Home

Blog

  • Nintendo Begins Selling Switch Without Docks… In Japan

    Nintendo Begins Selling Switch Without Docks… In Japan

    In a move to outfit even more households Switch owners, Nintendo has started selling dock-less Switches in Japan. The “second Switch” version of the console is markedly cheaper than the standard retail version, going for ¥24,980. That’s about $220 in USD. How does this version stack up? 

    What’s in the Box? 

    By spending a little less, you get just the Switch, Joy Cons and Joy Con Grips. You don’t get the Comfort Grip, also affectionately known as the Dog Bone, which is something of a bummer. As we said, this version also doesn’t have a dock, which means it doesn’t have an HDMI cable either.  

    Oddly, this version also doesn’t include a charging cable. If you want to charge it, you’ll have to either use someone else’s dock or a standard USB-C cable. Be wary when using non-Nintendo cables, though, as the Switch is infuritatingly not USB-C compliant. We’d hate to see someone brick their switch just trying to charge it! 

    Who is This For? 

    Nintendo seems to be primarily marketing this device at people who already live with a Switch owner. Since it doesn’t even come with a charger, this version is clearly aimed at those who could use someone else’s dock.  

    The hybrid console has some users (about 20 percent) who elect to use it primarily as a handheld gaming device, forgoing the dock altogether. Those users would benefit from the cheaper price and lack of included dock as well. 

    Dockless Switch Coming to the US? 

    While this definitely seems better suited to the Japanese market than the American one, Nintendo may be able to benefit from releasing it here. For one, users who already have a Switch (and thus, a dock) would be able to get it for loved ones. Birthday presents for kids, gifts for spouses, etc., would be more palatable for some at a cheaper price.  

    Secondly, users who are uninterested in using the Switch as anything other than a handheld aren’t unheard of. If said users already have a USB-C cable and are wary of the Switch’s specifications, this could be an ideal budget entry to the system for them. Not to mention, users could later pick up a dock by itself from Nintendo.  

    Maybe we’ll hear more about a potential American release around E3. Until then, if you want a cheaper console with no dock, you’ll have to hit the secondhand market.  

  • Memorial Day Sales: Which Items to Watch Out For!

    Memorial Day Sales: Which Items to Watch Out For!

    Memorial Day is more than just the start of summer: it’s a great time to find some awesome deals on technology! Which items are going to be on the best sales? Which ones should you be on the lookout for? Let’s get into it! 

    TV Deals 

    A more traditional Memorial Day item, TVs are more affordable than ever before, and even more so when on sale. LG and Samsung TVs will certainly be found for great prices during the holiday weekend. Look for 4K Smart TVs to be dropped in price to nearly two-thirds their MSRP. Awesome to consider for Father’s Day, or just for hosting the Memorial Day cookout! Look for deals from Amazon, or retailers like Best Buy and Target. 

    Best Laptop Deals 

    Keep your eyes peeled for great deals on laptops. While this one might not seem like a normal Memorial Day deal, there are certainly great buys to find. HP and Dell laptops are often found at great discounts during this time of year, and models like the HP ProBook 440 GS can even be found for less than half price! Great for graduation presents or just for upgrading if you’ve been looking for a new laptop! As with TVs, stay on the lookout for deals from Target and Wal-Mart. Don’t forget Amazon or Best Buy, too! 

    Biggest Memorial Day Sales: Appliances 

    The biggest savings to be had are almost always on appliances during Memorial Day. Refrigerators will be nearly half off at places like Home Depot. Sears will be having some pretty great deals on dishwashers and stoves. While this is hardly exciting, if you’ve been meaning to do some home improvement, Memorial Day weekend is a great time to do it! 

  • No More Buttons? HTC U12 Plus to Use Haptic Feedback Instead

    No More Buttons? HTC U12 Plus to Use Haptic Feedback Instead

    In a move reminiscent of the iPhone 7’s home “button,” the HTC U12 is going to have pressure-sensitive areas shaped like buttons. The “buttons” will give a little burst of haptic feedback when “pressed,” simulating the action of a mechanical button. This is an interesting choice: reducing the number of moving parts certainly reduces the number of things that could become broken or damaged.  

    U12 Sporting 4 Cameras 

    Yeah, no joke! This sucker will have two cameras on the back and two on the front. This allows for a style of photography called “Bokeh,”a super artsy style of portraiture. It’s best described as a clear image in the foreground with a hazy, hipster-looking fade in the background. It’s the look all those Instagram-famous models have in their selfies.  

    The cameras also sport a 2x optical zoom, which is handy for snapping photos at a distance. Digital zoom is known for diluting the image, whereas optical zoom retains image quality over distance. 

    Main Squeeze 

    Much like the Google Pixel 2, the HTC U12 will recognize when it is squeezed as an input. The U12 will also be able to differentiate between short and long squeezes, as well as holds. These inputs can then be bound to different actions, such as opening the camera or turning on the flashlight. This functionality comes as no surprise, as HTC manufactures the Google Pixel. 

    The same technology that recognizes the squeeze input allows the phone to determine which hand it is being held in. It even has touch inputs on the sides to switch to single-hand mode, allowing for greater accessibility. 

    Modern, but Unique 

    The U12 will also sport a Gorilla Glass back, like many of its contemporaries, but without wireless charging. This makes its glass back primarily aesthetic, which is something of a bummer, considering how much more fragile it is. Again, most people will opt for a phone case, but it’s still not ideal to elect to make a fragile piece of technology even more breakable.  

    HTC interestingly eschewed the notch design so common to premium smartphones these days. Instead they opted for a tall screen with very thin bezels at the top and bottom. This look sets it apart from phones like the iPhone X. The phone will be releasing sometime in mid-June. The 64GB version will retail for $800, and the 128GB version will be $850.  

  • Looking to Upgrade your Car Stereo? Check Out Some of Our Picks

    Looking to Upgrade your Car Stereo? Check Out Some of Our Picks

    No one likes to ride in a silent car! If you’re looking to upgrade your car from its factory stereo to one with awesome new features, look no further! We’ve got a quick list of some of the best stereos out there. Now you can ride in style with a cool car stereo! 

    Sony MEX-GS600BT 

    If you want to connect your phone to your car stereo via Bluetooth, this stereo is great. Complete with an app remote that lets you change inputs quickly, this Sony stereo is pretty handy. The MEX allows for a lot of cool functionality, like hands-free Bluetooth calling and wireless music streaming.  

    If you’re in an older car and want to significantly upgrade the amount of tech at play, consider this stereo. Complete with USB and auxiliary inputs, the Sony MEX offers a lot of flexibility for users. It even sports a CD player, so if you’re still hanging on to some old discs, you can listen to them on the go! The best part about this stereo is the price, retailing for around $200. 

    Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS 

    A solid car stereo, this entry in the Pioneer DEH line is great for those who love HD Radio. It has HD decoding enabled right away, so you don’t need to do anything fancy to enable that functionality! Additionally, it functions with Sirius XM radio and even Pandora internet radio.  

    This Pioneer also features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream your music wirelessly from your phone. You can, of course, use all the normal radio frequencies and CDs for tunes as well. This is a really solid pick for anyone looking for a nice, user-friendly stereo. This one is a little more expensive than the Sony, though, retailing for $300. 

    Our Favorite Car Stereo: Pioneer AVIC-Z130BTT 

    The Pioneer AVIC is a really impressive stereo. Featuring a big, gorgeous screen and tons of functionality, this is definitely a premium stereo. GPS navigation is awesome on the big screen, and hands-free calling works great with voice activation. Additionally, when you have an iPhone connected, you can use voice controls to call up music. This functionality is reminiscent of digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, and it works great here. 

    If you’re looking for a premium car stereo to synch with your phone and make navigating easy, this entry in the AVIC line is for you! It is somewhat expensive, though, retailing for around $1,500. This one is definitely a luxury buy, but if you’re looking to upgrade your car with the best, this is it. 

  • Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 Features Unique Intel and AMD Partnership

    Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 Features Unique Intel and AMD Partnership

    Intel, maker of processors, and AMD, maker of graphics cards, have partnered to create an interesting feature. The Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 houses a part called the Kaby Lake-G. This part is a fusion of an Intel CPU and an AMD graphics chip. This has some significant ramifications for the computer it’s housed in. 

    Discrete vs Integrated Graphics 

    Most people who use a laptop for “normal” stuff, like writing and watching YouTube, aren’t concerned with their graphics card. Only high-end games and some professional applications require tremendous graphical computing power. However, those that want to play high-end games or use AutoCAD on their laptop tend to opt for discrete graphics cards.  

    Discrete cards are separate from the motherboard, allowing them more space to perform their advanced processes. They also put off tremendous heat, take up space and use more power. Integrated graphics, on the other hand, are processed in the same place as the motherboard. Integrated graphics are less expensive, less noisy and generate less heat. But they are also notably ill-equipped for gaming, as they are underpowered. 

    The Solution? A Compromise 

    Enter the Kaby Lake-G. While still technically a discrete graphics card, this processor is an interesting hybrid. The Kaby Lake-G is comprised of an Intel Core i7 (in high-end builds) and a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU. In short, it’s a hybrid of two critical processors, linked to save space and energy and produce less heat. This kind of hybrid is perfect for small laptops and tablets to be able to put out graphics comparable to traditional gaming rigs.  

    XPS 15 2-in-1 Performance 

    Dell promises this new chip will perform at (or above) the level of current mid-tier graphics cards. This is a bold claim, considering how small the hybrid chip is. But given the nature of the cooperation between Intel and AMD, this might be true. If it is, this type of hybrid chip could be the future of gaming laptops. This technology would allow the computers to remain small and portable without sacrificing in computing power.  

    The XPS 15 2-in-1 itself is rather impressive, if a little noisy. While not exactly a gaming laptop, it can run games reasonably well. Considering how thin it is and how weird its graphics card is, it’s pretty impressive. Clocking about 45 frames per second at 1080p with little issue, this little 2-in-1 packs a lot of punch. 

  • Ten Features We Want to See Most in iOS 12!

    Ten Features We Want to See Most in iOS 12!

    On June 4th, at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is set to unveil their new iOS 12. Before then, though, we can only guess what kinds of new functionality are on their way. In the meantime, though, we certainly know the features we want to see! Read on to find out which new features we’re hoping make it to iOS 12. 

    Dark Mode 

    Photo Credit: iHelpBR 

    iPhone users have been asking for a system-wide dark mode for quite some time. While Android has been sporting this feature for quite some time, it has yet to be implemented on iOS. Many users prefer the aesthetic of darker menus with white text, but only certain apps support dark modes on iOS. With luck, it will be a feature unveiled at WWDC! 

    Group Facetime 

    Photo Credit: Apple Support 

    Another much-requested feature, many are hoping for the ability to Facetime more than one person at a time. Many similar video chat apps have this functionality, such as third-party apps like Skype and WhatsApp. It would only make sense for apple to follow suit with iOS 12. 

    Split Screen Functionality 

    Photo Credit: Mi Community 

    An option to run two apps side-by-side simultaneously would be awesome! Android has had this for a while, and it’s great for multitasking. Looking at a restaurant menu while navigating to it! Looking up recipes while running a cooking timer! The combinations are endless. Apple’s phones are certainly powerful enough to handle this functionality, it’s just a matter of coding the infrastructure. It would be nice to see Apple catch up with the competition in this aspect. 

    That Volume Icon 

    Photo Credit: Lotus Bud 

    The only notably ugly thing about the iOS interface is that big, hideous, intrusive volume button. It would be really nice if Apple redesigned the volume indicator to be less noticeable and sleeker. This one is simple, but it might not be high on their list of changes to focus on. Here’s hoping the designers hate this ugly icon as much as I do! 

    Tighter Camera Controls 

    Photo Credit: Gear Patrol 

    The iPhone camera has precious few manual controls over things like shutter speed and exposure. These functions are in plain sight and easy to use on Android. It would be excellent to see better camera functionality on iOS 12 without resorting to third party apps like Camera+. 

    App Wish List Return 

    Photo Credit: iDownload Blog 

    With the release of iOS 11, the App Store was completely reworked. With this rework came the removal of app wish lists. The wish lists were sorely missed by users who like having their short list of apps they wanted. Hopefully Apple hears the requests of wish list fans and brings it back with iOS 12! 

    Always-on Screen for iPhone X 

    Photo Credit: Switch 

    The iPhone X features a battery-saving OLED, much like common Android phones that sport always-on displays. This would be cool functionality to add to the newest iPhone, for display of the time or notifications. It does somewhat go against Apple’s aesthetic, but then again, so did the iPhone X! 

    Siri Improvements 

    Photo Credit: Macworld 

    Siri was one of the first mass-market personal assistant AIs, but her age is starting to show. It would be great to see some updates to her that make her more responsive and smarter, like Alexa. Heck, even Google Assistant (!) is smarter than Siri these days. Also, how hard would it be to enable some Spotify functionality with Siri? Ball’s in your court, Apple! 

    Messages Improvements 

    Photo Credit: iSource 

    Improved functionality for things like archiving and searching messages would be awesome. Apple’s current messaging infrastructure is great for just shooting messages but trying to find messages more than a few days old is difficult. An option for searching and sorting messages would be greatly appreciated! 

    Our Biggest Hope for iOS 12: Smart Orientation 

    Photo Credit: Apple Support Communities 

    Please. Apple, please. Stop making me open my control panel to lock and unlock portrait orientation every time I want to watch a video. YouTube sort of lets you bypass this by pressing the enlarge button. I just want to see functionality like this across all apps. Put an option in for “portrait lock except videos” or something. Just do this one thing and I’ll be happy, seriously. 

  • Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

    Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

    A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

    Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

    This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

    E-Wheels EW-72

    A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

    Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

    Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

    E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

    The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

    Spitfire 420 Ex

    Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

    SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

    This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

    Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

    At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

    Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

    For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

    Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

    If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.


  • Xiaomi Mi 8: Coming to America Soon?

    Xiaomi Mi 8: Coming to America Soon?

    You’ve certainly only heard of the Xiaomi Mi line of phones if you’re an avid follower of Chinese smartphone makers. Well, if you’re not in that (incredibly small) camp, you’re about to be: The Mi line of phones is one of the best budget smartphone lines out there. It’s comparable in a lot of ways to the phenomenal OnePlus line. What should expect in the Mi 8? And when should you expect it? 

    Xioami Who? 

    Xioami is a Chinese smartphone maker that specializes in affordable Android handsets. They have been incredibly successful in the Far East, rapidly becoming the largest Chinese smartphone maker. Backed by several generations of iterated smartphone technology, the company is now releasing the Xiaomi Mi 8 to coincide with their 8th anniversary. 

    Mi 8 To Come to America? 

    The Chinese phone maker has promised that this phone will be their first mass-market release in America. According to Xiaomi, who already sells fitness trackers and smart home speakers in the US, their smartphones will be coming State-side as early as late 2018, or as late as early 2019. This is exciting news for Android enthusiasts looking for affordable premium smartphones. 

    In the Meantime,… 

    The Mi 8 is set for a May 31st launch in China and is sure to make waves there. With their impressive track record and the phone’s impressive specs, it’s sure to impress. The phone sports a ton of advanced features, like an in-screen thumbprint scanner, wireless charging, a huge six-inch screen and 3D face scanning. All that, and it still costs about $450. Here’s hoping this little wonder comes to the States here soon! 

  • New Trademark Suggests Nintendo is Working on N64 Classic

    New Trademark Suggests Nintendo is Working on N64 Classic

    After the resounding success of the NES and SNES Classic systems, it comes as no surprise that Nintendo would push forward with more mini classic systems. Nintendo has filed a trademark that suggests they may have plans to create an N64 Classic system. This is exciting news, especially given the recent news that the Switch will not have a Virtual Console. 

    Everything Old… 

    The NES and SNES Classic systems sold out on their first productions, proving to be wildly successful. Nintendo surely seeks to emulate that success with their next mini console, but there are still some questions.  

    Will supply finally meet demand? Thankfully the original two classic mini systems are getting reissues in late June, so maybe Nintendo has learned their lesson? The other pressing question is, which games would an N64 Classic even have? 

    …Is New Again 

    Rare, the company responsible for Banjo-Kazooie and Goldeneye 007, is now owned by Microsoft. This could lead to some odd inclusions for games for a potential N64 Classic. Nintendo famously was the main developer releasing quality titles for the system: most of the great games were either first party or Rare.  

    If Nintendo is able to secure the rights to re-release Rare’s games, the system could have an amazing library. Thankfully, Microsoft has shown willingness in the past to work with Nintendo over older Rare games.  

    When Might We See the N64 Classic? 

    It seems unlikely that the system would be out anytime in 2018. Nintendo is already set to have a big Fall season. Super Smash Bros and Pokemon for are both confirmed for this year. However, the yearly games conference, E3, is in a few weeks. We’re likely to hear news of a new Classic system there first, even if it is just an announcement and a teaser. We’ll likely even see a release window, if the system materializes. We’ll have to wait and see what the big N has in store! 

  • 10 Things You Never Knew About Your iPhone

    10 Things You Never Knew About Your iPhone

    Do you fancy yourself as being tech savvy? How much do you really know about your phone? If you know all ten of these iPhone tips and tricks, you may really be a tech wizard! Check out these 10 crazy things you never knew your iPhone could do! 

    10. Snap Pictures with Your Volume Button 

    This one is cute, letting you snap a picture with your phone like it’s an old-school camera with a top button. You don’t have to do anything to enable this, it’s just already on out of the box! Have fun snapping pictures!