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The most ridiculous product at IFA is this speaker and headphone combo

Genius or total overkill? We can’t decide. The Sphere from Motorola is a spherical speaker that does double duty as a headphone stand. More specifically, it comes with a pair of wireless headphones that are designed to snap right into it when not in use. This is 2-in-1 at its finest, or so Motorola says.

The speaker itself is a wireless Bluetooth speaker that packs in two 8W speakers and a convenient AUX jack for when you don’t want to cut the chord. The headphones are also wireless and tout an impressive battery life of 22 hours. They also offer in noise reduction and echo cancellation.

At IFA, Motorola’s representatives told us that the Sphere will retail for 149 Euro, which seems pretty reasonable considering that you’re getting 2 for 1. Aside from a choice of white or black, it seems like there will be special “designer” versions of the Sphere covered in skulls, the Earth and other fantastical artwork and photos. Why? Because they can.

We have no word on availability yet or if the Sphere will come to the U.S. You can read more at www.motospheremax.com

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The most ridiculous product at IFA is this speaker and headphone combo originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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One look and you might automatically love the Kershaw Launch 4 Automatic pocket knife

If you are anything like me, finding something to use as an EDC isn’t always the easiest task.  Often I go through multiple options before finding the device, gadget, bag or in this case pocket knife that works for me.  I have drawers full of failed EDC ideas that didn’t work for me for one reason or another. 

Now I really like pocket knives but I am not a huge collector of them.  I buy blades that I intend on using and like having one with me most of the time.  My day job is in a corporate setting where slacks and wingtips seem to be the unofficial uniform, making the search for an understated yet useful pocket knife a difficult task.  I have a plethora (for all you Three Amigos! fans out there) of knives that are right at home with a pair of jeans and boots but was never happy with them as an EDC to the office.

Recently I came across the Kershaw Launch 4 automatic knife.  Before running out and buying one of these, please check your state’s knife laws for automatic knives.  The overall length is just 5.10″ and the blade length is 1.90″ making this legal in the state of California.  The action is incredibly fast and precise and the blade and handle are much sturdier than you would expect from such a pint sized piece.  The blade is made from CPM-154 and the handle is solid aluminum.  It is a right-hand carry knife that blends right in with my daily attire and is now one of the items that I never leave home without.  Available in a myriad of colors the MSRP is about $130 but most every knife dealer or store has them for around $75.  A real bargain for such a useful little knife in my opinion.

This knife is available in a myriad of colors with an MSRP of about $130, but most every knife dealer or store has them for around $75.  A real bargain for such a useful little knife in my opinion.

Source: The knife in this article was purchased with my own funds. Please visit Kershaw for more info.

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One look and you might automatically love the Kershaw Launch 4 Automatic pocket knife originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Lenovo’s Yoga 920 gets updated with new colors and Active Pen support

Lenovo’s Yoga Convertible series is a lot like a fine wine that keeps getting better with age. Now up to its 6th generation, the Yoga 920 which was just announced at IFA, is not a drastic overhaul compared to its predecessor,  but it packs in plenty of improvements, many of which have been based on user feedback. For example, so that you don’t have to look unflattering on video chats anymore, Lenovo has moved the webcam back up to the top. They’ve also included a large shift key this time around. 

The display on the new Yoga is a near edgeless display (5mm (.19in) l/r) and under 14mm (.55in) thin, and it can be configured with a 4K 13.9″ UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Touchscreen. But what’s especially exciting about the display is that for the first time, the Yoga is Active Pen compatible, so it’s ready for all your scribbles and master pieces. Lenovo has added far field voice mics which allow you to ask Cortana questions – even while the laptop is sleeping. There’s also an instant fingerprint login with Windows Hello compatibility.

On the other hand, the look of the Yoga has more or less remained the same – it’s still strutting an all-metal unibody design with its unique 360-degree watchband inspired hinge. But they have thrown in two new color choices. So in addition to platinum, it’s available in new copper and bronze colors. Of course, the Yoga remains svelte, measuring 12.72″ x 8.8″ x 0.55“ inches and weighing just a little over 3 lbs.

Performance wise, we don’t expect the 920 to be a slacker. To that effect, the system can be configured with up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, a 1 TB SSD and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. Battery life is claimed to be 10.8 hours with a UHD display and, 15.5 hours with an FHD display. The Lenovo Yoga 920 will be available in October.

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Lenovo’s Yoga 920 gets updated with new colors and Active Pen support originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Star Wars Jedi Challenges transforms kids into a Jedi with AR

Every kid dreams of being a Jedi, but Lenovo has figured out that swinging a lightsaber alone isn’t enough to satisfy kids in 2017. That’s why they’ve partnered with Disney to come out with Star Wars Jedi Challenges. Star Wars Jedi Challenges uses augmented reality to simulate the experience of being Jedi. The system, which requires a smartphone to work, includes a Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Tracking Beacon, and a Lightsaber controller. 

The lightsaber itself is modeled after Anakin Skywalker’s own lightsaber, while the headset is where the smartphone is anchored, and the beacon allows players to freely move with natural motion as they duel or direct their pieces across the battlefield.

Jedi Challenges will come with plenty of games entrenched in the Star Wars universe. Gameplay includes everything from training to lightsaber battles against villains like Darth Vader and Kylo Red, combat games and Holochess. In addition, Jedi Challenges introduces a new Star Wars character, the Archivist, whose jobs is to teach players how to properly use the Force.

“With Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, Lenovo and Disney are bringing Star Wars to fans in ways they could previously only imagine,” said Jeff Meredith, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Lenovo Consumer PCs & Smart Devices.

Star Wars Jedi Challenges is compatible with Android and iPhone and is available for pre-order at Best Buy and Lenovo for $199.99. It will be available in November, and we’re sure it will be a hot holiday item for kids, and probably some adults too.

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Star Wars Jedi Challenges transforms kids into a Jedi with AR originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 31, 2017 at 12:06 pm.

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Your fidget toy collection isn’t complete without an Infinity Cube

Fidget spinners are so 2015. Don’t embarrass yourself in with public fidget spinning. It’s time to fidget to impress and the Infinity Cube fidget toy looks like way more impressive than balancing a twirling thing on the end of your finger.

What is an Infinity Cube? It’s a cube (duh!) shaped stress reliever toy that looks like a gift that Borg parents give their Borg children. It that can be flipped and folded over and over for optimum fidgeting fun.

You can find eleventy million Infinity Cubes on Amazon in all manner of colors. The one shown above is made of plastic and is priced at $7.88. Visit Amazon for more info.

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Your fidget toy collection isn’t complete without an Infinity Cube originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 31, 2017 at 11:16 am.

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