Monthly Archives: June 2016

Best retro-style cameras 2016

A camera can be beautiful as well as high-performing. Here’s some gorgeous retro-style cameras that will turn heads as you snap.

The trend for retro style cameras looks set to stick around for some time. And why not? There’s no reason why you can’t have a great looking camera that is also up to the job. Here’s our pick of some retro-style models that are sure to attract some admiring glances, as well as take some great shots.

Fuji X100T

Fujifilm-X100T-rangefinder-style-design

Camera type: compact
Sensor: APS-C X-Trans CMOS II 16MP
Price: £1,039/$1,558 (including 18-55mm lens)

Read full post here:
https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/camera-roundups/best-retro-style-cameras-2016-71125

Acer Breach Lets Slip 34,500 Credit Card Numbers

Paying for goods with anything aside from cash (or possibly bartering with beads and stones) is never going to be 100 percent safe. When you add online commerce into the mix, something will go wrong sooner or later. The latest disaster involves the well-known computer maker Acer, 34,500 leaked credit-card numbers and a whole lot of soon-to-be-disgruntled customers.

In accordance with California law, Acer gave the state’s attorney general a copy of a form letter notifying customers about Acer’s data breach. The California attorney general’s office then proceeded to post the form letter online late last week.

According to the form letter, Acer will be notifying customers who purchased goods through the Acer website between May 12, 2015 and April 28, 2016 that a “security issue” may have put their information in the hands of cybercriminals.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/acer-breach-credit-cards

 

Nuu X4 review : Low-end, even by low-end standards

The X4 will cover your basic smartphone needs, but there are other smartphones more worth your $170. You might as well invest that in a similarly-priced OnePlus X or Moto G.

nuu x4 front

It can be tough for a newcomer to make a name for itself in the U.S. smartphone market.

After all, we’re talking about a market in which devices from two companies—Samsung and Apple—make up the bulk of all smartphones sold, with companies like LG and HTC fighting for whatever’s left. So, if you’re a newcomer like Nuu, you have to stand out.

At first glance, the Nuu X4 is nothing special. It looks like any other budget Android phone and it isn’t especially powerful. Its feature set doesn’t offer anything particularly innovative, either, but at this price ($170 on Amazon), the X4 is one of the more affordable Android devices you’ll find. Should that rock-bottom price sway you, though? If decent performance and battery life matter much to you, the answer is a solid no.

Read full post here:
https://www.greenbot.com/article/3052267/android/nuu-x4-review-low-end-even-by-low-end-standards.html

New Chromebooks from Lenovo and HP are incoming for back-to-school shoppers

Details of two unannounced Chromebooks have hit the Internet, one of which will be offered by Lenovo and the other by HP. Both will reportedly sport Intel “Braswell” processors, and 11.6-inch displays, with support for touch-based input. The Lenovo model is even showing up on CDW’s website as of this article, costing a mere $274, packing 32GB of onboard eMMC storage and 4GB of memory.

The updated Lenovo N22 Chromebook was unearthed on Friday by Brent Sullivan over on Google Plus. Lenovo’s original N22 Chromebook lineup actually launched back in March for school students, one of which was the 80SF model packing an Intel Celeron N3050 processor clocked at 1.6GHz, an 11.6-inch screen with a 1,366 x 768 resolution, 4GB of memory, 16GB of internal storage, and Wireless AC connectivity. It’s powered by a battery promising up to 10 hours of up-time on a single charge.

Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/chromebook-lenovo-hp/

 

RICOH ACQUIRES WIRELESS MEMORY CARD MANUFACTURER EYEFI

Ricoh Innovations Corporation, often shortened to Ricoh, has announced its acquisition of wireless memory card company Eyefi.

According to an email sent out by Eyefi, the team behind the wireless memory cards will immediately start work at Ricoh, where it says it plans to continue “maintaining and increasing the quality, support, and service that you have come to know from [the Eyefi] team.”

Eyefi got its start as a hardware company, creating memory cards with built-in wireless networks. Able to create on-location connections between the card and a mobile device, Eyefi cards made it easier than ever to get images straight off a camera and onto a computer for quicker sharing and effortless transfers.

Eyefi

Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/ricoh-eyefi-acquisition-pentax-dslr/

 

Mercedes Benz’s E300 is a luxury car that happens to be high-tech

The automaker is plotting the future, while continuing to do what it does best.

The Mercedes Benz E-Class has always been fancy. Wood, leather and a sense that you’ve made some pretty solid life choices are all part of the package. But the automaker has also been on the cutting edge of tech. For example, it added radar-aided adaptive cruise control to its vehicles back in 1998. So it’s no surprise that the 2017 E300 is filled to its German gills with the latest and greatest in car technology. The car is indeed impressive, but not without a few hiccups.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/18/mercedes-benz-e300-test-drive/#/

Reolink RLC-410 PoE security camera review : Excellent performance, affordable price

Reolink has provided a range of do-it-yourself security solutions for businesses and consumers for nearly a decade. Its latest is the eminently affordable RLC-410 4MP Fixed Lens PoE Security IP Camera ($80). This indoor/outdoor cam can be used independently or as part of a more comprehensive surveillance system, and it provides exceptional image quality and features for the price.

rlc410 2

What you get

The RLC-410 takes its design cues from CCTV cameras, rather than the webcam-style home monitors so popular now. In that, it screams surveillance—this isn’t a device you can nestle inconspicuously between a couple of vases on a bookshelf. Further, its waterproof cables and aluminum-alloy body indicate it was designed with exterior environments in mind.

Read full post here:
https://www.techhive.com/article/3075326/security-cameras/reolink-rlc-410-poe-security-camera-review-excellent-performance-affordable-price.html

Hands-on with the MateBook : Huawei’s First Windows 2-in-1 Takes Aim at Business Elite

Huawei is looking to make quite a first impression with its first-ever Windows 10 hybrid. The MateBook (price and availability still to be determined) targets the  AMEX black card-carrying, high-powered professionals of the world with a 2-in-1 whose looks match the premium specs inside.

huawei matebook
Every aspect of the 12-inch $699 MateBook adds to its high-end look. The real leather folding keyboard case feels smooth and supple, and MateBook’s aluminum body has precision diamond-cut chamfered sides. Despite the limited real estate on the MateBook’s tablet body and its tiny 10mm bezels, Huawei still found room for a fingerprint sensor on the side.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/huaweis-first-windows-2-1

Essential Fitbit accessories to personalise your activity tracker

Fitbit has always led the wearable field when it comes to jazzing up its fitness trackers, and its devices are some of the most customisable on the market.

It’s not just official collaborations, either. Many third parties have been busy creating accessories so you can hide it away in subtle or show it off the way you see fit.

Top Fitbit accessories for your tracker

Most personalisation options are for older Fitbits, such as the Flex and Zip –which include a removable sensor that can be hidden in bands and jewellery, but there’s the odd few things for the Charge, the Charge HR as well.

Fitbit is of course offering plenty of official customisation for the new Blaze and Alta, which you can check out over on the Fitbit website.

We’ve collected together some of the top Fitbit accessories to inject a bit more personality into your wearable.

Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/fitbit/best-fitbit-accessories

Alfa Romeo is coming for your 5 Series

Look out, Germany: storied Italian automaker Alfa Romeo is coming for your 5 Series, E-Class, and A6 with a bigger version of the Giulia sedan. The new car isn’t likely to show up until 2018 at the earliest, but it may very well be worth waiting for over the usual midsize luxury options from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

Plans for the car were confirmed by Fiat Chrysler chief technology officer Harald Wester, telling Auto Express that the new model will be built on the same platform Alfa Romeo used for the Giulia.

That means rear-wheel drive, while engine options will include not only the same powertrains as currently confirmed for the smaller Guilia (shown below), but a couple of new choices, too.

2017-alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-7

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/alfa-romeo-is-coming-for-your-5-series-20444971/

Fujifilm FinePix XP90 WP Review

Fujifilm FinePix XP90 (1)

The Fujifilm FinePix XP90 is the latest update to Fujifilm’s waterproof line of compact cameras, and this one is waterproof down to 15 metres, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof. The camera features a 5x optical zoom lens, a 3inch screen, a 16 megapixel sensor and full HD video recording. Let’s find out how it performs in our review.

Features

Fujifilm FinePix XP90 (8)

The Fujifilm FinePix XP90 is this year’s update to the XP80. Not much has changed from the XP80 to the XP90 model, although the camera now has a larger 3inch (920K dot) screen compared to the 2.7inch (460K dot) screen on the XP80, whilst still maintaining a compact size and weight. The design is also improved with a slightly more premium finish and colour detailing.

The camera features a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a wide-angle 5x optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-140mm in 35mm terms, and there is optical image stabilisation built-in, which moves the CMOS sensor to counter camera shake. Wi-Fi is built in and the camera is compatible with the Fujifilm Remote Shooting app.

Read full post here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/fujifilm-finepix-xp90-wp-review-29378

Road to the next Nexus Android : HTC, Daydream, Tango, Valve

Our understanding of the next generation in Google’s Nexus smartphone line has become a bit more clear over the weekend. HTC’s newfound experience with virtual reality may be playing a big role in Google’s approach with the next several generations in Nexus smartphones. Word back in March could end up proving entirely truthful, coming in two forms, at least one per cycle, all made with Android’s Daydream technology built-in. Of course Daydream requires only minimal specifications, and HTC’s already got them on a device elsewhere.

Nexus Tango and Daydream VR

Two Nexus devices, both made with HTC. Google has been making big strides toward a new generation in smartphone technology, one that’ll allow not just virtual reality to become more mainstream than it is today, but one that’ll allow our phones to see how we see. HTC is the ideal partner for making hardware that’ll run with what Google has in mind.

htc-10-sg-32-1

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/road-to-the-next-nexus-android-htc-daydream-tango-valve-20444943/

Huawei’s Honor 5C is a pretty and powerful package, with dual SIM to boot (hands-on)

Huawei offshoot Honor is bringing its latest smartphone to Europe. The Honor 5C is all about wowing potential buyers with the killer combination of high-octane power and an eye-catchingly low price. It’s just £150/$225 in the UK — that converts to about $220 or AU$295, although a release has yet to be announced in the US or Australia.

428201655124PM_635_honor_5c

Available in grey, silver and gold, the phone’s all-metal body is clad in brushed aluminium and from the back is reminiscent of the HTC One M9 — a slick-looking phone that really nailed it in the design department. The square 13-megapixel camera that sits on the rear not only promises to take great photos, but has a special coating that Honor says will reduce glare and prevent fingerprints from causing blur. It’s accompanied by an 8-megapixel selfie snapper on the front.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/huawei-honor-5c-preview/

 

Android Wear 2.0 : Ultimate guide to the major smartwatch update

The new features heading to your Android Wear device later this year

The tenth Google I/O didn’t reveal a new smartwatch for the Android Wear range but we did find out that a huge OS update, dubbed Android Wear 2.0, will be heading to your wrist this fall.

Android Wear 2.0 essential guide

Aimed at “staying connected to what matters,” Android Wear 2.0 will focus on watch faces, messaging and fitness and standalone apps should excite you, especially if you are an iPhone user.

Read on to learn about everything you need to know about Android Wear 2.0…

Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/android-wear/android-wear-update-everything-you-need-to-know-2735

HIFIMAN HE-400S PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES

HiFiMAN has been at the forefront of planar magnetic headphone technology for many years. Several of its headphones have been featured prominently here in Hi-Fi+ by our own Chris Martens. Recently HiFiMAN and its creative leader, Dr. Fang Bian, have been competing tooth and nail with a handful of other top-rated manufacturers in the high end arena and to say they can hold their own is an understatement. The company’s current flagship HE1000’s are without question one of the top headphones at any price in the market today. While it is exciting to see how far up the sonic mountain these top of the line products can reach, for most headphone aficionado’s these prices are prohibitive. Enter the HE400S. Priced at an affordable £249/$299, these comfortable and easy to drive new headphones are just the ticket to get a taste of champagne on a sparkling water budget.


Read full post here:
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hifiman-he-400s-planar-magnetic-headphones/?page=1

Huawei’s MateBook heads to the US on July 11th for $699

Another Surface competitor enters the fray.

Huawei’s Surface competitor, the Matebook, is headed to the US on July 11th starting at $699. Announced back at Mobile World Congress, it’s a 12-inch laptop/tablet hybrid that weighs in at a mere 1.4 pounds and 6.9 millimeters thin. Huawei claims it’s the lightest 12-inch tablet on the market. Even though it’s a hybrid, the Matebook still counts as the company’s first laptop. And as is usually the case with convertibles, there’s a stylus pen accessory with Windows Ink support and 2,048 levels of pressure.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/20/huaweis-matebook-heads-to-the-us-on-july-11th-for-699/#/

2017 Lincoln MKZ and MKZ Hybrid First Drive Review

Want to be a luxury brand these days? Better get in line. Just like every automaker has felt the need to dive head-first into the crossover pool, so goes the desire to push the features needle into the premium red-zone regardless of how affordable a vehicle’s starting price might be. Bravely into this murky environment goes the 2017 Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan, its moxie reinforced by both a redesign and an attitude adjustment under the hood aimed at grabbing the attention at previously-indifferent high end shoppers.

2017 Lincoln MKZ and MKZ Hybrid First Drive

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/2017-lincoln-mkz-and-mkz-hybrid-first-drive-19444827/

HiMedia Q10 Pro Android Media Player Review

HiMedia Q10 Pro Android Media Player Review

What is the HiMedia Q10 Pro?

While not the direct successor to the previously reviewed and well regarded Android media player, the HiMedia Q5, it’s not far from being so. That honour falls to the HiMedia Q5 Pro which is identical, specs wise, to the Q10 Pro only it lacks the hard drive bay the ‘senior’ model has. As an aside, it’s probably Hi time the manufacturer chose some new model numbers; perhaps next year we’ll be getting the Pro-Plus series. The Q10 Pro boasts some impressive features, including being the first media player we’ve reviewed claiming to be able to play back High Dynamic Range (HDR) video. The initial information actually claimed Dolby Vision compatibility but we note that’s subsequently, and unsurprisingly, been dropped. There’s also 4K Ultra HD playback at up to 60 frames per second, 10-bit HEVC decoding, support for HD and hi-res audio formats and auto-frame rate switching to whet the appetite of the ardent AV aficionado. The HiMedia Q10 Pro is currently available via at least one reputable UK dealer, priced at £149.99 so let’s see how it meets the new demands in home video and audio off, rather than on, paper.

Read full post here:
https://www.avforums.com/review/himedia-q10-pro-android-media-player-review.12668

10 Best Android Keyboard Apps

Android Keyboards

Android Keyboards

iOS may have finally adopted the use of third-party keyboards, but Android still leads the way when it comes to customizable, feature-packed keyboard alternatives. But how do you decide what to download? We’ve surveyed the Google Play store for the top options. From smarter predictive typing and highly customizable keyboard layouts to swipe typing, gesture controls and specialized layouts. Here are the 10 best Android keyboards available.

Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/403-best-android-keyboard-apps.html

LINKSYS EA9500 5.3GBPS ROUTER REVIEW

linksys ea max stream ac review

Sometimes, good enough isn’t. If that’s how you feel about your wireless connection, you need to stop using whatever your ISP gave you and look into some of the great routers on the market right now.

Recently we recommended the Linksys EA7500, a straight-forward but powerful router priced at $200. The Linksys EA9500 is a similar device in many ways, but it turns the performance up to eleven. With 5.3 gigabits per second of bandwidth, three separate bands, and eight gigabit LAN ports, there are few consumer routers on the market right now that match the EA9500. 802.11 ac/n/g/a/b compatibility means any wireless device you own can connect without problems.

Of course, all that power has a price: $400. That’s a lot for a piece of technology most people never think about. But if you’re tired of terrible connectivity in your house, or normal routers simply can’t cover the area you’d like, this is the solution.

Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/router-access-point-reviews/linksys-ea9500-max-stream-ac5400-review/

2016 Honda VFR1200X Review

What the hell is this thing anyway? We were all so caffeinated about the new Africa Twin that when Honda offered up the new VFR1200X for us to ride around upon, I had almost forgotten about it. Known as the Crosstourer since 2012 across the pond, here it is now in the U.S., available in six-speed manual form like our tester, or with Honda’s excellent DCT automatic transmission for only $400 more ($15,999).

On paper, it all looks pretty cool. In person, it looks rather large. Honda says this is its “range-topping Adventure Touring bike,” unique in the class by having a V-Four engine. The seat’s 33.5 inches off the deck, meaning my 30-inch legs can just touch toes on both sides, and Honda’s claimed curb weight of 608 pounds is backed up by the official MO scales, which say 612 with a full complement of fluids including 5.68 gallons of fuel. (Honda says the DCT version is 23 pounds heavier than our bike.

Read full post here:
https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/2016-honda-vfr1200x-review.html

A Guide to Computer Ports and Adapters

Today’s computers and mobile devices are available with a wide array of ports, from traditional USB to newfangled Thunderbolt 3 ports. Even if you’re familiar with the most common connectors, it can still be a challenge to figure out what wires or adapters you need in order to plug your device into a monitor, TV, network or peripheral.

A Guide to Computer Ports and Adapters

When you’re shopping for a new laptop, a 2-in-1 or a hulking desktop PC, you’ll also want to keep ports in mind. If you need to attach to a particular type of device on the go, you’ll benefit from having that connector built-in or, at least, knowing what kind of adapter to pair with your new system. That’s why we’ve assembled a comprehensive list of ports, along with the type and cost of adapters you’ll need to use if you don’t have the right connectors on built-in.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/port-and-adapter-guide

Sony X930D Review : 4K HDR Arrives, for a Price

On the leading edge of a new wave of 4K TVs boasting HDR capabilities, Sony’s 55-inch Bravia X930D demonstrates the startling possibilities of the new video format — as well as the potential for confusion among shoppers.

HDR stands for high dynamic range, the ability of a TV to display more colors, better contrast ratios and higher brightness levels compared to standard HD and 4K ultra HD sets. The Sony Bravia X930D uses quantum dot technology to produce what the company claims is a 30 percent wider color gamut. So the TV commands a premium price, around $2,000, for supporting the new format. However, with a paucity of HDR content currently available, you may want to wait before buying this or any HDR set.

Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/sony-xbr55x930d,review-3689.html

Moto X (Play) 2016 sighted on GFXBench, MediaTek inside

Lenovo insisted that news of the Moto X’s death are highly exaggerated. Motorola’s former flagship still caters to a specific market, whatever that may be, and a 4th gen model is still in the works. As if giving credence to that assertion, a new Motorola smartphone was spotted at GFXBench’s website. Based on the model number and less than premium specs, it could be the 2016Moto X Play. Or perhaps the only Moto X for the year. Curiously enough, the smartphone is noted to be running on a MediaTek processor.

image-1438128673-gsmarena_007

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/moto-x-play-2016-sighted-on-gfxbench-mediatek-inside-20444914/

Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 concept – A deeper look into the car [Video]

We knew Rolls-Royce was showing off its Vision Next 100 concept in London, but we were thoroughly unprepared for what we saw. Taking a different approach than parent BMW did with its Vision Next 100 concept, Rolls tried to imagine what the super-luxury clientele of the future would want, versus the performance-minded enthusiast that BMW has traditionally appealed to.

It’s the true essence of what a far-out concept should be: something that truly stirs the imagination, that captivates and arrests your attention because it’s interesting and unexpected. The Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 concept is about ideas, about what life may be like for high-net-worth individuals who may be currently chauffeured.

rolls-royce-vision-next-100-concept-12

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/rolls-royce-vision-next-100-concept-a-deeper-look-into-the-car-video-17444721/

The best Android phones of 2016 – A mid-year comparative overview

Half of the year is almost over and save for some that release two smartphone flagships a year, most Android OEMs have already revealed their hands. That means it’s the perfect time to take stock of some of the crème de la crème that manufacturers have to offer for 2016. Or at least what they consider to be the best. Who gets in and who is left out of the party? Of course, many of them share some similar specs and features, but each does bring something unique to the table, or promise to do so. Without further ado, there are 2016’s stars, in order of appearance (a.k.a. reveal date).

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/the-best-android-phones-of-2016-a-mid-year-comparative-overview-17444743/

2016 Energica Eva First Ride Review

There’s no disputing the Energica Eva is fast. With a claimed torque output of 125.4 lb-ft., Energica’s Eva makes the mightyKTM Super Duke R seem anemic (95.7 lb-ft. at 8,100 rpm). A rider twisting the Eva’s throttle to its stop finds himself on the other side of a wrinkle in time in a gearchange-less rush of quiet acceleration. Repeated often it could reverse the aging process. Or not, but it’s fun to try.

061316-2016-energica-eva-Credit DAMIANO FIORENTINI 5

Our 2014 bike of the year, the Super Duke R, substantially bests the Eva’s horsepower (154 to 95), so, maybe it’s more of a performance wash between the two. That is, until factoring in the Eva’s 617-pound curb weight, and $34,500 MSRP makes a punchline of any comparative analysis.

Read full post here:
https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/energica/2016-energica-eva-first-ride.html

Top 10 Best APS-C Digital SLRs 2016

The Digital SLR or DSLR lets you change your lens, making it a versatile option for those that also want an optical viewfinder. Some of the things to look for on more advanced Digital SLRs is a top LCD screen, which you will find on some models, making it easier to see what the camera settings are. Many of the latest DSLRs also feature built in Wi-Fi making it easy to transfer photos to your smartphone or tablet.

These cameras all feature an APS-C sized sensor, also known as crop sensor. Make sure you click the name to read the full reviews to find out the pros and cons of each model shown below, and how we score the cameras.

Read full post here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-13-best-aps-c-digital-slrs-2017-28422

macOS Sierra vs Windows 10 : Why Apple Wins

While Microsoft’s Windows 10 Anniversary edition and macOS Sierra are still in beta stages of development both companies have shown their vision for the next year in computing. We already know a lot about their interfaces, search integration, web browsing, multitasking  and other key features. But the question remains, which desktop operating system reigns supreme?

We’ve compared both operating systems as they stand today, and how the companies promise they will evolve in this year’s updates, so you can see which platform is best for you.



Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/macos-vs-windows10

Arcam Solo Music review

Sometimes it’s easier to have everything in one package – all-inclusive holidays, or microwave meals, for example. But when it comes to hi-fi, there are benefits of having a system of separates over a one-box solution, mostly in terms of absolute audio quality and future upgrade opportunities.

However, for those put off by convoluted system-matching, or who don’t have room to house multiple boxes and trailing wires, single-box solutions certainly have their place.

There are budget micro systems, like the Award-winning Denon D-M40DAB, and high-end all-in-ones, such as the Cyrus Lyric 09, but anyone looking for a premium just-add-speakers system to be at the centre of their hi-fi and home cinema entertainment should take a look at the Arcam Solo Music.

Having been around for over a decade, Arcam’s Solo range initially garnered success with compact systems such as the original Solo and Movie 5.1, which both picked up five-star reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards, before evolving to include a networked system and more recently a soundbar.

Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/arcam/solo-music/review