TechnicallyCorrect's stats
- Review count224
- Helpfulness votes803
- First reviewApril 4, 2014
- Last reviewJune 29, 2025
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- Average rating3.5
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- Answer count20
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- First answerDecember 2, 2016
- Last answerJune 1, 2021
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Play music anywhere with this Sony XB20 speaker. It has dual passive radiators to boost low-end sound for a more vibrant bass, and it connects to your music device via Bluetooth, eliminating wires for convenience. This Sony XB20 speaker is water-resistant, so you can listen to your playlist outside or poolside.
Customer Rating
3
Nice quality but sound could better
on March 29, 2017
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
This is Sony's latest in the line of Sony XB speakers. I am assuming the XB means extra bass and that is totally the case. Let's review the different categories -
Build quality and physical features
Very solid, the speaker has some heft to it.
It has a refined feel of smooth, quality soft plastic.
Water resistant IPX 5 certified.
Micro USB and 3.5 mm jack. The micro USB is the way you charge the speaker.
Overall, a well built and engineered speaker.
The speaker has one color LED lights that pulse as the sound is playing. You can control it through the software.Note to Sony, consumers really do not care about this. The gimmick wears off real fast and does not influence the buying decision.
It has a refined feel of smooth, quality soft plastic.
Water resistant IPX 5 certified.
Micro USB and 3.5 mm jack. The micro USB is the way you charge the speaker.
Overall, a well built and engineered speaker.
The speaker has one color LED lights that pulse as the sound is playing. You can control it through the software.Note to Sony, consumers really do not care about this. The gimmick wears off real fast and does not influence the buying decision.
Connectivity and features -
The most current bluetooth connectivity and controls. It pairs very easily. The speaker does ask to install software but there will be more of that below.
NFC and a 3.5 MM input.
The most current bluetooth connectivity and controls. It pairs very easily. The speaker does ask to install software but there will be more of that below.
NFC and a 3.5 MM input.
Sound
The sound is just okay, it sounds a bit “muddied to me.” I tried it on both an iPad and an Android phone. It just seems the treble is washed out a bit. I tried adjusting the few settings in the software and it did help. It’s not terrible but should be a bit better at this price point. I found the speakers of the iPad a bit better on the treble range compared to the Sony SRS-XB20. However, the speaker is powerful for it’s size -the volume and bass is more than any iPad or computer. If you like a speaker for bass then this is one you should give you some consideration. Keep in mind that quality of sound is subjective to listener, this may be just fine for you. I did compare it to a cheap $30 speaker, another competitor that is twice the price ( there is no comparison) and computer/Ipad speakers.
The sound is just okay, it sounds a bit “muddied to me.” I tried it on both an iPad and an Android phone. It just seems the treble is washed out a bit. I tried adjusting the few settings in the software and it did help. It’s not terrible but should be a bit better at this price point. I found the speakers of the iPad a bit better on the treble range compared to the Sony SRS-XB20. However, the speaker is powerful for it’s size -the volume and bass is more than any iPad or computer. If you like a speaker for bass then this is one you should give you some consideration. Keep in mind that quality of sound is subjective to listener, this may be just fine for you. I did compare it to a cheap $30 speaker, another competitor that is twice the price ( there is no comparison) and computer/Ipad speakers.
The volume control is a bit strange with an iPad. The iPad will show one level in the indicator when you increase or decrease the volume on the speaker, the indicator bar levels blink to indicate what the speaker is doing. At first, it appears something is wrong and that the speaker is fighting with the iPad volume control. The speaker does control the volume but it did not change the indicator fully on the iPad. Very strange.
Software -
The speaker is advertised to have an app called Songpal. There is no Songpal in the Itunes App store and will not be until May ( or so I read.) When you first connect the speaker to an IOS device, it tries to install the software but it is not in Itunes. I did try it on Android and Songpal is in the Google Play store under the name Sony Music Center. There are controls for the lights, voice search, sound controls such as Clear Audio that is supposed to make music sound better and a weak equalizer that has a choice of flat or bass.
The speaker is advertised to have an app called Songpal. There is no Songpal in the Itunes App store and will not be until May ( or so I read.) When you first connect the speaker to an IOS device, it tries to install the software but it is not in Itunes. I did try it on Android and Songpal is in the Google Play store under the name Sony Music Center. There are controls for the lights, voice search, sound controls such as Clear Audio that is supposed to make music sound better and a weak equalizer that has a choice of flat or bass.
Conclusion -
The Sony SRS-XB20 is a midrange speaker that has excellent build quality but falls a bit short on audio quality and loses some merit that the software at the time of this review was not ready for iOS. I think with some minor software tweaks that the sound for music will be better. At the full list price , I am not sure it is worth it. At a price point about $30 less, you would have a winner. Still, I could recommend it on it’s build quality, feature set and bass in hopes a better equalizer would be coming.
The Sony SRS-XB20 is a midrange speaker that has excellent build quality but falls a bit short on audio quality and loses some merit that the software at the time of this review was not ready for iOS. I think with some minor software tweaks that the sound for music will be better. At the full list price , I am not sure it is worth it. At a price point about $30 less, you would have a winner. Still, I could recommend it on it’s build quality, feature set and bass in hopes a better equalizer would be coming.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
4
Set it and forget it whole house network
on January 26, 2017
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
This is Linksys's first foray into the consumer mesh Wi-Fi router market. So what is a mesh Wi-Fi router? First, it is not one router. It is several “routers” ( called nodes) that communicate between each other to extend your wireless network through out your home. The entire point of a consumer mesh network is to cover large homes with reduced loss of speed . Traditional routers will lose speed the farther you get away from the transmitter. Keep that in mind - a mesh network offers little advantage for a medium or small home over a single router system. Single routers systems offer faster speeds ( Linksys and Netgear may disagree with that but it is true) at less of cost and offer a more robust feature set. However, if you have a larger home and need coverage ; the Velop is one of the better options.
Set up
The Velop system can only be set up via a mobile app - no standard Windows, Mac OS program or any web client to choose from . I am not overly thrilled with being limited to that because I find apps tend not to have as much of a robust feature set. In this case, it is partially true of Linksys app. However, this is by design to keep things simple. For those who want a simple, straight forward set up - Linksys has really nailed it. In fact, for nearly every user this will be a very easy set up.
The Velop system can only be set up via a mobile app - no standard Windows, Mac OS program or any web client to choose from . I am not overly thrilled with being limited to that because I find apps tend not to have as much of a robust feature set. In this case, it is partially true of Linksys app. However, this is by design to keep things simple. For those who want a simple, straight forward set up - Linksys has really nailed it. In fact, for nearly every user this will be a very easy set up.
I already had the app downloaded for another Linksys product. I plugged in one of the nodes. In less than 30 seconds the app connected to the node. 3 minutes later it connecting to the internet. It then asks where the node is by what room. The point of this step is you are going to set up other nodes in the house to create your mesh network. After you have set up your nodes and connected to the internet, the app will check if there are any firmware updates. My system did have an update and it took about 3 minutes download. After the download the app tells you it is restarting, that took over 20 minutes. After the restart, the screen for the app had a message “ the device is not connected to the “router name.” I checked and it was no longer connected the new Linksys network . I went into settings and had to reconnect to the network. After that , I was connected to internet. However, when going back into the app, it asked if I wanted to add the router to my account or log onto the router. No matter what I did, I could not log onto the router with the password I created. I ended up resetting my password and everything worked. I assume I made a mistake in creating my password. Linksys does not have password verification when setting up so I can see this happening. According to the documentation, future updates will occur automatically overnight. However, if you add nodes after the initial setup; there will be additional initial loads of firmware. The second node updated much faster than the first so maybe there was a glitch when updating the first node. After all was done, the setup took me about 45 minutes. You could probably cut that in half if you did everything correctly.
Build quality -
Each node is about the size of two soda cans. They are all white plastic and well built. The foot print is very small compared to the Orbi system I own.
Connectivity -
Each node has 2 ethernet ports. For the primary node , one is for connecting to the broadband modem. All other nodes you can use both ethernet ports. At first, I thought it was a negative that it only has one ethernet port available on the primary node but with since most devices today are wireless; you will not miss it. For additional nodes, you get additional ethernet ports - it is a nice feature.
There is no USB storage option so that is a negative. I do use networked USB drive on another router so I would have like to see this option.
Warranty
3 years. Pretty good.
3 years. Pretty good.
Feature set -
For a power user, this is not the router system for you. For everyone else, it is excellent. It has a basic set of app features - speed test, parental controls, device priorization. You cannot change IP ranges or customize any settings of the network. Don’t worry about any of that, you will not miss any lack of setting options. Linksys desiged this to be as plug and play as possible.
Overall
The Linksys Velop is perfect for the average user who wants an easy to set up whole home Wi-Fi system. Currently , it is expensive for what you get but it is a well thought out product. If your home is not large then this will be overkill for you. If you have network now that does not reach all areas ( think basement or garage ,) then this is worth the consideration. Even more consideration is the the Linksys name , you really cannot go wrong with this company. I have owned many of their routers over the years and they were always top notch.
The Linksys Velop is perfect for the average user who wants an easy to set up whole home Wi-Fi system. Currently , it is expensive for what you get but it is a well thought out product. If your home is not large then this will be overkill for you. If you have network now that does not reach all areas ( think basement or garage ,) then this is worth the consideration. Even more consideration is the the Linksys name , you really cannot go wrong with this company. I have owned many of their routers over the years and they were always top notch.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Wake up to a delicious cup of java with this Ninja Coffee Bar glass carafe system. The 10-cup pitcher holds 50 oz. of coffee when entertaining or brews a single cup at a time, prepared at the infusion level of your choice. This Ninja Coffee Bar glass carafe system has a built-in frother for hot and cold drink creations.
Customer Rating
3
Does many things but none above average.
on January 22, 2017
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
This is the second Ninja Coffee Bar I own. This one offers the same flexibility as the prior model, it can brew in many different sizes and brew strengths. This model includes its own built-in milk frother. The frother is just a motorized whisk that just spins the milk. No heat and just spins the milk rapidly until it froths a bit. What is the point? I found this option to be completely useless and just another thing to break. The build quality is similar to earlier models – plastic and cheap looking. It does have a retro 80’s look withs large buttons that are easy to read and nice LED lights but I just do not like it. There are far better built coffee makers in the same price range . As with prior models, it does have a removable water reservoir . That is one feature I love on coffee makers – it is easy to fill and clean. There is a little lever below the coffee grinds container called "drip stop." It does what it sounds like- it stops drips of coffee after the brewing cycle. If you do not flip the level, the machine will drip coffee onto the heating element when you remove the carafe. It is a handy feature.
So let’s talk about how well it makes coffee. If you read reviews online you will see everything from it makes undrinkable to absolutely delicious coffee. Those statements are totally accurate because it takes practice to get this machine to make a good cup of coffee. Like the prior model, you really have to vary how much coffee you use , the brew intensity and even change it up when you make larger amounts of coffee. I would suggest using more coffee grinds than what the manufacturer recommends and start with “Rich Brew.” It does take a while to find the correct amount and settings but if you keep trying, you will get a good cup of coffee. One note on the filter, it does come with a built in metal mesh filter. I personally found that grains get through and the coffee tends to be a bit bitter so I would suggest using paper filters.
In summary -
Likes -
Single coffee setting
Flexibility of brews
Brew directly into a cup
Intense flavor once you get it right.
Removable water reservoir
Single coffee setting
Flexibility of brews
Brew directly into a cup
Intense flavor once you get it right.
Removable water reservoir
Dislikes -
Some inconsistency in intensity of coffee.
Takes practice to make a good cup of coffee.
Cheap looking.
Enormous counter space needed – 15 inches tall, 12 inches wide and 7 inches deep.
Takes practice to make a good cup of coffee.
Cheap looking.
Enormous counter space needed – 15 inches tall, 12 inches wide and 7 inches deep.
Overall , this is not a bad coffee machine but it is not for everyone. There are better machines at the same or even less money. If this was under $150, I would recommend it, but at $200 I cannot. I think if Ninja would increase the build quality, stop trying to make a machine that is all things and get back to basics they would be more successful.
My Best Buy number: 202249705
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Revive your Apple Watch conveniently with this Belkin Valet Charger power pack. A single charge of its 6700 mAh battery refuels a watch up to eight times, and an embedded smart chip detects connected devices for automatic wireless charging. This Belkin Valet Charger power pack includes a USB port for simultaneously charging additional devices.
Customer Rating
3
Quality battery pack & charger but not worth it.
on December 28, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
When I first heard of the Belkin Valet Charger Power Pack with an integrated Apple Watch charger , I thought it was a terrible idea. Not because Belkin makes bad products ( they make great products) but because it just does not make sense and the list price is too high at $99. But before I make it sound like it does not make sense for everyone, let me review the details about the item.
So as mentioned above, the Belkin Valet Charger Power Pack has a built-in magnetic charging module to recharge the Apple Watch. It works the same way as the Apple charger that comes with the Apple watch. Additionally it has a USB out port for charging your iPhone ( or any USB chargeable device). It is capable of charging two devices at one time with an output of about 1 amp per device. That is the same output as a standard iPhone charger but half that of an iPad charger. I found it did charge the watch and phone at about the same rate as the OEM chargers. The Belkin Valet Charger Powerpack does not include lightning cable nor a wall charger, I would think at $99 list price, it would include both. It does include a micro USB to USB-A cable for charging. When I first took it out of the box , the charge was one bar out of 4. After 2 hours it was charged to almost 3 bars and after 4 hours it was fully charged (I do not know when it hit max charge.) I would consider that an average charging time.
Build -
As with nearly all the Belkin products, the build quality is excellent. It has an aluminum body and heavy duty black plastic around the magnetic watch charger. Well built and solid, the quality is high grade and what you would expect from a MFI Apple certified product from Belkin.
As with nearly all the Belkin products, the build quality is excellent. It has an aluminum body and heavy duty black plastic around the magnetic watch charger. Well built and solid, the quality is high grade and what you would expect from a MFI Apple certified product from Belkin.
Size -
About 5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inches high. Not obscenely large but too large to carry in a pocket with a phone.
About 5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inches high. Not obscenely large but too large to carry in a pocket with a phone.
Weight -
I could not find what the exact weight is but it feels slightly heavier than an Iphone 6. I would put it at 5+ oz but cannot definitively say.
I could not find what the exact weight is but it feels slightly heavier than an Iphone 6. I would put it at 5+ oz but cannot definitively say.
So back to my original statement that the product does not make sense and it was not a good idea. Well , for me, it still just does make sense. First, the Apple watch battery lasts 18 + hours, so I cannot think of any time that I would have to recharge it when I am not home . If I really needed to recharge the Apple Watch, I could just carry the charger that came with the watch. Second, I can get a USB charger power bank with a larger capacity , smaller size and comparable technology for 1/3 of the price. Lastly, modern phones last so long depending on use and there are so many options for charging on the road that I would not use this. The Belkin Valet Charger Power Pack only has an output of 1.0 amp so to use it on an Ipad or other tablet does not make sense either ( it would take a long time.)
Is this a high quality product – absolutely. It does exactly as it was designed to do and it does it well. At the $99 price point, I think there are better options at significantly lower prices so I cannot recommend the Belkin Valet Charger Powerpack for everyone. The addition of the Apple Watch charger is nice but more of a gimmick than a practical feature.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Connect your external wireless devices to the internet with this Linksys dual-band router. Two 5Ghz bands support both high-end gaming and low-end applications without compromising speed, and remote management lets you make adjustments from any location. This Linksys dual-band router has a sleek design that integrates easily into most workspaces.
Customer Rating
4
Great router but may be overkill for most
on December 7, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
Routers have become incredibly powerful and easy to set up . On paper , the Linksys WRT3200ACM appears to be all things and the set up appears easy . Let’s review the details -
Construction and features -
WRT should stand for wide retrolook technology ( it does not.) It is about a foot wide with the side antennas . The router is the all too familiar blue and black a with the same type of overall look of some older Linksys routers from 15 years ago . Obviously , the look is intentional but the design does remind me of old technology ( which it is not) and maybe that is not the best message from a marketing perspective. Regardless, it’s foot print is about 10 inches by 12 inches and has USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 eSata connections for hard drives. I would have liked to see a vertical design to take up less of foot print but it is not a deal breaker by any means.
Set up -
First, Linksys sends a small quick start guide and a CD of documentation. Why do companies still send CD’s ? Send a link to the documentation or put it on a USB drive. As with a large amount of laptops today, mine does not have a CD drive so this CD info is useless. Regardless , you have to connect the 4 antennas, the power and the internet cable from the modem. Easy enough.
Next I downloaded the Linksys Smart Wifi app and tried to connect the router via app ( after connecting to the network.) . I get an error message it cannot connect to the router. I tried multiple times to no avail. Then I realized since I did not read the documentation and made some erroneous assumptions, this was not the correct step. As I should have done from the beginning, I read the quick start guide in detail. It makes no mention of of the app so I assume that you need to connect exact per the instructions and then the app would work. Not so fast.
The quick start instructions are straight forward. Connect the router and power properly. Next connect to the wireless network name that matches the name on quick start guide ( the password is there as well.) The instructions state to open a web browser to start Linksys Smart Wi fi router set up instructions ( or more appropriately a site with those instructions?) . When I opened a browser it did not bring up the set up instructions. The quick guide does state that if this happens to go to linksyssmartwifi.com and try it. So I did and created an account. Next, the site tells you to associate the router. After trying to associate the router I was presented with an error message “To access the Linsys Smart Wi-Fi Tools, your router requires the EA Seies Linksys Smart Wi Fi Firmware and you will need to associate your router with your Linksys Smart Wi Fi account. On a computer or device connected to your router , open linksyssmartwifi.com and follow the instructions…” I was already at that location so I did not know why that was happening. I tried in both Safari and Chrome. I could surf the internet so I was connected even without configuration. However, that does not update the router nor connect to the Linksys router management and info. There was a address of 192.168.11 listed in the quick guide as a last resort so I gave that a try. From there I was able to associate with the router and the router updated . The site did state it could take a few minutes. After some time , the site gave me an error message that it could not communicate to the router. I tried again, everything worked fine and up came all the details of the router and the networks. I checked the app and everything worked fine.
Okay, so some of this was me rushing the set up in the beginning. The rest was something not working correctly on Linksys's end. Once everything was working, the software and app did as they should. It should be noted that most reviews do say the set up is easy so I am not sure why I ran into the issues. My technical skills are above average so it is not that I am unaware of how things work.
Performance-
As I said earlier, routers have become very powerful. It has reached a point that most average users are never going to approach the upper limits of a router. I am single person and connected 8 devices in my one bedroom apartment. I had Netflix running on one television, youtube on my laptop and playing online on X-Box as a test. There was no slow downs or issues but this is not really a measure of what this router can two. What I can tell you is that over 200 feet away outside that I could still connect and use the internet ( on my phone.) It could probably connect even further and this is indication that it will work well in larger homes ( my apartment is on the 2nd floor of brick building.)
Overall -
I do recommend this router if you have a lot of devices or if you are in a large home. For the average user, this router will be over kill . You will see a lot terms like OpenWrt including MU-MIMO streaming and beamforming ,160MHz-channel-width streaming etc. If you do not recognize the terms then chances are they are will not be part of your buying decision and maybe you should go with something less expensive. If you want a router that offers the best of the best features, great range and connectivity and is future proof, then this may be the router for you.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Add high-end performance to your everyday life with the Google Pixel XL. A quad-core processor, a 5.5-inch LED screen and 32GB of memory ensure this phone is able to handle daily life, and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protects the screen. Easy cloud storage ensures you never run out of space on the Google Pixel XL.
Customer Rating
4
Google hits a home run
on December 5, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
I have had the phone for about a month now and it is the best phone I have had. It is not perfect but is better than the Samsung Galaxy's I have owned and the Iphone 7 I have used. Let’s review some of the key points :
Construction - It is all metal and glass. The back is different, glass on top and metal on bottom. It is thicker than I expected. Not that it is too thick, I just expected something along the lines of an Iphone 7 or Ipad Air 2. It is about 20% thicker than an Iphone 7. The bezel on the top and bottom is much larger than I expected and one of the things I do not like about the phone. It is a little over 1/2 an inch. I just do not not understand, there are no touch buttons on the bottom but the top has the front facing camera and some other necessary camera sensors so it looks like wasted space. Perhaps there is some internal reason to have the space but I would have used the bezel real estate for front facing speakers like the HTC ( which is ironic since HTC makes the Google Pixel.)
Software - no bloatware, just fully Android optimized goodness. Since it is the first phone that designed by Google to work with Android, everything works flawlessly. The best is the new Google Assistant – it is simply great. This is what I really like on the phone , it really sells the phone and blows away anything on the market. Google Assistant is Google's latest version of a virtual assistant. Yes, the Android phones and tablets have Google Now – but this is far more that "Ok Google" voice controls. It is almost conversational. Voice recognition is consistent and accurate. The A.I. behind it blows away Siri.
Camera - the pictures you get with this phone are as good if not better than dedicated point and shoot digital cameras. I tested it in multiple conditions and everything came out great. I can honestly say the camera produced the best pictures I have ever seen from a phone. Video was impressive as well. There is some type of image stabilization built in and it really eliminates camera shake. I am not sure if it is all software based or hardware and software but it really works well. Outside photos are breathtaking, you cannot beat it.
Storage – the model I received has 32 gb. Google is trying to tout their cloud storage but 32 gb is just not quite enough, especially since there is no micro SD slot. Go for the 128 gb option and you will be better off. Google gets a thumbs down for not making a 64 gb version. Google you should know better than this and is one of the reasons it did not get 5 stars.
Battery and charging - Talk time is fantastic. I decided to not charge the phone to see how it lasts. With standard use, I did not have to charge it for nearly two days. With heavy use, it still lasted over a day. Impressive. Charging is very fast. I drained down the battery to only a few percent and it charged in to 100% in about 90 minutes. No wireless charging.
Screen - The screen has it's strong points and it's weak points. The colors absolutely pop and it looks better than an Iphone and it looks even better than the smaller Google Pixel that I saw in a store. I do not know if the smaller Pixel has a different screen but I could see a difference. I did find that the screen it not as bright as I would like , it is noticeable in a bright enviroment ( like sunny day. ) I would say the Samsung Galaxy S7 is slightly better and the Iphone is a notch down ( not by much.)
Performance – this is hard for the average user to quantify it does not make sense to go over testing. What I can say it there was no lag whatsover for switching between apps, video playback , games etc. I could not even make the phone slow down regardless of what I tried. Forget about looking at benchmarks – there is more than enough power for all users here. Technology is reaching the upper limits of what is noticeable in power in phones so there is no concern here.
Overall, I recommend the phone . There are some minor quibbles but no deal breakers. The Pixel XL would have gotten 5 stars if there was expandable storage and the screen was brighter. One note, the phone is water resistant but not at the level of the other flagships phones from Apple and Samsung. I do not think it is a big deal but I have no way of testing it so keep that in mind if it is important to you. Regardless, do not buy this phone for the specs, buy it for Google software and Google eco system , it is flawless. Don't get me wrong, the camera is the best of the best and battery life is good but it is the Google Assistant that I really like. The XL might be a bit big for some so look to the smaller Pixel version if you have small hands. You will get the same performance for the most part. Regardless of which one you get, make sure to get the 128 gb version, the 32gb is not enough ( after transferring all my programs and info over, I have 16 gb left and think that will eventually fill up. ) This is a an example of great first generation technology by Google, get the phone and you will not be disappointed.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Wake up in the morning to this Sony ICFC1TBLACK AM/FM dual-alarm clock radio that features a gradual wake alarm to gently bring you out of sleep. The large, easy-to-read LCD ensures you can view the time in a variety of lighting environments.
Customer Rating
4
Stylish and compact
on December 3, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
Verified Purchase:Yes
Bestbuy does not have a large selection of stocked am/fm alarm clocks but this is the most stylish and compact of what is stocked. Note that there are many radio alarm clock radios that Bestbuy stocks but a lot of them are FM only. Let’s take a look at the details -
Display – easy to see and you can adjust how bright it is. The screen has a mirror like finish that looks good.
Alarm – it gradually wakes you. Starts out as a low tone and then gets louder. You may see some reviews that it is not loud enough, they may not be giving it enough time to get to it’s loudest. There are two alarms. One issue is the buttons to select whether the alarm is off, buzzer or radio. The buttons are small, flat and difficult to get to the middle selection of the buzzer – there is not enough positive click between the selections.
Radio - it has FM/AM tuner. It is fine for a basic radio but there is no preset option. Reception is okay.
Features - the Sony ICFC1T size is very compact, it is essentially a 4 inch cube. The snooze function is great, you can select from 10,20 or 30 minutes. This is done by how many times you press the snooze button when the alarm goes off. It has a battery back up where the alarm will ring even if the power is off.
The Sony ICFC1TBLACK is stylish, compact and does it job as alarm clock. What I really like is the compact size and looks. I realize that may not be for everyone ( especially if you have large fingers) so if you want something easier to control and select , look to the Insignia NS-CLOPP2. If size is not an issue or you want something that looks great, this is a good choice.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Browse the internet or play your favorite apps on this Acer tablet. It runs on an Android operating system and is powered by a quad-core 64-bit processor for full functionality. Google Mobile Services and Microsoft Office Suite are preloaded on this Acer tablet for out-of-the-box work or play capabilities, and DTS-HD Premium Sound lets you enjoy videos.
Customer Rating
3
Not bad for the money, but set your expectations
on December 2, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
First, let me start off that you have to set the proper expectations. This is an entry level tablet that is 1/3rd the price of an Ipad. Once you set those expectations, you do get a lot for your money. It is a perfectly functional tablet, just not in the same class of the more expensive tablets. The reality is if this came out 5 years ago, this would have been a super star. Let’s review aspects of the tablet -
Screen -
As with most models in this segment. You get a 10 inch screen that is 1280 x 800. It is Gorilla Glass 4 so it is tough but that is one generation behind. The screen does pick up a lot of glare and finger prints. There is some type of coating but it does not seem to help. In terms of brightness, this tablet really can only be used indoors. I compared it to my Surface and IPad and it is not even close. For web browsing and youtube indoors, it is fine. The colors are okay, not quite popping as today’s cell phones but it does a decent job in replicating skins tones in movies. It’s black levels are a bit grey and washed out. The sharpness is not quite there, you can definitely see a loss in detail in some movies and there is some judder/pixelation on fast moving scenes. Not sure if that should be under performance or the screen category.
As with most models in this segment. You get a 10 inch screen that is 1280 x 800. It is Gorilla Glass 4 so it is tough but that is one generation behind. The screen does pick up a lot of glare and finger prints. There is some type of coating but it does not seem to help. In terms of brightness, this tablet really can only be used indoors. I compared it to my Surface and IPad and it is not even close. For web browsing and youtube indoors, it is fine. The colors are okay, not quite popping as today’s cell phones but it does a decent job in replicating skins tones in movies. It’s black levels are a bit grey and washed out. The sharpness is not quite there, you can definitely see a loss in detail in some movies and there is some judder/pixelation on fast moving scenes. Not sure if that should be under performance or the screen category.
Battery and charging -
This does charge slowly when charging from a completely depleted battery. I drained down the battery completely and it charged to 11% after 30 minutes. To me, that is very slow. However, once you have it charged up, the battery life is surprisingly good. With the wifi on and internet usage including occasional youtube, I got about 10 hours. It is hard to give an exact number of hours but it was over two days and was very good. I kept track of the time and it was over 10 hours. One thing I did notice is it does get a bit hot when you are running it for a while . It is not too hot but definitely more than I expected.
Performance -
Before I get into the overall performance, the start up from a complete shut down is slow . After several tries, it averaged about 48 seconds. I am not going to go over the specs of the processor, ram etc, you can look that up since it is the real world performance that counts. To be honest, I expected worse. There is some hesitation in games and multitasking but it held it’s own for the most part.Games that are more graphic intensive will not perform well or at all so stick to the basic games. I want to remind you of what I first wrote, set the proper expectations and the tablet will do what it was designed to do. Expect a Ipad or Samsung Galaxy tablet performance and you will be dissappointed.
Speakers-
The speakers are not Iconia One 10’s strongest features. The volume is moderately loud but the speakers just sound tinny at the highest volumes and the bass sounds garbled. Movies via youtube were okay but songs were not. Playing Bohemia Rhapsody by Queen became annoyingly tinny. Use head phones or external speaker if you want better quality.
The speakers are not Iconia One 10’s strongest features. The volume is moderately loud but the speakers just sound tinny at the highest volumes and the bass sounds garbled. Movies via youtube were okay but songs were not. Playing Bohemia Rhapsody by Queen became annoyingly tinny. Use head phones or external speaker if you want better quality.
Cameras -
There is a front and rear camera. I did not expect much here and that is exactly what I got. The front camera renders inconsistent pictures and is severly affected by light levels. The rear facing camera is a bit more capable, equivalent to an Iphone 4S. Not great but it works. In reality, I never had much need for cameras on a tablet .
There is a front and rear camera. I did not expect much here and that is exactly what I got. The front camera renders inconsistent pictures and is severly affected by light levels. The rear facing camera is a bit more capable, equivalent to an Iphone 4S. Not great but it works. In reality, I never had much need for cameras on a tablet .
Overall contruction and quality -
The Acer Iconia One 10 is nice looking and solid. The back is all white plastic and the screen border is white as well. It is reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy 5 in all white. There is a micro sd slot to expand the memory , a nice touch on a tablet at this price point. It does not feel too heavy but is definitely on the thicker side. For reference I would put is 50% heavier and thicker than an Ipad. I do not want it to sound like it is too big or heavy, just bigger than what you might expect. There is some flex in the back cover but it still feels solid in most respects. Quality overall is decent, especially when you consider the price. Acer definitely has their manufacturing process down and it is showing here.
Software -
I am not going to review the Android version since it is ubiguitious at this point. Acer does pre-load the Microsoft Office suite, several games, eBay app , Hulu and more. They do not take up too much space.
I am not going to review the Android version since it is ubiguitious at this point. Acer does pre-load the Microsoft Office suite, several games, eBay app , Hulu and more. They do not take up too much space.
So is this the tablet you have yearning for – probably not. Is this the tablet that is a great value and a decent feature set - absolutely. I see this as a secondary tablet or something you can give your kid and not worry about breaking the bank. It is not the worst out there but for a few more bucks you can get a better tablet. If there is any market segment this would be good for it is the 10 to 14 year olds. There is even pre-loaded software called the Kid's center that I think the younger kids would love. Overall, I would recommend it for that segment but not as much for adults.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Push your workout to the next level with Bose® SoundSport® Pulse wireless headphones. Designed with a built-in heart rate sensor, these in-ear headphones make it easy to track your performance without missing a beat of your music. Bose SoundSport Pulse wireless headphones stay secure with StayHear®+ Pulse tips designed for stability even during intense workouts. Connect to your device easily with Bluetooth® and NFC pairing, and use the inline mic and remote to control volume, skip tracks and take calls. Volume-optimized EQ gives you balanced audio performance at any volume. SoundSport Pulse wireless headphones are sweat and weather resistant to hold up to rigorous activity, and the lithium-ion battery provides up to 5 hours per charge. The Bose Connect app helps you manage your paired devices and gives you real-time heart rate readings. SoundSport Pulse wireless headphones can also be used with many popular fitness apps. Available in Power Red.
Customer Rating
4
Bose does it again.
on December 2, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
from Massapequa Park
I’ve used these for over a month and this is one of the best headsets I have used. First, the setup is very straightforward; pairing only takes a few seconds. There is an app you need to download to take advantage of some features ( more on that later.) One note, the app makes it appear at first you need to go through the app to pair but you do not. Almost immediately after pairing , running the app and putting the headset on , you will hear that the SoundSport Pulse is detecting your heart rate rate The heart rate sensor is compatible with several fitness apps. Overall, beyond reading your heart rate, the app does not have many functions and I really do not see the point of the app from playing a music perspective. Music will not start through the app but can be controlled once it is started . Yes you can skip tracks, increase volume etc but the app is not much beyond that. The Bose app will tell interrupt between songs to tell you “heart rate detected.” SoundSport Pulse seems to work fine when paired via Bluetooth for IOS and Android. I tried both with no issues whatsoever.
So let’s look at a point by point features, functions and design.
Build quality, look and feel and fit.
The SoundSport Pulse is relatively light for it’s size
The SoundSport Pulse stays put suprisingly well but you need to make sure you have to have the clip attached because it will everntually fall out of your ears if you are jogging.
The ear pieces are not a complete seal, they just “float” in the ear. I know some people may not like this but I think this is intentional since the design the headset is geared to someone using the Soundsport Pulse when exercising. I am sure you would want to hear a car coming when jogging. In a closed enviroment, outside sound is really not an issue.
The headset’s overall size is big for an in ear design and it will feel enormous if you are used to the Apple traditional ear pods. You have to get used to the correct position of the ear pieces but once I found the right spot, they are most comfortable I ever felt.
Since this is a “sport “ design, the headset is water resistant. I did not put it in water but everything looks water resistant. The only thing to watch out for is to make sure you use the cover to seal the power connecter, I can tell that if this is forgotten that there will be water intrusion.
The SoundSport Pulse stays put suprisingly well but you need to make sure you have to have the clip attached because it will everntually fall out of your ears if you are jogging.
The ear pieces are not a complete seal, they just “float” in the ear. I know some people may not like this but I think this is intentional since the design the headset is geared to someone using the Soundsport Pulse when exercising. I am sure you would want to hear a car coming when jogging. In a closed enviroment, outside sound is really not an issue.
The headset’s overall size is big for an in ear design and it will feel enormous if you are used to the Apple traditional ear pods. You have to get used to the correct position of the ear pieces but once I found the right spot, they are most comfortable I ever felt.
Since this is a “sport “ design, the headset is water resistant. I did not put it in water but everything looks water resistant. The only thing to watch out for is to make sure you use the cover to seal the power connecter, I can tell that if this is forgotten that there will be water intrusion.
Sound quality, control and power -
The sound is simply fantastic.
For music, it is clear , hits highs and most of the lows ( you cannot expect much of the low range for ear piece headsets.)
Voice clarity is spot on and very clear.
Volume is tremendous – it can easily get too loud on the highest setting.
There is no active noise cancellation so a loud background will intrude but not too much.
There is an inline mic and control. You can adjust volume and skip songs. I find the control is too far up on the wire and close to ear to easily access. I do not think there is another great place for it due to the compact design so Bose had no choice. I find the buttons a bit hard to activate .
For music, it is clear , hits highs and most of the lows ( you cannot expect much of the low range for ear piece headsets.)
Voice clarity is spot on and very clear.
Volume is tremendous – it can easily get too loud on the highest setting.
There is no active noise cancellation so a loud background will intrude but not too much.
There is an inline mic and control. You can adjust volume and skip songs. I find the control is too far up on the wire and close to ear to easily access. I do not think there is another great place for it due to the compact design so Bose had no choice. I find the buttons a bit hard to activate .
I am going to put the battery life in it’s own category. They are rated at 5 hours. I do not know if Bose is underestimating that or because I use d the headset at a relatively low volume, I easily got 6+ hours. I did not continuely use them 6 hours but used them periodically and tried to keep track. Suffice to say, you will get at least 5 hours if not more from one charge.
Overall, I found the Bose to be the best I have tried. Bose has nearly succeeded in making a head set that does all things well, not an easy feat when dealing with the size constraints of wireless in ear headset. There are some improvements I would suggest. An Apple Watch and Android Wear app would be very useful, especially for controlling the volume, skipping tracks and answering the phone. Additionally, I would like to see some active noise cancellation. Since this feature is present in many phone bluetooth phone headsets, I do not see why it cannot be incorporated. I know Bose may say these are designed to allow sound ot intrude, there is no reason it could be turned on and off. At this price point, it should be here. This is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
As indicated, this is a great headset. It is far better than the Apple EarPods and the most comfortable I have used. I recommend picking one up.
As indicated, this is a great headset. It is far better than the Apple EarPods and the most comfortable I have used. I recommend picking one up.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
Customer Rating
5
Not all routers are created equal.
on October 5, 2016
Posted by: TechnicallyCorrect
I bet you are saying, “yawn, another review about a router that is going to claim to make my internet super fast.” Well, not so fast ( pun intended.) Over the past year or so, manufacturers have been introducing new routers to not only extend the WiFi coverage but to maintain peak speeds at all areas of coverage. This is usually accomplished through something called a mesh network that consists of the main router and a satellite “extender” that is used to extend coverage and maintain speed integrity. That is where the Netgear Orbi comes in. The Orbi consists of one router and one satellite unit. I know what you are thinking ( as did I,) “who cares – just another extender.” Traditionally, that would be correct as most routers and extenders communicate to each other by one or two of the standard bands of the router ( 5GHz and 2.4GHz) and do not necessarily increase network performance. The Netgear Orbi System on the other hand is a tri-band router with one 5 GHz channel dedicated for communication to the satellite and two other bands ( 5.0 GHz and 2.4GH) for direct connection to the router. What this does is creates a network that allows two bands to be dedicated for connected devices and a third band for those devices connected to the extended signal of the satellite. A novel idea but Netgear did not stop there. On the back of the satellite is 4 ethernet ports and USB connection for storage devices ( sadly it is only USB 2.0.) This means you can connect up to 4 internet capable devices directly to this dedicated channel. Connect a gaming system directly to this satellite with an ethernet cable and you have the fastest, stable connection you can get.
So what about the other features? At $400 , you would expect the best of the best features and the Orbi has them all. It is 802.11ac, IPV6, parental controls , access point mode, Dynamic DNS, port forwarding etc. Most people do not care as long as the device works but some of these make the router future proof. I tested the port forwarding for IP camera and it worked fine. Another nice feature ( which you will see the first time you set up the router) is automatic over the air updates. No need to worry about checking for updates, the Orbi will take care of itself. The first update took over 5 minutes so be patient during initial set up.
Speaking of the setup , I really think Netgear did a good job on this. It was a straight forward, browser based installation . It can be done through any mobile device or computer. First you plug in the router to the modem, plug in the power and then set the satellite in the appropriate place in your home. The network is already set up ( you can change the name and password during the set up if you want) and you just need to follow the web based set up instructions. It took me about 15 minutes with updates. Not bad at all and I experienced no issues. One note, you will only see one network after set up, the Orbi handles whether it is on the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz bands. It did catch me by surprise but it makes sense after understanding how the product works.
I have been running the Orbi for a few weeks now and have noticed a difference. Although I do not live in a large house, there were some issues in the overall performance of my existing internet provider supplied router. One measurement of internet performance is latency. Latency is how long it takes data to travel between its source and destination, measured in milliseconds. The higher the number, the worse it is. Old Network latency was acceptable, falling between 53ms. and 76 ms depending on location. For some gaming, this could be noticed depending on network activity. With Orbi, it is a ridiculously low 3 ms to 39ms. 3ms is as fast as a T1 connection, so this is fast. Signal strength was –65 dBm range ( which is fair) and now is –23 dBm ( which is a strong signal.) The stronger the signal, the greater range you will have before performance degradation. Of course, some of this dependent on the ISP but all things being equal, there was a noticeable improvement with the Orbi in my home.
Overall , my impression is this is solid, well thought out device. The router and satellite are sizable, each being about 9 inches tall by 7 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Not too large compared to some other huge routers on the market. Both the router and satellite are completely white and have overall feel of quality. For those living in a small to medium sized single level home, you may not see that much of a difference in performance. You may consider it for the advantages of the satellite connections. However, for larger or multi-levels homes or ones with lots of connected devices; this is the way to go and you will notice a difference. This is not a device that promises you faster internet, it is device designed to maximize the performance and speed consistency of your network. With today fast devices and ISP's, it really is all about the quality of the network. At $400, this is in line or lower than the competition in price and it makes the Netgear Orbi a better overall value.
My Best Buy number: 2022497059
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Access multiple streaming apps with this Hisense 4K smart TV. The FALD display supports HDR imaging for vivid colors and excellent brightness. Connect multiple devices simultaneously using the four HDMI ports, and access the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports to support storage device access. This Hisense 4K smart TV features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet connectivity for increased versatility.
The specs say the tv with stand is 11.1 in. deep. I would like to put the tv on a fireplace mantle that is only 10 in. deep. Any chance the TV would still be stable if the stand overhung the end of the mantle by 1 in.?
No, I think the stand will be unstable. I measured between the two grommets on the stand legs and they are 10 1/4 inches. I think 10 in mantle would cause the TV to have a very good chance of tipping over.
5 years, 10 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Pump up the volume with these Sony wireless on-ear headphones. Advanced drivers produce clear high-fidelity audio, while the EXTRA BASS feature helps you feel the beat by enhancing low-end frequencies. A 30-hour battery life keeps the music coming. With a lightweight construction and soft swiveling earcups, these Sony wireless on-ear headphones keep you comfortable while you listen.
Does it come with an actual headphone cord or is it just Bluetooth
The headset is completely wireless out of the box with Bluetooth and NFC. However, it does a 3.5 mm jack for an input.
6 years, 1 month ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Keep your files in one place with this 2.5-inch Samsung 2TB internal solid-state drive. Boasting read speeds of up to 550MB/sec., this solid-state drive improves system performance by reducing startup and file loading times. This Samsung internal solid-state drive accommodates large numbers of files and programs with its 2TB capacity.
Can this drive be used in a Lenovo Yoga 910 80VF?
This drive should not be used with the Yoga 910. The Yoga 910 has a 512GB PCIe SSD. While it has smaller capacity than Samsung - 860 QVO 2TB, the PCIe SSD is much faster .
6 years, 2 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Dive right in and do something amazing with your photos. Auto-generated photo and video slideshows and collages are created just for you and delivered upon launch. Get up and running quickly with the new home screen - see what's new since your last version, discover fun things to try, and get inspiring ideas, help, and tutorials. Effortlessly organize, edit, and create thanks to photo and video automation powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology. Try artistic techniques and effects with 73 step-by-step guided edits. Easily make movies in the redesigned Quick Edit mode. And share your favorite memories in everything from fun memes and animated GIFs to printed artwork and full-length movies.
How any licenses does this have?
This is a single user license, it is tied to your user id and password.
6 years, 7 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Add stability to your home network with the Amped Wireless HELIOS-EX Wi-Fi Extender. With DirectLink technology, it avoids signal loss by adding another 5GHz Wi-Fi channel to the standard setup, which it then uses strictly for receiving signal from the source. This Amped Wireless HELIOS-EX Wi-Fi Extender covers an area of up to 12,000 sq. ft. and includes four Gigabit network ports.
Can it use the same SSID as my TWC modem?
You can use the same SSID as an existing modem or router. However, you should make sure that you have the correct security in place.
8 years, 2 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Wake up in the morning to this Sony ICFC1TBLACK AM/FM dual-alarm clock radio that features a gradual wake alarm to gently bring you out of sleep. The large, easy-to-read LCD ensures you can view the time in a variety of lighting environments.
Can I connect an AUX cable to this?
Wake up in the morning to this Sony ICFC1TBLACK AM/FM dual-alarm clock radio that features a gradual wake alarm to gently bring you out of sleep. The large, easy-to-read LCD ensures you can view the time in a variety of lighting environments.
My Sony clock radio is randomly going off in the middle of the night. I have it set at 5:30am. Why is it doing this?
You probably have the second alarm set by accident .
8 years, 7 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Wake up in the morning to this Sony ICFC1TBLACK AM/FM dual-alarm clock radio that features a gradual wake alarm to gently bring you out of sleep. The large, easy-to-read LCD ensures you can view the time in a variety of lighting environments.
Just had a power failure - the screen went dark. But when the power came back - the time was accurate and alarm times were still set. Is that normal for the display to go away even with with battery backup?
Yes. Displays take a lot of energy so the battery is not intended to power the display.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect
Wake up in the morning to this Sony ICFC1TBLACK AM/FM dual-alarm clock radio that features a gradual wake alarm to gently bring you out of sleep. The large, easy-to-read LCD ensures you can view the time in a variety of lighting environments.
Does the alarm work on the battery backup?
Browse the internet or play your favorite apps on this Acer tablet. It runs on an Android operating system and is powered by a quad-core 64-bit processor for full functionality. Google Mobile Services and Microsoft Office Suite are preloaded on this Acer tablet for out-of-the-box work or play capabilities, and DTS-HD Premium Sound lets you enjoy videos.
Does it have an office program like Word, Excel and Powerpoint?
Yes, the Acer Iconia One 10 does have the Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
TechnicallyCorrect