About Owen
Owen McCarthy
Reviewer
Owen McCarthy has had a long love affair with all things technical since the dawn of the computer age. A child of the 1960’s, he agrees with legendary author, Douglas Adams, that digital watches were a pretty neat idea. By the 1980’s Owen was learning how to code using C and by the turn of the century, he was teaching HTML to enthusiastic youngsters. These days, Owen can be found pestering editors for new technology to review on an annoyingly regular basis. In his spare time, he rides motorcycles of the three-wheeled variety, studies theology, aqua-jogs, and works hard to honour his late wife’s request to live a joy-filled life.
Stories by Owen
Hands-on Review: JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth speaker
Last month
#
digital entertainment
#
speakers
#
playtime
The JBL Flip 7 speaker delivers impressive sound clarity and bass in a compact, eco-friendly design, priced at $199.95 with up to 16 hours of playtime.
Cricut Maker 4: Crafty, feature-filled and fast
Fri, 2nd May 2025
#
printing
#
cricut
The Cricut Maker 4, priced at NZD $798, offers crafters a speedy, versatile machine that cuts, engraves and embosses on over 300 materials with ease.
.webp)
Hands-on review: Cricut Every Day Iron-On materials on Cricut Maker 3 and EasyPress Mini
Fri, 6th Dec 2024
#
fonts
#
reviews
#
diy
Unboxing four new Cricut iron-on vinyl rolls opens a world of creative possibilities, with designs ranging from festive T-shirts to custom mugs.
Hands-on review: JBL Soundgear Sense
Thu, 5th Dec 2024
#
digital entertainment
#
headphones
#
fitness
JBL's new Soundgear Sense headphones promise a blend of comfort and sound quality, retailing at NZD $200, perfect for music lovers on the go.
Hands-on review: Google TV Streamer 4K
Tue, 15th Oct 2024
#
digital entertainment
#
wireless networks
#
devices
The Google TV Streamer 4K, promises seamless streaming and smart home integration, appealing to both tech enthusiasts and novices alike.
Hands-on review: Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera
Thu, 11th Jul 2024
#
smart home
#
wireless networks
#
cloud services
The Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera offers impressive features like person detection and local storage, all without monthly fees.
Hands-on review: Rakuten Kobo Clara Colour- Judge Your Books by Their Colours
Tue, 4th Jun 2024
#
storage
#
wireless networks
#
clean technologies
Rakuten Kobo's new Clara Colour eReader brings book covers and illustrations to life with vibrant colours on its 6 E Ink Kaleido display.
Hands-on review: Cricut EasyPress Mini
Tue, 23rd Apr 2024
#
gadgets
#
reviews
#
diy
Cricut EasyPress Mini proves to be an ideal tool for small and large crafting projects, allowing creativity to flourish even in hard-to-reach places.
Hands-on review: Maono Wireless Microphone WM620 Series
Fri, 8th Mar 2024
#
digital entertainment
#
devices
#
cloud services
Given my lack of descriptive vocabulary, I thought I’d take you through what Maono says before describing my experience using the WM620 series. .
Hands-on review: Mobile Pixels Duex Max DS: Time to double up!
Mon, 19th Feb 2024
#
digital signage
#
displays & projectors
#
devices
Duex Max DS is a 14.1” portable monitor that clips to your laptop magnetically. For me, it means a doubling of my workspace, with everything in my line of sight without having to raise my head. .
Hands-on review: Intel NUC 12-PRO Wall Street Canyon
Tue, 23rd Jan 2024
#
endpoint protection
#
edr
#
devices
The new Intel NUC impresses with its tiny size and customizable features, offering powerful computing in a compact package.
.webp)
Hands-on review: Tozo S3 Smartwatch and T20 Ear Buds
Thu, 14th Dec 2023
#
wearables
#
digital entertainment
#
devices
Golden X1 earbuds and was impressed with the aesthetics, quality, and performance. I leapt at the chance to review the S3 Smart Watch and the T20 Ear Buds.
Hands-on review: Rakuten Kobo Nia
Wed, 13th Dec 2023
#
devices
#
gadgets
#
ereader
The Rakuten Kobo Nia is described by Kobo as “our friendliest e-reader yet” on their website. Accompany me on my journey, and we’ll see if it lives up to this encouraging statement.
Hands-on review: JBL Quantum TWS Air
Thu, 30th Nov 2023
#
digital entertainment
#
devices
#
bluetooth
The Quantum TWS Air has proven an interesting addition to my listening experience. Ergonomically, JBL continues to surprise me with their beautifully comfortable devices.
Hands-on review: Gaomon M106K Pro Battery-free Pen Tablet
Tue, 14th Nov 2023
#
devices
#
gadgets
#
graphics
The Gaomon M106K Pro offers impressive features for an entry-level graphics tablet at a competitive price. Check it out!.
Hands-on review: Xencelabs Pen Display Tablet 24'
Thu, 17th Aug 2023
#
devices
#
gadgets
#
pro tools
Xencelabs appear to be on to a winner here. The Pen Display 24 had me feeling that with a little more time, I might become the next Banksy.
Hands-on review: Arlo Pro 5 2K Wire-Free Spotlight Security Camera
Tue, 25th Jul 2023
#
smart home
#
devices
#
cloud services
The Arlo Pro5S2K Spotlight Camera promises great video quality and peace of mind for the security-conscious. Here are my thoughts about it.
Hands-on Review: Twelve South Curve Flex
Wed, 19th Jul 2023
#
devices
#
pc hardware
#
gadgets
Twelve South’s Curve Flex MacBook stand is a game-changer for posture, comfort, and portability, according to this review.
Hands-on Review: Tozo Golden X1 Earbuds
Fri, 2nd Jun 2023
#
gaming
#
digital entertainment
#
devices
Tozo's Golden X1 earbuds offer top-notch sound quality, noise cancelling, and intelligent charging, making them a must-have for audio enthusiasts.
Hands-on review: Technics AZ60 Noise Cancelling and True Wireless Earbuds
Thu, 15th Dec 2022
#
gaming
#
digital entertainment
#
devices
Listening to music is quite an experience. The bass and treble sounds are distinct and makes listening to music a real pleasure.