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Cowin E7 Pro Bluetooth active noise cancelling headphones review

REVIEW – Noise canceling headphones are wonderful, but they cost a bit more than regular headphones, and the cheapo ones generally are not up to snuff. I’ve tried one pair out so far and enjoyed them, but they were wired, so I had to keep an adapter handy. The Cowin E7 Pro active noise canceling headphones are Bluetooth with an option to wire in if needed and come at a reasonable price tag. That combination intrigued me enough to want to see them for myself. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Cowin E7 pro headphones are noise canceling, over the ear Bluetooth headphones that are made for daily use.

Hardware specs

Active Noise Canceling
45 mm drivers
Frequency: 20Hz-20kHz
Bluetooth or 3.5 mm wired

What’s in the box?

Cowin E7 PRO Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Headphone Case
Micro USB Cable
3.5mm Audio Cable
User Guide

Design and features

Other than the decent price tag, what I liked about these headphones was the simplicity in the design. On the right headphone, you have a plus and minus button, which if pressed once will change the song, or held down change the volume. It took a bit to get used to how long to keep it pressed for, but it was so sleek and simple to use. If you press towards the middle of the ‘triangle’ where the plus and minus buttons are, you will start and stop the music. They were easy to use and gave a tactile click when pressed.

One thing about Bluetooth is that you have to keep them charged up and watch the battery life. I was very impressed with the battery life on these headphones. I took a trip to the Midwest and used them nearly constantly on the plane (a good six hours total) and I barely made a dent in the battery. I am at about 3/4 of the way through the battery in three weeks of on and off use totaling around 20 hours. Not bad at all.

I was quite impressed with the comfort of these headphones, as they did not cause any ear fatigue after three hours of constant use. The pads are soft and while not giant, still big enough to go fully over my ear. They are very loose on the head, however, so if you are jostled around you can hear the noise canceling go in and out due to the seal loss. This happened during turbulence on the plane and if I walked downstairs. The sounds it made when it would move around on my head was the one thing I felt needed improving since bumps happen in the air and in a motor vehicle.

The noise canceling was pretty decent. They are not Bose by any means, but they worked very well at cutting out the noise of the engine and chatter in the airport. I had a lovely red-eye flight to test these on, and I used the noise canceling only (no music) for a majority of the flight and was very thankful for them. In the airport, I could still hear the announcements from my gate, but most of the idle talk around me was drowned out by the noise canceling and music. It made for a very enjoyable airport experience.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I hate the sound delay with Bluetooth headphones. The best pair I have so far is a pair of Bose earbuds, but I am very happy to say the Cowin E7 Pro headphones beat the Bose in that there is virtually no sound delay. In fact, I watched several videos, got to my destination, and thought “Oh yeah, I need to test the sound delay!” and while pulling up the videos, realized I had already watched them, and didn’t realize it because it was unnoticeable. That impressed me most of all with these headphones.

Lastly, let’s talk about the sound quality. I took a phone call on these and I could be heard, and I could hear my friend just fine. When it came to music, these had above average bass sound, decent mid-range sound, and average highs. The sound itself was nice and clear though, and I could definitely hear the words articulated pretty well. Since I sometimes listen to music in foreign languages, it was nice to really hear how the words were sung. This, of course, was with the noise canceling on. With it off, the overall sound quality was just average.

What I like

  • No delay when using Bluetooth
  • Good battery life
  • Decent price

What needs to be improved

  • The headphones don’t fit tightly against my head

Final thoughts

Overall, for the price, these headphones are pretty decent. The sound quality is not mind-blowing, but still good, the battery life is great, and I can watch videos on my phone without any sound delay, which is better than my Bose wireless earbuds. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly pair of active noise canceling headphones, the Cowin E7 Pro wireless headphones would be a good pair to look into.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: LuLuLook
Source: The sample of this product was provided by LuLuLook.

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Cowin E7 Pro Bluetooth active noise cancelling headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle version H.20 review

 

REVIEW – Have you ever been in an airport and wanted some water, but refused to pay $8.95? Tired of lugging around a plastic or metal tube that occupies half of the volume of your backpack? If yes, Hydaway’s collapsible bottle might be for you.

What is it?

Hydaway’s latest incarnation is a liquid-carrying vessel that has accordion-like bellows that enable the bottle to be compressed into a flat disk.

Hardware Specs:

  • 6 x 4 inches when expanded, 1 x 4 inches when compressed
  • 18 ounces capacity
  • Weighs 5 ounces

What’s in the Box?

  • Hydaway bottle
  • Travel storage case

Design and features:

I reviewed Hydaway’s original bottle last year. I found them to be great for travel, easy to clean, and expertly crafted. I was aware of upgrades and looked forward to looking at the new H2.0 version.

The bottle arrived in a sturdy box with plenty of biodegradable packing material. Included was a travel storage case.

Retail bottle packaging is minimal – I always appreciate that. It’s similar to the original with just a card that fastens under the bottle lid.

Hydaway’s Version H2.0 is slightly smaller in diameter than its predecessor. Anything that saves size or weight is welcomed. The following picture shows the difference between original (green) and the new version (dark blue).

The new bottle sent to me is the 18-ounce version. At some point, I’d like to have a look at the larger 28-ounce version.

The storage case fits both the old and new versions.

Opening the accordion folds of the new bottle is the same as the previous version – loosen the cap (or on the original version, open the spout) to break the vacuum, and pull the upper and lower expansions in opposite directions.

Here’s the thing… The original version had a spout that could be opened to allow air to enter the bottle during expansion. The new version has no spout – the lid needs to be removed, or at least loosened enough to let air in and out to expand or collapse the bottle. The original version is definitely easier.

The new version has a folding handle built into the cap. My first attempt to open the bottle, I loosened the cap and pulled on the folding handle. It popped off. It goes back on easily but I certainly wouldn’t trust it to hold the bottle secure while jogging through an airport. I suppose that’s what the travel case is for.

The old version also had plastic molded into the base that could be grabbed with index finger and thumb to assist with deployment. The new design integrates a “lip” into the base. I’m sure it’s less costly to manufacture but makes the version H2.0 version a bit more difficult to open.

Now that it’s open, fill with your preferred beverage or snack and you are on the move.

The H2.0 version lid seals well. No spills but it lacks the spout of the original version. When I tried using the bottle while walking and found having to remove the lid makes it more prone to spilling. It also makes drinking a more involved two-handed process – one hand to open the bottle, the other to hold the lid. The original version needed one had to hold the bottle, the other to open the spout, once the spout was opened, the other hand could go back to what it was doing.

Please note: You CAN purchase a lid with a spout with the version H2.0.

What I like:

  • Small size
  • Great for travel
  • Eliminates the need for disposable bottles

What needs to be improved?

  • Sturdy up the handle

Final thoughts:

I love gadgets that reduce size and weight, so I’m a big fan of Hydaway bottles. Their innovative design, great construction, and features are top-notch. I suppose it’s clear that I prefer the original version to the H2.0. Still, I love this product and will continue using them.

Price: Starts at $21
Where to buy: Indiegogo Indemand
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Hydaway Bottle.

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Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle version H.20 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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The DraftTable is big and sturdy enough for an iPad Pro 12.9

NEWS – Many stands for iPads are designed for the smaller iPad.  They just aren’t big enough nor stable enough to support the biggest of the iPad Pros so that you can actually do some work.  The DraftTable from ElevationLab is designed for the iPad Pro 12.9.  It functions rather like an artist’s drafting table, and it was designed by digital artists for use by digital artists.   Whether you’re doing app development, photo editing, drawing, or just typing an email, you’ll love the DraftTable for using your iPad Pro.

Strength and stability is built into the DraftTable, with its rigid, laser-cut steel table; fiber-reinforced polymer legs and hidden, spring-loaded hinges; soft, medical-grade silicone cover for the table; and high-friction skids to prevent sliding.

Adjusting the angle is as simple as folding down a leg.  The spring-loaded hinges keep the legs locked in place, although the tallest leg does have additional locks for extra stability.  Although it’s big enough for the biggest Pro, it works with all iPads, including the iPad mini.  You can even use it with Wacom tablets.

Use the DraftTable with just the iPad, or connect the iPad to a Mac, and the DraftTable transforms the iPad into a Wacom Cintiq-like drawing tablet for your computer when used with the Apple Pencil and the AstroPad app.  When you’ve finished work, the DraftTable folds up for storage in your desk or for traveling along with you in your gear bag.

However you use it, the DraftTable kit ($69.95) comes with a wrist pad and a Pencil stand to make it comfortable to work for hours on the iPad.  If you don’t need the accessories, the DraftTable is $49.95 alone.  DraftTable is available at the ElevationLab website or at Amazon.

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The DraftTable is big and sturdy enough for an iPad Pro 12.9 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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GRID wallet review

REVIEW – There are a few wallet junkies on the Gadgeteer team and I’m one of them. I’m probably the pickiest wallet person on the team because the wallet I use has to look a certain way, feel a certain way, and perform a certain way before it earns a spot in my pocket. In other words, it has to be just right. The latest wallet to be put through my testing is the GRID wallet. It looks great, but how does it feel and how does it perform? Let’s find out.

What is it?

The GRID wallet is a minimalist RFID blocking wallet that can hold 1-12 credit cards and folded cash and is available in either anodized aluminum, carbon fiber, forged carbon, or titanium. I was sent the blue anodized aluminum GRID wallet that you see here.

Design and features

This wallet follows the minimalist design as it is made of two plates of anodized aluminum that are held together on three sides with strong elastic bands. If the GRID looks familiar to you, you might be thinking of another wallet review that we did about 5 years ago of the Ridge wallet. The GRID looks identical to the Ridge except that it has the card push slot in the center instead of off to one side.

On the back of the GRID wallet, you will find a steel money clip that will hold a stack of folded dollar bills.

The GRID wallet is thin and lightweight when it’s empty.

To load it with credit cards, you just pull the two plates apart and slide in a stack of cards or load each card one at a time by sliding it between the chamfered edges of the plates. The elastic on the sides and bottom will stretch or retract to accommodate a changing stack of 1-12 cards while holding them securely. There’s no worry that the cards are going to fall out of this wallet.

I started out testing the GRID with 5 standard sized plastic credit cards and 4 folded dollar bills.

Loading the cards is easy as they just slide in between the front and back plates.

The wallet has the same form factor as a credit card, so it’s compact and pocketable. You will notice the half-circle cutout along the bottom edge. This cutout helps you push the cards up so you can retrieve one of them when needed.

The money clip on the back of the GRID wallet is very strong so it will securely hold 1 dollar bill to 10 or more bills. I only had a few bills to test because I don’t usually carry cash and I’m not Oprah.

Here’s a side view of the wallet with 5 credit cards and 4 folded dollar bills.

Does it pass the look and feel test?

When it comes to look and feel, I like the GRID quite a bit because it has a simple but attractive look and style. As far as the feel, it is lightweight, but I feel like it’s slightly bulky due to the money clip. Since I don’t usually carry cash, the money clip is just in the way for me and causes the wallet to get caught in my pocket. It would be nice if there was an easy way to remove the clip if it’s not a feature that you need. As is, it appears that it might be possible to remove the clip if you have a hex driver that fits the screws used to assemble the wallet. I can’t be 100% sure of this though as I’ve not tried it.

Does it pass the performance test?

I really wanted to love the GRID Wallet, but I found it awkward to use with one hand compared to my current favorite wallet (see my favorite gear page). The wallet is like a credit card sandwich. The elastic holds the front and back plates of the wallet/slices of bread around the credit card/meaty center. To remove a credit card from the stack, you need both hands. One hand to hold the wallet, and one hand to press slide the cards up. Then one hand to find and retrieve the desired card.

Removing the top or bottom card is semi-easy, but if you want a card in the center of the stack, it’s a little more tedious. You can either slide the cards almost completely out of the wallet so you can fan them out to find the one you want, or you can also pinch the bottom of the wallet to let you flip through the cards like they are an accordion. The pinch feature isn’t easy to do especially if you have dexterity problems with your hands. It felt like the process of removing a card took too long for my liking. Here’s a quick video that demonstrates what I’m talking about.

What I like

  • RFID blocking
  • Expands and contracts to hold your credit cards

What needs to be improved

  • Not easy to remove a specific card from a stack

Final thoughts

The GRID wallet looks nice and is well made, but I think it’s one of those products that you’ll either love to use or you’ll be looking for a refund. I won’t say that I hate it, but it’s just not a wallet that I personally would want to use on a daily basis because it feels too awkward and time-consuming to retrieve a card compared the wallet that I’m using now.

Price: $65.00
Where to buy: GRID
Source: The sample for this review was provided by GRID.

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GRID wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Nanoleaf remote review

REVIEW – Not all 12 sided dice are for role-playing games. At least one of them can help automate your home.

What is it?

The Nanoleaf remote is pretty unique as remotes go. It doesn’t have any buttons, screens or even charging ports. Instead, it has 12 sides that encourage you to pick it up and play with it. How does it work? What can it control? Let’s find out.

Hardware specs

Dimensions: about the size of a tennis ball (but 12 sided)
Power: runs on 2 AA batteries
Battery Life: 3 years standby, 1 year of active use

What’s in the box?

  • 1 Nanoleaf remote
  • 1 Pair of AA batteries
  • 1 Instruction manual

Design and features

The Nanoleaf remote is a dodecahedron with softly rounded corners and edges. It feels good in the hand and it should as the whole premise is that this remote is meant to be touched, picked up and rotated. It’s also a very visual system which makes sense given that Nanoleaf’s core product is a modular lighting system. Each side is numbered 1 through 12 while producing its own color. Each can be individually programmed to act as a trigger for Homekit scenes or Nanoleaf panel color changes. There’s additional functionality if you’re using it with the Nanoleaf panels, as rotating the remote on a given side can adjust the brightness of your panel’s lights.

Setup

Physical setup is as simple as installing the batteries. The remote is already disassembled in the box.

The only thing to note is that the left battery should be negative up and the right is positive up. There’s no physical markings inside on the battery compartment that I could see and the illustration is confusing.

Pretty trivial though as the compartment is easy to open and close, and it lights up right away if you’ve got it right. Here’s a quick video of that startup sequence. (Please excuse the vertical video. I have no idea what I was thinking.)

Before you snap the two sides together, you’ll need to download the Nanoleaf app for Apple or Android and there are QR codes for both in the manual to get you to the right place quickly. Once you’re in the app, create an account and you’re now ready to pair with the remote.

Click the ‘Remote’ button in the bottom center and then the big ‘+’ at the top. Click on ‘Remote’ and then follow the instructions. I used the Homekit Setup Code which found the remote quickly and landed me on a page to customize the name and choose from the rooms I already have set up in Homekit.

That same ‘Remote’ icon at the bottom now drops you to a screen where you’re presented with all 12 sides to customize. From having set this up originally I had ended up setting side 1 to an ‘All Off’ function, so I repeated that step in the Nanoleaf app for this walkthrough. As you can see in the pic, it has you finish the configuration in the Apple Home app.

From the Home app, you need to press and hold ‘Nanoleaf Remote’ to see that I have 12 unconfigured buttons and see the ‘Settings’ button. Pressing ‘Settings’ lets you customize all 12 sides. For side 1, I’ve selected 5 lights that I want to turn off. All the others are already on schedules or infrequently used.

When you hit next, you need to define what action is being taken. In my case, they’re all set to ‘Turn Off’. Then you click done. Continue this for each side and set the action that you’re looking for. In my case, I set each even number to turn a specific Wemo on, and the next odd number to turn that same one off. I did not have actions for the final 3 sides.

I’ll cover that last pic a bit more about the way I programmed the remote in the next section as I definitely feel like I’m using the remote for a very specific, narrow functionality and not taking advantage of its power.

Performance

In our house, we recently set up an Apple Homepod and added a Wemo Bridge to allow our multiple Wemo products to be Siri/Homepod compatible. We primarily have Wemo Outlets (both original and the newer minis) and then two Switches. As we continue please know that my review is based on controlling Wemo products and not any other Homekit accessories or Nanoleaf products.

We’ve been using Siri to turn on our various accessories, and used Alexa before getting a Homepod. The Nanoleaf remote added a very tactile (and quiet) action to accomplish the same thing. It’s actually quite refreshing instead of talking to a disembodied voice. In our case, picking up the remote and turning it from side 1 to side 2 activates the lights around our sofa.

I started realizing how narrow my use was when I originally set up the remote. I had 2-6 turning on different lights and realized that I needed the ability to turn off specific ones while leaving others on. That meant I needed to be able to remember which sides did what which led me to the even/odd setup which has been working pretty well.

Here’s a video of turning on and off our deck lights at night to give you an idea of the interaction of using it as an on/off trigger.

I can imagine that if you’re using the remote to control Nanoleaf’s own light panels or any other Homekit compatible color changing bulbs, part of the charm may be in the discovery of different color palettes as you rotate to find one that fits your mood. When using it as a binary on/off, you end up looking at each side more to find the number you want to turn to.

It helps that each side produces a different color as you can pick it up and rotate it in your hand until you see the color you want and then wait or set it down to trigger the action. It still means you need some recollection of what each color means. Here’s what that looks like.

There’s also haptic feedback as you rotate the remote in place looking for which number you want to turn to. I’m guessing this is to provide tactile feedback when controlling brightness levels on compatible hardware.

Within the Apple Home app, there’s no additional interaction unless you want to change settings. Back in the Nanoleaf app, however, I was surprised to see that each of the different sides all had the same name… ‘Home App Scene’ (the last photo in the setup section shows this). You could go into each one and retitle it, but it appears that there’s no back and forth communication between the Home and Nanoleaf apps as far as naming action goes, so it would really just be a housekeeping exercise. The Home app (settings) is going to be your source of truth for what the action is anyway.

The Nanoleaf app does show a good bit more of what I’m missing by not having Nanoleaf light panels. There are schedule settings, a store and a ‘Discover’ section that has some amazing looking Colors and Rhythms which unfortunately look like they don’t work with the lights within the remote itself as I cannot select it as a device to download to.

As often as Alexa would respond with ‘you have multiple devices with that name’ (I guess many of them share the word ‘lights’); the Nanoleaf remote is not a surefire replacement either.  It’s pretty reliable, but sometimes you’ll turn to the side and nothing happens. I’m going to hedge my bets here and say that this is unlikely to be a sole Nanoleaf issue. Nanoleaf plus Homekit, plus Wemo Bridge, plus Wemo outlet… You get my point. Multiple opportunities for a handoff failure.

What I like

  • The size, shape, and illumination
  • The action of picking it up and rolling/rotating to trigger an action
  • The battery life (assuming it meets their claims)

What needs to be improved

  • Would like to see some of that color customization available for the remote
  • When it doesn’t trigger a light, it’s hard to understand what didn’t work

Final thoughts

I have to say that it’s incredibly fun to play with.  It’s also a great conversation starter. It looks cool, so guests pick it up and are intrigued by the light changing on the remote itself, and even more so when lights around them power up.  Somehow this just feels more magical than asking our non-human family member/assistants to do the same thing.

Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Nanoleaf
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Nanoleaf.

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Nanoleaf remote review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 17, 2018 at 4:00 pm.

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