Home 2017

Vibes Audio brings modular accessories to iPhones and Samsung phones

Have you been envious of Moto smartphone owners and their moto mods like the Hasselblad True Zoom Camera Moto Z Mod? Now you can add a similar capability to iPhone 6 – 8, and Samsung Galaxy S7 and S8 phones with Vibes Audio’s ROXON modular system.

The ROXON system consists of a BASEROX phone case, VIBROX IPX7 waterproof Bluetooth speaker which features a Vibration Sound Engine, and the VOLTROX 3000mAH battery pack. When you what to share your music, the VIBROX snaps on the back of the BASEROX case to offer full sound while keeping thins thin. When it’s time to charge your phone, remove the VIBROX and the VOLTROX snaps on the back of the case.

The ROXON modular system is priced at $29.99 for the BASEROX case, $129.99 for the VIBROX Bluetooth speaker, and $49.99 for the VOLTROX. For more info visit vibesaudio.com

Waterfield Air Porter carry-on bag review

Earlier this year, I reviewed the Waterfield Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag and loved it for its leather which gets better looking as it’s used and abused. Waterfield’s new Air Porter carry-on bag serves a different function and wasn’t made to compete with the Maverick—but it sorta can. The Air Porter may be made to be a carry-on bag for air travel (we’ll get into that later), but it can easily be an all-around bag for work and car trips. Waterfield based the Air Porter’s design on feedback they received from their customers using an online survey. Waterfield addressed as many requested features as possible and the result is a bag that can do just about anything required of a bag—and then some.

The Waterfield Air Porter bag isn’t covered in leather like the Maverick bag. The bag I’m reviewing is more similar to the Waterfield Bolt backpack and briefcase with its waxed canvas and leather trim appearance. Like leather, waxed canvas looks better with age, but doesn’t have that “cachet” the Maverick has. No matter, because in the weeks I’ve had the Air Porter, I’ve come to depend on its sheer usefulness. This is a bag that means business. It’s the size of a briefcase and can hold a bunch of stuff. At the time of writing this review, Here’s what I have stuffed inside the Air Porter: Various paperwork, 12.9 in. iPad Pro (inside a thick Speck case), 3 pairs of earphones for future reviews, four charging cords with plugs, two portable chargers, two flashlights, eye medicine, card key for the office, wallet and car keys. All that and the Air Porter is not even half full.

The Air Porter bag measures 10.25” H X 4.5” W X 15” L. Waterfield sized the bag to fit within TSA’s sizing guidelines for air travel. This size allows the bag to be stowed upright under an airline seat while still leaving room for feet. It also opens flat for easier TSA screening and access to the laptop compartment.

As I said, the construction of the Waterfield Air Porter bag is waxed canvas. The canvas has been made water resistant, so getting caught in the rain is not a problem. Plus the bag’s zippers are waterproof. For the record—I really like these zippers. They are smooth and are almost invisible when closed—another nice design touch borrowed from the Bolt line.

Note that the Air Porter also comes in a black ballistic nylon material. This gives the bag a smoother, more professional look, but is every bit as tough—if not tougher than canvas. I try to be as unprofessional as possible, so the more casual canvas look is my preference.

The front of the Air Porter bag has a large pocket and smaller zippered compartment, all hidden by a leather flap that magnetically closes. This clever flap adjusts to accommodate more or fewer items. The interior is lined in a burnt-orange colored nylon fabric. This color is more tasteful than the bright orange found inside some bags and backpacks, yet still serves as a nice contrast so items are be easily found without having to shine a light inside. Like many carry-on bags, the back of the Air Porter has a wide, sturdy slot for slipping over rolling suitcase handles freeing up hands and shoulders. Both ends of the Air Porter have large, vertical pockets for water bottles. When not in use, these pockets can collapse and snap closed.

One of my minor complaints about the Maverick bag was the way the strap was sewn into the bag itself. I had issues with usually having to untwist the strap before I could use it. That’s not an issue with the Air Porter. The adjustable strap has clips on each end that swivel, so there is no wrong way to throw the bag on your shoulders. The strap also has a wide padded section which makes using the bag much more comfortable, especially if weighed down. The strap is removable if you prefer using the bag’s sewn-in leather carry handles.

The Waterfield Air Porter has a total of 17 pockets and spaces. The main compartment has a large open area with large and small pockets lining its sides. The larger pockets are made of the same orange nylon, while smaller pockets are a black, stretchy mesh material that can hold irregularly shaped objects. There is also an attached key chain with a carabiner which can help save some time searching for lost or misplaced keys.

The second open compartment is divided into two pockets. One is felt-lined for either a laptop or iPad. The pocket has cutaways on both ends for charging cables to slip through for easy charging while the bag is closed—a nice touch. My large iPad Pro with its oversized case fits perfectly into this pocket. The other large pocket also has two smaller pockets attached. This is perfect for paper, magazines, and other flat items.

If you can’t find room for everything you need to carry, there’s an optional Air Caddy. This pouch can be purchased separately or along with the Air Porter. With its many pockets, the Caddy allows you to pack items you need more often, such as a smartphone, cords and such. This way—as on a flight—the larger Air Porter can be stowed either under a seat or in the overhead bin while the Air Caddy can be placed in the seat pouch within easy reach. The Air Caddy is even large enough to hold a regular-sized iPad. Heavy-duty zippers protect what’s inside. The Air Caddy easily fits either inside the Air Porter’s main compartment or front pocket.

The Waterfield Air Porter carry-on bag is a perfect bag for traveling. It’s large enough for just about anything you want to carry, yet small enough to fit under airline seats for easy reach. And it’s TSA friendly—a big deal in today’s world. It’s always fun to see what products Waterfield is planning and the Air Porter was worth the wait.

Positives

  • Extremely well made
  • Can take abuse
  • Room for just about everything
  • TSA friendly
  • Comes with optional extra pouch
  • Hand-made in the USA

Negatives

  • Expensive

Price: $359
Where to buy: Waterfield Design
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Waterfield Design.

Get the best purchase price using the Slice app or the price protection features of your credit card

Did you purchase something with your credit card only to discover a little while later that it had gone on sale? If it was only a couple of dollars, you may not be too worried about that, but what if it was $20 or more? The easiest thing to do is call and see if the merchant will do a price adjustment for you and refund you the difference.



You could also use a new feature in the Slice app which will automatically request a refund on your behalf if it finds that the price has dropped on an item you’ve purchased, but you must link your credit card to your Slice account (works only with supported merchants). Here’s the catch: they do this for a 25% cut of your refund. Slice is a package tracking app available for Android and iOS devices and allows you to link up to three email accounts. After which it combs through your messages searching for your online purchase emails. It will then inform you of the shipping status of those purchases.

If you are already a Slice user, when you open your app you may see the first two screenshots above telling you to provide the information necessary to link a credit card with your Slice account to start the process. If you do not see the first two screenshots, then all you have to do is tap on the following: the Menu icon > Settings > Link Credit Card and enter the data to link your credit card (as shown in the right screenshot above).

If you don’t want to have to keep up with price drops then this may be beneficial for you because something is better than nothing. Although in all the time I’ve used Slice (five years or so), I’ve never been informed of any price drops and I know there have been some because I personally have caught at least three.

So let’s move on to a more lucrative process to receive a price drop refund.

Some credit cards have price protection benefits that they offer to their customers (which is different from purchase protection benefits that include coverage for damaged or stolen goods over a 60 to 90-day period from the date of the purchase, etc.). Cards like Discover, Citi, and Chase Freedom provide price protection for their customers such that if the price of an eligible identical item drops at a store (in-store or online) within a 90-day period (60-day period for Citi), they will refund the difference up to $500 per item with a maximum of $2500 per year.

To start the process of obtaining your refund, you must submit a claim by calling the credit card company. With Citi, after you purchase the item, you need to log into their website and go to the Card Benefits section, click on “Start a price rewind”, enter the item in and they will start looking around for better prices for you for the 60-day period. That’s a bit of a pain compared to other credit card companies.

Be prepared to be able to provide receipts, the credit card statements that the items were purchased on, and a copy of the printed or online advertised sales. There are exclusions, so be sure to check your credit card company’s price protection details to make sure your purchase qualifies (Discover, Citi, and Chase).

There are sure to be many other credit cards out there that provide this benefit, so go online or call your credit card company and save some money!

You can download the Slice package tracking app for Android and iOS.

 

The year in review – Favorite gadgets of the Gadgeteer team for 2017 (part 1)

A few days ago I asked the Gadgeteer team to send me a list of their favorite products of 2017. I told them that the products that they picked didn’t need to be restricted to only gadgets that they had reviewed this year, but that they could include any products that they have enjoyed using during the past year. Was there one type of gadget that was the most popular with the entire team or was it a mixture? Let’s find out. Here we go with part one of the Gadgeteer’s favorite gadgets lists of 2017.

Julie Strietelmeier

 

Google Pixel 2 XL Android Smartphone

I’ve been using the Pixel 2 XL as my daily driver for 2 months now and I am confident in saying that it’s my all-time favorite smartphone to date.  The camera is so good that I sold my Canon 70D DSLR (I’m not joking) and am using this phone for all my review photos. The only thing I’d add to the phone would be wireless charging, but even though it doesn’t have that feature, it’s not a huge deal because it charges so fast. You can buy one starting at $849.00 from Google.

SHOTBOX portable photography light box 

This collapsible light box is fantastic. I love it and all the backdrops that make my review images look excellent. I’m using it with my Pixel 2 XL (see above) which makes for a great little photography setup. You can buy the SHOTBOX for $164.00 from Amazon.

SCOTTeVEST Hoodie Cotton jacket

This is my all-time favorite tech clothing item from SCOTTeVEST. I think it’s because it’s so soft and comfortable while still offering lots of pockets to hold all my gear. One of my favorite features of this jacket are the top loading pockets in the handwarmer pocket area. You can see in the image above that I have my phone in one of them. Those pockets make it easy to retrieve my phone without fumbling around. You can buy this jacket for $95.00 from SCOTTeVEST or Amazon.

Michael Strange

Miccus Home RTX 2.0 Long Range wireless Audio Transmitter or Receiver

I literally use the Home RTX every night to listen to the audio from my TV. With Bluetooth aptX, there are no lip sync issues and the sound quality is great. It can be used as both a Bluetooth receiver or transmitter. Priced at $59.99 from Amazon, it’s the perfect compliment to any home AV system.

Monster iSport Freedom Bluetooth headphones

I love my iSport Freedom headphones. I use them at the gym 5 days a week. They’re compact, lightweight, comfortable and produce fantastic sound. They also have cutting-edge touchpad controls and great 20-hour battery life. So if you’re auditioning sub $200 headphones be sure to add the Monster iSport Freedoms to your list. You can buy them for $149.95 from Monster.

Nebula Mars ultra-portable projector

There are so many things I like about this projector. It’s incredibly compact, produces a clear sharp picture up to 120″ on virtually any flat surface, incredible 3-hour battery life makes it extremely portable and it has fantastic sounding built-in JBL speakers. Throw in the fact you can hook it up to an external streaming device like a Roku Stick or Fire Stick via HDMI and this projector is perfect for Netflix binging, movie nights, or even Big game viewing parties. You can buy one for $599.99 from Amazon.

Janet Cloninger

2017 Apple iPad Pro 12.9″

I tried the Pro when it was first released, but I quickly returned it because it was uncomfortable to hold for long periods.  I had used and loved the 9.7″ iPad Pro, but I decided to move up to the big leagues with the latest updates to the Pro line.  The Pro models have a lot of wonderful features, but I find that I like the big, beautiful, sharp screen most of all because it’s very easy on the eyes.  I quickly got accustomed to the bigger size and don’t even notice it anymore. The 12.9″ iPad Pro starts at $799.00 from Apple.

Nest Thermostat

When we had to replace our ancient HVAC unit this summer, we decided to replace the old thermostat with the Nest.  It makes it much easier to keep tabs on the temperature, to turn the unit off, or to adjust the set point from anywhere using the app on our iPhones or iPads.  Plus it has a lock that prevents us from coming home to find our cold-blooded daughter has changed the set point to 80 degrees. You can buy the latest version of the Nest thermostat for $244.88 from Amazon.

Philips Hue WiFi-connected lighting system

We have replaced almost every light bulb in our house with Philips Hue bulbs over the years we’ve been in our condo.  We also have stationed Hue Tap programmable switches above most of the conventional light switches in the house, so we can light up a room with a button press; these are also great for visitors who don’t have access to an app to control your setup.  And we can even tell Amazon’s Alexa to turn off any bulbs we’ve forgotten before we got all snuggly in bed and ready for sleep.  They are very convenient to use and control, and the LED bulbs save energy over incandescent bulbs. You can buy a starter kit for $146.00 from Amazon.

Jacob Haas

BeatsX Wireless Earphones

Ever since their late launch in March of this year, I’ve had these lovely little earbuds on my person almost every day. They’re lightweight, the battery lasts a whole office day, and they sound great. And my favorite part is the fact that they are paired with my computer, iPad, and iPhone and can switch between them with the push of a button. You can buy a pair for $99.00 from Amazon.

Nintendo Switch

This might have to be my very favorite gadget of the 2017. I’ve always been a fan of gaming handhelds and while Nintendo doesn’t classify this device as a handheld gaming system, it’s the only way I ever play it. The hardware is top-notch, the screen is large and crisp and two Switch-exclusive titles, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, were neck and neck for game of the year. My happy place is curling up on the couch with my Switch after a long day and getting lost in another world for a while. You can buy one for $299.99 from Amazon.

iPad Pro Smart Keyboard

This wasn’t necessarily manufactured in 2017, but I obtained an official Apple Smart Keyboard earlier this year and it’s the perfect companion to a 12” iPad Pro. I write almost exclusively on my iPad and I’ve written thousands of words on this keyboard already this year. I don’t mind the low travel of this keyboard (especially compared to the software screen keyboard, heh) and the convenience of having one attached to my iPad is wonderful. You can buy one for $169.00 from Apple.

Andy Chen

Plantronics Voyager 3240 Bluetooth Headset

I don’t talk on the phone much, but when I do, I reach for my Plantronics Voyager 3240 Bluetooth headset. It’s compact and lightweight, plus outgoing audio sounds terrific.

Apple iPhone X

It’s pricey, definitely fragile with a a glass front AND back. I didn’t think the Face ID was going to work, but I do like it better than Touch ID. I don’t have to worry about wet fingers messing things up, and to date, I haven’t had to re-train Face ID, which is something I had to do with Touch ID every so often. Most of all, I really like the size. A little smaller than the Plus, and a little bigger than the “normal” iPhone 8. It feels just right. You can buy one starting from $999 from Apple.

Uniden R3 Radar Detector

I’ve owned nearly every radar detector under the sun, and I have an opinion on nearly every brand. I was a Valentine 1 devotee for DECADES but the new for 2017 Uniden R3 radar detector has enthusiasts buzzing. GPS for nuisance signal lockouts, redlight camera database and false signal filtering are highlights, but I don’t care about any of those things.  The incredible range puts other pricier detectors to shame. You can buy one for $399.99 from Amazon.

Ryan Chapman

The last few years, it has been tough deciding which gadgets are my favorites. This year, however, it was very easy. These three items not only were items I reviewed but by far the items I used most in 2017.

Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headset & Elite Pro Tactical Audio Controller

These defined to me what truly great gaming headsets were about. The sound quality of the headset is great, but combined with the TAC, it took my gaming to a whole new level. It is so great to hear the footsteps of my enemies coming from far away and then when I am done gaming, be able to listen to music as if I had a great pair of headphones. You can buy a pair for $149.95 from Amazon.

Creative Sound BlasterX Kratos S5 2.1 gaming speakers

When it comes to gaming, I use the Turtle Beach headset. These Creative speakers are for listening to music and playing videos during the daytime, when I can turn the volume up. I love the sound quality, the ability to adjust the bass to different levels, and to top it off, the beautiful RGB lighting. The size of the speakers allows them to fit perfectly on my desk as well. You can buy a set of Creative speakers for $119.99 from Amazon.

DripJoy coffee maker

I wake up every morning with a cup of coffee, and the DripJoy coffee maker has been my go-to since I got it at the beginning of the year. It still puts out piping hot coffee, and I love being able to use any coffee pod I want in it. (It has no DRM like the Keurig 2.0 had!) It’s brewed hundreds of cups of coffee already in less than a year, and I hope it lasts for years more, since I won’t want to go back to Keurig after being spoiled by the extra heat this coffee maker brings. You can buy a Dripjoy for $189.99 from Amazon.

Bob Patterson

Happy holidays, everyone!

It’s been a privilege to join The Gadgeteer team this year, and I hope you’ve enjoyed my reviews! With so many great products in 2017, it was hard to nail down my favorites. Here are my top 5. Have a safe and healthy new year!

Saddleback Leather Mountainback Front Pocket Gear Bag

This rugged beauty is my favorite multipurpose bag from 2017. It’s a simple, roomy, floppy messenger with clever pocketing that makes it easy to live with in most situations. The waxed canvas and leather build is on par with Saddleback’s all-leather products while standing out as a unique, functional design. This is my go-to bag for day trips and weekend adventures. You can buy this back for $440.00 on Amazon.

Bellroy Duo Totepack

I use this bag every day as my work commuter. I love the way the design makes a creative statement that looks great on business casual days but still has the style and sophistication to pair with more formal attire. The unique design really dials in intuitive organization for all of your for all of your computing and workday accessories. Super-lux materials and build quality match the bag’s style, too. You can buy one for $289.00 from Bellroy.

Tsumbay HUD Simulated Car Mount Phone Holder

When I am driving, Google Maps is my best friend. My second-best friend is the Tsumbay car mount. The ability to mount my phone as a heads-up-display in my field of vision is a huge plus to avoid distracted driving while navigating to new places (or in my case, places I forgot how to get to). It’s so useful that we bought several more for the other cars in the family. You can buy one for $8.66 from Amazon.

Flowfold Wallets

I have a Flowfold wallet in my pocket every day of the week… usually the Vanguard Bifold, but I’ll switch to the Traveler Tri-Fold if I need to carry a bunch of cards. I really like the unique and interesting material choices and simple, functional designs. Each wallet is also super-thin and lightweight, so you barely notice them in your pocket. You can buy one for $12 and up from Flowfold.

TPLink Deco M5 WiFi System

I didn’t know that I was missing before I installed the Deco system. Consistent WiFi everywhere in the house on a private network is a very good thing. There’s a notable performance difference over the old Verizon-supplied WiFi router system. It’s been running for 7 months and I have yet to have a single glitch, bug, or disruption of service. And management through the app on my iPhone is fantastic. You can buy one for $239.99 from Amazon.

Ride back to the future with the Schwinn Grey Ghost bicycle

You can relive your childhood, or give your favorite child a cool retro bike, with this offering from Dick’s Sporting Goods.  This limited edition Schwinn Grey Ghost replicates the 1968 Schwinn Classic bike, with its Sting Ray frame, high-rise ape handlebars, a sissy bar, and a banana seat.  The bike completes the retro look with a 16″ front wheel and a 20″ rear wheel.  Totally groovy, man!  The Schwinn Grey Ghost is currently available for $399.99 (normally $499.99) at Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Be sure to watch out for clowns in storm drains when riding this cool retro bike!