The Crystal Maze Live Experience Is Launching In London’s West End

Chris Hare
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The Crystal Maze Live Experience Is Launching In London’s West End

The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience has today announced that in Spring 2019 it will be launching the largest maze yet in the heart of London and home of British entertainment, the West End.

The all-new West End maze early bird tickets go on sale from today. The new site at the London Trocadero will cater for the unprecedented demand experienced by the Islington venue since 2016 with 32 all-new games, a new Maze Bar and, for the first time, all day opening hours and on-the-day ticket purchases. The Maze will also open up to a younger audience by offering games for 13 years old and up.

The move to Shaftesbury Avenue follows the success of the attraction since launching via Indiegogo back in 2015. The project’s popularity was initially proven by a sold-out run of eight months, with fans of the cult TV series eager to take part themselves. Since launch, the experience has gone on to create its own fanbase distinct from the show and has now outgrown its North London setting.

The Aztec, Industrial, Future and Medieval zones have proved popular with not just the UK public but also tourists looking to enjoy a piece of authentic British eccentricity. Since opening, amongst the more than 300,000 visitors to the maze have been public figures from the likes of Cara Delevingne, Skepta and the England Rugby team to Liam Gallagher, Jonathan Ross and Rio Ferdinand. Approximately 225,000 Crystals have been claimed to date and roughly 75,000 people have found themselves locked in.
Tom Lionetti-Maguire, Co-Founder of Little Lion Entertainment said of the launch, “The past few years has seen success beyond our wildest expectations and the culmination of this, is launching our new flagship venue on Shaftesbury Avenue. To be opening an attraction in the Trocadero, that I went to as a kid, feels like a dream… we believe this will set a new standard for entertainment in London and we can’t wait to show it off to people.”

As part of the Maze’s move to London’s theatre district, another British entertainment favourite, Dom Joly, was drafted in to clear out some existing crystal stock, by any means necessary.

Though the Maze is relocating the current games will not be going with them as all of the challenges in Shaftesbury Avenue will be brand new. Meaning this is the last opportunity for fans to enjoy all the original games in one place.

With interest in the experience expected to be high, those looking to be one of the first at the Shaftesbury Avenue venue will need to be quick.

The new maze can be found at 22-23 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EJ with early booker prices starting at £49.99 per person available via the-crystal-maze.com

For more information and to book the new West End location as well as the last chance to visit the Islington venue, visit https://the-crystal-maze.com/

Lifestyles of the Pampered Pooch

Andrew Edney
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Lifestyles of the Pampered Pooch

In celebration of Show Dogs arriving on Blu-rayTM and DVD on 1st October and on Digital Download now, courtesy of Entertainment One, we dip into the lucrative world of pampering a loved one… your pooch that is. 

The UK pet food and supplies market, worth an estimated £2.7bn is booming for the UK and outside of food and supplies, what are people buying to make sure their dog is living its best life? From doggy day spas to having a home of their own, and from making sure they aren’t wearing last season’s designs to only eating locally sourced game, we take a look at some of the ways you could give your dog something extra special this autumn.

Hotels

Travelling can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you have a four legged companion that you wouldn’t dare leave behind. Hotels around Britain are starting to cater to not just us but our pups as well. Hotels such as Rosewood London have opened their doors to dogs and not only offer a pristine Barbour dog bed to make sure your pet has a great night’s sleep, but also supply a range of Lily’s Kitchen treats and meals, a spa package for yourself, a one-hour grooming session for your dog and if that isn’t enough, you can also request a dog sitter to make sure your pet is never alone. 

Grooming and Pet Salon & Spas

Everyone wants to look their best and this is not just limited to humans. Pet spas have become all the rage and to make sure you pooch looks red carpet ready for any day of the year you need to give them more than a wash and cut. Establishments such as The Pet Spa will offer your best friend pedicures, facials, massages, coat colour enhancing and much more so your dog can get the same treatment as you. 

Dog Homes

Who ever said dog kennels need to be a plain wooden box? Designer Hecate Verona are now offering your dog the crème de la crème of dog kennels that will only cost you anywhere from £30,000 to £150,000. Allowing your pooch to live in a state of luxury, their home will include heating, air conditioning, indoor and outdoor lighting, TVs, sound systems and state-of-the-art intercoms. Don’t fret though, if that budget is a little out of range, you can go with Rawicz Pet Palaces which average around £14,000 and are handmade with lapis lazuli (a semiprecious stone), accented with Swarovski crystals and exotic woods.

Gourmet Dog Food 

Words such as ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ foods don’t just apply to us. People everywhere want to make sure their canine companion are eating the best of the best and with food brands such as Orijen and Taste of the Wild, you can make sure your pooch is staying on trend. But what exactly do these premium brands give your dog? From natural and organic meats including free-range chicken and turkey, wild caught fish, Yorkshire pork, Angus beef and locally hunted game meats like wild board, bison, elk and qual, some dogs get more variety than the average person.  These brands also make sure they are made with locally-sourced organic whole fruits, vegetables and botanicals to enhance the nutritional density of the food.  

Furniture 

Feeling bad that you are sleeping on goose down while your dog is sleeping on polyester? Well you don’t have to feel bad anymore because luxury dog furniture is alive and well.  Companies such as Haute House and Horchow allow you to choose from a variety of premium fabrics, faux furs and colours while making sure the detailing has the right gold or jewelled trimming of your choice and will only cost you a mere £1000. 

Clothing & Bling

High-end designers such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and more understand the importance of making sure your dog looks just as good as you.  From hand knit sweaters to posh dog collars and leads, gone are the days where your dog had to walk down the streets wearing last year’s designs.  

Still think this isn’t enough to show that special someone you love them? The options are limitless in the world of pampering so take a look at some other luxurious options such as a Swarovski Crystal Diamond Dog Bath, Louis Vuitton Dog Carrier, Novel Dog Stroller, a personalised dog wedding fit for a King and Queen and much, much more. 

Want to see how they do it on the big screen? Check out Show Dogs, arriving on Blu-rayTM and DVD on 1st October and on Digital Download now, courtesy of Entertainment One.

Nest Thermostat E Launches in the UK

Chris Hare
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0
Nest Thermostat E Launches in the UK

Nest has today announced the expansion of its thermostat line with the introduction of the Nest Thermostat E in Europe. With a fresh look and the same great features found in the Nest Learning Thermostat, the Nest Thermostat E can be controlled from anywhere with your phone and comes with a pre-set schedule so you can start saving energy right out of the box.

“In 2011, we reinvented the thermostat category to make it easy for people to save energy,” said Lionel Guicherd-Callin, Global Head of Energy Product and Services, Nest. “Fast forward seven years: Nest owners have globally saved more than 25 billion kWh — that’s the equivalent of more than £1.2 (€1.3) billion in energy saved — and now we are bringing beautiful design and proven energy saving capabilities into even more homes. To do that, we needed to simplify.

The more subtle look and feel of the Nest Thermostat E will seamlessly blend into any environment. And it uses existing European thermostat wires so it’s a simple installation. It’s everything our customers have come to know and love from Nest thermostats with a renewed focus on user simplicity and control.”

The Nest Thermostat E has been completely redesigned, with an industry-first frosted display that helps it subtly blend into any home. It’s everything customers have come to expect from Nest thermostats with a renewed focus on simplicity and control. New features include:

New industrial design. The Nest Thermostat E moves away from the prominent look of the Nest Learning Thermostat and replaces it with a more subtle design, highlighted by a white exterior ring and frosted display that sits on an elegant stand that blends into your home. And the Heat Link E fabric cover makes it feel more like furniture than just a beige box on a wall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=0&v=xokDONrEOhw

Simple installation. The brand new Heat Link E replaces your existing thermostat and uses your existing thermostat wires. The Heat Link connects wirelessly with the Nest Thermostat E which can be plugged in anywhere in the home. Most people can install Nest Thermostat E in less than one hour. Or get a Nest Pro installer to do it for you.

Scheduling made simple. The Nest Thermostat E comes with a pre-set schedule, which enables customers to save energy right out of the box.  And it keeps learning your schedule, just like the Nest Learning Thermostat.

The core experience of the Nest Thermostat E includes features that people have come to expect from previous Nest thermostats.

  • The Nest Thermostat E turns down after it detects when nobody is home, to help save energy.
  • With True Radiant, it can turn the heat on early to reach the scheduled temperature, then turn it off early so your home won’t heat over the temperature you want.
  • It’s easy to change the temperature from anywhere with the Nest app from a phone, laptop, and even with your voice using your Google Assistant enabled device.
  • Nest shows you how much heating you use every day in Energy History and every month in your Home Report.

The Nest Thermostat E is easy to install, with most customers installing them in an hour or less. In addition, there are more than 15,000 certified Nest Pros in Europe available to install Nest products.

Pricing and Availability

The Nest Thermostat E is available for pre-order on www.nest.com/eu for £199 including VAT. Nest Thermostat E will be available from partners including B&Q, Google Store, John Lewis, Screwfix, Curry’s, Argos, AO, Shop Direct, Plumber’s Merchant, Travis Perkins, Toolstation Limited and Wolseley starting mid-October.

Tile launches its highest performing and longest lasting Tiles

Chris Hare
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Tile launches its highest performing and longest lasting Tiles

Today Tile has introduced new models of the popular Tile Mate and Tile Pro. The new versions feature longer range, louder volumes, and replaceable batteries. In further expansions to their finding solutions, the company revealed Tile Premium, a suite of offerings including free battery replacements, smart alerts, 30-day location history, and other exclusive services. Together, the new products and services strengthen Tile’s position as the most comprehensive finding solution on the market today.

“At Tile, we’re constantly seeking to improve the performance and experience of using our products,” said CJ Prober, Chief Executive Officer. “Listening to our customers plays a huge role in our development process, and we’ve consistently received one request: the desire for a replaceable battery. With the new Mate and Pro, we’re excited to introduce our first-ever replaceable battery model and our best-performing Tiles ever.”

Tile Mate

With the new versions of Mate and Pro, customers can keep their favourite Tiles indefinitely, and expect batteries to come with a guaranteed one-year lifespan. To meet Tile standards for usability, reliability and durability, the team spent a year perfecting the entire user experience, including extensive testing on a wide variety of battery doors.

Tile Pro

Tile also raised the bar for the industry by increasing ring volume and Bluetooth range for both products.

Tile Mate boasts a Bluetooth range of 150 feet and Tile Pro offers an unprecedented Bluetooth range of 300 feet.

Tile Mate retails for £19.99 and Tile Pro for £29.99. All products are available today at Tile.com and Amazon, and via major retailers including John Lewis, Dixons and Currys PC World.

For customers looking for added convenience and peace of mind, Tile Premium now offers a selection of new features that deliver an expanded finding and care experience. While all existing features of the app remain free to all customers, Tile Premium unlocks six additional services, including:

● Free Battery Replacements. Premium subscribers are eligible to receive free, automatic battery replacements annually for an unlimited number of Tiles in their account. Batteries are shipped prior to one-year post activation, eliminating the need to search for and purchase replacement batteries.

● Smart Alerts. Tile has always helped customers find their missing items, but now with Smart Alerts, Tile helps Premium subscribers take a proactive approach to keeping track of their belongings. Subscribers can set up alerts to be notified when they leave home without specific Tiled items, saving precious time for today’s busy lifestyle. Smart Alerts is launching in Beta.

● Unlimited Sharing. Multiple Tile users can now manage the same Tile device making it easier to track shared items, like the TV remote. All shared users can ring the Tile when within Bluetooth range and view the “Last Place Seen” to help find lost items.

● Location History. Customers can now view the 30-day location history of each of their Tile devices. This is the longest offering of location history available today. The ability to access where a Tile has been enables users to retrace their steps to find lost items.

● Extended Warranty. Premium subscribers will receive an extended warranty for a full three years on all new Mate and Pro devices. All Tiles go through rigorous physical stress tests and are built to last well beyond just 1 year. As a Premium subscriber, if your Tile fails within the first three years, Tile will replace it.

● Premium Customer Care. In addition to email and online chat, Premium subscribers can access an exclusive text line with Tile’s support team. Customers can text directly through the Tile app for expedited support.

Tile Premium is available for £29.99 annually or £2.99 monthly. All first-time Premium customers can sign up for a one-month trial. Tile Premium customers enjoy the premium features across all the active Tiles in their account, including partner products with Tile capabilities. Customers can sign-up on Tile’s website or through the iOS app, with no commitment and the opportunity to cancel at any time. Android versions coming soon.

WIN! The Warner Bros. Iconic Moments collection bundle on DVD/Blu-ray

Andrew Edney
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0
WIN! The Warner Bros. Iconic Moments collection bundle on DVD/Blu-ray

Experience and rediscover some of the most iconic Warner Bros. movies ever made, with Part Three of the ultimate Iconic Moments film collection, available to buy now on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital Download. To celebrate, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a bundle of some of the famous films on Blu-Ray™. 

Featuring classics from Blade Runner to Space Jam and Dr Zhivago to The NeverEnding Story, the films in the collection each feature an exclusive re-designed and numbered collectable sleeve.

The Warner Bros. Iconic Moments collection bundle will include a copy of The Iron Giant, Blade Runner, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Beetlejuice and Mad Max Fury Road on DVD/Blu-ray™. 

How to enter to win

We have The Warner Bros. Iconic Moments collection bundle on Blu-ray to give away.

For your chance to win simply enter below:

WIN! The Warner Bros. Iconic Moments collection bundle on Blu-ray™

The closing date is 12.00am on 14th October 2018.

This contest is only open to those in the UK – sorry!

© 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

The Warner Bros. Iconic Moments collection is available now on DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital Download, order yours here: https://store.hmv.com/film-tv/iconic-moments-on-blu-ray-and-dvd 

For further information on the Iconic Moments collection, follow @WarnerBrosUK or visit www.warnerbros.co.uk 

Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Gameplay Video Part 2

Chris Hare
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Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Gameplay Video Part 2

Here is the debut the Official Gameplay Video Part 2 for Red Dead Redemption 2, captured entirely from in-game footage.

The second half of our Red Dead Redemption 2 Gameplay Series outlines a wide range of nefarious activities Arthur and the Van der Linde Gang can get involved in, including robbing trains, encountering rival gangs and outlaws, evading cunning lawmen and lots more in a world that is deep, teeming with life and very menacing, along with an in-depth look at the new and expanded Dead Eye system.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of outlaw life that seamlessly blends story with action, and exploration with choice – all under the constant threat of danger.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Coming 26th October 2018 to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems.

Bluesound Unveils Gen 2i: the Next Generation of Streaming, High-Res Wireless Audio

Chris Hare
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Bluesound Unveils Gen 2i: the Next Generation of Streaming, High-Res Wireless Audio

Bluesound has announced the Bluesound Generation 2i (Gen 2i), building on the success of the brand’s previous platform. Gen 2i continues to strengthen the Bluesound line with dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Apple AirPlay 2 support, upgraded Bluetooth codecs, improved amplification and acoustics, and more while maintaining value for consumers with minimal changes to retail pricing.  

All Bluesound models feature BluOS, an award-winning, music management system that connects, organizes, and controls your music. Choose music from your favourite streaming service or from a music library connected to your home network. Bluesound integrates all these sources and sends the music to every room in the home. Featuring a family of dedicated multi-room, wireless streaming digital music players, Bluesound delivers a compelling high-resolution wireless digital music system with an audiophile-grade feature set.

New features common to all Bluesound Gen 2i models are as follows:

Apple AirPlay 2 Support

All Bluesound Gen 2i models are designed to support AirPlay 2, which will be delivered to Gen 2i owners via an upcoming software update.  With AirPlay 2, Gen 2i owners can stream just about any sound from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their Bluesound system — all in sync. Customers can stream music, books, and podcasts from their favourite Apps, or watch videos on their Apple device while streaming the audio through to their Gen 2i Player – imagine watching Netflix or YouTube on an iPad while filling the room with premium sound from a Bluesound system.

AirPlay 2 also gives users more options for control, including using Siri voice assistance. Once you add your Gen 2i Player to the Apple Home App on your iPhone or iPad, Apple Music subscribers can use their iOS device or HomePod to say things like: “Hey Siri, play smooth jazz in the Living Room” or “Hey Siri, turn it up in the Kitchen.”

By grouping a Gen 2i Player with older Bluesound Players in the BluOS App, existing customers can add AirPlay 2 compatibility to their entire BluOS system.

AirPlay 2 will be available for Gen 2i Players in an upcoming software release.

TWO-WAY BLUETOOTH

Gen 2i contains Bluesound’s most advanced take on Bluetooth to date – two-way Bluetooth, featuring both Receive and Transmit functionality. Receive capability allows users to wirelessly stream from their device to a Bluesound Player just like they’re used to doing with Gen 2. The Transmit capability means the user can now use their Bluesound Gen 2i Player as a source, sending what they are listening to via Bluetooth to a pair of wireless headphones. One exception: Bluesound PULSE FLEX 2i only supports the Receive functionality via Bluetooth.

aptX HD BLUETOOTH

While Bluesound has improved the Bluetooth connectivity in Gen 2i, engineers also made sure that audio quality improvements are part of the Gen 2i Bluetooth story. The advanced Qualcomm CSR8675 chip used in these new products also supports aptX HD Bluetooth wireless audio. aptX HD is an enhanced codec that supports 24-bit audio over Bluetooth and has been engineered to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in lower background noise. With the ability to support streams up to 24bit/48kHz, a customer streaming from an aptX HD compatible device to a Gen 2i Player is actually able to listen to better-than-CD quality, wirelessly. It all fits into the Bluesound story – modern wireless convenience without sacrificing quality. Note that the PULSE FLEX 2i only supports aptX Bluetooth.

DUAL-BAND WI-FI

Bluesound has also upgraded the Wi-Fi chipset technology in its Bluesound Players to the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) dual-band offering. Best-in-class products deserve best-in-class connection; with the new Wi-Fi chip onboard, Gen 2i owners can take advantage of the less noisy 5 GHz band if needed. This results in faster connection times and fewer interruptions from other network traffic.

PULSE FAMILY AMPLIFICATION

Who doesn’t like more power? All-new, custom-designed digital amplifiers in Bluesound’s  PULSE 2i and PULSE MINI 2i effectively double the available power used to drive these speakers. The difference is dramatic with improved bass response and more powerful sonic soundscapes as the new norm in Gen 2i.

New driver configurations in the PULSE 2i, PULSE MINI 2i, and PULSE FLEX 2i complement the upgraded amplification; the PULSE 2i and PULSE MINI 2i in particular now function as true stereo speakers.

Users also have better control over their audio settings with the PULSE 2i and PULSE MINI 2i. Popular DSP settings like Wide Mode, Late Night, and Dialog, much-loved and much-used in the Bluesound PULSE SOUNDBAR, are now available to these updated Gen 2i speakers.

The innovative mix of amp upgrades, driver re-configurations, and updated DSP settings breathes fresh life into the PULSE speaker lineup and reflects Bluesound’s commitment to creating the best wireless, multi-room home audio experience available.

The POWERNODE 2i now features two TOSLINK/3.5mm Optical and Analog inputs while the PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i now includes HDMI (ARC and eARC). These provide improved connectivity and flexibility.

“Ever since Bluesound’s exciting debut five years ago, we have listened to the marketplace and worked hard to make significant improvements throughout the line.” explained Matt Simmonds, Bluesound’s Product Manager. “Gen 2i represents another leap forward with major technological enhancements that make this generation of Bluesound products even more compelling. Best of all, Gen 2i is compatible with existing Bluesound systems.”

BluOS 3.0

All BluOS users, including Bluesound users, will receive a prompt to update their Players and their app on October 1, 2018. Updating to BluOS 3.0, all BluOS users will gain access to new music services like SOUNDMACHINE and Taihe Music Zone (China only) and an easier guided set-up process. As well, the release will include the plumbing for BluOS’s first voice integration, Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, with the corresponding library of skills to launch soon.

BluOS 3.0 also contains specific support for Gen 2i features like two-way Bluetooth with aptX HD, and enhanced audio EQ settings including wide mode and deep bass. Software updates to support AirPlay 2 will come in a later release.

Key Features of Bluesound Gen 2i:

1. AirPlay 2 Support (coming soon via software update)
2. Two-Way Bluetooth
3. aptX HD Bluetooth
4. Dual Band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
5. PULSE Family Amplification – more power and enhanced driver complement
6. Addition of HDMI ARC/eARC in the PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i

Bluesound’s new models are: NODE 2i (US$499 / £499 MSRP), POWERNODE 2i (US$799 / £799), VAULT 2i (US$1199 / £1099), PULSE 2i (US$799 / £749), PULSE MINI 2i (US$499 / £499), PULSE FLEX 2i (US$299 / £299), and PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i (US$799 / £799 in Black, US$899 / £899 in White).

There are no changes being made to the PULSE SUB. As before, all Gen 2i models will be offered in a choice of Black or White finishes. All models are available now, with the exception of the PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i, which will follow in November.

 

D-Link unveils its first wire-free camera kit for ultra-easy

Chris Hare
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0
D-Link unveils its first wire-free camera kit for ultra-easy

D-Link has unveiled its first 100% wire-free camera kit, the mydlink Pro Wire-Free Camera Kit (DCS-2802KT-EU) (£441.99), this offers customers a flexible full home surveillance experience, without the inconvenience of needing to drill holes for cables or place cameras near a power source. Powered by high capacity lithium batteries which allow months of operation without the need to recharge, the cameras can be placed virtually anywhere one might need them.

The cameras feature 1080p Full HD video and built-in night vision, making them ideal for 24/7 surveillance both indoors and out.

Consisting of two wire-free cameras and a hub, the compact camera kit is designed to be discreet and easy to setup without compromising on functionality. The hub supports four cameras, so customers can expand the coverage of their surveillance system as needed.

“At D-Link we believe technology should be intuitive, uncomplicated and unobtrusive. People who want to ensure the safety of their property and loved ones shouldn’t have to concern themselves with extra home DIY projects, compromises around where they can place the cameras, or an unattractive tangle of wires ruining their home décor,” said Kevin Wen, President of D-Link Europe.

“These cameras feature all the functionality customers expect from an advanced home security system, but with greater flexibility than ever before,” continued Wen.

With the free mydlink app, owners can monitor and protect their homes from their mobile device, and receive automatic notifications of unusual activity on their property. The cameras’ moving object detection together with a PIR motion sensor greatly reduces the chance of false alarms, so when you are notified via the app you know something’s actually moving, rather than being disturbed by falling rain or passing clouds.  

Purchase of the camera includes 12 months’ Premium Cloud Recording plan (43.99GBP), which stores unlimited motion triggered videos for up to 14 days. Alternatively, the cameras support local recording to an on-board SD card slot or to private and secure cloud storage. Captured video can be played back directly from the cloud or downloaded, and the two-way audio feature enables people to both listen and talk through the camera through their mobile device.  

Full compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant enables owners of these cameras and compatible connected streaming devices such as Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick, to use voice commands to access live feeds to monitor their homes.

 

Key benefits include:

·       100% wire-free – for true flexibility cameras can be placed indoors or outdoors without the need to drill holes through walls or install close to a power source

·       Extended battery life – ultra low standby power consumption provides months of operation between charges

·       Cloud recording included – includes 12 months Premium Cloud Recording plan (worth €49.99), which stores unlimited motion triggered videos for up to 14 days

·       Expandable – The hub supports up to four wire-free cameras, so you can add additional cameras when needed

·       High quality camera – high-quality 1080p Full HD resolution provide a clear picture of your home or business

·       Night vision – integrated night vision allows you to see up to 7.5 metres even in complete darkness

·       Optional local storage – integrated microSD card slot and USB port allow you to store videos  locally

·       Advanced motion detection – smart moving object detection together with PIR motion sensor to greatly reduce false alarms

·       Smart home compatible – works with mydlink Smart Home devices, Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant and IFTTT

·       Two–way audio – allows customers to listen to sounds near each camera and talk through each camera via their mobile device

ID@Xbox Releases for September 24th – 28th 2018

Andrew Edney
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ID@Xbox Releases for September 24th – 28th 2018

Each week a number of new ID@Xbox titles are released. Here is the roundup of the releases for this week.

Hollow Knight

Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.

Pillar

Lost in an intimate snowy town, a palette of individuals are in search of a mysterious artifact said to bring great knowledge and understanding. Lead each character through their quest in this collection of minigames, each with unique personalities and challenges… maybe their paths aren’t so different after all.

Think of the Children

Little Bobby’s dead, the BBQ is on fire, Jen’s eating poisonous berries and the birthday cake still needs icing. It’s just another wonderful day out with the kids in Think of the Children, a frantic co-operative parenting simulator.

Jack N’ Jill DX

Once upon a time, Jack and Jill, went up the hill, to fetch a pail of water. It didn’t particularly end well for them, and to be honest, things aren’t exactly great for another Jack and Jill either.

In Jack N’ Jill DX, players must assume the role of Jack, overcoming many hazards, in a bid to reach Jill, who awaits him at the end of 140 levels, in typical old-school one-button platformer fashion! But, for the players who feel the guy should be the one who needs saving, we absolutely agree and that’s why Jill is available as a playable character as well! 

Pizza Titan Ultra

Pizza! Giant robots! Lasers, destruction, evil cyborgs! Arcade action in a fully customizable mech with a pizzeria in its chest.

Vegas Party

Played as a race, the goal is to reach the end of the Strip before anyone else. Manage your token account, avoid the dangers, take advantage of your gaming skills and your insolent luck, trust no one and forget the meaning of the word “mercy” because it does not apply here!

Catastronauts

Can you deal with unrelenting disaster and hold your ship together long enough to destroy the enemy invaders? Repair systems, extinguish fires, arm the torpedoes, avoid deadly solar flares, destroy your friends and clone them back again; it’s all in the life of a Catastronaut!

Amnesia: Collection

The collection contains three Amnesia titles: The Dark Descent, A Machine For Pigs, and Justine. Experience the horror that kickstarted the Let’s Play revolution; be immersed in three living nightmares that will chill you to the core. 

Deadliners

Battle your friends across multiple game modes or take on the single player challenges of Deadliners!

See you next week for another round-up of the new ID@Xbox releases.

Samsung’s all-new SmartThings smart home range revealed

Chris Hare
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0
Samsung’s all-new SmartThings smart home range revealed

Samsung Electronics UK today announced the newest devices in its SmartThings range of products. First is a new SmartThings Hub and sensors connect simply and intuitively to the Samsung SmartThings platform, enabling beginners and experts alike to realise their smart home vision.

The improvements to the new range of SmartThings devices have been inspired by the feedback from consumers since SmartThings launched in the UK in 2015, The overall design of the hub and each sensor has been improved to blend in with the style of your home, and includes a range of new features to make entering the Smart Home market more accessible than ever.

“As more people embrace a connected lifestyle, we’re focused on creating an experience that makes smart living simple, accessible and intelligent” said Conor Pierce, Vice President of Mobile, Samsung UK & Ireland. “With SmartThings, we’re delivering an open platform that seamlessly brings together connected devices and sensors to give our consumers peace of mind and make their lives easier, not more complicated.”

SmartThings Hub

With its new wireless solution, the SmartThings Hub can now be placed anywhere in the home – giving you the flexibility to find the optimum spot without impacting your décor.  All smart devices within the home can be controlled through the one SmartThings app, which is available on both Android and iOS, plus Samsung Smart TV’s and Family Hub refrigeration range.

With an open platform, SmartThings works with the biggest range of smart home brands – simply look for the ‘works with SmartThings’ logo. It will even connect with all voice assistants, whether you prefer Samsung Bixby, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant you can tailor your smart home to you.

The newly improved SmartThings Hub also allows you to:

  • Receive alerts and notifications from connected devices wherever you are when something unexpected happens in your home.
  • You will know just in an instant if there is a leak or intrusion, and even better you will never have to worry about leaving anything on accidently like your oven, iron or hair straighteners

  • Manage connected devices in your home with SmartThings scenes for Good Morning, Goodbye and Good Night. For example, with a single tap to the Good Night scene on your app, you can arm your security alarm, lock the doors, turn off the TV and lights, activate motion sensors and link them to your security camera to start recording, change the temperature, and have a peaceful sleep knowing SmartThings is protecting your home.
  • Use Automations which can control devices and run scenes whenever certain conditions are met. Automate connected devices in your home and set them to turn on or off when doors are opened, as people come and go, and much more.
  • Control connected devices in your home with voice commands using SmartThings and Samsung Bixby, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Multipurpose Sensor

The sensor opens up a world of possibilities, putting you in control of the things you want to monitor in your home. Consisting of two independent pieces, it works by alerting if you if one sensor is moved away from the other. You no longer have to worry if you’ve left your doors or windows open when you’re not home, and even removes the pain of fumbling for the light switch as you can set connected lights to turn on and off as you open doors, windows and even cupboards.

Motion Sensor

Take your home security to the next level with the new Motion Sensor, which lets you know if there’s any movement in your home. The sensor can be placed in the most challenging of areas thanks to a magnetic ball mount, and allows you to adjust the sensor angle up to 120 degrees to detect motion in its field of view.

After you’ve established a routine with the sensor you can set connected devices to turn on and off as you come and go.

Water Leak Sensor

The sensor will monitor for any moisture and let you know when a leak is detected, but most importantly turn off connected devices when it is, whether it’s your dishwasher or washing machine.

The Button

Samsung also announces a new addition to the SmartThings range, the Button, which allows you to control lights, electronics, small appliances and monitor temperature at the touch of a button. You can customise actions with a single or double tap, or long press to set multiple lights, electronics, and small appliances to turn on and off.

Prices for the new range are yet to be revealed

Hive announces Hive Candle lights

Chris Hare
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Hive announces Hive Candle lights

Today Hive has announced a new Hive Lights range now includes Hive Light smart E14 bulbs.

With two types available – Hive Light Cool to Warm White and Hive Light Dimmable – these long-lasting smart LED candlelights can be controlled from anywhere with just a tap on the Hive app.

Hive Lights can work alone or be grouped together, scheduled to turn on or off when you want, set to bring personalised lighting to every room or set to automatically come on with sunset and down with sunrise. They also work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Philips Hue.

When connected to other Hive devices using Hive Actions it is easy to get your home working seamlessly around you. From lights automatically turning off when you leave the home, to lights turning on if the Hive View smart indoor camera spots unexpected motion, to making sure the middle of the night journey to the bathroom is safe for your little one.

Hive Light smart E14 bulbs are available to purchase from today, helping make the home both smarter and brighter.

Prices start from £19 for an individual bulb.

Synology Inc launches the DiskStation DS119j

Chris Hare
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Synology Inc launches the DiskStation DS119j

Synology Inc. today launched DiskStation DS119j, a compact and energy-efficient 1-bay NAS designed to be the ideal first NAS for anyone.

“There are many users who are not familiar with a NAS yet, nor aware of the benefits of having one at home,” said Michael Wang, product manager at Synology Inc.”DS119j is aimed to be an ideal choice for first-time NAS users with versatile software features, an intuitive user interface, and an affordable price point.”

Tailor-made for the home environment, DS119j only consumes 5.01 watts in hard drive hibernation mode, and 10.04 watts under full operation—a laptop can consume upwards of 45 watts. Furthermore, its noise dampening design makes it whisper-quiet compared to some PC counterparts.

DS119j also serves as a home multimedia server. Users can easily share photos to friends, or stream music and video files to mobile devices or multimedia players.

DS119j runs on DiskStation Manager, the advanced and intuitive operating system for Synology NAS devices, with various applications offered to enhance work productivity.

Watch the first trailer for X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Chris Hare
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Watch the first trailer for X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Twentieth Century Fox has revealed the first trailer for X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX, coming soon to UK cinemas. Get your first look at X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX right now.

In DARK PHOENIX, the X-MEN face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own, Jean Grey. During a rescue mission in space, Jean is nearly killed when she is hit by a mysterious cosmic force. Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful but far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain. With Jean spiralling out of control and hurting the ones she loves most, she begins to unravel the very fabric that holds the X-Men together. Now, with this family falling apart, they must find a way to unite — not only to save Jean’s soul but to save our very planet from aliens who wish to weaponize this force and rule the galaxy.

X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp and Jessica Chastain. Direction comes from Simon Kinberg.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix poster revealed

Chris Hare
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0
X-Men: Dark Phoenix poster revealed

Twentieth Century Fox has released the poster for X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX, announcing the trailer will arrive tomorrow.

Directed by Simon Kinberg and starring Sophie Turner in the title role, X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX is coming to UK cinemas soon.

X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX re-unites James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan and Alexandra Shipp. Jessica Chastain makes her X-Men debut. 

 

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