Alexa, is TechSmash the best tech editorial ever?’ Too bad Alexa could not answer that question, but I am sure we all know the answer. So, who is Alexa? She is the voice behind the Amazon Echo, and is their version of a voice activated knowledge hub/personal assistant. Think of it as Amazon’s answer to Siri or Google Voice but in the form of a speaker for your home.
Setup
The Echo is a very simple device with only two buttons on the entire surface. After taking the Echo out of the box and plugging it in, you will need to connect it to your homes’ WiFi. The Echo requires the use of a smartphone, tablet, or computer for the initial setup. Setup is quick and simple, with step by step instructions. While an Amazon Prime membership is not required, it is highly recommended to take advantage of Prime Music. The Echo is probably one of the easiest devices I have ever set up. Its simplicity provides much comfort to those who might not consider themselves tech-savvy.
Voice Recognition
I was pleasantly surprised by how well Alexa did when it came to hearing me. This is probably due to the fact that the Echo has seven microphones installed into the device. Some may say that seven microphones is excessive, but the extra microphones put the Echo a step above the competition from a vocal recognition standpoint; especially at a distance. In addition to the seven microphones, the Echo also utilizes beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation to further understand your commands. I tried and tried and found it difficult to find a real-world situation where Alexa could not hear when I was talking to her. I turned up the TV, turned on the dishwasher, had my dog barking, and even daughter screaming in the background. Surprisingly, with all of the extra commotion, Alexa was still able to know when someone was talking to her. In my experience, the Echo outperformed Siri and Google Voice when it came to filtering out background noise.
As you use the Echo, the device will adapt to your speech, allowing it to better understand what you are asking. It utilizes your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences to deliver better results over time. Don’t expect to see immediate improvements, though, as I felt it took about a week or two of use before I truly saw a difference. With that said, out of the box it still does a great job knowing what is being asked.
There are a number of questions that the Echo can answer; most are basic questions that can be answered in a simple Wikipedia search. You can ask questions such as, ‘How tall is Steve Nash?’ Or, ‘How old is Brad Pitt?’ Alexa can also answer questions regarding the weather and when specific holidays are. If you struggle with measuring conversions, Alexa can handle those commands as well. The ability to create a shopping list using the echo was also helpful. As you are rummaging through your pantry and fridge it is much easier to say, ‘Alexa, add bread to my shopping list’ rather than digging around the junk drawer for a pen and writing it down or covering your smartphone in brownie batter.
I was happy to see that Amazon did not limit the Echo to only play music from Amazon Music. You can connect the Echo via Bluetooth to your Spotify, Pandora, or other music streaming services. Sadly, you are not able to voice the command ‘Alexa, play Curtis’s playlist from Spotify’. In order to play music from other services, you must manually play it through the streaming services app. At that point, the Echo is ‘just another’ wireless Bluetooth speaker.
Regardless of what you have asked Alexa to do, you can follow along using the Echo app. Every question asked or request made is stored in the app for your use. If you asked who the 5th president of the United States was, the app will provide additional information to the question. This is a pretty nifty feature, as long as you have your phone right next to you. (Which for most people is almost always)
It’s hard to say anything negative about the Amazon Echo when it comes to performance. There are a number of useful features and the device’s vocal recognition works exceedingly well. However, the jury is still out regarding whether a stationary voice controlled speaker is something that people will actually want or need.
Design
I was impressed with the design of the Amazon Echo. Photos online simply do not do it justice. The Echo stands at about 10 inches tall, and is just over 3 inches in diameter. It weighs about 2 pounds and I would consider it just slightly too big to be portable. However, if you carry a larger purse or backpack around, you can easily travel with it.
Along with the speaker itself, it comes a remote and a magnetic holder. The magnet is strong enough to stick to just about any metal surface. This is a nice touch considering that you don’t have to drill holes in your wall in order to mount the remote. The mount is intended to help keep track of your remote, and keeps it out of little hands. However, I found the remote somewhat useless. Because you can do everything through voice command, the remote is not needed and I don’t feel it adds much to the overall experience.
Along the top of the Echo sits a light ring that changes colors depending on what is happening. The colors are bright and vibrant, but do not overpower the Echo.
The sleek and stylish design of the Echo drew lots of attention to those unfamiliar with the Amazon Echo. For the few that were familiar with the device, they were equally impressed by its design. The device is a great conversation starter; especially once Alexa joins the conversation.
Sound
The Echo comes equipped with a 2 inch tweeter, 2.5 inch woofer, and a Reflex port that allows the woofer to produce deeper sounds. When it comes to speaker quality, I would consider the Echo slightly above average. I was by no means blown away by the quality of sound, but at the same time I was not left wanting more for the price of the speaker. I could clearly hear what was being said, and the music was not muffled or distorted in any way. It’s no Bose speaker, but it got the job done.
In terms of overall volume the Echo packs a punch for its size, and can get surprisingly loud. It’s unlikely that anyone would need to listen to the Echo on its highest setting. You are able to change the volume in one of three ways: through voice command (‘Alexa, volume 4’), on the remote control, or by twisting the top of the Echo.
There are a number of Bluetooth speakers on the market that perform just as well, if not better than the Amazon Echo, from a sound clarity and volume perspective. However, when you couple all the features of the Amazon Echo and their above average speakers, it’s hard to beat.
Standing the Test of Time
The first day of using the Echo I was highly impressed by its sleek design, noise cancelling features, and overall performance. However, after about a week of use I found myself going back to my old ways. I used my phone to listen to music, typed a shopping list out, and even used Google Voice to answer questions I had regarding various topics. This was not so much an issue with how the Echo performed, but due to the fact that using my phone was more convenient and always handy. Since the Echo is a stationary device, you can only use it when you are near it. If I wanted to listen to music when taking a shower, I had to move the Echo to another location.
For some the Echo might be just what you need. I think of the Echo as a glorified Bluetooth speaker. For what you get out of it, it’s hard to beat the $99 price tag for Amazon Prime Members. If you’re not a Amazon Prime Member, it might be a little harder to justify the purchase since the Echo is listed at $199.
Currently, the Echo is only available to those who have received an invitation to purchase it. You can visit Amazon’s website to request an invitation.
For those of you who have had the opportunity to use the Echo, what are your thoughts? Was it all you hoped it to be? Let us know what you like and dislike about the Echo in the comment section below.
Many people have searched their email day in and day out looking for the golden ticket: an invite to purchase the Amazon Echo. Having Siri or Google Now in your home is a great concept and Amazon has taken a good shot at in home vocal recognition. The Amazon Echo is in somewhat of a beta stage, but it seems its capabilities could be endless.
Disclaimer: This article will be sharing impressions from the first day of use, and will later lead to an in-depth review of the Amazon Echo.
Design
Amazon did a great job designing the Amazon Echo. With its matte black color, the Echo looks great just about anywhere I set it. When I first saw the Amazon echo, I was surprised by how large it was. I had never checked out the dimensions of the Amazon Echo before I first laid eyes on it, so in my mind I imaged it being much smaller than it is. The Echo stands about 10 inches tall, is just over 3 inches in diameter, and weighs a little over 2 pounds according to Alexa (this was the first time I was not nervous asking a woman their weight). The echo only has two buttons, a mute button, and an action button which helps keep a slim and simple look.
Amazon’s Echo comes with a magnetic remote that can stick to your wall, fridge and anything else magnetic or metal. The remote is also black and fits well in my hand. With that said, for the amount of buttons on the remote, I would have liked it to have been a bit smaller. The remote is about 5 1/2 in. tall and about 1 1/2 in. wide.
There is a light ring on the top of the Echo which indicates to you that Alexa is listening. The colors are bright, vibrant, and fit well with the overall design.
Performance
There are two speakers in the Amazon Echo, a 2 1/2 inch subwoofer along with a 2 inch tweeter. I would consider the speaker quality above average. I was not blown away by the sound quality, but was satisfied overall. The Echo can get surprisingly loud if needed and can be controlled by either telling Alexa your preferred volume by saying “Alexa volume 3” or by using the remote.
Under the light ring sits seven microphones, these microphones utilize beam-forming technology that allow Alexa to hear you regardless of where you are. I was thoroughly impressed by how well Alexa was able to recognize my voice when I was speaking to her and was even more impressed by how well it filters out background noise. I tried everything! Running the dishwasher, vacuuming the floor, doing the dishes, I even had my child throwing a fit in the background. Almost every time Alexa was able to hear me and determine what was being asked.
I was even more impressed with how quickly Alexa was able to answer my questions. There was less than a second delay between me asking the question and Alexa answering it. While there were some questions that Alexa was not able to answer such as what time specific TV shows air or how many cities are in a particular state, Alexa was able to answer most basic questions.
Overall
Overall, I was surprisingly impressed with the Amazon Echo. While it is only day 1, I have found the Echo extremely useful for tasks such as playing music, asking for metric conversions when cooking, and even settling debates when playing a trivia game. There is only so much you can learn after only one day of use. The more you use Alexa, the better she can adapt to your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences; so you need to give it some time before you can really know how well it can perform.
The Amazon Echo is priced at $199, but Amazon Prime members can purchase the Echo for $99 upon receiving an invite from Amazon.
With that said, be sure to check back for an in-depth review of the Amazon Echo. Until then tell us your thoughts. What are you most excited for? If you currently own an Amazon Echo what do you feel it is missing from the device? Let us know in the comment section below.
Remember the Segway, that awkward looking personal vehicle that Weird Al references as the culprit of his “White and Nerdy[ness]?” Of course you do, and you’ve probably only ridden one on a scenic tour where everyone had the opportunity to look awkward together so that nobody is embarrassed. I want you to do me a favor as you read this review, don’t compare the Airboard to the Segway in any way. Despite some technical similarities, the Airboard outpaces the Segway in too many ways to be compared; the most important of which is in style.
I can define the Airboard in two words: intriguing and exhilarating. This stylish skateboard/segway combo captures the attention of anyone that sees it. When we first received the device, I posted a quick video to my social media account. The response was surprising. Friends I haven’t spoken to in years suddenly want to “hang out” because they want a turn with the Airboard. While the Airboard is certainly intriguing, does its performance match its “wow” factor? Read on to find out.
Ease of Use
One of the main questions I received on multiple occasions was, “how hard is it to learn.” I stepped on and was comfortable using the device almost instantly, but I have a background in wakeboarding, skating, skateboarding, and a variety of other balance intensive activities. To get a better idea of how hard it is to learn, I had a number of other people give the device a try while I assessed the learning curve. I’m pleased to say, everyone was able to pick up and feel comfortable with the Airboard within just minutes.
The device is self balancing, so it’s not so much a matter of getting your balance on the device as it is figuring out how your lean controls the device. Leaning forward and backwards accelerates in the respective direction. Stepping on and off the device is the hardest part for beginners. To get an idea of what learning looks like, take a look at the video montage we put together. If you fast forward to 21 seconds, you’ll see Curtis’ first time ever using the Airboard.
While he nearly falls on the first attempt, within seconds on his second attempt he was cruising around the basketball court like a champ; a testament to how easy learning to ride the Airboard really is.
Maneuvering and Transportation
Once you get past the initial learning curve, you’ll find that the Airboard is extremely agile. Not only is it zippy (up to 12 MPH), but it can turn on a dime and even do 360 degree spins. We did learn the hard way, however, that fast turns are the easiest way to get thrown from the Airboard.
The device also has surprisingly good battery life. You can travel between 6 and 8 miles on a single charge depending on how and where you’re riding. Long distance riding is a surprising work out. My longest trip was 2 miles and at the end of it, both my thighs and feet were burning as if I had just finished a P90X workout. You use a surprising number of stabilizer muscles in both your thighs and feet to stay in control. It’s likely that over time you will build up endurance with more use, the Airboard just forced me to use muscles that I haven’t used in a long time. (probably a good thing) As long as you don’t mind getting some thunder-thighs, you’ll love getting around on the Airboard.
From a speed perspective, I was able to travel a mile in around 8 minutes meaning I averaged about 7.5 MPH while comfortably riding. We tested the Airboard’s max speed by riding it next to a vehicle while monitoring speed. While the Airboard can definitely reach speeds of up to 12 MPH, I never felt comfortable going faster than 10 MPH. Any Shift of your weight causes the board to turn. Riding on an uneven street and hitting bumps can cause the Airboard to weave and lose control at high speeds. There were plenty of times where I nearly fell off of the Airboard as a result of traveling at high speeds and hitting an uneven spot of pavement. FOr that reason, I averaged closer to 7.5 MPH in most of my travel. It’s worth noting that my testing of the device was limited to two weeks and it remains unknown as to how comfortable a seasoned rider could become.
It’s hard to put into words what maneuvering is like on the Airboard. Once you get the hang of it, it feels extremely natural. It really says something about how good it feels to maneuver when you spend the first night with the device watching TV while cruising around your living room for over an hour straight. I simply can’t get enough. Even my wife, who isn’t into technology whatsoever, wants to buy one after giving it a whirl.
This sidewalk crack defeated me on multiple occasions
It’s safe to say that the Airboard is an incredible travel experience, however, it’s not a perfect one. I’ve already mentioned the challenges of high speeds and uneven pavement. The Airboard also does not do well with large bumps. The airless wheels are made of a hard rubber material that don’t absorb very much shock. There were a few times that a severely uneven sidewalk crack threw me from the Airboard. Thankfully, jumping straight forward and running off your speed is relatively easy. Despite all of my “falls” I never went down on the pavement.
Overall, travel on the Airboard is a great experience. Don’t expect to travel a consistent 12 MPH and be careful when going over bumps to ensure you don’t get thrown from the device.
Design and Durability
Design and durability rarely go together in the same category, however, with the Airboard, they are closely related. The Airboard is designed to look very futuristic. The glossy black paint, blue LED lights, and stylish wheels make for a pretty package. In fact, many people who saw my initial videos thought I was actually hovering from the illusion created by the blue LED lights.
These scratches are inevitable
The Airboard’s strength in design is also one of its weaknesses. The glossy black paint is prone to scratches and trust us, you’re going to scratch your Airboard the first time you use it. If you ever have to dismount from the device, the Airboard rolls end-over-end on the pavement and scratches the paint on the wheel-wells. Additionally, there is not a lot of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the Airboard. Simply trying to go up a gutter scratched the bottom of the Airboard. While the device would certainly lose some of its sleekness in style, I would have preferred a more scratch-resistant matte paint job. This way only the deep scratches would be visible.
Paint aside, the Airboard can definitely take a beating. Despite falling off multiple times and enduring a number of people getting past the learning curve, the Airboard never stuttered once. Our time with the device was limited to only two weeks, so our durability testing is not comprehensive.
“Smash” Factor
When reviewing devices we like to look for whether it has what we call the “Smash Factor.” This can be earned by either showing incredible innovation or overall outstanding performance. The Airboard achieved both. While certainly not perfect, between the sheer exhilaration of using the device and its inherent “coolness” factor; the Airboard definitely earned the “Smash Factor” award.
You can purchase your own Airboard here for $850 US dollars. If you want an insider secret, use the promo code walknomore to get a discount on your purchase.
Update: We’ve found that Amazon has various other brands of self-balancing uni-cycle scooters and they are much cheaper than the Air-wheel brand
Have you ever wanted to donate to a charity or cause, but didn’t have nearly the funds you would have liked to provide? A new company/app called Adora (fittingly Portuguese for “love”) is hoping to provide a solution that will allow you to give more to the world simply by installing their app on your phone.
The concept of Adora is simple, the App places advertisements on your lock screen. Each time you unlock your phone, a different advertisement is displayed on your screen. A portion of the advertising revenue then goes towards the charity/cause of your choice. It’s that simple.
Let me repeat that for you, you can donate money on an ongoing basis to the charity of your choice just by downloading and enabling this app. (Not a dime of your money is involved) This is a huge opportunity to give back to the world in a way that everyone with a smartphone is capable! Adora is tapping into a HUGE market (affiliate marketing), inventing a new way to get in front of users, and using the proceeds to better the world. There is no easier way to give back to the world than by installing the Adora app. The boy on “Pay It Forward” would have had a heyday if this app existed.
Now, I can hear the big question on everyone’s mind, “how intrusive will the advertisements be?” I, like most I assume, am willing to donate my lock screen to a good cause as long as it isn’t going to cause me grief. The answer to the “how intrusive” question is: as intrusive as you want the advertisements to be. You choose the subject matter of the advertisements shown on your screen. Are you looking for the next big travel adventure with your significant other? Choose travel for your ad preferences to show you the latest deals each time you unlock your phone. As far as ad types are concerned, they will consist of images, GIFs, and videos (Silent unless clicked) on your lock screen. I was a bit concerned about video at first, but once one of the founders explained to me that any ad audio has to be enabled, my concerns were put to rest. It’s also worth noting that the company has a strict “family friendly” advertising rule, so you don’t have to worry about a barely clothed Miley Cyrus being on your screen the next time your wife unlocks your phone.
This app is available for both Apple and Android devices with a caveat, Apple has strict control over the lock screen and currently hasn’t given developers the ability to show more than notifications and album art on the lock screen. As a result, Adora on the iPhone instead uses a notification system that displays ads at intervals of your choice.
Additionally, Adora continues to learn your preferences over time to provide you with valuable offerings on a regular basis. Each time an ad is displayed, you can up-vote or down-vote the ad to improve the apps understanding of you. Also, you can save ads for later viewing if you’re needing to get to that text message but your interested in checking out the offer at a later time. All in all, the app has a slick interface that gives users control and visibility of what is most important to them: the ads they see, the charity they are donating towards, and how much money their ad interactions have generated for their chosen charity/cause.
Finally, the other most important question is, “how much of the advertising revenue will actually make it to a charity?” According to their F.A.Q. page, they are currently giving 20%, but are working towards increasing that to 50% in the future. This is likely due to the company needing to recoup some of the expenses of the upfront investment in the creation of Adora. If the company can’t keep its lights on, how else are you going to be able to donate to charity so easily?
I think the concept behind this app is genius and has an opportunity to make a big impact on the world around us. I had a very refreshing call with one of the founders of the company who said, “Our product is charity work, it is what we’re about.” In that discussion it was apparent that this organization is passionate about driving charity awareness and participation around the world.
Considering how easy it is to install and choose your ads, you would be a fool not to install this app and begin giving back to the world around you. You can gain access to this app in both the Google Play and Apple’s Appstore. However, the current iteration of the app only provides advertisements through phone notification. A future update will enable lock screen advertising. You can obtain this app and begin giving back to the world today by downloading the app from one of the following sources:
Additionally, the app is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign to raise funds and awareness for the further development of the app. You can participate and donate towards the cause here.
What do you think about Adora? Are you willing to give up your lock screen to further health advancements/sick children/world education/etc…? If not, tell us why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Apple made some drastic changes that shocked many when they revealed the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Deviating from what once was adamancy regarding have the perfect screen size for one-handed use, the company now offers two different iPhone models; both of which are larger than their predecessor. The iPhone 6 Plus is the larger of the two being technically classified as a phablet. While the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have been taking record amounts of market share from Android this time around, how does the phone actually stand up against its competition? Read on to find out our opinions on the matter.
Design and Display
Apple has been notorious for their attention to detail and cutting edge design in their smartphones. The design of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are drastically different from their predecessor. One of the major changes in design are the screen sizes. The iPhone 5S had a measly 4 inch screen. The iPhone 6 has a stunning 4.7 inch Retina Display, bringing it in-line with many of the mainstream Android devices on the market. The iPhone 6 Plus is even larger with a 5.5 inch HD Retina Display.
The screens on both devices are bright, crisp, and stunning. Being a Retina Display is defined by the pixel density going beyond what is visible to the naked eye. This equates to an incredibly crisp and vibrant experience. It is worth noting that the iPhone 6 is 1334 by 750 pixels leaving the pixel density at 326 pixels per inch. The iPhone 6 Plus has an even higher density of pixels at 401 PPI with its 1920 by 1080 screen. The resolution of the iPhone 6 Plus has the same number of pixels as non-4K HD televisions, which is pretty incredible for a simple 5.5 inch screen. The size of the iPhone 6 Plus screen is great for watching movies, viewing photos, and zooming in on those imperfections in your selfies.
One of the big questions on everyone’s mind is how do the phones feel compared to previous models considering their changes in size. The iPhone 6 is the perfect size. It fits well in your hand and is finally a decent size screen without being overly bulky. I wish I could say the same about the iPhone 6 Plus. The 6 Plus is just beyond the realm of comfort in the size department (and no I don’t have Mary Poppins hands thank you very much) It’s slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note 4, so if you’re comfortable with the size of that phone, you should be comfortable with the iPhone 6 Plus. The device is also extremely slippery. Between the slipperiness of the device and its size, using it in one hand is not a recommendable experience; especially if you have small hands. It does, however, fit into jeans pockets. I had multiple people ask me to show them how it fit in my pocket out of curiosity. While definitely a pocket-full, it all fits. Just don’t wear skinny jeans and you’ll be fine.
As far as BendGate is concerned, or the iPhone 6 Plus bending during regular use; we can confirm that those reports were false. Not only have I not seen any bending with regular use, but even when applying considerable pressure to the sides of the phone I did not see any flex. If this were Mythbusters, consider that myth BUSTED.
Other major design changes to the phones include a massive overhaul to the chassis/body of the device. What once were straight lined bezeled edges are now smooth curves. Aside from the edges of the buttons and camera lens, there is not a jagged edge on this phone. This makes a much safer experience when you feel the need to huck your phone at your friend’s head just for kicks.
The sensors and buttons are all, for the most part, in the places when you would expect them from previous models. The camera lens does protrude from the back of the device. While this is likely required to get the entire camera and lens to fit in an even thinner phone than its predecessor, it does make you uncomfortable when setting the phone down on its back. I’m pleased to report that the lens on the camera is quite durable and has yet to receive any scratches from my setting it on its back in my 2 months with the device.
Overall, the design changes to the device are welcome and needed changes. The market seems to agree that bigger is better despite some of its drawbacks. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit beyond the size of comfort, but its dazzlingly large screen largely make up for it as long as you don’t mind using both hands with the device.
Hardware and Specs
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are also an upgrade in terms of specification. You can compare the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5S using the chart below:
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6
iPhone 5S
Technology
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Dimensions
158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in)
138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 in)
123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in)
Weight
172 g (6.07 oz)
129 g (4.55 oz)
112 g (3.95 oz)
SIM
Nano-SIM
Nano-SIM
Nano-SIM
– Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
– Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
– 500 dpi pixel density fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
The major spec upgrades include the CPU, GPU, battery life, and the addition of the NFC chip. The CPU inside of both models of the iPhone 6 utilize Apple’s A8 chipset. This is a step up from the A7 chip used in the iPhone 5S and provides an approximate 25% boost in performance. Also, the GPU is also upgraded from the PowerVR G6430 to the PowerVR G6450 which provides an approximate 50% boost in graphical processing power. This means games should look and run better. However, some testing has shown that most of this “extra” power is exhausted from outputting to higher resolution screens; especially on the iPhone 6 Plus.
Disappointingly, there was not an upgrade to the RAM of the device. Utilizing only 1 GB of RAM puts the iPhone 6 in line with a low-end Android Phones. However, you’ll notice that the device is silky smooth in terms of performance. This is for a number of reasons. For one, iOS is optimized for the specs of the devices. Android has so many different devices on the market that it is challenging to optimize for every device. Also, iOS requires less power to operate. While you may have a lower powered lawn mower, the fact that you’re a slim 140 pound man as opposed to a 350 pound wrestler is going to give you better performance than you would expect from only 1 GB of RAM.
Battery life has also seen a huge improvement! I can often get nearly 2 days out of my iPhone 6 Plus without a charge with relatively heavy use. Some days I will just leave the screen on for extended periods of time while working to monitor various things. Even when leaving the screen on for hours at a time, the battery always gives me at least a full day’s worth of use.
One of my favorite new pieces of hardware on the device is the fingerprint scanner. While I largely considered it a gimmick on past phones and computers due to being a clumsy experience, the finger-print scanner works so well that it’s become one of my favorite features of the iPhone 6 Plus. It is surprisingly accurate and zippy. If you power on your phone with your thumb, a simple half second linger on the button will take you past the lockscreen which is surprisingly more convenient than you would thing. Also, being able to pay for apps and games in the app store by scanning your fingerprint instead of typing your password is extremely convenient as well. I did notice that any moisture on your finger would inhibit the device from being able to read your fingerprint. If you have clammy hands, don’t look forward to using the fingerprint scanner.
Camera and Video
The iPhone has been a photographer’s smartphone favorite for many years. While if you simply compare cameras by megapixel, the iPhone 6 Plus is considerably behind its competition. However, the way in which the camera takes and processes the image as well as the sensor size both play a large role in the quality of the image. The only time megapixels is going to impact you is when you’re blowing your pictures up to extremely large sizes. As long as you’re not planning on displaying/printing the image beyond 20 X 30, the quality of the image should be just fine.
I don’t profess to be a professional photographer, so I’m going to defer the camera comparison over to our professional photography friends at improvephotography.com. In their testing they found that in many ways the iPhone 6 Plus’s camera actually performed worse than the iPhone 5S. They mention that contrast and burst shots performed considerably better on the iPhone 5S.
However, in the iPhone 6 Plus’s favor, it performed better in low light settings. The phase detection auto-focus also delivered clearer more focused photos; especially in very noisy environments.
You can view their entire comparison below:
Overall, I’ve been pleased with the quality of the pictures that I have taken with the iPhone 6 Plus. While it is definitely no DSLR replacement, it gets the job done and gives you an accessible camera anytime anywhere. Below are a few examples of photos that we took with the iPhone 6 Plus:
The front facing camera is only 1.2 megapixels and shoots in HD at 720P. While far from the best front-facing camera on a smartphone, it gets the job done for video chatting and low res selfies.
Video on the device also comes with some bells and whistles. While shooting in HD is nothing new for iPhones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus both shoot at 60 frames per second which equates to smoother video. Apple’s Focus Pixel technology works surprisingly well while changing from one subject to another and remaining in focus. When shifting quickly from one subject to another, there are fractions of a second in which you will notice the camera refocusing, but it performs significantly better than my DSLR’s ability to autofocus while shooting video.
The new slow motion video mode is also an extremely cool new feature. Having the ability to capture video at 240 frames per second allows you to see an entirely new world. While Samsung has had this feature since the Galaxy S4, the execution of slow motion mode on the iPhone is a much better experience. For one, after shooting video, you can choose what portion of the clip you want to show in slow motion. Additionally, when the phone is shifting into slow motion it shifts quickly but gradually giving it an almost Hollywood movie slow-down slow motion effect. Also, the iPhone 6’s slow motion video also captures sound; something the Galaxy S4 nor S5 capture when shooting in slow motion.
You’ll notice, when using this mode, resolution does go down to 720P. Also, it doesn’t perform well in low-light settings. Our NoPhone Gymnastics video was shot using the iPhone 6 Plus and you can see some minor flickering while playing back the video in slow motion.
In proper lighting however, slow motion shots look crisp. Check out one of our favorites that we’ve found online below:
While a higher megapixel camera would have been welcomed, the camera performs really well in terms of taking pictures and videos with a variety of different features and modes to keep your creativity on steroids.
Apple Pay
With the additional of an NFC chip to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple released Apple Pay; a new form of mobile payment. The system is slick and works surprisingly well. It keeps track of all of your transactions in tandem with each credit card you have registered with Apple Pay. In my experience with Apple Pay, it does have a few pros and cons.
The setup process was extremely easy. You tap add a card, input the details, and in some cases you have to take a picture of the card. However, once you’re completed with the setup process, it doesn’t give you any kind of indication as to what to do next. In my first test, I didn’t know what to expect. I went to my local Circle K, opened up Apple Pay, held my phone against the sensor, and hoped it would work. Thankfully, it did. I had to promptly scan my fingerprint to finalize the payment process, after which point there was a delay. During this delay was an awkward time where myself and the cashier looked at each other in suspense in wonder whether the payment method was going to work or not. Once the card processed, it indicated success on the screen and I walked away with my goods after proudly paying as if someone from the future.
It’s worth noting that not all cards are accepted. I tried to add my credit union debit card and it said it was not approved for use with Apple Pay and that I would need to contact the Credit Union. This is extremely disappointing. Also, very few retailers have the hardware in place to support Apple Pay and some have even disabled Apple Pay due to relationships with other mobile payment companies. For this to replace my wallet I need two improvements to occur in the near future. All cards need to be accepted and the majority of stores need to have the hardware to support Apple Pay. At this point I still have to carry my wallet which defeats the overall purpose of Apple Pay.
Interface and Operating System
iOS has always been one of the more user-friendly and intuitive experiences out there. Apple has worked hard to keep it that way. Since the release of iOS7, the operating system has been enjoying a much-needed facelift with quick access menus that Android users had been delighting in for years.
One of the major new features released with iOS 8 was third-party keyboards. Coming from the Android world previously, I was excited to not have to abandon Swype. However, I was disappointed that Swype on the iPhone did not perform nearly as well as it did on Android. Autocorrect on the iPhone was much more strict and less intelligent. If a word is not in their dictionary, the iPhone is going to correct it continuously unless you tell it not to. Whereas on Android, if a word wasn’t found in the dictionary, I could simply type it and the phone was smart enough to know that I was adding a word not found in the dictionary amidst my Swyping.
Also, I found the third-party keyboard feature to be buggy. Whether the bug resided in the code of the keyboard or the operating system remains unknown, but anytime I would open the text messaging app, it would not load my keyboard. I would have to close out the app and re-open it to respond to any texts. This became frustrating to the point of switching back to the stock keyboard.
Some other highlights of iOS 8 are as follows:
On the fly messaging. If you receive a message while within another app, you can quickly respond without leaving the app your using. However, keep in mind that if you get another notification while typing up a message you will lose your message.
Healthkit – This new aspect of the OS allows the iPhone to stay integrated with a number of different fitness tracking devices.
HomeKit – Home automation is on the rise with the advent of the smart bulb, smartlock, and more. HomeKit is a new aspect of the operating system that will unify the home automation experience on iOS
Siri Improvements – Siri has performed extremely well. I’ve used Siri both in a noisy car over Bluetooth and in quiet rooms simply through the standard microphone. I would estimate around a 95% success rate. You do have to have a solid internet connection in order for Siri to “hear” you.
Family sharing – Now you can share apps, photos, and more with up to 6 iTunes accounts. Just make sure you keep those embarrassing audio journal entries from making it into the family cloud.
Overall, I feel that iOS has caught up with Android in terms of necessary functionality. While definitely not perfect with a bug here and there, the interface is intuitive and it performs really well with the hardware inside of the phone. It’s unfortunate that third-party keyboards don’t work better. Hopefully this will improve over time.
Overall
In conclusion, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are both phenomenal phones. The new design, added screen size, and crystal clear display make for a fantastic visual experience. The upgraded specs and hardware enable the device to perform well, although we would have liked more system RAM and an increase in megapixels to the cameras. Apple Pay is a welcome addition, although there are a variety of things that need to happen before it becomes a viable wallet replacement. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit too large, but doable as a two-hander phone. Overall, I highly recommend these devices to anyone looking for a smartphone with a strong portfolio of options and features.
Apple made some drastic changes that shocked many when they revealed the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Deviating from what once was adamancy regarding have the perfect screen size for one-handed use, the company now offers two different iPhone models; both of which are larger than their predecessor. The iPhone 6 Plus is the larger of the two being technically classified as a phablet. While the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have been taking record amounts of market share from Android this time around, how does the phone actually stand up against its competition? Read on to find out our opinions on the matter.
Design and Display
Apple has been notorious for their attention to detail and cutting edge design in their smartphones. The design of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are drastically different from their predecessor. One of the major changes in design are the screen sizes. The iPhone 5S had a measly 4 inch screen. The iPhone 6 has a stunning 4.7 inch Retina Display, bringing it in-line with many of the mainstream Android devices on the market. The iPhone 6 Plus is even larger with a 5.5 inch HD Retina Display.
The screens on both devices are bright, crisp, and stunning. Being a Retina Display is defined by the pixel density going beyond what is visible to the naked eye. This equates to an incredibly crisp and vibrant experience. It is worth noting that the iPhone 6 is 1334 by 750 pixels leaving the pixel density at 326 pixels per inch. The iPhone 6 Plus has an even higher density of pixels at 401 PPI with its 1920 by 1080 screen. The resolution of the iPhone 6 Plus has the same number of pixels as non-4K HD televisions, which is pretty incredible for a simple 5.5 inch screen. The size of the iPhone 6 Plus screen is great for watching movies, viewing photos, and zooming in on those imperfections in your selfies.
One of the big questions on everyone’s mind is how do the phones feel compared to previous models considering their changes in size. The iPhone 6 is the perfect size. It fits well in your hand and is finally a decent size screen without being overly bulky. I wish I could say the same about the iPhone 6 Plus. The 6 Plus is just beyond the realm of comfort in the size department (and no I don’t have Mary Poppins hands thank you very much) It’s slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note 4, so if you’re comfortable with the size of that phone, you should be comfortable with the iPhone 6 Plus. The device is also extremely slippery. Between the slipperiness of the device and its size, using it in one hand is not a recommendable experience; especially if you have small hands. It does, however, fit into jeans pockets. I had multiple people ask me to show them how it fit in my pocket out of curiosity. While definitely a pocket-full, it all fits. Just don’t wear skinny jeans and you’ll be fine.
As far as BendGate is concerned, or the iPhone 6 Plus bending during regular use; we can confirm that those reports were false. Not only have I not seen any bending with regular use, but even when applying considerable pressure to the sides of the phone I did not see any flex. If this were Mythbusters, consider that myth BUSTED.
Other major design changes to the phones include a massive overhaul to the chassis/body of the device. What once were straight lined bezeled edges are now smooth curves. Aside from the edges of the buttons and camera lens, there is not a jagged edge on this phone. This makes a much safer experience when you feel the need to huck your phone at your friend’s head just for kicks.
The sensors and buttons are all, for the most part, in the places when you would expect them from previous models. The camera lens does protrude from the back of the device. While this is likely required to get the entire camera and lens to fit in an even thinner phone than its predecessor, it does make you uncomfortable when setting the phone down on its back. I’m pleased to report that the lens on the camera is quite durable and has yet to receive any scratches from my setting it on its back in my 2 months with the device.
Overall, the design changes to the device are welcome and needed changes. The market seems to agree that bigger is better despite some of its drawbacks. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit beyond the size of comfort, but its dazzlingly large screen largely make up for it as long as you don’t mind using both hands with the device.
Hardware and Specs
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are also an upgrade in terms of specification. You can compare the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5S using the chart below:
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6
iPhone 5S
Technology
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Dimensions
158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in)
138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 in)
123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in)
Weight
172 g (6.07 oz)
129 g (4.55 oz)
112 g (3.95 oz)
SIM
Nano-SIM
Nano-SIM
Nano-SIM
– Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
– Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
– 500 dpi pixel density fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
The major spec upgrades include the CPU, GPU, battery life, and the addition of the NFC chip. The CPU inside of both models of the iPhone 6 utilize Apple’s A8 chipset. This is a step up from the A7 chip used in the iPhone 5S and provides an approximate 25% boost in performance. Also, the GPU is also upgraded from the PowerVR G6430 to the PowerVR G6450 which provides an approximate 50% boost in graphical processing power. This means games should look and run better. However, some testing has shown that most of this “extra” power is exhausted from outputting to higher resolution screens; especially on the iPhone 6 Plus.
Disappointingly, there was not an upgrade to the RAM of the device. Utilizing only 1 GB of RAM puts the iPhone 6 in line with a low-end Android Phones. However, you’ll notice that the device is silky smooth in terms of performance. This is for a number of reasons. For one, iOS is optimized for the specs of the devices. Android has so many different devices on the market that it is challenging to optimize for every device. Also, iOS requires less power to operate. While you may have a lower powered lawn mower, the fact that you’re a slim 140 pound man as opposed to a 350 pound wrestler is going to give you better performance than you would expect from only 1 GB of RAM.
Battery life has also seen a huge improvement! I can often get nearly 2 days out of my iPhone 6 Plus without a charge with relatively heavy use. Some days I will just leave the screen on for extended periods of time while working to monitor various things. Even when leaving the screen on for hours at a time, the battery always gives me at least a full day’s worth of use.
One of my favorite new pieces of hardware on the device is the fingerprint scanner. While I largely considered it a gimmick on past phones and computers due to being a clumsy experience, the finger-print scanner works so well that it’s become one of my favorite features of the iPhone 6 Plus. It is surprisingly accurate and zippy. If you power on your phone with your thumb, a simple half second linger on the button will take you past the lockscreen which is surprisingly more convenient than you would thing. Also, being able to pay for apps and games in the app store by scanning your fingerprint instead of typing your password is extremely convenient as well. I did notice that any moisture on your finger would inhibit the device from being able to read your fingerprint. If you have clammy hands, don’t look forward to using the fingerprint scanner.
Camera and Video
The iPhone has been a photographer’s smartphone favorite for many years. While if you simply compare cameras by megapixel, the iPhone 6 Plus is considerably behind its competition. However, the way in which the camera takes and processes the image as well as the sensor size both play a large role in the quality of the image. The only time megapixels is going to impact you is when you’re blowing your pictures up to extremely large sizes. As long as you’re not planning on displaying/printing the image beyond 20 X 30, the quality of the image should be just fine.
I don’t profess to be a professional photographer, so I’m going to defer the camera comparison over to our professional photography friends at improvephotography.com. In their testing they found that in many ways the iPhone 6 Plus’s camera actually performed worse than the iPhone 5S. They mention that contrast and burst shots performed considerably better on the iPhone 5S.
However, in the iPhone 6 Plus’s favor, it performed better in low light settings. The phase detection auto-focus also delivered clearer more focused photos; especially in very noisy environments.
You can view their entire comparison below:
Overall, I’ve been pleased with the quality of the pictures that I have taken with the iPhone 6 Plus. While it is definitely no DSLR replacement, it gets the job done and gives you an accessible camera anytime anywhere. Below are a few examples of photos that we took with the iPhone 6 Plus:
The front facing camera is only 1.2 megapixels and shoots in HD at 720P. While far from the best front-facing camera on a smartphone, it gets the job done for video chatting and low res selfies.
Video on the device also comes with some bells and whistles. While shooting in HD is nothing new for iPhones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus both shoot at 60 frames per second which equates to smoother video. Apple’s Focus Pixel technology works surprisingly well while changing from one subject to another and remaining in focus. When shifting quickly from one subject to another, there are fractions of a second in which you will notice the camera refocusing, but it performs significantly better than my DSLR’s ability to autofocus while shooting video.
The new slow motion video mode is also an extremely cool new feature. Having the ability to capture video at 240 frames per second allows you to see an entirely new world. While Samsung has had this feature since the Galaxy S4, the execution of slow motion mode on the iPhone is a much better experience. For one, after shooting video, you can choose what portion of the clip you want to show in slow motion. Additionally, when the phone is shifting into slow motion it shifts quickly but gradually giving it an almost Hollywood movie slow-down slow motion effect. Also, the iPhone 6’s slow motion video also captures sound; something the Galaxy S4 nor S5 capture when shooting in slow motion.
You’ll notice, when using this mode, resolution does go down to 720P. Also, it doesn’t perform well in low-light settings. Our NoPhone Gymnastics video was shot using the iPhone 6 Plus and you can see some minor flickering while playing back the video in slow motion.
In proper lighting however, slow motion shots look crisp. Check out one of our favorites that we’ve found online below:
While a higher megapixel camera would have been welcomed, the camera performs really well in terms of taking pictures and videos with a variety of different features and modes to keep your creativity on steroids.
Apple Pay
With the additional of an NFC chip to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple released Apple Pay; a new form of mobile payment. The system is slick and works surprisingly well. It keeps track of all of your transactions in tandem with each credit card you have registered with Apple Pay. In my experience with Apple Pay, it does have a few pros and cons.
The setup process was extremely easy. You tap add a card, input the details, and in some cases you have to take a picture of the card. However, once you’re completed with the setup process, it doesn’t give you any kind of indication as to what to do next. In my first test, I didn’t know what to expect. I went to my local Circle K, opened up Apple Pay, held my phone against the sensor, and hoped it would work. Thankfully, it did. I had to promptly scan my fingerprint to finalize the payment process, after which point there was a delay. During this delay was an awkward time where myself and the cashier looked at each other in suspense in wonder whether the payment method was going to work or not. Once the card processed, it indicated success on the screen and I walked away with my goods after proudly paying as if someone from the future.
It’s worth noting that not all cards are accepted. I tried to add my credit union debit card and it said it was not approved for use with Apple Pay and that I would need to contact the Credit Union. This is extremely disappointing. Also, very few retailers have the hardware in place to support Apple Pay and some have even disabled Apple Pay due to relationships with other mobile payment companies. For this to replace my wallet I need two improvements to occur in the near future. All cards need to be accepted and the majority of stores need to have the hardware to support Apple Pay. At this point I still have to carry my wallet which defeats the overall purpose of Apple Pay.
Interface and Operating System
iOS has always been one of the more user-friendly and intuitive experiences out there. Apple has worked hard to keep it that way. Since the release of iOS7, the operating system has been enjoying a much-needed facelift with quick access menus that Android users had been delighting in for years.
One of the major new features released with iOS 8 was third-party keyboards. Coming from the Android world previously, I was excited to not have to abandon Swype. However, I was disappointed that Swype on the iPhone did not perform nearly as well as it did on Android. Autocorrect on the iPhone was much more strict and less intelligent. If a word is not in their dictionary, the iPhone is going to correct it continuously unless you tell it not to. Whereas on Android, if a word wasn’t found in the dictionary, I could simply type it and the phone was smart enough to know that I was adding a word not found in the dictionary amidst my Swyping.
Also, I found the third-party keyboard feature to be buggy. Whether the bug resided in the code of the keyboard or the operating system remains unknown, but anytime I would open the text messaging app, it would not load my keyboard. I would have to close out the app and re-open it to respond to any texts. This became frustrating to the point of switching back to the stock keyboard.
Some other highlights of iOS 8 are as follows:
On the fly messaging. If you receive a message while within another app, you can quickly respond without leaving the app your using. However, keep in mind that if you get another notification while typing up a message you will lose your message.
Healthkit – This new aspect of the OS allows the iPhone to stay integrated with a number of different fitness tracking devices.
HomeKit – Home automation is on the rise with the advent of the smart bulb, smartlock, and more. HomeKit is a new aspect of the operating system that will unify the home automation experience on iOS
Siri Improvements – Siri has performed extremely well. I’ve used Siri both in a noisy car over Bluetooth and in quiet rooms simply through the standard microphone. I would estimate around a 95% success rate. You do have to have a solid internet connection in order for Siri to “hear” you.
Family sharing – Now you can share apps, photos, and more with up to 6 iTunes accounts. Just make sure you keep those embarrassing audio journal entries from making it into the family cloud.
Overall, I feel that iOS has caught up with Android in terms of necessary functionality. While definitely not perfect with a bug here and there, the interface is intuitive and it performs really well with the hardware inside of the phone. It’s unfortunate that third-party keyboards don’t work better. Hopefully this will improve over time.
Overall
In conclusion, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are both phenomenal phones. The new design, added screen size, and crystal clear display make for a fantastic visual experience. The upgraded specs and hardware enable the device to perform well, although we would have liked more system RAM and an increase in megapixels to the cameras. Apple Pay is a welcome addition, although there are a variety of things that need to happen before it becomes a viable wallet replacement. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit too large, but doable as a two-hander phone. Overall, I highly recommend these devices to anyone looking for a smartphone with a strong portfolio of options and features.
If you’re looking for the best streaming stick when on a budget, the Chromecast is likely your best bet as long as the omission of Amazon Instant Video is not a deal breaker.
The Chromecast(view on Amazon) was announced to a wave of excitement back in mid 2013. The small dongle-like form factor and the promise of beaming our videos from the phone and tablet to the television showed incredible promise; at a killer price to boot. Now, nearly a year and a half later, the device is meeting a variety of competition. With the Amazon Firestick recently announced and the Roku Stick already on the market, how does the Chromecast stack up? Read on to find out.
Supported Apps
Hardware is only as good as what you can do with it. When the device was initially released it only supported a small number of video streaming apps limited to Netflix, Youtube, and Google Play. Today the device supports a myriad of other apps. Below is a snap shot of some of the supported heavy hitters:
For a full list of compatible apps, please visit Google’s Website
This encompasses the majority of the most common streaming services with one notable exception, Amazon Instant Video. It has become increasingly apparent that Amazon is keeping that app closer to the vest to drive consumers towards their own hardware such as the Amazon Phone, Fire TV, and the Fire Stick. Additionally, in my rough count on Google’s website, the device can cast from 725 different apps. That doesn’t include some of the unofficially supported apps that make that number even higher. That is a pretty impressive number with enough content to keep you busy until the day you die.
Design and Form Factor
When first announced, it was the design of the device that had critics raving. Being a little bit larger than a thumb drive that simply plugs into an HDMI port was sexy. I will say that the device is just as sexy in person as in pictures. However, what is often missing from the picture, when advertised, is that the device requires a power supply. Included in the box is a USB cable and plug for the wall to allow you to power the device. If your TV has a USB port, that will likely power the device as well and minimize the clutter. However, this chord puts a pretty big damper on the form factor. What was so minimal in design comes with a 3 foot long chord that sticks out of the side of my TV. It’s not nearly as pretty as I thought it would be.
Secondly, with the small form factor, you would think it would be great for travel. Unfortunately, that is not the case. You can check out the 15 step guide, on Tom’s Guides, about how to change the Chromecast from one Wi-Fi network to another. 15 steps just to change to another WI-FI Network! While for most people, this won’t be a problem as it will stay connected to a single television, but this seriously puts a damper on its use for travel. Not to mention, if the wi-fi has a gateway (a sign in site before you can connect to the internet), which 90% of hotels do, the device is practically unusable. Some dedicated Chromecasters have found workarounds, but it requires you to buy additional hardware and is quite a hassle; not something your typical consumer is going to do.
From a design and hardware perspective, you may have noticed that the device does not come with a remote, nor is an optional remote available for purchase. This is an important factor to consider as the device requires either a smart phone, tablet, or PC to play any content on your television. This may be a deal breaker for families looking for a device for younger children that don’t want to risk getting spaghetti-o juice on their tablets and phones.
Performance
What the Chromecast was designed for, it does extremely well. Anytime you’re using a supported app on your phone, tablet, or computer you simply tap/click the icon and press “Cast” and the image appears on the screen. Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube all look extremely crisp and clear in 1080P in our testing. The device supports 5.1 surround sound, however, the only output of the device is HDMI. This means that your receiver will have to have an HDMI pass through, or your television must have an optical or coaxial output to to enjoy that kind of quality sound out of the device.
Also, one of my initial concerns with the device was that using it would drain the battery of my phone or tablet. Fortunately, for supported apps, your phone and tablet are simply acting as remotes while the Chromecast is actually doing the heavy lifting. This equates to no additional battery drain during use which is a big relief. This does not apply, however, to screen mirroring which we found did have significant drain on the battery.
Additionally, using the device is quick in terms of getting content on your television quickly. We captured the following benchmarks in our testing:
Netflix:
20 seconds to load the app and start a video
10 seconds to load a video once the app is already running
Youtube:
15 seconds to load the app and start a video
5 seconds to load a video once the app is already running
Hulu Plus:
9 seconds to loan the app and start a video
3.5 seconds to load a video once the app is already running
While 20 seconds may seem like a long time, this is longer than it takes most of our other streaming media devices just to boot up, let alone open the app and buffer the video. For that reason, we were impressed with how accessible the Chromecast makes videos.
Screen Mirroring
While the device does have a few gaps in supported media streaming apps, many of those gaps can be addressed by the devices ability to mirror the screen of many of the most popular Android devices, as well as on the PC. We wrote an indepth article on the device’s screen mirroring abilities. Needless to say, screen mirroring is a welcome, but imperfect addition, that definitely brings additional value to the device.
Value
When the Chromecast was released, it caused some major market disruption due to being such a great value. At a $35 dollar MSRP and the ability to stream from over 700 apps (limited at time of release), it is hard to resist forking out the dough. Competitors have followed suit with the Amazon Fire Stick priced at $39 and the Roku Stick which is priced at $49. Comparatively, the device is the lowest price on the market with the majority of the apps that you will want, and likely a few that you won’t.
Overall
In short, the Chromecast offers an incredible value with over 700 supported apps costing only $35 dollars. The device is sleek and of high quality build with the exception of the power chord which adds undesirable clutter. Additionally, the device performs extremely well and the ability to cast the majority of your phone and tablets apps to your big screen brings a surprising level of convenience. If you’re looking for the best streaming stick when on a budget, the Chromecast is likely your best bet as long as the omission of Amazon Instant Video is not a deal breaker.
For additional details, check out the device on Amazon.com. What are your thoughts on Google’s Chromecast? Are there any gaps that you wish Google would address? Let us know in the comments below!
With the Holiday season soon to be upon us, gifts are on the minds of all the boys and girls, and more importantly, parents. The Playstation 4 was released a year ago and has broken records with its success over the course of the past year. The question is, is this the gift that is going to really show your love to your child/significant other/great grandfather’s sister? Read on to see our up-to-date review on this sexy piece of tech.
Hardware and Design: 9.5/10
Sony spared no expense in designing the Playstation 4. Their hunger for market dominance is extremely apparent in the extreme attention to detail in the design area of the console. “Modern” is the primary word I would use to describe the console. It is very minimalistic in its design, intended to blend in discretely with your other entertainment center tech, while still having the ability to turn heads and gain recognition.
This design did come at the expense of user friendliness. When I first purchased the console, I plugged it in and started searching for the “On” button. As I was feeling around the edges of the console, I finally accidentally touched the touch sensitive edge that turns on the console that is marked with a microscopic symbol. (pictured right) This does make it, however, little brother and/or spouse-proof; which is either a good thing or a really bad thing!
Sony has really beefed up the specifications of the console from its previous console counterpart. Packed with more than 16 times the power of the Playstation 3, the Playstation 4 is able to create job dropping near photo-realistic graphics at times. The system is loaded with 8 GB of DDR5 ram that works in tandem with an integrated CPU and GPU system running on 8 cores capable of putting out 1.84 teraflops. Nobody knows what that means nor whether it is relevant, but it is impressive nonetheless. Check out the full specs below:
Tech Specs
Main Processor
Single-chip custom processorCPU: low power x86-64 AMD “Jaguar”, 8 coresGPU: 1.84 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon™ Graphics Core Next engine
Memory
GDDR5 8GB
Hard Disk Drive
Built-in 500 GB (Interchangeable with other SSD drives)
The system has all of the ports that you need for your gaming and multimedia needs. One thing to keep in mind, video output is limited to HDMI. There is no analog video out, meaning that you won’t be playing this console on older TV’s. HDMI to analog converters are not cheap, and they would disgrace a console designed to be used in HD.
The Playstation Eye is an optional peripheral that adds an extra layer of immersion to the console. While for gaming, its implementation has been relatively weak, Sony has struggled to keep up with demand for these cameras due to the popularity of social gamers using them to stream live video in tandem with their game streaming through Twitch and other live video streaming services. The Playstation Eye is also essential to be able to use the Playstation Move functionality using either the Playstation Move controllers or the Dual Shock 4 controllers.
Controller: 10/10
I intentionally did not mention the controller during the hardware section because I think the improvements that Sony has made merit their own section. The latest Dual Shock iteration has taken the gaming world by storm and has been named by many, Sony’s best controller ever made. I can’t say I don’t agree with those individuals.
One of the first differences that you’ll notice is the mere increase in size. A common complaint of the PS3 controller was that it was too small for most adult hands and caused cramping during extended play sessions. The new size of the controller is extremely comfortable. Everything about the controller feels ergonomic. The controller sits nicely in your hands giving you quick access to all of the buttons you need in a snap. The angle of the control also makes for a much more comfortable first person shooter experience while using the new triggers.
Speaking of which, the triggers are a serious improvement over the DualShock 3 controller. The resistance is perfect and the shape wraps nicely around your pointer finger. Also, they now angle outward, preventing you from accidentally fast forwarding that Netflix movie that you’re watching when setting the controller down.
Finally, the twin sticks are one of the most improved upon aspects the of the DualShock controller. Many people complained that their fingers would slip off of the convex DualShock 3 triggers. The DualShock 4 features a concave design. While the placement is the same, the other major improvement to the twin sticks is their resistance and the decrease in dead zone. This equates to more control and less broken TV’s caused by thrown controllers. Another added benefit to the improvement in resistance is less hand cramping. That means more gaming and less discomfort.
The controller also introduced a clickable touchpad, however, few games have really leveraged it. There have been a few clever uses of it, but for the most part it has proven to be more of a gimmick than an actual value add.
Games: 9.5/10
While every new console comes with an initial drought of games, Sony’s has used its strong independent developer partnerships to keep a steady stream of games coming out nearly weekly since launch last November. With a variety of games in nearly every genre, the Playstation 4 is a hard console to not recommend to any fan of console gaming.
Over 100 games are planned to be released by the end of this year ranging in genre from action to platformer, RPG, and even real time strategy games. Many of these are multi-platform games, but where the Playstation 4 really shines against the competition is in their first part studio games. Some critically acclaimed titles include: Killzone: Shadowfall, Infamous: Second Son, and The Last of Us: Remastered. (Note: I have not played all of these games, nor am I giving my personal recommendation) Some promising upcoming titles to keep an eye out for include Uncharted 4: Among thieves, Little Big Planet 3, and The Order: 1886.
Finally, Sony is paving the way with their innovative game streaming platform: Playstation Now. This service provides instant access to anyone with a PS4 to play over 150 PS3 titles. What’s most impressive about the service is that the actual processing of the game is occuring in a nearby server just streaming the video feed to your console. The service works surprisingly well if you have a steady connection. There is some minor latency, but it is really only noticeable in twitch shooters. Platformers, 3rd party adventure, and racing games all performed extremely well in my time with Playstation Now.
Versatility: 8/10
Sony has very clearly stated that the Playstation 4 was designed from the ground up for the Gamer. Gaming is the core functionality of the system. However, we have become conditioned to using our consoles as multimedia hubs. PS4 currently supports the following video streaming services:
Netflix
Hulu Plus
Amazon Instant Video
Vudu Movies
WWE Network
Crackle
Epix
Vidzone
Crunchyroll
MLB.TV
NBA Game Time
NHL
IGN
YUPP TV
Qello HD Concerts
Sony’s Video Unlimited
In addition to video streaming, another noteworthy feature built into the console is the ability to record or stream gameplay using the Share button. The PS4 was intentionally designed with social sharing at its core. Simply click the Share button at any time, and you can upload the last 15 minutes of gameplay to your social media feeds. Also, click the share button, and you can be instantly sharing your gaming session with the world in real time via the likes of Twitch and Ustream. A recent update to the system also added an app called SHAREfactory. This app gives gamers the ability to edit and make changes and create highlight reels to their gameplay sessions.
The system also has a web browser that can be used to quickly browse sites for walkthroughs and gaming tips while on the fly. The browser supports HTML5 video. I found myself switching to my browser and viewing some of my favorite videos while various games were loading or in between online matches. It is not quite Xbox’s snap, but it gets the job done nonetheless.
A current deficiency of the system is that it does not support DNLA streaming nor playing video nor MP3s from a flash drive; features that have long been present on the Playstation 3. Sony has hinted that they are working on making these features available, but as of yet, they are currently unavailable. The system also does not support external hard drives, though the SSD drive is replaceable with larger sizes.
Online Play: 9.5/10
In a world where we are constantly connected, Sony recognized that their online service on the Playstation 3 had its deficiencies. The Playstation 4 heralds new ground in the online gaming space for Sony fans. Party chat functionality allows up to 8 friends to group up and chat through the included headset even if they are not playing the same game. Getting into friends games is a snap with the friend list game integration. These streamlined features do come at a cost. Online gaming on Sony’s network now requires a Playstation Plus account which costs around $50 per year.
Additionally, firmware 2.0 of the software, which will be released in the near future, will introduce Shareplay. Shareplay will allow friends to join in on games that they don’t own. Additionally, friends will be able to spectate a game, and even take over the controls at times in those moments of helplessness. This will add a new social dimension to single player gaming online.
Conclusion
The Playstation 4 has quickly become the market leader in console gaming. With Sony’s focus on the gamer, sleek design, strong exclusive line up, impressive hardware, improved controller, and new social features it is hard to find a reason not to recommend the system. Gaming aside, the system does lack a few expected multimedia functions such as DNLA streaming and support for external files such as MP3s and videos, but those deficiencies are likely to be addressed by Sony over time. Overall, we strongly recommend the Playstation 4.
Lenovo has come a long way with the design of their laptops, and the Lenovo Flex 3’s design does not disappoint. Although the laptop is sleek and stylish, does the overall size get in the way? Read on to find out.
Design and Form Factor
Lenovo’s Flex 3 has a great design, and quite frankly, it surprised me when I took it out of the box. Having used Lenovo’s enterprise grade laptops for work for years, I did not have high expectations when it came to the overall design of the Lenovo Flex 3. My previous experience has been that Lenovo focuses on functionality above style. The Flex 3 is all black with silver hinges. The body is made of plastic, but the plastic feels strong and sturdy. I have owned laptops in the past where I felt any weight on top would cause damage to the screen, but this is not the case with the Lenovo Flex 3. Additionally, the keyboard is made of a metallic material rather than plastic that gives it an extra flair.
Lenovo’s recent claim to fame has been their “hinge” which allows you to rotate the screen 360 degrees. This allows the users to utilize the Flex 3 as a laptop, tablet, and anything between. The Flex 3 has four “modes”: laptop, tent, stand, and tablet. After using the Flex for about a month, I found myself only use the laptop and tent mode. I found the flex difficult to use as a tablet, simply due to its large screen size. At 15 inches the laptop was difficult to hold with one hand, which made typing on the screen nearly impossible to do. The times that I did need to type I had to place the Flex 3 on my lap or table. Yes, the idea of having a 15-inch tablet is cool but when it came down to it, 15 inches are not practical for tablet applications.
I also found that I never used the Flex 3 in stand mode. I figured the purpose of this mode was to better hear the sound as the speakers are located directly under the screen on the keyboard. When the Flex 3 is in stand mode the speakers are facing directly
at you which provides a better listening experience. When it came down to it, I was worried to rest the laptop on the keys of the keyboard that could potentially damage the keys. Although you might lose sound quality, it was much less stressful using the Flex 3 in Tent mode.
Some of you may be asking yourself, “what if you hit a key while in a mode other than laptop mode?” No need to worry, the Flex 3 can sense what mode it is in and will disable the keyboard in all modes except laptop mode. After a little testing, I found that the laptop is disabled once you break the 90 degree mark. If you ever need to use the keyboard, simply touching the small keyboard icon on the taskbar will allow you to type whatever is needed in all four modes.
I am what some may consider a typing snob. Many 2-in-1 laptops do not provide a good typing/mousepad experience. For example, I can’t stand typing on the Microsoft Surface Pro, but the Lenovo Flex 3 provides a great typing experience and has a very responsive mousepad with a solid click. However, if you are new to the mouse-pads that provide a single pad that you use for all of your gestures, there might be a bit of a learning curve.Design and Form Factor – 8/10
Screen and Inputs
The Lenovo Flex 3 comes in 11, 14, and 15-inch models, all of which have a 1920 x 1080 anti-glare multi-touch screen. I watched a number of movies on the Flex 3 and was impressed with its image quality and overall screen brightness. Colors are vivid and bright, and the built-in Intel HD graphics card more than suffice. Although the laptop does not have the highest resolution screen available, I was never disappointed.
What the Lenovo Flex 3 is not lacking is the variety and amount of inputs it has. The Flex 3 comes with 2 USB 3.0, 2. USB 2.0, HDMI-out, Ethernet, Audio, and a 4-in-1 card reader port. The 4-1 card reader supports Multimedia Card, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, and xD-Picture Card. Since Lenovo is trying to keep the Flex 3 to 1 inch thick, they had to do without the DVD/CD drive. While I thought this would be difficult to overcome, I have quickly realized that it is really not needed. Unless you like you own DVD’s or listen to your music on a CD, you don’t need to worry about not having a DVD/CD drive.Screen and Inputs – 8.5/10
Sound and Speakers
I was most impressed with the sound and speakers of the Lenovo Flex 3. The Flex 3 has 1.5W stereo Speakers with Dolby Home Theater certification. The speaker is located directly under the multi-touch display that faces towards the back of the keypad. The speakers provide a crisp and clear listening experience.
When watching different movies and listening to some songs, I was surprised by the sound level the speakers were able to produce. I decided to take the speakers to max volume and came to the conclusion that I would probably never have a reason to max out the volume on the speakers.Sound and Speakers – 8.5/10
Specs and Performance
The review unit that was provided to us came with a Intel Core i5-5200 processor, 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, and a surprising 1 TB Solid State Drive (SSD). Outside of the 1 TB SSD, the specs of the Lenovo Flex 3 are up to par with what you would find with any mid-tier laptop.
After using the PC for a month, I never felt the urge to throw it against the wall due to performance. With that said, I used the Lenovo Flex 3 as most day to day consumers would. I browsed the internet, watched movies through Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, and even wrote a few articles with it. No matter what task I was trying to perform I did not have a problem when it came to processing speed.
I did try to load a large excel file that took about 2 minutes to load, but only 45 seconds with my high-end personal laptop supporting an i7 processor. However, when loading new blank documents the document opened relatively quickly (under 10 seconds).
After running a benchmark test, I was surprised by the results. The Intel Core i5-5200 processor did not perform as well as some other processors on the market.
Intel’s i5 processor is more than enough processing power for the everyday consumer. When you add 8GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD many will be more than satisfied with the power that the Lenovo Flex 3 provides. If you are looking to have a little more processing power, Lenovo provides a number of upgrades that you can incorporate into the Lenovo Flex 3.Performance and Specs – 7.5/10
Overall
After using the Lenovo Flex 3 for about a month, I would recommend this laptop to those that are looking for an everyday computer. If you are looking to perform heavy process tasks such as video editing, processing large amounts of data, or even playing intense video games, I would suggest looking at higher end laptops on the market. When you add the functionality that the Flex 3 provides, there are few laptops that will be able to beat it. With that said, I would look into getting a smaller screen size if you want to take full advantage of the tablet functionality.Overall – 8/10
