May 2019 – Page 18

Get the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 Color Duplex Document Scanner for $75 Off

Sure, you can always scan photos in with your phone by just snapping a quick picture. But that never leads to great quality, especially if you’re looking for professional output. But you can get the current 2018 release of the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 Color Duplex Document Scanner with an optical resolution of up to 600 dpi, now with a 15% discount. This Fujitsu scanner connects via USB or Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz). Using the Wi-Fi option, you can scan directly to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. It requires AC 100 to 240 v, 50/60 Hz. It has a fifty-page automatic document feeder with a… Read more

Amp Up Your Linux Music Library With DeaDBeeF

There are a ton of great music players for Linux, and most of them have a pretty strong following. What makes DeaDBeeF stand out? In a word, it’s customization. DeaDBeeF is as close to a DIY music player as you’re going to get without making the jump to the command line. DeaDBeeF lets you customize the entire layout of your music player, how your library is arranged, and which information is displayed when you play a song. Plus, it’s highly extensible, and there are plenty of excellent plugins that open up even more options for how you can customize and control your listening experience. Related:… Read more

Scrubba Wash Bag Mini – clean jocks and socks!

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – We previously reviewed the Scrubba Wash Bag, a mobile washing device that allows you to clean your clothes easily and environmentally in many situations where washing wouldn’t be an option but let’s face it if you’re traveling light you can put up with a few stains or dirty spots on your T-Shirt or pants. Or if you’re doing a multi-day bushwalk everyone is pretty much smelling the same bad way as you are (which you only really realize till you get back to civilization) so washing most of your clothes isn’t really that important. One thing that is nice however is putting on clean jocks (Australian slang for underwear) and socks every day. Scrubba has addressed this by releasing a Kickstarter campaign for the Scrubba Wash Bag Mini, a smaller, lighter version of their original bag. The original funding target of AU$7500 was surpassed in just 2 hours with over AU$55,800 pledged to date.

My original Scrubba has just spent the last year and a half doing duty in Vietnam. I’ve used it both as a washing bag and also as a dry bag during diving trips and during tropical downpours. Yes laundry can be found generally pretty cheaply in SE Asia (sometimes you’ve got to walk down that little, dark alley ) however with one of our experiences being losing half our underwear (and other clothes) and the stuff that did come back smelling horribly of cigarette smoke, it can definitely be a risky proposition.

At just 70g (3 oz.), this is a handy, dandy gadget for any traveller, from 5 star hoteller to a minimalist bushwalker, to keep their “personals” clean. Kickstarter pledges start at AU$40 (~US$28)

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Cleaning, Crowdfunded

Scrubba Wash Bag Mini – clean jocks and socks! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 22, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Creative Labs Pebble Plus 2.1 USB desktop speakers with subwoofer review

REVIEW – I am a sucker for 2.1 channel audio systems: A left and right speaker plus a subwoofer. As an admitted bass-head, I really wanted to try out the new Creative Labs Pebble Plus speaker.

What is it?

the Pebble Plus is a USB-powered 2.1 desktop speaker system with subwoofer.

What’s in the box?

Left and Right speakers
Cabling (attached)
Subwoofer

Hardware specs

2x2W RMS, 1x4W RMS (up to 8W RMS, peak power 16W)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 75dB

Frequency Response: 50Hz – 20kHz

Design and features

The two sphere-shaped speakers are permanently attached together with cabling. They stand with a 45 degree upward angle, ideal for desktop use.

The right speaker features a volume knob that doubles as a power switch, and an LED indicator.

There are three cable ends: 1/8″ stereo plug for audio, a single RCA-style connector for the subwoofer, and a USB connector for power.

There’s one hidden control under one of the speakers: A high-low gain switch. I almost missed it.

The subwoofer has no adjustments, and just one audio input. It has no amplifier built-in.

It’s quite small and light, weighing in at under 2-1/2 lbs.

Setup

I did not find any instructions in the box, but there is a wiring diagram on the side.

Here’s the entire setup with my 13″ MacBook Pro. Note that both the audio connector and USB are connected to the laptop.

Performance

I found the 45 degree angle of the left and right speakers provided a very nice sound to it. But for you bass-a-holics, be warned: The subwoofer is deeply disappointing. A few times I had to lean in and wonder “is this thing working?” Yes, it works, but only just. No rumbling low frequencies. It’s merely some low-end fill.

What I like

Angled speakers
Easy to use
Handsome

What needs to be improved

Anemic low-end for bass-heads

Final thoughts

For the price, the Pebble Plus 2.1 USB desktop speakers with subwoofer are “just fine”. But if you want something with more boom and thunder, look elsewhere.

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

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Speaker

Creative Labs Pebble Plus 2.1 USB desktop speakers with subwoofer review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 22, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Soon, your car will update just like your apps and other hardware

NEWS – Cars today run on software. Programs control everything from climate control to transmission shifting to air/gas mixture in the engine. Car manufacturers release software updates, just like other hardware manufacturers. I get firmware updates for my Sonos speakers and my Kevo door locks. They are delivered and installed pretty easily.

But…for cars, it always involved a trip to the dealer and some quality time in the customer lounge. But why? Most cars today have access to internet-based connectivity. But still, updates have to be done at the dealership. The sole exception to this is Tesla. They figured out early on that customers hate going to the car dealer. They changed the model for purchasing and for over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

General Motors (GM) is looking to continue the shift in that paradigm with its upcoming digital vehicle platform, being rolled out with the upcoming 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan.

Most of GM’s vehicles will feature this underlying technology ecosystem by 2023. The new electronics systems will have the capability of managing up to 4.5 terabytes of data processing per hour, enabling systems like GM’s Super Cruise autonomous driving system. This represents an improvement in processing power of up to five times beyond today’s cars.

By adding new OTA updates, GM is positioning its fleet to be able to add new functionality over the lifespan of the vehicles without an annoying dealership visit. This sets the stage for better performing electric and autonomous vehicles as well as improved features on traditional cars.

Of course, hacking is a concern – nobody wants anyone taking control of their car as it hurtles down the highway. GM has included new security measures in the system’s DNA to ensure overall system security.

Tesla set the stage and now GM, and other automakers are jumping into the party, bringing a needed change to the auto industry and I hope, an increase in the propagation of new and exciting features to new vehicles. It is a fun time for the auto industry.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Car Gear

Soon, your car will update just like your apps and other hardware originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 22, 2019 at 7:59 am.

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