Monthly Archives: May 2015

Fitbit Charge HR: Fitness Tracker Review

 

The Fitbit Charge HR is an activity-and-sleep tracker that has a built-in heart-rate sensor and a feature commonly found on smartwatches: It alerts you when you’re getting an incoming phone call. The device also has a stopwatch feature for timing runs and other workouts, and sells for about $150 on the Fitbit website, or on Amazon. That’s about the same price as other fitness trackers that also do continuous heart-rate monitoring, such as the $150 Mio Fuse and the $130 Adidas miCoach Fit Smart. I recently wore the Charge HR for a week, to see how it compared to the competition. Here’s what I found:

 

Overall rating: 7.5/10

 

The Fitbit Charge HR is a comfortable tracker that’s easy to use and is accompanied by a well-designed and motivational app. The main pros of the device are that it is smaller than many other trackers that have heart-rate monitoring, has a helpful alarm feature that lets you set multiple alerts (some trackers lack any alarm at all) and is easy to sync with its app. But the cons include that the tracker’s display is hard to read outside, and the heart-rate sensor isn’t as accurate as sensors worn around the chest.

Read full post here:
https://www.livescience.com/49550-fitbit-charge-review.html

Sony SmartWatch 3 Review

sony-smartwatch-3

The SmartWatch 3 SWR50 is a device from Sony that lets you see notifications from your smartphone — including emails, calls, texts and even GChats — right on your wrist. The smartwatch, which runs the Android Wear operating system, also responds to voice commands, so you can ask about the weather or send emails just by speaking.

One feature that separates the SmartWatch 3 from many other smartwatches is that it has built-in GPS, so you can track workouts without needing to bring along your phone. And if you want to listen to music on your run, you can download songs to the smartwatch itself, which pairs to headphones via Bluetooth.

It costs $250, which is about the middle of the price range for smartwatches.

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

Camera-accessory maker Spider Holster rethinks the common hand strap

The SpiderPro Hand Strap fixes several design problems to give you a more secure grip and a better fit.

 

Spider Holster wants to give you a better grip on your digital SLR.

If you’ve ever used a hand strap, you may have noticed that it has a tendency to get in the way. Whether it’s when you’re trying to swap batteries or memory cards or when you pick up the camera for a quick shot without slipping your hand in.

Spider Holster, maker of Spider Camera Holsters and accessories, decided this was no way to live and redesigned the common hand strap to eliminate these pain points while making a universal, comfortable and secure strap.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/news/camera-accessory-maker-spider-rethinks-the-common-hand-strap/

Leica updates M Monochrom for film noir

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Leica

 

It was three years ago this May when Leica boldly introduced a black-and-white-only version of its Mseries full-frame rangefinder that’s garnered the usual Leica fans. Now the company follows up with the M Monochrom (Typ 426), essentially the identical camera but with an expanded buffer and the capability to shoot video and a few other tweaks.

Slated to cost $7450 (£5,750) — less than its predecessor cost at launch — the new M Monochrom can shoot 1080/24p, 25p video and takes an optional kit with an adapter and stereo mic. Leica really doesn’t provide any information on the video beyond that.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/news/leica-updates-m-monochrom-for-film-noir/

Apple tries to resuscitate iPad sales with new ad campaign

Apple needs help generating more demand for its tablet. A new series of ads aims to convince people why the iPad is still worth buying.

With Apple tablet sales dwindling, the company is hoping a new series of iPad ads will draw in more buyers.

Dubbed “Everything changes with iPad,” the new ad campaign attempts to explore the many ways that people can use the tablet. Displayed onApple’s website, a 90-second video shows adults and children alike using the iPad to learn to prepare a meal, chat with family members, design a floorplan and snap photos of loved ones. The site then segues into individual pages that tell you how to cook, learn, and travel with the iPad, among other tasks.

 

ipad-ad.jpg

Will Apple’s new ads cook up more iPad buyers?

 

Apple certainly needs help generating greater demand for its tablet. The iPad has seen its once stellar sales and market share continue to dwindle over the past few years. Announcing its fiscal second-quarter results on April 27, Apple revealed that iPad sales hit its fifth consecutive decline to 12.6 million units from 16.4 million a year earlier. Analysts had been forecasting 14.1 million iPads, according to a poll by Fortune.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-tries-to-resuscitate-ipad-sales-with-new-ad-campaign/

The next Apple TV: What to expect

The old Apple TV is about to get refreshed.

 

Apple’s next big event of 2015 is coming up fast, and the rumors about a new Apple TV box and streaming TV service are growing usually concrete.

Scuttlebutt places Apple’s TV-related announcement at the keynote to the 2015 World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC)on June 8. Even the event’s logo (left), with its Apple TV-shaped shadow in the middle, presages change. Perhaps the new “box” will be a circle instead. With double rainbows.

In addition to replacing the current Apple TV, which has been around since 2012 and recently dropped $30 US in price, the company is expected to announce a new streaming TV servicethat’s been years in the making.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/news/the-next-apple-tv-what-to-expect-from-an-updated-streaming-box/

TomTom Multi-Sport Cardio: GPS Watch Review

 

The TomTom Multi-Sport Cardio is a GPS watch that tracks running, indoor swimming and cycling. The watch has a built-in heart rate sensor that collects data about your pulse as you exercise. At $300, theTomTom Multi-Sport Cardio is one of the most affordable multisport GPS watches on the market. The Forerunner 920XT — a Garmin watch that also tracks running, swimming and cycling — retails for $490 with a compatible heart rate strap. I used the Multi-Sport Cardio for a month to track my runs, bike rides and swim workouts. Here’s what I found:

 

Overall rating: 6.5/10

 

The Multi-Sport Cardio’s built-in heart rate sensor sets it apart from other GPS watches in this category, all of which use external heart rate monitors that you strap around your chest. The watch’s unique design (you can detach the display unit from the band without using any special tools) is also a practical feature for triathletes looking to mount the device on a bicycle.

However, the Multi-Sport Cardio cannot track open-water swims, and is unable to collect underwater heart rate data for swimmers. You also can’t use this watch to track your steps or sleep, making it useless if you’re looking for an everyday activity tracker. TomTom’s app and website also lack the social networking features you’ll find with multisport watches from companies like Garmin and Suunto.

Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gadgets/tomtom-multi-sport-cardio-1239380/review

Garmin Forerunner 620: GPS Watch Review

The Garmin Forerunner 620 (FR620) is a GPS watch for runners. The watch is one of the only GPS running watches on the market with a color display and touch screen. At $370, the FR620 (and the compatible HRM-Run heart-rate strap) is rich in features but falls at the high end of the price range for GPS running watches. The TomTom Runner Cardio, a GPS watch with a built-in heart-rate sensor, retails for $270 on Amazon. And Garmin’s Forerunner 220 tracks fewer metrics than the FR620 but will set you back only about $235.

I wore the FR620 for two weeks, bringing it with me on runs and even taking it for a dip in the pool to test its water resistance. Here’s what I found:

 

Overall rating: 6/10

 

The Forerunner 620 tracks advanced metrics that serious runners will find useful. The device’s live-tracking feature also provides a great way to keep your friends and family in the loop during a race.

However, the watch lacks the daily activity-tracking features and smartphone notifications (such as texts and calls) that now come standard on many GPS running watches.

Read full post here:
https://www.livescience.com/50603-garmin-forerunner-620-review.html

ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi review: thinner than air, but at what cost?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

When ASUS formally unveiled the Transformer Book Chi T300, it did so in the cheekiest way possible: with a cleverly worded swipe at Apple. “Our Chi is thinner than Air,” the company proclaimed — a clear shot at the MacBook Air. (“Chi” means “air” in Mandarin Chinese, by the way, in case the dig wasn’t obvious enough.) Indeed, ASUS’ newest laptop/tablet hybrid measures a scant 0.3 inch for the tablet (or 0.65 inch when docked), making it slightly thinner than the Air, which comes in at 0.68 inch at its thickest point. The Chi is also more affordable than the Air (not to mention most other thin-and-light laptops), with a starting price of $699. On paper, it’s a relatively affordable way to get your hands on a super-skinny machine. In practice, though, you’re probably better off spending a little more on something else. Here’s why.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015-05-08-asus-transformer-book-t300-chi-review.html

How to manage notifications on the Apple Watch

Don’t become overwhelmed with alerts on your wrist. You can change how they come in or disable them completely. Here’s what you need to know.

Chirp! I’ve got a new email.

Buzz! Someone has sent me a text message.

What’s that? It’s time to stand again?

It doesn’t take long to become overwhelmed by notifications on the Apple Watch. The constant chirping and vibrating throughout the day could drive a person mad, but there is hope. Apple gives Watch owners the ability to customize the types of notifications that are pushed to their wrist. Here’s what you need to know:

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-manage-notifications-on-the-apple-watch/

LG G4 vs. Samsung Galaxy S6: Clash of the Flagship Phones

LG’s new G4 smartphone is taking Samsung’s latest big release head-on. Here’s how they compare.

 

LG just launched the G4 smartphone, and it stands out as the company’s newest flagship model. It’s poised to take on theSamsung Galaxy S6 with similar specs and prices, and it’s the differences that will determine which, if any, is the winner.

Design and Screen
Both phones have 2,560-by-1,440 Quad HD displays, but the G4 display is a 5.5-inch IPS panel, while the S6 is a 5.1-inch AMOLED panel. So the pixels on the G4 will be slightly larger, but when the screen size difference is less than half an inch, it won’t be a noticeable distinction, nor will the less-than-one extra ounce on the G4’s weight.

The materials are a differnt story. While the S6 has a metal body available in three colors, the G4 offers four designs across three different materials. You can get your phone wrapped in gray metal, white ceramic, or black or brown leather. It’s a bit more variety of feel, even if it’s just slightly more variety of color.

Power

LG went with a 6-core, 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, while Samsung developed its own 8-core, 2.1GHz Exynos 7420 chip for the S6. The S6 blew all other smartphones out of the water in our tests, but we haven’t put the G4 through its paces yet. Still, the Snapdragon 808 is really going to have to step up its game if it hopes to beat the power Samsung offers.

Read full post here:
https://sea.pcmag.com/smartphones/3181/lg-g4-vs-samsung-galaxy-s6-clash-of-the-flagship-phones

Ericsson takes patent lawsuit against Apple to Europe

Ericsson takes patent lawsuit against Apple to Europe

 

Ericsson, embroiled in patent litigation against Apple stateside, is taking the fight overseas. The Swedish company has filed lawsuits in Germany, Britain, and the Netherlands, claiming Apple owes royalties for their widespread unlicensed use of 2G and 4G LTE communication standards Ericsson owns. In a statement on the new lawsuits, Ericsson’s Chief Intellectual Property Officer Kasim Alfalahi said “Apple continues to profit from Ericsson’s technology without having a valid license in place”. Apple refused comment on this recent lawsuit, instead referencing statements made about a similar legal tangling stateside.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/ericsson-takes-patent-lawsuit-against-apple-to-europe-08382663/

Rumor: Huawei-made Nexus phone will have 5.7-inch screen

Rumor: Huawei-made Nexus phone will have 5.7-inch screen

 

Here we go again; Huawei making the next Nexus rumors. First surfacing about six weeks ago, Huawei is widely rumored to be making Google’s next flagship phone. So far, 11, which seems as polarizing as Google’s choice for a 6-inch screen on the Nexus 6. This new batch of rumors positions a Huawei-made Nexus device as a wholly new smartphone; comparatively, there’s no Huawei phone like it. Yet.


Keep this in mind before you read on: these come from a person with “good connections” to the “Chinese mobile tech industry”, and via a site that offers up a lot of these types of rumors. I’m not saying it’s nonsense, but it’s nowhere near official.

A Huawei Nexus phone is rumored to offer a Snapdragon 810, and have a 5.7-inch 1440 x 2560 display (oh, good, Google learned their 6-inch lesson).

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/rumor-huawei-made-nexus-phone-will-have-5-7-inch-screen-08382665/

Aukey Quick Charge review; 10,000mAh of fast-charging bliss

You need power for your gadgets — there’s just no getting around it. Sometimes you’re near an outlet. Other times, you’re on-the-go and can’t be bothered to plug in. The Aukey 10,000mAh External Battery is made for those times. Like most battery packs, it brings you a charge when you’re out and about. Unlike most battery packs, it also supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge technology, so if your phone also supports that tech, Aukey’s pack will power you up quickly. Does it really work as advertised, though?
Yes and no.

I’ll start by saying Aukey’s charger is really classy looking, and reminds me of the myCharge pack I reviewed not long ago. A simple input/output and solo power button let you know what’s going on, and the wrap-around aluminum makes it a handsome addition to your bag.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/aukey-quick-charge-review-10000mah-of-fast-charging-bliss-13378775/

Moshi VersaCover review; origami cool for the iPad

 

Apple loves aluminum, and glass, and combining the two forms some very beautiful — and fragile — mobile devices. Their iPad lineup is among the more delicate, and with a large surface areas and thin profile, we tend to have trouble not scratching or busting them up. As devices edge toward paper-thin, we’re always looking for ways to protect them. For iPad, Moshi has created the VersaCover, an all-over protective case that has some interesting viewing options. It also pinches some of Amazon’s cool we loved with the Fire Tablet’s cover.


VersaCover is one part plastic shell and one part screen protector. That screen protection doubles as the backdrop for keeping your tablet upright when not in your hands, but more on that in a minute.

The inside of the leatherette cover (it feels leather, Moshi isn’t saying what it is) is microfiber, so you won’t have to worry about scratches. There are two small dots, and again — more on that in a minute.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/moshi-versacover-review-origami-cool-for-the-ipad-22380289/

Narrative Clip Review – A wearable camera with context

 

Can you remember what you were doing last week? How about last month, or a year ago? Life-loggers like Narrative’s Clip promise to make that possible, a wearable camera snapping a photo every thirty seconds and then curating the best moments for you to look back through. The Swedish start-up took Kickstarter by storm back in late 2012, and has finally begun shipping the Clip, but does it do enough to warrant room on your lapel, or is it just all too creepy? Read on for the full SlashGear review.

Narrative Clip

Narrative’s camera turned out to be tougher for the startup to create than expected. Small cameras have existed for some time, of course, but inside the 36 x 36 x 9mm, 20g plastic casing there’s not only the 5-megapixel BSI CMOS but GPS, an accelerometer, and a digital compass, along with a battery and 8GB of storage. There’s also a microUSB port for synchronizing and charging, covered with a slightly fiddly rubber flap, and a springy metal clip on the back.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/narrative-clip-review-a-wearable-camera-with-context-25314271/

Moto G review (2014): still the best budget smartphone

 

Last year’s Moto G took us all by surprise. Sure, we knew Motorola wanted to reinvent the cheap smartphone experience, but the very first device in the company’s cost crusade was even better than we expected. Let’s be honest, though: The G’s greatest asset was its small, small price tag. For $180 off-contract, it became awfully easy to forgive the thing for not being the quickest, the prettiest or the smartest. Still, it was one of those gadgets that wound up being more than just “good enough”; between the price and performance, the Moto G was one of the best cheap smartphones you could own, period.

Here we are less than a year later, and we’ve got a sequel to play with (one with the same name, no less). If you took a quick peek at what it brings to the table, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Motorola wanted to play it safe the second time around — the new Moto G isn’t a game changer, and it doesn’t have to be. Does this year’s model clear the “good enough” bar once again? And just how far will $180 take you this year?

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2014-10-03-moto-g-review-2014.html

TiVo Roamio OTA review: Finally, TiVo makes a DVR for cord-cutters

 

Cable TV and TiVo go together like peanut butter and jelly, or at least they did until now. The company that, for all intents and purposes, invented the DVR has, after 14 years, released one specifically designed for people who don’t want to pay for a TV subscription. If you look past the marketing, the $50 TiVo Roamio OTA is actually the same as the standard-edition Roamio, but with a nonfunctional CableCARD slot and no option for Lifetime Service. So, is this the one box a cord-cutter needs? Just as important, is the price right?

TiVo Roamio OTA review

 

  

  

 

Roamio OTA

 

PROS

  • Low initial cost
  • No cable subscription required
  • Streaming options and four OTA HD tuners
  • Same software and accessories as the regular Roamio

CONS

  • $15 monthly service fee, with no Lifetime Service option
  • No HDMI-CEC

 

SUMMARY

TiVo’s latest is the best over-the-air DVR ever made, but the $15 monthly service fee (combined with the lack of a Lifetime Service option) means you’re trading a low upfront price for some high long-term costs.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2014-10-10-tivo-roamio-ota-review.html

Sharp AQUOS Crystal review: mid-range brains meet striking looks

 

Pop quiz, hotshot: When’s the last time you saw a Sharp phone in the United States? The Sharp FX from years back? Maybe the FX Plus? If you’re anything like me, your mind will hearken back to chunky clamshell classics like this one. Long story short, it’s been ages since Sharp has had any kind of mobile presence around these parts. That’s something the Japanese company is finally ready to change, and it’s aiming to do it with a splash. Enter the AQUOS Crystal, one of the most striking phones you’ll ever see. It’s finally available for $149 on Boost Mobile now and Sprint will get it come October 17th, but we have questions — so many questions. Has Sharp figured out a way to crack the all-too-fickle US market? Are we looking at a classic case of style over substance?

Sharp AQUOS Crystal review

 

  

  

AQUOS Crystal

PROS

  • Striking bezel-less screen
  • Decent performer
  • Above-average battery life
  • Can be had for a low price

CONS

  • Both cameras are mediocre
  • Lots of bloatware
  • Exclusive to Sprint and its MVNOs
SUMMARY

The AQUOS Crystal is Sharp’s first phone to land in the US in ages, and it’s a looker thanks to that amazing screen design. It isn’t just handsome, though: The Snapdragon 400 ticking away inside gives it enough oomph to keep up with most people’s daily grinds. Alas, if you’re not a fan of Sprint, you’ll have to look elsewhere for your bezel-less phone fix.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2014-10-14-sharp-aquos-crystal-review.html

Tesco Hudl2 review: The UK’s best value tablet

A supermarket turned tablet maker doesn’t sound like the wisest of career progressions. Tesco’s not your average supermarket, though. When you consider the Tesco machine also operates video- and music-streaming services, an e-book store and an online emporium selling everything from garden furniture to jewelry, having a low-cost, own-brand tablet to publicise them on makes a considerable amount of sense. Amazon makes it work with a similar potpourri of digital properties, after all. Tesco first explored the idea with its £119 Hudl tablet, launched around this time last year. And, having shifted over three quarters of a million units during that period, it’s hoping to keep the ball rolling with the new Hudl2, which boasts a bigger display, upgraded hardware, a more refined look and a similarly wallet-friendly £129 price tag. Tesco’s still a fish in the tablet game, and yet, with the Hudl2, it’s managed to deliver not just another great value product, but also the best affordable slate on the market right now.

Tesco Hudl2 review

 

  

  

 

Hudl2

PROS

  • Great build quality
  • Beautiful 1080p display
  • Superb performance
  • Robust parental controls
  • Exceptional value for the money

CONS

  • Short battery life
  • Heavy for a tablet this size
  • Underwhelming stereo speakers

SUMMARY

Tesco’s Hudl2 tablet is a vast improvement over its predecessor. It’s well-built, with a lovely 8.3-inch 1080p display, and performs impeccably, whether you’re browsing the web or playing processor-intensive 3D games. First-time tablet buyers will appreciate its user-friendly approach, while parents will like its robust child-safety measures. Despite short battery life and mediocre cameras, at £129 the Hudl2 is currently the best value tablet available in the UK.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2014-10-28-tesco-hudl2-review.html

LG G Watch R review: good looks and improved battery are a step in the right direction

I think it’s fair to say by now that smart watches are no longer the “hot new thing.” It’s an established product category. The paint might still be a little wet on the whole idea, and some might argue there are areas that still need improving, but these clever timepieces are officially here to stay. That’s thanks in no small part to Android Wear, Google’s platform that brought some sanity/unity to the wild west of wrist-worn Android tech that came before. With the software side of things taken care of, hardware manufacturers can now focus on the gear.

So far, in terms of Android Wear devices, we’ve seen efforts from LG, Motorola, Samsung and today, well, LG… again! Barely four months after launching the LG G Watch, the Korean firm is back with another one: the G Watch R. Whereas the G Watch was a square, unpolished and, perhaps, unfinished affair, the G Watch R we’re looking at today is a different beast altogether. It has a much more traditional design with a round display, leather strap and more. Was LG just eager to catch the first wave of Wear devices? Is the G Watch R the Wear device it should have released to begin with? More importantly, at $300 through AT&T (making it the priciest Wear device yet), do you want one?

LG G Watch R review
  
  

G Watch R

PROS

  • Attractive design
  • Full circular display
  • Improved battery life

CONS

  • Not very unisex
  • Strap a bit stiff
  • A bit pricey
SUMMARYIn the fast-moving world of Android Wear devices, you don’t get long at the top it seems. The G Watch R looks just as good as the Moto 360, and with the best battery life of any Wear watch to date, it (just) beats the Motorola in the battle for Android Wear supremacy. There’s just the small issue of price to consider.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2014-11-04-lg-g-watch-r-review.html

LG G4 review: refined, but not game-changing

When LG cooked up last year’s G3, we (and many of our contemporaries) fell in love with it. At last, a well-designed phone with a killer Quad HD screen and a custom interface that didn’t make us want to wrap a USB cord around our necks! Building a beloved smartphone is no small feat, but it’s still not as hard as crafting a sequel that will be just as well-received. When it came time for LG to design the new G4, the company latched onto a handful of areas it thought people really cared about. It rebuilt its 16-megapixel camera from the ground up. That Quad HD screen? LG tried to make it more “accurate.” Now the question is: How’d LG do? Did it figure out how to excite people for another year? The answer — in case you’ve got somewhere else to be — is “almost.”

LG G4 review

 

  

  

G4

PROS

  • Mostly great cameras
  • Long battery life
  • Has a microSD card slot
  • Bright, vibrant screen

CONS

  • Bland design, aside from that nice leather option
  • Trails its rivals in gaming performance
  • LG didn’t include its Quick Charge technology
SUMMARYLG’s 2015 flagship has a lot going for it, including a lovely pair of cameras and a screen that promises to be the most accurate on the market. As solid as the G4 is, though, it feels more like an iterative update than what LG really needs: a truly exciting flagship smartphone.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015-05-07-lg-g4-review.html

Review: Lenovo A740 — a sleek all-in-one desktop PC

Lenovo has a bunch of laptops and tablets, and we’ve been reviewing them over the months as they roll out (check them out in our Lenovo Hub!). The company also has desktops of all varieties, however, and we’ve got our hands on its A740 all-in-one, a large and dense AiO that brings all the perks of a desktop with the compact and integrated convenience of an all-in-one system. It is many things: large, powerful, and beautiful to behold. Is it the right AiO for you, though? Read our full SlashGear Review to find out!

Hardware

The Lenovo A740 is a large all-in-one desktop system with a brushed-metal design and smooth glass front. The display itself, which is quite heavy but surprisingly thin (in comparison to competing AiOs), is attached to a base packed with ports for all manner of peripherals. The keyboard and mouse, meanwhile, have a similar silver/gray color as the desktop itself, but the mouse is made of plastic; they both connect to the computer wirelessly.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/review-lenovo-a740-a-sleek-all-in-one-desktop-pc-16379299/

HTC Desire EYE Review

 

The HTC Desire EYE seems to have one key point in its favor, at first – selfie power. But it’s a whole lot more than that. Instead of a smartphone that’s made for taking photos of yourself, the Desire EYE is a surprisingly well-rounded phone. And it’s not a mid-tier phone either – in fact it has many of the same specifications as the HTC One M8, the company’s current major hero phone. This isn’t your everyday average after-thought – it’s a re-imagining of the HTC One M8’s key points put inside an almost shockingly well made “Desire” brand device.

It’s not just about the camera

Despite the name, the Desire EYE is not your common HTC Desire-level device. Generally Desire devices are released internationally – not inside the United States – for markets that don’t always have a love for massively expensive hero phones.

IMG_9502

With the Desire EYE, HTC bucks that trend. This device is a hero phone. It might not look like a hero phone when you set it alongside the HTC One M8 – it’s not metal, after all – but it certainly packs a punch. Here are the elements the HTC Desire EYE has that are the exact same as the HTC One M8:

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/htc-desire-eye-review-06354101/

Lenovo Yoga 3 11 review — lightweight and ultra-flexible

Lenovo has another Yoga product in its midst, and this one is targeted at those diehard ultrabook lovers who want every extraneous bit of weight and unencessity shed from their products. The Lenovo Yoga 3 is, as you’ll note the first moment you hold it, a bit of ultrabook excellence: it has a simple design, is incredibly lightweight, and feels entirely unobtrusive without being in anyway inconvenient to use. As expected, the laptop also includes the Yoga flexibility, meaning it can be folded all the way over to form a tablet when needed. Sound interesting? Read our full SlashGear Review for all the details!

Hardware

The Lenovo Yoga 3 11 is a multi-mode ultraportable laptop with an 11.6-inch multi-touch Full HD display and an incredibly svelte body. Everything about holding the laptop feels right — it is lightweight but doesn’t feel cheap, it is incredibly slim (with a tapered design), and despite its thinness it is has a variety of ports that’ll meet most users needs.

This includes a mini HDMI port, 4-in-1 card slot, a USB 3.0 and a USB 2.0 port, and a combo audio jack. Total machine measurements come in at 11.42 x 7.75 x 0.62-inches, and the weight sits at 2.65lbs.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-yoga-3-11-review-lightweight-and-ultra-flexible-07382441/

Shoot Pictures and Videos Anywhere with Podo

New camera can be attached to any solid surface, now available on Kickstarter.

 

Throw away the selfie sticks, picture lovers. Podo, a new re-stickable wireless camera from Podo Labs, will let you take pictures and videos without your arm or obnoxious-looking selfie stick be in the picture frame.

According to its creators, Podo is a Bluetooth connected camera that can be attached to any solid surface thanks to its washable, ‘re-stickable’ microsuction surface pad and built-in magnet. The Podo’s pivoting camera can be adjusted to take shots in any angle.

Weighing just 1 ounce (~51 grams) and measuring 2 x 2 x 1 inches (HWD), the Podo comes with an 8MP sensor capable of capturing 720p 30FPS video. It comes with 4GB memory and a rechargeable 600mAH Li-ion battery that lasts around 2 hours of video. The 8 LEDs serve as an indicator as well as a powerful flash for night shots. It even comes with an accelerometer to ensure images are oriented properly.

 

 

Before taking a picture or short video, users just need to double-tap the device to activate the camera. Users can live preview the images on your iOS or Android phone using the free Podo app. Images taken will be automatically transferred to your smartphone wirelessly via Bluetooth, and can be shared immediately to popular social network sites such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr.

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https://sea.pcmag.com/camera/1899/shoot-pictures-and-video-anywhere-with-podo

iLoud review: Bluetooth speaker by day, amp by night

The problem with Bluetooth speakers is that they’re typically underpowered, and not very dynamic. You get small-ish speakers pushing out varying levels of sound in both level and quality. The iLoud is meant as a no-compromise device that can even double as an amp for your guitar. To find out if it actually pulls double-duty, we took it for a spin.

Hardware

As a standalone Bluetooth speaker, iLoud is a touch bigger than what you may be used to. There’s good reason, though. This guy pumps out a full 40-watts of music, which IK Multimedia, the masterminds behind iLoud, say is around double others in its size category.

iLoud 2

 

A peek beneath the front-facing grille shows four speakers, and a look around back details what makes iLoud unique. You’ll get the typical power toggle and DC input, and even an audio jack for wired connectivity. You also get a Guitar/Mic input and gain control — and it starts to become clear.

The overall makeup is plastic, and iLoud has a decent amount of heft to it. IK touts it as portable, and that’s accurate. You will notice it’s in your bag, though.

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https://www.slashgear.com/iloud-review-bluetooth-speaker-by-day-amp-by-night-28348181/

Android Marshmallow and the new Nexus: Reality Check

Android Marshmallow and the new Nexus: Reality Check

 

Today Android M was listed by Google in their collection of events for Google I/O. This is Google’s yearly developers conference, one where it’s common for Google to reveal a new flavor of Android – or at least major updates for flavors of Android. At this year’s Google I/O 2015, Google’s first mention of Android M has appeared. This will most likely end up being called Android Marshmallow. Meanwhile there’s a rumor that the Nexus 9 will be replaced amid some (relatively outlying) price drops abroad.

For a tiny mention, Android M has certainly gained some traction over the past 12 hours. It’s not like Android Lollipop isn’t great – it’s pretty awesome – but any new version of Android is something Android enthusiasts will be all about.

Android hasn’t changed all that much in the past several years – why would it?

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https://www.slashgear.com/android-marshmallow-and-the-new-nexus-reality-check-07382432/

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Edge: not just another second fiddle

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Edge: not just another second fiddle

 

Over the next few months Samsung will be putting the finishing touches on it Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Along with it, the second-generation Samsung Galaxy Note Edge – here on in known as the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Edge, because calling it the Edge Note 2 would be absurd. This device will take on attributes from its predecessors and continue the traditions of its Galaxy brethren, aiming to create a larger edition of the Galaxy S6 Note, bringing with it the S Pen that’s made the Galaxy Note series unique over the past several years.

This next Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Edge device will be appearing at the same time as the Galaxy Note 5. This means – likely – September of 2015. In all likelihood these devices will be priced the same as last year’s Galaxy Notes, and the displays will MAYBE be 4K, but there’s just as much chance they’ll be 2K like last year.

Below you’ll see what we’ve gathered – through tips and rumors – as the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and 5 Edge specifications.

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https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-5-edge-not-just-another-second-fiddle-07382531/

IDC: Samsung, Apple on top, but for very different reasons

IDC: Samsung, Apple on top, but for very different reasons

Samsung, who recently bounced back successfully with their Galaxy S6 and S6 edge phones, are once again the top smartphone OEM, according to IDC. Despite a year-over-year drop in overall volume and market share, Samsung holds a 24.5% market share so far in 2015 on the back of 82.4 million smartphone shipments. Second to Samsung is Apple, naturally. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handset maker now has an 18.2% market share, having shipped 61.2 million smartphones last quarter.


Third on the list is Lenovo, who can rely on their Motorola brand to bolster these numbers. Worldwide, Lenovo has a 5.6% market share, shipping 18.8 million smartphones.

Huawei comes in fourth with a 5.0% market share, while LG rounds out the top five with a 4.6% share.

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https://www.slashgear.com/idc-samsung-apple-on-top-but-for-very-different-reasons-29381313/