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Showing posts from July, 2024

Neo email review

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Neo may not have the name recognition of the real major players in this space, like Google Workspace , Microsoft 365 or Proton Mail , but it is nevertheless making a concerted effort to join them as one of the best email hosting services around.  Attempting to set itself apart from its competitors, Neo has set its sights on the small business market. This is an email provider that is geared towards entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. And what it does, it does well.  Neo comes with a good range of features, including appointment scheduling, email templates, and read receipts, and is available at an affordable price. It’s a great option if you want a custom email address, flexible cloud storage and the possibility of exploring whether some of those AI tools making headlines are really as important to business success as they claim to be. It must be said, Neo isn’t perfect. We’ve found that the support on offer isn’t the most responsive and if you're a large enterp

Ayoa review

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The best mind map software has become increasingly important in the workplace. Whether as an aspect of project management or ideation for personal development purpose, mind maps are widely used. Rather than splurging thoughts onto paper (which can be lost or damaged), mind mapping software ensures longevity, development, and collaboration. Ayoa is a replacement for iMindMap, by Chris Griffiths and mind mapping creator Tony Buzan. Griffiths and the OpenGenius team have developed Ayoa to go beyond basic mind mapping, producing a browser-based and mobile tool for individual and team use. Retaining features like freehand drawing and adding modern features, Ayoa is positioned as the de facto mind mapping platform. But should you choose Ayoa? To find out, we evaluated Ayoa’s plans, pricing, customer support, features, ease of use, and its competitors. (Image credit: Future) Ayoa: Plans and pricing Ayoa offers three pricing tiers.  First is the free version, with unlimited mi

Breville the Paradice 16: the food processor that means business

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Breville Paradice 16: Two-minute review When it comes to premium kitchen appliances, Australian brand Breville (known as Sage in the UK) has become synonymous with quality and innovation (just ask my mother – she’s still using her Breville mixer from circa 1987). And I’m convinced the Paradice 16 food processor is no exception – it’s so solidly built, and with a powerful 900W motor that comes with a 30-year warranty, there’s a good chance one of my kids will inherit it and continue using it. The Paradice 16 is essentially a brawnier version of the Breville Kitchen Wizz 15 Pro , meaning it can handle a lot more than the older 5 star-rated food processor. It launched alongside the Breville Kitchen Wizz 16 (called the Sage Kitchen Wizz 16 in the UK and Breville Sous Chef 16 in the US), which is practically identical but doesn’t come with what the Aussie brand is calling the Paradice Kit. And it’s this ‘kit’ that sets the Paradice 16 apart from any other food processor I’ve tried – it

Noblechairs Legend gaming chair review: almost flawless if it wasn't for the inconsistent pricing

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Noblechairs Legend: Two-minute review The Noblechairs Legend might just be the slickest gaming chair out there. Yes, it’s white, and yes it’s PU leather, but it’s nothing if not classy. From its ergonomic design to plush padding and silver accents the Noblechairs Legend White Edition is an outstanding premium option for anyone looking for a no-fuss gaming chair. This could have been ripped from a modern sports car, it looks that good. There is one caveat to that though, and it all depends on where you pick one of these up. The pricing is a little haywire depending where you are in the world. Grab one of these in the UK and you’re looking at paying £400 including tax up front, jump over the Atlantic to the US however, and the price lands at $630, that’s a 25% price increase.  It does lack some of the features of its competitors like SecretLab or AndaSeat. Speaking very specifically of the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL. By comparison to that chair, the Noblechairs Legend doesn’t bag you magne

Final VR3000 review: immersive earbuds that are great for gaming and VR

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Final VR3000: Two-minute review The latest model of gaming earbuds from boutique Japanese audio brand Final, the Final VR3000 are designed to deliver some seriously immersive sound. Made with a focus on binaural recording, they are nothing short of a massive success. It's hard not to be blown away by the large and highly detailed soundstage that has been crammed into these tiny buds. From a gaming perspective, this means that audio has a clear sense of direction. Footsteps in competitive shooters such as Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are easy to track, giving you a distinct advantage in online matches, while cinematic hits like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 and Red Dead Redemption 2 sound exceptionally rich and life-like than ever. There was even a moment during my testing when an unseen door was opened behind my character in Hitman 3 and I instinctively turned around in real life, thoroughly convinced that the sound was really coming from behind me.

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: a budget Bluetooth speaker with booming, well-rounded sound

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Tribit XSound Plus 2: Two-minute review The Tribit XSound Plus 2 is an impressive Bluetooth speaker, especially given its modest price. Into its slight frame, Tribit has managed to squeeze two 15W, neodymium full-range drivers, as well as a battery that it says will last a healthy 24 hours. You also get IPX7 weatherproofing, which means it’ll see off any splashes or showers, and Tribit’s app offers nine-band EQ, enabling you to fully customize the sound. Not bad for $69.99 / £63 (about AU$105). When it comes to performance, the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 isn’t short of enthusiasm. It’s able to produce a ridiculous amount of sound for a relatively small unit: it can happily fill a room with energetic, full-bodied sound, and doesn’t skimp on detail just because you’re sitting outside the sweet spot of its stereo field. And it can reach ear-splitting volumes if pushed: I’d urge you to use caution when hitting that volume button, lest it upsets your neighbors or audiologist. But it’s not jus