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Vaux Speaker for the Amazon Echo Dot Review



The Vaux Speaker for the Amazon Echo Dot is a powerful, well-designed, and versatile accessory. For existing 2nd generation Echo Dot owners, this is a must-buy and an easy way to expand your Dot’s functionality.

Made by Ninety7 Inc., the Vaux, pronounced “vox”, is the first battery-powered speaker designed to hold the Amazon Echo Dot. This claim only applies to the 2nd generation Dot though. The first generation Dot may technically work with the Vaux, but its dimensions are too large for it to fit into the top of the Vaux as easily as the 2nd generation Dot does.

The Vaux comes in a nicely designed box with a sexy photo of the Vaux and Dot merged on the front. Inside you will find the Vaux and a very simple quick start guide.

Because the Vaux is not a stand alone device, if you don’t already own one, you’ll need an Echo Dot.

Purchasing a Vaux and Echo Dot together costs about $30 less than purchasing an Amazon Tap. If you do go the Tap route, that extra $30 provides slightly better sound quality, significantly better battery life, and Bluetooth connectivity. So, purchasing a Vaux makes the most sense if you already have an Echo Dot and you want to increase its effectiveness.

To use the Vaux, first unplug your Echo Dot. Spin the Vaux around and pull back the silicone cover on the back. There you’ll see a micro-USB connector and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Drop your Dot into the top of the Vaux and align the connectors with the open space.

Once the Dot is seated correctly plug in the micro-usb and 3.5mm connectors into Dot and close the cover.

The last step is to plug your existing Dot power cord into the back of the Vaux to power the whole unit.

On the back of the Vaux, you’ll find the power button. Press it briefly to start up the device. When you first power on the Vaux it will make a loud audible “pop” sound. According to the manufacturer, this is a normal part of the start-up procedure.

Charging the Vaux from empty takes about five or six hours. If the Vaux is being used as it is charging, it will take about eight to twelve hours.

The LED light on the back of the Vaux stays illuminated while powered on. The colors of the LED indicate the Vaux’s status: Amber: Not powered on, but charging. Green: Not powered on, but fully charged. Blue: Powered on. Blue/Amber flashing: Battery power low.

The manufacturer indicates that the Vaux’s battery should give you around of six hours of playback depending on usage and volume level. This claim was consistent with my testing; at medium to full volume, I got a little less than six hours of playback. At higher volumes, I found that the sound quality degrades quite a bit. Although, the sound quality of the Vaux is still much better than the Dot’s internal speakers.

Be aware that the Vaux is not water-proof or water-resistant, and was designed to be used indoors primarily. It fits right on my shelf and has the same aesthetic as Amazon Echo.

The Vaux also has an auxiliary 3.5mm jack on the back which allows you to use the Vaux has a portable speaker for another music source. Be aware though, when the auxiliary jack is in use, it will override the Dot audio and functionality. Unplugging your device from the auxiliary jack returns the Dot functionality.

I enjoy using the Vaux and being able to grab my Vaux/Dot and bring it into other rooms of my apartment without having to invest in another Amazon device is terrific. It would be cool if the whole unit sat inside a charging dock or cradle to make it easier to grab and go. But, I think, wisely, the lack of a cradle was a decision made to keep the cost of the unit low.

The Vaux comes in two colors, Carbon (Black) and Ash (White).

Specifications

  • Weight: 1.7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.2 x 6.4 inches
  • Batteries:5000 mAh Internal rechargeable lithium ion
  • Colors: Black/Carbon and White/Ash
  • Speakers: Two active 52mm drivers, one passive 90mm x 50mm radiator
  • Ports: 3.5mm Aux Input, Micro-USB Charging Port

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Ninety7. Please visit their website or Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $49.95
Manufacturer: Ninety7 Inc.
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • 2nd Generation Echo Dot
Pros:
  • Portable
  • Great battery life
Cons:
  • Not weatherproof
  • Works only with 2nd Generation Echo Dot
  • Sound quality degrades at higher volumes

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Vaux Speaker for the Amazon Echo Dot Review originally appeared on on June 1, 2017 at 4:23 pm.

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Samsung Galaxy S8 review


I’m guessing that almost every review of the Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ starts out with some mention of last year’s recall of the Note 7 due to battery issues that led to the spontaneous combustion of some phones. You would think that all that drama and bad press would have hurt Samsung’s reputation. But it doesn’t appear to be the case because many of my gadget reviewing brethren are saying that Samsung’s latest smartphones are the best smartphones ever made by anyone. What do I think? Click through to find out.

What is it?

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is Samsung’s latest Android smartphone.

Hardware specifications

Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 MSM8998 Octa-Core, 2.35 GHz (Quad) + 1.9GHz (Quad)
Display: 5.8” Quad HD, Super AMOLED, 571 PPI, 1440 x 2960 pixels resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Operating System: Android 7.0, Nougat
Memory: Flash: 64GB RAM: 4GB
Expandable Memory: Removable microSD up to 256GB (sold separately)
Network: CDMA 1X and EvDO Rev 0/Rev ALTE (Domestic): B13/B4/B2/B5/B66
Global Network: LTE (Global): B3/B7/B20/B8/B18/B19/B28/B26GSM Quad B5/B8/B3/B2 (850/900/1800/1900MHz) & UMTS Quad: B5/B8/B2/B1 (850/9001900/2100MHz) TDS CDMA 34, 39 & TDD LTE 38, 39, 40, 41, LTE-U: B252/B255(in SU)CAT 4/ CAT 6/ CAT 9
Camera (rear): 12 MP f/1.7, 26mm
Camera (front): 8 MP f/1.7
Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+5GHz, VHT80 MU-MIMO,1024-QAM
NFC
Battery: 3,000mAH, Non-removable
Dimensions: 5.86 in x 2.68 in
Weight: 5.47 oz

What’s in the box?

Samsung Galaxy S8
AC adapter
USB Type-C charging cable
USB to Type-C adapter
micro USB to Type-C adapter
Headphones
Ear tips for headphones
SIM card removal tool

Design and features

I can’t argue when people say that the S8 is the nicest looking smartphone that has ever been made. It’s thin, with smooth sides, rounded corners and of course, that almost bezel-less curved glass display. It’s a looker for sure.

The S8 is pictured above to the left of my Nexus 6P. The Nexus has a 5.7” 2560 x 1440 resolution display and the Samsung Galaxy S8 has slightly larger 5.8″ higher resolution 2960 x 1440 display but in a noticeably smaller package.


The front of the S8 has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display with thin black bezels at the top and bottom edges. Gone is the familiar physical home button that has graced Galaxy phones for as long as I can remember.

The back of the phone is also made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with a LED flash, camera, and an awkwardly placed fingerprint scanner which I’ll talk about later.

On the left side of the phone are two buttons. There’s a long one-piece volume rocker button and the Bixby button below it. If you’re not familiar with Bixby, that’s Samsung’s version of Siri and Google’s digital voice assistants. I’ll talk more about Bixby later in the review, but suffice to say, that the location of the Bixby button is not optimal because it’s too close to the volume button.

On the opposite side of the phone, you’ll find the power/wake button.

All of the Samsung Galaxy S8’s buttons have good tactile feedback and stick out far enough from the frame so that your fingers can find the buttons without looking.

On the top edge of the Galaxy S8, you’ll find a microphone…

and the SIM/micro SD card tray.

On the bottom edge of the S8, you’ll find an antiquated 3.5mm headphone jack (just kidding), a USB Type-C charging port, another microphone, and the speaker.

The location of the speaker is problematic if you like to hold your phone in your hand while watching videos. It’s too easy to block the speaker with the palm of your hand, causing audio to be muffled.

The S8 is a solid device that has no problems surviving my almost 2 decades old squeeze test. The phone feels great in hand and is the perfect size for one-handed use and fits much better in my pocket than my Nexus 6P. But, the S8 is a slippery phone and with a glass back, I worry about how fragile it is.

I’m not going to drop it to test how fragile it is, but it is nice to know that the S8 has an IP68 rating which means that is water resistant when dunked in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Display

The S8’s display is gorgeous. But then I think all Samsung devices have the excellent displays. The display on the S8 is bright, with vivid colors, and great viewing angles.

Even in full sunlight, the S8’s screen can be read relatively easily.

Barely there bezels mean that the S8’s screen takes up 83% of the phone’s face. The S8 isn’t the first smartphone to feature almost invisible bezels. LG beat Samsung to launch with the first almost bezel-less phone when they rolled out their LG G6.

 

I do love the Samsung Galaxy S8’s always on display which shows the current time along with notification icons for incoming emails, text messages, missed calls, etc. However, interacting with the notification icons can feel a little inconsistent.

When you double tap a notification icon on the lock screen, it will either show a list of your notifications like the screenshot above, or it will prompt you to unlock the phone. I haven’t figured out why it chooses to show the list or not show the list when double tapped. Even when it does show the list, you can’t really do anything until you unlock the phone.

Curves in all the right places?

Curved screen edges are not a new feature for Samsung smartphones. We’ve seen them for several years now. In the past, I’ve had issues with my palm accidentally pressing the screen when I’m gripping it in my hand. I’m happy to say that I didn’t notice any of these problems with the S8. That said, I’m just not a big fan of rounded screen edges for the very reason that the screen wraps around the edge. It feels like the screen is squeezed and thinner/smaller than it should be.

I also don’t use the edge panels that are accessed by swiping the panel handle on the edge of the screen. If you’re not familiar with them, you can think of edge panels as an app speed dial list. I just don’t see the point.

The Samsung Galaxy S8’s 18.5:9 display is taller and narrower than the Samsung Galaxy S7 which makes it easier to hold and use with just one hand.

This is the first Samsung smartphone that does not have a physical home button. Do I miss the home button? Nope, not at all. But that’s mainly because I’ve been using the Nexus 6P as my primary phone for over a year, which also does not have a home button.

Before you ask, there is a home button, it’s just not a mechanical/physical button. It’s a virtual button that is always there, even on the lock screen. When you press the virtual home button, it vibrates to provide tactile feedback. The onscreen button graphics move slightly all the time to prevent screen burn in.

Audio quality

The Samsung Galaxy S8 sounds pretty great with the included AKG in-ear wired headphones which are worth about $100 on their own. Music sounds better through the S8 and headphones when compared to my Nexus 6P.

Listening to music, movies, etc using the built-in speaker is ok but it’s nothing to high five about.

Camera

When it comes to smartphone cameras, everyone’s go-to comparison is going to be with the latest iPhone. I don’t have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus to do any comparisons with the S8 for this review, but I was not unhappy with the S8’s image snapping performance. I’ve included some samples below.






The camera interface is not too much different than previous models of the Galaxy phone. There are a few minor updates though. One nice update is that Samsung finally allows you to double tap the power button to launch the camera app. That means you can snap a quick pic without needing to first unlock the phone.


The app also has an easy way to zoom in by moving the on-screen shutter button up and down.

If you’re into silly Snapchat style image overlays, the S8’s camera app includes a few animal “stickers”. How do I look as a cat?


Clicking the stylized eye icon in the camera app will launch Bixby Vision. With Bixby Vision, you can point the camera at a product and it will look up the pricing info for it on Amazon. I tried it with a few items around the house and it worked surprisingly well. The only issue is that the phone has to be unlocked to use Bixby Vision. That means if you use the double tap power button feature to launch the camera app and then tap the Bixby Vision icon, you’ll be prompted to unlock the phone before you can use the product lookup feature.

Although the camera takes good pictures, it is a little disappointing that the S8 only has one camera lens on the back. So you can’t get the wide angle shots or the same bokeh (fuzzy background) features that the iPhone 7 Plus and LG G6 offers. I’m guessing that Samsung will save the dual camera feature for the Note 8.

Unlocking the phone

You’ve no doubt already heard that the fingerprint scanner is located on the back of the S8 next to the camera lens and that the location sucks. I’m not going to argue with that. The location DOES suck and I hate everything about the S8’s fingerprint scanner because it doesn’t work for me more than 1-2 times out of 10. Fingerprint scanners hate me… it’s just one of the sad facts of my gadget reviewing existence. However, I didn’t have any probs with the fingerprint scanner on the LG G6. It worked almost every time… which is rare for me. Because I have so much trouble with fingerprint scanners, I just don’t use them.

If you also have issues with fingerprint scanners, the S8/S8+ has three other ways to unlock the phone. You can use the iris scanner, face scanner, or go old school and setup a pattern. I find that using the pattern is the fastest way for me to unlock the phone because you have to swipe the unlock screen first to use the iris or face scanner which I think is an unnecessary step. I also use the Smart Lock feature which lets you unlock instantly by pressing the power button or home button when you’re at a trusted place, are connected to trusted devices, or use a trusted voice (the voice set up for Ok Google).

I also use the Smart Lock feature which lets you unlock instantly by pressing the power button or home button when you’re at a trusted place, are connected to trusted devices, or use a trusted voice (the voice set up for Ok Google).

Software and user interface


The S8’s user interface has Samsung’s TouchWiz interface on top of Android Nougat. There are a few things that TouchWiz changes about Nougat when compared to a Google Pixel or the Nexus 6P. For one thing, the icons have rounded frames around them so that they look alike. If you hate this feature like I do, you can turn it off, but Samsung’s apps retain the look even when you turn off the feature.

Another difference includes the option to toggle on a blue light filter which is supposed to help prevent eye strain by limiting the amount of blue light emitted by the screen.

But one of the biggest difference between the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ and other Android phones is Bixby Home, Vision and Voice. I already mentioned the Bixby Vision feature when I discussed the camera.

Bixby Home is like Google Now which you access by swiping right on the home screen. It shows cards with the weather, people who you contact regularly based on the time of day, calendar events, news and more. I rarely use Google Now on my Nexus 6P and don’t see a real need to use it on the S8 either.

Bixby Voice is supposed to be a virtual assistant like Alexa, Siri, and Ok Google. The problem is that doesn’t work yet, so it’s yet to be determined if it’s better than Ok Google which I seriously doubt it will be.

Using the Samsung Galaxy S8 for phone calls

I didn’t have any complaints from people I talked to while testing the Samsung Galaxy S8. Conversations on both sides of calls were clear and with ample volume. I also did not have any issues with dropped calls while testing this phone. Signal strength seemed to be no better or worse than other phones that I use and test on the Verizon network.

Overall performance and battery life using the Samsung Galaxy S8 for day to day tasks

The Samsung Galaxy S8’s performance is smooth and snappy. I had no issues launching apps, switching back and forth between apps, scrolling web pages, lists, etc. I also didn’t have any issues with the S8 freezing or crashing.

When it comes to battery life, I was easily able to make it through a full day and sometimes much longer before needing a recharge.

Also, the fact that the S8 has wireless charging gets a big thumbs up from me.

Final thoughts

When other reviewers say that the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are the best smartphones in the world, I have to agree. The S8 is a solid well-made phone that looks great. It’s fast, has a very good camera and the screen is spectacular. Even though I’m not a fan of the curved display sides, I really have enjoyed using this phone and was sorry to box it up and return it to Verizon today.

The only downside to this phone is the price (especially if you plan to buy the unlocked version) but unfortunately, that is the trend led by Apple and I don’t see any relief in sight.

If you’re shopping for a new high-end Android smartphone and can’t make up your mind between the S8 and the LG G6, I feel your pain. It just comes down to what looks best to you. That said, I’m happy to recommend the S8.

Source: The short term loaner sample for this review was provided by Verizon Wireless. Please visit their site for more info and to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $756.00
Manufacturer: Samsung
Retailer: Verizon Wireless
Pros:
  • Gorgeous display
  • Wireless charging
  • Good battery life
  • microSD card slot
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Fingerprint sensor location
  • Only one camera on the back
  • Downward firing speaker

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Samsung Galaxy S8 review originally appeared on on June 1, 2017 at 11:57 am.

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Yubico YubiKey 4 hardware security key review


In today’s world of technology and internet security, there always seems to be a website being hacked and personal details being compromised.  A password, even a complex one, isn’t really enough.  Luckily there are a few options out there to make our data a bit safer. You can use two-factor authentication with software (using an authenticator app on a mobile phone, for example) or using a hardware key, such as Yubico’s YubiKey. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your account that you, and only you, can access in order to prove your identity. Let’s take a look at how the YubiKey 4 and 4 Nano work.Note: Images can be clicked on to view a larger size.

Different services use different types of security protocols. YubiKeys are capable of performing multiple protocols, so you can use the same key for almost an unlimited number of services. U2F is a popular open authentication standard that enables internet users to securely access any number of online services, with one single device, instantly and with no drivers, or client software needed.

YubiKey 4 Series comes in multiple form factors. Each option includes the same internal components, functionality, and capabilities. I was sent the 4 and 4 Nano.

The YubiKey 4 fits on a keychain and plugs into a USB-A port such as on my 2015 Macbook Pro

The YubiKey 4 Nano is good for semi-permanent installation and also plugs into a USB-A port. I have put mine on a lanyard for convenience.

Benefits of the YubiKey

  • Prevents unauthorized access by requiring the physical presence of the key to log in on that device
  • Easy to use: Plug it in and touch the gold button or edge; no codes to type or apps to install
  • Affordable: The same YubiKey can be used with nearly unlimited services
  • Durable: Crushproof and water-resistant, no batteries or moving parts
  • Everywhere: Use it on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Chrome OS for Chromebooks
  • Convenient: Fits on a keychain, in a wallet, or inside a USB port

The YubiKey 4 Nano is on the left, and the YubiKey 4 is on the right. For size reference, I’ve included an US dime coin.

YubiKey works with tons of online services and applications such as Google, Facebook, Dropbox, Windows, MacOS Sierra, and password managers such as LastPass, Dashlane, KeePass, etc.

For LastPass, it was very easy to set up the YubiKey. In account preferences, it will ask you to insert your device into the USB port and touch the gold plate on the key itself.

It then acts as a keyboard and types a long string of characters into the YubiKey slot.  You can add multiple keys for extra security, which is really nice to have. (This is a feature of LastPass Premium.)

The same process goes for adding it to any of your favorite online services. Look into account preferences for an option along the lines of “set up a hardware key”. Then insert your YubiKey, follow instructions, and all is set. The YubiKey 4 and 4 Nano work exactly the same by touching the gold plating on the device to activate the key when logging in.  It’s given me peace of mind knowing that I have an extra layer of security on top of my two-factor authentication mobile app and password. To note, you aren’t stuck if you lose your YubiKey or don’t have it near you. You can still log in with a mobile authenticator token, or old-fashioned password.

I highly recommend investing in a second or third round of protection for your most used and important websites.  The YubiKey is available at a discount for education, GitHub users, and also available in bulk trays for businesses.

Source: The sample for this review was sent by Yubico. Please visit their website for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $40-50
Manufacturer: Yubico
Requirements:
  • USB A port
  • Mac, Windows or Linux computer
Pros:
  • Very easy to set up
  • Secure
  • Portable
Cons:
  • Very easy to lose unless attached to keys or a lanyard

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Yubico YubiKey 4 hardware security key review originally appeared on on May 31, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase review


Let’s talk about hybrid/convertible work bags for a minute. Are you a briefcase, messenger, or backpack person? What if you didn’t have to choose? I like the flexibility of convertible bags, but finding one that is both functional and business appropriate has been a challenge. After two months of testing, I think I’ve found it. Let’s have a look at the Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase!

Style, Materials, and Build

Topo’s signature adventure-oriented design style combines unusual color combinations & elements in products that typically look more at home in casual or outdoor environments. The Commuter Briefcase, however, bridges that gap with a business-friendly look that can still rumble on the weekends. Horween leather accents and a streamlined profile make for a good looking bag when dressing up for meetings, but it still works with a pair of jeans for a trip to the coffee shop as I have demonstrated in the pics attached. I like the way that Topo plays with adventurous color palettes in all their products, and you’ll find that design aesthetic here as well. There’s all black version for the conservative types, but you’ll also find a navy & green version of the bag that play with bright color accents to give the bag a unique pop (mine is the navy with brown leather). Some may find it to be a bit too casual for formal settings, but I think it works in most business settings.

(By the way… that is a Ramones T-Shirt I am wearing in the pics. Pair that with a sports coat and you’re good to go for any high-level board meeting. Right? Maybe? OK. Moving on…)

Underneath the good looks, materials and construction in the Commuter Briefcase are all about quality and durability. 1000D Cordura is the primary material with a Horween leather base and padding all around to protect your delicate electronics. The interior is lined with a coated pack cloth that is both stain and water-resistant. While buckles and clips are all plastic, they are heavy duty and built to take heavy abuse. All the zippers are overbuilt built with glorious, chunky YKK zips that will probably outlast the bag. Assembly and stitching throughout is exceptional, with reinforcement in all the right places and no loose seams to be found after kicking it around for two solid months.

Layout and Design

The Commuter leverages a classic briefcase form factor with excellent accessibility. A top  zipper (with two pulls for left- or right-side access) opens to the main compartment, which includes a padded laptop sleeve. The front zippered pocket runs the length and height of the bag and is big enough to accommodate a tablet and extras. A couple of additional small pockets are built into the laptop sleeve (one open, one zippered, and two pen loops). It’s a simple, functional layout is gives you quick access to everything in the bag. On the downside, there’s not a lot of pocketing for corralling your extra bits. If you need of extra organization, you’ll want to bring your own pouches and accessories to manage your stuff.

At 16″ by 11″ by 4.5″ and just over 2 pounds I feel that the Commuter Briefcase hits the sweet spot for overall size, capacity & weight. You can load up a 15″ laptop, a tablet, chargers, headphones, a notebook or two, and all of your daily bits & pieces (chargers, pens, keys, etc.) with room leftover to pack a snack or a small lunch. If you want to go minimal (like a tablet and essentials), it’s still streamlined enough that you won’t feel like you’re carrying too much bag. While I have not flown with it (yet), I expect that the size will make it an excellent personal item to stow under an airline seat.

One Bag, Three Carry Options

The Commuter Briefcase’s key differentiator is the three-way carry system. Numerous bag designers have developed variations on this theme, but this may be the best implementation I have seen yet. 

The first carry option is briefcase style, in which you carry the bag by the two top handles. The handles themselves are substantial nylon webbing, wrapped with Horween leather grips that add a touch of padding. Some may want more padding, but I find that they are comfortable enough without being so bulky that they get in the way when not in use.

There’s a detachable shoulder strap for messenger mode, made of nylon webbing with heavy-duty plastic swivel buckles with an 18″ closed foam pad. Drop length on the strap accommodates a broad range of body types, and the generous shoulder pad makes it easy to find a comfortable position. This is my main carry mode and I have found that the pad, while thin, is very comfortable. The thinner pad also makes it easy to stash when not in use without taking up a lot of space in the bag.

For backpack carry, you’ll find a pair of shoulder straps stashed into a rear pocket. Rotate the bag to a vertical orientation, pull the straps out (they are permanently attached at the shoulder points), and clip them into attachment loops at the “bottom” of the bag. There’s also a nylon grab handle that sits at the top of the bag in this configuration. The setup is comfortable for all-day carry with good padding and nice adjustment length in the straps. Topo also includes a removable waist strap if you need it.

Daily Use

Testing bags is one of my favorite things, so I am very particular about how a bag’s intended design translates into daily use. After two months of living with Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase, I think it hits all the marks for functional usability. It’s easy to use, adapts well to many situations, and (most importantly) works well in all of its intended forms.

For commuting and life in the office, it’s a great choice. The size is just right to carry your laptop and all of the workplace accessories and works well whether you’re traveling by car or by train with easy access to all of your stuff.  Getting in and out of the bag during meetings is easy if you need to grab things, and it’s light enough that you don’t mind slogging it around from conference room to conference room. It doesn’t look out of place in business environments, and looks good dressed up or dressed down for casual days.

The Commuter Briefcase works just as well as a travel companion for day trips or extended adventures. It’s light and streamlined enough that you can use it like a messenger bag, yet still have a protected spot to stash your tablet if you need it. It’s not fully waterproof, but the materials are rugged enough that it can take some abuse while the coated pack cloth gives additional protection against dirt and spills with water resistance. The backpack mode is great if you want to go hands-free, and works well for all day carry if you need it. I have a business trip to Europe coming up over the summer, and I’m looking forward to testing this bag out as my personal bag for airline travel, business meetings, and sightseeing. I’ll post a report on that when I get back!

Nitpicks and Caveats

I don’t see any big deal-breakers in terms of design flaws here, but the Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase does have some quirks that you should know about related to organization, style, and design choices.

Some have commented that they would like to see more organization in the Commuter for corralling loose bits. I find that some bag designers tend to over-design these spaces to the point that they become very mission-specific. My preference is to add organizer pouches for customization, and I think that the open layout of this bag lends itself well to that. If you prefer more built-in organization, however, this may not be the bag for you.

There is a pair of cinch straps on the bottom of the bag, but they don’t seem particularly necessary to me. I think they are better suited for securing longer items (an umbrella, a tripod, or maybe a rolled up jacket). Nor have I found a need to use the waist strap. It’s a nice bonus, but it’s just not necessary for a bag of this size unless you’re hiking (in which case you would probably use a backpack). These are both nice little additions, but I don’t see them as necessary for a bag that if focused more towards business and casual use than true outdoor adventuring (I would use one of their backpacks for that). 

While the look of the bag will definitely stand out in the office, materials and hardware tend towards functional use. Some may not like the use of plastics and nylon in all of the buckles, snaps & straps. Quality is excellent, and I don’t see any potential fail points in these items. They do tend to favor the rugged end of the bag’s style, however, and you may find them out of place if you are looking for a more formal look in your daily carry. 

Finally, the backpack straps are permanently stitched to the bag at the shoulder points and are not removable. They also tend to protrude from their pocket a bit when stored. Some reviewers have commented that these issues can be irritating, but I have not found this to impede the other functions of the bag. Honestly, I think this a trade-off that you have to consider the ability to convert to backpack mode on-the-fly; if this is a function you don’t plan to use much, you may want to consider a bag specifically designed for briefcase-style carry. 

A Note on Accessories

When I purchased this bag, I also bought two additional items to help with organization. I’m pleasantly surprised to report that I found both items to be even more useful in practice than I expected.

The Topo Medium Accessory Bag is treated to use. Its made from 1000D Cordura with the same coasted pack cloth as the bag, and includes loops and attachment points to hook it to a chord or carabiner if needed. At 9.5″ by 7.5″ it’s perfect to round up all my chargers, cables, and loose bits; it also fits nicely in either the main compartment or the front compartment with plenty of room to spare.

The Topo Designs Strap is a 10.5″ nylon strap with an additional 8.5″ hook-and-loop fastener extension. Topo makes these as a multifunctional accessory: you can use them to manage your skis or tools, to peg your pants leg while biking, or even as a watch strap. I found that this works great for securing a water bottle to my bag strap.

As with the Commuter Briefcase, both accessories are rock-solid builds and look like they will take long-term abuse. They are nice additions that extend the usability of the bag, without any extra frills that interfere with their functionality.

Conclusion & Pricing

After two solid months of living with the Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase on a daily basis, it has quickly become one of my favorite bags. Attention to detail and function translate to a design in the Commuter that is easy to live with and adapts easily to work, play and travel. It looks good in professional and casual settings and works equally well in all three carry modes. Overall this is one of the best realizations of a one-bag, multifunctional daily carry solution that I have found yet.

Topo Designs builds all of their products in an environmentally-friendly facility in Colorado and uses materials that are all sourced in the U.S. The Commuter Briefcase retails for $189, which is a good price considering the features and the fact that’s made in the USA. Topo also makes a variety of accessories at different price points; the medium accessory bag I tested is $17, and the strap is $12. To find out more and to check out their whole lineup of gear (including clothing and accessories), hop on over to Topo Designs web site.

Note: This product was not supplied for testing by Topo Designs. I paid for this with my hard-earned nickels. Visit Amazon for current pricing and to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $189.00
Manufacturer: Topo Designs
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Good looking in office and casual environments.
  • Excellent build quality, made in the USA.
  • Works well in all carry modes.
  • Simple, functional, and effective design.
Cons:
  • Minimal organization options may not suit everyone's tastes.
  • Might be too casual for formal business settings if that's the look you are going for.

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Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase review originally appeared on on May 30, 2017 at 11:02 am.

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Parblo Pearl P-10 LCD Drawing Tablet review


Parblo Pearl P10 e-Paper Writing Tablet

If you’ve stepped foot into a large bookstore chain, craft store or one of those places that sell educational types of toys, chances are you’ve seen something similar to the Parblo Pearl. This thin device is a pressure-sensitive LCD writing tablet designed to replace standard slate chalkboards, whiteboards, memo pads… just about anything you’d jot a quick note on.

At first glance, the Pearl looks like an e-reader. It’s very thin, lightweight and has a decent sized bezel for holding. Running the included stylus across the sleek surface will reveal the true nature of the device. The pressure sensitivity and width of the stylus tip gave me the impression of writing with a thick colored pencil. There is a fair range of stroke width depending on how hard you press on the screen.

The width of the stroke can be adjusted via pressure.

The erase function for the tablet is powered by a button cell battery that claims to erase up to 10,000 times. The writing and drawing function doesn’t actually require any power because of the nature of the pressure-sensitive LCD. Similar to e-paper screens, there is no energy required to keep draw or keep the image displayed, only to reset the screen. Still, 10,000 cycles ought to be enough to last for months.

The device’s single button functions as a screen clear. There is no way to save a note or drawing. There is a lock switch to prevent the button from erasing the screen when it’s accidentally pressed, but chances are you’re not going to be knocking out some great piece of artwork or jotting down a super-important note on the tablet, anyway.

So who is this for?

I see this as a fine replacement for anywhere you’d typically find a small whiteboard… in the kitchen, locker, dorm room… wherever you’d want to jot down and display a quick note or reminder. It would also work great for kids to use as a doodle pad. The image fidelity beats the pants off of a Magna-Doodle and my four-year-old loved it. It’s worth mentioning that the Pearl tablet is rather thin, and I couldn’t imagine it lasting very long knocking around inside a backpack without some sort of rigid case.

Also, the contrast isn’t especially good on devices like these, certainly not as nice as a black marker on a crisp whiteboard. There is no built-in light, so a well-lit environment is necessary.

On the plus side, the Pearl is one of the more cost-efficient versions of an LCD writing tablet I’ve seen, hardly breaking the bank at a mere $24.99. Then again, that is halfway to a Kindle Fire, these days, so its overall usefulness is clearly a matter of opinion.

My final two cents… the Parblo Pearl isn’t going to change your life, but if you find yourself running through loads of chalk or expensive dry-erase markers on your memo boards, this neat little writing tablet could pay for itself in a matter of months.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Parblo. Visit their website for more information or order directly from Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $24.99
Manufacturer: Parblo
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Thin, light and inexpensive
  • Cost efficient vs. white/chalk boards
  • Very responsive to stylus pressure
Cons:
  • Seems like it might be easy to bend/break
  • Contrast could be better

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Parblo Pearl P-10 LCD Drawing Tablet review originally appeared on on May 29, 2017 at 10:30 am.

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