Terence Eden. He has a beard and is smiling.

Terence Eden’s Blog

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Crappy COVID Gadgets - Phone Sanitiser

· 4 comments · 300 words


A phone in a plastic box.

I was sent this gadget in return for a fair review. It's awful, so I returned it. To avoid you making the same mistake, here's my review. This is a "Multifunction UltraViolet Sterilizer With Aromatherapy" by Nuxgal. It's a reasonably clever idea for a device. A USB powered UV lamp with a timer. Shove your phone or face mask in there, hit a button, and take it out when the time is up. Great in…

Review: OldShark Ring Light

· 1 comment · 400 words · Viewed ~356 times


Ring light with phone pinned in the centre.

As part of my quest to become an internationally renounced fashion vlogger (shut up! It could happen!) I've been sent a ring light to review. If you've ever wondered why all your favourite YouChubers are so well lit - this style of light is the reason why. They provide a constant, shadow-free, evenly spread light. So, what's this £40 light like? This is made by Jiangxi based OldShark. …

Review: WiFi Endoscope

· 3 comments · 750 words · Viewed ~1,519 times


Lights around a camera.

DO NOT PUT WIFI DEVICES UP YOUR BUM! OR ANYONE ELSE'S BUM! Right, with that disclaimer out of the way, here's my review of the DDENDOCAM Snake Camera - a 2 metre long, endoscope style camera. People send me the weirdest stuff to review! Video Here's me investigating my sink drain. Aren't you glad you read my blog, eh?…

Review: Yanmai USB Microphone

· 3 comments · 250 words · Viewed ~2,101 times


An upright microphone.

We're in the age of endless conference calls. So I decided to spruce up my audio hardware. Sadly, I don't have the budget for a professional podcaster's microphone. Luckily, I was sent this cheapo model to review. And, I'm pleased to say, it's pretty good! Comes with a reasonably long USB cord, and a pop-shield. The mic is suspended in a little elastic harness so it doesn't pick up vibrations. …

Review - Phomemo Mini Bluetooth Printer

· 5 comments · 950 words · Viewed ~2,745 times


A hand-held pink cube with paper coming out of it.

All printers are objectively awful. But this might be the cutest little printer I've ever used! This is the Phomemo M02 Pro. If you remember the late, lamented Little Printer you'll immediately understand the appeal. Connect your phone to it, and immediately print out text, graphics, drawings, rules, Tweets, the weather, ANYTHING! It uses thermal paper, so there's no ink to run out and no…

Gadget Review - YSSHUI NTAG215 NFC Tags

· 4 comments · 1,050 words · Viewed ~271 times


A bunch of white plastic circles in a bag.

I've spent most of the last decade ranting against NFC. QR Codes are almost always superior to NFC. QR codes hold more data, are extremely cheap, and easy to spot. NFC tags are limited in size, expensive, and have no universally recognised icon. Oh, and NFC doesn't work if it's stuck on a metal surface! So, I've been sent 20 NTAG 215s to review. First thing's first, these cost a pound each! …

Review: YLpower 87W USB-C Charger (MSH-87PD)

· 1 comment · 400 words · Viewed ~275 times


View of a plug suitable for an extension.

My quest to move my entire life to USB-C continue. Headphones, laptops, Switch, phone, eReader - all taking the same power port. Bliss! But that means I need more USB-C chargers. This is the YLpower 87W USB-C Charger. First off, 87? What? The USB-C port is capable of 85 Watts - enough for even the most demanding laptop. The USB-A port supplies the remaining 2 Watts. Perfectly fine for most…

Gadget Review: Perixx Trackball (PERIPRO-506) on Linux / Mac

· 5 comments · 400 words · Viewed ~1,026 times


A red trackball set in black plastic.

I haven't used a trackball in earnest since about 1998 - when they were briefly all the rage at school. But we're all working from home during lockdown, and my desk isn't big enough to accommodate a full-sized keyboard and mouse. So I thought I'd try a trackball. This doesn't need an unboxing video, or any complicated set-up tips. It's an inert black box, with a red orb nestled in it. Made in …

What's the most annoying gadget you own?

· 4 comments · 350 words · Viewed ~325 times


A bulb with circuitry.

Let me preface this post by saying that I am a lazy idiot. I have a problem, I keep leaving the fridge door open. I've come home a few times only to discover my half-hearted push hasn't properly closed the door and it has swung back open. Our new house has a built in fridge, so I can't adjust the feet to make it close automatically. I can't easily attach springs and magnets to force it shut. …

USB-C powered Bluetooth Headphones - the Life Q10 from Anker

· 3 comments · 750 words · Viewed ~1,632 times


Headphone box.

I've been waiting for these for a long time. Terence Eden is on Mastodon@edent#LazyWeb can anyone find me some Bluetooth headphones which recharge via USB-C.All the C ones I've found are wired.❤️ 0💬 3🔁 017:18 - Fri 04 November 2016 Anker, through its sub-brand SoundCore - have released the "Life Q10" headphones. They're usually about £45 - but Amazon had an instant coupon which took them down to…

Guide: Add an English Dictionary to Boyue Likebook eReaders

· 6 comments · 250 words · Viewed ~6,586 times


Wikitionary definition popup.

This is a quick guide to adding a new dictionary to your eBook. This uses the English Wiktionary Dictionary. I've tested it on my Likebook Ares and it works! Download the latest dictionary from DictInfo.com. At the time of writing, the latest English version is October 2018 The dictionary file is a .7z file. It's easiest to unzip it on your computer, rather than the eReader. I recommend 7zip. …

Gadget Review - Boyue Likebook Ares

· 9 comments · 850 words · Viewed ~3,795 times


An eReader with a pen.

I'll be upfront, I mostly got this eReader because it's the only one on the market with a USB-C connection. OK! OK! That's not the main reason. It has pretty good support from the manufacturer and a vibrant community around it. Masses of memory, warm lighting, and oodles of space. And, I think, pretty hackable. Quick video Specifications Android 6.0 - with a promise to update it to Android …