Friday 22 February 2013

iPad Mini vs. Kindle Fire HD

The Earth has seen some epic battles in its time; The Trojans vs. The Greeks, England vs. West Germany in 1966 and Ken Barlow vs. Mike Baldwin in 1982. But NONE of these compare to the battle that is currently raging in 2013; the battle between the iPad Mini and the Kindle Fire HD.

Many of us have already chosen our sides, angrily defending our tablet with vigour and passion, while withstanding the surge of verbal nonsense that pours relentlessly from the mouths of the opposition as they attempt to inform us about how their tablet is better.  But for those of you on the fence, still deciding which way to turn, a quick run through of the key benefits of owning either tablet might come in handy.

Hopefully, after reading this post, you’ll know whether your allegiance lies with Amazon or Apple and you’ll be prepared to defend your chosen tablet to the death. Or maybe you’ll become one of those traitors that ditches one tablet for the other? Who knows...?


iPad Mini: Key Benefits

It Looks Better

There really is no competition when it comes to appearance. The iPad Mini is the Katy Perry of the tablet world, whereas the Kindle Fire HD is Pat Butcher. The iPad Mini has arguably the best design of any tablet available; it’s slim, sleek and light meaning it fits comfortably in one hand. It simply looks sharper and more exciting! The Kindle Fire HD just looks a bit uninspiring to be honest. It’s heavier and wider than the iPad Mini, which not only makes it look worse, but also reduces its portability.



iPad_Mini.JPG
Spread the cost of an iPad Mini at 24ace.co.uk

More Apps

With over 300,000 apps available, the Apple Store is completely unrivalled. It should be noted that the Amazon App Store is improving and growing, but it simply doesn’t have enough apps available to compete with the Apple Store. The apps available on the iPad Mini also tend to be more polished and refined as many of them have been created specifically for Apple products. So, in a nutshell, if you’re looking for a wider choice of better quality games and other apps, go for the iPad Mini.

Superior Operating System

The iPad Mini uses Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 6, which creates the same user-friendly experience that we’ve all come to expect from Apple products. It’s efficient and responsive and contains a wealth of upgrades from the previous iOS 5 operating system, such as a vastly improved Siri function. The Kindle Fire HD uses an annoyingly modified Android operating system, which constantly throws advertisements at you, even at the home screen. iOS 6 is simply much less stressful.


Kindle Fire HD: Key Benefits

It’s A Lot Cheaper

It has to be said, for what the Kindle Fire HD offers you, the price tag is amazing. At just £169.99 for the 16GB model and £199.99 for the 32GB model, you really cannot complain. The iPad Mini costs at least another £100 just for the basic model, and for many people, this is simply too much money to part with. It’s also worth noting that downloadable content is generally considered to be cheaper on the Kindle Fire HD than on the iPad Mini. So, if you’re working on a budget and want more for your money, go for the Kindle Fire HD.

Better Display

The Kindle Fire HD has the better pixel resolution of the 2 tablets with a density of 216ppi (pixels per inch) compared to the iPad Mini’s 163ppi. This results in a sharper picture and makes text and images much clearer to view. The Kindle Fire HD also has a polarising feature and uses anti-glare technology, which not only improves viewing angles, but also makes reading books and watching movies easier on the eyes.



Kindle_Fire_HD.JPG
Spread the cost of a Kindle Fire HD at 24ace.co.uk


HDMI Output

Currently, the Kindle Fire HD is the only small tablet to offer a HDMI output port. This allows for quick and simple connectivity between your Kindle Fire HD and a HD television. The beauty of this is that you can download a movie for your Kindle Fire HD and then play it on your big screen TV simply by using a HDMI cable.


But Which Is Better!?

Well, there isn’t a winner really! I apologise if that’s a bit unhelpful, but it really does come down to personal preference and budget. The militant Apple fan boys will argue that the iPad Mini’s wealth of apps and sleeker design fully justify the inflated price tag, whereas the Kindle clan will claim that the iPad Mini is vastly over-priced and you can get the same functionality from the Kindle Fire HD at a much lower price.

The bottom line is, if you want the best looking tablet with the most apps and don’t mind spending the extra money, then get an iPad Mini. If you’re on a tighter budget, but still want a tablet that offers lots of brilliant features, then go for the Kindle Fire HD.


Spread the cost of your new iPad mini or Kindle Fire HD at 24ace.co.uk

Wednesday 20 February 2013

How to Use a Steam Mop and Get Brilliant Results

So what is a steam mop exactly? Well, it’s basically a mop that looks like a hoover, but isn't   Unlike traditional mops, they use hot steam to kill bacteria as opposed to chemical-ridden water. You don’t need to lug a bucket around with a steam mop and you don’t need to spend money on toxic chemicals that can potentially harm you, your family and your pets. To put it simply, they have revolutionised the way we clean our floors, and I can guarantee, that once you've used a steam mop, you’ll NEVER want to go back to a traditional mop and bucket again

But how do you get the best results from your steam mop? This is a common question that keeps cropping up. By reading the tips and hints listed below, you’ll be able to get the most from your steam mop and achieve a floor that you can be proud of.


Efbe-Schott Delta Steam Mop.JPG
 Efbe-Schott Delta Steam Mop. Only £29.99

1. Sweep ‘n’ Vac.

You must remember to sweep and/or vac your floor before using your steam mop. Failing to do so will result in dust, crumbs and hair being spread around and you may end up with a dirtier floor than when you started! How utterly pointless.  Also, your mop head will become filthy quickly and you probably won’t be able to finish even half of your floor with it. 

2. Socks. Wear Them.

There’ll probably come a point when you have to walk over an area that you’ve already cleaned. By wearing socks, you won’t leave any marks on your clean floor. Wear shoes and you’ll just end up making more work for yourself! You can also reduce the amount of times you step on your work by cleaning backwards from the far corner of your room. Remember, if you start at the entrance to a room then you’ll probably end up trapping yourself in it!

3. Dirty Mop Pad? Change It.

If you enjoy wasting your own time and love having a filthy floor, then start cleaning with a dirty mop pad. However, if you’re sane and want a shiny, clean floor, then you must remember to frequently change the pad. Many steam mops have reversible heads that allow you to switch between pads, which is fantastic as it means you can clear a bigger area of floor in one go. Ideally, you should have a couple of spare mop pads lying around, which you can use if the pad you’re currently using becomes too dirty. It doesn’t take much to clean a pad, just throw it in the washing machine.




Efbe-Schott 2 in 1 Transformer Steam Mop.JPG
Efbe-Schott 2 in 1 Transformer Steam Mop. Just £59.99

4. Got Children or Pets? Banish Them.

After cleaning a floor, ensure that nobody can enter the room for at least another hour afterwards. The last thing you want is a child or dog rampaging into the room and messing up your good work! Floors do dry much more quickly with steam mops than traditional mops as less water is used, but you still need to allow adequate time to let it dry thoroughly. The best times to clean are during the day while the kids are at school or late at night just before everybody goes to bed.



Dirty Floor.JPG


5. Never Leave Your Steam Mop Running.

This is more of a safety tip then a cleaning tip. If you should ever get distracted by a phone call or a knock on the door while cleaning, then be sure to turn your steam mop off. Leaving it running will result in one area being over-heated extremely quickly and could leave an irremovable mark on your floor. Steam mop heads can get extremely hot so always turn them off when you’re not using them.

6. Never Plug Your Steam Mop In Before Attaching The Pad 

When you plug in your steam mop, the head heats up and quickly becomes too hot to handle. Trying to attach a pad to the head in this state could result in burnt hands or fingers. If the pad is wet, you could even give yourself a nasty shock. Remember, plugging in your steam mop should be the last thing you do before you start cleaning!


Shop our range of Steam Mops today at 24acek

Tuesday 12 February 2013

What Is Skylanders Giants?

Regarded by many as the new Pokémon, Skylanders Giants combines both physical and digital elements to create an engaging, addictive and hugely fun video game experience. Users buy figurines of their favourite Skylanders characters and attach them to a USB ‘portal’ which is linked to their games console. The character is then displayed digitally on screen and can be used to play the game and fight battles. This is where the collectible element comes into Skylanders; the more figurines you have, the more variation and greater choice of characters you’ll have when playing the game. Trading cards are also available, which is another factor responsible for Skylanders being compared to Pokémon.
For a better understanding of the Skylanders story, check out this video...



Who is Skylanders Giants aimed at?
Like other collectible game franchises, Skylanders is aimed primarily at younger children due to its colourful, monster like characters and fantasy style plot. However, Skylanders Giants, which is the latest games in the series, has a slightly more sophisticated system of game play, which has seen it gain popularity with older gamers.

Where can you buy Skylanders Giants products and what’s available?
An extensive range of Skylanders Giants products is available at 24ace.co.uk. Here, you’ll find everything from figurines, to bedding, to the video game itself, all of which make brilliant gifts for birthdays, Christmas or simply to keep young children quiet and occupied during half-term or summer holidays. You can even spread the cost of your purchase with a 24ace account.

Here are the top 5 Skylanders products at 24ace:



Game Console Starter Packs
A games console starter pack is an essential piece of kit for any new Skylanders Giants fan. Inside, you’ll find the game (obviously), the portal, 1 Giants figure, 2 regular Skylanders figures, a collection of trading cards and some stickers. At just £49.99, the starter pack is a bargain considering console games on their own can cost the same price. 

Skylanders Giants is available on the following consoles:
  •          PS3
  •          Xbox 360
  •          Wii
  •         Wii U
  •         3DS


Skylander Giants Starter Pack




Skylanders Giants Characters
There are 48 new characters to collect for Skylanders Giants, all with their own special powers and skills to help enhance and prolong your Skylanders experience. Remember, characters from previous games can be used with Skylanders Giants, so, in total, there are around 125 characters to collect! Each pack comes with a trading card and sticker sheet containing a secret code.
Skylanders Giants Character Packs are available from Only £9.99


Official Skylanders Duvet Set
This colourful duvet set is guaranteed to help any Skylanders fan drift off into a peaceful sleep. Many of the most popular Skylanders characters are featured on the duvet, including Spyro the dragon. This item has been selling particularly well recently, so get yours now to avoid disappointment.

Official Skylanders Duvet Set


Skylanders Duvet Set Only £19.99


Skylanders Personalised Pyjamas
With our free personalisation service, you can add a name of your choice to a pair of Skylanders Giants pyjamas for no extra cost. By doing so, you’ll create a unique birthday or Christmas present, which your child will be proud of and want to show off to their friends. The pyjamas are 100% cotton and available in up to 9 different sizes. These Skylanders Personalised Pyjamas are an absolute bargain at just £4.99!

Skylanders Personalised Pyjamas



Official Skylanders Backpack
Give your child one of these cool Skylanders backpacks and they’ll be the envy of every other child at school! Skylanders backpacks are available in both blue and orange and provide a good amount of space to store books, lunch and sports clothing. There’s even space to store Skylanders figures and other game accessories so your child can show off and compare their collection with their friends at school. A handy carry handle is attached to the top of the backpack for easy carrying and travelling.
Official Skylanders Backpack

Get an Official Skylanders Backpack for Only £17.99

Looking for more great toys and gifts? Take a look at everything else 24ace.co.uk has to offer. 



Friday 8 February 2013

The Best Wedding Gift Ideas For 2013

Trying to find the ideal wedding gift is a task that nobody enjoys. If you’re lucky, the bride and groom will compile a list of wedding gift ideas, which you can blindly choose from to ‘surprise’ them. However, if you’re not that lucky, then you’re going to have to think long and hard about a suitable gift. The last thing you want is to be the guy or gal that buys a wedding gift so disgracefully meaningless that it ruins the unlucky couple’s day and potentially your friendship with them. Or maybe that is what you want to happen? I suppose it depends how much you like or dislike the people in question. Hopefully, this blog will point you in the direction of a wedding gift that will be cherished by the bride and groom for years to come.


Pack of 10 Wedding Cameras


Disposable cameras are superb for capturing the most romantic and, of course, embarrassing moments of a wedding. Hand them out to 10 reliable people and get them to hand them back to the bride and groom at the end of the night to be developed. Here’s a little tip for you: Do not give out cameras to family idiots or you’ll just end up with a million shots of sausage rolls and arm length pictures of people’s gurning, drunken faces. Once the photos have been developed, the happy couple will have a great selection of photos to look back on from a number of different viewpoints. Remember, it’s nice to spend loads of money on a fancy present, but memories are always the greatest gifts.

Pack of 10 wedding cameras Only £29.99 


Pack of 10 Wedding Cameras


Personalised Champagne Flutes


These beautifully crafted champagne flutes are perfect for the bride and groom’s first drink together as a married couple. With our free personalisation service, you can add a name to each glass to create a gift that will be cherished for a life-time and won’t just be thrown in the nearest glass bottle bank. A stylish stand with a love-heart in the middle is provided with the flutes, allowing them to be proudly displayed in a kitchen cabinet or on a mantelpiece. 

Personalised Champagne Flutes Only £17.99

Personalised Champagne Flutes


Personalised Wedding Guest Book


Guest books are another one of those gifts that can be cherished forever by the bride and groom. By locating one at a wedding reception, guests can leave messages of goodwill and best wishes for the future, which the happy couple can look back on for years to come. Our free personalisation service at 24ace allows you to have names and a date engraved onto the front of the book to create a truly unique gift. 

Wedding Guest Book Only £12.99

Personalised Wedding Guest Book


Mr & Mrs Photo Frame


This stunningly unique photo frame would look amazing on any new married couple’s fireplace or mantelpiece. The main body of the frame is made up of a love heart, which the bride and groom can use to show off one of their favourite photos from their big day. The diamante detail adds a touch of class to the frame and ensures it will sparkle and catch people’s eye wherever it’s located.

Mr & Mrs Photo Frame Only £9.99


Mr & Mrs Photo Frame



Personalised Wedding Certificate Holder


Usually, wedding certificates are just thrown into an old storage box and left to be battered and worn by the unforgiving hand of time. With a personalised certificate holder, a newly married couple will have an incentive to keep their wedding certificate safe and clean. The scroll style holder can be personalised free of charge with a name and date to create a gift that the married couple will want to show off. 

Personalised Wedding Certificate Holder Only £9.99


Personalised Wedding Certificate Holder



Personalised Wedding Socks


For a bit of fun on the big day, why not buy each of the main men involved in the wedding a pair of personalised wedding socks? They are available in 6 styles: father of the bride, usher, best man, groom, father of the groom and condemned man. With our free personalisation service, a name can be added to each pair of socks to remind people what their role is in the wedding should they forget!

Personalised Wedding Socks Only £4.99


Personalised Wedding Socks



And remember...

You can order a range of free wedding samples, including Me To You invitations, place cards and thank you cards from our website 24ace.co.uk

For our full range of wedding products, please visit www.24ace.co.uk

Sunday 3 February 2013

Top 5 Weird Animals of Africa

Africa: Eye To Eye With The Unknown
David Attenborough’s new documentary series, Africa, has been a monumental success. Its advanced CGI camera techniques, moving soundtrack and emotional depictions of nature at its cruellest have opened our eyes to the true beauty and majesty of the world’s most vibrant and diverse continent. To complement the series and give you an even deeper understanding of the wildlife of Africa, a new book has been released under the same name; Africa: Eye to Eye With the Unknown. To celebrate the release of the book and the success of the series, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 weirdest animals in Africa! Brace yourself; some of them are a bit odd.






Okapi

Okapi
Okapis can be seen at both
Bristol and Chester zoo

What do you call something that has the body of a horse, the limbs of a zebra and the head of a giraffe? An Okapi, that’s what. Unlike other herding animals, Okapi prefer to spend their lives in sombre isolation, which isn’t a surprising fact when you think about it. They’re not stripy enough to hang with the zebras, they’re not tall enough to chill with the giraffes and they live in the wrong part of the world to be knocking about with horses. These confused beasts have even been known to ‘moo’ like cows when greeting each other. They don’t know what they are! I can’t help but feel that God was running out of ideas when he created the Okapi, so he just decided to splice a load of random animal parts together in the hope that something interesting would come out. It did. 




Pangolin

Pangolin
Pangolin

There aren’t many words you can use to describe Pangolins. They look like the first sketch of a new Pokémon that the creator never got round to finishing.  Pangolins are covered in a protective shell of scales, which not only looks unsightly, but also accounts for 20% of their weight. Imagine running around all day whilst wearing a suit of medieval armour; that’s probably how a Pangolin feels. Unsurprisingly, Pangolins are nocturnal, meaning they only come out at night. Why? Maybe they’re just darn embarrassed to be seen in the daylight. All joking aside, Pangolins are actually quite cool creatures, which are in danger of becoming extinct due to illegal trade and destruction of habitats. 


Bat-Eared Fox

Bat-Eared Fox
Bat-Eared Fox

First of all, which lazy person named this animal? Surely they could have come up with something a bit more original? It’s like calling a leopard a giant spotty cat, or calling a piranha a violent goldfish. Anyway, the bat-eared fox can be found in southern and eastern Africa in the grasslands and semi-deserts. Interestingly, a female only has 4 nipples, which sadly means she may have to kill some cubs if she gives birth to more than 4. But what’s with the giant ears? Well, they’re full of blood vessels that get rid of heat and help keep the fox cool in the sweltering African climate. Bat-eared foxes are nocturnal and will often travel up to 8 miles every night in search of food. That’s some serious commitment right there.



Bush Baby

Bush Baby
Bush Baby

Now this is a good name! None of this bat-eared fox nonsense. Bush babies are the smallest primates in the animal kingdom, measuring in at just 7/8 inches in height. Their tails, which are bigger than their bodies, help them leap through the trees at night to catch prey and avoid predators. When someone describes a bush baby, most people conjure up an image in their mind of some cute, fluffy teddy bear like creature. However, to me, they look like the spawn of Satan. When I picture the gates of hell, I imagine bush babies swarming everywhere. Their unnerving appearance isn’t helped by the high-pitched cries and shrill whistles which they let out either. They also enjoy marking their territory with urine. Not so cute now, eh?




Shoebill

Shoebill
Shoebill

Imagine having a shoe hanging off the end of your face all day, every day. That’s no way to live. Despite its comedic appearance, the shoebill has quickly become a figure a hate after The BBC documentary series, Africa, showed a female shoebill feeding and caring for one of her chicks and leaving the other one to die a slow, painful and malnourished death. There was a mass outcry of pain and emotion after the episode aired, with many people claiming they had to ‘stop eating their dinner.’ Oh the horror. It’s just nature! Who are we to question how ol’ shoe face treats her young? Shoebills are magnificent birds with enormous wingspans and can grow up to 5 feet in height. You’ll find them in the tropical swamps and marshes of central and east Africa. 


Get your copy of Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown for £11.99 at 24ace.co.uk