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Can you answer the call and stop the threats affecting the Livingstone family?
Rite of Passage - Bloodlines is a Madhead Game developed title that belongs to the Hidden Object genre. I have been looking at the Collector's Edition of the game which includes a number of bonus items that are available from the game's main title screen. These extra items include wallpaper, soundtracks, characters, concept art, basic and ultimate Hidden Object game play, jigsaw puzzles plus a bonus chapter.
With today's technology, terrestrial television viewing could easily be lost in the mix.
With the latest version of their Fire TV Stick product, Amazon has paired a 3rd generation Fire TV Stick unit with a 2nd generation Alexa Voice Remote unit. Included in the package are a HDMI extendable cable, USB cable, power adapter, two AAA batteries and a mini concertina type Welcome booklet.
A pair of good quality speakers sold as ‘True Wireless Speakers’ which they are but they can also be used with RCA sockets, Optical, 3.5mm socket and even USB stick. Or course you still need power but by default when you power on they will default to receiving their signals via Bluetooth. Here they can also be used separately should you wish to.
The speakers are each 23x15x24cm the last figure the depth allows for connection of the power cable. Each speaker weighs 3.3 kilos. While there are controls on top of each speaker, they can also be controlled from your phone or other unit and there is also a remote control supplied. The User Guide suggests ramping the volume to maximum on the speaker and assuming your SmartPhone as the input then turning the volume down from that.
Not everybody requires a watch that can do everything including impressive friends.
This Desktop offering is very different to the small and compact offering that I had previously reviewed on 10th February this year. While that could sit quietly and just do its job this is big and not only has a large illuminated ‘V’ on its front the left side has lots of holes that show the inside and also omit a good amount of light to its surroundings.
It is 36x17x33cm with the best part of another 5cm needed behind for cable insertion. The front of the unit has a strip down the right side beyond the proud ‘V’ that has on/off button near the top and then below this an always on USB and an always on USB ‘C’ and further down two 3.5mm audio sockets. The rear has a line of four USB3 sockets and below this two USB sockets with an Ethernet socket and below this a line of three 3.
Keeping you busy while visiting European cities is the game of Mahjong.
Sometimes your eyes may not be up to the task of reading text. This next product could help.
Having recently had cataracts removed from both my eyes just before COVID-19 and the pandemic kicked in, my interest was piqued by news of a product entitled OrCam Read. This product comes with the claim of being able to provide assistance to those with mild to moderate vision impairment or specific reading issues.
This is the first of a recent series of inkjet ‘three in one’ units from Canon to arrive with me. Rather different from any other inkjet offerings that Canon have previously produced it has ink tanks rather than ink cartridges so the cost per page of the ink should be a lot less, as there is a saying around that printer ink is more expensive than Champagne.
Canon are not the first to change from cartridges to tanks, in the past I have had problems transferring ink from the bottles to the tanks. So it was with more than a little trepidation that I followed the instructions, I need not have worried not a drop was spilt so my precautions of putting newspapers under the G2560 was not required. Canon have put a lot of thought into the design of both the ink bottles and the ink tanks.
Sitting between a desktop and laptop viewing area, this next product reminds me of a cup of coffee.
Do you remember your first computer monitor? I can certainly remember mine with its bulk and weight causing my back to complain whenever I needed to move it to a new position. Fortunately, nowadays we have access to models that have much larger viewing areas yet are considerably lighter in their weight. When moving a modern monitor, if I listened carefully, I would probably hear my back utter a sigh of relief.
Unlike other ‘rugged’ notebooks I have reviewed this one is a Tablet as it has no cover, and no keyboard other than an onscreen offering. It is not light as it weighs 2619 grams and the screen is 14 inches, totally touch operated either with finger, glove or the provided stylus. It has eight touch controls below the landscape screen.
The dimensions are 35.5x33x3.5cm with the carry handle extended. The viewable screen is 31x17.5 which gives the notional diagonal imperial measurement of 14inches this display is Lumibond 2.
The Spirit of Revenge - Unrecognised Master is a Hidden Object Adventure game set in a village under the control of a malevolent spirit. This review is based on the Collector's Edition of this game developed by Vendel Games.
As usual with Collector's Edition, this title comes with a number of bonus items to add extra appeal to the game player. These items are made up of Concept Art, Wallpaper, Music, Video Clips, Mini Games, Strategy Guide and a bonus chapter. In some cases, such as Concept Art, Wallpaper, Music and Strategy Guide, you are granted immediate access while with other extra items you will need to complete the main game.
Keeping your data safe even when on the move is possible with this next product.
About 18 months ago I took a look at a security conscious, portable, external hard drive from Apricorn. This was the company's Aegis Fortress L3 product. Now it is the turn of the Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3NXC offering. Like its bigger brother this small pocket-sized device offers the user automatic protection as part of its feature set.
Having recently looked at one of the previous models in the range 23-9-20, I now get my chance to test the latest version from Apple. Out of the box it seems to me to be rather chunky compared to other phones, this of course may help it to survive the odd drop, while the corners are shaved off the sides are a perfect sandwich shape. This is not the Max or the Mini it’s the iPhone 12.
The Apple iPhone 12 measures 14.7x7.2x.8cm apart from its two cameras that protrude on the back slightly from the raised square that contain them and the LED flash. It weighs 162 grams. The box is small because normal things like a charger and ear buds are not included, I read somewhere that Apple consider most people don’t need them. You do get a Lightning to USB ‘C’ cable and of course the Pin to insert your SIM.
As computer-targeted threats continue to grow. so antivirus software companies need to offer users appropriate protection.
As one of the oldest producers of IT security solutions, F-Secure has built up a reputation in the field of developing both hardware and software solutions to face the threat of unwanted attacks on computer set ups. In the past I have looked at some of the company's hardware products, such as F-Secure Sense, now it is the turn of F-Secure software. This product is the company's F-Secure TOTAL which is available on a subscription basis to suit the needs of the customer.
While this is a Smart Watch it can also be a standard watch but it has a battery that may only need recharging around once in two weeks. However link it to your mobile phone and you can get all sorts of notifications, play music and even view your favourite Apps and still have a standard watch face should you wish, or let it tell you far more.
The Skagen Hybrid HR smartwatch has a 42mm face mine was black with similar strap. It has three buttons on the right side which can do a range of things. Like a lot of recent watches it is controlled when you link it to your phone with an App available from the Apple or Google Play store.
When packing your holiday case, don't forget your Hidden Object skills.
The title of this next game, Our Beautiful Earth, does not give a clue as to the genre of this particular offering. In fact Our Beautiful Earth belongs to the Hidden Object style of game play. Developed by BD Studio Games, Our Beautiful Earth takes you on a trip to 30 different locations from around the world as you locate various objects and complete mini games in order to continue your travels. Allowing different players to take part in this game, you can create named profiles.
Keeping active minds fully, and positively, occupied can be a difficult task at the best of time. The closure of schools due to the pandemic will not help matters.
Offering to help provide parents with the appropriate tools designed to encourage learning within the home environment are various companies including Geomagworld. For those not too familiar with Geomagworld, this is a leading organisation in the toy industry which has been developing toys that are meant to stimulate creativity and learning in the young members of society. Recently I have been given the opportunity to check out one of the Geomagworld products.
I am not a huge fan of buying shoes online, but with no sign of the lockdown ending I bit the bullet and checked a few sites. I ended up with Debenhams – yes I know they will not reopen but any purchase with a Credit/Debit card should be safe – simply because of the price.
As the only way anyone can get around safely is by walking my shoes have taken a fair amount of punishment and with the cost of repairs such as ‘sole and heal’ being astronomical these days it becomes pointless to do so, it may not be good for the planet but when repairs are twice the price of a new pair it’s a no brainer. There is a good amount of information about the shoe and also several images available so if you are sure of your size it becomes easy.
Rather than rising from your favourite armchair, why not ask Alexa to carry out tasks.
The Alexa influence continues to spread its net wide as our households become more reliant on smart technology. The latest member of this Amazon family to be released into the wild, and make its way to my home, is the 4th Generation Echo Dot.
Very few SmartPhones apart from the very expensive offerings have a matt back and I have yet to see one without shiny sides and screen surround and these of course show finger marks. While the screen more or less has to be shiny and as all but very basic SmartPhones are touch unless you wear special gloves every touch of your finger shows a mark.
Most people when the marks interfere with what they are doing rub the face of their SmartPhone on their trousers or jeans not that vital until a year ago when Covid reared its head but now it’s more important or the next time your finger moves from your screen to your face… At this time of year when out and about gloves are something I wear all the time and the ones designed to enable phone usage do help not only does this save your fingers freezing when you touch your phone but I t
"Are you sitting comfortably? Then I will begin by reading you a story with the assistance of a new app entitled Readmio".
Readmio, the company, is a Czech start-up that has the desired aim of creating a meaningful bonding experience between the parent and the child. This is through the natural process of the telling and listening to a story partnership. To this end the company has developed an app, sharing the company name of Readmio.
Lets take a trip to a world where Kings, Queens, Prince and Princesses rule from large castles while witches and fairies ply their trade in the constant battle between good and evil.
Available at the cut-price of $2.99 from Big Fish Games, Witches Curse in the Princess Isabella series is a Hidden Object Adventure game. While a little long in the tooth, this Gogii developed game makes a good choice for somebody taking their first steps into Hidden Object game play. It does this by not only integrating its Strategy Guide into the story line but also allows the player to access its content that is relevant to the location being currently visited.
This is now becoming a rare beast a Desktop PC rather that a Notebook. Sadly it has one thing missing – from my point of view – an optical drive. However during my testing period it has performed well in all departments that will satisfy most people.
Acer XC-885 measures 32x29x9.5cm, the front of the unit has an on/off button at the top below this in a vertical line down the right side of the front are an SD card slot, always on USB ‘C’ port, an always on USB port and 3.5mm sockets for headphones and a microphone. The back has a kettle style mains input with a fan output beside it, below this are two HDMI inputs and D-Sub.
Unlike some graphics software titles available on a subscription basis, this next offering can be purchased with a single payment.
Developed by the French DxO company, PhotoLab is photo-editing software. Now up to version 4, this software is available in either Essential or Elite offerings. This review is based on PhotoLab 4.0 Elite which comes with several new features including the excellent DxO DeepPrime technology but more of that a little later. Firing up this application for the first time can be a little time consuming.
Rather than just looking at paintings, you can step inside them to explore what is happening.
Investigating crime can take up time as this next game proves.
In the past Secret Investigations have tackled the subjects of Nemesis and Revelations. Now it is the turn of Heritage to form the basis of a series of investigations that make up this Hidden Object game. As with the early titles, this Heritage offering covers various investigations. In this case, the investigations are entitled Stolen Will, Ghost Mansion, Gold Legacy, Final Bill and Oblivious Art.
This is a 27inch flat panel 1920x1080 that shows everything just that little bit larger, it also has something that most other flat panels do not have a decent set of speakers so external speakers should not be required, so what else does this recent offering from Philips have to tempt you.
It is 61x36x1cm apart from the base of the screen surround that is 3.5cm and immediately you know why the sound is so good as the speakers are down facing in the base. The surround on the sides and top are .5cm with the base surround being 2.4cm and so the notional diagonal imperial measurement is as stated above, the full 27inches.
Add to your Match-3 playing skills as you attempt to become a Potion Master.
Developed by Green Sauce Games, Secrets of Magic 4 - Potion Master is a Match-3 offering. The game places you in the company of an experienced witch, named Victoria, and her apprentice, named Beatrix, who is studying hard to become a Potion Master by collecting, and learning about, the different ingredients required for certain spells. As the different ingredients are only to be found in the Forbidden Forest, this is the location where all the action takes place.
The League of Light is an organisation who has managed to become involved in a number of investigations. In this particular case, the investigation involves a return to Blake's Mountain in responses to a worrying message from Hank Hunter who felt he was being followed by an unknown entity. As a League of Light detective, you are sent to investigate what will become know as the case of the Gatherer.
Developed by Mariaglorum, League of Light: The Gatherer is a Hidden Object Adventure game. This review is based on the Collector's Edition of the title that comes with a number of extra items. In most cases these items, such as Music, Wallpaper and Concept Art, can be access immediately. However there is a Bonus Chapter which remains locked until the main game has been completed.
Following The Tree of Life, The Living Mountain continues the Amaranthine Voyage saga as it relates the further adventures of Professor Burns.
I have been looking at the Collector's Edition of this Eipix Entertainment Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain which comes with a number of bonus items. While, in some cases, bonus items can be accessed immediately, other will require progress to have been made in the main game and there are some which only become available when everything else has been completed.
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