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    June 27, 2012
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    August 27, 2015
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    January 9, 2014
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BillFromKC's Reviews
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Know what's going on when you're away from home. The Full HD camera delivers a clear, detailed view, allowing you to monitor your home 24 hours a day from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, Samsung TV or fridge. The SmartThings camera intuitively distinguishes between a person and an object, alerting you immediately if necessary while minimizing false triggers.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Only needs local storage to be a great camera
on June 24, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
Disclaimer - I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
Samsung smart things camera as many things - a high-quality security camera with terrific day and night vision, good looking, flexible in terms of installation options, and packed with features that you would spend far more to get on a wireless security camera.
Image quality is off the charts. While it may only be a 1080P camera, it features HDR video. This allows for more details in both bright and dim settings. It also asked for richer color quality. Audio recording it is also good. Two-way conversations are clear.
Mounting is either done by setting the camera on a shelf inconspicuously, or using the included screws to mount it to a wall. The standard of hours for flexible placement of the camera head. Keep in mind, this is an indoor only camera.
The fatal flaw for me, and for many people, it’s the lack of vocal recording. Most security cameras in this price range feature either internal storage or an internal SD card slot. While Samsung does offer cloud storage for video, keep in mind that the video Will eat into your data With certain Internet providers. Also, to receive more than 24 hours of rolling storage, a monthly fee will apply.
Do I recommend this camera? For those who don’t have to worry about their ISP’s data cap, sure. For those who are good with the idea of paying a monthly fee to store more than 24 hours of video, sure. But if you want to camera with local storage, this is not the option for you.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Light up any room with the SmartThings smart bulb that's easy to control from your smartphone or tablet. Turn on the living room lamps as you're heading home, dim the lights from movie night, or schedule them to turn off before bed. It's a smarter way to light your house while saving money on energy costs.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A nice, inexpensive smart bulb...
on June 20, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
Disclaimer - I received this product in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Samsung's SmartThings light bulb is both versatile and inexpensive. I tested it with a Samsung SmartThings Hub and Google Home, but it should work with nearly any ZigBee compatible hub or base station. It hits all the marks you'd need in a smart light bulb - high-quality light, dimmable, and controllable from Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung BIxby. I tested it with Google Home and it seamlessly integrated with other brands of smart lights I have (WiFi, Bluetooth, and Z-wave/ZigBee).
The thing that gets me with this bulb is the price - it's actually less expensive than most other brands of connected light bulbs, which is a great thing considering that Samsung is one of the more major players in the electronics game and could have charged more for this bulb.
If you already have a compatible ZigBee bridge, I can highly recommend these light bulbs. If you're looking at doing smart lighting for your home, I'd recommend doing research into what sort of system would work best for you (ZigBee/Z-wave, WiFi, or Bluetooth). If you can get past the initial cost of a compatible hub (or multiple hubs in a larger home), Samsung SmartThings light bulbs are a good choice to start your system with.
The only drawback with this light bulb is you'll need a compatible controller hub to make it work. That means something like a Samsung SmartThings Hub or a Wink Hub that allows you to connect this light bulb to the internet.
All in all, I'd recommend the SmartThings light bulb for anyone who wants to go with a ZigBee smart lighting system.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Meet Bose Frames. Bluetooth sunglasses with a soundtrack. The first audio sunglasses with built-in Bose speakers for an immersive audio experience unlike any other. A revolutionary personal audio experience hidden inside two classic designs, each enriched with premium accents and materials. Play music, take calls, and enjoy the sun with UVA/UVB protection. Bose Frames Alto feature a classic angular lenses, available in small and large size.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A few drawbacks but otherwise terrific.
on May 19, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
(I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.)
The Bose Frames Alto are an interesting product to say the least. They’re a high-quality, comfortable pair of sunglasses, and they’re also an open-ear replacement for headphones that let you listen to your music in relatively high fidelity while still being able to hear the world around you.
First come the first impressions. While I’ve bought sunglasses that have come packaged better than these, I’ve also spent far more than what these retail for on those sunglasses. The Alto style is very familiar to those of us who like high-end sunglasses, just slightly thicker. The lenses are a high-quality polycarbonate, but lack polarization (for the retail cost, this is a huge detriment in my book). In the box they come with is also a magnetic-shut case, a magnetic (and proprietary) charge cable, and a packet with instructions, warnings, and warranty information.
Set up is easy. They paired to my iPhone. The BoseConnect app found the headphones quickly and suggested a number of apps that take advantage of what I think the possible (but currently underexploited) killer feature of these glasses are - Bose AR. While BoseConnect lacks a few features that other Bose products have, such as tone control, it’s still nice it gives you an instruction manual on the go.
For what they are, audio quality is excellent. Don’t expect boomy bass or the absolute crispest highs you’ve heard from headphones or other personal audio devices, but expect an otherwise full, rich sound from these. Vocals are clear and classical music sounds surprisingly great.
Usage couldn’t be easier. The magnetic charge cable only goes on one way, so it’s not as nifty as Apple’s MagSafe tech but it’s still more convenient than a USB-C, Lightning, and especially a Micro USB charge port. Just don’t lose that cable, as it’s proprietary. The headphones also have a single button for nearly all functionality; press once to power on, play/pause, or answer/hang up calls, press twice for the next song, and press three times for the previous song. Want to turn them off? Set them down upside down.
Now some thoughts on Bose AR:
This is the killer app for these glasses. The BoseRadar app gives a good idea what it’s capable of - an audio experience that’s very much like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or Barco Aura3D. You look around and audio seemlessly follows your head movements, and audio sounds as if it comes from all directions. Where this could be amazing is with integration to Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, or other map and navigation apps; audio cues to help you find where you need to go.
As for the negatives, I have a few. First, battery life could be better; there’s room for a larger battery in these frames (I averaged 3 hours between charges). Second, the lack of polarized lenses; especially for the MSRP, polarized lenses should be standard. Finally, and this is a gripe for myself, these could be slightly larger, but that’s a personal thing as I have a giant head.
All in all, I have to say that Bose’ take on the headphone sunglasses is probably the best take on the category to date. Other companies have made attempts with this sort of product, but they were always ugly; these are the classiest take on the category by far.
So do I recommend Bose Frames Alto? If you’re good with the few shortfalls, then yes I do. Add polarized lenses and increase the size of the battery for 6-7 hours of life and you have a perfect product for this category. And for those with smaller heads or who don’t like the style of the Alto, check out the Bose Frames Rondo.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Unlock new potential for your wireless headphones with this Airfly headphone accessory. It plugs into any conventional headphone jack to enhance your listening experience and can pair with in-flight entertainment systems for added convenience. This Airfly headphone accessory has an eight-hour battery life and recharges through USB, so it's easy to take anywhere.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Just needs two things to be perfect.
on May 9, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
(I received this product in return for my fair and unbiased review.)
TL;DR - The Twelve South Airfly Bluetooth audio transmitter is better suited for transmitting audio from your TV, stereo, computer, or other device that either lacks Bluetooth connectivity or has poor Bluetooth connectivity for audio. Audio is crisp and clear - especially with AptX-enabled headphones, earbuds, and speakers - and lacks perceivable auidio lag as compared to many smartphones. While audio quality with lossless formats (CD audio, DVD audio, SuperCD, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS HD) isn't as clear as with a wired connection, the audio quality with lossy formats (MP3, AAC, and streaming music formats) is indistinguishable between a direct connection to your device and a Bluetooth connection using the Airfly. The lack of audio lag makes this a good option for connecting to your TV so you don't bother others while watching at higher volumes or playing games. The only negatives are you manually need to turn the device on and off when you want to use it and finish using it and I feel like Twelve South is missing out on a bigger niche market to go after than just the crowd wanting to add Bluetooth to portable audio devices lacking Bluetooth.
Packaging, pack-in goodies, and initial feel:
The device is packaged nicely and comes with a 3" micro USB cable. 3" headphone jack to headphone jack cable, and a velour cinch sack to carry the device with you. The unit isn't very heavy at all and its size matches up nicely with small MP3 players (Apple iPod Nano, Sandisk Sansa, Microsoft Zune, and the various other small players available over the years. Note that while the cinch sack will fit a small (iPod Mini, iPod Nano, Sandisk Sanza) or micro (iPod Shuffle) MP3 player, it won't fit a standard-sized player (iPod Classic, Zune).
Performance:
Pairing headphones and speakers is easy - just press and hold the power button until it starts flashing at you, then put your device you want to listen to audio on into pairing mode. I paired mine with both a pair of JBL Everest 310s and a Bose Soundwear personal speaker. Worked great with both devices.
I attached the Airfly to my iPhone 6s and played several games where audio sync can make a difference on how you play. It worked great at everything I threw at it, just like if it were played through headphones either connected via the headphone port or Bluetooth.
I followed this up with attaching it to a Digiland Android tablet. It performend like it should, no audio lag in games.
My next test was with a Windows 10 computer. In the various games I play, I had no issues with auidio lag caused by the Airfly. Even playing Guitar Hero in the Dolphin Emulator was a treat, as the game worked perfectly and sounded perfect.
Finally, I attached it to the headphone dongle for my Nintendo GameBoy SP. The longtime dream for GameBoy owners who want wireless headphones is achieved with this device. Again, flawless performance.
No matter the audio source, it all sounded great. While lossless wasn't as good as a wired pair of headphones would be, you still get AptX-quality audio.
Now for my gripes:
First, this works better as a way to attach headphones to your TV set, computer, or home audio system. It's not as convenient to carry around with a MP3 player or other portable audio device, though it's small size does help.
Second, what would be neat is if this thing could be plugged into a TV's USB port and set to power up and power down autiomatically with a device like a TV or computer. Instead, you have to manually power it up and down when you want to use it, and I could n't get it to charge and operate at the same time.
Otherwise, I like the Airfly. Twelve South got almost everything right in my book.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+18points
18of 18voted this as helpful.
 
Ensure full power for your mobile devices during long drives with this Anker ROAV Bolt car charger. It’s compatible with Google Assistant for voice-controlled navigation and music streaming, and it supports versatile connectivity via Bluetooth, and auxiliary port. This Anker ROAV Bolt car charger’s compact, lightweight design offers convenient portability and storage.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
The perfect travel buddy for your rental car.
on April 20, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
The Anker Bolt with Google is a little bit of a mixed bag. It’s a high-quality Bluetooth audio adapter for your car that lacks that functionality. It’s a decent hands-free phone solution for your vehicle that lacks Bluetooth connectivity. Google Assistant works well enough, especially for those of you who use Google for home automation (including myself). For parents with teenagers that can’t put the phone down, it’s a good way for them to stay connected without looking at their phone.
Where the Bolt with Google excels, however, is a plug and an aux cord you can take with you to keep your phone connected to multiple cars without dealing with pairing and repairing your phone every single time, or wondering if you deleted your pairing from a vehicle which means you potentially left your contact information on it.
One of the cool things is how Google Assistant can interact with your apps while using the Bolt with Google. Among my installed apps, it works with Gmail, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, and the My Verizon app. It doesn’t currently work with Microsoft Office apps, Snapchat, Google Duo, and Google Voice (which is strange since Voice and Duo are Google apps).
One thing I noticed is the audio quality. While nothing beats the aux cable and a high quality DAC, it’s still very passable; 256kbps Apple Music sounded better through the Bolt with Google than with any Bluetooth audio adapter I’ve tried, and slightly better than Bluetooth audio built into my Alpine UTE-73 head unit.
The only complaint I have about this device is it lacks HD voice, so calls over Facebook, Google Hangouts, Facetime Audio, and Verizon’s LTE network all sound like they’re being made on an older non-HD voice capable phone. Maybe this can be fixed with a firmware update?
All in all, it’s a great travel companion that’ll get better as Google makes improvements to the software.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Polished, professional Full HD video calls. The C920S HD Webcam delivers remarkably crisp, clear and detailed images in vibrant colors. HD autofocus and light correction adjust to provide consistently high definition, and the dual mics on either side of the lens capture natural sound. The privacy shutter puts you in control of what you show.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Solid webcam for those that need one
on April 8, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
The Logitech C920S Pro may not be the most fully-featured webcam on the market today, but it has plenty of features, solid video quality, and that legendary quality that dates back to the original QuickCam series of webcams.
Video is clear, even in darker rooms. Frame rates are a solid 30 FPS at HD resolutions (1080 and 720) and can hit 60 FPS at lower non-HD resolutions; a glass lens helps immensely with keeping the picture clear. The stereo microphones are some of the best I've heard on any webcam; while not nearly as good as a stand-alone microphone, it's better than the built-in mics in most computers. Cortana, Siri, and dictation on both Mac and Windows worked great with the mic.
It mounts with ease over a TV set or monitor, and it has an added bonus of a standard camera screw mount on its base that allows you to place it securely on a fixed mount or a tripod.
One thing not mentioned by Logitech in their packaging or support documents is this webcam also works with Android devices, such as a Sony Android-based TV or NVidia Shield. "Hey Google" and speech to text, along with HD video is supported.
All in all, the Logitech C920S Pro is terrific. It's a webcam for wherever you'd need one.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Expand device connectivity with this Belkin DuraTek Plus Lightning to USB-A cable. A rugged design with fiber-reinforced conductors ensures lasting durability, while the included strap and snap button improve portability and prevent tangles. Measuring 6 feet long, this Belkin DuraTek Plus Lightning to USB-A cable makes it easy to access hard-to-reach outlets.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Strong, but a little overpriced.
on March 10, 2019
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in return for my fair and unbiased opinion.
Belkin’s Duratek charge cables for iPhone fit a niche that some iPhone users have. They’re a strong cable that won’t easily fail from bending and flexing like many Lightning cables will. They support a full-speed 12 watt charge. The cloth overing over the cables definitely reinforces the strength of the wires. The connectors are some of the most solid on the market.
The only two weak spots I can point out are the snap scratches very easily amd the price is just a little high compared to other options on the market.
I can recommend this cable, but there are options that are just as good and not quite as expensive.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Listen to customized audio with these black JLab Fit Sport wireless fitness earbuds. Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost modes let you set sound quality preferences, and the adjustable tip placement and flexible memory wire provide a secure, comfortable fit. Recharge these JLab Fit Sport wireless fitness earbuds via the included microUSB cable to enjoy up to six hours of playback.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Another winner from JLab
on November 28, 2018
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
Disclaimer - I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
JLab makes some good audio products for the price. They've always had well-rounded sound, good battery life, and a good feature set, and are generally well built. Their customer service has also been easy to deal with in the past.
So when I saw the FitSport Wireless earbuds, I knew I wanted to review them. I'm glad I did.
I have other, more expensive pairs of earbuds and in-ear monitors that cost between three and ten times what these do. Some of those more expensive earbuds have lesser audio quality, some have shorter battery life. The FitSport Wireless compares favorably to all of them because they live up to their 6 hour battery life claim while listening to anything from rapid-fire metal to bass-heavy electronic music, with little distortion unless you turn the volume up to 11 (if you've seen "This Is Spinal Tap", you'll know the reference) and set the EQ for more bass response.
Speaking of, these headphones have a nice feature that is generally reserved for more expensive earbuds and headphones - a built-in EQ. While it's not a nice software-controlled EQ like you'd find in high-end headphones and earbuds, it does give you three modes - balanced (the equivalent of flat), bass boost (where the low-end gets cranked up), and JLab Signature Sound (which cranks up the highs and lows for heavy bass and crisp treble). All three modes worked well, but like previously stated, turning the volume all the way up with the bass level boosted does lead to some distortion.
The ear tips are also a pleasure. The "wings" do a good job of holding the buds in place when you're active, and with FOUR choices of ear tips, you'll find a good fit (I preferred the large silicone tips, but the foam "Cloud" tips were pretty nice).
These earbuds also report battery life to iOS devices. They didn't report battery life to my Android 7.1 tablet, however. Some Android devices may receive the battery life information, however.
All in all, you can't beat the value of these ear buds.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Use the Google Smart Light Starter Kit to control the lights using just your voice. Set up in a snap: just plug in Google Home Mini, screw in the GE C-Life smart light bulb, and download the Google Home app to get started. Then just say "Hey Google" to dim, brighten, turn on and turn off the lights."
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Good idea, poor execution
on November 28, 2018
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
Disclaimer - I was given this product in return for my fair and honest review.
TL;DR version - this would be okay for apartment dwellers, but the Google Smart Light Starter Kit featuring the C-Life by GE bulb is otherwise a 4-star smart speaker with tons of features and smarts paired with a "smart" lightbulb that isn't exactly smart. Also, a bad value for its regular price, but the "smart bulbs" themselves are also a bad value compared to other superior options for around their same price point.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Google Smart Light Starter Kit will always look enticing to the unknowing consumer, because who doesn't like the idea of including a smart lightbulb (in this case, C-Life by GE) with a Google Home Mini smart speaker for a decent overall price compared to buying the speaker and a smart bulb by themselves?
Looks can be deceiving.
I'm not going to talk much about the Google Home Mini (referred to as a GHM from here on out), because if you're reading this, chances are that you know it's a small smart speaker device that you can get answers to your questions from and control most home automation devices from nearly every manufacturer with. Unlike non-Google brand Google Assistant speakers, you can also use it with the FREE Google Voice VoIP phone service - just like with its big brothers, the Google Home and the Google Home Max - to make outgoing phone calls with terrific audio quality (but not to receive incoming calls or contact emergency services). With more and more abilities being added to Google Assistant, you can use it to order food, electronics, clothing, and more though various retailers that have embraced the service. It also functions as a Chromecast Audio receiver and can control your Chromecast-equipped TV, speakers, or your Android TV-based smart TV. If the next version of the GHM were to add an audio output, the GHM is the perfect small smart speaker in my book. But enough about that, because there are tons of reviews and articles about the GHM and how awesome it is.
What I am going to talk about is the the other part of the package package. A decent enough smart speaker that I would give 4 stars to in its current iteration is brought down by what GE passes off as a "smart" bulb. For me, there's not enough of a feature set here to justify calling it smart. While you can turn the bulb on and off and set its brightness via the Google Home app or through Google Assistant, that's about it for the bulb's "smarts".
It also uses a Bluetooth connection that requires the GHM that comes in the package; powering down the GHM it's paired to effectively makes the smart bulb the equivalent of a cheap LED bulb you'd pick up in your local hardware store, and Bluetooth's limited range compared to WiFi means the GHM and the bulb need to be placed in close proximity with each other. Metallic light fixtures, water pipes, HVAC ducting, and electrical wiring affect the usable range distance between the GHM and the bulb. A setup note for the C-Life bulb states that if you use multiple bulbs, they can create a mesh network, but all bulbs need to be placed within 40 feet of each other.
The good about this kit is it's at least extremely easy to set up. You set up the GHM inside the Google Home app on your Android device (Kit Kat or later with a Bluetooth 4.0LE capability) or iOS (iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5, iPad 4rd Gen, or iPad Mini 2 or later device running iOS 10 or later), and then you're prompted by the Google Home app to pair the C by GE bulb to the GHM. Sorry PC and Mac users, you need a portable device to get this going.
I did try to pair the bulb with other Google Assistant smart speakers I have that aren't the GHM in the package via the Google Home app (I have 3 different brands, all with Bluetooth 4 connectivity). None of the other speakers were able to discover up the C-Life lightbulb, which means to use C-Life lightbulbs with Google Assistant, you pretty much need a GHM or other Google-branded smart speaker. If you're looking at the "Made for Google" C-Life or C-Sleep bulbs and you have a non-Google brand Google Assistant speaker, it's just not going to work.
The good news here, at least, is that you can control the bulb away from home as long as it maintains a connection with the GHM. My GHM and C-Life are located about 15 feet apart and the two devices have lost connection with each other a few times, but nothing a quick power cycle can't fix (in each case, it was always resetting the bulb).
While the lightbulb can pair with the C by GE app for iPhone and Android, this also gives you a basic Bluetooth-connected remote controlled lightbulb and the inability to control it away from home. Because of this, I highly recommend that you stay completely away from GE's app when it comes to this bulb, because you will have issues getting it to work with the GHM if you have previously paired it with the C by GE app. (I did try this by the way; it's a major pain to unpair a C-Life bulb from any device because of the strangest on-off cycling pattern you need to follow to factory reset it.) Also, the bulbs can only pair with ONE device, be it a GHM or a phone. Once paired with a GHM, however, you can use multiple devices with the Google Home app installed to control the bulb; you'll just need to do the "Invite" thing inside of the Google Home app so people on other Google accounts can use the C-Life bulb and all of the other smart devices you have under Google Home's control.
The C by GE app also warns you that you should really pair the C-Life bulb with the GHM and not the app. (I ignored this warning in the name of science.)
Like I said, a decent 4-star speaker is brought down by a lightbulb pretending that it's smart. While I might recommend this for apartment dwellers, I highly recommend that you look into other ways of doing smart lighting in your home or apartment. WiFi-connected smart bulbs from other manufacturers are inexpensive and far more flexible. Lighting systems based on Z-Wave, ZigBee, Wink, and other protocols have greater range than the Bluetooth-connected C by GE lightbulbs. Finally, the GHM and other Google Assistant smart speakers can be had on the cheap. Now if you can find the Smart Light Starter Kit for the same price as a GHM by itself, then go for it since you'd get a free remote-controlled lightbulb.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+3points
10of 17voted this as helpful.
 
Concoct fresh, healthy smoothies with this Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ single-serve blender. Pro Extractor Blades and a powerful 1000W motor provide efficient performance, and it comes with 18-oz. and 24-oz. Tritan cups with spout lids for travel-friendly drinking. This intelligent Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ single-serve blender has preprogrammed settings for easy, quick operation.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Perfect for making a quick frozen drink
on October 24, 2018
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
The Ninja brand did it again. They released an overpowered blending system, this time for individual beverages (along with soups and dressings) that works perfectly. Within 2 minutes, you can fill a cup with fruit and a liquid of your choice, screw on the blending base, hit the autoIQ blend button, wait around a minute for the beverage to blend, change the blend base with a flip-top lid, and have a tasty beverage. Smoothies, shakes, doesn’t matter - this thing gets it right every time.
The only drawback is owners of some other Nutri Ninja blending systems - myself included (I also own a Nutri Ninja BlendMax system) will find the individual cup bases may not be cross compatible. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but something I think should be incorporated into any company’s design process when they make a family of products under a shared name. Some may also feel the base is rather large; considering the Nutri Ninja has at least twice to up to 5 times the power of competing products, the base can’t be much smaller without creating heat problems.
All in all, another great product from the Ninja brand.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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BillFromKC's Review Comments
 
Westinghouse HDTV: Enjoy your favorite movies, shows, games and sporting events in realistic 1080p resolution on this Westinghouse HDTV's LED panel. Ensure fast-moving scenes remain clear with a 60Hz refresh rate that minimizes blurring and ghosting.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
No HD tuner
By Westingtonhouse
I can not imagine that tv in today time do not have digiter tuner. I bought 6 now I have to return them since i use cable straight from wall for tv from COX
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
This TV has an ATSC tuner.
August 27, 2015
There's no guarantee that ATSC tuners will work with ClearQAM cable channels, and even so, the greater majority of cable providers now scramble all cable channels. Including OTA channels. Because the FCC changed the rules and they're allowed to do this now.
+6points
6of 6voted this comment as helpful.
 
Sony XBR55X850C LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Experience your favorite movies, TV shows and video clips in a new way with incredible 4K upscaling. Advanced features from Android TV and Playstation Now allow you to browse sites, stream games and perform voice searches.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Big Time 3-D problems
By Mike
I am writing to review the “XBR-55X850C”. HOWEVER, I have read multiple web pages that state this problem is happening with all Sony 3-D televisions, in the United States AND Europe, and that customers are not receiving ANY customer service, or any help from Sony whatsoever.
I have called 3 times and have been hung up on each time.
So, if you are looking for a great 3-D experience and excellent SONY customer service, LOOK ELSEWHERE. Sony rolled out an update for this television at the end of November of 2015. After the update, when viewing 3-D content, the display mode function of the current screen is continuously showing the current screen mode of the television. ALL THE TIME. Coming in and out up to 7 times a minute.
So, while watching a 3-D movie, every 5 to 60 seconds, the words “Wide Mode Full” flashes on the screen in the lower left hand corner. It NEVER stops. Sony is aware of this problem, unfortunately, Sony customer service is rude & unhelpful with this issue. They claim that “Sony is aware of this and is working on an update”. When I asked when the update would be released, Sony representatives claim they do not know when this update will be available.
Every Sony representative has hung up on me after not being able to satisfactorily answer the simplest of questions.
Anyone looking for a great 3-D experience, look elsewhere. Sony does not care about this problem. After all, they already have our money.
If you think this is the same old Sony with great products, high standards, and great customer service, THINK AGAIN! This is not your father’s Sony. This is the new, corporate Sony that just wants your money.
Everyone out there looking for a good 3-D T.V. should stick with Samsung. I wish I did. I thought I was “upgrading” from Samsung to Sony.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
Customer service people are never told when...
January 2, 2016
...things get fixed after they get broken. I have this TV as well, and customer service people have no idea when Android Marshmallow will hit this TV set, let alone any of the other 2015 Sony TVs. Considering the Google Nexus Player got borked by the update though, that's probably a good thing the update hasn't hit yet.
0points
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Sony XBR55X850C LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Experience your favorite movies, TV shows and video clips in a new way with incredible 4K upscaling. Advanced features from Android TV and Playstation Now allow you to browse sites, stream games and perform voice searches.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
tv is great support is non-existent
By ohno
I have been trying to get some confirmation on the hdr xtended dynamic range on the 850b but support on phone sent me unrelated information and online say it is but no documentation to confirm
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
850b doesn't have HDR support
January 14, 2016
but the 850c (this TV) does.
0points
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BISSELL SmartClean Robot Vacuum: Easily rid your floors of dirt and debris with this vacuum that uses Opticlean optical sensors and a Triple-Action Cleaning System to tackle your floors. Invisible Wall technology lets you target specific areas.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
Hard To Program
By FortFun2 from Illinois
Found it is difficult, not intuitive, to program. Others have said if you loose power all your programming is lost, but we haven't lost power yet so can't confirm. I just wanted it to run when I left the house without a set program and contacting Bissell just led to more confusion. But, once I got it working I was impressed with the amount of pet hair it removed.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
I can attest to this.
September 16, 2016
Sometimes, I have to plug mine directly into the charger to get it to charge because the battery is overly drained. Because of this, I don't even bother programming it anymore.
0points
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The new MacBook Pro is faster and more powerful than before, yet remarkably thinner and lighter.¹ It has the brightest, most colorful display ever on a Mac notebook. And it features up to 10 hours of battery life.² It’s a notebook built for the work you do every day. Ready to go anywhere a great idea takes you.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Terrible
By Joel
I purchased this one month ago and it has a faulty display. Best Buy takes no responsibility and will not exchange it for a good one. I have left voicemails for a district manager to call me and no one has called. I will never shop at Best Buy again.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
Yep, take it to Apple.
January 13, 2017
If Best Buy is doing you wrong, just take it to your nearest Apple location and they'll set you up with a fix or a new one.
+4points
4of 4voted this comment as helpful.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Bootleg Copy of Secret Life of Pets
By Disappointed
About 15 minutes into the movie the volume became muted and a message came on the TV that this was a bootleg movie. An unauthorized copy. Be very careful purchasing DVD's or Blu Ray movies from Best Buy. They just may leave you and your grand children very disappointed as it did our family.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
This could very well be your DVD or Blu-Ray player
January 20, 2017
causing your issues. The Film Industry (MPAA and associated groups) are known for their draconian DRM systems, first with DVD and now with Blu-Ray and 4k Blu-Ray.
if your Blu-Ray player isn't connected to the internet, connect it to the internet and update its firmware. That should fix all your issues.
0points
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Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
This is the future of WiFi
By neio11
I threw (recycled) away my wifi extenders plus I am now able connect a device with an ethernet cable without having to run cables through the walls because each node has 2 ethernet ports. So for instance, I have one node connected to my modem and an ethernet switch. My 2nd node in another room is connected to an NVR for my security cameras. The speed through the nodes is surprisingly fast. The NVR is capturing HD videos from 3 cameras and it seems to capture fine. The 3rd node is in my living room area. The whole house is covered! Please put a password on your wifi otherwise you'll be supplying FREE wifi for your neighbors. I can have full internet access from 3-4 houses away from my house. I thought installation would be a pain considering you have to setup each node. Well, I shouldn't say "have to" because you don't have to use all 3 nodes. You can use only 1 or 2 and give the 3rd to me. haha. No but setup is a breeze! The only thing is that you have to use a smart device such as a tablet or phone, to do the setup. Velop currently doesn't support PC-based setup but I hope Linksys changes that especially for us "techies"!!! It works with Alexa. You can ask #Alexa what the wifi password is... so they say. I haven't had much success with it yet. It looks clean and neat. It doesn't all those antennas sticking out of it which makes it aesthetically pleasing.
I'm loving so far!
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
The setup process basically forces you to put a...
February 19, 2017
...password on your WiFi network. In fact, it's one of three things it asks when you set up the parent node, the other two being "Do you connect directly to the internet or through a modem/router device provided by your ISP?" and what to call your wireless network.
0points
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Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Blazing Speed, Best In Class Performance!
By gadgetguy11
The Linksys - Velop Tri-Band Whole Home Wi-Fi System (3-pack) is packaged in a beautiful & functional box with magnetic closure - it exudes quality! Each Node is protected individually. Just looking at the box, you expect a premium, esoteric product... & Linksys delivers that & more in spades! The shapely Nodes are beautiful & blend with any decorating style.
Simple set-up via the Linksys iOS or Android App. Within minutes, you are ready to go online.
As shown in attached photo, I have 90 wireless devices utilized over 5,000 sq feet / 3 floors: this is a challenging application for high speed Wi-Fi that includes: connected major appliances; BAS ceiling fans & Haiku Wi-Fi connected lights; Wi-Fi Thermostats; Netatmo Wi-Fi Weather Station; 65 Hue Lights; Connected exterior door locks; Wink Wi-Fi connected devices; connected iDevices, Nest & Arlo cameras; iPads; iPhones & computers. Finally, Streaming from 4) Apple TV's; Nixplay Wi-Fi Photo Frames.
And now the Results:
Velop delivers the fastest Wi-Fi speed I have ever experienced and does so consistently! The attached screen capture shows 349 Mbps Download / 23 Mbps Upload. These are WIRELESS speeds!! I pay for 300 Mbps Download / 30 Mbps Upload & our internet service provider generally delivers 300 - 360 Download & 22 - 32 Upload.
Velop is the only Wi-Fi System I have found to date that actually delivers this sustainable speed and does not randomly disconnect the many devices.
High power Wi-Fi requires a high current source. Each of the 3) square white power supplies produce 12 Volt, 2 Amp output! 24VA (Volt Amps) is the highest output of any router I have tested. Better yet, the cable that plugs into each Velop is perfectly angled at the plug so the wire routs neatly through the cable management feature at the base. Brilliant design!
PRO's:
1- Fastest Wi-Fi Speed
2- Easy approximate 10 minute Set-up per hub
3- Velop Nodes are very attractive & blend with any architecture
4- Robust infrastructure yields dependable performance
5- 24/7 Support
6- 3-Year Warranty
7- Easy to use App with great diagnostics
8- Wire Management at the base is excellent & offers a wire free appearance.
9- Three Velop Nodes establish fast Wi-Fi speed across the house on any floor.
10- Expandable: Add an additional Node any time you prefer.
CON's:
1- IP Address range cannot be changed from: 192.***. My 2) existing Apple Time Capsule / Routers had IP addresses of 10.***, but they can be set to different ranges. A different IP Address range requires individually resetting a few devices that previously connected to the other range. For example, each Nixplay connected frame had to manually "Forget" the old Wi-Fi name of the previous SSID, then set up the same name with Velop, even though the Wi-Fi name and password are the same. On 13) Apple Airport Express devices, I had to power down each device to reset it from 10.*** to 192.***
2- IPv6 is not supported as of product release. This is surprising, as my three year old Apple Time Capsule / Router supported IPv6.
3- The first unit set up in under 10 minutes; however the remaining two hubs froze at the same exact place midway every time during set-up. After 6 failed attempts, I held each Node horizontally and kept my hand around it. Surprisingly, this procedure resulted in a virtually immediate set-up! Then I set each Node vertically & it continued to work great.
4- Only one Node can connect to the internet via ethernet. The other Nodes connect to the first Node via wireless mesh connection. I would prefer the option of connecting each Node to a wired ethernet connection. Linksys Technical Support indicated this may be added later as a software update. This would prove beneficial because the Nodes must be located fairly close together (my tests showed less than 40 feet apart at most).
CONCLUSION: My search for the "Ideal" Whole Home Wi-Fi System that consistently delivers 300 Mbps over 5,000 square feet with 90 devices ends here!! I am THRILLED with Velop & give it my highest recommendation!! It has proven to be the BEST ROUTER available for 2017!
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
Mine gave me IPv6 OOB
February 19, 2017
and even so, there was a firmware update it applied immediate after setup. I agree that the IP address range thing is annoying though, especially when you're moving from an existing network with static IP devices (NAS, printers, etc.)
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BillFromKC's Questions
 
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BillFromKC's Answers
1 2 3 4 5 ... 7 >>
 
Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home’s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there’s no monthly fee after your purchase.
 

Can this new Indoor Cam Mini connect to the Eufy HomeBase? I would like for the IndoorDam store data on the base for easy access and control.

It stores data on the camera itself and not on a Homebase module. However, you still access the video like you would with Homebase-connected cameras - via the app.
2 years, 10 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home’s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there’s no monthly fee after your purchase.
 

Does this camera require WiFi to operate?

It can record internally to a micro SD card, but you would need WiFi to access your footage and receive motion alerts.
2 years, 10 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 6.5qt. Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid. The pressure cooker that steams and crisps. SmartLid slider unlocks pressure cooking, air frying, and Steamcrisping - all under one SmartLid. SteamCrisp Technology steams and crisps at the same time for faster, juicier, crispier results*. 14 one-touch programs unlock even more versatility. (*Vs. Ninja Foodi OL501 in dry mode only)
 

Does this model have hands free pressure release when pressure cooking timer is done, or do you have to manually release steam after pressure cooking?

It's a manual release.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The Core Innovations ANT800BAR Indoor TV Antenna Bar allows you to access HDTV channels up to 80 miles away, free of charge. The signal indicator displays reception strength for peak viewing potential, and the omni-directional bar design provides connectivity in all directions. Enjoy content in up to 4K full HD where supported.
 

We have a steel roof, will this antenna work for us?

As long as the signal path isn't being blocked by the roof, this should work. However, you're better off to look into an outdoor antenna system.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The Core Innovations ANT800BAR Indoor TV Antenna Bar allows you to access HDTV channels up to 80 miles away, free of charge. The signal indicator displays reception strength for peak viewing potential, and the omni-directional bar design provides connectivity in all directions. Enjoy content in up to 4K full HD where supported.
 

Is this antenna ATSC 3.0 capable?

All antennas that work with ATSC 1.0 work with ATSC 3.0. In fact, all TV antennas that work on the standard UHF range (which means nearly every antenna, ever) work with ATSC 3.0 receivers and TV sets.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
 

Will this work on a Xbox s and save my downloads

Yes, absolutely.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
 

Can this work for Mac PC

It can. You may need to format it for PC usage first, however.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
 

Can this be used with IPad Pro 10.5 inch

It can if you used a Camera Connection Kit and a Powered USB 3.x Hub. The lightning port by itself doesn't output enough power to run this drive.

For newer iPad Pros with USB-C connectors, you could just use a USB-C to USB 3.0 Micro B cable.

Either way, you'd need to format this drive using a computer first to a supported format (I believe that would be either ExFAT, HFS+, or APFS).
3 years, 2 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
 

Does this need a 3.0 slot to work correctly on an xbox series x? Will it work in a usb hub on the xbox series x with only 2.0 slots available?

It can work with a USB 2.0 hub, but it will run at approximately 1/3 the speed you'd get with a USB 3.x connection (40 megabyte per second transfers on USB 2.0 versus 120 megabyte per second transfers over USB 3.x).
3 years, 2 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
 

Will it work with a Xbox 360 E console?

It should, but you'd be better off with a less expensive external drive as the Xbox 360 series of devices do not have USB 3.0 connections and even the slowest of external drives currently available can saturate a USB 2.0 connection.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
BillFromKC