1-2-Know
VERSATILE SMARTPHONE CASE
MOPHIE has come up with the Juice Pack Battery Case for the recently released Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus flagship smartphones. The device boasts of wireless charging compatibility, letting the battery power up without the need for unsightly cables. Regardless of which flagship Samsung smartphone you get this Mophie Juice Pack for, it plays nice with all Mophie Charge Force wireless accessories and other Qi wireless charging systems.
The Juice Pack for Galaxy S8 also comes with a rechargeable 2,950mAh battery that delivers more than 33 total hours of talk time, whereas Galaxy S8 Plus owners will be able to rock to a 3,300mAh battery that claims to deliver over 39 total hours of talk time. Having the ability to enjoy extended use is not all that Mophie offers: There are also magnetic mounts that ensure your smartphone remains in place as charging begins on contact, while the internal rubberised support pads are able to withstand the toughest drops and falls.
Arriving in a lightweight, low-profile design with raised corners, you will also get forward-facing speaker ports and an LED power indicator. This 2-in-1 solution is priced at US$99.95 (RM431).
MORE POWER FOR MACBOOK PRO USERS
SATECHI is expanding the capabilities of the already powerful 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with the Type-C Pro Hub. This involves the addition of another two USB 3.0 ports for speedy data transfer and connectivity to the latest devices, a HDMI port, as well as an SDXC memory card slot.
The Type-C Pro Hub ensures that the slim form factor of Apple’s laptop remains, while offering the missing ports that users of the previous generation MacBook had come to know and love.
There is also the additional USB-C port that expands data transfer capabilities with speeds up to 5Gbps, in addition to a Thunderbolt 3 port that is handy when one wants to enjoy the benefits of pass-through charging as well as quick data transfer with speeds up to 40Gbps, without having to “sacrifice” other ports. The user-friendly design with its simple plug-and-play capability will definitely be able to further expand the MacBook Pro’s capabilities for road warriors and even the average home user. The Type-C Pro Hub comes in a sleek and compact brushed aluminium design. It is priced at US$99.99, and comes in either silver or space grey.
RECORDING AND PODCASTING COMBO
SAMSON Q2U, the latest recording and podcasting pack from Samson, merges the convenience of digital and analogue audio capture into one dynamic microphone. This potent combination is ideal for podcasting, live sound and music recording.
It boasts of XLR and USB outputs, allowing the user to have everything required to begin recording right out of the box. Priced at US$59.99, the Q2U can be hooked up directly to a computer or mobile device via a 2.25m USB cable, or one can also choose to plug it directly into a mixer or audio interface via an XLR cable. Regardless, both connections can also be utilised simultaneously for recording a live event or performance.
In addition, the Samson Q2U is also accompanied by a 1/8 inch (3.5mm) headphone output that will help monitor the audio that is being captured, in addition to the audio from the computer. The dynamic capsule of the Samson Q2U has been specially designed for mixing vocals, instruments and amplifiers, whereas high-quality analogue-to-digital converters claim to deliver excellent audio reproduction. It has a cardioid (unidirectional) polar pattern that enables it to pick up sound from in front of the mic while rejecting unwanted sound from the rear and sides. This minimises the amount of ambient/room noise that is captured on recordings.
The Samson Q2U is able to record interviews, press conferences or live events. Being compatible with iPhones and iPads — thanks to Apple’s Lightning to USB Camera Adapter or Android devices via a Host OTG cable — which makes the Samson Q2U all the more versatile.
FERTILITY TRACKING DEVICE
THE Ava fertility tracking device is a step forward in women's reproductive health; clinical trials have proven that it is able to detect the start of a woman’s fertile window as opposed to using the traditional method of timing one’s menstrual phase.
The Ava bracelet is capable of figuring out the five most fertile days of a woman's cycle. Existing methods of fertility tracking include the use of LH ovulation strips which is able to identify the last 12-24 hours of fertility, and the use of basal body temperature that picks up the day after ovulation, which would also mean the closure of the fertile window period.
The Ava bracelet also comes with an app that would increase its functionality by tracking the user’s health through the pregnancy. It relies on body temperature, resting pulse rate, and different kinds of parameters such as heart rate variability, sleep and bioimpedance, to deliver a convenient and accurate at-home method.
It works best when worn during the night, and will synchronise with both Android and iOS-powered devices. The device is priced at US$199. It is certainly a viable option if you have exhausted all of the other avenues in starting a family.