Monthly Archives: June 2016

Xbox summer update 2016 : Here's what your Xbox One can do now

Xbox summer update 2016 : Here’s what your Xbox One can do now

Wearables, , , , , , ,

Last November, Microsoft pushed what was perhaps the biggest update to any of its consoles yet, with the Xbox One user experience switching to one based on Windows 10.

New features have arrived since then, with some having significant effects on how users get to content or keep in touch socially, but none have quite the impact of what is in store with the Xbox One summer update. It offers a number of key changes and improvements that make it one of the biggest software releases for the console.

We’ve seen it in action, so here’s a few of the major new features and enhancements that you can look forward to in the next month or so.

Xbox summer update 2016: Here's what your Xbox One can do now - photo 1

When will I get the Xbox One summer 2016 update?

The summer update is now rolling out to those on the Xbox Preview program. It is rolling out in waves, so you might not get it quite yet. It’s on its way though and you’ll see it appear in the next few weeks. The Xbox app for Windows 10 will also be updated.

Xbox One owners not on the Preview program will get the update in a month or so.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/games/news/xbox/137810-xbox-summer-update-2016-here-s-what-your-xbox-one-can-do-now

Gigabyte Aero 14 preview : Well spec'ed ultrabook for gamers

Gigabyte Aero 14 preview : Well spec’ed ultrabook for gamers

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

Gigabyte was showing off its gaming ultrabook range at this year’s Computex and they were eye-catching to say the least. Fantastic specs combined with super long battery life make for real competitors in this area.

The Gigabyte Aero 14 leads these are nifty little workstations with a 3K 14-inch, QHD 2560 x 1440 IPS screen and a wide viewing angle.

Gigabyte Aero 14 preview: Well spec'ed ultrabook for gamers - photo 2

It has a slimline design and while it’s not the thinnest ultrabook on the market at 19.9 mm, bear in mind that this is also a device designed for gaming. As such, its 1.9kg weight is attractive, and undercuts the Razer Blade, its obvious competitor.

The machine runs on an Intel Core i7 processor – 6700HQ – with Nvidia cards for gaming graphics, made up of a 3GB GTX 970M or 2GB GTX 965M. There is also Intel’s HD Graphics 930 on board and up to 32Gb of RAM. Two M.2 PCLe Nvme SSD storage solutions promise lightning fast read and write speeds.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/reviews/137812-gigabyte-aero-14-preview-well-spec-ed-ultrabook-for-gamers

Siri vs. Alexa : Why Amazon Won Our 300-Question Showdown

Siri vs. Alexa : Why Amazon Won Our 300-Question Showdown

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

I’m an Android girl who loves her iPad mini and her Amazon Echo. I also plan to be the first to bow before Skynet, once Judgment Day truly arrives. But I want to make sure I’m backing the right robot voice. I said “Hey Siri” and “Alexa” more than 300 times to determine which of these two virtual assistants, bordering on AI, truly represent Cyberdyne Systems in its infancy, or whether I should just wait for Google Home.

Using an iPhone 6s with Hey Siri enabled and an Alexa-powered Amazon Echo, I asked questions to determine each assistant’s intelligence, speed, versatility and personality while both were connected to the same Wi-Fi network. I tested voice-recognition abilities at 1 foot and 11 feet; in a quiet room and in a room filled with static noise. I spoke slowly and distinctly, and at times I rushed through my words without raising my voice. And I asked the same questions many times.

Both Apple and Amazon offer special features, and so I wanted to know if their respective helpers could play me music, go shopping, give me directions, control my smart-home gadgets and keep me generally entertained.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/siri-vs-alexa,review-3681.html

Acer Chromebook 11 (2016), Chromebook 14 now up on Google Store

Acer Chromebook 11 (2016), Chromebook 14 now up on Google Store

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

Chromebooks have suddenly become an interesting topic these days, somewhat ironically not because of themselves but becaue of Android. At Google I/O 2016 last month, Google revealed how Android apps would soon be coming in full capacity on Chrome OS via Google Play Store. That has just made Chromebooks nearly worth twice their value in terms of the things you can do on the laptop. It is quite timely, then, that Google makes available two of Acer’s latest models, the Chromebook 14 and the 2016 refresh of the Chromebook 11.

Acer Chromebook 11 (2016), Chromebook 14 now up on Google Store

Like most Chromebooks, perhaps with the except of the Chromebook Pixel, the Acer Chromebook 11 is totally a mid, some might even say low, tier laptop. It is powered by an older Intel Celeron N2840, a dual-core processor running at 2.1 GHz. There’s only 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of SSD storage, since Google wants you to use its cloud. The 11.6-inch screen reaches only up to 1366×768 pixels in resolution.
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https://www.slashgear.com/acer-chromebook-11-2016-chromebook-14-now-up-on-google-store-06442917/

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If you’ve got $700 to spend, you can now buy the rose gold plated Huawei Watch

Wearables, , , , , , , , , ,

Huawei dazzled when it showed off its first Android Wear smartwatch in 2015, and although we had to wait a while for the release due to software issues and further design refinement, it was worth it. The Huawei Watch remains our pick of the Android Wear world, along with the more masculine Fossil Q Founder, so if you’re considering one for your wrist, here’s everything you need to know about it.

Price and availability

Huawei Watch sales started for the stainless steel and black models in the U.S. in September 2015, through Huawei, Amazon, Best Buy, or the Google Store. There are a variety of configurations ranging from $350 all the way up to $800. The stainless steel version is priced at $350 if you opt for a leather strap, while the metal bracelet option will bring it up to $400. You will have your choice of either a steel link or stainless steel mesh bracelet. You can also opt for the black-coated steel version with a metal band for $450.
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https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/huawei-watch-news/#/2-19#:KjtkRifuwPAWMA

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THE BESPOKE AUDIO COMPANY PASSIVE MAGNETIC PREAMPLIFIER

Audio & Video, , ,

The process of reviewing audio equipment is well documented. In some respects, it’s all about the bit before the review, which could be likened to a dating agency. As the reviewer is going to live with the component for several weeks or even months, it’s important to make sure the two are compatible with one another. That said, some of us are more flexible and learn how to get into the ears of the typical listener who would like the device under test.

All of this goes out of the window when dealing with a product like the Bespoke Audio preamplifier, because there is no typical listener. The clue is in the name: each Bespoke Audio preamplifier is made for the customer to their individual requirements.
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http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/the-bespoke-audio-company-passive-magnetic-preamplifier/

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Moto Z Style Mods leaked as swappable back covers

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

In just a few days, we will finally see for ourselves what Lenovo and Motorolahave been cooking up behind closed doors. Well, somewhat closed, because such doors have never really prevented otherwise confidential materials from leaking out. Like these “Style Mods” for example, which is just a rather fancy term to describe what are most likely hot swap back covers for the Moto Z, which is also a just a fancy new name for the amalgamation of Lenovo’s and Motorola’s high-end flagship lines.

To some extent, the “Style Mod” name isn’t just a change for change’s sake. The “Mod” part, in particular, refers to what is believed to be the Moto Z’s modular nature, perhaps not unlike the LG G5. So far listed were Pro Camera, Adventure, Theater, Stereo, Power, and this Style Mods. That said, a swappable cover probably doesn’t really count as part of a modular design.

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https://www.slashgear.com/moto-z-style-mods-leaked-as-swappable-back-covers-06442912/

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Subwoofer Integration: Bass Management and Distance Settings Explained

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

If you’re a regular reader of the site, you’ve probably seen us claim that subwoofers are one of the most important pieces in an A/V system. To qualify that statement, one should consider that a great subwoofer is a lot like a great quarterback. Not only do they do their job well, but they have the potential to significantly improve the performance of their supporting cast as well. Of course, there’s one small catch. To live up to these lofty expectations, your subwoofer has to be properly integrated with the rest of your system. Today we’ll be going in depth for two settings that can make or break that process: bass management and the distance setting. Failure to get these adjustments right can adversely impact the sound quality of your home theater and its ability to reproduce the rumbles in action sequences of blockbuster movies. Let us show you how to ensure you get the BIGGEST WOW effect!

Please check out our recently added YouTube instructional video that gives you step by step on how to configure your bass management settings before reading this article.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/Kshhv984GRw”]
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https://www.audioholics.com/home-theater-calibration/subwoofer-integration

HTC Vive

HTC Vive VR Headset Review, Part 1: Setup

Audio & Video, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The era of VR is here, finally, with the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive are leading the charge. I’ve tried several generations the Oculus Rift and while it’s amazing, the Vive goes one step further. Literally.

Using laser tracking, the Vive lets you actually move around a virtual space.

I got my hands (and head) on one. Here’s the first part of a multi-part review series.

PRE-SETUP

Both the Vive and the Oculus are computer accessories. It’s important to make that clear up front. These are not gaming systems per se as much as they are interfaces for specific games.

As such, there are some specific and rigid requirements to be able to use either. The good news is, if you have a decent gaming computer from the last few years, you probably only need a new video card. My gaming PC is 4 years old and it works fine… but with one important exception: I bought an NVIDIA GTX970-based video card in November.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/qYfNzhLXYGc”]
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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/htc-vive-vr-headset-review-part-1-setup#3U9TMX8txj12GrS8.97

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Bose goes wireless with the QuietComfort 35 headphones

Audio & Video, , , , ,

Also meet the QuietControl 30 and new SoundSport earbuds.

Ever since the first QuietComfort headphones, released in 2000, Bose has offered consumers noise-cancelling tech that’s second to none. This, along with excellent audio quality, made QuietComforts become best sellers in the market. But Bose knows it needs to keep evolving, and what better way to do so than by making its latest flagship headphones wireless. Enter the QuietComfort 35. Design-wise, the new model is quite similar to the previous one (QC25), sporting a sleek and minimalist look with your choice of black or silver finish.

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During our demo, Bose engineers emphasized that the key was to not give up audio quality over the added wireless functionality. And I’m happy to report they succeeded, albeit my impressions are based on a controlled setting — I listened to simulated subway noises and a few songs inside a New York City building. Still, it doesn’t take much to realize the potential of the QuietComfort 35. Bose says there are “night and day” improvements to the sound, designed to make sure that music is crystal clear whether you’re listening at a low, mid or high volume.
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https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/05/bose-quietcomfort-35-quietcontrol-30/#gallery=393769&slide=3912873&index=0

Fiio X7 review : A portable digital audio player designed for high-resolution sound

Fiio X7 review : A portable digital audio player designed for high-resolution sound

Audio & Video, , , , , ,

The X7 provides access to files and formats that some players—incuding Apple’s—don’t support.

The Fiio X7 is targeted at music enthusiasts who listen to high-resolution audio using file formats not supported by iOS.

While iTunes is popular, you might not use it because you want to listen to high-resolution music files, or files in formats that iTunes doesn’t support. That also means you use a portable music player that isn’t iOS based but is capable of handling a wider range of files, including high-resolution. Audio files of this type are often distributed in FLAC format (though it’s easy to convert FLAC files to Apple Lossless files and use them in iTunes), or even Direct Stream Digital (DSD) files (a format created for Super Audio CDs, and now sold as downloads from some vendors), which offer an even higher resolution than what’s available in more common formats.


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https://www.techhive.com/article/3071227/consumer-electronics/fiio-x7-review-portable-music-player-designed-for-high-resolution-sound.html

Best cheap travel cameras 2016

Best cheap travel cameras 2016

Cameras,

Heading off to sunnier climes on your annual holiday? You don’t need to break the bank with these budget friendly cameras which are ideal for traveling. Here are some of our favourite cheap travel cameras.

Travel cameras need to be flexible enough to use in a variety of situations, while also being light enough that you’ll want to carry them around with you all day. You’ll often find that you pay a premium for the latest and most advanced releases – but just because a camera is a year or two old, doesn’t mean it automatically stops being a good performer.

In this piece, we’re going to take a look at some older cameras which you can pick up for a fraction of the price of the latest releases, but still deserve room in your holiday suitcase. Save your money for piña coladas by the pool with our guide to the best cheap travel cameras 2016.
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https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/camera-roundups/best-cheap-travel-cameras-2016-68548

The Great American $9k Cruise-Off : H-D Iron 883 Vs. Indian Scout Sixty

The Great American $9k Cruise-Off : H-D Iron 883 Vs. Indian Scout Sixty

Cars

What this country needs is a great $9,000 motorcycle made in America by Americans, a bike that will be great, trust me on this, a bike that’ll be huuge. Not a loser. Look at the size of my hands…

Lucky for us, suddenly there are two choices that fit the bill: Harley’s Iron 883 has been a huge winner for Milwaukee for years, a hit with the men and the ladies (much like myself), not that it’s a chick bike or that there would be anything wrong with that if it was. We love the ladies. Enough that we’ve married a few of them.

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Speaking of wearing the pants, it’s beginning to be a little difficult to understand who’s in the driver’s seat at Indian: Is it just me or does the new Victory Octane look like the same bike as theIndian Scout? Pretend not to notice the hair. One thing Polaris did right was to sleeve down theScout Sixty and slash $2,300 off the price. We’re all about the deals, the good deals, not the lousy one America’s been getting from the rest of the world.
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https://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/the-great-american-9k-cruise-off-h-d-iron-883-vs-indian-scout-sixty

Dan Cases A4-SFX Mini-Tower Accommodates Full-Length GPUs Using Clever Design

Dan Cases A4-SFX Mini-Tower Accommodates Full-Length GPUs Using Clever Design

Computers & IT, Wearables, , ,

Some people don’t mind living with a large desktop tower (or an entire table computer) if it means being able to cram a beast of a gaming PC onboard. Others prefer a more compact rig to streamline their gaming setups. We’re guessing that latter group will love the Dan Cases A4-SFX.

dan-cases-a4-sfx-1

A PC case, it’s designed to be as compact as possible while accommodating mini-ITX boards and full-length GPUs. That way, you can build a legitimately powerful PC without taking up a large footprint, making it ideal for setting up gaming PCs in living rooms (so you can use your Lapdog in the couch), dorm rooms, and other areas with limited desk space.
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https://www.coolthings.com/dan-cases-a4-sfx-gaming-pc/

Ulefone Future vs Samsung S7 Edge video

Ulefone Future vs Samsung S7 Edge video

Phones, , , , , ,

Ulefone is clearly trying to market the Future model as capable of competing with the real heavyweights in the design and performance and while the specs are surely respectable, I’m not sure how valid is this try because such phones are usually on a totally different level, but Ulefone is certainly not afraid to make such comparisons.

The latest one is a direct video battle with the Samsung S7 Edge and one of the interesting categories could be the camera one, because the Future uses 16 MPix Samsung sensor itself.


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https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/acer-aspire-s-13

Acer Aspire S 13 Review

Acer Aspire S 13 Review

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

Thin, light and long-lasting, the Acer Aspire S 13 has pretty much everything you want in an ultraportable laptop, and all for an affordable $749. This 13-inch notebook packs a speedy Core i5 processor, a fairly roomy 256GB SSD and a colorful full-HD display into a handsome chassis that’s only 0.57 inches thick. The S 13 also offers robust Dolby sound and a comfy keyboard, although the touchpad can be pretty finicky at times. Overall, this Acer is one of the best values in its weight class.
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https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/acer-aspire-s-13

Epson EH-TW5350 3LCD Projector Review

Epson EH-TW5350 3LCD Projector Review

Audio & Video, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Epson EH-TW5350 is a 3LCD projector aimed at the budget end of the market and has a retail price of £599.99. It offers a full HD 1920 x 1080p image made up from 3 LCD panels with a claimed brightness of 2,200 lumens, a contrast ratio of 35,000:1 and with support for active shutter 3D also thrown in. Epson boast that the TW5350 is also ‘connected’ with full support for Miracast with android tablets and smart phones. The HDMI inputs are also MHL compatible.

Unlike the recent DLP budget projectors we have been testing, such as the Dell, ViewSonic and BenQ, the TW5350 includes a dynamic iris along with frame interpolation technology. Normally we wouldn’t be that interested in these technologies for critical movie viewing, but with sports coverage, like the upcoming summer of sport, the motion technology should help smooth out the fast action. And as this projector is a 3-chip LCD model there is no chance of you ever suffering from rainbow effects. So, can the Epson steal the show when it comes to all-round sporting, gaming and 3D movie watching? Let’s find out…

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https://www.avforums.com/review/epson-eh-tw5350-3lcd-projector-review.12653

7 Reasons You Should Use Longer Lenses

7 Reasons You Should Use Longer Lenses

Cameras, ,

Here are 7 reasons why a lens with longer reach should be in your kit bag alongside the rest of your photography kit.

1. Out Of Focus Background

Telephoto lenses are useful for producing shots that have a shallow depth of field which means your backgrounds will be nicely out of focus allowing all attention to fall on your subject.

Fountain

2. Capturing Portraits

Shooting portraits with longer lenses means you still fill the frame with your subject’s face without making them feel uncomfortable by invading their personal space. Longer focal lengths also give a more pleasing perspective and the good bokeh they create, as mentioned previously, helps isolate your subject so they ‘pop’ from the frame. Finally, the compression longer lenses offer, especially when you’re using a wide-ish aperture, helps flatter their features – something all subjects want.

Portrait
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https://www.ephotozine.com/article/7-reasons-you-should-use-longer-lenses-16789

2016 BMW M2 Review : The ‘M’ Stands For ‘Fun’

2016 BMW M2 Review : The ‘M’ Stands For ‘Fun’

Cars, , , ,

There’s a set of roads I grew up on, far from the metropolitan sidewalks and boulevards that currently serve as the boundary markers in my adopted city. The kind of asphalt seemingly drawn on the map by a pendulum suspended in the passenger seat of a WRC car blasting full-tilt down an alpine rally stage.

They served as my nursery when I first started driving, teaching me the fundamentals of opposite lock, car control, and how to call my father at 2 a.m. to come tow me out of an icy ditch. A natural, then, for exercising the all-new 2016 BMW M2, the latest addition to the German brand’s growing stable of M-badged performance vehicles.

I’ve also returned to my old stomping grounds for another, more specific reason: it was here, not more than a year ago, that I flogged the BMW M235i, the next-most-potent compact coupe in the 2 Series family and one that also features a certain letter as a badge of honor on its nameplate. The chance to compare two ‘M’ cars, built off of the same chassis and claiming a similar heritage, on roads as familiar to me as the sun filtering through the maples and pines that line them, was something I couldn’t pass up.

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https://www.slashgear.com/2016-bmw-m2-review-the-ultimate-m-03442585/

How to Upgrade Your Alienware 17’s SSD and Hard Drive

How to Upgrade Your Alienware 17’s SSD and Hard Drive

Computers & IT, , , , ,

When you’re downloading lots of games to your Alienware 17, you can fill up your storage space very quickly. The gaming notebook uses both an NVMe M.2 SSD and a traditional HDD, and both can be upgraded. Grab a small Phillips head screwdriver and we’ll show you how to open your Alienware 17 and improve your storage. Before you start, make a back up and clone any necessary drives.

Here’s how to upgrade your Alienware 17’s SDD and HDD:

1. Turn off and close your Alienware 17.

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2. Flip over the notebook and loosen the two screws holding the center panel in place. They don’t come out.2 2927661464982920 675400…
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https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-alienware-17-ssd-hard-drive

Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4 : What's the rumoured difference?

Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4 : What’s the rumoured difference?

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

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/NdyH22ojXyU”]

Samsung’s Galaxy Note device is expected to launch in August, adding another smartphone to the company’s 2016 flagship portfolio.

By default, the next Note should be called the Note 6. Rumour has it Samsung will be skipping the 6 and heading straight for 7 though. This is apparently to allow the next Note to fall in line with the Samsung flagships that have already launched this year – the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

We will be calling the 2016 Note the Note 6 for the sake of this feature however. Read on to find out how it compares to the Note 5 and the Note 4, based on the rumours.


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https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/buyers-guides/samsung/137774-samsung-galaxy-note-7-vs-note-5-vs-note-4-what-s-the-difference

Micro Car Comparison : Holden Spark v Kia Picanto v Mitsubishi Mirage v Suzuki Celerio v Hyundai Accent

Micro Car Comparison : Holden Spark v Kia Picanto v Mitsubishi Mirage v Suzuki Celerio v Hyundai Accent

Cars, , , , , , , ,

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/lEylUK6z8B8″]

Australia’s Micro Car market has been a hive of activity lately.

Two brand new models have arrived, the Holden Spark and Kia Picanto, while the Mitsubishi Mirage has been updated. Add to this list the 15-month old Suzuki Celerio, and you have a mean little quartet of bargain-basement offerings.

Each of these baby cars bring something unique to the table. The Spark has class-leading infotainment, the Picanto has some vaguely Euro charm, the Mirage offers sheer value, and the Celerio has some real practicality.

Which super-small and super-cheap car offers the most joy for the least coin? And given the buyer spectrum for these vehicle tends to be either very young or elderly, which balances the contrasting needs best?

2016 Suzuki Celerio v 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage ES v 2016 Kia Picanto v 2016 Hyundai Accent Active v 2016 Holden Spark LS-207
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https://www.caradvice.com.au/443552/micro-car-comparison-holden-spark-ls-v-kia-picanto-v-mitsubishi-mirage-v-suzuki-celerio-v-hyundai-accent-active-wildcard/

ASUS’ ZenBook 3 vs. the updated MacBook: Which packs more punch?

Computers & IT, , , , ,

The latest ultraportables from Apple and ASUS are both small with very few ports, but it’s what’s inside that really counts.

The 12-inch MacBook is attractive and compact, but not without compromises. When the original came out last spring, our reviewer Dana Wollman took issue with its lackluster performance and lack of ports outside of a USB-C connection. Still, the MacBook was good enough towarrant a refresh in 2016 that delivered more battery life and improved performance. Now, ASUS is getting in on the minimalist act with its newZenBook 3. At a glance, the new MacBook and ZenBook 3 seem quite similar indeed, with small, lightweight designs and, well, not many ports. While we’ll certainly put the Zenbook 3 through its paces in a full review, a quick peek at the specs reveals two machines similar in profile, but with the potential for very different performance.

ASUS' ZenBook 3 vs. the updated MacBook: Which packs more punch?
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https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/04/asus-zenbook-3-apple-macbook-compared/

Cubot V1 – smartband with a display

Cubot V1 – smartband with a display

Phones, Wearables, , , ,

Seems like Cubot is really branching out with the scope of their production and now ventures even into the smart wearable land. The first step into it is pioneered by the Cubot V1 smartband, which will offer a display for showing the time and the values gathered from the pedometer, calory counter and other sensors, just like the Xiaomi MiBand 2.

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Cubot V1 will have the same Bluetooth chip (Dialon DA14580) like the MiBand, so the full compatibility and strong connection is a given. Battery life should also be pretty long with the usage of the 80 mAh polymer battery and complex energy optimalizations and tweaks like the display turning fully on only upon touching. The company claims about 30 days of a possible standby time.
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https://www.gizchina.com/2016/06/03/cubot-v1-smartband-display/

5 Best Superzoom Lenses

5 Best Superzoom Lenses

Cameras,

If you’re after a lens with a focal range wide enough to cover most day-to-day situations, then your best bet is superzoom. Here are our pick of the five best superzoom lenses

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The all-in-one ‘superzoom’ tends to get a bad press. Conventional wisdom states that zooms with a more limited 4x range can be very good, but extend that to 10x or more and the technical and engineering compromises become too big to overcome and image quality suffers. Because of this many photographers prefer to carry two zooms to cover 18-200mm – typically an 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-200mm telephoto. A superzoom has advantages over carrying multiple lenses though, as they allow you to cover a huge focal range without having to change lenses. This makes them especially useful if changing lenses every five minutes is impractical, or if you’re travelling and want to keep your kit to a minimum. Here are five of the best examples.
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https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/lens-roundup/top-5-superzoom-lenses-71008

Apple 5K Thunderbolt Display to upgrade your Mac with its own GPU?

Apple 5K Thunderbolt Display to upgrade your Mac with its own GPU?

Computers & IT, Wearables, , , , , ,

 

Apple is reportedly set to unveil the next generation of Thunderbolt Display at WWDC 2016 in just a few weeks. It’s expected to pack a 5K display and a graphics processor unit built-in for support.

Sources of 9to5mac claim that the 5K Thunderbolt Display is due imminently as stocks of the current model dwindle with no signs of replacement. Since the current model is also starting to look old when compared with new iMacs and even Retina MacBooks, this upgrade makes sense.

What’s exciting is not only that 5120 x 2880 resolution but the inclusion of a dedicated GPU. The idea behind this is to allow Apple to keep making slimmer and lighter MacBook models that can still work with a 5K screen. Since the graphics processing power in super slim laptops is usually limited, this is a very clever solution.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/apple/137786-apple-5k-thunderbolt-display-to-upgrade-your-mac-with-its-own-gpu

Night vision in a military tough smartphone, meet the gorgeous Lumigon T3

Night vision in a military tough smartphone, meet the gorgeous Lumigon T3

Wearables, , , , ,

 

If a marine soldier were turned into a smartphone it would be the Lumigon T3. This bad boy is tough, well kitted out and can see in the dark.

Lumigon, a Danish company, has created the T3 to be different. The design aesthetics are something to be drooled at in daylight, despite it being quite at home in the dark.

Built from a marine-grade 316 stainless steel and coated in Corning’s Gorilla Glass 4, this handset is tough. It’s also water and dust resistant so should be able to handle anything you throw at it, or wherever it is thrown at, to be more exact.

To get down to the really unique point here, it has dual cameras with night vision. Yup, this beast can capture 4-megapixel night vision stills using a dual infrared flash system. But it’s capable in the day too thanks to a 13-megapixel front camera with phase detection autofocus with dual tone flash, plus a 5-megapixel selfie snapper with front-facing flash. The main camera will record in 4K and can also mange 120FPS slow motion video.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/137802-night-vision-in-a-military-tough-smartphone-meet-the-gorgeous-lumigon-t3

Rosewill RGB Gaming Keyboard Needs No Special Software

Rosewill RGB Gaming Keyboard Needs No Special Software

Wearables, , , , ,

RGB gaming keyboards are all the rage these days, with nearly every manufacturer offering models with customizable backlights that can perform cool animations in millions of different colors. However, if you try to use most of these keyboards with an operating system that isn’t Windows, you may be the one feeling rage. Most models require special software to configure all their effects, and that software is usually Windows only.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/j3jmEmI6kfI”]

I had a chance to spend a few minutes learning how to program the RK-9000 V2 RGB, which is due out in late 2016 with a likely retail price of $169. Hitting a special function key plus one of the arrows lets you select from several different preloaded animations, such as breath mode (letters slowly light up), trigger mode (keys light up when you hit them) or wave mode (colors move left to right). You can set the speed of each animation and choose whether it uses all the colors at once, or a single one.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/rosewill-rk-9000-v2-features,news-22765.html

Denon AVR-X2300W review

Denon AVR-X2300W review

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

We don’t envy Denon. Designing a replacement for the excellent AVR-X2200W can’t have been an easy task. This Award-winner marked a return to form for a brand that has struggled by its own high standards in recent times.

The X2200W rolled back the years with a combination of excellent sound and a feature list no rival could better. So how do you replace an Award-winner? Judging by this new amplifier Denon’s answer seems to be, ‘very carefully’.

Build

At first glance, a comparison between the old and new models suggests little has changed. They look all-but identical, sharing a well thought out control layout and clear display.

Round the back, the 2300 features slightly reorganised connections, but the company’s determined drive to make its AV amps more approachable keeps things as simple as they can be without compromising usability.

Denon hasn’t skimped on the connections. This amp has eight HDMI inputs, all capable of 4K 60Hz pass-through and HDCP 2.2 certified.

Others include a sensible spread of optical digital and analogue stereo inputs plus legacy analogue video options such as composite and component. While not a major omission, it’s interesting to note that there isn’t a digital coax available.
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https://www.whathifi.com/denon/avr-x2300w/review

Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II Review

Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II Review

Cameras, , , , ,

Introduction

The Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II is Sony’s latest mid-range zoom lens aimed at the enthusiast and professional market. It’s an updated version of the Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM, and both lenses share identical casing and almost identical specifications.

This revised 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II retains the original’s constant f/2.8 maximum aperture and 34cm minimum focussing distance. It also incorporates aspherical glass elements to enhance clarity and contrast, along with Extra-low Dispersion elements for minimised chromatic aberration. The new lens also uses nine aperture blades to create a more rounded aperture for smoother background bokeh blur.


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https://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_vario_sonnar_t_24_70mm_f2_8_za_ssm_ii_review/