Custom PC - UK (2021-09)

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Nanoleaf Shapes offer a sophisticated answer to the question ‘how do
you put addressable RGB lighting everywhere?’ The Triangle Starter
Kit starts with a choice of four, nine or 15 triangular panels, as well as a
controller and enough linker pieces to hook all the bits in the kit. Each
triangle operates as a light capable of displaying over 16 million colours,
and also functions as a touch panel. They can then be connected together
with the other pieces in the kit, or different-shaped pieces from other kits.
The net result is that you can tile together a panel of lights, which
then attaches to whatever surface you want, using either very strong
tape or screw-in plates if necessary. You power this mosaic via a mains
connection that tucks in behind any of the connection points, so it’s easy
to keep the arrangement tidy. The control app is available for Apple or
Android phones, as well as Windows PCs, offering excruciatingly detailed
options for many settings, from the colour scheme and timing, to the
functions assigned to pressing different shapes.
The panels connect via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and software setup is relatively
simple. However, make sure you install the software and pair the devices
before attaching the plates to any surface from which they can’t be easily
removed. The panels can also be controlled via Razer’s Synapse software,
so they can augment your PC’s RGB array if you already have Razer gear.
The result is an expensive but undeniably awesome RGB lighting setup.

Macro trunk Nanoleaf

The Mouse Jiggler is a weirdly inventive gadget – it’s designed to

prevent your computer from realising you’re away from the keyboard

by moving the mouse without your help. The weirdness of this

take on the mouse spoofing gadget is that it’s based around the

repurposed body of a wristwatch.

You start up the watch with a button on the side, place it inside

the frame, put your mouse on top and the movement of the second

hand ticking around causes a little movement every so often, so the

computer thinks you never left your desk. That’s the theory anyway –

in practice, getting it to work depends on finding a sweet spot where

the mouse sensor sees enough of the movement of the hands to

react, and this can be tricky and time-consuming.

Also, although the watch is quiet, its operation is still constant and

noticeably audible. It doesn’t care about whether the device is in use

or not, it’s just going to keep ticking for around a year. The Mouse

Jiggler is a clever idea, but it could be better.

Cross Tick

NANOLEAF SHAPES TRIANGLE

STARTER KIT /£89.99 inc VAT

SUPPLIER nanoleaf.me

MOUSE JIGGLER/£15.97 inc VAT

SUPPLIER amazon.co.uk

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