue back, a shiny slightly darker blue sides and a very shiny front. There are a vertical line of three cameras top left of the back and a forth camera and LED flash beside these.
The Samsung Galaxy A52 measures 15.6x7.3x.8cm and it weighs 189grams. The viewable screen is 15x6.7cm which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of close to 6½ inches. The display is 2400x1080 which is called FHD+. Going around the outside the right side has the volume rocker and below this the on/off button. The base has microphone, 3.5mm socket for headphones, speaker and USB ‘C’ socket.
Are you ready to join the Top Secret Finders to discover what went wrong with an experiment in an isolated town?
Top Secret Finders, or TSF for short, is a Hidden Object Adventure game from the BlackLime series of titles. The game is based around a secret experiment involving the specially created town of Melton. Classified and given the code name of VNV-33, this experiment was designed to create and test the first ever Time Collider. A small group of scientists were integrated into the normal residents and the town was closed off from the outside world apart from radio communication.
POCO has added to its range of smartphones with the release of its M3 Pro 5G model. The POCO M3 Pro 5G offering comes with MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor. This handset is available in a choice of POCO Yellow, Power Blue or Cool Blue to show off its ergonomic 3D curved back design and glossy finish in the best light.
With this model POCO has gone with a triple camera array for its main photographic features. This POCO arrangement consists of a 48MP main camera supplemented with a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Among the features available with this triple camera arrangement are Night mode, Time-lapse video and Timed burst plus dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama and video capture at 1080@30fps. Selfie fans have not been forgotten.
As far as I know this is a new venture for AOC who normally only produce flat panels although most of these have inbuilt speakers. So what might this reasonably priced set of headphones have to offer to both home and office users?
They are the over ear variety and they also have a microphone arm attached to the left earbud and it has enough adjustment for those who like to position it under the chin or on front of your mouth. Fully expanded they are 21cm from the base of the earpiece to the inside of the well-padded headband. There is up to 4cm of expansion on each side so even a child might be able to use them but they have full size earpieces which are round at 9.
This game's title says it all. Witch Hunter: Stolen Beauty concerns a witch who uses her power to steal the beauty and youth of others. This then is the story of a young woman, named Angelica, who sets out to defeat a witch known as Madame Flemet.
Forming part of the BlackLime series of Hidden Object games, this offering opens with you cast in the role of Angelica as your grandmother relates the tale of how she ran away from a finishing school that was run by Madame Flemet. The mere mention of Madame Flemet's name was enough to bring forth the presence of the witch, who then attacked your grandmother, and stole your youth and beauty.
Can you help our virtual hero as he survives his time at a special university?
Gamers of a certain age, and even older, might well recall the excitement and thrill of playing the Quest for Glory series of adventure RPGs titles. Now, some twenty years later, is the opportunity to return to this environment created by Corey and Lori Cole and relive their previous obtained glories with a sequel offering. This opportunity is brought about with the release of the husband and wife team of Corey and Lori Cole's latest production entitled Hero-U Rogue to Redemption.
If you take images while out and about and like to get instant photographs from what you shoot then something like this offering from Fujifilm could well be the answer. I recently reviewed an offering from Polaroid that turns out to be not so instant so this more compact offering from Fujifilm has the word Instax in the title so let’s see.
The Fujifilm Instax mini 40 measures 12x10x6cm when the lens is closed the last figure increases by 2.5cm when the unit is on. It weighs 399 grams. The images it takes are 6x4.5cm. The Polaroid ones are 10.7x8.7, Polaroid films are eight to a pack while the Fujifilm ones have ten images in a pack. I was disappointed with the images that the recent Polaroid unit gave. They were not that sharp and took a long time to be fully developed.
Tracking down the guilty party is the task set you in this murder based game.
The Art of Murder series features a number of titles based on the solving of various murder crimes. I have been looking at one of the earlier members of this series entitled The Secret Files. Developed by City Interactive, Art of Murder - The Secret Files places you in the role of Nicole Bonnet, an FBI investigator, assigned to help the DEA bring down an evil Mexican drug cartel who are also involved in the acts of murder and kidnapping to achieve their ends.
Do you fancy waking up in the morning with sunlight streaming through your bedroom window as your curtains open automatically?
Over the past few years many homes have undergone a make-over. I should point out that I am not referring to decorative make-overs, however expensive or inexpensive they may be, but those of a technology kind which turn our places of residence into a smart home through the addition of a device or several devices. You may have one or even a number of these devices controlling different aspects of your home.
This latest offering from Fossil is a Solar Watch. Unless you live permanently in a darkened cave thinking about winding it up should never enter your mind. It was produced for Earth Day which for those who do not know was the 22nd of April. It is stated that eight hours of sunlight should power it for up to six weeks of continuous use and it can retain charge for three months.
The face is 4.2cm across and 5cm from top to bottom from strap lug to strap lug and 1.2cm thick, it weighs 48grams. Mine had a black face with white hands and a blue fabric recycled material strap with Velcro fixings. On the face from 8 to 4 there is a slash to show each hour, the area below this has a cut out area to show the various things like day and date among other choices. There are four buttons on the sides at 2, 4, 8, 10 and if you look closely at the face they are explained.
If you no longer wear it then you could put technology to work and sell it.
This latest version of the Swift 5 is small and powerful and while it is intended for use when out and about, as it has a full size HDMI port there is no reason while it should not be used at home or even in the office if it is the latter then make good use of the Kensington Lock socket or someone else will be using it.
The Acer Swift 5 measures 31x21x1.5cm the last measurement is at the back of the side as it is only 1cm at the front edge. It weighs only a tad over a kilo at 1041 grams. It is gun metal grey in colour apart from the hinge at the back and the Acer logo on top which are both copper in colour. The screen goes back to 135 degrees and the viewable screen dimensions are 30.5x17.3 which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of close to 14 inches.
With a variety of helpful features, can you solve the mystery of statues that take on a life of their own.
Royal Detective - Lord of Statues is classified as an Hidden Object game. Developed by Elephant Games, this offering is now available as part of the BlackLime series of titles. In this game you adopt the rank of a Royal Detective who has been sent to the town of Martlet to investigate the strange occurrence of statues coming to life and rampaging through the town.
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