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Azpen DockAll D108 wireless docking station review

There are so many QI wireless chargers and Bluetooth docks available to consumers today, that manufacturers must provide well built, feature-packed devices to appeal to customers, and to win the battle to be the device of choice. Let’s see how this one “stands up”.

What is it?

The Azpen DockAll wireless docking station is a QI wireless fast charging dock with Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free phone capability.

What’s in the box


In the box, you will find the dock, the manual, the AC adapter,  and the warranty card.

Design and features

This Azpen dock is a well-built dock, with a good solid feel to it, and very nice features. When you first turn on the dock, there is a voice announcement that confirms that it is in Bluetooth mode and ready to be paired. Pairing is very simple. The dock appears as “DOCK ALL” in your Bluetooth settings, and once selected, it pairs immediately.

On the back of the dock, there are 2 USB charging ports that allow you to charge two devices in addition to the QI wireless charging capability. To the right of the USB charging ports, there is a micro SD port that allows you to insert a micro SD card as large as 64GB  with the music of your choice, and the dock will automatically play the music. The music controls on the front of the dock work for music played from the SD card as well. To the right of the micro SD slot, there is the power jack and to the right of the jack, there is the power button. There are air vents on both ends of the back of the dock.

On each side of the dock, there is a really nice sounding speaker. Together, the 2 speakers sound well-balanced and are loud enough to easily fill a 200 square foot room.

On the lower front of the dock, there are the controls for the music and sound, including volume up and down, track forward and backward, play/pause, the microphone, and the phone handsfree control.

When your phone is connected to the dock via Bluetooth, the handsfree function can be used for phone calls. When the phone or tablet is properly docked, there is a blue LED along the lower front of the dock that confirms the proper connection to the QI wireless charging pad. The ledge that the phone rests on is wide enough and deep enough to even accommodate a full-sized tablet.


What I like

I really like the build quality of this dock, and the sound it produces both for music and for phone calls. Its ability to play music from a micro SD card is a real bonus. The additional features of the charging ports work really well, along with the easy Bluetooth connectivity.

What can be improved

The only issue I encountered with this dock is that several times when I disconnected from the Bluetooth connection, it would randomly reconnect and my music or conversations would then be played via the dock, sometimes even when I was in another room. I am not sure whether the dock or my smartphone is to blame for this, but maybe a Bluetooth on/off button would be a good addition.

Final thoughts

The Azpen DockAll wireless docking station does enough of what it is designed to do well enough, that it is a good choice for an all-in-one solution of this kind. Its functions work well and with ease, and it seems like it would stand up to normal “wear and tear” for years to come. While its longevity is still to be determined, it now has a permanent place on the counter in my kitchen where my wife uses it to listen to music from her phone and to carry on her normal phone conversations while free to move around, because of the very capable handsfree function.

Price: $99.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: Sample for this review provided by Azpen Innovation

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Azpen DockAll D108 wireless docking station review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 3:40 pm.

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Is TableCoaster the ultimate anti-spill drink holder?

The same folks who created the CouchCoaster we told you about earlier this year have introduced the TableCoaster. Even when sitting on a flat, stable table top, it’s possible to knock your drink over – and always on your computer, phone, or important papers it seems.  That won’t happen with the TableCoaster.

Unlike a regular, flat coaster, the TableCoaster doesn’t just absorb moisture from the glass or prevent scratches on the table.  TableCoaster holds mugs, tumblers, bottles, and cans up to 3.5″ (90mm) wide, and it works for hot or cold drinks.  An inner sleeve acts as an adapter to tighten the fit for drinks up to 2.75″ (70mm) wide, and it removes to reveal a mug handle slot. The micro-suction base has a strong adhesive to hold the coaster firmly to a smooth surface.  It leaves behind no residue, and it can be re-used over and over again without losing any sticking power.  The inventor says the outer wall “deflects outside forces down to the base instead of side to side, ensuring drinks stay upright.”

You can use the TableCoaster indoors or outside, home or office, and even in a car or RV.  It’s available now at Amazon in the US in jet black or glacier white for $11.95.  Learn more at the TableCoaster website or order at Amazon.

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Is TableCoaster the ultimate anti-spill drink holder? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 12:04 pm.

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Huawei P20 smartphone review

I enjoyed using the Huawei Mate 10 Pro when I reviewed it a few months ago and now I’ve had the chance to use the newer and smaller Huawei P20 for a few weeks. Do I love it? Like it? Or is it just meh? Let’s find out.

What is it?

The Huawei P20 is one of Huawei’s latest Android smartphones that runs the most current version of Oreo (Android version 8.1). The P20 is a smaller and lower cost version of the P20 Pro which also from Huawei. Both phones feature a thin bezel display with an iconic notch at the top and both phones feature Leica lenses. The P2o Pro sports 3 lenses on the back while the P20 only has 2 lenses. The P20 also has a smaller 5.8-inch display while the P20 Pro’s display is 6.1 inches. The P20 only has 4GB of RAM while the P20 Pro has 6GB and of course, the P20 Pro has a larger battery. But enough comparison, let’s focus on the P20.

Hardware specs

Processor: HUAWEI Kirin 970 CPU, octa-core, 4 x Cortex A73 2.36 GHz + 4 x Cortex A53 1.8 GHz
Operating System: Android 8.1
Memory: 4 GB RAM+128 GB ROM
Display: 5.8in FHD 1080 x 2244, 428 PPI IPS Display
Network: LTE TDD / LTE FDD / WCDMA / EDGE / GPRS
Camera (rear): Dual-lens camera: 12 MP (RGB, f/1.8 aperture) + 20 MP (Monochrome, f/1.6 aperture), supports autofocus (laser focus, deep focus, phase focus, contrast focus)
Camera (front): 24 MP, f/2.0 aperture, supports fixed focal length
Connectivity:
Bluetooth: BT4.2, support BLE
WiFi: Wi-Fi 2.4 G/5 G, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with Wi-Fi Direct support
NFC: yes
Positioning: GPS / AGPS / Glonass / BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
Battery: 3400 mAh
Dimensions: 149mm X 70.8mm X 7.65mm
Weight: 165 grams

Whats in the box?

  • Huawei P20
  • USB-C Earphones
  • Charger
  • USB-C Cable
  • USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter
  • Flexible Clear Case
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Eject tool
  • Warranty card

Design and features

The P20 is available in 5 colors that include Black, Pink Gold, Champagne Gold, Midnight Blue, and Twilight. As you can probably guess, I was sent the Black version of the phone. The phone has a smoothly rounded metal frame with rounded corners. The face of the P20 is all screen except for a smallish notch at the top where the front camera lens, speaker, and status LED are located. At the bottom is a medium sized chin where the combination home and fingerprint scanner capacitive button is located.

The back of the phone is made of glass with the dual Leica lens camera in the top left corner with the 20MP monochrome camera on top and the 12MP RGB lens below it. There’s also an LED flash below the lenses.

The dual lenses are covered in glass and protrude from the back of the phone so you might want to keep the phone in a case that will help protect the lenses from dirt and finger smudges. This is definitely something you should consider because the P20 doubles as a great camera so you will want to keep your images clear and sharp by keeping the lenses clean.

The rest of the phone’s back is blank except for the Huawei brand in the bottom left corner. As I mentioned, the back of the phone is made of glass which has perfectly smooth curved edges that make the phone feel very comfortable in hand. However, even though the back of the phone is made of glass, the P20 surprisingly and unfortunately does not have wireless charging.

Like the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, the P20 comes with a glass screen protector already installed over the display. The phone also ships with a clear case although my review unit didn’t have the case in the box. I think Huawei is the only phone manufacturer that I’ve seen that includes a preinstalled screen protector and a basic case. I like that!

The bottom edge of the P20 has a downward firing speaker and a USB-C port for charging and connection to an HDMI, VGA, or DVI adapter or dock for connection to a monitor or projector. More about that feature later.

On the top edge of the phone is a microphone.

On the right side of the P20, you’ll find the up and down one-piece volume button with the power button below it. The power button has a red stripe inside it which I suppose is just for decoration. Both buttons stick out from the side so that they are easy to find with your fingers and they have excellent tactile feedback.

The left side of the phone has a dual SIM card tray and the phone has software that will allow you to easily switch between SIMs. I only had one active SIM, so I didn’t test the dual SIM capability of the phone.

IP53 dust and water resistance, which means the phone is protected from dust and a light spray of water but is not submersion in water.

In hand, the Huawei P20 feels great. It’s small and solid. The rounded sides make it comfy to hold with no sharp edges when you grip it. Speaking of gripping the phone, I’m happy to report that the P20 passed my 20 years and counting Gadgeteer squeeze test without flexing or creaking.

Display

Love it or hate it, the notch is here to stay. At least that’s what we’re seeing with the current generation of smartphones as it seems to be the latest fad. I personally don’t have any strong feelings one way or another about it, but I know some people who absolutely hate them.

If you’re a notch hater, you can use a software setting to turn off the notch. I will say that with the notch hidden, it’s much easier to see the notification icons. They kind of blend in with the screen’s wallpaper when the notch is present. That said, the Huawei P20 has one of the smallest notches to date. It doesn’t come close to being as small as the one on the Essential Phone, but it’s only about twice as wide as that one. Inside the notch is the front facing 24MP camera, a tiny status LED, a speaker, and an ambient light sensor.

The Huawei P20 has an IPS LCD display instead of an OLED display like its big brother the P20 Pro. Is that a big deal? I don’t think so. The P20’s screen is vibrant, crisp, and clear but to my eyes, the P20’s display is not quite as bright or as easy to read as my Pixel 2 XL when both are set to max brightness, but my Pixel’s display is larger which makes a big difference – at least for my eyes. I’m not complaining about the P20’s display though and find it to be perfectly fine and enjoyable to view.

If you dive into the display settings, you’ll find options to turn on a blue light filter, manual adjustments for the color mode (vivid or normal) and color temperature, or automatic color temperature adjustments based on the ambient light. You can also manually choose between the screen resolution of HD+ which is 1496 x 720 or FHD+ which is 2244 x 1080. Or you can toggle Smart resolution which will automatically lower the resolution to save power.

Fingerprint reader

After using the Huawei Mate 10 Pro’s fingerprint reader, I expected to be equally impressed with the P20’s reader. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. First of all, I’m so spoiled by having a reader on the back of my phone that I can’t stand having one below the screen on the front. Even after getting used to the location, I still find that the P20’s reader doesn’t work for me 100% of the time and I’ve had to reprogram my prints at least 2 times in the last few weeks. If you’ve been reading my smartphone reviews for any length of time, you’ll already know that I have a less than stellar history with fingerprint readers… at least until I started using a Pixel 2 XL which has the best fingerprint reader in the galaxy (at least for me).

Even though the fingerprint reader on the P20 doesn’t work that well for me, that’s ok because the P20 can use face recognition too and that does work well for me. Between the two unlock methods, I’ve had few instances where I’ve had to use a pattern swipe to unlock the phone.

Camera

I was very impressed with the Mate 10 Pro’s camera, so I was expecting the same performance from the P20. Although I was really looking forward to checking out the P20 Pro’s 3 cameras, the P20’s 2 cameras didn’t disappoint me. Like the Mate 10 Pro, the P20’s lenses are LEICA lenses and like the Mate 10 Pro, I’ve been impressed with the images I’ve been able to capture with the P20.

I usually don’t have very exciting images to show as samples in my reviews, but as luck would have it, I received the P20 as I was preparing for a vacation to California to the Carmel and Monterey area. Check out some of my sample shots which are straight out of the camera with no edits. Click to see the full-sized image.








The cool thing about the P20’s stock camera app is that it will detect what you’re shooting and adjust the image to make it look as good as possible. When I was shooting beach scenes it would show BEACH at the bottom of the screen and it would also sometimes put a level on the screen so that I could easily see if I had the horizon straight. I will admit that the water in some of those images was not quite as dazzling blue as it looked in real life, but I just love how the images turned out. If you hate the hyped colors, you can turn off the P20’s AI in the camera settings. As for me, I think the images look like they came out of a magazine if I do say so myself. Well, all of them except for the selfie… 😉

Just to compare, here are two of the same shots taken with the P20 and my Pixel 2 XL within seconds of each other so you can compare.


Which one do you like best? The picture taken with the P20 is on the left and the picture from the Pixel 2 XL is on the right. I’m going with the one on the left.


The P20 also surprised me when I began taking a picture of a sign. The stock camera app recognized it as a document and scanned it to fill the image and made it perfectly square.

Also, like the Mate 10 Pro, a double-tap of the volume-down key will take a snapshot in as little as 0.3 seconds from standby mode (locked with the screen off).

The camera is my favorite feature of the Huawei P20. It inspires me to want to travel more just so I can capture some more insanely great pics.

Oh, and it does a good job with video too… Check out this huawei-p20-47. It’s a 54MB video.

The P20 earned top marks on DxOMark the trusted industry standard for independent image quality measurements and ratings of digital cameras, lens, and smartphones. Test results are available on www.dxomark.com.

Audio quality

Although the P20 has what looks like two downward firing speakers on the bottom edge of the phone, there’s really only one speaker on the right. If you can get past the fact that it has a mono speaker, the P20’s speaker is clear and sounds decent and at full volume, it’s loud.

I rarely listen to music through a phone’s speaker, so using the included USB-C to 3.5mm adapter with earbuds, I found the P20’s audio to sound very good while listening to music through Google Play and Spotify.

According to the Huawei website the HUAWEI P20 incorporates a Dolby Atmos® sound system that breaks new ground for smartphone audio. Premier 990 Kbps HWA* supports Hi-res audio files so you can enjoy true Hi-Fi audio quality wirelessly via Bluetooth audio devices that support HWA. The open HWA ecosystem invites industry advancement in smartphone audio, keeping your audio experience best-in-class.

Using the Huawei P20 for phone calls

During my 3 weeks using the Huawei P20, I’ve had no issues making and receiving calls with this phone on the T-mobile network and have felt that the volume level on both sides of the conversation has been just fine.

Software and user interface

Like the Mate 10 Pro that I reviewed, the P20 ships with Huawei’s own skin over stock Android that’s called EMUI. EMUI doesn’t make Android look that much different from stock, but it does include Huawei’s versions of the stock apps like the calendar, clock, calculator, etc. and it adds extra features like the ability to take screenshots by knocking twice on the screen with your knuckle. You can also knock once and then draw an S to take a scrolling screenshot for really long pages. There’s even a built-in tool to record a screencast.



Other EMUI gestures include HiTouch where you put two fingers on the screen when you’re viewing a product image and it is supposed to pull up product info on Amazon. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it came up with completely weird results.

You can also show two apps in a split-screen view and you can launch apps by drawing a letter with your knuckle.

The P20 even has its own very basic built-in assistant called Emy that you can use to make and answer calls using your voice.

Another cool feature allows the P20 to easily connect to a monitor or projector if you have a USB-C HDMI, VGA, or DVI dock or adapter. Just plug it in and it will display a full-screen user interface on the larger screen. It’s like the Samsung DEX Station without paying for the extra hardware. It worked great with my BenQ PD2710QC DesignView 27-inch Designer Monitor.

The interface is simple and easy to use and makes me know that the day is coming soon where my phone will be able to function as my one and only computer.

As an added feature, when the P20 is connected to a monitor or projector, the phone’s screen will turn into a touchpad that you can use to move the cursor around on the screen.

Overall performance and battery life using the Huawei P20 for day to day tasks

The P20 performs well and I haven’t noticed any problems launching multiple apps and switching between them. It also scrolls smoothly when viewing long web pages. The phone has a 3400mAh battery that kept it running for a full day of medium usage, with some juice to spare. I never saw a low battery warning while reviewing the phone and when I did recharge, it was topped off very quickly due to Huawei’s SuperCharge technology which gives you almost a full day of power with a quick 20-30-minute charge.

What I like

  • The camera shoots great pics
  • Comfortable in hand and pocket
  • Can connect the phone to a larger monitor or projector
  • Fast charging

What needs to be improved

  • The fingerprint reader is underwhelming
  • No wireless charging
  • No micro SD card slot
  • Mono speaker

Final thoughts

I had originally wanted to review the Huawei P20 Pro because after all, it’s the top of the line pro version… but I was sent the P20 and I’m happy to say that I haven’t been disappointed in the least. Except for a couple missing features like wireless charging and a micro SD card slot, the Huawei P20 is a pint-sized powerhouse with a great camera that I love. I think this phone is a viable alternative to other flagship phones and has a better price.

Price: $567.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Huawei.

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Huawei P20 smartphone review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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5 Smart tech gadgets for apartment renters

Depending on the terms of your rental agreement and the flexibility — or lack thereof — displayed by your landlord, it may not be possible to install smart home items in your abode if they require making permanent alterations.

Fortunately, there are still plenty of high-tech items that cater to your apartment-based lifestyle.

1. Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug

Smart plugs let you turn your residence into a smart home and control your lights or appliances with an app. The especially convenient thing about the Belkin Wemo Mini smart plug is that it connects to an existing outlet without obstructing it or otherwise compromising its future functionality.

You can use the app to set a timer for the gadgets you plug in, such as a fan to keep your indoor dog cool while you’re at work. The plug also has an Away mode that randomly turns lights on to make it seem like you’re home, making your residence less obvious to potential burglars on the prowl. ($34.99)

2. Google Home Smart Speaker

A Google Home smart speaker can answer your questions, give you reminders about your schedule and help you call friends with the integrated speakerphone feature — and that’s just the start.

Set it on a table or choose another prominent place in your home, then see how the speaker helps you get things done more efficiently by using your voice. It also integrates with numerous smart home gadgets. That means you may find that it works with some of the other smart tech you decide to buy. ($99.00)

3. Evervue Mirrorvue Smart Mirror

The bathroom is probably among the first areas of your apartment you visit after waking up, and it’s a factor you probably made sure to assess when renting your first apartment and all the residences after that one, if you’ve lived in several.

This ultra-fancy mirror ensures you can start using tech as soon as the day begins, and you can interact with it while brushing your teeth, washing your face and otherwise getting ready.

It offers Wi-Fi connectivity and a disappearing TV screen that’s only 1.5 inches thick and streams content from DirecTV or YouTube. Furthermore, the mirror streams content from Spotify and features integrated speakers, letting you hear favorite tunes.

Features like a clock, calendar, stock ticker, weather forecast and public transit information give you the crucial details needed to feel informed each morning and any time after that. ($929.00 and up)

4. The Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera

This plug-and-play option features a sturdy base and a magnetic stand, letting you place the camera almost anywhere in your apartment to keep an eye on things. If you purchase a Nest Aware subscription along with this gadget, the service records footage 24/7 and stores 30 days worth in the cloud for your later review.

Nest Aware also uses intelligent algorithms that recognize people and alert you if things happen in areas of your house you deem most important, such as the baby’s room or a home office that features computing equipment and a valuable painting on the wall.

The Nest Cam has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to use the app to talk to an anxious pet or clarify instructions for a house sitter, plus listen to what’s happening in the apartment. Since it’s an easily portable piece of smart tech, you can also take it other places if you move.

($149.00 and up for the camera, with prices ranging from $5.00-50.00 for the Nest Aware subscription, depending on the billing cycle.)

5. The Philips Hue Beyond LED Table Lamp

This sleek and modern table lamp offers just the right amount of light for every moment, courtesy of a dimming remote and a complementing app. You can even set it to display a particular color to set the mood and impress friends.

Compatibility with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa make this Wi-Fi-enabled lamp one that listens to your voice too. ($199.99 for the lamp and $49.99 for the Hue Bridge accessory that makes the lamp work with the app and voice controls.)

Start customizing your apartment today

Living in an apartment doesn’t have to make you feel limited concerning what you can do to make the place your own. These gadgets help you set up the abode so that it fits your tech-savvy lifestyle — and you won’t have to worry about that annoying the landlord.

Image by John Tekeridis

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5 Smart tech gadgets for apartment renters originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine review

A good night of sleep has always been a challenge for me. Insomnia seems to follow me no matter how much I try to tire myself out before I head to bed. The last time I can remember not struggling to sleep, was when I lived in the Caribbean near the beach, and when I was near the Amazon. When I got the opportunity to try the AuCuTee, I was curious to find out if replicating the sounds of those familiar environments, would help to take me back to those days.

What is it?

The AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine is a device that simulates sounds of various environments, with the added ability to wirelessly charge your phone and act as a speaker via its Bluetooth connectivity.

What’s in the box


1 x AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x USB AC Wall Adapter
1 x Instruction Booklet

Design and features

The AuCuTee is small and lightweight, and while the construction feels a bit cheap, it has not operated in that manner in any way. Starting with connectivity, on the back of the AuCuTee, there is a micro USB port that provides power to the device via the included micro USB cable and AC adapter, a USB port that can be used to power or charge an additional USB device, and speakers on each side.


On the front of the device, there are 10 sliders that represent the 10 sounds that are offered. These sliders work like an audio mixing board and allow you to use each sound individually, or to mix the sounds for the desired effect. To the right of the sliders, is the main volume knob, that turns the device on and off, as well as increases or decreases the volume.


On the top of the front of the AuCuTee, there is a row of control buttons. From left to right, the first 3 control the music playback functions for previous track/track from the beginning, Play/Pause, and next track. The 4th button turns on the Bluetooth capability and pairing mode. This is confirmed by a voice command. The 5th button controls the timing/sleep capability. Each of the green lights in front of this button represents 30, 60 or 90 minutes for the device to go into “sleep” mode. I do not use this function since I prefer the sounds to continue all night just in case I wake up during the night.

The rest of the top of the device is the QI wireless charging pad and it works well just by placing your QI compatible phone on it to charge.


The following picture represents the slider settings that I enjoy the most:

The AuCuTee performs well in all capacities, including the sounds it produces, the wired and wireless charging that it offers, and the Bluetooth connectivity.

What I like

I like the amount and variety of sounds offered, and the ability to mix the sounds. I also like the wireless charging capability and the external charging/power port.

What can be improved

I found that when connected via Bluetooth,  the music volume was much lower than the volume of the sounds, even with both the AuCuTee and phone at maximum volume. Although this device is used for sleeping, I had difficulty hearing the music if my nearby fan was on.

Final thoughts

While I have always felt that these types of “noise” devices that were supposed to help you to sleep were a gimmick, I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by the AuCuTee. I do think that the ability to mix the sounds did the trick for me, and I have been using it to sleep ever since. For me, it is a winner.

Price: $39.99
Where to buy: AuCuTee or Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was supplied by AuCuTee

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AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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