Table of contents for March 2017 in T3

$229 (£187), www.somfyprotect.com What’s this, T3? Another voice-activated home assistant? Nope. This is the Somfy One, an all-in-one home-security solution that’ll handle video surveillance of your gaff. It comes with intrusion detection, an integrated 100dB siren, a central alarm and multi-user security profiles. Where in my house can I use it? Any space that needs monitoring. The Somfy One has a Full HD wide-angle-lens camera with night vision, and uses motiondetection technology called SomfyVision to spot intruders. When motion is detected, a ten-second video is recorded and stored in the cloud for 24 hours. Will it spy on me when I’m at home, though? This ain’t Big Brother! The Somfy One has a motorised shutter that can be activated to cover the camera’s lens and mic when you’re at home. Via…

Oakley has unveiled its first snow helmet – and it’s badass. If you’re heading to the mountains, protect your head in style with the Mod 5 Factory Pilot Helmet £175, www.oakley.com ALL-DAY WEAR Oakley has designed the Mod 5 (available in a range of colours) with zero-pressure earcups for maximum comfort. The cups won’t cancel out noise, though, so you’ll still hear what’s going on around you. A magnetic Fidlock buckle keeps the helmet snug in place, leading to quick and easy magnetic fastening of the Mod 5 even if you’re wearing thick and cumbersome snow gloves GO WITH THE FLOW The Mod 5’s patented Modular Brim System works with any goggles, so you know it’ll work with your existing gear. Hot-air flow is managed by an integrated venting system, including…

ADAPT IT! As Google Home isn’t officially available in the UK, and doesn’t charge via Micro USB or USB-C, you’re going to need an adapter to use it. While some are concerned about voltage, we’ve found that a cheap US-to-UK travel adapter works just fine. You can pick one up at Argos or Maplin for just a few quid or so. GET THE APP The new Google Home app controls not only Google Home but any Chromecast devices you have around your house. It’s available for iOS and Android, so go to your chosen app store and download. Next, tap the Devices button (the small speaker and TV icon, top-right). The app will scan for a Google Home device. Next, hit Set Up. CONNECT TO HOME The app will find…

THE EXPERTS There’s nothing these lot don’t know about smart homes ROB CARNEY Editor of T3 and an expert on all things smart home, Rob is particularly interested in connected lighting, and gets all excited when his Hue lights flash when his doorbell rings. NICK ODANTZIS Paranoia has taken hold of deputy editor Nick, and therefore he’s become a smart home-security expert. He has no fewer than 11 connected cameras dotted around his house. CLAIRE DAVIES Sleep expert Claire knows all about wellbeing tech and keeping yourself healthy around the house. She also knows more than is healthy about kitchen gadgets! DUNCAN BELL Lifestyle editor Duncan is a connectedhome – and multi-roomaudio – expert, and can advise on everything from setting up your Sonos to getting Amazon Echo to order…

I F YOU’VE EVER SNAGGED YOUR EARPHONE CABLE ON A FELLOW COMMUTER, OR PULLED A TANGLED BALL OF LEADS FROM YOUR BAG, YOU’LL KNOW THAT WIRELESS EARPHONES ARE A GODSEND. Cutting the cord means you’re not tethered to your phone, making life easier on your daily commute or at the gym. With no dangling wires and your device safely stashed in your pocket, the threat of earpieces being unceremoniously yanked from your lugholes is all but eradicated. Wireless earphones come in all shapes and sizes, but here we’re focusing on in-ear buds that form a tight seal in your ear canal. They’re light, compact and able to deliver superb sound quality, provided you get a snug fit. The beauty is that most wireless earphones afford the same features as their…

A h, juicing. While some extol its virtues, proclaiming increased vitality and a healthy gut, others dismiss it as a fad. Still, juicing is big business. And the scene is growing, thanks to juicing advocates like Joe Cross (star of Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead) and actors Owen Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow. If you’re ready to drink your five-a-day, you’ll obviously need a juicer. T3’s been drinking our greens for years, so we’ve used a lot of juicers, both masticating and centrifugal. Here we’ve rounded up six stunners, testing each by making one green juice (mainly veg) and one orange (mainly fruits). Time to join us in the kitchen... 01 ONE FOR BIG-BATCH JUICING JUICY RETREATS JR-8000S £199.98, juicyretreats.com The JR-8000S may not have the pin-up looks of the Smeg…

Rob Carney EDITOR Rob is fascinated by the voice of Mario – so much so, he attempts an impression at least twice an hour (much to his colleagues’ chagrin). He can’t wait for the Nintendo Switch to arrive (see p46). Paul Dimery PRODUCTION EDITOR We say a fond farewell to Dimmers this issue as he leaves T3 towers for a new journey. So if you spot any spelling mistakes (as if! - ed) please don’t blame Mr Dimery (bye bye, all – PD). Robert Jones FEATURES EDITOR, T3.COM This month, Robert flew off to Dubrovnik, Croatia, to test-drive Nissan’s radically redesigned Micra. He also reported live from the swanky Nintendo Switch premiere in London. Nick Odantzis DEPUTY EDITOR Nick has upgraded his home’s ground floor with smart bulbs, which automatically…

£499, audiotechnicashop.com I’m hearing a lot of buzz about these cans... That’s because they’re the first Audio Technica wireless headphones to use Pure Digital Drive technology, built around the Trigence Semiconductor Dnote chipset. And, er, what does that mean exactly? In simple terms, that tech keeps the original audio signal completely digital from source to driver. Dnote has been used in the automotive market before, but never in headphones. The snazzily named ATH-DSR9BTs also employ four-core voice coils, rather than the standard single core. Each voice coil receives a particular frequency range for enhanced precision and clarity. Are they high-res audio compatible? Are they high-res audio compatible? They certainly look fancy. Yes, the build quality is beautiful. Their over-the-ear cups are supremely comfortable, and memory foam helps personalise the fit.…

£449.99, canon.co.uk Hey, haven’t I seen this camera before? Yes and no. The Canon PowerShot G9 X II is a refreshed version of the breakthrough 2015 model and shares much of its classic good looks. But there are some decent improvements here to tempt any smartphone snapper looking to upgrade their photography game. I want to make stacks of cash on Instagram. Can this camera help? Dude, it’s a compact camera – not Jason Stein. You’re on your own with the monetising thing, but this souped-up Canon can certainly help you take gorgeous photos and Full HD video to populate your account. The G9 X II has many juicy features, including a large 1.0-type CMOS sensor and wide-aperture lens for nailing low-light shots without blur, plus a 3x optical zoom…

Nintendo is renowned for its innovative approach to gaming and paying attention to how gamers really play. And it’s excelled itself with its latest launch – the Switch is a handheld and a living-room console in one, enabling you to essentially undock it and carry on playing wherever you go. Set to launch in the UK on 3 March, for a recommended retail price of £279.99, the system will be available in two standard configurations. The first includes the Nintendo Switch console, a Switch dock, a Switch Joy-Con controller in grey, Switch controller straps and an HDMI cable. The second configuration is identical to the first, but features a red-and-blue Joy-Con controller instead of a grey one. Other themed Switch docks, Joy-Con controllers and straps will be available at a…

1st Apple AirPods Price: £159 URL: apple.com T3 RATES: Their seamless interaction with iPhones and clever motion sensors make operation easy, as does the long battery life via the charging case. The strong, reliable Bluetooth connection means no drop-outs. T3 SLATES: The bizarre longarm design won’t appeal to all, while the single size won’t fit all ears. Sound lacks bass depth and finesse. T3 SAYS: They’re not the best-sounding or bestlooking, but the AirPods make up for it with slick, userfriendly features and lengthy battery life – and they’re not the most expensive either. 2nd Bragi The Headphone Price: £120 URL: bragi.com T3 RATES: Beefy, well-balanced sound; Audio Transparency mode; comfy design; price. T3 SLATES: Non-charging case; fiddly buttons. T3 SAYS: Terrific sound let down by the case and clumsier…

Amazon Echo JUST SAY ‘ALEXA’ AND YOU’LL BE ABLE TO ACCESS A WHOLE LOAD OF SERVICES £150, WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK DESIGN The Echo comes in white or black, and is a tall, cylindrical device. It’s sleek and well-designed, arguably looking better on a kitchen worktop than on a bookshelf in the living room. You wouldn’t call it a looker, but it’s by no means ugly. FEATURES The Echo is full of features from unboxing. After set-up via the app, you can quickly listen to any station on TuneIn, or anything on Spotify or Amazon Music. You can ask it to play a genre, artist or song. You can also get quick news briefings. SOUND The speaker on the Echo is surprisingly good for such a compact device. It’ll easily fill a small…

£34.99, uk.tp-link.com O utwardly, the TP-Link Wi-Fi SmartPLug looks identical to the older model, the HS100, but it adds energy-monitoring to the mix, enabling you to view the power consumption, and work out the cost, of any lights or gadgets attached to it. With the companion Kasa app installed, it takes just a couple of minutes to add new devices – a smart plug, in this case. There’s plenty of Wi-Fi range in the HS110, so you can pop it almost anywhere around the home and maintain a connection with your router. As with most other smart plugs, the HS110 enables you to turn on and turn off anything plugged into it, no matter where you are in the world. You can do this manually or automate it. There’s no…

Free; Google Play NOW EVERYBODY WITH AN ANDROID PHONE CAN CONNECT IT TO THEIR RIDE AND ENJOY AN IN-CAR-COMPUTER EXPERIENCE Android Auto used to only be an option for a limited range of cars, but thanks to Google’s latest update you can now connect your phone to any car and give yourself an on-board computer. Depending on your make of car, Android Auto connects in different ways. If you have a compatible display built in, then Android Auto will use that, but most likely you won’t so you connect over Bluetooth and it uses your smartphone’s display instead. This obviously requires some sort of holder in your car so you can access your phone. Android Auto has modified all the apps to give them extra-large buttons, so you can use…

Here at T3, we’re pretty excited about the Nintendo Switch – it’s admirable how the company innovates and looks at new ways for us to enjoy gaming. It started with the undeniably ingenious Wii, and continued with the rather disappointing Wii U. But the Switch looks like it could change the fortunes of the Japanese giant. We’ve had our hands on the console and it’s great – read what we think (as well as getting a heads-up on all the new games) in our giant feature on p46. If you’re still feeling the excess pounds from your Christmas binge (we are here at T3!), check out this month’s Man vs Tech (p76), where our writer tests out the latest in home gym equipment and clothing – we tried our best…

From $2,999 (£2,486), lithiumcycles.com Nice looking bike. Where’s the engine, though? This badass two-wheeler is all electric, baby! The Bafang BBSHD electric mid-drive motor pumps out a mighty 1,000 watts of power. Nudge the thumb throttle and you’ll hit speeds of up to 27mph (not too shabby for a bicycle), while the custom-engineered motor controller will dish out ample power uphill as well as down. But if it’s electric, why the pedals? The Super 73 features five levels of pedal assistance, which will extend the bike’s range and enable you to sneak in some exercise at the same time. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, simply hammer the throttle and let the electric motor do all the work. Sweet. So what’s the range? A single 3.5 hour battery charge will cover…

£309.99, garmin.com Can’t I just use my phone as a satnav? Not like this you can’t. The Garmin DriveLuxe 51 packs all the best elements of Garmin’s Drive range into a sleek metal design that attaches to your dash via a powerful magnet. Features include live traffic updates, live Parkopedia parking information to save you time when you arrive at your destination, and LiveTrack, a service that shares your location data with family and friends so they know when to expect you. What’s more, preloaded TripAdvisor data displays ratings for attractions and services along your route. Is it a pain to set up? What about taking calls? Are you kidding? Built-in Wi-Fi makes map and software updates a doddle. And fret not, Mr Popular, as Bluetooth calling and smartphone pairing…

I t’s easy to take tech’s life-changing advancements for granted. That’s because of the incremental way it usually advances. Every day, we see ridiculous claims for new products that are, in most cases, the same as slightly older products, but with a marginally faster processor, or more pixels, or a case that’s ‘jet black’. Mmmmm, jet black. Take a longer view, however, and tech’s key innovations – the internet, mobile devices and the subsequent interconnectivity of everything – have had effects as profound as the invention of electricity or the printing press. I met my partner on the internet; we’ve been together eight years. I have a profound inability to read maps, and the sense of direction of a cardboard box. Doesn’t matter, thanks to Google Maps. Entertainment-wise, I have…

Netflix Netflix’s roster of UHD content is growing and growing – the company now makes all of its original programming in stunning 4K definition. And with a brand-new, original Netflix show seemingly released every other week, the streaming giant should be the heartbeat of your entertainment hub. £8.99/month (UHD plan), netflix.com Panasonic DMP-UB900 Physical media has taken a pounding from the upstart streamers in recent times, but Panasonic is here to help Blu-ray bounce back. The DMP-UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray player delivers fabulous HDR performance to deliver rich colours and deep contrast to your 4K TV – and it has UHD Netflix and Amazon on board, too. £599, panasonic.com Onkyo TX-SR373 Onkyo’s new entry-level 5.1-channel A/V receiver is the perfect hub for creating a surround-sound environment in smaller spaces. Using…

1 iPHONE 7 The AirPods will play music from any Bluetooth-equipped phone, but if you want automatic pairing and Siri voice interaction – made possible by the AirPods’ custom W1 chip – then you’ll need one of Apple’s latest smartphones. From £599, apple.com 2 ONKYO DP-X1 Smartphones aren’t the only way to beam your tunes. This 432GB, high-res player pairs with the AirPods via Bluetooth, and handles high-res audio formats like FLAC, WAV and DSD – although you won’t get the full high-res experience over Bluetooth. £575, onkyo.com 3 SPIRE MINDFULNESS AND ACTIVITY TRACKER Lie back, throw on some Enya and use your smartphone to keep tabs on your calmness level. The Spire tracker clips onto clothing and senses your respiratory patterns throughout the day, sending reminders to your phone…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE VERY BEST TECH AVAILABLE TODAY, YOU HAVE DEFINITELY COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. T3 Elite is the best gadget-buying guide you will ever encounter. To create it, we’ve ruthlessly filtered all the categories that count, to bring you rock-solid recommendations. We’ve selected a Super Six of elite gear for each of the categories listed below. If something’s not included, we don’t rate it – it’s that simple. Each Super Six is ranked in order, and the number-one product makes it into The Elite (p104), which is our pick of the 12 best products you can buy today. To make your next purchase as straightforward as possible, we’ve also included useful buying advice, and highlighted the hottest gear you can get for £100 and under. Stay…

You don’t always have to spend big money to get something you’ll love to bits. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favourite products for £100 and under. Some of our chosen gadgets also happen to be the best things you can get in their particular category, others are great-value alternatives to bigger ticket purchases, but all are brilliant products we’d be happy to use ourselves. So next time you get paid and there’s spare cash burning a hole in your trouser pocket, make sure you consult T3’s £100 Hotlist! THE SUPER SIX 01 PHILIPS SHQ7900CL www.philips.com PRICE £59.99 IPX2 sweat and water resistant, with four earpiece options depending on your lugs and level of activity, this Bluetooth headset is the perfect companion for dark road runs. T3…