Monthly Archives: February 2017

Apple Watch v Android Wear : The battle for smartwatch supremacy

Apple Watch v Android Wear : The battle for smartwatch supremacy

Wearables, , , , , , , , ,

The war continues to wage, and it’s starting to get more interesting

With Android Wear 2.0 finally out of the gate and the Apple Watch now sporting the third iteration of its software, the battle for smartwatch supremacy is closer than ever.

Like the smartphone war that still wages, the differences go beyond just price and looks – it’s ideological. Apple’s singular experience versus the choice and variety offered by Android Wear; Apple’s huge fanbase and army of devoted developers and accessory makers against Google’s mighty partners and powerful platform.

Apple Watch v Android Wear

As with smartphones, Google provides its software to a whole host of hardware partners, whereas Apple takes care of the hardware design as well as the on-board OS. That means comparing Apple Watch with Android Wear involves grouping together a whole host of devices on the Google side.
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Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/smartwatches/android-wear-vs-apple-watch-2015

Holden Astra RS-V v Volkswagen Golf 110TSI comparison

Holden Astra RS-V v Volkswagen Golf 110TSI comparison

Cars, , , , , , ,

The Volkswagen Golf has been a massive sales success for Volkswagen Australia. While Dieselgate had the potential to dampen spirits and kill sales, the Golf remains one of the best selling small cars on the market.

So you can imagine why Holden was so keen to get the all-new 2017 Holden Astra into Australia, launching the vehicle in late 2016, following on from it winning the prestigious 2016 European Car of the Year award.

Holden Astra RS-V v Volkswagen Golf 110TSI comparison

While the entry level of the small car segment is dominated by deal hunters buying Hyundai i30s, Toyota Corollas and Mazda 3s, those after a more premium offering veer towards cars with a European feel to them, like the Golf.
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https://www.caradvice.com.au/517949/holden-astra-rs-v-v-volkswagen-golf-110tsi-comparison/

Why You Shouldn’t Root Your Android Phone

Why You Shouldn’t Root Your Android Phone

Wearables, , , , , , ,

Rooting your Android phone gives you access to the operating system powering your device, including the parts of the OS that are closed to the outside world. That means you can change settings and how certain features perform in ways that you couldn’t before. You can also take advantage of a number of Android apps that are built specifically for rooted devices, while bragging to all your friends about how there’s no other device out there quite like yours.

And you still shouldn’t do it.

Rooting a Galaxy S6 Edge (Photo credit: David Cogen/Tom's Guide)

Rooting a Galaxy S6 Edge (Photo credit: David Cogen/Tom’s Guide)Why? Unless you’re a developer, or you’re using a throwaway phone that’s solely for tinkering, rooting just isn’t worth the hassle. “If you want to do testing in a lab environment then it makes sense to try if you want to investigate there,” said Bob O’Donnell, founder and chief analyst of Technalysis Research. “For any typical user using a phone that is their regular device, it just doesn’t make sense.”
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/dont-root-your-android-phone,news-24452.html
10 Laptop Features You Can Skip to Save Money

10 Laptop Features You Can Skip to Save Money

Computers & IT, Wearables, , , , , ,

Whether you’re buying a laptop that you can configure-to-order or choosing from a set of different models, you’ll pay more for better components and capabilities. If your budget allows, you can splurge on the fastest processor, largest storage and highest-end graphics, but if you need to economize, these are several luxuries you can skip.

Backlit Keyboard

Backlit Keyboard

If you’re a touch typist, you shouldn’t need lighting to feel your away around the keyboard. And even if you hunt and peck, it’s easy enough to find your keys in the dark with the light coming off the screen.

These days, most mainstream consumer laptops come standard with backlit keyboards, but there are still some budget models that don’t have them and business models that charge extra for them. For example, Lenovo charges an additional $30 to configure the ThinkPad T460 with a backlit keyboard.
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https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/10-laptop-features-you-can-skip-to-save-money

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM Lens Review

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM Lens Review

Cameras, , , , , , , , ,
Canon Ef 24 105mm F4l Is Ii Usm Front Oblique View

With a very useful range of focal lengths for full frame format, the new Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM lens looks to be the perfect specification for a standard zoom. It is usefully wide at 24mm, a reasonable medium telephoto at 105mm and a constant f/4 aperture throughout that range. Let’s see how it handles and performs, using the Canon EOS 5DS R camera body.

Handling and Features

The overall appearance is of a well made, chunky lens. It’s relatively hefty weight of 795g is no surprise, nor is its filter thread diameter of 77mm. There is a substantial bayonet lens hood provided, as well made as the lens and fitting smoothly and precisely. A locking catch ensures the hood stays put.
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https://www.ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-24-105mm-f-4-is-ii-usm-lens-review–30572

HTC 11 Rumors : What Features to Expect

HTC 11 Rumors : What Features to Expect

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

HTC may be one of the leading lights in virtual reality with its HTC Vive headset, but it’s struggled to remain at the forefront of smartphones, even after last year’s HTC 10 made up for many previous missteps.

The company has already unveiled a pair of smartphones this year — the HTC U Ultra arrives in March, with the more compact HTC U Play launching in select markets — but those aren’t the only devices we expect to see from HTC this year.

HTC Ocean Concept Video (Via @evleaks)

HTC Ocean Concept Video (Via @evleaks)Expect another flagship phone from HTC in 2017, a successor to the HTC 10. Rumors about the HTC 11, also known as HTC Ocean, have been swirling since last fall. And as we get closer to an announcement, details finally seem to be falling into place. Here’s what to expect with the HTC 11.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/htc-11-rumors,news-24409.html

sony_z1r_01

Sony MDR-Z1R review

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

Sony turns 70 this year, and celebrates that landmark with a range of Signature products. The range consists of two portable music players, a desktop DAC and the MDR-Z1R headphones on test here.

All the products carry premium four-figure price tags and are meant to showcase the company’s expertise.

In the case of the MDR-Z1R, £1700 buys a pair of large, understated closed-back headphones. As is Sony’s way, there’s little exuberance in the design.

If you’re expecting overtly luxurious touches or extravagant styling for your money, these aren’t the cans for you.

Build

What do you get is obsessive attention to detail. The MDR-Z1Rs use a relatively large and rather unusual dynamic driver.
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https://www.whathifi.com/sony/mdr-z1r/review

 

iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8 : Clash of the Titans (Rumors)

iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8 : Clash of the Titans (Rumors)

Wearables, , , , , , , , ,

This year’s big smartphone battle has already started brewing.

Soon enough, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 will reach store shelves, ready for a fight with Apple’s iPhone 8later this year. Collectively, the devices will look to win over customers willing to spend serious cash on the latest and greatest devices.

Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 concepts: Credit: Mobile Fun and Matteo Gentile

Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 concepts: Credit: Mobile Fun and Matteo Gentile

According to the rumors, both Apple and Samsung have big plans for their respective devices, including curved screens, high-end processors and compelling new designs. The two companies seem to be planning similar features, but they also seem willing to try new things.

Based on rumors and early reports, here’s how the Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 stack up so far, along with an early prediction for which device will have the advantage when the two finally clash later this year.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/iphone-8-vs-galaxy-s8,review-4190.html

Kyocera DuraForce Pro Review : Unbreakable Exterior with a Blah Battery

Kyocera DuraForce Pro Review : Unbreakable Exterior with a Blah Battery

Phones, , ,

Kết quả hình ảnh cho Kyocera DuraForce Pro

Instead of buying a new phone and packing it deep inside protective gear, why not turn to a device that’s made to be durable on its own? That’s the thinking behind the $408 Kyocera DuraForce Pro, which not only looks better than most phones wearing cases, but is also in a completely different league from most competitors when it comes to withstanding punishment.

The DuraForce Pro features military-grade 810G protection for things including solar radiation, salt fog and shock; it also offers water resistance for up to 6.5 feet for 30 minutes and a virtually scratchproof 5-inch display. And while the DuraForce Pro’s performance or battery life aren’t exactly class-leading, it’s great for active junkies, contractors or anyone who spends more time outside than not. It’s is one of the few phones that can take a real beating and keep on ticking.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/kyocera-duraforce-pro,review-4184.html

2017-F800GS-Adventure-Rally

2015 – 2017 BMW F 800 GS / F 800 GS Adventure Review

Cars, , , ,

The lines between on- and off-road enthusiasts are becoming rather blurred nowadays, with a majority of major manufacturers having established themselves within the dual-sport/adventure bike sector. BMW is one such builder, and is even into its second generation of adventure bikes with the F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure. The former is more of a casual commuter / funbike, while the “Adventure” is geared toward touring and long-range work, and naturally, both come with the top-notch engineering one expects from BMW.

Design

BMW F 800 GS / F 800 GS Adventure

(F 800 GS)

While it can be said that all bikes have a certain amount of form-follows-function apparent in the design, that is especially true with rides like these. Nothing else in the world looks quite like an adventure bike, and with good reason, because nothing else can straddle the line between two distinctively different worlds quite as well.
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https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/bmw/2015-2017-bmw-f-800-gs-f-800-gs-adventure-ar166162.html

hp-envy-curved-aio-34

HP Envy Curved All-in-One 34 (2017) review

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

flhpenvyaio34

The Envy Curved AIO 34 isn’t HP’s first all-in-one Windows 10 desktop with a 34-inch curved screen, but the redesigned 2017 model takes a huge leap forward over its clunky predecessor in every respect. It sports an elegant yet practical design, produces superior sound, incorporates some atypical features and delivers solid general-purpose performance, all for a reasonable price.

It shares the classy design aesthetic of its smaller, flat-screened sibling, the Envy AIO 27. But the wider display demands a bigger base, allowing HP to fit in perks like a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad and an audibly better implementation of the Bang & Olufsen-tuned sound system.

You have the option of 7th-generation, quad-core Core i5 or i7 processors, up to 16GB memory, a 256GB SSD plus 2TB HDD and an Nvidia GTX 950M or Radeon RX460 graphics card. The cheapest configuration starts at $1,730 and you can max it out at $2,220.
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http://gearopen.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=49985&action=edit

2017-mg-eldorado-3_800x0w

2016 – 2017 Moto Guzzi Eldorado Review

Cars, , , , , ,

I remember watching news clips on TV in the early-to mid 1970s for events taking place in California. The news had plenty to talk about with the Vietnam War and the protests resulting from it and other events whose historical impact escapes me right at this moment. What sticks in my mind was my fascination with the motorcycles the police were riding. Used by the Los Angeles police and the California Highway Patrol, the California model — dubbed the “Eldorado” here — stamped its name on the American motorcycling world and made us sit up and pay attention to Italian manufacturer Moto Guzzi .

Playing to the sport crowd in the mid 1970s meant death for the Eldorado 850. The iconic tourer was dumped for the sportier 850T, but Moto Guzzi was already entrenched. In fact, if you have one of those 1972-to-1974 Eldorado 850s, you have a gold mine. Thanks to Piaggio ’s willingness to let its brands stay true to themselves, the 2017 Eldorado carries the classy lines and the bold elegance of the Eldorado of yesteryear.
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Read full post here:
https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/moto-guzzi/2016-2017-moto-guzzi-eldorado-ar171481.html

analogue-nt-mini-004

Analogue Nt Mini Review

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

Trying to play an NES cartridge on Nintendo’s original, 30-year-old hardware can be an exercise in frustration. The console’s ancient composite cables offer terrible image quality on modern televisions, and getting games to actually run is a ballet of reseating, jostling and, of course, blowing on game cartridges. Nintendo’s own NES Classic Edition and the Wii U and 3DS virtual consoles offer refuge for the casual gamer’s nostalgic yearnings, but collectors looking for an authentic, cartridge-based retro gaming experience have long suffered under the dark shadow of compromise. Is it better to play on the original, but unreliable, hardware, or an NES clone plagued with compatibility issues? With the Analogue Nt mini, you may not have to tolerate either — but at $449, Analogue’s compromise-free Nintendo doesn’t come cheap.
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Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/11/analogue-nt-mini-review/

EZVIZ-Mini-360-Plus

Ezviz Mini 360 Plus review

Cameras, , , , , ,

ezviz-mini-360-plus-product-photos-13

When standard fixed-angle security cameras don’t cover enough ground, pan/tilt models make smart alternatives — they raise, lower and rotate to capture more of a room.

The $80 Ezviz Mini 360 Plus has a 340-degree panning angle and an 80-degree tilting angle that you can either adjust manually or set to “auto-tracking” mode to follow motion activity for you. It also works with IFTTT and comes with local as well as optional cloud storage for an additional fee. The Mini 360 Plus has limited availability in the UK and isn’t currently sold in Australia; the price converts to roughly £65/AU$105 at the current exchange rate.

Unfortunately, the Mini 360 Plus wasn’t particularly good at following motion activity — one of its core features. I’d look instead to the $150 Zmodo Pivot for a true 360 cam that tracks activity without stumbling.
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Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ezviz-mini-360-plus-review/

roli_blocks_9

ROLI BLOCKS Review: Modular music system has room to grow

Audio & Video, , , , , , , ,

ROLI has made a name for itself with weirdly tactile, expansively flexible musical instruments, and its ROLI BLOCKS promise to bring that to the mainstream. The British company built its reputation among electronic musicians for its rubbery-buttoned keyboards that allow for hitherto-unachievable levels of expression; problem is, even the smallest Seaboard RISE is $800. On paper, therefore, the much cheaper BLOCKS make perfect sense, but how do they hold up in practice?

BLOCK Party

Currently, ROLI has three different types of BLOCK. The core is the Lightpad, a 3.7-inch square, priced at $179.95. It has two buttons along its edges, for controlling power and Bluetooth pairing, but is primarily controlled by the rubber top surface made up of 225 cells and backlit with a 15×15 LED matrix.
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Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/roli-blocks-review-lightpad-loop-live-modular-music-system-has-room-to-grow-11474658/

2017-triumph-scrambler-street-twin-fast-facts-1

2017 Triumph Street Scrambler Review

Cars, , , , ,

Triumph has been getting some mileage out of its new 900 cc engine, and this mill drives yet another mid-size ride for the “Street Twin” family; the Street Scrambler. As the name implies, this bike is built mainly for urban use but comes with an off-road capability one simply does not get from a straight-up streetbike. The Street Scrambler brings rider-friendly performance and stable handling to the table, but in a market glutted with scrambler models from all over the globe, one has to wonder if that is enough to stay competitive. Let’s delve into this new Triumph and find out.

Design

Triumph Street Scrambler

Whether you find the looks a little bland, or simply dignified, is up to you. For myself, I like the mature look of the Scrambler, and find it more appropriate for a slightly older crowd than say, the Ducati Scrambler family, for instance. As much as I like it, I have to admit it’s a little stodgy, but it is a British bike after all, and a certain amount of that is to be expected.
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Read full post here:
https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/triumph/2017-triumph-street-scrambler-ar175853.html

Arsenal Devices announces Arsenal Power One & Arsenal Deca One : Android smartphone with a metal body

Arsenal Devices announces Arsenal Power One & Arsenal Deca One : Android smartphone with a metal body

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

Arsenal Power One: 4G RAM, 5,000mAh battery, Android Nougat

Arsenal Devices is not done yet with their Android offerings and has also launched the Arsenal Power One which boasts 4GB RAM, a large 5,000mAh battery, and Android 7.0 Nougat.

Arsenal Power One specs:

Arsenal VR One Hands-on, First Impressions

Arsenal VR One Hands-on Review : First Impressions

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

There’s a new smartphone brand in the country called Arsenal and their first phone to launch is the VR One — a 5.2-inch premium build handset. With the ‘VR’ moniker attached to its model name, the handset is capable of delivering virtual reality experience on a budget. Here are our first impressions of the Arsenal VR One.

When we first saw the VR One, we immediate thought of its beautiful design. On the hand, the 5.2-inch display is just about the sweet spot for a display size. The panel is LTPS from JDI with a Full HD resolution or about 423ppi. Above the display are the 8-megapixel selfie camera, earpiece, and front sensors. Below is a physical home button equipped with a fingerprint scanner.

To the left-hand side is where the hybrid card slot sit that accepts a micro-SIM and a nano-SIM or a microSD card for storage expansion.
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Read full post here:
https://www.yugatech.com/toys-gadgets/thieye-i60-vs-motobuy-a1-action-cam-video-comparison/#sthash.UdwO2qle.dpbs#g0OsKKY4Ar2zzsxh.97

ThiEYE i60+ vs Motobuy A1 Action Cam Video Comparison

ThiEYE i60+ vs Motobuy A1 Action Cam Video Comparison

Audio & Video, Cameras, , ,

For this comparison, we compare the video quality between ThiEYE i60+ and Motobuy A1 action cameras. We mounted both devices on a bike and took it for a quick spin. Check out who produced the better footage.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/VcpyjYLGxtc”]Picture 10 of 12[/su_youtube]

The ThiEYE i60+ is priced at Php3,800 while the Motobuy A1 has a Php4,399 price tag.

Do you agree with our conclusion? Share your thoughts below.
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Read full post here:
https://www.yugatech.com/toys-gadgets/thieye-i60-vs-motobuy-a1-action-cam-video-comparison/#sthash.8MtAaLYv.dpbs#ZjOoKqPVT6K5q4lO.97

4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About MediaTek

4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About MediaTek

Wearables, , , , ,

MediaTek is one of the biggest names in chipsets in the world, and is the primary supplier of many local brands like Cherry Mobile, Starmobile and MyPhone. Yet despite their prevalence in phones used by many people, few really know who the company are, what they do and where they come from. We managed to sit down and talk with Cedric Chang, Account Manager for MediaTek to get to know the brand better. Turns out there’s a lot we didn’t know about the brand, simple things like –

Kết quả hình ảnh cho MediaTek

They’re not a Chinese company

When people talk about MediaTek’s origins, many tech enthusiasts incorrectly peg their country of origin as China. That’s not true – they’re actually a Taiwanese company based out of Hsinchu City, Taiwan. The company was founded in 1997 when they were spun off from the United Microelectronics Corporation, and was tasked in creating chipsets for optical drives which further expanded into chip solutions for DVD players and digital TVs. MediaTek launched their mobile division back in 2004, selling not only chips for phones but complete systems built around them which made it easier for a manufacturer to integrate. The rest, is as they say, history.
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Read full post here:
https://www.unbox.ph/gadget/4-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mediatek/

Pentax KP vs Canon 80D Comparison

Pentax KP vs Canon 80D Comparison

Cameras, , , , , , , , , ,

Here is a quick comparison table of the Pentax KP vs Canon 80D mid-range DSLR cameras with APS-c sized image sensors.

Kết quả hình ảnh cho Canon 80D

The Canon EOS 80D features a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor powered by DIGIC 6 processor. Alongside the 45 all cross-type point AF system it has native ISO 100-16,000 range and fast 7fps burst shooting.

The Pentax KP comes with a high-sensitivity 24.32-megapixel sensor. The CMOS sensor provides a top ISO of 819,200. The KP uses the same 5-axis ‘Shake Reduction II’ IBIS system found on the K-1 full-frame model.
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Read full post here:
https://www.dailycameranews.com/2017/02/pentax-kp-vs-canon-80d/

Honda CRF450R Vs. Husqvarna FC450 Vs. Kawasaki KX450F Vs. KTM 450 SX-F Vs. Suzuki RM-Z450 Vs. Yamaha YZ450F - Shoot-outs

Honda CRF450R Vs. Husqvarna FC450 Vs. Kawasaki KX450F Vs. KTM 450 SX-F Vs. Suzuki RM-Z450 Vs. Yamaha YZ450F – Shoot-outs

Cars, , , , , , , , ,

The race to deliver the best 450cc motocross bike on the planet grabbed another gear in 2017 when Honda released its all-new 2017 CRF450R to challenge the recent dominance of Yamaha’s YZ450F and the never-ending onslaught from the aggressive European companies, namely the KTM 450 SX-F and its fully revived sister, the Husqvarna FC 450.

Kết quả hình ảnh cho Honda CRF450R Vs. Husqvarna FC450 Vs. Kawasaki KX450F Vs. KTM 450 SX-F Vs. Suzuki RM-Z450 Vs. Yamaha YZ450F

With Kawasaki merely revising its 2017 KX450F after a complete makeover of the green machine in 2016, and with Suzuki holding fast with its RM-Z450 that hasn’t been updated since 2015, we figured it was time to round up these six combatants and pit them against each other to see just who is delivering the goods in the 450cc class.

But first a quick caveat: KTM agreed to join our 450cc motocross shootout only with the stipulation that we pit its 450 SX-F Factory Edition against the other machines rather than use its standard 450 SX-F. Why? Simple: KTM’s SX-F test fleet was already depleted, and the $10,399 Factory Edition was all it had available to us. In full disclosure, we polled all of the other OEMs to make sure there would be no cries of “foul!” before agreeing to KTM’s offer. Also, bear in mind that price would be an important factor in our Scorecard criteria.
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Read full post here:
https://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2017-450cc-motocross-shootout

Rega Couple2 review

Rega Couple2 review

Audio & Video, Wearables, ,
Kết quả hình ảnh cho Rega Couple 2 review

Rega is best known for its range of class-leading turntables, and more recently, the quality of its amplifiers.

But take a look at the company’s website and you’ll find they are involved in manufacturing most parts of a hi-fi system, including some rather tasty speakers and perhaps less glamorously, cables.

Some people still have doubts as to the worth of quality cabling in a system. Having heard many samples over the years we’re convinced good cables are vital to getting the most from your electronics.

Good doesn’t have to mean expensive either.
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Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/rega/couple2/review

Lenovo Legion Y520 (GTX 1050 Ti) review – the Y-series are finally on the right track

Lenovo Legion Y520 (GTX 1050 Ti) review – the Y-series are finally on the right track

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Kết quả hình ảnh cho Lenovo Legion Y520 (GTX 1050 Ti)

Lenovo’s Y gaming series have gone a long way since the first notebook release and from now on, the OEM is branding its mid-range gaming laptops “Legion”. In this review, we will investigate how the 15-inch version has matured in terms of design, build quality, cooling system, performance, etc.

But for the first time ever, the 15-inch version will sell for a significantly lower price than before and more importantly, the Legion Y520 offers an IPS panel opposed to Dell’s and Acer’s similarly-priced gaming solutions – the Inspiron 7567 and the Aspire VX 15 (VX5-591G), respectively. However, we remain skeptical of the Y520’s cooling solution because it had some problems in the past including thermal throttling under heavy load and even overheating on the surface of the interior. Regardless, the Legion Y520 will start selling for about $900 and will probably turn out to be the best value gaming laptop for now. We will wait to see what ASUS has prepared with the GL553 but at least for now, the Y520 is a bang for the bucks. See why in the review below.
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Read full post here:
https://laptopmedia.com/review/lenovo-legion-y520-gtx-1050-ti-review-the-y-series-are-finally-on-the-right-track/

Best Cheap and Unlocked Smartphones 2017

Best Cheap and Unlocked Smartphones 2017

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

The appeal of unlocked smartphones is that they provide features comparable to those on pricey flagships like the Galaxy S7 for hundreds of dollars less. You just buy the phone, pop in a SIM card (usually for a GSM network like AT&T or T-Mobile) and off you go. There’s no contract or monthly payment plan required for the hardware.

Both the Pixel and Pixel XL from Google are terrific unlocked phones, if you’ve got money to spend on the ultimate Android experience. (The Pixel starts at $649 while the $769 XL has been in short supply.) But if you’d prefer to spend less than $500 on your next smartphone, you can’t go wrong with theOnePlus 3T ($439), the latest phone from OnePlus which features a better processor and longer battery life than its predecessor, our former top pick, the OnePlus 3. And one of our favorite unlocked phones from 2016 — Huawei’s Honor 8 — is now getting the latest version of Android.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-unlocked-phones,review-2927.html

Xbox One vs. Xbox One S : Which Should You Buy?

Xbox One vs. Xbox One S : Which Should You Buy?

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

The Xbox One S is the definitive version of Microsoft’s game console, featuring a gorgeously slim design, HDR gaming capabilities, and 4K Blu-ray and streaming support. But the older, chunkier Xbox One is far from obsolete; it plays the same great library of Xbox One games, works better with Kinect and can be found for $50 less than the One S.

So, which Xbox One is right for you — at least until Project Scorpio comes out? That all depends on your needs.

Design

The Xbox One S is unquestionably the best looking and most space-conscious version of Microsoft’s games machine. Aside from being 40 percent smaller than the big, boxy Xbox One, the One S ditches its predecessor’s annoying external power brick, and includes a stand for propping the system up vertically.
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Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/xbox-one-vs-xbox-one-s,review-4188.html

samsung-chromebook-pro-plus2

Samsung Chromebook Pro review

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

If you’re looking for a solid all-around laptop for roughly $500, the new Samsung Chromebook Pro should at or near the very top of your candidate list. Sure, there are plenty of Windows laptops and tablets in that price range (or lower), but none that I can think of offer this combination of a decent design, mostly metal construction, lag-free performance, long battery life, better-than-HD touchscreen, built-in stylus and a hybrid hinge that transforms the system into a tablet.

Despite the hybrid design, this is still a laptop first and a tablet second. For the opposite approach, an iPad plus a snap-on keyboard would cost about as much.

samsung-chromebook-pro-18.jpg

I know what you’re thinking: “But wait: Chromebooks use Google’s weird browser-only operating system. They won’t run any of my must-have software, and they’re useless when you’re off Wi-Fi.” And you’d be right about some or all of that — if it wasn’t 2017.
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Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/samsung-chromebook-pro-review/

2017-Hyosung-GD250R5

2017 Hyosung GD250R Review

Cars, , , , , , , ,

What’s up with Hyosung? The Korean bike builder just seems to do things its own way. If there’s a marketing department, it’s a secretive one that’s careful not to divulge sensitive information. When there’s a new model, it sort of just arrives… the new GD250R did make an appearance at last November’s EICMA show, but we must’ve overlooked it? Is this thing from North or South Korea? Is it a threat to national security? And what is GD acronyming anyway? Grand Douring?

It’s actually a pretty striking-looking little bike; I’m picking up a whiff of early Katana up front with a delicate aftertaste of Panigale in the tailsection, maybe a bit of Aprilia Futura in the midrange. Wheels are light and airy, the cantilevered rear shock says Kawasaki; there’s Erik Buell in the under-engine boombox. It’s a big fashion-forward move from the previous GT250R, and some of the hardware looks determined to back up the sportbike claim.
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Read full post here:
https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/hyosung/2017-hyosung-gd250r-review.html

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Libratone Q-Adapt In-Ears review

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

The introduction of the iPhone 7 signaled the slow death of the 3.5mm headphone jack and headphone makers have capitalized on creating wireless and Lightning connected options. The $179 (£139, €149, about AU$235) Libratone Q-Adapt In-Ears fall in the latter category, taking advantage of Apple’s proprietary connector, offering a unique set of earbuds.

While Libratone wasn’t the first to market with Lightning headphones, the company has created a pair of Lightning-powered earbuds that truly take advantage of Apple’s proprietary port.

Since the Q-Adapt In-Ears get power from your iPhone or iPad, it means you never have to charge them, which is rare for noise cancelling headphones.

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Like its Q-Adapt On-Ear brother, the In-Ear has a dedicated button that cycles between noise cancellation levels which Libratone calls CityMix. This is a great feature for those who want to enjoy music on the go while still being aware of their surroundings.
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Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/libratone-q-adapt-in-ears

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LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style: Release date, specs and everything else you need to know

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

It would be fair to say that LG has hit Android Wear with some vigour over the past few years: LG G Watch was one of the first Android Wear devices, followed by the LG G Watch R. LG Watch Urbane in followed in 2015 and the Watch Urbane 2 was launched, withdrawn, then reintroduced in early 2016 – and never made it to Europe.

Well wipe the slate clean, because the new LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style make everything else that LG has done in wearables look a little silly. This is a new generation of Android Wear 2.0 devices, built in collaboration with Google.

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LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style: Design

  • Two designs – sporty or fashion
  • 316L stainless steel cases
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    Read full post here:
    https://www.pocket-lint.com/smartwatches/news/lg/140088-lg-watch-sport-and-lg-watch-style-release-date-specs-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know