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Showing posts from December, 2023

CyberLink PowerDirector for mobile review

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We’ve long been champions of CyberLink PowerDirector . Earning 4.5 stars in our review, it’s not just one of the best video editing software out there, but after extensive testing, we found it one of the best alternatives to Premiere Pro , too.  But that’s on desktop computers. We wanted to know if the company’s iOS and Android tool is one of the best video editing apps for your mobile device - or whether it’s best left on the cutting room floor.   Cyberlink PowerDirector app: Pricing & plans This is a subscription-only app, but if you don’t mind a few limitations and some watermarking, you can also use it for free  Although you can use PowerDirector for free, you will be missing out on some advanced features, such as Auto Captions, Video Enhancer, and even Adjustments (that’s right: basic image calibration is considered a premium feature here). Some effects and transitions will also be out of bounds. On the plus side, you will be able to include these into y...

Acemagic S1 mini PC review

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Acemagic S1: 30-second review Specs CPU: Intel 12th Alder Lake N95, 4 cores, 6M cache Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics RAM: 16GB DDR Storage: 512GB SSD Rear Ports: Dual Gigabit Ethernet, Dual 4K display ports Front Ports: 1.9" TFT LCD screen (170*320 resolution), USB ports Connectivity: WiFi 5.2, Bluetooth 5.2 Audio: Integrated audio Camera: Not included Size: 127mm x 122mm x 40mm OS installed: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (64-bit) Accessories: Magnetic detachable casing The Acemagic S1 nibi PC is powered by the Intel 12th Alder Lake N95 processor and positions itself as an entry-level Mini PC for home and office users. With its compact design, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage, it's tailored for day-to-day tasks and serves well as a file storage server or a soft router/firewall in a home network; there's also the option for a 1TB version. A standout feature of the S1 is its 1.9" TFT LCD screen, which displays crucial information like CPU power, ...

Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock review: the best UK smart lock just got better

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One-minute review The Ultion Nuki Plus is a premium, high-security device that easily sits among the best smart locks , packing some incredibly useful features and, crucially, fixing some of the woes we had with the more basic and slightly cheaper Ultion Nuki smart lock . Like the previous model, the Ultion Nuki Plus is born of a collaboration between secure lockmaker Ultion and smart lock genius Nuki. By and large, the two products are pretty similar - but the benefits of the newer version far outweigh the admittedly significant price increase. The less expensive version of this smart door lock does let you remotely check if your door is locked - as long as you also purchase a Nuki bridge. The bridge plugs into an available electrical socket and connects to the lock using Bluetooth. Aside from the irritation of having to spend more of your hard-earned cash, it can be troublesome if you don’t have an available socket within Bluetooth range of your front door (probably due to all th...

KineMaster review

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It’s been over three years since we last reviewed KineMaster - and that’s a lifetime when it comes to the best video editing apps for phones and tablets. As video production has grown in importance, the entire landscape has changed since our last look, from the arrival of rival free editors like CapCut to the release of LumaFusion and DaVinci Resolve for iPad, both bringing professional-level editing tools to mobile devices. So, we thought it was high time we went back and checked if it’s still worth a download.   KineMaster: Pricing & plans Although there is a subscription option, you can do a lot without paying - much more than other subscription-based apps Not only can you download and start using KineMaster right away for free, the developers allow you to do this while providing very few restrictions.  The only obvious drawback would be a relatively large watermark top right of the video. In addition to that, you will have certain other limitations, such as not...

Montblanc MTB 03 review: divine looking wireless earbuds, marred only by OK ANC

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Aren't they beautiful? Don't you want to produce them from your Aspinal Mini Paris bag, as you sit down to a CafĂ© AllongĂ© in Montmartre, where you'll write your memoirs (in German, for now) in a leather-bound notebook using your also Montblanc MeisterstĂĽck fountain pen?  Even next to the very best noise cancelling earbuds in the business, the luxury goods purveyor's inaugural earbuds are easily the prettiest of the lot (for clarity: they supersede the firm's debut Montblanc MB 01 Smart Headphones , an over-ear proposition released in 2020). The new MTB 03 are also gloriously small and comfortable to wear. You get aptX Adaptive support for higher-resolution audio, IPX4 water resistance, plus an app that – while relatively basic (compared to the Sony Headphones Connect app, for example) – still offers a five band EQ tab, interesting noise cancellation and ambient features, auto-off wearer detection and a lovely visual representation of the remaining battery life i...

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE 3D printer review

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The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE has refined what a 3D printer for beginners should be, packing all the essentials needed to get straight into 3D printing. The entry-level machine boasts a straightforward feature set, including an easy-to-use interface, a direct drive extruder, and a screen that guides you through filament loading and initial setup.  Even if you're completely new to 3D printing, you can transition from unboxing to printing in under thirty minutes. Having tested out many of the best 3D printers , we can say the Ender-3 V3 SE itself is nice and simple, and this is complemented by Creality's intuitive print software, which easily handles files downloaded from the internet or, if you have the skill, those that you have designed yourself. While it may lack advanced features like filament run-out detection and built-in camera capabilities, its low price makes it an attractive choice for beginners. However, with the market teeming with exceptional and innovative printers...

Purple Mattress review: the original GelFlex mattress is a revelation in comfort and cooling

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Purple Mattress review: Two-minute review The original Purple Mattress provides a unique sleeping experience. The two-inch tall GelFlex Grid is a proprietary hyper-elastic polymer layer that is the key difference between this and other mattresses I've tested. It appears in all of Purple's mattresses, but for this review I tested out the original model, simply called the Purple Mattress. I slept on this mattress for a week, and during this period I experienced a notable improvement in my sleep quality.  Although the feel is different from the rest of today's best mattresses , the novel design is very effective. You can feel the checkered-like design immediately when you lay on it. You can also feel how supportive the mattress is, as the Grid contours to the pressure points, and supports the areas that don't immediately press as hard on the mattress, like your lower back. (Image credit: Purple) The Purple Mattress does an exceptional job at keeping you cool at...