Tech NewsCan You Run Solar Panels in Series or Parallel with the EcoFlow Stream Microinverter? July 1, 2026I recently reviewed the EcoFlow Stream Microinverter, a device that lets you build a small solar array for a balcony, garden wall, shed, or garage without a full rooftop installation. During testing, a natural follow up question came up: can you wire extra panels together, in series or in parallel, to get more out of... James SmytheiGulu F1 Review – Smart All-in-One Home Brewer – Beer, Cider, Kombucha & More June 30, 2026iGulu has been around for a surprisingly long time, with the original model being available back in 2016. From what I can gather, it launched in the UK with the F1 back in 2024. The F1 is an all-in-one machine that handles fermentation, temperature control, carbonation and dispensing in a single countertop unit. You add... James SmytheXiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 Review vs Ugreen MagFlow Air 5K June 28, 2026I recently reviewed the excellent Ugreen MagFlow Air 5K Power Bank, which is an incredibly thin 5,000mAh power bank that is compatible with Qi2 charging up to 15W. It is perfect for days out where you may not have a bag. You can easily charge your phone in your pocket with very little noticeable added... James SmytheSwitchBot Lock Vision Pro Review – Smart deadbolt locks with 3D structured-light facial recognition for the US market June 27, 2026I have reviewed many smart locks over the years, and I have been impressed by the recent models SwitchBot has launched. Today I have something a little different, because this lock is built for deadbolts, the style traditionally fitted in the US. In the UK, we typically use multi-point locks on our uPVC doors. Though... James SmytheEcoFlow Stream Microinverter Review – Affordable plug in solar to cover base load and reduce electricity bills June 25, 2026I have worked with EcoFlow a lot in the past, reviewing many of their portable power stations, including the EcoFlow River 3, River 2 Max and the larger Delta 2. In addition, I have reviewed the foldable 400W Solar Panel, the 220W Bifacial Solar Panel, the Glacier portable fridge (which I still use for BBQs... James Smythe70mai Dash Cam 4K A810 Lite Review June 24, 2026The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A810 Lite is a relatively affordable 4K dash cam with a 1080p rear camera and the option to add 4G connectivity with a hardwire kit for GPS tracking and remote alerts. With a discounted price of £100 for the base kit, I have been pleasantly surprised with the overall quality... James SmytheUgreen X860 Nexode Air 65W Charger Review June 19, 2026Back in May, Ugreen announced the new Nexode and MagFlow Air edition compact chargers and slim magnetic power banks. I have already reviewed the excellent Ugreen MagFlow Air 5K Qi2 Power Bank, and this review is of the tiny 65W charger. There is not much to write about for this review. It is a single-port... James SmytheSennheiser ACCENTUM Clip launched with open-ear design, Bluetooth 6.0 and LDAC June 18, 2026Sennheiser has announced the ACCENTUM Clip, an open-ear true wireless earbud that sits in the clip-style category rather than the in-canal design used by most true wireless models. Announced from Hanover, Germany, the earbuds pair a 12 mm dynamic driver with Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC support and an IP54 rating, and are quoted at up to... James SmytheVerbatim Charge n Travel 70W 2C Universal Travel Adaptor Review – Model Number – 30188 June 16, 2026Universal travel adaptors may seem like a dull piece of technology, but they are one of the more useful things to own if you travel abroad even semi-frequently. In the past, I have used cheap no-name brands off Amazon. I have a couple of low-powered options which are only good for slow charging devices, and... James SmytheOrico 9758 5-Bay DAS Review with a mini PC for an Unraid NAS June 14, 2026Orico got in touch about reviewing their 97 series direct attached storage, and I picked the 5-bay 9758 on the basis that I could do something more interesting with it than simply bolt it onto a laptop. Direct attached storage, or DAS, is one of the less glamorous categories I cover. It is a box... James Smythe
