Monthly Archives: September 2016

Quick review : Apexel 8mm fisheye lens for smartphones

Fixed focal length lenses are one of the key limitations of smartphone cameras. So it’s no surprise that add-on lenses, which allow you to vary the focal length, are among the most popular smartphone accessories.

We have had the chance to test one of the more extreme variants, the Apexel 8mm fisheye lens, which provides a whopping 238-degree field-of-view. The lens comes with a clip that makes it very easy and quick to attach to most mobile devices – Apexel claims it is compatible with 98% of all smartphones – but we’ve found it to work best with the latest generation Apple iPhones, as the back of the lens slots onto the iPhone’s lens protrusion, where it is firmly held in place. On other devices, without a protruding camera-module, things can get a little more difficult and you might have to optimize the position of the lens by moving it around very slightly until you find a position that gives the best image quality.

Read full post here:
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/8491327862/apexel-8mm-fisheye-lens-for-smartphones

2016 Audi Q3 vs. 2016 BMW X1, 2017 Infiniti QX30, 2016 Lexus NX200t, 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 – Comparison Tests

Just as LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavalier forward, is far more likable than LeBron James, the Miami Heat forward, a hatchback called a crossover trumps a two-box vehicle by any other name. It’s a matter of selling perception as much as a tangible product, and Americans have fully bought in.

With the crossover elbowing out the sedan as the vehicle of choice for the everyman, the smallest, most affordably priced premium utes now serve as the entrée to ­luxury-brand ownership. Simulta­neously, the perpetual upward ­trajectory of vehicle sizes and prices has left a gaping hole for a class of tiny crossovers below the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Lexus RX. These smallest crossovers start around $36,000, with all-wheel drive optional if not standard and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four the consensus powertrain.

BMW launched this burgeoning segment in the U.S. in 2013 with the X1, then completely rethought its approach three short years later. While the current X1 is only all-wheel drive (for the time being, at least), its dubious distinction as the first BMW in the States built on a front-wheel-drive architecture riles loyalists who cringe at the inevitability of front-drive BMWs. For this class, though, where driving dynamics take a back seat to comfort, convenience features, and, well, the back seat itself, it’s hard to argue with BMW’s decision. Our test car was loaded with $10,125 worth of options, including a self-parking feature, a Harman/Kardon stereo, and a massive panoramic glass roof for a total of $45,920.



Read full post here:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-audi-q3-quattro-vs-2016-bmw-x1-xdrive28i-2017-infiniti-qx30-awd-2016-lexus-nx200t-f-sport-awd-2016-mercedes-benz-gla250-4matic-comparison-test

 

be quiet Dark Base Pro 900 review – a Transformers or simply a case with infinite capabilities

Image result for be quiet Dark Base Pro 900

We are really happy to have received a very rare computer case – be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900. You may be wondering why we used the word “rare” – well, it’s because the model sold like hotcakes in Europe, and it may be temporarily unavailable in some countries. It is namely for this reason that we decided to share with you a few words on the merits of this case, and disclose before your eyes the putting together of a BTX configuration. So if you want to learn more about Dark Base Pro 900, take some time and enjoy this review.

You can visit our YouTube channel and watch our be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 – full assembly video, and if you like the content, you can give us a thumbs up and hit that “Subscribe” button. Before beginning the review itself, we would like to tell you a few words about the hardware components that you will see in the lines below. The processor we used is Intel Core i5-6600K and, by some chance, for its cooling we resorted to be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3. Additionally, in our review you will find a GeForce GTX 1080 GameRock Premium Edition – we figured that the second most powerful NVIDIA GPU would be the best graphics card both for the tests conducted below and the overall appearance of the configuration.

Read full post here:
https://laptopmedia.com/review/be-quiet-dark-base-pro-900-review-a-transformers-or-simply-a-case-with-infinite-capabilities/

Yuneec Breeze 4K hands-on review

It might have been the silver medallist in the drone race for the last few years, but the Breeze 4K might be exactly what Yuneec needs to rip the top spot away from DJI.

This compact ‘copter is half the cost of a flagship Phantom, but it’ll still shoot 4K video, and let you rack up flight time without having to lug a load of extra equipment around with you while you’re at it.

Instead, you just need your phone – Yuneec’s app takes care of the rest. The very reasonable price should open the skies up to less experienced pilots, too.

I was given some pretty serious no-fly orders at IFA, but I’ve seen one in action, and it looks like a ton of fun.

COME FLY WITH ME

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/yuneec/breeze-4k/review

Apple iPhone 7 preview : UPDATED

UPDATED: Analyst drops some last-minute predictions about new colour finishes and more

Apple’s September iPhone 7 launch feels like a long way off, but any seasoned gadget fan knows that the rumour mill will only pick up steam as each day passes.

As always, it’s best to take the rumours with a pinch of salt, but they’re still useful in painting a rough picture of what we can expect to see come launch day.

We’ll be updating this preview with all the latest news, as and when we get it, so don’t forget to check back for your regular iFix.

APPLE IPHONE 7 DESIGN: HIT THE ROAD, JACK

Given that the iPhone 7 is coming off the back of an ’s’ version, we expect to see some design changes.

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/apple/iphone-7/review

Audeze iSine 10 hands-on review

Shrinking down high quality speakers into in-ear headphones that sound just as good? That’s impressive. Do it with planar magnetic tech? That’s almost unbelievable.

Audeze has pulled it off, though. It’s the first company in the world to squeeze planar magnetic drivers into a pair of buds, instead of bulky on-ears or listen-at-home over-ear cans.

There’s a catch, of course. The iSine 10s are colossal compared to your regular old in-ears, sitting more outside your ear than in it. Get used to the fit, though, and these are some serious sounding headphones.

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SINE ME UP

The buds fall somewhere between “stylised Millennium Falcon” and “spider’s web”, with a flashy geometric pattern, black finish and silver accents. Yeah, they look bling-tastic, and you’ll easily turn heads if you wear them out in public.

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/audeze/isine-10/review

4K on Sky Q – can you tell the difference?

Spoiler alert: it sort of depends on what you’re watching

Got Sky Q and an Ultra HD TV? Then you probably know you get 4K for free. Got one but not the other? Then you’re probably wondering if it’s worth upgrading.

Well wonder no more. We’ve wallowed in front of the TV so you don’t have to, getting square eyes from live Premier League football, Sky Cinema’s on-demand movies and downloadable Ultra HD box sets, in order to tell you whether it really makes any difference.

So, does it?

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/features/4k-sky-q-can-you-tell-difference

Which Chromebook is right for you?

Congratulations on taking the brave forward step from the pedestrian world of laptops and into the glimmering cloud-domain of Chromebooks. As a certain centuries-old knight once said to Indiana Jones: you have chosen wisely.

There are myriad benefits to switching across to a Chrome-based device, but discovering that a traditional laptop isn’t for you is only half the battle: Not all Chromebooks are born equal, and though they mostly occupy the ‘budget browser’ space within the world of portable computing, they also come in many shapes and sizes.

Chrome OS is the lightest of operating systems, but with the imminent addition of Android apps and a slew of manufacturers creating their own versions of the device, there’s an increasing variety of devices and ever expanding uses for Google’s platform.

Now more than ever the Chromebook is a viable alternative to a Windows laptop or Macbook. But if you’re wondering which one is for you, allow us to guide you.

Read full post here:
https://www.stuff.tv/features/which-chromebook-right-you

Sony Xperia XZ vs Xperia Z5: What’s the difference?

Sony was one of the only manufacturers left to announce a new flagship in 2016, until IFA anyway.

The company has now released its latest Xperia flagship smartphone – the Xperia XZ – which is in fact the fifth smartphone to appear from the company this year alone.

Sony scrapped the “Z” series at Mobile World Congress and marked the “X” series as its future, meaning the Xperia XZ is the successor the Xperia Z5, but how do they compare and what are the differences?

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The Sony Xperia XZ follows the same OmniBalance design Sony smartphones are distinguished by, but it opts for a flatter and squarer top and bottom. The side edges are rounded like the current X series, with the right side featuring the power button and the built-in fingerprint sensor.

Read full post here:
https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/buyers-guides/sony-mobile/138505-sony-xperia-xzs-vs-xz-vs-xperia-z5-what-s-the-difference

 

Sony LSPX-S1 Glass Sound Speaker review

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Sony’s Glass Sound Speaker is part of a new line of really cool looking but pricey products from Sony’s Life Space UX division, which also includes light bulb speakers and short-throw projectors.

As a half wireless Bluetooth speaker, half lantern with a dimmable LED bulb that mimics a flame, it’s got double mood setting potential. It an also be moved around freely because it’s got an integrated rechargeable battery that gives you around four hours of music playback, depending on the volume level. You can also just leave it plugged in if there’s an outlet nearby.

It’s one of those products you really want as soon as you see it, but its $800 price tag is an instant buzzkill unless you happen to be a lottery winner or a Kardashian. That price roughly converts to £600 in the UK and AU$1,050 in Australia.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/sony-lspx-s1-review/

Seiko Prospex SRP777 Dive Watch Review

Every now and then a new watch manages to vibrate at just the right frequency to perk the ears of the general watch enthusiast base. Rustling the fault line of watch enthusiasm takes a special watch, one that offers a hard-to-quantify mix of design, function, price, history, and the secret-sauce of enthusiast appeal. With an accessible price point, proven design, strong functionality and a dollop of that undeniable Seiko diver charm, the new Seiko Prospex SRP777 has quickly become the darling of Instagrammers, desk-divers, and general sport watch enthusiasts since its release late last year. No other brand manages to offer a better sport watch for less of your hard-earned money, and Seiko wisely builds upon the success of each model generation, evolving their product to reflect their ability, history, technology, and core strengths. Inspired by a Seiko diver from the mid-Seventies, the Seiko Prospex SRP777 and its siblings are a direct nod to Seiko’s past and a successful and unironic play in the ongoing trend of “new vintage” watches.

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Read full post here:
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/seiko-prospex-srp777-dive-watch-review/

Insta360 Nano review: The 360-degree camera for iPhone

If you use Facebook, you’ll have slowly noticed a number of “360” videos appearing in your timeline – videos that encompass a full 360-degree view and put you in control of the playback navigation.

There are a number of ways to capture 360 videos and photos, ranging from handheld devices that cost a couple of hundred pounds, through to professional rigs that will set you back thousands of pounds.

The Insta360 Nano is, as the name suggests, a small 360-degree camera that connects to your iPhone 6 or 6S and uses the phone’s screen to allow you to frame the picture or video before sharing your 360 moments on social media.

But can the Insta360 Nano still produce good results given its size and price? We’ve been snapping and filming to find out.

The Insta360 Nano is well-built and tiny. The add-on device measures 110mm x 33mm x 21mm and clips onto your iPhone via the Lightning connector. That’s why it’s not compatible with earlier versions.

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Read full post here:
https://www.pocket-lint.com/cameras/reviews/138572-insta360-nano-review-the-360-degree-camera-for-iphone

Lens Comparison : Tamron 15-30 F/2.8 VC Vs. Canon 16-35 F/4 IS

Those of you who follow my lens reviews may already know that this comparison of the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 VC and the Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS has been in the works for a year already. Because of the different focal length ranges and maximum apertures, getting comparable images was difficult. I started shooting for it in July of 2015, and finished in late winter of 2016. I used two different Canon 16-35 f/4L IS lenses during that time, but they gave me consistent results.

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Regardless, the two lenses remain similarly priced, with the Tamron priced around $1200 and the Canon now down to just under $1000 (while the old f/2.8 II model without image stabilization costs $1500) and would be my top two choices for Canon at this focal length range.

The three lenses used in the video, from left to right: Tamron 15-30 f/2.8, Canon 16-35 f/4, Tokina 16-28 f/2.8

The three lenses used in the video, from left to right: Tamron 15-30 f/2.8, Canon 16-35 f/4, Tokina 16-28 f/2.8

Read full post here:
https://www.lightandmatter.org/2016/equipment-reviews/lens-comparisons-equipment-reviews/lens-comparison-tamron-15-30-f2-8-vc-vs-canon-16-35-f4-is/

Garmin Forerunner 35 first look review : A feature-packed running watch on a budget

With the Forerunner 630 serving up advanced running metrics at the top end of the Garmin GPS running watch family, the Forerunner 35 (natural successor to the Forerunner 25), sits firmly at the bottom.

Kết quả hình ảnh cho Garmin Forerunner 35 first look

But there’s enough on board to keep even the most serious runners satisfied. Along with built-in GPS, there’s Garmin’s Elevate optical heart rate monitor for 24/7 tracking and measuring the intensity of your workouts. You’ll get smart notification support as well and all day activity and sleep tracking.

Where you do have to make compromises is on the basic running data it records (pace, distance and time), lack of Connect IQ support and some missing sport modes that’s wrapped up in a not so pretty design.

It looks a lot like last year’s Vivoactive with the similarly square bezel winning the battle for space with a 0.93-inch 128 x 128 screen. It’s not particularly high res, and is a haven for fingerprint smudges so you’ll need to regularly give it a wipe down.

Surrounding the display are a set of four physical buttons, and the most interesting addition here is the inclusion of a dedicated music control button. Unsurprisingly, there’s no storage to stream music from the watch, but you can control music playback from your phone.

Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/garmin/garmin-forerunner-35-review

SENNHEISER HD 640 VB HEADPHONES

The top HD range from Sennheiser is the brand’s home audiophile range, but the pivotal word is ‘home’. Open backed designs that need good upstream amps and DACs to drive them, the HD 500, HD 600, and HD 800 series are not really models for travelling and commuting: I do know someone who travels with a Chord Hugo powering a pair of HD 800, but he uses that rig in the hotel room rather than in transit. The HD 630VB is the exception – it’s every bit a part of the HD range, but folds away, comes in a travel case, and even includes an in‑line microphone.

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The rounded, closed-back, over ear HD 630VBs are neatly finished in (mostly brushed) silver and dark blue-grey, with red contrasting cloth inside the ear-cups. The cups and headband are high-grade ‘pleather’, which is both hard-wearing and not aromatic. The overall look is one of sophistication and elegance, aided by the single gimbal headphone band connector. It’s not a heavy headphone either to carry or wear, although the large black cake-tin carry case does add bulk to the package. The HD 630VB has a captive lead (with in-line microphone) and a stereo 3.5mm TRS jack plug (a mini-jack to 6.3mm jack plug adaptor is supplied in the case).

The business end is all on the right ear cup. There is a little switch marked ‘I/G’ by the cable strain-relief, to switch between Apple iDevice and Google Android use. The centre of the right-hand ear-cup is given over to track and phone-handling options normally assigned to an in-line pod. This means volume adjustment, track handling, and call handling can be assigned bigger and more easy to use buttons than the tiny ones on a cable pod. It also allows listeners to access Siri and Assistant voice commands. The captive cable is mostly very good at eliminating conduction noise, although the cable around the microphone is itself slightly microphonic.

Read full post here:
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/sennheiser-hd-640-vb-headphones/?page=1

ASUS ROG Strix GL502VS Unboxing And Initial Review : Finally, A Gaming Notebook As Powerful As A Desktop

While gaming notebooks have increasingly become powerful over the years, it’s a generally accepted fact that you’re still trading off a good chunk of potential performance when you go mobile, since mobile versions of the most important part of a gaming rig, the GPU, isn’t quite as powerful as its desktop counterparts.

Well, that was until NVIDIA’s new Pascal-powered GPUs came along. Now the promise of desktop-grade performance on mobile isn’t just marketing hype anymore – it’s a reality. Today we’ll be unboxing one of the newest notebooks to come with the new GPUs, the ASUS Strix GL502VS.

ASUS ROG Strix GL502V 12

Read full post here:
https://www.unbox.ph/gadget/asus-rog-strix-gl502vs-unboxing-and-initial-review-finally-a-gaming-notebook-as-powerful-as-a-desktop/

2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx Review – LONG-TERM TEST INTRO

“We’re taking the Triumph Tiger on the Adventure Rally this week to complete a 2×2 test with the BMW F800GS. Then I can let you grab its smoldering remains,” read the email from Cycle World Senior Editor Blake Conner. I have to admit after reading that I was worried, but it turned out the bike just needed a good hosing-off after being flogged off road. Blake, on the other hand, wound up breaking his leg on the same trails one week later during the annual CW Trek, so he required more comprehensive repairs.

2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx off-road action

But I digress. With 5,575 miles already on the clock, the Tiger 800 XCx made a quick detour through Mickey Cohen Motorsports for an oil-and-filter change before I got my grubby little (actually size XXL) paws on it.

Read full post here:
https://www.cycleworld.com/2016-triumph-tiger-800-xcx-adventure-bike-long-term-motorcycle-test-intro

Firefly Aurii Secret Lite Review – A Good Buy Or Not?

As a follow-up to the popularity of Aurii Envy, Firefly Mobile announced two new phones under that name. Dubbed as the Aurii Secret and Aurii Secret Lite, they’re similar looking metal clad handsets inspired by the design Samsung’s Galaxy S7 series.

Firefly Aurii Secret Lite unboxing and first impressions
Firefly Aurii Secret Lite unboxing and first impressions

Unfortunately, the higher-end Aurii Secret isn’t still available for purchase so we got the entry-level Aurii Secret Lite instead. Anyway, like the first gen Aurii phones, this handset highlights a stylish design with decent specs and a Smart PA amplifier for better audio experience.

Will that be case with this handset? Can this erase our bad experience from coming from the Aurii Envy? Let’s all find out.

Read full post here:
https://www.gizguide.com/2016/09/firefly-aurii-secret-lite-review.html

 

 

Hands on: Alcatel Vision review

Alcatel, a phone maker known better in the UK and Europe than in the US, is the latest of the bunch to issue a virtual reality (VR) headset, here at IFA 2016. However, this one, called simply Vision, is a bit different from your Samsung Gear VRs or LG VR 360s of the world.

alcatel-vision

This one doesn’t need a phone at all. We know, weird, right?

The Vision, with its own battery pack and display(s), offers VR games, movies and other content independent of any device. However, after some time with the device on the IFA show floor, we kind of wish it wasn’t.

A smart (but flawed) design

Alcatel’s Vision employs a unique design that’s more ergonomic than most of its rivals in that it doesn’t use straps to secure the device to your eye sockets. Rather, the Vision features two bars that arc backward over your head to two padded portions that rest just above your neck.

Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/wearables/alcatel-vision-1327804/review

HANDS ON: RAZER ORNATA

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There’s a massive war being fought in the keyboard world. Typists and everyday office-workers still prefer the quiet, flat touch of a membrane-based option, while gamers insist individual mechanical switches are the only way to go. There was no middle ground – until now.

Razer is unleashing its newest creation, the Ornata, as the compromise between the two sides. A membrane underlay provides long-lasting, low-profile typing, while mechanical components provide the satisfying click and audible feedback gamers are used to.

It’s certainly an unique offering, but can it really convert fans of mechanical switches?

Looks like a membrane

The Ornata is a full-sized keyboard with a very traditional layout and a numpad. There are no dedicated media or gaming keys, although there are the usual macro options and function set, if you need to make some adjustments.

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Read full post here:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/razer-ornata-hands-on/

 

 

How to Protect Your MacBook from Trident Attacks

OS X users need to fire up the App Store immediately, to download a new security patch released yesterday (Sept. 1) that protects the same zero-day exploits that Apple fixed on its iOS platform last week. As we explained previously, these updates protect users against super-powerful spear phishing attacks that hand over complete access to a device.

apple macbook 2016 nw g03

Security Update 2016-001 10.11.6 protects users against a “cyber war” tool dubbed Trident which was discovered after an attempt to hijack a phone belonging to Ahmed Mansoor, a human rights advocate based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On August 10 and 11, Mansoor’s iPhone received SMS messages promising “new secrets” about tortured detainees in UAE jails. Mansoor didn’t click on these links, as he had already been the victim of government-sponsored hacks.

Instead, Mansoor forwarded those messages along to researchers at the Toronto-based Citizen Lab, an interdisciplinary laboratory based out of the Munk School of Global Affairs, which identified the links as a part of an exploit chain it calls Trident.

Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/protect-macbooks-macs-trident-attacks

Nikon D5500 Vs Pentax K-70 : Is The K-70 Cheaper And Better?

The quick answer: YES, the Pentax K-70 is less expensive, has some better features, and will probably give most people better image quality than they’d get with the Nikon D5500.

Pentax DSLRs have been easy to ignore for the past decade, with less than 4.5% of the market share until 2015 (Canon holds about 55%, Nikon 37%)1. However, following the release of their full-frame K-1 last winter, and the similarly impressive K-70 more recently, Pentax has become a brand that should seriously contend for your consideration, with remarkable resolution, in-camera stabilization, weather sealing, and first-rate sensors.

Yet the Nikon D5500 is also a remarkably good camera for its price (and much more popular), building on several generations of Nikon DSLR technology, not to mention access to hundreds of Nikkor lenses. So, which one is better? And which should you buy?

Color variants: the silver pentax k-70 and red nikon d5500

The Pentax K-70 is available in a silver and black variant, reminiscent of the classic K-1000, while the Nikon D5500 is offered in metallic red.

Read full post here:
https://www.lightandmatter.org/2016/equipment-reviews/camera-comparisons/nikon-d5500-vs-pentax-k-70-is-the-k-70-cheaper-and-better/

 

Hands on: Jide Remix Mini review

The history of alternative operating systems is littered with dead bodies from big and small companies – from the mighty IBM and the mightier Intel to smaller corpses (Lindows anyone?), there have been dozens of companies trying to break the stranglehold of Microsoft back in the day, then Google’s Android later on.

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Failure to do so could vaporise tens of billions of pounds off a company’s value; Nokia and Motorola know a thing or two about that.

Now, a small company called Jide is trying to challenge both Microsoft and Google with a little operating system called Remix OS. In reality, the latter is not an entirely new venture but is, in fact, based on Google’s Android which is itself an open source project.

We came across Jide and Remix OS a few weeks ago when reviewing the Onda OBook 10 SE (check the review for a bit more background) and this time around, Gearbest sent us a sample of Jide’s very own take on the modern computer, theRemix Mini PC which is the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-mac-desktops/jide-remix-mini-1327646/review

Hands on: HP ProBook 455 G3 review

With the ProBook 455 G3, HP is hoping to lure business users looking for a relatively affordable laptop with a premium feel. In terms of design, it’s an upgrade on HP’s 255 G3 model and even moreso on the value-focused 250 G4. The 455 G3 feels more grown-up, and expensive, than both – but not necessarily more capable; surprisingly.

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At £504 (around US$666 or AUS$874), part of its price tag is down to the 455 G3’s premium materials which include a brushed aluminum pattern on the keyboard base. Build quality is robust; the space on each side of the wrist rest is rock solid and resists flex well. At 2.1kg (4.6 pounds) this is a heavy 15-inch laptop and not the most backpack-friendly option out there.

The ProBook 455 G3’s dark grey plastic lid positions a reflective HP logo in the centre, lending the unit a moody and professional appearance. Opening it up reveals a combination of plastic and metal materials, with a stylish mesh speaker grille, silver trackpad and matte-black keyboard base. The rear of the lid features an eye-catching strip of metal that helps break up the seat of black plastic. Combined with the metal sides of the body underneath, it looks great.

Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-probook-455-g3-1326960/review

Skoda Octavia RS v Subaru Levorg 2.0GT Comparison

An internal email recently did the rounds asking the entire CarAdvice editorial team to discuss daily-drivers we’d love, but which aren’t produced.

Skoda Octavia RS v Subaru Levorg 2.0GT Comparison

The answers to this straw poll revealed a surprising penchant for hotted-up wagons that combine loading space, cool design and spunky performance.

Fortunately, we need not furnish this market with hypotheticals, because there are some exceptionally good hot wagons on sale. Two of the newest and best are tested here.

In one corner is the Subaru Levorg GT. The company insists this all-wheel-drive, turbocharged model is not a WRX wagon per se, but that’s how most people are going to perceive it…

In the other is the Skoda Octavia RS, the Czech company’s top-seller here. This Euro brand may not be on many shopping lists yet, but it inspires devotion from a vocal few.

And if you’re after a practical car that that offers performance edge and left-of-centre appeal compared to a boring SUV, then this pair are the front-runners. But which is best?

Read full post here:
https://www.caradvice.com.au/473735/skoda-octavia-rs-v-subaru-levorg-2-0gt-comparison/

Teclast Tbook 16S 2 in 1 Tablet PC Review

With the advancement in technology, every gadget is getting improved in terms of speed, design, processor, efficiency, cost, etc. Same is happening with smartphones, tablets, phablets and Tablet PC. All of these gadgets are the most important tech products in the development of any industry, organization or an individual. Today I am going to introduce you to a Tablet PC which is packed with lots of high-end features at a reasonable cost. It has a unique design and built quality for the full convenience of users. Tablet PCs are the mixed or hybrid version of Laptop and Tablet. You can use a Tablet PC device both as a Tablet and a Laptop. The Product which I am going to Review today is – Teclast Tbook 16S 2 in 1 Tablet PC which is available on the Everbuying.net at $264.77. It has an excellent body design with a good memory and processor features.

It has an excellent body design with a good memory and processor features. It has 4 GB RAM & 64 GB ROM which I think is a big advantage for this Tablet PC. This makes it a very fast response device. It has 64bit Quad Core 1.44GHz Processor, which is quite good for it to work efficiently. You can useWindows 10 and Android 5.1 operating system on this Tablet PC. You can enjoy Android apps and games on this device and use windows 10 OS on it. Its Quad-core processor makes it easy to navigate homescreens, Games and apps. It has HDMI technology, which integrates your other devices such as Smart TV and Smartphone with this Tablet. Now I am going to tell you every aspect of this Teclast Tablet PC in full detail.

Read full post here:
http://www.kickiteasy.com/teclast-tbook-16s/

The Best iOS Apps You’re Not Using (But Should Be)

It’s not hard to find great lists of the best apps to load into your iPhone and iPad, if you want to load up on crowd favorites such as Facebook, Instagram or Spotify. But the App Store conceals a wealth of apps that might not have gotten any widespread accolades.

The Best iOS Apps You're Not Using (But Should Be)

With the iPhone 7 on its way, we thought we’d sift through the App Store to bring you more hidden gems — apps that don’t always make the “Best Of” lists, but deliver fantastic utility or interesting new features to your iPhone or iPad.

Patronus (Free, in-app purchases)

Patronus is a personal security app that provides location sharing as well as an enhanced mobile 911 service that helps dispatchers locate you immediately based on your mobile phone’s GPS sensors. An “On My Way” feature allows users to share their location and destination with contacts so they can watch your progress on a map link; when you arrive, the app sends a message to confirm your arrival and shuts off location sharing. Patronus’s standout feature is its enhanced 911 system, which assists in forwarding your location to 911 (rather than having to rely on less precise cell towers), or displays your exact location to easily notify the dispatcher. In addition, trusted contacts are automatically notified of your emergency calls. Lockscreen support, notification widgets and Apple Watch support let you quickly shoot out an emergency call even on a locked phone.

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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/701-underappreciated-ios-apps.html

Nikon D3400 vs D5300 vs D7100 Comparison

Nikon officially announced the top entry-level D3400 DX-format DSLR camera. Here is a quick comparison table for the Nikon D3400 vs D5300 vs D7100 cameras.

Image result for Nikon D3400

The newly announced Nikon D3400 offers a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. The entry-level digital SLR camera continues to offer an 11-point AF system. The device has a maximum ISO of 25,600, 12-bit RAW support. It has a 3″ rear screen with a resolution of 921,000 dots.

Nikon D5300 DSLR camera features built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a 24.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter and EXPEED 4 image processing engine.

Nikon D7100 is a 24.1 megapixel APS-CDigital SLR camera. The D7100 promises high resolution by making do without an optical low-pass filter in front of its 24MP CMOS sensor. It gains a 51-point autofocus system and 6fps continuous shooting.

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http://www.dailycameranews.com/2016/09/nikon-d3400-vs-d5300-vs-d7100-comparison/

August 2016 Top Picks at a Glance

The end of summer beckons and so do the 10 products we singled out for Top Pick status in August.

From an unexpected speaker from Quad and a soundbar-based 5.1 system from Atlantic Technology to SVS’s crazy cheap subwoofer isolation system and Sony’s killer HDR-ready 4K TV, the mix is eclectic as usual but with an emphasis on speakers this time around. Appropriate, we think, considering speakers define the sonic character of any system. Let us know if you plan to make (or have already made) room for any of these gems in your home entertainment space.

Quad Z1 Loudspeaker: $1,999/pair

The Z1 is most definitely not your father’s Quad. Not even close. For one, it’s a fraction of the size of the iconic ESL full-range electrostatic speaker, standing only 15 inches tall. For another, the company that was founded in Great Britain 80 years ago is now owned by Taiwan’s International Audio Group. What it does have in common is an exquisite finish (check out the cherry) and excellent sound, thanks to a beautifully voiced ribbon tweeter whose depth, breadth, and detail will surprise you. “When you spend $1,000 per speaker, you expect something better than the norm,” wrote reviewer Mark Fleischmann. “The Quad Z1 delivers with its carefully tweaked ribbon tweeter, gracefully sculpted cabinet, and musical adeptness.”

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/august-2016-top-picks-glance#KRWy1xvhXTi3Bg2k.97