Monthly Archives: April 2016

Panasonic DMC-GX85 Digital Camera Review : High-end features don't have to come at a high-end price.

Panasonic DMC-GX85 Digital Camera Review : High-end features don’t have to come at a high-end price.

Cameras, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

While flagship cameras like the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and Nikon D5 are exciting, I’m almost always more intrigued by stellar entry-level options. A lot of people seem to lose their minds over cameras like the Sony A7R II that come loaded for bear and promise you the moon, but how many people can afford one? Not many, that’s for sure.

So when a camera like Panasonic’s Lumix GX85 ($799 with 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens) comes along with 4K video, top-of-the-line image stabilization, and a boatload of forward-thinking features; it’s got my undivided attention.

If you’re okay without weather-sealing, this is the diamond in the rough—the GX85 has all of Panasonic’s high-end features and decent performance all at an accessible cost. For anyone looking to save a buck and go with a sub-$1,000 camera, you’re not going to find a more affordable option with this many features.
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https://www.reviewed.com/cameras/content/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx85-digital-camera-review

Amazon Kindle Oasis preview : Supersonic rethinking of the ebook reader

Amazon Kindle Oasis preview : Supersonic rethinking of the ebook reader

Wearables, , , , ,

The Amazon Kindle has been somewhat predictable over the past few years, making itself incrementally better, stoically doing what it does best year-on-year, staying true to that central concept of delivering the best reading experience it can.

Never in our wildest dreams did we think that something as dramatic as theKindle Oasis was about to happen. But in a proper jaw-meet-floor moment, we got to spend some time with Amazon’s new Kindle.

If you think ebook readers are boring, then definitely, maybe, think again.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/reviews/amazon-kindle/137298-amazon-kindle-oasis-review-first-class-reader-first-class-price

 

Gigabyte P57W Review

Gigabyte P57W Review

Computers & IT, , , , , ,
The Pros

Nice price; Great display; Above-average battery life; Handy Smart Dashboard app

The Cons

Keyboard gets very hot during gameplay; Bland design; Awkward optical-drive location

Verdict

Though it runs a little hot, the Gigabyte P57W offers strong gaming performance and an excellent 17-inch full-HD screen for a good price.


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https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/gigabyte-p57w

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Review

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Review

Cameras, , , , , ,

In its infancy, the Sony Alpha 7 series fell short of offering its users a wide range of lenses. As is often the case with any new camera system, it took time for the full-frame FE mount to establish itself, but now, a couple of years down the line from the launch of the original A7 and A7R, Sony Alpha 7 users find themselves much better catered for.

Sony-G-Master-lenses-1024x576

Sony has released three G-Master lenses for the Alpha 7-series, with more expected to follow. Pictured from left to right is the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS, Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM.
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https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/lenses/sony-fe-24-70mm-f2-8-gm-review

SanDisk Extreme 900 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Portable SSD Review

SanDisk Extreme 900 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Portable SSD Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , ,

Introduction and Usage Impressions

SanDisk launched the Extreme 900 SSD at Computex 2015. The claim to fame was the availability of almost 2TB of flash in a bus-powered enclosure with a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C interface. It was one of the first 2TB-class external drives to arrive in the market. Though the Samsung Portable SSD T3 beat it to our review bench, we finally got SanDisk’s review sample last month.

Compared to the Samsung Portable SSD T3 (a palm-sized unit), the Extreme 900 is much bigger – similar to that of a slim 2.5″ external hard drive. The unit comes in at approximately 18 x 83 x 133 mm and weighs 210g. It has a Type-C interface, but, the package comes with both Type-C to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A cables. This ensures that the drive is compatible with a wide variety of systems currently in the market.


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https://www.anandtech.com/show/10245/sandisk-extreme-900-usb-31-gen-2-portable-ssd-review

iPhone 7 Rumors : Dual Cameras, Bigger Battery and More

iPhone 7 Rumors : Dual Cameras, Bigger Battery and More

Wearables, , , , , ,

The release of a new iPhone every September is a tradition at this point, but 2016 could be the year Apple shakes things up with its flagship smartphone. The inevitable iPhone 7 is rumored to make some significant design departures (seriously, no headphone jack?) and possibly include a new dual-camera. There may even be a super-premium iPhone 7 Pro with exclusive features.

Here’s everything we’ve heard so far about the iPhone 7 — and everything we want from it.

Porsche 718 Boxster first drive review : 20 years on, it's still boxing clever

Porsche 718 Boxster first drive review : 20 years on, it’s still boxing clever

Cars, , , , , ,

Can you believe the Porsche Boxster is 20 years old? No, we can’t either. But back when the Spice Girls were miming Wannabe on Top of the Pops and kids were losing their minds over games of POGs, the Boxster was waiting in the wings, preparing itself to utterly dominate the sports car market and make Porsche a big wad of cash in the process.

Today, the mid-engined two-seater is still regarded as the benchmark roadster, a car that all other cars want to be like. A machine that rival engineers revere due to its seemingly unending levels of grip and grin-inducing performance that somehow manages to remain attainable if not completely affordable.

Porsche 718 Boxster first drive: 20 years on, it's still boxing clever - photo 12
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/cars/reviews/porsche/137271-porsche-718-boxster-s-review-four-cylinder-foibles

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS HSM lens patented in Japan

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS HSM lens patented in Japan

Cameras, , , , , , ,

Sigma has patented a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS HSM telephoto zoom lens in Japan designed for full-frame digital SLR cameras.

The lens in the patent application has a focal range between 70 and 300mm which is ideal for action and sports photography.

This means the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS HSM lens is in development and will be added to the company’s Sports or Contemporary lineup. The telephoto zoom lens will probably replace the existing 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro model.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS HSM lens is in the works

sigma-70-300mm-f4-5-6-dg-os-hsm-lens-patent
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http://www.dailycameranews.com/2016/04/sigma-70-300mm-f4-5-6-dg-os-hsm-lens-patent/

Vivaldi Browser Hands-on Review : Powerful Chrome Alternative

Vivaldi Browser Hands-on Review : Powerful Chrome Alternative

Wearables, , , , ,

Sure, you can add apps and extensions to Chrome, but if you’ve gotten bored with that browser, you might want to check out Vivaldi, a more customizable option for Windows, Mac and Linux users.

After months of beta releases, Vivaldi released its 1.0 version update today (April 6), and it gives users a ton of features, including useful tab management options, deep customization and even support for Chrome extensions. We’ve tried it out, and the feature-rich browser is intriguing, but it still needs some time in the development oven.

vivaldi13…
Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/vivaldi-browser-hands-on

 

ZOTAC Sonix 480GB NVMe PCIe AIC SSD Review

ZOTAC Sonix 480GB NVMe PCIe AIC SSD Review

Computers & IT, , , ,

Introduction

NVMe SSDs are all the rage in enthusiast circles, and it’s easy to see why. One NVMe SSD can deliver the performance of four to six SATA-based SSDs running in RAID. Until today, consumers wanting to go NVMe have been limited to just two choices; Intel’s 750 Series or Samsung’s 950 Pro. Both Samsung and Intel’s NVMe offerings leverage proprietary controllers and both deliver massive amounts of performance through four 8 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes. Intel’s 750 Series SSDs are available in two form factors, AIC (Add-In-Card) or 2.5″ U.2 form factor. Samsung’s consumer NVMe SSDs are all M.2 form factor.
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https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7618/zotac-sonix-480gb-nvme-pcie-aic-ssd-review/index.html

Panasonic TX-65DX902B review

Panasonic TX-65DX902B review

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

Panasonic seems very enthusiastic right now. The company has already impressed with its DMP-UB900 UHD Blu-ray player, and is one of the first to launch a flagship 2016 TV.

We can’t blame them for getting a bit excited. If you’ve made something good, it stands to reason you’d want to show it off. That’s definitely the case here, because the TX-65DX902B is really good. Panasonic ought to be proud.

It can handle 4K Ultra HD resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR), but the DX902 also meets the stringent criteria for UHD Premium and THX certification.
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https://www.whathifi.com/panasonic/tx-65dx902b/review

Samsung's Gear 360 VR Camera Designed To Work With Galaxy S7, S7 Edge

Samsung’s Gear 360 VR Camera Designed To Work With Galaxy S7, S7 Edge

Cameras, Phones, , , , , , ,

In late 2014, Samsung announced its first 360-degree camera, dubbed Project Beyond. This is a professional-level “3d omniview” stereoscopic camera with 17 cameras and UHD 3D capture, designed to film the highest quality 360-videos possible. After fading from public view for a while, Project Beyond resurfaced at CES this year, and at around the same time Samsung filed a patent for a “Gear 360” product, leading people to speculate that it would be the go-to-market name for the project.
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https://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsung-gear-360-vr-camera,31240.html

Oppo F1 Plus review

Oppo F1 Plus review

Phones, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What on Earth has happened to Oppo? The company that used to make crazy phones with rotating cameras has suddenly come up with a bonafide alternative to the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

The Oppo F1 Plus is a bit of an eye-opener. For just £300/$450 you get a 5.5in, all-metal phone with a design the iPhone 6S Plus follow-up could take a few tips from.

There are a few quirks to put up with and some components that are aren’t truly top-end, but if you want a phone that feels like £500/$750 and costs £300/$450, you can’t do much better.
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https://www.stuff.tv/oppo/f1-plus/review

HP Chromebook 14 Review

HP Chromebook 14 Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you’ve been tempted to switch from a Windows 10 notebook to one that runs Google’s lightweight Chrome OS, you might have noticed there aren’t many big-screen Chromebooks available. Enter the 14-inch HP Chromebook 14, which packs an Intel Celeron processor and a 1080p display. This attractive, teal-and-white laptop provides strong audio and plenty of performance for multitasking, but competing Chromebooks have better battery life and more colorful screens.
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https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/hp-chromebook-14

Canon EOS 80D review : The mid-range master

Canon EOS 80D review : The mid-range master

Cameras, , , , , , , , ,

If you’re looking to drop a four-figure wedge of cash of a mid-range DSLR – one that’ll last you for a good stretch of time – then Canon is one of the names that so often floats to the surface; the crema on the coffee, if you will. And in the 80D that layer of pro-made goodness is more pronounced than ever before, thanks to an autofocus system hike and viewfinder improvements.

It’s a necessary boost too, given the release of the 750D and 760D mixing up the company’s DSLR pot and, in our view, muddying the waters. Now in the 80D there’s clearer differentiation between the ranges; this mid-ranger pulls in a 45-point autofocus system, adapted from the 1D MkIV’s, and, finally, achieves a what-you-see-is-what-you-get 100 per cent field-of-view optical viewfinder. It’s enough to make you think twice about the Nikon D7200 (which is probably due an imminent update anyway).
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/cameras/reviews/canon/136751-canon-eos-80d-review-the-mid-range-master

Mercedes-Benz SLC roadster first drive review : New name, new engine, new limits

Mercedes-Benz SLC roadster first drive review : New name, new engine, new limits

Cars, ,

The Mercedes-Benz SLC roadster for 2016 is the rebranding of the light, sporty convertible SLK.

While the name has changed, bringing the C-Class influences to the fore, the car still remains true to its driver-focused sporting roots from the SLK birth 20-years ago. More tech has been included for ease as well as quality-of-driving enhancements, but also a new engine to really rev things up.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/cars/reviews/mercedes-benz/137227-mercedes-benz-slc-roadster-first-drive-new-name-new-engine-new-limits

Samsung Gear 360 hands-on review

Samsung Gear 360 hands-on review

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

Yes, in addition to finally revealing the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge in all their wonderful shininess, Samsung has also unveiled a 360-degree virtual reality camera.

We heard the rumours of course, but were still sceptical, mostly because it’s healthier to be tentatively optimistic when it comes to speculation. Not that we’re bitter from being burned in the past. No sir.

But moving on – the Gear 360 is Samsung’s hopeful attempt to bring home made virtual reality recording capability to the masses, so that everyone from your mates to your grandmother can experience your cocktail-fuelled 2am Thailand beach party in all of its questionable glory.
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https://www.stuff.tv/samsung/gear-360/review

Galaxy S7 edge (Exynos) vs. iPhone 6s speedtest

Galaxy S7 edge (Exynos) vs. iPhone 6s speedtest

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

In another round of head-to-head speed tests, the folks over at PhoneBuff have pitted the Exynos-powered Samsung Galaxy S7 edge against the Apple iPhone 6s Plus. The Galaxy S7 with a Snapdragon heart lost miserably the previous time around, but then the Snapdragon vs. Exynos test clearly showed the edge Samsung’s chip has.

Well, apparently not enough to beat the iPhone 6s Plus. Apple’s smartphone still manages to win the race, though the margin is much smaller this time. Additionally, the Galaxy S7 edge does a much better second lap compared to its first – returning to the apps, after they’ve been launched on the first go. Those 4GB of RAM certainly help.
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https://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s7_edge_exynos_vs_iphone_6s_speedtest-blog-17672.php

Lenovo Y Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review — Big and Not Very Bold

Lenovo Y Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review — Big and Not Very Bold

Wearables, , , , , ,

With so many PC gaming peripherals on the market, a manufacturer has only two viable options: Be excellent, or be cheap. The Lenovo Y Mechanical Gaming Keyboard ($120) is neither, and while this is hardly the worst accessory out there, it’s tough to think of a compelling reason to pick one up. Good-enough mechanical keys and surprisingly decent macro features boost the keyboard, but pointless lighting options, limited software and a misguided design drag it right back down again. As a pack-in keyboard, the Lenovo Y is good enough; as a stand-alone accessory, it’s not worth it.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/lenovo-y-mechanical-gaming-keyboard,review-3527.html

Samsung Gear 360 is a 'VR' camera that will cover your life from any angle

Samsung Gear 360 is a ‘VR’ camera that will cover your life from any angle

Wearables, , , , , , , , , ,

There’s no doubt people like looking at 360-degree video and photos. However, Samsung is betting you’d like to create some immersive content of your own, too.

At Mobile World Congress 2016, the South Korean electronics giant announced the Gear 360, a twin-lens ball of a camera that captures spherical 30-megapixel photos and not-quite-4K resolution video (3,840×1,920 pixels). It joins a fleet of other 360-degree cameras expected in 2016 from companies big and small, including LG which announced its 360 Cam earlier today.
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https://www.cnet.com/reviews/samsung-gear-360-review/

LG Signature G6 OLED 4K TV Review: The Best Gets More Colorful

LG Signature G6 OLED 4K TV Review : The Best Gets More Colorful

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

When you have the best TV around, what do you do for an encore? If you’re LG, you upgrade your class-leading 4K OLED set to support HDR, which results in brighter and even more colorful images. The 65-inch LG Signature G6 OLED (OLED65G6P) supports both the Ultra HD Premium and Dolby Vision HDR formats and wraps it all up in a razor-thin design — for a cool $8,000.

The G6 deservedly elicits superlatives, and the unique design includes a stand that doubles as a soundbar. But our tests revealed a few performance hiccups.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/lg-signature-g6,review-3515.html

Camera Comparisons : Panasonic GX80 vs Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic GX7

Camera Comparisons : Panasonic GX80 vs Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic GX7

Cameras, ,

Panasonic has announced a new compact system camera in its “GX” line-up. Here we take a look at the key differences between it and the other GX cameras.

Panasonic’s new GX80 is designed to be a cheaper and smaller alternative to the GX8, which was announced last year. However, in design it looks remarkably similar to the popular GX7. Let’s have a look through the specifications to discover what’s new, what’s different and what’s stayed the same.
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https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/cameracomparison-roundup/panasonic-gx80-vs-panasonic-gx8-vs-panasonic-gx7-67631

Lenovo Ideapad 300 15.6″ Review

Lenovo Ideapad 300 15.6″ Review

Computers & IT, , , ,

Lenovo is back with another Ideapad, and it’s an interesting model. The laptop, at its lowest configuration, is very budget-friendly, but you don’t necessarily have to make big compromises to hit that low price point. The 15.6-inch glossy display makes for a large overall laptop, one that presents its bulk well. How does the laptop hold up in everyday life, and will it meet your needs? Read our review to find out!
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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-ideapad-300-15-6-review-04434622/

Plantronics Voyager 5200 Review – A headset for the unpredictable

Plantronics Voyager 5200 Review – A headset for the unpredictable

Audio & Video, Wearables, , , , , ,

The Bluetooth headset might not be the first accessory you think of when considering the “extreme” lifestyle, but Plantronics believes you’re missing out. Its new Voyager 5200 picks up where the Voyager Legend left off, boosting microphone performance for tough and changeable conditions, and improving ergonomics for all-day use.

Plantronics focus this time around has been unpredictability of environment. While the Legend is designed to handle the everyday demands of frequent callers, the Voyager 5200 factors in the whims of the truly mobile – whether that be in the car, walking down a loud street, in a co-working space, or anywhere else that background noise is an issue.
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https://www.slashgear.com/plantronics-voyager-5200-review-a-headset-for-the-unpredictable-06434916/

Apple iPhone 7 Plus showed up in a gorgeous render design

Apple iPhone 7 Plus showed up in a gorgeous render design

Wearables, , , , , , ,

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are 2 upcoming smartphones by the giant Apple. Recently, iPhone 7 Plus just showed up in another leak, with a stunning design and…

Apple iPhone 7 Plus: stunning design with a slim body

According to what we know about Apple, typically it would take around 5 – 6 months later until the day we see iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. However, up to now, we have already seen a lot of leaks and rumored features of the smartphones. These information gave us the very first view about how these Apple mobiles will look. And recently, a brand new iPhone 7 Plus render has been spotted and is exciting everyone.
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http://www.pricepony.com.ph/blog/apple-iphone-7-plus-showed-up-in-a-gorgeous-render-design/

Hasselblad H6D medium-format cameras top out at 100MP

Hasselblad H6D medium-format cameras top out at 100MP

Cameras, , ,

Hasselblad has launched a new pair of medium-format digital cameras, the H6D-50c and the H6D-100c. Both feature a CMOS sensor, the 100c being the 100-megapixel option and the 50c being the 50-megapixel option. Says Hasselblad, its H6D cameras were “completely rebuilt” using new hardware and a new electronic platform, a decision it made over consideration about improving existing H-series medium-format cameras.
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https://www.slashgear.com/hasselblad-h6d-medium-format-cameras-top-out-at-100mp-07435330/

Microsoft Hub Keyboard and Translator apps hit iOS

Microsoft Hub Keyboard and Translator apps hit iOS

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

iOS users have a pair of new Microsoft apps that they can check out that have landed on Apple devices a few months after they debuted on Android. The new apps include the Microsoft Hub Keyboard and Microsoft Translator. Hub Keyboard is an app from the Microsoft Garage project that is designed to help you work from your iOS device more quickly and easily.

Hub Keyboard lets you insert copied text easily and to share addresses of Office 365 documents via OneDrive and SharePoint. Hub Keyboard also has the ability to share contact information from the phone to the Office 365 account. Right now, the keyboard app is only offered for the English speaking US market, but other versions are in the works. The app can be downloaded now, is 21.2MB in size, and works with iOS 9.1 or higher.
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https://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-hub-keyboard-and-translator-apps-hit-ios-08435462/