Tech Lightning iReader

   I was intrigued when I saw this card reader, something that I can use to transfer data from my Windows PC to my Nexus 7 or to my iPod Touch 5? Yes I know what you are thinking "Why not just use iCloud or some other cloud service?", it is true that you can use some cloud service to transfer data to other devices but sometimes using a device like the Tech Lightning iReader is much simpler and easier to use, not too mention if you do not have access to the internet a device like this is would be perfect to use. When it finally arrived I noticed that the box has instructions on the back(see picture) to download the app from the App store. The App is called iDiskk Pro and is only 18MB.
  There is a total of three connection plugs, a lightning connector, a full size USB connector and inside the USB connector is the Micro USB connector which slides in and out. The reader did not have any directions on how to slide the micro USB connector in and out, you need to use your finger nail to slide it out, when you do you will hear a click, that means it is fully extended and locked into place, to slide it back in you will see a small blue square push that in and then slide the micro USB back into the full sized USB connector(see pictures). I used my Windows laptop, Nexus 7 and my iPod Touch 5. along with SanDisk Class 10 SD and Micro SD cards to test this device. I transferred pictures, videos and Mp3's to each device without any problems and the transfer was fast.
   The Nexus 7 and laptop easily recognized the reader and had no problems transferring data, with the iPod(or any IOS device) you will have to get the app in order for the reader to function. The App was a pleasure to use on my iPod, as soon as I plugged the reader in a notice popped up prompting me to use the app. In the App everything is presented quite nicely, you can have a list type or grid style display. You can sort the information, search for data or even make a new folder within the app. I did not find any instructions on how to use the app fully but within a few minutes I was able to figure out all of the functions. The Tech Lightning iReader accepts Micro SD cards and full size SD cards, great if you take a lot of pictures and want to transfer then from your camera(DSLR, MFT, Point and shoot etc.) to multiple devices. The device is cased in plastic and feels pretty sturdy, no squeaks or bends just a nice solid feel. I found that the clear plastic caps where a nice touch to protect the connectors, the card slots are a slide in pull out type, no spring loaded slots.
   Over all I do like the Tech Lightning iReader, the device is solid, transfers data quickly and is very easy to use. Even viewing a video from a SD Card was a pleasure, no stutter or lag, just a smooth viewing experience. This is a device that everyone should have especially if you have different devices that run different operating systems. I like the fact that I do not have to rely on a cloud service to transfer any of my data from one device to another and the iReader performs this task perfectly. There is only one thing that can improve on the experience and operation of the iReader is that Tech Lightning needs to put an instruction pamphlet in the box mainly to let the user know how to use the Micro USB connector properly, other than that I it was a total joy to use this device. I would definitely recommend the Tech Lightning iReader to anyone.

Iron Man Bluetooth Speaker

    Just like many people I own a few Bluetooth speakers, some are just ok some really good and some awesome. I came across this speaker while looking on the GearBest website. Yes it looks like Iron Man and the price was pretty low. At the time of me writing this review it was priced at $12.38. It does come in different colors I choose the black but it does come in white, red and blue. Delivery time for me was about three weeks, give or take a day, so not too bad on that. This speaker definately looks really cool, you can move the arms at the shoulder(up and down) and the head moves left to right but is limited.
   The C-89 Iron Man speaker has a non removable rechargeable 1000 mA battery, charge time for me took about 2.5 hours and playback time was around four hours, just remember playback time will vary depending on how loud you turn the speaker up, more volume means more power used!! THe audio quality was good but not the best I have heard. The highs are really dominant, the louder you turn up the speaker the more dominant the high end. The mid range is there but not strong enough to help cut through the high end, and the bass, well it is almost non existent, it is there but really low, what would have helped with the bass response is a passive port on the back of the head where the speaker resides, the port could have had a grill on it to help hide it and that might have had given this speaker a better sound to it.
    You get a charging cable with the speaker it is nineteen inches long. It also is a Y type cable, on one end is the male USB plug and on the other is a MINI USB (not micro) and a 3.5mm male plug. I would have liked to had a longer cable, 24 inches, but that is not a deal breaker. On the back there is a power switch(a slider type) a USB port, for charging a device, the AUX port, micro SD card slot and finally the MINI USB port to charge the speaker. I did not recieve any instructions with my speaker so I had to figure out how to use it on my own, that took maybe two minutes. After you turn the speaker on you hear a little tune and then "BlueTooth Mode" the eyes flash blue and a LED light in his chest slowly changes colors.
    Now the chest light is also the mode button, hold it in and you will hear "FM mode" followed by static, hold the button in again and you will hear "AUX Mode" . In the FM and AUX mode the C-89's eyes stay a constant blue and the chest light continues to slowly change color. You will see a white accent to the left and right of the chest light, these are the volume, scan ans track buttons, they do not light up. Just under the chest light there is a small pin hole, that is the microphone to take or make calls with. I have not tried to make a call mainly because of how the audio is on this speaker. For what I paid I really like this speaker, it looks really cool and the audio is good, not horrible but good. The price is about right as well, you cannot go wrong for $12.38.