Electronic toys

This coming up (just as vomit does) propped me to take another look at the watch.
Same old problems but it's saved from the dustbin as I will use it when I'm in meetings so I can check messages without looking at my phone.

Other than that, it gathers dust.

As a very happily divorced chap, I'm not all that keen when my ex-wife turns up so I tend to end up scarpering to a coffee shop or something. The trouble is most of what I do is a lot easier with 2 displays so I have just ordered a portable monitor (Non-touch screen).
I can see me in Starbucks with my lovely Chromebook twin monitor portable system.
Mmmm, now I come to think of it, I can see me getting funny looks

I wanted a monitor without internal batteries and, as I always use a mouse, I don't need touchscreen. That leaves me paying less.

This 15.6 inch, ZEUSLAP Portable HD Monitor with USB C and HDMI inputs really cooks the cake as far as my needs go. I can use it with my phone (DeX mode - That's what the keyboard is for), my tablet (but I probably won't) and what I really bought it for, a second screen for my Chromebook.
Chromebooks can be set up to run with an external screen (2 if your Chromebook has 2 USB C ports) so that's why I got the new monitor.
At home I run 2 32" TVs as monitors, but I wanted something I could use when I'm out and about.
This Chinese bit of kit (what isn't made in China these days) does the job.
It came with all the leads but no power supply but, as any 3 amp or better charger will work - no problem as I have loads floating about

I can now sit in Starbucks looking really nerdy

Update:

The Samsung watch is gathering dust - Free to good home as I finally got sick of the daft wireless charging - Samsung appear to be trying to outapple apple with complicated ideas when simple ones (a USB C port) would work better.

The Samsung Tab S5e is still amazingly useful. As a portable machine, I have yet to find anything that beats it. It's small, light, and effective. Google's Chrome browser has been improved so the translate functions for search pages are now available - big difference when you want to look at world news. I can access all my Google stored files with ease and, as I make everything available offline, I can get them without an internet connection.

The Chromebook remains my machine of choice when it comes to serious work. The twin screen (2X32 inch TVs) setup means I can hunt out what I need on the net and dump the info into spreadsheets - or have any two other tasks on the screens as required - You would be amazed at how easy this makes what would otherwise be far slower and more difficult.

My Windows 10 laptops are gathering dust with the Samsung watch. The laptops can't do what the Chromebook can, and they can't do it without the usual painfully slow Windows experience - when Microsoft are gracious enough not to naff you up by forcing an update on you.

I have yet to try the multi screen Chromebook set up in Starbucks.

the latest Chrome OS update includes a little microphone at the bottom of your screen.  this allows voice typing in any textbooks-  however as you see from the text it isn't 100%.
text book should be text box

. calma gosh semicolon coulomb punctuation line break these are all supposed to be punctuation - I feel the system may need some more work

I tried the screen with the Samsung tab, the former showing DeX - Yummy

I used the external monitor as the main screen with the tablet's screen playing a little opera from Youbube.
The mouse I used was less than great, but the rest worked an absolute treat. The screen is big enough to have three windows open at once in DeX mode.
This is also an argument for buying a Samsung Tab 8 - the big screen version with all the trimmings.

I won't be buying a Samsung S8 tab.

I took a really good look at them and, frankly, the things are amazing.
But, and there's always a big but, it doesn't have enough advantages over my Tab S5e to warrant paying a lot of money to upgrade.

However, those thinking of buying one - they're ruddy great. The Bluetooth S-pen allows your to write on screen (even on lined paper if you like), and it also acts as a presentation tool.

The screen is beyond gorgeous and, for those who fancy something bigger than average, the Ultra is shockingly fantastic in a massive way.

I did buy a rather nice presentation wand with an orange laser, and a really handy USB C to everything that allows me to connect my phone, tablet, or Chromebook to HDMI, RGB, 3 USB A (Blue), LAN, and of course through power.

The subject of MS office came up again on another platform so I thought I'd add a post here.

MS office, apart from the web version, is a bit expensive IMHO, I recall a time when you just bought the software and that was that, but now they want you to rent it.
I stopped using it when I discovered Google's apps - Sheets (Excel), Docs (Word), and Sheets (PowerPoint).
Free to all gmail account holders, they can be saved in Microsoft compatible formats as well as PDFs and more. These free versions do what most people need, but at zero cost. The Android app versions are a little more limited, but the full web versions are easily enough to cope with most people's needs.

You can save onto Google drive - Press the 'make available offline' button to update without internet - or you can save to a local drive.
I generally save to Google drive but always make the file available offline. That means I can access and edit everything from my Tablet, Chromebook, or even my phone.
They will work on slow Windows machines, be perfectly fine but in a slightly limited way on Android, but are great on Chromebooks.
As a note - A sub US $200 Chromebook will out perform a far more expensive Windows laptop - That's why I use the things and the reason my kids have them for school.
22 seconds to boot up, and 22 seconds to perform a full update and restart - Chromebooks are amazing.

A good alternative I find is LibreOffice. It might not be as slick as MS Office, but it is free and has huge functionality, plus it can read and write in MS Office formats for easy exchange with people that still want to pay to MS.

nz7521137 wrote:

A good alternative I find is LibreOffice. It might not be as slick as MS Office, but it is free and has huge functionality, plus it can read and write in MS Office formats for easy exchange with people that still want to pay to MS.

I have yet to try that but I know a lot of people swear by it.

Yeah, I kinda miss the days of buying software stuff too. But, really, an Office365 subscription is no great hardship. :-) I get the family version so my partner has the apps too.

I've used LibreOffice, and I still use Google Drive and Google Docs. But I find it much more convenient to have the Office apps.

I like to be out and about for work but that's been a bit off at the moment. However, my glorious days of travel might very well return soon.
That in mind, I bought a cute little USB C to pretty much everything but a coffee maker dongle.



This allows me to connect my phone to pretty much anything I'm likely to come accross when working away so it should prove an especially useful bit of kit, and it even has through charging so I can charge whilst working.

Fred wrote:

I wanted a monitor without internal batteries and, as I always use a mouse, I don't need touchscreen. That leaves me paying less.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/518 … 2fd68c.jpg

I decided I wanted a DeX station (Samsung's desktop experience) at home so I could use my phone as a desktop computer when I needed to go a quick bit of something, but didn't want to mess about turning a computer on.

My DeX setup consists of the monitor on an old stand I used to use many moons ago, a sweet Logitech Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and an old speaker I had dumped in a box (I really must clean it).

I'm using the system to pen this post so I can assure readers who need a simple computer for internet, spreadsheets, a word processor, and that sort of stuff, this is going to work a treat for you.
However, much as it's good for light users and people who fancy an easy to get to computer for a quick bit of work, I wouldn't want to try to replace my main machine (the two monitor Chromebook) with it.

Now I have to pop a decent top on the desk and pretty up the wires.

I don't intend to write a user experience of the Ladybug fan in the picture, but I can assure you it works exactly the same as my Hello Kitty one.

I realised I could make a DeX station using one of the two 32 inch TVs in my office so, I did a little swapping around of leads and dongles, and I have that available to me.
As a bonus, I took the now unused USB C to HDMI lead and bunged it on the living room TV. That means that is also available to use with my phone should I ever fancy the idea.

The one issue I have with Samsung DeX on my phone and tablet is you can't install the full version of chrome. Many of the newer tablets have screens far bigger than many laptops, so it's time for Samsung to work out how to get Chrome running properly, even if that's only in DeX mode.

However, problems are only there so I can work out solutions.

For bookmarks, I added an extra screen with five bookmark widgets. One for UK news, one for Indonesian, another for world news, and so on.

These give me easy access to my favourite sites. I know other browsers such as Opera do have the bookmarks bar, but Google Chrome's Translate facility is far too useful to me as I read pieces from all over the world.

The other issue with a mobile version of Chrome is the inability to access the full versions of Google's office software. Frankly, the more limited apps are fine for the majority of what I need, but there are times the full version is handy. 

There is a solution - Bookmark the sites then, when it's up and telling you to download the apps, hit 'Desktop site' in the dropdown menu. That takes you to the full site every time.

I bought a Samsung Chromebook 4

Samsung A7 lite.

Conclusion - If you're looking for an entertainment, news browsing, basic editing tool that's very portable - This might be the thing for you

After a few weeks the thing is down to watching videos only. I don't use youtube for entertainment as their idiotic ads that are designed to force you into buying "Premium" bugs me to the point I stopped bothering.

That's left the tab a bit pointless as:

• It was too big to use as a phone for work
• Youtube pissed me off
• Most importantly - When you're used to a super fancy, top end touch screen, the A7's screen is like running though mud

My kid's old tab is about dead so he's getting it.

Besides Apple, Fred et al, what's the best brand

for a first-time consumer and user of a

smart phone that does fit in one's pocket?

The "first-time" reference implies ease of use

for someone who has never upgraded from

a flip phone.

cccmedia

- @cccmedia

nothing..!!!

us.nothing.tech/

nothing..!!!

nothing.tech

Nothing Phone (1)

Glyph Interface

50 MP dual camera

Nothing OS

120Hz OLED display

Snapdragon™ 778G+

@kuriako

nothing..!!!



nothing.tech







Nothing Phone (1)

Glyph Interface

50 MP dual camera

Nothing OS

120Hz OLED display

Snapdragon™ 778G+


We have 3 boys aged 9,9, 13 all using oppo low end phones can you give more insight on the above phone, seeing that with the low battery capacity they will soon be crying phone for Xmas/birthdays,, theirs are oppo A31,F5

@Andybris2020

Hi there..

Please Google 'nothing phone 1'

You should get all info online.. please check it out for yourself..  🙏

Chuwi minibook - My latest toy

I dislike Windows but I need to make a lot of Powerpoints with videos. I can make them as Google slides but the internet here is a bit rubbish so I can't guarantee they'll work on demand.

That being said, I decided to get myself a very portable Windows laptop. I looked, and looked, and looked, then I saw the little baby above.

Me being me, I upgraded the memory a little (500gb) and use it with a wireless keyboard and mouse from home, and a bluetooth pair at work.

Both have a monitor, but the 32 inch one at home is a lot easier to use.

Portability was the main goal and this little 8 inch thing is an absolute killer for that.

Add it does everything I want, and I have a winner.

The backlit keyboard is handy if I want to use it in a dark room, and the touchscreen along with the surprisingly easy to use micro trackpad means I don't have to use a mouse when out and about.

An example was just yesterday when my wife needed to visit her dentist. I bogged off to a coffee shop to do a little work - the tiny laptop was perfect for the job and exceptionally easy to carry  -and gained some attention from other coffee addicts.

Watch this space for comments over time, but my initial impression is very positive.

I tried Googling "Chewi minibook" and Google replied...

Includes results for Chuwi minibook

Do you only want results for Chewi minibook ?

I decided to look at the Chuwi minibook.

I won't be buying a Samsung S8 tab.

I took a really good look at them and, frankly, the things are amazing.
But, and there's always a big but, it doesn't have enough advantages over my Tab S5e to warrant paying a lot of money to upgrade.
-@Fred

My S5 started to get a lot old to the point it simply wasn't working properly so I bought the Tab S8 over a month ago. It's everything I expected and the work I can get done on this small machine is stunning.

There is one issue - Samsung give you a a 'free' keyboard (They up the price first) but you don't get it when you buy the tablet. You have to wait and, if you want to check on the progress, tough luck - you can't.

I had a little moan to customer service a couple of days ago and it turned up this morning - That could be a coincidence .. or maybe not.

To the Tab - The thing is stunningly great. Content consumption (if you can stand the stupid ads) is top as the picture is great and the sound from Samsung's 4 little speakers is very nice indeed.

I hate Windows as it's bloated, slow, and works for Microsoft rather than the user, but I have to have one for work

I absolutely love Chromebooks as these super-fast, easy to operate machines are an absolute pleasure to use, but they do have limitations.

As for my Samsung Tabs - I'm unsure there's a better option for portable use.

The keyboard (actually free or slick advertising free) has a very nice feel and works perfectly.

I'm a month into the Samsung Tab S8 - It's great

There is no need for a mouse as between the touch screen and the pen, you can do everything a mouse is used for.

When making presentations with Google Slides, the pen gives you perfect control over picture size and so on. The same goes for selecting things in Google Sheets or Docs.

DeX mode, as I knew from my last tablet and a couple of phones, is really handy for productivity. It's just like any other desktop in so much as you can order and resize windows as you wish.

The thing is fast.

The keyboard is easy to use.

As for portability, it makes my laptops look big.

The screen is stunning - It's a tret to watch a film on, and as clear as a bell when doing office work.

There is a downside - The spell checker doesn't work when using the keyboard, and I'm crap at typing.

Samsung need to fix that.

Google destroyed the reverse image search function by forcing Google lens on everyone.

That utter crap can be dumped by going to google://flags and disabling it.

That gets you back to the old search that actually worked. Google lens does not - It's rubbish!

Google have now naffed up their previously excellent translate software by forcing Lens onto that.

You could download a an older version from a mirror site (Disable automatic app updates before you), and you got the old version back. However, Google have closed that avenue off by removing the camera feature unless you agree to an update.

Google have clearly gone down the dark path and power has gone to their heads.

They're going to have to watch out or a new kid on the block will turn in and take over. Tech runs fast these days, as does change.

Greed might well kill Google in years to come.

My old Samsung Note 20 was behaving 'old' and the camera developed a fault - Time to change.

I looked at the new S23 but decided it just wasn't worth the money so I went for last year's version, the S22.

It's essentially the same as the Note 20 but has a better camera (I use that a lot) , and a slightly better processor that makes absolutely no difference for most users.

The big change is 45 watt charging that makes like easier, especially when out and about and with not much time to charge up a flagging battery.

I was going to wait for the new Fold 5, but I'm glad I didn't.

I had a play with one at a shopping center on Saturday .. and it's a disappointment.

The hinge is better so it fold flat, but the crease is still there.

It has a faster processor, but hardly anyone will notice.

The S pen is still external, a major cock up, even if the new pen is slightly slimmer.

The camera is a 30x zoom mid range thing - Not the stuff of top end flagship phones.

I can see why someone who wants productivity on the move would like the Fold 5, but it's limitations against cost means a top end DeX capable phone with a 10 inch portable display would be both cheaper and better.

@Anita S Sharma

Thanks Anita. Yes I heard you can get almost anything made in Shanghai.

I wish I knew the reputable companies to contact and do business with.

Chinese tech companies are really getting some good stuff out there

https://shopee.co.id/BEEX-10.5-Inch-128 … 7579617758

I bought the touchscreen version to use with my Samsung  Tab S8, Chromebook tablet, and Samsung S21 and 22 phones.

As it's USB C in, it works on the lot.

The thing is stunningly handy. With a bluetooth keyboard and mouse it turns my phone into a computer.

As a second monitor for either of my tablets, the thing is an easily portable productivity tool you would not believe.

As a bonus, it really bugs ipad and Apple laptop users in coffee shops when I outgeek them.

I wanted a toy to play with.

I wanted a bigger screen than my phones, but smaller than my big tablets, and cheap enough not to care if it got pinched from a hotel room.

I went for the Samsung Tab A9. I use it for watching content - also transferring a film form my hard drive and watching it on the tab. It gets used to listen to BBC Radio 4 every morning.

The touch screen is far better than the Tab A8

The thing has more memory than anyone with normal use is likely to need

Add a keyboard and mouse, and it works reasonably well with Google slides and so on.

In other words, a very handy cheap toy for highly portable use.

Top reasons why some folks never get a smart phone.

(8) We like to walk around our adopted countries

paying attention to our surroundings and

the movements of people rather than

lookiing at a screen.  Especially in cities where there

are potholes in some sidewalks.

(7) Those of us who thrived in the 20th century

with good-sized QWERTY keyboards on our

typewriters, computers and aparatos  prefer

to keep using such keyboards on our laptops.

(6) Such 15-inch laptops do not require using

thumbs-only to communicate.

(5) Here in South America and many foreign lands,

a smartphone shown in public often makes the

owner a target for pickpockets and other ladrones.

(4) Decent flip phones have been available for $35

to $50 US in this part of the world, saving a ton

of money for the smart-phone avoidant.

(3) For the same reason, losing a flip phone to theft,

inattention or any other reason .. financially

is no big deal.

(2) A 15-inch laptop can be carried around town

if needed, but is normally left back at the domicilio

where ne'er-do-wells are unlikely to covet/pilfer it.

And the number-one reason to stick to a flip phone...

(1) Little to no temptation to spend $1,000-plus US per year

to keep up with the Joneses and buy the latest and

greatest smart phone.

-- cccmedia in Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia

Old and stuck in the mud Vs. Old and makes tech work for me.

Also, I chose a country where it's safe to carry an expensive, work capable, device without risk

I always pay attention. People glued to phones are stupid, but people who use them as a tool are not.

The 20th century is so last century- We should adopt the best of what we need

Laptops generally work better for people who have 10 fingers. When using a thumb typing device, I find the other finger are great for holding the phone.

Advantages of using a brain:

No temptation to buy a 1000 whatever denomination phone every year, and not giving a flying rat's bottom what the Jones' have.

In this century, we have to choice to buy seriously useful tech that assists us in a thousand ways, or get stuck in a traffic jam we could so easily have avoided if we had Google maps.

I can listen to my favourite radio, have an audio book playing, watch a film, or make sure a taxi driver isn't taking me the tourist route .. or I could buy a flip phone that doesn't have WhatsApp.

Oh, WhatsApp is the main form of communication here, so I would pretty much exclude myself from social life without a proper, 21st century device.

    Chuwi minibook - My latest toy

I dislike Windows but I need to make a lot of Powerpoints with videos. I can make them as Google slides but the internet here is a bit rubbish so I can't guarantee they'll work on demand.
That being said, I decided to get myself a very portable Windows laptop. I looked, and looked, and looked, then I saw the little baby above. -@Fred

The Chuwi (I managed to get the spelling right this time) is proving to be a very handy machine.

First  off - Windows 11 isn't even close to as crap as Windows 10.

I keep a monitor and power supply at work. The system also includes a very nice ergonomic wireless mouse. That means I can connect the Chuwi, a Chromebook, or even my Samsung DeX phones with just one USC C.

I bought a lifetime PowerPoint licence from Microsoft  (Just Ppt, nothing else, as that's the only one I need).

Carrying an 8 inch screen laptop is easy as it just pops into my bag, or even a larger pocket, with ease.

It gets used for some internet work, but mostly for making PowerPoint presentations - It does a fine job with zero problems.

Was it a good buy? Absolutely. It's perfect for my needs.

Plus points

It's very small, light, and easy to carry

It does a fine job for basic apps such as PowerPoint

The downside

Some won't like the small screen

The keyboard isn't great to type on

Forget it for heavy use