Monthly Archives: June 2016

ASUS ROG Strix (GL502VT-DS74) Review

June 5, 2016Computers & ITAsus, gaming, gaming laptop, geforce, GTX, laptop, Nvidia, NVIDIA GeForce, orange, review, rigs, sound system, SSD

Don’t be fooled by its slim 0.9-inch profile. The Asus ROG Strix GL502VT is a miniature behemoth. This gaming laptop delivers a high-end Nvidia GeForce GTX 970M graphics performance despite its svelte frame. Starting at $1,399 ($1,599 as tested), the Strix also sports a vibrant 1080p display, a fast SSD, and battery life that puts most other gaming rigs to shame. But scorching temperatures when gaming and a lackluster sound system prevent this rig from being the best we’ve tested.

Design: The Nuclear Option

I’ve been fairly vocal about how bored I am with gaming laptop manufacturers doing the typical black-and-red edge gamer color motif. Asus listened — sort of. Instead of black and red, the company took the nuclear option and went with black and neon orange. Am I back in the 90s? Are fanny packs and snap bracelets about to make a comeback, too?
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https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/asus-rog-strix

What You Need to Know About Wireless Multiroom Music Systems

June 4, 2016Audio & VideoApple, audio, game, iPod, itunes, MP3, Multiroom Music, music, portable, software, speakers, wireless

Prior to a decade ago, having distributed music around your house usually meant calling a custom installer to put in hundreds of feet of cable, multiple pairs of in-ceiling or in-wall speakers, and racks of amplifiers. You’d get keypads on your walls that could control, just barely, your distant sources via IR. There was no metadata feedback to select a particular song; you might have been able to advance to the next track on your CD player or dial up a different preset station on your FM tuner, but not much more. The cost for this was, well, prohibitive. Multiroom audio, for a long time, was strictly a rich man’s game.

Then MP3 and digital music happened. In late 1998, the first portable digital music player was commercialized; anybody remember the Diamond Rio? In mid-1999, Napster, a peer-to-peer file-sharing Website that facilitated the free distribution of ripped CD tracks, was launched; it barely lasted two years before being brought down by the music industry’s copyright enforcers. Six months before Napster crashed in July 2001, Apple’s Steve Jobs released the first version of iTunes library/player software, which he followed with the first iPod in October of that year.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/wireless-multiroom-audio-all-music-all-time-multiroom-brands#mRdKkRJ3sWzFAf8Z.97

Monolith 7×200 Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier Preview

June 4, 2016Audio & Videoaudio, home, home theater, Monolith 7x200 Multi-Channel, speaker, theater

Executive Overview

Looking for a massive Class AB amplifier to boost your home audio system? Check out the new Monolith 7×200 Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier from Monoprice. Monoprice you say? Yes, that’s no typo. In the last couple of years, Monoprice has made strides to expand their palette of affordable, no nonsense AV cables and accessories as evident by the launching of their high value speaker line and now this new juggernaut amplifier.

The Monolith is a massive Class AB amplifier with dual torodial power supplies and tips the scale at 92lbs! With five pair of output devices per channel PLUS one pair of drivers and rated at a full 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 300 watts per channel into 4 ohms, this amplifier should fit the needs of the most demanding home theater systems. It has all the right DNA for the making of a great high power linear amplifier. Giving your AV system a serious shot of adrenaline has never been cheaper. Read on to find out why.
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https://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/monolith-7×200-amplifier

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet and 4S first drive

June 4, 2016Carsbenchmark, coupe, first drive, government, Porsche, Porsche 911, Slashgear, turbo

The Porsche 911 is not the car for everyone, whether it’s the design or the price, but Porsche is okay with that. A mainstay of the sports segment for decades, it’s the benchmark by which serious drivers – and the automakers trying to sell them similarly seriously-driving cars – judge on-road experience. That means big boots to fill when it comes to a new model, something Porsche knows all too well as it launches the 2017 Carrera S Cabriolet and Carrera 4S Coupe.

New Twin-Turbo Engine

The 2017 911 Carrera S’ engine is the 6,000-pound gorilla in the room. When Porsche announced the replacement of the naturally-aspirated engine, fear spread far and wide. Welcome to a new age of turbochargers, and Porsche has finally jumped on the bandwagon – primarily due to government requirement for lowering CO2 emissions as well as improving fuel economy. The first 911 on the 991 platform replaced the 997 back in 2012, and moving forward, all modern 911s on the second gen 991 platform (991.2) are turbocharged. That being said, there’s a reason turbochargers have found favor: the new, rear-mounted 3.0-liter twin turbocharged flat-six is more powerful than the old powerplant, making it quicker while also being more fuel-efficient.

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https://www.slashgear.com/2017-porsche-911-carrera-s-cabriolet-and-4s-first-drive-03442500/

Boosted Boards’ New Electric Longboards Have Swappable Batteries For Unlimited Range

June 4, 2016Cars, WearablesBoosted Boards, electric, orange

For the last couple of years, Boosted has put out some of the best electric skateboards out there. Technology moves fast, though, and, as good as their lineup is, they’re definitely due for an upgrade. And we’re loving what we’ve seen so far of the second-generation Boosted Boards.

Aesthetically, the boards look the same, retaining the original’s cruising-friendlylongboard profile, bright orange wheels, and bamboo deck. That’s to say, they put the upgrades where it matters, turning out a motorized longboard that accelerates faster, rides longer, and stands up better to the hazards of the road.

Boosted Boards now offer an extended range for their skateboards, stretching the standard 7-mile riding distance of the original to a maximum of 14 miles. Even better, the batteries are now swappable, so you can simply pop in a fresh pack when the current battery gets drained.
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https://www.coolthings.com/boosted-boards-electric-longboards-swappable-batteries/

AOC G2460PF Review – Good But Complicated

June 4, 2016Computers & IT4K, gaming, HD, PC, peripheral, review

For players with less powerful gaming desktops, which don’t need expensive 4K monitors, the AOC G2460PF ($210) just might do the trick. Used as an inexpensive, full-HD gaming monitor, the G2460PF displays games in somewhat faithful colors at high frame rates. However, its cumbersome menus and questionable picture presets make this monitor hard to recommend enthusiastically. The G2460PF is thoroughly “good enough,” and if that’s all you need, it may be worth a look.

Design

Black and red are the de facto colors of hardcore PC gaming, and the G2460PF has both of them in spades. With a black stand and a red frame for the monitor, the peripheral is fairly attractive, and not nearly as aggressive as the color scheme might suggest. It’s not exactly stylish, but it should blend into any kind of setup.

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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/aoc-g2460pf,review-3685.html

Lenovo ThinkPad E560 Review

June 4, 2016Computers & ITAMD, AMD Radeon R7, business, core i7, Lenovo, notebook, processor, radeon, ram, review, thinkpad

The Lenovo ThinkPad E560 ($521 to start; $988 as tested) is aimed at small, value-conscious companies that need machines with lots of ports and solid performance paired with long battery life and a comfortable keyboard. The configuration we tested packs a Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 190GB solid-state drive, as well as a 1080p display and AMD Radeon R7 M370 graphics. The ThinkPad E560 doesn’t offer the same level of durability as some competing laptops, and its screen could be more vibrant. But overall, it’s a pretty good business notebook.

Design

If you’ve seen one ThinkPad, you’ve seen them all — and the E560 is no exception. It’s a large, smooth, black-plastic rectangle with rounded edges. The lid features Lenovo’s logo on the lower left and the ThinkPad emblem on the top right. Unlike some of Lenovo’s other recent machines, the E560 only comes in the company’s trademark black.

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https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-e560

That Was Then… B&W 602 S3

June 4, 2016Audio & Videoreview, speaker, speakers

We flash back to March 2002, when B&W went in a slightly different (and bigger) direction with its 602 S3 standmounters…

It’s probably fair to say that even when B&W’s 602 S3s were first introduced in 2002 they were something of a dinosaur. By then, speaker design had long gone down the ‘smaller the better’ path, and slimmer proportions were most definitely in.

In contrast these bruisers were huge, standing almost half a metre tall, and featuring the kind of mid/bass driver that wouldn’t look out of place in a decently sized subwoofer. It took no less than eight bolts to hold that driver in place.

The clear suggestion was one of power. Yet, the ability to get furniture rattling wouldn’t be anywhere near the whole story; these speakers turned out to be far more talented than that.
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https://www.whathifi.com/features/was-then-bw-602-s3-review

10 Top Best Budget / Cheap Compact Cameras 2016

June 4, 2016Camerascamera, Canon, Canon PowerShot, digital camera, lens, nfc, optical, sensor, smartphone

If you are looking to buy an easy to use point and shoot digital camera but have a limited budget, here is a round-up of our favourite compact digital cameras, which you can purchase for around £100/$150, making them ideal for beginners.

Also, if you’re looking for a real bargain, take a look at our 10 Best Compact Cameras Under £100/$150 article.

Canon Powershot SX610 HS

The Canon Powershot SX610 HS features an 18x optical zoom lens, a 20-megapixel sensor and an improved grip. Built in Wi-Fi and NFC makes it easy to transfer images as well as control the camera from your smartphone and connectivity is good. The battery life is a little short, but can be extended to a much more impressive 400 shots when the ECO mode is enabled. With a stylish design, good handling and a reasonable price, the camera is very appealing.
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https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-best-budget—cheap-compact-cameras-2018-17495

How to Upgrade Your ThinkPad T460s’ RAM

June 3, 2016Wearableshow to, Lenovo, ram, thinkpad

When we reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad T460s, we found that its 8GB of RAM were part of a configuration that provided strong performance. Power users, though, might want to eke out a bit more potential by upgrading to 16GB of RAM. To start, you’ll need to grab a Phillips head screwdriver and clone your hard drive. Be sure to back up everything before you begin.

Here’s how to upgrade the RAM in your ThinkPAD T460s.

1. Shut down and close your ThinkPad T460s.

2. Loosen the five screws on the bottom of the case with a Phillips head screwdriver. These don’t come out.

3. Pry the bottom off. The T460s is easy, and you shouldn’t need any tools. Just use your fingers.

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https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-thinkpad-t460s-ram

HP Elite X3 is still coming, with a fingerprint sensor even

June 3, 2016Phonesbusiness, fingerprint, HP, hp elite, HP Elite X3, laptop, Lumia, Microsoft, mobile, mwc, phablet, portable, sensor, Slashgear, smartphone, Surface, Windows, Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile

Microsoft’s practically complete withrdawal from the smartphone device market is a bittersweet thing for its fans. On the one hand, it means the company is even less interested in making smartphones. On the other hand, it could also mean that Redmond has more resources to devout to a high end, still mythical Surface Phone. But while Microsoft bids its time, it seems that HP will beat it to the “really premium Windows 10 Mobile smartphone” punch. Yes, the HP Elite X3 is still a thing, is still coming, and might even come with a fingerprint scanner to boot!

The HP Elite X3 smartphone slash laptop landed on the scene way back in February at MWC 2016. It made a rather intruiging proposition: a high-end Windows 10 Mobile phablet with HP’s “somber” business-centric design that comes with a “Mobile Extender” dumb laptop that takes advantage of the Continuum for Phones feature. It is practically a larger, and hopefully more premium looking, Lumia 950 XL that comes with a portable display and keyboard so you won’t have to scramble to find one when you’re out and about. There has been so many missing pieces, unanswered questions, and unannounced dates beyond a summer launch that have caused some to wonder if the thing is dead on arrival. Apparently not.

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https://www.slashgear.com/hp-elite-x3-is-still-coming-with-a-fingerprint-sensor-even-03442656/

Nikon Coolpix AW130 Review

June 3, 2016Camerascamera, Canon, GPS, lens, nfc, Nikon, Nikon COOLPIX, Nikon COOLPIX AW130, Olympus, review

With 100 feet of water resistance, 7 feet of shock resistance and a price tag lower than the best that Canon and Olympus have to offer, the $275 Nikon Coolpix AW130 packs a lot of features in a well-designed rough-and-tumble body. Then you add built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS and dedicated buttons to control all those features, and you get a 16-megapixel shooter that’s a perfect companion for outdoor adrenaline junkies. So even though it doesn’t snap the sharpest photos, it’s hard to ignore this Nikon’s package of performance and price.

Design

One of the most comforting things about the AW130 is its reassuringly tough turn-dial latch, which unlike some other underwater cameras, never leaves you wondering if the flaps have been properly secured before going for a swim. There’s a small grippy bulge on the right to provide a purchase for your hands, and a small but sturdy lens hood to protect the most important part of the camera in the event of a fall.

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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/nikon-coolpix-aw130,review-3670.html

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK : Harley-Davidson’s New XG750R Flat-Track Racer

June 3, 2016Carsbike, Harley-Davidson, prototype, racing, review, video

[su_dailymotion url=”http://www.dailymotion.com/cdn/H264-848×480/video/x4cngav.mp4?auth=1465100570-2688-e48bbsij-63743d8814101d59b1c82e69ea672fdb”]

Kris Schoonover, Harley’s mightily bearded racing manager, threaded his words together carefully: “This is the first time… a new-design Harley has made the main… in forty-two years.”

Factory rider Davis Fisher, by finishing third in his semi on the new XG prototype (he was briefly second), transferred to the 25-lap GNC1 main event at the Sacramento Mile.

At first glance, the XG looks a lot like its forefather.

The bike that last did this, 42 years ago, was the aluminum XR750 that has sustained the sport for over four decades.

In racing, obsolete doesn’t mean a design can no longer win races. It means only that its development has fully exploited all possibilities. Then you need a fresh design with wider limits. The XG is Harley’s next step.
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https://www.cycleworld.com/harley-davidson-xg-750r-flat-track-racer-motorcycle-review-exclusive-first-look#page-12

Razer Blade vs. MacBook Pro : Face-Off

June 3, 2016Computers & ITApple, Creative, gaming, how to, MacBook, macbook pro, portable, Razer, Razer Blade

At first glance, the MacBook Pro 15-inch and the Razer Blade don’t seem like rivals. After all, one is for creative pros, and the other is for gamers. But both of these big-screen notebooks pack a serious punch in a portable design. We pitted these powerhouses against each other in an eight-round battle to name a winner. So, which is it — the svelte, silver workhorse or the ebony, gaming badass?

Design

I’ve got to hand it to both Apple and Razer; they both know how to make a beautiful, iconic piece of machinery. On one hand, you have the MacBook Pro, whose silvery profile with rounded edges and backlit, half-eaten fruit emblem has launched a cadre of pale imitations.

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https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/razer-blade-vs-macbook-pro

Philips 65PUS8601 4K TV Review

June 3, 2016Audio & Video4K, Europe, HD, philips, review, television, TV, ultra hd, video

It’s been a challenging few years for the TP Vision/ Philips entity since their amalgamation, at least as far as the UK market is concerned. First, British buyers were dismayed to find that top-end Philips TVs would be launched elsewhere in Europe but not in the United Kingdom. Also, well-reviewed Philips products were not easily available to purchase in the UK due to limited chain of distribution, which not only proved frustrating for video enthusiasts, but also slowly eroded confidence in the consumer electronics brand.

At the firm’s annual TV launch event earlier this year, TP Vision’s executives acknowledged and promised to address these issues. And the first 2016 Philips TV that we’re reviewing today, the 65-inch 65PUS8601 Ultra HD 4K television with 4-sided Ambilight technology, should give us a glimpse of the company’s direction.
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https://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/65pus8601-201605234294.htm

Top 13 Best Premium Compact System Cameras 2016

June 3, 2016Cameras4K, camera, cmos, DSLR, full-frame, mirrorless, sensor, Sony, video

The mirrorless camera, or compact system camera (CSC), lets you change lenses, as well as providing DSLR sized sensors with DSLR image quality in a much more compact camera body. With a rapid refresh cycle, there is a number of new cameras introduced each year, with many offering innovative new features. Here we highlight the best advanced Compact System Cameras with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Click the camera names to read our full reviews of these cameras to see how they have scored, as well as the pros and cons of each model.

Here we highlight the best of the bunch, starting with Number 1:

1. Sony Alpha A7R Mark II

The 42.4 megapixel Sony Alpha A7R Mark II offers a backlit full-frame CMOS sensor, 4K video recording, 5-axis sensor based image stabilisation, ISO50 to ISO102400, 5fps continuous shooting, and a tilting 3inch screen. There is a large, high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2.36m dots), and built-in Wi-Fi.
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https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-15-best-premium-compact-system-cameras-2018-19376

AMD Teases Radeon RX 480 : Launching June 29th For $199

June 3, 2016WearablesAMD, radeon

Kicking off at this moment is AMD’s Computex 2016 keynote. The company has multiple announcements scheduled this evening, but we’re going to jump right into an area that has been of extreme interest for many of our readers: GPUs.

Ahead of this evening’s event, AMD sent out an email to the press teasing the first of their discrete Polaris architecture based cards. Called the Radeon RX 480, AMD has unveiled much of the product’s specifications, but also its price and availability. When the card hits the streets on June 29th, it will be starting at the crucial mainstream battleground price point of $199.

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https://www.anandtech.com/show/10389/amd-teases-radeon-rx-480-launching-june-29th-for-199

Samsung’s new smart earbuds track your steps and heart rate

June 3, 2016Wearablesfitness, Gear Fit 2, Samsung, Samsung Gear, Samsung Gear IconX, sensor, smart, surge, wearable

The $199 Gear IconX goes on sale later this year.

The newly announced Gear Fit 2 is probably the fitness band Samsung should have made in the first place, but does the world even need another wrist-worn gewgaw? In case your answer to that is “no,” Samsung is unveiling a second exercise-friendly wearable today: a $199 pair of smart earbuds called the Gear IconX. (And no, the name doesn’t make any sense to us either.)

Gallery: Hands-on with the Samsung Gear IconX | 10 Photos

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Samsung says the IconX is meant for people who have a more casual relationship with exercise (the Gear Fit 2, meanwhile, is meant for the truly dedicated). Still, that doesn’t mean Samsung skimped on the fitness tech here. Each bud weighs 6.3 grams — a hair or two heavier than a U.S. quarter. The device tells you how far you’ve run, how fast you’re going and how fast your heart is beating. Yes, there’s a heart-rate sensor built into these things. More importantly, there’s a voice coach feature (which I didn’t get to test), which is meant to help runners trim their lap times and surge into higher intensity zones.
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https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/02/samsung-gear-iconx-hands-on/#/

The Wirecutter’s best deals: Save $300 on a Moto X / Moto 360 combo

June 3, 2016Wearablesandroid, camera, LCD, moto, Moto 360, Moto 360 Sport Watch, Moto X, MOTO X PURE, Moto X Pure Edition 64GB, Motorola, phablet, smartwatch, software, watch

Moto X Pure Edition 64GB + Moto 360 Sport Watch

Street price: $700; MSRP: $750; deal price: $400 with codes

This deal involves stacking two codes and results in a huge $300 savings. First, you’ll go to the Moto X Pure page and select the 64GB storage option. Once you add it to your cart, use the code CLASSOF2016. Then, you’ll add the Moto 360 Sport to your cart and use the code JUNEMOTO360. The final total should be $400. While the Moto 360 Sport wasn’t one of our top picks in our smartwatch guide, it’s certainly worth it in this combo deal.

The Moto X Pure Edition is our customizable phablet pick in our best Android phones guide. Ryan Whitwam said, “Motorola’s latest flagship phone offers a great Android 6.0 software experience with customization options that other phones simply can’t match. You can choose from different colors and materials for the back, pick a metallic accent color, and even customize the startup message. It’s more comfortable to hold than other phablets despite its big, 5.7-inch LCD, plus it has a slot for a microSD card. If you take a lot of selfies, we have still more good news: This phone has a front-facing flash paired with a wide-angle 5-megapixel camera.”
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https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/02/the-wirecutters-best-deals-save-300-on-a-moto-x-pure-edition/

With the Gear Fit 2, Samsung tries again at workout wristbands

June 3, 2016Wearablesamoled, fitness, Gear Fit 2, Samsung, wearables

Samsung’s original Gear Fit was as flawed as it was ambitious, but the market for fitness gadgets is still growing. Of course Samsung was going to try again! That’s where the new $179 Gear Fit 2 comes in: Samsung took the fitness formula it developed two years ago, polished it up a bit and added a few features that have become de rigueur for higher-end workout wearables. You’ll be able to pre-order one starting June 3rd, but join us here for a first look.

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First, the broad strokes. The Gear Fit 2 is nearly the same size as the model that came out two years ago; it’s just a little longer and a little wider to accommodate the updated display. That would be the 1.5-inch curved AMOLED screen, which is almost twice as wide as the original to better display your stats. An added bonus of this tweaked design is that the Gear Fit 2 is so, so much more comfortable to wear than its predecessor. Seriously, it’s a night-and-day difference — no small thing on a device you’re supposed to wear 24/7.
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https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/02/meet-the-samsung-gear-fit-2/#/

Panasonic TX-65DX750 Review

June 2, 2016Audio & Videohow to, Panasonic, review, TV

Panasonic knows how to make a great TV. This much we know for a fact, given the astonishing quality of the TX-65DX902, the company’s 2016 flagship. It left us with the conclusion that the company was back on steady ground after a couple of rocky years.

But what about the rest of the range? Can you get the same quality for less with one of the junior models? Enter the TX-65DX750, which sits near the bottom of Panasonic’s top tier of TVs.

That means you get some of the high-end features without having to pay high-end prices.
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https://www.whathifi.com/panasonic/tx-65dx750/review

Vision TC2-HDMIP HDMI over Powerline Review

June 2, 2016Wearablesaudio, HDMI, review, wireless

Powerline adapters, in case you weren’t aware, are probably one of this reviewer’s favourite products. If someone had said a few years ago that you could plug a couple of cheap plastic adapters into the wall and have a fast and stable data connection between them, you would have probably grabbed the pitch forks and started shouts of burn them! Yet they are now commonplace and can be obtained extremely cheaply too. There are a multitude of different adapters available offering easy ways of getting the whole house connected to the network, either via wireless or cable connections, with prices starting at just £25/$37.

Vision TC2-HDMIP HDMI over Powerline Review

Given the rapid development seen in the Powerline Adapter world in the last couple of years it’s no surprise that manufacturers have started to exploit the technology for other uses. One such product that is doing that, and the subject of this review, is the TC2-HDMIP by Vision. As you may be able to work out from the model name this is an HDMI over powerline device. Priced at £223/$335 it can transmit a HDMI signal including audio, plus an IR signal, over the powerline. Using 500Mbps powerline technology and H.264 compression this aims to provide a solid signal at the highest possible quality. Read on to see how it fares in our tests…
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https://www.avforums.com/review/vision-tc2-hdmip-hdmi-over-powerline-review.12630

Which should I buy, FWD, RWD or AWD? – Vehicle dynamics and stability control tested

June 2, 2016CarsCommodore, holden, Hyundai, Hyundai Veloster, sr, Subaru, Subaru WRX, turbo, V8, vehicle

Providing a good spread of purchase price, power output and outright vehicle size, our three test cars for the day were the $29,990 Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo, $54,490Holden Commodore SS-V Redline, and $38,990 Subaru WRX.

One of the country’s top-selling sports cars under $80k, the front-wheel-drive HyundaiVeloster SR Turbo is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 150kW of power at 6000rpm and 265Nm of torque between 1750-4500rpm.

The Holden Commodore has long been Australia’s favourite homegrown rear-wheel-drive hero, and here in VF Series II SS-V Redline guise, it comes with a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 delivering 304kW of power at 6000rpm and 570Nm of torque at 4400rpm.
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https://www.caradvice.com.au/445731/which-should-i-buy-fwd-rwd-or-awd-vehicle-dynamics-and-stability-control-tested/

Xiaomi’s Mi Band 2 comes with a display and a price rise

June 2, 2016WearablesChina, Fitbit, kids, Mi Band, oled, tracker, wearable, Xiaomi, Xiaomi's Mi Band 2

It’ll cost $23 and go on sale in China on June 7th

While you probably won’t see many people wearing Xiaomi’s Mi Band tracker, that doesn’t mean it isn’t popular. The bracelet, alongside a range of kids watches, has helped the Chinese electronics maker become theworld’s second biggest wearable manufacturer behind Fitbit. To maintain its momentum, the company today took the wraps of the Mi Band 2, debuting a familiar wearable that features a 0.42-inch OLED display.
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https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/02/xiaomi-mi-band-2/#/

Dynaudio Emit M10 review

June 2, 2016Audio & VideoDynaudio, Dynaudio Emit, Dynaudio Emit M10, Emit, review

There was a time when Dynaudio ruled these parts. It was unstoppable, armed with a great formula for lovely listening. That was years ago, however, and while the company has consistently put out fine works, we were accustomed to more.

Well, it looks like it is time for a comeback, because that’s what you get with the Dynaudio Emit M10: more.

You get a bit of everything here. Versatility, transparency, energy, precision, scale and volume: you name it and the Emit 10s deliver in spades.
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https://www.whathifi.com/dynaudio/emit-m10/review

OnePlus 3 to Debut in VR with New Headset

June 2, 2016Wearablesheadset, OnePlus, OnePlus 2, OnePlus 3, virtual reality, VR, vr headset, watch

OnePlus is introducing its new phone via a virtual reality event, and it has launched a new Loop VR headset to help you watch the unveiling.

To launch its next flagship phone, OnePlus is headed back to virtual reality. This time, though, the phone maker is putting out a more advanced VR headset for viewing the release as well buying the new OnePlus 3.

OnePlus announced launch plans for the OnePlus 3 phone on its website today (May 23). As with last year’s OnePlus 2 unveiling, the event will take place in VR, which the company says allows more of its fans to attend.

Last year’s launch event — reportedly the first in VR — was dismissed as a gimmick by some observers, with even OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei conceding that the experience “wasn’t perfecting” while noting that the company’s many fans enjoyed it.
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Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/oneplus-3-launch,news-22714.html

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM | A Review

June 2, 2016Cameras35mm, DSLR, Focal, hands on, Japan, lens, review, sensor, sigma, Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM

Three years ago, Sigma provoked genuine excitement amongst photographers by developing the world’s first APS-C zoom with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 across its focal range. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM became a sought-after lens by those who fancied a fast wideangle to standard focal length lens at an attractive price, the only caveat with its design being that its use is strictly confined to those using APS-C sensor cameras. At the time of its release, there were suggestions that the lens might be the first in a series of fast f/1.8 zoom lenses from Sigma, but as the years rolled by it seemed like the 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM may have been a one off.Not content with just the one optic in the Global Vision Art series of fast-aperture lenses, Sigma’s engineers have burnt the midnight oil and produced their second f/1.8 zoom, which was showcased for the first time at the CP+ show in Japan earlier this year. Ever since wraps first came off the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM A we’ve been eagerly waiting to lay our hands on a review sample to find out how well it performs at covering the focal lengths of three popular prime lenses and whether it’s another lens APS-C DSLR users should be adding to their wish list.
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https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/sigma-50-100mm-f1-8-dc-hsm-review

Monoprice Monolith 7 Amplifier Review

June 2, 2016Audio & Videoaudio, gaming, home, home theater, mobile, Monoprice Monolith 7 Amplifier, networking, PC, review, theater

My introduction to Monoprice happened about 10 years ago when I needed some interconnects for a system I had designed for someone on a tight budget. I’d read how great a value the company’s offerings were and decided to take the leap. Not only was my friend happy to save a few bucks from the store brands, he didn’t sacrifice any of the quality, either. From day one, the interconnects worked like a charm. Since then, Monoprice has been my go-to source for home theater cables.

As the years have gone on, the company has branched out into other areas, including networking and IT devices, mobile accessories, PC and gaming gear, pro audio products, imaging items, ink and toner supplies, and home theater equipment. In Monoprice’s daily e-mail newslet- ters, I’ve seen ads for AVRs, but now the ever-expanding company has ventured onto yet another new path: They’ve produced their own seven-channel power amplifier, the Monolith 7, offering 200 watts per channel (into 8 ohms) at the shockingly low price of $1,499. That’s one heck of a deal at roughly $215 per channel. But does it sacrifice sound quality in order to save a few bucks?
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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/monoprice-monolith-7-amplifier-review#xHB8R8mVTO4v64sj.97

Nikon Registered “N1514” Model (Signs of a High-End Mirrorless Camera?)

June 2, 2016Camerascamera, digital camera, mirrorless, Nikon

Nikon has registered a new digital camera model at the Indonesian communications agency under the name of “N1514“.

Even there is not enough information about this camera, this kind of registrations also means that the company will unveil the product usually in 1 or 2 months period.

When considering the time left to the beginning of Photokina 2016 event, this product could hit the biggest digital imaging show. More buzz after the break!

Nikon high-end mirrorless camera on the horizon

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http://www.dailycameranews.com/2016/06/nikon-registered-new-n1514-model/