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28 of the Best New Gadgets That Dropped in February 2021

While it’s typically a bit of a lull when it comes to new tech releases, February has brought us a pretty nice haul of gadget releases and announcements this year. Here are the highlights.

BenQ X1300i 4LED Gaming Projector

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BenQ announced the X1300i and it’s marketing it as the first true gaming projector that’s optimized for the PS5 or Xbox Series X. The 3,000-lumen projector will play 1080p content — so not true 4K content — at extremely low latency (8.3ms@120Hz), which is needed for competitive gamers. Additionally, it has built-in speakers and an Android TV operating system so it functions as any traditional smart TV — but it can create up to a 150-inch screen.

Price: $1,299

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Wyze Bulb Color

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It seems like just yesterday that Wyze was known just for its $20 smart home camera, the Wyze Cam, but in the past year (or more) the company has pushed out a line of affordable smart home gadgets. Now, it’s announced the Wyze Bulb Color, its first set of color-changing smart bulbs. It works exactly the same as the company’s existing Wyze Bulb, but now you can select from nearly infinite — or 16 million, according to the company —colors and temperatures to get your ambiance just right. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Price: $35 (4-pack)

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Nomad MagSafe Cases for iPhone 12

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Nomad, one of the most popular makers of smartphone cases, announced its first iPhone 12 cases that fully support MagSafe. This means they’re fully compatible with MagSafe accessories and can wirelessly fast-charge at up to 15-watts. There are two MagSafe cases that Nomad offers, which are essentially just MagSafe versions of the company’s existing and popular Rugged and Rugged Folio lines.

Price: $60

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Xbox Wireless Headset

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Microsoft has announced a new wireless headset for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The aptly-named Xbox Wireless Headset is basically a way nicer gaming headset than the company’s existing Xbox One Stereo and Wired Chat headsets. The earcups are actually rotating volume control dials, similar to the company’s noise-canceling Surface Headphones, and there’s high-quality boom microphone. Additionally, the headset supports all the latest surround sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos.

The headset is available for pre-order right now and shipping set for March 16. (But beware, these things are selling out fast.)

Price: $100

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Amazon Cuckoo Clock

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Amazon announced three new products — a cuckoo clock, a smart sticky note printer and a smart nutrition scale — that fall under the company’s new “Build It” program. You can’t actually buy these products yet, however, because “Built It” is essentially a Kickstarter-like program where if enough customers back a certain product, then it gets made. So, if interested, you can pre-order any one of the previously-mentioned products and, given that it’s Amazon and most of these products will likely be fully backed, it’ll ship to you in the coming months.

Price: $80

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Throwboy 1984 Throw Blanket

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While technically not a gadget, this throw blanket is too cool not to mention. It’s made by Throwboy, a company that has made a name for itself making pillows and blankets modeled after classic Apple devices (like the first iPhone and iPad), and this specific throw blanket is modeled after Apple’s first Macintosh that was released in 1984. Too cool.

Price: $47

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Satechi R1 Bluetooth Presentation Remote

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Satechi released a Bluetooth clicker that’s perfect for controlling presentations on your Mac or iPad. The R1 clicker looks similar to an Apple TV remote (which people admittedly have a love/hate relationship with) but has special buttons to control presentations on PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides and Prezi. It even an integrated laser pointer.

Price: $45

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OWC Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C Cable

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OWC announced a universal USB-C to USB-C cable that’s fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB 4, USB 3 and, most importantly, Thunderbolt 4. It can basically do anything you need out of a USB-C cable. It can connect and support any USB-C device, whether it’s a pair of headphones or a new laptop. It can deliver power up to 100 watts and transfer data up to 40Gb/s. And it can connect your laptop up to an 8K monitor.

Price: $28

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Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2

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Pro-Ject announced its latest flagship phono preamp, the Phono Box RS2, and it’s designed to be paired with Austrian company’s higher-end turntables. It’s incredibly fine tune-able, with wide gain control and support for both RIAA and DECCA equalization standards. Throw in the fact that it’s steel-and-aluminum chassis — it’s available in either silver or black — and it’s just a great looking audio component for people looking to upgrade their home hi-fi system.

Price: $1,999

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Devialet Phantom I

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We’ve been big fans of Devialet’s beautiful-yet-alien-looking wireless speakers for years, and we got a new one: the Phantom I. It still looks and works the same as the company’s previous Phantom speakers — its two opposing woofers pulsate against one another, in perfect symmetry, without ever touching — but the French audio company has made the Phantom I more power efficient, so it supposedly sounds way better. They also gave it support for AirPlay 2 and a fancy new physical remote. As for price, well, it’s still expensive. The Phantom I comes in two versions — 103dB or 108db — and they cost $2,200 and $3,200,

Price: $2,200+

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Poly Studio P21 Personal Meeting Display

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Poly’s new 21-inch monitor is pretty neat because it’s specifically designed for video calls. It has an excellent microphone and a webcam with a built-in shutter. There are ambient lights built into the sides of the monitor to make sure your face is always well illuminated. Additionally, the base of the P21 monitor works as a wireless charger. You can check out The Verge‘s article for more information on the P21 monitor. (Other information, like screen resolution, have yet to be released.)

Price: $815

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KEF Mu3 Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds

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In my mind, KEF is best known for its superb passive and active speakers, like the new LS50 Meta and LS50 Wireless II, but the company has thrown its hat in the true wireless ring for the first time. The KEF Mu3 are wireless earbuds with active noise-cancellation and they’re priced very similarly to their main competitor, Apple’s AirPods Pro. The Mu3 promise to have an excellent battery life (nine hours per earbud, with the case adding an extra 15 hours ) and support for high-resolution audio. They also have an IPX5 water-resistance rating. You can buy them now from KEF’s website.

Price: $230

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McIntosh MHA200 Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier

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McIntosh pulled out all the stops for its new super-fancy headphone amplifier. The MHA200 is packed with glowing vacuum tubes, a pair of the company’s Unity Coupled Circuit output transformers (which are also integrated in McIntosh’s much larger speaker amplifiers), a multitude of connectivity options, a wonderfully tactile volume knob and a signature McIntosh look. It’s expensive, for sure, but it’s also designed for discerning audiophiles for who care about one thing: pristine sound.

Price: $2,500

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Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level

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The Beosound Level is a unique take of the portable home speaker because, well, Bang & Olufsen expects that it will last you a really long time. Like many many years. It has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, similar to the Sonos Move, but it also has what B&O is calling a “modular design.” Basically, it’s designed so that it can be taken apart and that its various components can be replaced, like the chipset or the battery, when they become antiquated in the future. It’s also designed to sound and look great for years and years. The Beosound Level will be available in late April.

Price: $1,499

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Klipsch Forte IV Loudspeakers

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The Forte IV are the newest addition to Klipsch’s famed Heritage Series. They’re an improved version of the original Forte loudspeakers, which were first debuted in 1985 and one of the company’s best selling speakers of all time. The Forte IV have a vastly improved sound thanks to a host of acoustic enhancements, but they still have the classic wood exterior that make them look timeless. You can buy them in four finishes: American Walnut, Natural Cherry, Black Ash and Distressed Oak.

Price: $4,500

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JLab Audio Talk USB Microphone

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JLab Audio is best known for affordable headphones and wireless earbuds, but now it has announced a new line of high-performing USB microphones — called the Talk Series — that are designed for gamers, streamers and podcasters. There are three different microphones in the series, ranging from $49 to $149, and they are essentially more affordable alternatives for people who don’t want to spend the extra dough on competitors like the Blue Microphone.

Price: $99

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Twelve South SurfaceSnap

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The SurfaceSnap is a unique and elegant cable management solution. It’s a leather band with button snaps that can be attached to the side or underside of a desk via an adhesive (and it leaves no trace when removed). You can purchase the SurfaceSnap in two different colors, black or grey. ($30 gets you a three-pack.)

Price: $30

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Polar Verity Sense

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Polar released a new optical heart monitor sensor that can be worn on your arm or your temple (if you’re swimming). It’s designed for people who don’t necessarily wear a wrist-bound fitness tracker or smartwatch, or are doing an exercise that isn’t very friendly to wrist jewelry, like martial arts, swimming, dancing or boxing. It’s a nifty accessory for people who use Polar Flow, Polar’s free fitness and training app, or wear one of the company’s smartwatches.

Price: $90

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Satechi USB-C Watch AirPods Charger

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Satechi just announced a nice new charger for people who have AirPods Pro or AirPods (with a wireless charging case) and an Apple Watch. The dual-sided gadget that plugs into your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro via USB-C and can be flipped depending on which device you want to charge. On one side it’s an Apple Watch charger. On the other side it’s an Apple Watch charger. It’s available exclusively from Apple.

Price: $50

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Ikea Gaming Collection

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Ikea is jumping on the gaming boom in a big way. Its new line of furniture is designed specifically for gamers on a budget. The collection includes 30 different products, including several different desks, gaming chairs and storage solutions. All are available in matching black, grey and white colorways.

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Monoprice SB-600 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos System

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The SB-600 is a complete 5.1.2 that costs less than $500, making it one of the most affordable surround sound systems you can buy. It has a host of connectivity options, including coaxial, optical, USB and a 3.5mm line-in jack. It also has built-in Bluetooth for streaming music when not watching TV.

Price: $450

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Mophie Wireless Charging Stand+

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Mophie’s latest wireless charging tree is capable of charging up to three devices simultaneously, including your iPhone, AirPods Pro and Apple Watch.

Price: $80

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Zero Halliburton AirPods Pro Case

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Zero Halliburton is well-known for its government-grade suitcases and now it’s taking its skillset to gadget accessories. Its new AirPods Pro case is designed with the same aluminum-inspired material as its iconic luggage and comes with convenient carabiner clip. Despite its rugged material and larger size, the case will still allow your AirPods Pro to work wireless chargers.

Price: $50

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Sony FX3 Camera

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Sony announced its smallest cinematic camera to date: the Sony FX3. It’s a high-end digital filmmaking camera capable of capturing 4K video at 120fps (or 1080p video at up to 240fps) and it’s jam-packed with features from the company’s Cinema line. Maybe most significantly, it’s about the size of the Sony A7C — so you can easily wield it one-handed and slip into a backpack. The Sony FX3 will be available later in March.

Price: $3,900

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Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

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Ring announced the Video Doorbell Pro 2, the next-generation version of its well-reviewed video doorbell — and it adds two big upgrades. First, it adds a new radar sensor that enables new 3D motion detection and “Bird’s Eye View” features; this allows it to better detect and even create a top-down map of the movement taking place in front of your door. And secondly, the camera has an improved field of view so that it can capture the delivery person’s entire body — head to toe — when they drop off a package.

The Video Doorbell Pro 2 is available to preorder today and will ship at the end of March 2021.

Price: $250

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Anker Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger

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Anker announced a 5,000mAh portable power bank that magnetically connects to the back of an iPhone 12. It works like a MagSafe accessory, but it charges via USB-C and can only output 5-watts of power. If you want to add extra power to your iPhone 12 (or an iPhone 12 mini, more likely) without buying a battery case, this is what you want to buy.

Price: $40

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Nomad Rugged Case for iPad Air

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Nomad has extended its line of Rugged and Rugged Folio cases so that they fit the latest iPad Air. Specifically, it features a cut out so you can use the new fingerprint ID that’s been integrated into the side power button. The leather cases are available in two colors: black or brown.

Price: $100+

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Nerf Hyper Blasters

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Nerf announced a new line of serious blasters for people who take Nerf guns seriously. There are three new blasters — the Hyper Rush-40 ($30), the Hyper Siege-50 ($40) and the Hyper Mach-100 ($70) — each which are able to rapid fire projectiles at fast speeds (up to 110 feet per second) and then quickly reload. The Verge has the exclusive story.

Price: $30+

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Spotify HiFi

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This one’s not a gadget, but it’s certainly worth noting: Spotify announced a new lossless streaming service, called Spotify HiFi, that will be capable of streaming CD quality audio. While this news has been a long time coming, Spotify has yet to announce pricing or how many lossless quality tracks it will have, so we can’t really compare it just yet to Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Deezer and Qobuz, all of which already stream CD quality audio. Spotify HiFi will launch later this year.

Price: TBD

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5 New Gadgets You Should Have on Your Radar This Week

A lot of news came out this week. Spotify finally announced a lossless streaming service. Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming service, became available to all Fire TV users. Sony announced a bunch of new games coming to PS4 and PS5 at its “State of Play” event. And fresh rumors suggest that the upcoming M1 iMacs will be available in actual colors, such as green and sky blue, for the first time since the original iMac G3. On top of that, a lot of new gadgets were also announced — we’ve rounded up some of the most notable ones below.

Sony FX3 Camera

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Sony announced its smallest cinematic camera to date: the Sony FX3. It’s a high-end digital filmmaking camera capable of capturing 4K video at 120fps (or 1080p video at up to 240fps) and it’s jam-packed with features from the company’s Cinema line. Maybe most significantly, it’s about the size of the Sony A7C — so you can easily wield it one-handed and slip into a backpack. The Sony FX3 will be available later in March.


Price: $3,900

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Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

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Ring announced the Video Doorbell Pro 2, the next-generation version of its well-reviewed video doorbell, this week — and it adds two big upgrades. First, it adds a new radar sensor that enables new 3D motion detection and “Bird’s Eye View” features; this allows it to better detect and even create a top-down map of the movement taking place in front of your door. And secondly, the camera has an improved field of view so that it can capture the delivery person’s entire body — head to toe — when they drop off a package.

The Video Doorbell Pro 2 is available to preorder today and will ship at the end of March 2021.

Price: $250

SHOP NOW

Anker Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger

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Anker announced a 5,000mAh portable power bank that magnetically connects to the back of an iPhone 12. It works like a MagSafe accessory, but it charges via USB-C and can only output 5-watts of power. If you want to add extra power to your iPhone 12 (or an iPhone 12 mini, more likely) without buying a battery case, this is what you want to buy.

Price: $40

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Nomad Rugged Case for iPad Air

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Nomad has extended its line of Rugged and Rugged Folio cases so that they fit the latest iPad Air. Specifically, it features a cut out so you can use the new fingerprint ID that’s been integrated into the side power button. The leather cases are available in two colors: black or brown.

Price: $100+

SHOP NOW

Nerf Hyper Blasters

toy

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Nerf announced a new line of serious blasters for people who take Nerf guns seriously. There are three new blasters — the Hyper Rush-40 ($30), the Hyper Siege-50 ($40) and the Hyper Mach-100 ($70) — each which are able to rapid fire projectiles at fast speeds (up to 110 feet per second) and then quickly reload. The Verge has the exclusive story.

Price: $30+

LEARN MORE

Spotify HiFi

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This one’s not a gadget, but it’s arguably the biggest news of the week: Spotify announced a new lossless streaming service, called Spotify HiFi, that will be capable of streaming CD quality audio. While this news has been a long time coming, Spotify has yet to announce pricing or how many lossless quality tracks it will have, so we can’t really compare it just yet to Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Deezer and Qobuz, all of which already stream CD quality audio. Spotify HiFi will launch later this year.

Price: TBD

SHOP NOW

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Take guesswork out of grilling and air frying with Ninja’s Foodi Smart XL Grill

For those of you eager to brave the cold and bask in the warmth of your outdoor gas grill, by all means, go for it. For the rest of you, worry not, because Ninja also is ready with the Foodi Smart XL Grill. With this in your collection of meal preparation equipment, you can prepare and feast on almost anything.

One of the best ways to cook certain dishes is by grilling. We understand, now is probably not the season for it, but rules are made to be broken. As long as you have the ingredients on hand, the Foodi Smart XL Grill is yours to command.

Although it primarily does what its name says, this here is a 6-in-1 machine. The versatility of the features it offers alone is enough to push us to get one. However, Ninja is making it difficult to say no by teasing us with indoor grilling goodness.

That’s right, we can now get those beautiful grill marks and the signature flavor of a regular gas grill minus the smoke. If you fancy something else, the Foodi Smart XL Grill can also double as an air fryer. You’ve probably heard about how the latter is a great option to cut back on the grease.

As for capacity, this bad boy can fit up to 6 steaks or up to 24 hot dogs, to feed your hungry crew. Even if you are a greenhorn at grilling, Ninja’s Smart Cook System has you covered. Select your protein of choice, set the level of doneness, and let the Foodi Smart XL Grill handle the rest.

Buy – $279.99

Images courtesy of Ninja

The Best SD Cards for Digital Cameras and More

If you own a digital camera — be it a compact, mirrorless or DSLR camera — you need to pair it with a SD (Secure Digital) card, or a memory card, in order for it to save your photos and videos. Most digital cameras actually don’t come with an SD card so it’s kind of up to you, the photographer, to buy one that fits your digital camera and your shooting needs.

When searching for an SD card for your digital camera, there are a lot of different options out there and it can get complicated fast. Here are the basics you need to know.

The cards: SD, SDHC or SDCX?

There are a few different types of SD cards —SD, SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital Xtra Capacity) — but they all effectively do the same job: add storage to your digital camera. SD cards are older and generally have lower capacities and slower transfer speeds. SDHC and SDXC cards are newer (and better) types of SD cards that have higher storage capacities and faster transfer speeds. And yes, they’re more expensive.

It’s important to check which type of memory card your digital camera is compatible before buying one. Most new digital cameras should support three types of SD cards. If the digital camera is more than 10 years old, there’s a decent chance it won’t support support SDHC cards and SDXC cards because they weren’t around, but that’s a problem that should be pretty uncommon.

Why is speed important?

The speed of the SD card refers to two different speeds: there’s the “write speed” and the “read speed.” The write speed is how quickly the SD card is able to record all the information while you’re taking photo or video with your camera, while the read speed is how fast you can transfer data off of the SD card. The write speed and the read speed are typically the same on most SD cards.

The speed of an SD card is important as a quality-of-life feature, but it’s crucial for people shooting with higher-end digital cameras. Higher-resolution photos and videos require an SD card to be fast so that it can record all the data as fast as possible. Most SD cards with a high-capacities generally also tend to have high speeds, so you don’t have to worry as much about a high capacity card with a low speed.

If you don’t see the speed of the SD card advertised, the other thing you want to look out for is its class rating. The SD Association (the governing body of SD cards) created a class system to help standardize SD card speed ratings, and each SD card is given a class rating. The higher the class rating, the faster the write speeds of the SD card

Here are the various classes and their minimum write speeds: Class 2 (2MB/s), Class 4 (4MB/s), Class 6 (6MB/s) or Class 10 (up to 10MB/s).

    Why is capacity important?

    SD card capacities are typically measured in gigabytes (GB) and range from just a handful of gigs up to 512GB. When deciding what SD card capacity you should get, you need to have a knowledge of what size photos or videos you’re taking.

    If you have a fairly modern mirrorless or DSLR camera, uncompressed RAW photos will take up in the neighborhood of 7 megabytes (MB) apiece. With this knowledge, you can fit about 325 photos on an SD card with a capacity of 16GB, or 650 photos on a 32GB card.

    Videos take up more space than photos and complicate things in an additional direction; in addition to resolution and bitrate, you also need to factor in things like video length and aspect ratio. If you’re shooting a 4K video at 60fps (which is pretty standard these days for action cameras, compact shooters and even smartphones), a 16GB card can store about ten 4K 60fps videos.

    lexar professional class sdxc
    The high-speed performance of Lexar Professional Class SDXC will dramatically accelerate workflow from start to finish.

    Lexar

    Some buying advice

    • If you can, buy the most advanced card that your camera is capable of accepting.

    • Buy from a well-known SD card maker, such as SanDisk or Lexar.

    • Before buying an SD card, check to see if there are higher-capacity models available — you might be able to get better deal on one.

    All that said, here are some great picks.

    Lexar Professional Class SDXC (64GB)

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    Lexar

    Best All-Around

    The Lexar Professional line of SDXC cards is one of the best you can buy. Its boast Class 10 speeds and a relatively high capacity, and it’s fully capable of handing your camera’s 4K photos and videos. And it’s still really affordable. This line ranges in capacities from 32GB to 1TB.

    Price: $12

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    SanDisk Extreme SD (16GB)

    sandisk extreme sd

    SanDisk

    Best Budget

    The SanDisk Extreme SD line is a great affordable option. Despite its price, it still delivers relatively Class 10 speeds (up to 90MB/s) that are only a slight drop off from the Lexar Professional SDXC line (above). It’s available in a range of capacities, from 16GB to 256GB.

    Price: $9

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    SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II (64GB)

    sandisk extreme pro sd

    SanDisk

    Best Upgrade

    The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a beast of SDXC card. Its extreme fast read and write speeds — Class 10 — have made it a go-to choice for professional photographers and videographers who shoot in the highest resolution. It’s available in capacities up to 128GB.

    Price: $98

    SHOP NOW

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Huawei shows us what a foldable smartphone should be like with the Mate X2

With the Mate X2, Huawei remains one of the leading manufacturers of innovative smartphones that pack outstanding performance and exceptional specifications. Sadly, the ongoing trade ban has not been kind to its market share.

Given how most consumers rely on Google’s ecosystem of apps and services, its absence makes most folks overlook the awesome features its flagship models bring the to table. Take for example, the Mate X2, which shows us foldables are here to stay.

One of the major gripes we had with the Mate X and Mate X was Huawei’s odd decision to have the display fold outward. Given that the modern plastic substrates still have a long way to go to match the durability of scratch-resistant crystals, it was a recipe for disaster.

With the Mate X2, its engineers are taking cues from Samsung’s Fold series. What it borrows from the South Korean tech giant is the inward-folding configuration. Equally welcome is the addition of a dedicated external display.

When closed, the auxiliary 6.45-inch panel boasts a crisp 1160 x 2700 resolution. Open it up and what greets you is an 8-inch flexible screen with a resolution of 2200 x 2480. Both are OLEDs with a 90 Hz refresh rate to conserve battery.

Huawei is throwing in its most powerful chipset to date – the HiSilicon Kirin 9000. RAM is at 8 GB with two options for internal storage: 256 GB and 512 GB. Pricing starts at

For imaging, the main camera module holds a 50 MP wide-angle, a 15 MP ultra-wide, a 12 MP telephoto, and an 8 MP SuperZoom sensor. Meanwhile, the front-facing unit is a 16 MP wide-angle sensor. Finally, the Mate X2 uses a 4,400 mAh battery that supports 55W fast-charging technology

Learn more

Images courtesy of Huawei

Upgrade Your Laptop with This SSD Adapter

The days of full hard drives and missing ports on your laptop are over with the world’s fastest SSD and 6-in-1 Multiport Adapter from TurboHub. The TurboHub provides up to 4TB of storage, 950MB/s, ultra-fast read/write capabilities and device compatibility across Mac and Windows devices. Plus, the small, compact and sleek design will feel like part of your laptop while allowing you to move freely without worrying about dangling cables or drives falling out. The all-in-one, high-capacity SSD storage and USB-C multiport adapter equips you with all the tools you need to boost your productivity — it’s the easiest way to upgrade your laptop. Right now, TurboHub is running a campaign on Indiegogo (which raised over $1m in funding), so you can still be an early backer and snag one of your own at a discount.

Price: $124+

      BUY NOW


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    The Razer Kiyo Pro USB Camera Gives Crisp, Vibrant Images

    Video calls have never been more important than today amid the pandemic. Person-to-person conversations are a no-no if possible so virtual is the way to go. In this case, it’s best to invest in a high-quality camera that doesn’t blur you out of focus or glitches during important calls, classes, meetings, or interviews. This is where the Razer Kiyo Pro USB Camera comes in.

    It delivers a powerful 5GB/s camera signal to your stream and uses a high-performance adaptive light sensor to provide clear video quality. Using a larger Type 1/2.8 ultra-sensitive CMOS sensor with STARVIS technology, the camera adjusts accordingly to your lighting situation.

    Backlit lighting, streamer lighting, dim lighting, and harsh lighting, are not a problem with this camera. It detects how bright or dark the surroundings and makes the necessary adjustments for picture-perfect clarity anytime and every time. Aside from bright images, the Razer Kiyo Pro USB Camera also gives out smooth and sharp visuals. This makes HDR streaming at 30FPS possible sans the underexposed areas.

    Moreover, this plug-and-play computer gear features a wide-angle lens with adjustable FOV. You can choose to feature more of your background set up with a wide view, go narrow, or medium for just the right viewing angle. The lens allows for three field-of-view so it can capture more people in the shot. The options are available via Razer Synapse.

    The Razer Kiyo Pro USB Camera is guaranteed tough just like how Razer wants their gear. The lens is made with Gorilla Glass 3 for a scratch and damage-resistant surface. It also comes with a lens cover for privacy or to keep the lens dust-free when not in use.

    Get It Here

    Images courtesy of Razer

    Why You Need a Password Manager (And Five to Try)

    If you’re not sure why password managers matter, imagine losing access to all your accounts. Or worse, access falling into the wrong hands. Your emails, your photos, your credit cards, your bank accounts, all of the logins that make up your digital life.

    Writing down passwords on a notepad or, even worse, just using the same password for everything, may have served you well so far, but you’re playing with fire. And while built-in browser tools are getting better at managing (and suggesting) passwords themselves, a dedicated tool will almost always be a better bet. It’s built for the purpose, and it will work across all your devices and various browsers.

    The job of all password managers is essentially the same. Chiefly, they remember the login credentials for your various accounts, but also autofill login forms and help you generate strong, unique passwords with ease. Access to this treasure trove of information is controlled by a master password, so you only need to remember one.

    These apps are now available across all the various desktop and mobile platforms, offering support for two-factor authentication and various other protocols that add more layers of protection to guard against unauthorized entry to your key digital accounts. Many will also go the extra distance to help you manage credit card details, address information and anything else you need in a web browser but want to protect from prying eyes.

    When it comes to making a choice of which app to settle down with, the good news is that almost all of them will treat you well. The main differences you’ll find when comparing password managers are the software interfaces, the pricing structures, and the various bonus features. The biggest decision is not so much which one to use but rather the choice to knuckle down and start taking your password security seriously before its too late.

    Best Option for Apple Users: iCloud

    Built into iOS and macOS, Apple’s iCloud-based keychain can function as a pretty solid password manager now that a new extension allows it to work in Google Chrome.

    icloud password manager

    When it comes to a free way to manage passwords, the iCloud solution is one of the best options out there — if you use Apple devices primarily. With the changes to LastPass’s free tier, iCloud is the rare option that allows for sharing across desktop and mobile devices at no cost.

    The catch, however, is that iCloud is primarily a feature of Apple’s devices. But the new Google Chrome extension at least means you are not stuck using Safari exclusively and can even access your passwords through Chrome on a Windows computer.

    Price: Free

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    Best Free Option: LastPass

    LastPass is available on just about every device out there and compatible with all the popular apps and services. Once notable for having an incredible free tier, LastPass is now limiting that functionality which means that if you don’t pay, you’ll be forced to use it on mobile or desktop exclusively. Still, as far as free options go, it’s about as good as it gets.


    The apps (including the web interface) are clear and clean, it’s possible to store a huge amount of information privately, and everything works smoothly. The family option is a welcome one as well, letting you share files and folders with family members and manage everyone’s passwords and private data through a single account dashboard.

    LastPass’s limited free tier which forces you to choose mobile-only or desktop-only operation makes it much more likely you’ll need to ante up for a premium version. But that cost does come with a broader range of extra features (for an extra price), including VPNs and additional identity theft protection. Overall, it’s a polished and reliable product.

    Price: Free (mobile only or desktop only), $3/month for premium

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    Best User Experience: 1Password

    1Password often scores highly in ‘best of’ lists of password managers, and it’s not difficult to see why: It takes care of managing all your passwords and private information with a user-friendly, intuitive approach that takes away all the stress and friction from logging in.


    The design and interface of the apps is just about the best we’ve come across, jumping between devices is easy, it offers biometric protection (logging in with a face or fingerprint) across the board, and even audits the strength of your existing passwords for you. Categories and tags make organizing your saved data simple too.

    Perhaps the only downside to 1Password – which maybe isn’t a downside – is that there’s no free tier. There is a free 30-day trial, but you need to enter your card details right at the start. Apart from that, everything is really impressive.

    Price: $3+/month

    Learn More: Here

    Best Premium Extras: Dashlane

    Dashlane is hard to beat as far as password managers go, with top-quality apps across every platform, thoughtful features everywhere (like the ability to import passwords from your browser), and a bunch of (paid-for) extras like a VPN tool and an inbox scanner.


    Just about everything from the elegance of the Dashlane apps to the way it just works in the background while you go about your business is polished and pleasant to use. It’s notable for the number of extras you get besides the basics of managing passwords and secure data, extras which include monitoring the dark web for any mentions of your passwords.

    Price: $3.33/month

    Learn More

    Honorable Mention: Bitwarden

    Perhaps Bitwarden’s biggest selling point is that it’s open source—your passwords stay protected and you’re using code that’s publicly developed and publicly available, improving transparency and security. Almost all the key features are available for free.


    It’s free to use across as many devices as you like, so the premium level is the cheapest out there, and it does a straightforward job of managing your passwords and other data. Bitwarden is audited by independent security experts, lets you securely share passwords with other people, and can generate new, strong passwords for you too.

    But Bitwarden doesn’t have the same level of polish and user-friendliness as the other password managers we’ve mentioned here, though it’s by no means difficult to use. Extras like VPNs and data breach warnings aren’t included.

    Price: Free, or $10/year

    Learn More

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    This Smart Cuckoo Clock from Amazon’s Day 1 Editions program needs to happen

    After years of online retail experience, Amazon has become a brand synonymous with awesome first-party products. You have growing lineups of Kindles, Echos, and its continuously improving Alexa. In fact, the latter has grown into the virtual assistant of choice for consumers. The company behind it seems ready to integrate the technology on almost anything. Case in point, this Smart Cuckoo Clock.

    This odd product is one of several items under Amazon’s Day 1 Editions project. For those unaware, the former is an experimental initiative that somewhat shares some elements with crowdfunding. It’s supposedly a way for the retail giant to gauge public interest in certain stuff before they peg it for mass production.

    So far, we think the Smart Cuckoo Clock is an interesting blend of classic timekeeping with hints of smart functionalities. To be honest, its unique profile allows it to stay discrete and match any classic or modern interior design. Of course, Alexa takes center stage as it pairs with your compatible Echo device via Bluetooth.

    As long as it’s within range, each time you ask Alexa to set a timer, the Smart Cuckoo Clock responds accordingly. It took us a while to notice, but the minute markers actually house LEDs inside. These light up to give users a visual indicator of the countdown.

    Meanwhile, the hands will automatically adjust according to the Echo’s system time. The removable pendulum also swings to emulate the real thing. The final touch is the mechanical bird that springs into action when the alarm sounds. We hope enough people preorder the Smart Cuckoo Clock because most of us here want one now.

    Preorder now

    Images courtesy of Amazon

    PONGConnect takes beer pong to the future with this awesome machine

    Beer Pong is still a popular favorite drinking game among those who prefer the amber brew. Perhaps part of its appeal comes from how easy it is to set up as long as you have a few of the items. Any surface or table can become the play area as long as its level. Just bust out the ping pong balls, cups or glasses, and your beverage of choice. PONGConnect, on the other hand, has other plans.

    Behold the interactive Beer Connect Table in all its glory. With this in your home, you can challenge anyone in a modern match of accuracy and ability to stay sober until the game crowns a winner. Normally, unless one of your buddies is the designated driver for the affair, keeping becomes score is a challenge.

    PONGConnect understands and slaps on a feature to handle the task. The Beer Pong Table supposedly meets the official regulation size of 94.50 inches long and 30.71 inches wide. The player surface stands 35.40 inches high according to PongConnect.

    With that out of the way, what this awesome machine does is add electronic elements to make the experience immersive. Sections light up which makes it easy to play even in the dark, while audio cues and effects boost the fun.

    To keep score, RFID sensors track points as disputes become the thing of the past. Two LED Screens displays all essential information such as stats, achievement badges, and rankings. Download the optional PONGConnect companion app on your smartphone to check out where you stand against the global community of players.

    Order now

    Images courtesy of PONGConnect

    5 Dead Camera Brands (And Their Best Cameras You Can Still Buy)

    Canon, Leica, Nikon, Sony. Anyone who’s spent time behind the lens is familiar with the modern juggernauts of photography. But decades ago, in the heyday of film, the field was much different. Here, we take a trip down memory lane with the brands that haven’t made it to the present day in anything close to their original form, but are still worth remembering (and even buying from) today.

    Rollei

    medium format film rolliflex 1, relleiflex 2,8 and ikoflex

    PHASGetty Images

    Rolleiflex TLR

    Founded in 1920 in Germany, Rollei hit the scene with an unusual first camera, the triple-lensed stereo Hedioscop, in 1921. In 1928, Rollei introduced the very first twin-lens reflex roll-film camera, the Rolleiflex, birthing an entire new species of camera still prized by collectors today for its all-in-one format that makes it a (fairly) affordable entry to the world big, beautiful 6×6 centimeter medium format negatives. In 1966, Rollei introduced the Rollei 35 which is, to this day, one of the smallest fully-manual 35mm cameras ever made. Despite changing hands several times and moving production from Germany to Singapore, Rollei continued producing film cameras well into the new millennium. In 2014, its then-parent company DHW Fototechnik became insolvent, and sold off the Rollei name.

    Yashica

    vintage antique photography equipment

    George RoseGetty Images

    Gear Patrol

    Yashica T4

    This Japanese brand, founded in 1945, cut its teeth producing parts for electronics companies and clock makers before launching its first self-made camera in 1953: the medium-format Pigeonflex TLR. Yashica’s adventures in medium format cameras culminated with the Yashica-Mat 124g, in production up to the 1970s, still sought after for its great value compared to competing cameras like the Rollieflex TLR which can go for twice as much. In 1973, Yashica began producing cameras under the “Contax” name, licensed to it by Carl Zeiss. In 1984, Yashica was acquired in full by Kyocera, which eventually spun down camera production in 2005. The Yashica name has since been sold to a Hong Kong-based branding company, but the contemporary (and horrific) modern-day products that bear the name have no relation to the stalwart brand that used to be.

    Minolta

    vintage antique photography equipment

    George RoseGetty Images

    Minolta CLE

    Founded in Osaka Japan in 1928, Minolta got its start making various SLRs and rangefinders, one of which — the Minolta Hi-Maticmade it into space. In 1972, Minolta entered into an agreement with Leica, giving rise to a series of jointly produced cameras, the first of which was produced in Osaka and released in the Japanese market as the Minolta CL. The arguable pinnacle of the partnership, the Minolta CLE which introduced through-the-lens metering and sported Leica M lenses, was introduced in 1980. Five years later, the Minolta Maxxum 7000 Alpha Mount Camera would become the first autofocus 35mm SLR with an in-camera motor. This camera was eventually found to infringe on patents held by Honeywell, which put Minolta on the back foot and lead to eventual merger with fellow Japanese brand Konica. In 2005, Sony and now Konica Minolta teamed up on a new line of DSLRs until, a year later, Konica Minolta transferred its portion of the project assets to Sony and withdrew from camera-making altogether.

    The USSR

    krasnogorsky zavod optical plant in moscow region

    Valery SharifulinGetty Images

    Over its lifespan, the USSR produced a whole host of camera brands which, relatively unrestrained by western notions of intellectual property, were able to borrow extensively from the competition. While Soviet cameras are typically not known for their fit and finish or consistent quality control, they are generally built to take a beating and to be easily serviceable by the end user. The first Soviet-made camera was the “FED” series of rangefinder cameras, mass-produced from 1934 into the 1990s (with a break during World War II). Another Soviet standout is the Kiev 88, playfully referred to as the “Hasselbladski,” produced in the Arsenal factory in Ukraine, and is the spitting image of the much pricier (and more reliable) Hasselblad 1600 F. Another class, the zone-focusing, auto-exposure point-and-shoot Lomo LCA was initially released in 1984, and is still in production to this day (in slightly updated form) as Lomography’s LC-A+.

    Olympus

    olympus 35 ecr camera, c 1972

    Science & Society Picture LibraryGetty Images

    Olympus Trip 35

    Olympus may not yet be forgotten, but it certainly is gone. After 84 years, Olympus sold off its camera division in 2019. Founded in 1919, the Japanese company started its camera journey with the Semi-Olympus I and first “Zuiko” branded lens in 1936. The company would go on to produce numerous tiny point-and-shoots that remain cult favorites to this day, like the battery-free Olympus Trip 35 with its selenium light meter, and the tiny clamshell Olympus XA2. Its line of pro-grade SLRs, the OM series, are among the smallest 35mm SLRs ever made. With the advent of the digital age, Olympus threw its weight behind the Micro-Four Thirds crop sensor, producing a family of remarkably small mirrorless cameras in its OM-D line before ultimately exiting the camera business in 2019.

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    Sonos Has Something New Coming: Here’s What We Know So Far

    Sonos has officially confirmed that its next hardware event will held on March 9. And with an upcoming product announcement comes the obvious question: What are we getting? Here’s what we know so far.

    It’s probably something physically small.

    The official invite features a model with a backpack, walking outside, which suggests that the new product most likely will be something small and portable. It’s not just the photo though, there are also rumors that indicate Sonos is likely to go in one of two directions.

    One option is a small, portable speaker.

    The more likely of the two rumors is that Sonos is going to announced a new portable speaker — likely a smaller and cheaper version of the Move. Sonos announced the Move, its first technically portable Bluetooth speaker, back in late 2019 and while it’s arguably the best-sounding portable speaker you can buy, its $399 price tag makes it a hard-sell for the masses. It’s also quite large; this is a room-to-room portable speaker, not a building-to-building portable speaker.

    Like the original Move, the new smaller Sonos speaker would likely have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you could use it outside the home or as multi-room speaker in a larger Sonos system. There’s not really anything that suggests pricing for the new smaller Move speaker, but a $199 price point would make it competitive with some of the most popular Bluetooth speakers, like UE Boom 2 and Bose’s SoundLink Revolve. An FCC filing of an unnamed device with a wireless charging dock, which was first spotted by The Verge earlier this year, gives credence to this rumor.

    There’s an outside chance that it’s headphones.

    The less likely of the two rumors is that Sonos is going to release a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones — think of them as a competitor to the AirPods Max, although Sonos’s headphones might not be as expensive as Apple’s new cans. These Sonos headphones have been rumored about for what seems like years. Bloomberg first reported that they were in the works back in January of 2019. And the most recent rumors were reported by Protocol, who uncovered a new patent that was awarded to Sonos for a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

    Sonos has yet to release a pair of headphones and it’s unclear exactly how they’d work. They’d likely have built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, similar to company’s Move speaker, but it would make sense if they would be able to work as dedicated headphones for anybody with a Sonos home theater. They could support surround sound technologies, like Dolby Atmos, and be a listening option for when the rest of the house is asleep (or working) and you don’t want to disturb them.

    We’ll find out for sure next month.

    The Sonos hardware event will take place on March 9 at 4pm EST or 1pm PST.

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    How to Get Rid of Your Old Laptop

    An old laptop or computer is made up of unusual and toxic components (like an old lithium ion battery), so it can’t just go into the trash our out with your curbside recycling.

    Fortunately, most big tech companies (including Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft) and big gadget retailers (like Best Buy and eBay) have recycling programs that are specifically for people who want to get rid of their old laptops and computers.

    Before recycling your old laptop or computer, you want to make sure all your information is backed up and that your old laptop is factory reset. There’s likely a lot of personal information on that laptop and you’ll sleep easier knowing you’ve fully removed it yourself.

    Once your old laptop or computer has been prepped for recycling, you need to figure out what to do with it. The first thing we recommend doing is checking the trade-in programs of these various manufacturers and third-party retailers. A lot of times you can get some money back or a gift card, which could be put up against a future purchase. If your laptop doesn’t have any trade-in value, don’t worry — most of these programs will still take it and recycle it properly anyway.

    The Recycling Programs

    Apple Trade In: If you have a Mac, a good option is to go through Apple’s Trade In Program. You simply select the model of computer you’re sending in, type in the serial number and they’ll send you a trade-in quote (It likely won’t be for every much.) Once accepted, it’ll then tell you where to take or send your old computer.

    Dell Trade-In & Recycling Program: If you have an old Dell or laptop computer, you can trade it in fairly easily using the company’s program. You simply go to the website and follow the steps, entering the model and serial number of your laptop or computer, and they’ll give you a quote. If you just want to recycle it and don’t want money back, Dell will send you a free Fedex shipping label (you’ll need to supply the box) — you just need to fill out this form.

    • Google’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive: Google works with a third-party recycling partner who only accepts used electronic devices that are “equivalent to a device” that Google manufactures; while it’s not exactly clear, this likely means any laptop from the last several years. You won’t get any trade-in value, but you can request free shipping label. You can return up to three old devices for free.

    Microsoft Trade In & Recycling Program: If you have an old Microsoft laptop or desktop and you want to get some trade-in value for it, Microsoft has a program just for that. If you’re device isn’t eligible for trade-in, you can still recycle it for free. Simply go to this webpage and follow the necessary steps.

    Lenovo Product Recycling Program: Lenovo has a free recycling program for anybody with an old computer by Lenovo, Medion and IBM. They also have a trade-in program — here — in case you want to see if you can get any money back.

    Samsung Recycling Direct: If you have old laptop or Chromebook from Samsung, you can drop it off at any one of the company’s recycling drop offs. You can find the nearest drop-off location by visiting here.

    Best Buy Trade-In/Recycling: Best Buy has a pretty robust trade-in program and you can pretty easily check to see if your old computer or gadgets are worth anything using the company’s online trade-in estimator, and then trade it in for a Best Buy gift card. If it’s not worth anything you, can have it recycled for free through the company’s recycling program. (Note: you might have to recycle online because not all brick-and-mortar stores accept recycled computers.)

    Earth911: This is a website that’s been designed to specifically help you find a place to drop off your old electronics so that they can be recycled. You simply go to the website, type the type of electronics you want to get rid of in the search bar as well as your ZIP code, and it’ll tell you the nearest drop-off locations.

    Amazon Secure Electronics Recycling Bins: Amazon works with ERI, a renowned recycling company, to allow anybody to drop off their old electronics in large recycling bins that you can find at select locations. To find the location nearest to you, you can search here.

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    The Best Vintage Film Cameras for Beginners

    vintage film camera and bag

    robert readerGetty Images

    Perhaps the greatest and most overwhelming part of vintage film photography is how many cameras there are to choose from. There are dozens of terrific options that serve a whole variety of needs, but here we’ll focus on some of the best choices for beginners, to film photography and photography in general.

    1. That Camera Your Grandpa/Mom/Uncle/Cousin Has Hanging Around

    several antique film cameras

    Education ImagesGetty Images

    The best option for your first film camera is one you can already get your hands on for free. Too many retro cameras are sitting unused in basements and closets. You’ll be doing the whole analog photography community by bringing one back into active use, providing it works and uses a type of film that’s still in production. Odds are it won’t be exactly what you’re looking for, but it will help you figure out what you do want, and you can always set it loose on eBay to help you get the funds for an upgrade.

    2. The Fully-Auto Point-and-Shoot: Nikon L35AF

    nikon l35af

    Courtesy

    The Nikon L35AF is a great option for anyone looking for an iPhone-like experience, but with an analog twist. With a great 35mm f/2.8 lens, integrated flash and fully automatic exposure, this still-affordable plastic brick is a dead-simple point-and-shoot for people who don’t want to shell out for trendier, increasingly overpriced options like the Contax T2 or Yashica T4. Best of all, it takes normal double AAs for batteries. Couldn’t be easier.

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    3. The Zone-Focus Pocket Warrior: Olympus XA2

    olympus xa2 camera

    Courtesy

    Another, slightly trendier and more expensive option (and my first film camera) is the Olympus XA2. Also a point and shoot with fully automatic exposure, the XA2 complicates the calculus of shooting with its zone-focus operation. No autofocus here; you have to eyeball the distance to target and select one of three focus zones you think it’s in. That adds a little challenge for a novice, but a uniquely analog one. And the XA2’s clamshell design makes it all but destined to live in your pocket for good. I can recommend it as a first film camera from personal experience.

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    4. The Anonymous, Affordable Fixed-Lens Rangefinder: Yashica MG-1

    yashica mg 1 vintage camera

    Courtesy

    For shooters who’d prefer to have a little more to do, the Yashica MG-1 is one of many aperture-priority, fixed lens, manual-focus rangefinder cameras. With no help on the exposure (other than an LED that will warn you if you’re severely over/under), it requires a little more technical know-how than pure point-and-shoot options, for better and for worse. There’s nothing particularly special about it, but it’s a (big, heavy) tank and can be had for quite cheap owing to its general anonymity, making it great for beginners. I got one at a flea market for $20 in 2019 and it was worth every penny and more. The manual calls for now-out-of-production mercury batteries to operate, but you can actually get it running just fine with 4 LR44s and some tinfoil to make the fit snug.

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    5. The Nigh-Indestructible Mechanical SLR: Pentax K-1000

    pentax k 1000 vintage camera

    Courtesy

    One of the most popular film cameras ever made, the Pentax K-1000 is a fully manual SLR camera, compatible with a large, affordable suite of K-mount lenses and easy to get repaired if it comes to that. It’s a bit bulky and heavy with its metal body, but it can handle a few drops. Its combination of fully-manual aperture and shutter controls (no auto modes here) with a simple meter makes it a great workhorse for anyone trying get a deeper understanding of exposure and metering actually works. Since it’s fully mechanical, it’ll also work totally fine without batteries; you’ll just need to remember your Sunny 16 rule.

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    6. The Medium-Format TLR for Maximum Analog: Yashica Mat

    yashica mat vintage camera

    Courtesy

    For the aspiring film photographer who’s already got a firm grasp of digital photography, a medium format Twin-Lens Reflex camera is a great option to grow in a new direction. The various models in the Yashica Mat line are some of the best buys out there now that prices for its premium competition, the Rolleiflex, are skyrocketing. With fully manual controls, lovely large 6×6 medium format negatives, a mirror-image waist-height viewfinder, and quite often the need for off-camera metering, a Yashica Mat of any model provides an experience and result that’s completely unlike the digital cameras you’re used to. That means that, yes, there’s a substantial learning curve. But the uniqueness of its operation and result lets it tickle a completely different part of your brain and pair nicely with your DSLR without ever threatening to replace it.

    SHOP NOW

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    This New Debit Card Is Unlike Anything You’ve Seen Before

    With four editions, including two limited editions designed by contemporary artist Laura Berger, the Point Card looks unlike any other debit card. But looks are only part of the story. Point Card is a premium debit card, with concierge-level service and an app that’s minimalist and well-designed. As its name implies, Point offers tons of rewards like 5x points on your subscription services (Netflix, Spotify and the like), 3x points on food delivery and rideshare (Uber, Seamless and more) and 1x point on everything else. But fear not, Point also offers special time-based bonus points like 3x on Huckberry, lululemon or Trader Joe’s. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get phone insurance, new purchase insurance that covers damaged or lost items up to $1,000 each, trip cancellation and car rental insurance, global travel insurance and no global travel fees. If you still aren’t convinced, Gear Patrol readers can have their $49 membership fee waived by signing up through the link below.

        LEARN MORE


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      Apple Watch Not Charging Correctly? Apple Might Fix It for Free

      If you have an Apple Watch Series 5 or Apple Watch SE and it has been experiencing a charging issue — specifically, if it won’t charge after going into Power Reserve mode —Apple might fix it for you for free.

      Apple just rolled out a new software patch (watchOS 7.3.1) that prevents this issue from happening to future Apple Watch wearers. However, if your Apple Watch has already experienced this charging issue, you’ll have to contact Apple Support and get them to fix it for you.

      Before contacting Apple Support, the company has given instructions — outlined in this recent support webpage — to first check to see if your Apple Watch is affected by this charging issue. You just have to place Apple Watch on its charger, wait 30 minutes, and if it still won’t charge, you’ve got the green light to contact Apple Support.

      Once you contact Apple Support, they’ll arrange for you to mail in your Apple Watch so that it can be repaired free of charge.

      This announcement comes a few days after Apple also rolled out a battery replacement program for older MacBook Pros that stopped charging. If your MacBook Pro is from 2016 or 2017 and won’t charge past one percent, Apple could replace it for free. (Here’s how to find out if your MacBook Pro qualifies for a free new battery.)

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      The Best Battery Cases for Your iPhone 12

      Apple doesn’t make a battery case for any iPhone 12 model, unfortunately, and you can’t just use a battery case from an any older iPhone — they just won’t fit. So if you want battery case so your new iPhone 12 gets even better battery life, you have to buy new one.

      When shopping for a battery case, there are a few things you want to consider.

      • You want it to have a decent battery capacity; all batteries are different, but a 5,000mAh battery capacity will give your iPhone 12, depending on the model, about an extra 70 percent of juice.

      • You want it to support wireless charging so you don’t have to rely on a Lightning cable.

      • You want it to be small enough that it doesn’t make your iPhone too big to fit in your pocket.

      The following battery cases check all those boxes. There are currently no battery cases that are fully compatible with MagSafe, but that seems like it will inevitably change in the near future.

      Newdery Battery Case

      newdery battery case

      Courtesy

      This is 4,800mAh battery case that is compatible with most Qi-wireless chargers. This means you can place it on a Qi-wireless charger and the case and the iPhone 12 will charge simultaneously.

      Price: $34

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      Alpatronix Battery Case

      alpatronix battery case

      Courtesy

      This Alpatronix battery case has a 5,000mAh capacity and supports wireless charging. When placed on the charging pad, the case is smart enough to fully charge the smartphone first before recharging itself. Additionally, the case is made of soft-yet-protective rubber that’s easy to slip on and off.

      Price: $45

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      Mophie Juice Pack Connect

      mophie juice pack connect

      Courtesy

      The Juice Pack Connect isn’t a battery case, but rather a 5,000mAh portable battery that locks onto the back of your iPhone (via an anchor) and wirelessly charges it. It’s essentially a modular alternative to having the battery built directly into the smartphone case. You can also buy additional Juice Pack Connects that you can swap in-and-out in case you’re going to be away from a power source for a long stretch.

      Price: $80

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      Zerolemon Battery Case

      zerolemon battery case

      Courtesy

      This is another solid option for anybody looking for a battery case. It has 5,000mAh capacity battery and supports wireless charging. The thing that makes this battery case different from the others is its unique AirCusion corners, which help with shock absorption and drop resistance.

      Price: $35

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      How to Get the Most Out of Tidal’s Extremely Hi-Fi Streaming

      Tidal is one of the most popular music streaming services for audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts. It allows you to stream lossless CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz) and true high fidelity (up to 24bit/96kHz) audio files that sound way better — about four times better, to be precise — than mainstream music services like Apple Music (up to 256kbps) and Spotify Premium (up to 320kbps).

      There are two different tiers of Tidal subscriptions to choose from. The more entry-level option is Tidal Premium, which costs $10/month and gives you access to over 70 million tracks in “standard” sound quality (up to 320kbps), which is the same audio quality as Spotify Premium or Apple Music.

      If you’re really searching for higher quality audio, however, you should consider subscribing to Tidal HiFi. It costs $20/month and lets you listen to those same tracks in true lossless (or CD quality) sound, but there also even higher resolution tracks (up to 24bit/96kHz) — which Tidal calls Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) certified — that you can listen to.

      If you’re just getting started on your Tidal journey, here’s a few tips and tricks of the trade.

      Take advantage of the free trial.

      Tidal might seem expensive, but you can actually get a pretty great deal on it if you’re just signing up now. Tidal is currently running a sensational offer where you can a three-month trial of either its Premium or HiFi plans for just $3. That comes out to $1/month. The deal on the Hi-Fi subscription is obviously the better deal as you’re essentially paying $3 for a three-month subscription that would normally cost $60.

      Tidal has been running this special offer for many months and it’s not clear when (or if ever) it’s going pull the plug on it. So take advantage of it while you can!

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      Tidal

      Make sure you’re listening to high-resolution tracks.

      A subscription to Tidal HiFi gives you access to CD quality and Master Quality (MQA) tracks, so you’re going to want to make sure you’re taking advantage of that great audio. The first you need to do go make sure that you’re actually streaming the highest quality tracks available; you can do this by opening the Tidal app, clicking “Settings” and then “Streaming” and then selecting the “Master” option.

      (Note: the above instructions are for the desktop app. On your smartphone, you’ll select “Settings” and the “Quality.”)

      How to find the Master Quality tracks.

      Tidal HiFi subscribers have access to Master Quality (MQA) tracks — but not every track, or even most tracks, are available in Master Quality. However, Tidal does make it fairly easy to identify and find these super high fidelity tracks. All Master Quality tracks have an “M” icon next to them. You can also discover Master Quality tracks by looking in the Explore tab under “TIDAL Masters” section, or looking in the Radio tab and listening to the “Master Edition” artist radio. All those tracks are Master Quality.

      Bring over your playlists from Spotify or Apple Music.

      If you were a previous subscriber to another music streaming service, such as Spotify or Apple Music, there are services that will help you transfer over your playlists so you don’t lose them. One of the best-known service is Soundiiz. You simply sign up for the service with your email, select (and connect) your old service, be it Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube Music or whatever (it works with most music streaming services), and then choose Tidal as the destination service. It’s pretty reliable and doesn’t take too long. (Keep in mind that Tidal may not have every track from your previous streaming service, so some tracks might not carry over.)

      Download Music to an SD card to free up space on your smartphone.

      Just like pretty much every premium version of any music streaming service, Tidal Premium and Tidal HiFi, both allow you to download audio tracks, albums and playlists for offline listening. It’s a little more important with Tidal, however, because you can choose the resolution of the sound quality you download and high-resolution audio files take up a lot more space. So you need to manage your downloads wisely.

      A neat trick is that Tidal gives you the option to download music to SD card so you don’t have to take up a huge chunk of your smartphone’s storage. You can do it on your iPhone or Android smartphone, and it’s really easy. Simply open the Tidal app, then go to Settings > Music Playback > Download Destination > and then select respectively the memory card option instead of your smartphone’s internal memory.

      Try editing a song.

      Tidal has a Track Edit feature that actually lets you edit songs. You can edit the song’s tempo to make it go faster or slower, or you can edit certain sections so that they fade in or out. In order to do this, you first need to have the track you want to edit download to your smartphone. You then can long-press on the track you want to customize and then click the “Track Edit” button. Once finished, your edited songs with have an “edited” icon next to them.

      Save your favorite music videos and documentaries so you can watch them again.

      A subscription to Tidal grants you access to a lot of HD video content. According to the company, Tidal offers over 225,000 music videos, short docs, movies, live concerts, events, and original shows and podcasts. There are a few ways to find and discover these videos, but the most popular is the “My Video Mix” feature; it takes your music listening habits and gives you personalized recommendations. You can also go to the Video tab and search for videos that way. And if you find a video that you will watch again, you can save it as one of your “Favorites” (just swipe over the video on your smartphone or right-click on your computer) and it’ll add to your video collection.

      LEARN MORE

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      8 New Gadgets to Have On Your Radar This Week

      Trying to catch up on the new gadgets of the week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s the most notable stuff that’s dropped, from Monoprice’s affordable Dolby Atmos system to IKEA’s new collection of gaming furniture.

      JLab Audio Talk USB Microphone

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      JLab Audio is best known for affordable headphones and wireless earbuds, but this week it announced a new line of high-performing USB microphones — called the Talk Series — that are designed for gamers, streamers and podcasters. There are three different microphones in the series, ranging from $49 to $149, and they are essentially more affordable alternatives for people who don’t want to spend the extra dough on competitors like the Blue Microphone.

      Price: $99

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      Twelve South SurfaceSnap

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      The SurfaceSnap is a unique and elegant cable management solution. It’s a leather band with button snaps that can be attached to the side or underside of a desk via an adhesive (and it leaves no trace when removed). You can purchase the SurfaceSnap in two different colors, black or grey. ($30 gets you a three-pack.)

      Price: $30

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      Polar Verity Sense

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      Polar released a new optical heart monitor sensor this week that can be worn on your arm or your temple (if you’re swimming). It’s designed for people who don’t necessarily wear a wrist-bound fitness tracker or smartwatch, or are doing an exercise that isn’t very friendly to wrist jewelry, like martial arts, swimming, dancing or boxing. It’s a nifty accessory for people who use Polar Flow, Polar’s free fitness and training app, or wear one of the company’s smartwatches.

      Price: $90

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      Satechi USB-C Watch AirPods Charger

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      Satechi just announced a nice new charger for people who have AirPods Pro or AirPods (with a wireless charging case) and an Apple Watch. The dual-sided gadget that plugs into your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro via USB-C and can be flipped depending on which device you want to charge. On one side it’s an Apple Watch charger. On the other side it’s an Apple Watch charger. It’s available exclusively from Apple.

      Price: $50

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      Ikea Gaming Collection

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      Ikea is jumping on the gaming boom in a big way. Its new line of furniture is designed specifically for gamers on a budget. The collection includes 30 different products, including several different desks, gaming chairs and storage solutions. All are available in matching black, grey and white colorways.

      Price: N/A

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      Monoprice SB-600 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos System

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      The SB-600 is a complete 5.1.2 that costs less than $500, making it one of the most affordable surround sound systems you can buy. It has a host of connectivity options, including coaxial, optical, USB and a 3.5mm line-in jack. It also has built-in Bluetooth for streaming music when not watching TV.

      Price: $450

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      Mophie Wireless Charging Stand+

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      Mophie’s latest wireless charging tree is capable of charging up to three devices simultaneously, including your iPhone, AirPods Pro and Apple Watch.

      Price: $80

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      Zero Halliburton AirPods Pro Case

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      Zero Halliburton is well-known for its government-grade suitcases and now it’s taking its skillset to gadget accessories. Its new AirPods Pro case is designed with the same ripped aluminum as its iconic luggage and comes with convenient carabiner clip. Despite its rugged material and larger size, the case will still allow your AirPods Pro to work wireless chargers.

      Price: $50

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      How to Turn Your Favorite Headphones Into a Gaming Headset

      Traditionally, what’s set gaming headphones apart from regular ones has been the microphone, and maybe some flashing LED lights and extra sound technologies. But more traditional non-gaming headphones have typically had the advantage of better overall sound.

      The good news is that you can convert most headphones that have a removable 3.5mm cable into a gaming headset. All you need is a detachable boom microphone. It connects to the 3.5mm input on your headphones and plugs directly into your gaming controller or computer. And boom you’ve got a gaming headset.

      These boom microphones aren’t exactly cheap, but they are more affordable (and smaller) a whole new set of headphones. It’s the ideal solution for gamers who don’t want to buy a new gaming headset when they already have an expensive pair of headphones. Also, the boom mic can improve your voice clarity during work video conference, if you want to try and expense it.

      Here are some of the best options out there.

      V-Moda BoomPro

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      The BoomPro microphone was designed to turn V-Moda’s popular series of Crossfade series headphones into a gaming headset. However, it’s compatible with any headphones with a 3.5mm input.

      Price: $35

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      Headset Buddy CM3504 ClearMic

      headset buddy cm3504 clearmic

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      Bose doesn’t sell the boom mic separately that comes with its QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset​, unfortunately, but the CM3504 ClearMic was specifically designed by Headset Buddy to turn any of Bose’s latest wireless headphones into a gaming headset. If you have Bose’s QuietComfort 35 II or Headphones 700, this is the boom mic you want.

      Price: $38

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      Audio-Technica ATGM2

      audio technica atgm2 mic

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      The ATGM2 boom microphone is one of the nicest options under $100 and it’s designed to turn your high-end headphones into a gaming headset. The boom mic uses a 3.5mm connection and can be placed anywhere on your earcup thanks to an adhesive baseplate attachment system.

      Price: $79

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