Simon Walsh

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

When it comes to stunning and unique televisions, Samsung is always on the bleeding edge. Nearly two years after launching The Frame, Samsung has announced The Sero. What makes its unique is its ability to pivot vertically and horizontally, allowing it to eliminate black bars from portrait videos.

Although videos shot in portrait are controversial at best, most will likely be able to agree that Samsung’s new TV looks excellent. It sports a slim design that can easily be moved and propped up anywhere. The company’s choice to let The Sero swivel makes it much more compelling than it would otherwise be.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Over the last few decades many have aspired to have large homes that offer every possible amenity. This has led many to forget just how simple life can actually be. It is quite simple to take into account when viewing the upcoming auction of a 1937 Pierce-Arrow Model C Travelodge Camper.

The cozy Model C Travelodge Camper is a mere 13.5-feet long, with simple amenities like a linoleum table, hand-pumped sink, and wood-burning stove. While some may see spending time in this camper as a punishment, to many it offers a glimpse at a simpler life focused more on adventure rather than possessions.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Over the last few years, USB-C has become much more prevalent than when Apple initially rolled it out on its MacBook lineup. Not only will you find it on nearly every modern Android phone, you’ll also see it on Chromebooks and the latest PCs. Anker’s upcoming PowerPort Atom PD 2 will make USB-C life a little bit easier thanks to two powerful ports built into one AC adapter.

Atom PD 2 will join Anker’s recently-released PD 1, and impressive PD 4 in a few days, with ports smart enough to power two devices and automatically prioritize which one needs it most.
Expand
Expanding
Close

My first interaction with a portable air conditioner was not a good one. The central air failed at my business and I needed to ensure the climate was acceptable until the problem could be resolved. Cooling performance was impressive, but the omission of smart functionality was rather disappointing. LG is tackling this problem with its new smart air conditioner.

It’s a portable unit capable of cranking out 14,000 BTUs and is not LG’s first attempt at making a smart air conditioner. The new product joins several other window models that churn up to 22,000 BTUs. It sports LG’s proprietary Dual Inverter Compressor, allowing it to keep noise to a minimum while providing a 40% improvement in energy efficiency.
Expand
Expanding
Close

If you’re a gamer, you know that performance on PC is vastly superior to what the latest and greatest consoles have to offer. Most would agree this is largely due to price constraints, but here’s to hoping the PlayStation 5 pushes boundaries and can be somewhat competitive with gaming portables like the all-new Razer Blade 15 and 17 Pro.

Announced earlier today, the Razer Blade 15 sports Intel’s latest 9th Generation i7 six-core processor with Advanced models offering a mind-blowing either 240Hz Full HD or 4K OLED touch displays. Improvements to the Razer Blade Pro 17 include a smaller chassis, Intel’s latest six-core processors, and much more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

If we’re being honest, we’d all likely agree that a large majority of the smart home gadgets that we add to our homes are there for sheer convenience. This isn’t a bad thing at all, but it’s certainly worth calling out that some solutions actually yield an overall savings when opting for a smart equivalent of an otherwise standard device.

Thermostats easily fall into this category since they empower us to use geolocation and many other data points to help reduce energy usage. With it being Earth Day, we though now is probably one of the best times to dive into what’s out there and help you find the best smart thermostat for your home.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Retro gaming has been making a comeback lately. While emulation has been around for a while, plenty of companies have created official classic consoles that do a fantastic job of letting users create new memories while playing old games. Nintendo and PlayStation are easily the most notable, but its systems offer a rather limited number of playable games.

To get around this, folks typically download an emulator or purchase a Raspberry Pi and flash it with RetroPie or Recalbox. While this process can be fun for some, it also can be overwhelming for non-techies. A new product called Yesterday Vision aims to fix this while also providing a statement piece that most will be proud to place in their home.
Expand
Expanding
Close

I have been using security cameras for going on two years now. Initially, I chose the Logitech Circle 2, but after suffering from incessant connectivity issues and lackluster battery life I switched to Blink XT. The change is a night and day difference. Cloud storage is free and load times are lighting fast. I have just one issue and the new Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro takes it seriously.

My beef is with how many notifications I receive. The included toggles for motion alerts can only be managed on a system-wide basis. Individual camera alert controls are unavailable and as a result I am constantly overwhelmed. Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro tackles this problem with built-in lurker detection.

Expand
Expanding
Close

I’ve written many articles elaborating how Alexa has allowed me to make many things in my home smart. More importantly, it’s been very inexpensive to do so. Dimmable light switches are around $20, smart plugs are easily half of that, and $30 paid for a device that let me use Alexa to control infrared devices.

With fifteen Echo Dots in tow, I’ve begun dabbling with devices that let me use Alexa outside of my home. Roav VIVA is my latest endeavor, allowing me to take Amazon’s assistant with me in the car. Thanks to a free software update announced today, I’m likely going to be tempted to use Amazfit Verge as an Alexa smartwatch.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Whether you are looking to increase 4K video editing speeds or simply trying to boost gaming performance, eGPUs are a fantastic way to make ultrabooks and smaller PCs behave more like full-fletched gaming rigs. Here at 9to5 we’ve reviewed them, and some of us use them every day.

When we got our hands on the Razer Core X eGPU last year, we called it ‘the best eGPU for MacBook Pro’. Before the dust has had much of a chance to settle, an all-new Razer Core X Chroma has been announced. Standout features include a 700W power supply, RGB lighting, four USB and one Ethernet port along the back.
Expand
Expanding
Close

About four months after the initial announcement of the ASUS ZenBook S13, the company has stated that its new laptop will be available for order today. The ASUS ZenBook S13 boasts a 97% screen-to-body ratio, an incredible feat that single-handedly beats my daily driver and most of the other laptops on the market.

Like many achievements, this one does not come without controversy. To offer such thin bezels, the ASUS ZenBook S13 has embraced the notch that houses the laptop’s built-in webcam. Some features worth noting about the ASUS ZenBook S13 include a 13.9-inch display, a base SSD storage capacity of 512GB, and an impressive 15 hour battery.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Not too long ago I bought my first 3D printer. After months of tinkering, I wrote a post covering some of the best 3D printers out there for folks wanting to get started. When I want to build something, I generally search existing designs on sites like Thingiverse and can often find something that suits my needs.

For the times when this is not the case, I have begun building my own designs using several different 3D modeling apps. While this can be fun, it’s also time consuming. With the release of Scan Dimension’s SOL 3D Scanner, there is now an affordable way to quickly mimic existing objects.
Expand
Expanding
Close

As projectors gain increased brightness and 4K resolution becomes mainstream, the list of reasons that generally makes most folks stick with TVs is gradually fading away. Over the past several months we’ve covered projectors from Miroir and InFocus that zero in on portability, but leave us high and dry when it comes features that make us seriously consider replacing TVs.

At roughly the same time as BenQ debuted its newest home theater projector, Epson is now showing its latest and greatest offerings. Dubbed the Home Cinema 5050UB and 5050UBe, these new Epson 4K projectors sport 2,600 lumens, HDR10, and much more.
Expand
Expanding
Close