Yearly Archives: 2015

Fugoo Style XL: Big, Loud and Tough

There’s a place for small and cheap portable speakers, but when you really want to hear your tunes, you need to go big. The new Fugoo Style XL is the perfect example of this, retaining its predecessor’s ruggedness and long battery life while making the sound bigger and better.

Fugoo’s excellent original portable Bluetooth speakers — Style, Sport and Tough — have a lot going for them: ruggedness, long battery life and good sound. With the XL line, Fugoo kept all the best elements of its original speaker and made the sound bigger and better.

Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/fugoo-style-xl-bluetooth-speaker,review-3142.html

Blackphone 2 Review: Security, for a Price

Picking a phone is like learning to trust a friend: You don’t want to confide in someone who will blab every detail of your life to everyone else, just as you want to be able to trust that your smartphone activity isn’t being relayed back to a carrier or Internet giant.

Mobile-security company Silent Circle’s sophomore effort at the ultimate private device aims to providejust that. The Blackphone 2 (starting at $799 unlocked) is a device you can trust with your sensitive information and communications, and it even lets you create up to four virtual phones in one handset. But security features aside, the Blackphone doesn’t stack up well compared to other flagship phones.

Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/blackphone-2,review-3138.html

Roku 4 review: The ultimate 4K accessory for your shiny new TV

When you drop a chunk of change on a shiny new thing, like a big TV with 4K resolution, the urge to accessorize can be overwhelming. If that urge has just overtaken you, the Roku 4 looks pretty sweet.

This squat little box spits out the widest variety of 4K video available today — including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Vudu and M-Go — and makes finding actual 4K TV shows and movies easier than ever. It’s still early days for 4K so even those services don’t have much, and newer 4K movies cost a bundle, but if you’re hot to demo that new TV, I guess some 4K is better than no 4K.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/roku-4-review/

Check Out MB&F’s Special Edition LM101 For Hodinkee

The MB&F LM101 is a beautiful timepiece and, quite possibly, the most wearable of the luxury watchmaker’s ostentatious creations. It doesn’t look like a spaceship, it isn’t sized like a wrist-mounted weapon, and it looks normal enough to pair with most any outfit in your wardrobe.

If there was any caveat, it’s the fact that the case is made in gold – a softer precious metal that you’ll probably have to worry about scratching every time you wear it out. That’s why the new MB&F LM101 for Hodinkee trades in the gold for stainless steel, housing the same ostentatious timepiece in a metal you won’t mind knocking into stuff.

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

BlackBerry Priv up for preorder, Android slider for $699

Just two days after an early listing, the new BlackBerry Priv is now officially available for pre-order in the US, Canada, and the UK. The good news is that the Android-powered device is priced at $699 for the US, a little better than the original $749 that was hinted at earlier this week. Along with a sliding physical keyboard and a focus on BlackBerry’s specialty of security, the rest of the phone’s specs were listed, with a US shipping date of November 6th.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/blackberry-priv-up-for-preorder-android-slider-for-699-23411296/

Fallout 4 Xbox One controller arrives next month

You’ve been preparing for it — maybe you’ve even shelled out for the special beer — and now it is nearly upon us: Fallout 4 arrives next month for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Those playing it on the Xbox console will have a special controller option thanks to Bethesda, which is teasing gamers with a bright blue controller up for pre-sale in its online store. The controller is only offered for Xbox One, and it’ll arrive alongside the game.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/fallout-4-xbox-one-controller-arrives-next-month-23411397/

2016 Nissan N Attack GT-R Brings Extra Aero and suspension to SEMA

Nissan has announced that it will be bringing a sweet hopped up version of the GT-R to SEMA for fans to check out. The car is the 2016 Nissan Nismo R Attack GT-R and it has extra parts that are designed to make it faster at the track. All those extra parts were tested at the Nurburgring.

Buyers will get aerodynamic tidbits to improve downforce including a larger rear wing, ground effects course, and updated suspension for better handling. Buyers in Japan can order the car up directly from the Omori factory.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/2016-nissan-n-attack-gt-r-brings-extra-aero-and-suspension-to-sema-23411306/

Apple Music for Android screenshots leak

Apple might not commonly be in the business of making apps for Android, but a new leak suggests it has cross-platform ambitions for Apple Music. The subscription-based streaming service launched back in June with iOS 8.4 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and OS X, but according to a new set of screenshots, work is progressing on what’s purportedly an Android version of the software.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/apple-music-for-android-screenshots-leak-24411404/

2016 Toyota 4Runner Review

It felt almost blasphemous, turning up at Tesla’s Model X launch in the vast 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Stood in line outside, surrounded by Tesla owners – many of them preorder customers for the new electric SUV – discussing the longest trip on a single charge they’d made, or the money on gas they’d saved, or just how generally superior to dinosaur-juice burning cars their electric steeds turned out to be, I couldn’t help but dwell on the 4Runner’s 4.0-liter V6 engine and its 18mpg mileage.

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

HTC defends One A9 design, will roll out to M, Desire lines

The HTC One A9, which the Taiwanese OEM just unveiled Tuesday, is technically an OK, if not great, Android smartphone. Sadly, all its strengths, and even its weaknesses, will be drowned out by its one glaring feature, or misfeature, depending on who you ask. To almost everyone except HTC, the One A9 looks too eerily similar to Apple’s new design that debuted on theiPhone 6. Of course, HTC is denying that accusation by doing perhaps what it should not: calling Apple the actual copycat instead.

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https://www.slashgear.com/htc-defends-one-a9-design-will-roll-out-to-m-desire-lines-23411208/

Microsoft’s clever hot-swap Surface Book graphics now cheaper

Ford may have popularized “any color you want as long as it’s black,” but Microsoft is taking a far more flexible approach to Surface Book sales. Though shipments of the convertible notebook-tablet hybrid aren’t expected to begin until Monday, the company has quietly added a new configuration seemingly targeted at those with more ambitious graphical demands but a tighter budget.

 

The new version keeps the Core i5 “Skylake” processor of the entry-level Surface Book, along with its 128GB of SSD storage and 8GB of memory.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/microsofts-clever-hot-swap-surface-book-graphics-now-cheaper-23411362/

Bisimoto Engineering EcoBoost Mustang heads to SEMA with 900hp

Ford has announced that it will have several customized Mustangs in its booth at SEMA and one of them is a very impressive EcoBoost four cylinder machine. This Mustang is built by Bisimoto Engineering and started life as a basic 2.3L EcoBoost car. Bisimoto designed 14 new parts for the EcoBoost Mustang just for SEMA.

Modifications to the powertrain include AEM electronics including an Infinity 6 ECU, boost controller, flex fuel sensor, and fuel pressure regulator. The engine internals where changed for more strength with Arias Pistons 9:1 hi-tensile forged billet pistons, ARP head and main studs, wheel studs, and bolts.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/bisimoto-engineering-ecoboost-mustang-heads-to-sema-with-900hp-23411239/

Samsung Galaxy On5 and Galaxy On7 get official

Samsung has officially launched two new budget smartphone offerings including the Galaxy On5 and Galaxy On7 smartphones. The new devices have been listed on the Chinese Samsung website and despite being budget offerings; they both have decent hardware inside.

Samsung Galaxy On5 and Galaxy On7 get official

The Galaxy On7 has a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED screen and the On5 has a 5-inch Super AMOLED screen. Both use an Exynos 3475 processor backed with 1.5GB of RAM. The rear camera is a 13MP f/2.1 unit and the front camera is a 5MP unit with an f/2.2 unit.

samsung-on-2

The operating system for both smartphones is Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and both have 8GB of internal storage. Storage can be expanded via microSD cards. The larger On7 smartphone has a 3000 mAh internal battery and supports 4G FDD LTE networks in China. It measures in at 151.8 x 77.5 x 8.2mm and weighs 172g. It will and with Samsung Milk Music installed in China.

Measurements for the smaller On5 aren’t offered. Pricing is unannounced for the Chinese market at this time, but both smartphones are expected to launch outside of China as well in the future. They seem to be decent entry-level smartphones so presumably the price will match that stature.

(slashgear.com)

Chrome, Feedly, iMovie, Vivint Sky get iOS 9 updates

iOS 9 has not only brought a lot of features to Apple’s platform itself, it has also opened up iPhones and most especially iPads to a whole set of functionality coming from third party apps. Of course, adoption of those features didn’t happen overnight, with updates happpening mostly in waves. This week, we’re seeing a couple of new ones spread across different types of app, from Apple’s own iMovie, to the Google Chrome browser, to Feedly news reader, and even Vivint Sky smart home control.

Chrome, Feedly, iMovie, Vivint Sky get iOS 9 updates

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus finally got a camera that natively supported recording video in 4K resolution. While that in itself is already a great thing, it would probably be better if you could do more with the videos they produced. Last week, Apple rolled out an update to iMovie on the Mac to support 4K video editing and not it is the iOS app’s turn to get the same treatment. To be precise, 4K support is only available for the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, and the iPad Pro.

imovie-ios9

While Google’s Chrome is largely viewed as a rival and maybe even subpar browser on iOS, that isn’t going to stop the search giant from giving Apple fans their own brand of “best browsing experience”. On iOS 9, that means supporting the platform’s new Split View multitasking. Of course, that feature is only available on iPads, particularly the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.

Chrome-iPad-Multitasking-with_frame

But do not be sad, ye iPhone owners. the Chrome update also has something in store for you as well. Google is bringing its Chrome Autofill feature from the desktop to mobile, which includes Android in this context, too. Now you won’t have to re-enter your details again and again.

Chrome-iPhone-autofill

The popular news reader Feedly has also gone on an iOS 9 update spree. While it makes no mention of supporting Split View for iPads, the new Feedly does now integrate the Safari viewer so that viewing full articles feels and behaves like viewing them directly inside Safari. The new Feedly takes full advantage of 3D Touch on the home screen. Using force touch, you can jump directly to your desired section of articles, saving you time as well as a few CPU clock cycles.

feedly-ios9

Last but not the least, Vivint has released an update for its Vivint Sky app for iOS. This app allows owners of Vivint Smart Home products to remotely control them from anywhere in the world. The update not only brings in iOS 9 support but also neat features like viewing recorded clips. Vivint promises that Apple Watch support will be coming soon to give you an even more futuristic feel to controlling and monitoring your smart home.

vivint-ios9

(slashgear.com)

2016 MINI convertible gets longer and wider

MINI has offered up some images and details on the all-new MINI convertible ahead of the official launch of the car in Tokyo. The new convertible will hit dealerships next March and will come in Cooper and Cooper S versions. Both versions will be built on the BMW front-wheel drive platform and will have three and four cylinder engine options.

The biggest change for the new convertible is more room with the car being 4.5-inches longer than the previous version and 1.7-inches wider and almost an inch taller compared to the previous versions.

The wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer and the front and rear track are nearly two inches wider. This gives the car 25% more luggage volume with the top up.

The car retains the fabric roof and roughly the same roofline as the coupe version of the car. The top can be dropped at speeds up to 18mph and needs 18 seconds to open or close.

The car offers a pair of protection bars that pop up if the car rolls over. Eleven colors will be offered along with the Always open timer that tracks how much time the car spends with the top down.

When fitted with the base engine drivers get a 1.5L turbo engine making 134hp and 162 lb-ft of torque giving the car a 0-60 time of 8.2 seconds with an auto. The Cooper S gets a 2.0L turbo four making 189hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The coolest part is that you can get a silver Union Jack on the convertible top.

Pricing will be announced in March.

(slashgear.com)

iFixit’s Nexus 5X verdict: easy peasy to repair

Once those are out of the way, the rest of the Nexus 5X’s innards is almost literally an open book and getting to the parts is almost a boring walk in the park for experts like iFixit. You immediately see the Nexus Imprint fingerprint scanner which Google promises to be blazingly fast.

ifixit-nexus-5x-2

There’s also the 12.3 megapixel Sony IMX377 sans optical image stabilization. The USB Type-C port is also there to mildly disappoint. For one, it only supports USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. For another, it’s soldered directly unto the motherboard unlike the other I/O ports, making it harder to replace.

Despite that, iFixit gives the Nexus 5X a repairability score of 7 out of 10, a rather high mark for a modern smartphone. The back is easy enough to remove and screws used are standard, requiring no special tool to remove. The parts are mostly modular, which makes them easy to replace.

ifixit-nexus-5x-3

And though the battery is partly secured, it doesn’t take too much work to take remove. The one wart on the Nexus 5X repairability grade is the fused display assembly, though that seems to be now a standard that we’ll just have to live with.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/VYFbSpvSE-w”]Watch the Using Rcpp Syntactic Sugar video.[/su_youtube]

(slashgear.com)

Review: Lenovo Ideapad 100S – a budget Windows 10 laptop

Laptops are no longer a financial burden — the market is full of inexpensive notebooks, many of which cost less than a mid-tier smartphone.

These machines are usually targeted at students, kids, casual users, and those in need of a secondary laptop, one they’re willing to risk carrying at the subway or checking in at the airport. Lenovo’s newest Ideapad, the Ideapad 100S, is exactly that type of machine, hitting all the right marks: lightweight, small, cheap, and loaded and with Windows 10.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/review-lenovo-ideapad-100s-a-budget-windows-10-laptop-23411310/

Microsoft Q3: Bing, cloud biggest winners, phones still down

Microsoft’s investments and patience with its products, despite criticisms and contrary suggestions, are probably starting to pay off. The company has released its financial report for the first quarter of the 2016 fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2015 and the numbers are quite the mixed bag. Although Redmond is practically reporting a revenue loss, the company is strangely upbeat about the business. The details do hint at some businesses experiencing a growth surge, with things looking hopeful. That is, except for the poor smartphone.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-q3-bing-cloud-biggest-winners-phones-still-down-22411198/

Audi RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance are torque monsters

Audi has announced the new RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance cars and each of them pack the same 4.0 TFSI engine under the hood.

Performance is a new designation for Audi debuting with these cars. That 4.0 TSFI engine isn’t exactly huge on displacement, but the turbo tech used by Audi gives both of these cars some big power and torque numbers with 605hp and a whopping 553.2 lb-ft of torque on tap.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/audi-rs-6-avant-performance-and-rs-7-sportback-performance-are-torque-monsters-23411223/

Nikon launches Nanoblocks version of first SLR camera

Love Nanoblocks (they’re like LEGOs) and Nikon cameras? If so, the camera maker’s new and unanticipated Nikon Nanoblocks kit is right up your alley. The kit allows users to assemble a blocky plastic version of its very first SLR camera, and though you won’t be using it to snap any pictures, it will make an interesting conversation piece amongst your collection.

Nanoblocks isn’t as popular as LEGO, though they’ve had their moments — we saw them not too long ago offering up miniature sets in partnership with McDonald’s, for example.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/nikon-launches-nanoblocks-version-of-first-slr-camera-22411165/

HTC One A9 vs iPhone, a brief history

At the launch of the HTC One A9, it was suggested that this newest HTC smartphone looked a whole lot like the most recent design for the iPhone. At the release of the iPhone 6, the same was said about Apple’s design looking very similar to the then-most-recent HTC smartphone release. At this crossroads of confusion, today we’re having a look at a brief history of smartphone releases from both companies, as captured over the last several years. Is it one company, or the other, or are we steadily heading toward smartphone design singularity?

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/htc-one-a9-vs-iphone-a-brief-history-22411135/

AAA study finds hands-free smartphone features still distract drivers

Google, Apple, and Microsoft have worked hard to implement hands-free features when it comes to safely using their smartphones while behind the wheel, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road. While these settings are certainly better than physically holding and interacting with a phone while driving, it turns out they’re not quite as safe as we all thought. A new study from the University of Utah and AAA (American Automobile Association) has found that voice commands can still be very distracting.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/aaa-study-finds-hands-free-smartphone-features-still-distract-drivers-22411113/

Turtle Beach Xbox One headsets recalled due to mold risk

If you own a Turtle Beach headset, you might want to read on. Recently, Turtle Beach has announced that mold spores have been found on a small number of their Ear Force XO FOUR Stealth headsets. They are putting forth a voluntary recall in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company has confirmed that units sold between June 2015 and September 2015 may possibly be affected. There are a few ways to check to see if yours is included in this batch. First, the model number of the headset is TBS-2320-01 if you’re in the US, or TBS-2320-03 if you are in Canada. Next, you’ll need to check the serial number. The easiest way to do that is to find it on the headband, and enter it on the official recall website.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/turtle-beach-xbox-one-headsets-recalled-due-to-mold-risk-22411114/

Three things to know about Lenovo’s Ideapad 100S

Lenovo’s Ideapad 100S is small, cheap and just right (for many users). We recently reviewed it in full, and you’ll have to check out that full review to get all of the details. Following that, though, we’re back with a trio of notable highlights to get you started; things you should know if you’re considering grabbing one of these budget laptops.

1. It’s a budget system

The Lenovo Ideapad 100S is a budget laptop, and it makes no effort to hide that. You’ll only pay $199 USD for the laptop, which puts it in the financial range where few fear to tread. Whether you’re a student on a budget, a tablet lover with occasional need for a laptop, or a road warrior who needs an inexpensive second laptop, you’ll find the Ideapad 100S fits the bill.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/three-things-to-know-about-lenovos-ideapad-100s-24411369/

TomTom Spark review

The TomTom Spark does nothing revolutionary, but bringing music to your wrist is liberating. Yes it’s limited to old-school MP3s and not Spotify, but the feeling of smartphone freedom for music-loving runners is tangible. We also loved being able to hook up Strava and RunKeeper to our workouts, and it’s easily the most accurate heart rate system we’ve tested. The slightly underwhelming ecosystem does is a slight downside, but the TomTom Spark but still comes heartily recommended.

Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/sport/tomtom-spark-review

Canon EOS 5DS Digital Camera Review

When you’re watching a press conference and all of a sudden you hear a cacophony of shutter snaps, most of the time you’re hearing Canon DSLRs. Canon’s EOS cameras have long been the go-to for professional photographers the world over, prized for their combination of focus accuracy, image quality, and the company’s legendary lens library and customer service.

One thing that Canon isn’t well-known for is rapid change. In the past decade, in particular, Canon has been slow to upgrade its offerings, meaning its cameras often lag behind the pack when it comes to cutting edge features. Where its more nimble competitors like Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, and Panasonic have been churning out model after model, Canon’s been content to stick with the same full-frame lineup since 2012.

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

Yamaha RX-V379 review

Those entering the world of home cinema for the first time might prefer to dip their toes into the budget market before jumping in at the deep end.

With its strong combination of features and performance, Yamaha does this part of the market better than most.

The Yamaha RX-V379 would seem like a good place to start. It’s the company’s entry-level amp and the successor to last year’s Award-winner at this price (which was the successor to the Award-winner the year before).

Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-v379/review

Android 6.0 Marshmallow review: All about polish and power

When Android 5.0 Lollipop started hitting devices last November, people could tell. Google’s new Material Design aesthetic made sure you wouldn’t mistake it for any prior version of the OS, which was great… especially when you consider how confusing parts of it could be. Now that Android’s look has been more or less firmed up, Google set about making its operating system smoother, smarter and more battery-friendly. The end result: Android 6.0 Marshmallow. So, how’d they do? Spoiler alert: pretty damned well.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/23/android-6-0-marshmallow-review-all-about-polish-and-power/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS91cmw_c2E9dCZyY3Q9aiZxPSZlc3JjPXMmc291cmNlPXdlYiZjZD0xJnZlZD0yYWhVS0V3amRzYXFsbXY3bUFoWERjOTRLSFlXLURwVVFGakFBZWdRSUJCQUImdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmVuZ2FkZ2V0LmNvbSUyRjIwMTUlMkYxMCUyRjIzJTJGYW5kcm9pZC02LTAtbWFyc2htYWxsb3ctcmV2aWV3LWFsbC1hYm91dC1wb2xpc2gtYW5kLXBvd2VyJTJGJnVzZz1BT3ZWYXcwQkVJVW13RGxsbmoxLTRrc0l4U1Fq&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKMBHqBt2OptjncO8hsnrnZEWda7usyOF4zGmuWJf25omDFq4CsZn9hAyFBH3iUi-FdrlBFJRdVybftBOvKyBTFTP7CK8qk9IvVlWioozcVBZKzXXZJs-dzGVsRX0xCB-v_dZ5EVG5IBfVGSF5bdWJUdp3Chhl-iu4kC72hN1mlK

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8 review: Samsung’s iPad mini 4 rival really is gorgeous, both inside & out

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 models are the successors to last year’s original Galaxy Tab S range, which featured the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and the Galaxy Tab S 10.5. We thought they were the firm’s best ever tablets, so we had been looking forward to the arrival of the second generation. We’re pleased to say that they don’t disappoint. Read on for our review of the Galaxy Tab S2 8.

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 models became available to buy in the UK on 4 September to coincide with the release of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ (that’s a mouthful, isn’t it?).

Read full post here:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Cyberpower Infinity X55 SE review: Skylake processor + AMD graphics = one power-hungry gaming rig

The Infinity X55 SE is a rugged-looking desktop PC with chopped off corners and a protruding front grill, which give it an industrial, almost military look marking it out immediately as a gaming PC. You also get a full-size transparent side panel, through which you can see the internal components illuminated by blue LEDs which also shine through the grille at the front. This is the Corsair Carbide SPEC-01 system case we’ve seen housing gaming PCs for some time now. You’ll either love it or hate it.

Read full post here:
http://devicelectronic.blogspot.com/2016/12/cyberpower-infinity-x55-se-review.html