Amazon Fire TV : The Only Streaming Box You Will Need

Searching on smart TVs is typically a usability nightmare, involving frantic navigation around an on-screen keyboard pecking out words. I’ll admit, when the Fire TV was announced last month, I didn’t think it was really necessary. As I already have an Apple TV and thought that was enough. Since I really don’t watch much TV

Released just last month in the US, Amazon Fire TV is a set-top media streaming box, offering hundreds of existing Android favorites, each playable with its custom game pad (sold separately for $39.99.)

Amazon is also developing in its own games studios to create exclusive titles - such as third-person shooter Sev Zero available at launch. At $99 the box is hardly going head-to-head in the living room space with the PS4 or Xbox One, but for the money could this offer the definitive Android gaming experience?

The main things that are going to get me to buy the Fire TV is the fact that Amazon Prime Instant Video isn’t available on Android – only Kindle Fire devices – which means no Chromecast support.

By Creative Tech Reviews

ZenDock: Apple Docking Solution

The problem with the laptop computers and in particular the MacBook Pro, it's that we are quickly invaded with cables (USB device, Thunderbolt, Ethernet cable ...)  a common problem for most people but thanks to the ingenuity of the designer Cole Flournoy and its unit ZenDock, this problem will soon be gone.

The ultimate accessory

This dock as its name implies is composed of two enclosures: a first on which you will connect all your devices and a second which will combine the connections.

Compatible with both the 11" that the 13 ", the ZenDock Air supports the headset port, the Magsafe port, as well as the USB port. It will be delivered with an Ethernet adapter.

A Kickstarter Hit!

Soon after being on Kickstarter, ZenDock became an instant success. Within 2 days, the project was almost funded. The initial pledge was $40,000 but when it ended, the guys from Zenboxx achieved an amazing funding of $106,915.

You can pre-order your unit directly from Zenboxx and to the fans of this blog, we are giving a 20$ discount on the Zendock. Just enter the coupon: ZenDockCTR that you will be able to apply during the checkout process. 

Big thanks to the guys of Zenboxx and we wish them a lot of success in their future endeavors.

By Mehdi Zerouali, Editor @ Creative Tech Reviews

Sprng: Finally, someone fixed the Apple EarPods Flaw

Do you own an iPhone 5, a 7th generation iPod nano, or a 5th generation iPod touch? If so, then you probably also own a pair of Apple EarPods. If you’re like me, you like the sound of the EarPods but hate the fact that they don’t always stay in your ear. 

TheSprng may be the way to solve this annoying problem. Designed by Ohm Industrial Design, the Sprng is a flexible device that slips onto the stem of your EarPods and seems to use tension to keep the EarPods in place. 

The minimalist design in white and light grey works well with the EarPods. At $10 with free shipping in the US and Canada, the Sprng is definitely worth a try.

By Mehdi Zerouali, Editor of Creative Tech Reviews

Pong Anti-radiation case review

If you are a parent or want to be one in the near future, then you must have seen the name “Pong cases” in few websites.

Pong Research is a mobile device technology company that focuses on providing your tech gadgets some type of protection and they do take it seriously.

What makes Pong a reputable company, is that they focus on providing cases for Apple, Blackberry & Androids that not only protect your devices but also limit the amount of radiation that comes out of them.

 

Pong Research promises a lot : to improve the scope and quality of cellular signal, increase autonomy and protect the user from potential harmful effects of radiation . While protecting the phone.

 

A cool case
Before becoming a scientific miracle , the case of Pong Research is a case. Made of polycarbonate , it is rather small in absolute terms, even if it is a little heavier than the thinner shells and lighter . It adds 1.4 mm to the iPhone 5 , which does not seem to be prohibitive and , for some , a positive point : it improves the grip of the phone sometimes a little too late .

The degree of protection will depend on how the iPhone falls. The case protects the back of the phone, just the upper and lower sections, which may be affected in case of a fall on tar or gravel.

A case that also protects the user
The first of these strengths , in fact, is to reduce the exposure of the user to the alleged harmful waves . The Pong case is composed of three layers: a coupled antenna system sandwiched between two plastic sheets. It is suppose to " redirect " the radiation and greatly reduce the exposure.

In the absence of access to specialized equipment , we have not been able to verify the level of radiation ourselves. Wired magazine was able to test this twice, the first time for the Pong iPhone case , the second time for the iPad case . The results are clear: the Pong case reduces indeed the SAR ( specific absorption rate ) of a third to two thirds of radiation . This allows access to a level of  95 % below health limits in some cases. In short, if you are particularly concerned about exposure to waves , this case will satisfy you.

Scope and quality 
The same antenna system is suppose to improve the reception quality of 20 % . We perfectly recall the shady vendors that were selling miracles stickers that are supposed to improve the signal on your devices . In practice, the Pong case works a bit better than these scams , but not much more.


Conclusion
In short, the Pong case fulfills most of its promises, it may be a bit expensive for a nice case, but not really different from its competitors . However, if you are particularly sensitive to the issue of wave exposure , this case is for you.

By Mehdi, Editor at Creative Tech Reviews