Monthly Archives: September 2015

Denon AVR-X2200W review

Denon AVR-X2200W review

Audio & Video, , ,

The £500/$750 AV receiver market is important territory for any manufacturer, and after a few years of falling short at this level, Denon has come out swinging.

The AVR-X2200W is the result – a receiver that pushes the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect at this price. This means support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (the latter via a firmware upgrade later this year) alongside generous connectivity and all the future-proofing you could wish for.
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https://www.whathifi.com/denon/avr-x2200w/review

Yamaha RX-V679 review

Yamaha RX-V679 review

Audio & Video,

Sound

Still, we get the ball rolling with Fast and Furious 7, and right from the start the RX-V679 lets us know what it’s all about. This is a big, muscular amp that throws itself behind the action-packed soundtrack without second thought.

During the fight between Agent Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, the RX-V679 embraces every punch landed and delivers each one with solidity and impact. Glass partitions shatter cleanly and crisply, and the soundtrack has the right amount of bite to keep tension and excitement high.
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https://www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-v679/review

LG HS9 review

LG HS9 review

Audio & Video, , , ,

Build

LG hasn’t held back with the HS9’s size – it’s a chunky unit around the length of a 50in TV, though only 14cm deep – so we’re hoping it has the big sound to match.

You can wall-mount the HS9, but wherever you put it the universal appeal of its smart grille front and shiny silver top is bound to draw praise. LG has a reputation for attractive, modern designs and standards haven’t slipped here.
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https://www.whathifi.com/lg/hs9/review

Lamborghini’s Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is 201mph of roofless glee

Cars, ,

Lamborghini has chopped the top off its LP 610-4 supercar, creating the audacious Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder for those who demand 610 HP and the wind in their hair. Revealed at theFrankfurt Motor Show 2015 today, the new convertible features a spanking new electrohydraulic, lightweight soft top roof which can drop in 17 seconds, and is paired with a retractable rear window.

Boosting both aerodynamics and aesthetics are two movable fins, which start at the seatbacks and then flow back across the roof line to the rear. They rise up from the folding roof casing, which hides the soft top when down while still keeping the center of gravity the same.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lamborghinis-huracan-lp-610-4-spyder-is-201mph-of-roofless-glee-14404439/

Need for Speed PC delayed to 2016 to add unlocked framerates

Need for Speed PC delayed to 2016 to add unlocked framerates

Wearables, , , , , ,

2016 is the new 2015. At least for the upcoming new Need for Speed game’s PC version. EA Games and developer Ghost have taken to the game’s website to announce a sort of good news, bad news kind of deal. The PC version of the hit PC game won’t be coming until Spring 2016, while the PS4 and Xbox One versions are still on track for November. The unfortunate delay, however, is necessary to implement what is apparently a most requested feature: unlocked frame rates for the PC version.
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https://www.slashgear.com/need-for-speed-pc-delayed-to-2016-to-add-unlocked-framerates-15404654/

UE BOOM 2 speaker boosts volume, range and ruggedness

UE BOOM 2 speaker boosts volume, range and ruggedness

Audio & Video, , , , , , , ,

In a world where Bluetooth speakers are practically giveaway items, you have to do something special to command a $200 sticker, and Ultimate Ears believes it has the answer. The new UE BOOM 2 takes the cylindrical BOOM of 2013 and gives it a refresh, cranking up the volume by 25-percent while delivering a promised fifteen hours of wireless battery life.

 

Range is up over the old speaker, too, now at 100 feet versus the original’s roughly 50 feet. It’s still a stubby tube, made of fabric and sturdy rubber, and while there’s a ring on the bottom to attach it to a lanyard or similar, it’s also just the right size to slot into the bottle holder on a bike.
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https://www.slashgear.com/ue-boom-2-speaker-boosts-volume-range-and-ruggedness-15404627/

Snapdragon 617, 430 bring Quick Charge 3.0 to mid range

Snapdragon 617, 430 bring Quick Charge 3.0 to mid range

Wearables, , ,

While Qualcomm is naturally praising its still to come Snapdragon 820, it wisely isn’t putting all its of its eggs in that one high end basket. On the heels of its many announcements today, Qualcomm has revealed the Snapdragon 617 and the Snapdragon 430, processors that are intended for somewhat high and mid range devices. Don’t let the lower numbers fool you, however, as these chips still have some boasting to do, especially when the time comes to charge your mobile device in a pinch.
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https://www.slashgear.com/snapdragon-617-430-bring-quick-charge-3-0-to-mid-range-15404678/

Audi’s 496HP e-tron quattro concept previews 2018’s all-electric SUV

Audi’s 496HP e-tron quattro concept previews 2018’s all-electric SUV

Cars, , , , , , ,

Audi has taken the wraps off its vision of the perfect electric SUV, the Audi e-tron quattro concept, delivering more than 310 miles of range along with autonomous driving. Shown off for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show today, the concept previews Audi’s production luxury electric SUV currently pencilled in for early 2018, with a slippery but meaty design and a trio of motors.

 

It’s clearly an Audi from the outside, but the 16ft length and 6.3ft width are offset by the 5.1ft height, leaving the e-tron quattro concept looking low and chunky. Electrically-actuated aero elements on the hood, the flanks, and on the rear help control the flow of air, adding up to a mere 0.25 coefficient of drag.
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https://www.slashgear.com/audis-496hp-e-tron-quattro-concept-previews-2018s-all-electric-suv-14404468/

2017 Jaguar F-PACE crossover debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show

2017 Jaguar F-PACE crossover debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show

Cars, , , ,

Jaguar has introduced its new F-PACE performance crossover, a model the auto maker calls the “ultimate practical sportscar.” The car is designed to be a bunch of things, not the least of which is an everyday driver. The crossover was developed with the maker’s Lightweight Aluminum Architecture and has an F-TYPE inspired form. Part of the model’s practicality is its ample space — drivers have a 650-liter luggage compartment, safety systems for both occupants and pedestrians, and more.
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https://www.slashgear.com/2017-jaguar-f-pace-crossover-debuts-at-frankfurt-motor-show-14404460/

Mercedes’ Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile previews super-luxe digital age

Mercedes’ Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile previews super-luxe digital age

Cars, , , , ,

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its latest concept, the Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile, dubbed a “digital transformer”. Previewing a four-door coupe at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015, the Mercedes Concept IAA has a 41 mile electric range from its super-slippery body.

 

That design, in fact, has a mere 0.19 coefficient of drag, helping the concept achieve a ridiculously low output of 28g of CO2 per kilometer.
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https://www.slashgear.com/mercedes-intelligent-aerodynamic-automobile-previews-super-luxe-digital-age-14404461/

Sony to add uncompressed 14-bit RAW image capability to a7S II

Sony to add uncompressed 14-bit RAW image capability to a7S II

Wearables, , , , , ,

Sony has a new higher-end digital camera that is due to land in stores next month called the a7S II. The a7S II is a mirrorless digital camera that is packed with some interesting features and a correspondingly high price. Sony has announced that it will be adding in another cool feature to the camera after it lands via a firmware update.

That new feature will be the ability to shoot 14-bit RAM image files. Sony also plans to add user selectable compressed or uncompressed 14-bit RAM still image capture to other cameras via a firmware update. The a7R II will also get the firmware update at a later date.
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https://www.slashgear.com/sony-to-add-uncompressed-14-bit-raw-image-capability-to-a7s-ii-15404704/

Infiniti Q30 set to hit dealers in select markets in 2015

Infiniti Q30 set to hit dealers in select markets in 2015

Cars, ,

Our first good look at the Infiniti Q30 active compact came a few days back at the Frankfurt auto show. Infiniti is now giving up more details on the crossover that will be the luxury brand’s first entry into the premium compact segment of the market. Infiniti plans to offer Premium and Sport versions to suit the style of the buyer.

A base model will be offered that slots underneath the Premium and Sport versions of the car in some markets. Infiniti says that the Q30 will play a vital role for the company as it aims to grow sales in key regions. The Q30 was designed to appeal to both Generation X and Y premium buyers.
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https://www.slashgear.com/

E FUN’s new Nextbook Ares tablets tout Verizon 4G LTE

E FUN’s new Nextbook Ares tablets tout Verizon 4G LTE

Tablets, , , , ,

We are all growing more connected these days, so much that even users of budget tablets sometimes expect Internet connectivity anywhere they go. That combination is exactly what E FUN, who claims to be the second largest vendor of detachables or 2-in-1 tablets, is promising to offer with its two new Android-powered Nextbook Ares tablets. Though coming in different sizes, the Nextbook Ares 8L and Nextbook Ares 10L are like peas in a pod, sharing many features together, including connectivity with Verizon’s 4G LTE network.
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https://www.slashgear.com/e-funs-new-nextbook-ares-tablets-tout-verizon-4g-lte-15404688/

Brabus Mercedes-AMG GT packs 600hp in a killer body

Brabus Mercedes-AMG GT packs 600hp in a killer body

Cars,

If you have the scratch to buy yourself a Mercedes-AMG GT, you will get at least 469hp in base form or 503hp if you buy the S spec version. For some folks out there, that just isn’t enough. For those who want more, Brabus has a massaged version of the Mercedes-AMG GT and it is one sexy and powerful beast.

The car puts out 600 metric horsepower (591 bhp) and a massive 553 lb-ft of torque. That is a cool 100 lb-ft more torque than the base GT puts out. Take the beast out on the track or autobahn and it will hit 201mph. The 0-62mph run will take a mere 3.6 seconds.
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https://www.slashgear.com/brabus-mercedes-amg-gt-packs-600hp-in-a-killer-body-15404418/

Snapchat adds pay-for-Replay and selfie filters

Snapchat adds pay-for-Replay and selfie filters

Wearables, , ,

Ephemerality has always been the Snapchat way, but now the self-destructing social network is offering snap replays for a price. In a new update today, users can opt to buy more Replay access at the price of three for $0.99, finally putting a cost on experiencing someone’s evaporating moment again.

 

Replay itself was actually launched back in 2013, though not every Snapchat user is necessarily familiar with it. Since then, it’s allowed each person a single replay of a snap per day.
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https://www.slashgear.com/snapchat-adds-pay-for-replay-and-selfie-filters-15404756/

VoLTE goes live in the UK (but not for your iPhone – yet)

VoLTE goes live in the UK (but not for your iPhone – yet)

Wearables, , ,

The first UK network to offer VoLTE has gone live with its voice-over-data service, with Three lighting up what it’s calling 4G Super-Voice. Kicking off today in London, Edinburgh, Exeter, and Birmingham – where Three says it has more than three quarters of the population covered – 4G Super-Voice also boasts better indoor calling performance.

 

That’s thanks to greater use of the low frequency 800MHz spectrum, which does better at reaching into buildings than the higher frequency spectrum. According to Three, around 50-percent of the UK population are now catered for with indoor coverage with 4G Super-Voice.
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https://www.slashgear.com/volte-goes-live-in-the-uk-but-not-for-your-iphone-yet-15404759/

Skype Mojis add Muppets and more to your conversations

Skype Mojis add Muppets and more to your conversations

Wearables, , , , ,

Digital conversations utilize emoji in a variety of ways, and as such we have a wide array to choose from. Some, such as the ones found in Messenger, are based on existing characters, and now Microsoft is getting into that game by adding Muppets “Mojis” to Skype. The additions aren’t limited to the Muppets, however — there’s King Kong, it seems, and other moments from TV shows and movies that may be best suited to express a sentiment.
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https://www.slashgear.com/skype-mojis-add-muppets-and-more-to-your-conversations-15404785/

Google OnHub teardown reveals low repairability

Google OnHub teardown reveals low repairability

Audio & Video, , , , ,

Google’s OnHub router has been given the teardown treatment, and the conclusion is that if you must repair something in the device, you’ll probably find yourself having to replace it, instead. Google’s new router received an overall “repairability” score of only 4 out of 10, which is pretty low, but not the worst result we’ve seen. The one readily DIY-able component is the speaker, which can be swapped out if it goes bad by someone with basic tinkering skills.
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https://www.slashgear.com/google-onhub-teardown-reveals-low-repairability-15404779/

European exec: Google has no plans to be a car maker

European exec: Google has no plans to be a car maker

Wearables, , ,

At the Frankfurt car show, Philipp Justus, Google’s managing director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is putting an end to the speculations. Google has no intention of becoming a car manufacturer, according to him. That almost seems like the opposite signal that the company has been sending lately, particularly with the recent hire of former Hyundai Motors America CEO John Krafcik. However, while Justus might be unambiguously closing one door, he still leaves some of the other doors of future business possibilities open to interpretation.
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https://www.slashgear.com/european-exec-google-has-no-plans-to-be-a-car-maker-15404840/

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium uses 4K only in media, 1080p elsewhere

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium uses 4K only in media, 1080p elsewhere

Phones, , , , , , ,

Sony might have struck gold when it announced the Xperia Z5 Premium, the world’s first ever 4K smartphone, which also makes it the world’s smallest 4K display, However, that adage about not judging books by covers might very well apply to screen resolutions as well. While the manufacturing feat of fitting a 4K display inside a 5.5 screen space is definitely laudable, its benefits apparently aren’t as much. Sony has just confirmed that the smartphone only uses that 4K resolution when viewing images and videos.
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https://www.slashgear.com/sony-xperia-z5-premium-uses-4k-only-in-media-1080p-elsewhere-15404842/

Rare Aston Martin found after 40 years is going to auction

Rare Aston Martin found after 40 years is going to auction

Cars, , ,

One of three Aston Martin “Sotheby Special” cars was found in storage after about 40 years, and despite its diamond in the rough appearance, the car is attractive and anyone can see the potential in it — though, of course, it is going to take some elbow grease to get it back up to standard. The car will be heading to auction later on in 2015 via H and H Classic Auctions.

This Aston Martin has a unique look, not the least of which being due to its limited nature. It also includes some interesting design elements, including 22 tail lamps that light up progressively based on the amount of force applied to the brake pedal — a clever way to alert other drivers about whether you’re tapping or slamming the brakes.
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https://www.slashgear.com/rare-aston-martin-found-after-40-years-is-going-to-auction-15404824/

Batband headphones: an “ear-free” audio headband

Batband headphones: an “ear-free” audio headband

Wearables, , , ,

Personal music sessions in public places often happen with one earbud in and one earbud out — this way you can hear others nearby and your music at the same time. That Batband is a far more attractive alternative, though it might get you a few sideways glances — it uses bone conductivity rather than traditional speakers, making it a so-called “ear-free” pair of headphones.

 

The company behind the device hails them as the first high fidelity bone conductivity headphones. Batband wraps about the back of one’s head, with each end piece being placed above the ears. The audio is conducted straight to the inner ear, then, so that you hear whatever is playing, as well as everything around you. It is controlled using a swiping pad and a button.
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https://www.slashgear.com/batband-headphones-an-ear-free-audio-headband-15404813/

15 German Cars That Changed History

15 German Cars That Changed History

Cars, , , , ,

1. AUDI A4 1994-PRESENT GERMANY

Audi A4, produced by the German Volkswagen subsidiary, is a compact executive car offering great luxury and comfort for the price. Audi had been having serious troubles as a company since the 1980’s. The A4 actually saved the company. Initially available as a sedan or wagon, later production would offer a convertible model. The car not only put Audi back in the black, it created unexpected competition for BMW and Mercedes in the executive car market.
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http://www.carophile.com/german-cars-that-changed-history/

Bugatti’s PlayStation car is no toy [Interview]

Bugatti’s PlayStation car is no toy [Interview]

Cars, , , ,

If the devil is in the details, then Bugatti’s Vision Gran Turismo car is truly demonic. The eye-catching concept may have been built to mark its digital counterpart’s arrival in the PlayStation game, but that didn’t stop Bugatti’s designers from getting serious about not only what the outlandish car looks like but how it would perform on the track – even in the case of an emergency.

 

As we discovered when we spoke to Alexander Selipanov, head of exterior design at Bugatti, at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, the team responsible for the car went a whole lot further than just the fun stuff.
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https://www.slashgear.com/bugattis-playstation-car-is-no-toy-interview-15404743/

Check out Audi’s incredible OLED-packed e-tron quattro cockpit

Check out Audi’s incredible OLED-packed e-tron quattro cockpit

Wearables, , , , , ,

As the dashboard wars gather pace, Audi isn’t willing to leave all the innovation to Apple and Google, delivering a high-tech OLED paradise in the e-tron quattro concept. The electric SUV – which not only promises a 300+ mile range, but also includes a new fast-charging mode that takes less than an hour to rejuice – takes the Audi Virtual Cockpit to its next-gen level, embedding unusually-shaped screens into not only the dash but the door trim, too.
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https://www.slashgear.com/check-out-audis-incredible-oled-packed-e-tron-quattro-cockpit-15404734/

Alleged Huawei Nexus with Snapdragon 810 gets benchmarked

Alleged Huawei Nexus with Snapdragon 810 gets benchmarked

Wearables, , , , , ,

A lot more attention as probably been given to LG’s rumored third Nexussmartphone, but Huawei’s entry into the family has more implications for Google. That’s not to say, however, that this first Chinese-made Nexus won’t have interesting points. Rumors speak of its larger 2K resolution, for example. But those same rumors also betray a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, one of the most infamous chips of recent days, running inside. Now a GeekBench sighting might be giving eager Nexus fans something new to worry about: performance.
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https://www.slashgear.com/alleged-huawei-nexus-with-snapdragon-810-gets-benchmarked-15404690/

SteadXP stabilizes images and video on almost all cameras

SteadXP stabilizes images and video on almost all cameras

Wearables, , , , ,

Shaky video and blurry images caused by movement during shooting or filming can ruin your shots and be very annoying to the viewer. A new project has turned up on Kickstarter called the SteadXP that is a new type of video stabilization platform featuring 3-axis stabilization in a light and easy to use package. The team behind the SteadXP says that it is compatible with nearly all digital cameras from your GoPro to a DSLR or cinema camera.
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https://www.slashgear.com/steadxp-stabilizes-images-and-video-on-almost-all-cameras-15404718/

New PS4 controllers, hard drive covers come in plenty of colors

New PS4 controllers, hard drive covers come in plenty of colors

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sony’s pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference was fairly low-key, but they still managed to make several hardware-related announcements. Along withPlayStation VR becoming the official name of the virtual reality gaming headset, and a new lower price for the PlayStation 4 console in Japan, Sony also revealed a handful of new colors for the Dualshock 4 controllers, along with an entirely new accessory: replaceable covers for the PS4’s hard drive bay.
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https://www.slashgear.com/new-ps4-controllers-hard-drive-covers-come-in-plenty-of-colors-15404732/

Sony Xperia Z5 Bond edition smartphone heads to Vodafone

Sony Xperia Z5 Bond edition smartphone heads to Vodafone

Phones, , , , , , , ,

If you are a fan of the British secret agent James Bond, you know that a new Bond film is set to come out next month called Spectre. So far, we have seen a very cool tie in from Aston Martin with the DB9 GT Bond Edition car. Sony has now announced a cool smartphone tie in with an Xperia X5 called The Bond Phone.

This special edition smartphone will be a Vodafone UK exclusive device and gives buyers the change to download cool Spectre themes and content for the device. The Bond Phone comes in black and has the same exact specs that the normal Xperia Z5 offers.
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https://www.slashgear.com/sony-xperia-z5-bond-edition-smartphone-heads-to-vodafone-15404715/

Meizu Pro 5 GeekBench scores beat Galaxy Note 5

Meizu Pro 5 GeekBench scores beat Galaxy Note 5

Phones, , , , , , ,

Rumors have been circulating for a while now that a new flagship device is on its way from Meizu. That device is tipped to be called the Meizu Pro 5 and the reveal date is expected to be September 25. If rumors are correct, that Pro 5 will have an Exynos 7420 SoC under the hood bringing some impressive performance to the mix.

Ahead of the official launch, some benchmark results from Geekbench have turned up that claim to be from the Meizu NIUX, this is believed to be the name of the Pro 5 before Meizu changed its naming convention.
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https://www.slashgear.com/meizu-pro-5-geekbench-scores-beat-galaxy-note-5-15404720/