Simon Walsh

Despite the fact that movie theater subscriptions has been a highly-competitive and cut-throat market, there looks to be another player prepping to enter the space. Rumors of a Regal Cinemas subscription service have begun ramping up and it appears there will be a variety of pricing tiers, all of which offer unlimited tickets.
Expand
Expanding
Close

In a world that relies on smartphone cameras more than ever, Canon continues to create new products that can do things or go places that iPhones typically cannot. While smartphones like Google Pixel and iPhone continue to close the gap between Canon’s DSLR and mirrorless camera lineup, the company has been hard at work making products like Canon IVY REC.

Touted as a ‘clippable, outdoor camera’, Canon IVY REC pitches itself as a device that’s to be taken on risky adventures that could potentially render your $1,000 iPhone useless. Canon’s new camera sports wireless tech that makes photo and video transfers a simple, straight-forward experience.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Summer is finally here. With it comes a heatwave that can be significantly alleviated with the help of a pool or air conditioner. Last year GE unveiled its first HomeKit air conditioner which let users control their home’s climate using Siri via Apple’s Home app.

Since then, GE has unveiled several other units which look like they will be replaced with a new HomeKit air conditioner lineup that sports geolocation capabilities. This feature aims to detect when homeowners leave and also when they’re on their way back home.
Expand
Expanding
Close

I’ve been a happy Apple product user since 2007. Not only does Apple gear tend to offer a cleaner UI than the competition, the company’s commitment to safeguarding user data is at a level that most companies cannot come close to matching. That being said, many would agree that Apple has gone nuts with pricing over the last few years. This is the primary reason I initially tried to replace Apple TV with Fire TV Stick 4K, and overall I’ve been quite surprised by just how feature-packed of a product it has been.

Expand
Expanding
Close

EON, makers of the GCHD (GameCube HDMI Adapter), are back at it again with a new attachment that breathes new life into the iconic Nintendo 64. Dubbed Super N64, the new adapter connects to Nintendo 64’s Multi-Out port and produces HDMI connectivity.

Not only does the new adapter modernize the Nintendo 64’s aging connectivity, it also is capable of smoothing out pixelated edges for a bit cleaner of a look. Even with said capabilities, Super N64 does not require an additional power source, providing an extremely simple way to get your N64 connected to a modern TV.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Amazon Prime Day has become a big deal. Not only have companies like eBay, Target, and Dell tried to cash in with sales of their own, Walmart has thrown its hat in the ring with a couple of notable differences that give it a leg up on Amazon.

Thousands of Walmart rollbacks and special buys will grace a sale that one-ups Amazon by starting a day earlier and lasting a total of three days. While no official Walmart rollbacks or other promotions have been publicized, customers should expect top-tier products to make an appearance in an attempt to distract from what Amazon has in store.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Less than one year after the release of the C64 Mini, Retro Games has unveiled a larger version of the iconic 80’s home computer. Equipped with 64 classic games, THEC64 is similar in many ways to its smaller sibling, but does sport some differences that help justify its existence.

One of the clearest differentiators of the new C64 is a size that is true to the original Commodore 64. Additionally, it features a fully-functional keyboard, an attribute that the smaller form-factor could apparently not afford. These two features alone bring it much closer to being a replica of the Commodore 64 than the C64 Mini could ever be.

Expand
Expanding
Close

When it comes to purchasing Mac accessories, OWC is one of the most-respected and well-known brands out there. For several decades the company has offered top-tier aftermarket upgrades to Apple hardware. We’ve reviewed several OWC products over the years and tend to walk away impressed.

The new OWC Envoy Pro EX brings yet another ultra-fast external storage solution to market. It’s fully compatible with Mac and PC hardware alike and delivers top speeds of up to 980MB/s. This is achievable thanks to the use of an NVMe SSD instead of many common alternatives that sport a 2.5-inch form-factor.
Expand
Expanding
Close

I have a tendency to use a piece of technology for a while, sell it, and then buy another. This cycle has been on repeat for several years. Back when I sold my stainless steel Apple Watch Series 3, I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to invest my money in next. Once the thought of buying a 3D printer struck, there was very little convincing left to do.

The idea of building my own custom gear was as exhilarating then as it is now. After roughly six months, I’ve built 87 objects and used over 825 meters of filament. In this guide I’ll cover some of what I’ve built, the software I use, and the hardware that has made designing my own gear much easier.
Expand
Expanding
Close

With over five years of developing photography gear for Apple, DJI, and GoPro under its belt, SANDMARC has now released a new lens for iPhone. Made with filmmaking in mind, the SANDMARC Anamorphic Lens captures ultra-wide video with lens flare effects to produce video similar to what’s seen in high-end productions.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Back in February Garmin officially agreed to purchase the cycling fitness company called Tacx. Based in the Netherlands, Tacx has been in business since 1957 and has evolved in the technology sector to deliver indoor bicycle training equipment. With ownership being finalized back in April, the last couple of months has lead us to today’s official release of new Garmin Tacx indoor cycling trainers.
Expand
Expanding
Close

We’re living through a remarkable time when smartphones paired with respectable cameras and advanced algorithms can in some instances deliver similar performance thanks to features like Portrait Mode. As smartphones continue to close the gap between high-end cameras, the pressure is on manufacturers to compete not only in quality, but also in price. The new Hasselblad X1D II 50C exists to reduce cost while also delivering remarkable medium format quality.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Not too long ago we reviewed the Polk Audio Command Sound Bar. Audio quality was solid, but its headlining feature was Alexa voice control which had been baked right in. This forged a path which allowed users to ditch the remote and control settings for volume, bass, and treble using voice only. Two upcoming alternatives will allow customers to purchase a Yamaha Alexa sound bar with or without a subwoofer.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Earlier this year, Amazon and IMDb launched Freedive. It was a streaming video service that brought select TV shows and movies to the masses by offering it free of charge. Roughly six months after its debut, Amazon is changing the name to IMDb TV and tripling the size of its catalog.

Expand
Expanding
Close

When I first saw the new AUKEY Key Series True Wireless Earbuds, I found the number of features at such a low price point to be quite jarring. With Qi charging built-in, these earbuds are in direct competition with Apple’s recent top-tier release and yet they still manage to clock in at around half of the price.

Being an AirPods owner, I thought it would be interesting to write up a review that pits both Apple and AUKEY’s earbuds head-to-head. If you’re on the fence about buying AirPods, continue reading to see if the new AUKEY Key Series earbuds are a worthy alternative.
Expand
Expanding
Close

When Nintendo Switch debuted back in 2017, its portable form-factor was arguably its most compelling feature. The thought of taking top-tier Nintendo games on-the-go while still retaining a physical controller excited tons of fans, including myself.

Fast-forward to 2019 and one of the biggest Switch complaints is how uncomfortable it can be to use Joy-Con controllers outside of quick gaming sessions. With today’s unveiling of the Hori Grip, Switch owners may soon have a way to more comfortably embrace portable gaming.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Another week, another AirPods competitor. Just two weeks ago after we covered AUKEY’s truly wireless Key Series earbuds, a new AirPods rival has emerged that fully commits to Apple’s stem-like design. Instead of going inside the ear canal like Anker’s Liberty Air and many others, Happy Plugs Air 1 simply rest just outside of it, closely mimicking Apple’s popular offering.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Much like iPad, Apple is very much ahead of its competitors when it comes to wearable technology. The Apple Watch Series 4 showcases the company’s strong health push thanks to its ability to offer over-the-counter ECG readings. About eight months after its debut, Huami’s new Amazfit Verge 2 is here to take it on with a much more compelling price tag.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung has unveiled a new 27-inch display that is made specifically with gamers in mind. Features that give this away include a curved form-factor, smooth 240Hz refresh rate, and compatibility with NVIDIA G-SYNC. The new 27-inch Samsung CRG5 display joins the existing 23.5-inch, but easily outperforms many specifications of its older sibling.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Despite being a huge fan of outdoor security cameras, I’ve been reluctant to purchase indoor solutions. It probably goes without saying, but my hesitance has been largely due in part to privacy concerns. The new YI Dome Camera X takes aim at resolving this issue by physically covering the camera when it’s not in use.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Airstream has officially announced the reintroduction of two iconic trailers, Bambi and Caravel. Now that we’re finally in June, many of us are itching to spend time outdoors, making the timing of this Airstream trailer news about as good as it gets.

Originally launched in the 1960s, each Airstream trailer has been completely reworked and is now available as a product line with variety of floor plans. This move allows customers to find a more tailored fit that’s is more aptly suited to their individual desires.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Projectors can be an inexpensive way to score an extremely large display. No matter how fancy they tend to be, the downside generally boils down to insufficient brightness levels. With a 6,000-lumen offering, the new NEC P Series projector takes aim at solving this recurring issue.

Not only is it bright, it is also very quiet. In fact, NEC has called it “the quietest 6,000-lumen projector”. Other notable features include 4K and a USB port that yields enough power to run many of today’s most-popular streaming media players.
Expand
Expanding
Close

After buying a pair of new AirPods a couple days ago as a gift, it’s all too real just how pricey they can be. Apple tends to chase large margins, this leaves plenty of room for competitors to offer up much less expensive alternatives. With the official announcement of the AUKEY Key Series earlier today, AirPods have yet another rival.

The AUKEY Key Series consists of four different pairs of headphones, but only one is truly wireless. With USB-C and Qi charging support, many would agree that the new T10 earbuds set a standard that all AirPods competitors should meet.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Despite there being oodles of speakers to choose from, LG is holding fast to its XBOOM lineup with today’s announcement of three new offerings. Each of the new LG XBOOM model has a distinct form-factor and use-case. Options include a tower, portable speaker, and full-blown music system.

With such easily-distinguishable offerings, LG appears to have found enough separation to justify the purchase of each to most consumers. Whether you’re looking for a way to improve your home theater, take music on-the-go, or shake the walls in your home, the new LG XBOOM offerings aim to get the job done.

Expand
Expanding
Close

What looks like a spaceship is actually Logitech’s first official stab at creating a stylus made for virtual reality. The new product can be used on both 2D surfaces, and more notably, in 3D room-scale spaces. It’s called Logitech VR Ink and is aimed squarely at creatives.

As virtual reality continues to become more mainstream and affordable, new and innovative input methods are sure to grow in popularity. This is certainly true for Apple Pencil and Logitech Crayon as Apple has rolled out newer and more budget-friendly iPads with support for these products.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Earlier today at Computex 2019, HP announced plans to continue exploring the use of unique materials in its products. The new HP ENVY Wood Series does just that, by offering several of its laptops in various authentic wood styles.

Use of wood will be accompanied by other materials, which seems to be plan since we have yet to see how it will wear and tear in laptops. There will be a total of three styles for customers to pick from including Nightfall Black with Natural Walnut, Ceramic White with White Birch, or Natural Silver with Pale Birch.
Expand
Expanding
Close

It’s been about six months since I dove headfirst to the Amazon Alexa ecosystem. While it’s not perfect, I’m very happy with my decision to switch away from Siri as my primary voice assistant. Having fully immersed my home in Echo Dots, I initially didn’t see a need to venture outside of Amazon’s most affordable smart speaker.

My feelings changed pretty quickly after I realized how feature-rich Echo Plus was at such an affordable price. More microphones, better sounding audio, and a built-in smart home hub all worked together and eventually pushed me to try an upgraded Echo experience.
Expand
Expanding
Close

With the release of an all-new NOOK GlowLight Plus, Barnes & Noble continues to put up a fight against Amazon’s dominative Kindle lineup. The new product sports the company’s largest E-Ink screen ever, a move much like its NOOK 10.1 release late last year.

In addition to its large 7.8-inch display, the new NOOK GlowLight Plus is waterproof with 8GB of storage onboard. Despite that sounding like a puny amount of space when compared to smartphone standards, the company touts that it’s capable of holding thousands of books.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Now that spring has hit and summer is right around the corner, it’s time to prep for outdoor adventures. For many, this involves using RVs or cost-conscious tents. Folks that don’t like any of the cookie-cutter solutions may find the new Earth Traveler Trailer to be an intriguing compromise.

Weighing just 216 pounds, the T250LX Earth Traveler Trailer is an impressively light way to travel. Such a lightweight build has been achieved thanks to the use of carbon fiber. Going this route also yields an extremely strong and durable shelter that’s ready to be towed by nearly any vehicle, according to the manufacturer.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Alongside all-new TVs with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support, VIZIO announced earlier today new offerings being added to its sound bar lineup. From sound bars to premium Dolby Atmos home theater systems, the company is striving to have an option for each segment of the market.

Unsurprisingly, each one of VIZIO’s new and upcoming products is sold at a compelling price point, with cost-conscious solutions ranging from $70 to $700. Unlike its TVs, none of the announced audio systems are compatible with AirPlay 2, but it does appear that everything works with Chromecast.
Expand
Expanding
Close

For a long time, Bose has been the brand that everyone has been chasing, but Sony began to shake that up with its previously-released USB-C ANC offering. For many, a high price point has been a barrier, making the new and slightly more affordable pair of Sony XB900N headphones a nice alternative.

The Sony XB900N headphones match most of the existing XM3’s features. This is wonderful as we touted the XM3’s as the new ‘ANC King’ in our hands-on review. Standout differences in Sony’s new headphones include more punchy bass and a step down to an ANC chip that loses the ability to adjust for atmospheric pressure.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Earlier today Spotify announced that it’s currently testing a new device called Car Thing. It’s being developed to help the company continue its focus on becoming the ‘the world’s number one audio platform’. Spotify’s Car Thing is powered via a vehicle’s 12-volt outlet and will be primarily operated with voice.

Spotify is not the only company dabbling with bringing easier voice controls to cars. Amazon has been working on Echo Auto, an Alexa device developed solely with the car in mind. Anker has taken a stab at Alexa and Google Assistant in the car with its Roav Viva and Bolt.

Expand
Expanding
Close

When SanDisk unveiled the “world’s fastest” 1TB microSD card earlier this year, many (including myself) were impressed. With mainstream 2.5-inch solid state drives typically capping out at 4TB, it’s unbelievable that 1024GB of storage can be crammed onto something that’s roughly the size of a fingernail. Not only is it possible, but it’s now beginning to make an official appearance at some retailers, inviting you to stow every Switch game on a teeny-tiny microSD card.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Sengled took the wraps off of new products and pricing earlier today. The company solicited feedback from 1,000 Americans and states its actions are an attempt to fix what consumers find wrong with current smart lighting solutions.

Not only is Sengled slashing prices on some of its existing products, it’s also releasing an array of new, affordable smart lighting gear. Of all the options, its new Extra Bright bulb is easily the most notable. Producing 1,500 lumens, this option offers significantly more light than its competitors.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Update 5/30: You can now purchase the HP OMEN X 2s 15 direct from HP starting at $2,099.99 shipped.

HP unveiled some of its latest gaming gear earlier today. Among its announcements, the most notable is the launch of the ‘world’s first dual-screen gaming laptop’. It’s called the HP Omen X 2S and aims to help gamers multitask.

In its announcement, HP used various metrics to call out why this product should exist. The company revealed that 82% of gamers use phones for messaging, 61% listen to music, and 49% watch live streams or browse the web while playing. HP Omen X 2S attacks this multitasking dilemma head-on with the inclusion of a second screen.
Expand
Expanding
Close

A recent update on Amazon’s developer portal shows that the number of Alexa devices has grown significantly in just one year. An change in phrasing clarifies a drastic jump from 12,000 to 60,000 official Alexa devices. While many of these devices are likely to do the same thing, it makes for a competitive market that provides customers with several options to choose from.
Expand
Expanding
Close

As each day passes I become increasingly fond of Amazon’s products and services. My initial love for Amazon all began with Prime shipping which gave me access to thousands of items available for 2-day shipping. I reluctantly gave Alexa a shot and was so pleased I went from one Amazon device to several quite rapidly.

In this Echo Dot Diary I’ll be covering the Amazon devices I currently own and how their features have improved my life. While the Alexa ecosystem is large, I tend to gravitate towards an Amazon-made device over one from a third party. This often leads to less headaches and an experience that works as expected.

Expand
Expanding
Close

When it comes to earbuds, most would agree that AirPods are the most sought after option on the market. With the Apple’s latest offering ranging from $159-$199, the new Skullcandy Indy headphones are a low cost alternative that the company hopes its customers will appreciate.

The new Skullcandy Indy earbuds offer a design that looks very similar to the iconic stem-like form factor seen in Apple AirPods. Even the charging case mimics what Apple customers are familiar with using. While they have quite a few differences, Skullcandy’s choice to opt for black as the primary color is likely to be one of the most warmly-welcomed differentiators.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Anker has been keeping busy lately. Prior to today’s release of Anker PowerPort Atom III, the company had debuted two preceding devices in 2019. One of which that sports two USB-C ports and another with four outputs that offer a combined total of 100W charging.

What makes Anker PowerPort Atom III interesting is the implementation of the company’s new PowerIQ 3.0 technology. It outputs a total of 60W across two ports, USB A and C with the unique ability to support all fast-charging protocols. Identification is automatic, taking place without no interaction required from users.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Master & Dynamic is a brand whose industrial design has always been nothing short of impressive. While the company has released plenty of headphones, it has never released an offering that competes directly with ANC offerings from big names like Bose, Sony, and Beats. This changes today with a stunning new pair of Master & Dynamic ANC wireless headphones.

Much like the Sony XM3s, Master & Dynamic is passing up the opportunity to give its headlining headphones a name that can easily be remembered. It has chosen to label them with a boring model number of MW65, but for many that will likely be their only complaint.

Expand
Expanding
Close

If you’re here, there’s a chance that you’re fascinated by the idea of scaling back and living minimally. Portable spaces like RVs and tiny homes are trending right now. Many are flocking towards the idea of spending less on a home and having plenty leftover for a life filled with adventure. While Polydrop Trailer may not offer as many amenities as some other options, most would agree that it checks a lot of boxes and clocks in at a very affordable price.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Over the past several months, I’ve gone all in on Alexa. At first I was not convinced that Amazon’s assistant was the right fit for my Apple-centric home, thinking it wouldn’t be long until I switched back to (cursing at) Siri. I was wrong. Inexpensive gear and reliable performance have kept me here and I’ve got more items than ever on my Alexa wishlist.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Reolink may be a brand name that you hear of very often, but that may start to change as it continues to innovate in the home security space. The company announced the Reolink Argus PT security camera earlier today and it sports several impressive features.

With the launch of Reolink Argus PT, the company is empowering average consumers to embrace solar energy while also benefiting from useful perks like pan and tilt. This yields an incredible 355-degree pan and 140-degree tilt design that every customer is sure to appreciate.

Expand
Expanding
Close

When it comes to cleaning interior floors, there is no shortage of smart options out there. It’s a market filled with an overwhelming number of choices. Here at 9to5Toys we’ve used and reviewed several, but have yet to try out smart lawn mowers like the new WORX Landroid M.

Once programmed, WORX Landroid M is capable of mowing up to a quarter of an acre with no human interaction required. Lawn cutting can be scheduled and triggered remotely using the iOS or Android app.
Expand
Expanding
Close

It’s no secret that I am a fan of projectors. I have been using them in my home for several years now and absolutely love how simple they make it to bring an extremely large display to any space that sports a blank wall or screen. A common issue with projectors is the need to mount them far away from the wall to net a large display, but with the new VAVA 4K Projector, this is no longer necessary.
Expand
Expanding
Close