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TCL’s new 65-inch 6 Series might just be the best TV value of 2018

This is an exciting time of the year if you’re looking to buy a new TV. The new models showcased at CES in January are starting to hit the shelves. One of the year’s most intriguing offerings comes from TCL. They made a splash last year with their popular and highly rated 55-inch P Series 4K HDR TV with built-in Roku functionality. Priced at $649, it produced one of the best 4K HDR images of any budget tv available in 2017. This year they have added a new flagship model, the 6 Series.

The 6 Series has the same Roku TV smart platform, but TCL has upped the ante with an impressive list of new features, a larger 65-inch screen size, and a new bold, brushed metal design.

This set is loaded with features usually found on TVs costing $2-$3,000. But the TCL 6 Series is priced at a very budget friendly $1,000.

Features

  • Dolby Vision HDR
  • 120 contrast control zones (full-array local dimming)
  • Wide Color Gamut with TCL’s NBP Photon Technology
  • Roku TV Smart platform
  • Enhanced remote with voice control
  • High-speed 802.11ac wireless and Ethernet networking
  • 3 HDMI 2.0a ports with HDCP 2.2

The one feature that stands out for me is the 120 dimming zones. Full-array local dimming is what allows LED TVs to darken dark areas of the screen and boost bright areas of the screen, making for better contrast and richer colors. The more zones there are the better the local dimming is. With 120 dimming zones, the 6 Series should produce a great picture with darker blacks and brighter brights. I would love to get my hands on this TV to see how it performs in a living room setting.

It’s way too early to say that the TCL 6 Series is the best value of 2018. But with an impressive list of features at a price tag that other manufacturers just can’t touch, it promises to be on a very short list.

The TCL 6 Series 65-inch 4K HDR TV is available on Amazon for $999.99. It’s also available in a 55-inch model for just $649.99.

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TCL’s new 65-inch 6 Series might just be the best TV value of 2018 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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AUKEY Graphite Wireless Charger review

Wireless charging isn’t a new technology, but it’s rapidly becoming an industry standard in mobile devices because of its ease of use. Despite this fact, I haven’t seen very many chargers that are visually impressive. Most of the time, they’re just black, plastic pucks relegated to the corners of a desk or nightstand. AUKEY’s Graphite Wireless Charger adds a touch of class to that boring appliance.

What is it?

The AUKEY Wireless Charger is small pad, about 3.5” squared, that wirelessly charges devices compatible with Qi technology. This includes a variety of Samsung Galaxy phones and newer iPhone models.

Hardware specs

The Graphite Wireless Charger features broad compatibility, working with all Qi-enabled devices such as iPhone X / 8 / 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note8 / S8 / S8+, even through most cases (thickness less than 3mm/0.12”). Non-wireless-charging devices require a wireless charging adapter (not included). The charger supports standard wireless charging speed (5W output). Product dimensions are 3.4 x 3.4 x 0.5” and it weighs in at 7.2oz.

AUKEY. Gold. Key. Get it? I like the sticker that it came with.

What’s in the box?

  • Graphite Wireless Charger
  • 1m/3.3ft USB 2.0 A to C Cable
  • User manual

Design and Features

After browsing Amazon’s selection of wireless chargers, I found that the AUKEY’s Graphite Charger stands out as one of the classier offerings. In fact, this compact charging pad won a couple of  awards for its design. It’s quite a handsome piece of kit. The charger has a good amount of weight to it, nearly half a pound, and the grips on the underside keep it from sliding around on most surfaces.

Place phone. Start charge. That’s all there is to it.

The port on the charger is USB C. I haven’t seen very many examples of this. Although your mileage may vary when it comes to interface preferences. I just happen to have a bunch of USB C cables laying around from owning a Nintendo Switch, so for me, it was a pleasant surprise.

In terms of function, the Graphite Charger works how you would expect. Place the phone on the surface and it starts charging at a standard speed (5W output.) It’s not a fast-charge device, more suited for a work desk or nightstand for long trickle charging.

A nice weight and grippy pads keep the charger in place.

There is one LED light on the top of the charger that is very dim, which I can appreciate. So often, I come across USB chargers or adapters that have an insanely bright LED indicator that must have never gotten properly tested in a dark room. The light on this charger is barely noticeable, and is covered completely when a phone is placed on top of it. That sounds like such a minor thing until you’ve seen your bedroom bathed in the blue glow of some unnecessary light.

One last feature worth mentioning is the fact that you can charge your phone with the case on, which I must plead ignorance on if this is or isn’t a normal function. I just know that I did keep the case on the phone while charging and it didn’t impede the functionality.

Final thoughts

AUKEY’s Graphite charger design looks like it would be right at home alongside an iMac or sleek, aluminum laptop. I appreciated the future-proofing of the USB C port, the non-overwhelming lighting, and the weight and grip of the charger itself. It brings form as well as function.

Price: $31.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by AUKEY.

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AUKEY Graphite Wireless Charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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The ACK-E6 USB Power Kit AC Adapter Replacement DR-E6 DC Coupler Dummy Battery for Canon EOS cameras may just give me the power I am looking for!


A few nights ago I was working with my photo light box, shooting photos for product reviews, and messing around with some macro shots. After shooting for a while, I was “in the zone” when lo and behold my camera went dead. Of course I quickly realized that the batteries in my extended battery grip were depleted. While they were not fully charged when I started, I somehow did not realize that I had used them several times already, and that they were almost out of charge when I started to shoot.

This experience got me to thinking about power sources for my camera, especially when working in-studio, and even when at an event. I was curious to find out if there was another option that could provide for an even longer time between changing batteries, and could still remain portable.

My research led me to the ACK-E6 USB Power Kit AC Adapter, which in theory seems like a great solution for my needs. It is a dummy battery that fits inside of the extended battery grip, and can be powered by one USB power pack, or even two USB power packs to last even longer. Now I know that one might think that in this case why not use it directly into the battery slot in the camera. Well, the simple answer is that I like the size and grip that I get with the extended battery grip, and since the dummy battery will only take up one space in the battery grip, I could actually install a regular battery in the second space for even more “juice”. In addition, I am figuring that if the supplied cable is long enough, I can “rig up” a USB power pack on my gear belt, and actually shoot events for a long time with one high powered USB power pack. Keep in mind that this is all theory and speculation, but I did order this device, and I will write a follow-up story on my findings, and the results of my testing.

If you would like to purchase this device for specific Canon cameras (it is likely that this type of device is available for other camera brands as well), you can pick one up from Amazon for just $20.99.

If you first want to know the results of my testing, stay tuned!!

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The ACK-E6 USB Power Kit AC Adapter Replacement DR-E6 DC Coupler Dummy Battery for Canon EOS cameras may just give me the power I am looking for! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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These Justice League of America pens are mightier than the sword

Are you feeling inspired by all these superhero movies currently in theaters?  Are you wanting to feel a little heroic in your daily life?  Well, short of developing superpowers or becoming a billionaire vigilante, you’re not going to be joining the Justice League yourself.  Perhaps you can feel a little super just by using this pen set inspired by the Justice League.

Caran d’Ache has, for more than a hundred years, been creating fine writing instruments.  This set of pens has all the quality the company is known for, combined with the style of three of DC’s finest heroes.  The set of pens are inspired by Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

Each pen has gold-plating and cutter-inscribed decorative elements, pen caps with the Caran d’Ache hexagon logo, and each has engraved Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels.  Levenger describes each pen:

  • Wonder Woman: The pattern of Wonder Woman’s bracelet is cutter-engraved on the first part of the cap, with a raw, unpolished metallic finish to recall her costume. The second part of the cap is cutter-engraved and coated with translucent, burgundy lacquer to represent the metallic reflections of Wonder Woman’s bustier. On the bottom of the barrel, the pattern of her boots is cutter-engraved in a highly graphic design. There are also raw metallic finished recalling the look of her boots. The pink gold-plated ring is laser-engraved with the Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels. 
  • Batman: The barrel and cap are cutter-engraved with a chevron pattern, coated in translucent black lacquer with a satin finish. The ends of the cap and body are smooth and coated in black satin-finish lacquer. The pen ring is engraved with the Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels. 
  • Superman: The metallic appearance and scaly texture of the costume are reinterpreted by different cutter-engraved elements. The barrel and cap are engraved and coated in dense blue satin-finish lacquer. The cap recalls Superman’s torso and the barrel of the pen are his legs. The lower part of the barrel is coated in dark red lacquer and boasts a new engraving inspired by his boots. The gold-plated pen ring is laser-engraved with the Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels.

There are two sets available, each set for the serious collector with Bruce Wayne-deep pockets.  The rollerball set of three Caran d’Ache Justice League Trilogy pens in a presentation box is $3750.00.  The fountain pen set is $5550.00.  Learn more at Levenger.

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These Justice League of America pens are mightier than the sword originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Mother’s Day 2018 gift guide

There are only 13 shopping days until Mother’s day on May 13th. You haven’t forgotten dear ol’Mom have you? If you haven’t even begun shopping, I can imagine that knowing that the big day is so close is stressing you out. But there is still plenty of time and we have a few ideas to help you out.

SureCall FusionTrek

Does your mom have to drive through areas with spotty cell phone coverage? The Surecall FusionTrek is a signal booster that has been designed especially for vehicles. It sets up in minutes, requires no special cradle for the phone, and will boost a weak existing 3G or 4G LTE signal 1-3 bars for all North American cell carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Less dropped calls and better data speeds are guaranteed or they will refund your money back within 60 days. The unit is also backed by a 3-year warranty.

Price: MSRP $199.99
Where to buy: Amazon

Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack

Multifunctional items are the key to traveling light, and the Pearl compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack has three functions in a small package.  It’s about the same size as a mirrored compact, and inside you’ll find both a regular and a magnifying mirror so you can check your hair before heading to that meeting.  But it also packs a 3000mAh battery inside that can be used to recharge your mobile device or to power the ring of LEDs around one of the mirrors.  The LEDs help you see yourself better in the mirror, and they can even function as a flashlight in a pinch.

Price: $20-30, depending on the color
Read our review: Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Aura Pendant

It’s hard to go wrong with choosing jewelry as a gift for mom, but if a regular old necklace or earrings just seems a bit too boring this year, I have something that is infinitely more unique. It’s an Aura Pendant and no one else will have one exactly like the one you make for your mom. That’s right, you make it… with your voice and your heartbeat.

The Aura Pendant is a personalized necklace that is 3D printed by Shapeways in metals from rose gold to platinum using an iOS app (sorry Android fans) and your voice. You speak into the app and it uses the waveform of your voice and your heartbeat to construct the pendant’s shape.

The idea is that you record yourself talking about some happy memory of your mom and that memory is converted into a piece of jewelry that mom can wear and enjoy for years to come.

Price: 18k: $499, rose gold: $349, silver: $89 and it takes up to 2 weeks to ship.
Where to buy: loveproject.com.br

Fiskars scissors and knives

Fiskars is well known for their iconic orange-handled scissors, but they aren’t a one-trick pony. In addition to regular scissors, they also offer a variety of other types of shears that can be used for everyday cutting, material, crafts, and mixed media like the Amplify shears shown above. The Amplify shears have a lifetime warranty and are designed to cut thicker and heavier materials that regular scissors can’t such as fabric, cardstock, fiberglass, and more.

Price: MSRP $23.29 8-inch shears, $39.99 10-inch shears
Where to buy: fiskars.com and Amazon

Scissors aren’t the only cutting products that Fiskars sells. They also offer Summit knives which feature Japanese-grade, stainless steel blades for lasting sharpness and a unique handle that has been designed for a chef’s pinch grip for optimal cutting. You can buy individual knives or a set that contains various sizes and styles.

Price: MSRP $74.99 for a 4-piece set
Where to buy: fiskars.com and Amazon

RapidX X5 5-port USB car charger

The X5 car charger from RapidX is a charging adapter for your car that plugs into 12V-24V vehicle outlets and cigarette lighters. We’ve all seen USB car chargers before, so don’t click the back button on your browser just yet. What sets the RapidX X5 charger apart from many others on the market is that this one adapter gives you 5 USB ports. They are fast charging ports too.

The other end that plugs into the 12V-24V outlet in your car has 2 USB ports and at the other end of the 5-foot cable is a small hub with 3 more USB ports and a removable clip that you can use to clip the adapter to the backseat pocket.

With the X5, mom can keep everyone in the car happy with charged phones, tablets and more.

Price: MSRP $24.99
Where to buy: RapidX.io and Amazon

FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro Sit Stand workstation

Standing desks have been popular for the last few years, but the FlexiSpot goes one step further. It’s a standing desk AND a riding desk. That’s right, you can ride and work at the same time. It’s surprisingly easy to do. You actually forget you’re pedaling after a few minutes. This well made easy to use desk will help you burn calories while you surf and work on your computer, read magazines or binge watch Netflix. Check out my FlexiSpot review.

Price: $429.99 
Where you can buy one: FlexiSpot and Amazon

Bosch FlexiClick 5-in-1 Drill/Driver Kit

Tools aren’t just for dads, moms will love them too! Bosch’s FlexiClick is a one-click system that saves time and delivers high-quality drilling and bit driving capability for any project – big or small. It combines 12-volt power with four professional-grade attachments that include a 3/8” keyless chuck, a locking bit holder, a right angle drill attachment and an offset angle attachment. With this set, mom will confidently be able to create and repair whatever life throws at her even if the workspace is tight. The handle even has a built-in light for work in dark areas.

Price: MSRP $199.99
Where to buy: boschtools.com and Amazon

The Ultimate Cuff Apple Watchband

There are many watchbands for the Apple Watch on the market, but most of the non-Apple bands tend to just be 3rd-party clones of the Apple bands.  If you’re looking for something different, The Ultimate Cuff bands will add a stylish metal band.  The bands are available in a variety of colors and styles.

Price: $98-122
Where to buy: The Ultimate Cuff

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo devices come in a variety of sizes, with or without nice Bluetooth speakers, with or without display screens.  They all listen to questions or requests and perform a variety of functions: answer questions, tell jokes, play music from various music streaming services, set timers, and alarms, and even play videos (if they have a screen).  In addition, they become a hub to control a variety of home automation devices – from smart lighting to thermostats to door locks to who knows what else.

Price: $49.99-$229.99, depending on the model
Read our review: Amazon Echo Dot 2nd generation review
Where to buy: Amazon

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Mother’s Day 2018 gift guide originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 4:31 pm.

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