Groovez BTHS800 Bluetooth headphones by STK Review

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We were lucky enough to be sent some Groovez BTHS800 Bluetooth headphones to review.

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First off they look beautiful. The headphones are covered in a tough hard white plastic coating which feels expensive and solid. I love the white colour which is bright and reflective (They also come in black if you prefer). The surface doesn’t easily attract finger prints or dirt. I’ve now used mine for well over a week they still look shiny and brand new. My only issue with the plastic is it is very hard which can make the headphones feel slightly inflexible although this is overcome by the many adjustable options the headset has.

On the top underside of the headphones is a soft comfortable black leather like material which ensures they rest comfortably on top of your head. On either side the headphones easily extend downwards. It’s easy to adjust them to find the perfect height. The ear pieces are soft and a good size and the headphones fit very comfortably. The ear pieces are not solidly fixed in place and easily adjust. Again the user can get the perfect fit. This is a really great feature.

On the outside of the ear pieces are solid easy-to-use buttons. On the edge of each ear piece is a stylish dotted silver/chrome finish which is something else which sets this product apart. It adds an extra sparkle which makes the BTHS800 standout.The headphones easily fold up inwards into a much smaller size, another very useful feature for when you want to take them out of the house or store them. They also come with a useful carrying case.

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Of course the best part of this product is that its totally wireless. After I charge the headphones and turn them on, it takes only a few seconds to set up on my iPhone. The Bluetooth is excellent. Not having any wires to worry about is incredibly liberating, before long I ended up wearing these headphones everywhere. The range is 10 meters. I loved using them as I was in the kitchen. It was great to listen to the music or the radio whilst cooking.

The headphones come with a microphone for hands free conversations. Your music automatically pauses during incoming calls. Its very convenient. The audio is very clear and the microphone works well.

The sound quality is excellent. Battery life is very good. There are no actual batteries to worry about. The headset will need to be charged every so often but not until after a long period of use. The headset can also be plugged in and used with non blue tooth devices. This would be an excellent device even without the Bluetooth feature. This a fantastic product with a brilliant design and look. All in all its very impressive.

5/5

See Full Specs at the Bottom

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BTHS800 Specifications

Supports: Headset and Handsfree Profile,A2DP,AVRCP,APTX,AAC

Bluetooth: V4.0 Class 2

Range: 10 metres

Working Band: 2.4G ISM Band, 2.402-2.480GHz

Transmit Power: Class 2, Max4 dBm

Reception Sensitivity: -88dbm (typical)

LED Indicators: One Blue and One Red

Dimensions: L155mm X W45mm X T58mm

Weight: 250g

Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Polymer

Talk Time: Up to 12 hours

Music Playback time: up to 8 hours

Standby time: up to 200 hours

Buy the STK BTHS800 GroovezHD BT headset here

 

 

 

 

Russell Brand Says We Shouldn’t Vote. Is He Right?

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In this weeks New Statesman Russell Brand edits and rights a lengthy piece. Yes, that Russell Brand. He says he did it because a beautiful woman asked him (That would be Jemima Khan, his rumoured girlfriend). For his theme he chose revolution  ‘because the New Statesman is a political magazine and imagining the overthrow of the current political system is the only way I can be enthused about politics.’ He goes on to say;

 

When people talk about politics within the existing Westminster framework I feel a dull thud in my stomach and my eyes involuntarily glaze. Like when I’m conversing and the subject changes from me and moves on to another topic. I try to remain engaged but behind my eyes I am adrift in immediate nostalgia; “How happy I was earlier in this chat,” I instantly think.

I have never voted. Like most people I am utterly disenchanted by politics. Like most people I regard politicians as frauds and liars and the current political system as nothing more than a bureaucratic means for furthering the augmentation and advantages of economic elites. Billy Connolly said: “Don’t vote, it encourages them,” and, “The desire to be a politician should bar you for life from ever being one.”

 

I don’t vote because to me it seems like a tacit act of compliance;

 

To be fair he does have a point. It is not possible to look at politics and not find something to be upset about. But his piece is hard to read and long winded. More about Russell Brand than the state of politics and what should be done. One feels he chose the theme of revolution because he could not make a logical and informed argument about any other aspect of politics. Just tear it down instead, eh, Russell?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Brand goes on to say “We have succumbed to an ideology that is 100 per cent corrupt and must be overthrown”. Really? What country does he think this is? Italy?

He even mentions that the London riots were political. They may have started that way briefly but they were more about the need for a new TV in the end.

Being a politician is a hard job. To try and make this world a better place (and plenty of politicians do try) is much harder than being a comedian/actor/whatever. Russel Brands stream of consciousness in The New Statesman reminds me of a teenager who just became angry with the world. What, I think we should ask, did Russell Brand ever do for us? Because I know what politicians do; they get up everyday and they work a proper job. Some of them do it for the right reasons, some of them do it for the wrong ones, some start off good and become corrupt, but so far so the same as every other industry/establishment. I guess what really riled me about Brand’s essay of nothing is this: I have worked in politics. I interned for Zac Goldsmith, I campaigned for Tamsin Omond (her own party, The Commons) and Suzanne Moore (Independent). Both Tamsin and Suzanne would have been great and made a difference. Zac got elected and is doing well in Parliament. (On a separate note, Zac is the brother of Jemima Khan. Small world)

I campaigned for pretty much everyone at the last election apart from the Liberal Democrats, who in my opinion are dirty campaigners, and Labour, who did a lot of damage to the country but never seem to be brought up on it by the press or anyone else, while the Tories still pay for crimes done in the 70s/80s.

I don’t promise to be loyal to a political party as they can all go wrong and lose their way, caring more about being reelected and individual careers than the people they represent. Russel Brand seems to be pro-riot and anarchy. More about tearing things down instead of building them up. He doesn’t offer a solution and if his ‘eyes glaze’ when people talk about politics then how informed can he actually be? Has he done his research?, does he read the newspapers? I am not so sure. I have nothing against Brand. Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek were both great, but if you don’t know anything about a subject, best to keep quiet.

It may be that there is no one to vote for, only fools to vote against. But to vote against a fool is better than to not vote at all. And if you are still thinking of siding with Brand and not voting then just remember that he was the guy who dressed up as Osama Bin Laden the day after 9/11 and went to work at MTV, who rightly fired him. That is not exactly sound judgement, is it?

 

Ringo Starr Releases New Limited Edition Book ‘Photograph’

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Legendary Beatle photograths of the beatles, the beatles, beatles, Ringo Starr’s highly anticipated limited edition book Photograph.  Earlier this year Ringo delighted fans by announcing he would be opening his archive to share a lifetime of photography. Now this stunning book explores that archive in full.


In over 15,000 words of brand new text, Ringo tells us the stories behind more than 240 pictures. Each copy of Photograph is traditionally hand-bound, numbered, then signed by the author.

 

‘I love putting pictures together to show different times of my life. I was just taking shots because I liked to take shots, and now it’s turned into this, which is great. Peace & love.’ – Ringo Starr

beatles, the beatles, music, photographs, ringo star, photography bookRingo Starr shares his life story in a memoir illustrated with 300+ pages of stunning photography that has remained unseen for decades. Ringo tells first-hand what it was like growing up in Liverpool, discusses his time as a Beatle, and much more. Photograph includes childhood photos and memorabilia saved by his mother (that even Ringo didn’t know existed until now) and forgotten slides of The Beatles in Miami (that barely survived). Told in hundreds of photographs snapped all over the world, from Paris to Washington, India to Japan, Photograph is Ringo’s personal account of his life and work.

Ringo Starr photography book

‘We made some incredible music. The songs are still relevant; the kids are listening to the music today. It worked. And there were many, many magic moments, when it really worked.’ – Ringo Starr

‘These are shots that no one else could have. I just had the camera with me a lot of the time.’ – Ringo Starr

 Ringo Starr

Ringo’s unique position and artistic flair has produced beautiful and intimate portraits of The Beatles, capturing sides of John, George and Paul that only a band mate would see – writing songs, having fun and lost in moments of quiet reflection.

 

‘This is how we saw most of the world when it got big for The Beatles: out of a car window, going to or leaving somewhere. That’s just how it was.’ – Ringo Starr

 

 Ringo Starr, the beatles, selfie

 

Coming November 22, 2013

 

Ringo’s Photograph launches this autumn, with special events hosted in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Readers can find out more, and order now, at RingoPhotoBook.com. The book will be priced £345.

 

Carole Middleton wears Catherine Walker & Co at Royal Christening

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Carole Middleton continues to make the right fashion steps. The British Couture House Catherine Walker & Co was chosen by Carole Middleton for her outfit worn at the christening of her grandson HRH Prince George of Cambridge today.

The tailored piece by Catherine Walker & Co, the Iris coatdress, is made in navy, superfine merino wool. Its elegant lines are enhanced by insets panels of chalk grey silk at the sides mounted with a delicate navy floral Calais lace.Carole Middleton, Catherine Walker, Prince George, Christening

Research gives heads up on top haircare brands’ use of palm oil (because the rainforest is worth it)

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The environment and natural beauty are things that Frost is very passionate about. Protecting our planet should be at the top of every persons agenda and looking good should not harm the planet. In the latest investigation carried out by the Rainforest Foundation UK and Ethical Consumer magazine, over 20 of the UK’s biggest cosmetics and toiletries companies were surveyed about their use of palm oil or its derivatives, a key ingredient in shampoos and conditioners.

The survey – part of RFUK’s ‘Appetite for Destruction?’ consumer guide to palm oil content in products – was carried out in response to the increasing threat that unsustainable palm oil is posing to the world’s rainforests, and consequently, to the people that rely almost entirely on these forests for their livelihoods.

Some of the biggest names in the toiletries industry  including Procter and Gamble and Superdrug as well as ‘ethical’ brands Jason and Avalon, have scored poorly, while the top-scoring companies in the survey include Honesty Cosmetics, Little Satsuma and Pure Nuff Stuff.

Simon Counsell, Executive Director of The Rainforest Foundation UK said:

“Today we call on hair product companies to face up to their environmental responsibilities, reduce their use of palm oil, and help ensure the long-term survival of Africa’s rainforest, its people and unique wildlife.”

Click here to see the complete guide on Hair Products and find out more about the ‘Appetite for Destruction?’ campaign.

Tears, hospitals, and other drama: what happened to the singing in the X Factor?

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 X-FACTOR-LOGO-e1354895679882Every year it seems the X Factor moves further and further away from its roots as drama, sob stories, bitching and gossip overtakes the singing. But should we be surprised by this? It is, at its heart, a reality show as well as a singing competition, some would argue that it’s reality TV first and singing competition second.

 

It’s unlikely that the powers that be, ie. Simon Cowell, his production company and ITV are bothered by the lack of real interest in the quality of the singing. The X Factor is a money making machine and acts like it.

 

This year’s competition is now into the third week of the Live Shows and it shows that nothing has changed. With Sharon Osbourne back on the judges panel, and the same kinds of singers put through, it seems little will change. Although, even not being able to sing doesn’t mean the finalists can’t make a career – just think of One Direction – no one except Simon Cowell saw their success coming!

 

However, this hasn’t affected ratings which, although losing out to rival Strictly Come Dancing, are still pretty healthy for Saturday night prime time viewing.

 

Dropping like flies

 

The contestants’ health continues to be a contentious issue. Just what should happen if a singer can’t sing on the night? Should they be unceremoniously booted out or given a free pass through to the next round?

 

It’s clear that the policy, at least at the moment, is to push them on to the next week, which doesn’t seem at all fair to the other contestants. Last week, for example, Miss Dynamix singer SeSe Foster collapsed during the final rehearsal for the Saturday night live show. As she is six months pregnant, the producers sensibly took no chances and shipped her off to hospital, leaving her band mates hanging around backstage, knowing they are through to next week without even having to perform. However, it looks like it may well have affected their chances.

 

Last year, Lucy Spraggan was afforded the same privilege due to illness and, although it’ll certainly affect the other contestant’s odds, it probably doesn’t alter much long term. X Factor final betting is a hugely popular sport among eager viewers, and incidents like this will just remind them that they need to keep their eye on the gambling ball!

 

Helping out a friend?

 

The judges are getting on very well this year. Gone are the days of spats, rivalries and arguments like the series including Tulisa and Danni Minogue. Sharon O seems to be matriarch of the panel, with Nicole very much under her wing. However, the fact that Louis sent one of Sharon’s contestants home last week as reportedly led to the two judges falling out.

 

This definitely gives credence to the suspicion that the judges are doing ‘deals’ with each other when it comes to voting their acts out, which makes it much more about them than about their contestants’ singing abilities…

 

Is X Factor fixed?

 

So, is it a fix or not? With contestants like Sam Callahan and Kingston Road showing pretty abysmal live singing skills, it certainly seems so. However, it shouldn’t affect people’s fun, and it definitely shouldn’t affect whether people watch and bet on the show. It just means that you have to look at all the other possible reasons acts will go through, and bet accordingly. Whatever you do, don’t rely on the one with the best voice as that is certainly no guarantee – just look at the winner of 2012’s X Factor. No one even remembers his name…

 

 

Roasted Christmas Day Lunch ‘Cottage Pie’ With Cheesy Mash Recipe

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Roasted Christmas Day lunch ‘cottage pie’ with cheesy mash

By Paul Merrett

Roasted Christmas Day lunch 'cottage pie recipe

After the excess of Christmas Day this is the perfect comfort food. It also manages to use up just about every savoury ingredient from a Christmas Day lunch which is a bonus too!

 

Use whatever you have left over to make your version of this dish, but this recipe will serve as a good guide.

 

Serves 4

About 500g of roast turkey – brown and white meat – roughly chopped

4 or 5 leftover chipolatas (if they’re wrapped in bacon that’s even better)

2 or 3 tablespoons of leftover stuffing

25 left over sprouts

Spoonful of leftover carrots

2 or 3 leftover roast potatoes

4 left over parsnips

Handful of peas from the freezer

1 pint of left over gravy (or make with gravy granules if you didn’t have any leftover)

2 teaspoons redcurrant jelly

Splash of Worcestershire sauce

Mashed potato – leftover or made from scratch by peeling 4 large potatoes, then chopping into large chunks. Boil for around 10-15 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and return to the pot before adding a large knob of butter, salt and pepper and mashing.

Handful of grated cheddar

 

  • Find a large sauce pan and add the turkey and the gravy before bringing to a very gentle simmer
  • Meanwhile chop up the chipolatas in to bite sized chunks and tip them in to the pan
  • Do the same with the sprouts, carrots, parsnips and roast potatoes – again return the pan to a very gentle simmer – by now the mixture should be moist but not too wet
  • Add the peas and add the Worcestershire sauce and red currant jelly to taste
  • Finally chop the stuffing into chunks and add to the pan
  • Stir the pan very gently and then tip into a large shallow casserole dish
  • Pipe or spoon the mash on top and scatter with grated cheddar
  • Bake in the oven at 170C for about 20 minutes until golden brown and piping hot

 

 

Wine match

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir

This voluptuous Pinot Noir has rich fruit notes of cherry, raspberry, plum and strawberry, making it a great lighter red wine to pair with white meat, pastas and even seafood. Young and refreshing with subtly smoky hints, it’s a perfect wine to match with food.

 

Stockists

£5.61 (25% off) in Sainsbury’s from 16th October-5th November and from 11th-31st December

£5.99 in Tesco from 23rd October-3rd December

£5.99 or £30 for a case of 6 in Musgraves from 28th October-17th November

£6.99 in One Stop from 5th November-3rd December

£6 in Morrisons from 19th November-6th January

£5.99 in The Co-operative from 20th November-3rd December

£5.50 in Asda from 5th December-1st January

£7.49 in Ocado

One Direction: This Is Us DVD Released

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One Direction, This is us, music, dvd, Follow international pop sensation One Direction from their humble hometown beginnings to the global phenomenon in ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US, arriving in an “Ultimate Fan Edition” coming to Blu-ray3D, Blu-rayand DVD with UltraViolet™ December 19th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  Also available in 3D format, the special edition Blu-ray release features both original theatrical and extended fan cuts of the feature film.  The extended cut includes 20 minutes of new footage and four additional songs for fans to treasure.

 

As MTV’s 2012 Artist of the Year, Academy Award nominated director Morgan Spurlock (Best Documentary, Super Size Me, 2004) and producer Simon Cowell (TV’s “The X Factor”) give fans a captivating and intimate, all-access look at the journey of One Direction, chronicling the group’s almost immediate rise to superstardom. Never-before-seen footage from the “Ultimate Fan Edition” includes three exclusive featurettes with behind-the-scenes footage of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis having fun at a radio station in Japan and paying a visit to Madame Tussauds™ wax museum to experience their own sculptures being created.  This edition will also feature “Up All Night” – two mini movies previously only seen at the live concert.  ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US comes with extended scenes and seven featurettes where fans will have the opportunity to go backstage with the group as they prepare for one of their biggest performances of the year and follow them on visits back to their hometowns with the cameras rolling. Also included is the Music Video for fan-favourite “Best Song Ever”, the lead single from the group’s new album Midnight Memories, released globally on November 25th.

ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US will also be available on single-disc DVD featuring the original theatrical version of the film along with select featurettes from the “Ultimate Fan Edition.”