Monthly Archives: October 2015

Surface Pro 4, Surface Book go up for pre-order

October 10, 2015Computers & IT, TabletsAmazon, best buy, hands on, Microsoft, Slashgear, Surface, Surface Book, surface pro, Surface Pro 4

This was definitely a big week for Microsoft. Not just because it revealed some new and interesting devices but because it also managed to convert some naysayers as well, in one fell swoop. However, they do say that the test of the pudding is in the eating, and we won’t really be getting our hands on that pudding until later next month. But to whet people’s appetites, retailers Amazon, Best Buy, and Target have started taking pre-orders for the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book. That is, if the prices look appetizing at all.
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https://www.slashgear.com/surface-pro-4-surface-book-go-up-for-pre-order-08408825/

Dell’s new XPS series includes XPS 15, 13, and 12 2-in-1

October 10, 2015Computers & IT4K, camera, CES 2015, Dell, hardware, Intel, notebook, Slashgear, tablet, touchpad, uhd, video, XPS 13

Dell has rolled out three new machines for its XPS notebook lineup including the XPS 12 2-in-1, XPS 13, and XPS 15. The machines have the XPS premium design and feature sixth gen Intel Core processors inside. The XPS 12 2-in-1 is a device that can be changed between tablet and notebook mode with a removable keyboard. There is a 4K UHD display option and dual cameras.

The rear camera is an 8MP unit and the front camera is a 5MP unit for video conferencing. The XPS 12 comes with a mobility base with a backlit keyboard and precision touchpad. It also includes the Dell Premier Folio providing a stand for the tablet with variable angles. The XPS 13 gets upgraded hardware inside after a debut at CES 2015.
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https://www.slashgear.com/

Sony cuts PS4 price in lead up to the holidays

October 10, 2015Wearablesconsole, game, PS4, shopping, Slashgear, Sony, Sony PS4

The Sony PS4 has been around a long time now and there are still some gamers out there who haven’t jumped on the PS4 bandwagon. The game console has been around long enough that there may be some early adopters out there who are ready to buy a new one. In the lead up to the holiday shopping season, Sony has announced that it is cutting the price of the PS4 in the US and Canada.
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https://www.slashgear.com/sony-cuts-ps4-price-in-lead-up-to-the-holidays-08408831/

Mitsubishi EMIRAI 3 xDAS concept can sense drivers’ condition

October 10, 2015CarsMitsubishi, Slashgear

Not all car makers have completely jumped aboard the self-driving train. Some have preferred to stay on the periphery, slowly adding features that make cars smarter while still putting the driver in complete control. Mitsubishi’s latest concept car is one such example of the latter. Instead of putting in your own personal robotic driver, the EMIRAI 3 xDAS feels more like having a doctor always on call, ready to alert the driver, or maybe someone else, should it sense something wrong with his or her physical condition.
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https://www.slashgear.com/mitsubishi-emirai-3-xdas-concept-can-sense-drivers-condition-08408814/

Sony: 2016 will make or break mobile business

October 10, 2015Phonesbusiness, mobile, mobile business, Slashgear, smartphone, Sony, Sony xperia, xperia, Xperia Z5

For the first time in many years, things might be starting to look good for Sony’s smartphone business, but it isn’t out of the woods yet. The recently unveiled Sony Xperia Z5 looks promising but the company still needs to achieve a massive turnaround to recoup its losses. Naturally, Sony “feels” optimistic that things are going for the better, but just in case, it has set next year as the deadline for its mobile business, which could end up getting sold if things don’t turn out well.
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https://www.slashgear.com/sony-2016-will-make-or-break-mobile-business-08408807/

Light L16 point-and-shoot takes on DSLRs with 16 cameras

October 10, 2015Camerascamera, digital camera, mirrorless, Slashgear, smartphone

In the past, having two main cameras, or even three in some rare cases, on a smartphone sounded ridiculous. How would you react, then, to a digital camera that has 16 of them? That insane number is exactly what Light’s new L16 point-and-shoot camera has. Those seemingly innocuous circles on the front? That’s not simply a design pattern but 16 different cameras behind 16 lenses. And it’s not just for show either. Light envisions the L16 to take on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras by sheer number of lenses.
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https://www.slashgear.com/light-l16-point-and-shoot-takes-on-dslrs-with-16-cameras-07408809/

Razer Mamba Review (2015 edition)

October 10, 2015Wearablesgaming, IPS, lighting, master, Razer, review, sensor, Slashgear

Along the the Mamba TE and the DeathAdder (Chroma), the Mamba (2015 Edition) is one of the most advanced gaming mice in the world. This device works with a laser sensor, a max speed of 210 IPS, acceleration of 50G, and an industry-leading 16,000 DPI sensor under the hood. This mouse now also has Chroma lighting – which means you can make it light up in a combination of colors along its left, right, and scroll wheel. This device is very, very similar to the mouse we called 2015’s gaming master mouse in a review earlier this year.
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https://www.slashgear.com/razer-mamba-review-2015-edition-05407912/

Review: Dell Chromebook 13 — a premium option for pros

October 10, 2015Computers & ITChrome, chrome os, chromebook, chromebooks, Dell, Google, laptop, LCD, review, Slashgear

Dell has introduced its new Chromebook 13, a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS and that, in nearly every way, demands attention and is wholly deserving of it. This laptop has many bragging points, leaving most Chromebooks in the dust and doing so without an uncomfortable increase in price. It starts with a Carbon Fiber display lid and goes from there, tossing in a thin body, beautiful LCD and more. We recently took the machine for a spin; read our full review to find out more!
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https://www.slashgear.com/review-dell-chromebook-13-09408940/

OS X El Capitan review: a modest update, with some welcome changes

October 10, 2015WearablesApple, developer, mac, master, operating system, OS X, os x el capitan, review, software

When I first previewed OS X El Capitan, Apple’s latest Mac operating system, the software wasn’t quite finished, and it also wasn’t available to anybody without a developer account (that’s most people). Since then, though, Apple has released El Capitan in apublic beta program, so that anyone with the guts to install non-final software could try it out. Tomorrow, the OS will be available to the general public, and the version that ships will be virtually identical to the Gold Master build that early adopters are already using. That means for some of you, then, exactly nothing I’ve written in the following review will come as a surprise. But for folks who are perhaps more skittish about downloading a work in progress to use as their daily driver, I’ve endeavored to revisit El Capitan, taking care to clarify what’s been added since my initial preview. Suffice to say, my thoughts remains the same: While this is clearly not as big a release as last year’s update, all of the changes here are welcome, and a few were even overdue.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/29/os-x-el-capitan-review/

Google Chromecast review (2015): not much new, but still worth $35

October 10, 2015Audio & Videochromecast, computer, Google, Google Chromecast, HDMI, Media streamers, review, smart, smartphone, tablet, TV

The original Chromecast proved that big surprises can come in small packages. Even though it was just a $35 HDMI dongle the size of a pack of gum, it had the power to transform any TV into a smart one, as long as you had a smartphone, tablet or computer nearby. Sure it wasn’t as full-featured as other media streamers, but for the price, it was a bargain. Fast-forward to 2015, and there’s a brand-new Chromecast in town with a new look and a promise of faster speeds, all at the same price. No, it’s not that much better than the original, but it still delivers great bang for your buck.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/08/chromecast-review-2015/

Microsoft Lumia 950 vs Lumia 950 XL: What’s the difference between Lumia 950 & 950 XL?

October 10, 2015PhonesLumia, Microsoft, Microsoft Lumia, Microsoft Lumia 950, review, Windows, Windows 10, Windows Phone

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE LUMIA 950 & 950 XL?

Microsoft announced three new Windows 10 smartphones earlier this week, two of which are the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. We look at the differences between the two new Windows phone flagships to see which is best for you. It’s Lumia 950 vs Lumia 950 XL.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/windows-phones/lumia-950-vs-lumia-950-xl-whats-difference-lumia-950-950-xl-3626925/

2015 Ford Transit 150 Power Stroke vs. 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 BlueTec, 2014 Ram ProMaster 1500 EcoDiesel

October 10, 2015Carscomparison, Ford, Mercedes, ram, stroke, turbo

We didn’t drive three full-size modern vans 430 miles just to gain admittance to the 43rd annual Van Nationals. We also drove them there (with a dorm room’s worth of furniture from IKEA) so we’d have a place to sleep away our drunkenness.

Oh, right, and also to perform a comparison test of the newest big boys. After what seemed like a century of incremental improvements to the old-school American vans, our market is now awash with new European-derived big boxes, as well as little-sibling versions. We chose three of the new plus-size van-guard: the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (now in its second generation here in the U.S.), the new-to-America Ford Transit, and a curious-looking thing called the Ram ProMaster. For the sake of intensified Euro-ness, we chose turbo-diesel engines as the exclusive power source.
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https://www.caranddriver.com/

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

October 10, 2015PhonesApple, hardware, iphone, iphone 6, IPHONE 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhones, LED, review, Slashgear, smartphone

If you listen to the cynics, the “s” in Apple’s iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus stands for “same-old”. The tick-tock upgrade cycle of the best-selling smartphone has led many to expect revolution one year and then mere evolution the next. Turns out, though, Darwin himself would be impressed by what Apple has achieved with its flagship iPhones in 2015.

Hardware and Design

Glance at the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and, unless you’ve a keen eye to see the new logo on the back, or you’re looking at the new- and controversially pink – rose gold model, I’d forgive you for not noticing the difference between it and the iPhone 6.
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Review: Acer Aspire Switch 10 Special Edition — a small hybrid laptop

October 10, 2015Computers & ITAcer, Acer Aspire, Aspire, hybrid, laptop, review, Slashgear

Convertible laptops have come a long way in the past couple years, deviating from the original floppy hingeless designs that are still too common in favor of a hinged, sturdy keyboard. This allows the same portability of a snap-free display while also functioning just as well as a regularly hinged laptop. Acer, as we’ve seen in the past, has embraced the hinged-convertible design, and it has demonstrated this yet again with its Acer Aspire Switch 10 Special Edition.
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https://www.slashgear.com/review-acer-aspire-switch-10-special-edition-a-small-hybrid-laptop-06407951/

Best GPS watch for running: 8 great wearables that accurately track running distance and time – GPS sport watch group test

October 10, 2015WearablesFitbit, Fitbit Surge, GPS, jawbone, review, surge, travel, watch, wearable, wearables

There is no better way of getting fitter, stronger or faster than – well – training. And training gets a lot more effective if you can accurately measure the distance you travel, and at what speed. There are myriad wearable devices out there that purport to do this, but most activity-trackers are little more than souped-up pedometers, neither particularly accurate nor consistent.

That is not to denigrate activity trackers. If your goal is simply to nag yourself into burning more calories each day, a Fitbit or Jawbone will definitely be a good purchase – cheaper than any of the GPS-enabled devices we review here. You can find out the pick of the activity tracking wristband crop in our article, 23 best Activity Trackers of 2015. The FitBit Surge makes the cut because it includes built-in GPS. Critical if you want to accurately measure performance as you go, with a glance at your wrist.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Top Electric Cars

October 9, 2015Carselectric, electric cars, luxury, Luxury Car, Model S, Tesla, tesla model s, vehicle

1. TESLA MODEL S

A mixture of eco-friendly luxury car and outrageously fast sports car, the Tesla Model S is an impressive vehicle. Equipped with two electric motors, an induction AC motor in the front generating 257 horsepower, and one in the rear generating 257 horsepower; the Tesla Model S has a total output of 329 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
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http://www.carophile.com/

Review: Acer Aspire One Cloudbook Windows 10 laptop

October 9, 2015Computers & ITAcer, Acer Aspire, Aspire, Chrome, chrome os, laptop, music, review, Slashgear, watch, Windows, Windows 10

Not everyone needs or wants a powerful laptop. For many, a low cost and light design are miles ahead on their list of priorities over small boosts in performance — if the laptop can surf the web, watch videos, and download music, what’s there to complain about? Still, low cost notebooks aren’t that easy to come by. Netbooks went away as fast as they arrived, and though there are many budget machines out there, many run Chrome OS. Enter Acer’s new Aspire One Cloudbook.
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https://www.slashgear.com/review-acer-aspire-one-cloudbook-windows-10-laptop-08408663/

Inateck BH1001 Bluetooth sport earbuds mini-review

October 9, 2015Audio & Videobizarre, Bluetooth, headphones, Inateck, Inateck BH1001, review, Slashgear, wireless

Gone are the wired shackles of past headphones and earbuds — we live in the wireless age, and with it comes freedom from wires. That’s what makes certain wireless earbud models a little bizarre. You’ve likely seen them; they feature a thick plastic neckband which wraps behind the neck and rests on the shoulders. That’s large, garish, and for many users, uncomfortable. Fortunately, not all wireless earbuds feature that design. Inateck’s BH1001 earbuds are one such example.
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https://www.slashgear.com/inateck-bh1001-bluetooth-sport-earbuds-mini-review-08408899/

Onkyo TX-NR818 review

October 8, 2015Audio & VideoDenon, home, Home Cinema, Marantz, Onkyo, Onkyo TX-NR818, Pioneer, review, Yamaha

Over the past few years, Onkyo’s home cinema amps have consistently pushed the boundaries of what we should be expecting from multichannel machines.

As a result, our expectations have never been higher. We’ve already reviewed the company’s impressive TX-NR515, (£500/$750) so it was with great relish that we unboxed the Onkyo TX-NR818.

We’re yet to experience what the likes of Yamaha, Denon, Marantz and Pioneer have to offer this year at the ultra-competitive £1,000/$1,500 pricepoint, so it’s a good chance for Onkyo to steal a march on the (pretty fierce) competition.
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https://www.whathifi.com/onkyo/tx-nr818/review

Anthem MRX 700 review

October 8, 2015Audio & VideoAnthem, Anthem MRX 700, Onkyo, review, Yamaha

What do you think is important in a high-end multichannel amp? If your answer is sound quality above all else, then Anthem’s new MRX 700 deserves your full attention.

This unassuming amp doesn’t appear to be anything special. Certainly, rivals from the likes of Onkyo and Yamaha are considerably more imposing to look at, not to mention far more feature-packed.
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https://www.whathifi.com/anthem/mrx-700/review

10 Great Safety Features Found In Modern Cars

October 8, 2015Carssafety

1. FORWARD COLLISION WARNING WITH AUTO-BRAKING

Forward collision warning with auto-braking systems are an amazing addition to the safety features found on cars today. The system uses cameras, lasers, and/or radar to detect vehicles ahead and alert the driver if they are closing in too fast.
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http://www.carophile.com/great-safety-features-found-in-modern-cars/

Edifier Sound To Go Plus review: a cheap and effective laptop speaker

October 8, 2015Audio & Videoaudio, Edifier, Edifier Sound To Go Plus, laptop, mobile, portable, portable speaker, review, smartphone, speaker, speakers, usb, wireless

If your laptop suffers from poor sound from its built-in speakers, Edifier wants to help. Here’s our review of the Edifier Sound To Go Plus speaker system.

The Sound To Go Plus is a portable speaker for expanding the sound from your smartphone or similar mobile device. But it’s actually designed primarily for use with laptops and instead of a wireless connection – think of it as a soundbar for your laptop. It uses digital audio over USB so you can simply plug the speaker into your laptop and away you go.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Denon Cocoon Home review: one-box music centre

October 8, 2015Audio & VideoApple, Denon, Denon Cocoon, Denon Cocoon Home, dock, home, ipad, ipad 3, iphone, iphone 4s, lightning, music, music system, oled, review, server, Sony

This friendly looking white bean is a high-tech music system, playing internet radio, music from your local media server or directly from a docked iPhone.

A quick note about the full product name. Audiophiles, don’t be confused by the DSD-500 label – this music centre is in no way capable of playing Sony’s hi-resolution DSD music files.

An inset black OLED panel at front will gently slide out when pressed, to reveal a small platform with 30-pin dock connector for Apple iDevices up to the iPhone 4S and iPad 3. Models after that, you’ll need the 30-pin to Lightning adaptor.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Griffin WoodTones review – wooden over-the-ear headphones with a built in mic for hands-free calling

October 8, 2015Audio & Video, Wearablesgriffin, hardware, headphones, home, Operating Systems and, review, software, WoodTones

ith software companies seemingly tearing any visual reference to wood or leather from their operating systems and apps, it’s good to see that these materials still have a home in the hardware world. Griffin’s WoodTones may seem like the name of a 60s folk group, but they are in fact a very nice pair of over-the-ear headphones that get their name from the wooden backs that adorn the earpieces.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Jabra Solemate Max review – a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s big on price and lacking in bass

October 8, 2015Audio & VideoBluetooth, Jabra, Jabra Solemate Max, portable, review, Solemate Max, speaker, speakers

In the dense forest of Bluetooth speakers, Jabra’s Solemate is one that stands out. Both in terms of looks and sound quality, the diminutive speaker punched above its weight. Plus, it’s great value at around £80/$120.

The Solemate Max – as the name suggests – is a giant version of its smaller brother, and has very similar features.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Vibe Slick Zip V3 review: zip-up headphones that sound good for the money

October 8, 2015Audio & Videoheadphone, headphones, review, v3, Vibe, Vibe Slick Zip, Vibe Slick Zip V3

Most in-ear headphones use a simple system for managing where the wire from each headphone joins the other: an adjustable toggle which slides up and down. The Vibe Slick Zip headphones use an altogether more complex solution: a plastic zipper which can be zipped up to bring the two cables together, or down to allow them to separate.

The cynical will accuse the makers of cheap gimmickry, and they’d be right: the zipper adds precious little functionality to the headphones. In fact, it actually adds a not-insignificant amount of weight, which is bad news as it makes them prone to falling out. We also discovered that the plastic zipper was a keen transmitter of vibration noise, which means the slightest touch on the cable was sent up the wire to the listener’s ears.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Creative Hitz WP380 wireless Bluetooth headphones review – great sound, no cables

October 8, 2015Audio & Videoaudio, Bluetooth, Creative, Creative Hitz WP380, headphones, review, speakers, wireless

The Creative Hitz WP380 are a solid but lightweight set of headphones that allow for both wireless and wired listening. We review the Creative Hitz WP380 for sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity and comfort.

Wireless speakers and headphones are becoming increasingly popular now that Bluetooth technology has developed to cope with high-quality audio.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Luxa2 Groovy W review: Bluetooth wireless portable speaker with unremarkable sound quality

October 8, 2015Audio & VideoBluetooth, computing, Luxa2, Luxa2 Groovy W, mobile, PC, portable, portable speaker, review, speaker, thermaltake, wireless

From Thermaltake, the company that brought us PC upgrade components for Windowsgamers, comes sub-brand Luxa2 to deliver mobile computing gadgets like this Groovy W speaker.

The Luxa2 Groovy W is yet another Bluetooth wireless speaker, this one a portable block around the size of a packet of biscuits. There’s a rechargeable battery inside, said to be good for 15 or 10 hours of play time (depending whether you read the specifications online or from the printed leaflet); and another booster battery pack is included, with around twice the energy capacity again.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Harman Kardon Esquire review: style, build quality and impressive battery life make this not just another Bluetooth speaker

October 8, 2015Audio & VideoAmazon, Bluetooth, Esquire, Harman Kardon Esquire, laptop, music, review, smartphone, speaker, speakers, tablet

Harman Kardon’s Esquire is another Bluetooth speaker vying for your attention, wanting to play music from your smartphone or tablet or laptop. The official price for the Esquire is £170/$255 but you can pick up for around £120/$180 at retailers like Amazon. Bluetooth speakers can be found for more so it’s hardly outrageous.

It has a somewhat unorthodox square design which allows you to either lay it down flat or stand it upright. It’s available in black, white or brown.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Syllable D900 review: Truly wire-free Bluetooth headphones that come with a clever recharging case

October 8, 2015Audio & Video, WearablesBluetooth, bluetooth headset, China, hardware, headphone, headphones, headset, review, Syllable, Syllable D900

Syllable is a headphone manufacturer based in Shenzhen, China. It makes various Bluetooth headphones, but these are the first we’ve seen with no wires at all. Here’s our Syllable D900 review.

Most Bluetooth headphones have a headband or at least a wire joining them, such as the SoundPeats Sports Q9, but the D900 has none at all. Each sits in your ear like a Bluetooth headset, and has its own battery and Bluetooth hardware.
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https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/headphones/syllable-d900-review-3626710/