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4 Things You Need to Boot Windows 10 in 3 Seconds

Normally, Windows 10 takes a very long time to boot. On a traditional hard disk, it can take well above one minute until the desktop shows up. And even after that, it still loads some services in the background, which means it is still quite laggy until everything initializes properly. For this reason, Windows 8 (which was slow to boot as well) introduced Fast Startup. What Is Fast Startup? There is a lot going on when your computer boots up. Basically, the kernel gets loaded along with some drivers. Programs, libraries, and other types of data are then read from disk to memory and executed… Read more

How to Open Websites in Floating Window with Pennywise

There are times where you’re doing some simple work at your computer. It’s not tough work, but it needs to be done. You just wish you could be doing something else alongside it, like watching a video. Sure, you can pull up YouTube in a browser, but as soon as you click on another window, it loses focus. Then you’re stuck resizing windows and manually arranging them. Pennywise aims to solve this problem for you. What Does Pennywise Do? Pennywise is a very simple app at its core. It takes any URL, opens it, and keeps it on top. No matter where you click on… Read more

How to Find a Specific Word in a File on Linux

By default, most search tools look at file names, not file contents. However, the most famous GNU search program, grep, will look inside files with the correct flags. Here we will show you how you can find specific word(s) in a file on Linux. Using grep to Find a Specific Word in a File By default, grep searches through the contents of files as well as their file names. It’s included on the majority of Linux systems and is generally identical across distros. That said, smaller or less powerful Linux boxes might prefer to run a different command, like ack. Depending on how the file… Read more

Lecone wireless charger and desk caddy review

REVIEW – Wireless charging is included in almost every smartphone these days. Since they all use the Qi charging protocol, the market is being flooded with chargers in all shapes and sizes. The latest one to pass through my hands is the Lecone Wireless charger and desk caddy.

What is it?

A fabric-covered wireless charger with a captive USB cable and a desk caddy in a single piece.

What’s in the box?

Just the charger.

Hardware specs

(From company website)

  • Textured fabric charging stand: High quality fabric design not only provides good touch experience, but also adds a clean, modern and stylish look to your home or office
  • Upgraded Fast Charging: Save you about 30 minutes than standard wireless charging stand. Charging times vary based on different adapter and device
  • Versatile Viewing Experience : Upgraded Dual-coil design allows you to charge your phone vertically or horizontally while using FaceTime or watching videos
  • Safety Guarantee: Temperature control, foreign object detection, power input monitoring, and more ensure safe operation
  • Non-slip Pad: Anti-slip rubber pad on bottom can efficiently keep your phone more stable in place and preventing the charger itself from slipping or being knocked out

Design and features

The Lecone Wireless Charger and desk caddy is a simple concept with great execution. It’s a phone cradle that’s 3.25″ wide with a 4.5″ resting surface for the phone that is 56º from the desk. There’s a .75″ lip to hold your phone, which will handle all but the thickest cases – which probably won’t work with the Qi charger anyway! This places your phone in the perfect position to glance at when, say, an alert message displays. It’s also the perfect angle for video calls.
The caddy is a box on the left side of the unit with a 10º sloped front (from vertical) and an opening of 3.5″ x 3″. At 4.25″ deep, you can easily reach your hand in, if you lose something small inside.
Every surface of the caddy except the bottom is covered by a tight, grey-patterned linen-like cloth, that feels very nice under the hand. The bottom is made from a dark leather-like material, not exactly grippy, but a smoother texture than the other material, so as not to scratch wooden tables. All edges are turned under and tightly stitched, and the fabrics are glued to the underlying materials.
There is only one visible piece of branding – a small white logotype on the lowest edge of the caddy. There is also an LED centered on the charger cradle that lights up to indicate charging (green), power with no device present (blue), or goes out when the device is fully charged.
A ~5 foot USB cable comes from inside the unit and passes through a hole behind the cradle. There’s a small compartment created by the cradle and the vertical back (also lined with the fabric) where small items could be placed (a file drawer or desk key, perhaps?) or excess cable pulled in for those who love hidden cables.

What I like

  • Very attractive linen-like surface
  • Captive cable means it won’t get disconnected
  • Perfect size and angle for phone charging, video calls and desk/nightstand
  • Qi certified – Compatible with a wide range of devices

What needs to be improved

  • I can’t think of anything

Final thoughts

I’ve not been a fan of desk caddies personally since I left the graphics world and paper behind. At home by my TV loveseat, however, this caddy has been a great find. I plop my phone in, grab the TV glasses from the caddy and store my “walking-around” glasses, and always know where the remote is. It looks great, which means it won’t cause any – um – “discussions” with the Lovely Bride. Five stars.

Price: $27.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Lecone.

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Lecone wireless charger and desk caddy review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 28, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Audioengine 512 portable wireless speaker review

REVIEW – As I’ve reviewed a few Audioengine speakers over the years, one thing stands out as much as the audio quality, and that’s integrity. Audioengine doesn’t BS the customer with hyperbole or inflated specs. They are honest and deliver good to great audio products for a fair price. Even if I find fault with anything they make, it’s not because they cut corners or used some off-brand part. Which brings us to their first portable Bluetooth speaker—the Audioengine 512 Portable Wireless Speaker.

What is it?

The 512 is Audioengine’s first portable speaker. It’s relatively small, easy to carry and is built tough. Two custom 2″ transducers with advanced voice coils on one side and a 3″ x 1.75″ passive radiator on the other side provide a 360° soundstage with plenty of bass—especially when you consider its size. The shell is a combination of a tough, thick plastic band that wraps two rounded-metal perforated grills. The 512 is a speaker that is as tough as it looks—as long as it doesn’t get wet. More on that later.

 

Specs

  • Amplifier type: Class D
  • Power output: 20 watts total (10 watts per channel)
  • Drivers: 2” full-range transducers, 3″ x 1.75″ passive radiator
  • Inputs: Wireless Bluetooth, 3.5mm stereo mini plug
  • Battery life: (up to) 12 Hours
  • Charge time: 5 hours to 100%
  • Frequency response: 60Hz-20kHz
  • Protection: Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
  • Bluetooth 5.0 audio
    Wireless operation range: (up to) 100ft (30m)
  • Weight: 2.5lbs
  • Dimensions: 3”(H) x 7.75”(W) x 3”(D)

What’s in the box?

  • Micro USB – USB charging cable, 2.67 feet
  • Quickstart guide

Design and features

Audioengine has stated that they waited on making a portable speaker until they could get it right. I don’t doubt that because they got many things right with the 512. The speaker looks like a large pill—similar to Beats “Pill” speakers, but shorter and higher. It comes in two color choices—black or forest green. There’s no handle, but it’s not needed. It’s easy to grip for carrying. Beware of dropping it because the protective metal grill can dent, although the speakers underneath should still be protected. Four small rubber tabs help keep the speaker in place and upright so it won’t roll around on its tubular shape.

 

There are a series of straight-line buttons along the top of the 512 speaker. From left to right are Play/pause; AUX (bypassing Bluetooth), Volume down, Volume up, Bluetooth pairing and finally the On/off button. There are tiny LED lights on top that indicate how much battery power is left.

The 512 speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0 which gives the best Bluetooth audio quality possible. Bluetooth has come a long way in just a few years and the 512 takes advantage of that. Plus the Bluetooth range is 100 ft.—three times the average range of 32 ft. 

At one end is a rubberized cover that protects the AUX and charging ports. At the other is a place for looping a strap. However there is no strap included, so you’re on your own if you want to hang the speaker anywhere.

I’m conflicted about the design of the 512 speaker. The speaker is rugged and looks like it’s built for the outdoors. However, it’s not water resistant. In other words, don’t get it wet. It just looks like it can survive a rainstorm. Even the ports are covered with a waterproof seal. So, if the 512 is technically an indoor (or outdoor good-weather) speaker, why not design it as a classy indoor portable speaker and save the rugged look for a future speaker that can fall into a pool? 

To be fair, Audioengine has said that they can easily make a waterproof speaker, but to do so compromises the audio, so they made the hard decision to forgo a waterproof rating. Here is their statement, “This is something we struggled with when developing the 512. Our engineers choose materials based on what will provide a high quality sound, and using water-resistant materials would have a negative effect on that. It was a tough decision to make, but if we have to compromise on something, sound quality is not going to be it.” I get that—it just looks waterproof.

Enough nitpicking. What’s most important is how the 512 speaker sounds. Good news: it sounds really, really good. There are specific things you listen for when reviewing any audio product. Portable Bluetooth speakers require some compromises, but the 512 hasn’t compromised at all in a couple of areas. One is stereo separation. When the 512 is centered in front, there is definite left and right stereo going on. True, this is heard in many dual driver Bluetooth speakers, but it’s much more pronounced on the 512. 

Which brings us to soundstage—that feeling of being in the music rather than off to one side of the stage. This is something almost no portable Bluetooth speaker has. It’s just not there. It’s shocking how “spread out” music on the 512 sounds. Sometimes it seems that there is more than one speaker playing. It can be eerie. This may sound like hyperbole, but it’s not. The 512 speaker’s soundstage is flat out amazing! You have to hear it to appreciate it.

Audioengine states that they voiced the 512 speaker to sound like, well—an Audioengine speaker. To my ears, this means that the speaker leans a bit to the warm side with slightly boosted bass. The advantage of this audio approach is that a speaker can be listened to for hours with no aural fatigue. The 512 does exactly this. Any style of music I want to hear sounds warm and full with no harshness in the upper frequencies. That goes for classic rock, jazz, modern music and even audiophile recordings that may contain more upper range than people may be used to.

I discovered one interesting advantage while listening to the 512 speaker. I play music all day while at work and it can never be played loud (NO one I work with likes my taste in music). So, the volume has to be set quite low. I discovered that the 512 still sounds great—even at a lower volume. Many portable speakers tend to just disappear if the volume is set too low. Not the 512. Plus, when centered between my keyboard and monitor, the magic of the 512’s soundstage becomes quite apparent.

Of course, the 512 can get loud, but it’s never loud to the point of distortion. I have other portable speakers that can get louder, but they cost 3 times what the 512 speaker costs. For its price, the 512 holds its own, thank you very much.

What I like

  • Heft and build quality
  • Easy on the ears audio
  • Clear and easy button layout
  • Easy Bluetooth pairing with extended range
  • That soundstage!

What needs to be improved

  • It looks waterproof, but isn’t

Final Thoughts

The Audioengine 512 Portable Wireless Speaker has a lot going for it. It’s easy on the ears at any volume and worth its price on soundstage alone.

If you’re wondering why the 512 speaker is called the 512, it’s simple. Audioengine is located in Austin, TX and the area code is … 512.

Price: $169 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this product was provided by Audioengine.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

Audioengine 512 portable wireless speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 28, 2019 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.