STACK #195 Jan 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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THE SIMPLE BARE ACCESSORIES

NEVER CAN SAY GOODNIGHT? You may have heard of “blue light”. Nothing to do with discos from our wild youth, it’s what’s emitted by the many screens that we use. At night it can play havoc with circadian rhythms, causing sleep interruption. Great news is that it can be countered via specially-treated glasses lenses. XCD make Blue Light Blocking glasses in two different styles, and the small investment for your kids may have you contently sighing, “and now we can all get some sleep.”

W ith laptops getting slimmer and more portable, corners have been cut to reduce size and weight. This usually means that connections are reduced, or even omitted. Most devices connect via USB nowadays, but what if your lappy only has two USB ports? You need a USB hub, or perhaps a multiport dock. A USB hub is the simplest option if you have several USB connectors to connect, but a lack of ports to receive them. It takes up one laptop USB port, but delivers several more in return. So, if you add an external mouse and keyboard, that’s two laptop ports gone… add external storage, printer, graphics tablet, external Blu-ray drive… you get the picture. Instead of constant plugging and unplugging, a hub handles everything. JB stock an impressive range of USB hubs, from such names as Belkin, Satechi, Bonelk and Targus, with options to suit any price range. A step up is the multiport dock. Most new laptops only connect to the internet wirelessly, and some may not let you connect a monitor. You can solve several connection issues at once by adding a multiport dock to your student’s workspace. Taking up a single USB connection, they add extra USB ports, plus options like wired internet (generally more reliable than wireless), memory card readers plus external monitor and audio device connections. The space grey Bonelk 8-in-1 USB-C Multiport Adaptor is a smart option, or if you wish to go all-out then check out Alogic’s twin USB-C 10-in-1 Superdock. Either will make the transition from schoolroom laptop to home computer a breeze. Best of all, they’re compact and light, so can easily be popped into a laptop bag if extra connectivity is required away from home. HUB-BA, HUB-BA!

Bonelk 8in1

AlogicTwin

Belkin Boost UpWall Charger

CHARGE IT!

OUT OF JUICE? Once a power bank is depleted, simply plug it into a mains-powered device via USB to charge and it’ll soon be ready to return to battle, usually within an hour or two.

W hile laptops come with power supply blocks, they’re not always very portable. Many laptops also may not pack the battery life needed for a hard day of scholastic endeavour. However, as always, there are tech solutions. Portable power banks are brilliant. Big capacity batteries, they’re small, light and easily transported. Apple acolytes should look at the Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 12W 10K Portable Power Bank, which has dual power outlets to keep everything from tablets to mobile phones going. Or, the Belkin 12W 10K Charging 'Stand & Play' Portable Power Bank doubles as a stand for your phone. Sometimes, keeping things powered is as simple as having the right cable. You can never have too many cables, but some are handier than others. A spare lightning cable for your Apple device never goes astray – how often have you been asked where the charging cable is, like you’re the magical cable oracle? Top brands like Belkin and Cygnett offer reliable options, from the former’s two-metre BoostUp Charge Lightning to USB-A braided cable (braiding adds durability) to the latter’s sturdy two- metre Armoured Lightning to USB-A cable. Beyond the Appleverse, no collection of USB-A to Micro-USB cables can be too big, and with USB-A to USB-C becoming more common, it’s worth having spares available. Again, Belkin and Cygnett are your friends, with a vast range available at your local JB. Not only are spare cables important, but having chargers on hand is always wise. Kids can be rather carefree with their chargers, but will always expect you to pluck one from the ether. So, be prepared with Belkin’s BoostUp Charge Wall Charger – it even comes packing a spare USB-A to Micro-USB cable!

Cygnett Armoured Lightning

Belkin 12w

32 JANUARY 2021

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