F.lashes is the crazy wearable tech nobody asked for, but everybody wants
Why it matters to you
If you like to mix technology and fashion, and don’t mind making a spectacle of yourself, then the f.lashes were practically designed for you.
The crazy f.lashes wearable, which is taking crowdfunding website Kickstarter by storm, is the kind of product a hardcore party-goer would create, if they happened to live in the neon-drenched future depicted in Blade Runner. The name gives away what they are: A set of false eyelashes that have a series of LED lights built in, which flash and pulse in time with your movements. Yes, it’s the piece of wearable tech no-one asked for, but apparently everyone wants, because the campaign has smashed its $40.000 target with more than $93,000 pledged at the time of writing.
The f.lashes appear to attach in the same way a regular set of false eyelashes attach — not that I wear them particularly often to truly know, so please feel free to correct me — and a demonstration video shows them going on in a matter of seconds. Once on your eyes, they display one of five different patterns, all given ridiculous names like, “hyper burst,” “endless winks,” and the highly appropriate “knight riding,” which resembles the light on the front of K.I.T.T. in the Knight Rider TV show. If that’s not a selling point, we have no idea what is.
If you’re out partying, striding down the catwalk, or heading out for groceries on a Friday night, the f.lashes have the potential to look cool. However, these aren’t wireless components, and you’re going to have to make some compromises to wear them. Each eyelash has a thin wire coming from it, which leads to a main control unit that fits around the back of your head. It stays in place with hair clips, and needs to be in this position to respond to your movements. It’s definitely made to be hidden, as the company seems to have gone for the not-really-finished look of a circuit board that has a few buttons on the front, and a coin cell battery slot. It lasts for about five hours before it needs to be replaced.
If you’re worried f.lashes are a retina-searing accident waiting to happen, apparently they give off no heat, are weather-resistant, and the battery is highly unlikely to do any exploding. The LED lights point upward, so you aren’t blinded when wearing them. The price for this madness? $40 gets you a controller and a set of f.lashes in one of the available colors. Spend $100, and you get all seven different color lashes. The campaign has been funded, so it better not be an elaborate gag, and delivery is expected to take place in January 2018.
We have to ask, will you be f.lashing?
F.lashes is the crazy wearable tech nobody asked for, but everybody wants
Why it matters to you
If you like to mix technology and fashion, and don’t mind making a spectacle of yourself, then the f.lashes were practically designed for you.
The crazy f.lashes wearable, which is taking crowdfunding website Kickstarter by storm, is the kind of product a hardcore party-goer would create, if they happened to live in the neon-drenched future depicted in Blade Runner. The name gives away what they are: A set of false eyelashes that have a series of LED lights built in, which flash and pulse in time with your movements. Yes, it’s the piece of wearable tech no-one asked for, but apparently everyone wants, because the campaign has smashed its $40.000 target with more than $93,000 pledged at the time of writing.
The f.lashes appear to attach in the same way a regular set of false eyelashes attach — not that I wear them particularly often to truly know, so please feel free to correct me — and a demonstration video shows them going on in a matter of seconds. Once on your eyes, they display one of five different patterns, all given ridiculous names like, “hyper burst,” “endless winks,” and the highly appropriate “knight riding,” which resembles the light on the front of K.I.T.T. in the Knight Rider TV show. If that’s not a selling point, we have no idea what is.
If you’re out partying, striding down the catwalk, or heading out for groceries on a Friday night, the f.lashes have the potential to look cool. However, these aren’t wireless components, and you’re going to have to make some compromises to wear them. Each eyelash has a thin wire coming from it, which leads to a main control unit that fits around the back of your head. It stays in place with hair clips, and needs to be in this position to respond to your movements. It’s definitely made to be hidden, as the company seems to have gone for the not-really-finished look of a circuit board that has a few buttons on the front, and a coin cell battery slot. It lasts for about five hours before it needs to be replaced.
If you’re worried f.lashes are a retina-searing accident waiting to happen, apparently they give off no heat, are weather-resistant, and the battery is highly unlikely to do any exploding. The LED lights point upward, so you aren’t blinded when wearing them. The price for this madness? $40 gets you a controller and a set of f.lashes in one of the available colors. Spend $100, and you get all seven different color lashes. The campaign has been funded, so it better not be an elaborate gag, and delivery is expected to take place in January 2018.
We have to ask, will you be f.lashing?
The $180 LG X Charge solves battery woes the old-fashioned way
Why it matters to you
If smartphone battery life is a big concern for you, then LG’s X Charge puts a weekend’s worth of standby time within your grasp.
LG’s new X Charge smartphone solves the age-old problem of short battery life the old-fashioned way: With a massive battery and a sensible screen resolution. The newly announced device is headed to Comcast’s Xfinity network, where it will be available at the end of June for a reasonable price. It’s reasonable because the specification doesn’t match up to the LG G6; but what it lacks in processor punch, it makes up for in battery heft.
We’re used to smartphones with a 3,000mAh battery inside, which usually lasts for about a day before needing a recharge. The LG X Charge has a 4,500mAh battery for a standby time that could extend to an entire weekend before you’ll need to plug it in. LG knows it’s not just battery capacity that helps extend standby time, it’s the amount of power the phone draws to remain active. For this reason, the X Charge’s 5.5-inch screen has a 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution, much lower than the massive 2,880 x 1,440 pixels on the 5.7-inch G6, for example.
An unnamed 1.5GHz quad-core processor with either 1.5GB or 2GB of RAM powers the X Charge, and there’s 16GB of internal storage space to fill up. That’s not especially generous, but the chance to slip in a MicroSD card makes up for it. The body has a textured rear panel for extra grip, and measures 8.4mm thick, with a 164-gram overall weight. No, it’s not a G6 stunner, but you won’t be buying this to show off. LG has fitted a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel wide-angle selfie cam to the phone, with the front camera supporting gestures for ease of use. Finally, the operating system is Android 7.0 Nougat, with LG’s custom user interface over the top.
Xfinity is a newcomer to the mobile market, having only launched in April with a selection of phones and plans available to Comcast’s 25 million subscribers. The X Charge is the second LG phone to arrive on Comcast’s network, joining the LG X Power. The X Charge is slightly more expensive than the X Power, and will be released on June 30 for $180, or $7.50 per month for 24 months. Service charges are extra, and start from $50 per month.
Watch our Honor 9 hands-on preview!
With the recent launch of phones like the Honor 9 and OnePlus 5, it’s never been clearer that we’re living in the age of the affordable flagship. The Honor 9, the latest phone from the Huawei-owned brand, isn’t coming to the United States, but European customers will soon be getting their hands on the device, which just might offer the best balance between internal hardware, design and price.
The Honor 9 isn’t as spec-obsessed as its rival, the OnePlus 5, but instead you get a beautiful reflective, curved glass chassis, a solid dual camera setup based on the camera of the P10, and the company’s best Android-based software yet. It’s also hand- and pocket-friendly, with a 5.15-inch screen diagonal complemented by an ergonomic shape.
And you get all that stuff for a mere £379.99 in the UK (or €449 in the eurozone).
Check out our hands-on video preview above for a rundown of what to expect in the Honor 9, and stay tuned for our full review, coming up next week!
- Android Central on YouTube
- Honor 9 hands-on preview
- Honor 9 specs
- Honor 9 vs OnePlus 5
LG X Charge with 4500mAh battery lands on Comcast’s new cellular network
LG X Power2 comes to North America as the X Charge.
LG has announced the X Charge, a budget phone with a 5.5-inch 720p display and a massive battery that is now available on Comcast’s new cellular service, Xfinity Mobile. The 4500mAh battery is the largest LG put in a phone thus far, with the brand claiming that the phone will deliver battery life that will last an entire weekend. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the X Charge is a rebranded variant of the X Power2, which made its debut earlier this year at MWC.
Like the X Power2, there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about when it comes to the rest of the specs. The X Charge has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720, and the device features an unnamed octa-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz (likely the MediaTek MT6750).
It comes with 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage, a microSD slot, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front shooter, LTE (Bands 2/4/5/13), Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, and microUSB 2.0. The X Charge isn’t too bulky at 8.4mm, and it comes in at 164g.
On the software side of things, the phone is running Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. The phone is now up for sale on Xfinity Mobile for $7.50 a month for 24 months, or $180 outright. It isn’t the fastest phone out there, but if you need a cheap phone with a huge battery and the latest version of Android, the X Charge is a decent alternative.
See at Xfinity Mobile
LG X Charge™ Arrives In North America On Xfinity Mobile With Power To Spare
LG’s Largest Battery Charges Fast and Can Last All Weekend on Comcast’s New Wireless Service
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG) today announced an all-new smartphone, the LG X charge, available in the US on Comcast’s new wireless service, Xfinity Mobile. The LG X charge features the company’s largest battery in a smartphone (4,500mAh) and a 5.5-inch HD display.
“Some users demand more out of their phones than others, or spend more time on the go. The LG X charge was designed to meet the demands of users who want maximum usage from their smartphones between charges, paired with the advanced flagship features they care about most, like a large HD screen,” said Chang Ma, President, LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. “The combination of outstanding battery life, spacious display, and exceptional camera capabilities make the X charge an excellent proposition for consumers.”
The LG X charge targets heavy-duty users who are in the market for a competitively priced device with a large display, advanced camera features, and long battery life. With a 4,500mAh battery, the LG X charge is perfect for users who aim to get the most out of their phones by watching movies and video content, playing games, and sharing captured content on the go.
Experience the Long-Lasting, Fast-Charging Battery
Users can take on their day and conquer tasks with power to spare with the LG X charge. The fast-charging battery can last an entire weekend before needing to recharge. This power helps efficiently drive its generous 5.5-inch HD In-cell Touch display with 1,280 x 720 resolution, which offers an immersive viewing experience with rich, vibrant colors.
Capture Photos Effortlessly with Easy to Use Modes and Gestures
With a 5MP wide angle camera up front, users can easily take selfies of themselves or of a large group. LG’s smart UX also includes Auto Shot and Gesture Interval Shot which simplifies the photo-taking process by triggering the shutter as soon as a face or hand gesture is detected. What’s more, posting a favorite image is then just one tap away with Quick Share. On the back, the 13MP primary camera and soft LED flash lets shooters capture flattering portraits and breath-taking landscapes with ease.
Versatile Functionality and a Reliable Network
The LG X charge maximizes the device’s hardware for a lasting and enjoyable experience – whether for watching movies, surfing social networks or everyday use. Offering the device on Xfinity Mobile, which combines the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network with the largest Wi-Fi network of more than 17 million hotspots nationwide, provides a great internet and entertainment experience.
“Xfinity Mobile was designed to meet the growing demand for entertainment and high-speed data on-the-go,” said Billy Stephens, Vice President, Wireless Devices, Xfinity Mobile. “Together with the LG X charge, we are bringing consumers a simpler way to access all of their favorite content and experiences both inside and outside of the home.”
Buy it Now!
The LG X charge will be available via the Xfinity Mobile website, call centers and select Xfinity Stores beginning June 30, 2017. For more information about how to purchase the LG X charge on Xfinity Mobile, please visit http://www.xfinitymobile.com. For more information about LG and its devices, please visit http://www.lg.com.
Honor 6X and EMUI 5.0: Everything you need to know
EMUI 5.0 is Huawei’s biggest update in recent years.
Huawei has been making great hardware for several years now, but the software was always the main drawback. Earlier versions of EMUI were primarily designed for Chinese users, and as such they didn’t translate well in Western markets. In particular, the lack of an app drawer was a major feature omission as Huawei looked set to expand its global ambitions. That changed at the end of last year with the introduction of EMUI 5.0.
Along with a visual overhaul, the latest iteration of EMUI brings much-needed features aimed at customers in Western markets, key among which is the introduction of the app drawer. You’re still looking at a heavily-skinned version of Android, only this time around it actually feels like Huawei put in some effort toward creating a cohesive design aesthetic.
The EMUI 5.0 update rolled out to the Honor 6X earlier this year, bringing the new additions to Huawei’s budget offering. Let’s get started with some of the key feature additions.
There’s finally an app drawer
With EMUI 5.0, Huawei finally added a traditional app drawer. Chinese vendors are notorious for not including an app drawer, instead following the iOS convention of listing out all the installed apps on the home screen. Another common feature that is “inspired” by iOS is unread notification badges, which is still present in EMUI 5.0.
The app drawer isn’t enabled by default, but you can easily turn it on from the settings. Just head to Settings -> Home screen style -> Drawer to switch to enable the traditional app drawer. The drawer sorts your installed apps in a vertically scrolling list, and there’s a suggestions pane at the top that shows you your frequently used apps along with a search bar.
The notification pane has quick toggles
The notification shade in EMUI 4.1 was woefully inadequate — it was split into two panes, with the first pane serving up notifications and the second reserved for toggles. In EMUI 5.0, Huawei finally went with a more traditional two-stage notification window that includes quick toggles at the top of the pane. The quick toggles are customizable, and there’s also a brightness slider that lets you easily adjust the display’s brightness.
Notifications work the way they’re supposed to on Nougat — you can easily expand and swipe away alerts, and use in-line replies to compose a quick reply without having to go into the app.
UI gets a much-needed overhaul
EMUI 5.0 brings the biggest visual refresh to the skin in recent years. Huawei’s stock apps now feature predominantly white visual elements with blue accents “inspired by the Aegean Sea,” and the UI as a whole feels significantly less cluttered. The settings have also been simplified, giving you easy access to core functions without having to go several levels into a sub-category.
Like previous versions of EMUI, there’s a lot of stuff to explore, so if you’re interested in tweaking the phone to suit your particular tastes, you’ll like all the options on offer. For instance, you can use display scaling options to adjust the size of the interface elements, and enable a blue light filter to reduce eye strain at night. There’s also the ability to tweak the color temperature of the display, alter the configuration of the on-screen nav keys, change the look of the UI with themes, and much more.
New battery saving features
EMUI 4.1 wasn’t great at presenting battery usage statistics, but Huawei has overhauled the feature in EMUI 5.0. Battery is now a top-level category in the settings, and the manufacturer has added new power-saving features that allow you to eke out the most from the 3340mAh battery.
The standard power saving mode kills background apps, turns off auto sync and animations to maximize battery life. The “Ultra” mode switches everything off, only giving you access to six apps of your choice. Dialer, Messaging, Contacts, and SOS are set as default, but you can remove them and add your own apps. The mode is designed to extend battery life when the battery level is low, and it certainly manages to do that.
EMUI also has an optimization feature that lets you identify apps that are consuming too much battery in the background, and you also have the option of lowering the screen resolution to increase battery life.
Run two WhatsApp accounts with App twin
This is a feature that will see more usage in Asian markets, but it’s still a nifty one to have if you have two accounts on the same social media platform. App twin essentially allows you to run two instances of an app simultaneously, allowing you to use two WhatsApp or Facebook accounts from the same device.
The data is sandboxed, meaning there’s no chance of information crossing over from one instance of an app to another. An indent with a numeral “2” at the bottom right corner of the app icon lets you know that the particular version is a secondary instance of the app. Huawei isn’t the first manufacturer to offer this feature — Xiaomi and Lenovo have been offering the same for some time now — but it’s a valuable addition nevertheless.
Your turn
What are your thoughts on the direction Huawei is taking with EMUI 5.0? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
With 500 service centers across India, Xiaomi claims it has ‘best in class’ service delivery
Xiaomi is solving its after-sales service woes by launching a network of service centers across India.
After thousands of complaints from customers regarding poor after-sales service in India all through 2016, Xiaomi vowed to create a better experience this year. To that effect, the company has now announced that it has 500 service centers in the country. To celebrate the launch of the 500th service center — located in Bengaluru — Xiaomi is offering ₹500 in credit for all customers visiting Mi authorized service centers across India today.
Xiaomi also mentioned that it has three dedicated factories for repairs, two call centers with over 600 specialists, two large warehouses for spare parts, and a pick up and drop service that’s available for more than 8000 pin codes across India. From Xiaomi India managing director and VP Manu Kumar Jain:
500 is another milestone for us in our India journey which is a proof point of our dedication towards after sales experience. Today, we have a strong service infrastructure and we want to be known as the benchmark for service delivery in India.
While sales is an important element for most brand, after sales is an extremely crucial element for us at Xiaomi and we will continue to work harder to make Xiaomi an even more consumer centric company for our Mi Fans. In fact, we are kicking this week off as a Service Quality week in India today where we will celebrate our service experience for our Mi Fans across India.
After-sales service is a crucial component in India, one that has the potential to affect a purchasing decision. Xiaomi was particularly hit by the issue last year, with its forums and social media accounts flooded with customers complaining about lengthy turnaround times and unavailability of spare parts. By launching a network of service centers across the country, Xiaomi will hopefully be looking to put this particular problem to bed.
Own a Xiaomi device? How has your experience been with the company’s service?
Best apps for celebrating the 4th of July!
These apps will help you ensure your Fourth of July is as stress free as possible.
The 4th of July is a time for celebration, whether that means going out for drinks with your best friends, or throwing an epic backyard BBQ. No matter what your plans are this year, having a few apps in your pocket to help make the day less stressful is always a good call. From helping you to get the perfect grill, to facilitating fireworks, to making sure you hit as little traffic as possible, we’ve got the best apps to help make your holiday awesome.
- Weber Grill
- Phantom Fireworks
- Yummly
- Drink Advisor
- Waze
- Airbnb
- Hotel Tonight
Weber Grill
When it comes to the Fourth of July, the first thing you mind may go to is grilling. It’s prime cookout season, which means that someone will need to work the grill to make sure everything comes out perfectly. If this is your first time as grillmaster, the Weber Grill app may be just what you need to succeed.
It includes recipes, grill setup, techniques for getting the perfect temperature no matter what your meat is, and it’s free — you don’t even need a Weber barbeque. There are over 50 different tips and tutorials to make sure that nothing gets burned on the big day, and if you aren’t settled on a specific cut of meat, there are plenty here to inspire you to greatness.
Download Weber Grill (free)
Phantom Fireworks
When it comes to having fireworks, they aren’t an option for everyone. Folks who live in certain states can’t own them at all, and some areas just aren’t prime for setting off in a backyard (legally, at least). For everyone else, there is Phantom Fireworks. You’ve probably seen their stands popping up in parking lots all over the place, and this app helps you find where they’re hiding.
It doesn’t just show you locations either. You can look through the merchandise from inside the app, which means you’ll know exactly what it is you’re looking for when you get to the stall. There are also tips for firework safety if you’ve never set any off before, and the ability to save the fireworks you want in a list that is easy to pull up. For anyone considering picking up fireworks of their own, this is the app to have.
Download Phantom Firework (free)
Yummly
While grilling is almost always on the menu for the Fourth of July, it isn’t the only thing available. You’ll also need to consider sides, dietary restrictions, or forgoing meat entirely if people are doing vegetarian. If you don’t know what kind of food to make, or even how to make it, Yummly has your back.
There are thousands of recipes for you to thumb through, and it’s easy to save your favorites, or add ingredients to your grocery list. Finding themed dishes isn’t difficult either, since you can search with filters. Yummly will also recommend recipes it thinks you’ll be interested in, and learns what you do — or don’t — enjoy eating. This means you can have a delicious spread without touching the grill, with everything you need right in your pocket.
Download Yummly (free)
Drink Advisor
Not everybody will be hanging out in the backyard for the Fourth, and if you are still trying to find plans, then Drink Advisor may be just what you’ve been searching for. Drink Advisor has the details on hundreds of events at bars and restaurants all over the world. This means even if you’re far from home, you can find a place to grab a drink for the holiday.
While it only works in certain areas, Drink Advisor does make it easy for you to find the nightlife by using location services. You can also search by the type of bar, restaurant, or bar activities to find the location best suited to you. You can even filter the cocktails they serve so that you can replicate them at home for next time. If you’re looking for a party on the Fourth, Drink Advisor will help to get you there.
Download Drink Advisor (free)
Waze
The fourth of July is a major travel event, and if you have a trip planned you’ll want to ensure that you are skipping as much of the congestion of the road as possible. So long as you have someone riding shotgun with you, then Waze can be a serious boon to keeping an eye out for everything from traffic, to accidents, to road work, all reported by other users of the app.
This means if someone is keeping an eye out you can see problem areas before you hit them, and take a different route to bypass sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You’ll even be able to see easy places to make a pit stop for gas, or to stretch your legs if you’re planning on a longer trip.
Download Waze (free)
Airbnb
If you plan on taking a vacation over the long weekend, then finding a place to stay away from home is mandatory. If you’re looking for a beach house, or something other than a hotel, then Airbnb may be your best option. You can find some amazing places to stay whether you’re aiming for one night, or a few weeks during the summer.
There are a variety of places to stay with Airbnb and you can save your favorites to share them with friends or family. You’re also able to see the amenities offered by different venues, and what is nearby. This way you get to enjoy the holiday precisely the way that you want to.
Download Airbnb (free)
Hotel Tonight
Not every night goes as planned, and sometimes those surprises are a good thing. Whatever the reason, if you end up needing a place to stay at the last minute, Hotel Tonight can help you out. You can filter rooms by their style, and booking only takes a few moments. This means that you can always find a room, even during a busy weekend like the Fourth of July. You can score great rooms discounted by $100 or more by looking at Georate offers, denoted with a green mark within the app.
Each listing will show you what the weather is expected to look like during the date you’ve chosen, where the hotel is at on a map, amenities, and even details on why the hotel is featured on the app. If you scroll all the way down you can see how other users have rated this room, and it’s service.
Download Hotel Tonight (free)
Questions?
Do you have a favorite app to prepare for the Fourth of July? Is there a must-have app that we missed here? Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know about it!
AKG N60 NC Wireless preview: The ultimate headphone all-rounder?
After hearing about AKG’s latest pair of on-ear headphones, the N60 NC Wireless, at CES 2017, we were itching to give them a go. Fortunately, we’ve now got our hands on a pair and have had a couple of hours to see just what they’re capable of.
AKG N60 NC Wireless preview: Design
Before we laid eyes on the N60 NC Wireless, all we had to go on in terms of looks were some press shots, where they certainly seemed photogenic. Now we have them in the flesh, we find them even more good looking. Executives and frequent flyer types, who want a premium looking and feeling pair of cans for their commute, will be in good hands here.
They really do scream high-end. They’re solid to hold, there’s lashing of protein leather and the metal joints between headband and ear cup not only make them more substantial, but the extra hint of chrome is enough to make us weak at the knees.
The headband is adjustable and each side has numbers from 1-10 to show how far out you’ve pulled them and to help you make sure you get an even balance both sides. It’s a small touch to print the numbers on, and something we haven’t seen before, but it makes complete sense.
They’re an on-ear design, as opposed to over-ear. Whilst AKG has gone to every length to make them as comfortable as possible, with a combination of leather and memory foam on the ear pieces, we did find ourselves struggling to keep them on for more than a couple of hours. We were on a cramped train for most of that though, so may feel better in more open conditions. We’ll be sure to let you know.
The right ear cup may initially look a bit busy with several different buttons, but they’re there to make controlling music playback, volume and power a lot easier when they’re on your head.
AKG N60 NC Wireless preview: Sound quality
Pocket-lint
As we said in our opening, we’ve only had a couple of hours of listening time so far, so can’t give our final opinion on the headphones just yet. In those few hours we’ve noticed the sound change somewhat, as the speaker drivers warm up and loosen. We’ll be sure to keep listening until they’re performing at their very best.
What we have heard so far has been very good, though. An eclectic mix of music has already been played through them: from beat-heavy Aphex Twin, to light and airy ambient songs from London Grammar. So far, the N60 NC Wireless hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Bass levels have been spot on, for our tastes at least. If you’re a true Beats bass-junkie, then you may find these a little flat in comparison. We’d have to say there’s just the right amount, while vocals are comfortably given centre stage.
We do feel some drum beats are a bit too sharp right now, but this is something we expect to change as we listen some more.
AKG N60 NC Wireless preview: Features and performance
Pocket-lint
We haven’t listened to the wired pair of the N60 NCs unfortunately, but we can’t imagine the sound will change too much. Sometimes when a company releases a wireless version of a wired pair of headphones, the lack of secure connection can affect the sound. We’d say that’s not the case here. There’s no lag at all between phone and headphones,
The headline feature of the N60 NCs is the noise-cancellation, which AKG claims is “best in class”. We had a chance to listen to them on the London Underground, and sure enough, we could barely hear a murmur from outside our listening zone.
We could see people have conversations right in front of us, but didn’t have a clue what they were saying. They’re a good tool to help you learn how to lip read. We’ll update this with our full thoughts on their noise-cancelling abilities in the full review.
AKG says the battery should give you up to 15 hours of wireless playback from a single charge. When we first got them out the box we were surprised to see a full charge, we expected only 50 per cent, or something around that. They’ve lost 20 per cent so far, but we’ll sure to top them up and see how long it takes to run them down. We’re pretty confident we can reach that 15 hour figure.
First Impressions
We feel like we’re going to get on very well with AKG’s latest pair of cans. They look great, feel great and already sound great, which means, as D:Ream once said, things can only get better.
Their £250 price tag already seems more than justified, but we’re interested to see just how well they stack up against some pretty formidable competition in the form of the Sony MDR-1000X and the Bose QuietComfort 35. Both those pairs are more expensive and both use an over-ear design. Which in a way, leaves the playing field wide open for AKG to come in with a genuinely portable pair of noise-cancelling cans.
21 of the best office tech pranks of all time
Office pranks have always been a firm favourite on the internet and, for those cooped up in an air-conditioned office from nine to five for most of the year, they’re a great escape from the humdrum.
The best office pranks we’ve seen range from the surprisingly simple to the extremely extravagant – and they more often than not involve tech.
Discover the most amusing we’ve seen so far and maybe get some inspiration for your very own office-based shenanigans.
The simple mouse trick
An old trick, but a classic nonetheless. All this prank involves is a little bit of sticky tape and a small spot of paper over the laser on the bottom of a co-worker’s mouse to render it frustratingly unresponsive. Simple but effective.
Take this prank to another level by switching one co-worker’s wireless mouse with another’s and have them moving each other’s cursors without realising what’s going on.
Nicolas Cage photocopier
BoredPanda
Who doesn’t love Nick Cage? This prank is as subtle as it is alarming. Unsuspecting co-workers may well find an extra surprise on their photocopies if they’re not paying enough attention when they open the lid. We have no doubt this one results in some hilarious consequences and brightens up an otherwise dull office task.
Toilet Cage
RantNow
Everybody poops, but no one expects to find Nicolas Cage in their office toilets. Another simple yet hilarious prank for the workplace.
The office toilet
@alicetaywong
This prank probably requires a tad more effort and expense than some of the others on our list, but will definitely help out colleagues who complain about not having enough hours in the day to get their work done. Throw in a fridge and a microwave and they’ll never have to move again. Just imagine how efficient they could be!
Voice-activated toaster
Memes
We live in a world where more and more smart devices are appearing by the day and the latest trend is the inclusion of voice-activated smart assistants. It’s not too much of a stretch to believe that a voice-activated toaster could make its way into the office kitchen.
We’d love to see the results of this prank as people shout angrily at an inanimate object.
Shouting at the photocopier
If a voice-activated toaster is a bit too hard to believe, a smart photocopier might not be. Dumbing down the copier would certainly be helpful for the office technophobes.
Until one becomes available to buy we’ll just have to make do with watching colleagues shouting at the machine and getting in a flap when it doesn’t work.
Cubicle balloon prank
One of the true classic office pranks is probably one of the most clichéd too – stuffing a co-worker’s office or cubicle full of balloons, balls or other multicoloured objects. These are likely helium balloons, at least we hope so or someone had a lot of puffing to do!
If you’re thinking of pulling this prank off, you can ease the workload and cost by taping the balloons to the window to give the illusion that the room is full without actually having to fill it.
The chair horn
token-straight-friend
Loud, proud and likely to give everyone a fright. This simple prank involves taping a fog horn can to the underside of an office chair. When the victim takes a pew, the results will certainly be alarming. If not deafening.
We wouldn’t recommend pulling this prank on anyone with a sensitive disposition or a heart condition. Nor would we suggest doing it in a confined space.
Loud toilet noises
Blazepress
If you’re ever going to get a fright, what better place to be than in a toilet. We still think this prank might be verging on being a bit too evil but can’t help wonder what the results were or what the rest of the office thought when the horn went off.
The hungry office worker
Imgur
We’re not quite sure where you’d get quite this many Chinese takeaway cartons from, unless you’re a really loyal customer. But you’ve got to admire the level of effort that went into this prank. We’d love to see this done with a fortune cookie in each box so there was at least some reward for all the effort that went into clearing up afterwards.
A rat infestation
Blazepress
There’s a definite theme amongst office pranksters for stuffing someone’s office or cubicle full of a specific item. Some of these pranks clearly require more effort and expense than others. We’d imagine buying this many toy rats required not only a hefty investment but a fair amount of transportation too.
Just hope the victim wasn’t afraid of furry critters.
A massive paper-mache ball
Imgur
Another high-effort prank involved constructing an giant paper mache ball. You certainly have to marvel at the level of dedication here. The prankster went to the trouble of transporting all the necessary parts into their colleague’s office before putting it all together to create the final masterpiece.
We can imagine it was fun deconstructing it to reclaim the office, if nothing else.
Healthy doughnut snacks
Buzzly
Office workers love a good snack and there’s no better way to win over your colleague’s affections than with a box of sugary treats. Which is why this prank is pure evil. Though some might appreciate the lack of fattening calories this box of “doughnuts” brings.
Toffee apples with a twist
BoredPanda
Some people just want to watch the world burn. Mixing toffee apples with toffee onions and sending colleagues to embark on a game of Russian roulette without even realising what they’re letting themselves in for is particularly evil.
They say the first bite is with the eye, but in this case, the second bite could be particularly unpleasant.
There’s a leak in the toilet
Nikki Parker
Here, puns and pranks combine to form a simple yet chortle-worthy bit of toilet-based humour. Picture the scene as a colleague runs over to the office manager all in a flap: “There’s a leak in the women’s toilets!”. Classic.
Office tech upgrade
Blazepress
Technology is really coming on in leaps and bounds, yet some might yearn for simpler times when Windows errors and updates were never a problem. This office technology downgrade is oddly appealing and clearly, no expense was spent.
An eco-friendly keyboard
Blazepress
In a world where everyone is looking for a way to reduce their carbon footprint, this classic cress-based keyboard prank might actually be a welcome “green” addition to the office. Plus, if the victim of the prank gets a bit peckish during the day, then they’ve got some quick and easy access to a light snack.
Some trimming may be required
Taking the cress planting prank to the next level, this prankster has gone to the effort of planting grass all over their colleague’s desk. If you look carefully, you’ll see they’ve even supplied a water mister for keeping the greenery freshly watered.
A drawer full of surprises
We like this prank, though it could easily end up being a bit messy if you get it wrong. It also requires some effort and some unseen time in the office to prepare.
Firstly, the colleague’s desk drawer is emptied and lined with plastic sheeting. Then simply filled with water, some decorations, appropriate foliage and a collection of fish. Goldfish are the most likely candidate due to their affordability. Plus with their memory issues, they’re less likely to end up mentally scarred by their outing.
It does take some commitment to carry this prank out though. You’ll need to find a home for the fish after the fun is all over unless they stay in the drawer from then on, but that doesn’t seem ideal for anyone.
Employee of the month
BoredPanda
There’s something to be said for the office pranks that are so subtle they could easily go unnoticed. Here the office prankster has added another photo to the wall where the employee of the month usually resides. Korean leader Kim Jong Um now stares down on his colleagues, dissatisfied with their Western work ethics.
The office mascot
Blazepress
“Have you met the new guy? He’s a tad on the grumpy side.”
We wouldn’t recommend stealing this guy’s lunch. He’s pretty precious about his salmon salad.
We do however, have to doth our caps to whoever went to the effort of clearing out enough space for a full-sized stuffed bear. If you came into work on a Monday morning expecting to sit at your desk and get ready for another week’s grind but were instead faced with this beast you’d probably need to go home for a change of underpants.
Have we missed any corking office pranks off our list? Drop us a note in the comments so we can add them!
AIVAnet 