coolest tech gadgets

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Samsung Q900R QLED 8K TV

8K viewing is undoubtedly almost upon us all, and one company just sped up the transition. Meet The Samsung Q900R TV. As if finding 4K content isn’t harding enough as it is, pretty soon you’ll have to search for double that.

The Q900R is Samsung’s first 8K QLED set that you can actually buy. Yes, it’s not just a concept or “for show” model you’ll see in press releases and never hear from again. This is the real deal. It’s a follow-up to the Q9S concept we saw back at CES, to be more specific.

So, what’s new? Well, apart from 8K resolution, the TV boasts upscaling technology buoyed by artifical intelligence, which upscales content into something that more closely resembles 8K. That’s probably the most important feature this TV has, since it’ll allow Samsung to deliver 8K-ish content before there’s any actual 8K content widely available.

On the specs side of things, Samsung says the screen will deliver up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness, which puts it in line with most premium-tier HDR TVs currently in the market today. Just note that at the end of the day, this is still a QLED TV, which means it won’t look nearly as excellent as Samsung’s far more visually arresting OLED models.

Samsung has yet to unveil a price tag for the Q900R, but it’ll likely be more expensive than the company’s current QLED sets. It’ll be available in 65, 75, and 85-inch variants, and all models will come with support for HDR 10+. They’re coming out later this month; you won’t have to wait a long time to get that 8K goodness.

Samsung Q900R QLED 8K TV

November 10, 2018 / Comments Off

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Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi Mesh Router And Orbi Voice

An unlikely pairing between router maker Netgear and premium audio company Harman Kardon is responsible for this just-unveiled smart speaker called the Orbi Voice, which not only accepts voice commands via Amazon Alexa, but acts as a Wi-Fi repeater as well, distributing internet while it plays your favorite tracks.

The Orbi Voice is part of the Netgear Orbi router and “satellite” signal extender family of devices. As a result, it also has that signature white plastic frame, but this time wrapped in gray fabric. On top, you’ll find colorful control buttons and four microphones, alongside a capacitive bar for volume adjustment. Not a fan of buttons? You can pair the smartphone app to do these things just as well, don’t worry. Like virtually all smart speakers, you must plug the Orbi Voice into a wall outlet at all times.

The thinking, according to Netgear, is for the Orbi line to enhance your home’s Wi-Fi network in a simplified manner, but also offer you a fully functional smart speaker with one of the best voice assistants around. Instead of buying multiple devices, you can just get Orbi’s bundle and save yourself some trouble.

Unfortunately, the Orbi Voice only works with Netgear’s devices at the moment, meaning you can’t do much with it if you’re using a router from a different brand. Even still, the combination of Wi-Fi repeater and smart speaker is really clever. Alone, the Orbi Voice will retail for $300, but you’ll need an Orbi hub unit for it to work. You can also a unit that’s bundled with one of those for $430. Available now.

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November 10, 2018 / Comments Off

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Acer Predator Triton 900

Acer unveiled the Aspire R14 several years ago, which in itself was an interesting twist on the convertible PC. It featured an easel-like hinge that allowed you to rotate the screen all the way to the back. Fast forward to today. Acer has not only given that mechanism a proper name — Ezel — but is also incorporating it to one of its gaming laptops, the Triton 900.

Unveiled at the IFA trade show in Berlin, the Predator Triton 900 is Acer’s latest gaming beast. You’ll be able to twist the screen all the way around for a tent-like orientation. You’ll also be able to lay it flat if that’s more of your style. Either way, the Triton 900 should perform monstrously. A representative says it’ll come with the latest graphics chip from NVIDIA. It’ll also have the latest version of Acer’s Aeroblade cooling technology that’s supposed to feature 10 percent more airflow compared to its predecessor.

Technically, the Triton 900 also acts as a tablet thanks to its hinge, but it’s not clear just how comfortable that would be. It looks possible, but it would probably feel too bulky and heavy for some users.

The gaming laptop has a mechanical keyboard with RGB lighting and a trackpad on the side. You can easily switch this to numerical keys if preferred. Acer didn’t share other details like specs, pricing, and availability. Hopefully the company gets it ready just in time for the CES this coming January. Just note that this will be Acer’s latest Predator Triton gaming laptop, so it’ll most likely have top-tier performance and specs.

Learn More About Predator

November 10, 2018 / Comments Off

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Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500

Thanks in no small part to a growing subset of millennials who ache for the days of yore, Vinyl has had a resurgence in the past several years. It comes as no surprise that a lot of manufacturers produce modern turntables to this day.

Among them is Yamaha, who just unveiled its new MusicCast Vinyl 500 record player. The device puts modern tech to make your listening experience more intuitive without annihilating what makes it truly great — nostalgia. Not only can this new turntable can play anything from your vinyl collection, but it can also stream music wirelessly.

Pair it with two MusicCast 20 or two MusicCast 50 speakers to stream your records wirelessly. Alternatively, if you want a cleaner sound than that distinct vinyl crackle, the machine will natively stream digital services. You can stream from Napster, SiriusXM, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and many others. Also, Yamaha was smart enough to add Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay support as well. You can even control both online services and multi-room playback through Amazon Alexa voice commands. Neat.

As for the specs, you get an integrated phono preamp moving magnet cartridge, a static balanced straight tone arm, an aluminum platter alongside an anti-static felt mat, and a belt drive for distortion reduction. The Vinyl 500 comes coated with a sleek piano black finish and looks excellent amidst any music collector’s crate-dug gems. You can get it next month for $700. The TT-S303 turntable will also offer the same basic record-playing capabilities without any wireless technology for a more modest $450.

Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500

November 9, 2018 / Comments Off

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Logitech Crayon For iPad

The Apple Pencil is an incredible tool for the creative community, but in true Apple fashion, its price tag puts it out of reach of most cash-strapped creatives. If you’re just starting out on your graphic design gig and want a cheaper alternative, you’re in luck.

This past Spring, Apple announced that it had collaborated with Logitech to come up with a cheaper version of Apple’s super-powered stylus, exclusively available to students and teachers. But soon everyone can buy it.

the company is going to sell the Logitech Crayon to all kinds of users, but at a slightly higher price of $69 (the original price was $49). Built from aluminum and rubber, the stylus is a tad bit more durable than the Apple Pencil, and far easier to grip thanks to its flat oval design.

The Logitech Crayon uses the same technology Apple uses on the Pencil, so things like palm rejection and tilt recognition come as standard. The downside is that it doesn’t boast the same pressure sensitivity features as its cousin, so graphic designers will have a bit of a harder time using this tool. We’re not saying it’s impossible to draw or color using just the Crayon, but it’ll require some patience on your part. For basic sketching and note-taking, however, it should work flawlessly.

The Crayon also has a slightly shorter battery life — just seven hours, whereas the Apple Pencil promises 12 hours. But the great thing is that it recharges via a Lightning port, which makes it somewhat easier to charge than Apple’s stylus. If you’re looking for an iPad Pro stylus that won’t break the bank, this is the one to get.

Logitech Crayon

Photos courtesy of Logitech

November 8, 2018 / Comments Off

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TiVo BOLT VOX 500 With Alexa

You’ve probably heard of TiVo more than once before. It used to be one of the top dogs when it comes to set-top boxes. It still us, to be sure, but albeit lower in popularity now given the surfeit of set-top boxes. Not to mention the variety of streaming services available at every cord-cutter’s disposal nowadays.

But TiVo is still the best device out there when it comes to navigating through broadcast television and having more fine-tuned controls with regard to playback, and now the company is making it even better. For the first time ever, TiVo has released a set-top box that offers integrated voice control courtesy of Amazon Alexa. It’s called the TiVo BOLT VOX 500 GB DVR & Streaming Media Player, now available to purchase from Amazon for $200.

TiVo’s latest set-top box marks the debut of the Voice Remote feature, which lets you instantly search across your live TV, DVR recordings, and streaming content, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. It also integrates all your favorite streaming apps, like HBO Go, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, and more, so you don’t have to switch inputs, remotes, or devices. The set-top box supports 4K right out of the box, which should work perfectly with your 4K TV.

The only downside is the fact that TiVo service subscription is required. You can choose between a monthly service plan at $15 and a yearly plan at $150. You’ll be able to record up to four shows at once, which maxes out at 75 hours of HD content.

BUY IT HERE

November 8, 2018 / Comments Off

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Audio Technica ATH-CKR7TW

Though it’s better known for wired headphones, Audio-Technica is slowly moving into wireless territory. In fact, its just-announced ATH-CKR7TW all-wireless headphones are proof of that. We don’t know why Audio-Technica didn’t opt for a more memorable name for its first wireless in-ear headphones, but what can you do?

Nothing special about the design here; it looks just like any oversized earbud setup you’ve seen from reputable rivals. However, because this carries the Audio-Technica branding, it means you get topnotch sound quality.

Now, on to the nitty-gritty: Each earbud includes a 11mm driver with a carbon-coated diaphragm that Audio-Technica claims provides fast response times and minimum distortion. There are brass stabilizers and a steel-mesh resistor that cut back on resonance and improve high-frequency responses. The audio company did not skimp on wireless audio codecs. We’re happy to report that the ATH-CKR7TW supports aptX, AAC, and SBC. All of these minimize the audio compression effects you often hear on wireless setups. Bluetooth 5.0 comes standard as well, boosting wireless performance.

The only possible downside is that they only offer up to six hours of music playback, but that’s not too terrible considering that’s already around the ballpark of battery life you get with wireless setups. You can slip them into the included charging case when not in use to recharge. Obviously, this isn’t what you want to bring on a cross-country road trip, but it’ll be the perfect companion while on the subway en route to home.

The ATH-CKR7TW arrives sometime this fall for $249.

Audio Technica ATH-CKR7TW

November 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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TYLT Pebble Wireless Charger and Powerbank

Though the image you see above looks unmistakably like an off-white version of those eerie and majestic floating pods in the 2016 film Arrival, that’s actually a wireless charger and power bank rolled into one, from mobile accessory manufacturer TYLT.

With the Pebble wireless charger and powerbank combo, you never have to worry about running out of juice. It works with virtually all smartphones that support the Qi wireless charging standard, including the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and essentially all of Samsung’s handsets with wireless charging capabilities. It won’t work with your Google Pixel phones, unfortunately, since those aren’t Qi-enabled.

Turning in for the night? Just place your phone on top of the Pebble to fill it up while you sleep. On a trip and need some extra juice? Just plug in your charging cable into the USB port and press the power button to begin charging. You’ll be able to use the phone as it charges, just like you would when connected to any regular powerbank.

The Pebble itself comes with its own 4,000mAh battery, just about the same as a typical flagship smartphone these days. With that amount of power, it can provide two full charges via wireless charging. And the great thing about it is that you don’t even have to take your phone’s case off before placing it on top of the Pebble. Just make sure there’s no other obstruction between the case and the Pebble.

To be clear, there are many third-party wireless chargers in the market right now, but unlike Pebble, most of them don’t function simultaneously as a powerbank. At just $60, that’s an incredible value for your money, and it’ll definitely save you battery-related headaches down the road.

BUY IT HERE

November 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Smart Mirror For Fitness

Fitness apps and devices have exploded in popularity in recent years, but arguably none of them have ever been able to replicate the experience of actually being in a gym. One company is trying to change that.

Mirror, as it’s creatively called, is a smart mirror that brings a live instructor right inside your own home. When turned off, it looks just like your average mirror, but switch it on and see the magic happen. Embedded inside the 22-inch-wide and 52-inch-high frame is a vertical LCD display and stereo speakers. You’ll be able to control and vagiate through the interface via a companion app on your phone.

In one demonstration, Mirror livestreamed a high-intensity interval training class, in which an instructor talked through a variety of different workouts, including squats, burpees, and lunges from a studio in New York City. The assistant following the workouts was wearing the included heart rate monitor, so her beats-per-minute was visible on screen, as well as her target heart rate zone. If you wish, you may also pair your Apple Watch for heart rate tracking. You will see the total calories burned, plus the amount of time left in the workout, and the names of the people also taking the same class.

You’ll be able to see yourself as your workout, too, since this is, well, still a mirror at its core. This was an intentional design decision, according to CEO Brynn Putnam. She says it’s really helpful to see yourself doing the workout. “Sometimes you don’t know your shoulders are hunched until you actually see it.”

There’s also an optional one-on-one training session with a certified personal trainer. You’ll be able to see each other thanks to the built-in camera and microphone, which allows your trainer to guide you through customized workouts. This costs anywhere from $40 to $75 per session.

The Mirror itself costs $1,495, and you have to pay a monthly subscription of $39. If you don’t have time to hit the gym, you might want to give Mirror a shot.

BUY IT HERE

Photos courtesy of Mirror

November 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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LG XBOOM Go Wireless Speakers

LG’s latest XBOOM Go wireless speakers lets you take your favorite music anywhere and have it on full blast, thanks to its excellent audio quality and handle design. It’s part of the company’s latest XBOOM lineup revealed at the IFA trade show, alongside the XBOOM AI ThinQ smart speakers and other mini components.

This new speaker is a redesigned version of the XBOOM Go range, built from the ground up for portability. Other Bluetooth speakers, though they sound good, are often lacking in the ergonomics department. This is something LG has clearly thought about, so it put convenient handles called Grab-N-Go and X-grip to let users more easily carry and the speaker anywhere they please.

And when it comes to sound, you won’t be disappointed. LG, though primarily known for its smartphones, TVs, and other home appliances, actually excels when it comes to audio as well. Proof? All its recent phones have Quad DACs, making them a goldmine for audiophiles. It also has partnerships with Bang & Olufsen for its smartphone headphones, and Meridian for its other audio products. So it makes sense that the XBOOM Go supports aptX HD from Qualcomm for superb lossless 24bit/576kbps hi-resolution audio streaming, greatly reducing loss of sound fidelity through Bluetooth.

On top of that, the speaker also features multicolor mood lighting to match your listening experience. LG claims it’s water resistant, too, and has a long battery life. It’s the perfect accessory for all music lovers out there, and it should be available soon.

LG XBOOM Go

Photos courtesy of LG

November 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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The World’s First Foldable Smartphone

It’s no secret that Samsung is trying to launch the world’s first foldable smartphone. Rumors of this phone have swirled 02around for years, but excitement has been drumming up significantly in recent months. Why? Well, partly because current smartphone design is now arguably stale. In recent years there’s been very little innovation in terms of form factor, not to mention that companies now opt for the safe candybar approach (slim bezels, 18:9 screen) and they’re too afraid to rock the boat.

Samsung’s foldable Galaxy phone is about the change all of that. It’s not exactly clear what this phone is going to look like, but the idea of a phone that folds is possibly the most radical design concept we’ll ever see since Nokia’s more experimental slide and flip phones in the early aughts.

Rumors say the phone is going to be named Galaxy F. What’s more, Samsung is apparently close to unveiling it. The company is trying to speed up development and can’t afford to postpone the phone again. Which makes sense since rival Huawei is reportedly going toe-to-toe with the South Korean giant for the world’s first title.

The Galaxy F may be announced as soon as November, according to Samsung Mobile chief DJ Koh. No word about specs yet, but Koh shared a lot of details on how it’s going to work. You will be able to use most of the phone’s functions even when it’s folded, but if you need to browse or see something, you might have to unfold it.

Development has been a “complicated” journey, but Koh said Samsung has “nearly concluded” it. The executive did not share details about pricing, but rumors say it’ll cost somewhere around $2,000, twice the price of an iPhone X.

LEARN MORE HERE

November 5, 2018 / Comments Off

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Award-Winning Drone Concept By Vincenzo Navanteri

While most of us use drones to get that perfect bird’s-eye-view footage, its potential goes far beyond film purposes. Especially unmanned drones, or those that don’t need a pilot to safely and accurate navigate their surroundings.

Such drones are perfect for swooping down on emergency areas and providing supplies that otherwise can’t be transported via conventional vehicles. Say, for example, a person is trapped in a remote area unreachable by larger vehicles and needs immediate medical attention. Authorities can send a drone their way for aid.

Vincenzo Navanteri had that in mind when designing a new kind of quadcopter drone concept. One that’s large enough to carry a person to safety. What’s more, he took home $20,000 at the recent World Air Sports’ International Drones Conference for his ingenious design.

What impressed the judges about Navanteri’s drone concept is its onboard camera, backup batteries, as well as its oxygen supply unit and health-monitoring technology. The Italian designer wants this drone to operate in all weathers and in a variety of natural calamities. That includes earthquakes, floods, and even nuclear contamination zones. He plans on using the prize money to build a self-flying machine capable of carrying a person or emergency supplies weighing up to 265 pounds at a speed of 68mph.

Perhaps the standout feature of the drone is its range, allowing it to fly non-stop for up to 95 miles. That’s using only two gas-driven micro-turbines that generate electricity to power the battery-powered propellers.

“The potential for drones to do good is great, and ideas like this single-person drone ambulance show the potential,” says FAI president Frits Brink.

LEARN MORE HERE

November 5, 2018 / Comments Off

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Nemo Portable Diving System

Here’s another (hopefully) successful Kickstarter story. Meet Nemo by BLU3, an incredibly compact Surface-Supplied Air dive system that supports one diver up to 10 feet. The best part? You don’t have to carry around a huge tank on your back to use it.

Instead, you’re treated to a colorfully battery-powered air compressor that floats on the surface and provides air through a hose. But the best thing about Nemo is its portability — the whole thing weighs just 10 pounds and is less than 12 inches on all sides. You can fit two Nemos in a carry-on suitcase, and BLU3 has even designed a backpack specifically for it. You can take it anywhere hassle-free, and you don’t even need a scuba license to use it.

Another impressive thing with the Nemo is its built-in “Smart Reg” (patent pending) feature, which monitors the user’s breathing in order to conserve battery power. The Smart Reg informs the floating air compressor up top, which then tries to mimic your breathing pressure patterns to make sure it’s only pumping exactly when it needs to.

As a result, Nemo apparently uses “just one tenth the energy of any other underwater breathing system,” says BLU3, and allows the device to be as lightweight as possible. A beeper will alert you when power is running low so you can prepare to resurface, but you don’t really have to worry that much since you’re only 10 feet underwater.

Nemo is proving pretty popular among boaters, kayakers, paddle-boaters, and other sea-loving folk. In fact, BLU3 just completed a successful Kickstarter campaign, with 137 backers raising close to $80,000 as of writing.

Early bird pricing is currently at $399. Deliveries will begin December if all goes according to plan.

LEARN MORE HERE

Photos courtesy of BLU3

November 4, 2018 / Comments Off

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Spry Waterproof Drone

At first glance, Spry looks just like your everyday quadcopter, albeit covered in a gorgeous orange colorway. But you’ll be surprised to know that it’s actually waterproof. That means you can toss it in the water and it’ll come out unscathed.

Designed by SwellPro and Urban Drones, Spry can navigate in both air and water, delivering standout performance be it in aquatic or aerial situations. The Spry itself floats, allowing the drone to take off and land in water as well. Amazingly, it can also navigate like a submarine, although it remains uncertain how fast and how long the device can do so. The company has launched waterproof drones previously, but Spry is the first that can breeze through underwater using propellers.

As for the specs, the Spry Waterproof Drone can record 4K video up to 30fps. You can also take 12-megapixel stills. It can hit top speeds of more than 43mph, but don’t worry about jittery shots. The Spry utilizes a mechanical gimbal electronic image stabilization to provide smooth and fluid video capture.

You can turn on GPS and take advantage of features like auto follow and object orbit. You can also make the drone return to the pilot, or let it hover in place for a period of time. For even finer control, you can use the companion app to pre-set flight paths using waypoints.

The included controller is also waterproof, surprisingly. And like the drone, it floats, too. There’s a 4.3-inch monitor for live video, and its built-in Wi-Fi allows for streaming footage to multiple devices simultaneously. Spry’s Kickstarter goal has already been met as of writing, and if all goes according to plan, deliveries should start this December.

LEARN MORE HERE

November 4, 2018 / Comments Off

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