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  • Top Ten Outdoor Gadgets to Make your Independence Day Cookout Awesome

    Top Ten Outdoor Gadgets to Make your Independence Day Cookout Awesome

    The 4th of July is almost here, and if you’re like us, you’re excited to have everyone over for a cook-out! The best way to make a great impression on your guests? Awesome outdoor gadgets! Independence Day just comes around once a year, so make sure you cook-out in style!  

    Looftlighter 

    Photo Credit: Williams Sonoma 

    Resembling a lightsaber, the Looftlighter is a great lighter fluid-free fire starter. If you’re looking to light your grill up in style, look no further! The Looftlighter costs $80 and will save you hassle and help the environment! Not to mention, it’s super cool and your guests will be wowed by it! It works by directing superheated air at the end of the aperture, almost like a super-charged hair dryer. Just point in at some kindling and keep it in that direction until it lights up! Be careful with it, though, it’s tremendously hot! 

    Front Runner Outfitters Spare Tire Mount 

    Photo Credit: Front Runner Outfitters 

    For $137 you can have a spare tire holder that doubles as a grill. If you don’t think that’s awesome, I don’t know what to tell you. If you’re looking to have your Independence Day cook-out in the wilderness, drop the grate over a fire. It’s designed at the right height to sit comfortably above a fire and let you grill on its steel surface. How cool is that? Perfect for those who want to enjoy a nice wilderness afternoon with friends!  

    UE Wonderboom  

    Photo Credit: CNET 

    The Wonderboom is a compact, loud, waterproof speaker that’s sure to impress. If you want something you can toss in a bag and bust out at the cook out, this little wonder is it. The folks at UE outdid themselves with this one! It can bob about in the pool, no problem, kicking out huge sound and keeping the party going. If you’re the type that drops electronics in the pool, check out the Wonderboom! You can usually find them for around $70, although they’re often on sale for less. Between the stellar battery life, great Bluetooth connection and loud speaker, the Wonderboom is your best bet for compact speaker.  

    JBL Charge 3 

    Photo Credit: World’s Best Outdoor Speakers 

    Much like the Wonderboom, the JBL Charge 3 can withstand water like nobody’s business. If you plan on charging up your gadgets by the pool, this is a great option! It boasts a USB port to charge any gadget you care to bring with you. Your guests will love getting to charge up from your speaker, too! The battery life is also stellar, although charging other gadgets up with it will reduce it. The Charge 3 costs around $150, but you can often find it on sale for less. With loud, punchy sonics and a durable body, this is another great choice for the backyard!  

    UE Megaboom 

    Photo Credit: Forbes 

    We really like UE’s outdoor speakers! The Megaboom, the bigger cousin of the Wonderboom, is a beast. It’s a little expensive at $200, but it really delivers. It sports amazing sound quality and top of the line durability. It’s totally waterproof, of course, so it can survive any dips in the pool. It’s shock-resistant and durable, made for a pool party or camping trip. If you want a loud, durable speaker for big cook-outs, the Megaboom is what you’re looking for.  

    Onward GrillPro

     

    Photo Credit: GrillPro 

    For $18 you can pick up your very own cast-iron smoker box! If you’re looking for that smokey flavor but want to save a bit of money, this is a great way to do it. Just throw the damp wood chips you want to smoke in the box and toss the box on the grill. As your grill hood fills up, the smoke will impart its flavor to whatever you’re cooking. It’s a great low-tech gadget and awesome grill solution!  

    Maverick PT-100 Pro Temp

    Photo Credit: Meadow Creek Barbeque Supply 

    This fantastic thermometer from Maverick is every grill master’s best friend. When you’re working with meat, you want to make sure everything’s gotten to safe temperatures. If you’ve used thermometers for your grilled food before, though, you know how painful it can be to hold your hand over a lit grill. That’s why we recommend this $65 thermometer from Maverick: it takes lightning-fast readings. That way you can make sure the food is ready without having to risk burning your hand! It’s win-win! 

    GoSun

    Photo Credit: Solar Cooker at CantinaWest 

    If you live in a particularly sunny region, you might want to check out the GoSun portable solar cooker. It’s only 8 pounds, and it can get up to 550 degrees! That’s a lot of bang for your buck, considering it only costs $260! If you like cooking out while camping, or just want to take your grill to friend’s back yard, the GoSun is a great option. The added benefit of not having to fuss with propane or charcoal makes it that much sweeter! 

    Bitterman’s Himalayan Salt Block

    Photo Credit: Sur la Table 

    If you’re looking for something a bit different for your grill, try a Himalayan salt block! Sur la Table sells a Bitterman block for around $30, and it’s an interesting experience. You set the block on the grill and let it heat up to the right temperature. Then, you drop your meats on it and let them cook. The satisfying sizzle is a nice touch, but it’s the mineral salt flavor the block confers that steals the show. If you’re looking to wow guests with some culinary awesome-ness, this is the way to do it! 

    Our Favorite Outdoor Gadget for Independence Day: Grillbot 

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    A robot that cleans your grill for you? That’s exactly what Grillbot is for! Just plop him down on the gross, blackened grill after you’re done cooking. Like an awesome backyard Roomba, it’ll clean up your grill and let you spend more time enjoying your company and food. Nothing screams “it’s the future” like robotic servants making life easier, huh? You can grab your Grillbot for $90 from Amazon. This little guy is easily our favorite because he’s just so cool and handy! If you want your guests to think you’re a high-tech grill master, look no further than Grillbot! 

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Rumor Roundup

    Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Rumor Roundup

    Many consider Samsung the frontrunner when it comes to Android phones. And really, that’s an apt assessment: Samsung’s no joke! The next phablet-sized phone from Samsung, the Note 9, is set to be released on August 9th, which is must sooner than anticipated. It seems Samsung’s looking to beat Apple to the punch so the hype for the next iPhone X doesn’t drown out their phablet. What can we expect to see from the giant phone? We’ve got a Galaxy Note 9 rumor roundup for you to find out! 

    Bixby 2.0 

    Rumors about the updated functionality of Samsung’s virtual assistant Bixby have been swirling since the Note 9 was announced. Details are scarce at this moment as to what that might entail. However, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that shortcuts like the ones being introduced to Siri in iOS 12 could be coming to Bixby. Shortcuts are pre-programmed vocal cues meant to call up specific apps or functions, and they’re Apple’s answer to Alexa. It wouldn’t surprise us to see Bixby rocking similar features. 

    Design 

    Early leaks of the Note 9’s design indicate it won’t differ much from the Note 8. It’ll sport a USB-C port, a stash for the S pen and very slim bezels. Many Android users will be pleased to hear that the Note 9 will not be rocking the notch like so many other modern smartphones. Instead, it’ll simply sport very, very slim bezels to maximize screen size.  

    Previous rumors held that the Note 9 would have an in-display fingerprint scanner, but that now seems less likely. Since the phone is launching in August, that’s not a lot of time for announcements of that scale. Additionally, rumors from the supply chain suggest that Samsung has decided on a back-of-phone scanner. However, it isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility, just unlikely.  

    Pricing 

    While we have no concrete pricing info yet, judging from the previous Note release, this one won’t be cheap. The Note 8 launched at $929, and it was even more in countries outside of the US. With Apple’s iPhone X costing $1,000, we could see Samsung charge even more for the phone. This is to be expected, of course: it’s a premium smartphone with a giant screen and an included stylus. You weren’t getting out for cheap to get the very best! 

  • Google’s Duplex AI Now Open to Beta Testing

    Google’s Duplex AI Now Open to Beta Testing

    The eerily human-sounding Duplex AI is now in its beta testing phase. The technology sparked a ton of interest when it was introduced at Google’s I/O 2018 conference. On the one hand, this kind of human-sounding virtual assistant was surely the next step for the technology.  

    However, concerns were raised over the ethics of the software. It sounds nearly indistinguishable from a human to the untrained ear and was made to make phone calls. Googe says the software will identify itself as non-human when it goes live, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for misuse. ting phase. The technology sparked a ton of interest when it was introduced at Google’s I/O 2018 conference. 

    The Beta Testing 

    Google has begun the beta testing phase by having Duplex call businesses that have opted in to the program. Such businesses will receive calls from Duplex to verify things like business hours, and holiday hours. The primary function of the AI, booking appointments, won’t go live until later this summer. For the time being, Google is simply fine-tuning the technology to sound more lifelike and hone its conversational skills.  

    A Question of Responsibility 

    What kind of responsibility does Google bear in regard to Duplex’s ability to fool people? Technology like this could be used to make a nonliving entity fool humans into thinking it’s alive. Google has attempted to address these fears, stating that the AI will tell whoever it talks to exactly what it is. Something like “Hi, I’m the Google Assistant, calling to make a reservation for a client,” will be stated, perhaps not in those exact words. Even if it’s supposed identify itself as AI, it’s the existence of the technology itself that worries some analysts. 

    Google, for its part, has released its manifesto on AI, detailing what they will and won’t develop. It seems they are interested in ensuring the launch of Duplex is ethical. This is good, as it will set the tone for future mass-market AI releases. By setting the right tone out of the gate, Google may be seeking to curb fears that AI will be mishandled. We’ve got our fingers crossed that they know what they’re doing. 

  • Gadget News: Portable Edge Desk

    Gadget News: Portable Edge Desk

    After experiencing a great amount of success on Kickstarter, the Edge Desk is now available. The $400 portable desk is a great choice for those looking for a portable home office that scan stow away in a closet or under a bed. 

    Unusual Seating Arrangement 

    The seat of the slim personal desk is a little odd. You kneel in it like a massage chair. While it might look awkward, it’s actually quite comfortable and encourages good posture. Slouching while working is a big problem for many, especially in home offices. The Edge Desk looks to combat that with its unique seat design. The seat is also one of the reasons the desk can fold up to be as small as it is, as it is key to the folding process. 

    Convenient Adjustable Surface 

    The desk’s surface is adjustable in nearly every way. Height, orientation and angle are all adjustable to user specifications, ensuring you’re always comfortable while working. The best part is, even bigger users can make use of the desk: it’s rated for up to 250 lbs., and users up to 6’2″.  

    Attachments 

    Add-on attachments are also available for the desk. A phone holder and water bottle holder are notable examples. While they’re not necessary, they help you to customize the desk to make sure it’s comfortable and useful.  

    Edge Desk Bottom Line 

    The Edge Desk won’t be replacing normal home desks anytime soon. However, for those that travel often or have limited space, it’s a great device. If you live in a small apartment and want a comfortable all-in-one that stows easily, this is for you. The price is a bit steep, but it’s a high-quality, useful product for what it does. If this is for you, you knew as soon as you saw the picture. If it isn’t, you’re likely saying “who would pay $400 for a desk you have to kneel in?” To which we say, touché.  

  • Rumor Roundup: What Can we Expect to See at Comic-Con?

    Rumor Roundup: What Can we Expect to See at Comic-Con?

    San Diego Comic Con starts on July 19th, which means we’re less than a month away from the biggest comic book show in the world. Comics aren’t the only focus of the mega-convention, though: movies, TV and video games are always heavily featured. What kinds of things can we expect to see, or not, at the show? Let’s talk comics! 

    DC Shows and Movies 

    The Warner Bros DC TV shows like Arrow, Black Lightning, Flash and more will be there. They’ve all confirmed their presence at panels, and we can expect to see trailers and teasers for all of them. That’s great news for fans of DC’s TV offerings! Also, given that there will be an Avengers-sized hole in the panels this year, it’s a great time for DC’s movies to make a splash. And who better to splash than Aquaman? A full trailer will certainly be on display at the show this year.  

    Other DC movies we’re likely to see something from are Wonder Woman 1984, the Joker movie, Shazam and maybe even that new Batman project. Since every DC movie except Wonder Woman has been entirely forgettable, the strength of their next projects is entirely up in the air. While we have high hopes, we’re keeping our expectations realistic.  

    Fox’s Properties 

    The next two X-Men films, Dark Phoenix and New Mutants, will almost certainly be on display. However, the pending merger with Disney (or maybe Comcast, who knows right now,) could throw a wrench in those films’ production. If the MCU and the X-Men Universe are able to merge successfully, we’re likely to see the repercussions of that as soon as 2019.  

    Other properties we’ll be seeing are the various X-Men TV shows. Legion, Runaways and the Gifted would likely all be on display.  

    Sony’s Spidey-Films 

    Venom and Spider-Verse are set to release later this year. More trailers for both of them are expected, and possibly panels featuring their casts. Fans are cautiously optimistic about Venom, and downright ecstatic about Spider-Verse. Keep your eyes peeled on this one. 

    Notably Missing From Comic-Con: The MCU Films 

    Spoiler warning for Infinity War! After the Snappening, the MCU is about half as populated as it was. The secrecy around Avengers 4 is still swirling and extends to the SDCC festivities. For the first time since the MCU launched, Marvel won’t have a film panel. The only film coming out between SDCC and Avengers 4, though, is Captain Marvel. While we still have few details regarding that project, we were hoping to see something about it at Comic-Con. 

    That said, Marvel has promised details about its upcoming Netflix series Iron Fist are going to be the center of their Comic-Con showing. That’s pretty exciting if you’re an Iron Fist fan like me! After seeing the character’s more comic-like personality in Luke Cage Season 2, I couldn’t be more excited to see the martial artist return to the small screen.  

  • BlackBerry Key 2 Feature Roundup 

    BlackBerry Key 2 Feature Roundup 

    Believe it or not, some people still prefer a physical keyboard on their smartphones. BlackBerry was quite well-known in the early 2000’s for making early smartphones. And yes, those had physical keyboards too. The release of the iPhone brought about a near-universal change in the realm of smartphones, though, and most manufacturers scrapped physical buttons. It’s hard to imagine now, but at the time the digital keyboard of the iPhone was revolutionary. The tables have turned, now, as BlackBerry attempts to make physical keyboard cool again and is met with skepticism. 

    The Titular Keyboard 

    The most surprising thing about the Key 2 is that there was a KeyOne. Alright, jokes at BlackBerry’s expense aside, the Key 2 is better than its predecessor in every way. The keys are more distinct and taller, and they’ve got great grip. The issue, though, is how tiny and cramped the keyboard has to be. As you can tell, having this keyboard on the bottom of the phone cuts down on how much screen you can have. The phone is still almost awkwardly long with the shortened screen, and you can thank the keyboard for that. 

    While I understand that there are users who don’t want to give up their physical keyboards, the keyboard here compromises a lot to be attached to a smartphone. It simply serves too many masters: it’s far too small for comfortable typing and far too large to be convenient on a smartphone. It just reminds me of why smartphones moved away from physical keys.

    Key-Based Shortcuts

    The one cool thing the keyboard is capable of, though, is the shortcut feature. Every key on the face can be bound to a different app and called up with a short or long press. This functionality is one of the few that inspires confidence in the keyboard design decision. That said, the functionality isn’t quite enough to justify the keyboard for those accustomed to normal smartphones.

    Laggy Touch Screen, Unpolished Operating System

    The touchscreen isn’t very responsive; users will find themselves pressing the screen multiple times to no avail. The lag and slowdown would have been unforgivable in 2007 after the iPhone release, and it’s downright embarrassing now in 2018. If BlackBerry wants the Key 2 to be taken seriously, it has to function as well as other flagship smartphones. The most telling sign of the unpolished nature of this product, though, is in the UI. Some apps, like G Mail, will pull up a digital keyboard when opened. That keyboard can’t be closed, and, given the Key 2’s small screen, leaves very little real estate for viewing messages. It’s not a deal breaker, but combined with the phones other shortcomings, it makes it hard to recommend.

    BlackBerry Key 2 Release Info

    The Key 2 is set to release on July 13th, and will run on Android. It’s MSRP is $649, which, when compared to the competition, is somewhat laughable. If you absolutely must have a physical keyboard, this isn’t the worst phone ever. However, for the price, you can find much better options in both Android and iPhone lines.

  • Flop Ten: The Biggest Console Flops of all Time

    Flop Ten: The Biggest Console Flops of all Time

    Today, instead of our usual Top Ten, we’re bringing you a Flop Ten! Everyone loves to look back at their favorite game consoles and remember the great times they had with them. However, it’s almost as fun to go back and poke fun at the worst consoles of all time. Today, we’re counting down the console flops that have defined their eras. From systems that failed despite being awesome, like the Dreamcast, to systems that were just plain awful, like the Virtual Boy, we’re counting them down. Let’s talk flops! 

    10. Dreamcast 

    Photo Credit: PC Authority 

    One of the saddest tales in gaming is of the crash of Sega. Sega was a bold company, unafraid to do literally whatever they thought would be cool. It was really their greatest strength: they had no fear! Going toe-to-toe with industry giant Nintendo was a no-brainer for the “no guts, no glory” company Sega. By the late nineties, though, after the failure of the Saturn and it’s many peripherals, Sega was in dire straits. So, their last hurrah was the release of the Dreamcast, an ostensibly excellent console that was doomed from the get-go. As console flops go, this one hurts. 

    Shenmue, Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi were some of the best releases at the turn of the century. However, Sega’s name didn’t inspire confidence in gamers, and Sony’s PS2 was on the horizon. Many gamers saw Sony as the new Sega, and as they believed it, so it was. The Dreamcast was to be Sega’s last home console, and the company transitioned to a third-party developer. Those who remember the Sega of 90’s still miss the bold, risk-taking Sega of that era, though. 

    9. Phillips CD-I 

    Photo Credit: Wikipedia 

    You might not have heard of the CD-I, but you’ve certainly heard of the terrible Legend of Zelda games released on it. Yeah, those, with the voice acting and hand-drawn animations. The CD-I was meant to be the step between home CD player and home computer. It was effectively a giant, glorified disk drive. And it was super weird, even at the time. It was released in 1991 for $700. If that sounds like it was a lot of money, go ahead and account for thirty years of inflation. Needless to say, Phillips didn’t make the mistake of entering the console wars again. While many console flops are due to marketing, this one was a more holistic “meh” reaction by the industry as a whole. 

    8. N-Gage 

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    What a positively ridiculous idea, said everyone in 2003 as Nokia released this console/phone hybrid. Nokia’s idea with the Taco Phone was that gamers carried both cell phones and GameBoys. Why not combine these two pieces of technology into a freaking taco? Jokes aside, this thing bombed. No one wanted to play games with phone buttons, and no one wanted to talk into a taco-shaped gaming console. Nokia managed to fail to make the system appealing to any markets at all. A week after release, the system saw a $100 discount, but to no avail.  

    A year later, Nokia released a redesign called the N-Gage QD that was meant to address the problems of the first model. However, no one even took notice and the gaming community at large saw the platform as little more than a joke. Meanwhile, the GameBoy outsold the N-Gage literally 100-to-1. The moral of this story, and one that you’ll see later in this list, is “don’t mess with Nintendo’s handheld market.” Handheld console flops are a dime a dozen, and N-Gage is the poster boy of them. 

    7. Neo Geo CD 

    Photo Credit: Giant Bomb 

    The 90’s, affectionately remembered as the “Disposable Era,” saw the birth of many absolutely terrible gaming consoles. One notable example is the final home console released by SNK, the Neo Geo CD. Between its small game library and long loading time, the Neo Geo wasn’t poised to tackle any of the consoles of the mid-90’s. It was released in 1995 in North America but had been available in Europe and Japan the year before. By the time it hit American stores, though, it had to compete with the more powerful PlayStation and N64. Seeing as how you’ve heard of PlayStation and Nintendo, you can probably guess how things ended for SNK.  

    For what it’s worth, the Neo Geo X handheld did eventually resurrect the once-dead console line. That handheld also went the way of its predecessors, though, tanking nearly a year after release. It’s tough to be SNK, it seems. 

    6. Atari Jaguar 

    Photo Credit: Leftover Culture Review 

    Atari struggled to find its footing again after the Video Game Crash in the mid-80’s. Nothing exemplifies that better than the botched Atari Jaguar. The system was actually much more powerful than the SNES and Genesis systems, but the games released for it were mostly garbage. A ton of rushed shovel-ware and underdeveloped games brought the system down. It was to be Atari’s final entry in the home console market. While the company plans to release a throwback console next year, their once-great name is now synonymous with an era of forgettable, poorly-made games. 

    5. Atari Lynx 

    Photo Credit: Atari Age
    Remember when I said you really shouldn’t try to fight Nintendo on the handheld market? I meant it. Atari learned that lesson the hard way with the ill-fated Atari Lynx in 1989. The system was certainly more powerful than the GameBoy. It had a full-color screen, it sported more buttons and a much sleeker design. But it didn’t have Tetris, or Mario. And, as such, it was doomed to fail. While the system would go on to sell around 3 million units, the GameBoy sold 16 million units in 1991 alone. By 1996, Atari was on its last legs thanks to the failure of the Lynx and Jaguar. Atari sold out to Hasbro that year, thus signaling the end of an era. 

    4. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer 

    SONY DSC

    Photo Credit: Wikipedia 

    The 3DO, released in 1993, is an example of how poor marketing and pricing can kill an otherwise great system. Despite a strong library of games and good multimedia applications, the 3DO stumbled after the release of the Sega Saturn and PlayStation. The exorbitant price point, $700, didn’t drop until the system was already dead in the water. If the system had been priced more aggressively it could have sold better, but the company was stubborn. The rest is history; have you ever even heard of 3DO? Other companies could learn from their mistakes.  

    3. Virtual Boy 

    Photo Credit: Console Variations 

    This eye-strain inducing virtual reality console was Nintendo’s first big console flop, but it wouldn’t be their last. Brainchild of GameBoy creator Gunpei Yokoi, the Virtual Boy was meant to appeal to older gamers who wanted a “fully-immersive” experience. Instead, the mono-chromatic red display and awkward headset just hurt people’s eyes and necks. The games themselves weren’t exactly very inspired, either. As the first major video game miss for the ascendant Nintendo, the Virtual Boy marked Yokoi’s exit from the company. The GameBoy Pocket would release after the virtual boy to mild success, but many blame the Virtual Boy for Yokoi’s departure. One thing’s for sure, though: the Virtual Boy sucked. 

    2. Ouya 

    Photo Credit: Wikipedia 

    It’s often a good idea to not listen to hype. Especially when the hype claims that an Android-powered micro-console is the future of gaming. Once you finish with your hearty belly laugh at the expense of 2012-era industry analysts, let’s talk about this eminently forgettable Kickstarter project.  

    The idea here sounded great on paper: it’s a game console running on Android, and every system is also a developer kit! Every owner is a developer! The games will all be free, sort of! Except, no they won’t! The system performed unbelievably well via Kickstarter, where gamers fell in love with the idea of an open-ended platform for gaming that was easily modifiable. Then, the system released. And everyone remembered that PC gaming already existed. Yeah, the fine folks at Ouya missed that aspect of their console: they had accidentally invented PC gaming, but smaller scale and bland.  

    Flash forward to 2015 and the struggling platform is sold to Razer, makers of fine PC peripherals. Poetic, right? A company synonymous with PC gaming bought a company that tried to invent PC gaming for the console market. The Ouya’s name is now invoked as the punchline when discussing Kickstarter-based attempts to dethrone traditional consoles. Hey, isn’t Atari working on something like that? We’ll see how it goes.  

    The Most Disappointing Console Flop: Wii U 

    Photo Credit: Nintendo 

    The Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s first big flop, but it wouldn’t be its last. The Wii U followed the mega-successful Wii and was supposed to be aimed more at hardcore gamers. That didn’t exactly pan out, and the system went on to sell less than 14 million units. Compared to the Wii, which sold upwards of 100 million, that number stung for Nintendo. What was worse than those low sales numbers were the glowing critical reviews of many of the Wii U’s games and features. The GamePad was praised by many and its integration in games like Mario Maker was considered revolutionary.  

    So why was it such a huge flop? For one thing, the marketing around it was terrible. Marketing was primarily aimed at kids and focused on children playing with the system and pestering their parents. The ads hardly screamed “hardcore system for real gamers,” and families were mostly over the whole Wii craze. Speaking of, the name Wii U worked directly against the system: no one knew what it was supposed to be. Was it a new peripheral? Was it a new console? Many thought the tablet-like GamePad was the Wii U, and that it was an add-on for the Wii. This created a perfect storm of negativity, tanking the Wii U and shaking public faith in Nintendo. 

    In January of 2017 the company discontinued the system entirely, and in March 2017 the Switch was released. The Switch has already sold more than the Wii U, and is on track to break record again this year. Many great Wii U games have been ported to the Switch, and thus get to live again on the successful platform. The Wii U will be remembered as an awesome but poorly positioned console. As console flops go, though, it may have been the most disappointing. 

  • MacOS Mojave Beta: Feature Roundup

    MacOS Mojave Beta: Feature Roundup

    The biggest overhaul to Mac’s OS, the Mojave, is finally in public beta. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, we’ve got a roundup of some of the most notable new features right here for you. Fair warning: this is a pretty early MacOS Mojave beta, and you shouldn’t install it on your primary device. If you’ve got an old laptop hanging around and want to try it out, go for it. But if you use a computer for work, don’t install the beta on it, just read our roundup! It’ll be out for you to try soon enough. 

    Dark Mode 

    Finally, Apple shows they’re listening to their users! Mac users have been clamoring for a dark mode for years, so it’s almost hard to believe it’s finally here. It looks pretty good, considering this is just the beta. By the time it goes live we expect it to be up to the normal Apple standards of aesthetic. It’s a small change to some, but it means a lot! 

    Finder Improvements 

    Finder has received some updates in look and general usefulness. The new gallery-style view replaces the old cover flow, and it looks great. Additionally, Finder now displays metadata about your files as you go through them. Additionally, new quick actions have been added to allow for faster photo editing. Cropping, rotating and converting are bound to the new allow for faster photo editing. Cropping, rotating and converting are bound to the new actions, as are trimming video files and merging multiple images into a PDF. It’s a lot of generally useful updates that are sure to please any professional Mac user. 

    Stack it Up 

    Too many icons cluttering the desktop? Stack them up! Mojave can group your apps and shortcuts together into collapsible groups called Stacks. If you’re constantly shortcutting videos and pictures, Stacks are a great way to keep everything organized.  

    Dynamic Wallpaper 

    This last one is just fun. The Mojave beta comes with a dynamic wallpaper that displays a dune in the Mojave Desert. The time of day in the wallpaper changes in live time with the location of the sun in relation to where you are. That’s just cool, and a nice touch by Apple.  

    We’ll have more info on MacOS Mojave as it comes out, and these are just some highlights of the beta. There’s tons more, but we’ll get into that as it gets closer to release! 

  • Cooler Master CK552 Feature Roundup

    Cooler Master CK552 Feature Roundup

    Cooler Master’s newest keyboard, the Cooler Master CK552, released on June 19th. It’s available exclusively through Best Buy. Today we’re rounding up its biggest features and giving you our thoughts! It’s out now for $79, which is a reasonably low price for a mechanical gaming keyboard. Is it good enough to consider for hardcore gaming, or does it compromise too much for that price point? Let’s get into it. 

    The Keys and Switches 

    Mechanical keyboards, of course, are known for their switches. The Cooler Master CK552 is available with three different Gateron switch types: reds, browns and blues. The red switches are the “balanced” option, being great for both typing and gaming. Browns are a slightly louder, more tactile switch. Blues are the loudest, clicking and clacking like a typewriter. They’re all great here, just go with whichever fits your preference. Gamers love blue switches for games like World of Warcraft, where key presses have to be purposeful and misclicks are deadly. Browns and reds are preferred for first-person shooters, where linear key inputs aren’t a problem. 

    Design 

    The keyboard itself has a sleek, futuristic look. It’s almost industrial-looking, sporting a brushed aluminum look with raised keys. The keys stick far off the base of the board, giving them a sci-fi appearance that looks right at home on a gamer’s desk. The CK552 comes in black, but other models are available in silver and gunmetal colors. The keyboard is sturdy and heavy-duty, which is great for its price. Many gaming keyboards of similar price range don’t feel as sturdy or solid as this, which puts it in the same league as Razer. That’s seriously high praise, as Razer sets the bar for gaming keyboards.  

    Cooler Master CK552 Star Feature: The Lighting 

    So, we’ve established that it’s durable and the keys have great action. But the star of the show here is the lighting. You can customize lighting profiles right from the keyboard, which is great for the software-averse. You can also download Cooler Master’s free software and get granular with your lighting profiles. That said, all the lighting options in the world wouldn’t matter if they didn’t look good. But they don’t look good here, they look great. The raised keys and open-style keyboard allow the lights under the keys to spill out all over your desk. It’s a fantastic visual experience, unrivaled by keybaords from any price range. 

    Bottom Line 

    For the reasonable price of $79, the CK552 is a stellar keyboard. If you’re in the market for a new RGB keyboard, or looking to try a mechanical keyboard, this is a great start. If you already have a good mechanical keyboard, this one isn’t going to sway you from your preferred input device. That isn’t to slam the Cooler Master, though. It’s still a great entry point for those looking to see what all the hype about mechanical keyboards is about. 

  • Our Favorite Sleeping Bag for Summer Adventures

    Our Favorite Sleeping Bag for Summer Adventures

    If you’re a camper or backpacker, you’re certainly aware of how important a good sleeping bag is. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable while trying to catch some winks in the wilderness. Whether your bag is too heavy for your pack, traps moisture too easily or is just too thin to keep you warm, the wrong bag can ruin a trip. To keep your trip on the “awesome” side of things, we’ve got a roundup of our favorite heavy-duty sleeping bags for camping! Let’s go on a wilderness adventure! 

    Patagonia Hybrid Sleeping Bag 

    Patagonia’s entry on this list is a little odd. It’s actually half a sleeping bag, which might sound like a rip-off, pun intended, but it’s actually pretty sweet. In the summer months, it’s great for cutting excess weight. When you don’t need a ton of extra warmth, having such a light sleeping bag will keep your pack light. Just carry a light blanket to cover your top half! In winter, just pair it with a thick, warm jacket. You’ll already be wearing one, so why not carry a lighter sleeping bag? The Patagonia Hybrid weighs in at 17.3 ounces, which is incredible. You can grab one for $300 straight from Patagonia. 

    REI Co-Op Igneo 25 

    A great buy at $270, the REI Igneo is a great pick for temperatures above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. During Fall, Spring and Summer, the Igneo will keep you comfortable and warm. The exterior is 20-denier ripstop nylon, meaning you won’t have to worry about water or rips during normal use. It only weights a hair over a pound, and it packs in beautifully. For a serious backpacker, this is a great buy for the price. The only situation you wouldn’t want this in? Winter time backpacking or camping, for which it’s not rated. For normal three-season outdoors expeditions, though, this is a great choice! 

    Our Favorite Overall Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Swallow UL Nano 20 

    This one is our favorite for a number of reasons. For one thing, it’s incredibly comfortable. You won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable trying to get to sleep after a long hike. Just plop down, zip up and snooze. The warmth-to-weight ratio here is also absolutely nuts: it’s rated for 20 degrees, but you could take it even colder. Feather Friends is known for their modesty in temperature ratings, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. That said, experienced campers could take this one lower than the rating suggests. For $550, this one is expensive, but worth every penny for a serious hiker or backpacker.