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vivo X100 Ultra camera details leak
8:51 pm | May 9, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

vivo's X100 Ultra is getting official on Monday, May 13, and it's been quite the hypebeast recently, seeing as how a vivo exec said it would be a "professional camera that can also make calls". Today we have some newly leaked details about its camera system, and while the "professional camera" claim might still be a slight exaggeration, this is shaping up to be the most beastly cameraphone ever made, very worthy of its Thanos codename (Marvel fans will get that reference). It will employ the 50 MP Sony Lytia LYT-900 1-inch type sensor for its main camera, a 50 MP Sony Lytia LYT-600...

Adobe Fill & Sign (2024) review
8:25 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: , | Comments: Off

The PDF format is pretty much ubiquitous, and is ideally designed to preserve the layout of a document, which also makes it perfect when requesting someone to interact with it, like say filling in forms or signing contracts. As it’s an open standard, there’s a plethora of apps and services that allow you to do just that. 

But why go hunting for some third party software, when the creators of one of the best PDF editors (and the original, no less) provide an online service for that very purpose. We put Adobe Fill & Sign to the test.  

Adobe Fill & Sign: Pricing & plans

  • A free service, although you won’t be able to access it without logging in or creating a new Adobe account (which is also free to do).

Adobe’s eSignature software service is free, but you can’t get away from creating an account if you don’t already have one. Signing up will give you access to other Adobe services (both paid and free). You just can’t use Fill & Sign without one. You can login with your Apple ID, Facebook or Google accounts, but if you’d rather keep your digital selves separate, an email address will do just fine. Once sorted, all the tools necessary to make Fill & Sign work will become available to you.

The free PDF form-filler is available online by clicking here.  

  • Pricing & plans: 4.5/5

Adobe Fill & Sign: Filling and signing

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

Adobe Fill & Sign will automatically detect fields in properly formatted documents, but failing that you can always add your own (Image credit: Adobe)
  • Easy to use tools to fill and sign a PDF, with a few additional options like sharing, commenting and requesting signatures.

Using Fill & Sign, you’ll find yourself in a recognizable interface. To the right of the page are your uploaded documents, a small toolbar to its left, and a sidebar on the left.

Editable fields should be automatically selectable. You can find out if that’s the case by mousing over one of them. If your cursor changes from an arrow to an edit prompt, you’re good to go: simply click on the field and start typing. Thankfully, you’re able to create text fields if the PDF you need to work with lacks the above.

Other available tools include being able to add comments to your document, whether by highlighting a section, or creating a text field for that purpose, highlighting, underlining or striking through existing text, and drawing freehand.

This is above and beyond what you would need to simply fill in a form, but it’s highly useful should amendments need to be made prior to finalizing the deal. You also have the ability to send your document on to others for them to fill in and sign. 

When it comes to actually signing a form, the interface recognises which field needs your signature (or, as before, if it doesn’t, you can add such a field from the toolbar), and overlays the signature tools: by default, you type in your name and Adobe Acrobat will use a cursive font to simulate handwriting.

Alternatively, select ‘Draw’ to use your mouse or trackpad to attempt to sign that way. It’s never the most sensitive of methods, but it does have the virtue of being more unique than a cursive font. Finally, there’s ‘Image’. If you have a signature on file, upload it, and you’re done.

Once you’ve got a signature on the site, you don’t need to create another: just add that one to all the documents you’ll need to sign.

While you’re there, you’ll also find a place to create your initials. The process is exactly the same but will be saved as a separate file, enabling you to sign and initialize any PDF at will.

Adobe Fill & Sign: Additional features

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

AI is everywhere these days, and Adobe’s Fill & Sign service includes a handy version (currently in Beta) (Image credit: Adobe)
  • Aside from the AI assistant (which is currently in beta), everything else is locked behind a paywall. Great if you’re curious, frustrating if you aren’t.

When you click on the Adobe icon, top left of the page, you’ll be taken to your ‘Home’. From there you’ll see all the documents you’ve worked with, along with a series of available tools, most of which we’ve already explored, but there are a few additional ones that are worth mentioning, if only so you know what to expect.

One of these is the AI Assistant (currently in beta, but usable). Like all AI tools, your mileage will vary, but we found it a useful tool to grab a quick summary of a file. Best of all, it doesn’t just work with PDF documents, but can also open and interact with Word, PowerPoint, TXT and RTF formats. Definitely worth having a look, especially since it’s free and as long as you don’t mind AI crawling through your data.

The other features look intriguing, as they allow you to edit and manipulate existing PDFs, but sadly - as you might’ve expected - you’ll need to pay to play with these. Even the tools designed to convert a PDF to other formats, such as those from Microsoft Office, are restricted in that way, although we were able to use it once. Maybe that was the ‘try before you buy’ sample. It did allow us to turn a PDF into a Word document, even giving us access to multiple text editing tools. But if it only works once at that tier level, it’s not really the most useful of services. It’s a shame as even the best free PDF editors we’ve tested often allow you to convert files without charge.  

  • Additional features: 2.5/5

Adobe Fill & Sign: Final verdict

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

Aside from filling a document yourself, you can send it to others for them to fill it in too (Image credit: Adobe)
  • A good, simple and efficient service, that doesn’t really need to show you tools that are only available to paying customers.

It’s easy to get lost in the Adobe Acrobat service, and get disillusioned that everything seems to be behind a paywall, but that’s really because the Fill & Sign service has a very narrow focus. Yes, other tools are dangled in front of you and will certainly entice some, but if all you need is an online service to upload your PDFs to, fill them in, sign them, insert comments, share them with others, and maybe even get them to sign them themselves, then this works exactly as you would expect. 

For some power-users, however, Adobe Acrobat Sign or the best Adobe Sign alternatives may suit workflows better. For quick and easy form-filling, it does the job well. Maybe it would be good if Adobe didn’t try and get potential new customers to buy a subscription for more potential goodies, but otherwise, it’s a very simple and efficient tool that works well.

Adobe Fill & Sign: Scorecard

Should I buy?

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

Visit Adobe’s Fill & Sign service, and upload a document to get started (Image credit: Adobe)

Buy it if...

You need a simple online service to fill in a PDFs, and enjoy a few extra goodies bundled in for free.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t like online services, especially those which only seem to be there to entice you to get a subscription service to access additional tools.


Adobe Fonts (2024) review
8:05 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Fonts! We all love fonts. Whether it’s to write a letter with something more unique than Helvetica, Arial or Times New Roman, or you’re looking for a defining new brand identity, fonts are crucial to our designing lives. 

We’ve tried out many of the best font resources free and paid, reviewed the best fonts for websites. Can’t get enough of ‘em. Even Google has its own selection of fonts, easily accessible and usable - so it’s little surprise Adobe would also have a selection available to its subscribers. But how does it compare? We put Adobe Fonts to the test.  

Adobe Fonts: Pricing & plans

  • Over 20,000 typefaces are bundled with most Adobe subscription packages, but there’s also a free option to gain access to around 1,500 fonts

As with most Adobe products, you’ll need a subscription to use Fonts - if you’re already a subscriber, there’s a good chance you already have access to it, as it’s included in many of Creative Cloud packages. As a rule of thumb, as long as you subscribe to at least one app (not a collection of models or stock for instance), you should have Fonts bundled in. You can check this by clicking on the subscription’s ‘see plan & pricing details’ link.

However, there is a free option. By signing in with an Adobe ID (if you haven’t already), you gain access to 1,500 of Adobe’s fonts at no extra charge. Yes, that’s around 7.5% of the entire collection, but it’s certainly better than nothing.

  • Pricing & plans: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: The website

Adobe Fonts during our tests

The Recommendations page shows you information and font that should be tailored to your needs (Image credit: Adobe)
  • A busy interface with many ways to find the exact font you’re after, either following the latest trends, using keywords, searching through specific foundries, the choice is vast

Adobe Fonts have their own dedicated website - you can check it out by clicking here

The home page displays the latest releases, along with a list of currently popular fonts, other interesting categories, and of course, a blog. There’s also a menu tab at the top and a search field. Everything you need to find the right typeface you’re looking for. 

If you have a subscription, the process is very simple: browse, look for what you like, then click on the font’s ‘add family’ button. This will make the font available in the Creative Cloud (CC) app. 

Without a subscription, you can still browse through Adobe’s collection but you might get frustrated seeing rows after rows of fonts which are ‘available in CC’, so make sure you untick ‘Show fonts available with Creative Cloud’, top left of the interface, to only be shown what’s free.

In either situation, once you’ve added the font, it’s yours to use in any Adobe app you have installed on your computer instantly. However, if you need to make it available to all software you use, there’s one more step that’s needed. It’s time to venture to the Creative Cloud app.

  • The website: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: The app

Adobe Fonts during our tests

Once you’ve chosen a new typeface, it’s instantly added to the Creative Cloud app (Image credit: Adobe)
  • Creative Cloud is the hub of everything Adobe on your computer, including its fonts; you can uninstall them from there and make them available to all software, not just the Adobe titles

The Creative Cloud app is the control center for all of Adobe’s apps installed on your computer. You can check which ones you have from there, uninstall those you no longer need, install new ones, update others, and of course, as is the focus of this review, this is where you get to see all the Adobe fonts you have on your machine.

All those you’ve added from the website are instantly shown here, but as mentioned above, can only be used with Adobe apps - for now. Click on each font’s download button to install it in such a way that other apps can now take advantage of them.

There is however a major difference between these fonts and those you might get from elsewhere: take the Mac as an example. All fonts usually get installed and managed via the Font Book app, except for the Adobe ones. These reside elsewhere, likely due to their permanent link to your subscription status, so a little trip to Font Book would not reveal those newly installed fonts, even though other apps can use them as expected. If you like to know where everything goes on your machine, that can be a bit frustrating, but on the plus side, the system works, and it works well: all fonts are instantly available, and you don’t even need to restart the apps you use to take advantage of them.

  • The app: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: Rights & licensing

Adobe Fonts during our tests

In order to use the font in apps made by companies other than Adobe, you need to install them from the Creative Cloud app (Image credit: Adobe)
  • You can use Adobe Fonts for personal and commercial projects - as long as you keep your subscription active

So, now that you’ve got Adobe Fonts installed on your computer, what can you do with them? Put simply, as long as your subscription is still active, you can use them in as many personal and commercial projects as you please. Cancel your subscription however, and as you’d expect, those rights go away.

If you download a lot of fonts and use them in non-Adobe apps, it’s also worth checking Creative Cloud every now and then to see if they’re still installed: every few months the app runs checks on your installed fonts, and if it decides they haven’t been used in a while, they’re quietly uninstalled during the background clean up process. So, if all of a sudden your favorite font no longer works in third party apps, that will probably be the reason why.

If that sounds like a bit of a pain, that’s because it is, but shrinking your font collection is done to optimize performance. Plus, you don’t need to venture back to the website to get them again: just take a look in Creative Clouds’ ‘Previously Added’ tab, where all uninstalled fonts will be. Adobe Fonts cannot be shared between users, unless of course those users have their own Adobe subscription.

  • Rights & licensing: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: Scorecard

Should I buy?

Adobe Fonts during our tests

Adobe’s Fonts are organized by categories, but are also easy to find through tags, search phrases, a trending list, and so on (Image credit: Adobe)

Buy it if...

You’re looking for new and original fonts curated by Adobe, through a well designed system that hasn’t glitched on us once.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t use Adobe apps and would rather get your fonts from other companies, likely those that don’t force you to subscribe to use their typefaces. 


Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) launches in North America with an improved stylus
7:41 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

Motorola's mid-range stylus-carrying smartphone range has a new member starting today. Meet the aptly named Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). This phone got leaked all the way back in January, and it's now official for North America. It comes with an improved stylus, which has a new design, a larger contact area, and improved software to make using it faster and easier. Latency has been reduced, note-taking simplified, and there's also a new UI for accessing stylus-related features. You can choose from any number of apps and your favorites will appear the moment you pop out the stylus. With...

Poco F6 Pro is identical to Redmi K70, Xiaomi accidentally reveals
6:57 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Xiaomi is working on a Poco F6 Pro and issued a public update for the phone despite it not being launched yet. The interesting part is the file also includes the phone's codename, which is Vermeer. And if that sounds familiar it's because it is also the model name for the Redmi K70. Xiaomi never reuses thoses, so this is clear evidence that the two phones are perfectly identical. This is the means that the Poco F6 Pro will match the Redmi K70, sporting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a 5,000 mAh battery. Previously we saw the Poco X6 Pro take after the Redmi K70E, althought the...

vivo Y28 4G is on the way, FCC certification reveals huge battery
6:02 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

vivo is working on the third Y28 smartphone to be launched soon. This will follow the Y28 from 2014, as well as the Y28 launched back in January. The new model will be 4G-only, unlike that one. The Y28 4G has been certified by the FCC, which means an international launch is happening. The certification has revealed the fact that the phone sports a huge 6,000 mAh typical capacity battery (implied by the certified rated capacity of 5,870 mAh). vivo Y28 5G The battery will charge at up to 44W, and the phone will ship with a 44W charger in the box. The device will run Android 14 with...

Sihoo Doro S300 ergonomic chair review
5:50 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Sihoo has introduced a new "gravity-defying" office chair that aims to redefine what it means to have the best ergonomic chair in the market. 

I've had the opportunity to test many of the best office chairs, including simple, cheap, and high-end chairs. The Sihoo Doro S300 is their most advanced ergonomic chair yet, designed to provide a weightless experience, full-body support, and dynamic lumbar support.

Sihoo Doro S300: Unboxing & first Impressions

Upon opening the box, I immediately noticed that this chair was unlike any other I had encountered. Some chairs come in one piece, while others require only a few main pieces to connect. However, this one was exceptional in every way. 

The back pieces were distinct, the chair was pretty heavy, and there were significantly more springs and adjustments than I am used to seeing in chairs. Additionally, there felt like quite a large number of pieces to assemble, taking me about 45 minutes to assemble, which is quite long.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Once I had finished assembling everything, I agreed with the marketing promotion that this chair appeared to defy gravity and resembled a space chair. The chair has a great look and a sophisticated design, making it highly customizable to suit the preferences and dimensions of virtually any user, which is excellent. Most chairs with lumbar support have a single lumbar section that spans the width of the backrest. 

This chair uniquely has two sections that hold your lower back in place on the left and right. I spent a few minutes dialing in my preferred tension settings and other height and armrest settings while getting used to the lower back support. In full transparency, it took a moment to get used to it, but I loved it once I got used to the feeling of this dual dynamic lumbar support.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Sihoo Doro S300: Design & build quality

Specs

Seat Depth: 17.13 - 18.11in

Seat Height: 18.11 - 21.65in

Weight Load: 300lb

Warranty: Extended 5-year warranty

This chair's overall design is unique, futuristic, and highly adjustable. The main selling points that Sihoo totes for this chair include their Anti-Gravity Mechanism, Dual Dynamic Lumbar Support, Cloud-like Mesh with Italian Velvet, and Premium Independent Backrest. In short, these incredible Aerospace-grade materials make the Doro S300 stand out, even among other Sihoo chairs.

Besides the design, game changers are two main elements that stood out to me. Firstly, the dual lumbar support provides lumbar support and helps align you with the center of the chair. This helps to cradle your back in the best way possible. It's as though you have some helping hands cradling the area of the back that usually hurts people like me the most, and it is highly appreciated. Secondly, the spring seat support significantly improves over column-based or no suspensions. Like a car, this chair has suspension, cushions my drop as I sit down, and adjusts, helping support my weight even if I sit unevenly. Most chairs I have tested have no suspension like this or a simple column-based solution that is far from as good.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Sihoo Doro S300: In use

I've used this chair daily at one of my workspaces for a few months. In that time, I have gotten comfortable and used to how this chair feels and how I feel using it, and I have firmed up a pretty solid feeling about it overall. 

The backrest and back support are among the best I have experienced. This chair holds me while I sit without forcing me to sit a certain way, which is truly impressive. It supports my lower back and mid-to-upper back very well.

The armrests on Sihoo chairs have always been a problem for me. I am used to armrests that can lock in place, but the Sihoo chairs I have reviewed, including the Sihoo Doro-C300, have highly movable armrests. While this is great for adjusting them to the perfect position, the problem is that they need to stay in place. This makes it difficult to lean on them because the armrest moves the second I add weight with a slight angle to the pressure I am adding.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

One more note, neither positive nor negative, is that this chair could have a headrest. If you like head support, this chair gives upper back support but stops around the neck area on me. For this workspace, I am okay with having a chair without a headrest; however, I would miss having one in my home office, where I relax and kick back to read. 

Lastly, the build quality of this chair has been fantastic over the last few months. I used tours heavily for a while to get a complete picture of how they work and what I do and don't like about them, and this chair has given me zero problems outside of the armrests being a bit too mobile. They have improved the armrests since my Doro-C300, but they are still too mobile for my liking. Outside, this chair has not creaked, slipped, worn, or shown any other sign of poor assembly or design.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Sihoo Doro S300: Final verdict

The Sihoo Doro S300 is a high-quality ergonomic office chair. As mentioned, I have one frustration with this chair: the armrests do not lock in place. Other than that, this chair has been incredible for my workspace. It provides all-day comfort, supports me well, and looks gorgeous.

Sihoo promotes this chair as a space-like gravity-defying chair, and after trying it out for a few months, I can agree. Especially for the money, this chair is worth considering for your workspace.


Kitting out the office? We put the best standing desks to the test. 

Bluetti AC200L power station review
5:48 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

The Bluetti AC200L promises an expandable power station solution. Boasting a 2400W AC output (or 3600W in Power Lifting Mode), does it provide the ideal back-up power supply? We put the Bluetti AC200L power station to the test.  

Bluetti AC200L: Packaging

The Bluetti AC200L came in a large plain looking cardboard box with wrap-around plastic straps and additional cardboard edge protectors.

You couldn’t exactly call this a portable power station. In total the Bluetti AC200L including packaging weighed in a hefty 33kg, so would need two people to move it comfortably and safely.

Inside the outer box was another, equally plain looking cardboard box only with the product name attached to it. Note that you must keep this second box in order to honour the warranty, also getting this second box out of the first was a task in and of itself.

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Opening the main box revealed the documentation and small sack of accessory wires.

The Bluetti AC200L itself was wrapped in a plastic sheath and sandwiched between two large polystyrene bumpers, top and bottom. Once out I was able to take stock of what was provided other than the Bluetti AC200L and documentation.

  • AC power cord with UK plug to charge the Bluetti AC200L
  • A 12v car cigarette plug to XT90 connector
  • A MC4 connectors to XT90
  • XT90 connector to DC plug;
  • A small grounding screw

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Bluetti AC200L: Fit & feel

The Bluetti AC200L came with a 55% rate which is normal for its LiFePO4 chemistry for storage and transport.

The Bluetti AC200L weighs in at around 28kgs, it is made of a dark grey plastic material with a pretty stripey like texture all around, it comes with large rubberised feet to allow it to feel planted on any relatively flat surface.

Part of its design (and it does need it) are two very large carry handles on either side to ease with transportation.

The front and left side are the main working parts of the battery that consumers would interact with various sockets and ports for charging and using.

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

At the front of the unit are the following:

4 x UK sockets providing 230v with a total combined sustained output of 2400w

2 x USB-C both capable of outputting 100w each

2 x USB-A 18W max each

1 x 12v (max 10A) car charger port

1 x 48v DC (max 8A) normally used for RVs

Power on/off button and;

Lastly the large information LCD display screen

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

At the side are the following ports:

AC input (proprietary socket)

DC Input (proprietary socket)

And a Battery expansion port

Also on this side are the circuit breaker and a grounding pole

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

All sockets have captive rubber gaskets over them however the Bluetti AC200L itself does not have an IP rating. 

Bluetti AC200L: In use

Having taken receipt of the Bluetti AC200L the first thing I wanted to do was charge it to 100% and here is where I spotted the first design flaw. The AC and DC charging ports are proprietary sockets, so don’t go losing those charging cables. Furthermore when trying to plug the AC cable in which has three pins corresponding to live, neutral and earth, the socket and plug is keyed to prevent crossing the lines but without a clear indication as to which way “UP” is supposed to be, I spent a good few seconds twisting the plug to get the key right before plugging the AC cord it.

There are numbers embossed on the AC, corresponding to each pin and socket, but they are very small and hard to see, especially in low light conditions. Scroll through the gallery below to see the AC example.

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

I also noted that the DC input has a proprietary socket, again keyed to prevent crossing the negative and positive without a clear indication as to where up is on the plug itself. The plug has a single piece of cable attached to it terminating in a XT90 female connector. From that you then plug in a male XT90 terminating with either the Solar Panel MC4 connector or 12V car charger plug. 

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

I found Bluetti’s decision to use proprietary plugs and sockets for the AC and DC charging on the ACC200L an odd choice. If you were to lose either or both cables then you would have to source them directly from Bluetti. At my last look the AC power cable for the AC200L isn’t available on Bluetti’s UK website, but one for the AC300 retails at £29.99.

It would have made more sense to just have a common AC power socket like those found on common desktop computers such as the IEC C14 and for DC just to incorporate the XT90 plug in the body of the battery, other competitor batteries and battery brands do it.

I noted that at left on normal charging mode the unit drew down 1200kWh, it charged the unit within an hour with a quiet yet audible fan whirr. There are other modes of charging, Turbo for when you want the unit ready as soon as possible and Silent which keeps the internal fan off at the cost of a slower charging speed.

The Bluetti AC200L can be charged from multiple sources and even allows through charging where it can provide power to a device whilst itself is charging. Of course, it can be charged from the grid using the provided AC charging cable, it can be charged via DC using the provided cable and the plugging into the female XT90 connector the appropriate DC input, be it the DC car charger or Solar Panels from the MC4 connectors provided. Alternatively, it can also be charged from a car battery with a separately available cable with crocodile clips.

Once fully charged I was able to use it, the first task I performed with it was to use it for one of the most mundane household tasks, which also draws the most electrical energy, Ironing.

It was then I noted a major flaw. It is evident that the 230v socket section was designed with either US or EU style plugs in mind where the cord comes straight out unlike UK plugs where the cord comes out the bottom. This means that whilst the bottom two sockets and their rubber covers fit UK plugs without issue, the top sockets won’t. The rubber cover for the top sockets are positioned above the sockets, the sockets are turned 180 degrees so that the earth pin is now at the bottom and this means that where the cord would normally come out the bottom, it now goes upwards causing it to foul with the rubber cover. Whilst you could force it in this may place undue stress on the cord or the rubber cover.

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Using a power Steam Generator iron, I completed a one and a half hours’ worth of ironing with the iron drawing up to 2200W at times. This brought the battery from 100% to 40%, the Bluetti AC200L was able to do this without breaking a sweat. 

Charging the battery back up again, I was then able to use it to cook various food stuffs in our air fryer, again the Bluetti AC200L provided the energy needed to run such a high demand item. It ran our under-counter freezer no problem however I was unable to test the duration but in an emergency power outage it would be a good go-to product.

With regards to its combined 2400W output, according to the documentation it can actually (albeit briefly) output 3600W and a “power lifting” mode for use on high resistive loads such as kettles, this must be set manually using the buttons and is not to be on default.

I noted that one of its useful features would be to charge it up overnight on cheaper electricity, then use it about the house during the day (weight withstanding) to reduce the dependence on peak price electricity.

The large LCD display screen was very useful in monitoring live energy input/output from all sources, the screen displays percentage of battery remaining, roughly in time how much is left depending on the discharge as well as what the battery is dis/charging at and where.

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

There is an app available for the battery allowing you to monitor DC in/out, AC in /out and various other features to configure. The AC200L has a Bluetooth connection for local use and even Wi-Fi for remote use. Some will like the app functionality; others won't and frankly it's just another app in the catalogue of apps on most phones. 

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Bluetti app in use during our review

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti app in use during our review

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Also of note is a battery expansion port which can be used to extend the capacity of the AC200L, there are separately available Bluetti B210, 230 and 300 expansion batteries available. Sadly, whilst the AC200L does have the expansion port which can have current flowing both ways for dis/charge, it cannot be used as part of an excess Solar store system for a residential home, despite Bluetti having a Solar micro inverter and battery charger (the A80 and D100S respectively), these are not compatible with the AC200L.

A shame really and possibly a missed opportunity, competitor products such as the EcoFlow PowerStream allows you use most of their battery line ups to do just this, though not yet available in the UK, rumours are it’s coming soon.

A noted and useful feature is that this battery can be used as a UPS providing power to equipment in the event of a grid power loss with near instant switchover and true sine wave output as some equip is sensitive to stepped wave inputs.

Should I buy the Bluetti AC200L

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
Our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S24+ comparison video is out
5:07 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

If you’re in the market for a flagship Android phone then the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S24+ have surely come across your radar. Our latest YouTube video goes over all of the key comparisons between the two devices to help you pick the one that’s right for you. As the more expensive device, S24 Ultra gets a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor on the front and back. The S24+ is the more compact phone and still features a premium-feeling aluminum frame. The Plus is also noticeably lighter at 196 grams compared to the Ultra's 232 grams. Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S24+ Both...

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 review
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Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off
Specs

Type: color A3 inkjet printer 

Functions: Print only 

Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet 

Data storage slots: None    

Print speed: 25ppm (mono) 

Paper capacity: 500 sheets

Print quality: 4,800 x 2,400 dpi

Scan quality: 1,200 x 2,400 dpi

Apple AirPrint: yes 

Consumables included: 4x setup cartridges (350 mono pages, 300 color)

Dimensions/Weight: 515 x 400 x 298 mm (WxDxH)/13.5kg

The big Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is a wide-format inkjet printer that uses vivid DURABrite Ultra pigment inks to churn out a high volume of glossy color pages at print-shop quality. With two 250-sheet input trays and XXL-yield ink cartridges available, it could suit a microbusiness or SMB with a busy and varied workflow. 

Despite its impressive capacity, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is competitively priced at around US$250 (about £210). There’s no fancy touchscreen interface, but it does have 5GHz Wi-Fi with AirPrint compatibility, a rapid print rate of 25ppm (pages per minute) and the ability to print on any size of paper or card up to A3+. But is it one of the best small business printers? Can it produce just about any kind of brochure or handout with a professional finish? We put it to the test.  

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Design & build

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

What looks like a very large black box is actually a reasonably compact inkjet printer, given that it can handle A3+ size paper and store a whole ream of it in its twin paper trays. To load Tabloid or A3 sheets, you need to extend the paper drawers so it actually gets bigger, but it’s still way smaller than any wide-format laser printer. 

Above the paper trays is the output tray and then the tilting control panel with its 6.1cm color LCD. Unfortunately, that display is not a touchscreen, so you’ll have to press the buttons alongside to operate it. At the back are connections for USB and Ethernet cables and a flap on top at the rear reveals the multipurpose input tray. This is especially useful for one-off print jobs because the paper path from here is quite flat, making it possible to print onto quite thick card. 

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 hinges open to reveal the four DURABrite inkjet cartridges. The supplied setup carts do not contain much ink, as is so often the case, but you can buy XXL carts which contain enough to yield up to 2,200 pages. 

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Features & specifications

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

Being a mid-price print-only device, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 doesn’t bother with premium features like a touchscreen interface, NFC connectivity and a front USB Host port, but instead concentrates on specifications that will boost productivity and performance, such as the dual paper trays, rapid print speed and high print resolution. 

The PrecisionCore printhead has a more dense nozzle array than cheaper Epson printers, with 256 nozzles per color and 800 for black. They deliver an image resolution of 4,800 x 2,400 DPI. And unlike Epson’s EcoTank range of ink tank printers, which uses soluble dye inks, the inks in this WorkForce printer are all pigment based. That makes printouts more durable and faster drying to better suit a busy office.

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

There are three paper trays in all, with the two main trays each holding up to 250 sheets of Tabloid or A3. Being an inkjet, it can print on a very wide selection of media, including coated photo paper, envelopes and thick card. 5GHz Wi-Fi is built in, with Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint compatibility.

It prints quite quickly for an inkjet, with the rate for simplex monochrome pages given as 25ppm (pages per minute) and 12ppm for color pages. That’s slower than a laser printer of course, but the heat-free inkjet technology means there is no warm-up time so the FPOT (first page out time) is faster than your average laser.

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Setup & operation

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

The bundled setup instructions are very clear, but you won’t need them because when you turn on the printer for the first time, messages will appear on its display telling you exactly what to do. Setting the date and time is a bit tedious using the buttons and operating this printer would certainly be quicker with a touchscreen interface. 

However, I didn’t have any problems working with the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310, and its three convenient paper trays and prompt printing made it very easy to use. There’s also a decent companion app called Epson Smart Panel for monitoring and controlling the printer remotely.  

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Performance

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 performed well in all of our tests. It printed as quickly as advertised with no paper jams or misprints. In fact, it managed to print on considerably heavier paper than Epson recommends. Thanks to the relatively flat paper path from the rear multipurpose tray, I was able to feed through some pretty thick card with satisfying results.

Pages of plain text emerge at a steady rate in auto duplex mode and the bold black pigment looks very professional on plain paper. Turning to mixed color documents, the results are similarly striking. Using pigment-based C/M/Y inks in suspension instead of the more usual soluble dye-based inks, means the pages dry faster and the colors stand out more. The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is great for eye-catching brochures. It’s also pretty good at photographs. Feed it some glossy photo paper and you’ll get some near print-shop quality snaps back. It can’t match Epson’s photo printer range for image quality, which tend to use five or six dye-based inks to achieve a more natural finish than this office printer can manage, but it’s still impressive. 

Best of all, it can print on A3+ paper, so turning out vivid posters is quick and easy. However, we burned through the ink in our setup cartridges pretty quickly, so while the performance was undoubtedly strong, it comes at a cost. 

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Final verdict

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

This cartridge inkjet printer might not suit every small business, it’s not the absolute best printer we’ve ever tested, and it’s never going to be competitive when it comes to CCP (cost per page), but for those that need to print large professional-looking brochures on a regular basis, it could be ideal. The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 prints quickly and well. Those fast-drying DURABrite pigment inks look great on a wide variety of media, including the kind of thick card that would choke most printers. 

With two separate paper trays, each of them able to hold 250 sheets of A3/Tabloid paper and another multipurpose tray at the rear, this high-capacity printer is very convenient to use. It’s a pity there’s no touchscreen interface, or NFC reader, but that won’t stop us from highly recommending this capable color inkjet.  


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