nickcal's stats
- Review count294
- Helpfulness votes1,294
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewSeptember 16, 2024
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- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count4
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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Turn a small space into an immersive gaming area with this Oculus Quest all-in-one VR system. The wireless headset and controllers provide a compact setup and don't require a PC, and the 64GB of storage accommodate compatible VR game titles. This Oculus Quest all-in-one VR system uses Insight tracking technology for instant, accurate response to movements.
Customer Rating
4
A journey with VR becomes a reality
on May 30, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I was at a convention where some basic VR headsets were being demoed and was left with not only a sick feeling in my stomach but also a completely underwhelming VR experience. Needless to say, I’ve been a bit of a pessimist when it comes to VR and VR gaming. My entire opinion changed when I tried on the Oculus Quest.
Oculus Quest is the first all-in-one gaming headset available for consumers. I believe the distinction of it being an ‘all-in-one’ system is what really makes the difference for me. First of all, you don’t have the hassle of trying to connect a mobile device like some headsets out there and you aren’t tethered to a PC like you are with the Quest’s cousin — the Rift. You do have to connect to the companion app to set up the device, but it’s not the interactive screen that plays the games. The screen is bright and has a strong HD resolution (1600x1440).
The headset fits on your head snuggly and even though there is a little bit of heft to it, it’s not heavy. I have been through several gaming sessions and not suffered through any neck/should pain due to the headset’s weight. It’s well balanced and very easy to get used to wearing. I did find myself getting a bit overheated a few times I used the headset. It really depends on how you are interacting with your environment.
There are no headphones integrated so you can either play using the built-in speakers or you can attach a set of headphones. I have played both ways and while it’s fun either way, I highly suggest adding a set of good, over-ear, noise-canceling headphones for complete immersion. After playing for a couple of days without headphones, I added a set that actually has 3D sound and they were the perfect compliment to VR because the sound moved when you did. So, as I was playing a zombie game, I could hear the zombies coming from behind me and the sound moved as I did. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of.
As far as content, I was impressed with the volumes and variety of titles that are available. You have the option of using the mobile app or the VR environment to peruse and purchase apps. I mainly focused on games at first, but have also used the Quest to interact with Facebook and YouTube. You wouldn’t think that would be an awe-inspiring experience, but it truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join your surroundings like never before. The only criticism I have about the content is that when you start up the headset, there are only demos included. I would like it if Oculus could provide at least one ‘real’ title for users to try out. Maybe they could provide a credit code or something so that users could have a small store credit to use right out of the gate.
Since I don’t have a lot of experience with other VR headsets, I don’t know how the battery relates to other products, but it does seem to be a short length of playtime. I believe I played for about an hour with no interruptions and the battery had been drained by more than 50%. It does seem to matter what content you are interacting with because some of the games seem to require more power than watching videos does. That said, it does seem to charge up pretty quickly. Also, the controllers use one AA battery each. I would have loved to see these be rechargeable like the headset is.
Finally, the Quest does not come with a carrying case. There is a travel case available from Oculus as an add-on, but I really feel like one should be included to keep all the gear together and safe. If you invest in something like this you want to have a good way to protect it. Since we didn’t have a case specifically for the Quest, we ended up using a camera backpack with adjustable foam pieces in the inside to house the headset and all the accessories.
As an interactive experience, the Quest definitely gets my vote. It’s been an eye-opening experience using the Quest and I find myself excited about gaming again.s This is an awesome device and If you jump in for the first time, you start to get the hang of it quickly. The Quest is well worth the investment and an impressive piece of equipment.
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+52points
81of 110voted this as helpful.
Pump up the volume with these Sony wireless on-ear headphones. Advanced drivers produce clear high-fidelity audio, while the EXTRA BASS feature helps you feel the beat by enhancing low-end frequencies. A 30-hour battery life keeps the music coming. With a lightweight construction and soft swiveling earcups, these Sony wireless on-ear headphones keep you comfortable while you listen.
Customer Rating
5
Exceptional headphones with a mid-range cost
on May 21, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
The quality of your headphones can make or break your listening experience. I have found several sets of wireless on-ear headphones in the past few years that I use on a regular basis and this pair from Sony has made the cut. I look at several factors when I test out headphones including battery life, comfort level, and listening experience with different types of media. From the moment I took these headphones out of their box, I knew they were something special and as I was to find, they will stand up against more premium brands with no problems.
Battery Life:
While I didn’t test out the full 30-hour claim for the headphone’s battery life, I did find them to have an above average lifespan. I had several long-length listening sessions with these headphones and didn’t have them die on me once. I love that they charge using USB-C instead of the ‘old standard’ of Micro USB. After several days of use (probably at least 2 hours of listening time each day), the battery is still at 50%.
While I didn’t test out the full 30-hour claim for the headphone’s battery life, I did find them to have an above average lifespan. I had several long-length listening sessions with these headphones and didn’t have them die on me once. I love that they charge using USB-C instead of the ‘old standard’ of Micro USB. After several days of use (probably at least 2 hours of listening time each day), the battery is still at 50%.
Comfort:
Because of their light weight, these headphones are some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. I was surprised at how easy they are to wear. The band is easily adjustable and it has ample padding in the headband. Even though the ear cups are ‘on-ear’ style, my ears never seemed to get overheated and sweat wasn’t a problem. The controls are easy to reach and the tactile buttons make operation simple. I do like that there is a separate button for the voice assistant.
Because of their light weight, these headphones are some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. I was surprised at how easy they are to wear. The band is easily adjustable and it has ample padding in the headband. Even though the ear cups are ‘on-ear’ style, my ears never seemed to get overheated and sweat wasn’t a problem. The controls are easy to reach and the tactile buttons make operation simple. I do like that there is a separate button for the voice assistant.
Music:
I’ve listened to several different styles of music using these headphones and found that tracks sound rich and full. The ‘extra bass’ feature of these headphones is unmatched without a separate EQ. One of my favorite tests for straight music listening is to listen to Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. The revolutionary album has a lot of different sounds mixed into the tracks and a very pronounced heartbeat drives several parts of the album. This is where the extra bass feature really shines. I’ve listening to this album many times before and found it to be much more intense using the Sony headphones. I loved the stereo effects of the headphones in conjunction with this album. I also listened to my Pandora station that features 90s hip-hop music and thought it was remarkable how deep the bass was. As far as music goes, I think these are the headphones to have.
I’ve listened to several different styles of music using these headphones and found that tracks sound rich and full. The ‘extra bass’ feature of these headphones is unmatched without a separate EQ. One of my favorite tests for straight music listening is to listen to Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. The revolutionary album has a lot of different sounds mixed into the tracks and a very pronounced heartbeat drives several parts of the album. This is where the extra bass feature really shines. I’ve listening to this album many times before and found it to be much more intense using the Sony headphones. I loved the stereo effects of the headphones in conjunction with this album. I also listened to my Pandora station that features 90s hip-hop music and thought it was remarkable how deep the bass was. As far as music goes, I think these are the headphones to have.
Spoken Word:
After listening to several different types of music, I switched to my podcast app to see how the headphones would fare against spoken word. Voices were clear and precise. It didn’t matter what timber the person’s voice had, the headphones made them sing. I really enjoyed listening to podcasts with these headphones just as much as — if not more than — music. For one thing, podcasts typically require a longer listening session than music. For example, one of the podcasts I listen to is one hour in length. So, the fact that these headphones are so comfortable makes spoken word pieces wonderful to listen to.
After listening to several different types of music, I switched to my podcast app to see how the headphones would fare against spoken word. Voices were clear and precise. It didn’t matter what timber the person’s voice had, the headphones made them sing. I really enjoyed listening to podcasts with these headphones just as much as — if not more than — music. For one thing, podcasts typically require a longer listening session than music. For example, one of the podcasts I listen to is one hour in length. So, the fact that these headphones are so comfortable makes spoken word pieces wonderful to listen to.
Soundtrack/Mix:
I’m a big nerd when it comes to movie soundtracks and audio editing/mixing. So, I always use a few movie clips to test out headphones. One of those clips is the intro sequence to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It’s a vibrant soundtrack/mix that includes spoken word, music, score, and of course, sound effects. While there were definitely some bright spots in the soundtrack, I have actually had a better listening experience from a different set of headphones. I would say these are a solid 7 out of 10 for watching a film with an advanced soundtrack. You’ll get a lot out of them, but not everything.
I’m a big nerd when it comes to movie soundtracks and audio editing/mixing. So, I always use a few movie clips to test out headphones. One of those clips is the intro sequence to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It’s a vibrant soundtrack/mix that includes spoken word, music, score, and of course, sound effects. While there were definitely some bright spots in the soundtrack, I have actually had a better listening experience from a different set of headphones. I would say these are a solid 7 out of 10 for watching a film with an advanced soundtrack. You’ll get a lot out of them, but not everything.
Final Thoughts
The WH-XB700 are amazing headphones. I do wish they features Active Noise Canceling, but I’ve been happy with the amount of noise isolation I get from my ears being covered by the ear cups. The exceptional battery life and comfort level paired with an above average sound quality make these a wonderful choice for their price point. I would recommend these to all types of users. They are easy to operate and their listening experience rivals more premium wireless headsets.
The WH-XB700 are amazing headphones. I do wish they features Active Noise Canceling, but I’ve been happy with the amount of noise isolation I get from my ears being covered by the ear cups. The exceptional battery life and comfort level paired with an above average sound quality make these a wonderful choice for their price point. I would recommend these to all types of users. They are easy to operate and their listening experience rivals more premium wireless headsets.
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+7points
13of 19voted this as helpful.
Enjoy wireless device charging with this versatile Belkin BOOST UP charging dock. A 7.5W charging pad rapidly powers up a variety of iPhones, while a 5W magnetic charging module does the same for your Apple watch. This Belkin BOOST UP charging dock features a 5W USB-A port for charging compatible devices and comes with a compact AC adapter for quick installation.
Customer Rating
5
An exceptional dock
on May 5, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I like to keep things simple especially when it comes to charging and storing my devices. I also hate cables. So, the fact that I can charge both my Apple Watch and iPhone wirelessly together on a dock, it’s almost too good to be true. The Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Dock has been the best solution for my charging needs.
I was a little concerned about the design at first as I thought my phone might slide off of the cradle, but was surprised to find out that it stayed safely in place. The only time I had any trouble charging my phone on the dock was when it was in a charging case. Then, it took the dock a few seconds to recognize it and for it to start charging. It eventually did, but aside from trying to charge the phone inside a case, I didn’t have any issues with charging the phone on the cradle.
The phone and the watch have always charged very well. I’ve not had any issues with them gaining a charge as they should. It’s a lightweight stand, but hasn’t slid around any on my bedside table. I do wish that charging in landscape mode was available, but that’s not something that would keep me from using this charger. I love the look of the dock and think its function is wonderful.
I can recommend this dock to anyone using a wireless charging capable iPhone and Apple Watch. It would make a great gift and I anticipate using it for some time to come.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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View work and entertainment comfortably with this 23.8-inch HP monitor. The anti-glare panel lets you see content clearly in various lighting conditions, and the virtually frameless design lends a minimalist aesthetic to your home office. Prevent eyestrain by switching to this HP monitor's Low Blue Light mode for a warmer appearance.
Customer Rating
5
Good all purpose monitor
on April 29, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I've used several different styles of monitors, but this one is just about perfect for all my particular needs. It's compact, provides a crisp picture, and connects easily through HDMI. I think the feature I like the best about this monitor is its small footprint. It has a very thin bezel and a small stand so if you have a compact desk, like me, it's perfect as an external monitor. Prior to using this monitor, I had a 34-inch Ultrawide from a different company. While I enjoyed it's immense screen real estate, It was just far too large for my desk. This 24-inch beauty is ideal for me.
I use this monitor for basic productivity tasks like email, word processing, spreadsheets, PPT presentations, and watching videos. It has 1080P resolution and that's perfect for this type of work in my opinion. Even though it has a lot of features, it's essentially a high-quality, basic monitor. I don't feel that gamers would enjoy it as much because it only has a 75Hz refresh rate.
For the price point, I would definitely recommend this to users of all types. It does have an IPS screen and wide viewing angle, which makes it appealing even for users who do photo and video editing. The colors and brightness look great and aren't washed out.
The set-up of the monitor was super easy. The stand is only two pieces and once it's assembled and attached to the monitor screen, you're ready to connect cables. I ended up connecting my laptop through a docking station and I haven't experienced any issues with connection or lag.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+27points
35of 43voted this as helpful.
Hear lifelike sound details in your Xbox One games with this Turtle Beach Elite gaming combo. The Elite Pro 2 headset has 50mm custom-tuned Nanoclear drivers for an immersive experience and Aerofit ear cushions for ergonomic comfort. Customize your headset’s sonic performance via the SuperAmp controller of this Turtle Beach Elite gaming combo.
Customer Rating
4
Superior listening experience on a premium speaker
on March 25, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
At Christmas, I was gifted the game Red Dead Redemption 2. I’ve been playing it religiously since then and exclusively using the audio directly from the TV’s speakers. It’s been an enjoyable playing experience since I felt like I didn’t really need a premium set of headphones like I do with an FPS game. With an FPS, the gaming dynamic is so much different and your strategy is largely based off of the placement of other players — premium sound that takes you into the game is practically essential in order to succeed with those types of games. When playing through story mode of RDR2, I felt like the TV speakers would be sufficient. Towards the end of the game, I started using the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 Wired Gaming Headset and it totally changed the gaming experience.
I’m going to breakdown my test of this particular set of headphones into three categories — comfort, set-up, and sound quality. I feel like with headphones — especially gaming headphones — those are the biggest areas to look at.
SET UP
I have a set of wireless headphones. They work through a receiver dock that connects via wires (optical audio and USB) to the Xbox. I typically prefer wireless headphones because I don’t like having a cable draped across the room while I play. I feel like it limits my movement. That said, I have had my share of issues with how wireless headsets connect/disconnect at times. So, using a wired set of headphones was a bit refreshing — except for the set up.
Out of the box, you will have the headphones, the hub, a Mini USB cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, and the detachable microphone. The microphone snaps into one of the 3.5mm ports on the left ear piece while the audio cable goes into the other. The audio cable then plugs into the output port on the front of the hub with the headphone icon stamped above it. This was a little confusing to me because on the back of the hub next to the Mini USB port, you’ll also find another 3.5mm port labeled “Out”. At first glance, I would assume that was the port you should take the audio out from to the headphones, but that isn’t the case here. That port is designated for stream-out for recording streaming audio on your PC. You will also want to make sure that the end of the cable that plugs into the headphones makes the inline controller (for muting the microphone) is nearest to the headphones.
Next, you will want to plug the Mini USB cable into one of the USB ports on the Xbox for power and connection to the gaming system. Here is an issue I have with the design. I was really surprised to find that the power/connection to the Xbox was run by a Mini USB cable — a method that is largely outdated. I even consider Micro USB to be somewhat outdated since USB-C started hitting the scene. Once you have the cables plugged in, you’re ready to fire up the Xbox. You will need to go into the audio settings of the system and select Windows Sonic for Headphones under Headset format and set the Party Chat Output to Headset.
There is a companion app for this headphone system that is available on both Android and iOS. I downloaded it for iOS. The hub has a Bluetooth multifunction button on the side that you will want to press in order to pair it to your mobile device. This app allows you to activate special functions on the headphones like Superhuman Hearing, Chat Boost, and Game Presets. You can also control the mix between game sounds and your chat audio. There are three profiles that you can set up in the app and then control it all from your phone. This was actually a really refreshing option since it allows you to control the features of the headphones separate from the gaming system. I was in the middle of my game and just tapped on the screen of the phone to activate Superhuman Hearing and the setting switched without interrupting the game. I think I prefer this method of accessing features to just having controls on the headphones themselves.
COMFORT
I listen to music almost constantly while I’m working. There is probably a good 6-8 hour period in the evenings when I’ve got some sort of headphone on. My preference is for over-the-ear and as such, I’ve really taken a liking to the way the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2’s feel. They are surprisingly lightweight and the padding on the earpieces keep the ears feeling nice and cool — no matter how long you play. The padding is soft and they just fit really nicely on the ears. I didn’t ever feel like they were too tight or not providing a solid seal around my ears. I played RDR2 for about 2 hours using these headphones and was very comfortable the entire time. I also plugged them directly into a mobile phone and listened to music for another 2 hours or so while I was working and was still very happy with the comfort level they provided. I actually switched back and forth between a set of wireless over-the-ear headphones and the Turtle Beach headphones and found that the Turtle Beach ones were much better.
SOUND QUALITY
While I was playing RDR2, I was really impressed with the quality of the sound I was getting. It was much easier to interpret the game action through the headphones and I was hearing more nuances that I wasn’t able to hear through the TV speakers alone. As crisp and clean as the sounds were through the headphones, I really didn’t notice how incredible the headphones were until I streamed some videos and music from a mobile device and laptop.
At first, I connected the headphones to a mobile phone. I played several clips from movies on Netflix and was in awe of how good the audio was. Sometimes I will just listen to audio from a movie or a TV show that I’m familiar with in place of music while I work. Because of this, I’m very ‘in tune’ with many of my favorite movies. Using the Turtle Beach headphones to watch some of these films made it a whole new experience. With Guardians of the Galaxy 2, I was able to hear raspiness in Baby Groot’s voice that I never heard before and the individual flutter of a fly’s wings before Groot tried to eat it. I also pulled up Raiders of the Lost Ark — a movie I’ve probably seen hundreds of times since I was a kid — and watched the first 10 minutes of the film. There were a lot of sound effects I’d never heard before and the music track took on a whole new life -- and I’ve heard that music performed live by an orchestra. After revising some of my old favorite movies, I switched over to my laptop and listened to some specific music tracks (Circle of Life from The Lion King and Why So Serious? from The Dark Knight) and I was amazed at the amount of life those tracks had just by listening to them through the Turtle Beach headphones. The Elite Pro 2 headphones have the best sound quality of any other headphones I own. Using them to watch those video clips and listen to music made it like experiencing them for the first time again.
CONCLUSION
Despite the somewhat messy set up the Elite Pro 2 Wired Gaming headset, I can highly recommend them based on the sound quality alone. They are incredibly comfortable and even though they aren’t noice cancelling, the headphones will still block out a lot of ambient sound based on how well they cover a person’s ears. I believe these are a worthwhile investment if you enjoy high-quality audio.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
The Dyson Pure Cool Me Air Purifier - Dyson's first personal purifying fan. Delivers a focused stream of purified air to cool you with Core Flow technology. Includes a fully-sealed HEPA filter and activated carbon filter to capture 99.97% of allergens and pollutants, including pollen, bacteria and pet dander.
Customer Rating
5
An expensive, but worthwhile investment
on March 25, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
When you work around computers all day, the air that room can become stagnant and the temperature can be unbearable. I’ve personally been in rooms that exceed 90 degrees simply because of the equipment within them. To try and remedy the discomfort level in those rooms, I have supplemented my desk set-ups with rechargeable fans. They are great for temporary relief, but when it comes to long-term assistance with airflow, you sometimes want a more powerful, solution. I recently acquired a brand new product from Dyson — the Pure Cool Me Personal Purifying Fan — and it’s been amazing.
Dyson has been working on products that focus on cleaner, cooler air for consumers for quite some time. This latest product is actually aimed at ‘personal’ use for one or two people whereas some of Dyson’s fans are designed to circulate air through a larger area. The Pure Cool Me fan utilized Dyson’s patented Core Flow technology, which allows you to precisely adjust airflow. The fan is ideal for use on a bedside table, desk, or in a child’s room.
The Pure Cool Me fan is not a ‘smart’ fan in the sense the you don’t connect it to a mobile device for control. The fan comes with a battery operated remote control that adjusts the fan’s speed and oscillation. When you pull the fan out of its box, you select a place for it, connect it to power, and then turn it on. Like most oscillating fans, you have the option to have it remain stationary and point at a single spot or person. When you look at the fan it actually resembles a sci-fi droid from a movie in my opinion. You can control the angle of airflow by manually adjusting the center of the dome. It can be moved up or down up to 45 degrees. The front of the fan has a LCD display that shows the mode of the fan as well as the speed. It will also show info on the filter and the timer.
While I don’t have a good method of testing the air quality in my office, which is where I installed the Dyson fan, I do believe that it has helped quite a bit. I have left it on 24/7 for several days and it hasn’t seemed to be a problem for the fan. It hasn’t felt hot or seemed strained in any way. My office is a main thoroughfare in our house and people are constantly walking through it. This kicks up dust and other air particles that are hiding in the carpet. I’ve noticed that since I’ve had the fan running in the office that dust hasn’t been collecting on table tops as much and the air just seems less stagnant. The fan itself is incredibly powerful and it’s helped me on more than one occasion when I’ve overheated. At this point it’s difficult to say whether or not it’s worth the investment since it’s quite expensive compared to other air purifiers and fans, but I do believe it will last much longer than its rivals.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
9of 14voted this as helpful.
Immerse yourself in vibrant audio with this Marshall Woburn II speaker. Featuring two 1-inch tweeters and two 5.25-inch subwoofers, this powerful speaker delivers crisp, clean high notes and resounding bass. This Marshall Woburn II speaker features powerful Bluetooth connectivity and atpX technology, which allow you to stream audio from mobile devices up to 30 feet away.
Customer Rating
5
Superior listening experience on a premium speaker
on March 21, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve had a long history of respect for Marshall products. I first recognized them as a powerhouse when it came to electric amps and now, I have become a great fan of their Bluetooth speakers. Marshall takes the same care that they do with their amplifiers in designing their speakers and what comes out is a premium listening experience.
The Woburn II speaker is quite large. It is actually larger than some portable amps I’ve had in my lifetime. It looks just like a classic amp and because of its size, it’s not really considered a ‘portable’ speaker. I would recommend that users find a good place for it to live and leave it there. It’s stylish enough to reside in a place where it can be viewed rather than be hidden like some speakers.
Getting started with the speaker is a breeze. Marshall has an app available that walks you through the steps of connecting to a Bluetooth device but you can simply just select the Woburn II from your list of available Bluetooth devices once it’s in Bluetooth pairing mode. Once it’s paired to a Bluetooth device you can simply start playing music from your favorite source. For me, it’s Pandora. I like being able between genres on a whim.
I happened to start this musical journey with a hard rock/metal station I had set up. I listened to Metallica, Rob Zombie, and Outkast using that station. After listening to a few songs on that station, I switched over to a 90s hip-hop playlist I had set up — also through Pandora — and at this point, decided to see what the app allowed me to do remotely. As it turned out, there was a firmware update available so I paused my listening experience to complete the update. The warning on the screen stated that it might take up to 10 minutes to complete and it wasn’t too far off. The app does provide you with the option of adjusting the speaker settings including the equalizer (presets), the brightness of the LEDs on the speaker, and turning the system sounds on and off. I found that the equalizer was helpful in bringing out the depth of a song depending on its genre. I like the availability of the app because I feel like it does add to the overall listening experience. It’s simple and easy to use so it doesn’t distract from the overall experience.
Even though my primary mode of listening to music these days is via Bluetooth I do appreciate that the Marshall speaker also includes an aux input and RCA input ports. It’s really fun that the speaker also has inline controls on the top of the speaker. The volume control coincides with the volume control on the connected device. So, if you turn the volume up or down on your connected device, then it will change the volume level on the speaker’s volume knob LED.
I was instantly impressed with the sound quality of the Marshall Woburn II speaker. I love that Marshall has included several options for adjusting your listening experience — bass/treble knobs on the speaker and the customizable equalizer in the app — so you always get the sound you want. The speaker won’t be for everyone as it’s quite large, but if you are looking for an awesome room-size speaker, I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in the Marshall Woburn II.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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Enjoy mobile communications with this Sony Xperia 10 smartphone. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 2.2GHz octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM facilitate multitasking and smooth running of applications, while the 6-inch Full HD display lets you watch high-quality videos. This Sony Xperia 10 smartphone features 64GB of internal storage for music tracks, videos and documents and supports microSD cards of up to 512GB.
Customer Rating
5
A premium budget-priced phone
on March 21, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I have been an iOS user for many years. That said, I enjoy exploring different operating systems and love checking out various types of hardware. So, when the opportunity to review the Sony Xperia 10, I jumped at it, which was released to the public in February 2019. The Xperia 10 is considered a ‘budget’ phone by today’s standards, but I have to admit, that I found it was much more than that.
The Sony Xperia 10 arrived in a simple white box with the name of the product printed on the box. Inside, you’ll find the phone along with a USB-C charging cable, a 5V power adapter, and lots of little paper pamphlets. There is a startup guide, but there isn’t much to it. Getting started with the phone is very simple though. I started up the phone and then logged into a Google account, which synced to other Google products I have been using.
With it being a smartphone, I decided to run it through a few tests based on how I normally use my iPhone on a daily basis. Here are some of the areas I looked at:
Entertainment: I watched quite a bit of Netflix and YouTube on the phone and was impressed with the quality of the video on the vibrant LCD. I also used Pandora to stream music while I worked. I happened to have a pair of Sony CH700 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones to use with the Xperia 10. Not only did the headphones connect without any issue, but the phone also recognized the Sony wireless headphones and suggested that I download the companion app for the headphones. The music sounded great and there was no problem with how the two devices worked together.
Productivity: I typically use smartphones throughout the day to keep up with my daily calendar. My co-workers and I recently started sharing Google calendars so that we can keep up with each others’ schedules. Because the Xperia 10 syncs directly with Google accounts, the calendars show up without any problem. I love being able to view the calendar on my phone — and any other Google product — and then see the same information on my computer.
Phone Functions: The basic functions of the phone work as they should. I thought the call quality was above average and that other features of the phone were easy to navigate. One of my favorite features of the phone was how it feels in the hand. Because it is slightly thinner than the iPhone XS, it just seems to fit my hand better. It’s very easy to reach functions on the touch screen with one hand. The only issue I really had with basic functions of the phone was that I had to press the wake button on the side each time I wanted to see the screen. The iPhone provides a function that wakes up the screen when you tap it. I have become so accustomed to this feature that it was shock to the system when I couldn’t do it on the Xperia 10.
Battery: I thought the battery life was incredible. I left it on standby for several days and the phone held its power well. I even found that after using the Xperia 10 to watch videos for long periods of time (several hours) that the battery life didn’t suffer greatly.
Out of the box the Xperia felt like an extension of my hand. While I am an iOS user at heart, I can’t deny that the ‘feel’ of the phone is wonderful. The back of the phone has a matte finish, too, which also makes it a better holding experience than an iPhone because you don’t feel like you’re going to drop it nor will it slide out of your hand. The screen is incredibly clear. I really enjoyed watching videos on the Xperia and thought that the audio quality was incredible. It was a little harder to hear audio than it was on an iPhone, but I think that was a volume issue and not a quality issue. Overall, I thought the Xperia 10 is a quality smartphone for the price. It’s affordable, durable, and enjoyable to use.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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13of 47voted this as helpful.
Stay motivated throughout workouts and outdoor excursions when you listen to music on these Jaybird RUN XT wireless earbuds. The interchangeable tips and fins let you find the perfect fit, while the waterproof, sweat-proof design stands up to outdoor use. These Jaybird RUN XT wireless earbuds feature a fast-charge battery, which delivers an hour of playback with just five minutes of charging.
Customer Rating
3
Near perfect earbuds with intermittent ear-to-ear
on February 5, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
When I first put these headphones in my ears, I was a little concerned about the sound quality. To be honest, they sounded garbled and like I had just tuned in a poor reception on the radio. I’ve used other Jaybird headphones before I couldn’t imagine that the reception and sound quality was really ‘that’ bad. So, I readjusted them in my ear and swapped out ear tips and voila — the sound quality improved. I mention this incident because I don’t think users should be too quick to judge wireless headphones. A lot can go wrong with the connection and if you are like me and enjoy streaming music and videos a lot, that connection can also contribute to the sound quality coming through your headphones. I did experience a bit of static sound coming through the earbuds and it never went away.
Now, I want to talk about how comfortable these headphones are. I will sometimes have problems with earbuds causing earaches and by relation — headaches. They simply won’t fit me correctly and as a result, they cause me discomfort and sound just doesn’t sound right coming through the earphones. I have tested out dozens of earbuds and only found three sets I really like. I would say 75% of why I like those three sets is because they fit me correctly. I listen to music constantly while I’m working and so I need something that is going to be comfortable. The Jaybird Run XT definitely ‘fit’ the bill when it comes to comfort. The fit gently into the ear canal and the ear wing makes the earbud feel secure without causing an ache. The ear wings are flexible and so they sort of move with the ear’s natural shape instead of being rigid and causing a sore inside the ear (this happened to me with a different style of earbud).
One thing I did notice was that I did experience some cutting in and out. This is apparently a problem that the first generation Jaybird Run headphones had, too. That model used a Bluetooth connection to join the individual earbuds together instead of Near-Field Magnetic Induction like many other true wireless headphones use. It appears — even though I can’t back it up with any information from the product designer — that this method of connection is still being used. Because of this, I ended up experiencing a lot of random drop outs and the left earbud just couldn’t keep up with the right earbud 100% of the time. The right ear piece would stay connected but the left, would cut in and out randomly. There was never one certain thing I was listening to that would cause it — it was just random. So why did Jaybird continue using this method of connection when it seems to plague users’ experiences? Maybe it’s because they wanted to guarantee the single-bud mono mode could be used. I do rather like this feature because I am still able to enjoy having the full features of the earbuds while being able to interact with people around me because I can hear them through my left ear. That said, I didn’t enjoy the cutting in and out part and I feel that since this was an issue with the first generation earbuds that it should have probably been remedied with this updated product.
It feel strange to say, but with the exception of the drop-out problem, these earbuds are pretty close to perfect for me. They fit securely in my ears — never felt lose while I was using them — provided a consistently good sound, and come equipped with a charging case. I found the Jaybird Run XT Headphones to be incredibly comfortable even after hours of listening and the audio quality was above average no matter what I was listening to. I did use the app, but sort of found it to be subpar and not entirely necessary. I liked the EQ presets that were included in the app, but other than that, I really didn’t see it as a needed support app. The Jaybird Run XT have a pretty high retail price tag — especially with the drop out problem — but they are a quality set of headphones.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Take this pocket-sized DarioHealth LC WK kit on the go easily. Made to automatically record blood glucose measurements, this kit makes it simple to track important metrics for diabetes, such as carb counting, medication intake and physical activity. This DarioHealth LC WK kit only requires a tiny drop of blood and offers accurate, speedy measurements.
Customer Rating
4
A good option for tracking glucose tests
on January 12, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve used many different glucose monitors over the years and while they typically are a 4-step process (power on - insert test strip - add drop of blood - read results), I’ve had difficulties with them in the past. This kit was fairly easy to set-up even with the additional steps involved. Because this kit works with a mobile app, you have to attach a transmitter to the Lightning port of your phone (if using an iPhone) in addition to inserting a test strip and lancet for producing a blood droplet. I felt that the steps were self-explanatory and easy to follow.
USER EXPERIENCE
Using the monitor is simple. You do have to download a mobile app in order to get your test reading, but I don’t see that as a problem. The testing equipment seemed to function normally for me, but I didn’t test it side-by-side with another system. It’s very portable. The main unit will store test strips and the transmitter dongle, but not the lancets. That said, it is small and can easily be carried in a pocket or a purse. It would be nice if a small pouch was included so that you could easily carry lancets along with the tester. I really like that this device is designed to track and store your glucose tests. That said, it does ONLY work with the mobile app. I didn’t see this is a problem because my main reason for wanting this model was to track my tests. I love smart medical devices that catalog information in an app to be shared with medical professionals. This is actually a fairly affordable option for doing that with glucose testing.
CONCLUSIONS
I’ve been asked by my doctor to watch my blood sugar levels periodically because I have hypoglycemia. I’ve used the drugstore glucose monitors and they just seem to be overly complicated and I’ve had a lot of trouble with those machines even capturing my data. The Dario tester has been easy to use and I’ve not had any issues with it reading my blood tests. I would recommend this to anyone who needs to carefully monitor their testing progress.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Life’s extraordinary moments deserve to be captured with smooth video. DJI OM 4 is a magnetic gimbal designed to complement your smartphone, allowing you to start recording right away. Ultra-compact, easy to use, and bursting with intelligent features, OM 4 is the ultimate solution for capturing and sharing your world.
Does the magnetic sticker phone attachment interfere with wireless phone charging?
Ensure meals are cooked evenly with this Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1e microwave. The grill, convection oven and microwave functions provide a variety of cooking options, while the Element IQ technology precisely delivers the right cooking temperature for optimal results. This Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave features a Power Smoothing inverter for automatic adjustment of power to enable even heat distribution.
Is this an air fryer, microwave and convection oven
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Will Google Home work with ECOBEE Thermostat?
No. Unfortunately, Google has limited functionality to only the Nest thermostat. At this time, I don't see them opening up support for third parties as they are probably trying to push it with their own hardware, but that could always change.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
nickcal
Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
can i download skype
Depends on the Google Play store. If Microsoft has a version of Skype for Android then yes.
8 years, 4 months ago
by
nickcal