nickcal's stats
- Review count352
- Helpfulness votes1,336
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewMay 25, 2026
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- Average rating4.7
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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Bring vibrant sound to your outdoor entertainment area with this Sonance outdoor streaming music system. A magnetic-mount audio keypad gives you a central command station for controlling playlists and volume, while Wi-Fi connectivity means you can use your home's internet connection to stream content. Featuring powerful speakers, this Sonance outdoor streaming music system delivers clear audio quality for your listening enjoyment.
Customer Rating
4
A definite upgrade for home entertainment
on August 20, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
A few years back, we invested a lot of time and energy in sprucing up our back patio area. We added a pergola, some inviting furniture, and a shiny new grill. Over the summer months, we usually have at least one get together with family and friends and we wanted a comfortable place for everyone to enjoy. As nice as our patio has become, we have been missing one valuable piece of technology — a speaker system. In the past, we would take single Bluetooth speakers outdoors for entertainment, but as our gatherings have grown, those just aren’t a viable option because the crowd overpowers the single speaker. So, we decided to add in a streaming system from Sonos and Sonance.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
This was my first experience with being a Sonos system owner and prior to this system, I had not been aware of Sonance as a brand. But, as I researched them and discovered that the entire system is part of the premium Magnolia brand family from Best Buy, I knew I was going to be happy with the quality that the system added to our home.
The first overall impression of the system was good. The Sonos/Sonance Outdoor System comes well packaged in a single box with each part individually boxed inside. The system consists of the Sonos Connect: Amp, Two (2) Sonance Mag O6 Outdoor Speakers, xPress Audio Keypad, mounting equipment for the speakers, a power cord for amp, and a flat ethernet cable should you want to directly connect your Connect:Amp to your internet modem, router, or switch. If you read carefully through that list, one thing you will notice is the absence of speaker wire, which is required to connect the speakers to the Sonos amp. You will have to provide that outside of this packaged kit.
SET-UP
Overall, the system is not difficult to set-up. Getting started, you will want to select the places you want to mount the speakers paying close attention to their proximity to the amp and your selected length of speaker wire. You want to keep in mind that while the speakers are weather resistant, the Sonos Connect:Amp is not. It will need to be placed somewhere out of harm’s way. Once you’ve selected the proper location for your speakers and amp, you can mount the brackets provided with the speakers. For me, I mounted them into our wooden siding with little problems.
After they are secured, you can snap the speakers into place, but you will want to make sure to run the speaker wire through the speaker first. The speakers have a spring clamp located on the front of the speaker. You attached the wire to the clamps and then run it through a channel at the bottom of the speaker and out the back through a rubber grommet. This seal keeps the speakers weather resistant. Hanging the speakers isn’t difficult, but they aren’t particularly light so it can be a bit awkward. I was able to use my shoulder to brace the speaker while I slid it into the bracket. When I heard the ‘click’, I knew they were locked in. At this point, you will run the speaker wire to your amp. You may choose to tack the wire up against your house (this was my choice) or run it through a wall. Again, this step isn’t ‘hard’ per se, but it’s time-consuming.
The Sonos Connect:Amp is the ‘brain’ of the entire system. To get started, you will connect the speaker wire to the back of the unit and plug it into power. You need to download the Sonos app and follow the in-app set-up steps provided. The amp should automatically connect to WiFi (if available) during the app set-up. Sonos includes connection to a variety of streaming services (Pandora, Slacker, Rhapsody, Spotify, SiriusXM, etc.) so that you don’t have to connect your mobile phone or computer in order to have those services. The final step in the set-up is connecting to the remote. The xPlay Audio Keypad is connected to the system through WiFi and will allow you to pause, play, and skip songs as well as adjust the volume remotely. The xPlay app for the keypad is separate from the Sonos app. So, you will be downloading two apps for one system. One thing to note here - the keypad that accompanies the system can only be controlled with an app that is only available for iOS devices. Since Apple is the main brand I use for mobile devices, this wasn’t a big problem for me. Both Android and iOS users can enjoy the Sonos app and control your music, but only iOS users can use the remote.
SOUND QUALITY
I’ve been incredibly impressed with the quality of the sound this system produces. It has a wonderful even tone for music that is rich with highs and lows and even those who are hard of hearing thought all the audio was crisp and clear coming from the speakers. Even though I don’t consider myself an ‘audiophile’, I do appreciate good quality sound and the Sonance speakers push it out well. While the bass was nice and smooth, the addition of a subwoofer to this set-up might provide extra depth, but if you are using them outside, that might be difficult to add in. I didn’t notice and distortion even when we cranked up the volume quite high. While we didn’t receive any complaints from the neighbors, the speakers are LOUD. Our backyard is about 25 yards deep and someone at the back of the yard had no problems hearing the music played on the patio.
I’ve been incredibly impressed with the quality of the sound this system produces. It has a wonderful even tone for music that is rich with highs and lows and even those who are hard of hearing thought all the audio was crisp and clear coming from the speakers. Even though I don’t consider myself an ‘audiophile’, I do appreciate good quality sound and the Sonance speakers push it out well. While the bass was nice and smooth, the addition of a subwoofer to this set-up might provide extra depth, but if you are using them outside, that might be difficult to add in. I didn’t notice and distortion even when we cranked up the volume quite high. While we didn’t receive any complaints from the neighbors, the speakers are LOUD. Our backyard is about 25 yards deep and someone at the back of the yard had no problems hearing the music played on the patio.
NOT A WIRELESS SYSTEM
As I mentioned above, the kit is devoid of speaker wire. This is an essential part of this system as it’s NOT a wireless system. Even though the description of the product does not spell out ‘Bluetooth’ or ‘Wireless’ system, it does describe the set as “Sonos & Sonance - Outdoor Speaker Streaming Audio Bundle with xPress Audio Keypad”. The ‘streaming’ part is misleading somewhat to anyone who doesn’t pay close enough attention to the rest of the specs of the system. Even though I had done my research, I was surprised to find that speaker wire was required and not included. When you look over the description of the product, it does not state that speaker wire is included with the bundle and the word ‘wired’ is no where to be found. So, at first glance with the product name indicating a streaming system, I could see how someone might think it’s a wireless system. The only wireless part to this system is the WiFi connection from the Sonos Connect: Amp, but even then you could hard wire it to your internet using the provided ethernet cable. Honestly, I was disappointed to find that so much wiring was involved in a system like this.
MISSING WIRING
Another thing I didn’t like about this system is that speaker wire isn’t included. I feel that with any product if a part is essential to its operation, it should be included with the product. Without the speaker wire, this system doesn’t work. In addition to that, it’s an annoyance to bring home this system to find you have to go back to the store for a lot of wiring to run from outside to inside where the amp will be located. You do have the option of setting these up indoors, but since we specifically wanted them for our patio, it was a disappointment to find a part missing from the installation kit.
CONCLUSION
The quality of the pieces of this system is undeniable, I just question the missing speaker wire and product description. We are very happy with the ease of set-up (once we had all the essential parts) and how the system sounds. If you go into this system with the knowledge that you will have time and additional money invested, then you will be happy with it. Audiophiles won’t be disappointed with the quality of sound produced and it’s definitely an upgrade for home entertaining.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+45points
52of 59voted this as helpful.
Experience lag-free, immersive audio with this wireless Plantronics gaming headset. It has support for lifelike Dolby Atmos sound, and the sound-isolating ear cups and noise-canceling microphone keep your focus on the game. This lightweight Plantronics gaming headset has a 24-hour battery life and convenient analog adjustments for custom game audio settings.
Customer Rating
3
Headset falls short of expectations
on August 17, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve always been big into console gaming. But I like to play loud games later in the evening so I typically use a set of headphones to enjoy my play time. I hate wires and as a result, I seek out wireless gaming headsets to complete my set-up. I’ve had the same set for a few years now and am looking to upgrade so when I saw that Plantronics, a brand I’ve liked for a long time, had a gaming headset with Dolby Atmos included as a feature, I took a chance and tried them out.
The headphones come in a heavily branded box with an image of the product on the front. The details that are printed on the box show that the headphones should have a 24-hour battery, provide immersive 3D sound, and work with either a PC/Laptop or Xbox. The box actually indicates that the headphones should ‘only’ be used with a PC, but there is an activation code for the Dolby Atmos app for the Xbox.
Style: The Rig 880HD headphones have a fairly unique style to them. They look like other gaming headsets in size and form, but in my opinion, they look like ‘techie’ and like they belong on a military base. They are black with some gold accents. The headphones are quite heavy. I held them up with some other wireless headphones (non-gaming) and found them to be quite a bit heavier.
Set-Up: One of the first things I noticed about these headphones is that they don’t have a traditional adjustable headband. In order to move the earpieces to the proper place for you, you have to snap them out of the headband and replace them into the right slot. I’m not sure why Plantronics took this route to make these adjustable. There are only three levels to choose from rather than a sliding headband which allows you to fine-tune your adjustment. The inner band is elastic and flexes with the shape of your head, but it’s not the same as a fully adjustable headband.
The headphones are wireless and communicate to your system through a transmitter. That transmitter connects using USB-A and Optical cables. Plantronics does not include an optical cable for set-up. The optical cable is used for the audio signal while the USB connection is for powering the transmitter. The headphones automatically connect to it and I had no issues with a lost connection. One thing I would love to see incorporated into this set-up though is the ability to connect it to my laptop. My Xbox and desktop gaming machine had an optical connection, but my PC laptop does not. It would be nice to have an alternative hookup so that the headphones could be used with more systems.
The headphones’ controls are located on the right ear. There is a power switch, volume knob, analog dial for game/chat audio control, and an EQ preset button. The analog dial for the game vs. chat audio control was a nice choice. There is a notch in the dial that allows you to feel where the dial is resting so that you can precisely select the level of game and chat audio you want in your gaming experience. The volume knob is the exact opposite – you have no control over your volume level. The dial spins and spins and you have no idea what level you are on. It would be nice if it had a firm start and stop point. The other controls are easy to use.
Comfort: Despite the lack of adjustable fine-tuning available, the Rig 800HD were actually pretty comfortable to wear. The padding around the ears is very soft and even though this headset is a little on the heavy side, it didn’t cause any headaches for me.
Sound/Mic quality: The sound quality was just ‘ok’ for me. I could hear highs and lows just fine, which can be kind of tricky for me, but I had some issues with volume. Even when I thought that I was at 100% on the volume control, it just didn’t seem loud enough to me. I had some issues with the microphone when it came to gameplay. I was able to hear myself in the microphone when I tested it (I blew some air into the mic) but the chat icon never appeared in-game when I was talking.
The most unique feature these headphones have going for them is the incorporation of Dolby Atmos. I was very excited to try out this feature, but sadly, I was unable to. After I got the headphones set-up, I went to redeem the code provided with the headset in the Microsoft Store on the Xbox. I kept getting an error with the code (invalid code) and so I tried the free version of the app. I tested out the Atmos sound by looking up a Dolby Atmos demo on YouTube. While the surround sound was working accurately, it was missing that Atmos feel. I was never able to get it to work properly.
When I started having issues with these headphones I looked up other user reviews and found that a lot of people had the same issues I did. I’ve liked Plantronics as a brand for a long time. In fact, my first Bluetooth headset for my mobile phone was Plantronics. I had high hopes for this headset, but they feel short of my expectations. Even though they have above average sound quality, the other subpar features of the headphones weigh them down. I think for the right person, these might be the ideal set of headphones, but they’re not for me.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-1point
1of 3voted this as helpful.
Work and play on this 13-inch convertible HP Envy notebook. It has a 360-degree hinge that takes it from laptop to tablet in moments, and 8GB of memory and an AMD Ryzen 5 processor keep it functioning smoothly. Corning Gorilla Glass ensures the screen of this HP Envy notebook remains free from scratches and dings.Learn more.
Customer Rating
4
Multi-purpose laptop with strong performance
on July 31, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Getting started with the HP Envy is very straightforward just like other HP laptops. It runs Windows 10 so all the start up functions run in the background while you watch a temperature bar fill the screen. After answering a few preference questions, the computer runs its start up operations. From start to finish – including updates – the HP Envy took approximately 10 minutes to finalize its start up. After that was completed, I noticed one thing right off the bat – the temperature of the computer. I used a Infrared Thermometer to take the surface temperature of the laptop in a few different places. I got readings between 104 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit. I also used an infrared camera (FLIR One) to take a few shots of the heat signature from the top and bottom of the computer. After taking those readings, I did notice that the heat dissipated quickly. After the initial set-up, I began doing my testing.
BASIC COMPUTING SKILLS
One of the main things I use computers (and laptops) for is to type. I do a lot of writing and therefore, how responsive a keyboard is to me and how it feels is very important to my overall experience with a laptop. I enjoy the fact that the screen is touch sensitive. That makes it easy to transition between tablet, phone, and computer. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to touch a screen on a laptop to only be disappointed that the screen isn't a touchscreen. Given that comfortable typing is a big feature for me, I usually complete an online typing test to see what my speed is like. I then compare that to my speed on my MacBook Pro. In this instance, typing on the HP Envy was much more efficient than it was on my MBP. I had a speed of 70WPM on the Envy and on the MBP, it was 65WPM. The keyboard is quite responsive and the keys have a softer feel to them. It's very quiet to type on the Envy and the spacing of the keys is comfortable.
CPU/GPU PERFORMANCE
The HP Envy has been running very smoothly. It's been very responsive and able to handle the tasks I've thrown at it. Given that this computer is mainly built for gaming and application performance, those are the main areas that I was testing when I was using the laptop. To measure the performance of the GPU and CPU, I used two benchmarking tools – Geekbench 4 and NovaBench.
Geekbench 4 Results
The HP Envy 360x ended up with a single-core score of 2264 and a multi-core score of 6698. It also returned an OpenCL score of 31731. According to other Geekbench 4 results, the top scoring machine with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor is 4782/17291. In this regard, the HP Envy is performing below the top performing machine. The OpenCL test looks specifically at how well the GPU performs. The HP Envy has an AMD Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics chipset with shared video memory. It's designed to provide solid image quality for Internet usage, movies, basic photo editing, and casual gaming. Looking at other AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPUs that have been tested on Geekbench, the average score is 33515. With that in mind, the HP Envy's GPU is performing a bit below the average.
NovaBench Results
NovaBench does a similar type of testing on your system but provides you with a different set of scores and analysis. The overall score of the HP Envy was 1090 and had a CPU score of 638 and GPU score of 203. I can’t say which test works better — they are just different.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE
According to the specs from HP, this laptop should work up to 10 hours (depending on the display panel that is installed). During my testing of this laptop, I tried to make note of how long the battery was lasting depending on the task being run at the time. When I first pulled the laptop out of its box, I placed it on charge for a big and then unplugged it as I started working with it. Starting with 81% battery, I noted that after about 3 hours, the battery had drained by 71%. At 10%, the computer gives you a warning about a low battery, so I plugged it into AC power at that point. During those 3 hours, I was running the tests I mentioned above and getting the computer set-up. I also began running Windows system updates. With this timing in mind, I think I can estimate an approximate battery life that will last a little over 4 hours if it's being vigorously used like I was doing.
HARD DRIVE SPEED
Finally, I wanted to test the hard drive's speed. This model of the HP Envy comes with 128GB PCIe SSD. According to the stress test I used (32GB), the top read/write speed of this SSD is 513/282 MB/s. This was a little disappointing considering that I did a test on a Razer Blade Stealth a few months ago and its read/write speeds with a 16GB stress test was 3153/1113 MB/s. It, too, had a PCI-e SSD.
ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE
The last two features I looked at with the HP Envy had to deal with how well the computer handled entertainment like streaming video and gaming. Using Netflix, I watched the introduction to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The movie opens with a vibrant color pallette, extrodinary special effects mixed with human actors, and an eclectic music soundtrack. This combination of elements makes it an awesome test for both the display and speaker set for the HP Envy. I was very impressed by how good the picture looked on the screen. It was immaculate. The audio was well-amplified and easy to understand so I would rate the speakers at 'above average' for a laptop.
In addition to the video trial, I also downloaded and played a few rounds of Sonic Dash. The game graphics held up very well and gameplay was smooth. Since this game is very fast-paced, I would expect that the HP Envy would hold up well with other types of gameplay, too.
CONCLUSION
The HP Envy is a wonderful multi-purpose laptop. It's above average for a standard performance laptop, but not up to par with 'gaming' laptops or custom builds. I would recommend this for users who are looking for one machine to accomplish many different tasks.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+50points
58of 66voted this as helpful.
Keep carpets fresh with this Rug Doctor Pro deep carpet cleaning machine. The clean and dirty water tanks are easy to remove, and powerful suction provides professional-level cleaning that surpasses ordinary rental carpet cleaners. The lightweight design and easy-grab handle of this Rug Doctor Pro deep carpet cleaning machine facilitate user-friendly cleaning.
Customer Rating
5
A marvelous cleaning machine with a simple set-up
on July 22, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
When it comes to cleaning the house, there are few things that can’t be done easily except ‘real’ carpet cleaning. You can vacuum and steam as much as you want, but when it comes to deep cleaning, there is only one product that can get the job done — Rug Doctor. In the past I’ve used the carpet shampooing machines to spot clean as well as sweep and entire room, but I’ve always had to use a rented machine from a grocery or hardware store. I’ve never invested in owning one, but given the numerous times I’ve had to spot clean carpets in our house by hand, it makes sense for me to own my own Rug Doctor. I chose the Pro Deep Canister Vacuum rather than one of Rug Doctor’s other models since I wanted to have the same type of cleaning experience as I did from the store rented units.
The Rug Doctor arrived in a very large box. It was heavy and awkward to move around. This made me concerned that the vacuum inside was going to be heavy and awkward as well. Since I’d never attempted to purchase one of these units before, I didn’t know what type of set-up was going to be required. I was very surprised to find that NO set-up or assembly was required. When I opened the box, the first thing I saw was the user manual and small bottle of shampoo, that Rug Doctor included.
I lifted the cardboard carton to find the vacuum sitting atop another cardboard carton completely ready to go. Even though I was concerned about the weight, I attempted to lift the unit out of the box without assistance and without tipping the box onto one side. Again, I was surprised at the weight. The unit still weighs around 35 pounds, but it’s not as heavy as I thought it would be given my previous experience with the rentals and how heavy the box seemed to be.
The Rug Doctor arrives in its “storage mode” with the main handle folded down. There is a carrying handle in the center of the unit that makes it easy to pick up and move without rolling it around. The main handle fold up and into a locked position with no problems. It actually locks into place without making a sound at all. I had to release it and make sure it was actually locked in place before continuing with the set-up process.
The next step is to release the lock on the clean water tank and fill it (to its fill line) with warm/hot water. The tank holds 1.5 gallons of water and the ratio of cleaning solution to water is supposed to be 3 ounces of solution to 1 gallon of water. For my first round of cleaning, I chose to fill the tank up three-quarters of the way to the fill line so that it would be the correct ratio with a full cap of solution. The lid to the clean water tank is actually a measuring cup for the solution. This was a very convenient option for measuring in my opinion.
After you have the water/solution in the clean water tank, you are ready to plug into power and start cleaning. The manual recommends using a 2-pass cleaning method (2 wet passes and 2 dry passes) to get started. So, that’s what I did. Now, aside from the weight of the rental units of the past, the other thing I remembered clearly about them was how loud they were. I was surprised again to find out that while the vacuum still makes a decent amount of noise, it’s not a deafening as the rental units.
I spent a few minutes cleaning a section of our living room (about 5x5) carpet. This particular section had two distinct spots left on it from daily use. One of them appeared to be a grease spot of some sort and the other was of unknown origins. The spots are the reason I focused on this particular area of our house for testing. After a few passes of the Rug Doctor, the spots were gone and the carpet appeared to be much cleaner. After about 1.5 hours, the carpet was still a bit damp. This is probably the most heavily trafficked area of our home and for many years, it’s where our dogs spent most of their time. With that in mind, the carpet has a unique odor to it. After the first cleaning, I would say that the standard cleaning solution (Rug Doctor offers different options of cleaners) removed about 40% of that odor. I’m hoping that with subsequent cleanings and by switching to the cleaner that is specifically for pet cleaning, the odor will be completely removed.
I simply adore this carpet cleaning machine and I’m thrilled to have it in my house. I love that I no longer have to go through the hassle of renting one of these deep cleaning monsters from the store and that anytime I need to really clean my carpets, I have a Rug Doctor within my grasp.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Enhance the color saturation of your photos with this Platinum PT-MCCP77 circular polarizer lens filter that features a multicoated design to reduce internal lens flare and reflections. The included custom storage case allows easy portability.
Customer Rating
4
Good but a bit much
on July 7, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
I was going to the Ocean and needed a Polarizer to keep the glare from the water away. By the time I realized I needed one It was to late to order higher end glass. The price is a bit high in my opinion for the brand that it is but it did do a wonderful job.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Secure multiple storage cards with this Bower Sky Capture Series memory card case. The organized compartments let you store up to 12 SD cards, while the weather-resistant locking seal safeguards contents from the elements. This Bower Sky Capture Series memory card case features a rubber interior for shock absorption from impacts and a snap-in lock system to keep items in place.
Customer Rating
1
The hinge is horrible
on July 7, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
When I saw it inside the store it was inside of a tight plastic shell so I was not able to check it out before buying it. Being that it was made by Bower I thought it would be made well but boy was I wrong. Both the hinge and the clamp are made from cheap plastic and the first time I opened them a thin white line showed up.
It's hard to explain but when you take plastic and bend it back and forth enough times it turns white right before it breaks. This was ready to snap the very first day. The inside where the cards go is a nice rubber and seems like it would protect the cards very well. I really would have liked it if the hinge and clip were not made so horribly. I am needing a case that will hold both SD and CF Cards and this was the only one sold in store. I returned it promptly as this is not a good option.
It's hard to explain but when you take plastic and bend it back and forth enough times it turns white right before it breaks. This was ready to snap the very first day. The inside where the cards go is a nice rubber and seems like it would protect the cards very well. I really would have liked it if the hinge and clip were not made so horribly. I am needing a case that will hold both SD and CF Cards and this was the only one sold in store. I returned it promptly as this is not a good option.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
NordVPN is a VPN (virtual private network) ~ it encrypts your internet data and hides your virtual location. What~s more, the advanced Threat Protection feature helps you avoid trackers and ads, scans URLs to make sure the websites you visit are safe, and inspects downloaded files for malware.
Customer Rating
5
Secure your internet use a virtual private network
on July 2, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Not too long ago, I had to educate some loved ones about the danger of using public WiFi hotspots. As convenient as they are, they are a hotbed of potential security risks for your personal data. Public hotspots are essentially a shopping mall for hackers. When you are on an unsecured network, like a public hotspot, you are susceptible to packet sniffers, which is like wiretapping on a telephone network except that it’s a way to gain access to personal data through a computer. In addition to this type of security breach, you are also playing the game of chance that the business you are visiting is not monitoring your activity. Take a close look at the image below. This was captured when I was having some work done on my truck. The company notifies its patrons that while they are connected to the public WiFi at their location that “no communication should be considered private” and that communications are “subject to monitoring”. To me, this is a very scary prospect and so I wanted to make sure my loved ones were using a VPN.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and it’s a network technology that secures a network connection over a public network. This technology is used frequently by government agencies and large companies to make sure that users are securely connected to a private network. There are many VPN providers out there and it can be hard to determine which service will work best for you.
NordVPN is now my VPN of choice. I recently was a full-time user of Private Internet Access until I started having issues with the service. It wasn’t allowing me to connect to it when I was on certain public WiFi spots. I had those issues enough times that I contacted the company to only get the runaround. What good is a VPN if you can’t use it? This led me to a search for a new service — one that not only would be fast but always work. Some businesses have found ways to block certain VPN services so that when you try to connect to your VPN of choice you’re left with what I had been dealing with while using PIA. This was something that I could not afford to deal with.
After signing up for my plan and downloading the software, I was connected and using a VPN within about 90 seconds. Once you install the software on your system, you simply enter your account information and click ‘connect’. You do have the option to select a specific country of origin before connecting and your VPN broadcast will be illustrated on the map in the dashboard. You even have the ability to select your favorite servers in the dashboard.
When it came to testing, I primarily used my MacBook Pro and was looking to test the speed more than any other feature. I was very impressed that speed didn’t seem to be affected too drastically. I am a happy NordVPN user and I keep it running on my Mac and iPhone all the time. In this day in age, a VPN in a public setting is a must. NordVPN is a very easy to use, online security system. I can recommend it wholeheartedly and think that anyone using public hotspots should use NordVPN.
NordVPN recently started making their services available through retail establishments like Best Buy. I do like that it’s more easily available for more people through retail sales. The one thing I don’t like about this is that there is a huge waste of packaging. As a retail package, NordVPN comes in a full size box that is recognizable to anyone who has searched for software before. I would much prefer that NordVPN provide their retail packaging in something more like a gift card. I just feel that it’s a bit of a waste with the packaging.
NordVPN is a solid option for safeguarding your internet connections when you are in public areas. I can recommend it based off of my own experiences and success while using it when I travel.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
12of 19voted this as helpful.
Connect your iPhone to your car stereo or home speakers for effortless sharing with this Belkin Lightning to aux cable. The single 3-foot cable connection is compatible with the iPhone 7 Plus and up, while the 3.5mm jack works with a range of speakers and car stereo setups. Featuring MFi certification, this Belkin Lightning to aux cable keeps up with iOS updates.
Customer Rating
5
Valuable audio cable for iPhone users
on July 2, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Ever since Apple released phones without the headphone jack I have been trying to supplement my cable collection with accessories that make up for the missing aux port on the phone. While Bluetooth and other wireless methods have done a good job of keeping my phone connected, I do find that wired connections are missing at times. For one thing, while I use wireless headphones frequently, at times it’s nice to have the option to connect to them through a headphone cable because when they lose their charge, I can continue listening to music. Even though Apple includes a Lightning to Headphone jack adapter with iPhone 7 and later, it can be difficult to keep up with said adapter and it’s much easier to have a full cable available. Belkin, a company known for their premium accessories, has created a Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable that allows you to enjoy your music anywhere.
The cable comes packaged in a Belkin branded box and is labeled for use with the iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, and 7. It’s 3 feet in length and the box has the “Made for iPhone” logo stamped on the front. Aside from that, there is little information included on the box about the cable. There is one phrase on the box that states: “Enjoy music from your iPhone in the car or at home with a Lightning to 3.5 mm audio cable.” Even though there isn’t much about the cable, there is a lot of writing on the box about regulations and the warranty information in multiple languages.
The cable itself seems to be built well. One of the things I appreciate about Belkin cables is that they mimic the size and shape of Apple cables. This means that most Belkin MFi cables work very well with other Apple accessories seamlessly. This audio cable is really meant for car connectivity but can be used for any aux jack port. This cable is designed for audio output from and iOS devices only.
I tested out this cable in two ways — with a set of wireless headphones and in my truck. My truck’s aux port is located on the dash just above my stereo. It’s very easy to connect to and I found that when the 3.5 mm stereo plug was pushed in all the way (I had to push fairly hard), audio plays quite easily through the car’s speakers. Just like other aux port connections, I had to turn the volume up on my phone and then use the car’s speaker’s amplifier for additional volume. The cable connected snapped into place in the Lightning port of the phone easily and when connected to the aux port on headphones, I was able to use them easily without any issues.
The Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable from Belkin is a really nice option for enhancing connections for late model iPhones. I like having this as an alternative to the adapter that Apple offers. It’s nice having a direct connection to 3.5 mm ports without having to have an extra cable.
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Capture and share special moments with Google Clips. Engineered to recognize faces and expressions, this clever camera automatically takes several-second-long audio-free motion photos, leaving you free to focus on the occasion. Enhanced with Super Res mode, the Google Clips device syncs data with your phone and lets you save any frame as a high-resolution still photo.
Customer Rating
4
Creative little camera with a powerful purpose
on June 11, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Over the past couple of years, I’ve had a lot of experience with connected cameras. I have a natural attraction to them because they can be used for so many different things. I typically use them for security and monitoring my home but Google has actually come up with a new idea for these connected devices — personal memories. The Google Clips camera is designed to be worn so that you can continue capturing memories without having to interrupt your activities.
Getting started with the Google Clips camera is actually incredibly easy. First, you want to make sure that the camera is charged. When I unboxed mine, it was not charged and therefore I had trouble getting it to work. After discovering that power was the issue, I didn’t have many problems. Once the camera is charged you only need to download the Google Clips app and connect to your camera. To set it up you will press the button on the front of the camera so that the app will read it. Once it detects a Google Clips camera, the ID code will show up in a menu. You select it and then that camera is connected to your phone. A Clips camera can only be connected to one phone at a time. And, even though the camera doesn’t require a network for general operation, it will ask to connect to WiFi to make sure that its software is up to date.
Once the camera is up to date, you can then start using it. A simple twist of the lens and the camera starts capturing camera clips. The nice thing about these ‘clips’ is that they are simple. Each clip is a motion photo that lasts several seconds. There is no audio recorded but you do get high-quality photos and video. I have been unable to find what the actual resolution is of the video/motion images but a still image translates to 2566 x 1859 and downloads as a JPEG.
While I like the concept of this device overall, I do see some issues with it. First, it’s not capturing actual video. It’s recording the equivalent of a Live Photo from Apple, which is a combination of a JPEG and a 3-second MOV file. In this case, the motion is captured as H.264. I found out though that you cannot simply save the memory off to your desktop. For example, I took a clip using the Google camera and then I saved it to my iPhone’s Camera Roll. At this point, the clip showed up as a Live Photo. Then, I tried to share it with myself using AirDrop. Unfortunately, the clip was reduced to a still image at this point. I did share it with myself using iCloud Photo Sharing and could still view it as a Live Photo in my Photos Library but again, I could not export it as a motion file.
Conclusion
I’m a little confused about this tiny camera’s purpose. When I started out on this review, I thought I had found a gem that could possibly be a supplement for my video equipment needs. What it turned out to be was a camera that replicates what my iPhone does with Live Photos. Because of this discovery, I’m just not sure what the best use is of this camera. I like the idea that it will continue recording clips even when you aren’t clicking a shutter button and I know that is useful for capturing memories especially around little ones but I don’t like that you can’t save those motion images any further than a photo library.
I’m a little confused about this tiny camera’s purpose. When I started out on this review, I thought I had found a gem that could possibly be a supplement for my video equipment needs. What it turned out to be was a camera that replicates what my iPhone does with Live Photos. Because of this discovery, I’m just not sure what the best use is of this camera. I like the idea that it will continue recording clips even when you aren’t clicking a shutter button and I know that is useful for capturing memories especially around little ones but I don’t like that you can’t save those motion images any further than a photo library.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Share prints of your smartphone snaps with this compact Canon mini photo printer. It wirelessly connects to a smartphone app that lets you add frames, emojis and text to your pictures before you print them. This Canon mini photo printer uses special ink-free photo paper to produce clear, smudge-free images.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect option for printing out individual photo
on June 10, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
As our world becomes more and more digital, I find myself really enjoying paper products even more. They are becoming more rare with each year — each month that passes. One of the most precious pieces of paper is a photograph and it’s probably also one of the most rare these days. We typically just open up a photo on our phone and pass it around to family and friends but it’s really hard to compare to a printed photo to hang on your wall or place in a frame. Fortunately, some camera companies like Canon have started creating personal photo printers that allow you to print directly from your mobile phone.
The Canon Ivy Printer comes packaged in a simple but nicely branded box. It’s very easy to unbox and it comes with a short (about 6 inches) Micro USB cable, a visual quick start card, and some paperwork about safety and warranty regulations. The complete manual is available within the mobile app and that is, in fact, the first step in the set-up process — downloading the app. It’s a free app and is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Once the printer is charged, you can connect to it via Bluetooth. At this point, the user experience is highly involved with the mobile app. You can either take photos and print them immediately or select photos that are already stored on your phone. When you select a photo, the app will adjust it so that it fits the photo size of the printer. This is a simple photo editing program built into the app and with it you can easily add text and/or stickers to the photo before you print it. This feature is a little like editing photos in Snapchat before you send it to friend.s. It’s a nice feature to have but not something you have to use if you don’t like it. In addition to the markup options, you can also brighten your photos, change their tint, and adjust their contrast. Because the editing details are all described by icons, it’s a little difficult to determine which control is which.
As a test, I pulled a photo from my Camera Roll on my iPhone of a pair of bookends. The photo shows a colorful, detailed desk accessory and I wanted to have it printed out to see if the detail of the photo remained. I’ve actually had the opportunity to use a different pocket printer by a different company and the colors weren’t very vibrant and details weren’t very prominent once the image was printed. The same is not true of the Canon Ivy printer. The photo was bright, colorful and you could see all the fine details the same way you would if you were looking at it on the phone screen.
The printer does make quite a bit of mechanical/roller noise as it prints. I was surprised about this considering how small the device is. It wasn’t loud per se but it wasn’t quiet either. The first time you print a photo from the printer, the blue information sheet will feed out of the printer first. This will happen every time you print using a new package of ZINKTM photo sheets. Once the blue sheet fed through the printer, it took about one minute for the photo to print out.
The Ivy photo printer from Canon is the perfect option for someone who takes frequent photos with their phone but would like to have a printed keepsake. The Ivy printer is small and very easy to take with you from place to place. I would recommend this to all types of users and think that people who like adding embellishments to photos would really get a kick out of the photo editing options.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
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.
9 years, 7 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.
10 years ago
by
nickcal