Gadgets - Organizer

This people search finder covers all the bases, but it’s not perfect

5:42 pm | March 21, 2025

In an era where online information is readily accessible and increasingly scrutinized, search engines have become standard tools for various purposes, ranging from reconnecting with lost contacts to conducting background checks.

ZabaSearch, a long-standing player in this field, claims to provide access to many public records, including contact details, addresses, and other personal information.

This review will examine ZabaSearch's functionality and effectiveness, focusing on its usability, accuracy, and ethical considerations related to its data aggregation practices. We will explore whether ZabaSearch fulfills its promises, assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of using the service, and ultimately determine if it is a reliable resource in the complex landscape of online people search platforms.

Plans and pricing

ZabaSearch operates on a “freemium” model, providing some basic information for free, such as names, ages, and addresses. However, access to more detailed information, including phone numbers and comprehensive reports, requires a paid subscription. Monthly plans start at approximately $25 for unlimited reports.

How it works

ZabaSearch is a comprehensive online platform that aggregates publicly available information from a diverse array of legal sources. These sources predominantly include official public records, such as phone directories, property records, voter registration lists, court records, and various other accessible databases. By tapping into these resources, ZabaSearch aims to facilitate user searches by consolidating pertinent information in one location.

When users initiate a search on ZabaSearch, the platform employs sophisticated algorithms to scan its extensive database for matching entries. It efficiently cross-references the inputted search criteria—such as names, locations, or phone numbers—against its compiled records. The result is a user-friendly summary that may include various details such as names, addresses, approximate ages, and in some cases, associated individuals.

While the platform provides access to basic information at no charge, more granular data often necessitates a paid subscription. This premium content can include sensitive details like unlisted phone numbers, detailed background checks, criminal history reports, and additional personal data that may be relevant for more thorough investigations.

It is critical for users to understand that the accuracy and reliability of the information offered by ZabaSearch are heavily contingent on the source material from which it derives its data. Public records vary in their accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Therefore, while ZabaSearch can be a valuable tool for gathering initial information, users should exercise caution and verify the results through additional research or official channels when necessary.

Features

ZabaSearch is primarily a people search engine that aggregates publicly available information about individuals. Its main function allows users to find contact details, mainly addresses and occasionally phone numbers, by entering a name. A significant aspect of ZabaSearch is its "freemium" model; it provides basic information like names, ages, and addresses for free, while more detailed data—such as unlisted phone numbers or background reports—requires a subscription.

The platform indexes a wide variety of public records, including phone directories, property records, and voter registration lists, with the goal of offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's publicly accessible information. The interface is relatively straightforward, making it easy for users to conduct searches. However, the accuracy of the search results depends heavily on the currency of the underlying source data. In summary, ZabaSearch's key features include basic people searches, a freemium access model, aggregation of public records, and varying levels of detail based on subscription status.

The competition

ZabaSearch operates in a competitive landscape of online people search engines, facing direct competition from several established players. Its main competitors include platforms like WhitePages, which provides similar services for finding contact information and background details. Other notable competitors are AnyWho, known for its people search and reverse phone lookup capabilities, and Intelius, which offers more extensive background check services.

Additionally, websites like PeekYou and PeopleFinders compete in this space, providing various levels of information aggregation and search functionalities. These platforms all compete for users by offering access to public records, contact details, and background information, though they differ in their pricing models, data accuracy, and the comprehensiveness of their databases. The competition is intense, prompting these services to continuously update their data and address user privacy concerns.

Interface

ZabaSearch offers a straightforward and user-friendly interface that makes navigation easy. The homepage prominently features a search bar where users can enter a name, city, and state to begin their search. Results are displayed in a clear list format, providing basic information such as names, ages, and addresses.

The design prioritizes simplicity by avoiding complex graphics and menus, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical skill. Although the layout is functional, it may seem outdated compared to more modern websites. The site primarily focuses on delivering search results quickly and efficiently rather than prioritizing elaborate visual aesthetics.

The overall layout allows users to scan results, helping them quickly identify potential matches. However, this simplicity may also mean that advanced filtering or sorting options are limited.

Final verdict

In conclusion, ZabaSearch has both advantages and limitations. On the positive side, its "freemium" model allows users to access basic information without any immediate cost, and it aggregates public records, which can be helpful for locating individuals or verifying addresses. However, the accuracy of the information provided depends on the quality of the source data, which can sometimes be outdated or incomplete. Additionally, the need for a paid subscription to access detailed information raises concerns about accessibility and value.

The ethical implications of having personal data readily available cannot be overlooked, as privacy remains a significant issue. While ZabaSearch can be a useful tool for certain purposes, users should tread carefully, being aware of the potential for inaccuracies and carefully considering the privacy implications before using its services. Overall, ZabaSearch offers a functional, but not flawless, service within the competitive landscape of online people search engines, and users should exercise discernment when interpreting its results.

Take a look at the best free people search finder service

I reviewed the Autonomous SmartDesk 5 and now I’m wondering if this be the perfect desk for minimalistic desk lovers

5:02 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: Control Panel | Comments: Off

The Autonomous SmartDesk 5 is a beautiful desk. It's sleek and modern and has been purposefully designed to appeal to the creative and "sleek-tech-loving" markets. On the purchasing page, Autonomous touts that many big-tech employees have purchased this desk from Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and more.

Over the last several years, the concept of something being "what Apple would do" has been a common way to describe things. Apple has a distinguished way of designing simplistic and minimalistic beauty in their products. I see Apple or Google releasing this desk. It's clean, well-designed, minimal, smooth, elegant and beautiful, and in this regard, it's one of the best standing desks I've tested.

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Price and Availability

The Autonomous SmartDesk 5 is sold for $599 through the Autonomous website by clicking here, and through selected retailers. They have bulk discounts if you're buying for the office, and they have two height options. Three colorway options allow you to pick the best color for your space.

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Unboxing & first impressions

The packaging for the Autonomous SmartDesk 5 is well-organized and very secure. All parts arrived in excellent condition without a scratch or a dent in the pieces. In one box, I got the desktop itself; in another, I got the legs, feet, and other accessories.

Right off the bat, I loved how smooth the desktop texture was and how simple the setup was. All the necessary parts were in the box, though I used my electric screwdriver set to speed things up.

Once everything was put together, I quickly grabbed a mouse to check just how great the tracking was since this is something that Autonomous heavily promotes. The mouse on the desk's surface was accurate, responsive, and uncomfortable. Granted, I still prefer the feel of a deskpad, but that may be due to familiarity. I tried out an Apple Magic Mouse, a Logitech MX Master 3, a Logitech MX Anywhere, a mouse from ProtoArc, and even a Dell mouse. All of them tracked well on the surface of the Smart Desk 5.

I'm happy to see C-shaped legs on this desk. I've tried a lot of different desk leg types, and for most people, C-shaped is the way to go. It helps get the legs out of the way of your... well, legs... and pushes them back so you won't knock your knees while twisting around in your fancy ergonomic chair.

Another thing that I loved was the cable management. I'm used to having this be a feature or add-on that I must assemble or figure out independently. There are some offerings from Ergonofis, and I have come to love some more from Flexispot, but they have frequently been add-ons. With the Smart Desk 5, though, it's built-in. There is a nice drop-down that tucks things away nicely. However, I had to add another power strip on the back right of the desk because my desks usually need more than four outlets, but hey, that's just me. You could run a simpler desk. I would like to have mine ready for anything and serve multiple purposes.

The last thing I'll mention on first impressions is the control surface. This reminds me of the Beflo Tenon or several others moving to this surface-mounted control panel. While these are super nice not to hit your chair on, using the desk is a very different experience. For example, if you are someone who uses a desk pad, now you need to keep an eye out for not hitting this pad, or if you rest your arms on the desk, lean on the desk, or put things on your desk other than work, all of those are scenarios in which you need to watch out, but all in all, it's not a bad thing at all.

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Design & build quality

Specs

Dimensions: 53”L x 29”W x 1.2”H
Frame Type: C-frame design
Motor Type: Dual motors
Height Range: Adjustable from 24" to 50"
Weight Capacity: Up to 330 lbs
Surface Material: High-density fiberboard (HDF) with smooth-touch finish
Color Options: Meteor Grey, Titanium White, Stone Desert
Control Panel: Integrated touchscreen
Cable Management: Built-in system with power outlets

The Autonomous Smart Desk 5 is made of a 1.2-inch HDF material on the desk, with a C-shaped frame, legs, rounded edges, and three modern colorways. In addition to these high-quality materials, Autonomous includes bag hooks, a touchscreen built into the top of the desk, and fantastic cable management, helping the design feel streamlined and minimal while staying highly functional and beautiful.

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: In use

I've had this desk in rotation for a while now, and it's been great so far. There have been a few instances where the touchscreen takes a second to respond, but other than that, this desk is terrific. As you can see in the photos, I have it set up with a single BenQ RD320UA monitor, the Grovemade Studio Pad and vertical laptop holder, the Logitech MX Master 3, the SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard, a cheap desk shelf off Amazon and a few other accessories.

I wanted to create a relaxing yet multi-functional workspace for one of my team members, and the SmartDesk 5 is the perfect candidate. It's decent, not too big or small, and the material is gorgeous in most locations. I've had this desk set up in a couple of different places to test it out, and in all of them, this grey looked stunning.

As I mentioned, the touch control can be slow to respond sometimes. Regardless, having the three-height presets has been great. I could set this desk at an excellent sitting height, a great "working on something height," and a wonderful "standing and working" height. Sadly, I wish to move the studio pad down a hair more, but it stops at the top of the built-in keypad. However, this is not the end of the world.

While the materials used, the great size, the smooth mechanics, the sleek top, and the rounded edges are all great, the actual great feature of this desk is the cable management. As I mentioned, it's not only great but easily expandable. I added a power strip (admittedly, one I had from FlexiSpot) to the back right of the desk to give me some more outlets since I knew this would be a powerful, multi-use desk. Other than that, having the drop-down for quickly accessing and adjusting, having the spot to wrap cables, and having it all lift and tuck away is beautiful, and I hope other desk companies are taking note.

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Final verdict

As a desk for the masses, the SmartDesk 5 delivers. It's an all-around excellent desk; it's beautiful, sleek, smart (heh, SmartDesk), functional, and durable. It's built for professionals, though it could be used by gamers, home officers, creatives, or anyone looking for a quality desk.

I survived Atomfall’s testing countryside and became an ethically murky mercenary

5:00 pm |

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

In Atomfall, you play as a total unknown, risen from a bunker and confronted by a bleeding scientist begging for help. Whether you assist them or not is up to you, but what’s important to know is that you’re in the Windscale Atom Zone, you shouldn’t be here, and ‘it’s all gone wrong’.

One more thing, actually, is that the only way out is through the ‘Interchange’... whatever that is. Armed with a keycard and literally nothing else, you emerge from the dingy, dilapidated bunker into a gorgeous world flush with as many blooming flowers as there are gun-toting lunatics.

From this point on, the choice of where you go is entirely up to you, the only obstacle in your way being how long you can stay alive. Decisions make up most of Atomfall, an intriguing role-playing game (RPG) that takes cues from Bethesda’s beloved Fallout series. It dances between enthralling and frustrating, but all told, Atomfall is a hilarious jaunt through rural Britain that begs the question – why aren’t more survival games set in the north?

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: March 24, 2025

On my journey out of the bunker, I opted for a conflict-averse route, trailing past a ringing telephone booth and down toward the central plot point on the horizon: a dangerous-looking power plant featuring a plume of swirling purple around it. Down the country lane, I came upon a ginger bearded straggler, Nat, who generously caught me up on the town gossip.

Between bouts of endearing slang, Nat explains that the ‘boffins’ are all gone after an incident at the plant and that all that remains are loons and outlaws. Before taking my leave, Nat offered me one more piece of information: there’s a trader down the way who could help me find some survival goods.

Chasing leads is a major part of Atomfall's semi-apocalyptic gameplay loop. In place of specific missions or levels, your job is to chinwag with as many willing non-player characters (NPCs) as possible to find clues about what is happening and who you could be.

The other half of your time is spent managing your heart rate as you bludgeon strangers and loot as much ammunition, bandages, and cornish pasties as your inventory will allow. It’s a simple set-up that’s surprisingly challenging, with essential items like cloth and gunpowder appearing sparsely across the map, limiting your ammo and healing supplies.

Thankfully, if you did want to make things slightly more beginner-friendly, Atomfall’s comprehensively customizable difficulty options allow you to tweak specific gameplay aspects like item drop rates and NPC aggro into a specific ‘playstyle’.

Knackered and afraid

There is a series of central districts to explore as you wander across Atomfall’s approachably sized map, with pathways connecting each area. Some are clear to find and appear as menacing metal doors, while others are obscured and hidden within cave systems, or behind enemy lines.

You can crawl under broken doors, vault over fences and windows, and squeeze between cracked cement blocks in search of new spots, and I was impressed by how vulnerable I felt while trying to navigate the claustrophobic housing clusters, ruins, and mines. I certainly didn’t explore every nook and cranny in my campaign, but the shortcuts I earned soon became a blessing, aiding with the fatigue of sprinting between one district to get to another.

On its recommended difficulty setting, Atomfall’s map doesn’t add specific waypoints when you pick up leads to follow and instead requires you to discern your next move with the information at hand. Some folks will help you orienteer, but for the most part, it’s you and your sense of direction.

At first, this fed into my decision anxiety, and I wasn’t sure where to turn, though soon enough, I let my intuition take the wheel, dashing through fields, flashing my sickle at anyone who looked at me the wrong way and getting into a few heavy-handed scraps. It’s a refreshing approach to exploration that leads to many thrilling encounters, far from the typical hand-holding we’ve come to expect in contemporary RPGs.

As you chart Atomfall’s major districts you’ll come face-to-face with the factions that ultimately come to define your experience in this morally-murky playground. There’s the brutish British infantry known as Protocol, the heretic-hating Druids, and vicious, Droog-like Outlaws. In the wild, you can also find curious outliers like trapped scientists, rogue traders, stately poshos and infected monsters who all have their own prerogatives, the last one being your brains.

Unfortunately, Atomfall’s narrative isn’t nearly as thorough as Fallout: New Vegas and the questions it lays up don’t all have satisfying answers. But there are still tough — if not a little predictable – decisions to be made in its endgame. Best of all, the lead ensemble of NPCs is a memorable bunch who approach this imagination-stoking situation with challenging perspectives, colored in with witty dialogue.

Best bit: Not elementary, my dear Watson

Progressing in Atomfall isn’t just about firepower. To move forward, you’ll also have to dust off your best deerstalker and investigate the motivations behind the various factions that litter the broken British landscape. Alongside conversing with the straight-faced locals, you can pilfer their belongings and find secret notes that allude to their true feelings, summoning campaign-changing leads that are worth following up on. You can also shoot first and ask questions later, of course – just be sure not to take everything at face value.

Atomfall hides a creative post-currency trading system between its complex moral figureheads. Instead of trawling the dales for pounds and pennies, the items you collect accrue a ‘weight’ that can be counterbalanced with another trader’s goods.

Bread isn’t as valuable as a gun, and you’ll need quite a few baker's dozens to earn one. While personally, I think bread is more valuable than a weapon, the process helped to push me into the wilds in search of better bits and bobs — and inevitably into mysterious, illuminating outposts, I would have never found otherwise.

Alas, if bartering doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s also a crafting system where you can turn the objects you find into functional parts and subsist that way. With plenty of systems at play and a small-but-handy skill tree, I soon felt as if I was tailoring my playthrough as I went, and would find it hard to replicate in another playthrough. Ultimately, Atomfall’s greatest strength is how it makes following your nose so consistently alluring.

An early screenshot of Atomfall. — (Image credit: Rebellion)

Fighting words

Yet despite all the engaging interactions with leaders and citizens, Atomfall’s more limited gameplay suite can shatter some of the immersion. For example, I could go into the pub and chat with the owner about trading. Then, walk behind him, steal his stuff, and sell it back to him, no questions asked.

Certain areas are restricted, signified by a ‘Trespassing’ graphic at the top of the screen. However, the distinction felt at odds with my actions—Why was I more likely to get punished for robbing an empty house than a town hall in front of a military captain?

At one point, I tested the boundaries by killing a soldier in the light of day. With no comrades around, I silently took him out and fled the scene briefly. Upon my return, it appeared nothing had changed, with soldiers spouting the same few lines as if one of them hadn’t been murdered.

The captain didn’t seem bothered, either. Beyond the major and often-material impact of major decisions (as well as a few tannoy announcements), I didn’t get the moment-to-moment sense that anyone was all that aware of my plots and schemes, or who I was planning to betray for the narrative I wanted.

And while Atomfall’s combat is appropriately desperate, it’s also a bit janky and lethargic, lacking a few conventional coats of polish. Particularly, the enemy AI is aberrant, and will often react in an unusual manner that can shut down your dreams of a rewarding stealthy infiltration. Lacklustre platforming also takes the wind out of the game’s sails, with what may feel like simple maneuvers often taking a few tries.

Despite these limitations, Atomfall does well to keep you on your toes with enemy-shaped speedbumps (read: massive robots) and some slick side quests. There were also plenty of instances where I felt frustrated enough to want to put down the controller before I realized the solution could be much simpler if I approached it from a different angle.

At its best, there are shades of a deeper RPG here, but it doesn’t quite have the mechanical backing to fulfill this proposal. Even so, while the systemic scope of Atomfall isn’t massive, the small world it conjures feels rich and full all the way to its atmospheric finale – or at least the atmospheric finale I chose.

Should you play Atomfall?

Play it if...

You love a northern British accent
While many games on the market opt for the BBC British accent, Atomfall leans hard into its Cumbrian setting, providing a variety of accents – beyond British alone – that are a joy to hear.

You want to experience a British post-apocalypse
Technically, Atomfall is a localized event rather than a full-blown apocalypse. Still, seeing a world-shattering event set around the Cumbrian dales is a rare experience that Rebellion does well to imagine.

Don't play it if...

You want fine-tuned gameplay
An intriguing premise does well to paste over the sharper edges of Atomfall’s combat and platforming, which are both fairly mediocre.

Accessibility

You can alter your accessibility settings from the pause menu anytime while playing Atomfall. There are multiple options to tweak your playstyle including combat, survival, and exploration. Each option can be toggled between Assisted, Casual, Challenging, and Intense. Combat impacts the enemy aggression and spawn numbers, Survival affects how frequently loot drops and how generous trading is, and Exploration affects your map and traversal options.

You can toggle how frequently you would like the game to autosave, as well as manually save at any point from the pause menu. From the Gameplay submenu in settings, you can also toggle on Pause Game in Menus to ensure you won’t get into trouble when looking at your inventory or the map.

Where combat is concerned, players can toggle on Melee and Aim Assist, Snap Aiming, and Automatic Fire and Reload. There are also sliders to control Aim, Look, and Hip Fire sensitivity from the Control submenu of the setting. From here you can also switch the controller vibration and adaptive triggers on or off.

For audio, there are multiple sliders to control specific streams of audio such as background SFX and Music. Plus for subtitles, you can change the subtitle color, speaker color, and subtitle box opacity to suit your preferences.

How I reviewed Atomfall

I completed Atomfall’s main story on PlayStation 5 in approximately sixteen hours and experienced two of its multiple endings. I teamed my PS5 console with an AOC 27-inch QHD VA 144Hz gaming monitor, a regular DualSense controller, and external Creative Pebble V2 computer speakers.

First reviewed March 2025

I wouldn’t take the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank on extreme adventures, but it’s great for my basic traveling needs

4:10 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank: review

The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is a small power bank with an integrated USB-C cable for added convenience, making it ideal for light travelers. The smart, minimalist looks are welcome too. The Ice Blue colorway I had looked classy, but there’s a Tan variant if you want something a little lighter. Both models are elegant and complement the sleek form of the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank.

In keeping with its uncluttered approach, there’s no screen or interface to speak off, aside from a power check button and four discreet LED dots to indicate battery and charging status. Despite their small size, they’re pleasingly bright, which makes them easy to see at a glance or at a distance.

I also appreciated the small form factor, with its square shape taking up little room. This is all the more impressive considering its 10,000mAh capacity, as not even some of the best power banks this size have such a small footprint. However, it’s thicker than some of them, and while the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank isn’t exactly heavy, it’s not the lightest either.

The plastic material body feels reasonably premium, as it’s smooth to the touch and feels solidly constructed. However, the stress relief for the integrated USB-C cable seems quite flimsy, and I wouldn’t trust it to withstand too many bends or prolonged squashing, so I’d be careful when packing it deep inside a bag. I also wouldn’t use it as a carrying handle, although in fairness, Xiaomi doesn’t mention this as a feature.

Unfortunately, the housing that keeps the jack end stowed away isn’t as secure as I would’ve liked either. It does preserve the perfectly flat contours of the bank, though, as the jack sits flush with the side panel when stowed.

In addition to the integrated cable, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank also has a USB-A port and a USB-C port. Three-way simultaneous charging is supported too, as well as two-way 30W fast charging.

Charging performance is good, as it managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in just over 90 minutes, which is a solid performance.

More impressively, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one of its four LED dots, which means you should get between 2-3 full charges of a smartphone out of it. Charging the bank itself takes somewhere between three and a half to four hours, which is reasonable for this battery size.

For the price of £19.99 (about $26 / AU$41), the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank represents good value. Not many power banks with this capacity take up so little real estate, nor have an integrated cable in addition to two extra ports. The cable might not endure as much punishment as others, but for light traveling the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank should make for a convenient companion.

Close-up of ports on Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank, on plinth on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: price & specs

Close-up of integrated cable on Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank, on plinth on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank?

Buy it if…

You want something small
Not many power banks with this capacity are so small, and it’s quite easy to tuck away in a pocket.

You want multiple charges
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one bar after fully replenishing my smartphone, so you should get at least a couple of charges from it.

Don't buy it if…

You’re going to take it on adventure holidays
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is built well enough, but the stress relief for the integrated isn’t the sturdiest, and the jack housing isn’t the most secure.

You want something thin
It may be short across its length and width, but it’s quite thick in terms of depth, which arguably might be the most important dimension for some.

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: Also consider

Iniu B41
The Iniu B41 has the same capacity as the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank but is slightly cheaper, although it has less power and doesn’t have an integrated cable. It does, however, include a handy flashlight. And while it’s longer than the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank, it’s thinner, which might be preferable for some users. The port selection is slightly different too, with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Read our Iniu B41 review.

The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is one of the most stylish batteries I’ve seen, but it’s too slow for the price

4:06 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank review

The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is a small power bank with a design that makes it a fashion accessory as well as a portable battery. The Cath Kidston crossover means you get the brand’s illustrative designs. The bee print finish of the model I had was rather subtle, with its cream background and the small drawings lacking any vivid colors.

If you want a little more vibrancy, two more finishes are available, both floral in nature, and incorporate bright shades of red and green. All schemes have a high-gloss finish, which VQ claims is scratch-resistant. After spending a couple of days with it, I didn’t notice any blemishes.

Other nice touches include the small power button integrated on the bezel, and the equally discreet LED dots indicating the battery life of the VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank. These are integrated on the front panel in the bottom right corner, and are barely noticeably, designed to intrude as little as possible on the Cath Kidston design. The problem is, however, that they’re hard to see even when they’re lit up, and are virtually invisible when looking at them from an angle, which is less than ideal.

What is more practical, though, is the pleasingly light and slim form factor, making it easy to carry in a bag or pocket. However, while the VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is built quite well, it isn’t up there with the very best power banks. The plastic panels do flex somewhat, and while the joins to the bezel are strong enough, I did notice a few wide gaps in places. Also, the power button doesn’t quite sit flush with the bezel as perhaps it should, although it’s at least easy to use.

The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank features one USB-C, one USB-A, and one Lightning port – disappointingly, though, only the USB-A can be used for charging devices, as the other two are for input only. This is especially baffling in the case of the Lightning port, as this is a now-defunct standard for older Apple devices, so quite what it’s doing here as an input is a mystery.

What’s also unusual is that VQ doesn’t provide a power output figure, although it does list the voltage and amperage for both the input and the output, so with some basic math, its total wattage should be 20.5W.

Charging my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to full took about two and a half hours, which is an adequate performance. The bank depleted by one dot, meaning it should be able to handle two roughly full charges. Charging the VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank itself from about half full took just over two hours, which again isn’t an overly impressive effort.

The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is more expensive than other popular power banks with similar specs, so it seems you’re paying for its looks more than anything else. Unless you really must have the Cath Kidston design, there are better value picks out there.

Side view of VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank on plinth with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank review: price & specs

Close-up of ports on VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank, on plinth with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank?

Buy it if…

You want some flair
The Cath Kidston designs certainly add more interest and personality than many other power bank finishes.

You want something easy to carry around
The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is small, thin, and light, so this is an easy power bank to take on your travels.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best build
The overall construction is good enough, but the chassis isn’t rock solid, and there are some questionable gaps where the panel meets the bezel.

You’re want the best performance
The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank doesn’t have enough power to charge smartphones fast, and only the USB-A port can actually charge devices, which is a shame.

VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank review: also consider

Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank
For about the same price as the VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank, the Ugreen provides a similarly small and sleek form, but with the added bonuses of a USB-C port for both input and output, and a MagSafe wireless charging pad for use with the best iPhones and other Apple products. It might lack the style of the VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank, but it makes up for it in performance. Read our Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank review.

I like this reverse image search service the most

1:57 pm |

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

In an era where images are widely shared and the origins of visual content are often unclear, TinEye stands out as a crucial tool for reverse image searching.

Unlike traditional search engines that depend on keywords, TinEye uses image recognition technology to track where an image appears online, allowing users to discover its history and any potential copyright infringements.

This review examines TinEye’s features, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses while evaluating its effectiveness for different users, such as photographers and designers looking to protect their work and researchers and journalists verifying image authenticity. We will explore how this powerful tool navigates the vast internet, uncovering the stories behind the pixels and revealing the hidden connections within the visual web.

Plans and pricing

TinEye primarily offers its reverse image search technology through a free, public website. Users can upload an image or provide an image URL to find where that image has appeared online. This free service has certain usage limitations to prevent abuse.

For more extensive and professional use, TinEye also provides paid API plans designed for businesses and developers. These plans allow for higher search volumes, batch processing capabilities, and integration options for various applications. The pricing for these API plans is based on the number of image searches required each month and includes tiered options to accommodate different usage levels. Specific pricing details are available on TinEye's website, and they often offer customized plans for enterprise clients with unique needs.

How it works

TinEye creates a unique digital fingerprint for each image it indexes rather than relying on keywords or metadata. When a user uploads an image or provides a URL, TinEye compares that image’s fingerprint to its extensive indexed image database. If a match is found, it displays a list of websites where the image appears, details about its size, and any modifications made. This process enables users to trace the origins of an image, find higher-resolution versions, or identify potential copyright infringements.

Importantly, TinEye does not conduct traditional image searches based on visual similarity; instead, it searches for exact or nearly exact matches based on the image’s unique fingerprint. This approach makes it particularly effective for locating duplicate photos, even if they have been resized, cropped, or altered.

Features

TinEye's primary feature is its reverse image search capability, enabling users to find where an image appears online. This includes locating exact or nearly identical matches, even if the image has been resized, cropped, or slightly edited.

In addition to basic searches, TinEye provides features that allow users to find higher-resolution versions of an image, trace its origin to identify the source and detect potentially infringing uses of copyrighted material. Users can sort search results by criteria such as best match, largest image, newest, or oldest.

TinEye also offers an API that allows developers to integrate reverse image search functionality into their applications, facilitating automated image tracking and analysis. Furthermore, browser extensions are available for quick and easy image searches directly from web pages.

The platform maintains a continuously growing indexed image database, enhancing the accuracy and range of search results. Lastly, their MatchEngine API allows users to compare any two images to determine their similarity, even if they are not exact copies.

Interface

TinEye's interface is designed for simplicity and functionality, making it user-friendly. The main website features a clean and uncluttered layout, highlighted by a prominent upload button and a URL input field for starting searches. This straightforward design lets users conduct reverse image searches quickly without navigating through complex menus or options.

Search results are displayed clearly and organized, showcasing thumbnails of matching images and links to the corresponding web pages. Users can quickly sort and filter results based on various criteria, such as image size and date, which enhances the search experience. Additionally, TinEye offers browser extensions that integrate seamlessly with popular web browsers, allowing users to perform reverse image searches with just one click.

While the interface prioritizes functionality over elaborate aesthetics, it ensures a smooth and intuitive user experience for novice and experienced users.

The competition

TinEye faces competition from various players in the image recognition and reverse image search market. Notably, major tech companies like Google offer powerful image analysis capabilities with its Google Lens and Google Cloud Vision AI. These platforms utilize advanced machine learning to provide comprehensive image understanding, including object detection, text recognition, and similar image searches.

Additionally, specialized companies such as Lenso.ai are emerging, focusing on AI-driven reverse image search with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. Further competition comes from companies prioritizing image protection and watermarking, like Imatag, which provides services for tracking online visual content.

General search engines also contribute to the competition, offering reverse image search capabilities through tools available on platforms like Yandex and Bing. Furthermore, several other companies provide APIs for image recognition that can deliver results similar to those of TinEye.

Final verdict

TinEye specializes in reverse image search, which makes it highly effective at finding exact or modified matches of images online. This tool is helpful for verifying authenticity, tracking image usage, and identifying original sources.

One of TinEye's significant advantages is its extensive image database. However, it does not offer general visual searches or object recognition like Google Lens. Additionally, TinEye may struggle with highly modified or low-resolution images.

Typical users of TinEye include copyright holders, journalists, researchers, e-commerce sellers, and artists who want to track the online usage of their work.

You might like our picks of the best free photo editor around

Is That’s Them worth it? My honest review

1:08 pm |

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

That's Them is a people search engine that compiles publicly available data, creating detailed profiles of individuals.

However, its operations raise significant privacy concerns, so this article will explore how That's Them works, the types of information it collects, the sources of its data, and the potential implications for users.

We will analyze the platform's ability to aggregate personal details, including addresses, phone numbers, relatives, and other sensitive information.

Additionally, the article will assess the accuracy of the data provided and the challenges individuals face when trying to remove their information from the site.

Lastly, we will address the ethical considerations surrounding such services and discuss steps individuals can take to safeguard their online privacy amid the growing accessibility of personal data.

Plans and pricing

That’s Them primarily focuses on providing free access to aggregated data, distinguishing it from many other people search engines.

Unlike services that require subscriptions or payments for detailed reports, That’s Them allows users to access basic personal information at no cost. This includes details such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.

While they do offer some premium services aimed at businesses - typically involving bulk data access or API integration - the core individual search functionality remains largely free.

This service is supported by advertising and possibly the sale of aggregated data to third parties.

This free model contributes to its widespread use and concerns regarding the accessibility of personal information.

Therefore, although enterprise-level paid options are available, the primary purpose of That’s Them is to provide free access to publicly available information.

How it works

That's Them operates by gathering publicly available data from various online sources. It acts as a data broker, collecting information from public records, social media platforms, online directories, and other accessible databases.

The data it collects includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, details about relatives, and even past and present business affiliations.

The service compiles this varied information into individual profiles, making it searchable for anyone who visits the site.

When a user searches for a person on That's Them, the platform queries its database and displays the aggregated information it has collected.

Instead of creating original content, it organizes and presents existing data in one central location.

This process relies heavily on automated data scraping and indexing, enabling the service to gather and organize information quickly.

While this ease of access and aggregation makes the service powerful, it raises concerns about privacy and data use.

Features

That's Them's core feature: its ability to aggregate and present publicly available information about individuals in a centralized and easily searchable format.

Users can search for people using various criteria, such as names, phone numbers, and addresses, making it a versatile tool for casual users and professionals.

The platform compiles available data and displays information, including current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, known relatives, and associated businesses.

This comprehensive approach allows users to build a more detailed profile of an individual, which can be beneficial for various purposes, such as reconnecting with old friends, conducting background checks, or gathering insights for business leads.

A notable aspect of That's Them is the free access to essential information, which sets it apart from many competitors that often require subscription fees or payment for detailed reports.

This accessibility makes it easier for a broader audience to utilize the service without financial barriers. Users can obtain essential details without incurring costs, fostering a more open environment for information gathering.

In addition to individual searches, That's Them offers bulk data access and API integration, making it suitable for businesses that require large-scale data analysis.

This functionality allows users to integrate the collected data into other systems, enhancing their operational capabilities.

For example, marketing professionals can tap into this data for lead generation, while private investigators can utilize it for more thorough investigations.

The user interface is straightforward and designed for ease of use. However, the platform's strength lies in its comprehensive data collection and organization.

It aggregates information from myriad public records, including court filings, property records, and social media accounts, creating a vast repository of information.

However, it’s important to note that the accuracy of the displayed information can vary as it is sourced from diverse public records.

The lack of robust verification processes means that errors may occur, so users should approach the data critically and consider verifying details through other means when necessary. This caveat is essential for ensuring responsible platform usage, especially in sensitive contexts such as background checks or legal inquiries.

The competition

When analyzing the competitive landscape of That's Them, it's important to note that it operates in the people search engine sector.

This means it competes directly with well-established companies that provide similar information retrieval services. Key competitors include:

WhitePages.com: A long-standing leader in offering contact information, addresses, and background details.

AnyWho.com: A prominent platform that provides people search and reverse phone lookup capabilities.

SearchPeopleFree.com: A site that focuses on free people search services.

Additional competitors include sites like Truecaller, and other people search websites.

These competitors share similar functionalities, such as retrieving contact information, addresses, and background details.

The competition in this sector is intense, with companies striving to deliver accurate and comprehensive data while addressing privacy concerns.

The factors that differentiate these services include the depth and accuracy of their databases, user interface, and the availability of free versus paid features.

Final verdict

Whether to use That's Them or any similar people finder service depends on your specific needs and ethical considerations.

These services can be helpful for locating lost contacts, verifying information, or reconnecting with others.

However, it is essential to recognize the significant privacy risks involved, as the information on these sites is often aggregated from public records, which means your own data could be accessible without your explicit consent.

Before using That's Them or a competitor, carefully weigh the potential benefits against the ethical implications and possible misuse of the information.

If you have legitimate reasons for needing to find someone, and you are comfortable with the associated privacy trade-offs, these services may be useful tools.

Always use the information responsibly and respect the privacy of others. If you are concerned about your own information appearing on these sites, consider looking into the opt-out procedures that are typically available.

We've also highlighted the best background check services for individuals

The RingConn Gen 2 Air is the perfect entry-level smart ring – but not the perfect fitness tracker

12:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: AI | Comments: Off

RingConn Gen 2 Air: One-minute review

If you want to dip your toes into the smart ring space with a no-frills, affordable option then the RingConn Gen 2 Air is the best smart ring for you.

Yes, it lacks the sleep apnea tracking and charging case of its fully fledged sibling – the RingConn Gen 2 proper – but it makes up for that with a $120 price cut, and in other areas it performs just as well as the competition.

It can handily track your steps, your sleep patterns, your heart rate and stress levels, and a few other key health metrics, and it comes in a sleek gold- or silver-colored package. What’s more, the stainless steel band is durable – I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks and it looks just as pristine as the day I received it, plus with its IP68 water and dust-proof rating I know it’ll stand up to being underwater for a while.

There are some issues with this smart ring. The charging stand isn’t as useful as the portable charging case you’ll get with the non-Air RingConn Gen 2, and like some other smart rings this one isn’t a great fitness tracker.

It’s too easy to forget to manually start a workout in the app, and currently it only tracks walking, running and cycling, and for the most in-depth tracking you’ll need to take your phone with you. Plus, if you forget your phone not only have you not tracked your run but your stress stats will be affected, as the ring will interpret your elevated heart rate as a negative indicator of how you’re feeling mentally.

Those niggles aside, the RingConn gen 2 air is an excellent budget smart ring, and the one I’d recommend to people who want to see what all the fuss around smart rings is about, but who aren’t, for now, bothered about the bells and whistles you’ll get with pricier options.

RingConn Gen 2 Air: Price and availability

Hamish wearing the RingConn Gen 2 Air — (Image credit: Future)

The RingConn Gen 2 Air is available for $199 (about £150 or AU$320) from RingConn’s official website, which not only makes it cheaper than RingConn’s Gen 2 ring, which costs $299 (about £230 or AU$475) but also one of the cheapest smart rings out there.

And despite the lower cost you’re not missing out on any essential tracking tools beyond sleep apnea and sophisticated fitness tracking (though those features are absent in a fair few smart rings that cost more anyway).

Value score: 5/5

RingConn Gen 2 Air: Design

Comes in gold or silver, sizes 6 to 14
IP68 water and dust-proof rating
No charging case

The RingConn Gen 2 Air, like pretty much every other smart ring out there, looks almost exactly like a normal ring. It's perhaps a little thicker but not noticeably so, and at around 2.5 to 4g it’s not distinctly heavier than other smart rings either.

Moreover it shares a lot of design similarities with its sibling, the RingConn Gen 2, although there are a few notable differences.

Starting with similarities, it comes in sizes 6 to 14, in a gold or silver colored stainless steel casing, and with an IP68 dust and waterproof rating. As for differences, it lacks the Gen 2 proper’s black and Rose Gold color options (but comes with seven colors of protective shells including green, pink and black), and boasts a shorter 10-day max battery life, compared to the Gen 2’s 12 days.

This battery-life difference was certainly the most noticeable. I wore both rings all the time (one on each index finger) with the same settings, and I had to charge the Gen 2 Air more often, though once every 10 days isn’t too annoying.

My only gripe with the charging process is that the Air swaps the Gen 2’s sleek charging case for a stand. The case is ideal for traveling, as it can hold up to 150 days of extra charge without needing to be plugged in, and it also offers a secure place to store the ring when you aren’t wearing it. The Air’s stand, on the other hand, must be plugged in to charge the ring, and doesn’t feel as secure as a storage spot.

Design score: 4/5

RingConn Gen 2 Air: Features

24/7 heart rate monitoring, and step counting
Basic fitness tracking
No sleep apnea tracking

Features-wise the RingConn Gen 2 Air, as you’d expect, is almost identical to the regular RingConn Gen 2.

While wearing the ring the Gen 2 Air can track all various health and fitness stats – your heart rate is monitored 24/7, alongside your steps, your stress ( based on how your heart rate fluctuates), and your SpO2 levels, and it also offers menstrual cycle tracking.

You can also use the ring as a basic fitness tracker, if you remember to start your workout manually in the RingConn app, and your exercise takes the form of walking, cycling, or running. And through the RingConn app you can also access an AI-powered health program. Admittedly it’s a little basic right now because it’s in beta, but it’s a helpful tool to keep on top of your daily health targets.

The biggest difference between the Air and the full-on RingConn Gen 2 is the lack of sleep apnea tracking on the cheaper model. This kind of downgrade is to be expected given the lower price, and while the feature is certainly handy to have on a sleep-focused tracker, it’s also the feature I miss the least – though I say that as someone who doesn’t have, nor is currently concerned that they might have, sleep apnea.

Features score: 3/5

RingConn Gen 2 Air: Performance

App tracks your sleep and vitals
Includes an AI fitness plan, though it's basic right now
Can track fitness, if you remeber to manually set it up

The RingConn Gen 2 Air performed well in my tests, with it being as good a tracker as my RingConn Gen 2 proper in the stats that both smart rings measured.

The RingConn app showing sleep and fitness stats — (Image credit: Future)

It’s a solid step counter, it did a good job tracking my heart rate levels, and it was able to give me informative insights into my sleeping patterns every night so I can continue to build better bedtime habits. I also found the overall wellness balance the app provides to be super-handy as it allows me to get a quick recap of my health across the four main categories the app monitors.

The only disappointment in the tracking department is fitness. It’s not a terrible tracker as long as you have your phone on you, as it can provide some basic insight into your runs and walks, like tracking where you went and your heart-rate zones, but it’s too easy to forget to manually log it before you begin.

Not logging even walks can then affect your stress monitoring, as the ring can believe your elevated heart rate is due to something stressful and not because you’re out being active.

So if you’re after a fitness tracker, this isn’t the one. But for more general healthy habits this smart ring is a fine choice.

Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the RingConn Gen 2 Air?

Buy it if…

You want a budget smart ring
It’s not as feature packed as the alternatives, but it’s nevertheless a strong budget option that offers good bang for your buck.

You hate the look of smartwatches and fitness bands
Smart rings are ideal for folks who want to track their health stats but who would also rather wear an analogue watch than a smart watch or fitness band.

You want a sleep tracker
With a 10-day battery life, smart rings like this are excellent for sleep tracking.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a fitness tracker
RingConn’s smart rings are lacking in the fitness-tracking department. It’s helpful for step counting, but not that much else given that it’s easy to forget to manually log the few workouts it supports.

You want sleep apnea tracking
The RingConn Gen 2 Air forgoes sleep apnea tracking in order to hit its lower price point compared to the full-fat model – so if that’s a feature you want you’ll need to pick up its sibling.

You lose things easily
It’s very easy to lose smart rings if you aren’t careful, given how small they are, so if you’re the kind of person who tends to mislay items then maybe consider a different gadget.

Also consider

RingConn Gen 2
The full-fat RingConn Gen 2 is pricier but comes with a charging case, sleep apnea tracking, and more base color options.
Read our RingConn Gen 2 review

Samsung Galaxy Ring
With excellent software and no monthly payments (like RingConn), the Galaxy Ring is our pick for the best smart ring you can buy. It's a lot pricier, but its extra features could be enough to sway you.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Ring review

Oura Gen 4
Oura is pretty much synonymous with smart rings, and its latest gen 4 model proves why. While it's more expensive (especially when you factor in the subscription), those interested in buying a smart ring should certainly check it out before they buy something else.
Read our Oura Ring 4 review

How I tested the RingConn Gen 2 Air

To put the RingConn Gen 2 Air through its paces I wore it night and day for a few weeks. I also wore it at the same time as the RingConn Gen 2 (I had one on each index finger) so I could directly compare the two models.

I took the Air with me when I travelled, wore it whenever I did a workout, submerged it in water to check the waterproofing claims, and made sure to let the battery run as long as possible between charges so I could could see for myself how long it can last, and how it stacks up against the RingConn Gen 2 proper.

Plans and pricing

How it works

Features

The competition

Interface

Final verdict

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Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Design & build quality

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: In use

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Final verdict

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Plans and pricing

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RingConn Gen 2 Air: One-minute review

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RingConn Gen 2 Air: Design

RingConn Gen 2 Air: Features

RingConn Gen 2 Air: Performance

Should you buy the RingConn Gen 2 Air?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the RingConn Gen 2 Air

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