Archeer A110 wireless Bluetooth speaker review

I have always been a fan of cheap, useful gadgets. Sure, there are Bluetooth speakers on the market that are worth hundreds of dollars, but what about for those who are on a budget? Archeer came out with their A110 slim, portable Bluetooth speaker which has quite a low price for what it offers. Curiously, I had to try it out.


Inside of the box you’ll find:

– A110 speaker
– Micro-USB charging cable
– Auxiliary cable
– Instruction Manual

There are more features to this little speaker than just playing music via Bluetooth. It comes with Bluetooth, an FM radio, TF (microSD) card slot for playback and recording, and an auxiliary port.
Of course, the FM radio I had to try out first. To do so, you press the ‘M’ button on the back of the speaker until you reach the FM mode. I like to jump into things without reading instructions, so of course, I did that at first. I could not get a signal for the life of me. Well, I pressed the play button (via the instruction manual) and it found several signals that it saved to memory. Not only that, the FM broadcasts that were auto-saved came in pretty darn clear, and I could scroll through them easily with the volume buttons.

The volume buttons actually are volume and forward/backward buttons. Holding down the up or down button will change the volume, while a single tap will change your track or radio station. It might take a few tries to get used to how long to press it for the volume.

Pairing the Bluetooth was very simple. I pressed the pairing button on the back of the speaker and it showed up on my device right away and each time I turned on the speaker, it paired quickly to my phone. It will verbally tell you it is paired as well. Pressing play would automatically start whatever was last playing on my phone which was nice since after the initial pairing, I technically didn’t even need to pick up and use my phone to listen to music.

The middle button on the backside of the unit is for the lighting. Holding down the button will turn on or off the lighting, and pressing the button again will cycle through three lighting schemes; solid blue, multiple colors fading into each other, and one that goes along to your music. It doesn’t really go along to the music, but it makes it look like it is.
There is a stand on the back of the speaker to keep the speaker upright but also can double as a phone stand. I thought this was pretty nifty and it worked well to hold the phone. On tabletops, the vibrations from the speaker would make the unit move around, so I had to be extra careful not to let it fall off of an edge. There are rubbery feet on the bottom to prevent it from moving, but they are too far forward when it is angled on the stand, so they do not work.

It is supposed to have a six-hour battery life, and it seems pretty accurate to what is advertised. It will not turn off automatically when it does not detect music, so make sure to turn it off when you are finished. I left it on all day with the lights on accidentally and it still had about a quarter of its battery life left. Charging didn’t take too long either. I plugged it in around lunch time and it was done before my evening meal.

The sound quality of this little thing was surprisingly good. It isn’t going to blow the room away, but for a small room, or something to throw in your pocket and walk around with, it worked pretty well. There is a little bass that comes through, and the mid and high tones are pretty clear. Pop songs without the booming bass, along with classic rock music sounded the best on this speaker. All and all, for how cheap the speaker is, the audio quality was really good.

Overall, for the price of this little thing, I was very happy. If you are looking for something that will blow you out of the water with amazing sound quality and bass, you might want to look somewhere else, but if you are looking for a decent, portable Bluetooth speaker that is easy on the pocketbook, the Archeer A110 Bluetooth speaker might be worth a try.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Archeer. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $23.98
Manufacturer: Archeer
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • – Cheap price
  • – Portable
  • – Multiple ways to listen to audio
Cons:
  • – Does not turn off after being idle
  • – Vibrates and moves around a lot on hard surfaces

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Archeer A110 wireless Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 7, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Cozmo is a robot with a big brain and an even bigger personality

“A robot’s primary function is to obey.”

If this is true, then Anki’s Cozmo robot fails—and fails spectacularly. When I first saw a YouTube video featuring Cozmo, my first reaction was “Is this thing too cool or what?” Cozmo is a robot with a mind of its own coupled with a major attitude. This Wall-e wannabe will make you laugh as his personality comes out.

Cozmo is a new robot from Anki, maker of the Overdrive and Fast & Furious robot race cars. Cozmo continually evolves as he interacts with you. He’ll prod you to play and will get into trouble as well. He always wants to play and wants to win at games. If he doesn’t win … watch out for his temper. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

Cozmo doesn’t just play; he gets curious & explores. He doesn’t just learn; he plots & plans. He doesn’t just see you, he gets to know you. Call him self-aware, call him almost human. Just don’t call him a toy. He’s a supercomputer on treads.

Cozmo can see you with his built-in 30 frames-per-second camera with sophisticated facial recognition and software that helps him remember every interaction.

Drop-tested and built to last, Cozmo is tough. His 300+ parts are engineered to keep him alive for a long time to come. He’s an animal lover. He can detect dogs and cats and reacts appropriately to both. If you’re a DIY’er, you can use the Cozmo Software Development Kit (SDK) to tap into Cozmo’s advanced robotics hardware and software and create any experience you can think of.

If you want a good laugh, watch the videos. Cozmo could bring out the kid in all of us. Cozmo is available now for $179.99. Visit Anki for more information and Amazon to order.

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Cozmo is a robot with a big brain and an even bigger personality originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 7, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Leaked firmware hints at new 4K Apple TV with possible HDR10 and Dolby Vision support

Apple’s Home Pod continues to make news even though its official release is still several months away. Home Pod’s Firmware, accidentally released online by Apple, continues to drop hints at possible upcoming products. This time, developer Guilherme Rambo uncovered strings inside that seem to confirm that the next gen Apple TV will indeed be 4K, with possible support for Dolby Vision and HDR10.

Rumors have swirled as far back as February that Apple was working on a 4K version of its popular set top box. Saying that it would have more vivid colors and arrive later this year. Many (like myself) have been waiting for this for a long time. Most other streaming devices like ChromeCast and Roku have supported 4K for years, yet Apple remained apprehensive when it came to updating the Apple TV. Looks like that’s all about to change.

4K may have started out as a gimmick, much like 3D, but most mainstream TV’s  out now, support 4K/HDR10. Manufacturers like LG and Vizio also support Dolby Vision. With more and more movies and shows available in the format, and 4K TV prices continuing to drop, it seems as though Apple is finally ready to throw their hat into the 4K arena. For now, all we can do is wait, and hope.

Lead image mockup by Michael Strange

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Leaked firmware hints at new 4K Apple TV with possible HDR10 and Dolby Vision support originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 7, 2017 at 7:59 am.

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EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank review

Getting a low battery warning when you’re no where near a power outlet feels like the end of the world to a gadget nerd. That’s why power banks are a popular product category and why EasyAcc is a company who makes these types of devices for mobile Gadgeteers. Let’s take a quick look at their new EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank.

What is it?

The EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank is a portable charger for devices that can charge through a USB cable. Such devices include smartphones, smart watches, fitness trackers, and more.

What’s in the box?

EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank
micro USB cable
Type-C USB cable
Quick start guide

If this device looks familiar to you, you have a good memory because we’ve recently reviewed another EasyACC power bank that looks incredibly similar. Jason Haas reviewed the EasyAcc Quick Charge 3.0 20000mAh Power Bank back in April. That back up battery is a physically larger version and larger battery capacity version of the EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank that I’m going to show you today. Why would you want a smaller power bank when there’s a larger version available? Weight, bulk, smaller hands, smaller gadgets? Any number of reasons really.

Hardware specs

Capacity: 16750mAh × 3.63V = 60.8 Wh
Battery Cell Type: 18650 Lithium Battery
Type-C Input: 5V / 3A
Micro USB Input: 5V / 2A
Total Input: 5V / 5A (max)
Green Output (Quick Charge & Latest Smart Charge): DC 5-6V / 3A, 6-9V / 2A, 9-12V / 1.5A
Quick Charge Protocols Supported: QC2.0, QC3.0, FCP
Black Output (Smart Charge): DC 5V / 3A (max)
Size: 135 × 76 × 22.8 mm / 5.3 × 3 × 0.9 in
Weight: 308g / 10.9 oz

Design and features

The MegaCharge is a black and orange plastic sandwich. The top and bottom are black with an orange center.

There are two USB outputs on the end and an LED flashlight which is a handy feature.

The Green output has Quick Charge 2.0 and 3.0 capabilities, and the other output is considered a smart charge port that makes sure the device you’re charging gets the most power it can safely accept.

On the side of the MegaCharge are two inputs. There’s a micro USB and a Type-C USB input. These inputs are used to charge the MegaCharge’s 16750mAh battery.

On the opposite side is a button that will let you check the remaining battery capacity of the power bank and will toggle the flashlight on and off with a double click.

Four tiny white LEDs on the top of the power bank show the battery capacity while the unit is charging another device or when you press the button on the side.

The cool thing about the MegaCharge power bank is the Doubin feature which allows you to charge the power bank quickly when you plug BOTH a micro USB and a Type-C cable into the inputs and use compatible AC adapters. Using two cables will allow the power bank to charge in about 3.5 hours which is up to 60% faster than when using just the Type-C cable which takes 5 hours, with 3A input.

FYI: It’s up to you to find an AC adapter to recharge the MegaCharge because one is not included with the power bank. However, a micro USB and a Type-C cable are included.

I could not find any details on the flashlight as far as the number of lumens that it emits, but it’s bright enough to be used as a small flashlight so you won’t need to remember to carry a separate flashlight with you.

I did all of my testing of the EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank with an iPhone 7 Plus and an iPad Pro 10.5. I tested individually using the green Quick Charge output port.

Day one

12:13pm iPhone 7 Plus battery at 20%. Plugged into a fully charged EasyAcc MegaCharge

12:33pm iPhone 7 Plus battery at 38%.

1:04pm iPhone 7 Plus battery at 64%.

1:40pm iPhone  7 Plus battery at 90%.

1:56pm iPhone 7 Plus battery at 96%. Removed from EasyAcc MegaCharge.  EasyAcc MegaCharge still has all LEDs lit up when doing a battery capacity check.

iPhone 7 Plus battery from 20% to 96% in 1 hour and 43 minutes.

Next day over 24hrs later

2:45pm iPad Pro 10.5 battery at 20%. Plugged into EasyAcc MegaCharge which still had all 4 LEDs lit up.

3:51pm iPad Pro 10.5 battery at 49%, EasyAcc MegaCharge down to 3 LEDs.

4:15pm iPad Pro 10.5 battery at 60%, EasyAcc MegaCharge down to 2 LEDs.

5:30pm iPad Pro 10.5 battery at 91%, EasyAcc MegaChage at 2 LEDs. Removed from charger.

iPad Pro 10.5 battery from 20% to 91% in 2 hour and 45 minutes.

Day three

7:45am iPhone 7 Plus battery at 25%, EasyAcc MegaCharge at 1 LED.

9:00am iPhone 7 Plus battery at 80%, EasyAcc MegaCharge at 1 LED flashing.

9:45am iPhone 7 Plus battery at 96%, EasyAcc MegaCharge completely drained.

iPhone 7 Plus battery from 25% to 96% in 2 hours.

So a fully charged EasyAcc MegaCharge was able to almost completely recharge an iPhone 7 Plus at 20-25% two times and an iPad Pro 10.5 at 20% once.

Recharged the EasyAcc MegaCharge in about 3 hours and 45 minutes using both a micro USB and Type-C cable.

Final thoughts

The MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank from EasyAcc is an easy to use external battery that can recharge your USB enabled gadgets multiple times when you’re on the go. There are many power banks on the market, and this one from EasyAcc offers some extra features like the built in flashlight and Doubin battery recharge feature that make it worthy of a 2nd look.

It’s a great accessory for travelers, campers, and anyone else who finds themselves away from regular power outlets.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by EasyAcc. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $37.99
Manufacturer: EasyAcc
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Easy to use
  • Charges devices quickly
  • Device itself can recharge quickly when using two cables
  • Built in flashlight
Cons:
  • None

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EasyAcc MegaCharge Doubin 16750mAh USB-C Power Bank review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 6, 2017 at 2:15 pm.

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This collapsible water bottle takes up half as much space when you’re not using it

I joined a gym last week. Although I regularly work out at home on my own equipment (an inexpensive Total Gym and a treadmill), this is the first time I’ve gone to an actual gym to work out. So now I’m on the lookout for cool sports gear to talk about and review. In my web searches, I found the Que collapsible water bottle.

Que bottles have a leak-proof stainless steel screw on cap, are made of food-grade silicone and feature an unusual spiral design that allows the bottle to extend to 8.4 inches tall with a 20-ounce capacity when you are ready to fill it and then shrink back down 4.8 inches tall when the bottle is empty. The idea is that the collapsed bottle will take up less space in your gym bag.

The only thing that concerns me about this type of bottle is cleaning it due to the internal ridges. The bottles are dishwasher safe, but I personally would not use them for anything other than plain old water.

Que bottles are available in several colors and are priced at $24.95. You can read more about them at quebottle.com and order one from Amazon. SkyyHi is another company that sells similar bottles, but their bottles have a cap with a handle and they cost about $5 less than Que.

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This collapsible water bottle takes up half as much space when you’re not using it originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 6, 2017 at 9:55 am.

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