ricks's stats
- Review count148
- Helpfulness votes587
- First reviewJanuary 16, 2016
- Last reviewApril 19, 2024
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- Average rating4.1
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- Answer count9
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- First answerJuly 22, 2016
- Last answerMay 17, 2021
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The Blue Yeti Game Streaming Kit from Logitech G is your secret weapon for epic Twitch streams and YouTube playthroughs. Including the legendary Blue Yeti Blackout USB mic, Blue VO!CE vocal effects and filters, exclusive Streamlabs themes and a custom pop filter, the Blue Yeti Game Streaming Kit has everything you need to entertain and grow your stream audience. The iconic Blue Yeti is an all-in-one professional voice powerhouse that has powered top gamers for years. With Blue VO!CE software, you can simply select a preset for that warm broadcast-y “just chatting” voice, or dial in thunderous de-tuned vocal effects like a giant ogre in a cavernous cathedral. A treasure trove of HD audio samples allows you to punctuate a boss fight, set an ambient mood or make your audience laugh. Exclusive Streamlabs themes give your stream a unique aesthetic at the touch of a button, and the custom pop filter keeps your stream clean, so you sound professional at all times.
Customer Rating
5
The Standard Gets More Fun
on September 9, 2022
Posted by: ricks
The Blue Yeti took desktop mics to a new level when it first came out. The classic mic still has great pickup at 16-bit/48 kHz sampling and with 3 condenser capsules. The mic also has buttons to adjust polar patterns (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo), gain and headphone volume. And it has a convenient lighted button on the front for mute.
The stand for the mic is a flat, very stable base. I prefer it to the mini tripods that some other mics provide, whose legs always seem to get loose. You can also attach the mic to a studio mount if you don’t want to use the stand.
While the mic sound is very good on its own, you can customize the sound using Logitech’s free software Blue Vo!ce. To use Blue Vo!ce, you first have to install their other free software G HUB that controls and updates many Logitech products. Once both are installed, you can tune the mic to your liking. Logitech does a nice job of making the software easy to use. For example, once you record your voice sample, it automatically loops playback so you can hear the effects of your adjustments as you make them. There are a number of pre-configured settings, or you can create your own.
Additionally, Blue Vo!ce has pre-recorded sound effects to change your voice. You can modulate the output to sound like an alien, or a chipmunk, or like you’re whispering, or a ton of others. And, of course, you can create your own special effect.
There are also sound samples like air raid horns, applause, bleep, and a bunch more. If you have the right Logitech keyboard, you can assign these as a shortcut to a key to quickly play a sound while streaming or recording.
All in all, this is great microphone to start. And the additional software offers some nice finishing touches on the package.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Personalize your phone with a sleek and stylish cover that turns heads. The Modal MD-IP13PGR Liquid Silicone Case for iPhone 13 Pro keeps your phone protected from falls of up to 4 ft. with shock resistance. It’s designed with an outer liquid silicone construction and an inner microfiber lining for added durability. Compatible with Magnetic charging, you can continue to charge your phone wirelessly without the case getting in your way. A light green design adds a subtle pop of color to your device, giving your phone a fun look and adding to your personal style. Express yourself with this protective and stylish Modal phone case.
Posted by: ricks
The Modal silicone case for iPhone 13 Pro is soft and easy to wrap around my phone. The mint green color stands out in a good way, giving it some personality and making it easy to spot on a table or inside my laptop bag.
The case does not add much in the way of bulk, which I appreciate. Another nice touch is the inside lining is microfiber, preventing scratches or marks from where it touches the phone. The case will also certainly prevent scratches to the external areas it covers on the phone. But, I’m not sure that it would prevent the screen from cracking with a sufficient drop. The description says it has 4-foot drop resistance, but I'd be hesitant to put that to the test.
Which leads me to my biggest criticism of the phone – it’s a bit too slippery for my liking. On a table, the material keeps the phone from sliding around. But in my hands, it feels a bit too smooth. With this material, it would have been better if there were grooves on the side to let you get a better grip. Otherwise, it feels like I may be inadvertently putting that 4-foot drop to a test.
Overall I give this 3.5 stars.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Sound Driven Performance. Faster - Higher – Stronger – Sennheiser’s new SPORT True Wireless drives your performance with our most premium sound, Adaptable Acoustics that lets you tailor the sound for the level of focus or awareness you prefer and an outstanding secure fit. Powered by Sennheiser’s dynamic TrueResponse transducer, the SPORT True Wireless energizes with optimal clarity and full bass. Its unique Adaptable Acoustics feature let you choose an open ear adapter style when you want to minimize body-borne noise and require more situational awareness or an insulating Closed ear adapter that blocks background noise for a focused audio experience. The SPORT True Wireless’s sleek ergonomic design offers brilliant comfort with a choice of fins and ear adapters to ensure a secure customized fit. Its IP54 rating means it can take on the elements, withstand splashes and easily handle sweat or rain. And with up to 27 hours battery life with on-the-go charging – it’s ready for anything you are.
Customer Rating
4
Good sound, good fit, good deal
on June 29, 2022
Posted by: ricks
These Sennheiser earbuds are bulky but deliver good sound at a decent price. Plus water and sweat resistance along with a tight fit make them great companions for a workout or run.
• The initial firmware update tells you to keep your phone nearby – and they mean it. Estimated time to completion started at 19 minutes, but as I walked with my phone to an adjacent room, the time estimate quickly jumped to 58 minutes. So I placed the phone back next to the earbud case and it eventually started reducing again. The process also doesn’t want any other app running else that also increases time to update. In the end, it was updated in around 30 minutes.
• They are bulky so they will not be a good fit for everyone. The charging case is bulky as well, so don’t expect to keep it in your pocket.
• The earbuds do not have active noise canceling but with a good seal, they kept out noise decently anyway.
• There are two types of ear adapters. One pair is supposed to work with the app in “Focus” mode to reduce ambient noise, while the other works with “Aware” mode to let some ambient sound in, such as when you’re outdoors jogging. My preferred sound was using the “Aware” mode on the app with the ear adapters made to pair with the “Focus” setting. This seemed to me to be a more expansive sound profile.
• The app has a very basic equalizer, plus a quick setting for podcasts. There’s also an adjustable sidetone to let you hear your own voice during calls.
• There’s no sensor to detect if the earbuds are removed from your ear. So they don’t pause playback if one drops out, for example. On the other hand, you can use just one earbud for listening or talking on the phone if you want to leave the other ear open.
• No multi-point bluetooth for simultaneous connections to more than one device (say phone plus computer). But the app lets you quickly switch between devices.
• They are bulky so they will not be a good fit for everyone. The charging case is bulky as well, so don’t expect to keep it in your pocket.
• The earbuds do not have active noise canceling but with a good seal, they kept out noise decently anyway.
• There are two types of ear adapters. One pair is supposed to work with the app in “Focus” mode to reduce ambient noise, while the other works with “Aware” mode to let some ambient sound in, such as when you’re outdoors jogging. My preferred sound was using the “Aware” mode on the app with the ear adapters made to pair with the “Focus” setting. This seemed to me to be a more expansive sound profile.
• The app has a very basic equalizer, plus a quick setting for podcasts. There’s also an adjustable sidetone to let you hear your own voice during calls.
• There’s no sensor to detect if the earbuds are removed from your ear. So they don’t pause playback if one drops out, for example. On the other hand, you can use just one earbud for listening or talking on the phone if you want to leave the other ear open.
• No multi-point bluetooth for simultaneous connections to more than one device (say phone plus computer). But the app lets you quickly switch between devices.
Overall this is a very good pair of earbuds, even though they do not have active noise cancelling, which would push up the price anyway.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Nothing about your personal style is standard. So why should your appliances be? Created for those who want to reflect their true style in every room of their home, Café is distinct by design. Backed by showstopping features, every Café appliance gives you the form and the function you've been craving. Now that exceptional style is coming to your countertops thanks to elegant and efficient toaster ovens with air fry which feature the signature Café copper accents that truly elevate your experience. Embrace a toaster oven that you can be proud to present on your counters that also boasts 14 essential cooking modes that allow you to flawlessly prepare any recipe, from kids snacks to dinner party hors d'oeuvres. The innovative CrispFinish setting melts, caramelizes, browns or crisps, and puts the perfect finishing touch on any of your signature dishes. Delight in simpler, smarter cooking by using your voice to control your countertop oven through Echo or Google Home devices. Plus, use the SmartHQ app to start and program recipes remotely and even download updates and new features.
Customer Rating
4
Great oven despite the WiFi
on June 26, 2022
Posted by: ricks
Instead of getting a separate air fryer, we decided to upgrade our toaster oven to this GE Café Couture with one built in. This is an extremely capable small appliance but has some quirkiness that I’m sure we’ll get used to.
PROs
• By placing the control knobs on top, the oven’s footprint is not much larger than many smaller capacity toaster ovens – a welcome design given the premium on counter space.
• Stainless steel and brass knobs give it an upscale look.
• Air fryer functionality is superb. Fries and other veggies cooked to a perfect crisp, and stayed that way well into our dinner.
• Heating elements baked every dish evenly – from roasted vegetables to toasted bread.
• A large capacity oven like this keeps heating elements further away from bread than a traditional toaster. As a result, toast is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the edges are not burned or dried.
• If you open the door while cooking (for example, to turn over the food, or add ingredients), the timer pauses. Once the door is closed, the timer continues. That’s a really nice detail.
• Decent number of accessories: wire rack, air fry basket, pizza tray and non-stick tray.
• Lots of baking functions to suit a variety of foods: air fry, pizza, cookies, bagels, dehydrate and more.
• The included recipe book has plenty of interesting dishes that we can’t wait to try.
• By placing the control knobs on top, the oven’s footprint is not much larger than many smaller capacity toaster ovens – a welcome design given the premium on counter space.
• Stainless steel and brass knobs give it an upscale look.
• Air fryer functionality is superb. Fries and other veggies cooked to a perfect crisp, and stayed that way well into our dinner.
• Heating elements baked every dish evenly – from roasted vegetables to toasted bread.
• A large capacity oven like this keeps heating elements further away from bread than a traditional toaster. As a result, toast is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the edges are not burned or dried.
• If you open the door while cooking (for example, to turn over the food, or add ingredients), the timer pauses. Once the door is closed, the timer continues. That’s a really nice detail.
• Decent number of accessories: wire rack, air fry basket, pizza tray and non-stick tray.
• Lots of baking functions to suit a variety of foods: air fry, pizza, cookies, bagels, dehydrate and more.
• The included recipe book has plenty of interesting dishes that we can’t wait to try.
CONs
• Wifi is terrible. We never did get it work. Even the instruction manual warns that multiple attempts may be needed to get it connected, which is GE’s way of saying, “We know our wifi is subpar.” No surprise here because we also have a GE Café Couture espresso machine that took way too much effort to setup on Wifi.
• The display interaction is confusing. For example, if you press Cancel to stop baking, the display still shows your settings and the fan will still be running. This makes you think nothing was canceled even though the heating elements will be off. You can press cancel a second time to turn off the display.
• Read the manual carefully. Some of the display interactions are not intuitive. For example, if you press the Start button, it will continue blinking while getting ready to pre-heat. And it takes a few seconds before “Pre-heating” is displayed. But if you press Start again (which is natural since it’s blinking), it will cancel the pre-heat mode and the timer will begin counting down. Page 11 of the manual shows you which cooking modes use the pre-heat functionality, and which don’t.
• The description indicates it can accommodate 9”x13” cake pans. While true, it’s assuming your pan or dish doesn’t have large handles. Do take into account the exterior dimensions of your dish before assuming it will fit.
• Wifi is terrible. We never did get it work. Even the instruction manual warns that multiple attempts may be needed to get it connected, which is GE’s way of saying, “We know our wifi is subpar.” No surprise here because we also have a GE Café Couture espresso machine that took way too much effort to setup on Wifi.
• The display interaction is confusing. For example, if you press Cancel to stop baking, the display still shows your settings and the fan will still be running. This makes you think nothing was canceled even though the heating elements will be off. You can press cancel a second time to turn off the display.
• Read the manual carefully. Some of the display interactions are not intuitive. For example, if you press the Start button, it will continue blinking while getting ready to pre-heat. And it takes a few seconds before “Pre-heating” is displayed. But if you press Start again (which is natural since it’s blinking), it will cancel the pre-heat mode and the timer will begin counting down. Page 11 of the manual shows you which cooking modes use the pre-heat functionality, and which don’t.
• The description indicates it can accommodate 9”x13” cake pans. While true, it’s assuming your pan or dish doesn’t have large handles. Do take into account the exterior dimensions of your dish before assuming it will fit.
I knocked off 1 star due to the horrible wifi. Otherwise, this is a great addition if you have space in your kitchen.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The best cleaning performance of any upright de-tangling vacuum.¹ The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra deep cleans your whole home- and your pet. The vacuum tackles tough tasks easily, making it ideal for pet owners and parents. The Groom tool removes loose hairs, dead skin, and allergens directly from your pet- before they spread them around your home.² New de-tangling technology automatically clears wrapped hair from the brush bar as it cleans. With Ball technology and 3 cleaning modes, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra smoothly navigates around furniture and obstacles with a simple turn of the wrist, for precise cleaning. With no loss of suction, five Dyson-engineered accessories, and up to a total of 50ft reach, the vacuum gets up high, down low and everywhere in between for a whole-home deep clean. Comes with a 5-year warranty and lifetime Dyson support.
Customer Rating
4
Hair today, gone tomorrow
on June 25, 2022
Posted by: ricks
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a powerful vacuum with the ability to pick up hair and fur without getting tangled in the roller.
PROs
- Powerful suction. Really cleans and picks up dirt from carpeting.
- Roller that prevents hair and fur from getting tangled on it. If you have pets or people with long hair, this feature by itself makes the vacuum worth considering.
- Cleverly designed to hold the basic accessories.
- Emptying the bin is a simple push of a button on top of the canister. That means it’s easy to keep a the the canister in a bag to catch the dirt. Other machines I’ve used have a slider mechanism on the side of the canister, and that means the canister is never fully enclosed in a bag.
- Fairly compact profile because the extension tube is stored inside the main hose.
- The motor is quieter (though not quiet) compared to other vacuums, and does not have a high pitched whine.
- Powerful suction. Really cleans and picks up dirt from carpeting.
- Roller that prevents hair and fur from getting tangled on it. If you have pets or people with long hair, this feature by itself makes the vacuum worth considering.
- Cleverly designed to hold the basic accessories.
- Emptying the bin is a simple push of a button on top of the canister. That means it’s easy to keep a the the canister in a bag to catch the dirt. Other machines I’ve used have a slider mechanism on the side of the canister, and that means the canister is never fully enclosed in a bag.
- Fairly compact profile because the extension tube is stored inside the main hose.
- The motor is quieter (though not quiet) compared to other vacuums, and does not have a high pitched whine.
CONs
- Power button is not as bright as the canister release button. As a result, I tended to press the canister release button. To fix this, Dyson should have moved the power button to the handle, or made it brighter than the canister release button, or made the canister release a pull trigger from underneath the canister joint.
- The hooks on the handle for the power cord angles out. As a result, if you have not unspooled the entire cord, the cord has a tendency to fall out of the hooks when vacuuming. You have to make sure the cord is wrapped snuggly. This is the main reason I rate it 4 instead of 5 stars. Given Dyson's attention to detail, I'm surprised by this.
- The cord does not self retract. It's one feature I miss from another vacuum I have.
- No paper manual - have to download it from the internet. Some basic paper instructions are included, but they're not very useful.
- Power button is not as bright as the canister release button. As a result, I tended to press the canister release button. To fix this, Dyson should have moved the power button to the handle, or made it brighter than the canister release button, or made the canister release a pull trigger from underneath the canister joint.
- The hooks on the handle for the power cord angles out. As a result, if you have not unspooled the entire cord, the cord has a tendency to fall out of the hooks when vacuuming. You have to make sure the cord is wrapped snuggly. This is the main reason I rate it 4 instead of 5 stars. Given Dyson's attention to detail, I'm surprised by this.
- The cord does not self retract. It's one feature I miss from another vacuum I have.
- No paper manual - have to download it from the internet. Some basic paper instructions are included, but they're not very useful.
Dyson makes premium products and have a price to go with that. But I've yet to own of their products that did not justify the price.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Optimized with technology that simplifies your life, Inspiron 2-in-1 laptops offer a range of easy-to-use features all packaged in a minimalist and modern design. You won’t have to sacrifice screen size for a mobile design, and with multiple technologies that help your eyes work or play in comfort, the new Inspiron 14 2-in-1’s display is made to please. With a 16:10 FHD+ display and 360 lift hinge, the new Inspiron 14 2-in-1 lets you experience amazing visuals in any mode. Your world is closer with powerful 12th Generation Intel Core processors. It also has a 360 degree hinge that allows you to work in 4 different modes - laptop, tablet, tent and stand. And if that’s not all, your Inspiron features environmentally-conscious designs that complement not just your style but also your values.
Customer Rating
4
Good enough laptop for school or work
on June 25, 2022
Posted by: ricks
The Inspiron line is Dell’s general line of laptops. You get a decent school or office laptop with basic design (compared to the premium looks and features of the XPS line).
PROs
- A little bit of friction on trackpad gives some haptic feedback – not overly smooth.
- Good value when it’s on sale.
- Fingerprint scanner is quick.
- Keyboard is comfortable.
- Quiet - not much fan noise in general office apps and web browsing.
- A little bit of friction on trackpad gives some haptic feedback – not overly smooth.
- Good value when it’s on sale.
- Fingerprint scanner is quick.
- Keyboard is comfortable.
- Quiet - not much fan noise in general office apps and web browsing.
CONs
- The standard color is off and undersaturated. The classic Solo Cup has more orange than it should. The display needs to be calibrated if you’re doing any kind of photo or video editing. Even then, it’s not the best monitor for photo or video editing as colors are on the dull side, whites lose detail, and blacks aren’t deep enough. Dell provides a utility called Dell CinemaColor which can help adjust it.
- Wifi setup dialogue hides password as you type it and can only check by keeping the show password button down.
- As is typical of a Windows laptop, have to let it go through a million updates of the software
- Camera does not support facial recognition for sign in on Hello.
- Looks utilitarian, which it is. Nothing fancy but gets the job done for office and school work.
- The standard color is off and undersaturated. The classic Solo Cup has more orange than it should. The display needs to be calibrated if you’re doing any kind of photo or video editing. Even then, it’s not the best monitor for photo or video editing as colors are on the dull side, whites lose detail, and blacks aren’t deep enough. Dell provides a utility called Dell CinemaColor which can help adjust it.
- Wifi setup dialogue hides password as you type it and can only check by keeping the show password button down.
- As is typical of a Windows laptop, have to let it go through a million updates of the software
- Camera does not support facial recognition for sign in on Hello.
- Looks utilitarian, which it is. Nothing fancy but gets the job done for office and school work.
Overall, it's fine for for anyone who needs a decent quality laptop for office or school.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Ideal for espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos, cortados, and flat whites, the new Ember Cup, 6 oz, offers a premium coffee experience that does more than keep your coffee hot. Our smart mug allows you to set your preferred drinking temperature, so you can enjoy your expertly crafted hot drink —just the way you like it— from the first sip to the last drop. Ember Cup’s built-in battery maintains your precise drinking temperature for up to 1.5 hours or all day with the included charging coaster.
Posted by: ricks
Ember has clearly put a lot of thought into their cup (and I’m sure the rest of their product line). This cup was engineered to be much more than a container for keeping your coffee warm. It was designed for aficionados who want enjoy their bean extracted beverage for more than just 10 minutes. That means they paid attention to surface texture, lip design, size and volume, metals, finishing, and more. The idea behind this cup is to keep keep your coffee warm, then get out of the way to let you enjoy every last drop. Below are some PROs and CONs, and the CONs are mostly nitpicks on the app.
PROs
• Cup lip is well designed and avoids spills as you sip.
• Unlike a hot plate style mug warmer which are far cheaper, the Ember plate does not get hot and is touchable. That also means it’s easy to clean and an occasional coffee drip will not burn in. And, that also means the bottom of the cup itself remains touchable.
• The app lets you set a temperature other than the default 135°. It’s a straight forward app and will notify you when the temperature reaches your desired setting. The max temperature setting is 145° though it measures temperatures that are higher. For example, when the coffee from my espresso maker first fills the cup, the temperature is registered as 150°.
• Though made of metal, the cup does not impart any flavors or scents. When you sip the coffee, you taste only the coffee. I’ve used metallic thermoses and sometimes they subtly change the taste of the coffee.
• Cup lip is well designed and avoids spills as you sip.
• Unlike a hot plate style mug warmer which are far cheaper, the Ember plate does not get hot and is touchable. That also means it’s easy to clean and an occasional coffee drip will not burn in. And, that also means the bottom of the cup itself remains touchable.
• The app lets you set a temperature other than the default 135°. It’s a straight forward app and will notify you when the temperature reaches your desired setting. The max temperature setting is 145° though it measures temperatures that are higher. For example, when the coffee from my espresso maker first fills the cup, the temperature is registered as 150°.
• Though made of metal, the cup does not impart any flavors or scents. When you sip the coffee, you taste only the coffee. I’ve used metallic thermoses and sometimes they subtly change the taste of the coffee.
CONs
• Because the warming element is at the bottom of the cup, the temperature of the liquid at the top will be less than your setting. Once you get to the bottom of the cup, you’ll sense that the beverage is hotter. While this is obviously common sense, I list it as a con because at this price point, I hoped some warming elements were built into the side of the cup as well to keep all the beverage closer to the desired temp.
• When trying to pair the app, it does not have the cup on the default list yet. But it does recognize the cup once paired. This will be a little confusing until the app is updated.
• App shows temperature as the main setting and have to click to settings to see the battery level. The battery level should be on the main screen as well, I think.
• The app requires reconnecting to the cup every time you launch it (but not repairing). Would be nice if it auto connected when the mug is turned on or charging.
• The app requires signing up for an account. However since the cup works without the app, there’s no reason why an account is necessary except for marketing. Without the app, the cup keeps all beverages at the default of 135°.
• Because the warming element is at the bottom of the cup, the temperature of the liquid at the top will be less than your setting. Once you get to the bottom of the cup, you’ll sense that the beverage is hotter. While this is obviously common sense, I list it as a con because at this price point, I hoped some warming elements were built into the side of the cup as well to keep all the beverage closer to the desired temp.
• When trying to pair the app, it does not have the cup on the default list yet. But it does recognize the cup once paired. This will be a little confusing until the app is updated.
• App shows temperature as the main setting and have to click to settings to see the battery level. The battery level should be on the main screen as well, I think.
• The app requires reconnecting to the cup every time you launch it (but not repairing). Would be nice if it auto connected when the mug is turned on or charging.
• The app requires signing up for an account. However since the cup works without the app, there’s no reason why an account is necessary except for marketing. Without the app, the cup keeps all beverages at the default of 135°.
OTHER
• 6oz capacity so limited to cappuccino, flat whites or similar sized beverages.
• There’s a warning to not get liquid on the charging plate. Hopefully a little bit won’t damage it as it inevitable when drinking coffee or tea frequently. I am guessing that what they really mean is not wash the plate.
• The plate requires charging into an outlet, so you can’t use a computer USB port. It probably needs more power than what a USB can deliver.
• 6oz capacity so limited to cappuccino, flat whites or similar sized beverages.
• There’s a warning to not get liquid on the charging plate. Hopefully a little bit won’t damage it as it inevitable when drinking coffee or tea frequently. I am guessing that what they really mean is not wash the plate.
• The plate requires charging into an outlet, so you can’t use a computer USB port. It probably needs more power than what a USB can deliver.
At this price point, clearly this is a premium product. If you just want to keep coffee warm in your “World’s Greatest Dad” mug, then get an old school hot plate warmer. But if you want to savor your special roast, your perfect cappuccino, and enjoy your coffee ritual, then get an Ember.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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A clinically-backed electric toothbrush boasting three modes and 33,000 sonic vibrations/min for a proven clean. Designed with Dental Professional input, the water-resistant BURST Sonic Toothbrush is the brush mouths dream about.
Posted by: ricks
from San Francisco, CA
There is no shortage of sonic and/or electric toothbrushes in the market. But a few things make Burst stand out:
1. Brush heads with soft multi-length bristles
2. 33,000 vibrations pers minute
3. Charcoal infused bristles
2. 33,000 vibrations pers minute
3. Charcoal infused bristles
The multi-length brush heads make a difference in getting to hard to reach spots. I have a partially impacted wisdom tooth and it was much easier to clean it with this Burst than other sonic toothbrushes. The bristles supposedly also get in between teeth better. But I floss anyway so not much of a benefit for me. If you have perfectly aligned teeth (eg, wore braces as a kid), the multi-length may not be a significant factor for you.
Brushing with 33,000 vibrations per minute is noticeable compared to other toothbrushes with slower numbers. It really stimulates your gums, especially with the longer bristles.
The charcoal infusion to me seems more like a marketing gimmick. I can’t say my teeth are any whiter because of it. And given that charcoal is abrasive, I can’t imagine there’s more than a trace of it anyway in the brush head.
The actual functions are rather standard (3 brushing modes) and no bluetooth connectivity or app. The one downside is there is no pressure gauge to let you know when you’re pressing too hard.
Overall this is a good value, however, with it’s reasonable entry cost and brush heads that can be as cheap as $7 with a subscription.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5
Performance
5
Durability
5
Value
5
Ease of Use
4
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Flawlessly connected, Fiercely protected. Austere is moving beyond the primary function of providing power, to a place where performance, safety, and design come together to define what you should expect in power. Using our PureFiltration technology, Austere Power cleans noise and artifacts, that can travel through power lines and keeps them from impacting your devices. In addition, the Omniport USB provides rapid charge and protection for low-voltage devices. Austere also employs flameless MOV circuits and thermal protected outlets, keeping you safe from a home electrical fire. And if anything were to happen, our Component Guarantee promises to protect your equipment from damage, regardless of its value, whenever your devices are plugged into an Austere Power product. And because how it looks is as important as what it does, Austere’s proprietary aDesign philosophy elevates function through purposeful engineering and sleek design. Our surge protector power strips have a brushed aluminum housing, which creates an elegant way to power your home electronic devices. Always. Not all power is created equal. You may not know it, but your surge protectors can wear out over time. Joules–the protective layer of energy that defends your components–are finite. And when they are gone, it leaves your system completely unprotected from shock or surge. Traditional surge protectors only last a year or two so if you can’t remember when you last refreshed your home’s power, it’s likely time to do it now. And to take out the guesswork of when your Austere Power needs to be replaced, the blue protection shield icon on the Power unit will cease to illuminate once the Joules have been used. But that won’t happen for a long time because Austere Power is rated to last more than five times as long as most power products and guarantees to safeguard your system with our Component Guarantee.
Customer Rating
4
Surge Ahead with this Power Strip
on April 30, 2022
Posted by: ricks
from San Francisco Bay Area
The Austere surge protector is so sleek looking that you’ll want to showcase it instead of burying it behind some furniture. Six well-spaced outlets lets you plug in multiple large plugs without getting in each others way.
It can protect against spikes up to 3,000 joules. There’s even a 5 year component guarantee that holds Austere liable for any damage regardless of the value of the components plugged in. Handily, there are 2 USB A and 3 USB C charging ports for other types of devices.
Unlike typical power strips, the cord on the Austere is flexible woven fabric instead of stiff rubber. Not only does it match its modern appearance, but makes it much easier to manipulate in tight spaces.
Another key feature is the power strip conditions the line and removes noise from EMI and RF interference. That said, there was no noticeable improvement in the sound or picture of my TV and sound bar. That may be because my lines were already clean enough.
The main downside to this surge protector is the indicator lights are extremely bright at night. I had to buy some screen dimming film to tone it down.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Dell Mobile Adapter Speakerphone - MH3021P. The world’s first USB-C adapter with integrated speakerphone offers an all-in-one connectivity and conferencing solution. Stay productive in your home or at the office with this World’s first multi-port adapter with integrated speakerphone (speaker and microphone). Its numerous ports offer a variety of connectivity options, while its built-in speakerphone offers great conferencing convenience. Now you can charge your laptop while being connected to a display and your keyboard and mouse, plus get on a conference call -- all at the same time. Its compact design takes up little space, so you can easily fit it in your bag and take it anywhere. Connect to a display, transfer data and power your computer all at once while you are on a call. Plug and Play - no drivers required. Enjoy a seamless conferencing experience with the built-in speakerphone that gets you ready for daily calls and check-ins. The Dell speaker hub - MH3021P - a speakerphone with built in mic and mobile adapter all in one compact device.
Customer Rating
4
Almost perfect speakerphone hub
on February 19, 2022
Posted by: ricks
from San Francisco Bay Area
Like it or not, Zoom calls are here to stay. Even as in-person office meetings return, there always seems to be at least one participant on Zoom. And that’s where this Dell hub really shines.
The hub is well-designed for small conference room settings. The 360° mic captures voices from all directions. And because it is a hub, you can plug in an external display via HDMI, along with a couple of USB-A accessories such as a webcam.
PROs
• Excellent mic pickup in all directions. After taking several Zoom meetings from a conference room, no one on Zoom complained that they couldn’t hear a participant in the conference room.
• Enough ports to consolidate a monitor plus webcam into a single USB-C connection into your laptop.
• HDMI supports 4K at 60Hz (as does the USB-C connection).
• USB-C port supports up to 90W power, allowing you to charge your laptop when using a power adapter (not included).
• Echo cancellation and noise reduction work well. Again, never got any complaints from in-room or remote participants.
• Volume and mute controls are handily accessible on the speakerphone itself so that you don’t have use your laptop for those functions.
• Excellent mic pickup in all directions. After taking several Zoom meetings from a conference room, no one on Zoom complained that they couldn’t hear a participant in the conference room.
• Enough ports to consolidate a monitor plus webcam into a single USB-C connection into your laptop.
• HDMI supports 4K at 60Hz (as does the USB-C connection).
• USB-C port supports up to 90W power, allowing you to charge your laptop when using a power adapter (not included).
• Echo cancellation and noise reduction work well. Again, never got any complaints from in-room or remote participants.
• Volume and mute controls are handily accessible on the speakerphone itself so that you don’t have use your laptop for those functions.
CONs
• Unlike my other external USB hub (which does not have a speakerphone), I have to plug the Dell hub into a power adapter in order to use an external monitor with my external webcam. Without the power adapter, the external monitor works fine. But once I plugged in an external Logitech Brio webcam, the hub would not pass through its signal. It took a bit of trial and error to figure this out.
• The max volume on the speakerphone is a bit low. It’s not terrible, but could be a little higher for conference room use.
• The built-in cord that plugs into your computer is too short. At about 18”, flexibility is limited in positioning the speakerphone on a conference table, or even a desktop for WFH.
• The control markings on the speakerphone (for volume etc…) are subtle. There should be more contrast against the gray mesh.
• Unlike my other external USB hub (which does not have a speakerphone), I have to plug the Dell hub into a power adapter in order to use an external monitor with my external webcam. Without the power adapter, the external monitor works fine. But once I plugged in an external Logitech Brio webcam, the hub would not pass through its signal. It took a bit of trial and error to figure this out.
• The max volume on the speakerphone is a bit low. It’s not terrible, but could be a little higher for conference room use.
• The built-in cord that plugs into your computer is too short. At about 18”, flexibility is limited in positioning the speakerphone on a conference table, or even a desktop for WFH.
• The control markings on the speakerphone (for volume etc…) are subtle. There should be more contrast against the gray mesh.
The world of virtual and hybrid meetings has made conference room and office setups just a little more complicated. Fortunately, this Dell speakerphone hub can help streamline your equipment into a single cord to plug into your computer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Durability
5
Ease of Use
4
Quality
5
Value
4
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B&W PI5 true wire-free headphones are attractive, well-built, and they deliver a refined sound quality. Featuring Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX technology these earphones ensure reliable connectivity whether you are streaming from your smartphone, tablet or PC. Allows connection of up to two devices at the same time, however, only one device can be used to play or make a call at a time. Download the Bowers & Wilkins free headphone app, available for Apple and Android for further control of the sound and noise cancellation, right on your phone. The PI5 headphones feature the latest innovations in adaptive noise cancellation along with 4 built-in microphones that pick up ambient noise and cancel it with an equal, but opposite, audio signal and enhance the call quality. There are three levels of Adaptive Noise Cancellation – High, Low and Auto, that can be controlled either by the multi-functional button on the left earbud or via the app. Similarly, the touch-sensitive button on the right earbud allows you to enable voice assistance. The buttons also allows you to control playback and phone call functions with single (play/pause, answer call), double (skip forward, end call), or triple presses (skip backward). Another stand-out feature of these headphones is the intuitive detection sensors that put the earphones on standby or reconnect them depending upon whether they are removed or put back on. The PI5s come with a sturdy and attractive charging case for charging the earbuds when not in use. The case is equipped with two 350mAh rechargeable batteries. Each earbud has a rechargeable battery which provides up to 4 hours of wireless playback. Including the charging case, the PI5 can provide up to 12 hours of continuous playback.
Is there an App to set the equalizer?
The app currently does not have an equalizer function. Not sure if they plan to add this functionality in the future, but would be nice.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
ricks
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ LatteGo, Black
is that machine automatic?
Yes. You just put coffee beans in the hopper and it makes espressos and coffee.
4 years, 6 months ago
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ricks
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ LatteGo, Black
Is this compatible with Google Home or Alexa...???
Capture up to 1440p video with this Nextbase 522GW dash camera. Alexa enables hands-free control through voice commands, and Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi technologies sync with compatible smartphones for quick access to important footage. This Nextbase 522GW dash camera has ports for connecting compatible camera modules for easy expansion.
This specs states that it has GPS. Does it record GPS location and speed on the viewed camera footage? There is a GPS powered mount that is available for these types of cameras. Are these extra mounts needed to record GPS and speed on the footage?
GPS recorder is built into the cam so you don't need any mount other than what's included. Yes, the video footage will show you the speed and GPS location. Additionally, if you use the myNextbase player app on your PC or Mac, you can also see your route overlayed on a map side-by-side with the footage.
4 years, 9 months ago
by
ricks
Meet Bose Frames. Bluetooth sunglasses with a soundtrack. The first audio sunglasses with built-in Bose speakers for an immersive audio experience unlike any other. A revolutionary personal audio experience hidden inside two classic designs, each enriched with premium accents and materials. Play music, take calls, and enjoy the sun with UVA/UVB protection. Bose Frames Alto feature a classic angular lenses, available in small and large size.
Where’s the camera? A camera would make this product complete. While hiking a hands free everything would be awesome.
Listen to tunes in peace with these Sony headphones. Their noise-canceling processor blocks out background noise so you can fully enjoy your playlist, and the Smart Listening feature adjusts noise-canceling levels based on your activity. Quickly charge these Sony headphones in only 10 minutes to provide 30 hours of battery life. Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
Is there latency when watching videos?
I did not notice any latency at all watching YouTube.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
ricks
Sleep better. Cover unwanted noise with soothing sounds. Bose noise-masking sleepbuds™ are uniquely designed for sleep. They don’t stream music or have acoustic noise cancellation. Instead, these tiny, wireless earbuds use pre-loaded, soothing sounds to cover up unwanted noises, so you can get to sleep — and stay asleep. Plus, unlike traditional earplugs, they’re super comfortable and made to stay in place all night long, even if you sleep on your side. 1. Choose your sound, 2. Set an alarm, 3. Fall asleep without unwanted noise.
How well do these work for silencing out loud snoring from your bed partner?
The volume of the sleepbuds can be turned up pretty high, so as to cover up the snoring. But then the question is can you sleep with loud sound playing in your ears? These are not earplugs – they do not reduce external sounds, they only mask them.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
ricks
Create incredible images every day, anywhere with Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan. Get the magic of Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC, plus everything else you need to organize, enhance, and share your photos like a pro on your desktop and mobile devices.
With this program, can you make flyers, posters and layouts? crop your photos also?
The short answer is yes, you can do all of those things. Note that Lightroom and especially Photoshop are like "Swiss Army Knives." They are powerful editing tools designed for many different functions and activities. That means you won't find a simple setting for "make a flyer," and so on. But if you take the time to learn the software (which admittedly can take some time), it will more than deliver what you’re asking.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
ricks
QuietComfort® 35 wireless noise cancelling headphones are engineered with world-class noise cancellation that makes quiet sound quieter and music sound better. Free yourself from wires and connect easily to your devices with Bluetooth® and NFC pairing. And enjoy up to 20 hours of wireless listening per battery charge.
Where does the music heard on the headphones come from? Can you program the music directly into the headphones so it is a complete unit?
The headphones play sound from your phone, computer or whatever device you’ve paired it with. There is no onboard memory to hold music – it must be streamed.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
ricks