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Julie’s gadget diary – I am finally replacing my Nexus 6P


I’ve been using the same phone for a year and a half which is like a decade in Gadgeteer years. The phone I’ve been using is the Nexus 6P and for the most part, it’s been a rock solid performer. So much so, that even after trying other newer phones like the iPhone 7, Google Pixel XL, and Samsung Galaxy S8, that I haven’t wanted to switch. I guess I should say that it’s not that I don’t want a new phone, but it’s that I haven’t wanted to spend money on a new phone when my Nexus 6P is still working just fine. But I finally caved in last night and ordered a new phone without really spending any out of pocket money to do it. 

Yesterday morning Ryan from Colorado emailed me asking if I still had a Saddleback Leather bag that I had reviewed almost 10 years ago. I looked in my closet of unused bags and sure enough, it was still there along with another SB bag. Both bags were in pristine condition and he was happy to get a very good deal on the pair of them considering how much those same bags are selling for today on SB’s site.

I turned around later that night and ordered a new phone. Which one did I order? My choice was between a Google Pixel XL, Samsung Galaxy S8, or an LG G6. I decided to go with the LG G6 because it’s the least expensive of the three phones, has wireless charging and doesn’t have curved screen sides.

My first choice of the three was the Google Pixel XL but it is also the most expensive. My main reason that it was my first choice is that I’d get to run Android O (v8.0) as soon as it rolls out instead of having to wait for the phone manufacturer to roll it out. I also like that photos back up to Google at full resolution.

I decided to go with the LG G6 though because it’s the least expensive of the three phones, has wireless charging and doesn’t have curved screen sides which I don’t really care for.

I also decided to get the platinum version of the G6 instead of the black one just to be a little different and I plan to put a Dbrand skin on the back of the phone to protect it from scratches, so it doesn’t really matter what color it is.

I ordered an unlocked version of the LG G6 from B&H Photo where it’s currently selling for $549.99 with free shipping and no tax if you live outside NY, NJ. It arrives Wednesday. 🙂

If you want to buy an LG G6 at an even better price you can get one for $529.99 through Amazon. The only catch is that it’s the international version of the G6, so it doesn’t have a US warranty and it doesn’t have wireless charging.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I am finally replacing my Nexus 6P originally appeared on on June 11, 2017 at 3:48 pm.

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Trayvax Contour wallet review


I became a fan of Trayvax after reviewing their Summit minimalist wallet. It remains one of my all-time favorite wallets because it has a simple design, it’s well made, and it only holds the essentials. But if you’re looking for a minimalist wallet that has a little more pizzazz to its rugged good looks, you need look no further than the Trayvax Contour wallet. I shouldn’t give away the ending at the beginning of the review, but this wallet has no problems earning my stamp of approval. 

What is it?

The Trayvax Contour wallet is rugged minimalist expandable wallet made of stainless steel and leather that has been designed and made in the USA.

Design and features

As I mentioned above, the frame of the Trayvax Contour wallet is made of CNC machined stainless steel. But Trayvax didn’t stop there, they also added a Titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) coating which gives the wallet a really cool look.

The purpose of the frame is to keep everything aligned and to hold the leather strap which is sandwiched between the 2-piece frame.

The top-grain oil stained leather strap is available in a variety of colors and two sizes. I was sent the Canyon Red original sized strap preinstalled.

It’s easy to replace or adjust the strap by using the included Torx wrench.

The frame also has a built-in bottle cap lifter which some people might consider a survival tool.

To load the wallet, you simply “unsnap” the leather strap from the adjustable clasp pin and slide in the stack of cards.

Using the original leather strap, the wallet can hold up to 8 cards and 10 bills.
Using the extended leather strap the wallet can hold up to 13 cards and 10 bills.
As shipped, my sample wallet could hold 6 cards and still easily slide the top card out of the wallet. You don’t want to stuff too many cards in the Contour wallet or you’ll struggle to quickly remove a card when you need it.



The wallet’s open frame allows you to see the top card, making that spot perfect for an ID card.

Most minimalist wallets can only hold cards. But the Trayvax Contour wallet isn’t like most minimalist wallets. The leather strap unfolds to reveal a cash pocket that can hold up to 10 folded bills.


Friction from the raw side of the leather helps to hold the folded stack of bills in place even when the leather strap is unsecured.

This wallet obviously is not going to be as slim as some card only style wallets, but it still works well as a front pocket wallet.

Extra bonus

The Trayvax Contour’s stainless steel frame does more than just look good, it also provides a good level of RFID protection.

Final thoughts

I’ve yet to see a Trayvax wallet that isn’t well made and the Contour doesn’t change that. This wallet is expensive at $159.99, but it’s one of those things that you’ll only need to buy once. It’s not going to fall apart. It’s built to last for decades and it’s only going to look and work better as it ages.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Trayvax. Please visit their site for more info and you can also check Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $159.99
Manufacturer: Trayvax
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Great looks
  • Easy to use
  • Expandable
  • Will last FOREVER
Cons:
  • Expensive

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Trayvax Contour wallet review originally appeared on on June 11, 2017 at 9:30 am.

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Brookstone wants to bring Big sound to your summer with their all-weather Big Blue Party Wi-Fi Speaker


Summer’s almost here! Time for family, friends and of course good music. Whether it’s the loud get up and dance kind, or the nice relaxing mood setting kind, we all have a summer soundtrack. Most of us own a Bluetooth speaker of one kind or another but either they don’t get loud enough, or, you have to worry about them getting wet. Brookstone’s Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor WI-Fi speaker solves both of these problems.

The Big Blue Party speaker is not your everyday wireless speaker. First off this speaker is BIG (hence the name.) Big Blue comes in at just under 16” tall and weighs a whopping 12lbs. But in this case, its size and weight are indicative of its quality build. It’s water resistant so you can take it anywhere – poolside, on your deck, or even to the beach. It also features 4 built-in stereo speakers and a subwoofer that fire at different angles for awesome sound that reaches every corner of the room (or backyard!) no matter where you put it.

Big Blue has Wi-Fi and Chromecast built-in, so you can stream your favorite music from your phone, tablet or laptop. To stream music, simply tap the “Cast” button that’s already built into major music, news and entertainment apps like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio. Casting via Wi-Fi also lets you say goodbye to staying within 30 feet of your speaker. And with Wi-Fi, you’ll always get crystal clear sound without interruption. However, if you’re using Big Blue somewhere Wi-Fi isn’t available don’t fret because it’s also an old school Bluetooth speaker (hence the “blue” in the name, if you hadn’t guessed). You can also add other Chromecast enabled speakers to create a multi-room listening experience.

The Big Blue Party Wi-Fi Speaker is $249.99 and is only available at Brookstone.com. If that’s a little too rich for your blood, Brookstone also offers a Bluetooth-only version which is available for $169.99 and can be purchased through their website or Amazon. Both are great gift options for Father’s Day, and Brookstone is guaranteeing delivery in time for Father’s Day if you place your order by 1 PM EST on June 12th.

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Brookstone wants to bring Big sound to your summer with their all-weather Big Blue Party Wi-Fi Speaker originally appeared on on June 11, 2017 at 8:33 am.

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Insect traps, fidget spinners, #$@! woodpeckers, and more


Hello Gadgeteers! I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far.  Mine has been a little frustrating… you can find out why by reading my latest gadget diary post which is included in this week’s list of all of our news, reviews, and articles. Click through to see this week’s list. 

Reviews

Articles

News

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Insect traps, fidget spinners, #$@! woodpeckers, and more originally appeared on on June 10, 2017 at 6:00 pm.

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Carved Acoustic Acorn Bluetooth speaker review


As good as the speakers are on some smartphones and tablets may be, there are times you want more depth to the sound. Bluetooth speakers bring this sound to you, but sometimes there are tradeoffs – the speakers are too large, too twiddly, or run out of power too quickly. In an effort to try and correct these shortcomings as well as add their own handcrafted, natural wood beauty to your listening experience, the folks at Carved have introduced the Acoustic Acorn. It is a single speaker with a single button, a single LED, and a single port for charging. I was sent this singular speaker in Walnut to review.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

Overall, the Acorn looks very much like it’s autumnal namesake, turned out of bamboo or walnut. There is a rubberized oval to keep it from rolling around on your work surface, and a black lacquered metal grille over the opening. The opening is 3″ in diameter, and the Acorn is 2.5″ deep. When it’s set on a level surface, the oval holds the face of the speaker ~40º from the surface, which directs it toward your face, if it’s near your keyboard. Inside the oval, there is a single button for on/off/pairing. From the off setting, hold it until the LED blinks blue and red, and the Acorn is in pairing mode. Press it once again and it turns off. Nearby is a reset pinhole. There is a “Carved” logo cut into the edge, just under the center by the rubber oval, so that it doesn’t show.


Opposite, on the back, there is a hole for the LED to show through, and a hole for the charging cable. That’s about it. You can listen while it’s charging if you’d like, but I found the battery life to be quite long. I never had a problem listening to several podcasts while cooking dinner, watching a movie streamed to my iPad, or letting Spotify or iTunes run rampant through the eternal shuffle of my music collection.
The sound is really mellow for such a small speaker. It’s not a heavy thumping bass, but the full vocal range of speaking and most acoustic music is covered adequately. I never noticed any lessening of the highs, but then, I’m not hearing them as well as I did 20 years ago. 😉


Carved, the company, is no stranger to this site. They are one of my favorite companies. It’s all US-based, they celebrate every step of the job as something that should be done to perfection, from design to packaging, and they use high-quality woods. Each piece has a card signed by the artisan that made it, and they take customer service to an obsessive level.

I do have a few quibbles. There is no speakerphone mic. Not really an issue, if you just want to pick up the phone and talk through the mic on it. (Please don’t hold it like you’re talking to a pizza slice!) But depending on how far away you are from your speaker or phone, it may be difficult to pick up in time. Also, since it’s not going to happen frequently, there is a certain confusion that happens when you get a call while the speaker is active.

The biggest issue I have with the Acorn is the charging cable. It is a USB to propriety center-pin charging tip. I have other speakers that use this type tip, (I actually reviewed one here a few years ago) and none of them are compatible with each other. So, should I mix up or lose those cables, I’m not going to be able to use the device. Why not just use a miniUSB or microUSB plug, so it will be compatible with the most common cables you can find? Having a “special” cable mars the experience of having the device, worrying that you’re going to push the cable in at the wrong angle, bend the little pin in the jack, leave the cable behind at a hotel, or forget to take it along on a long trip.

In spite of the charging cable thing, I’d still recommend the Acorn. Carved is gonna be around a while, and they are good folks, so I’m sure there is a way to get a replacement cable, should you need one.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Carved. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $59 – $65
Manufacturer: Carved
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Bluetooth sound source, USB power source
Pros:
  • Beautiful wood exterior
  • Focused, well-balanced sound
  • Pleasing shape and feel
Cons:
  • Proprietary charging cable

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Carved Acoustic Acorn Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on on June 10, 2017 at 9:15 am.

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