Jason, Author at Thumb Culture

29Aug

By JasonNo Comments

Edifier ES60 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Some speakers look like boring black boxes that just happen to make sound. The Edifier ES60 is not one of them. This portable Bluetooth speaker is equal parts audio gear and stylish home décor. It brings a touch of retro personality while serving up surprisingly powerful sound for its size. With features like multi-device pairing, lighting effects, and a rugged build that can handle outdoor adventures, the ES60 is designed to slide effortlessly from kitchen counter to backyard patio to beach picnic without missing a beat. If you like your music with a side of style and convenience, this little unit has plenty to offer. Style & Sound Available simply in either black or white, I was sent out the black version to have a play with. Time to throw on a diverse playlist of music and get out...

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K,MagGo,Slim) Review

19Aug

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K,MagGo,Slim) Review

If power banks were shoes, most would be hiking boots, chunky, sturdy, and not something you slip into your pocket without a plan. The Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)? It’s more like a pair of sleek loafers. It’s designed to disappear into your everyday carry, to sit quietly in your bag or even your jeans pocket until you need it, then leap into action to top up your phone. Wafer Thin Marvel With its slim MagSafe-compatible design, wireless charging, and just enough capacity to keep your phone alive through the day, this isn’t a heavy-duty backup battery. It’s a smart, stylish lifeline for people who like to travel light but hate the sight of the dreaded “1%” icon. Design & Features The first thing you notice is how little there is to notice. This power bank is only a f...

Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K,165W) Review

18Aug

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K,165W) Review

If portable chargers were superheroes, the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W) would be the one flying in with a cape, holding a laptop in one hand and a phone in the other, both charging at the same time. Packing a chunky 25,000 mAh battery, lightning-fast 165W output, and its own built-in retractable cables, it’s designed for people who don’t just carry gadgets, they run their lives on them. I've got the power! Whether you’re on a long-haul flight (I'm jealous), trapped in a conference with no free outlets (def not jealous), or simply binge-watching Netflix in a park (I'm with you on that one), this power bank promises to keep you plugged in without actually being plugged in. Design From the outside, the Anker Laptop Power Bank is unmistakably Anker: minimal, matte, and a litt...

5Aug

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Swiftpoint Z2 Mouse Review

In a world of minimal mice and slick RGB clones, the New Zealand-based Swiftpoint's Z2 charges in like a Transformer. With 13 buttons, haptic feedback, gyroscopic controls, pressure-sensitive clicks, swappable parts, oh, and a tiny OLED screen, this is less of a “mouse” and more of a full-blown command centre for your desk. The Shape-Shifting Mouse Whether you're gaming, editing, 3D modelling, or automating complex workflows, the Kickstarter-funded Z2 aims to be your one-device-to-rule-them-all. So, is it a revolution or just a really expensive gadget? Let’s dig in. Design Right out of the box, the 65-gram Z2 feels like something out of a sci-fi prop room. Its angular chassis and layered surface elements make it look busy, because it is. This is not your everyday plug-and-play mous...

The Sims 4: Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack – PC Review

23Jul

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

The Sims 4: Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack – PC Review

If you’ve ever wanted your Sims to ditch the digital rat race for a life among whispering woods, ancient ruins, and talking raccoons (yes, really), then The Sims 4: Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack might just cast a spell on you. The latest DLC from Maxis and EA invites players to explore the enchanting side of Mother Nature. Blending fantasy elements with rustic living to deliver a magical and earthy gameplay experience. This magical DLC will set you back about £35 from Steam or EA store. Pixie Dust & Prosecco! But is this expansion worth venturing into the forest for, or is it just another mushroom ring on the Sims DLC lawn? Let’s dig in (with a fairy-forged shovel, naturally). Gameplay Enchanted by Nature adds a lush, new world called Sylvan Hollow, a living forest biome w...

27May

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

JDM: Japanese Drift Master – PC Review

There’s something about the underground world of drifting that has long fascinated motorsport fans. I love going to Brands Hatch each year for their annual JDM competition! From the winding mountain roads of Japan to the iconic scenes of Tokyo's neon-lit streets, drift culture has captured the imagination of gamers and car enthusiasts alike. JDM: Japanese Drift Master, by devs Gaming Factory, sets out to pay tribute to this legacy with a focus on authentic drift mechanics, a story-driven single-player experience, and a lovingly recreated Japanese backdrop. But does it slide into pole position, or spin out before the first corner? "There's no 'wax on wax off' with drifting. You learn by doing it" Han, Tokyo Drift (2006) Gameplay At its core, JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a driving s...

10Apr

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi Zen DAC V3 Review

Few products in the world of desktop audio gear have made as much noise in the budget audiophile space as iFi's Zen series. Known for delivering excellent sound quality at a price that doesn’t scare off newcomers, the Zen DAC line has steadily evolved. Now, with the third iteration—the iFi Zen DAC V3—the company brings modern updates while keeping the spirit of the original intact. But does this compact DAC/amp combo still deliver enough value to justify the upgrade? Let’s dive in. Design & Features At first glance, the Zen DAC V3 doesn’t stray far from the now-familiar silhouette of its predecessors. The curved metal chassis still sports that premium, sturdy feel and fits neatly on any desktop without hogging space. It’s stylish enough to blend in with minimalist setups, yet distinc...

Gardener: Master of Trees and Flowers PC Preview & Dev Interview

3Apr

By JasonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Gardener: Master of Trees and Flowers PC Preview & Dev Interview

Released 7th of March, Gardener: Master of Trees and Flowers is an early access sandbox botanical simulation game by solo developer Koksny.com. Also known as Wojciech Górny, he has been working on the title for four years. With a keen interest in genetics, simulation, shading, and gardening, Gardener: Master of Trees and Flowers is very much a work-in-progress game that has a surprising purpose. Something that you will find out more about during the dev interview! Grow & Flourish With an active Discord where both gamers and Wojciech are constantly feeding ideas back and forth along with new updates, Gardener: Master of Trees and Flowers has been changing nearly every day that I have logged in to play. Gameplay The idea of this time-lapse game is to successfully grow a divers...

1Apr

By JasonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Wreckfest 2 – PC Early Access Preview

Wreckfest 2 recently became available in early access on Steam. Developers of the first Wreckfest, Bugbear, return with the demolition derby racing simulator with publishing by THQ Nordic. They feel its initial tracks and vehicles ready for playing and want to share their work with the community for further feedback as development continues. Wreckfest 2 is currently available only on Steam, with console releases with the 1.0 build yet TBD. I'm gonna wreck it! One of my core childhood memories is attending a demolition derby with my grandpa. I'm not sure if it was the loud destruction or just the fact that it was something like I'd never seen before. Regardless, any chance to play a game like Wreckfest 2 is one I'm going to take. Come to think of it, it was likely the destruction as I'm m...

Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD Review

18Mar

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD Review

As technology begins to embrace the PCIe 5.0 platform, Samsung has unveiled its newest addition to the company's lineup of consumer SSD products; the 9100 PRO PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD. Available in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB & 8TB versions, the promise is that it will deliver double the read and write speed of PCIe 4.0, in line with the generation leap. Whether you are into using AI for content creation, multitasking, or gaming, next-gen performance is here. The first three of the bunch are being launched in April this year, while the whopping 8TB monster is set to be released in the second half of 2025. Solid State Storage Here at TC HQ, I was lucky enough to have hands-on experience with the 2TB version of the 9100 PRO PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe M.2, including an integrated heatsink. For this review, ...