Category: Reviews

Lenovo Smart Display is the Only Choice
Lenovo Smart Display is the company’s answer to Amazon’s Echo Show. The Google Assistant-equipped smart speaker comes in two sizes: 8-inches ($200) or 10-inches ($250) and does everything the Home does, plus full HD video chat using Google Duo. Until Google launches its own smart speaker with a screen, this is the best one to get if you’re firmly using the Google assistant.

The Great
- HD Display is crystal clear
- camera shutoff option
- Google Assistant enabled
- Two different sizes
The Not
- Limited Functionality
- Sound quality is lacking
- Not suitable for noise enviroments
The Conclusion

Lenovo tries and fails to join the game with its Google-equipped Smart Display. The Lenovo Smart Display fits Google Assistant into an Echo Show competitor with an 8 or 10 inch screen

Finally

So you saw the Amazon show and the eco dot, thought to yourself that is neat but do they work with the nameless Google assistant Ive become accustomed to? No they don’t, but you have an option now, only one option for a Google Assistant with an HD Screen.

Just like you assumed, you will be able to issue voice commands to Lenovo’s Smart Displays. Say the word and you can control your smart home, search the internet, ask for directions or check your calendar, you know the drill. Lenovo’s display will show info relevant to your question on your touchscreen like a map or your schedule for the day.

I’ll call you Carl

Google assistant stand toe-to-toe with Alexa in terms of capabilities. I still feel it needs a distinctive one syllable name. Do I have to assign it? Because I will. Im going with Carl, it doesn’t have to be a feminine name right? This Display does Help Carl catch up to Alexa on the hardware front, its just not as good looking. The Lenovo Smart Display also has a couple of extra touches to help with privacy. The mute button was expected, as all Google Home smart speakers have one. Lenovo’s cam also has a physical shutter you can slide over it. One odd function I find missing is the Lenovo Smart Display won’t be able to make regular phone calls.

The Final Thought

Lenovo’s screen looked good in action doing Carl some justice. However The only thing I am seeing that separates this apart is the ability to turn of the camera, I’ve got to many cameras watching me as it is. The Lenovo Smart Display features either an 8 or 10 inch screen for $200 and $250 respectively.
February 14, 2018
Bose SoundTouch 300 Delivers again.. for a Price
The Bose SoundTouch 300 is a soundbar for your televesion, capable of a gorgeously wide sound field, which benefits both music and movies. The speaker is capable of reproducing both dialog and incidental effects with crystal clarity. The system offers easy-to-use music streaming via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The Great
- Superior Sound
- Easy Set Up
- Expandable with wireless Bose speakers
- Versatile connectivity
The Not
- treble EQ cant be modified
- Needs remote to function
The Conculsion

Great ” larger then life” Sound, If you have no intention of buying a sub woofer, though, don’t buy this sound bar. Sound fine on its own, but you’ll miss the deep ravid notes that the optional Acoustimass 300 sub can bring — for an extra $699.

Bose knows how to delivering big sound from small packages. Once again they hit us with the SoundTouch 300, a slim soundbar that produces plenty of bass depth and solid clarity in the highs. You can stream audio via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, features HDMI ARC and optical outputs. Its a baseline sound bar option that can be expanded to an all out theater sound experience.

The Design

The design is elegant and sharp as it looks looks graceful and stylish. Inside the beautiful exterior, the SoundTouch 300 uses four full-range drivers and a single centered tweeter, all front-facing, and bass ports on the rear panel, aided by a pair of “phase guides,” one on each end of the bar. There are 3 Icons across the front, one to show you are connected to your home network, one indicates when audio from the SoundTouch app is played, the last is when you have audio playing from a connected TV.

Whats that on your Head?

It uses AdaptIQ, that is the system Bose employs to adjust the soundbar’s output to your room’s dead areas, as well as reflective surfaces. You connect a adapter by connecting it to the speaker’s back panel and pressing the AdaptIQ button will start the measurement process. Then with this headband receptor on your head and sit in various places in your room. The system go through a series of 10 seconds of frequency sweeps in each spot while the headset measures the reflections from the sweeps.

The Final Thought

Through the SoundTouch 300, the audio is crisp and full of low-end, though the bass response sounds slightly thin with out the sub woofer. Its a great standalone sound bar but not for $699, Only purchase this if you are going to double down for the remote speakers and the sub woofer.
February 14, 2018
A Plus + to the Bose Soundlink Revolver +

Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is the best-performing portable Bluetooth® speaker from Bose, is engineered to spread deep, jaw-dropping sound in every direction.

The Great

Portable
Waterproof
360-Degree Sound,
Multiple speaker party mode
16 hour play back battery life

The Not

No connection ports
No digital assistant capabilities
Lacks volume

The Conclusion

Despite no Siri or Alexa built in this is still the best Bluetooth speaker you can get. Sound quality, durability, versatility is what you want in a portable speaker

I Liked the Last Soundlink

I’ve been a fan of the Bose Soundlink mini since it’s conception. When it was first released if filled a big void in tech we all had been experiencing. I need a wireless speaker that connects to my smartphone and sounds good. Boom, we got the Soundlink mini. I took mine everywhere, boats, golf carts, strapped to my bike , it upped the game and brought the party. I gave the Soundlink to everyone having a birthday, graduation, weddings, holiday, they all got a Soundlink mini. So I’m excited to say the least to get the new Soundlink resolve plus

Out of the Box

When you open the box, you are greeted with sleek cylindrical shape of the speaker and the reality of the build quality. This speaker weighs almost two pounds and is built like a tank. The body of the speaker is one piece metal construction with a plastic base and rubberized buttons on the top. There are six buttons on the top of the speaker; power, Bluetooth, Aux, volume up, volume down and a multi-purpose button. The battery needed charged right out of the box but the speaker turned on after a few minutes of being connected.

Yep it Sounds Like a Bose

The sound coming from this speaker is so immersive and full, stereo sound is a non-issue. There is an app for this speaker, Bose Connect but its pretty lackluster, only offering volume and connectivity options, oh and you can use it to rename the device and select the voice language. It also gives you the option to pair multiple Soundlink together for a party mode.. this will come in handy later. I’m convinced the attitude at Bose is “we know how your music is supposed to sound” and you’re going to like it. It’s got Great Dynamic Range for a portable speaker. The mids and highs are crisp and clear, and the bass is good. It could get louder, I know it would start to loose quality at a much higher volume, but sometimes you just got to crank it up. Like most Bose speakers, the bass is not heavy. This is the first speaker I have ever used that emits sound in all directions equally. Every time I listen to it I’m so impressed and glad it’s there to crank the mood for any situation.

The Final Thought

The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is an extremely well-rounded product that deserves the praise it has been getting. I never leave home with out it and I’ve found my go to gift of the next 5 years.

February 14, 2018
Top 5 Premium Headphones for Audiophiles

After hearing the audio recently in a $4k pair of wired headphones I realized I am the know nothing John Snow of headphones. I have been quite content, even pious, thinking my Beats Solo and Bose Bluetooth Noise Reducing earphones where of high quality. I was wrong, so very, very wrong. It takes a lot to admit ones’ wrong, in this case these 5 blow your hair back, kiss your eardrums good bye headphones have indeed humbled me..

1. Audeze LCD 4-$3999.99

These High-performance planar magnetic headphones are truly the best of the best. The California-based sound experts have been on the cutting edge of planar magnetic headphone research, design, and development. Along the way, they’ve earned a stellar reputation among serious headphone enthusiasts for both their high-tech approach and high-fidelity results. The brilliant Audeze LCD-4 headphones are the result of all their hard work. Wait, what is planar mangetics? Just another fancy word for good? No, planar magnetic drivers offer low distortion, enhanced dynamics, and detailed sound.

2. Final Audio – Sonorous X Headphones- $4999.00

The Sonorous X is beautiful, and my favorite design among the top 5. Despite the more attractive appearance and truly amazing sound quality these head phones are taking home the silver. My first impressions was that Final has got things nailed with its range-topping headphones, the Sonorous X. These arrived in an immaculately made fur-lined wooden box, bonus. As I dug, in I found comparing it to the others on the list, mainly the LCD 4. To tell you the truth its sound lacks some drive and dynamic nuance. My final opinion was These headphones are excellent in many respects but don’t have the all-round ability required at this level to win the gold.. But Silver is yours Final Audio.

3. HiFiMAN – SUSVARA – Audiophile Headphones- $6000

With a Similar look to the Audeze, the SUSVARA looks like a hand crafted beauty with a through back to the origins of 1900s radio. The advanced magnet design used for the first time on the SUSVARA is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence which degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The result is reduced distortion, yielding a purer, more harmonious sound that is audibly so. Detailed like an electron microscope, mostly flat frequency response, excellent sound stage height/depth/width, layering and instrument separation, incisive speed without excess, impeccable attack and decay, its like being there.The SUSVARA is perhaps the most revealing and neutral sounding headphones I have experienced, with a soundstage that is coherent yet open and spacious. The dynamics of the SUSVARA and its ability to respond to small signal changes depicting spontaneous fine gradation of sound differentiates itself from the competition. Its outstanding imaging and separation capabilities makes listening to well-mastered albums like St. Vincent a joy on the SUSVARA. However, there are areas for improvements to the accessories that came with the box as well as the overall finishing and workmanship of the headphones to make the asking price more, which is why it is taking the Bronze

4. Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity- $3999.00

These are the very Headset that set me on this quest for the ultimate sound, not thinking I would find any better. Yet here we are. The Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity contain full-range loudspeakers with unusual M-shaped domes made from pure beryllium. They’re designed in such a way that they can adjust to the size and contours of almost any head, offering supreme comfort.

5. Sennheiser HD800- $1099

Designed with a tight, closed-back ear covering intended to give you listening privacy when you take these cans out into the world. Their planar magnetic drivers produce a high-quality sound that should please the majority of listeners. Top-notch engineering and build quality; highly accurate sound; super comfy over-the-ear design; detachable headphone cable.The HD 800s sound a bit less like headphones and more like high-end speakers than any headphones I’ve heard. While they don’t have the same nostalgic, handcrafted feel of the others on the list at $1099 the best bang for the buck.

The Final Thought

For the purpose of this review, I have selected the 4 album by musicians Led Zeppelin to compare all headphones because, why not? These five headphones are the best of the best, they are the Olympiads of premium Headphones. Test with caution, nothing will ever sound as good after.

February 13, 2018
Sounds in the Key of Focal’s Utopia Headphones
The Focal Utopia open-back headphones employ the same spare-no-expense approach to design, engineering, and execution that made Utopia such a prestigious name in the worlds of home and car speakers. However are theseover-the-ear, open-back design for reduced resonance and spacious, natural sound worth the $4000 price tag?

The Great
- Open back circum-aural
- Low noise with the least distortion I’ve heard
- Full range “loudspeaker-like” sound
- Easily adjustable to any head size or shape
- Balanced cable (bi-amp)
The Not
- Heavy Heavy Price tag
The Conclusion

Your friends will be giving you eye rolls and unreasonably over dramatic shocked reactions about the price. Yes, they are expensive, but then all the great audiophile gear is insanely expensive. These are exceptional headphones, take the time to listen to old Ludwig Van’s Minuet in G with these headphones from a high capacity out put. What you will be experiencing is the absolute peak of the minds comprehension of music. As far as music can be heard, that is it and there aint no more… and that is worth the price tag.

Focal’s design innovations represent a revolution in headphone design. Focal Utopia’s driver diameter closely follows their voice coil’s diameter with an open back magnet assembly thus there is no trapped air behind the dome. Think of it as a miniature, ported speaker with the most amazing sound you can put on your head. In addition, the driver uses pure Beryllium formed in the new “M” shaped dome which is extremely rigid and super light which results in incredibly low distortion and quite possibly the best in the headphone marketplace.

Now This is way more money than I thought I’d ever have to pay for any type of audio gear – let alone headphones. Once I listened to these I was absolutely blown away. With one listen of Led Zep’s Kashmir i had essentially ruined any hope of listening to music on good even premium headphones. Goodbye Beats, goodbye Bose , all the ‘phones I had in my collection sounded dull by comparison. I immoderately went to eBay and sold them all for the trash they had become.

Focal’s Utopia headphones change key ideas about headphones and sound. Ideas such as sound-stage, clarity, and separation new standards are set. Every high-end headphones maker in the world must now rethink, redesign, and discover a new sound or risk losing share to a speaker company. Focal’s Utopia headphones change the very idea of sound. They are so clear, inclusive and their ergonomics so well crafted things once important such as “isolation” fade. Isolation isn’t the issue. Being swept away by the sound, hearing more music, and forgetting TIME is the real desire. “Isolation” is not really what is important – sound quality clarity, and warmth are the real issues. And I know that now after listening to “open back” headphones so epic what was once critical – isolation – isn’t relevant at all anymore.

The Final Thought

Never would I ever had thought to critique the sound on the Beats Solo, and never have I found a product that revolutionizes my understanding of sound. Here we are, staring at a $4000 pair of headphones that have become an utmost priority. These not only offer superb clarity and build quality and comfortable for long hours of sonic rapture but transform sound. This headphone is truly deserving of the music and they are, in the long term and grand scheme of man . to be considered an essential experience. What is money good for if not for a personal performance of Mozart’s greatest symphonies with sound quality Mozart couldn’t possible comprehend.
February 13, 2018
Verizon to Lock My iPhone?

The wireless carrier has been selling phones unlocked, allowing you to swap SIM cards and use other carriers. Soon, it’ll lock phones for a certain period to prevent theft and fraud.

Verizon Lock Down

Say this isnt so! Ive gone through a lot with Verizon in recent months. First they move me from my old 30gb plan to the new unlimited plan, all the while assuring me that they will only throttle speeds once I have hit 22gb and im on a congested tower. I was told that day to day internet functions wouldn’t be affected but streaming movies or music may. Not true, I haven’t been able to purchase tickets from fandango in the movie theater parking lot since. I don’t get any where close to 22gb, but if Im in any popular place my 4g LTE is gone, and my internet is completely useless. Rant aside, We are being told that the fantastic unspoken policy that Verizon does not add any sim locking carrier software is going away.

Not On Rex Manning Day

The nation’s largest wireless carrier said Monday that it would begin locking the phones it sells to consumers, which will prevent them from using a SIM card from another carrier. Initially, the phones will be unlocked as soon as a customer signs up and activates the service. But later in the spring, the company will begin the practice of keeping the phone locked for a period of time after the purchase – in line with the scams of rest of the industry. While it is a function I don’t get that much use from, really only during international travel, Its one Im particularly fond of. I like to upgrade to the newest model iPhone every year upon its release. I wait in line at the crack of dawn with all the other die hards, we joke, laugh and share apple news, drinking coffee and waiting for the store to open. iPhone day is my 3rd favorite holiday of the year next to Rex Manning day. I have raviolis and throw confetti on my bushes. Once I move all my info to my new phone, I wipe my old phone and list it on craigslist. Im able to re-coop a large amount of the new phone by selling the old phone, usually 60%. I get a good price for last years model because I can safely sell it to anyone on any carrier knowing its unlocked and they will have no issues activating it. Well not anymore.

Wait, is this Even Allowed?

Verizon says They’re taking steps to combat this theft and reduce fraud,” according to Tami Erwin, executive vice president of wireless operations for Verizon, said in a statement. “These steps will make our phones exponentially less desirable to criminals.” Now, also to me. The move marks a broad reversal of its policy to offer all of its phones unlocked — part of a deal with the Federal Communications Commission requiring it to unlock phones as part of its acquisition of the “C block” of 700 megahertz spectrum which powers its 4G LTE network. One section of the deal specifically prohibits Verizon from configuring handsets to prevent them from working on other networks. Verizon argues it is still following the intent of the rule.

The Final Thought

My guess is its a way for Verizon to protect itself from competition, with the locked phones making it tougher to switch. Thankfully Apple sell iPhones direct that are all unlocked, so it will be off to the Apple store with everyone else for iPhone Day from now on.

February 12, 2018
The 5 Best Cars Under $30K You Can Buy Right Now

The list of great new cars over $30,000 is a long one, but it’s the surprisingly fantastic quality of what’s below that benchmark that shows off the state of today’s new-car market. What follows is our ranking of the best new vehicles you can buy right now for under 30 grand. The average price of new cars is getting increasingly expensive, but there are plenty of great options under $30K. Here are our picks.

5. Mazda CX-5

Price: $21,795

Mazda’s CX-5 proves that you don’t have to sacrifice driving fun when owning a crossover thanks to its agile handling and responsive steering. Compared to others in its segment, the CX-5 is geared more toward sporty driving dynamics but remains practical thanks to its relatively spacious interior. If you must have a crossover but want one that’s great to drive, the CX-5 should be on your list. The Mazda CX-5 isn’t offered with a V-6 or a high-powered turbo-four engine-upgrade option. Some of the CX-5’s rivals also have infotainment systems that are more advanced and have features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

4. Hyundai Sonata

Price: $21,950

The Hyundai Sonata is a bit of a sleeper in the midsize sedan market. The Sonata offers plenty of space in its well-appointed cabin, and comes wrapped in elegant sheet metal. It may not be a class-leader, but in a market segment as competitive as this, even this mid-pack player is a solid choice. Even the base Sonata SE model features a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

3. Honda Accord

Price: $22,455

One of the longest-running vehicles in the midsize class, the Honda Accord is also one of the best selling cars in the U.S. The 2018 Honda Accord isn’t the least expensive model, but it’s one of the best. Prices start at $22,455, and unless you opt for the V6-equipped Touring model, all Accord models are priced under $30,000. If space, practicality, and excellent visibility matter to you, the Honda Accord will be a great choice. If you’re looking for a mainstream midsize car that still offers a slick manual transmission, the Accord is one of the few available that also happens to be affordable.

2. MINI Hardtop 4-Door

Price: $21,950

The Mini Hardtop brings plenty of character and a fun driving experience all wrapped in a city-friendly package. The base model edges the sportier S model because the large percentage bump in power was offset by the cost. With its nimble handling, funky looks and small dimensions, the Mini Hardtop comes with plenty of fun and charm all in one package. The car is also highly customizable, allowing owners to personalize their Hardtops to their liking.

1. Ford Fusion Hybrid

Price: $27,095

The best thing we can say about a hybrid is that it feels like a normal car. More energy efficient than a standard Ford Fusion while retaining its roomy midsize interior. With its lusty sheet metal, generous people space front and rear, high-tech powertrain, and engaging road manners, the Fusion hybrid doesn’t feel like a normal car. It feels like a great one.

Conclusion

Overall, is this list perfect? Not even close, but then again, no list can be. There are many factors that go into the car-buying process, and many of them are deeply personal, nuanced reasons, to which buyers adhere with an almost religious fervor. Cars are becoming increasingly expensive to buy and own, with the average price for a new car hovering around $34,000. The good news is that there are top-performing cars available for less than $30,000.

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February 12, 2018
Cutting the Cord? 5 Best Streaming Services in 2018

The days of having to tune in live, buy discs or subscribe to expensive cable/satellite packages in order to watch your favorite shows and movies are gone. Streaming services started as an add-on to DVD and digital download offerings with a trickle of second-run movies and TV shows. But speedier internet connections, an abundance of dedicated streaming video devices, and an explosion of mobile video has allowed services like Netflix and Amazon to bulk up their streaming libraries, invest millions in original content, and give traditional pay TV providers a run for their money. These services have grown up from their days as cable TV adjuncts; they’re now full-fledged cable replacements for cord cutters. If you are looking to cut the cord, here are the 5 best streaming services in 2018.

1. Netflix

$11 per month

The great-granddaddy of streaming services remains the best. As you probably know, Netflix provides unlimited streaming of TV shows, movies, comedy specials and original programming (including Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, Master of None and the fourth season of Arrested Development) for one monthly subscription fee. No other service has yet given Netflix an honest-to-goodness run for its money in terms of selection, quality and performance consistency. You can even create up to five different profiles on a single account to make sure that your favorite content doesn’t mess up recommendations for your friends and loved ones.

2. Hulu

$8 per month

If you want to keep current with the latest network TV shows but don’t feel like investing in a cable subscription or an HD antenna, Hulu is the best solution. This service provides access to most major network shows (aside from CBS’ programs) and a handful of cable shows the day after they air. It also lets subscribers access a show’s current season — or often all of the program’s seasons. In addition, the service hosts a number of original shows (including joint ventures with the BBC, like The Wrong Mans and season 4 of The Thick of It), a selection of offbeat movies and a surprising amount of classic anime series. Even with a paid subscription, you have to sit through commercials, but far fewer than if you watched the same shows on cable.
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3. Amazon Video

$99 a year or $8.99 per month

For those who do most of their shopping online, Amazon Prime is a no-brainer. For $99 per year, you get free two-day shipping on your purchases, a free Kindle book each month, and unlimited access to both Amazon Music and Amazon Prime Instant Video. Like Netflix, Amazon Video is a veritable buffet of movies, television and original programming, like Alpha House, Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle. Thanks to a deal with Viacom — which controls Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon — Amazon Prime arguably has a better selection of comedy and children’s programming than its competitors. The service also offers unlimited access to an extensive collection from HBO’s back catalog of classics such as The Sopranos and The Wire. The separate Amazon Video provides easy access to current movies, but it’s an à la carte service.

4. PlayStation Vue

$35 per month

PlayStation Vue is about as close as you can get to a cable subscription without actually getting a cable company involved. The service, which is available on a wide variety of systems, is Sony’s first foray into delivering live TV to its customers. Choose from four different packages: Access ($50 per month), which gives you basic channels, Core ($55 per month), which adds sports, Elite ($65 per month), which adds niche programming and Ultra ($75 per month), which adds certain premium channels. Although the service is expensive, it provides up to 90 live channels – including local sports and news – and lets you record your favorite shows.

5. Sling TV

$20 per month

If you like the idea of a cable subscription but feel it’s just too expensive and offers more content than you want, Sling TV might provide a happy medium for you. On paper, Sling sounds a lot like a traditional cable service: Pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for about thirty real-time channels. But there’s no contract and no set-top box rental fee. Sling is especially handy for sports fans, as it offers a variety of ESPN channels. For cord-cutting sports fans, this alone is worth the price. Other popular networks, like NBC, BBC America, CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS and the Food Network, sweeten the deal. If you sign up for Sling Blue, which is the service’s multi-stream option, and bundle it with the more bare-bones Orange, the combo will cost you $40 per month.
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Conclusion

Let’s face it, cable tv is dead. It had a solid run and lived a long and fruitful existence but now – sorry to say – the time has come to cut the cord. If you are ready to cut the cord, this rundown has the most popular services. Which one is best for you?

February 12, 2018
Jibo. He’s not Alexa, but he’s adorable!
The Good
- Jibo’s expressions make him much more human than Siri or Alexa
- Can take photos and store up to 700 images
- Can track flights, scores, daily news
- Can control Phillips Hue and Nest.
The Bad
- Cannot connect to your phone
- No calls, text, music, or streaming
- Is much more expensive than the Alexa or Google assistants
The Conclusion

Jibo is a very charming and helpful assistant to who can do a fair amount of task such a control your homes lighting, thermostat, track schedules and flights, but is limited in comparison to Alexa or Google. Jibo is more focused on being a social robot opposed to just cold services. His friendly movements and disposition make him feel much more human that the other competitors. But at $900.00 is he worth it?

Jibo Arrives

In 2014 the Boston based Jibo Co. released Jibo as a concept and received a lot of buzz. But unfortunately for Jibo, Amazon released Alexa that same year…All of Alexa’s capabilities immediately surpassed Jibo’s and did so from a sleek 8oz can. Jibo’s production slowed but he made it through and is available for purchase now. Unlike Alexa, Jibo is a robust helper, standing at 12 inches tall and weighing 9lbs. With being friendly animations, adorable look, and features such as a camera, Jibo is finding his way into homes as we speak. Jibo is a much more social robot that seems to want to talk to you and has a proactive approach to tasks. Jibo is at sometimes too helpful and can make people well..uneasy. Jibo will likely have all the features that Alexa and Siri have and will eventually have the edge do to his cuteness. He’s a bright entity in the house and children seem really responsive to him. But at $900.00, you may want to wait to get your monies worth.

Final Thoughts

If you’re like me, you might welcome a friendlier robot who can’t do as much as his cold faceless competitors. Jibo is just that. He has limits, but he also has a lot of love…from taking photographs of you and your family at the dinner table or even reading a bedtime story to the kids, Jibo does bring a factor to the table that others cannot. With adorable animations and expressions, the kids sure like him, and he can still control and connect with a lot of the household gadgets such as Nest, and Phillips Hue. But the question is, is he worth $900.00? I’ll leave that to you.
February 12, 2018
Apples’ Beats by Dre…Can They be Beat?
The Good
- Unrivaled sound quality, especially in bass heavy songs
- Lithium Ion Battery provides 22 hours of continuous listening
- New noise cancellation tech is an important focal point
- Robust and sturdy craftsmanship makes them hard to break
- Wireless and portable headphones make them great travel companions
The Bad
- The sound quality drops when not listening to songs through Apple Music, (i.e listening from Youtube, Pandora, Spotify)
- After extended period of wearing the headphones, the comfort-ability rapidly declines
- High price point. On average consumers pay an additional $100.00 just for a name.
The Conclusion

Apples’ Beat by Dre are clearly the best headphones on the market. With incredible clarity and tone, songs we’ve heard a millions times before are elevated to a different plain inside those earbuds. Coupled with quality craftsmanship and care, there is a reason why they are so distinguished from competitors. But can competitors get close in quality for a significant drop in price?

The upgraded Studio3 Beats are here to stay

The newly released and upgraded Studio3 Beats by Dre have continue to progress and fix the previous versions and continue to hold up the good Beats name. With focusing on the noise cancelling aspect of the Studio3 beats, these bottom heavy headphones are quieter than ever. And Apples W1 Bluetooth chip makes pairing a breeze. Additionally, iPhone users can switch between devices logged into the same iCloud account to easily move from an iPhone conversation to watching a movie on your Mac. (The headphone also works with Android and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.)Totaling 22 hours of wireless playback with the new Noise Cancelling Tech and approximately 40 hours of battery life without it.

With tough competition such as the Sony WH-1000XM2 noise cancelling headphones or the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, Beats has an uphill battle to stay at the top. Sony’s new headphones very closely rival Beats sound and quality, but struggle a bit in terms of battery life and comfort-ability. But for $100.00 less than the Studio3 beats, they are a great option for those not wanting to spend $379.00 on headphones.

Final Thought

The Studio3 Beats have made a great addition to the Beats line, and continue to rule the headphones playground for now. But at this point much is expected from Beats, and they need to find new ways to keep their customers coming back. The strong competition is gunning for Beats, and doing so by significantly under cutting Beats prices. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II has even added a Google Assistant button to their headphones for that extra bit of personality. I’ll be waiting for Beats next move…
February 11, 2018