Vizio debuts three new Dolby Atmos soundbars starting at $499

NEWS – On Tuesday Vizio announced pricing and availability on its 2018 Dolby Atmos soundbars.

The 36-inch 5.1.2 model is the first to hit the market with a price tag of $499.99. The sound system features a total of eight speakers. Five in the soundbar itself (3-front firing and 2-up-firing), two rear satellite speakers, and a wireless subwoofer.

The two larger 46-inch soundbars will be available later this year, presumably just in time for the holidays. They include the 3.1.2 model without rear speakers ($799.99), and the flagship 5.1.4 model ($999.99).

The 5.1.4 system boasts four dedicated up-firing speakers. Two in the front and two more in the rear satellite speakers, for a grand total of 10 speakers.

What is Dolby Atmos?

Simply put with Dolby Atmos, sound moves around you in three-dimensional space, so you feel like you’re inside the action. It uses an object-based system to make it sound like the action is not only happening in front and behind you but, above you as well.

The Vizio Home Theater sound systems are Dolby Vision compatible and support 4K, HDR10, and other HDR standard content.

Along with Dolby Atmos, the soundbars will include Wi-Fi connectivity with Google Chromecast Built-in and Google Assistant integration with voice-control. All three soundbars will also feature two HDMI 2.0 ports (one-input/one-output).

I own a 46-inch Vizio 5.1 soundbar, and I love it, so I’m eager to see what they can do with the Dolby Atmos technology. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to wait until later this year to find out.

Vizio’s 36-inch 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar is available today. For a list of retailers and to learn more about these new soundbars go to Vizio’s website.

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Vizio debuts three new Dolby Atmos soundbars starting at $499 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 19, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Black & Decker Infuser 3-In-1 Digital PowerCrush Blending System review


REVIEW – My family is one that is on a major healthy lifestyle journey, and we are always on the lookout for products that allow us to create nice variations of our specific diet. Some of the mandatory tools are a blender, a juicer, etc. When I got a chance to take a look at this 3 in 1 combination, I readily accepted. Let’s see how it went.

What is it?

The Black & Decker Infuser 3-In-1 Digital PowerCrush Blending System combines a personal blender, and regular blender and an infusion blender in one device.

What’s in the box


1 x 3-in-1 blender base unit
1 x 6-cup blending jar
1 x 18-oz. blending jar
1 x Infuser and infusion filter
1 x Instruction/recipe booklet

Design and features

The system is constructed of a metal base and plastic blending parts and combines three blending devices in one.  Its motor produces 900 watts of power that pulverizes even ice, with the use of its 4-tip QuadPro Stainless Steel Blades.

Here are some specs:
Parts material: Glass, Plastic
Dimensions (Overall): 9.88 inches (H) x 15.0 inches (W) x 7.88 inches (D)
Weight: 8.82 pounds
Finish: Baked-on Paint
Capacity (Volume): 48 ounces
Includes: Stainless steel multipurpose blade, Pouring Shield, Blending Cup with Lid, Glass Bowl, Rubber Seal, Instruction Manual, travel jar, infuser insert, tamper
Features: Pulse Feature, Pouring Spout, Hideaway Cord Wrap, Variable Speed, Stainless Steel Blades, Push Button Controls, Indicator Light
Base – Metal Finish: Stainless Steel
Appliance Capabilities: Blends, Crushes Ice, Mixes, Purees, Chops, infuses, emulsifies, Juices, Liquefy
Care and Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe Parts, spot or wipe clean
Number of Speeds: 3
Warranty: 2-year limited warranty

The personal blender includes an 18 oz jar that can be used on-the-go with the snap lid. It works much like every personal blender and creates a smoothly blended mixture.

The picture below shows the system set up as a traditional blender. It functions well in this combination as well.


The infuser device basically uses an infusion filter with a “pusher”. You place the ingredients in the inside of the filter and then use the “pusher” to apply pressure downwards onto the ingredients as the blade spins. The blade action starts off as a pulsating action to crush the ingredients and then a fast, free spinning action as the blades work to pulverize the ingredients while the juice escapes through the filter into the jar. As far as I know, the true concept of infusion does not involve a blade, but for my personal use, this is better because the resulting mix is very rich in flavor. “Infusion is the process of extracting chemical compounds or flavors from plant material in a solvent such as water, oil or alcohol, by allowing the material to remain suspended in the solvent over time (a process often called steeping)”. – Wikipedia

The base unit of this 3 in 1 infuser is made of plastic and metal and is sleek and shiny with a digital touchpad control interface. From left to right, there are 3 speeds controls: an on/off and ice crush control the uses a pulsing action, a smoothie selection that spins consistently to blend, an infuse control that is a pulsing and then free spinning action that is used for juicing, and a shake mode that is also a fast free spinning motion. Basically, they are intuitive controls for the three speeds, three programs, and a pulse function to provide the desired consistency.

Performance

The personal blender use of this system works very well and produces a very smooth blend. I also actually have and have reviewed the Black & Decker personal blender as a separate device, so I was expecting the same great performance and it did not disappoint. While the base unit is slightly different for the separately sold personal blender, the performance is the same except that this system has 900 watts of power and does the job even faster and, slightly better.


Below is the mixture that is a result of the infusion/blending process. the ingredients were blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. The flavor was smooth, rich, and tasty.
The pictures below show frozen Kale, frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, pineapple, almond milk and ice cubes in the blender and the resulting mixture that was very tasty. You can see in the middle picture that I have the ingredient “pusher” in the center hole in the blender cover as opposed to the attached hole cover that it comes with. This is because I had a minor accident with it and it broke off. (my fault). The blender action is a constant speed at either speed 1, 2 or 3.



The next set of pictures show a smoothie in the personal blender that was made from frozen bananas, kale, apple, peanut butter, and protein powder.  The smoothie action by the blender starts with an on/off cycle until the ingredients are pulverized, and then it changes to a constant speed to finish off mixing the smoothie. It makes an excellent and really smooth smoothie with no type of pulp.


What I like

  • The 3 in 1 feature
  • The blending results
  • The infuser/juicer

What can be improved

  • Some of the materials used have resulted in this label on the seller’s website: – WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Styrene, which is known to the state of California to cause cancer, and Bisphenol-A, which is known to the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. www.p65warnings.ca.gov 
  • Less plastic for some of the parts. Maybe a glass jar for the blender?

     

Final thoughts

This 3 in 1 blender system is very convenient and a great use of precious countertop space. It is really nice to make one reasonably priced purchase and have all 3 systems in one. It works well, and we have been using it continuously for our fruit and vegetable shakes. While I am not necessarily a fan of all of the plastic parts that are a part of this system, so far it has held up well. As far as performance goes, I am happy. I will post an update should there be a need to. For now, I give the Black & Decker Infuser 3-In-1 Digital PowerCrush Blending System a thumbs up. (Still researching the whole Styrene issue and effect).

Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Target
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Black & Decker.

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Black & Decker Infuser 3-In-1 Digital PowerCrush Blending System review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 19, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The Samsung Galaxy S10: what we think we know

ARTICLE – Rumors abound when people get word of new smartphones, and that consistent truth prevails about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10. Let’s take a look at some of the most likely features of this highly anticipated phone.

It may debut in January 2019 at CES

Tech analysts say Samsung’s Galaxy S10 will be available in several models, but the company will manufacture one that supports the 5G network in limited supply.

The brand usually shows off its Galaxy S-series at the Barcelona Mobile World Congress in February and then launches the models a month later. But since competitors will reportedly showcase their 5G-enabled phones to CES in January, Samsung may accelerate bringing the Galaxy S10 to the market, doing so a month earlier than the usual February event.

However, a Samsung representative recently said that the company’s first 5G-compatible phone would be a model other than the Galaxy S10. If that’s true, the company may decide to keep people guessing about the Galaxy S10 a bit longer.

After all, people have been hearing about Samsung’s foldable phone for a while. The brand wants to be the first to offer a bendable phone. Rushing to provide it could be detrimental though, particularly if the company doesn’t work out all the kinks first. The point is that Samsung may realize it’s best not to roll out the S10 until it’s ready for the mainstream.

Samsung’s S9 Galaxy model, a precursor to the S10

There will be three models

Reports indicate that Samsung will follow Apple’s lead and release three models of a phone in the same product family. The smallest of the three will also be the least expensive option, although there are no solid details about prices for the Galaxy S10 yet.

Besides holding off Apple as a likely competitor, Samsung will also contend with Google, which is releasing new Pixel models in October. A substantial difference in prices between Samsung’s three models could help them achieve marketplace dominance, especially if the costs appeal to a wide section of potential consumers.

It’s rumored to include five cameras

It wasn’t long ago that phone manufacturers made headlines by releasing models with both front and back cameras. Now, a phone with only two cameras doesn’t capture as much interest as it once did. Even the latest iPhones, which have dual-camera setups, include innovative features like the ability to adjust the bokeh setting after taking a picture.

Reports suggest that Samsung will generate a buzz around the Galaxy S10 by releasing at least one of its models with five built-in cameras to appeal to people who love taking pictures with their phones. It probably didn’t hurt that Huawei recently launched its P20 Pro with three cameras, suggesting phones with several cameras will soon be the norm.

The model will have an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

Today’s most popular smartphones offer increasingly advanced security features. Although the least expensive Galaxy S10 model — thought to be called the S10 Mini — will likely have an optical fingerprint sensor, the highest-end option should have one that’s ultrasound-based.

The advantage of using ultrasound technology mainly concerns accuracy since the sensor takes a three-dimensional model of a fingerprint.

Everyday consumers may not have such advanced security on their list of priorities. However, depending on the reliability of the ultrasound scanner, perhaps Samsung could position the phone as an option for government contractors.

We could potentially see dramatic display changes

Considering that people regularly use their phones for video calls and streaming marathons, the screen characteristics of the gadgets are of increasing importance. Updates about the Galaxy S10 highlight its screen aspect ratio of 19:9, representing a significant difference from other phones that Samsung sells.

Moreover, some people in the know think the smartphone might have an “infinite” display with extended side curves and no bezels. After all, achieving the aspect ratio mentioned above requires making the bezels at least thinner than those on the Galaxy S9 phones.

A less likely possibility about the screen is that it may have a “self-healing” coating, eliminating the need to buy a screen protector for the phone because it repairs cracks after they happen. The news of that development broke after a patent leak.

There’s no indication that Samsung would use that new screen-saving technology on the Galaxy S10. But, if it did, people might be more likely to purchase the potentially expensive phones and not feel so worried about dropping them and dealing with severely broken screens.

Samsung may still have secrets up its sleeve

As the rumor mill continues to churn and stimulate speculation, tech enthusiasts must remember how rare it is for all the major aspects of a gadget to leak before its release date.

Even if people figure out many of the Samsung Galaxy S10’s main features, the brand will likely reveal some previously unknown factors.

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The Samsung Galaxy S10: what we think we know originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 19, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Cowin E7 Pro Bluetooth active noise cancelling headphones review

REVIEW – Noise canceling headphones are wonderful, but they cost a bit more than regular headphones, and the cheapo ones generally are not up to snuff. I’ve tried one pair out so far and enjoyed them, but they were wired, so I had to keep an adapter handy. The Cowin E7 Pro active noise canceling headphones are Bluetooth with an option to wire in if needed and come at a reasonable price tag. That combination intrigued me enough to want to see them for myself. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Cowin E7 pro headphones are noise canceling, over the ear Bluetooth headphones that are made for daily use.

Hardware specs

Active Noise Canceling
45 mm drivers
Frequency: 20Hz-20kHz
Bluetooth or 3.5 mm wired

What’s in the box?

Cowin E7 PRO Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Headphone Case
Micro USB Cable
3.5mm Audio Cable
User Guide

Design and features

Other than the decent price tag, what I liked about these headphones was the simplicity in the design. On the right headphone, you have a plus and minus button, which if pressed once will change the song, or held down change the volume. It took a bit to get used to how long to keep it pressed for, but it was so sleek and simple to use. If you press towards the middle of the ‘triangle’ where the plus and minus buttons are, you will start and stop the music. They were easy to use and gave a tactile click when pressed.

One thing about Bluetooth is that you have to keep them charged up and watch the battery life. I was very impressed with the battery life on these headphones. I took a trip to the Midwest and used them nearly constantly on the plane (a good six hours total) and I barely made a dent in the battery. I am at about 3/4 of the way through the battery in three weeks of on and off use totaling around 20 hours. Not bad at all.

I was quite impressed with the comfort of these headphones, as they did not cause any ear fatigue after three hours of constant use. The pads are soft and while not giant, still big enough to go fully over my ear. They are very loose on the head, however, so if you are jostled around you can hear the noise canceling go in and out due to the seal loss. This happened during turbulence on the plane and if I walked downstairs. The sounds it made when it would move around on my head was the one thing I felt needed improving since bumps happen in the air and in a motor vehicle.

The noise canceling was pretty decent. They are not Bose by any means, but they worked very well at cutting out the noise of the engine and chatter in the airport. I had a lovely red-eye flight to test these on, and I used the noise canceling only (no music) for a majority of the flight and was very thankful for them. In the airport, I could still hear the announcements from my gate, but most of the idle talk around me was drowned out by the noise canceling and music. It made for a very enjoyable airport experience.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I hate the sound delay with Bluetooth headphones. The best pair I have so far is a pair of Bose earbuds, but I am very happy to say the Cowin E7 Pro headphones beat the Bose in that there is virtually no sound delay. In fact, I watched several videos, got to my destination, and thought “Oh yeah, I need to test the sound delay!” and while pulling up the videos, realized I had already watched them, and didn’t realize it because it was unnoticeable. That impressed me most of all with these headphones.

Lastly, let’s talk about the sound quality. I took a phone call on these and I could be heard, and I could hear my friend just fine. When it came to music, these had above average bass sound, decent mid-range sound, and average highs. The sound itself was nice and clear though, and I could definitely hear the words articulated pretty well. Since I sometimes listen to music in foreign languages, it was nice to really hear how the words were sung. This, of course, was with the noise canceling on. With it off, the overall sound quality was just average.

What I like

  • No delay when using Bluetooth
  • Good battery life
  • Decent price

What needs to be improved

  • The headphones don’t fit tightly against my head

Final thoughts

Overall, for the price, these headphones are pretty decent. The sound quality is not mind-blowing, but still good, the battery life is great, and I can watch videos on my phone without any sound delay, which is better than my Bose wireless earbuds. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly pair of active noise canceling headphones, the Cowin E7 Pro wireless headphones would be a good pair to look into.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: LuLuLook
Source: The sample of this product was provided by LuLuLook.

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Cowin E7 Pro Bluetooth active noise cancelling headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle version H.20 review

 

REVIEW – Have you ever been in an airport and wanted some water, but refused to pay $8.95? Tired of lugging around a plastic or metal tube that occupies half of the volume of your backpack? If yes, Hydaway’s collapsible bottle might be for you.

What is it?

Hydaway’s latest incarnation is a liquid-carrying vessel that has accordion-like bellows that enable the bottle to be compressed into a flat disk.

Hardware Specs:

  • 6 x 4 inches when expanded, 1 x 4 inches when compressed
  • 18 ounces capacity
  • Weighs 5 ounces

What’s in the Box?

  • Hydaway bottle
  • Travel storage case

Design and features:

I reviewed Hydaway’s original bottle last year. I found them to be great for travel, easy to clean, and expertly crafted. I was aware of upgrades and looked forward to looking at the new H2.0 version.

The bottle arrived in a sturdy box with plenty of biodegradable packing material. Included was a travel storage case.

Retail bottle packaging is minimal – I always appreciate that. It’s similar to the original with just a card that fastens under the bottle lid.

Hydaway’s Version H2.0 is slightly smaller in diameter than its predecessor. Anything that saves size or weight is welcomed. The following picture shows the difference between original (green) and the new version (dark blue).

The new bottle sent to me is the 18-ounce version. At some point, I’d like to have a look at the larger 28-ounce version.

The storage case fits both the old and new versions.

Opening the accordion folds of the new bottle is the same as the previous version – loosen the cap (or on the original version, open the spout) to break the vacuum, and pull the upper and lower expansions in opposite directions.

Here’s the thing… The original version had a spout that could be opened to allow air to enter the bottle during expansion. The new version has no spout – the lid needs to be removed, or at least loosened enough to let air in and out to expand or collapse the bottle. The original version is definitely easier.

The new version has a folding handle built into the cap. My first attempt to open the bottle, I loosened the cap and pulled on the folding handle. It popped off. It goes back on easily but I certainly wouldn’t trust it to hold the bottle secure while jogging through an airport. I suppose that’s what the travel case is for.

The old version also had plastic molded into the base that could be grabbed with index finger and thumb to assist with deployment. The new design integrates a “lip” into the base. I’m sure it’s less costly to manufacture but makes the version H2.0 version a bit more difficult to open.

Now that it’s open, fill with your preferred beverage or snack and you are on the move.

The H2.0 version lid seals well. No spills but it lacks the spout of the original version. When I tried using the bottle while walking and found having to remove the lid makes it more prone to spilling. It also makes drinking a more involved two-handed process – one hand to open the bottle, the other to hold the lid. The original version needed one had to hold the bottle, the other to open the spout, once the spout was opened, the other hand could go back to what it was doing.

Please note: You CAN purchase a lid with a spout with the version H2.0.

What I like:

  • Small size
  • Great for travel
  • Eliminates the need for disposable bottles

What needs to be improved?

  • Sturdy up the handle

Final thoughts:

I love gadgets that reduce size and weight, so I’m a big fan of Hydaway bottles. Their innovative design, great construction, and features are top-notch. I suppose it’s clear that I prefer the original version to the H2.0. Still, I love this product and will continue using them.

Price: Starts at $21
Where to buy: Indiegogo Indemand
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Hydaway Bottle.

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Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle version H.20 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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