Damien, Author at Make Tech Easier

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 Review

Damien — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

Sennheiser is one of the big players in the true wireless earbuds market. Along with Sony, Apple, and Bose, they consistently come out with newer devices that are better than their previous iteration. For Sennheiser, their latest flagship earbuds – the third-generation MOMENTUM True Wireless – now come with better noise cancellation, longer battery life and a lower price point.

Inside the Box

The third generation of MOMENTUM True Wireless come in a textile-wrapped case. It is stylish enough to bring it out and small enough to put into your bag or pocket. It has a nice touch and feels solid in your hand. The USB-C charging port is at the front of the case, requiring a bit of force to pop the magnetic case open.

Taking the earbuds out of the case, I also noticed they are smaller than their predecessors. In fact, they are 16 percent smaller. With a new oval touch panel, they do look and feels a bit bulky.

How to Add Your Own Custom Color in LibreOffice

Damien — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 00:25:00 +0000

While writing or editing text in LibreOffice, there are times where you need to change the color of the text or the background. LibreOffice comes with its own set of color palette that you choose the color from and it is easily accessible from the toolbar. The problem is that if you want to use a custom color which is not available in the palette, you are out of luck because there are no visible options for you to add your own color to the palette.

If you are looking for a solution, here’s the fix:

In your LibreOffice, either Writer, Calc or Impress, go to “Format -> Page Style” in the menu bar.

In the popup window, click on the Background tab, follow by the Color button.

Under the New section, you can modify any of the default color, or add in your own custom RGB value. If you have no idea what the RGB... Read more

WELOCK Smart Door Knob with Keypad Review

Damien — Mon, 09 May 2022 17:25:00 +0000

If you are looking to convert your house into a smart home, switching to a smart lock is one of the easiest way to get started. It is often a one-to-one replacement, which means you can easily remove your old lock and replace it with a smart lock. There is no need for major renovation or drilling of (additional) holes, and it is something you can do on your own. If you are looking for a smart lock, here we take a look at the WELOCK Smart Door Knob with Keypad to see how it performs.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by WELOCK. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Unboxing

The packaging of WELOCK Smart Lock is pretty basic. You get the door knob, the latch and spring bolt, a few screws, 3 RF cards, a set of keys and an instruction leaflet. The smart door knob requires 4 AAA batteries to operate, and they are not included in the package.

ROIDMI EVA: Self-Cleaning and Emptying Robot Vacuum Review.

Damien — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:25:00 +0000

While there are already plenty of robot vacuum cleaner out there, you will still find a new brand and model released every quarter. Unsurprisingly, the newer release will always be bigger and better. This is the case for ROIDMI EVA. It is not just any simple vacuum cleaner: this one can vacuum, mop, self-empty and self-clean. Talk about full automation – this is almost the full package, and you can get it now.

Getting Started

First thing first: when I received the package, I was surprised that the whole package was big and bulky. Unlike other vacuum cleaners that come with slick packaging and parts that you have to assemble yourself, this is the fully assembled package. Once you unbox it, it is ready to use. No assembly is required.

Setting it up is easy. Connect the base station to the power outlet and power it on. The brush and mops are already attached to the vacuum cleaner, so you can just power it on (by pressing the middle Power button)... Read more

Hysolate: Protect Yourself by Running Apps in an Isolated Environment

Damien — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 18:25:00 +0000

Have you ever downloaded an application from the Web and wondered if it contains malware and whether you should open it? What about having the need to access a sensitive website, but you are not sure if your computer is safe? Hysolate creates an isolated container for Windows and allows you to run your applications in a sandbox environment. Even if the application contains malware, it will not affect your base system. Think of it like a virtual machine – but a well-integrated one with little technical skills required to start using it. Let’s see how Hysolate works.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Hysolate. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Getting and Installing Hysolate

There are two versions of Hysolate: the free one for public use and the premium one for enterprise. The free version will set up an isolated container on your Windows system, but if you need remote control and/or advanced securities policies, you will need the enterprise version.

OneOdio A70 Headphones Review

Damien — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 17:25:00 +0000

We seldom see an over-the-ear headphones selling at 50 dollars and still boasting decent music quality. We have the OneOdio A70 headphones on hand that can do both wired and wireless connections. Let’s check them out to see if they are the headphones you have been looking for.

Design

The OneOdio A70 headphones are specifically designed for a deejay. While they look just like ordinary over-the-ear headphones, they do come with some features that will be useful for a DJ.

On the first look, the A70 look comfortable. They come with a thick soft sponge material on the earcups and headband. The top of the headband is even sewn with red thread to add some spice to the design.

The main build material is plastic, which also explains the light weight.

The earcups can be folded inward and outward. When folded, they are compact in size, and with the provided carrying bag, they are actually easy to bring around.

TAJEZZO PZ5 Smart Backpack Review

Damien — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 17:25:00 +0000

There are plenty of “smart” gadgets around. Other than your smartphone, there are smart lights, smart TV, smart doorbell etc. What about a smart backpack? Have you ever encountered one? Let’s check out the TAJEZZO PZ5 smart backpack.

What Is the TAJEZZO PZ5 Smart Backpack?

When a product is touted as “smart,” you often expect it to be able to connect to the Web and able to make decisions for you. In this case, you will be disappointed with this TAJEZZO backpack. There are two main gadgetries in this backpack: an embedded Bluetooth speaker and an LED light panel. The only thing that makes it “smart” is that you can connect the speaker with your phone to play music and listen to phone calls.

The Design

Unlike any other backpac you may have, the PZ5 has a polyhedral hard shell in the front that makes it stand out from the rest. The backpack, by itself, is long and huge. If you aren’t tall enough, you will be easily buried by the backpack while carrying it.

At the top of the backpack is... Read more

Cubbit Cell Review: Distributed, Secure and Encrypted Storage

Damien — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 17:25:11 +0000

While there are plenty of cloud storage services out there, have you ever thought of hosting your own cloud storage so only you can access your own confidential files? Cubbit provides a 100 percent distributed, secure and encrypted cloud storage in the form of a Cubbit Cell. Let’s find out how it works and whether it is useful to you.

What Is Cubbit Cell?

Before we can explain what Cubbit Cell is, we need to first learn what P2P (Peer to Peer) is. If you have been using torrents to download files, then you are already using P2P technology. In a P2P networking environment, many people have a copy of a file in their computers. When you want to download the file from the cloud, there is no need to access a central server. Instead, you connect to others’ computers, download bits and pieces of the file to your computer, then combine them back into one single file.

For the Cubbit storage service, it makes use of such a distributed system to store your files. The Cubbit Cell is a networking device that you plug in to your router to... Read more

imoo Watch Phone Z6 Review: Smartwatch for Your Kids

Damien — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:25:08 +0000

There are plenty of smartwatches around and most of them can connect with your phone to show messages, notifications and receive phone calls. What about a watch that is also a phone and one that can track your kids’ location? The imoo watch phone is one such device and is probably a useful gadget for your kids right now.

imoo watch phone is a smart watch (and phone) for kids. It provides a way for the parents to monitor and communicate with their kids remotely without them owning/carrying a phone.

Design

The imoo Z6 watch phone has a 1.41″ AMOLED touch screen and a 320×360 screen resolution. It comes with a rear (8MP) and front (5MP) camera and weighs 66g. While the watch face might be a little big for a kid’s wrist, the strap has a wide adjustment range for various wrist sizes.

The single button at the side of the watch acts as a power on/off and screen wake-up button. Other than that, it is pretty much useless.

Vissles-M, 15.6-inch Portable Touchscreen Monitor Review

Damien — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:25:10 +0000

With working from home becoming the latest trend, it is not surprising to see that the demand for portable monitors has increased as well. We had the chance to review the Vissles-M portable touchscreen monitor and found it a delight to use. Check out more details below.

First Impression

After taking it out of the box, the first thing I noticed is how slim and light it is. With a 15.6-inch screen size, I find it amazing that it can keep the weight down at only 620 grams. Speaking of portability, the light weight really makes it easy (and light) to bring around.

Unboxing

The monitor comes with a magnetic cover which also acts as a stand. Inside the box also includes an HDMI cable, two USB-C cables (one USB-A to USB-C and one USB-C to USB-C cable), the instruction manual and a wipe cloth.

The main reason the monitor can be so... Read more

COLLAPXI Collapsible UVC Sterilizer Review

Damien — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:25:07 +0000

One of the hottest things to become popular with the pandemic is cleansing products. As people are looking for ways to keep their gadgets free of bacteria and virus, there are more and more sterilizers being released in the market, leaving you with options when choosing one. Collapxi is a collapsible UVC sterilizer that you can bring on the go and is a power bank too. Interesting? Let’s take a look at how it performs.

What You Need to Know about UV Sterilization

UV light has been used for sterilization and disinfection as early as the mid 20th century. However, it is mostly used in industrial/medical sterilization and is not readily available for the household until the last few years. Now you can find plenty of UV sterilizers on the market, in different sizes and capabilities. One thing you should note while using a UV sterilizer is that UV radiation is harmful to the body, particularly the eyes. Exposing your skin to the UV light isn’t wise, and don’t even attempt to look into it.

COLLAPXI Collapsible UVC Sterilizer

Collapxi has an interesting design. Instead... Read more

Ajazz K620T 62 Keys Mechanical Keyboard Review

Damien — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 17:25:07 +0000

Are you looking for a portable wireless keyboard that you can bring on the go or use for your phone and tablet? We had the chance to try out the Ajazz K620T 62 keys mechanical keyboard. Let’s find out how it works.

Note: as of this post, the Ajazz K620T keyboard is not technically available for sale yet. It is still at the crowdfunding stage on Kickstarter.

The Ajazz K620T mechanical keyboard comes in blue or pink. Luckily, I was sent the blue unit for review. The keyboard supports both wired and wireless mode and can work with most operating systems, including Windows, macoS, Linux, Android and iOS. Linux is not listed in the supported OS, but I have tested it, and it works fine.

To get started, flip the button on the left side of the keyboard to BT (Bluetooth) mode if you want to connect via Bluetooth. Alternatively, push the button to the left to connect via wire.

For Bluetooth mode, the initial setup can... Read more

Mu6 Ring Open Air Headphones Review

Damien — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 17:25:09 +0000

One of the advantages of true wireless earbuds is that you can put them on and listen to your music without any hassle. Some earbuds even come with a noise-cancellation feature that can block external noise so that you can work in absolute peace. However, there are instances where you want to listen to music and still be able to hear the surrounding noises. This is where open air headphones can come in handy. We had a chance to review the Mu6 Ring open air headphones. Are they suitable for you? Let’s find out.

What Are Open Air Headphones?

Open air headphones are a form of headphones where the speakers don’t go directly into your ear. They are positioned near to your ear instead, so you can listen to your music and still be aware of the surroundings. This type of headphones is particularly useful for sports, such as outdoor cycling or jogging, where it is important to be aware of the surrounding traffic.

How Mu6 Ring Works

Mu6 Ring... Read more

Yeedi K650 Robot Vacuum Review

Damien — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 22:25:09 +0000

I started using a robot vacuum cleaner to clean my house several years back and have never regretted it. Over the years, I have used plenty of robot cleaners, ranging from an expensive Neato bot to a cheap unbranded one. I had this chance to try out the Yeedi K650 robot vacuum and found it pretty capable. Let’s see how it performs.

Specifications

Navigation	Random
Max Suction Power	2000Pa
Dust Box Capacity	800ml
Climbing Threshold	0.71 in
Control	App and Voice

Setting Up

When first taken out of the box, you need to attach the side brushes to the robot before you can use it. Luckily, the assembly is easy. The brushes are color-coded, so you just need to attach them to the respective slots beneath the vacuum.

Next, place the charging dock on the floor and connect it to the power socket. Power on the robot (the power switch is at the side of the robot)... Read more

Tronsmart Mega Pro Portable Speaker Review

Damien — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:25:09 +0000

There are tons of Bluetooth speakers out there, making it difficult to review one and try to differentiate it from the rest. I had a chance to try out the Tronsmart Mega Pro portable speaker, and it didn’t disappoint.

Looks and Feel

When I took the speaker out of the box, the very first impression was that it is very heavy. Being a portable speaker, I would expect it to be something small and light. Weighing at 1780g and with a size of 250 x 82 x 104mm, it is not considered light, small and portable to me. I would think twice before I put it in my bag to bring it with me.

At the top of the speaker is the touch control. The buttons, ordered from left to right, are “Voice assistant,” “Mode,” “TWS stereo,” “Equalizer,” “Previous Track,” “Playing,” “Next Track” and “NFC.” Right below the buttons is a Volume slider.

At the back are the various ports and the Power button. There is an AUX... Read more

Tangiplay Coding Toy For Kids Review

Damien — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 22:25:38 +0000

Many people want to become Mark Zuckerberg, and that is why many parents are sending their kids to expensive coding courses or buying plenty of programming books, hoping their kids can become a coding master one day. The Tangiplay coding toy can make the job easier (and cheaper) for parents by letting kids learn the fundamentals of coding and have fun at the same time.

How the TangiPlay Coding Toy Works

Tangiplay belongs to a new generation of coding toys that encourage kids to learn as they play. It is a collection of 12 colored blocks that interact with an app that you install on your tablet.

There are four main colored blocks:

Blue – Sequencing block, for controlling the robot actions and movement
Green – Loop block, for automating repetitive actions
Yellow – Function block, for repeating the same steps on demand
Purple – Conditional block, for planning an alternative route when obstacles appear

There is also one Red block, which is used for game activation. It is not in used in any part of the game.

Epomaker GK96S Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review

Damien — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 18:30:26 +0000

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, there are plenty of options available that make the selection difficult. You can choose between a wired or wireless keyboard, a full size keyboard with 104 keys that includes all essential functions you need, or a super compact keyboard that you can bring around in your bag that’s missing the number pads and other keys. Another thing you can choose is the switch type, which needs a full article to explain what it is.

Nevertheless, if you are looking for a wireless mechanical keyboard that you can bring around everywhere you go and that still contains all the essential buttons, then the Epomaker GK96S wireless mechanical keyboard may be the one for you.

Taking a quick glance at the GK96S, you can easily see that it contains most of the keys you need on a standard keyboard. In fact, it has 96% of the layout of a standard keyboard, missing only the Home/End/Insert and right Ctrl button.

What is amazing though is the size of the keyboard,... Read more

Pamu Quiet True Wireless Earbuds with ANC Review

Damien — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:30:12 +0000

We have previously reviewed the PaMu Unqiue wireless earbuds here and know that the developing company, PadMate, has a knack for designing stylish and great quality wireless earbuds. Their latest – PaMu Quiet – is currently on Indiegogo. We got our hands on a set for review. So how do they perform? Are they better than the previous PaMu Unique earbuds, and are they worth the $89 price tag? Let’s check them out.

Design

For a start, the PaMu Quiet case is in the shape of a stopwatch, albeit an oversized one. There is a chain and a button at the top of the case. The button is for you to press to open up the case, and the chain is for you to attach a neck strap to it. In short, it looks not only like a stopwatch, it is behaving like one too.

At the side of the case is a USB-C... Read more

Tronsmart Apollo Bold Review: True Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation

Damien — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 21:30:44 +0000

We have reviewed quite a few true wireless earbuds here on Make Tech Easier, and the recent trend is the addition of active noise cancellation in the earbuds. Tronsmart Apollo Bold is probably the company’s first attempt at including an ANC feature in their product. Are these earbuds worth your money? Let’s find out.

Design

It is always interesting to take earbuds out of their packaging to see what kind of case they come with. This case is a simple black, round casing with only one indicator light at the front. This is the first bumper I have with the product. The single LED light does not indicate how much battery life is left in the case. It will either flash white (which means it is active), or red (when it is in need of charging). Most earbud casese we have reviewed come with 4 indicator lights that show the battery level, and it is glaringly missing in this case. At the back of the case is a USB-C charging port.

How to Enable Fractional Scaling in Ubuntu 20.04

Damien — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 15:25:00 +0000

If your laptop comes with a HiDPI display and you are running Linux on it, you will find that all your icons, windows and text are too small to see properly. This is where fractional scaling comes in. Here we will show you how to enable fractional scaling in Ubuntu 20.04 (Gnome).

What Is Fractional Scaling?

Fractional scaling is a way of upscaling your icons, application windows and text so they don’t appear squashed in a high-resolution display.

Gnome has always supported HiDPI, though it is limiting, as its upscale factor is only 2: either you double the size of your icons or none. In most cases, a scale factor of 2 makes the icon size too big, which doesn’t provide an optimal user experience.

This is why fractional scaling is important, as it allows you to scale to a fraction rather than a whole integer. A scale factor of 1.25 or 1.5 will give the best user experience.

Enable Fractional Scaling in Ubuntu 20.04

Ubuntu 20.04 comes with Gnome 3.36 which provides native support for fractional scaling. It is... Read more