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Understands Evo Walnut Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand review

REVIEW – Monitor stands are just the kind of gadget accessory that suits me. They lift your monitor up to a level to help ease any neck discomfort and they help to free up space below the monitor. Since I love small gadgets like the Apple Wireless Keyboard (or Apple Magic Keyboard), the space below the monitor stand is a perfect storage area for a keyboard. I had the opportunity to review the Understands Evo Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand. I found that it is a beautiful high-quality monitor stand made out of walnut and birch and the legs are tall enough and just wide enough to accommodate my keyboard.

What is it?

The Understands Evo Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand that I received for review is a gorgeous hand-crafted computer (monitor) stand made out of walnut (with a birch plywood iMac undermount) and is used to elevate your monitor to a level that eases neck pain, frees up space, and brings a bit of nature inside your home or office. Understands makes other styles of wood stands (some with drawers) and also uses different kinds of wood (see the Understands website). All Understands products are made in the United States.

Hardware specs

What’s in the box?

My Understands Evo Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand came with an information sheet that provided information on the care of the stand and stated that it is guaranteed for life.

Design and features

The Evo Walnut stand is hand-made and crafted from “urban walnut sustainably harvested from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.” The stand has been tested to hold up to 50 pounds according to Understands.

The above three photos illustrate the beauty and the high-quality materials and craftsmanship involved with making this stand. It also displays the “live edge” feature which gives each piece a distinctively unique look as shown in the last photo. “Live Edge lets you imagine the profile [of] the tree. … Lacquer coating enriches natural beauty and protects from aging and mishaps.”

There is an iMac undermount in this stand for iMac and iMac Pro. The bottom of your iMac slides right into this space. If you don’t have an iMac, you would just place your monitor on top of the stand.

The iMac undermount is made of Baltic birch plywood (for strength).

There were supposed to be furniture slides applied to the feet of the stand, but mine was missing these. I applied my own adhesive felt furniture sliders to the stand to help avoid scratching the surface that the stand would rest on.

The Evo Monitor stand is 18″ long…

by about 9.5″ at it widest point (each stand will differ in this measurement due to the variation in the Live Edge feature)…

by 3″ tall.

The measurement between the legs of the stand is slightly over 11.5″.

And last, the width of the legs is 8″.

Performance

The Understands Evo Walnut Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand elevated my monitor to a comfortable viewing height for me.

And there was enough room under the stand to store my keyboard.

Not only did it perfectly store my Apple Wireless Keyboard (it will also store the small Apple Magic Keyboard), but I found a place to store my mouse too (right next to the right leg of the stand as shown in the photo above)! Ergonomic viewing height, storage for my keyboard and mouse, and high-quality materials and craftsmanship all make this a wonderful computer accessory. It’s also durable, strong, and brings the outdoors in. I have really enjoyed using this stand. I’ve also enjoyed just looking at it because it is so attractive.

To keep the stand looking its best, Understands recommends using a damp cloth to clean it and they suggest keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents which can cause cracks and warping.

What I like

  • It stores my Apple Wireless Keyboard perfectly
  • It places my monitor at a comfortable viewing level to help alleviate neck strain
  • It is made from high-quality solid walnut and birch plywood
  • It is hand-crafted
  • It is durable and strong (will hold up to 50 pounds according to Understands)
  • Its Live Edge feature makes it unique and beautiful
  • It is guaranteed for life

What needs to be improved

  • It is a bit expensive

Final thoughts

I thoroughly enjoy using the Understands Evo Walnut Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand. It’s so difficult to find such beautiful high-quality solid hardwood furniture these days, but the Evo Walnut stand is one of those pieces. It is a fabulous, well-made, hand-crafted, durable monitor stand that keeps my monitor at a comfortable viewing height, provides me with enough room to store my Apple Wireless Keyboard beneath the stand and even tuck my mouse off to the side. It’s also just beautiful to look at. It is a bit expensive, but if funds aren’t an issue, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this purchase.

Price: $109.00
Where to buy: Understands
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Understands.

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Understands Evo Walnut Live Edge Desktop Computer Stand review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 28, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Pop some corn with the sound of your voice with this GE microwave

NEWS – GE’s 0.9 Cu. Ft. Capacity Smart Countertop Microwave Oven with Scan-To-Cook Technology (JES1097SMSS) adds Alexa voice control to your microwave.  The microwave connects to your home WiFi, so you can control it with voice commands through your Alexa device.  

The 0.9 ft³ oven has 900W of cooking power.  It has a variety of pre-set controls for defrosting food, reheating a dinner plate, popping corn, baking potatoes, and more.  Or you can use Alexa voice commands to set time and power levels, add cooking time, stop the microwave, and other commands.  And using the GE app, you can scan the bar code on a food package, and the GE Smart Countertop Microwave automatically adjusts power levels, cook times, and more, according to package instructions.

The interior has an LED light and a glass turntable.  The exterior measures 19″ wide x 11 ½” tall x 14 ½” deep, and the interior measures 13.7″ wide x 8.7″ tall x 12.4″ deep.  It has a gray body and a stainless steel door.

The MSRP is $139.00.  Check the GE website to learn more about the 0.9 Cu. Ft. Capacity Smart Countertop Microwave Oven with Scan-To-Cook Technology and to find local retailers.  Amazon also sells this microwave for $125.99.

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Pop some corn with the sound of your voice with this GE microwave originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 28, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Leatherman Micra multi-tool review

REVIEW – I’ve been carrying a little red Leatherman Squirt multitool in my gear bag for several years but I’ve always wondered if I might like the Leatherman Micra more than the Squirt. I now have the answer to that question because I’ve been using a Micra for the last few weeks. Let’s take a look and find out.

What is it?

The Leatherman Micra is a keychain-sized multitool made of 420HC Stainless Steel in several colors that features spring-action scissors, and a variety of other tools.

Specifications

Closed Length 2.5 in (6.5 cm)
Weight 1.8 oz (51 g)
Blade Length 1.6 in (4.06 cm)

Design and features

The Leatherman Micra is available in 7 colors that include plain stainless steel (silver) and the green version like you see above.

The Micra has the Leatherman Logo and model name painted on the side and a split ring hanging off the end to make it easy to add to your keychain.

If you check out the sides of the Micra multitool, you can see the 4.7 inch (12.0 cm) ruler that is etched into the handles.

To use the Micra, you need to unfold the handles. When you do so, the folded multitool turns into a pair of spring-assist scissors. Even for their small size, they work just fine for string, threads, paper, cardstock, etc. However, I would not want to use them to try to cut really heavy cardboard.

In addition to the scissors, the Leatherman Micra has 9 other tools that unfold from the handles. The tools include:

Scissors
Knife
Ruler
Flat/Phillips screwdriver
Nail cleaner
Tweezers
Bottle opener
Nail file
Medium screwdriver
Extra small screwdriver

Having used a Leatherman Squirt for so long, the first thing I noticed about the Micra is that you can’t get access to the knife without unfolding the handles first. That makes the Micra multitool less convenient to use compared to the Squirt.



It’s also awkward to use the Micra knife due to the handle being in the way. The easiest way I found to use the knife is to only unfold one handle as shown in the first 2 images above. If you unfold both handles, you’ll have to deal with the open scissor blades which might cut the palm of your hand while you’re trying to use the knife.

For comparison, here’s what it’s like to hold the Leatherman Squirt with the knife blade extended. It’s much easier to access and use.

What I like

  • Compact
  • Spring-action scissors
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • 25-year limited warranty

What needs to be improved

  • The knife blade  and other tools can only be accessed by unfolding the handles

Final thoughts

Like other Leatherman tools that I’ve used and reviewed in the past, the Leatherman Micra is well-made and offers a variety of functionality. But the fact that I have to unfold the handles to access the tools (especially the knife blade), it makes the convenience of the Micra multitool a step down from the Squirt. That said, the Squirt has pliers instead of scissors. The scissors on the Squirt are much smaller than the Micra scissors. If you think you need scissors more than pliers, that’s a reason to consider the Micra over the Squirt. For me, I’m sticking with my Leatherman Squirt.

It’s also important to note that neither the Squirt or the Micra is TSA approved, so frequent travelers will need to make sure that they remember to put these multitools in their check-in luggage if they don’t want a TSA agent to confiscate it.

Price: $29.95 MSRP
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Leatherman.

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Leatherman Micra multi-tool review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 27, 2018 at 1:10 pm.

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Keurig’s new K-Café™ is a single-serve coffee, latte, and cappuccino maker

NEWS – A few years ago, I reviewed the Keurig 2.0 Model K550 coffee brewer.  That was soon after the Keurig company was purchased by the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters company and when the patent on the K-Cup coffee pod expired.  Because a coffee company had no interest in allowing other coffee companies to make supplies for their machines, Green Mountain tried phasing out the variety of brewers Keurig had developed and introduced a Keurig machine that would only brew when you used a proprietary, Keurig-branded pod.  Since Keurig lost their bid to stop people from using their own coffee in Keurig machines and relying on the sales of coffee pods, they’ve apparently gone back to developing new brewers with new functionality.  The Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve Coffee, Latte, and Cappuccino Maker still makes single cups of coffee using K-Cup pods and even the My K-Cup pod that lets you use your own ground coffee, but it has added a milk-frothing function with a machine-washable frothing pot.

Features:

  • Coffee shot for specialty drinks: Press the SHOT button to brew a concentrated shot of coffee to make delicious hot or iced lattes and cappuccinos.
  • Dishwasher-safe frother: Froth fresh milk, including skim, soy, and almond. The frother is dishwasher-safe for easy clean up after use, and also features a COLD setting for cold frothed milk.
  • Strong brew:  Increase the strength and bold taste of your coffee.
  • 4 cup sizes: 6, 8, 10, and 12oz.
  • Large 60-oz water reservoir: Allows you to brew 6 cups before having to refill, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. Removable reservoir makes refilling easy.
  • Smart start: Your coffee maker heats, then brews in one simple process. No need to wait for it to heat before selecting your cup size.
  • Energy efficient: Programmable auto off feature automatically turns your brewer off 2 hours after the last brew for energy savings.
  • Travel-mug friendly: Accommodates travel mugs up to 7.2” tall and is top rack dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
  • Compatible with the My K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter: Brew your own ground coffee (sold separately).
  • Brewer maintenance reminder: Alerts you when it is time to descale your coffee maker. Descaling is an important process that removes built-up calcium deposits, ensuring the best-tasting brew possible.

The Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve Coffee, Latte, and Cappuccino Maker is $179.99, available exclusively at Amazon.

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Keurig’s new K-Café™ is a single-serve coffee, latte, and cappuccino maker originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 27, 2018 at 10:10 am.

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Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Touch Screen Action Camera review


REVIEW – Since the launch of the GoPro action cameras, many other companies continue to produce similar products with comparable features for much less of a purchase price. Here is the result of another similar action camera that I reviewed.

What is it:

This is a GoPro type 4K action camera that takes both video and photos using its 170-degree lens to provide high-resolution wide-angle footage.

What’s in the box

1 x Hawkeye 8SE Action Camera
1 x Waterproof Case
1 x Waterproof Case Front Cover Case
1 x Bicycle Stand
1 x J Base
4 x Strap
1 x Plastic Tie
1 x Long Connector with Screws
1 x Short Connector with Screws
1 x 1/4 inch Adapters Set
2 x Mounting Base
1 x Battery
2 x Adhesive Tape
1 x Metal Cable Tie
1 x Cleaning Cloth
1 x Lens Protection Frame
1 x Lens Protective Cover
1 x Microphone
3 x Stickers
1 x English User Manual

Design and features

The Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Touch Screen Action Camera is a normal styled action camera and it comes with its compatible waterproof housing. Just as with other GoPro style action cameras, it can be used in a variety of ways including as a dash cam, a surveillance camera, an aerial camera, a selfie camera, etc.


On the front of the camera on the left from top to bottom, there is a LED that lights green for photo mode and blue for video mode. Below the LED there is a circular selfie mirror. Below the selfie mirror is the power/mode button. On the back of the camera, there is the touch screen, the micro SD card slot, and the Playback button.


On one side of the camera, there are 2 up/down buttons to navigate through the settings and other screens. On the other side there a micro HD output jack and a mini USB power jack.


On the top of the camera there is the OK/selection button, and on the bottom, there is a 1/4-20″ threaded mount and the battery compartment and door.


Performance

Specifications:
Chipset: Ambarella A12S75
Chipset Name: Ambarella
Model: Firefly 8SE
Type: Sports Camera
Type of Camera: 4K
Max External Card Supported: TF 128G (not included)
Screen resolution: 320×240
Screen size: 2.0inch
Battery Capacity (mAh): 1200mAh Li-ion Battery
Battery Type: Built-in
Charge way: USB charge by PC
Charging Time: 2.5h
Standby time: 5h
Working Time: 1.33h
Lens Diameter: 12mm
Image Format: JPG
Video format: MP4
Video Resolution: 1080P (120fps),2.5K (60fps),2.7K (30fps),4K ( 3840 x 2160 ) 30FPS,720P (240fps)
Water Resistant: 20m underwater with the waterproof case
Waterproof: Yes
WIFI: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
WiFi Distance : 10m
Camera Timer: Yes
Anti-shake: Yes
Aerial Photography: Yes

The Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Touch Screen Action Camera works like most other action cameras and it has a lot of settings to control the recording and photo modes. The waterproof housing is, in fact, waterproof, and the buttons built into the housing work well to manage the controls. They do not require much extra effort to engage and are well placed. When the camera is not being used in the housing, the touch screen works very well and is very responsive. The settings screens offer much of the same in terms of functionality and capability, and I like that there is a “rotate” option that can be turned on when using the camera upside down such as when it is being used as a dash cam. The design features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability to allow remote control from their app or an optional remote control (to be purchased separately). I am very impressed with their app, and its functionality, and it is just about the best I have seen so far. Here are some of the screens from the app:



Pictures: It takes clear pictures with the usual fiseye perspective.



Videos: I do like the quality of the videos even the one below from the smoggy underground railroad platform.

What I like

  • The size and built quality
  • The responsiveness of the buttons even when in the waterproof housing
  • The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Capability

What can be improved

  • The mini USB power jack should be changed to the more current and popular micro USB standard

Final thoughts

The Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Touch Screen Action Camera works very well and is really a nice GoPro alternative. While I am not a big fan of the fisheye view, the wide lens works very well. It is lightweight but feels well made and I do think that it is well priced. Unlike several other action cameras that I have tested so far, it has not responded negatively to being on my windshield in the direct sunlight, but that is not to say that it may not eventually do so. If you want a nice action camera with nice features to use in various relevant scenarios, this camera should meet most of your needs. It has handled my scenarios well, and since it comes with a nice collection of accessories, I still have a few more ideas yet to try.

Price: $129.99
Where to buy: Gearbest
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Gearbest.

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Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Touch Screen Action Camera review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 27, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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