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- Review count24
- Helpfulness votes20
- First reviewNovember 24, 2016
- Last reviewApril 22, 2018
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- Average rating3.6
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HomePod is a breakthrough speaker that senses its location and tunes the music to sound amazing wherever you are in the room. Together with Apple Music, it gives you access to over 45 million songs. And with the intelligence of Siri, it's a helpful home assistant for everyday tasks, and for controlling your smart home accessories - all with just your voice. Welcome HomePod.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Pros:
- Sound quality is great; far superior to my existing Echo.
- Product feels high quality, all the way down to the fabric textured power cable. I’d have been upset if this came with the generic Apple plastic white cable that inevitably gets dingy/yellow and begins to fray.
- You can use other music services outside of Apple Music (via AirPlay), just not natively. I’d prefer natively, but listing this as a pro because I have seen some misleading posts saying services like Spotify cannot be used at all. That is incorrect.
- Sound quality is great; far superior to my existing Echo.
- Product feels high quality, all the way down to the fabric textured power cable. I’d have been upset if this came with the generic Apple plastic white cable that inevitably gets dingy/yellow and begins to fray.
- You can use other music services outside of Apple Music (via AirPlay), just not natively. I’d prefer natively, but listing this as a pro because I have seen some misleading posts saying services like Spotify cannot be used at all. That is incorrect.
Cons (most regard it severely lacking as a smart speaker):
- Cannot set multiple timers. Especially when cooking, I’ll often have multiple timers going on my Echo.
- Inability to recognize different people. This one is especially annoying if you want to be able to receive/send calls or texts through the HomePod. The speaker is linked to my phone. Even if I’m not around, anyone with access to the speaker can send or receive messages from me (if the option is enabled), despite the fact they are not me. My options are to either disable the feature entirely, or be aware that anyone (friend or family) who is near the HomePod, would have unfettered access to my messages/calls.
- Siri in general is lacking. For instance, if I ask Siri if it is going to rain, all I get is a “yes” or a “no”. If I ask Alexa the same thing, I get a percentage chance of rain and expected amounts. Several other instances, but just one example.
- No ability to use other music services (i.e. Spotify, Tidal, etc.) natively with the device. As listed above, it is doable through AirPlay, but this comes at the cost of more in depth voice commands.
- Was foolishly hoping the Nest would become HomeKit compatible since Apple made HomeKit authorization digital now (no longer requires physical hardware). That is not the case. Another thing to keep in mind, Apple’s control over smart home items is limited to HomeKit devices. More may come soon with recent changes to HomeKit, but if you have anything from Google (like the Nest) don’t get your hopes up and factor into your purchase decision.
- Cannot set multiple timers. Especially when cooking, I’ll often have multiple timers going on my Echo.
- Inability to recognize different people. This one is especially annoying if you want to be able to receive/send calls or texts through the HomePod. The speaker is linked to my phone. Even if I’m not around, anyone with access to the speaker can send or receive messages from me (if the option is enabled), despite the fact they are not me. My options are to either disable the feature entirely, or be aware that anyone (friend or family) who is near the HomePod, would have unfettered access to my messages/calls.
- Siri in general is lacking. For instance, if I ask Siri if it is going to rain, all I get is a “yes” or a “no”. If I ask Alexa the same thing, I get a percentage chance of rain and expected amounts. Several other instances, but just one example.
- No ability to use other music services (i.e. Spotify, Tidal, etc.) natively with the device. As listed above, it is doable through AirPlay, but this comes at the cost of more in depth voice commands.
- Was foolishly hoping the Nest would become HomeKit compatible since Apple made HomeKit authorization digital now (no longer requires physical hardware). That is not the case. Another thing to keep in mind, Apple’s control over smart home items is limited to HomeKit devices. More may come soon with recent changes to HomeKit, but if you have anything from Google (like the Nest) don’t get your hopes up and factor into your purchase decision.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Apple TV 4K lets you watch movies and shows in amazing 4K HDR - and now it completes the picture with immersive sound from Dolby Atmos¹. It streams your favorite sports, news, and TV channels live. Has great content from apps like Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN². And thanks to Siri, you can control it all with just your voice.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
This was my first and only Apple product purchase and so far it was worth every penny. I do not have a 4K TV yet, but I do have a huge iTunes library of TV and movies that I have purchased via iTunes for Windows over the years. It made more sense for me to purchase a streaming device that would allow me to access my iTunes library and Apple TV let's me do that.
The packaging was just beautiful. Setup was intuitive and super easy. Unlike some, I just love the remote (once I figured out that you need to press down on the top of the remote to click on an item). The resolution on my OLED TV is just beautiful. The Apple TV runs super fast for me and has hundreds of free apps, podcasts and shows to watch. The settings menu is thorough and allows numerous privacy options. The aerial screensaver is spectacular.
So why not 5 stars? Audio is why. It is shocking to me that in the 21st century audio options would be so limited (especially from Apple!). That being said, the 5.1 surround sound works great and sounds fine.
Yes, I could have purchased a less expensive 4K streaming device that would have provided a few things Apple TV doesn't but I wouldn't have had access to my iTunes library. So, all in all I am pretty happy with Apple TV. Would gladly purchase again.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Provide smart illumination for your space with this Philips Hue white light bulb. The equivalent to a 60W standard bulb, this advanced bulb can be used as a regular LED light or to enhance your enjoyment with the Philips Hue app. This Philips Hue white light bulb is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I'm using these cool white bulbs in places like the bedrooms and hallways. For kitchen and bathroom areas, I'm using the Sengled Daylight bulbs for a whiter light.
Alexa tip:
For rooms with multi-bulb fixtures, I'll name the bulbs within the Alexa app as Dining 1, Dining 2, Dining 3 and so on. Then I'll add them to groups like Dining Room and Main Floor. With Alexa, a given bulb can be assigned to several different groups to reduced the number of times you need to call out Alexa. Then tell "Alex Dining on at 50%," , Alexa, lower the Dining Room, or "Alexa, Main Floor Off".
this works very well. Just thought it worth mentioning if you're just getting started.
For rooms with multi-bulb fixtures, I'll name the bulbs within the Alexa app as Dining 1, Dining 2, Dining 3 and so on. Then I'll add them to groups like Dining Room and Main Floor. With Alexa, a given bulb can be assigned to several different groups to reduced the number of times you need to call out Alexa. Then tell "Alex Dining on at 50%," , Alexa, lower the Dining Room, or "Alexa, Main Floor Off".
this works very well. Just thought it worth mentioning if you're just getting started.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Connect Echo Dot to your Bluetooth-compatible smartphone, and take and make calls without having to search for your phone. The small device is compatible with Amazon Alexa, letting you ask for the weather or check local news simply with your voice. App availability on Echo Dot lets you listen to your favorite tunes or audio books.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
When I received this Echo Plus in the mail I noticed there was a small crack around the light ring. Now I could have kept it and used it with the crack, it really was small, but Amazon is such an amazing company that they sent a replacement that same day! So awesome!
I spent the next hour deciding where I could best use the Philips hue lightbulb and TP-Link plug I purchased with the Echo Plus on cyber Monday. After the initial set up of the above mentioned accessories, the time to play with said accessories was about to begin.
Now, If you haven't tried your hand at smart home automation, there is a bit of an expense that will be required to start. You can buy a wide variety of smart home hubs here on Amazon, but I would suggest you buy the Echo Plus. With the Philips hub built in, its the best price IMO. Once you have decided which you'll be purchasing, you'll then need to purchase the required accessories. Again, Amazon has plenty to chose from.
I would strongly recommend this product!
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are over-ear headphones from Bose featuring world-class noise cancelling technology, and now they're optimized with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. Enjoy balanced audio performance at any volume with volume-optimized EQ. And you can make or receive clear phone calls, even in loud environments with the noise reduction dual-microphone system in these Bluetooth headphones. Connect to your devices wirelessly with Bluetooth and NFC pairing, with voice prompts for easy Bluetooth pairing. Thanks to Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant you can keep in touch, get answers and manage your day using just your voice with one-button access to the voice assistant of your choice. You can also access your phone's default virtual assistant, like Siri through your headphones. Together, they can create astonishing real-world experiences and fundamentally new ways to work, travel, exercise, learn, play, and more. Wear these comfortable headphones all day because they're built with premium materials. Listen to your wireless headphones for up to 20 hours of long battery life from a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Keep listening without battery power by connecting the included audio cable. Unlock more features and access future updates through the Bose Connect app.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I was not sure what direction I wanted to go with travel headphones so I tried a couple of different ones. I tried these Bose QuietComfort 35 II, the QuietComfort 20 in ear, and the Sennheiser HD1. The in-ear are not for me just because of the shape and size of my ears. :( I liked them and for what they were the noise cancellation was pretty good. With the HD1 and the QC 35 the biggest difference is price. I would say the HD1 was a bit louder and I could hear some "cooler" things that I couldn't hear with any other headset, but the biggest problem with it was there was an obvious defect in the unit I received. I sent them back. But to the point of this review.
The QuietComfort 35 are scary good. The sound quality is amazing. Even the bass was great given that Bose doesn't have the biggest reputation for bass in their headphones. The noise cancellation is especially scary. It is amazing the technology that is able to allow for so much around a person to be blocked. I absolutely love it when flying. A little darkness, shut eye and I am totally zoned out. I feel like I am in an Epsom salt spa with complete silence other than the music I am listening to. They are truly unbelievable and I would recommend them even without the Google Assistant integration. To that point, Google Assistant works very well. I have a Pixel 2 phone so it works especially well with the Bose headphones. I can text, listen to texts, and ask all sorts of questions. The greatest part is I can talk in a normal voice and hear myself fine through the headphones to ensure that I indeed do NOT start yelling because of the noise cancellation. Bose thinks of nearly everything. great headphones!
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take your personal assistant with you wherever you go with this Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet featuring Alexa voice-activated cloud service. The slim design of the tablet is easy to handle, and the ample 8-inch screen is ideal for work or play. This Amazon Fire HD 8 features super-sharp high-definition graphics for immersive streaming.
Customer Rating
3
Good resolution
on April 22, 2018
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
With the recent promotion for the Amazon Fire HD8 tablet, I just had to get one. It's been a while since I bought a tablet and the one I currently have is getting to be very slow.
The tablet will come with a micro USB charging/data cable and a wall adapter.
The tablet itself has some weight to it compared to the kindle tablets but won't be a problem if you use it to read sitting up. Initial setup was very straight forward. Once you connect to the WiFi and login to your Amazon account, you should be in the FireOS interface. The tablet is bundled with Amazon apps so everything is just a few swipes away on the screen. The interface itself, is very smooth so I didn't notice any lags at all. I did try a few games and there were some that were a bit slow at times and this was expected from a tablet at this price range. I will mainly use it to browse online and watch videos so don't see this as a huge setback.
The buttons, charging port and headphone jack are all on top which will need some getting used to since most devices I've used had side buttons for the power/volume and charging/headphone ports are at the bottom. To the left side are two speakers and there's a micro SD card slot on the right for those who need more memory. The memory card option will be handy since this tablet is only 16GB and I think you have about 11-12GB free out of the box.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Shoot breathtaking scenes in Ultra HD with this GoPro HERO6 Black action camera. Its 60 fps frame rate provides high-quality 4K video capture, and its 5.0GHz Wi-Fi band enables fast wireless transfer of high-resolution media files to a mobile device. Record GPS data, speed and other active stats with this GoPro HERO6 Black action camera via the Quik mobile app.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is truly great product. The camera itself, the SW that is downloadable free with it, mobile app and also the smart remote creates a package that fulfills my needs quite completely.
My usage is done mostly with motorcycling and available choices with resolutions and frame rates are covering all my use cases.
My usage is done mostly with motorcycling and available choices with resolutions and frame rates are covering all my use cases.
Fifth star is gone for battery life, and especially so when using time lapse mode. For action filming it's sufficient, your hottest action seldom goes on more than two hours but to get nice time lapses you would need more life span - could be done with enhanced SW shutting down the camera in between the time lapse frames...
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Choose this Nintendo Switch console to play favorite games anywhere with one system. It replaces both home and portable components for a seamless experience, docking with your television or standing alone on a tabletop for outdoor action on its 6.2-inch screen. This Nintendo Switch console includes the Joy-Con detachable controller and can link with other units for multiplayer adventures.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Switch is not a marvel of gaming in that its specs are very limited... but I can take it with me on a trip using very little space. Then I can plug it into the TV when I get home for a slight graphical improvement and a bigger screen. This is EXACTLY the kind of gaming device I've wanted for so long. I've been thinking about getting a light gaming laptop and a Thunderbolt 3 dock, but the technology is not quite there yet. The Switch will do just fine in the meantime.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy clear sound on everything from sporting events to movies with this Samsung surround bar. The 2.1 channel sound bar offers an enhanced stereo sound experience with surround sound expansion capabilities for a true home theater setup. Left and right speakers on this Samsung surround bar deliver balanced volume and control.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Honestly don't understand all the negative reviews.It appears to be Polk's lowest priced soundbar so maybe some people thought it would perform like the more expensive one's. Have had no trouble with it shutting off when I didn't want it to. Does shut off several (10?) minutes after the source playing shuts off. I find the sound very pleasing to my ears with the sub woofer providing good bass, used it on TV and music so far. TV levels are moderate and I like my music played fairly low. Connecting my phone to play music through Bluetooth took a few seconds and worked perfect. Some of the buttons that control sound on the remote do not show a response on the bar so your not sure they are responding. But this bar sounds so good and works so well that I am sure that I will get the hang of it as I go along.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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2of 7voted this as helpful.
Add a little extra oomph to your television's sound with this Samsung sound bar. The basic setup features a 2.1 channel speaker system with left and right speakers to balance the experience. A wireless subwoofer delivers true bass, and this Samsung sound bar offers surround sound expansion for virtual surround setups.
Posted by: DemocraticUnderground
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Sound quality is noticeably better than my existing TV speakers. I will admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by the subwoofer at first. Most of the time, I want the option of being blown away by bass, well beyond what's necessary or appropriate. This woofer doesn't comply with those wishes. However, it does provide enough well-rounded sound to add some texture to a bedroom-sized listening space. As I write, I'm listening to some electronic music with bass-filled warbles and textures, and I am happy to report that I can (sort of) feel it.
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
My Best Buy number: 0563913502
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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