Simon Walsh

Ever since Apple went all-in on USB-C with its modern MacBooks, many consumers have found themselves missing the wide range of connectivity that used to be available in its older offerings. This has lead many of us to buy various dongles over the years and, much like backpacks, to always be on the lookout for an upgrade. With a sturdy connection and svelte design, the recently-released AUKEY USB-C Hub goes to great lengths to be the ideal dongle for most.
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I bought AirPods immediately after they were released. This was despite the high price tag and questionable style at the time. Fast forward more than two years later and there is an enormous market for truly wireless earbuds. Many sport in-ear designs like the AUKEY Key Series that I reviewed about two months ago.

Unlike others, Happy Plugs Air go head-to-head with AirPods thanks to an extremely similar style. At $90, they cost nearly half the price and at first glance, look identical to Apple’s iconic earbuds. For this reason, this review will pit Happy Plugs Air directly against Apple AirPods.
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Having over 65 years in the high-end audio business, Marantz has become a well-respected brand. With AirPlay 2 functionality often being aimed at the high-end market, it should come as no surprise that the upcoming Marantz stereo receiver supports Apple’s wireless streaming protocol.

The new Marantz stereo receiver has been given a model number of NR1200, and joins a crowded lineup of the company’s other offerings. These new offering sports a moderate price tag that customers will have a hard time undercutting unless they opt for slightly older models that offer less performance.

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When I first ordered my 3D printer, I didn’t know what I’d end up building with it. Like many, I began by downloading projects made by others, but building my own 3D print designs was my ultimate goal. Until I found proper hardware and easy-to-use modeling software, there were several times over the first month or two that I occasionally felt a bit of buyer’s remorse. This feeling quickly disappeared once I started making custom 3D print designs to fix issues lurking around the house. In this guide I’ll cover what I’ve designed recently and how long it took to make.
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After Sony announced that it had shipped 3.2 million PlayStation 4 consoles between April and the end of June, it took just a short while for analyst Daniel Ahmed to identify that it had surpassed the 100 million shipment milestone. When comparing PS4 sales with other consoles that have reached the 100 million mark, PlayStation 4 has managed to reach this goal faster than any other console to date.
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Even if you don’t snore now, many of us worry about picking up this undesirable and unhealthy habit. Luckily Tempur Sealy announced a new product aimed squarely at helping alleviate this problem. Dubbed the TEMPUR-Ergo Smart Base, Tempur Sealy’s latest invention aims to mitigate snoring by automatically sensing and tending to sleepers’ needs throughout the night.

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One of the things that I appreciate most about Amazon’s smart home ecosystem is Alexa routines. For those familiar with HomeKit, these are basically the same thing as automations. Unlike HomeKit, Alexa routines do not require a HomePod, iPad, or Apple TV to run them. Any Echo device, even the most inexpensive ones, can control other devices based on a plethora of parameters. In this guide, I’ll dive into the ways that Alexa routines can be triggered and how I am using them.
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With an ever-increasing number of mirrorless cameras entering the market, it can be easy to overlook the compact superzoom  category. The new Sony RX100 VII continues to showcase incredible capabilities despite wielding such a small form-factor. This new release comes just a year after the previous generation, yet still manages to offer several impressive improvements.

Quite a few of the upgrades have been inspired by Sony’s a9, which is a much bulkier camera. While several stand out, bringing 0.02 second autofocus acquisition time to the Sony RX100 VII is something that every user will immediately appreciate.

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Home security has come a long way in the last few years. There’s no shortage of security systems available on the market, some of which are quite affordable and provide free cloud storage. As prices plummet, groundbreaking features are reserved for high-end offerings, which is what the upcoming Fujifilm SX800 is likely to be.

Thanks to its built-in lens, the Fujifilm SX800 will have 40x optical zoom paired with a 1.25x digital zoom that allows users to read a license plate from up to a kilometer away. The company made a video showing off its zoom capabilities. Continue reading to see it for yourself.
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Following the launch of its iPad Pro USB-C hub a month ago, Kanex is back at it again with three new offerings made with the MacBook lineup in mind. Whether you own a modern MacBook Air, Pro, or the recently discontinued 12-inch offering, there’s a Kanex iAdapt USB-C hub that’s ready to bring ports of old back to your Mac.
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A few months back we wrote about Amazon’s rumored Alexa robot, but details were quite light. According to a report published by Bloomberg, the project seems to be ramping up and we now have additional insight about what to expect.

Given a code name of ‘Vesta’, Amazon’s current iteration of the Alexa robot is able to navigate using wheels, differentiating itself from some preceding products that have relied on tracks. It can be controlled with voice and stands at roughly waist-height.
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Hot on the heels of Leica’s new V-Lux 5, the Sigma fp has been announced and is being touted as the ‘world’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera’. Other headlining features include a body that is both dust and splash-proof, providing safety in various kinds of shooting environments.
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Just three months after the Q2 debuted, Leica is back at it again with a new, well-rounded model that is versatile enough to appeal to both amateur and prosumer photographers. The new Leica V-Lux 5 sports an integrated superzoom lens with a range equivalent to 25-400mm. A large 1-inch sensor capable of snapping 20-megapixel photos aims to deliver “outstanding imaging performance throughout the entire zoom range.”
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At CES 2019, ARRIS showed off its take on Wi-Fi 6. We covered it, but release details were light, a problem that the company has addressed today by providing additional information about its new and impressive Wi-Fi systems. For starters, ARRIS SURFboard mAX will debut with two systems dubbed Plus and Pro, the latter of which (unsurprisingly) will be the most powerful and pricey of the two.
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After solidifying itself as “makers of the world’s #1 growler“, GrowlerWerks is back at it again with the uKeg Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker. The new contraption aims to let coffee lovers create their own high-end nitro-infused cold brews, without needing to venture out or spend much money making it.

Not only is uKeg Nitro capable of making nitro cold brew coffee, its design looks flat-cool to boot. This is because GrowlerWerks has shared its slick growler design with uKeg Nitro. Outfitted with vacuum insulated stainless steel, GrowlerWerks’ new release is an all-in-one brewing solution that can keep coffee cold for an entire day.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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