Smart Speakers | Gear Diary

OPPO Find N5: The Slim, Water-Resistant, Foldable Smartphone That Redefines Everyday Usability

Foldable smartphones are real-world transformers—you get the portability of a regular slab phone for everyday tasks, but when you need more screen real estate, the tablet-sized inner display is right there. In theory, foldables are the best of both worlds. In practice, many struggle with bulk, awkwardly sized front displays, and durability concerns. I have considered the OnePlus Open the best foldable for the US market since 2023. With OnePlus skipping a new foldable release again this year, it only makes sense to turn to its sibling company, OPPO, and its latest foldable, the OPPO Find N5.

Events, News

From NXTPAPER 4 to Affordable 5G: TCL’s Latest Tech Innovations Redefine Eye Comfort and Connectivity

TCL is proving they’re more than just a leader in TVs. With the affordable yet powerful TCL 60 series smartphones, the groundbreaking NXTPAPER 4 technology setting new standards for eye comfort, and innovative devices like portable projectors and 5G connectivity tools, TCL is redefining how you stay connected and entertained. Whether it’s the NXTPAPER 11 tablet, the budget-friendly K32 5G phone, or the versatile PLAYCUBE projector, TCL continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions for work, play, and everything in between.

Deals

Sonos Prime Day Deals Offers up to 29% Off on Some of Their Most Popular Speakers

As I’ve shared many times, I am a long-time Sonos fan, and I really enjoy using their audio products. At home, we have at least one of their speakers in each room, their soundbars are connected to our televisions, and their new Roam 2 portable speaker is fantastic. With Sonos Prime Day Deals, you can save up to 29% on some of their most popular speakers.

Reviews

Amazon Echo Show 15 Review: Much More Than a Beautiful Smart Digital Photo Frame

If you are using an Amazon Alexa smart speaker to control your home’s various connected features, adding an Alexa-enabled smart display to the mix seems like the obvious next step. Built with the user’s privacy in mind, the Amazon Echo Show 15 is a convergent device that functions not only as an elegant touchscreen smarthome hub but also as a convenient family communication center, a mesmerizing 15.6″ digital photo frame, a helpful cooking companion, a smart speaker, a movie and video entertainment center, a home security camera, and more!

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential with Squid Ambient Light Dock

Gear Bits, Events

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential Gains Alexa and Ambient Light Docks

Sure, your home is smart, but it can always be a little bit smarter. It’s the little things that make smart objects more useful, and Lenovo understands that smarter items need great design as well as intelligence to become integral to your everyday life. That’s why they’re rolling out the new Lenovo Smart Clock Essential with Amazon Alexa alongside some new ambient light docks for it.

Deals, Gear Bits

Great Deals on Google Nest Audio Speakers and Smart Thermostats for Sam’s Club Members

If you’ve got a Sam’s Club membership, you can take advantage of two great deals that have just popped up today for the Google Nest Smart Thermostat with Bonus Trim Kit and the Google Nest Audio Speaker 2 Pack. Take a look, and then get out your Sam’s Card!

News

Acer Announces a Whole Year’s Worth of New Products

Do you need a new computer? Chances are, with all of us working and learning from home, if you don’t, then someone in your household might. Whether you need a Chromebook, a Windows PC, or some accessories, chances are Acer just announced a product that fits!

News

ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 TV Speaker Boosts Dialogue and Clarifies Voices

We’ve reviewed quite a few ZVOX soundbars, and one thing I have always appreciated about them is how they use technology to make it easier to understand what people are saying onscreen — even when explosions are happening in the background. Their latest is the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 TV Speaker, and it adds the power of Alexa to their already powerful speakers.

News

Head Back-to-School with Our Big Lenovo Giveaway

Need a little something to perk up your back to school experience? We’ve got you! Lenovo has sent us a huge box of giveaway items that are looking for new homes, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Entry is easy, and if you are one of our lucky winners, one of these prizes will soon be in your hands.

News

Pantheone Audio Launches the Pantheone I, an Elegant and Powerful Alexa-Enabled Sound System

If you absolutely love your Amazon Alexa digital assistant, but none of the Alexa-enabled speakers you’ve seen look elegant enough, powerful enough, or frankly — big enough to fill your living space, you’ll want to take a look at the Pantheone Audio Pantheone I.

Reviews

Nest Hub Max Is the Smart Assistant to Beat

As I’ve written in recent months, I’m deeply entrenched in Amazon’s Alexa voice services but I’m slowly being won over by Google’s offerings. I reviewed a JBL smart speaker last year (read my review) and Google’s Nest Mini last month (read my review). I’ve had a chance to play with the Google Nest Hub Max, and I have to admit that I’m impressed.

Reviews

Google Nest Mini Is Small but Mighty Connectivity for Your Home

I’ve been all-in with Amazon’s Alexa smart devices since they first came on the scene. In recent months, however, devices leveraging Google’s smart assistant have been winning me over. The new Google Nest Mini is, in part, responsible for that. It is under $50, sounds surprisingly good, and it lets you control your home and more using only your voice.

Reviews

The New Nest WiFi from Google Is WiFi for the 2019 Smart Home

A little over a year ago, I went looking for a new router for our home. I tried a few and was disappointed. I eventually settled on a system Perry recommended. It’s okay, but I’ve spent the last few days checking out the brand new Nest WiFi from Google, and I’m impressed.

Reviews

Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant Is the Perfect Bedside Clock

One of the new devices that caught my eye at CES this January was the Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant. It wasn’t just that this particular smart display was sized similarly to a traditional bedside clock, it was that all of its features had been thoughtfully curated for bedroom use.

Events

Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2019 Awards

Berlin’s annual IFA show is the largest consumer electronics event in Europe with “more digital lifestyle products in one place than any other show worldwide.” After walking the show floor, sitting in on private pre-briefings, standing inside packed press conferences, and attending media-only showcase events, these are the items we’ve chosen for Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2019 Awards.

Events, News

Sonos Move Is a Portable Smart Speaker That Sounds Just as Good Indoors as Outside

Sonos has become a leader in home audio for those who want great sound throughout their home. Sonos systems are not only easy to set up, but they are also intelligent, connected, and beautifully designed. The one thing missing from their line-up was a portable Bluetooth speaker; today that gets rectified with the Sonos Move.

Events, News

JBL’s New Speakers Will Put Your Ears in a Party Mood

JBL has a solid reputation for making some of the best audio products you can buy. For IFA 2019, they’ve unleashed a Pulse update, three new soundbars, and two new LINK Google-Assistant speakers.

Reviews

Creative Has Three New Products That Make Audio Better at Home or Away

As a personal fan of Creative’s products, I was pretty stoked to hear that they would be releasing three products that would be sure to bring the noise. I had a chance to check out all three, so let’s dive in.

Reviews

Nixplay’s Seed Wave Is The Only Photo Album That You’ll Need

A substantial upgrade from the Original 10.1-inch Nixplay Seed comes the Seed Wave, complete with a larger screen, built-in speakers and even the addition of video.

Reviews

Cleer’s Latest Products Are Worth Checking Out

A brand that I knew absolutely nothing about prior to receiving their products to check out on a whim have really convinced me that sometimes it’s not the name branded on the device, but the actual items themselves After testing them for the last month, Cleer’s headphones and Bluetooth speaker have left quite the impression on me.

Reviews

Lenovo Smart Tab P10 2-in-1 Smart Dock Review

If you’ve wanted a capable under $300 Android tablet that also doubles as an Alexa display, you’re going to love the Lenovo Smart Tab P10 2-in-1 Smart Dock. It’s an Amazon Alexa enabled device with a 10.1″ FHD screen, but you can pull the display from the dock and use it separately as a regular Android tablet, too.