31 December 2014

FEATURE: Our Top 5 Things of 2014


That was the year...

As Big Ben chimes, and as millions of people across the globe excitedly count down from ten, we take a look back over 2014 and select five of our most favourite reviews. This short list highlights the best of the things we tested this year, both in how much we loved the products themselves and in how much darn fun they were to review. Happy New Year!

So, in no particular order...

28 December 2014

REVIEW: Ravi Ratan Silver WiFi & 2GB USB Cufflinks


Linking style with life.

We've all heard about cufflinks with flash drives inside them - hell, we even own a few pairs, steadily gathering dust at the bottom of a drawer, awaiting the day we're actually invited to something formal. The thing is... surely they're a waste of real estate, as you have two wrists and a need for only one flash drive. What to do with the other cufflink? Ravi Ratan have it sorted with the Silver WiFi & 2GB USB Cufflinks.

26 December 2014

REVIEW: Proporta Gizmo TurboCharger 1000


Don't charge it after midnight.

Following swiftly on from reviewing the Monster Powercard, a slim-line portable battery charger, we were keen to see what other similar products were currently doing the rounds. Impressed with how slim the Powercard is, we wanted to see if anyone did a mobile charger that was even thinner. And Proporta does, God bless 'em... the Gizmo TurboCharger 1000.

Oh, and you got the Gremlins reference, right?

23 December 2014

REVIEW: Divoom Voombox-Ongo

On ya go then...

Portable Bluetooth speakers are great to take outdoors for picnics, garden parties and festivals - that is if it's summer and there isn't a chance of rain. What about if you want to take your music with you during the winter, with lashing rain, howling winds and sudden snowfall? Surely your plucky little speaker will perish in all that moisture and rugged conditions? Well not this tough little bastard. Introducing the Divoom Voombox-Ongo.

21 December 2014

REVIEW: MIPOW Playbulb Candle


Candle in the eWind.

Candles are great for creating a mood. The subtle glow gently flickering in the background is a must-have for anyone wanting to relax (or have some sexy times!). The problem with candles is that they tend only to last as long as their wick will burn, meaning limited relaxation (and sexy) time and also an increased risk of fires and burns. If only there was an alternative to the traditional candle that was modern, safe and customisable. BAM! It's the Bluetooth MIPOW PlaybulbCandle!

19 December 2014

REVIEW: Aldi Medion Life Smartphone

Once in a lifetime

Following fast on the heels of last week's release of their new budget tablet the Lifetab (which we reviewed here) Aldi have also stepped into the world of smartphones with another pre-Christmas tech release, the Medion Life. We put it to the test.

18 December 2014

FEATURE: A Christmas Kitchen

Deck the kitchen...

You might lust after the very latest in technological wonderment this Christmas, buying as you do whatever tablet, smartphone and swartwatch your bank account will allow. But spare a thought for your dear old kitchen, won't you? The kitchen can take quite a hammering over the festive period, what with the extra time you have off work, all those family members piling in, and not to mention the large amount of "figgy pudding" carol singers will demand of you (whatever the hell that is). And so, here's some kitchen gadgets to make your foody-room that little bit more awesome.


17 December 2014

REVIEW: Blue Yeti

 A good listener.

Still on a high from reviewing Blue's Awesome MoFi Headphones a few months back, we were keen to test something else from the sound experts. This time 'round instead of trying something that pumps out the sound, we decided to review a gadget that sucks it up. And so, with our vocal cords nicely warmed up, we tore open the box of the Blue Yeti USB microphone.

16 December 2014

REVIEW: Hive

Warm thoughts.

Continuing our attempts to make Test Pit Towers the most modern and connected home this side of anything that Richard Branson owns, we turned to our boiler. Bless that thing; heating our water every day to keep us nice and toasty as we crash test remote controlled helicopters and sport the latest jumper from Norway... if only there was something we could get it, to show our appreciation. Fortunately the 'connected tech' AND 'present for your boiler' bases are aptly covered by British Gas with their new Hive Home Heating system.

15 December 2014

FEATURE: Winter Warmers #2

Global warming.

It's getting properly chilly, isn't it? No longer can we pretend that winter is 'just around the corner'; no, it's right here in our faces, screaming COLD COLD COLD all freezing day long. Fortunately we've got a few mates who can help; friends with pretty awesome connections in the cold-fighting world. And so we've gathered together another smorgasbord of toasty bits and bobs, sure to keep you warm and jolly until the daffodils pop up.

11 December 2014

REVIEW: Aldi Medion Lifetab Tablet


A lifebelt for budget tablets

The budget tablet market has grown in scope and popularity this year, with the big boys of Samsung and Apple being increasingly threatened by smaller, cheaper brands. Supermarkets have famously jumped on the bandwagon, with Tesco's Hudl 2 doing rather well with both critics nad consumers. Now it seems that Aldi, themselves a budget shop, have launched their own trimmed-down slate... but without trimming much off. We check out the Aldi Medion Lifetab.

8 December 2014

COMPETITION: Win a Leef Supra 3.0 Flash Drive

Have a Supra Christmas.

Family round for Christmas? You'll probably be showing them photos or videos at some point, and if those precious memories are stored on a flash drive... well, with all those kids running about there's a good chance your flash drive might be knocked from your laptop, potentially damaging both drive and computer. That would be a festive fail. Fortunately you entered out latest competition to win a teeny tiny Supra 3.0 Flash Drive. Clever you.

5 December 2014

REVIEW: Yale Easy Fit CCTV

Easy as ABC(CTV).

Burglar alarms just aren't enough of a deterrent. When one goes off on your street do you actually think "Mmm, better go and check on number 54", or do you say out loud, "Bloody number 54! Damn alarm going off again!"? Even if burglars do trigger an alarm, it could be minutes before someone actually bothers to check, giving them ample time to pinch all of your lovely stuff. No, what criminals really hate is having their ugly mugs captured by cameras. And so, we jumped at the chance to test the new Yale Easy Fit CCTV system.

4 December 2014

REVIEW: My Doodles Kids Dock


Dock and roll!

Those of us with kids will know that they seem more proficient with technology than we are. In fact kids are so tech-savvy these days that tablets are pretty common place toys; used for a number of fun activities, the most obvious of which being music and films. But what kids really need is a place to prop up their tablet - somewhere safe away from all the other clutter where they can charge their device and get great viewing angles. Enter the My Doodles Kids Dock.

3 December 2014

REVIEW: Nest Protect

Nest of both worlds.

This humble and, admittedly, poorly written website is largely produced in the most connected home on Earth. That is because over the past couple of years we have been collecting a growing number of home automation gadgets and systems, remotely controlling everything from our Lights to our central heating. Now Test Pit Towers is set to take yet another step into the future - and it's one that could save our lives. Introducing the NestProtect.

2 December 2014

FEATURE: Winter Warmers #1


Baby, it's cold outside.

And so December falls like icy blanket, catching your autumn jacket by surprise and forcing it to yield to chilly tendrils like the out-of-season bitch that it is. The cold weather has certainly caught us a bit off guard this year, and already the jumpers and thick coats are being broken out. If you need some help and advice about what to wrap your gorgeous self in this winter, look no further. We've got ideas galore for the first of our Winter Warmers specials.

1 December 2014

REVIEW: LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2014

Star doors.

Yay, it's December! Every day this month we will be joyfully tearing open a new door on our advent calendar. But, unlike most, there's no cheap Chinese chocolate in ours, as this year we have the new LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar to get to grips with. Each day we'll publish a mini review of what is behind the doors, working toward building the whole set by Christmas Eve.

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