I’m fond of my JBL products, that’s no secret. The 600 Headphones are absolutely my go-to for close up sound in game. That said it’s easy to overlook the need for crystal clear sound outside the TV. This is where the JBL Quantum Duo comes in, sleek, classy and full of colour.
This is a desktop set that offers versatility in a simple package and plenty of “cool kids” effects.
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Recently, Intel Australia/New Zealand got in touch and offered me the chance to test out its 10th Generation i5-10600K CPU – and I jumped at the chance.
I was keen to have the chance to re-build my PC with a newer generation CPU & see how Intel’s 10th Gen chip compares to the i5 8400 that I had been using for the past four years or so.
A big thanks to Intel Australia/New Zealand for the opportunity.
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Growing up in the 80’s gave the Arcade Machine a special place in my heart. While I wasnt ever able to fervently feed all my money into them I knew my way around. There was a time when you could stumble across a cabinet literally anywhere, from the local greasy spoon cafe to the common room at college. It was the best of times, etc. Even school swimming lessons would see us running across the road at the last minute after crowding a dark back room in a takeout. Shouting out ‘dibs’ on your mate’s last man in Frogger.
This is part one of a series. I’ve made my decision to go with the path of least resistance, in the next instalment I will share a wealth of useful resources I’ve been finding to make sense of the process. Along with some updates on the build itself.
For now, join me in wistful yearning to be able to play The Speed Rumbler again.
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The Nanoleaf Elements is the latest design in the Nanoleaf family. The tech has been around since 2012 when it was launched with a successful Kickstarter, since then the brand has gone from strength to strength. A shot spin around Instagram will show you the lengths that fans will go to to Nanoleaf their homes. On a personal note, I’d always been on the fence. A fan of LED technology and smart solutions, the product was intriguing to me, but never essential.
Now, thanks to Nanoleaf Australia I’ve had the chance to play around with the Nanoleaf Elements kit and safe to say, I’m on board.
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Yes, I got influenced, the Xbox Wireless Headset was not something I really needed, but seeing it flaunted on Socials and flying off the shelves. I decided I’d better shell out for a set before they were gone. So after seeing my local EB Games run out, I hit a quick ‘Click and Collect’ on the JB hiFi website and turned to my flexible friend.
I had an email from them by 6:30pm, and was dashing into late night shopping to pick it up by 7:30pm. No supply issues there.
Fortunately we’ve had a few Headsets run through the team in recent times. Wired, wireless and both first or third party.
At the end of the day, it’s about how they enhance your game time. The Xbox Wireless Headset is no exception, the first reveals promised a quality unit and they didn’t mislead.
Fresh out of the minimalistic packaging and box, which is more PS5 than Series X the new Headset smell is unmistakable.
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We tend to be a pack of nerds here at the Cottage. So as a slight departure from the normal Video Games and Tech reviews, I have found myself reviewing, of all things, an Everdure Force Barbecue.
Going into this Covid-free Kiwi summer I needed to upgrade my old BBQ and wanted something better than ‘average’. So I looked into various top of the line brands like Webers, Broil Kings and the Everdures.
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Oh the excitement! Oh the Hype! We are entering a new generation of Consoles and I have been lucky enough to have an Xbox Series S for the last couple of weeks to play with.
Richard has put the Big Brother Series X through its paces, so check out his impressions in that post.
But for now, here is my Review of the lil Xbox Series S.
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I’ll come straight out with this, Microsoft and Xbox ANZ very kindly supplied us with an XBOX SERIES X in their review window. That means we’ve had it for about a week and a half. What follows are my thoughts after unboxing and those first steps with the next generation of gaming.
Don’t judge an Xbox Series X by its cover.
At least until you’ve read a bit.
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Today we had the opportunity to get a PS5 hands on, in Auckland. Personally Sydney would have been handy, but you know Covid year, travel restrictions and, well, stuff.
However while the team was otherwise engaged occasional contributor Nick (@nguns on Twitter) stepped in and had a very nice morning indeed.
Thanks to PlaystationNZ for giving us the opportunity. Over to you, Nick.
The PS5 hands On Experience.
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The Fitbit Inspire 2 sits in the mid-level device slot of the 2020 Summer range, but it is by no means limited in features.
Back in May, I reviewed the Fitbit Charge 4 and found it a great tool to help in my training. Over the following months I have come to really rely on it for exercise goal setting and feedback.
The new range of Fitbits are dropping for summer, so it seemed fitting for me to take some of the new devices for a test run…(yep, I meant that pun)
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JBL ANZ very kindly supplied us with a set of Wireless 600 headphones to celebrate their Australian launch last week. Over the course of this year they have made a big impact in New Zealand with their gaming range and we have been able to review some of the range previously.
Of course JBL are not only known for their Gaming Headsets, as part of the Harman Karman Group they are responsible for a range of lifestyle audio devices too. Some of which will be finding their way to Australasia soon.
The Wireless 600 is a set that is easy to put on, the packaged (braided) cables make it simple to swap out from PS4, to Mac, to Xbox to Switch. I am happy with it and will be making the most of them.
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