X-MINI v1.1 - A sound system in a capsule

   Have you noticed the X-MINI? This is a small capsule speaker designed and created to work with mobile devices like phones, portable media players, portable game station, tablet, laptop... you name it.

   What is interesting about this little speaker is that the size does not matter. This is as loud as a normal PC stereo speaker but has an amazing sound quality. 

The technical specifications are:

- Dimensions: 65.2mm x 50.1mm (Closed BXS)

- Net Weight: 57.4g

- Speaker: Magnetically Shielded 36mm (4Ω)

- Frequency Response: 120Hz - 20kHz

- Signal-to-Noise: ≥89dB

- Distortion: ≤0.3%

- Playback Time: up to 6 hours

- Battery Charge Time: 1 hour

   In the package you will find:
- X-mini v1.1 capsule speaker
- USB cable
- product manual

   That`s right! - it has it`s own rechargeable battery and a good power performance also.You can charge it on your computer through the USB cable. You will probably not believe this but one of the smallest speakers in the world has a bass management system. The capsule can be extended just like an accordion which makes it to vibrate and act like a sub-woofer.

   When is not extended the speaker has a lid that protects it from dust and other particles that might damage it. But the lid can work as a sound reflector and can direct the music to you. What I like the most is that you can connect this to any device using the 3.5" plug. I bought 2 of these and connected both to my HTC Desire.

   How did I managed to connect both? Well the speakers can connect to each other through the 'buddy-jack' system as the producer has named it. Each capsule has a 3.5" jack so you can plug one in another. There is also a record for this - they connected 1000 speakers.

   I really like this and I can tell you that I now have with me a portable media station, and if there is one required for a small on the spur of the moment party, my Desire and the 2 speakers will create the proper environment.

   There are also other small speakers which you can check on the producer`s website - www.x-mini.com. I bought these from www.fungadgets.ro (by the way - great service) and I plan to buy in the future another 3... just so I can hear every instrument in a song :).

IMPROVE YOUR SMARTPHONE`s BATTERY LIFE

The main disadvantage of every smartphone, these days, is the battery life. It is always the same issue... the power is not enough, and also your phone remains out of energy exactly when you need it the most. Most important aspect is that phone batteries are not evolving with all the new technology available. If a phone has a long battery life then it means it does not have too much hardware and software installed. Or if it has, then some of the hardware parts are not battery killers (an example can be the led screen which is a less power consumer than the old LCD)

I am a technology fan but I do not understand why the phone batteries have not improved all these years. Perhaps the technology evolved too fast. I have always used my smartphone in a way that improved the battery life. I had a Nokia E71 which had about one week power life and now I have a HTC Desire with 3-4 days power life.

The secret is that I always follow my own rules for charging the phone:

1. DO NOT charge the phone whenever you feel like.

2. Always use your phone until all battery power is consumed (the phone will turn off)

3. Always charge it when the phone is turned off. If you will turn it on then it starts to use energy and the charging session will not be an efficient one.

4. DO NOT charge the phone if the battery is not completely out of energy.

5. TRY AND NOT charge it from a USB port, always use the AC adapter/power cable.

I know... it may sound too restrictive or too complicated because you always have to remember this. But I see it as a simple thing once you get use to it. When I made a review for a Nokia E71, many readers did not believe that the battery power can last up to one week (if is not used intensively) and up to 5 days for a normal usage. Oh and if you are a busy business person you can buy a spare battery, as in this way you can always charge it correctly (as I like to thing I do).

Now this is just one way to improve your phone`s battery life. I will come back with other tips in the future.