Monthly Archives: June 2016

Top 10 Best Action Cameras 2016

Action cameras are compact, can be easy to use, and are designed to be attached to a number of different surfaces, whether you want to record yourself driving, riding a bike, surfing, paragliding, or more. Most of them are waterproof or have waterproof cases available, so that you can use them underwater or in places where they might get wet or dirty.

If you’re looking for an action camera, there are a number of different things to take into consideration, depending what you want from the camera. Here we run through some of the questions you might want to think about when choosing an action camera.

Read full post here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/best-action-and-360-vr-cameras-2018-29465

ThinkPad X1 Carbon vs T460s : Which ‘Thin Pad’ Reigns Supreme?

If you want an extremely light and powerful business laptop with a generous display, Lenovo has two compelling 14-inch options in the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and the ThinkPad T460s. Both ThinkPads offer durable, MIL-SPEC-tested chassis, strong performance and high-res screen options. Neither system is cheap, as the T460s starts at $980 and the X1 Carbon base model goes for $1,142, but both notebooks justify the premium for demanding users.

Which 14-inch, lightweight ThinkPad is best for you? To help you decide, we’ve pitted the ThinkPad X1 Carbon against the ThinkPad T460s in a seven-round showdown.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon vs T460s: Which 'Thin Pad' Reigns Supreme?


Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/thinkpad-x1-carbon-vs-thinkpad-t460s

Popcorn Hour A-500 Media Player Review

What is the Popcorn Hour A-500?

The Popcorn Hour A-500 is a Linux based media streamer and a follow up to the company’s VTEN device which, in itself, was the latest in a long line of media players, given that manufacturer Cloud Media (formally Syabas) have been in this product sector almost since the beginning. The product reviewed here is not to be confused with the A-500 Pro, which recently came to market on the back of Kickstarter campaign although they do share many of the same credentials.

On paper, the A-500 is a near holy grail of a product for those that like to stream their locally stored media collections with support for 4K and 3D video, including menus and subtitles, HD audio passthrough and gapless hi-res audio playback among the feature set. All of that functionality comes at a price, of course, with the Popcorn Hour A-500 available for around £168/$252 – so it’s not the cheapest – but if it does all that it says on the spec sheet, it’s a sure fire winner and a more plug ‘n’ play alternative to boxes using KODI as a media player and organiser. Let’s see how it fares.

Read full post here:
https://www.avforums.com/review/popcorn-hour-a-500-media-player-review.12623

10 point-and-shoot cameras that make your smartphone look sad

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What’s the best point-and-shoot camera? Technically, it’s the smartphone you’re carrying in your pocket. Thanks to improved camera tech, iPhones and the like have overtaken the traditional digital camera as everybody’s favorite go-to gadget for capturing our everyday moments, essentially becoming today’s modern point-and-shoot. It appears that neither adding Wi-Fi or lowering prices could stop the declining sales of the pocket camera of yesteryear.

A few short years ago, we thought the point-and-shoot’s days were over. (What’s a point-and-shoot? It’s used to describe an all-in-one pocket camera with a fixed lens that’s easy to use, but it could also include larger long-zoom shooters or advanced models that could rival DSLRs. in image quality). Companies were cutting models or pulling out of the sector entirely. Sony, which manufacturers a significant percentage of camera sensors, saw overall sales of point-and-shoot cameras continue to decline — year over year — based on its research.

Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/best-point-and-shoot-cameras/

 

 

Huawei Matebook will launch in North America soon

Huawei Matebook will launch in North America soon

The 2-in-1 Huawei Matebook is destined for a North America launch and it’ll be happening in the near future, according to reports that have surfaced. The device was first introduced in February of this year, and is akin to the Surface and other tablet-and-keyboard convertible devices. The Matebook will be offered in various configurations with the entry-level version being priced at $699 USD. As well, Huawei will make some accessories available, such as the Mate Pen.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/huawei-matebook-will-launch-in-north-america-soon-17444826/

Lenovo Ideapad 710S Review

The thin and light Lenovo Ideapad 710S offers a lot for only $799. The ultraportable laptop sports a nimble Core i5 processor, strong sound and a bright, vivid 13.3-inch display that helps it stand out from the pack. While its keyboard layout may confuse some users at first and we’d rather Lenovo knock it off with the bloatware, the Ideapad 710S is a serious contender for your next ultraportable notebook.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-710s

 

Kodak PIXPRO SP360-4K Review

1/60 sec | f/2.8 | 32.0 mm | ISO 400

The Kodak SP360-4K is an update to the SP360, and offers 4K video at 30fps, as well as a wider-angle 360×235 degree lens. The SP360-4K is available on it’s own or as a twin pack for a full 360×360 degree view once the videos are stitched together.

Features

Kodak PIXPRO SP360 4K (4)

Kodak PIXPRO cameras, are produced under licence by JK Imaging Ltd, and they were one of the first manufacturers to offer a 360 ultra-wide-angle camera with the original Kodak PIXPRO SP360. With the SP360-4K the lens is a 235 degree fisheye lens, which is extremely wide-angle, considering even a wide fisheye lens such as the Lensbaby Fisheye is 185 degrees.

The camera features a 12 megapixel sensor, and can take 8 megapixel still images. The camera has a number of different shooting modes and options, which can all be set on the built in LCD screen. You can output video to Facebook, YouTube, or view with a VR headset.

Read full post here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/kodak-pixpro-sp360-4k-review-29382

LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS Review

Over the past week we’ve been building the LEGO Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a masterpiece in top-level building-blocks construction. This set is 2,704 pieces large, and it’s going to take you a few hours to construct, regardless of your skill level. This is the sort of set you put together in your spare moments – or something you spend an entire weekend on. Either way, you’ll find this vehicle ending up filling up your desk at 6” (17cm) high, 22” (57cm) long and 9” (25cm) wide.

Welcome to Father’s Day. Or a rather late Mother’s Day. Either way, you’re looking at the ideal gift for any lover of fine vehicles, especially if they like the idea of building said cars from the ground up.

Building this vehicle with LEGO Technic pieces over the course of several days gave me a greater appreciation for the intense scrutiny with which every single piece is placed. This does not feel like Jabba’s Sail Barge or even the much more massive MetalBeard’s Sea Cow. This set is no longer just a toy.

boxy


Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lego-technic-porsche-911-gt3-rs-review-17444781/

The new Astro A50 adds customisation to an already great headset

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The popular Astro A50 gaming headset, first released in 2012, is getting an upgrade, with the company bringing the customisation from the A40 to the flagship headphones.

The originals were extremely comfortable but at the time I called out the slightly flimsy stand, and the revamped version does away with it entirely, replacing it with a base station that handles charging, transmitting and pairing. It’s got Dolby 7.1 and three EQ presets that can be personally customised via the Astro proprietary software. And of course they’re still light, and in the short time I played with them they felt very comfortable. The A50s use the 5GHz spectrum and have a range of 30 feet.

The other big difference is the removable earcups and headband, similar to the Astro A40 TR. This lets you customise the headset for comfort and colour. Unlike the A40’s however, the speaker backs can’t be swapped — Astro says it’s because of the wireless technology not playing well with the magnets used to snap the customisable bits in play.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/astro-a50-wireless-gaming-headset-2016-preview/

NuForce BE6i Wireless Bluetooth Earphones Review

Executive Overview

The BE6i, a wireless in-ear monitor by NuForce, is the successor of the BE6. It was built to be an improvement in a few vital areas, including – of course – audio quality. But the BE6 is a formidable act to follow. It came out just last year to all-around positive reviews. Today, BE6i wants to be your next fully wireless IEM, for the office, gym or just kicking back and listening to tunes. Let’s take a closer look to determine if it’s up for the task.

“We created the BE6i in-ear headphones based on feedback from our users – audio enthusiasts want a high quality sound experience that fits their active lifestyles,” said Jyri Jokirinta, NuForce product marketing manager. “By combining a lightweight, sleek and durable design with a long battery life and improved sound, we are providing a rich listening experience that fits any listener’s on-the-go life.”

Read full post here:
https://www.audioholics.com/headphone-reviews/nuforce-be6i-wireless-bluetooth-earphones

 

 

Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R field test

After six months of using the Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R to shoot a variety of subjects, from product photography and wildlife to a wedding, Callum McInerney-Riley reveals how the cameras performed

Like many Canon owners, when rumours of a new 5D began to circulate I was rubbing my hands together with excitement for the long-awaited EOS 5D Mark IV. My wish list would include superb autofocus and a full-frame sensor with great detail and high ISO performance, as well as excellent signal-to-noise ratio. However, the specs revealed a very different camera to what I was expecting. It wasn’t an EOS 5D Mark IV but two closely related high resolution cameras – the Canon EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R.

Read full post here:
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/canon-eos-5ds

 

Razer’s OSVR headset is still a work in progress

The HDK 2.0 is moving in the right direction, though.

When Razer announced the latest version of its HDK (“Hacker Development Kit”) virtual reality headset, it positioned it as a competitor to premium devices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. On paper, that’s very much true: the HDK 2.0 has a 2,160 x 1,200 low-persistence OLED panel, a 110-degree field of view and a 90Hz refresh rate. It also has a low price of $399, which is way less than the Rift’s $599 and Vive’s $799 (both headsets come with accessories that go a way to explaining the price difference).

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/17/razer-osvr-hdk-2-photos-video/#/

 

(engadget.com, https://goo.gl/II6IJq)

Monster Blaster Bluetooth Boombox

THE VERDICT
The Monster Blaster will shock you (and your neighbors) with its powerful sound.

As I removed the Monster Blaster from its box, I felt like I was lifting a dumbbell from the rack. Seriously, the thing weighs about 17 pounds, and it’s built like a tank, ready for the rough and tumble of outdoor use.

And when I say rough and tumble, I’m not kidding. If you buy the Blaster from monsterproducts.com, it’s covered by a lifetime warranty with “one time, no-fault replacement.” As Monster explains on its website: “If the Blaster has any issues (your fault or ours), return the product and get a replacement.” Buy it elsewhere, and you get the one-year standard warranty.

Read full post here:
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/monster-blaster-bluetooth-boombox#0S7Xl0vxetBxogas.97

 

 

Hands-on : Turtle Beach’s New Gear Targets Livestreamers, VR Junkies

Livestreaming and virtual reality are two of gaming’s biggest trends, and Turtle Beach wants to make sure you’re well equipped for both. The company debuted two promising new gadgets at E3: the Stream Mic, which promises high-quality microphone audio for even the most novice streamers, and the Stealth 350VR, a lightweight headset built to work seamlessly with your VR device of choice.

The Stealth 350VR is intentionally minimal, with a plastic black-and-white design that should pair seamlessly with the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive or PlayStation VR. This headset promises 30 hours of battery-powered amplification and variable bass boost, complete with on-ear controls that should make it easier to make adjustments while fully immersed.

Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/turtle-beach-stream-mic-stealth-350vr,news-22858.html

Garmin Vivomove review

As a first attempt at making a smart analogue watch, the Garmin Vivomove gets a lot of things right. It looks like a nice watch first and foremost and while it could benefit from a slightly slimmer design, there’s very few complaints to be made here. What really impresses in comparison to similarly priced rivals is the fitness tracker integration. The Move bar is well integrated and we like the addition of the indoor run tracking. There’s always room for improvement, particularly in the software department, but if you want something that looks like a watch and adds tracking in a subtle and elegant way, the Vivomove is definitely worth considering.



Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/garmin/garmin-vivomove-review

Canon patent for EF 24-105mm f/4 zoom lens

Canon has patented a new zoom lens in Japan. The new optic describes the EF 24-105mm f/4 standard zoom model designed for Canon DSLRs with full-frame image sensors.

This is a standard zoom lens with a 24-105mm focal range and f/4 maximum aperture for Canon EOS SLR cameras. Canon has the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM with Image Stabilizer technology steadies camera shake at up to 3 stops. It also has ring-type USM system delivers silent but quick autofocus. 

The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM wide-angle to portrait-length telephoto lens from Canon is currently priced for $999 at camera stores.

Read full post here:
http://www.dailycameranews.com/2016/06/canon-ef-24-105mm-f4-patent/

 

Holden Commodore Calais V v Subaru Liberty 3.6R Comparison

The Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon were long the default options for families wanting a bucketload of space, a sporty drive and a powerful six-cylinder engine. And let’s not forget the somewhat less inspiring Toyota Aurion, too.

Holden Commodore Calais V v Subaru Liberty 3.6R Comparison

Sometimes forgotten though, and somewhat pushed off to the side, is the mid-sized Subaru Liberty — especially in 3.6R guise, which teams a meaty six-cylinder engine with all-wheel-drive prowess.

So we grabbed the 2016 Holden Commodore Calais V and 2016 Subaru Liberty 3.6R and hit the road to see which makes the better family sedan.

Read full post here:
https://www.caradvice.com.au/453814/holden-commodore-calais-v-v-subaru-liberty-3-6r-comparison/

 

 

7 Computer Pranks That Will Drive Your Friends Crazy

Most people would hate it if someone messed with their laptop. It’s an expensive productivity tool, and someone screwing around with it could cost time, work or even hundreds of dollars.

credit roman samborskyi shutterstock 430146373

But if you’ve got a rebellious streak (or a grudge), there are ways to escalate your interoffice prank war by changing a few settings on someone else’s computer. Just remember, if you can do it to them, they may be able to do it to you, too.

DISCLAIMER: Try these at your own risk. They’re fun if your friends and co-workers have a sense of humor, but they can also get you fired for messing with company hardware. Don’t be a jerk, and pick your victims very carefully.

Here are some of our favorite PC pranks.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/best-computer-pranks

Apple iOS 10 preview

UPDATED: Thanks to WWDC, we know loads of new details about the next batch of iPhone software

What’s better than the latest iOS 9.3 update? A free shipping container of Krispy Kremes? A puppy that does the washing up? How about iOS 10?

With Apple’s WWDC 2016 knees-up done and dusted, and a preview of iOS 10 one of the main attractions, we now know a heck of a lot more about the iPhone’s next big platform update than we did. Let’s dive in and see what’s coming.

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/apple/ios-10/review

 

Best Sonos speakers – reviewed

Want to listen to music as if your favourite band is playing in your living room? Then there are few better options than a Sonos wireless speaker.

The American audio manufacturer’s products always look great, work effortlessy with your smartphone and, most importantly, boom out your tunes with dazzling finesse. Trouble is, Sonos makes a fair few speakers these days. From the compact Play:1 to the luxurious Playbar that’ll boost your TV’s sound quality, you may well be wondering which Sonos is right for you.

Don’t worry, we’ve reviewed the best of them to help you decide. With our help and the abuse of a few volume buttons, you’ll be annoying the hell out of your neighbours in no time.

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/me/features/best-sonos-speakers-reviewed

Best HTC Vive games : Incredible SteamVR experiences to play right now

We’ve been playing with the full consumer version of the HTC Vivevirtual reality headset for the best part of a week and will soon be posting our extensive review. However, before we do we wanted to share our thoughts on some of the games and experiences currently available on Steam that work wonderfully with the new device.

We’ve been working our way through everything that works or is native to the HTC Vive, having downloaded them on Steam. That includes games that have incorporated Vive compatibility even if they are usually played in 2D.



Read full post here:
https://www.pocket-lint.com/ar-vr/buyers-guides/137334-best-htc-vive-games-vr-demos-and-virtual-reality-experiences-to-buy-and-download

MacBook Slayer? HP Spectre Is World’s Thinnest Laptop

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You know something’s special when it goes by a single name. So like Madonna and Bono, HP’s Spectre is one of a kind. Measuring just 0.4 inches thick (10.4mm) and weighing only 2.45 pounds, the 13.3-inch Spectre is the slimmest laptop ever made. Available for preorder April 25th (on HP.com and Best Buy) and starting at $1,169, this slim black-and-copper system looks like a very strong competitor to the 12-inch MacBook and Dell XPS 13.

spectre lead

The Spectre thrashes every other notebook in terms of thinness, and with components including a full HD screen, Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage, it’s no slouch in the specs department either. And unlike the 12-inch Macbook, HP found room for not one, but three USB Type-C ports on the Spectre’s superthin body, two of which support Thunderbolt 3.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/hp-spectre-specs-price

2016 Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA Review

Ever since Triumph announced its 2016 model line atEICMA, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the updated Tiger Explorer line. As we’ve noted before, the Explorer models have been divided between the XR models, which receives more street-oriented cast wheels, and the XCmodels, featuring dirt-friendly wire-spoke wheels. All Explorer models are based on the same platform (meaning the same engine, basic suspension specs and wheel sizes) with the designations signifying trim packages. The Explorer XCA tested here represents the top of the Explorer line.



Read full post here:
https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/triumph/triumph-tiger/2016-triumph-tiger-explorer-xca-review.html

Coolpad Max Review : Mighty fine, but a tad expensive

Coolpad are usually known for their budget phones, but the Chinese phone maker recently pulled off a bit of a surprise by launching the Coolpad Max smartphone in India recently.

It’s not really budget, priced at 24,999 INR ($375), the same price at which you can get a Xiaomi Mi 5. It is definitely a risk that Coolpad are taking, since it’s the 7-8,000 INR phones that the brand is best known for. That said, how does the Coolpad Max fare with its metal body and $375 price tag? Let’s have a check…



Read full post here:
https://www.gizchina.com/2016/06/16/coolpad-max-review/

LG OLED65E6V review

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You may have already clocked the LG OLED65E6V’s rather dear asking price. You may well, by now, be mid-sigh, thinking what a shame it is that you’d have to cough up £5000 to get your hands on LG’s flagship 65in TV. Well, you’ll need to think again.

Because this OLED TV actually sits just underneath the mothership model, the LG G6 Signature, which is another £1000/$1500 more.

There’s no hint of the LG E6 OLED being any kind of second-best on the spec sheet, though. (In fact, its big brother justifies its superior status only with a more advanced speaker system.)

This TV has a 4K OLED panel that supports HDR and Dolby Vision (the ‘other’ HDR format), and qualifies for the Ultra HD Premium club, meaning it ticks boxes for 10-bit colour depth and BT.2020 colour space, has a minimum 540-nit peak brightness and less than 0.0005 nits black level. (In layman’s terms, it can go pretty bright and very, very black.)

And while we doubt 3D support is a deal-breaker for many people nowadays, it is also present on this LG’s feature sheet.

Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/lg/oled65e6v/review

 

HANDS ON : APPLE WATCHOS 3 BETA

WatchOS 3 breathes new life into the Apple Watch, quite literally
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WatchOS 3 steams out many of the remaining wrinkles in the always evolving Apple Watch.

Apple’s first version of WatchOS wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and compared to Android Wear at the time, it was downright genius. However, two big problems plagued the Apple Watch and its software: speed and simplicity. WatchOS was just too damn slow and too damn complicated. We’re pleased to say that Apple has fixed both problems in one go with WatchOS 3.

We got the beta software on our Apple Watch to find out if our apps would finally load and if the Apple Watch would finally be as easy and intuitive to use as the iPhone. But first, we had to download the Minnie Mouse watch face, which is really the best part (kidding … or am I?).

Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/apple-watchos-3-review/#/13

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Review – Silicon Valley on wheels

It’s a blessing and a curse to be the benchmark by which all others are judged, but theMercedes-Benz S-Class shoulders its obligations well. Launched first in 1972, and now in its sixth generation, the beefy sedan has always possessed a perhaps unusual duality. On the one hand, it’s the go-to vehicle for comfortable wafting, but on the other it’s a high-tech test bed for the latest and greatest Stuttgart’s geniuses can come up with.

No version encapsulates that dual personality quite like the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC. Even for a car fan who’s also a huge geek like myself, it’s bordering on overload. Big screens are now increasingly commonplace in cars, so the S550 throws in two of them; massage seats are filtering down to the premium mainstream, so the S550 gets faux hot stone treatments. Think of a buzzword or gadget in the automotive space over the past few years, and this S-Class probably has it, cranked up to 11.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/2016-mercedes-benz-s550-review-silicon-valley-on-wheels-16444477/

 

 

Exo360 Drone Comes With Five Cameras For Shooting 360-Degree Content

From the GoPro Omni to the Lytro Immerge to everything in between, we’ve seen a growing number of 360-degree cameras for capturing VR-ready content. And, yes, you can probably mount some of them on your favorite drones for shooting 360-degree aerial videos. Of course, you can make your life simpler by just using the Exo360, an upcoming drone with integrated cameras that shoot spherical aerial footage.

Armed with five cameras (four horizontal, one vertical), the drone shoots five sets of footage that can be electronically stitched into a single 360-degree video after each session. Stitching is done via a software integrated into the drone (you can activate it once you retrieve the drone), with the final footage stored on the onboard SD card, so you simply insert that into a computer for performing any modifications.

exo360-drone-2
Read full post here:
https://www.coolthings.com/exo360-drone-five-cameras-360-degree-video/

HiFiMan Edition X Headphones Review

 

THE VERDICT
The HiFiMan Edition X are high-resolution headphones that tell an emotionally fulfilling and balanced version of the truth about your music files.

Head-fi is somehow more personal than hi-fi or home theater. I may love my loudspeakers, but I don’t wear them on my head. Speakers bring music into my room; headphones bring music into my head, and voices in my head are the very definition of personal. So if the sound of my fairly stable main system is aesthetically consequential, the sound of my constantly rotating head-fi system is emotionally charged. That may explain the intensity of my bond with the HiFiMan Edition X headphones. The look pushes my bling buttons, and the sound brings me closer to music—close to what I love, to my original motive for getting into audiophilia in the first place.

Read full post here:
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hifiman-edition-x-headphones-review#XZZHgrQYBoIBw6MM.97

 

Skyrocket Toys Sky Viper v950STR & v950HD Drone Review

Design

The v950 is a light, flexible drone that feels rather flimsy, but if you crash a lot, that could be a good thing. The plastic-like body is constructed from Duraflex (a combination of fiberglass, plastic and flexible resin) that bends very easily. Using only light pressure, I bent the arms where the motors are mounted. And although they’re malleable enough to twist and flex in flight — which can make the drone hard to control — it also means the arms didn’t break despite numerous crashes.

Credit: Richard Baguley

Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/skyrocket-toys-sky-viper,review-3701.html