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    June 21, 2013
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    June 24, 2025
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  • Answer count
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  • First answer
    December 10, 2014
  • Last answer
    November 4, 2021
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emiliosic's Reviews
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Withings BPM Vision is an FDA-cleared digital blood pressure monitor for home use that delivers precise systolic & diastolic measurements, heart rate tracking, and instant color-coded feedback—all displayed on a 2.8” high-resolution LCD screen. Your results are immediately visible, making health tracking effortless.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Accurate, informative and the easiest to use
on June 24, 2025
Posted by: emiliosic
This is a very accurate blood pressure monitor.
Compared this with my Japanese brand one I've been using for a while and the results are comparable.
Nothing wrong with my old unit but this is a lot easier to use.
We already had one of the Withings smart scale and we're very happy with it.
Withings is a well known French company that focuses on personal health monitoring products.
Each product can connect to one or more Withings accounts within the household, and also lets you have multiple users on the same account if this makes things simpler.
It requires no subscriptions or any other fees besides the purchased products, and it's able to correlate data from different Withings products to offer an unified view of body metrics. We use iPhones so it also integrates seamlessly (If chosen) with Apple Health, which we like as it further correlates data from our watches. It also has optional connections with different health systems, although the selections are currently limited, but it's promising in the direction they're headed.
They also do offer a monthly or yearly subscription that uses additional intelligence (AI, etc) to analyze data from different Withings products, and offers several consultations with actual doctors on the given data. I don't use the subscription however it's interesting.
So to the blood pressure monitor itself, it's very easy to set up. We had no issues setting it up with our existing Withings account. The monitor uses Bluetooth and then it connects with the house's Wi-Fi. (Falls back to Bluetooth if Wi-Fi is not available). This is very nice because I don't need to have my phone near me when checking my blood pressure. It syncs directly to the Withings account and once I open the app on the phone, wherever I am, I can see the results.
The monitor has a nice color screen that's very easy to read (with big letters) and very to follow prompts. At the right of the screen there are three navigation buttons.
Because we set up two users, when turning it on it prompts which user is going to use it, and also has a guest mode.
After taking the measurements, it presents the low and high values (systolic and diastolic), heart rate, and on the bottom of the screen, a sliding chart with different colors (green, yellow, orange, light and dark red), which coincides with the American Heart Association's scale, so don't have to think about the numbers.
The monitor has a built-in Lithium battery and it's expected to last several months (expected to last close to a year between charges). It charges via USB-C just like a laptop or phone. It comes with a charging cable, but like other electronics, no wall charger. I use any of the chargers I already have.
The cuff is an interesting design. I actually didn't use it right the first time because I though I had to wrap it around the arm like other monitors. The way it works is that it's a sleeve: Slide my arm though it and then tighten it with a Velcro. This actually makes it easier to put on with one free hand. It provides for a wide range of arm sizes, so all in the family can fit it. Withings also offers an extra large cuff that's sold separately. The cuff is very easy to unplug from the monitor, if needed, and the connecting tube is large enough.
The whole setup comes in a nice hard fabric case and don't need to take the monitor out of the case unless I want to. The cuff folds neatly in its own section of the case.
Note that there are two metal circles on the sides of the monitor, but they're not documented and don't currently do anything.
If there is a complain is that the screen could be a bit brighter, however this has not been an issue to me.
Overall, great blood pressure monitor. This is the easiest to use yet, and I appreciate how easy is to sync the measurements, which is automatic.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Crucial X10 Portable SSD is available with up to 8TB of storage, making it perfect for storing files, photos, games, backups and videos. With read speeds up to 2,100MB/s, the X10 is twice as fast as the X9 and comes in a stylish matte blue enclosure. Built to withstand whatever life throws at you, the durable Crucial X10 is IP65 rated for dust and water resistance and is drop resistant up to 9.8 feet (3 meters). It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, PC, and Linux via an included USB-C cable. Engineered by Micron Technology, a leader in the tech industry for 45 years, the Crucial X10 combines high quality with innovative features that let you edit directly from the drive. Store up to 500,000 4K photos, 114 games, 2.6 million MP3 music files and 133 4K videos.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Fast and portable
on May 31, 2025
Posted by: emiliosic
This is very small and light, it's about 2.5" x 2" and very thin.
The interface on this SSD, and this is very important, is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, rated at 20Gpbs.
The drive has a small pass-through opening to add a lanyard (not included), and comes with a short USB-C cable (About 8" or so).
The shell is all plastic, matte blue in my case with polished sides.
There are no drivers required and no software included on It, just a PDF as a brochure and some web links. Like most external drives, it comes pre-formatted as ExFAT so it's ready to go in about every system. It can also be formatted with macOS or NTFS partitions is needed. For example, I'm using another Crucial drive like this as encrypted APFS to use in macOS.
Speed-wise, here's the interesting part:
It can go about as fast for sequential read an writes as the interface allows. On a newer Windows laptop I was able to measure around 2000 Mb/s in both read and write.
However, on two different MacBook Pro (Including an M3 model), I as able to achieve half of that. macOS System Information tool shows the connection as USB 3.1. So I contacted Micron's support via chat. I was pleasantly surprised that I got to a human right away and the person gave me the correct information right away, however it's not what I wanted to hear: It's a limitation on Apple's USB-C ports, which although they are Thunderbolt and USB4 capable, they do not support USB 3.2. I looked it up in Apple's community sites and it's correct, not even the current M4 generation supports USB 3.2. I also tested on a Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and same result. Only a newer PC supports this connection at full speed.
It works perfectly on macOS, just not at full speed when using the internal USB4 ports.
It's made in Thailand and comes with a 3-year warranty.
Differences with X10 Pro: Speeds will be the same, both are USB 3.2 and should deliver the same speeds overall.
The main difference is that the 'Pro' have an aluminum shell with rubberized bottom. These are hard plastic. The pro has a white LED and this has no lights.
This has a lanyard opening and the Pros have larger opening that could fit through a small carabiner.
The other difference is the warranty: The pro line, at the time I got mine, carries 5-year, this has a respectable 3-year warranty.
Overall, it's a fantastic portable SSD. Micron (Crucial's parent company) is one of the largest memory makers, and this is made directly by them. I don't however see much difference in price between this and their pro line, at today's prices. Also current Apple devices won't be able to fully benefit from their fast speeds, which is important if you need the speed and use macOS.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Hisense U8 Series is an award-winning TV that makes for the ultimate game-watching experience. It’s enhanced with Mini-LED Pro technology, reaching up to 5,000 nits peak brightness for even sharper contrasts, brighter lighting and more dramatic shadows. Soak up over a billion vibrant shades on your screen with QLED Color. The 165Hz Native Refresh Rate and Anti-Glare Low Reflection Pro panel technology helps you see it all clearly without any interference. And Dolby Atmos along with an up to 82W 4.1.2 Multi-Channel Audio System bring all the sounds of the cinema right to your living room.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great screen, latest Google TV interface
on May 12, 2025
Posted by: emiliosic
This TV has an excellent screen: QLED with mini-LED backlighting, supports adaptive Dolby Vision, which adapts to the lighting in the room. It also supports 165 Hz refresh rates to use with gaming PCs.
The TV is 2 inches thick without the base and has a subwoofer on the back. Sounds great mounted on the wall.
The front has a very thin frame with a small lip on the bottom that's about half-inch. It also has a very thin controls bar in the bottom-center of the TV that holds the IR receiver, mics, mic switch and a single control button.
What's innovative in this new model is that the back of the TV is completely flat. Other TVs would have a curved back to make it look thinner, but it can actually be a few inches deep. This rearranges all internal components to make its back flat, at just two inches thick (without the pedestal) and it uses the sides for additional side-firing speakers. This makes the internal speakers sound better.
The pedestal base is a black metal with a plastic on the back, which I didn't use because it's mounted on the wall. The base is very spartan, and very solidly built.
The remote control is long, plastic imitating gray metal, that looks good, it uses IR and Bluetooth for fast response and doesn't need to be pointed to the TV and has a mic for Google Voice. The TV uses two AAA batteries, and works with NiMH rechargeables (Generic AAA batteries are included).
The TV also has a microphone array so one can say 'Hey Google' without using the remote. This can be disabled but the TV will have a bright orange light indicating so when the physical mic disable switch is on. If this bothers you, like it happened to me, enable the TV mic but disable every use of it in the TV settings.
Google TV is much improved from the older TVs we have. This runs Android 14. I notice it's a lot more responsive than older models we use. When integrated with Google Home, the Google Home app can be used as a remote control, and the TV itself has links to control things around the house, show compatible cameras on-screen and so on.
It also supports Amazon Alexa integrations and works with Apple Home and AirPlay 2. Both worked very well for me.
We have both Apple and Android devices both Airplay and Google Cast work reliably.
It also has the option of setting up as a more basic TV with a simplified Google TV interface, which I prefer as it shows less advertisements and doesn't show the watch history up front.
I have to say, the image quality improved significantly compared to a TV from years past.
Older Google TVs we used were a bit glitchy here and there. This TV has no issues, it's interface is the smoothest I've seen in a Google TV.
Note that the TV itself has no controls, except for a single power button that can also change the input modes. This is a departure from older TVs that had at list a control pad and handful of buttons on its sides, but not this one, just a single button on the TV itself. The remote control however works very well.
As for video connectors, there are HDMI, all 4K capable and one with eARC support.
As a special feature, this TV also has an USB-C connector that supports DisplayPort. This is meant to be used in gaming setups, and can be used to connect to a computer, and supports variable refresh rates (FreeSync) up to 165 Hz, which I confirmed with a laptop. This TV is meant for games as well.
The best thing on this TV is the screen, which to me is on par with other top brands. It's as good as it gets on LED TVs.
This is a MiniLED that can get very bright, and has 5000 zones on the back, so very dark scenes or things like closing titles look great here with no blooming and no light leaks. As of now, this is within the most advanced LED TVs. HDR / Dolby Vision content looks fantastic here.
Warranty is two years.
Overall, fantastic TV. Impressed by details like the flat back, side-firing speakers, USB-C connector, very stable Google TV platform, and among the best LED class screens.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet Pixel 9a – engineered by Google with more than you expect, for less than you think. Like Gemini built in to supercharge your productivity and creativity.³ A best-in-class camera⁵ for incredible photos. All-day battery.⁴ Durable design. And 7 years of updates so it keeps feeling new.⁶ All for under $500.
 
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5 out of 5
5
High end features at mid-range pricing
on May 4, 2025
Posted by: emiliosic
I'm quite impressed with this phone, I like it more than what I thought I would.
One of the biggest draws for me is that Pixel phones get updates earlier and will be supported for far longer than third-party phones. It ships with Android 15.
The phone is thin, reasonably lightweight and the cameras on the back don't protrude too much. A slim case will make the back of the phone flat.
The cameras are great. Granted not the best, but fantastic for all I will use them for. The main camera is 48 MP, with good night settings. Keep in mind that more megapixels usually means more packed sensors and image quality can suffer specially at night. This takes great pictures day and night. The second camera is an ultrawide 13MP. The standard camera app takes great pictures with natural colors, not over-saturated.
Screen is a bright OLED with a fast refresh rate, that when enabled makes scrolling and overall interaction very smooth. I immediately noticed how much smoother this was compared to my old phone.
The CPU is a Google Tensor G4 with 8 GB RAM. This of course incorporate AI processing and Google shows it by adding a few retouch tools in the camera app, like adding oneself to a picture., and fast image searches.
Since the Tensor G4 supports AI, Gemini comes pre-installed.
Battery is great. I didn't charge it for almost two days after the initial setup and updates, and battery had over 40% charge. Granted that I didn't use it much at first.
There is one physical SIM card slot and can support multiple eSIMs. This is nice when traveling, I can add virtual eSIMs for little money and avoid roaming charges. When I first migrated from my old phone, it offered to migrate from the physical SIM card on my old phone no an eSIM, which meant I didn't have to actually swap the SIM card, but I'm not ready to part from my physical
SIM yet, so keep ion mind what you choose to do. The phone is of course, 5G.
WIFI is 6E and includes a 6Ghz radio. I get about 250 Mb/s download over WiFi with some distance from the access point.
Charging is fast via USB-C and also supports wireless charging. Note that it doesn't come with magnets for MagSafe/Qi2 chargers, however this makes sense considering that I wanted to add a case. The case itself needs to have magnets to work with these chargers so it's really not an issue. I use a Magsafe charger on my car using vent clips and the phone stays in place while charging.
When connecting the phone to my laptop dock for charging, I noticed that it also mirrors video, although it's mirroring of the screen not as an additional screen, so watching videos it appears as the phone screen in landscape mode.
It also has NFC so it works with payments with Google Wallet.
Unlock is via face detection and also has a fingerprint sensor built into the screen. I like the option of setting up both biometric methods in addition to the PIN.
Overall it's a fantastic phone. It does everything I want from it with no frills. Great screen, very fast and smooth, all the connectivity options I need, nice cameras and backed by Google with many years of support and Android upgrades.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Intelligent performance and trusted tech for your most demanding tasks. The HP OmniDesk Desktop AI PC combines trusted technology with intelligent performance in a sophisticated design that complements any space. Equipped with the latest ports, powerful Intel Core processor with built-in AI technology, plenty of storage, and reliable Wi-Fi technology for fast and stable connections, it effortlessly handles critical daily tasks and powers up your everyday work and play.
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Desktop speeds with limited options
on April 27, 2025
Posted by: emiliosic
I was excited to find out that HP relaunched their OmniDesk line.
This is a small and lightweight mini tower PC with a current generation Intel desktop class CPU and latest generation PCIe expansion slot.
The case looks nice in black with a wood effect finish on the plastic front cover. Although its not real wood as I incorrectly assumed, it looks good for what it is.
There's a good selection of USB and USB-C ports on the front.
There are 2 USB 2.0, two USB 3, one USB-C at 5 Gb and one USB-C at 10 Gb up front, and four USB 2.0 on the back, with a DisplayPort and HDMI on the back for video, as well as audio ports on front and back, and Ethernet on the back.
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth radios are inside, on an M.2 card.
Inside there is a x16 PCIe port and one x1 PCIe port.
There are two memory slots, with one already filled with a 16 Gb stick.
The single SSD slot is next to the CPU and shares the cooling baffle with the CPU, so it's Impractical to reach, although it's possible to replace.
The back mouse and keyboards included are wireless (With an USB adapter, included) but rather basic, and powered with AAA batteries, each.
I picked the version without the video card because I was planning on using something different, and that's where the problems start with this:
The power supply on this model is a custom unit without connectors for a video card, so power is limited to whatever's available on the PCIe slot, which severely limits my options.
The mainboard has two SATA connectors but there are no drive cages on this unit, although there is plenty of space inside, and there are no power connectors to drive any SATA drives.
The mainboard has a slot for a second SSD, but the M.2 connector is not soldered in, so the slot is unusable.
Also note that there are no thunderbolt nor USB4 ports on this, with a single USB-C port at 10 Gb which is not that fast considering current standards.
Also the cutouts on the cabinet are specific for this unit, so consider the cabinet, mainboard and power supply as a single unit.
If you're set on this model, I suggest looking into the model that comes with a video card, because that model has a more powerful power supply, and comes with a better keyboard and WiFi6E.
Overall while I like the desktop class CPU and the appealing and compact design, it's not what I'd expect from a Desktop PC. If I didn’t want something that could be expanded I would've chosen something else.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Great coffee is all about precision—the right temperature, timing, and technique. For pour-over lovers, the process is part of the joy, but if you’re after barista-quality results without the learning curve, Fellow’s Aiden Precision Coffee Maker has you covered. It combines the art of hand-brewing with the convenience of automation, so every cup is smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced—whether you're a purist or just starting your coffee journey.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Most precise coffeemaker
on April 19, 2025
Posted by: emiliosic
This machine is primarily focused to coffee afficionados, yet it's so simple to use.
From the looks it appears like a standard coffeemaker yet very stylish with a minimalist design in a cube shape with all square lines except for the coffee carafe.
Unlike other coffeemakers that keeps the coffee warm by keeping the carafe warm with a heater at the bottom, this is a double-walled staginess steel carafe that keeps the coffee warm for hours without additional heat.
The coffee maker is made for both batch brewing (up to about 45 ounces) or individual brew.
It comes with two coffee baskets. One for individual serve and other for batch. The individual serve accepts #2 cone filters, while the batch basket accepts basket filters. The machine recognizes which basket is inserted and adapts accordingly. Like all good coffeemakers, it uses a 'showerhead', which adapts to the different baskets.
The control is a single knob with a bright color circular display that's very easy to read.
It has two modes, a one-push mode that's way too simplistic and a guided mode that's all I use and has three simple steps to start the brew, which consists of selecting the type of brew, quantity and then a confirmation which suggest the amount of coffee to use.
A single brew of about 10 oz takes about 6 minutes to complete.
It's very easy to clean and wipe off.
The basket is easy to remove and the water tank is also easy to remove. The drip showerhead can also be removed for occasional cleaning.
The machine of course connects via WIFI to be used with a phone app. The phone app provides all the steps to brew coffee like one would do in a pour over, including the different temperature for every step, blooming water and time, and pulses of water. One can also control schedules as well, and time is automatically set via the internet connection.
It allows to set up multiple, customizable brewing profiles as well as a rotating pre-sets of coffees sold directly by Fellow, which is an on-demand service but it's not a subscription.
Once the machine is configured with the phone app I don't need to use it at all for everyday brewing, however it notifies me every time the coffee is brewed, which is a nice touch.
Two things I'd like to see improved is that coffee can be poured to either the carafe or your own mug for single serve, but it's not tall enough to fit a travel mug. It works well for me using a large glass measuring cup to hold the fresh brew and then fill the travel mug however a single step would've been nicer.
The other issue is that the water tank although it holds a respectable 50 oz (1.5L), could be a bit larger, and I find it difficult to clean because the cover is not removable so it makes it more difficult to use a bottle brush.
Overall those are small issues I can handle. This is by far our best coffee maker yet, for brewed coffee. I particularly like that it does great at blooming the coffee which cuts down on the acidity.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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HMD Vibe gives you smooth performance, even while running multiple apps, for up to 2 days between charges. And it does this for less than you’d expect. It’s not lacking in the camera department, either – thanks to advanced AI modes, all you have to do is strike a pose, snap away and share.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great budget phone
on December 22, 2024
Posted by: emiliosic
HMD is the company behind Nokia phones. While the handsets are manufactured in China like many other phones, the main and design offices are near the original Nokia offices. It appears that HMD is phasing out the Nokia brand for their phones, so this is one of their first HMD branded phones.
The Vibe phones have very different specs depending of where it's sold. This is one of their top specs for their budget line, so be aware that you might not get the same phone elsewhere.
The main differences are in CPU, RAM and storage. This model has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
The OS is a very vanilla Android 14, and all the apps are stock Android. It also comes with a few 'extra' apps that can be either deleted or Disabled (Facebook is the only app I could not delete but was able to disable it, since this is not my primary phone).
The phone itself is very light and thin. The back cover has a nice texture that doesn't hold fingerprints. The front is all screen with a pinhole for the front camera. Screen is bright and crisp.
The back has two cameras and it works great on low light. For a budget phone I think the cameras are excellent for what the phone is.
The top left side has a SIM tray that holds a single SIM card and MicroSD.
As for cellular network, it supports a single line and only SIM cards. I wish it would also support eSIM which makes it a sinch to find affordable service while traveling, but this doesn't support it.
Also it doesn't support 5G, only 4G. Where I live, 4G is solid with decent speeds, so I don't feel like I miss anything. Normal browsing and videos work just fine and fast.
Also it doesn't support wireless charging and doesn't support NFC, so can't use it to tap to pay at stores nor public transit.
The lack of 2nd line support, eSIM and NFC makes it hard to recommend as a travel phone, but I like everything else about this inexpensive phone.
It's fast, nice screen, and 6 GB of RAM makes a huge difference when browsing heavy web pages and some apps. 128 GB storage is enough for me, and with up to 512 GB on an additional SSD no need to spend more money on internal storage, and with a standard Android 14 OS, things just work. Messages work with RCS. Wi-Fi at home is stable.
Battery is great, lasts the whole day and more, and being so light and thin is fantastic.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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MX Ink is a crafted control device with perfected pressure sensitivity and organic form - a tool you do not need to learn. Dive into your creations, in 3D and 2D, with frictionless ease. Pair and control leveraging Meta Horizon app and Meta Settings. Simple and elegant charging with the MX Inkwell Charging Dock. MX Ink was designed to be intuitive and give a masterfully fine-tuned and immersive experience.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Works great
on December 18, 2024
Posted by: emiliosic
I use Logitech MX devices on a daily basis and to me these are among the very best. The MX Ink is different because it doesn't work on computers, as it's made specifically for Meta Quest 3/3S.
Once I figured out how to pair it, which is more difficult that needs be, it works very well. It needs to be paired from the mobile app while the headset is on, and then hold the Meta and Rear buttons on the stylus for four seconds. I spent time trying to set it up from the Bluetooth menu on the headset but it would not work. Worked the first time using the Horizon mobile app.
Once paired, it updated the firmware and it works as well as the Meta controllers.
Tracking of the stylus works as well as with the controllers and the headset accurately displays its shape.
Charging is via USB-C on the top of the stylus. Got the version with the stand, which makes it more convenient by allowing an USB-C cable on the base and it charges while docked. Note that there is no USB-C cable included, which would've been useful. I can charge it with the charger that came with the headset.
The stylus is more advanced than originally thought:
It has an array of buttons: The top has the Meta button, used to access the main menu like in the right controller. Close to the tip where the index finger would rest, there is a front and rear buttons. The rear is usually mapped to B, the front is works like the trigger in many apps. The middle button is actually an analog pressure-sensitive button. A drawing app can use it to control the stroke width.
The tip is replaceable, it comes with two extra tips, and is of course, pressure-sensitive.
The headset can track both controllers and the stylus simultaneously.
While Meta did a great job integrating the stylus, it's up to the individual apps to offer support for this.
Gesture VR, which is a great app to learn to paint, fully supports the pressure-sensitive tip. Other apps support drawing in the air, so it really depends on the app itself.
Gravity VR for example lets you design in 3D.
Overall, great stylus, very well implemented by both Logitech and Meta. The charging dock is a nice convenience.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Discover the magic of Meta Quest 3S and get ready to experience your favorite apps in a totally new way. The possibilities are endless when you can blend digital content into your physical space. Watch movies and shows on a vibrant screen that turns any room of your house into a giant theater. Bring games to life in your living room, or step right into the action with full immersion. Hang out with friends from anywhere, but feel like you’re in the same place, watching a concert or meeting up in Meta Horizon. Wireless and light, enjoy out-of-this-world workouts with Quest 3S that make fitness fun. With unreal experiences at an unreal price, where will you begin? See child safety guidance online; Accounts for 10+.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Much improved from earlier headsets
on December 9, 2024
Posted by: emiliosic
I previously had an Oculus Rift S. This is the last model that required a desktop gaming PC to run.
I have to say I'm seriously impressed by the Rift 3S. Because I found out that I didn't use the old headset that much, I went with the most affordable model, currently the Oculus 3S.
Hardware-wise, it stands in between the previous model Oculus 2 and the Oculus 3: It has the computing power of the Oculus 3 with the lenses and internal screen of the Oculus 2.
The resolution of the 3S is somewhat lower than the Oculus 3, and the eye adjustments are limited to three settings of IPD (Inter Pupillary Settings), and that's it.
It comes with speakers that are near the ears and sounds very good, however it's not private. Someone next to you will hear. For that one can use Bluetooth earbuds if preferred.
The hardware is obviously a bit heavy, and the straps make a decent job of providing ways to adjust it and make it more comfortable.
There are plenty of accessories made by Meta and by third parties that provide for much more customization.
It also comes with two hand controllers. These are comfortable and easy to use. However note that these use standard AA batteries each, and rechargeable batteries with a charging dock for the controllers can be bought separately.
Putting the headsets on is quite an experience. The cameras in front of it project images on the headset to it almost feels like one is seeing through glasses although the digital artifacts are evident, it works very well, and can make out some text in front of me.
Then it presents a menu intermixed with the live images to create a 'mixed reality'. It looks very much like a hybrid phone/desktop interface and can be accessed with bare hands or with the controllers. The ease in which it detects hand movements is excellent. So much so that its finger pitch gesture detection is great.
It also has a fully immersive mode in which all one can see is the virtual world.
It comes with a bunch of virtual worlds already loaded, or available for free, and in this version the Batman VR game is also included for free. It's very addictive, spent much more time than I initially anticipated on it.
As expected, most of Meta's products are also available although mostly in 2D representation of Facebook, Messages, Instagram and WhatsApp, and it can be fun but likely surprising to communicate with someone this way. It also comes pre-loaded with Amazon Prime video, Netflix and YouTube, which has a selection od 360 Degrees and VR videos. There are other streaming platforms as well but not everyone's. Plex is available through a paid 3rd party app.
Although the use of Quest is free once purchased, it has an app store with free and for purchase apps, as well as an optional subscription which is more or less like a game pass, with a three-month introductory offer, not bad.
It can also remote desktop to Windows and mac PCs. One can use the computer's keyboard while projecting a massive screen inside the headset, or one can also pair a keyboard and mouse to the headset.
The PC based VR games are still available, and one will need an additional USB-C 3.0 cable that's sufficiently long to be able to move around, or it can also work via Wi-Fi, although it works under ideal circumstances to avoid choppy images (Ie, with a good Wi-Fi router nearby and the PC connected to an Ethernet cable is ideal).
Also, the 3rd party Steam platform is available on PC and offers VR games and regular games that can be played through the headset.
The VR can be used standing or sitting in place, ideally with an office chair that can rotate, and can be away from other objects while sitting, or one can define safe boundaries within different rooms and the headset will remember these settings. It knows the room by associating images of each room. It detects furniture with great easy and is very simple to define these areas.
There are also plenty of social games and virtual worlds to interact with other people although it’s not what I was looking for and so far I've been in my own setups.
I particularly enjoy the mixed reality mini-games like the First encounters, which was made for Quest 3. This is truly fantastic. It starts by mapping the room you're in, and then mixed reality starts pouring in with a fuzzball alien invasion, where one truly feels they’re destroying your room. It's so well done that is very much believable. I was blown by this perhaps more than immersive VR games.
However the main concern for me is that while I don't need glasses for most things, I use reading glasses, and no matter how I set up the headset, with or without glasses, the image is never perfectly clear, always see some blur, particularly bad when trying to use remote desktop, but tolerable in games and mixed reality applications, this was a disappointment for me. I might consider the add-on custom lenses, but it's a high additional expense and have to check with my optometrist first, next time I'm due for an eye exam. I wish this was simpler, but then again this is their most affordable model.
Overall, for being a new base model, this is truly fantastic, it exceeded my expectations, however adjust your expectations if wearing glasses. I realize the Quest 3 that has better screen costs quite a lot more.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Supercharged by the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, the Deco BE5000 mesh system delivers faster speeds, broader coverage and less inteference for your increasing high-bandwidth online activities. Unleashing the full potential of the Wi-Fi 7 MLO technology and 4K-QAM, Deco BE5000 provides unprecedented 4-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi.†△ 2× ultra-fast 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN ports ensure boosted thoughput and maximize the performance of the network.§ With built-in AI-Roaming technology, it creates the ideal Wi-Fi solution with its advanced algorithms and selflearning. Walk through your home and enjoy seamless streaming at the fastest possible speeds‡. TP-Link HomeShield protect your network and devices comprehensively when you are at home or on th go.* A safer internet experiences bring more happiness to your smart living.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Affordable Wi-Fi 7 Lite
on November 25, 2024
Posted by: emiliosic
The price for a three-node Wi-Fi 7 Mesh network is great, and there is a lot to like, until I realized that these although are Wi-Fi 7, do not have the 6 Ghz radio.
W-Fi 7 allows for three simultaneous bands: The slower, more crowded and longer range 2.4 Ghz, the shorter range and faster 5 Ghz and the even faster 6 Ghz at much shorter distances.
This router set lacks the 6 Ghz radio.
However Wi-Fi 7 makes better use of the available frequencies by packing data frames more close together.
So this explains the relatively low price for a three-set.
This is my first TP-Link router after using a different brand for many years, and I like what I see.
The configuration is done via the Deco app for phones or tablets. For a consumer router it has everything it needs. One can configure different Wi-Fi security settings, internal network address and reservations, port forwarding, IPv6, DNS and everything I'd expect.
It can also be set to act as a VPN client (For whole-house VPN) or VPN server, to use the home IP address while traveling. Didn't get to use this but it's there and can come in handy.
Each node has two Ethernet ports, and both are 2.5 Gigabits, so it can support Internet connections higher than 1 Gigabits. The main node recognizes automatically which node is connected to the internet provider and which one is local. This worked just fine. Additionally, the other nodes can use Ethernet for backhaul.
For Backhaul, each node will prioritize Ethernet, if connected and will simultaneously use available Wi-Fi channels for extra bandwidth. It's all automatic and reconfigures itself on the fly.
I have a complicated network with over 70 devices at a given time, some on Wi-Fi and some on Ethernet, with several Ethernet switches in between. Due to an unrelated issue, one Ethernet switch went offline, and the satellite nodes switched automatically to Wi-Fi and even served the local Ethernet clients. They again reconfigured when the issue was addressed. I'm impressed how reliable this has been.
I prefer using a Desktop to configure the router, and the web interface is fairly basic, used mostly for monitoring, and not much to configure from it. However I was able to use the iPad app on macOS and worked well enough to set what I needed from the comfort of my keyboard.
I also like it doesn't need to reboot when making most changes.
It also supports Wi-Fi 7 MLO (Multi-Link) network however this runs on a separate WiFi network label. What this does is that it allows Wi-Fi 7 clients to utilize different bands concurrently.
TP-Link also offers additional security filters through optional paid services, which I did not try. Regardless it also supports setting up a separate IoT Wi-Fi, Guest Wi-Fi, basic parental controls and IP camera filters.
The main interface shows where every device connects to, on which bands and real-time bandwidth utilization.
The deco app can also control other TP-Link home automation devices and it can act as a Matter server. This seems to need more work and doesn’t seem to support Thread but the
Overall, if one doesn't need the short-range 6 Ghz band, this is an excellent choice, and the price is much more reasonable than other routers. I'm impressed at how logical the configuration is and overall how stable it's been since installing it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

How much noise is made when running? How loud does it get?

It has a big fan, but it varies depending on the mode. So there is fan noise, but it's acceptable. Lower than a range hood
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

Does it have a warm option, to keep cooked food warm, till you’re ready to put the food on the table?

The reheat mode starts at 100F, and the bake mode at 180F. The reheat mode at low temperature could be used for that
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

Is the interior stainless steel and does it have California carcinogen warning?

The interior is metal, not stainless.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

Does it have a warm option, to keep cooked food warm, till you’re ready to put the food on the table?

It does not have a 'keep warm' setting, but the lowest 'bake' temperature is 180F, if that works
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

does the charge case support qi wireless charging?

No, it does not. Only USB-C charging
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

Do these buds have the ability to use each one individually to Answer calls and play music? Thanks

They both work as a single unit
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

Does these earbuds allow user to pick the call and talk using only one earbud, while the other earbud is laying in the case?

Yes, with the right earbud only, and it can answer the call as soon as it's in your ear
User submitted photo
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

Does the new Bose - Sport Earbuds work with Alexa?

At the moment, only the phone's assistant is supported.
User submitted photo
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Gray, MX Keys for Mac features a Mac key layout and smart illumination.Perfect Stroke keys are shaped for your fingertips and increased key stability reduces noise while optimizing responsiveness. Tactile reference for hand positioning makes it easy to stay oriented and in your flow. The backlit keys light up the moment your hands approach and automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions.Type on multiple computers with Flow –and effortlessly transfer text, images, and files between computers –just copy on one and paste to the other.Requires Logitech Flow-enabled mouse and Options software, available for macOS and Windows.
 

How do I connect the power cord? It's USB-C on both ends. I do not have an adapter or a USB-C port. The specifications on the site state: "USB-C charging cable (USB-A to USB-C)". What can I do?

The USB-C port is only for charging. You can use any USB-C charger, like the ones on some iPhones or iPads. You can also get an USB-C to USB-A cable at BestBuy or elsewhere.
All Macs in the past few years have USB-C ports.
 
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emiliosic
 
Protect and boost the functionality of your 7th, 8th, and 9th Gen iPad with this graphite Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case. The precision trackpad allows for easy navigation, while the well-spaced backlit keys ensure effortless typing, even in dark environments. This Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case has a smooth texture for easy handling, and the adjustable kickstand provides comfortable viewing angles.
 

Will this work for model#-MPF12LL/A iPad Pro 10.5in?

No, you need to get the iPad Pro case
 
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Logitech - Combo Touch Keyboard Case for Apple® iPad® Air 10.5" (3rd Gen 2019) and iPad® Pro 10.5" - Graphite
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5 years ago
by
emiliosic