Soundcore Flare Mini Bluetooth speaker review

Soundcore Flare Mini

REVIEW – What, another Bluetooth speaker review, you ask.  How many of these things exist, you ask.  What makes this one different, you ask.  Your answers, in order: Yes, Infinity plus one, and read on…

What is it?

The Flare Mini from Soundcore (an Anker brand) is a smaller, lighter version of the Flare Bluetooth speaker.  While it shares a lot of the same features as its bigger brother, there are also some trade-offs that help this speaker to come in at a lower price.

What’s in the box?

  • The Flare Mini speaker
  • Charging cable
  • Instruction booklet

Design and Features

The Flare Mini is an attractive and attractively small Bluetooth speaker.  It claims to have a full 360 degree sound so that you can place it anywhere and still hear as if you were standing in front of a traditional speaker.  Soundcore says that it is IPX7-rated so you could drop it in your pool and not have to run out and buy a new speaker.  And it says it has a light show that keeps time with the music.  We’ll take on these claims, but first a comparison in size:

Flare Mini size comparison

Only slightly bigger than your average soda can and weighs about the same, too.

The first question to ask in a crowded market like this is “how does it sound?”  In a word, spectacular.  The claim to 360 degree sound is accurate – I placed the speaker in the middle of our large open floor plan, cranked up the volume and wandered around.  No matter where I was in the space, the sound followed me as if someone was pointing the speaker in my direction as I moved.  This is thanks to twin speaker arrays that cover 180 degrees each and pump out 5 watts of sound per array, the music pours out in every direction.  Nice touch, and one that guarantees you’ll hear everything no matter where you are.

Getting the sound there is only half the battle, though.  When the music (or podcast or Gregorian chants) hits your earspace, it has to sound good as well.  This is where the Flare Mini really shines.  Thanks to the Bass-Up technology built-in, the lows are vibrant – you can feel them at volume, and it isn’t a muddy thumping like the low-cost cousins.  The mids are clear and bright, and the highs are anything but shrill.  To put the speaker through its paces, I played a bunch of reggaeton music because it has everything – great bass lines, guitar riffs, and vocals in all ranges.  So, for an hour we had a Latin dance party on our back patio: Gente de Zona, Enrique Iglesias, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, CNCO/Meghan Trainor.  Each song came through perfectly, giving the impression we were listening to a much more expensive sound system.

One of the tricks the Flare Mini has up its sleeve is the ability to “pair” with another Flare Mini.  Although this is called stereo, it is really a way to have two Bluetooth devices consume a single source and keep the sound synchronized between the two speakers.  Instead of a true left/right split, you get the same sound from both devices.  I wish I had a second speaker to test this as it sounds like a great feature.

Our dance party came to an abrupt end when the massive rain storm moved in.  In a matter of seconds we were drenched – and so was the Flare Mini.  The music never stopped, though.  And the speaker was not in any way adversely affected by the sudden storm.

Flare Mini charging port

On to the design.  Other than the branding on the “front” of the speaker, the nice fabric cover is only disrupted by the charging port on the “back”.  This uses a mini USB cable to charge.  Using an Anker wall charger, I was able to get just shy of 13 hours playtime at half volume from a 2 hour charge.  As you can see in the picture, though, this is a Bluetooth-only speaker.  There is no line-in jack, most likely to squeeze in more speaker and battery.  Still, be aware of this omission if you are old school on your connections.

The Flare Mini uses the Bluetooth 4.2 standard, so theoretically you can have your sound source up to 66 feet from the speaker.  In practice, a lot will depend on the material between your phone and the speaker.  For example, I could leave the Flare Mini on the patio in the backyard, go into the house to the opposite end of our “great room” the music would not miss a beat. That’s about 30 feet with a brick wall in between, a scenario you would think would be terrible.  On the other hand, I left the speaker in the master bedroom and went into my office – in between there is an open bathroom and a walk-in closet but no brick walls.  The connection to the speaker was flaky at best – the connection would drop and then almost immediately reconnect.  To be expected for sure, and not an ordinary example by any means.  Just remember that the connection is only as good as the stuff trying to stop the connection is bad, and open space is always the best for distance.

All of the controls for the speaker are on the top.  There is no microphone so you can’t take/make calls from the speaker.  But then, why would you want to?

Flare Mini controls

You have the usual set – on/off, Bluetooth pairing, volume up/down, play/pause/next/previous control.  The last two are not lit up, but they are raised so you can find them easily.  If you have 2 Flare Minis, pressing the Bluetooth button on both simultaneously “pairs” the two speakers – only 1 is connected to your device, the other is connected to the “anchor” speaker.   The last button on the right side controls the light show – you can turn the lights on/off, leave on a single color, or allow the bass to drive a light show.

The room has to be pretty dark for the light show to be effective.  While this might be a great feature for kids, it represents a battery drain to me – more light equals less music, so pass.

The most important question you asked: what makes this different than all the rest?  There isn’t a single thing, but rather the sum of all things.  Build quality is amazing at this price point – it feels substantial and looks smart.  Long battery life means fewer interruptions to the music.  The 360 degree sound lets you worry less about where the speaker has to go.  And the sound in those 360 degrees is akin to a speaker that costs much more.

What I like

  • The sound – all around, this is the best-sounding budget speaker I have ever seen
  • The design – small, smart-looking and waterproof for any environment (even my backyard)
  • Battery life

What I’d change

  • This speaker is not supported by the Soundcore app – probably a cost-saving measure, but something to be aware of if you are familiar with their app
  • The lights – gimmicky and unnecessary

Final Thoughts

Full stop, at this price point you are just not going to find a better built, better performing or better sounding speaker than the Soundcore Flare Mini.

Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Amazon

Source: The review unit was provided by Soundcore.  For more info, visit the Flare Mini product page.

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Soundcore Flare Mini Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 2, 2019 at 9:31 am.

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Phoozy Capsule tablet and laptop case review

REVIEW – Laptops and tablets are – big slabs of glass and electronics that want more than anything to find a hard surface or body of water to throw themselves into. Or it can sometimes feel that way when you’re traveling with them! A company called Phoozy has created a series of covers they call the Capsule that expands on their drop protection and thermal barriers to offer floating protection for your electronics. IP66 water-resistance keeps your laptop or tablet from rain, snow, spills, and actual immersion!

What is it?

A layered soft cover that zips around tablets and laptops to protect from overheating, freezing, water damage, and impact. (That’s an original 12.9″ iPad Pro with a full MoKo case on it in the photo above and in several other photos below.)

Specifications

  • Patented Chromium Thermal Barrier is adapted from the NASA technology that protects astronauts, electronics, and satellites in the extreme conditions of space.
  • IP66 water-resistance rating protects your laptop from rain, snow, spills, and water.
  • HydroGuard Technology in our materials and zippers repels water and fully floats in water if the unthinkable happens.
  • The Impactor Core 2.0 delivers military-grade shock protection to absorb impacts and help reduce damages caused by accidentally bumping.
  • Sleek, Slim, light-weight design easily slides inside other bags or use the included adjustable, quick-release shoulder strap with pad for comfortable wear across body or over the shoulder. Multiple strap connection points allow for vertical or horizontal carry.
  • Laser-cut Molle Connection Panel on the back allows you to easily connect other PHOOZY products and gear to customize your load.
  • The PHOOZY Tablet/Laptop Capsule provides 6-layers of protection to keep your devices protected while helping maintain their operating temperature as long as science allows when exposed to hot or cold temperatures. However, the capsules are not designed to be left in a hot or cold vehicle for more than 3 hours.
  • Case will not interfere with cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth signals.

Design and features

The Phoozy Capsule comes in two sizes – 11″ and 13″. Each size is available in four colors: Cosmic Black, Iridium Silver, Iridium Gold, and Realtree Timber. I was sent the 13″ model in Black.


Overall size is 13.5″ x 10″ x 1″. The double-pull zipper extends across the top and 3.5″ down each long side. At each zipper end, there is a molded plastic D-ring sewn into the body of the sleeve. On one side, there is another D-ring sewn about 3 inches up from the lower side as well, which allows the user to attach the included 53″ 1.25″ nylon webbing adjustable strap in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The strap has 2″ clip-on swivel hooks at either end and an 8″ padded shoulder piece that can slide along the full length. Sadly, there is no grab handle to use when you’ve removed the shoulder strap and packed the sleeve into a larger bag.
Inside, the Cosmic Black model is lined in a plush red microfiber material. There is good padding all around.

On the opposite side, there are three rows of molle strap lace points six deep. If you’ve got anything that can use this attachment system, you can add pockets to the outside of the Phoozy.


I tested it with every portable computer in the house (13″ MacBook Air, 12.9″ Original iPad Pro, 10.5″ iPad Pro, and iPad mini.) They all fit easily, and some could even double-up.

What I like

  • Solid design layout and manufacturing.
  • Great that you can carry horizontal, vertical, or as a sleeve inside another bag.
  • Surprisingly roomy.

What I’d change

  • Adding a grab handle across the top would be a nice touch.

Final thoughts

We have all had cases and covers for tablets, phones, and laptops. Some work OK, others protect from the dented corner or allow you to worry less about running to your car in the rain. The Phoozy system is based on NASA technology and not only protects from freezing by insulating your tech inside, but protects from water, overheating in a hot car, and will still pick up your messages through the bag. Not too shabby.

Price: $59.99 for 11″, $69.99 for 13″
Where to buy: Phoozy.com and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Phoozy.

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Phoozy Capsule tablet and laptop case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 2, 2019 at 8:14 am.

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5 of the Best Podcast Apps for iOS in 2019

Podcasts cover a world of hilarious, thought-provoking, fascinating, and even silly programs on topics such as politics, sports, pop culture and more. If you’re new to the fad, you’ll probably notice the challenge of keeping track of the multiple podcast subscriptions, including those that you discover along the way. Thankfully, there are podcast  apps for different platforms, as with other on-demand content. The native Apple podcast app is mostly barebones, but there are some great podcast apps for iOS that you can use to scroll through the endless library of audio content available. In no particular order, here’s a roundup of the best apps to use… Read more

Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus 3-Axis Stabilizing smartphone gimbal review

REVIEW – For most of us, our phones are our point and shoot cameras and our video cameras. We use our phones to document our lives and we improve the built-in camera by using accessories like clip-on lenses and selfie sticks. But when it comes to selfie sticks, they just hold the phone at a static angle and don’t help with stabilization. For those features, you need something like the iSteady Mobile Plus 3-Axis Stabilizing smartphone gimbal from Hohem. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The iSteady Mobile Plus 3-Axis Stabilizing smartphone gimbal is a selfie stick on steroids. It holds your phone in landscape or portrait orientation and uses a motor to keep the phone stabilized while you use buttons on the handle to start and stop recording and move the phone/camera to the perfect shooting angle.

What’s in the box?

  • iSteady Mobile Plus gimbal
  • Mini tripod
  • USB cable
  • Carrying case
  • User manual

Design and features

The iSteady Mobile Plus gimbal (I’ll just call it the iSteady going forward) is about 11.75 inches long and weighs in (without your phone) at 1 lb 1 oz. (480g). Although it’s portable and compact, it’s not an accessory that’s going to fit in your pocket.

The iSteady is constructed of a combination of parts that makes up the handle and the gimbal/phone holder assembly.

The handle of the iSteady has a power button that doubles as the capture and video record/stop button. There’s also a mode button, a zoom slider button, and a joystick button that moves the phone holder up, down, left, and right. There are also two LEDs at the top of the handle that show the status of Bluetooth and the gimbal mode.

There are battery status LEDs on the side of the handle and a trigger on the backside of the handle which centers the phone when pressed.

Speaking of batteries, there’s a micro USB port on the side of the handle that is used to charge the iSteady’s internal battery which has a 12-hour battery life. There’s also a built-in USB-A port that you can use to “borrow” power from the iSteady to power your phone or another accessory like a microphone.

The iSteady has 3 standard sized threaded tripod mounts. One is on the phone holder, one is on the side of the handle, and one is on the bottom of the handle.

The phone holder assembly has rubber lined spring-loaded jaws that take two hands and a bit of effort to spread apart in order to place the phone between them.

Let’s get iSteady

To get started using this smartphone accessory, you first need to put your phone in the holder and then balance it using the adjustable holder. In the image above, you can see the adjustable arm that slides in and out to balance the phone and then the screw knob tightens it in place. As mentioned before, it takes two hands to get everything ready to go.  Getting the iSteady ready to use takes enough time that you probably won’t be able to use it to capture spur of the moment footage.

It’s important to note that you should never turn on the gimbal without the smartphone mounted.

Hohem app

You can still use your favorite image/video capture app with the iSteady, but the Hohem app has to be used if you want to take advantage of some of the special features like face tracking, the image capture/video capture button on the handle, and the zoom/focus switch.

The app also has a cool panorama feature.

There’s also a follow feature that will let you draw a box around a person’s face or a subject and then the phone is supposed to follow the subject if it moves. I have a lot of trouble getting this feature to work.

See it in action

The gimbal can be set in 1 of 4 modes that include Pan follow, Pan/Tilt follow, All locked, and All following. I prefered to use the Pan/Tilt follow mode during most of my testing.

What I like

  • Makes video capture smoother
  • Controls right under your thumb
  • No motor noise at all

What I’d change

  • Bulky/heavy
  • Follow feature doesn’t work well

Final thoughts

For capturing smooth video, while moving, walking, and running, the iSteady does an excellent job. I also like that all the controls are right there at the tip of your thumb and the 12hr battery life lets you use this accessory for a long time before it needs to be recharged.

The only downside that I found is that it’s pretty heavy once you mount your phone and if you plan to use it for more than a few minutes at a time, you’ll start to feel the strain on your wrist. Or maybe I just have wimpy wrists! 😉

The Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus 3-Axis Stabilizing smartphone gimbal definitely has a lot of good things going for it including the affordable price, quiet operation, and of course, the ability to shoot smooth video. Although I find it a little uncomfortable to use after a few minutes, I still consider this gimbal a worthy addition to your smartphone camera accessory kit.

Price: $89.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Hohem.

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Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus 3-Axis Stabilizing smartphone gimbal review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2019 at 5:08 pm.

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BRYDGE PRO Bluetooth keyboard for the 2018 iPad Pro review

REVIEW – OK, I’m going to lead with…I LOVE this thing. I know the BRYDGE PRO is not for all iPad users for reasons I’ll get to. But for me it fits into, at least in part, how I want to use my tablet. Last year Bill Henderson reviewed the Brydge 12.9 Series II Bluetooth keyboard for the previous generation of iPad Pros. But with new iPad designs come new accessories. Well the engineers at Brydge went back to the drawing board and have created an even better wireless keyboard that truly does transform your iPad Pro into a small MacBook.

A bit of the backstory: for years Julie and I have discussed the possibility of using a tablet as our primary computing device. And over that time, the tech world has ever so slowly moved in that direction. Many could argue, Android tablets are closer to the finish line than iPads, but with iPadOS coming soon, Apple is finally in the game. With folks like BRYDGE creating feature enhancing accessories, Adobe releasing full-blown Photoshop for the iPad, and the iPadOS becoming its own mobile operating system…we’re finally at a point, where this tech-dream is becoming reality.

What is it?

The BRYDGE PRO is a Bluetooth keyboard engineered specifically for the latest generation of iPad Pros and designed to give a (surprisingly) MacBook-like experience. The aluminum chassis is perfectly fitted and color-matched for the current iPad Pros, transforming your tablet into a mini, touchscreen MacBook Pro.

What’s in the box?

  • Brydge Pro 11.0 Bluetooth Keyboard
  • Snap-on Magnetic Protective Cover
  • USB-C Charging Cable
  • Quick Start Guide

Design and features

The BRYDGE PRO keyboard is made from a solid high-grade aircraft aluminum, giving the casing a very Apple feel to it. The PRO has a great heft and sturdy build quality. And like the MacBook and MacBook Pros, the BRYDGE PRO has four rubber feet so that your iPad Pro & keyboard combo doesn’t slide around your desk or table while in use.

The BRYDGE PRO can be configured into three modes: Laptop for typing, Tablet for drawing/note-taking, and Movie for hands-free video watching. In general, I kept my setup in Laptop mode 99% of the time, where I typed and watch movies/videos. When I wanted to use my iPad as a pure tablet, I simply pulled my iPad out of the BRYDGE PRO’s hinges/clamps.

The iPad Pro is held securely in place by two very sturdy clamps that use just the right amount of friction/pressure to keep the iPad Pro from slipping out. These U-clamps are rubber lined so they do not damage your tablet. The hinges themselves are very strong, and well-engineered to withstand the force needed to press (aka shove) the long edge of the iPad into place.

I have an ultra-thin tempered glass screen protector and Slickwrap skin on the back of my iPad Pro. These combine to ever so slightly increase (< 0.5mm) the thickness of my tablet but due to the extremely exact tolerances, it does cause the iPad to not sit in the hinge perfectly. But only by a millimeter or so…the BRYDGE PRO still works as designed.

When opened, the BRYDGE PRO engineering raises the rear of the keyboard for a better angle of typing.

The keyboard is well thought out with a great build quality and key travel. I find using the BRYDGE PRO a better typing experience as compared to the Apple iPad Pro smart keyboard folio and about equal to the MacBook butterfly mechanism. In addition to having good travel distance, the keys are (mostly) responsive and have a great feel/click to them. I say “mostly” because I found the need to type with a hint more force and accuracy, occasionally needing to retap a key if I wasn’t spot on. That said, I got better with practice…

The BRYDGE PRO keyboard is backlit with three levels of brightness.

The 11″ BRYDGE PRO layout is smaller and more compact than a standard full-sized keyboard but no worse than the Apple iPad Pro smart keyboard folio. I am not the greatest typist but found the PRO’s smaller layout and firm base more than useable and extremely lap-friendly. Truth be told, it felt just like using a MacBook when typing on my lap.

The BRYDGE PRO charges via USB-C, enabling you to use the same cord that came with your iPad Pro to power up. You can also connect the iPad Pro and the BRYDGE PRO keyboard using the included USB-C to USB-C cable for a direct, no lag connection.

According to BRYDGE, the PRO’s battery life is impressive, lasting as long as 12 months of use. But that is with limited use and no backlighting on the keys. But with the backlight on, the battery should last nearly a full day of typing (aka 20hrs). What I can say is that I have been using the BRYDGE PRO keyboard for several wks, on & off for a total of about 12+hrs, and battery life is still going strong.

BRYDGE includes a magnetic back cover that works really well with the PRO’s hinge design. The rigid rubbery back cover is relatively thin with a cutout for the iPad Pro’s camera assembly. Overall, the back cover works well enough though it does pop off pretty easily and could use stronger magnets.

Hardware specs

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Weight: 1.14 lb.
  • Backlit Keys: Yes (3 levels)
  • Battery Life: 12 months (rechargeable) via USB-C
  • Connectivity: USB-C + Bluetooth 4.1
  • Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Colors: Silver & Space Gray
Brydge Pro 11.0

Length: 9.74 in (247.6mm)
Width: 7.02 in (178.5mm)
Height: 0.26 in (6.7mm)
Weight: 1.14 lb (550g)

Brydge Pro 12.9

Length: 11.04 in (280.6mm)
Width: 8.46 in (214.9mm)
Height: 0.27 in (6.8mm)
Weight: 1.51 lb (690g)

The BRYDGE PRO does add some girth and heft to the sleek and slim iPad Pro. Here you can see it compared to my 12″ MacBook. The combined thickness of the iPad Pro and BRYDGE PRO keyboard are nearly double that of my 12″ MacBook.

OK, here is the elephant in the room…the BRYDGE PRO more than doubles the weight of the 11″ iPad Pro, weighing in at nearly the same weight as a 13″ MacBook Pro. Truth be told, I doubt I will travel that often with the BRYDGE PRO but I love this setup for around the house or (nearby) coffeeshop use.

What I like

  • Very well built with sturdy engineering
  • Made from high-grade materials
  • Perfectly designed for the iPad Pro
  • Excellent keyboard design
  • Backlit keys

What I’d change

  • Heavy/adds a significant amount of weight and volume
  • Keyboard a bit cramped on 11″ version
  • Doesn’t utilize iPad Pro’s Smart Connector
  • Back cover could have used stronger magnets

The new Brydge Pros are by far our best iPad keyboards yet. Designed to create an experience that amplifies the iPad as a tablet, and delivers the perfect MacBook-like experience.

Final thoughts

The BRYDGE design and material engineers have done an incredible job creating a Bluetooth keyboard that transforms your iPad Pro into a mini touchscreen MacBook Pro. The BRYDGE PRO integrates perfectly with the iPad Pro…the quality feel, high-grade materials, and user experience all feel like they came from Cupertino. The BRYDGE PRO adds excellent usability and functionality to your tablet. I’m just hoping the next generation includes a built-in touchpad 😉 . But for now, if you can live with the additional weight and bulk, the BRYDGE PRO is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a keyboard for your iPad Pro.

Price: $149.99 ($169.99 for the 12.9″ iPPro)
Where to buy: The BRYDGE PRO is available from bridge.com or Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Bridge.

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BRYDGE PRO Bluetooth keyboard for the 2018 iPad Pro review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2019 at 8:30 am.

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