Review

To accompany the newest title in the Gears of War saga, the limited edition Xbox One X Gears 5 Bundle features some beautiful graphics on the console and controller. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect to find when opening the box. You’ll want to put this one on its stand and show it off. Check out the video below.
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Just announced, the 3Doodler Create+ Leather Edition gives the established Create+ a stylish new variation in a limited edition run. 3Doodler has been creating products to help assist learning, stretch creativity and enable DIYers for a while. Their entry-level Start 3D pen is geared for ages 6-13 and is popular for classrooms. The Create+ adds a variety of printing options with varied speed and heat settings and is best suited for ages 14+ because of its exposed heating elements. Currently, the Create+ Leather Edition is limited to 1,000 pieces so if it interests you, be sure to pick one up soon. Check out the video below for some of my thoughts.
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VIZIO’s latest high-end P-Series TV is one to impress. Through features like HomeKit, built-in AirPlay 2, Dolby Vision, 384 local dimming zones, and more, this screen is worthy of any home theater. Over the last several weeks, I’ve spent some quality time with VIZIO’s 2019-edition premium television, and it has reached the top of my recommendation list for a number of reasons. Keep reading to find out why I love VIZIO’s latest HomeKit-enabled 4K TV in our review.

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When we posted our coverage of the SteelSeries Arctis 9X at its launch, we thought it would be a natural comparison for Turtle Beach’s high-end headsets – the Stealth 600 and Stealth 700. They’ve both been on the market for a while and Turtle Beach is a well-known name in Xbox peripherals. Today we’re going to take a look at the Stealth 600 and 700 to see how they stack up to the latest from SteelSeries, the Arctis 9X. Check out the video below.
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NBA fans know that over the last decade or so, there’s only been one option when it came to a true virtual basketball simulation. 2K Studios has enjoyed leader of the pack status for some time now with its basketball franchise, while competitors like NBA Live have fallen to the wayside. While Madden and FIFA have healthy followings, no video game release enjoys the same type of annual fervor quite like 2K Day. With a huge portion of NBA rosters turning over this summer following an unforgettable stretch of free agency, the hype was through the roof for the latest edition of NBA 2K. The 2019-20 version is set for launch today and that means it’s time to share my thoughts on the latest edition, which I’ve been able to play for the past few days. Head below for this year’s NBA 2K20 review.

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Anker is probably best known for their portable charging accessories, speakers and cables. But earlier this year Anker released a new bedside device that combines a few of these features into one. The Soundcore Wakey is a Bluetooth speaker, FM radio, alarm clock, Qi wireless charger and more all packaged together into one well designed device to keep by your bed. Check out the video below for more details.
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A common issue with Xbox One consoles, and consoles in general, is where do you store all of the games you purchase? With the growing selection of titles available for online purchase and installation, not to mention downloadable content, the internal hard drive can fill up quickly. Plenty of hard drives are available to help increase storage on an Xbox One, but Western Digital has just announced a few new products branded directly for this console in their WD Black line. Today we’re taking a look at the WD Black P10 Game Drive for Xbox One. Check out the video below.
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With all of today’s electronics, a work space can easily get overrun with peripherals and cables. I’ve been testing a lot of headphones lately and they can take up a lot of space on my desk. Elevation Lab has been making products to help clean up a workspace for a while now and the Anchor Pro is one that I’m excited to start using to hang headphones underneath my desk instead of just tossing them aside. Check out the video below for more.

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Razer’s new Turret wireless mechanical keyboard and mouse Xbox combo seeks to make couch gaming even more convenient. It’s marketed directly at the Xbox One but also works perfectly well on Windows. With a built-in extendable mouse pad, long battery life and single USB dongle, the Turret makes it easy to game from the couch. Check out the video below.
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Fluance has been creating audio products out of Canada for twenty years. Their products include turntables, Hi-Fi floor-standing speakers and bookshelf speakers like today’s topic, the $200 Ai40. While hitting an incredible price point, these powered bookshelf speakers provide an easy, standalone way to get your system up and running with some unbelievably good sound. Check out the video below.

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Normally, I don’t have a whole lot that I try to put in my pockets so showing my everyday carry wouldn’t be too exciting. Besides my phone, wallet and keys when necessary, I usually don’t cram much else in my pockets. But there is one thing that I have been carrying for the last four years – the Leatherman Skeletool. It’s a combination of seven different tools that can still fit in my pocket without being too bulky. Check out the video below for a closer look.
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Adaptive Sound Technologies has been creating devices to help people sleep since 2008. The original LectroFan has been a popular choice for a sound machine since its debut. ASTI’s newest, the $50 LectroFan EVO, aims to bring some new features in a slightly updated package. Check out the video below. 
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Building on its already wildly-popular Crossfade M-100 headphones, V-Moda recently released a new Crossfade M-100 Master version. Priced at $250, similar to the original M-100, the Masters feature 50mm drivers that deliver hi-res audio certified by the Japan Audio Society. The new Master version seeks to appeal to everyone from audio professionals to performers and gamers. Check out the video below.
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With its swappable insert design, the Swidget Configurable Smart Outlet lends itself well to ever-changing smart homes. It features two standard sockets, one of which can be wirelessly controlled with a suitable insert, and in the middle is a removable tray that enables the outlet to be configured for different functions from showing if the power is out to connecting with Z-Wave smart hubs to control outlets. Head below to see it in action.
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In their latest release, Hot Wheels is going digital with Hot Wheels id. This new way of playing with iconic toy cars uses new cars imbued with NFC chips. These updated cars can be scanned with the Hot Wheels id app or the physical race track that identifies which id car is being used on the track, like a VIN number, and tallies its individual stats. The portal tracks the car every time it passes through and opens up new game play options, upgrades and customization within the Hot Wheels id app. Check out the video below for more.

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What would happen if you took a standard watch, removed the minute hand and only let it make one rotation per day? You’d get the 24-hour Slow Watch.

This unique and eye-catching watch doesn’t just look different – it’s designed around an entirely different philosophy for incorporating time into your life. Read on to learn more!

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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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If you’re going to be spending some time off-grid and plan on using a portable power station to keep some juiced up, a solar panel might be something else worth taking a look at. We’ve reviewed the Jackery Explorer 240 portable power station in the past, and today we’re taking a look at the SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel from Jackery – the perfect companion for the Explorer 240 or the Amazon Choice for a portable power station, the Explorer 160. Check out the video below and jump to the very bottom for a special exclusive deal.

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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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Today we are taking a closer look at the new Jammy digital guitar. One of the first of its kind, this all-digital instrument is entirely portable while providing a 16 fret neck. Paired with a companion iOS app it connects to your mobile device wirelessly and traditionally to your amp/headphones. The question is, does its bold claims of incredibly detailed tracking technology and portability hold up once you actually get your hands on one? Head below the fold to find out.
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At the beginning of the year, we got our first look at LEGO’s latest theme, Hidden Side. After a brief preview at Toy Fair, the kits are finally available for purchase and we’re going hands-on with one of the lineup’s creations. The LEGO Hidden Side Graveyard Mystery set pairs all of the typical brick-built action with augmented reality for a unique iPhone-enabled experience. It comes packed with notable minifigures, an interesting selection of elements and much more. Head below for an in-depth look at the new release. 

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Jaybird, who’s brand has been built around creating high quality audio products for athletes and runners, has just debuted their latest addition – VISTA. These brand new earbuds are completely wireless and are Jaybird’s lightest earbuds to date at just six grams. With six hours of battery life, and an extra 10 with the battery from the charging case, plus its water, sweat and crush proof design, the VISTA earbuds should be able to withstand any workout thrown its way. Check out the video below.
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Home security is constantly changing and with today’s connected devices, new features and products are constantly coming out. The Lockly Secure Pro was an award-winner from CES 2019 with some great features to secure a home, office or rental property. It offers five different ways of controlling your lock. Check out the video below for a look at the best features from this smart lock.

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Earlier this summer, Amazon announced a new version of the Kindle Oasis. The Kindle Oasis is Amazon’s top of the line book reader. The Kindle Oasis includes a 7-inch 300 ppi flush-front display, an adjustable warm light, IPX8 waterproofing, and a thing ergonomic design with physical page buttons. I got mine in a few days ago, and I been reading the next book in the Monk series over the weekend, so I feel like I’ve gotten a good feel for the Kindle Oasis, and its benefits over the Paperwhite. One of the most common questions with the Kindle lineup is which one to get. When I purchased the Kindle Oasis, one of the key questions I wanted to answer is should you buy the Kindle Oasis over the Kindle Paperwhite? Here is my Kindle Oasis review.

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We all know that Razer makes some incredible computers and gaming peripherals. Usually their gear is blacked out with bright green accents, but they have been known to switch it up with some special editions every now and then. In their latest color edition, Razer has gone Mercury White. This clean and stylish line of peripherals doesn’t include every product they make, but it is a nice array that can get you a complete setup all the way from the Razer Blade laptop to the Goliathus Extended Chroma Mousepad. Check out the video below.
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Back in April, LEGO announced a series of new space-themed City kits which fittingly debuted ahead of the Apollo landing’s 50th anniversary. Today we’ll be taking a hands-on look at one of the lineup’s kits, which enters at a mid-tier price. LEGO’s recent Mars Research Shuttle packs over 270 pieces and two impressive minifigures alongside the latest incarnation of brick-built space ship. Head below for a closer look.

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Have you ever found yourself needing a 100-inch smart TV in your pocket? Well, if so, then the Nebula Capsule II from Anker might be just what you’re looking for. At just a little bigger than a standard 12-ounce can, the Capsule II runs Android TV, projects a 720p image up to 100 inches, and will play video for almost 2 hours and 45 minutes before needing a recharge. Check out the video below.
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GorillaPod has made a name for itself as “the” handheld tripod brand. We’ve all seen them in the wild being used as a selfie stick, “wrap around anything” tripod, or makeshift steadicam. With the new GorillaPod 3K Pro, meant for mirrorless camera setups up to 3kg (6.6lbs), this model is going professional.

What has Joby done to make this version ready for the big leagues, and is it worth an upgrade? Let’s dive into our review.

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Today we are taking a closer look at one of the most affordable options on the market with the new UNO Drum machine. IK is continuing its efforts in the budget-friendly music production space with new UNO Drum, which is a perfect companion to the previously-released UNO synth. The question is whether or not the extremely affordable beat machine is too barebones to make it worth your while or not. Head below for our hands-on impressions.
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Having some cameras watching over your home or work space can be very beneficial. Unfortunately they can sometimes be expensive and overly complicated to setup and use. But if all you want is a simple camera with some nice features, the Wyze cameras are definitely worth checking out. Today we’re taking a look at the Wyze Cam Pan. Priced at $38, it packs an impressive set of features for such a low price. Check out the video below.
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With its legacy in high-quality storage options, G-Technology has developed another portable drive that is meant to withstand the elements when used outdoors as well as indoors. The ArmorATD features rain, dust and crush resistance up to 1,000-lbs. that should ensure data is safer in inclement environments. Check out the video below.
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In its ever-expanding line of home security offerings, Eufy now carries a Video Doorbell which offers alerts, a live feed to the app and the ability to talk to those at your door. 2k 2560 x 1920 resolution tops the feature set on the Doorbell. Priced at $160, the Eufy Video Doorbell offers some nice features along with its hi-res image. Check out the video below.
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The third display-laden product in the Amazon Echo line, the new Show 5, is a more compact and affordable Alexa powered smart display priced at $90. It comes in as a less-priced alternative to the older Echo Show 2nd generation, which is still available, that packs a 10-inch screen and is priced at $229. Check out the video below for a hands-on look at the new Echo Show 5.

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With a detached garage that I all too often forget to close the door on – adding a smart opener was something I’ve been wanting to check out for a while. Featuring a built-in Wi-Fi connection, the myQ Smart Garage Hub from Chamberlain connects to an existing, compatible garage door opener and adds smartphone control via the myQ app. I have an old Craftsman opener that was made in 1997, and at $50, this Smart Garage Hub might be the easiest, and affordable way to add some smart features to it. Check out the video below.
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Today we are taking a closer look at the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 interface. While the company is best known for its massive lineup of virtual instruments and samplers for producers, we have had a chance to dig in to some of its most affordable new hardware over the last few weeks. We were previously impressed with NI’s higher end MIDI keyboards and Maschine Mikros, but is its budget-conscious interfaces worth your time? Head below for all the details.
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There are plenty of portable power chargers out there – most offer a USB port which can be used with any cable to charge a specific device. But, if an iPhone or other iOS device is a common being charged, there are some options out there that are more sleek and convenient – like the $29.99 Bolt from Jackery. Fast 2.4A charging via two built-in cables top the feature set on the Bolt – one of which is a Lightning cable. Check out the video below. 
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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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I’ve been wanting to extend our Wi-Fi coverage outside of our house to reach our yard beyond the garage, so today I thought I’d do a setup and review of Amazon’s #1 best seller in the repeater category – this Netgear EX3700 Wi-Fi range extender to see if it can help boost our Wi-Fi signal enough and reach our yard. Check out the video below.
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Earlier this month Ultimate Ears unveiled the WONDERBOOM 2, a second-generation model of its popular portable Bluetooth speaker. A host of notable upgrades over the original model set it up to contend as one of the best in the competitive outdoor summer speaker category. Along with various improvements, like increased battery life and better waterproofing, UE has dressed up WONDERBOOM 2 in a handful of fresh fabrics. With warm weather here and the latest from UE by my side, I’m been enjoying some tunes while testing out this new speaker. Head below for my WONDERBOOM 2 review.

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No stranger to high-end audio equipment, Bose has expanded its portfolio to include a new segment – audio sunglasses. For $200, the new Bose Frames offer audio without any headphones in or on your ears – leaving you open to hear the world around while keeping a classic design so they don’t stand out as a smart device. Check out the video below for more.

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A common name in home and small business shared storage, Synology has just released an updated NAS in an extremely small form factor – the DS419slim. Featuring four 2.5-inch drive bays, the new NAS can deliver 20TB of raw storage when equipped with four 5TB drives. Check out the video below.
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Sengled has added a few new products to its line of smart LED lighting. As an alternative to the popular Philips Hue lights, I wanted to see how a kit would work in my studio so we are checking out a few of these new additions. Today’s review features the Extra Bright 1500 lumen bulb and Multicolor Light Strip as well as the Multicolor Kit, and 800 lumen soft white LED bulb. Check out the video below for more.

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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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With plenty of Bluetooth speaker options on the market today, Urbanears has brought to the party the Ralis – a portable speaker with minimalist design and modern features. 20+ hours of playtime and the ability to connect up to three devices at once to share DJ duty make the Ralis great for parties. Check out the video below.
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With some upcoming travel and flights, I wanted to find a more convenient way of watching videos on my iPhone while on-the-go. I have a Quad Lock case installed on my iPhone 8, so mounting something else to the middle of my case isn’t really an option. A quick search for a phone kickstand on Amazon brought up the Amazon Choice Spigen Universal Kickstand for $10. Check out the video below.
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Growing in popularity, 360-degree cameras give the user an extremely unique way of capturing a scene or environment. When stitched together, images can look otherworldly – surreal and abstract – or interactive. Ricoh isn’t new to the game, but the top of the line THETA Z1 is. Coming in at $999.95, the Z1 is the most expensive 360 camera Ricoh has offered as of yet with some high-end features. 1-inch sensors and RAW photos set it apart from previous models and appeal to photographers who want more control over their image. Check out the video below for more.
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Plugable may not be as familiar of a keyboard brand as some other companies, but with an attractive price point and feature set, they’re hard to ignore. Plugable’s older mechanical keyboard features blue “clicky” switches from Outemu, but this new line leans on linear red switches instead. These new switches, also from Outemu, give the keyboard smoother actuation without the loud clicky sound from their other blue switches. Check out the video below for more.

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If you’ve been around 9to5Toys for a while then you’ve probably seen some other coverage of speaker sets from Audioengine. Attention to sound quality and design makes them a favorite to cover. A new version of their beloved A2+ speakers, Audioengine’s new A2+ Wireless set delivers the same warm sound and clean design but with some added features for convenience. Check out the video below for more.

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