Virtual Reality (VR) 3D Glasses

Today I want to talk about Virtual  Reality (VR) and the myriad of cheap Chinese goggles that are flooding onto the market. This year - 2016 - they're slated to be the biggest 'gadget' of the year.

Not wishing to spend a fortune on an expensive pair, I opted for what is probably the cheapest I could find that resembled more expensive devices - the 'VR Park 1' from Banggood. These are well made and work surprising good for the money. Accepting any mobile phone from 4-6'', inserting the phone and getting it working is child's play. A soft foam mat cushions it snugly in place. Adjustment - there's only one - is made via a wheel on top of the housing. It's basically just a case of turning it one way or the other until the image merges into one.

Suitable games and videos can be found on Google Play Store, and there are some interesting apps that play standard YouTube videos in pseudo 3D. One of this years scariest titles is '11:57',  a short horror movie for those of  you who don't suffer a nervous disposition. Definately NOT suitable for young children! 11:57 Nightmare

For the very best experience (not essential), your phone should be equipped with a gyroscope. That will enable it to be compatible with Google Cardboard apps and opens all sorts of possibilities.

Here's a link to the VR Park 1 product page on Banggood. They can be bought for an amazing $14:99 and that includes worldwide shipping!  VR PARK 1 VR 3D Goggles 

Share this with your friends and have fun!  

      

Umi 'TOUCH' Smartphone

About to be unleashed on the market is Umi's new 5.5 inch, 4G 'TOUCH' smartphone, featuring - as you may have guessed - a finger scanner. It also comes with 3GB of RAM, 16GB ROM, an octo core 64bit processor, 1920X1080 screen and Sony cameras.

All that for just $149.99:

http://www.banggood.com/UMI-TOUCH-5_5-inch-Android-6_0-3GB-RAM-MT6753-Octa-core-4G-Smartphone-p-1032830.html?p=JQ26191551677201504Z 

Here's the full specification, as provided by Banggood: 

Basic Description
Model	UMI TOUCH
Band	2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
	3G: WCDMA 900/2100MHz
	4G: FDD-LTE 800/1800/2600(B20/B3/B7)
Sim Card	2 Micro SIM Card or Micro SIM Card and TF Card
Style	Bar
Color	Silver, Gray
Shell Material	Plastic + Metal Frame
System
OS	Android 6.0 Marshmallow
CPU	MediaTek MT6753 1.3GHz Octa-Core
GPU	ARM Mali-T720
ROM	16GB
RAM	3GB
Card Extend	Yes, support external Micro SD/TF card up to 64GB
Screen
Display Size	5.5 Inch
Type	2.5D FHD LCD Touch Screen
Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Support Format
Video File Format	3GP/MPEG4
Audio File Format	MP3/WAV/AMR/AWB
FM	Yes
Earphone Port	3.5mm
Cable Port	Micro USB
Data Transfer & Connectivity
Data transfer	USB/Bluetooth
Mobile internet	WAP/WiFi
General
Camera/Picture Resolution	Front: 5.0MP camera with flashlight  Back: Sony 13.0MP camera with dual flashlight
Language	English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Catalan, Dansk, Spanish, Filipino, French, Italian, Swahili, Magyar, Soumi, Turkce, Polski, Japanese, Chinese (More details please refer to the screenshots)
Message	SMS/MMS
Input	Handwrite/Keypad
GPS	Build in GPS
WIFI	Yes, 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth	Yes, V4.1
Fingerprint	Yes
Gravity Sensor	Yes
P-Sensor	Yes
L-Sensor	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes
Multi-Touch	Yes
Dimensions	154.5*76*8.5mm
Net Weight (Including battery)	190g
Battery	3800mAh-4000mAh Built-in
Other Feature	3G, GPS, FM, Bluetooth, Ebook, Email,  Messaging, wallpapers, calendar, calculator, clock, camera,  tethering & portable hotspot, etc
Package included	1 x UMI TOUCH Smartphone
	1 x USB Cable
	1 x Charger

Umi Rome Smartphone

Umi haven't been around that long, but what an amazing range of budget smart-phones they've entered the market with!

Here's one of their best selling models, the 'Rome'. Take a look... it's only $119.99:  Umi 'Rome'

Basic Description
Model	UMI ROME
Band	2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
	3G: WCDMA 900/2100MHz
	4G: FDD LTE 800/1800/2600MHz
Sim Card	Dual Micro-SIM Card Dual Standby
Service Provide	Unlocked
Style	Bar
Color	Black, Gold
Shell Material	Metal + plastic
System
OS	Android Lollipop 5.1
CPU	MTK6753 Octa core 1.3GHz
GPU	ARM Mali-T720
ROM	16GB
RAM	3GB
Screen
Display Size	5.5 Inch
Type	Capacitance Touch Screen
Resolution	1280 x 720 pixels
Support Format
FM Radio	Yes
Video File Format	3GP/MPEG4
Audio File Format	MP3/WAV/AMR/AWB
Earphone Port	3.5mm
Cable Port	Micro USB
Card Extend	Yes, support external Micro SD/TF card up to 64GB
Data Transfer & Connectivity
Data transfer	USB/Bluetooth
Mobile internet	WAP/WiFi
General
Camera/Picture Resolution	Front: 2.0MP camera, Front flashlight  Back: Sony IMX 179(IMX 164) 8MP, Max Pixels 13MP, with dual flashlight
Language	English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Catalan, Dansk, Spanish, Filipino, French, Italian, Swahili, Magyar, Soumi, Turkce, Polski, Japanese, Chinese (More details please refer to the screenshots)
Message	SMS/MMS
Input	Handwrite/Keypad
GPS	Build in GPS
WIFI	Yes, 802.11 a/b/g/n, support 2.4/5.0GHz dual band
Bluetooth	Yes, V4.1
Gravity Sensor	Yes
P-Sensor	Yes
L-Sensor	Yes
Multi-Touch	Yes, 2 point touch
Dimensions	153.8X77X7.9mm
Net Weight (Including battery)	177g
Battery	2500mAh
Other Feature	4G, GPS, FM, Bluetooth, Ebook, Email,  Messaging, wallpapers, calendar, calculator, clock, camera,  tethering & portable hotspot, etc
Package included	1 x UMI ROME Smartphone
	1 x USB Cable
	1 x Battery
	1 x Charger
Note: This product will be shipped with adapter plugs for the country of the buyer.

Banggood!

I've shopped on-line from many stores, with various degrees of success. Worst experience had to be with AliExpress, closely followed by ebay. Then I discovered Banggood and haven't looked back since. They're a young company with a global workforce in excess of 1,200 staff. After-sales service is absolutely top priority for these guys - and it shows! If you have any problem with a purchase they're quick to resolve the matter, and even allow negative comments on their product pages if an item is a real 'lemon'. Makes sense, if you think about it.

Anyway, here's the site. I hope, like me,  you enjoy shopping with them:

https://www.banggood.com/?p=JQ26191551677201504Z