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SMALL SPEAKER, BIG PHONE SOUND Poly has been around for decades but you probably know it as Plantronics. The Poly Sync 10, its latest speaker/conference phone, is designed to be compatible with Microsoft Teams. While it is around the size of three mobile phones stacked up, it produces big, clear sound, and the accompanying software offers a host of features. Grab one for £119 on Amazon. https://tinyurl. com/3ybybmku


YOU CAN’T HIDE FROM THIS CAMERA ‘Tis witchcraft. Clip your phone in this little stand, turn it on and start a video call. Despite not being connected by app or Bluetooth, the sensor will find your face and follow it so you’re always in the centre of the shot. Although I tried to fool it by swerving and hiding, it kept me front and centre in a test. It goes eight hours between charges. Well worth £35.99 – just to see it for yourself. https://tinyurl. com/55bjh7nv


LOOK WONDERFUL ON A ZOOM CALL Logitech’s Litra Glow is its answer to the ring lights that are designed to make you look great on Zoom calls, videos or TV. It takes a more subtle approach, with a square light that clips to your monitor and offers softer, more flattering light for more natural facial tones. The software works with Logitech webcams. At £59 it’s worth a look. https://tinyurl.com/ mr4y4zwc


PRETTIER WINDOWS I


thought it was worth starting with a bit of an explanation of Windows 11, which was quietly released last autumn. It was a bit of an odd launch, so now


I’ve had a chance to play with it, let’s debunk a few mysteries.


The first thing to say is that Windows 11 is largely a cosmetic update that starts the rollout of Microsoft’s new look. It’s only available for machines with the newest of new hardware, so it may well not be an option until you’re upgrading your computer. Windows 10 will continue until late 2024, so there’s


no massive rush, and the benefits are, more than anything, that it looks slightly prettified.


It is integrated tightly with Microsoft Teams and


OneDrive (eww). Under the hood, it’s easier to log on to your office network without messing up the settings you like when you’re at home. It’s also the first version of Windows without Internet Explorer, so you’ll have to use its replacement, Edge, to download Google Chrome. Windows 11 is a free update – but the message here


is that, if you’re not offered it, don’t panic. It’s very much a nice-to-have, at least for the moment. https://tinyurl.com/v4z969w7


> Laptop rest with space to stash stuff Its felt covering makes it soft


I


usually write with a laptop on my lap – and the


Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage is a seemingly simple box that addresses a myriad of issues.


to the touch, the non-slip wooden top has a furrow to provide a tablet stand. Take the lid off and you’ll see plenty of room to store your


laptop, power supply, mouse and anything else you might need like pens and notebooks. It’s great for keeping by the bed or sofa, and is a boon on aeroplanes as it fits into a


carry-on and makes it easy to find your electronics when the x-ray machine beckons. Plus it raises your computer, putting your arms in a more natural position. Simple idea – big impact. Perfect for roving. https://tinyurl.com/2p8fntuh


Chris Merriman on technology for journalists


Clean machine knows its way T


here’s something about robot vacuum cleaners that represents the future we imagined in our childhoods – but most of them just zoom around and change direction


when they bang into things. The Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid is a different beast. Not only does it have wet and dry settings, so you can use it on hard floors and carpets but also, in a rare addition for this price bracket, it is intelligent, creating a map of the floor plan, and learning to avoid obstacles as it goes. It works with Google and Alexa, so you can set it to work overnight or while you’re out, so it doesn’t get under your feet, terrorise the cat or generally get in the way. Also, it picks up dirt better than many more expensive models. At £399 from Argos, it will allow you to eat lunch at your desk and let it deal with the crumbs later. Won’t do stairs, though. https://uk.eufylife.com/products/t2261211


theJournalist | 27


SHARP SOUND,


NOT LIKE SOUP


Crystal clear, warm sound in your ears


I thought I’d seen my last pair of wired


earbuds, but Flare has knocked it out of the park with this reference-grade, in-ear powerhouse pair. Flare has long been the choice of many in the music industry, and the sheer clarity, range and


warmth produced by the E-Prototype earbuds are astounding; they’re also comfortable thanks to their soft, ear-filling tips. Speech is crystal clear – I managed to decipher a very fuzzy interview transcription that sounded like soup on regular headphones. They are a treat to use but at £279.99 from flareaudio.com, you’d hope so!


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