Review

Now that Microsoft is offering a version of its ubiquitous Office productivity suite for the iPad, Apple’s tablets are even closer to being a device that can be used for getting serious work done. Mouse support and multi-window functionality in a future iOS version would be nice, but with a decent Bluetooth wireless keyboard, an iPad does a pretty good job these days. I took one of the best-known iPad keyboard solutions for a test run and was impressed by just how good the experience can be. The ZAGGkeys Folio not only offers a compelling Bluetooth keyboard, but it mounts it in a clamshell enclosure that transforms the iPad into an ultra-portable laptop. How well does the ZAGGkeys Folio work? I wrote this post (over 1,000 words) using a ZAGGkeys Folio and my iPad Mini with Retina Display and it was virtually as fast as my usual PC-based writing setup.  

The Sony MDR-HW300K Wireless Headphone System transmits uncompressed audio between the base station (TMR-HW300) and the headphones (MDR-HW300). These are not bluetooth headphones, so putting them up to products in that category is not an apples-to-apples comparison.   A nice little package that sets up seamlessly and will get you enjoying wireless audio quickly. Although I wouldn’t recommend these headphones for critical listening applications, they could be just the ticket when you need that home theater punch without bothering the neighbours.

The untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) places an irreversible curse on the king’s newborn infant Aurora (Elle Fanning), but as Aurora gets older, Maleficent begins to care about her and she needs to figure out a way to reverse the curse. 

          If you want to better secure your home, a video surveillance system is an excellent choice. A surveillance system has a number of advantages over a burglar alarm system, and the Q-See 960H Premium Surveillance System is an excellent option. Its cameras have up to 100 feet of range, it has remote monitoring from almost anywhere, and there is tremendous flexibility in adjusting the settings of the system. I have 7 cameras around the perimeter of my house that provide a lot of other convenient benefits in addition to being a great security system.

D-Link’s DIR-862L is a new entry in the class of next generation of wireless routers and should provide a boost to your Wi-Fi network, even if all your devices aren’t yet 802.11ac capable. I tested the DIR-862L and found it delivers a solid upgrade to an older network, while D-Link’s optional mobile app-based configuration and network management made setup and fine-tuning a breeze.  

Mobile electronics like smartphones and tablets are great, but it doesn’t matter who makes them, they all share one weak spot: the display. That big, bright screen is prone to scratches and with touch operation, it’s a magnet for fingerprints. Annoying as they are, the smudges can at least be cleaned off, but once your display is scratched, it’s scratched. The only real option you have is to replace it —and that is an expensive proposition. The ZAGG Invisible Shield Glass is an ultrathin slab of tempered glass you apply on top of your display for complete protection against scratches and resistance to fingerprints. I tested out versions for the iPad Mini with Retina Display and iPad Air and ZAGG Invisible Shield Glass is now on my must-have list for future device purchases.

It’s been a really long time since Wolfenstein was a thing, though for many FPS gamers, it was the first. Some 22 years after the original Wolfenstein 3D graced our 286 computers and sound blasters, Bethesda are now the rightsholders and bring it back in Wolfenstein: The New Order. But was it worth the wait, and is this just poorly rehashed nostalgia? Read on to find out.

Wi-Fi has become the common link between a huge range of the devices we use at home, but it can also be the weakest link. Especially if your router is an older model. If your Wi-Fi network doesn’t seem to be performing up to snuff and there are dead zones where the signal is weak, then you could replace the router. Or you could turn to an alternate solution, such as D-Link’s DAP-1650 Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender/ Wi-Fi Upgrade kit. That name is a mouthful, but in a nutshell, this is a device you can use instead of replacing that router. It’s a less expensive option, for most people it will mean less fuss than having to configure a new wireless router and it delivers many of the upgrades available in the latest Wi-Fi technology.

There are many reasons you might want a wireless networked camera for your home. The primary attraction is security, of course. Being able to record or get a live view of what’s going on inside or outside your home at any given time makes for peace of mind. Being able to open an app on your smartphone or tablet and pull up a live view —from anywhere and at any time— is even better. The cool thing is you don’t have to invest in having a professional security system  installed or pay monthly monitoring fees. D-Link offers wireless cameras to cover just about any home use scenario. In this post, I review the DCS-2330L Outdoor HD wireless camera and the Cloud Camera 2200 HD Day/Night network camera. Both are from D-Link, both are easily configurable and both offer 720p video on your smartphone, tablet or computer.