Yearly Archives: 2015

This is the Leica SL: How does the brand new full-frame mirrorless system handle? (hands-on)

All the talk about Leica’s “next big thing” was fixed on an interchangeable-lens Leica Q. And that was enough hype to get us ultra excited, given how much we love that particular compact camera. Such a concept has almost occurred in the Leica SL, the company’s brand new full-frame compact system camera, only at a far more significant scale.

Because the Leica SL is a bit of a beast; it’s full-frame at full scale. Not that we shy away from large cameras, but with the 24-90mm f/2.8-4 lens strapped to the front (the only SL-mount lens at launch), the SL feels unlike any other Leica. With the 28mm f/1.4 Leica M lens (via an adapter) on the front, the SL’s body feels somewhat large and, therefore, the manual focus ring of the lens not particularly well placed to reach for.

Read full post here:
https://www.pocket-lint.com/cameras/reviews/leica/135666-shooting-with-the-leica-sl-a-mirrorless-marvel-or-giant-scale-misfire-hands-on

Ministry of Sound Audio On headphones review: Booming bass on a budget

Ministry of Sound is a name synonymous with the dance music scene, so if you’re looking for on-ear headphones to deliver those bass-laden beats to your ears then it ought to be a brand that piques your interest. If it’s not then, well, the heavyweight bass might be too much for your preferred musical genre of choice.

The Audio On headphones come in two flavours: the standard model, reviewed here, or the more expensive Plus version (£150/$225) which adds Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

Can Ministry maintain the success of its brand as it reaches into the world of audio products, or do the Audio On headphones fail to make us head-nod like it’s an all-night rave?

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https://www.pocket-lint.com/headphones/reviews/135629-ministry-of-sound-audio-on-headphones-review-booming-bass-on-a-budget

The 20 Least Safe Cars of 2015

1. MAZDA 5

The Mazda 5 scored a “poor” in the small overlap front test, and a “marginal” in the side impact test. Driver space was seriously compromised by intruding structure. Lower interior intrusion measured 35 cm at the lower hinge pillar. Upper interior intrusion measured 34 cm at the hinge pillar and 25 cm at the instrument panel. The steering column was pushed back 15 cm towards the driver.

Read full post here:
http://www.carophile.com/the-least-safe-cars-of-2015/

Lenovo YOGA Home 900 hands-on: Upgrade your table

Is it a big tablet or a portable all-in-one PC? Lenovo doesn’t particularly mind which classification the YOGA Home 900 falls into: the important thing is that the 27-inch touchscreen surface finds a spot in your home, no matter what you figure on doing with it.

It’s easy to scoff at the idea of an all-in-one PC with a battery for some degree of portability, or at a vast 27-inch tablet. All the same, I can think of a few ways one might come in useful around the house.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-yoga-home-900-hands-on-upgrade-your-table-19410529/

HTC One A9 hands-on: Android most controversial

HTC has a new flagship, the One A9, and it’s going to be controversial. Hero device after the One M9 and M9+, it’s one of the first Android 6.0 Marshmallow phones outside of Google’s own Nexus, and with a highly competitive price tag that belies its build quality. That controversy? Just about everyone agrees, the One A9’s design is… familiar. Exactly what it’s familiar to depends on who you are, though.

If you’re HTC, you describe it as being a combination of the shape of the plastic-bodied Desire 816 of 2013, and the metal unibody of the One M8 and M9. “I just want to set the record straight,” lead designer Catherine Kim insisted, “we actually came up with all these ideas, and then converged them into the One A9.”

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https://www.slashgear.com/htc-one-a9-hands-on-android-most-controversial-20410621/

HP Chromebook 14 offers Chrome OS with 9hr+ battery

Chrome OS keeps getting more capable, and HP is promising more portability and more color from its new Chromebook 14. The 14-inch notebook promises up to 9 hours 15 minutes battery life and is entirely fanless, using Intel’s Celeron N2840 processor and offering a choice of screen resolutions.

Standard fit is a 1366 x 768 panel, but splash out $30 more and you can upgrade that to a Full HD display.

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https://www.slashgear.com/hp-chromebook-14-offers-chrome-os-with-9hr-battery-19410173/

Xiaomi Mi TV 3 rocks 4K resolution and detachable mainboard

Chinese firm Xiaomi has unveiled some cool new Mi products that couldn’t be any different. One of them is a high-end TV with 4K resolution called the Mi TV 3 and the other is a battery-powered ride on device called the Ninebot mini that is like a tiny Segway scooter, only significantly more affordable. The Ninebot mini looks like a last mile sort of device intended to get you from your car to work without breaking a sweat.

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https://www.slashgear.com/xiaomi-mi-tv-3-rocks-4k-resolution-and-detachable-mainboard-19410357/

Maingear Announces Powerful NOMAD 15 Gaming Laptop

When you want to play PC games, you really have two choices: Either you play on your desktop, or you sacrifice quality for portability. But what if you didn’t have to choose between these two things? That’s exactly what Maingear is aiming for with their new NOMAD 15 gaming laptop.

The NOMAD 15 might not win any awards in the “thin and light” category, but what it lacks there, it makes up for in raw power. It packs an Intel Skylake 6700k, Nvidia GTX 980M, dual Samsung 950 Pro NVMe SSD’s, and up to 32GB of DDR4. Of course, you’ll need all of that horsepower to drive the beautiful 4K display. They’ve even packed the display with Nvidia’s G-Sync technology to ensure you get the smoothest video possible.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/maingear-announces-powerful-nomad-15-gaming-laptop-19410442/

Lenovo YOGA Home 900 puts 3hr battery in 27″ all-in-one

Giant tablet, or wire-free all-in-one PC? Lenovo’s new YOGA Home 900 straddles things with a foot in each camp, a 27-inch full Windows 10 PC that’s just as comfortable on your desk or kitchen counter as it is being taken outside into the garden courtesy of its three hour battery.

Three hours may not sound like much from a tablet, but this is a 27-inch, Full HD desktop with 10-point multitouch, remember. Up to an Intel Skylake Core i7 processor can be optioned, along with NVIDIA GeForce 940A 2GB graphics.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-yoga-home-900-puts-3hr-battery-in-27-inch-all-in-one-19410271/

Cadillac CTS-V and ATS-V Crystal White Frost Edition Limited to 99 units

Cadillac has rolled out special edition CTS-V and ATS-V sports cars and they will be offered in extremely limited editions. Between the ATS-V coupe and Sedan and the CTS-V only 99 units will be made in the new Crystal White Frost Editions. The special edition cars get more than just the matte white paint on the outside.

Crystal White Frost Editions also get both the Carbon Fiber and Luxury packages as standard. Several other options are available as well including Recaro seats, 8-speed paddle shift transmissions, performance data and video recorder, and sunroof among other options.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/cadillac-cts-v-and-ats-v-crystal-white-frost-edition-limited-to-99-units-19410431/

AEE S60 Plus action cam shoots FHD video, 16MP stills

The action camera market is dominated by a few big-name companies, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options beyond them. A number of other makers offer their own miniature adventure-ready cameras, one of which is AEE. Joining its existing action cams is the S60 Plus, a new camera AEE introduced in recent days. It has the same small body we’ve come to expect from action cameras, as well as a number of other features, including Full HD video recording, 16 megapixel still images, and support for various accessories.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/aee-s60-plus-action-cam-shoots-fhd-video-16mp-stills-19410542/

Pioneer XDP-100R is another hi-res portable music player

Consumer electronics company ww.slashgear.com/tags/pioneer/”>Pioneer wants to take on the Walkman, even after the venerable Sony brand is itself trying to get back its footing in the market now almost obsoleted by smarpthones. It has just announced the upcoming availability of its XDP-100R, a standalone Portable Music Player or PMP. And like many PMPs that are trying to view for attention in a smartphone-obsessed world, like Neil Young’s Pono or the most recent generation of Sony’s Walkman, the XDP-100R is trying to sell the idea of high resolution audio as its killer feature.

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https://www.slashgear.com/

Toyota Prius c Persona Series is limited to 1500 units

Toyota has announced a special edition of the Prius c hybrid that brings style to the fuel sipper that some buyers will appreciate. The special edition is called the Prius C Persona Series and only 1500 units will be made with sales starting in December. Two versions of the Person series will be offered, differing only in trim color.

The main body color for the Persona series will be black and buyers can choose Electric Lime or Cherry Pearl trim colors to go along with it. The contrasting colors are added to the lower front grille trim, under the headlights, and on trim near the side windows. The trim color also covers the mirrors on each side.

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https://www.slashgear.com/toyota-prius-c-persona-series-is-limited-to-1500-units-19410417/

Kyocera DuraForce XD joins AT&T’s rugged army

Kyocera might not be up there with the big three in the smartphone market, even in the Android segment, but its name resonates when it comes to devices that can withstand the test of the elements. The latest of that breed is the Kyocera DuraForce XD which will soon be available from AT&T’s portfolio. More a phablet actually than simply a rugged smartphone, the DuraForce XD is your stereotypical mix of mid-range hardware specs wrapped inside a shell that would survive your YouTube drop test or bendgate.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/kyocera-duraforce-xd-joins-atts-rugged-army-20410570/

MSI GS40 Phantom wants the lightest Skylake gaming laptop title

Gaming laptops are nothing new. They’ve been around ever since chip makers have been able to cram more adequate graphics chips inside smaller spaces. But in exchange for all the power required for decent gaming on the go, these laptops are usually hulking masses compared to more lithe work notebooks. MSI says it doesn’t have to be so, which is why it has unveiled the sixth generation GS40 Phantom gaming laptop with the latest Intel Skylake, which it claims is the thinnest and lightest of its kind.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/msi-gs40-phantom-wants-the-lightest-skylake-gaming-laptop-title-20410559/

UE Block Party update turns Boom speakers social

Portable Bluetooth speakers may already be social ways to enjoy music, but an Ultimate Ears update now gives those impromptu groups a way to get involved in the playlist. Block Party, a new addition to the UE app for iOS and Android, opens the company’s wireless speakers up to multiple streaming sources, meaning that no longer can one person force 80s power ballads onto everybody else.

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https://www.slashgear.com/ue-block-party-update-turns-boom-speakers-social-20410414/

Limited edition Evangelion smartphone gets Japan-only release

This year mark’s the 20th anniversary of the extremely popular anime Neon Genesis Evangelion in Japan, and that means the product tie-ups and promotions have been almost non-stop this year in the country.

The latest item is an Evangelion-themed Android smartphone from Sharp, and with only 30,000 units being produced, fans need to sign up for a chance to buy one at Japan’s 7-Eleven stores. With the extremely dedicated following the series has in the country, there’s no doubt that these phones will be snatched up almost immediately.

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https://www.slashgear.com/limited-edition-evangelion-smartphone-gets-japan-only-release-20410680/

Nissan and Scoot bring four wheel Scoot Quads to San Francisco

Scoot has a new way for folks to get around in San Francisco that is the result of a tie up with Nissan. Nissan has put ten of its new electric Nissan New Mobility Concept Vehicles on the Scoot Network service and the concept vehicles are known as the Scoot Quad. These 100% electric vehicles have a range of 40 miles and a top speed of 25mph.

They are designed for driving in urban areas and are in addition to the traditional electric mopeds that Scoot has been offering for rent and marks the first foray into four wheels for Scoot. The little four wheel EV can carry two people sitting in tandem rather than side-by-side as you do in a car.

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https://www.slashgear.com/nissan-and-scoot-bring-four-wheel-scoot-quads-to-san-francisco-20410667/

Polar debuts A360 fitness wearable with optical heart rate monitoring

Fitness wearables maker Polar has announced the A360, its first wrist-worn device that features optical heart-rate monitoring. While the band has a simple design, that’s far from a downside. The A360’s display is a vertical rectangle, similar to the Microsoft Band, with a color touchscreen. This is used in an effective way to display both the time and a number of fitness stats.

 

In addition to tracking a user’s heart-rate, the A360 will monitor steps, calories, daily activity, workouts, and sleep patterns. The only major feature not included is GPS, which Polar’s M400 does offer. That may be a fair trade, however, for no longer needed to wear a chest strap for heart monitoring.

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https://www.slashgear.com/polar-debuts-a360-fitness-wearable-with-optical-heart-rate-monitoring-20410677/

Kyocera Hydro Air smartphone is Walmart Exclusive with AT&T

Kyocera has rolled to a new smartphone that is a Walmart exclusive and operates on the AT&T GoPhone network called the Hydro Air. That means the new device is designed for pre-paid no contract plans. The big feature of the Hydro Air is that the smartphone is waterproof and can survive full submersion in water. People prone to getting smartphones wet will want to pay attention to this device.

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https://www.slashgear.com/kyocera-hydro-air-smartphone-is-walmart-exclusive-with-att-20410671/

Uber starts its street mapping project

Despite being set back in some countries thanks to state laws and a bit of politics, Uber is forging ahead with what some might see as yet another thing to take issue with the controversial transportation company. Although it isn’t exactly a surprise considering it bough the technology from Microsoft way back in June, Uber has apparently given the green light for deploying its Uber “mapping cars” to take shots of roads and highways ala Google Street View, in the hopes of perfecting the art of offering the best driving route.

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https://www.slashgear.com/

Galaxy Note 5 teardown reveals difficult to repair LCD

For the most part if your smartphone display breaks odds are you will be taking it somewhere to get the screen replaced. If you are the sort who prefers to DIY the repairs a new teardown has landed of the Galaxy Note 5 smartphone. Whether or not you ever plan to open your own Note 5, it’s always interesting to see that our gadgets look like on the inside.

The entire teardown spans 22 steps and some parts of it are listed as very difficult, specifically getting the LCD off the frame. The teardown lists that task alone at a difficulty rating of 5 out of 5. The adhesive used is very strong and the LCD is rather fragile so this step may be the hardest of the entire process.

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https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-note-5-teardown-reveals-difficult-to-repair-lcd-20410669/

EE Robin tablet aims at kids with robust parental controls

It can be a challenge handing a kid a normal tablet and letting them roam around the web. Adult content and other inappropriate material is as close away as a web search. Many parents seek out tablets that are specifically aimed at children and want parental controls to keep kids away from inappropriate items online. EE has launched a new kids tablet called the Robin that fits this bill nicely.

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https://www.slashgear.com/ee-robin-tablet-aims-at-kids-with-robust-parental-controls-20410674/

Adidas Fit Smart band gains activity tracking features

The Adidas Fit smart band launched with the ability to help users monitor their heart rate and coach them to perform better. Adidas has announced that it is updating the Fit Smart band to offer wearable owners activity tracking capability. That feature turns the band into a complete fitness tool that gives athletes everything they need in one location.

 

The activity tracking features are added to the Fit Smart via a free update to the Adidas Train & Run app. With the app users can set daily activity goals for things like steps, distance, calories burned, and workouts. Daily or weekly goals for workouts can be set in the app.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/adidas-fit-smart-band-gains-activity-tracking-features-20410663/

Nexus 6P first impressions: Huawei may’ve made a knockout

On Friday I received the Nexus 6P in the mail, and over the past couple of days I’ve used it non-stop. The Nexus 6P is not the device I expected it to be. The first couple of Huawei devices I’ve used over the past couple of years have been extremely high quality – but they haven’t been working with a brand of Android that I recognized or could use fully. With this Huawei-made Nexus 6P, this largely-China-based device manufacturer gets its chance to really show the US market what they’re capable of.

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https://www.slashgear.com/nexus-6p-first-impressions-huawei-mayve-made-a-knockout-19410247/

2016 Honda Civic first drive

What do you expect from a mainstream car? If you’re talking about the 2016 Honda Civic, then those expectations vary hugely, with what’s considered a “must-have” proving just as broad as the age range of the car’s audience. It’s no small issue, and one Honda can’t afford to ignore. Some drivers prioritize economy above all else; others demand space and luxury features; style is vital but potentially divisive; and even in this mass-market segment, driving feel can’t be ignored.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/2016-honda-civic-first-drive-19410267/

Lenovo YOGA 900 hands-on

Clever hinges are in fashion this month, but Lenovo is more confident than most that it has the right way to flip a convertible notebook 360-degrees with the YOGA 900. The latest iteration of the form-factor switching ultraportable, as well as an Intel Skylake upgrade the 1.29kg convertible promises more touchscreen stability as well as greater runtime.

 

Lenovo notebooks have always been known for getting the essentials right, and the new YOGA 900 has a better keyboard than its predecessor. Most notably it gained an extra row, reducing the amount of time you have to spend hitting the Fn modifier.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/

PowerUP FPV Turns Paper Planes Into VR-Controlled Drones

We’re big fans of PowerUp and their clever kit, which lets you turn paper planes into remote-controlled flying machines. I mean, that toy is all manners of amazing. With the new PowerUp FPV, though, paper airplanes don’t just turn into remote-controlled aerial vehicles, but camera-armed drones that can be controlled in virtual reality. Oh yeah.

That’s right, you can now fly your PowerUp planes and look ridiculous at the same time by swaying your head side to side with a VR headset on your face. That way, parents won’t ever let their children come near you while you fly paper planes in the park, ensuring you can enjoy the day without undue interruptions. Yeah… that benefit sounded so much better in my head.

Read full post here:
https://www.coolthings.com/

Outrider USA Horizon Is An Off-Road Vehicle Anyone Can Ride

Exploring the backwoods on an off-road bicycle is all manners of fun. If you suffer from some minor injury or find yourself in less than decent shape, though, pedaling your way around rough trails will probably be equal parts fun and torture. For those situations, ditch the bike and get the Outrider USA Horizon instead.

Designed for exploring off the beaten path, it’s an electric recumbent trike that’s designed to be both accessible to people of varying abilities and very forgiving on the body. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, still getting into shape, or even suffer from a disability, it’s geared to give you a way to partake in the exciting adventures of the outdoors.

Read full post here:
https://www.coolthings.com/outrider-usa-horizon-ebike/

Zendure A8 Pro power bank review: Feature-loaded and sky-high in capacity

FEATURE-LOADED, SKY-HIGH IN CAPACITY

We’re big fans of Zendure’s power banks, ultra-tough, ultra-compact, stylish and loaded with features. The A8 Pro sits at the top of Zendure’s line-up, a monster power bank for those with heavy-duty portable power needs or extended trips away from mains power. We review the Zendure A8 Pro. 

The Zendure A8 Pro costs £59.95/$90 from Amazon UK. That sounds like a lot of money for a power bank, but it’s not so much when you consider what you’re getting for your money.

Read full post here:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/power-banks/zendure-a8-qc-power-bank-review-feature-loaded-sky-high-in-capacity-3627322/