When I get a new iPad, I’m always hesitant to bring it outside. After all, my iPad was a $1000 investment and carrying it around without protection makes me nervous. Fortunately, Speck was quick to release their new Speck Balance FOLIO for 10.5” iPad Pro. It is a simple case that adds serious protection and much more.
Samson QH4 is one of those products designed for professional musicians but also makes sense for non-professionals who simply want to share their music with others while wearing headphones. The Samson QH4 is “a 4-channel headphone amplifier designed to distribute your audio to up to four individual headphones, each with its own volume control.” And there’s much more.
I recently reviewed Human Solution’s tabletop sit-stand desk converter. It’s an impressive way to turn a standard desk into something much more. For those who want the full sit-stand desk experience, however, there is the UPLIFT Stand Up Desk. I have one for review and love it so much I bought one for my office at work!
I purchased my first Amazon Echo when it was first released. Since then I have added a few Echo Dots, and the Alexa ecosystem has become central to my homes smart functionality. The Echo Dot, however, has a small, crappy speaker. Thanks to the $49.95 VAUX Speaker for Echo Dot, however, that is no longer the case.
Plantronics has formally announced the new Voyager 8200 UC, and it looks amazing. The company has been making some impressive moves in the area of headphones with active noise cancellation, and the new Voyager 8200 US takes things to a new level.
If you aren’t happy with Apple’s Lightning Earpods, don’t want to use their clumsy adapter, don’t want to go wireless, but also don’t want to spend a fortune on new earphones, you will want to check out the Scosche IDR300L Increased Dynamic Range Earbuds with Lightning Connector. At just $79.99 they are affordable, comfortable, and sound surprisingly good.
I’ve long been a fan of Jabra headsets. The Jabra Elite Sport which Greg reviewed here is my current favorites for running. And, as I was setting up a new home office I was excited to see the release of the Jabra Evolve 75 headphones. I was thrilled to get a pair for review and am truly impressed by them.
When Apple joined the chorus of companies moving to USB-C, I knew I’d be needing new adapters and cables. I bought some of Apple’s when I got my new MacBook Pro, but they are priced ridiculously. Thankfully, Satechi is releasing a range of adapters and cables that are priced well; the Satechi Aluminum Type-C to HDMI Adapter is one example.
I recently reviewed the BRAVEN Stryde 360 Bluetooth Speaker. (Read the review.) It is under $100, is waterproof, and delivers good sound regardless of where you go. If, however, you want big sound that gets even bigger thanks to “BRAVEN Boost,” you will want to check out the BRAVEN BRV-BLADE. It looks serious and delivers sound in keeping with appearances.
I purchased the very first speaker from Braven. It was decent enough, and since then the company has come a long way. Braven’s current lineup of speakers have style, sound great, and are built for the real world. This is especially true of new Braven Stryde 360 Bluetooth speaker. At just $99.99, this little waterproof speaker is impressive.
I recently “renovated” my home office. It now has a new 13” MacBook Pro, an UPLIFT standing desk from HumanSolution, a big beautiful monitor from AOC and AudioEngine HD3 Bookshelf speakers. Key to this setup, however, is the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD with Cable. At $349.99 it is pricey, but it turns my laptop into an amazing desktop.
Summertime is here. That means more time outside enjoying all that the great outdoors has to offer. It also means fewer pockets. And THAT means more opportunities for your iPhone to get dropped, damages or soaked. Thanks to the BodyGuardz Trainr Pro Case with Unequal Technology you don’t need pockets, and you don’t need to worry.
Over the years, I have been impressed by the process Plantronics brings to product development. On a fairly regular basis, they release something brand new. But on an even more frequent basis, they take what exists and simply make it better. That’s the case with the new Voyager 3200 Series.
In fall of 2014, I published a review of the ZAGG Rugged Folio Keyboard Case for the iPad Air. It was serious protection for a serious tablet. Now that Apple offers an affordable 9.7” iPad more people will likely be taking iPads more places. Thankfully, ZAGG has released the Rugged Messenger for the latest 9.7″ iPad in Apple’s lineup.
Human Solution recently sent a number of products for review. I’ll be looking at their dedicated UPLIFT desk in a future review but, for this first in the series, I wanted to look at their impressive UPLIFT Adapt Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter. For just over $200, it converts almost any desk into a sit-stand desk.
A few years ago, I was using a MacBook Air as my main computer and drinking a glass of Crystal Lite. (I have since switched to… water.) One second all was well, and the next… my MacBook Air was filled with sticky fake lemonade. That would NEVER have happened had I been using a Mighty Mug. It is quite remarkable!
I’ve long been a fan of AKG’s headphones. I like their aesthetics. I like their build. Most importantly, I like the tuning that AKG brings to their music products. It simply sounds good to my ears. That’s why I was excited to check out the new AKG N60NC Wireless. I’ve reviewed the N60NC but now… they’ve cut the cord!
If you have a 2016 MacBook Pro, you may want to consider picking up one of Belkin’s new Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD with Cable. The new Express Dock is fast. It is powerful. And, with just a single cable, it turns your MacBook into a desktop. At $349.99 it’s pricey, but it is a serious piece of hardware.
Some time ago, I brought word that Blue Microphones was deepening their headphone bench with the introduction of their first pair of wireless headphones. The Blue Satellite Wireless headphones build upon what is, in a short time, a stellar reputation. The new Satellite Wireless Headphones with ANC and an onboard Amp are, in a word, “Impressive.”
We reviewed the Micro Wallet from Distil Union. I followed up with a review of the Wally Agent. Now we turn our focus to a revised version of the Wally Bifold. I reviewed the original Wally Bifold; I stopped using it for a specific reason and, in the updated version, that issue has been resolved. I love it!
When I’m not working, my “uniform” of choice is a pair of jeans or shorts and a monochrome t-shirt from either Express or the Banana Republic. Those t-shirts are made largely from cotton; they’re soft and wear well but need to be washed after every wear. The Terminal Tech Tee from Olivers takes a different approach, and I’m rather pleased.