Technology Reviews

Reviews

Tech Review: Pixel perfect: Huawei leapfrogs rivals as P20 Pro becomes top cameraphone 

What will your next phone be? An Apple, a Samsung or ... a Huawei?

Tech Review: Sony's Xperia XZ2 fails to keep pace with rivals' flagship devices 

Sony has always made decent smartphones with great cameras. Of late, however, it has been falling behind the competition.

Tech Review: Pixel perfect: Huawei leapfrogs rivals as P20 Pro becomes top cameraphone 

What will your next phone be? An Apple, a Samsung or ... a Huawei?

Tech Review: pricey Sony headphones fail to impress despite excellent record in noise-cancelling field 

With most phones now moving away from 3.5mm headphone sockets, wireless headphones are becoming a lot more popular.

Review: The new Panasonic Lumix GH5S 

If Panasonic wants a new catchphrase for its new Lumix GH5S, let me offer the following: ‘Come for the video, stay for the stills’.

Adrian Weckler review: Huawei P20 Pro appears to have muscled its way to the top of the camera phone podium 

A couple of years ago, phones killed off compact cameras.

Tech Review: Low-light shots a highlight as Panasonic offers best of both worlds 

If Panasonic wants a new catchphrase for its new Lumix GH5S, let me offer the following: 'Come for the video, stay for the stills'.

Tech Review: Samsung S9 camera puts it in the frame for top spot 

Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy S9 and S9+ flagship smartphones.

Tech Review: Sony Xperia XA2 is a solid mid-range phone with a good camera 

Mobile World Congress kicks off next week and, with it, a host of new smartphones from the main manufacturers will be unveiled. Getting in...

The little tube that adds real oomph to speakers system 

Now that smart speakers such as Amazon's Echo and Apple's HomePod (which isn't yet available in the Irish market) are coming on stream, is there a future for 'dumb' standalone speakers?

The clever and easy way to set about creating a smart home of the future from scratch 

Talk of 'connected' or 'smart' homes often causes eyes to roll. It's not just the ludicrous cost that such concepts have historically had, with their...

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor Adrian Weckler tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q: I want to get a wireless speaker for my kitchen but my son told me I should get a 'smart speaker' instead. Is there any advantage to this over a...

Tech Review: H2 'earprint' brings personal touch - but not when walking 

Headphones are like speakers: there appears to be an unending supply of them. But Even thinks that it has a distinction of note in a unique feature it...

Ask Adrian: Easy-to-use tech for a hospital stay 

Q: My mother is going into hospital for a while. Do you have advice on any easy-to-use technology that might help keep her entertained? She can use a smartphone but her eyesight is not great, nor is...

Bargain hunt: Six of the best tech tools to look out for when this year's sales begin 

Although Christmas is still four days away, the sales are just five days away. Many people use this period to save a few euro on discounted stock...

Tech Review: Devialet brings high-fidelity quality to wifi world 

Our post-hifi era makes it easier and cheaper to get music - all you need is your phone, a Spotify subscription and a Bluetooth speaker. But there's a catch which comes in the form of a diminution...

To the rescue: eight last-minute executive tech Christmas gifts to buy 

Like to leave it late to get the worker bee in your life their Christmas tech gift? We have you covered. Here are eight good choices that will delight any executive on Christmas morning.

Adrian Weckler: What not to buy... the Grinch gadgets that could really ruin Christmas 

Gadgets make great gifts. But not always. Here are eight tech devices you should definitely avoid getting loved ones this Christmas.

Fuji printer is an instant hit for your pin-up shots 

Be honest: when is the last time you printed off a photo you really like from your phone or social feed? If you're like me, it's something you're constantly 'about to get around to'. But the day...

Price is right as much-loved Nokia returns with flagship smartphone 

A flagship smartphone? Nokia? Yep, you read that right. The king of nineties and noughties mobile phones is back with a device that it hopes will return us to considering it in same conversations...

Smart thinking from Vodafone for best device of year 

If you're looking for a budget smartphone that performs beyond its price tag, Vodafone's new Smart V8 is my choice as the best device of the year.

Tech review: Huawei's Mate 10 Pro is a phone-toting workaholic's dream with great battery life, a standout camera and a keen price 

It isn't as flashy looking as rivals from Apple or Samsung. But if you prize battery life highly,...

The Ultimate Wish-list: The 50 best gadgets of 2017 

What’s the gadget of the year? Is it the iconic iPhone X? Or a smartwatch? Or a drone? Or something else entirely? With Black Friday upon us, now is a good time to look at the cream of this...

Tech Review: Canon's EOS M6 mirrorless camera is a good all-rounder but lacks the pizazz of rivals 

There are three different audiences for Canon's recently-release M6 mirrorless camera: (i) travellers (ii) video bloggers ('vloggers') and (iii)...

Seriously impressive: Google Pixelbook can travel light and do heavy lifting for business 

Five years ago, Google was a software and online ad company. Now, it makes hardware such as phones and laptops. It has deliberately gone for...

Apple Watch 3 ticks all the boxes and is definitely fit for purpose - but just be wary of jumping in at the deep end 

IS IT time to consider Apple's Watch Series 3? If so, a reminder that Irish customers are limited to...

Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 is an outstanding flagship phone for business users 

Much of the attention over the last month may have been around Apple's new iPhones. But Samsung recently launched a beast of a flagship...

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q I recently cleared out my attic and am left with a bunch of old tech stuff I'd forgotten about including a monitor, keyboards, a tablet, a Playstation 2 and even two old mobile phones.

Review: Canon's 6D Mark ii scores, but doesn't quite soar 

For photography enthusiasts, the Canon 6D Mark ii holds a special position. It is the entry-level 'full frame' camera within Canon's ecosystem, so it will attract more attention than almost any other...

Great 8: new iPhone offers best camera yet 

There's nothing quite like a new iPhone to get people's tech cogs moving. This is especially true for work users, as the iPhone is now the dominant business handset in Ireland: it stepped in when...

10 Reasons why the iPhone continues to dominate our lives 

On the 10th anniversary of its birth, the iPhone is making big bets on smartphones' future. From AR, to facial recognition and a new €1,000 price point, Apple's iconic handset is investing in an upgraded...

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q I promised my child a smartphone when she started secondary school. But I don't have much of a clue what to get. What do you recommend?

Tech review: Apple adds a touch of class to new top-of-the-range MacBook Pro which raises bar for high-end PCs 

Apple MacBooks have bucked the trend among PCs for years, steadily increasing market share...

Canon unveil the new 6D Mark ii... and here's why it doesn't need 4K 

Canon has unveiled the new 6D Mark ii, a full frame enthusiast camera that replaces its five-year-old 6D model.

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q: I'm getting a new TV. Is it worth spending more for a 4K model? Do networks broadcast in such high resolution?

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q: I have two children going through communions and confirmations this month. While my phone camera is pretty good, I'd like something with a bit more quality to take photos on the day. I don't...

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Huawei P10 

I had very high expectations for Huawei’s new flagship 5.1-inch P10 and 5.5-inch P10 Plus smartphones. By and large, I’m not disappointed: the phones’

Want to pay in shops with your iPhone or Apple Watch? Apple Pay available for Irish consumers 

Want to pay for things with your iPhone or Apple Watch? Apple Pay has finally arrived in Ireland.

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Samsung Galaxy A5 

It's a common conundrum. You want a solid new smartphone with a good amount of bells and whistles but are a little shy of the €800 it takes to reach for the top-tier handsets.

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Technics SL-1200GR 

For me, vinyl is more about art than music. It is a primary option only for those who are genuinely content to forego choice, spontaneity and quality at an affordable price. As such, it is about...

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Polk Boom Swimmer Duo 

One of the most novel, most fun little Bluetooth speakers I've come across in a while is Polk's Swimmer Duo. It's a low-­wattage waterproof wireless speaker that you can stick up against a...

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Fuji X100F 

Fuji continues to scale the camera world with its latest high-end fixed-lens model, the X100F. But at €1,400, is it an overpriced snapper or a droolworthy pocket wonder? I'm a little closer...

Tech Review: Philips Viva Collection Airfryer HD9220 

Our reviewer tests the Philips Viva Collection Airfryer HD9220.

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: HoloLens sows seeds for future vision 

Our technology editor reviews the Microsoft HoloLens.

Tech Review: Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 

Our reviewer tests the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8.

Tech Review: Fitbit Charge 2 

Our reviewer tests out the Fitbit Charge 2.

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Lumix FZ2000 

When buying a camera, many just want something they can pick up, switch on and rely upon to catch any kind of photo (or video) without reaching for lenses or having a master's degree in light-...

Adrian Weckler Tech Review: Samsung Gear S3 

Our technology editor reviews the Samsung Gear S3 watch.

Moto E3: Tech review 

Our technology editor reviews the Moto E3 phone

Apple AirPods: Tech review 

Our technology editor reviews the Apple AirPods.

Gadget guide: Ring Video Doorbell 

Most front doors get plenty of visitors from day to day- delivery people, pesky kids selling lines, junk mailers and actual friends.