Hardware & Tech

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...

28Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Thrustmaster T598 Review

Suppose you fancy yourself as the next Lando Norris, or even Lance Stroll. Then you are going to need to get yourself a steering wheel. Now, not just any wheel will do; there are so many different options available it can be really hard to decide just which one to get. Step into the Thrustmaster T598. Thankfully, the prices of decent kit has dropped right down to relatively accessible levels. The Thrustmaster T598 is retailing for £449.99 on the Thrustmaster website. For that price, you get some incredible tech with an even more incredible experience. Thrusted Into Greatness Let us check out some of the great features of the wheel as well as just how straightforward that setup is. Setup Unboxing the Thrustmaster T598 is pretty simple. It came out in three main pieces: the wheel, the...

One Piece Luffy Cable Guys Controller Holder Review

27Aug

By CharlotteNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

One Piece Luffy Cable Guys Controller Holder Review

With the recent release of the Netflix One Piece adaptation, merchandise for this popular show seems to be popping up everywhere. Which is great news for the anime fans! More mainstream merch means more for the collection! No longer do we have to savour the crumbs of the basement in Forbidden Planet. One Piece is taking over! It started with LEGO and now it's the turn of the One Piece Luffy Cable Guys Controller Holder! The King Of Pirates Anyone wanting to get your hands on this before reading any further, I have some bad news. This is not an insta-buy I'm afraid. Simply because it isn't even available to pre-order just yet! Yes, you'll have to wait to spend your £29.99. But I do also have some good news. The EXG Pro website is allowing fans to sign up to get notified as soon as the pre...

27Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

ANTANK S3 MAX Switch 2 Dock Review

If you have ever looked at your Switch 2 console and thought the dock was a little overbearing. Then you should be checking out the Antank S3 Max Switch 2 Dock. This small dock will sit proudly on your desk or TV unit, waiting to be called into action. Small But Mighty Dock! Priced at £38 on the Antank website, although currently at the time of writing, it's on sale at £23! So just what makes this a great alternative to the Nintendo offering? Let's check out the features, and you can decide for yourself. Design Features With something so small, you might not think that there are a vast number of features. Well, you'd be wrong. The dock itself is only as wide as the screen portion of the Switch 2, so it sits quite unobtusely wherever you decide to have it. With some great grippy feed pr...

Cable Guys Cuddle Team Leader Holdem Review

26Aug

By CharlotteNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Cable Guys Cuddle Team Leader Holdem Review

I am Cuddle Team Leader fan, and this extends outside the virtual world of Fortnite too. From Mecha Team Leader LEGO to Cuddle Team Leader Crocs. If it's inspired by Cuddle Team Leader, I want it. So, as you can imagine, when the Cable Guys Cuddle Team Leader Holdem landed on my desk I was very excited. A Different Kind Of Bear I have been the Thumb Culture go to for Cable Guy product reviews for a little while now. Meaning I've got hands on with a few new product releases. In a change of events the Cuddle Team Leader Holdem is not actually available yet. Instead it's currently up for pre-order, for £18 on the EXG Pro website. So let's take a look to see if it's worth the load time. Specs If you missed my other Cable Guys reviews, then you may not know the key specifications of ...

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...

13Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 Review

What's that I hear you exclaim? More SteelSeries hardware on the site! It sure is! This time is the turn of the Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard. Retailing at around £225 on the SteelSeries website, the keyboard certainly isn't cheap. However, it does constantly remind you that it is a quality product. Is This The New Apex Predator? Just what does this new keyboard have under the hood? Let's check it out! Design Features Let's start with just how much has gone into the build quality of the Apex Pro Gen 3. With so many layers, you could mistake it for an opera cake. Well, not quite, but there is still a fair amount to go through. With a triple-layer sound-dampening foam, designed to keep the typing experience nice and crisp. Alongside per-key lubrication, which means that each key feels smooth a...

SteelSeries QCK Performance Series Review

13Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

SteelSeries QCK Performance Series Review

One part of a gaming setup that often gets overlooked is the mousepad. Now SteelSeries sent us a lovely little package that contained an Aerox 3 mouse, as well as the QcK Performance Series of mousepads. The Aerox 3 mouse was purely to show off the different qualities of each of the three mousepads included in the bundle. Also included was a little tripod for connecting your phone. Something that I will definitely make use of, however, not for this review. Slide To The Left! Retailing for £39.99, you can pick from three different options. Speed, Control or Balance. Each with its own positives and negatives. All three come in either a large (490 x 420mm) or Extra Large (900 x 400mm); you can make your choice depending on your desk size. I know what you're thinking, aren't all mousepads cr...

12Aug

By MichaelNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Maecker Quest Charging Dock Review

Our friends over at Maecker offered to send Thumb Culture their Charging Dock for Quest to review. As this is an accessory I was already wanting to add to my personal collection, I was more than happy to offer to test and review this device. Currently on sale direct at Maeckers website for £51, let's see how this unit holds up. What's in the box Inside the box we get a nice little collection of assortments. There is obviously the charging dock unit itself, which is where the headset and controllers will rest. We get 2 USB-C cables. One to supply power to the dock and one to charge a additional battery pack. The dock is powered by the included 3 pin 20w plug. The Maecker website has the option of 4 different plug types based on region. We also get 2 rechargeable batteries. One for each co...