Smartphones & Gear


Jabra Elite 85T Firmware Update Brings Amazon Alexa to Your Ears

Some weeks ago, Jabra did something amazing. When they released the Jabra Elite 85T, they also released a firmware update that brought ANC to the Jabra Elite 75T. It was a small touch that showed the company’s commitment to its consumers. Now they’ve done it again with a Jabra Elite 85T firmware update that delivers one-touch access to Alexa.





OPPO Find X3 Pro Review: A Brilliant Android 11 Flagship in Every Way

OPPO has been making phones since 2008, yet the OPPO Find X3 Pro is the first OPPO phone that I’ve ever tried, much less reviewed. Seeing as the Find X series is OPPO’s flagship line, and the Find X3 Pro is their top model, I can’t think of a better phone to introduce me to this company, which as of January this year, has overtaken Huawei as the number one selling smartphone brand in China. I have been using the Find X3 Pro as my primary phone for the past few weeks, and I have found much to like.


Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G Mobile Platform Makes Powerful Phones Even More Accessible

It sometimes feels like we’ve hit somewhat of an endgame with smartphones, as the form factor seems to have settled pretty solidly into “large glass slab with camera array on the back.” But the outside is only a small portion of the magic; the real excitement is in the chips doing all the work. Having a bunch of cameras sounds good, but the reality is they work because the chips inside are doing all the heavy lifting with none of the glory.




Nomad Spring Cleaning Outlet Sale Offers Big Discounts

It’s time for a bit of spring cleaning for us all, but Nomad, one of our favorite brands, has launched their Spring Cleaning Outlet Sale that opens up the opportunity to get major discounts on several of their products as they make room for a bunch of new product launches coming down the line.




OPPO Find X3 Pro: Touts a Billion Color Display, Futuristic Design, Dolby Atmos Sound, and Even a Microscope Camera

OPPO may not be widely known in the United States yet, but today’s announcement of “their most beautiful phone to date,” the futuristic OPPO Find X3 Pro, may change all of that. With a huge emphasis on the Find X3 Pro’s full-path 10-bit Colour Management System and True Billion Colour Display and the smartphone’s two Billion Colour flagship cameras, this sleek 5G flagship was made to impress.



UPDATED Earin A-3 Earphones Review: Tiny Wonders for Tuning Out While Still Being Aware of Your Surroundings

Have you found a pair of true wireless earbuds that fit well in your ears yet? Many people like foam and silicon tips because they help cut out ambient noise and give a more secure seal, but some people hate the feeling of something being jammed into their ear canal. The Earin A-3 Earphones take a different approach; they have an open audio design which leaves them sitting in the user’s ears’ concha. The result is a surprisingly comfortable fit for just about everyone, but it’s also a slightly different experience from wearing and using many other earbuds.


Huawei Mate X2 Launch Teases Excellent Hardware That Won’t Be Coming to the US

Due to the United States’ trade sanctions against Huawei, Samsung and Motorola make the only folding screen smartphones currently available here. But if you live elsewhere and don’t rely on Google apps or services, this might interest you. The Huawei Mate X2  has just been announced; it’s their foldable flagship smartphone updating the 2019 Mate X, and it appears to be an amazing piece of hardware. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-PCMCYcvBM&authuser=1


AfterShokz OpenComm Bone Conduction Stereo Bluetooth Headset Review

I’m a huge advocate of AfterShokz, especially if you’re the type to listen to music while running, walking, hiking, etc. Having your ears open while still being able to enjoy music is a home run. AfterShokz thinks hearing your surroundings is important when you’re working too, and they’re applying their bone conduction headphones concept to a work-centric headset with the AfterShokz OpenComm. Does bone conduction spiff up well for the office? Read on to find out!




MediaTek M80 5G Modem Brings mmWave 5G Support for Even Speedier Browsing!

5G is, if not yet everywhere, in a lot more places than it used to be. While it seems to be the biggest in cities, the suburbs and the rest of the world will eventually get that sweet, sweet speedy internet on the go. You may not be paying attention to how you’re getting that 5G, but under the hood of all your devices are new chips and modems to handle all that internet, and they’re making sure you’re getting the most out of your connectivity with their new MediaTek M80 5G modem.