Google Chromecast Review

A new device from Google makes it easy to stream video from several popular services to a high-definition TV. Chromecast is tiny enough to dangle from a keychain when not in use, but it packs a big punch for a low price.

At merely $35, Chromecast is irresistible. Using your home Wi-Fi network, it streams some of your favorite shows from some of your favorite services, including Netflix and Google’s YouTube. It takes only a few minutes to set up, and the device worked flawlessly.

Chromecast joins Roku, Apple TV and several other devices meant to project Internet content onto TVs. In the early days of online video, people were content watching movies and shows on their desktop or laptop computers. But as these services become more popular and even replace cable TV in some households, there’s a greater desire to get them playing on television sets, which tend to be the largest screens in living rooms.

That’s especially true when your computer is a phone or tablet and has a smaller screen.

Chromecast, which is about the size of a thumb drive, plugs directly into the HDMI port of an HDTV. A USB cable must be inserted at the other end of the Chromecast and connected to a power source, either a wall outlet or a USB port on the TV.

It was easy to sync Chromecast with my Android phone, and it was an even nicer experience with Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet. There’s something to be said for turning my touch-screen device into a remote control for Netflix.

I watched an episode of Netflix’s original series “House of Cards” in high definition without a glitch. Same goes for watching the BBC’s “Empire of the Sun,” a free offering from Google’s online Play store. But other titles there cost money, as does a Netflix subscription. Chromecast is merely a physical conduit to the services I’d already signed up and paid for.

Even though I already have a Netflix app on my smartphone, I had to download a Chromecast version of it, as well as the main Chromecast app from Google. That’s a one-time affair, and it’s a snap to get them up and running after the initial installation.

To watch a movie, I simply choose it from the Chromecast Netflix app. Once it’s playing on the big screen, I was able to easily pause, play and forward through my content with a swipe of the finger. “House of Cards” continues to play even after I power off my phone completely, as the video passes through my Wi-Fi network, which remains on. I do have to turn my phone back on to regain remote control over the viewing experience.

It works similarly with Chromecast app for Google Play and YouTube.

More apps are coming. For Hulu Plus, HBO Go and other services without apps yet, it’s possible to simply stream that content on Google’s Chrome Web browser, assuming you have accounts with them. You can then have whatever is showing on the browser project onto the TV.

In practice, though, I was never able to successfully connect a desktop or a laptop computer, each running the latest version of the Chrome browser, to the Chromecast device. There are apps and browser extensions and not-fully supported operating systems that all need to be in sync to pull it off. In my tests, using two different Macs and a Windows computer, they never were.

Also, Chromecast doesn’t allow so-called “sideloaded” content to be streamed on it. “Sideloaded” is essentially shorthand for content that Google can’t be certain you have legally purchased and have the rights to consume. If I had gotten the Chrome browser method to work, I could have used that to view them on the big screen. But it’s easier said than done.

Plenty of devices allow much easier local content streaming. Chromecast isn’t one of them. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, though.

I suspect many people already have devices that can stream these popular services to an HD display. If you have an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3, you’re already good to go. The same goes for the Roku streaming box that handles some of the same streaming apps as Chromecast, and many more. Heck, even a laptop with an HDMI output can deliver the content to an HDTV.

Unlike many of the other streaming devices, you still need a phone, tablet or regular computer to control your viewing with Chromecast. Roku’s streaming box, for instance, lets you sign into accounts, choose content and rewind video with an included remote. Roku does make a separate streaming stick, similar to Chromecast, but that works only with TVs that have a technology known as mobile high-definition links, or MHL.

For now, there are only a handful of apps currently available to use with Chromecast. But they are among the most popular Internet video services. Video from Apple’s iTunes isn’t likely to come to Chromecast any time soon, but you can expect many more to be added if the device takes off. (If you really need iTunes, you’ll need an Apple TV. Roku doesn’t have it, either.)

At $35, Chromecast is cheaper than other streaming devices, which run about $100 each. I can think of a lot of worse ways to fork over $35.

If you don’t already have a device that can stream Netflix to your HDTV, Chromecast hits the sweet spot.

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Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player Average Rating: 612 total customer reviews...

Roku 3 HD Streaming Player Average Rating: 149 total customer reviews...

New Apple TV for HD content and AirPlay Average Rating: 35 total customer reviews...

 

Google Chromecast Review

Transcendence: movie review

Cast:Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Kate Mara

Director: Wally Pfister

Writer: Jack Paglen

SPOILER ALERTS

HAL has come a long way.

First, we had Scarlett Johansson as a human-like operating system. Now, Johnny Depp has been uploaded. If the singularity — when artificial intelligence surpasses human smarts — is indeed coming, at least it has decent taste in movie star avatars.

First-time director Wally Pfister’s Transcendence isn’t so much the “Him” to Spike Jonze’s Her as it’s a more dystopian vision of the meeting of human consciousness and computer intelligence. It turns out that when computers get sophisticated, worse things can happen than Joaquin Phoenix getting his feelings hurt.

But whereas Her was playful and personal about familiar futuristic concepts, Transcendence is clunky and lifeless. It’s like the movie version of a paranoid TED talk.

In the early scenes of Transcendence, Dr. Will Caster (a disappointingly sleepy Depp) is a TED-style master of the universe, speaking confidently in front of large video screens to eager listeners about neurology and artificial intelligence. But there are also protesters to his potentially all-powerful invention: the Physically Independent Neural Network (PINN), an early artificial intelligence propelled by a room full of computers that Caster believes could, among other things, cure cancer.

An assassination attempt with a radiation-laced bullet leaves Caster with weeks to live. Desperate to keep his mind alive, his loyal, sycophantic wife and fellow researcher Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) uploads Caster’s brain to a PC with PINN hardware. Helping her is their good friend and colleague Max (Paul Bettany, serving as narrator).

But as anyone with an iPhone knows, software updates can be tragic. The transfer is finished just as Caster dies. Soon enough, the screen flickers to life, first with a few typed words and then seemingly Caster’s full personality, in voice and pixel form.

Alert to their plan, anti-tech activists (led by Kate Mara) are simultaneously descending. In the chaos, Max begins to realize they’ve created a high-speed Frankenstein — an epiphany lost on the mourning Evelyn, who flees after uploading Caster to the Internet. He immediately spreads across the Web (he calls Evelyn on her phone) and begins seeking more computing power.

It takes a long time for Transcendence to build to this moment, when perhaps it should have begun here in the first place. But it feels like a suddenly intriguing crossroads. Where will this terrifyingly digital Depp go?

If you answered: to a desert town to build an underground data center for development of radical tissue regeneration techniques, guarded by a creepy army of network-connected, superhuman zombies — then your algorithms are more advanced than mine.

Yet the urgency and intelligence of Transcendence isn’t artificial. It feels sincerely animated by the frightful questions it poses about computing power and interconnectedness.

Pfister, making his directorial debut after years as a cinematographer often teamed with director Christopher Nolan (a Transcendence producer), doesn’t exhibit a sure hand with dialogue or a feel for the rhythm of his narrative. Neither does the film have the distinctive form of his prior photography work, most notably The Dark Knight. (In imagery, Transcendence pales in comparison to the sumptuous sci-fi of the recent Under the Skin.)

But, as in Nolan’s Inception, Pfister, working from a script by first-time screenwriter Jack Paglen, shows an instinct to drive the genre elements toward a more personal story. Transcendence ultimately hinges on the relationship of Caster and Evelyn. The excellent Hall, looking a bit confused by what she’s gotten herself into, does her best to emotionally ground Pfister’s increasingly unfocused and heavy-handed story.

Just as in science, noble intentions can lead talented artistic minds astray, too.

Read more movie review By [JAKE COYLE]

Transcendence: movie review

iKettle Wifi Electric Kettle

Whatever the urgent hot-drink scenario, a simple one-touch setup allows you to instantly control the iKettle from anywhere in the house with your smart-phone.
Best Creative Ideas http://bit.ly/1fAC6AM

Rio 2 Movie Review

A vivid and delightful animated spectacle, “Rio 2″ is chock-full of colourful 3-D wonder and jubilant musical numbers set against a tale of family dynamics and environmental dilemmas.

The sequel opens with a vibrant New Year’s Eve bash, as partying in the music-filled streets of Rio de Janeiro is punctuated by fireworks bursting above the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Supervised by composer John Powell, more emphasis has been placed on the music of this film, which benefits from numbers by artists like Bruno Mars (who also voices the smooth bird Roberto in the film), Janelle Monae and celebrated Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown.

After mating in Brazil in 2011′s “Rio,” rare macaws Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) now have three lively kids who have become accustomed to the same domestication Blu was brought up on in Minnesota. They’re attached to gadgets like iPods and eat pancakes for breakfast, which irks the raised-in-the-wild Jewel.

But the family heads off to the Amazon rainforest, to Jewel’s delight and Blu’s strife, when they get wind that a tribe of blue macaws may live there and are being pursued by Blu’s past owner and animal lover, Linda (voiced by Leslie Mann), and her husband, Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro).

With a few of the quirky supporting characters from the first film in tow — including birds voiced by George Lopez (as frisky toucan Rafael) and Jamie Foxx and will.i.am (as rapping canary-and-cardinal duo Nico and Pedro) — they soar through a dazzling journey to the rainforest, making the often-wasted 3-D effect worth it as we take in the broad scope and graphically layered flair.

Once there, Jewel discovers the large macaw crew is led by her long-lost father (Andy Garcia), who is unimpressed with his daughter’s choice of a mate. He can’t help but roll his eyes over Blu’s use of a GPS or a Swiss Army kit rather than the use of his own sharp beak. But their classic in-law banter is sublimely comical.

Brazilian native writer-director Carlos Saldanha and Don Rhymer returned to pen the story. But they try too hard to make up for the minimalist plot of the original and drown in subplots: Blu battles with Jewel over staying in the wild versus returning to the city; Linda and Tulio clash with a few bad guys threatening to cut down the rainforest (the film’s eco push); and Blu’s old rival, Niguel (Jemaine Clement of “Flight of the Conchords”), pops up with a beautiful yet poisonous neon pink and purple frog (an angelic and cutesy Kristin Chenoweth) plotting revenge. Phew!

And then there are the moments when characters break out into song. Niguel’s hotshot rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” seems a little ill-set when he really should be crooning a sinister track a la Ursula’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls” in “The Little Mermaid.”

The sweet voice of Hathaway shines with her solo lullaby. But it’s Chenoweth’s Broadway-like delivery that trumps all when she belts out an anthem on forbidden love. Though the original songs here are whimsical and fun, few are irresistible.

With so much going on, it’s a wonder this kids’ movie is only five minutes longer than the original. But for the music and brilliantly picturesque look, it’s worth the 3-D ticket.

“Rio 2,” a 20th Century Fox release, is rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America. Running time: 101 minutes.

Review by [Jessica Herndon]

 

Rio 2 [Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + Digital copy] Average Rating: 3 total customer reviews...

Rio 2 [Blu-ray + Digital copy] Average Rating: 3 total customer reviews...

Rio 2 Movie Review

10 Best Selling iOS and Android App Enabled Devices

1. Nike+ Fuel Band

Nike+ FuelBand measures your everyday activity and turns it into NikeFuel. It tracks calories burned, steps taken and more. It’s also a great watch.

How it works
Nike+FuelBand tracks your activity through a sport-tested accelerometer, then translates every move into NikeFuel. Nike+ FuelBand tracks running, walking, dancing, basketball and dozens of everyday activities. So put it on and get moving.

It starts with a goal

How active do you want to be? Set your Daily Goal and Nike+ FuelBand tracks your progress, lighting up from red to green throughout the day. Get to green and you’ve hit your goal. With the touch of a button you can cycle through your time, NikeFuel earned, steps taken and calories burned.

Make life a sport

Turn every day into a game. Challenge yourself to capture records, reach new milestones and unlock special achievements. Go on a streak by seeing how many days in a row you can get to green.

Track your progress

Wirelessly sync your Nike+ FuelBand to see your results. Or plug it directly into your Mac’s USB port to sync. See your peaks, your progress and your trophies.

Go mobile

Get the free Nike+ FuelBand mobile app for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to sync wirelessly, track your progress and get extra motivation on the go. With the app you can compete with yourself or share results with your friends to compare, compete and celebrate.

Important Features

• Available in three sizes: small, medium/large and x-large
  


• An ambient light sensor detects environmental light levels and adjusts display brightness accordingly


• Bluetooth pairing to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch for use with the Nike+ FuelBand app (requires iOS 5)


• Water-resistant for safe use during wet weather


• Online Nike+ user manual shows you just how much Nike+ FuelBand can do


• Two Lithium Polymer batteries provide a charge that lasts up to four days


• Built-in 3-axis accelerometer measures your motion all day long


• PVC-free construction; materials include TPE (43%), Polypropylene (34%), Magnesium (14%), Stainless Steel (9%)

 

2. Philips Hue Connected Bulb – Starter Pack

Philips Hue connected bulbs and bridge let you to take full control of your lighting from iPhone or iPad. Create light settings based on your favourite photos, choose from expert light recipes to help you relax or concentrate, or even set timers to help you wake up and pace your day. Whatever you want to do with your lighting, Hue can.

Control your lighting from iPhone and iPad

Easy-to-install wireless bridge

High-quality bright white light

Tune whites and colours

Create light settings based on favourite photos

Create your personal wireless lighting environment with the Philips Hue connected bulbs and wireless bridge. And control it all with your iPhone or iPad from wherever you are. You can connect up to 50 Hue light bulbs to a single system, while using as much as 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.

Each Hue light bulb delivers 600 lumens and produces all shades of white, from warm to cold, and a wide variety of colour. Each bulb uses 80% less power than a traditional light bulb.

It’s easy to extend your lighting system with additional single bulbs. All you need is the bridge that comes with the Starter Pack.

Important Features

• Create and control your personal lighting scheme from your iPhone or iPad
  


• Wireless connectivity via easy-to-set-up bridge


• Light bulbs are compatible with most sockets


• Great quality of bright white light with tunable white and colours


• Create light settings based on your favourite photos


• Tune, dim, and control Hue from anywhere
  


• Choose from expert light recipes to help you relax or concentrate


• Set timers to help you wake up and pace your day

 

3. Withings Smart Body Analyser WS-50

More than just digital scales, the Smart Body Analyser tracks both your weight and your body composition. Check your heart rate simply by stepping on, with no extra effort involved. Thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, the Smart Body Analyser is super-easy to set up on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. After each weigh in, the scale automatically uploads and syncs your data via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Access your securely stored information whenever and wherever you need via the web or with the Health Mate app. Use it to set weight goals and the app will break them down into weekly achievable targets as well as giving you relevant tips. Even when you’re not standing on it, the scale is continuously monitoring the air quality of your indoor environment through temperature and carbon dioxide metering.

It is also made for the whole family as it can monitor up to eight different users. Everyone can have their own user profile and, once the Smart Body Analyser gets to know your weight, it automatically recognises who steps on it.

Important Features

• Track your weight and body fat


• Measure your heart rate simply by stepping on the scale


• Monitor your indoor air quality with temperature and CO2 measurements


• Position Control technology for high-accuracy weighing


• Free Health Mate app tracks weight trends


• Weight data is automatically uploaded via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth


• Multi-user support with automatic recognition


• Big, backlit, easy-on-the-eye display

 

4. D-Link Day/Night Cloud Camera

The Day/Night Cloud Camera transmits and records high-quality video images even at night, thanks to its built-in infrared illuminators. When the camera detects motion it triggers email alerts, allowing you to respond no matter where you are.

With mydlink Cloud services, you can access and manage your camera remotely via the mydlink app, available for iPhone or iPad devices. If you have more than one camera, you can add it to your existing mydlink account and watch all your cameras from a single location. The Day/Night Cloud Camera includes 802.11n wireless for fast and easy integration into your existing network environment.

Important features

• Includes 802.11n wireless technology


• Motion-triggered alerts by email


• Built-in microphone


• Wi-Fi protected set up


• Uses mydlink Cloud Services


• Built-in infrared illuminators


• Universal Plug and Play feature


• Included D-ViewCam software lets you view up to 32 cameras from a central location

 

5. hipKey Proximity and Movement Alarm

The hipKey is a high tech way of keeping track of your valuables. Simply attach the device to the item of your choice and you’re ready to go. Made of a sculptured one-piece anodised aluminium ring surrounded by high-quality plastic parts, its sleek oval form fits perfectly in your palm or pocket. You can even attach it to your keys.

Alarm Mode

Warns you if you forget your iPhone or iPad or if someone attempts to steal it.

Child mode

Alerts you if your child wanders too far away from you.

Motion Mode

Put hipKey in your bag and you are alerted if someone moves it.

Find Me Mode

Quickly find your iPhone, iPad or your keys at any time.

Important Features

• Maximum range of up 50 metres


• Loud alarm (90dB)


• Clear vibration indications


• Motion detection


• Rechargeable battery with micro USB


• Battery lasts two to four weeks between charging


• Iconic aluminium design


• Durable and flexible key hanger


• Four key features designed to keep an eye on your valuables


• 
  App enabled for iPhone and iPad

 

6. GoPro HD HERO3 Video Camera – Black Edition

The advanced camera for athletes, filmmakers and enthusiasts, the GoPro HERO3 is smaller, lighter and more powerful.

Capture HD video at up to 120 frames per second, and take 12-megapixel photos with 30-frame-per-second bursts. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you use the included Wi-Fi Remote, or for added flexibility use your iPhone or iPad to activate your GoPro, watch a live video preview and play back your action shots. With a housing waterproof to 60 metres, stereo microphones and low light performance, you can mount the GoPro HERO anywhere and never miss a moment, whether you’re driving, skiing, kayaking, biking or skating, with GoPro compatible mounts.

Important Features

• Professional HD video camera up to 120 fps (720p), 60 fps (1080p), 48 fps (1440p) and 240 fps (WVGA)


• 12-megapixel photo capture with 30-frame-per-second burst


• Wi-Fi Built-In and Wi-Fi Remote included


• Stereo microphones and professional low light performance


• 60m waterproof housing


• Compatible with GoPro mounts for attaching to fear, body, helmets, vehicles and more


• Control with your iPhone or iPad using app
  

 

7. Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

The AR.Drone 2.0 remote-control quadricopter combines the best of many worlds, including modelling, video gaming and augmented reality. The AR.Drone 2.0 is remote-controlled by an iPhone or iPad and features a number of sensors, including a high-definition front camera, vertical camera, an ultrasound altimeter and absolute control mode. With the AR.Drone 2.0, you can now record video and take pictures while in-flight and directly share them on Youtube and Picasa. You can also use the AR.Drone in video games, such as AR.Race, a one- or two-player game using an obstacle course.

Intuitive

Download AR.FreeFlight 2.0, the free control application, from the App Store in iTunes and you’re ready to fly. By tilting your device, you control the direction of your AR.Drone, and by releasing it, the AR.Drone is instantly stabilised.

Record and share in HD

As you fly, the HD video is recorded and sent directly to your device. With one click, upload your video from the user-friendly interface seamlessly to YouTube or share your pictures on Picasa. With the new piloting application, everything is simple and done wirelessly in an instant. For pilots looking to shoot longer videos, a USB plug-in has been added for larger recording storage.

Pilot like a pro

Thanks to the AR.Drone‘s autopilot feature, anyone can be an expert as the embedded sensors allow for easy take-off and landing. The new AR.Drone 2.0 also features the exclusive and patented Absolute Control piloting mode for beginners that can be adjusted with your growing expertise.

Explore more

With the new AR.Drone 2.0-generated WiFi N Connection, you can fly as far as 50 metres away. The AR.Drone 2.0 pressure sensors on-board provide unique stability that will automatically correct and maintain a still position in the air regardless of altitude and wind up to 15 mph.

Join a community of pilots

Keep track of your flight data, location, photos and videos and share them with a community of other pilots from all over the world thanks to the AR.Drone Academy. Check who is flying in your neighbourhood or watch videos from pilots at the other end of the world.

Acrobatic

This flip move is exclusive to AR.Drone 2.0. Become a daring pilot and perform barrel rolls by simply hitting a button.

Indoor and outdoor hulls

The full hull shield protects the AR.Drone from impacts that occur during wild battles against enemies hidden in the rooms of the house. The streamlined coloured hull is aerodynamic, allowing greater control outside.

High durability and easy repair
AR.Drone is made of carbon fiber and high-resistance PA66 plastic. You can replace all parts for easy repair.

Augmented reality games

Not only can you see what the AR.Drone sees with the front-mounted camera, you can play a wide variety of games in augmented reality. AR.Games are available in the App Store in iTunes. Choose from a selection of single-player and multiplayer games, using the AR.Drone’s camera and the augmented reality applications. Shoot enemies or other drones.

Important Features

• Quadricopter remotely controlled your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad
  


• Take photos and record video in high definition during flight


• Share your videos and photos directly to YouTube and Picasa


• Interchangeable hulls designed for both indoor and outdoor use


• Fly and battle with other Drone users via a self-generated Wi-Fi network


• 
  AR.FreeFlight app provides intuitive controls (free download from App Store in iTunes)


• Single- and multiplayer augmented reality games available from the App Store
  

 

8. Netatmo Urban Weather Station

This personal weather station allows users to monitor temperature, humidity, air pressure, CO2 levels and more, both inside and out. It then connects via WiFi to the free Netatmo App on your iOS device – providing immediate access to the station’s measurements.

Improve your wellness and adapt your activities to take into account the air quality both indoors and out with the Netatmo Urban Weather Station. This device evaluates indoor air confinement by measuring CO2 concentration. When C02 reaches an excessive level, the user is alerted directly on their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch and can take action like ventilating their home. Used outside, it measures air quality to allow users to assess the best times for outdoor physical activity, such as playing with the children, jogging or whether to walk or drive to work.

Important Features

• Track and monitor weather and air quality


• Works both indoors and out


• Receive real-time air quality alerts


• Access your station’s measurements, anywhere and anytime


• Share your information with your friends, family or online networks


• 
  Netatmo App is available for free download from the App Store

 

9. Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari

The Silverlit R/C Car is designed to run like no other—using the power of your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone as the remote control. Nothing else comes this close to the experience of actually driving a car. The power is in your hands.

Silverlet’s Bluetooth R/C Car uses the power of your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone alone as the remote control. The Bluetooth connection requires no other attachments.

Drive it

Full gesture control allows you to control the car with the tilt of the controller. Tilt forward to accelerate, backward to stop and go in reverse. Tilt right or left to turn right or left.

Feel it and hear it

When you’re using your iPhone force feedback delivers the rumble of the engine. Sound effects straight from Ferrari deliver the rev of the engine.

Experience it

This isn’t just a virtual joystick. The app design reflects the dashboard design from Ferrari. Hobby grade steering and variable speeds gives you real-feel racing. Headlights, tail lights and signal lights are all triggered from the app. And it’s all packaged in a classic Enzo Ferrari body that’s crafted with incredible detail and authenticity.

Important Features

• 
  Enzo Ferrari R/C Car has incredible detail and function


• Variable speed and steering deliver the real feel of driving


• 
  Free app delivers video game-like experience with sounds and engine rumble feedback (rumble feedback only on iPhone)


• 
  App is switchable from gesture control to touch-screen joysticks

 

10. Withings Smart Blood Pressure Monitor

Revolutionary in both its function and design, the Withings Smart Blood Pressure Monitor simplifies the daily measurement and tracking of your blood pressure-automatically displaying your measurements and saving it for easy tracking and evaluation over time. With new measurement sharing options, it becomes the ideal solution for accurate BP monitoring at home.

Measurement is instantaneous and done with a gesture. Just plug directly into your iOS device and the application is launched automatically, and with a single press it takes your measurements. There’s no need to write down your results or calculate your averages, since the Withings Smart Blood Pressure Monitor does it all for you. The free Withings application automatically generates graphs, which makes trend detection easier, and the secured sharing option allows you to automatically share measurements.

Important Features

• Directly connects on your iOS device
  


• Blood pressure and pulse rate measurement


• Automatic tracking and graphs


• Secure online dashboard

 

10 Best Selling iOS and Android App Enabled Devices

Philips Lumea IPL Hair Removal System: A Review

Painless and relatively safe hair removal is a dream of most women and men all around the world. This dream is made to come true by Philips Lumea IPL Hair Removal System. This is the most effective and till now the most efficient technology for hair removal. Medical studies in laboratories of Philips have revealed considerate amount of hair reduction in two fortnight treatments. To retain these results and prevent growth you must repeat this treatment every 4 – 6 weeks. You can use this product to eliminate hair of face such as sideburns, chin and upper lip and body parts such as underarm, bikini area, legs, stomach and arms.

All of us want a treatment that we know is safe and shall not cause us any medical and health problems in future. This concern is same for Philips Lumea IPL Hair Removal System. Let us explore about the technology and how it works.

Science behind Philips Lumea Precision Plus IPL Hair Removal System

Mild pulses of light are emitted by Philips lumea which can be applied directly to the hair. These light pulses are absorbed by the hair root in which melanin is present. Now there are three phases in which growth of hair occur Anagen, Catagen and Telogen. The hair grows in anagen and catagen phase while it falls in telogen phase. It is interesting to observe how this technology converts your unwanted hair into telogen phase which is the falling phase. Once your reaches this stages your hair naturally falls. The stimulus that is used for conversion to telogen is light stimulus. The light that is used here is of such a wavelength that it is only absorbed by dark melanin. Because of this selective absorption only some colors of hair can be removed. Hence it is also not suitable for dark skin. IPL in the name stands for Intense Pulsed Light.

How it works?

Well the working mechanism of this product is fairly simple and one can easily use it at home. It is easy to carry and is highly portable.

During the first few treatments you must pre shave so that the light is channeled efficiently into the follicles. Now this can act as a con because shaving your legs thicken the growth of hair and it ends up widening the hair aperture. These widened hair apertures look appalling to the eyes. Before using this product you must consult a doctor to check whether or not the light intensity used in this product is suitable for your skin tone. The light intensity used in this product is not as harsh as used in laser treatments but it can also cause skin discoloration in some. While applying Lumea Hair Removal System the light wavelength is transferred into the hair follicles where it destroys melanin cells which in turn reduce hair production. Now the thing is that this kind of technologies uses destruction of melanin cells. This may not have any short term problems but later on this can be the cause of diseases such as skin cancer and skin disorders. Melanin can be considered as the evil good, it does cause hair growth and skin darkening but at the same time it protects you from various diseases and cancers.

Pros and cons of Philips Lumea IPL Hair Removal System

Pros of Philips Lumea IPL

It is highly portable and ready to use anywhere and everywhere



It is suitable for most hair types and skin tones



There is absolutely no pain involved during the treatment.



It is a fast method of hair removal. The hair starts to fall in a couple of days after the treatment.



It is cordless so you do not need to perform aerobatics in order to be close to the source of power.



Separate attachment for the face hair removal which makes it relatively safer.

Cons of Philips Lumea IPL

Since it is cordless the battery life is shorter and you must charge it before use



The destruction of melanin cells that take place during the treatment can cause health and skin related diseases later on. It is advised to consult a doctor before using this product especially if you have had a history of skin cancers or skin diseases.



It requires pre shaving in first few sessions of the treatment.



It can cause skin discoloration in some people so consulting a doctor before use becomes a must.



It is not suitable for naturally red, light blonde and dark skin tones



It does not remove hair such that it does not come back. It only reduces the growth of hair.

There are two models available in the market, Philips Lumea Precision Plus SC2003/11 IPL and Philips Lumea Precision SC2002/01 IPL

A Brief Comparison Between Lumea Precision Plus SC2003/11 and Philips Lumea Precision SC2002/01 IPL

Lumea Precision Plus SC2003/11 is an updated version of Philips Lumea Precision SC2002/01 IP by Philips. It is quite obvious that the technology used in Lumea Precision Plus SC2003/11 is better than the technology used in Philips Lumea Precision SC2002/01 IP. Some of the key differences are as follows:

		Philips Lumea Precision SC2002/01	Philips Lumea Precision Plus SC2003/11
Number of flashes per unit		80000	100000
Application mode		Quicker Click Flash Mode	Slide and Flash: For convenient application Step and Flash: For treatment on curvy areas
Cordless		Yes	Yes
Recharge time		100 mins	100 mins
Quick charge		1 hour	1 hour
Running time		320 flashes	370 flashes
Application window		3cm + 2cm attachment	4cm + 2cm attachment
Settings		5	5
Speed of each treatment		Underarms: 1.5 mins per side Bikini line: 1.5 mins per side Entire bikini area: 5 mins One lower leg: 12 mins One full leg: 20 mins	Underarms: 1 min per side Entire Bikini: 4 mins Face: 1 min One lower leg: 8 mins One full leg: 15 mins

Both models are available on Amazon UK for £349.99

The Philips Lumea IPL hair removal system works wonders for both men and women to prevent the reappearance of hair on the face as well as the body. And it is a relatively safe, efficient and cheap method for hair removal.

Philips Lumea IPL Hair Removal System: A Review