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  • Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

    Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

    It is once again that time of year. Now usually I like to wait till August 1st to start sifting through the rumors and mock ups about the new iphones, but we have a bonafide and pretty legitimate iPhone X 6.1 Leak. Serial mobile leaker Benjamin Geskin today shared images depicting what he claims are dummy units of Apple’s upcoming 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus” and mid-tier 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. Images of iPhone dummy units have become something of an annual tradition in the rumor mill and these pictures come at the expected time in the yearly iPhone cycle. Lets get this party started with a quick “what we know” and “what we want” for this new Iphone.

    Coming September Probably

    No official announcement has been made but according to long time industry insider…Me.. look for tuesday Sept 11th for a surprise apple announcement. They will likely announce the new Iphones at a keynote then. look for a a ship date of the new phone Sept 28th. There could be a curveball in the mix like last year. We didn’t see the new iPhone X 6.1 ship till Nov 3rd. That seems to be the exception and not the rule.

     

    What We Know About the iPhone X 6.1

    What we know so far is pretty slim and  slight. Apple CEO Tim Cook stated there would be a lock down on classified apple intel. However,  Apple will announce a 6.1 inch iPhone X. at a full 6.1 no bezel this will be the largest flagship screen available on any mobile phone. As of today we got a look at the first leaked image of this behemoth. (See Above).

    Apple’s next iPhone unveiling is still over a month and a half away, we already have a pretty solid grasp on what Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup is going to bring to the table. As you’ve probably heard by now, Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup will likely consist of three brand new devices: a next-gen iPhone x , a 6.5-inch iPhone 9 Plus, and a 6.1-inch iPhone with an edgeless LCD display. In All likelihood it would make more sense to drop the Plus altogether and have an x and an x plus only.

     

    What We Want

    All we really want at this point is some subsidy on the price. Like we use to get, Iphone $199 every 2 years. One of the more intriguing rumors regarding Apple’s next-gen iPhone lineup has nothing to do with features but rather with price. The iPhone X’s $1,000 price point likely kept otherwise interested consumers from upgrading, Apple this year will reportedly price the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone somewhere in the $600 to $700 range.

    If this particular rumor pans out, it stands to reason that Apple will see an avalanche of upgrades as the device will likely prove to be incredibly popular among existing iPhone owners interested in a brand new form factor but not interested in breaking the bank. The cheaper price point, naturally, will come with a few tradeoffs. Most notably, the device will feature an LCD display as opposed to OLED. Further, the 6.1-inch iPhone may not ship with 3D Touch and may house less RAM. Design wise, the 6.1-inch iPhone may also feature thicker bezels than its iPhone X counterparts.

     

     

    The Final Thought

    Year after year its been minute upgrades, small changes, and adaptations but nothing revolutionary. They set the table for a big year this year with the iphone X. I always felt the X was a beta of their next phone and soon we will see the perfected device. All that said, what do we really want to see in our iphones? Holographic displays, flexible screens, stackability? Honestly at this point we have all we need, want or desire just make it better and give us one more cool this we don’t even know about.

     

  • Top Five Cell Phone Plans

    Cell phone plans are hard to weigh against one another. Most of the cell companies have some claim to be the “best” or having the “most coverage.” They also almost all have terrible records of customer satisfaction and it seems like everyone hates their phone provider. So, with that in mind, how do you pick a cell phone plan? Today we’ll look at the top five cell phone carriers and their plans.

    Sprint

    Sprint has aggressive pricing and solid speeds on their unlimited data plans. However, they are consistently rated very low on customer satisfaction. Sprint has a habit of slipping hidden fees onto customers’ bills, is generally disagreeable on a corporate level and acts antagonistic to their customer base. They also lag behind the other four on this list on raw speed. If you can afford a better plan, do so. If not, they’re passable.

    Metro PCS

    This oddly-named cell carrier is a solid budget pick. They don’t have the best support, but they offer good pricing for solid network performance. They’re actually a T-Mobile subsidiary, so they use the same network. That’s a good thing, as it turns out, since T-Mobile has really solid performance. If you’re looking for a good budget option, this is the one for you!

    T-Mobile

    Speaking of T-Mobile, they’re our next pick. They offer good network speeds at reasonable prices, and they’re really friendly. It helps a lot that their customer service and corporate side are helpful and knowledgeable. For us, though, they don’t have quite enough coverage or speed to land in the top spot. We largely feel as though they’re tied for second place with AT&T, though, due to their great customer service.

    AT&T

    AT&T is also our second-place pick, but, like we said, they’re tied with T-Mobile. They offer slightly better overall coverage, and their speeds are just a bit better than T-Mobile. What they lack, however, is solid customer service. That’s not to say their customer service is bad, per se, but it’s just not what we’d expect from such a big company. They’re often unsure of how to help or just seem generally unprepared. They also have slightly higher prices than T-Mobile, which make them a little too niche to nab the top spot.

    Verizon

    Verizon is our pick for top, but it’s a close one. Really, it’s nearly a three-way tie between the top three! That said, Verizon does edge out the competition (but just.) They offer slightly better coverage than AT&T and T-Mobile, and their network speeds really are the best. Thankfully, the heated competition ends up being great for the customers (that’s us!) as all of these carriers are fine options. However, Verizon does just enough right to grab the top pick. Good customer service, unlimited plans and great speeds make them the best option, even if they are a bit pricey.

  • Missing Faces: Franchises We Need on Nintendo Switch

    Missing Faces: Franchises We Need on Nintendo Switch

    The Nintendo Switch has proved quite popular since its launch in March of 2017. The momentum of the console has continued quite well into its second year, with titles like Mario Tennis Aces, Octopath Traveler and Kirby Star Allies keeping the console fresh. Later this year, fans will be treated to Mario Party, Smash Bros and Pokemon entries that are brand new to the console. However, there are still many franchises and games that we’ve yet to see on the system. In fact, today’s list focuses entirely on franchises we need on Nintendo Switch that haven’t been given solid titles or release dates yet. We’re focusing mostly on Nintendo franchises, but they’re not the only games we want to see on the system.

    2D Mario

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    From 2006 to 2012 Nintendo flooded the market with serviceable but somewhat “same-y” 2D Mario titles. New Super Mario Bros on the DS, a sequel on the Wii, another DS title and a sequel on the Wii U followed. After years of diminishing returns in terms of sales and critical response, Nintendo backed off of 2D Mario. In fact, they backed off so hard that we haven’t seen a proper 2D Mario game (not counting Super Mario Run) since 2012. And, to be honest, that’s not a bad thing: Nintendo overdid it there for a while.

    However, it’s been long enough now that audiences have had time to recover from Mario fatigue. To capitalize on the Switch’s success and bring in old fans, Nintendo should revive the 2D franchise but drop the “New” branding. Just “Super Mario Bros” is good, and a focus on tight, classic platforming would serve them well.

    Animal Crossing

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    Animal Crossing: New Leaf was the last proper entry in the series, and it came out on 3DS in 2012. That’s a long time for no proper entries in the series to come out! The Switch is a natural fit for the franchise, which has seen success on both home and portable consoles. As of yet there are no official plans to bring Animal Crossing to the console, but it is high on the list of franchises we need on Nintendo Switch. The combination of zen-like gameplay and cute animal friends makes it an ideal match for the hybrid console. Imagine enjoying spending time with your animal buddies on the go or on the big screen!

    Golden Sun

    Photo Credit: Golden Sun Wiki

    The last entry in the series, Dark Dawn, was released in 2010. As such, the Switch is the ideal home for the next entry in this legendary RPG series. The fantastic story and gameplay would lend themselves well to the hybrid console. Enjoying seeing Djinn summon an ass-whooping on the big screen would be excellent. As of yet, there are no plans for a revival of the series, however.

    F-Zero

    Photo Credit: GoNintendo

    The criminally underrated F-Zero franchise has been dormant for more than 15 years. That’s absolutely nuts! Three distinct console generations have passed since the last time we saw Captain Falcon take to the track. The fast-paced, futuristic racer’s absence has led indie developers to try their hand at the genre, with games like Fast RMX popping up to scratch the itch. Sadly, it’s not the same as the polished, high-energy outings from Nintendo. Switch would be an ideal home for a revival!

    Star Fox

    Photo Credit: Nintendo Wiki

    While Star Fox has had no shortage of entries, the franchise has been in a bit of a slump in terms of quality. 2016’s Star Fox Zero got mixed reviews, due in large part to its highly unusual control scheme and uneven difficulty. However, a potential Switch port or sequel could address these problems by just having a normal control scheme. Honestly, the Star Fox formula is so solid that it’s surprising how often Nintendo releases downright awful Star Fox games.

    Earthbound

    Photo Credit: Twitch

    Fan favorite series Earthbound is known for its witty dialogue, humorous use of game mechanics and top-notch world building. The last entry in the series, Mother 3, saw a Japanese release on GBA, but has yet to get an English-language localization. The series isn’t a dead-ringer for Switch due to the system’s hardware, but instead simply due to the series rock-solid pedigree. Honestly, any new Earthbound would be a fantastic turn, regardless of the hardware it’s released on.

    Kid Icarus

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    Kid Icarus: Uprising was a surprise hit in 2012 when it released, reviving a long-dormant slumber from decades of inactivity. Smash Bros director Masahiro Sakurai helmed development of the fast-paced shooting game, which carries his distinct trademarks. The only major complaint leveled at the game is the unusual control scheme, which would be addressed completely by the Switch, as it uses conventional controls for its games. The addition of gyro aiming, and portability, make the possibility of a sequel to Uprising rather tantalizing. Sadly, no plans to bring the series to switch have surfaced yet.

    Luigi’s Mansion

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The charming, pseudo-horror franchise Luigi’s Mansion most recently saw a sequel, Dark Moon, released on 3DS. In fact, the original is even seeing an updated remake on 3DS. However, a third entry on Switch could greatly benefit from gyro aiming and the hybrid portability of the system. It could even forego the mission structure of Dark Moon. Many gamers favor of the Resident Evil-style puzzle exploration of the original. A Switch entry could bring back the things people loved about both entries in the franchise.

    Chrono Trigger

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    There’s nothing about the system in particular that makes this one of the franchises we need on Nintendo Switch. No, Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest traditional RPGs ever released, and a sequel to it (not Chrono Cross) would be fantastic to see on Switch. The huge success of Octopath Traveler and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has proved that RPGs perform well on the system.

    Advance Wars

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The finest tactical wargame ever released, Advance Wars would be a natural fit on the Switch. The series revolves around tactical turn-based military strategy. A spiritual successor, the non-Nintendo Tiny Metal, is evidence that fans of the series are eager to see a proper release. Another spiritual successor, Wargroove, is set to release in 2020. However, none of these fan-made indie tributes can quite live up to the real thing. Nintendo, do the right thing and bring back Advance Wars!

  • 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.


  • Xbox System “Scarlett,” Coming in 2020, Rumored to Stream Cloud Games

    Xbox System “Scarlett,” Coming in 2020, Rumored to Stream Cloud Games

    The Xbox One, released in May of 2013, has lived a pretty long life as far as consoles go. However, new rumors point to the end of its life-cycle as Microsoft ramps up for the next generation of gaming consoles. According to the rumors, Microsoft actually has two new consoles in development. One is a more traditional gaming system, complete with all the hardware that entails. The other one, codenamed Scarlett, is rumored to be a cloud streaming console. What could this mean for the future of Xbox, and gaming in general?

    Why Streaming Games with Scarlett?

    Many who hear about streaming games and streaming consoles ask one question: why? It’s a fair question, as the current delivery method of games works just fine. There’s not a large contingent of gamers clamoring for cloud processing to take over the main processes of their consoles. However, the upshots to streaming games are there. For one, it would cut down on power consumption for gamers, as the heavy-lifting would be happening off-site.

    Also, the system would have much less hardware, as it wouldn’t require as much processing power. As such, that makes the console much more affordable than the average next-gen gaming device. However, it remains to be seen if price alone would be enough to sway gamers.

    The Problem with Streaming Games

    The biggest problem with streaming games over the cloud, of course, is latency. In the US, many people have high speed internet, but it isn’t fast enough to handle streaming an entire AAA game. In some markets, like big cities or areas with fiber optics, this isn’t an issue. For the average consumer, though, it’s simply not feasible. Unless Microsoft has found a way to eliminate this hitch, their rumored console will face some serious hurdles.

    Another issue often raised by collectors is the issue of availability. If you own an Xbox and want to play Halo, you need only turn on your Xbox and pop Halo in. However, if games move to streaming content, you won’t actually own any of your games. Instead, you will have a license to connect to them and play them. If the server is pulled down, if the internet goes out or if Microsoft just decides to stop providing you with the license, the game is gone. You don’t have a physical copy, so it’s not in your possession. If Microsoft can outweigh these fears with a great system, maybe this will pay off for them.

  • Brava Pure Light Oven Feature Roundup

    Brava Pure Light Oven Feature Roundup

    There’s nothing that can ruin a good vacation faster than a sunburn. It’s hard to believe just how much you can be cooked by little more than light. Well, what if you could turn the cooking power of light from your skin to your dinner? That’s the concept behind the Brava Pure Light Oven. Today, we’re taking a closer look at this innovative gadget and rounding up its unique features. Let’s get cooking!

    It’s Not Magic, But It Seems Like It

    Brava’s biggest draw is the light-powered cooking it brings to bear. Using specialized bulbs and sensors, the oven tracks what type of food is in it and adjusts accordingly. As such, when you put a type of food in and tell the oven how to cook it, it responds with light energy. The wavelength of the light emitted allows the oven to penetrate deeper or hit the outside of the food. Things like searing and frying can be done equally well, as the Brava uses physics to bypass the normal issues with cooking.

    Physics Make This Oven Smart

    You don’t even need to watch food with a Brava. You simply pop it into the over, tell it what you want and let it go. The smart oven will then send light energy directly into the food. Not into the air around the food, or into the pan underneath it, no. The Brava Pure Light Oven sends the energy directly into the food you’re cooking. That means that the food will be cooked in a fraction of the time it would normally take to cook it. You don’t have to wait for anything to heat up, and you’re not transferring energy. As such, the food will be cooked faster, automatically, and perfectly every time. That’s revolutionary.

    Brava Pure Light Oven Pricing and Release

    The Brava oven will be available this November for around $1,000. That might sound steep, and in fact you might be thinking about similar premium kitchen products that have flopped in recent memory. Juicero, for instance, the $700 juicer that sank like the Titanic, comes to mind. Brava’s makers, however, are confident that their oven will find its market. And why shouldn’t they be? Their oven can cook a meal for two in minutes for less power than it would take to preheat an oven. That’s no mean feat! Expect the name Brava to be on everyone’s lips come November.

  • Smartphone Spotlight: Galaxy Note 9

    Smartphone Spotlight: Galaxy Note 9

    The 128GB Galaxy Note 9 can be purchased through carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Xfinity, along with Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Straight Talk Wireless, Target, Walmart, Samsung.com and the ShopSamsung app.

    The Great

    • Slamtastic Screen
    • Instalike worthy camera
    • Adequate long battery
    • Interesting new S-Pen tricks
    • All the Specs needed

    The Conclusion

    The Galaxy Note 9 is Samsung’s Ultimate cry for tech geek attention. It has all the specs, a gigantic, magnificent, Fortnite worthy screen, a Bluetooth-powered S Pen, and a headphone jack… you know just all the essentials on the checklist for the kind of Android user that Samsung is targeting with a Note update. It’s a Phablets lover’s dream come true!

    I’m sure we all remember the note 7 scandle, but that is all history for the Galaxy Note brand. That was two years ago, this is the Note 9 we are talking about today.

    Galaxy Note 9 puts powerful technology in the hands of the tech geeks and gamers who demand more powerful and more screen from their smartphones. It certainly boast Innovative features and design make it the only phone to keep up with the next generation of users. Yes the rumors we have been telling you are true. Packed with a huge battery, a massive screen, and a powerful stylus, the Note 9 has more of everything than any other phone on the US market.

    How does it look and feel

    It’s large, I mean this phone is obscenely large. And when you put it in a case, it will become a liability. This is not a one-handed phone for any but the largest hands. Samsung moved the fingerprint sensor so no longer will the Note 9 fit into Note 8 case. On the bright side no more inadvertently smudging the camera lens.

    The Galaxy Note 9 has a 6.4-inch quad HD Super AMOLED curved screen, and USB-C and standard headphone jacks, it is IP68 Waterproof. We have been through this, the checklist of required wants and needs are covered. Not only that but it is stunning, think Charlene Theron on the red carpet elegant.

    No 5g on The Galaxy Note 9

    We have talked about 5G coming next year, Don’t get hung up on that; it will be another year before 5G is widespread and before chipset makers work out the power-management kinks that come with new wireless data systems. Yes write that down you are hearing it here first. Next year’s Note 10 will be 5G. Wanna wait that long? Anyways, The existing X20 modem get speeds up to 700Mbps with the right carrier setup, showing there’s still plenty of room in 4G. That’ll do, That’ll do just fine.

    Sounds and Stuff

    The Note 9 brings the S9+’s dual speakers to the Note line. The two speakers are by the earpiece, and along the bottom. Compared to the previous Note 8’s single bottom speaker, the speakers here aren’t much louder but clarity and treble are off the charts. Outside of the iPhone X I don’t think I have heard a better device speaker.

    The Biggest Difference

    The Galaxy Note 9’s biggest upgrade is its enhanced and gargantuan 4,000mAh battery hit it with a 10-hour battery test video. Yes you know the one where I leave it on the10 hour loop of He-Man singing 4 non blondes “what’s going on”. Results, 13% left, astounding. This leads me into projecting screen-on battery life out to 12 and half hours. That Destroys all other flagship smartphone on the market. The battery is significantly larger than the one in the Galaxy S9+ (3,500mAh, 10+ hours), the Galaxy Note 8 (3,300mAh, 6 hours), or the Galaxy Note 5 (3,020mAh, 8 hours and 30 minutes).

    Quick Speck Look

    • Graphics Mali-G72 MP18
    • Processor Octa core (2.7 GHz, Quad core, M3 Mongoose + 1.7 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A55)
    • Architecture 64 bit
    • Ram 6 GB
    • Audio Features Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
    • Display Type Super AMOLED
    • Aspect Ratio 18.5:9
    • Screen Size 6.4 inches (16.26 cm)
    • Screen Resolution 1440 x 2960 pixel

    The Final Thought

    The screen alone will improve your Fortnite results instantly giving you an unfair advantage over any other player on a regular smartphone.


  • Feature Roundup: Google Assistant Visual Snapshot

    Feature Roundup: Google Assistant Visual Snapshot

    Google’s push for its assistant to make your life easier continues with the Visual Snapshot. Featuring a dashboard that helps you organize your life at a glance, Visual Snapshot is set to revolutionize how you interact with your virtual assistant. It’s set to go live soon, and we’re pretty excited about it!

    What’s the Deal with Visual Snapshot?

    The feature’s first and foremost function is its use as a personal assistant. It’ll remind you of flights and reservations, of course, and even tells you how much traffic is between you and your destination. The first page is entirely dedicated to these travel times, since your life is certainly busy enough that you need to keep ahead of traffic.

    That’s not all it does, either. It can remind you of when deliveries are expected to arrive. The assistant can remind you about movies and events you’ve got tickets for, or appointments you’ve made. All of the cards that host this information are available in the app, and the AI that runs it will curate the information based on where you are. For instance, if you’re at the office, you’ll see traffic info for how to get home the fastest. If you just walked in the door, you might see a notification about when your grocery delivery is arriving.

    Proactive Notifications

    The most interesting feature in the new Snapshot is proactive notifications. These are notifications you receive if your plans need to change. For instance, if your dinner reservation is at 8, but traffic is very heavy, you might be prompted to leave early to make it on time. If your flight gets a delay, you’ll be notified. You can even be notified of bills that need to be paid so that you aren’t caught off guard.

    When Can I Try It?

    Visual Snapshot is launching later this week! You can access it through your Google Assistant or through an iOS app. Get ready to get organized as this new feature rolls out!

  • Dyson V8 Absolute Feature Roundup

    Dyson V8 Absolute Feature Roundup

    Dyson’s a big name when it comes to things that suck. I mean that in a good way, though! While the Dyson V8 Absolute isn’t the newest or flashiest thing from the company, it is still excellent. The V8 Absolute is one of our favorite cordless vacuums, and today we’re rounding up its best features!

    Cordless and Convenient

    The V8 Absolute is totally cordless, light and easy to maneuver. It’s great at getting into hard-to-reach sports, and perfect for big houses where you have to cover a lot of ground. Having to fuss with a cord around corners or furniture is a pain, so its nice to not have to worry about it here.

    Different Brush Heads

    The many different head attachments are great for the convenient Dyson V8 Absolute. If you want to take it outside to clean your car, there’s a head for that. If you want to vacuum the stairs, use the hose attachment. It’s really flexible and works great!

    Performance

    It’s a Dyson, so it’s great. It can clean on carpet, hardwood, whatever! It works like a charm in most any environment. Even really tough messes you’d normally think a cordless can’t handle are easy for this vacuum. We also love how quiet it is! If you have pets or live in an apartment, you can be sure this vacuum won’t disturb anyone nearby. It’s still audible, of course, but not nearly as loud as most conventional vacuums.

    Battery Life

    The only place where we dock points from the vacuum is on its relatively short battery life. It gets about 50 minutes of life with everything but the main brush head. The main head, however, only allows for 25 minutes of charge. After the charge is spent, it takes about 4 hours to get another full charge. That’s not amazing, but it doesn’t totally diminish the experience.

    Dyson V8 Absolute Bottom Line

    The $500 vacuum is a great value and works like a charm. Other than its relatively shallow battery, it’s a fantastic pick for cleaning your house. It’s light, convenient and powerful, and works in any environment. Try it for yourself and you’ll see what we mean!

  • Budget Roundup: Headphones Under $100

    Budget Roundup: Headphones Under $100

    Beats headphones are wonderful, but they’re really quite expensive. Ironically, you don’t have to spend all that much money to get a solid pair of headphones. To be honest, unless you’re the type that just loves name brands, you should probably check out some of these options instead! Let’s look at some of the best headphones under $100.

    Klipsch R6

    If you’re looking for a great value on a great set of earbuds, we’ve got good news for you. The Klipsch R6 earbuds are a steal, running only around $40-$50, having been knocked down in price considerably. They were introduced around $100, but they were well worth that price too. The fact that they’re running for less than half that now is pretty mind-blowing. If you can find a good sale on these, pick them up. You’ll be glad you did.

    Shure SE112

    These come in right at $100, but they’re all-around great wireless earbuds. There’s a wired version, too, if your phone still has a headphone jack. If not, no sweat, the wireless configuration is also great, with excellent battery life and sound quality. These earbuds sound great on all registers, high and low, and do a good job blocking outside sounds. The sound quality is the real star of the show, and these earbuds cost about half what a product of their quality could.

    V-Moda Forza

    These comfortable, powerful and stylish earbuds will set you back $100. And man, they’re worth every penny. They have a wide variety of endcaps and fins, so you can customize yours until they fit in your ear perfectly. They’re also water-resistant, making them perfect to bring by the pool or take out exercising. These little workhorse earbuds sound great, too, bringing a big, wide sound despite their small size. The drivers are crisp, and all genres sound great with them. If you’re looking for a great, affordable set of workout earbuds, here they are!

    Our Favorite Headphones Under $100: Marshall Major II

    These fantastic over-ear headphones are our favorites that come in under $100. Marshall’s headphones are often stylish, and these are no exception. They have a classic appearance, looking like a vintage set of earphones. Importantly, they also have impressive sound quality, blowing headphones that cost twice as much out of the water. It’s really hard to justify buying more expensive headphones when these can be snagged for around $50 when they’re on sale.