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    November 28, 2015
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  • Answer count
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    September 16, 2016
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    October 30, 2020
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PhilipM's Reviews
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Soundcore Sleep A10 Earbuds are your perfect companion for a peaceful night's sleep. They’re designed around an exclusive 4-Point Noise Masking system to keep night-time disturbances under your radar. Enhanced passive noise canceling combines with an advanced active noise masking algorithm, and soothing sleep sounds to block out up to 35dB of unwanted noise and deliver the ideal sleep environment. Sleep A10 earbuds are tiny and lightweight so they stay comfortably in your ears, all night long. Slim profile and pressure-free fit means even heavy side-sleepers can rest the entire night without discomfort or fatigue.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Surprisingly comfortable and effective
on November 20, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
I’ve been using these buds for a week now and they have proven surprisingly effective at noise blocking while also being comfortable to wear throughout the night. I tend to sleep on my side, so I was concerned that they would be uncomfortable in my ear if resting on a pillow, but after they’re properly seated they’re quite unobtrusive. I’ve slept better with these in while still being aware of surroundings when really needed.
I was also concerned that the passive noise blocking may not be as effective as active noise cancelling. In fact, these do a great job of isolating you from noise even without active cancelling. And for those wondering: yes, these do a pretty good job of masking snoring.
Battery life has been superb. They always last all the way through the night, and I’ve found that the charging case only needs to be recharged about once per week.
The companion app provides the ability to set up the buds, update firmware, and play various relaxing sounds such as rain, a stream, wind, etc. It will also log sleep patterns for your review, although I’m not totally sure how actionable the data is. In any event, I’ve found the app to be completely reliable on my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
There is also the option to use these buds without any active participation by the app by downloading the sleep sound you wish to use directly to the earbuds. This thoughtful piece of engineering helps ensure that the sound can be played without the battery drain of an active Bluetooth stream or even a connection to the phone.
I have also tried using these for listening to music and while I don’t think they’re going to win any awards on that front, they’re perfectly fine for listening to music before bedtime. I’d expect they’d be a good companion for aircraft travel too, although I haven’t had the opportunity to try that yet.
Overall this is a product I didn’t think I needed but have really enjoyed and can easily recommend for anybody who sleeps in a less than silent environment.
Pros:
- Noise isolation works really well
- Comfortable to wear all night, including when sleeping on your side
- Outstanding battery life
- Simple operation and reliable app
- Great little charging case can keep you on the go all week
- Works to mask snoring
- Comes with a wide variety of interchangeable fixtures to ensure a great fit for most ears
Cons:
- Streaming music is OK but not amazing.
- No active noise cancelling option.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
MGC Switchplate Wireless Controller for Switch and Windows PC. Featuring a compact design and 2 swappable magnetic faceplates in white and black, the Switchplate perfectly enhances the aesthetic and play of the Switch OLED, Switch and Switch Lite consoles. In addition to clean style, the Switchplate is packed with all the features you expect from a premium wireless controller:
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Wireless, programmable, and customizable!
on October 23, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
This new controller from MGC packs a serious punch in terms of features and quality. The design combines a high quality feel with easily interchangeable black and white faceplates which attach securely using magnets. Features include wireless or wired gameplay, 4 levels of customizable rumble intensity, programmable buttons on the back of the controller, 4 levels of adjustable stick sensitivity, and gyro motion controls. All of this is done via a programming button on the back of the controller and so no special software support is required. You can even connect the controller to a PC via the supplied USB-A to USB-C cable. Battery life has been solid. Taken together, the features, performance, quality, and included cable make this a fantastic value and a great choice for somebody looking for a more traditional controller layout for Switch gameplay.
The layout of the sticks and buttons closely matches that of recent XBOX controllers, so XBOX players will feel immediately at home. Even if the layout is new to you, the size of the controller and positioning of key buttons makes everything easy to reach. The programming buttons on the back are a great touch and can be easily remapped to front side buttons within a few seconds.
I loved the precision of the sticks, but I should note that I also had a competitive Nintendo eSports player try the controller and they noted that it would be great to be able to dial up the stick sensitivity even further. I suspect most players will be satisfied, but keep this in mind if super sensitive stick response is important and you play games which cannot adjust this in software.
Overall, this is easily my favorite Switch controller and easy to recommend to anybody who is looking for a solid twin-stick alternative to the bundled Joy-Cons.
Pros:
1. Lightweight design and relatively compact size make everything easy to reach, even for smaller hands (see included image for reference).
2. Controls are responsive and have a high quality feel.
3. XBOX style twin stick layout.
4. Programming rear buttons.
5. Adjustable rumble and stick sensitivity.
6. Wireless and wired play
7. USB play and charge cable included
8. Looks great! Faceplates are a fun idea that’s been well executed.
Cons:
1. If you dislike the XBOX stick layout, this may not be for you.
2. Some competitive players may wish for even greater levels of stick sensitivity.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
0points
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Increase your productivity with fast print speeds, automatic two-sided printing, easy mobile printing, and reliable Wi-Fi connections. Includes 1 full year subscription for Instant Ink delivery service with HP+ activation.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Reasonable Performance – Novel Ink System
on October 20, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
Pros:
- Nice design and easy to use touch screen.
- Reasonably quick. I observed 12 ppm for black text.
- Text and business graphics look good.
- Includes a color scanner and automatic document feeder.
- Built-in automatic two sided printing.
- Easy setup and wireless printing with strong network printing support.
- Instant Ink program is convenient and could save you money depending on the type of printing you do.
- One year Instant Ink plan up to 700 pages per month is priced into the initial purchase cost.
Cons:
- Photos are serviceable but not great
- Only one paper tray
- Automatic document feeder cannot automatically scan two sided documents
- The device actively works to reject non-HP ink cartridges
I’ve been using this Officejet all-in-one in a home office environment for about a week now.
The device supporting printing by USB or over a network (either Ethernet or wireless) and faxing via a standard phone line. Setup is easy via a mobile app that will locate the device and connect it to your wireless network.
Print speed has been reasonable for text documents (In my use, single spaced black text documents print at about 12 ppm once it gets going), and both text and business graphics generally look clean and crisp. Images and large areas of solid color or graduated backgrounds show some light striping when printing in normal mode, but printing the same images in high quality mode eliminates this issue. Most inkjets I’ve used have this issue to at least some degree and this printer is a little better than average in this regard.
The device supports printing borderless photos on inkjet photo paper, and while the results are serviceable, they are not as good as more capable photo printers and I wouldn’t use this device for printing family albums.
Paper handling is fine, with the tray supporting sizes up to US Legal and down to 4x6 photos and #10 envelopes. The printer will also automatically print on both sides of the paper if requested, a nice feature for saving paper and creating business documents. The main issue with the paper handling is that there is only one tray and paper path, so if you want to print letters and envelopes, you need to load and reset the size guides in the tray for each paper type. A smaller issue is that the output tray needs to be pulled out from the printer in order to catch the output pages and prevent them falling on the floor. This must be done manually, but leaving the tray out risks breakage if somebody brushes against it as they walk by, so the device needs some babysitting and/or careful placement in your workspace to deal to ensure the output tray is pulled out when needed.
The device also features a color scanner which can be used either by placing a document or photo on the scanner glass or by using the automatic document feeder. An ADF is a nice feature in a home office printer and this one works fine, but you should note that you cannot use the ADF to scan two sided documents. Some other home office printers do allow you to do duplex scanning from the ADF. In my testing, scan quality has been fine – better for documents than for photos. Copies are clean, but color copies do tend to darken colors a little.
One of the key differentiators for these Officejet printers is the HP Instant Ink program. The device comes with a 12 month trial subscription which allows you to print up to 700 pages per month without extra cost. The printer monitors ink levels and automatically orders new cartridges as needed so that they theoretically arrive before you need them based on your usage. After the trial period, the subscription is $5.99 for 100 pages per month up to $49.99 for 1500 pages. Depending on the mix of photos and documents you print, these costs are on the lower side of standard when using manufacturer cartridges. If you print a lot of full color documents, the plan could save a lot vs. buying the cartridges separately.
Note however: if you like to save money with third party ink suppliers, this printer is designed to detect and reject such cartridges and HP promises to update firmware to continue to get better at limiting use to HP cartridges. If you’re not using the Instant Ink program, the official HP cartridges could become quite expensive, so keep this in mind when deciding if this device is for you.
Overall, this is a reasonably quick and capable device for home office use and light small office use. The Instant Ink program allows businesses to understand and budget ink costs on a per page basis. But merely adequate photos, no two sided scanning, and ink cartridge DRM measures mean this device isn’t for everyone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Meet Pixel 6a, the more affordable Google phone that adapts to you. Powered by Google Tensor, it’s super fast and secure. The battery lasts up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.***** The Pixel Camera captures the moment just how you experienced it. And with TitanM2 security, protection is built right in.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Flagship performance in a midrange device
on August 14, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
Pros:
1. Outstanding overall performance for any category and especially for a midrange device
2. Solid battery life
3. Google's software extras and excellent long term update support
4. Nice design and solid construction
5. Decent display
6. Excellent camera for a midrange device
7. Top notch haptics
Cons:
1. No wireless charging and wired charging could be faster
2. Display looks good but isn't perfect. Some may wish for a faster refresh rate.
Personal preference: keep in mind that at 6.1" this device is a little smaller than some other new phones. I found the size to be very convenient, but you may want to see one in person to make sure it's the right fit for you.
Full review:
The Pixel 6a continues Googles recent trend of creating smartphones which deliver incredible value. And while the 6a is scaled down from the top end specifications of it’s slightly larger sibling, this device still manages to bring all the core elements of flagship performance to the midrange market. I’ve been using this phone extensively for the past week or so and can attest that it provides a fantastic smartphone experience which goes well beyond what I’ve seen in other respected midrange offerings.
Most importantly, Google has provided the same high end custom Tensor processor as was debuted in the Pixel 6. Although the layout of the ARM cores is a little different Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, this is absolutely a top end piece of silicon with performance that will rival or, in some cases, exceed that of a Snapdragon 888, depending on what you’re asking it to do. While Qualcomm has now updated the 888, this Tensor chip remains extremely competitive and provided superb performance in everything I threw at it. I’ve used the device with 3D games, HD video, email, news readers, photo editing, and 2D gaming and in all cases it has been fast and fluid.
The Tensor chip also has superb AI support to enable Pixel features such as live call transcription (including display of voice prompt menus), live translation (interpreter mode), and on-device speech recognition that doesn’t need to send your speech audio to the cloud in order to understand you. These are genuine quality of life improvements that help make using this phone more fun and more efficient.
The display is the same full HD resolution as that of the Pixel 6, and while many high end phones now offer higher resolution, this display remains sharp and easy to read. I never missed the extra pixel density vs. the Galaxy S21 Ultra I usually use. The display also benefits from using OLED technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks. On paper, the only issue is that this is a 60Hz display while many newer phones run at 90Hz or even 120Hz. It’s a rational compromise that you’re unlikely to notice unless you’re coming from a high refresh rate device. I did also notice some off-axis color shifting and other minor image quality issues. It’s a good display, but brightness, refresh rate, and color accuracy are not going to be as good as a higher priced flagship.
None of these great features matter if the battery runs out, and in my usage battery life was solid. 4,410mah battery is plenty big enough for most users to make it through the day. I found that 4 hours of screen-on time should be easily achievable over the course of a day. Stand by battery performance is good too and I was able to get 1.5 -2 hours screen on time per day across two days on a single charge.
Google has a well deserved reputation for solid smartphone cameras and this device is no exception. This is one area where midrange phones often suffer, but Google has brough to bear their superb image processing and AI software expertise to make for fast and highly reliable mobile photography experience. In every thing from bright sunlight to an unlit room with curtains closed, this camera reliably produced solid results. The camera setup is very similar to earlier Pixel phones (before the new Pixel 6), so the system is well proven and well respected.
Some other minor negatives: there’s no wireless charging and the cable charge rate is slower than some other phones. Just charge it overnight and all is good. Also, RAM is slightly reduced to 6GB vs. the 8GB on it’s bigger sibling. In my experience, this wasn’t a big deal but if you do a lot of app switching you may find you need to reload apps a little more frequently than on some higher RAM devices. Internal storage is excellent at 128GB (although not expandable).
Overall this is an outstanding mobile phone with solid performance, good battery life, good audio, a decent screen, an above average camera, and many years of software updates for a midrange price. Ironically, it’s strongest competitor may be the Pixel 6 itself, which for a relatively small premium offers a slightly larger size, better display, more RAM, and newer camera setup. Whether the premium is worth it is up to you, but if you’re looking for a device at this price point the Pixel 6a is tough to beat.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+4points
5of 6voted this as helpful.
 
Stay connected on the move with this 46mm Samsung Galaxy Watch. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support and includes 0.75GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage for music, photos and more. This 46mm Samsung Galaxy Watch comes in silver and uses Gorilla Glass DX+ technology for added protection against accidental fall damage.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great display and rotating bezel control
on February 12, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
(This review was written in Sept, 2018)
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch is a great all-round smartwatch that builds on the strengths of previous versions while also failing to shake loose of some of their limitations.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Attractive design with a truly round screen and sizes to fit a variety of wrists
- Rotating bezel is an outstanding way to control a smartwatch
- Outstanding OLED screen helps watch face designs look their best and provides strong visibility even in sunlight
- Strong battery life – even the smaller 42mm design manages to last 2-4 days depending on usage and settings
- Solid suite of built-in applications cover all the smartwatch basics, including a rich implementation of Samsung Health
- Works with almost any smartphone and can connect over WiFi without needing to be in Bluetooth range
Cons:
- Very limited selection of third-party apps
- Samsung pay implementation was hit and miss for me
- Voice control is via Bixby, which is still not as strong as Google Assistant
- If you want to use the watch for phone call audio, the require audio Bluetooth connection can conflict with other connections such as in-car handsfree systems
Hardware and Performance
The new Galaxy watch is superbly constructed from high quality materials. The included rubber strap won’t be to everybody’s taste, but it is soft and comfortable and the lugs are standard widths so its easy to swap in other off-the-shelf watch straps.
The standout features are the OLED display, which is very sharp and makes watch faces look great, and the outstanding rotating bezel. The bezel is the single best interface elements I’ve seen on a smartwatch, being intuitive and efficient to use, with a nice tactile action as well.
Performance is very quick and I’ve noticed no lag in daily operation. Battery life is superb for a smartwatch, lasting well into 3 days with moderate use and GPS enabled. Enabling the (very good) “always on display” reduces battery life to about 24 hours, although the quality if the resulting display is better than I’ve seen in other implementations.
The included speakers are sufficiently loud to be heard in most situations and the microphone did OK picking up my voice commands (Bixby’s less than stellar speech recognition notwithstanding).
Charging is handled wirelessly, and Samsung includes a nice charging stand and adaptor in the box. The stand holds the watch sideways, which I prefer for efficient use of space on the nightstand.
In the back of the watch is a suite of sensors for monitoring of hear rate and stress levels.
All in all, as with most Samsung products, there’s very little to complain about in terms of hardware quality.
Software and Features
Samsung loads the Galaxy Watch with a full suite of smartwatch features for everything from notifications, call controls, messaging, media playback (both on-device and remote control), weather, news, and the very deep Samsung Health tracking and exercise suite. All of this runs on Samsung’s Tizen, a lightweight but mature mobile operating system that Samsung has now used across several generations of smartwatch. It’s just as well the included software is so robust, because as much as Tizen is a great OS for wearables, there is very little third-party developer support. I was unable to find native apps for some of the big names like Nest, Wemo, etc. There are workarounds to these omissions, including IFTTT support, but native apps would be far easier for most users. There are some independently developed apps, including one for Nest, but support and longevity are an open question.
In general, if you’re looking to cover the basics and have robust health tracking, the built-in software has you covered. If you’re looking for a device to control all of your smart home needs (and you don’t use Samsung’s Smart Things hubs), this may not be as great a fit.
One area where there is a huge variety of third-party options is watch faces. There is a large library to suit almost any taste, including many solid free options. The watch faces really come to life on the excellent OLED display too.
Samsung includes Samsung Pay and NFC support. I was able to import one of my cards from an install of Samsung Pay I’ve been using successfully on a Galaxy S7, but so far I’ve been unable to get it to complete a payment, despite at least one of the terminals I tried explicitly stating support for Samsung Pay. I assume I’ve just been unlucky and your mileage may vary. One thing to keep in mind is that this particular implementation of Samsung Pay works only with NFC terminals – the magnetic stripe transmission system that makes Samsung Pay unique on phones is not supported on the watch. In all honesty, I find it easier to just whip out my phone in any event since there I can use the fingerprint reader rather than putting a PIN into the watch before making a payment.
Conclusion
Without broader third party support for Tizen, the Galaxy Watch is very much a case of “what you see is what you get”. If you live in Samsung’s ecosystem, or you’re happy with the admittedly very good built-in functionality, you’re likely to be very pleased with this device. The performance is quick, battery life is strong, display is excellent, and the bezel makes navigating the system a breeze. However, if you’re looking for deep integration with major non-Samsung smart home providers, you may be better served with offerings than run on more mainstream operating systems.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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As beautifully elegant as it is rugged the Aventure is the most powerful and versatile ebike we’ve ever designed. With a front suspension fork, fat tires, and exceptional handling you can be sure of the most comfortable ride across whichever terrain your spirit chooses, whilst built in fenders and integrated front and rear lights ensure that wherever you go you’ll be both seen by others and protected from the terrain beneath you. While the Aventure ships as a class II ebike, it can be configured into a class III with its high capacity battery and powerful rear hub motor. Topping it off with its color display that syncs to the new Aventon app means that this bike is first in its class and packed full of the technological innovation required for it to stand up to the test of time.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Well built and easy to use with great performance
on February 12, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
Age:45-54
Gender:Male
This is my first e-bike and it has helped me to rediscover my childhood enjoyment of bike riding on a whole new scale. Although I’ve enjoyed riding bikes when the setting called for it (down in Seaside on vacation, or around the neighborhood with the kids), I’ve never been a serious cyclist. This new bike from Aventon has nonetheless been easy to set up, and a real blast to ride. I’ve found myself riding all around our little town here in Georgia (the abundant bike and golf cart paths help) without the slightest concern about running out of steam, or some joint acting up miles from home. It’s been totally liberating and tons of fun.
e-bikes in general are a great way to get around, and this Aventon unit is an excellent example: well built, long lasting battery (Aventon claims about 45 miles and I have no reason to doubt this), quality components like hydraulic disc brakes, nice fat tires, and intuitive operation. For those new to e-bikes, it’s worth noting that an e-bike is not like a motor scooter or electric motorbike in that e-bikes generally need to be pedaled. The system allows you to add a variable amount of electric assistance to your own pedaling, making long rides and steep hills a breeze. Because the assistance is adjustable, you can get as much or as little exercise as you like. There’s also a throttle that can be used in a pinch to keep moving even without pedaling, but generally you control the speed via your legs, making the bike easy to use and control. This also means that the bike isn’t going to run away from you (or with you) since it will stop when you stop the pedals. In my experience, the Aventure was well behaved. You can definitely feel the assist kicking in after starting to turn the pedals, but generally the motor is well controlled, especially at the lower assistance levels. The disc brakes are easy to modulate and confidence inspiring. The seat is comfortable, but could probably be changed out (there’s a quick release) if you wanted something different. It’s worth noting that this bike does NOT have a quick release on the front wheel, so you need to pack a wrench if you intend to dismount the wheel.
The bike includes a surprisingly effective headlight (given its small size) and a nice bright red tail and brake light, both of which make it reasonably easy to spot even as the sun goes down.
Aventon ships this bike in a very well packaged box and all components are thoughtfully protected. Assembly is not difficult, even for the uninitiated, and all needed tools are supplied. Just add a helmet and a pump for the tires. That said, Aventon suggests having a local bike shop put it together for you and that’s not a terrible idea, especially if you’re concerned about the weight of this unit. My bike did need some minor adjustments, but so far I’ve been able to do anything needed at home.
Pros:
- Well made and attractively designed, with the battery neatly integrated into the frame.
- Excellent performance with tons of power for high speed cruising (up to 28 mph) and steep hill climbs.
- Big fat tires and suspension mean it can easily traverse even rough terrain.
- Long battery life. After a ride of about 7 miles, my bike was still above 90% (the official range figure is about 45 miles).
- Good quality hardware – hydraulic brakes are very strong and even the small included headlight is quite effective at night (an upgraded unit is available if needed).
- Easy to assemble with all required parts, tools, and charger included.
- Good service and support.
- Control unit can connect to an app on your phone for logging and tracking as well as deeper configuration of speed limits and assistance options.
- Step through or step over designs in a variety of sizes and colors.
Cons:
- Heavy. Removing the battery can help make it easier to transport.
- No front wheel quick release.
- Like all bikes, it will require some periodic service, and the heavy nature of e-bikes means certain consumables like brake pads wear more quickly than for regular bikes.
Overall I couldn’t be happier with my Aventure and am looking forward to many enjoyable hours with the wind in my hair and a strong motor to back me up when my legs run out of push.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Design
5 out of 5
5
Durability
5 out of 5
5
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The CORSAIR M65 RGB ULTRA Tunable Gaming Mouse boasts a durable aluminum frame and pinpoint accuracy powered by a 26,000 DPI MARKSMAN optical sensor and optical OMRON switches. Sensor fusion technology enables convenient tilt gestures for in-game actions, while CORSAIR AXON Hyper-Processing Technology transmits those actions up to 8x faster than other gaming mice. With customizable weight between 97g and 115g, a lightweight paracord cable, and CORSAIR QUICKSTRIKE buttons, all your movements and actions register with the utmost speed. Take control with iCUE software to program the M65 RGB ULTRA’s eight buttons, customize its dynamic RGB backlighting, and save your profiles to onboard storage to take on the go. Pick up the M65 RGB ULTRA to make all your clicks count.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Light, precise, and high configurable
on January 25, 2022
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
This gaming mouse combines a high quality feel with lightning fast response, incredible precision and outstanding customization options. Corsair has clearly put a lot of thought and care into this product, and if you're looking for a great gaming mouse that also works well for desktop use and offers a subtle and understated design, this is an excellent choice that offers a ton of value.
Pros:
- Great looking design and high quality construction that isn't over styled and will look at home on almost any desktop.
- High quality RGB lighting can be linked to other RBG devices, themes, and rules via Corsair's iCUE software suite.
- Well placed, top quality buttons and scroll wheel.
- Supports re-mappable tilt gestures
- On-the-fly sensitivity adjustment with visual feedback.
- Adjustable weight
- Also outstanding for regular desktop use
- High quality, ultra soft cable doesn't hinder movement and should hold up well to heavy use.
- Easily switch between multiple profiles
Cons:
- The multiple profiles cannot be activated just be running a particular game or program.
- Sometimes in extended sleep mode, the mouse seems to disconnect and moving it won't wake up the computer. Sometimes you also need to wait moment for the mouse to re-connect after waking up the machine. In practice, this is a minor issue.
I've been using this mouse for shooters like Halo Infinite and Battlefield V, and RTS titles like Supreme Commander 2 and the new Age of Empires. In all cases, performance has been flawlessly fast and accurate. It's incredible what a difference a truly well designed mouse makes in being able to achieve smooth and accurate movement and targeting, and the sophisticated remapping options allow you to keep all key commands ready at hand. Additional touches such as gesture controls (just tip right to reload your weapon, for example) and a super low lift-off distance make it that much more enjoyable to use.
Corsair's iCue software provides a nice central management interface for adjusting, remapping, and controlling RGB lighting on the mouse. The software can also control other RGB devices, including some not from Corsair (my ASUS motherboard, for example). You can also save some profile data directly to the mouse hardware as a fail safe or to allow customization even when the iCue software is not available.
In addition to gaming, I've also found this mouse to be ideal for regular desktop work and found it very difficult to go back to my regular work mouse. I'd go so far as to say that if you use a large high DPI display, this mouse is a great choice for anything from Photoshop to Excel work and if you prefer the RGB effects can be disabled for a work-specific profile.
Don't let the wired connection concern you. Not only does it provide ultra-fast, low latency, and reliable input, the cable is very soft and covered in a high quality braid. In practice I didn't even really notice the cable during gameplay.
There's an obvious level of care and understanding of the needs of gamers that has gone into this product and I can recommend it without reservation as providing a ton of features in a high value package.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
4 out of 5
4
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
You shouldn’t have to settle for a watered-down version of your favorite iced coffee at home. By brewing at a lower temperature, preinfusing and offering the ability to customize to an extra strong taste, smooth, full-bodied coffee over ice that is never watered down. An automatic bean-to-cup machine, Dinamica offers “one-touch” beverages: espresso, long espresso, drip-style coffee, and a new feature - Over Ice, just select the strength to your liking. To deliver the freshest brew possible, the Dinamica’s revolutionary technology grinds the perfect amount of your favorite beans leaving no residual coffee in the brewing unit. Also, with an integrated Premium Adjustable Frother, you can create Italian classic cappuccino with a dryer milk foam texture or choose the Hot Milk setting for your latte. And cleanup is a snap, taking half the time of other machines - just pop out the drip tray, and drop it in the dishwasher.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great coffee, easy to use and live with
on November 6, 2021
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
As I write this review I’m sipping on a hot long espresso brew that was made from fresh ground beans in less then 2 minutes in this fully automatic DeLonghi coffee maker, and it’s absolutely wonderful.
DeLonghi has almost a 50 year history in coffee makers, and their high end units frequently adorn the counters of coffee shops around the world. This fully automated unit has brought all that experience in extracting flavor from coffee beans and put it on my kitchen counter and I couldn’t be happier. This machine delivers rich, smooth, creamy espresso (regular and long) and drip style coffee quickly and reliably. Just fill the top with your favorite beans, fill the water tank, and push brew.
Pros:
- Produces outstanding, creamy espresso.
- Fast heating (DeLonghi claims 40 seconds but in my experience it’s even faster)
- Adjusts to different levels of water hardness and includes an optional in-tank filter that you can use if needed.
- Can make either espresso or regular coffee
- Highly adjustable, including strength, volume, and temperature. Each mode can be set separately.
- The built-in grinder does a superb job of finely grinding the beans and is fully adjustable.
- Can also accept pre-ground coffee
- Easy to clean
- Brews excellent ice coffee which is smooth and not watered down
- Fully programmable for strength and volume
- Includes milk heater / frother
Cons:
- Although compact for what it is, it is larger than a regular coffee maker. You may want to check counter space in advance.
- Is by its nature a little louder than a regular coffee brewer, so keep this in mind for those early morning coffees.
- Milk frother works OK, but could be better.
Notes from my experience:
DeLonghi says you’ll need to brew several cups before the grinder is producing satisfactory results and I concur with this experience. Don’t give up if the first 2-3 cups are not as you’d hoped! I also found that the default setting was a little too coarse. I recommend a setting of either 3 or 4 if you enjoy a creamier espresso. That said, part of the beauty of this machine is that it can produce a wide range of results to suit your individual tastes. This can be a pro and a con as the machine may need some tuning before you get exactly what you want, but it is highly capable and the results are worth the effort. Once you have it dialed in, no further tinkering is needed as all settings are remembered.
It’s worth noting that the grinder really produces great results. I’ve attached some pictures of the “pucks” ejected from the machine, and as you can see they are very dense. This density of the ground combined with the high pressure pump and proper infuser all contribute to a great cup of coffee.
The standard coffee setting produces very different results vs. the two espresso settings. If you want a larger cup, I suggest trying the long espresso setting and, if needed, programming it for a little more volume. Programming is very simple and, once done, your settings become the default each time the unit is turned on.
I don’t drink a lot of iced coffee, but I did try this setting and the machine did a great job brewing coffee over ice. The result was smooth and not at all watered down.
Unlike pod-based machines, these do require some periodic cleaning, but DeLonghi has made this very easy with some thoughtful design elements. The machine actually rinses itself each time you turn it on and rinses out any residual coffee when turned off again. Cleaning the internal water circuit can also be triggered manually from the control panel. In any event, the large capacity drip try catches the rinse water each time so you don’t even need a separate container. The milk frother easily detaches for rinsing, which takes just a few seconds. The most intensive cleaning process is the monthly cleaning of the infuser, but even this is easy. Just open the door on the side, remove the infuser, soak in water for 5 minutes, and replace it. Good design makes for a low hassle experience.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a high end espresso maker that makes outstanding coffee, is versatile, easy to use, and easy to clean and live with, this one has you covered. I’m very happy with mine.
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Meet Pixel 6. It’s completely reimagined, inside and out. Powered by Tensor, Google’s first-ever processor, it’s fast, smart, and secure. The all-day battery adapts to you.* The Pixel Camera captures a moment just how you experienced it. And the Personal Safety app and the new Titan M2TM chip help protect you, your stuff, and your privacy.**
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Stunning combination of performance and value
on November 3, 2021
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
Summary
In the new Pixel 6, Google has somehow managed to combine top of the line smartphone specifications and performance with outstanding build quality and a superb user experience for a remarkably reasonable price. There have been other players in the Android market who have claimed to offer value priced “flagship killers”, and while they have succeeded to a certain degree, this new Pixel completely redefines that value proposition with a device and experience which are almost entirely free of compromises while costing half the price of recent high-end offerings from the market leaders.
If you’re looking for one of the best smartphone experiences available today, enjoy Google services, and don’t want to spend $1,000 on a device, you’ve just found your phone.
1. Differentiated Experience
A key feature of Pixel phones has always been their “pure” Android experience. With less clutter due to pre-loaded apps and custom skins, the Pixel offers a smooth, clean user experience that’s fast and cohesive. The Pixel 6 debuts Android 12 and the revised “Material You” design theme which provides some great flexibility to customize the look of the interface. Especially impressive is the way the entire phone UI adapts to the colors in your selected wallpaper. Google also offers regular, timely updates. Security updates are offered for 5 years and major operating system upgrades for three years.
Many of the other unique features of this device stem from Google’s decision to create their own “Tensor” SOC (system on chip). This design incorporates custom machine learning and AI capabilities alongside standard high performance ARM processor cores. This allows for some impressive real-time capabilities including:
a) On-device speech recognition. Most phones send your spoken commands (or voice typing) to the cloud for processing, but the Pixel can understand speech input right on the phone. I tested this by entering airplane mode. The voice recognition, typing, and even live transcription features all still worked just fine. This is this great for privacy and also significantly enhances the speed at which speech is processed.
b) Transcribing text from active phone calls in real time. This system also allows you to navigate automated phone system menus by tapping the option you want on the screen. I’ve posted a screen shot of this feature in action with a call to the IRS. The transcription is instantaneous and very accurate.
c) Ability to hold on your behalf when calling a customer service number. Yes – just hit “hold for me” and the phone will wait, listening to the hold messages and elevator music and then ping you when your call is being answered.
d) Live translation of text or recorded audio, including a two-way “interpreter” mode. The translation models can be downloaded so they work offline.
e) Ability to touch up photos with the “magic eraser” feature where the AI can attempt to remove unwanted subjects from a photo after it has been taken. I’ve posted screenshots to show this in action.
These features are genuinely useful and, even in this initial release, quite well executed. I’m looking forward to seeing how Google evolves the use of the on-chip AI capabilities over the next few years given this impressive start.
2. Design and construction.
Unlike some previous Pixel phones, the Pixel 6 uses premium glass and metal construction for a very high-end feel. The glass is top-of-the-line Gorilla Glass Victus and the metal frame has a matt finish which helps to make the phone easy to grip.
The most distinctive design feature is the camera “bump”, which runs horizontally across the upper back portion of the phone. Because it spans the entire width of the device, this phone remains stable when laid down on a flat surface, although the edges do also tend to collect dust.
The one other thing worth noting is that for some reason Google has placed the sleep/power key ABOVE the volume rocker on this phone. I’m sure I’d get used to it, but coming from a Galaxy device I found I was constantly pressing the volume key when actually meaning to lock the phone.
3. Display
The display covers almost the entire face of the phone (not quite edge to edge) with a small “hole punch” for the front facing camera. Although “only” FHD (1080p), it is very sharp at 440 pixels per inch and, being OLED, offers outstanding colors and contrast. Google offers “natural” and “vivid” color settings, along with an adaptive option which changes based on content. I used the latter and have no complaints.
In everyday use, the display is excellent. Grey uniformity can sometimes be a little uneven, but this is not usually noticeable in normal use. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is supported for video services like Netflix, and the content I tried in this mode looked superb with bright highlights and an accurate HDR color palette. Watching video on this device is a joy.
The display does also offer an “always on” mode which provides a clock and notifications on the OLED display even when the device is sleeping. This worked well in my testing, although I’m not sure if or how much long-term use might lead to image retention.
4. Performance
Google’s “Tensor” custom system on a chip (SOC) provided smooth and efficient performance in all the applications I’ve tested so far, including 3D gaming, video, and apps like Excel. Sometimes I encountered very brief micro stutters in scrolling things like lists of news articles, but there were minor and I’d expect they will improve as the software continues to be optimized.
Google has utilized standard ARM processor cores, including the high end X1 design also found in the Snapdragon 888. Most modern smartphone SOCs use a mix of high performance (and high power) and lower performance but more efficient processor cores to get the work done without burning through the battery too quickly. In the Snapdragon 888, Qualcomm opted for a single high power X1 core supported by 3 mid-range cores and 4 low power cores. Google has gone with TWO high power X1 cores (albeit with slightly lower clock speed). In order to save power and die space, they support these with two mid-range cores which are slower and less power hungry than the 3 mid-range cores in the Snapdragon. In theory this should provide higher peak performance, and some benchmarks support this, but actual performance will vary depending on how a particular application was coded.
Added to this powerful mix of processor cores is Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) which handles machine learning and AI functions, including the superb on-device speech recognition, image processing, and video decoding.
The bottom line is that these are high end, high power devices with excellent 3D graphics and AI support which should have no trouble with any workload you ask of them.
5. Camera
Pixel phones have a well earned reputation for superb cameras, largely due to Google’s expertise in machine learning and image processing – something Google refers to as “computational photography”. The Pixel 6 continues this tradition with a 50 megapixel main camera and a 12 megapixel ultra-wide camera. The 50 MP unit usually bins to 12.5 MP but can also be used for high quality 2X zoom. Beyond 2X, the zoom is done in software and although you can theoretically zoom up to 7X, 3X is probably about as far as you’ll want to go in most situations. There’s also a 8 megapixel front “hole punch” camera behind the display for selfies and video calls.
I’ve tried the new cameras in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor situations and as expected they perform very well, providing great images in auto mode almost every time. Low light performance is brilliant, even in spaces which are almost completely dark.
Google’s AI chops also allow for some great effects, including live HDR, creative motion blur (see attached sample), de-blurring of faces, and what Google calls “magic eraser”. The latter allows you to highlight objects in any picture and have the software remove them after the image has been taken. The system automatically suggests potential objects for removal, but you can manually draw around any object you like and the system will attempt to remove it for you. Results are mixed depending on the complexity of the scene behind the object, but you can frequently get some great results.
Video quality is also good, even in low light, and can be recorded in 1080p or 4K at up to 60 fps. Slow motion is available up to 240 fps and the stabilization features have been outstanding in my testing.
6. Battery life
In my testing over several days of different use levels, the performance of the ~4,600 mAh battery has been superb. Despite using the always on display, a full day of use including photos, video recording, and 3 hours of active screen time left the battery at 61% by 11pm. I have no doubt that with moderate use you could stretch to two days on a charge without too much “range anxiety”. A power saving mode is provided for those times when you’re running out of battery before running out of day.
Google has also implemented some battery saving tech, including adaptive throttling of seldom-used apps (with the ability for the user to prioritize critical tasks if needed), and a smart charging feature that allows you to charge overnight and aims to reach a full charge at the same time your morning alarm goes off.
The device supports fast wired and wireless charging, and you can even place a device that supports wireless charging on the back of the phone and have it charge that device for you – great for charging wireless earbuds while out and about.
7. Conclusion.
The Pixel 6 offers fast performance, great battery life, an excellent camera, unique AI features, and outstanding value in a high quality package. Easy to recommend.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-11points
3of 17voted this as helpful.
 
The improved moisture-wicking fabric technology in our Dri-Tec Performance Sheets has a silkier texture with less dry feel to help you sleep more comfortable throughout the night
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Soft with a good fit, but not as smooth as cotton
on October 12, 2021
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
Important note: These sheets are not white. They are a "Champaign" color as pictured, so be sure this will work with your décor.
These sheets are soft and have some stretch and give which helps with comfort, but the material used also does not feel quite as smooth as good quality cotton sheets and in my experience they're not especially cool throughout the night. This doesn't means they're unpleasant to sleep on. In fact, the stretch in the fabric makes them quite comfortable. The texture is definitely "silky" as advertised rather than smooth. They also fit our slightly oversized mattress very well and the elastic on the fitted sheet is well designed and should fit easily on a wide range of mattress sizes.
I'm sure that the fabric does a great job wicking moisture during the night, but somewhat counterintuitively it also seems to make these feel a little warm vs. cotton. I suspect that your level of appreciation for this "dry wicking" technology might vary depending on climate (and climate control) for your home.
Overall, I think this is a good quality and well designed product that just didn't connect for me the way I'd hoped it might. Whether or not you like them will depend heavily on what you're looking for and your environment. They do precisely what they say, but don't expect these to replicate the cool, smooth feel of a high quality set of percale cotton sheets.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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PhilipM's Review Comments
 
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PhilipM's Answers
 
Floor One S3 saves you time by combining two chores – vacuuming and mopping – in one step, leaving floors clean and streak-free. Featuring iLoop Smart Sensor Technology, Floor One S3 senses dirt and debris, then auto controls suction and water flow, leaving floors shiny and clean.Other smart features include a full color LED screen that helps you monitor iLoop’s automatic cleaning power, app connectivity, and a helpful voice assistant.
 

how long does the battery last

In my experience it lasts about half an hour.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
PhilipM
 
This H&R Block Premium Tax software is designed for people who want to be in control of their tax preparation experience and feel empowered by completing their own return. It is a perfect solution for homeowners, investors, rental property owners, or self-employed who have complex tax situations and want to get a big refund.
 

does thie have froms for rental

Yes - I've used it for this purpose for several years and it works well, but watch out for any potentially depreciation difference between state and federal returns.
4 years, 2 months ago
by
PhilipM
 
Control TVs, lights and stereos with this black Sevenhugs smart remote. The intuitive touch screen offers simplicity, and the Smart Remote companion app allows the user to customize the remote's interface for different devices. This Sevenhugs smart remote lets you connect electronics and services via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared and smart hubs for a simple installation.
 

Will this take the place of a charter spectrum remote, and a TCL TV remote simultaneously?

This remote should be able to replace any combination of traditional infrared remotes. It will generally not replace remotes that use custom RF or Wifi control. Even if your remote is not in the database, there's a built in IR learning function so the unit can learn the commands you want to use as you perform them on your old remote.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
PhilipM
 
Accompany your workouts with streaming tunes from these JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones. PowerHook technology switches them on when worn, and the TwistLock and FlexSoft features ensure a lightweight, ergonomic fit for comfortable, all-day use. Manage music playback effortlessly on these wireless JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones via touch-enabled controls.
 

are these used for talking also or just listing to music for head phones

You can use them for talking on a phone call, but the microphone quality is not ideal and callers with whom I tested them reported difficulty in hearing my clearly, even in a quiet environment.
5 years ago
by
PhilipM
 
Accompany your workouts with streaming tunes from these JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones. PowerHook technology switches them on when worn, and the TwistLock and FlexSoft features ensure a lightweight, ergonomic fit for comfortable, all-day use. Manage music playback effortlessly on these wireless JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones via touch-enabled controls.
 

when you are in a call is only the right one supposed to work but with everything else, they both work?

That's been my experience. Only stereo audio sources appear to engage the left bud.
5 years ago
by
PhilipM
 
Take command of your taxes with this H&R Block Premium tax filing software package. It lets you file electronically for increased convenience, and it delivers data security in the form of web browser encryption and multilayered authentication. This H&R Block Premium tax filing software package provides guidance at every stop to ensure accuracy and ease of use.
 

Does the HR Block Premium package come with a State Tax program ?

Yes - you choose and download the state after installing the main federal return software. No additional charge, but there can be additional charges to e-file state returns, at least from my experience in prior years (federal e-file is included).
7 years, 3 months ago
by
PhilipM
 
Enjoy pristine viewing with this Sony 4K HDR TV. The 4K Processor X1 and 4K X-Reality PRO technology of this television produce brilliant colors, while its ultra-slim 55-inch screen and wire-hiding features are aesthetically pleasing. The Android feature of this Sony 4K HDR TV provides a variety of customizable programming options.
 

What is the refresh rate in hz?

120 Hz native refresh, but the software interpolates at 240Hz. Not sure what the difference is in practice, but can definitely say that this unit offers a very quick refresh rate and doesn't suffer from ghosting.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
PhilipM