Ready Player One has been the butt of internet jokes for years. I didn’t hate it, though I agree it wasn’t exactly fine literature. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I impulsively bought Ready Player Two over the weekend despite poor reviews. Should you read it? Well, read on for my review.
Fans of classic adventure gaming can mark the date of the re-birth of the genre: October 17, 2006. That is when the first episode of all-new Sam & Max adventures was released on PC to critical and commercial success. It was followed up by five other episodes and two additional entire seasons, all from the original creators of the series and somehow living up to (or exceeding) the original series’s quality.
Vizio currently offers several television lines; their OLED line starts at $1299.99, the P-Series starts at $1199.99 for a 65” television, and a 40″ M-Series starts at $399.99. By contrast, you can get a 40” V-Series television for just $229.99. The V705x-H1, which I was sent for review, has an MSRP of $659.99 and is currently available for $549.99.
NuHeara IQ2 Buds aim to be more than just wireless earbuds; they also want to enhance your hearing, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you more clearly. They’ll provide you with a way to rock out to music, but also be able to hear more easily in a crowded restaurant. In theory, great. In practice…well, read on.
I’ve been testing the OnePlus 8T for well over a month, and although it showed up at a time when I had four other different phones on my desk to review, it soon won me over and became my daily driver. Yes, there are a few caveats, but for someone like me who wants a brilliant, large display with a high refresh rate, fantastic battery life, an even better than expected camera, and almost all of the bells and whistles, it is a great choice.
The new iPhone 12s are the best iPhones Apple has ever released. But they are pricey, with some models almost requiring you to take out a second mortgage. Protecting a device as expensive as the iPhone is more important than ever. Survivor offers four different levels of protection in a variety of colors and price points. Here’s a look.
If you’re looking for a professional-level espresso drink at home without hiring a barista, the Jura ENA 8 is the next best thing. This automatic espresso machine grinds coffee beans fresh for each drink, perfectly steams and froths milk, and makes a heck of a cappuccino. Starting at $1,899, the Ena 8 is available in three accent colors.
I recently reviewed the Zepp E Circle, one of the most gorgeous and functional health-centric watches available. Zepp has already added another watch to their line — the Zepp Z. Made from a single block of polished titanium alloy with more of a traditional men’s watch design, the Zepp Z has a classic style that is loaded with smart features and intelligence-assisted fitness tracking.
Jabra has done a fantastic job with its true wireless earphones. The original Jabra Elite Sport was good, and they’ve only gotten better with each iteration. Now they’ve released the Jabra Elite 85t. It packs even more tech than the excellent Jabra Elite 75t and offers native active noise cancellation. But is the new offering better than the Jabra 75t?
When the pandemic started and we began working from home, Raina and I both set up dual-monitors at our desks. My setup is great, but when I want to work on my laptop, I now find the 13” screen a bit too constraining. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t USB-C Mobile Monitor with Touch Screen that I received for review has changed all that.
When Apple introduced the iPhone 12, they also introduced their new MagSafe charging system and the new iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe. Pitaka offers something similar, the Pitaka MagEZ Card Sleeve, as part of their MagEZ line of cases. And while it only works with Pitaka’s cases, it does the same job but for half the price.
I’ve been a fan of Pitaka iPhone MagEZ cases for some time. Judie sent me one she had reviewed a number of years ago, and I haven’t looked back. The cases are thin, light, highly protective, and they work with Pitaka’s MagEZ line of accessories. Sure, Apple has MagSafe, but Pitaka was already doing something similar for years.
In addition to the Nomad Rugged Case for iPhone 12 we recently reviewed, we have also had a chance to check out the new Nomad Rugged Folio for the iPhone 12. It offers the same great protection as the Rugged Case while protecting the iPhone’s screen and letting you leave your wallet at home.
Nomad has released a range of new cases for the four versions of the iPhone 12. They sent a few samples for my iPhone 12 Pro, and, as usual, they are impressive. Here’s a quick look at the Nomad Rugged Case for the iPhone 12 Pro. Made from Horween leather and available in three different colors, they are gorgeous.
Complete with the World’s first dual-curved display, the OPPO Watch is a Google user’s answer to the Apple Watch. I’ve been trying it out for the last few months and have been absolutely amazed by its style and functionality. But is that because I’m so used to the form and functionality of the Apple Watch?
It’s stressful to be out and about and then suddenly realize that your smartphone’s battery is about to die. You can keep that from happening with one of the latest Aukey power banks. Each of these delivers up to 18W of power with PD 3.0 output (USB Type-C) and Quick Charge 3.0 output (USB Type-A), and they’ll work with all of your portable gear.
A few weeks ago, we reported that Ultimate Ears was releasing custom fit true wireless earbuds. Having reviewed Ultimate Ears UE CSX that were custom fit to my ears thanks to their innovative UE Fitkit, I was excited. UE FITS use slightly different technology, but they do indeed let you create custom earphones in just a few minutes.
Roku prides themselves on their laser focus — it’s all about making streaming the best possible experience for their users. Their interface is simple, their devices are plug and play, and their entire ecosystem is built around offering multiple options at every price point. We took a look at the Roku StreamBar and new Roku Ultra and came away very impressed!
I reviewed the BlendJet some months ago; the small, battery-operated blender does exactly what it promises and can go anywhere. Paired with the company’s JetPacks, you can have a smoothy anywhere. Now the company has released an updated version. BlendJet 2 is larger, quieter, has more power, has measurement markers built-in, and is still just as portable.
At my house, our kids watch enough TV, so when it comes to playtime, we try to look for screen-free toys. Jogoball from Yogibo is a new toy that combines a Bluetooth speaker, motion recognition, and smart audio to provide fun for the whole family. Pre-orders are already live, and orders will start shipping on November 5th.
The LG Wing 5G is one of the most intriguing phones I’ve ever tested. I’ve got the Verizon version in hand, and the AT&T version will be available soon. While phones with swivel displays are not unique or new, the LG Wing 5G is the first and only 5G smartphone to use this form factor. Their iteration of a swivel display is surprisingly innovative, intuitive, and cool.
