Ember mug, Ticpods Free wireless earbuds, X47 notebook, and more – Review updates

REVIEW – I have a few quick review updates for you today, including an update to my Julie’s favorite gear list. We like to post updates to our reviews on a regular basis so you can get an idea of how products stand the test of time – or don’t! Click through to see the list of updated reviews and then scroll to the bottom of each review to read the latest updates.

Ember Ceramic Mug review by Julie Strietelmeier

Mobvoi TicPods Free wireless earbuds review by Julie Strietelmeier

Pixel 2 XL review by Julie Strietelmeier

Huawei P20 Smartphone review by Julie Strietelmeier

X17 and X47 notebooks review by Julie Strietelmeier

Julie’s favorite gear

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Ember mug, Ticpods Free wireless earbuds, X47 notebook, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 6, 2018 at 10:18 am.

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This isn’t a Murphy bed. It’s an Ori Pocket Closet!

NEWS – Just like a Murphy bed, the Ori Pocket Closet is designed to fit a lot of functionality into a small space.  Ori says their “Pocket Closet is the walk-in closet you’ve always wanted, but never had the room for. The first-ever standalone walk-in closet instantly multiplies storage capacity in nearly any space.”  Look closely in the above image and you’ll see a bar between the two sections of hanging space.  The leftmost section has a square button on it, which triggers that section to move along the bar and close against the other hanging section.

You’ll need at least 9 feet x 9 feet of open wall and floor space and at least 7 feet of unobstructed height to install an Ori unit.  The floor needs to be a hard, level surface, like hardwood, laminate, or polished concrete. Carpet is not recommended.  Different configurations are available, so you can use the Pocket Closet as a closet, pantry, or a room divider with storage inside.

Right now, there’s a limited number of Pocket Closets in the Founder’s Edition in white with oak trim available for December shipping.  If you order now, you can get free installation ($450 value), or you can assemble and install the flat-packed structure yourself.  Prices for the Founder’s Edition begin at $2650.00.  You can also pre-order the Pocket Closet in oak or walnut, also with free installation if you order now.  Prices for these units begin at $2950 and require a $250 deposit for pre-order.

Learn more about how the Pocket Closet can transform your space at the Ori website.

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This isn’t a Murphy bed. It’s an Ori Pocket Closet! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 6, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Vaja Grip GT iPhone Xs Max case review

REVIEW – I have reviewed and used many Vaja cases over the years to protect everything from my MacBook Pro to my iPhones. Admittedly I prefer to use my smartphones naked but kept the black Leather Suit on my 15″ MacBook Pro till the day I sold it. That also goes for several iPads as well. In this case, Vaja sent me their Grip GT for my fancy new iPhone Xs Max for this review.

What is it?

The Grip GT is a handcrafted iPhone Xs Max case made from premium Argentine leather and designed to protect your smartphone from bumps, scratches, and falls.

Design and features

The Grip GT has a rigid polycarbonate “backbone” that Vaja craftsmen wrap in soft, supple leather from Argentina. The case is perfectly fitted for the iPhone Xs Max as you would expect from such a premium smartphone case. The interior is lined with a soft, smooth leather that’s been embossed with the Vaja name. What makes the GT different from its less exciting sibling (the original Grip), is the racing stripe running down the center of its back. This quote from the Grip GT webpage says it all:

At Vaja Cases we love speed and sports cars, meet the new Grip GT iPhone Xs Max leather case. Designed for those Adventurous souls who like style, leather, and fast cars.

Specifications:

  • Designed for the iPhone Xs Max Leather Case
  • Apple certified – Qi wireless charging compatible
  • Hard polycarbonate backbone
  • Black-framed camera eyelet
  • Weight: 0.07 lb / 30 gr
  • Premium Leather Lining

The case completely wraps around and protects the corners and nearly all of the top of the iPhone Xs Max. I’m not sure why Vaja chose to have the top not cover the entire top edge of the smartphone. The Grip works nicely with the screen protector I have applied to my iPhone.

The base of the case has a large cutout allowing access to the Xs Max’s lighting port and speakers. As you can see, the Grip fits the iPhone like a glove, wrapping around the edges and corners perfectly. The case extends a few millimeters above the screen, providing extra protection for those crazy individuals who place their very expensive smartphones face down.

The left side of the case has a single cutout for the iPhone’s volume buttons and mute switch.

The right side has a smaller cutout for the power button. Overall, the case provides solid protection from bumps, scrapes, and drops.

As I mentioned above, the Grip GT is handcrafted with premium Argentine leather. The black leather has a pebbled texture to it with the brown center stripe being smoother, combining for an excellent feel. I typically use my devices without a case but I find Vaja’s leather difficult to give up. Truth be told, I have been using the Grip for a month now and have yet to remove it. Its craftsmanship and construction quality are excellent.

From a thickness standpoint, the Vaja Grip GT does add 3 or 4 millimeters to the height of the thin device. The plastic around the camera assembly is the only evidence of the rigid polycarbonate backbone/case. The case recesses the camera and provides excellent protection for the assembly.

The bottom of the back has a black powder-coated metal plate. The inside of the plate and case are completely lined with leather to make sure your iPhone’s polished stainless steel edges aren’t scratched. I think the engraved plate with the cutout of the Vaja logo showing the tan leather underneath looks awesome…a very nice detail.

The Grip GT is available in Floater Black and Saddle Bridge tan, Floater Black and C Rosso, and Floater Black and C Black coloring.

One more thing…Wallet LP Leather Case:

Vaja also sent me their Wallet LP case to check out as well. The LP is very similar to the Grip but with a front wallet that folds over to cover the screen. It has 4 slots meant to hold your I.D. plus 3 credit or other cards. There is also a slipper pocket for stashing money bills.

Also, like the GT, the LP has a sportier look than Vaja’s regular wallet iPhone case. The main body of the case uses a pebbled leather over the polycarbonate backbone with smoother leather used on the wallet flap.

Specifications:

  • iPhone Xs Max Wallet Leather Case
  • Apple certified – Qi wireless charging compatible
  • Hard Polycarbonate backbone
  • Black-framed camera eyelet
  • 4 credit card slots (RFID Protected)
  • Optional 925 silver accents
  • 1 extra slot for folded bills
  • Available in Bridge with Floater Leather
  • Premium Leather Lining
  • Product Weight: 0.17 lb / 75 gr

The wallet cover does add thickness to the iPhone but considering it combines two articles into one seems like a fair trade. The cover does add additional protection for the iPhone’s screen.

The Wallet LP is available in Floater Stone Gray and Saddle tan, Floater Black and Saddle Bridge tan, and Floater Crown Blue and Bridge London coloring.

Positives

  • Perfectly fitted for the iPhone Xs Max
  • Excellent craftsmanship and leather quality
  • Provides solid protection
  • Feels very nice in the hand

Negatives

  • Expensive

Final thoughts

I really like both the Grip GT and Wallet LP cases for the iPhone Xs Max. Their craftsmanship, fine leather, and quality are extremely nice and a true pleasure to hold. They provide solid protection with stylish, sporty looks. The premium Argentine leather gives the slippery iPhone much better grip-ability and old world feel. I’m sticking with the Grip GT cause the Wallet LP simply can’t hold all the cr@p I have to have with me on any given day. And like I said, I’m typically not one for using a case but so far the Grip GT continues to keep my attention and that says something 😉 .

Price: $109 (Grip GT) / $169 (Wallet LP)
Where to buy: The Grip GT and Wallet LP are available directly from Vaja.com.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Vaja.com.

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Vaja Grip GT iPhone Xs Max case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 6, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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This iHome bedside clock has Alexa built-in

NEWS – This may look like an old-fashioned alarm clock, but the iHome iAV14 Bedside Clock is so much more.  The clock has both Bluetooth speakers and Alexa Voice Service (AVS) with Far Field voice capability built-in.  Using Alexa and WiFi, you’ll be able to stream music from a variety of services.  You’ll able able to control hundreds of smart home devices from iHome, Nest, Wink, SmartThings, and more using Alexa voice commands.  The clock also has a programmable Smart Button to activate smart plugs, control music, or whatever you’d like.

You can also use the iAV14 clock as a speakerphone, with digital voice echo cancellation and talk/end controls.  Built-in Bluetooth allows you to playback audio from any paired mobile device, and the 1A USB plug will charge the device for you, too.

The clock syncs via NTP over data networks for clock accuracy.  And it works as an alarm, which you can set, stop, or snooze with a voice command.

The iHome iAV14 Beside Clock with Alexa is $100.  It’s available at iHome or at Amazon.

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This iHome bedside clock has Alexa built-in originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 5, 2018 at 1:00 pm.

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Mujjo Touchscreen Gloves (2018) review

REVIEW – Let me just say that I do NOT like winter weather. If the temperature outside is less than 50 degrees, I’m not a happy camper. This year it felt like we went from the dog days of summer directly into bone-chilling winter. Here in southern Indiana, we’ve already been “enjoying” temps in the 20’s F. So, I’ve been wearing a winter coat and gloves, but wearing gloves in the winter means that you can’t use your phone unless you take them off. Right? Nope, not if you are wearing a pair of magic touchscreen gloves like the ones I’m about to review from Mujjo. Let’s check them out.

What is it?

Mujjo’s latest touchscreen gloves aren’t really magic, but they are made of a stretch-knit fleece fabric interior with a top layer that is made of 3M Thinsulate.

Design and features

The gloves feature thin grippy strips on the palm and fingers that add a bit of security so you won’t drop your phone while wearing the gloves and your hands won’t slip on your steering wheel while driving, or door knobs.

The gloves are soft and warm without being too bulky. I like that the cuffs aren’t tight but still keep the cold air out.

Of course, the thing you really want to know about most is how do the Mujjo gloves work with your phone while you’re wearing them. I’m happy to report that you can interact perfectly with your phone while wearing the Mujjo touchscreen gloves. I was able to tap icons to launch apps, scroll through lists, make calls, answer calls, etc. I was also able to type messages and answer emails with no issues at all.

What I like

  • Accurate and responsive action with touchscreens
  • Comfortable and warm
  • Grippy

What needs to be improved

  • None

Final thoughts

I’ve been wearing Mujjo touchscreen gloves every winter for the past few years and I’ve found that this latest pair of touchscreen gloves are comfortable, warm, and work great with my phone so that I don’t have to remove the gloves to make or answer calls while I’m outside or in the car. I’ve been testing them for a couple of weeks and will continue to use them throughout the winter months. They save my fingers from getting frozen, so they get two gloved thumbs up from me.

Price: $47.43
Where to buy: Mujjo
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mujjo.

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Mujjo Touchscreen Gloves (2018) review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 5, 2018 at 11:27 am.

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