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Arlo rolls out new Ultra 4K wireless security camera

NEWS– The home security camera market has become quite crowded in the last few years. Arlo’s latest camera, the Arlo Ultra, announced in late 2018 and on display at CES 2019, seeks to distinguish itself from the pack with features that include 4K video, 2-way audio, and an integrated spotlight.

My first generation Arlo camera has been pulling front porch duty at my home for 4 years now. While it’s served me well, save for a warranty replacement due to pink video resulting from a stuck IR filter, the video quality has ceased to impress me. Also, after looking at my neighbor’s Ring doorbell cameras and their ability to stream conversations, I became convinced that I needed to add audio to my home security camera package.

Enter the Arlo Ultra. In addition to the increased video quality, the Ultra boasts numerous enhancements to the original Arlo, including some that surpass what’s available in the current Arlo Pro 2. These include:

  • 4k Ultra HD with HDR capabilities
  • Enhanced Color Night Vision
  • Auto-zoom and tracking
  • 180-degree field of view
  • Dual noise cancelling microphones for clearer, more natural conversations
  • Built-in LED spotlights

If the new 4K video doesn’t place too much of a burden on the Ultra’s improved battery and the increased streaming demand doesn’t cause users to bump up against any of their broadband providers monthly data limits, Arlo could have a real winner on its hands with the Ultra which will be priced at $299.99. Head over to Arlo.com for more details on this new camera.

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Arlo rolls out new Ultra 4K wireless security camera originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 1:23 pm.

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Sbode M400 Multi-Function Bluetooth speaker review

 

REVIEW – Music in a cylinder. Ten years ago, no one thought of having a complete music system in a handheld unit about the size of a 24-ounce can of malt liquor or a sleeve of tennis balls. Yet, on sites like ours, there are dozens of these cylinders that vie for the attention of the masses of music-needing folks. Last Summer, I brought you the little brother to the unit under review today. The one we’re looking at today is slimmer, taller, and has a few more features, along with an upgraded moniker. Meet the Sbode M400 Multi-Function Bluetooth Speaker.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Sbode M400 is a music playing cylinder that offers IPX-6 weather resistance, networking with another device of the same model for stereo pairing, just about any source for sound, and 8 hours of non-stop music from the 2200mAh battery.

Hardware specs

  • Superior Bass Sound
  • True Wireless Stereo (requires two units)
  • Lightweight Design
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Waterproof (IPX6)
  • FM radio
  • Built-In Mic for speakerphone functionality

What’s in the box?

The box contains the cylinder, with a nylon cord attached, a charging cable (USB A/3 to microUSB), and an eighth-inch stereo plug that will work with your headphones or any device you still have around that connects with this method.

Design and features

As with the Sbode 350 reviewed earlier, the overall design is a cylinder with speakers top and bottom, a cloth-covered body that protects and hides higher-frequency speakers, and a band of buttons and power ports down the side. The fabric looks coarse but is actually soft, but tough. The rubberized areas along both rims and down the side with the buttons is matte-finished silicon or rubber, which provides sureness of touch, but doesn’t show fingerprints, unless you’re on a picnic having fried chicken. In that case, a damp cloth will clean it right up. Speaking of damp, this speaker is IPX6, which means even a huge splash or a drenching shower that spoils that picnic won’t ruin it. The videos show it in the surf or in a mountain brook, but that’s not how the specs read. (Please record the tech support call if you do that and it makes the unit fail. We need the entertainment.)

The buttons provide control over power/speakerphone access, playback mode (more on this later), play/pause for TFF-card playback, and volume up/down buttons. The final button is for syncing two devices together. According to the instructions, this is almost instantaneous, but I was not able to test, having only one unit.

Performance

The Sbode m400 is a very affordable, good-sounding music player. It’s not one of those top-of-the-line, blow-off-the-ceiling-with-no-distortion systems that will make your block parties invite police visits, but it’s perfect for a dozen friends at the beach, on a deck, or camping. If you want even better stereo, apparently you can sync it with another identical system, but this was not tested. (This feature was not tested, as I was only sent one unit.) At $80 ($40 each), it’s way cheaper than $350 for an Apple HomePod or even $200 for a Sonos One.
I tested mine mainly with my iPhone 8 Plus around my house. I could easily clear a room with Joe Cocker’s She Came In Through the Bathroom Window or even something like Crazy Train from Ozzy. I never had the volume up fully, either.

The various input modes, accessed via a semi-long press of the power button (a long press turns the unit off) rotate through Bluetooth, FM Radio, AUX-in, and TF card playback. The FM mode is supposed to automatically tune into a station, but there is no volume control. So, you get this loud static, and the plus-minus keys just cycle through other pre-set stations. It’s horrid. I think there is firmware out there that could automatically sense which device is actively playing, rather than having to manually hold the button in just a touch less than what will turn it off. I wound up using it exclusively with Bluetooth and never missed the other input modes.

Once I entered the initial full charge, I rarely paid attention to the four LEDs that indicate power when you power it on. Once it got down to only one LED, I noticed the Bluetooth connection with my iPhone would seem weaker, but it seemed to last forever.

What I Like

  • Good coverage in virtually any placement area
  • Decent sound, exceptional at the price point.

What needs to be improved

  • The FM mode is useless.
  • Having to switch input modes is kinda fiddly.

Final thoughts

Speakers of this type are everywhere. This unit sounds very good, but there are those that cost more that sound a bit better. If you want something to toss in your camping gear or just to sit on your screen porch, this could be the one. No reason not to recommend it, but I don’t see any reason not to use the one you have, or to buy a better brand if you want audiophile sound. For background and on-the-go, however, this is fine. And for the price, getting two and using linked may be a huge boon to your listening experience.

Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Sbode.

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Sbode M400 Multi-Function Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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eto is the newest device to help keep your wine fresh

NEWS – Have you ever wanted to crack open a bottle of wine, only to hesitate because you’re the only one who likes reds and doesn’t want to spoil the whole bottle? It happens regularly in our house, as one of us prefers reds, while the other prefers whites. I stumbled upon a Kickstarter for “eto: a beautiful innovation in wine preservation.”

This decanter opens the flavors of the wine while the preserver keeps the most dangerous wine enemy, air, from contacting the surface of the wine once sealed and keeps it fresh for up to 7 days. The eto is designed for wine enthusiasts who don’t necessarily drink an entire bottle in one sitting, or who want to savor their bottle throughout the week.

The eto Kickstarter has reached full funding and orders are currently shipping. However, you can still order eto via Indiegogo. Options include either the copper or stainless steel finish at a price point of $96-$109 USD each with a discount if you order multiple units. Note that units aren’t due to ship until July.

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eto is the newest device to help keep your wine fresh originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review


REVIEW – For each of the past 2 years, I have invested in the newly released iPad 12.9″ Pro tablet for that year. I have become very dependent on using the iPad for many tasks including my daily email and MS Office tasks as well as for video and photo editing. The investment in the iPad is relatively expensive, so I always keep a lookout for any new case that will protect my device and if it can conquer fit, finish and function, then it is a winner. I recently received the Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro case for review. At first glance, it is very attractive. Let’s see if it is just all looks or if it has much more to offer.

What is it?

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is an attractive and sleek iPad Pro 12.9″ case designed as a protective carry case and stand.

What’s in the box


1 x iPad Leather Case for 12.9″ iPad Pro

Design and features

This leather iPad case is available in four colors which are tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut, and black. For this review, the case is the dark brown. It is an attractive case with well-done edge stitching and leather straps on one side and loops on the other to accommodate the straps. There is a cutout on the sides with the loops to accommodate the camera.



The outside of the case is “finished” leather while the inside has the raw look. There are “pockets” on each edge that are holders for the iPad.


The picture below shows the iPad inserted into the case with the Apple pencil attached. For the 2018 iPad, the Apple pencil attaches and charges magnetically on the iPad.


The next picture below shows how the cover of the case is bent backward and the leather straps are inserted into the loops to allow the case to function as an upright stand.

Performance

When the case is closed, it allows the Apple pencil to remain attached and charging as necessary. It is quite slim and when closed everything feels safe and secure.


There are sufficient openings on each side that allow access to the speakers and USB-C port.


When the case is utilized as a stand, it reverses the orientation of the iPad so that the pencil is on the bottom which for my use is very inconvenient. It is almost impossible for me to remove or replace the pencil without lifting the case. When the case is bent to form the stand, at least one edge of the iPad tends to pop out of its holding pocket, and in one instance almost resulted in me dropping the iPad. Also, in the position as a stand, it works well on a desk or hard surface, but not so comfortable for hand holding or in my lap.


One other issue is that I noticed that the case scratches easily, so I am not sure if it will look nice and rustic over time, or just a complete mess.

What I like

  • The sophisticated look
  • The quality of the leather and construction

What can be improved

  • The design for use as a stand
  • The finish or type of leather that needs to be more resistant to scratches
  • The surrounding pockets/holders for the iPad
  • The design that allows the iPad and pencil to be in the correct orientation when the case is being used as a stand
  • A design that allows practical use when in your lap

Final thoughts

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is made from really nice quality leather and looks very attractive and professional. The stitching is well done and it just looks like quality. However, from a functional perspective, the design needs a bit more thought so that the fit and function match the materials used. While it may add to a sophisticated look when carrying your iPad, I do not find its function practical for my daily use. Maybe this is just my issue, but I do suspect that many users will experience the same.

Price: $129
Where to buy: Saddleback website
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Saddleback Leather Company.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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It’s January so it’s time to get fit in style with the Withings Move activity tracking watch

NEWS – January brings resolutions, and many of those revolve around fitness. Sadly, most don’t last much past mid-January, and if you’ve invested a ton of cash on what is now a very expensive clothes rack or jewelry cabinet ornament, it also leads to regrets. Enter the Withings Move activity tracking watch.

Like other trackers like Fitbit or Apple Watch, the Move can track activity, sleep, and with a connected GPS phone, track workouts and provides more analytics. The Move’s difference is that it does it with style.

Looking more like a fine watch than a piece of electronics, the Move has a unique, almost luxury look to it that both makes it stand out and also blend in.

The Move’s other differentiator is its battery life. With a claimed life of 18 months, it far surpasses both the Fitbit (five days) and Apple Watch (< one day) and beats competitors from Misfit and Fossil by six months.

The Move is a bargain at $69.95 and is available directly from Withings.com.

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It’s January so it’s time to get fit in style with the Withings Move activity tracking watch originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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