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Data Analysis is never an easy thing to master. The same goes for Machine Learning. If you are are working in a field where you need to get yourself updated with new data analysis skill, or you are looking to learn new stuff, and possibly change your career path, this awesome bundle is for you. The best thing is, there is no fixed price for these ebooks. You simply pay what you want for it. The Data Analysis & Machine Learning Humble Book Bundle contains a series of data analysis and machine learning ebooks by O’Reilly. The total bundle is worth $711 and you can get… Read more

How to Speed Up Your Linux PC

One of the biggest draws of Linux as a powerful OS ecosystem is its speed out of the box, but it’s always beneficial to further speed up your Linux PC. Below are multiple elements that factor into your system’s speed capabilities and some great ways to speed things up. Thread Scheduling Initially, Linux used a simple scheduling algorithm to handle tasks in a circular fashion. Since its creation, Linux has consistently improved its thread scheduling, culminating in a highly advanced and scalable design called the Completely Fair Scheduler. CFS uses virtual run-time to decide which… Read more

JBL Xtreme 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker review


REVIEW – Over the past 2 years, I have tested and reviewed a few Bluetooth speakers. I love the portability and convenience they provide. The previous Bluetooth speaker that I reviewed was made by JBL, and I really like it. However, I wanted a speaker from JBL that is lighter to be portable and waterproof so that I could take it to the beach and not worry about it getting wet and therefore damaged by the water. I was very thrilled when JBL sent me their Xtreme 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker to test and review.

What is it?

The JBL Xtreme 2 is a portable IPX7 rated waterproof Bluetooth speaker that uses four drivers and two JBL Bass Radiators to produce a dynamic sound. It also has a built-in rechargeable 10,000mAh Li-ion battery that provides up to 15 hours of playtime. It features a USB charge out port, integrated hooks and a detachable strap with a bottle opener. There is an accompanying JBL Connect+ app and feature that allows you to connect more than 100 JBL Connect+ enabled speakers for additional volume.

What’s in the box


1 x JBL Xtreme 2 Speaker
1 x AC Power Adapter
1 x Carrying Strap
1 x User Guide

Design and features

Specifications
Output power: 2 x 20 Watts
Music playing time: 15 Hours
Bluetooth version: 4.2
Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh
Charging time: 3.5 Hours
Waterproof: Yes
Power Bank: Yes
Voice Assistant Integration: Yes
JBL Connect+: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Audio Input: 3.5 mm
Auto Power Off: Yes
Dimensions: 5.35” x 11.33” x 5.19”
Weight: 5.27 lbs., 2.39 kg

This JBL speaker is sort of oval-shaped and wrapped in a waterproof speaker grille. There is a prominent JBL branding plate in red on one side.

On another side of the speaker, there are 2 built-in metal bars on each side that allow you to attach the carrying strap. In between the metal bars, are the touch controls. As shown in the following picture from the top down there is the play/pause/forward/answer/hangup control, the volume up control, the JBL Connect + control, the on/off power control, the volume down control and the Bluetooth control.

On the side of the speaker opposite to the controls, there is a waterproof rubber door/cover that protects the ports. The ports as shown below from left to right are the 1/8″ auxiliary jack, a non-user service port, a USB output port for charging accessories and the power port.


On each of the two ends of the speaker body, there is a speaker covered by a flexible waterproof membrane. These areas should not be handled and should be protected from sharp objects and/or impact.

Performance

This JBL Bluetooth speaker is attractive right out of the box. It is wrapped in a black hard waterproof grille with speakers on each end. Once I took it out of the box, I plugged in the included AC adapter to charge it. One of the first things I noticed is that there is no charging indicator light to let you know that the speaker is charging and when the charging is completed. I let it charge for a few hours and then I was ready to start testing. Once you power it on and press the Bluetooth button, it is the usual simple process tho connect to your mobile device, and it does so easily. After that, playing music is straightforward. Indoors it sounds like the volume is adequate, but outdoors like on the beach, it is only loud enough for people within approximately 10 feet of the speaker to easily hear the music. The regular ambient sounds on the beach drown it out after that distance. The speakers on the side are covered in a waterproof material, but not a hard grille. This is a major concern for me since they are vulnerable to being accidentally punctured/damaged.

JBL also includes the JBL Connect+ feature on this speaker. This feature allows you to connect to 100 plus additional JBL speakers that have a similar built-in feature. You have the option of adding them in stereo or party mode. In stereo mode, one speaker is added as the left channel and the other as the right. See more about the JBL Connect+ functions in the following app screenshots:










Here is a short video all about this speaker:

What I like

  • Build quality
  • Waterproof feature
  • Overall sound produced
  • Connectivity
  • Carry strap option

What I’d change

  • Needs a charging indicator LED
  • Needs more volume
  • Hard grill protection over the speakers
  • Better user guide

Final thoughts

I am a fan of JBL Bluetooth speakers and the sound they produce as well as the build quality. In terms of build quality, this speaker is well built with the exception of the vulnerable speakers on each end that are covered by a soft membrane.

I have used it on multiple occasions at the beach, and the battery was still going strong after over 7 hours of non-stop playing. I have also had water splash on it with no problem.

In terms of sound, it produces quality sound but lacks the expected power, especially based on its size and weight. Indoors the sound is adequate, and on a quiet day outdoors, it would likely be loud enough. However, any place where there is relatively normal ambient noise, it lacks the power to be the “life of the party”. Don’t get me wrong, I like the speaker, and if I had 2 of them and used them together with the JBL Connect +, they would likely be adequate. But as a stand-alone speaker, its versatility is limited.

Price: $299
Where to buy: Amazon, JBL Website
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by JBL

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JBL Xtreme 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 31, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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PurePort promises clean and clear Lightning plugs and ports

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – For iPhone users, especially the ones who put their iPhones in a pocket (isn’t that everyone?), the curse of pocket lint and random moisture tends to fill the ports of those devices with a substance that refuses to be extricated, especially once you’ve jammed the plug into it a few times when it wasn’t connecting. I can’t tell you how many times I saw this when I was working at an Apple Store. It was always such a surprise to the customer – I’d usually take the lint out to show how much had accumulated because they’d not believe it otherwise. (Photo from @DrDrang’s blog “And Now It’s All This” – highly recommended!)

We used soft bristle brushes and non-conductive tools, which prevented damage, but short of a toothpick and an old toothbrush, most folks don’t have access to this. Enter a new KickStarter campaign called PurePort. It’s a set of 7 tools that are designed to safely maintain your ports and the cable plugs as well. Even with less than 50 supporters, they are already past six times their funding goal, so there must be a LOT of folks who put in more than the $20 EarlyBird special!

Apple’s Lightning port was introduced in the fall of 2012 and caused gnashing of teeth as well as rejoicing. The gnashing of teeth was due to the huge investment customers and manufacturers had made in 30-pin connector cables and accessories. (Fast-forward seven years and the specter of change is visible with the advent of USB-C, but Apple seems relatively certain to stay on this train for the iPhones and lower-end non-Pro iPads.) The rejoicing was due to being able to plug in the cable either way, which is also part of the joy of USB-C. The small deep port is much more difficult to see into, so getting little bits of stuff in there is much more of a problem than it was with the 30-pin connector, which was wider and more open. If you’re not worried that Apple will abandon their proprietary port soon, you may want to get a set like this to protect yourself. Just be aware that you can void your warranty with aggressive poking into the ports!

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PurePort promises clean and clear Lightning plugs and ports originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 31, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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DEENKEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Stick review

REVIEW – As an industry leader and design innovator, Dyson, maker of vacuums, fans, and all things air-related, has always inspired other companies to emulate (read: rip off) their style and features. This is of great benefit to consumers who’d love to own a Dyson product but can’t quite afford the often ridiculous price tags. The DEENKEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Stick is one such Dyson “inspired” device. The design, feel, and even the coloring of the DEENKEE vacuum all ape Dyson’s well-known brand but at a somewhat affordable $169.99. For the price, the DEENKEE performs well, but it might not work as the sole vacuum for larger households.

What is it?

The DEENKEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Stick is a rechargeable handheld vacuum cleaner. The unit is lightweight, modular and has removable, washable filters. Even though it’s a handheld, the DEENKEE is powerful enough to work much like a traditional standup vacuum, albeit for a shorter time because it’s battery powered.

The DEENKEE arrives in a white box with only a picture of the unit and its name featured on the front.

What’s in the box?

  • Portable cordless vacuum unit
  • Removable Li-ion battery
  • AC adapter
  • Aluminum extension tube
  • Wall mount
  • Connecting joint
  • Electric floor brush attachment
  • 2-in-1 dusting brush attachment
  • Replacement roller brush
  • User manual

Hardware specs

  • Rated power: 180-200W
  • Battery: Li-ion 2200mAh, 22.2V
  • Charging period: 5-6 hours
  • Handheld vacuum degree: 17KPA (max)

Design and features

The DEENKEE is well designed, which is understandable since it’s following Dyson’s award winning design playbook. The powerhouse of the unit is the handheld section which contains the rechargeable battery and motor. Latches attach the motor and battery section to the container which houses the DEENKEE’s filtration system.

Almost every part of the DEENKEE breaks apart via these plastic latches for cleaning and easy access.

I definitely appreciate the modular nature of the DEENKEE but I often found myself latching and unlatching parts of the unit in a frustrating attempt to disconnect the one section I was hoping to remove.

Once the container unit is removed, you can see that the main section of the DEENKEE is little more than a small electric motor attached to a battery.

The Li-ion battery disengages from the motor via a small latch on the underside of the unit.

The battery doesn’t really need to be removed except for cleaning the unit or replacing the battery itself.

The filters are easily removed from the container unit by yet more latches.

The outer foil filter separates out larger pieces of debris. As with all filters on the DEENKEE, this filter is washable.

The top of the filter section unlocks to provide access to the inner filters.

One internal filter sits on top of the container section just inside the cap.

Once that filter is removed you can flip it over to remove a third smaller foam filter.

Again, all of these filters are washable which I really appreciate since nobody misses the days of forever having to purchase new vacuum bags and filters.

The DEENKEE comes with several attachments that connect in a number or ways.

Each attachment connects via a plug and latch on its end.

The attachments can only connect one way, which makes it easy to do correctly.

I found that the most useful attachment is the floor brush attachment.

The bottom plug on the attachment connections conducts power, which means that the brush in the floor brush attachment spins just like in a traditional standup vacuum.

A roller with long bristles comes attached to the unit and an extra roller with shorter bristles is included as well.

The DEENKEE also comes with a 2-in-1 dusting brush attachment.

By pushing down on a small button at the end of the brush attachment the brush head can be moved into or out of position.

This is great because it cuts down on the number of attachments you have to manage for the vacuum without sacrificing functionality.

Both the 2-in-1 dusting brush attachment and the floor brush attachment connect either directly to the unit or to the extension tube via an included connecting joint.

The extension tube is convenient for using the DEENKEE like a traditional vacuum.

But, you can create various configurations based on the cleaning task.

This versatility is something I really appreciated as I tackled tasks such as vacuuming underneath my couch cushions and cleaning out my car.

The DEENKEE also comes with a mounting bracket that allows you to charge the unit while in storage.

The unit snaps easily into the bracket and there are two slots for storing the connecting joint and 2-in-1 dusting brush attachment as well.

Setup

Before first use, the DEENKEE has to be fully charged which takes around five to six hours.

There’s a small power port on the back of the handheld unit where the AC adapter plugs in.

There are four LED bars on the top of the unit that blink while the unit is charging.

These LEDS also display the current power level of the DEENKEE during use and because you’re on a tight power budget, it’s really important to monitor them.

Performance

Once the battery is charged and you’ve snapped on your desired attachments, the DEENKEE is ready to work.

The DEENKEE motor is rated at 17 kpa which is a unit of pressure equal to about 2.5 psi. It may not sound like much, but I was thoroughly impressed by the suction of this little handheld.

I also really liked the three LEDS mounted on the head of the floor brush attachment. I found them super useful in the dark corners of my small apartment.

The DEENKEE worked great on both the hard floors and few carpets I have in my 500 square foot apartment. The battery lasted about 25 minutes for me, mainly because I was switching back and forth between the DEENKEE’s two power modes. I found the usefulness of two power modes confusing though, since I kept switching to high mode after vacuuming a section in low mode.

While not exactly silent, the DEENKEE operates at lower frequencies, so the sound it emits during use isn’t quite as high pitched and annoying as regular vacuums.

After about 25 minutes, the DEENKEE picked up an impressive amount of dust and pet hair in my supposedly clean apartment.

You can pop the top off the container unit to remove debris that may have gotten wedge into the container. Or you can just pop the lower latch on the container to dump the contents out.

The DEENKEE was really easy to use and maneuver around my furniture and since the battery lasted just under a half an hour, its weight never really became an issue. The suction was strong and consistent and my rugs and floors looked noticeably cleaner after passing the DEENKEE over them.

What I like

  • Washable filters
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Powerful suction for the size

What I’d change

  • Battery life could be better
  • Two power modes seems unnecessary
  • Main unit made of plastic and seems like it would break easily if dropped

Final thoughts

The DEENKEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Stick is an affordable alternative to the very expensive Dyson vacuums that it so obviously is trying to emulate. The DEENKEE won’t work as a main vacuum for large or midsize homes or apartments, but as a backup it works great. For small apartments, this might be all the vacuum you need though, granted you can clean your entire apartment in the under 30 minutes of battery time the DEENKEE provides you. Still, $169.99 for a vacuum on par with Dyson’s similar models is a pretty good deal.

Price: $169.99
Where to buy: Amazon and DEENKEE.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by DEENKEE.

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DEENKEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Stick review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 31, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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