Reviews

The Harman Kardon Citation series combines beautiful design and impressive audio with smart voice connectivity through Google Assistant. It can also be expanded upon by adding more Citation units to your existing system of compatible speakers. Today we’re taking a look at the Citation ONE, the starting point of the Citation series.
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Today we are diving in to our Teenage Engineering 400 Pocket Operator review. The boutique audio device maker has created some of the most unique little instruments (among other things) over the years and we couldn’t wait to get hands on with its latest. While stock of the Eurorack compatible synthesizer is still extremely tight, we managed to get and early run to experience TE’s new build-it-yourself Pocket Operator 400 synthesizer set. Head below the jump for our hands-on impressions of the building process and sound quality of the new IKEA meets modular synthesizer kit.
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Today, we’re starting a series focused on building the ultimate “Chroma Cave,” a RGB explosion powered by Razer’s Chroma Studio. Razer makes popular peripherals, like the Deathadder mouse, and gaming laptops. They also have a love of all things RGB that they incorporate into almost every device they make. We wanted to build out a “Chroma Cave” featuring their technology along with some other brands that can be incorporated into Razer’s Chroma Studio software. Today we’re going to start with the heart of the cave – the Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop.
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Towards the end of last year, we got our first look at the then-upcoming Captain Marvel LEGO kit. After some solid initial impressions, we’ve finally gotten our hands on the new Marvel film’s first and only set. So today we’ll be going hands-on with the LEGO Captain Marvel and The Skrull Attack to see how the recent 307-piece build stacks up. Hit the jump to check out our full hands-on review.

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The RoboVac 30C adds to Eufy’s lineage of popular, affordable robotic vacuums. While the entry level $179.99 11S is an Amazon choice with over 2,500 reviews and a 4.5/5 star rating, Eufy’s RoboVac 30C, arrived on the scene late last year and has also garnered Amazon’s recommendation. Priced at $299.99, it offers smart capabilities, three power modes and up to 100 minutes of continuous run-time. Head below for our full hands-on review.

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When it comes to smart home lighting, Philips Hue has become synonymous with the gold standard. Color Accuracy? Check. Reliability? You got it. HomeKit support? Done. All of that comes with a higher barrier to entry; the Hue Hub, a dependency that drives many away from the ecosystem. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Enter the new Eve HomeKit Light Strip.

As one of the latest HomeKit-enabled smart home device from Eve, the Light Strip touts an improved color profile and more all in a Wi-Fi-centric package. Head below for our full hands-on review and to see how it stacks up to the competition. 

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Insta360 is well-known for a series of high-quality 360-degree cameras. The latest in its line is the Insta360 ONE X, which is without a doubt one of the the best bang for your buck 360-degree cameras available right now. I’ve been testing one out for the past two months. It has totally changed the way I film my youtube videos and has made my video content so much more epic. Head below for our hands-on review.

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I’ve been using the Polk Audio Command Bar for several weeks now. While no one can argue that there is a shortage of sound bars on the market today, finding a solution with Alexa baked-in is an entirely different story.

Many will wonder if paying a premium to have Alexa in a sound bar is worthwhile. The answer largely depends on how much your household relies on Amazon’s voice assistant. If everyone is used to conversing with Echo Dots (as am I), then it could offer increased convenience for those in your home.

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I love my AirPods. Seriously, I never leave home without them, and when I do, I feel like there’s a piece of me left behind. That’s because Apple made a product so well that it seamlessly fits into my lifestyle. It slides well into my pocket, has long battery life, and sounds good for its size. But now, JLab Audio’s JBuds Air have come on the scene with great features and a super affordable price point to rival Apple’s AirPods. Head below for our full review.

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Every now and then, I’ll stumble upon a product that tries too hard to be different to the point where it’s not worth taking a look at. However, this isn’t the case for the nuraphone headphones by nura.

Originally a Kickstarter, the amount of technology and innovations made with the nuraphone have put it in its own category of headphone. But not everything is rainbows and daisies.

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While moving into a new apartment at the beginning of the year, one of my computer’s hard drive suffered a casualty. Determined to never unintentionally lose data again in the future, I set out to find a reliable solution for hosting Time Machine backups. At the end of the journey enters the two-bay Synology DS218play NAS, an affordable yet powerful storage solution. Loaded with 20TB of storage, I’ve been using the NAS for a few days and am left with a great first impression. Head below for a closer look.

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Back in September we covered LEGO Forma, the company’s first attempt to crowdfund an entire line of new kits. After facing shipping delays, the LEGO Forma Koi Fish has finally arrived. Stacking up to one of LEGO’s first kinetic sculptures, the kit is an enjoyable build that stands out from the entirety of the company’s lineup. Head to the depths below to check out our full hands-on review.

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Earlier this month the Nomad Titanium Band for Apple Watch was announced. Hitting the scene at $180, it was far more affordable than Apple’s in-house alternatives. In the weeks since, I’ve been using this band daily both during work and at the gym. It differs from most of the other link bands that I’ve previously tried in a few key areas, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add some style to their wrists. Head below to find out why.

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Grovemade has been the name behind some of our favorite Apple-friendly accessories for a while now. The Portland-based brand has slowly increased its offerings in recent years to include a range of desk organizers, Apple Watch bands and more. With simplicity at the forefront, its products are made from locally-sourced materials when possible with a focus on sustainable operations. The new Grovemade Apple Watch Dock continues those trends and features a stainless steel base with a cork topper. Head below for a hands-on look at this new home for Apple’s wearable.

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As the headphone jack begins to disappear from more and more portable devices, Bluetooth, and more specifically, ANC headphones have become super popular. Right out of left field, Microsoft announced its first-generation Surface Headphones earlier this year which feature ANC, Bluetooth, and charging over USB-C.

So, how do they stack up against the competition?

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Ever since Apple hit the jackpot with AirPods, the competition has been ramping up from other audio brands. CES 2019 revealed even more truly wireless earbuds on the way. That’s in addition to an already robust marketplace from well-known names in the industry along with a host of low-cost options. One new player in this space is Anker, who recently expanded its Soundcore lineup with the new Liberty Air True-Wireless Earphones. With AirPod-style for nearly 50% less, how does Anker’s latest audio release compare to the clubhouse leader? A quick look and comparison below.

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Earlier this year, LEGO announced that it would be bringing back a fan-favorite set after nearly a decade of retirement. To close out the year, LEGO has brought back the Vestas Wind Turbine, an 800-piece packing motorized features and more. As one of the tallest sets ever released, we had to get our hands on it. So head below to take an in-depth look at what LEGO’s most recent set has to offer.

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There are a ton of great options out there for an excellent laptop nowadays, and plenty of them will be on sale this week for Black Friday. Over the past several months I’ve been using Huawei’s Matebook X Pro as my primary laptop. Here are a few reasons why it’s one of the best laptops you can buy for Black Friday.

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2018 has seen some pretty crazy advances in the world of tech. Somewhere on that list, and certainly nowhere near the top, we have Amazon’s latest connected gadget: an Alexa-enabled microwave. Having just been released, we brought the AmazonBasics Microwave into our kitchen and put it to the test. Head below to see if Amazon’s new kitchen appliance is made with the ingredients for success.

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Before I get into my Kindle Paperwhite Review, I want to give you some backstory on where my life has been headed over the past few weeks. I’ve been pondering the role technology plays in our lives. It all started when my wife and I spent a weekend away for our anniversary, and I purposely didn’t keep my phone with me for an entire day. I knew she had her cell phone in case of an emergency with our children, so I just left it at the hotel. One of the main reasons I didn’t want it with me is because it was the day of the Georgia vs. LSU college football game, and I didn’t want to know the score until it was over. For the first time in many years, I went 12+ hours without picking up a cell phone to check e-mail, respond to a text message, or visit a website. 
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Last month the Marshall Wooburn II Bluetooth Speaker hit the market as a high-end model with iconic styling and a hefty price tag. The $499 speaker promised booming sound in a package that any audio enthusiast is sure to love. But with an MSRP that’s sure to turn some shoppers away, is it worth the extra cash when Sonos, HomePod and others are available for less?

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Coding, to those unfamiliar, can often seem like magic. Rather than have this mystery be a bad thing for newcomers to the world of programming, Kano’s latest release looks to use this mysticism to inspire. The Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit was showcased earlier this year, and now we’re finally getting our hands on it.

By pairing a buildable magic wand with an in-depth and intuitive companion app, Kano’s Harry Potter Coding Kit teaches first-time coders the fundamentals they need by reciting spells and more. Head below to get an in-depth look at the company’s latest, most-entertaining release yet.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is probably one of the most anticipated games of 2018. Launching two weeks ago, this game has quickly become one of my favorite CoD games ever, possibly my all-time favorite. In our full Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review, we’ll take a look at all game modes and gameplay.

From a revamped multiplayer to a brand-new Zombies storyline and the new Blackout game mode, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will be on most gamers wishlists this holiday season.

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Earlier this year, LEGO and Blizzard announced that the two companies would be joining forces to release a line of brick-built Overwatch sets. Since then, fans of both LEGO and the hit multiplayer game have been eagerly awaiting the release of these sets. Last week we got a first look at what the collaboration has in store, with the release of the Omnic Bastion 75987 set.

We’ve finally gotten our hands on the new release, so head below for an in-depth look at how the first LEGO Overwatch set stacks up.

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TiVo is a brand name that is well known when it comes to recording TV shows. It was one of the original digital video recorders (along with ReplayTV). I purchased the Series 2 TiVo in 2003, and I used it for four years before retiring it for a Comcast branded DVR when I got my first HDTV in 2007. Even after switching to a non-TiVo DVR, I missed the familiar interface. Even to this day, I’ve used countless DVR solutions from various companies, and nothing touches the simplicity of the TiVo. Will the TiVo Bolt OTA for Antenna live up to the hype?

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This year has been filled with some pretty eye-catching LEGO kits. Ideas assembled a mighty Voltron and we were able to ride in style with a souped-up Aston Martin. But now that the fall lineup of LEGO releases is here, we’re getting a look at some more must-haves. While the new Cloud City set has taken the spotlight, another new release debuted just last week. Stacking up to over 800 pieces, the new Star Wars LEGO Porg 75230 may just be the cutest kit yet. Head below for our full hands-on review. 

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After admitting that Bluetooth was an okay standard for wireless audio, I’ve been on the hunt for a set of wireless headphones that work well, sound great, and are comfortable and versatile. Enter the Sony WH-1000XM3.

I’ve tried everything from the Bose QC35 II’s, Bang and Olufsen H9i, Bowers & Wilkins PX, and many more. Each of these claim to feature noice cancellation, which is something a lot of consumers are looking for when buying headphones. Most recently, Sony announced the third iteration in its WH-1000X series, the 1000XM3s (Mark III’s), and these are really close to being the headphones I’ve been searching for.

Head below to learn why.

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Today, Jaybird has announced the new Tarah Wireless Sport Headphones. Coming in at $100, this is one of the brand’s more affordable releases in recent memory. Tarah arrives on the scene today with 6-hours of battery life and a simplified design that stays true to Jaybird style.

Over the last week I’ve been able to give Jaybird’s latest release a good run through. Head below for a few quick thoughts and additional details.

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Throw out everything you thought you knew about cardboard, Nintendo’s back with yet another of its Labo cardboard construction kits. This time putting you right in the driver’s seat of a car, plane and submarine, Nintendo has more than a few tricks up its sleeve for the new Vehicle Kit.

We got out hands on the company’s latest and after putting it to the test, it’s hard to not be thoroughly impressed. Nintendo has seriously upped its game and made its cardboard creations even more enticing. Head below to get an in-depth look at everything the Labo Vehicle Kit has to offer.

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Finding the perfect bag to take on a trip has never been an easy task for me. I want to carry my camera gear, clothes, toiletries, and my laptop too; along with all of the necessary cables and cords I’ll need for that trip. I’ve used several bags over the past few years, from the TYLT Energi to Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack 30L, Messenger Bag 15, and even the WaterField’s Air Porter.

Each serves a purpose unique to itself: the Messenger Bag 15 is great for carrying one camera body and a few lenses along with a laptop, the Everyday Backpack 30L is an awesome bag to carry tons of stuff, though it’s not super comfy. The Air Porter is an awesome laptop bag with plenty of room to carry other tech items, like my Switch. But, in the past, I’ve always had to carry multiple bags when going on a weekend vacation or convention. That all changed with the Peak Design Travel Backpack.

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sEach fall we’re blessed with annual releases from some of the most popular video game series out there. In recent memory, no other franchise has enjoyed such a cult following like NBA 2K. Each year the series gets a fine tuning, along with updated rosters and varies tweaks that take the game to a new level.

NBA 2K19 hit the scene on Friday with more hype than I can recall in the last few years. Right out of the box it’s clear that 2K is set to shine again with buttery smooth gameplay and an exceptionally deep Career Mode that takes you on a journey from no-name to star. That’s not to say this year’s release isn’t without any issue as microtransactions continue to be a bother throughout. Despite that, NBA 2K19 continues to reign supreme as the best basketball simulation on the market today.

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Today it’s all about IK Multimedia’s latest analog synth hardware. IK’s lineup of music production and live sound gear is largely considered to be for those with a budget in mind or as amazing beginner rigs for aspiring producers. The new UNO synth is designed to be just that with an extremely competitive price tag and wide platform compatibility with your existing recording environment. After having the chance to put the portable analog synthesizer to the test over the last couple weeks in some electronic-based music productions and more, it’s time to see what the new IK Multimedia UNO Synth is packing.
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When I first saw the announcement for the MX Vertical from Logitech, I was intrigued. I had seen vertical mice like this from other companies on Amazon before but was never quite sure if they “really” worked.

I came from the MX Master 2S (and MX Master before that, with a few MX Anywhere mice thrown in as well.) In my mind, nothing could be as good ergonomically as the MX Master. It felt better than other mice and had tons of features. My views were completely changed after using the MX Vertical for just over a week.

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It was just earlier this year that LEGO brought the Harry Potter line of kits back from a nearly decade-long hiatus. And just a few months after the initial announcement, LEGO returned to show off its second biggest set to date, the 71043 Hogwarts Castle.

Now with the 6,000-piece set’s release right around the corner, we’re ready to get down to the nitty gritty and take a hands-on look at this year’s largest LEGO kit. So be sure to head below and see what the Wizarding World of Hogwarts has to offer.

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This morning, Ultimate Ears announced the follow-up to two of most popular Bluetooth Speakers with the BOOM 3 and MEGABOOM 3. The latest from UE delivers the same bright colors and in your face design, but this isn’t simply a re-branded version of the previous generation. Both speakers feature a new ‘Magic Button’ on top that allows for users to control music and instantly start pre-determined playlists. UE has also completely remodeled its iOS app to include a handful of new features.

I’ve been able to go hands-on with the latest BOOM speakers from UE over the last few weeks. Head below for a quick look and a few thoughts on today’s release.

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Working at 9to5Toys, I’ve been able to get my hands-on some pretty cool technology over the years. As trends come and go, different products will catch my eye, but perhaps none more than the slew of electric bikes that we’ve reviewed over at Electrek. In recent months, Seth, Fred and Micah have detailed just about every style of two-wheel transportation you can imagine, so long as it’s powered by electricity. In that time, I’ve been watching and waiting for the perfect chance to ride on my first eBike. That day is today.

Pure Cycles first arrived on the scene six years ago, but it wasn’t until recently when we featured a deal on 9to5Toys that I became familiar with its offerings. For the past few weeks I’ve been able to take one of its latest releases, the Volta, out for a spin. I couldn’t have picked a better ride for my first eBike experience.

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Choosing the right desktop speakers can certainly be challenging. It usually boils down to something like how much you value high-quality over how much cash you’re willing to part with. I would personally rather fork over some serious loot for a hardcore set of drivers. But I thought it was time to start taking a look at some of the extremely affordable options on the market to see what saving a thousand dollars or more sounds like.

Enter Samson’s latest MediaOne M50 Power Studio Monitors. The extremely affordable desktop speakers are set for release later this month so we thought no better time than now to see how the sub $120 monitors will hold up in a typical podcast/music production workflow.
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I was recently in a wedding, and was prepared for the usual smattering of groomsmen gifts that were destined to find their way into a drawer somewhere. Turns out, the groom had something pretty cool up his sleeve…or should I say, in his wallet.

Amongst the selection of gifts was this nifty 11-function stainless steel survival tool. At under $4 via Amazon, this is a must-have for your wallet. It’s capable of doing just about any task you might come across, and is arguably less likely to be lost than those Swiss Army knives we’ve seen around for years. Head below for a quick look.

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LEGO’s Harry Potter line of kits is finally back after a near decade hiatus. Over the first half of 2018 we’ve seen a variety of releases get added to the lineup and while there’s no beating the new 6,000 piece Hogwarts castle, the most popular of the new releases are LEGO’s BrickHeadz figures for the wizards. Today we’re going hands-on with the new figures, so be sure to hit the jump for an in-depth look.

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In the past few years of LEGO releases, the company’s lineup has been defined by a two-fold focus: releasing larger, more part-intensive kits packed with eye-catching details alongside expanding its lineup of offerings by bringing in as many partnerships with existing IPs as possible. LEGO’s most recent release just so happens to fit into both categories, with the all-new Aston Martin DB5 packing many iconic features and details from the James Bond franchise, the first LEGO kit to tie in with the famous spy flicks. 

As we reported last week, LEGO debuted its most recent kit in partnership with the British luxury sports car manufacturer, Aston Martin. Stacking up to just under 1,300 pieces, the 007-themed DB5 is sure to be one of this year’s must-have sets. Luckily we got our hands on it prior to widespread release and will be diving in to see if the brick-built recreation of the iconic ride stacks up to a gadget worthy of the famous secret agent or if Q should have just left this one in the shop.

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littleBits is one of our favorite company’s in the STEAM space, and has been shaking up the industry by pairing top-notch coding and electronics kits with eye-catching and interesting themes. One of their newest releases took tinkerers to a galaxy far, far away to build and program their very own astromech droid. Today we’ll be taking a hands-on look at the littleBits Droid Inventor kit to see if it stacks up to be a prized robotic companion or a bucket of bolts.

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About a month ago, Incase formally introduced its latest MacBook sleeves and a new nylon accessory organizer. While working at home has its perks, it’s not ideal for testing out travel gear. I was luckily able to change that last week and fully go hands-on with the latest Incase releases. A few thoughts and a quick look below.

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Amazon’s Echo Show and Echo Spot have garnered mixed reviews, from people not sure if they want to put an all-knowing camera in their home to those who absolutely loved it because it gave them their beloved Echo with a built-in display. The Echo Show, however, is somewhat limited (and normally expensive).

Until now, the Echo Show or Spot have been the only way to get Alexa on a screen (besides using Fire TV). However, Amazon recently released the Show Mode Charging Dock for Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 8 and it offers one of the best ways to experience Alexa on the big screen, in my opinion.

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Trying to occupy small children during the summer can be a difficult task. In my part of the country, it’s hot and humid. The only outdoor activity I want to do from June to September is something water related. My kids feel the same way. Since we don’t have a pool, we looked for options to give them something in our backyard. We used the classic Slip N Slide – $27 for a few summers, but they quickly got bored with it.

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When it comes to car infotainment systems, stock units are rarely good. For years, you had regular knobs, buttons, and small screens to show you what radio station or CD track you were listening to. Fast forward to today and companies are building GPS into car radios, though the interface is never pretty, and they often feel difficult to navigate.

Alpine, an industry leader, has always produced solid car receivers, and recently has been stepping its game up with better interfaces, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and more with its offerings. The latest head unit from Alpine, dubbed the iLX-F309 HALO9, is one of the nicest I’ve ever had the pleasure of using, with a capacitive 9-inch touchscreen, built-in light sensor for dimming, dedicated GPS antenna, and more. This car radio has it all.

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