Tech Tools

Logitech UE Boom €199
The Ultimate Ears brand is no stranger to the music industry. Bought by Logitech in 2008, UE had already built itself a name as the brand of choice for musicians in in-ear technology. So they've taken all that expertise and applied it to a Bluetooth speaker. The UE Boom bills itself as a social music device. Not only does it blast out audio 360 degrees, but it also allows you to hook up two of the speakers to create a full on stereo experience through an iOS or Android app.

Logitech.com. For a more extensive review go to irishtimes.com/technology

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
From free on billpay

The Galaxy S4 may be a little more streamlined than its predecessor, but not everyone wants the big-screen experience. If you yearn for a more compact device, the S4 Mini may be just what you’re looking for. The screen is shrunk to 4.3 inches, while the camera has been bumped down from 13 megapixels in the regular S4, to a still respectable 8 mega- pixels. The storage is smaller at 8GB, but can be expanded with a microSD card.

For more comparison between the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy S4 Mini go to irishtimes.com/technology

Smartphone Spy Lens $20
Turn your smartphone into a spy device with one tiny attachment. It may not be the most discreet of objects, but it certainly isn't obvious what the spy lens is about. It allows you to take photographs at 90-degree angles, so you can get shots you never thought you would be able to. You can put your camera on a steady surface to take a photo, for example. The lens attaches with a strong magnetic ring, so you can snap it on and off at will. There are creepier uses for it, such as taking surreptitious photos, but we try not to think about that.

photojojo.com

Waka Waka solar lamps €71
Festival season may be drawing to a close but there is still time to fit in a few more. Which is where this handy little device comes in useful. Doubling up as a portable light and a solar-powered charger, the Waka Waka claims to be the most efficient solar lamp in the world. Give it a day of sunlight, and it will give you up to 40 hours of light when you need it most. It will fully charge your mobile device in a couple of hours, and still have enough power left to light your way for a few hours.

Firebox.com