16 May
Blog

PowerA Fusion Review: Elite Switch Controller With a Catch

The PowerA Fusion Switch Controller in its housing.

PowerA Fusion for Nintendo Switch Review: The Elite Switch Controller Has Compromises

"The PowerA Fusion is a solid third-party option as long as you can easily swap key features for customization."

  • Robust package

  • Easy customization

  • Robust construction

  • Handy back paddle

  • Expensive

  • Missing main features

  • Reduced battery life

The PowerA Fusion is possibly the closest we can get with an Xbox Elite Series 2 equivalent for the Nintendo Switch. The third-party controller is packed with bells and whistles, making it feel like a predictive redesign of the best Nintendo Switch controllers.

Given that Nintendo is often moving sideways rather than forward with technology, there's a lot to discover here. The PowerA Fusion comes with mappable back paddles, interchangeable joysticks, and other customization options never seen before on an officially licensed Nintendo controller. When it comes to third party equipment, there is always some level of tradeoff. Some lack of basic features provide a level of give and take that players need to weigh before making an expensive commitment.

The whole pack

The PowerA Fusion costs $ 100, which is more expensive than a standard Switch Pro controller. When you look at the whole package, you can easily see why. The box doesn't just contain a wireless controller. There's a paddle backpack, four thumb pins, two interchangeable faceplates, and more – all in one convenient carry bag.

It's hard to imagine Nintendo doing anything with the same type of utility …

Considering the official Pro Controller is retailing for $ 70 without that justifying the extra $ 30. The closest parallel to the PowerA Fusion is the $ 180 Xbox Elite Series 2, a similarly extensive package. They're not exact comparisons, considering the Elite Series 2 is way more advanced technologically, but it's the best we've seen in terms of Switch technology.

The PowerA Fusion Switch Controller with all its parts.

The controller itself (with no rear paddles installed) is completely comfortable and doesn't feel much different from a standard Pro controller. Some of the buttons stick out a little more and the handles feel a bit thick, but it doesn't have the knockoff design of the third-party pads we grew up with.

Removing and replacing parts is literally a breeze. The magnetic front panels can be removed immediately and the thumb pins can be easily replaced. There's even some flexibility with the paddle pack. Each paddle is easily interchangeable, and the pack itself can pop out whenever it's in the way. All moving parts are intuitive and easy to use. It's hard to imagine Nintendo making something with the same type of utility while the Switch was alive.

The joy of the buttons at the back

The back paddles are the main attraction here. When the Pro-Pack is attached, the controller receives four metal paddles that sit between the handles. With just three quick entries, keys can easily be assigned to each paddle.

There are some limits to the assignment. Keyboard shortcuts cannot be assigned to a paddle. I was also hoping to map the cardinal points of the correct club onto the paddles to control the Tetris 99's aiming system, but not dice. The more likely use is for players to map the four main buttons on the back so they never have to remove their thumb from the right joystick.

The back paddles of the PowerA Fusion Switchj controller.

Despite their limitations, the paddles can be incredibly useful. While I couldn't assign my targeting in Tetris 99, I was able to assign my spin buttons to them. It's a simple change, but it meant I never had to switch between aiming and rotation, which could lead to a misfire if I dropped pieces in the fast-paced, late-game game. When testing with New Pokemon Snap, I mapped each paddle to one of the face buttons, which made photography smoother. I never lost full control of the camera and was able to scan or toss fruit without moving a finger.

I found that my hands felt a little cramped at times when I tried to wrap my fingers around the thick controller. Far from being uncomfortable, I would call it a less natural grip. A nice advantage here is that the paddle backpack is completely detachable and the slot it dips into can be closed when it is out. Anyone who feels it is in their way can just remove it.

Despite their limitations, the paddles can be incredibly useful.

I encountered a problem with the two left paddles always associated with the same button. According to PowerA, this is likely due to a defective model. Given that others haven't had this problem, it seems it does. However, it serves as a reminder of a risk you are taking with third-party gaming technology. It's harder to ensure consistency when compared to a first-party product from a company like Microsoft. While Nintendo's official controllers are considered notoriously defective (leading to Joy-Con drift lawsuits), the PowerA isn't really unreliable by comparison.

Give and take

All of these shiny features may sound too good to be true – and they are to some extent. While the Fusion offers all sorts of customizations that Switch gamers have only dreamed of, it also lacks a few basics.

There's a give and take here as players will sacrifice some basics for customization potential.

The most noticeable problem is that the controller has no rumble. I don't mean that the Joy-Cons's HD rumble is missing. it's not shaking at all Despite all of the exciting extras, this could be a deal breaker for some. It also lacks the Amiibo reader functionality that is present in a normal Pro controller. That's much less of a problem considering amiibo support has always been a niche, but devoted fans can be a little put off by its absence here.

The battery life is also a step down. While the Pro controller can last up to 40 hours, the Fusion types out at around 20 hours.

The thumb stick and buttons of the PowerA Fusion.

This is where the $ 100 price tag becomes more of a debate. It's not that PowerA has all of the features of a Pro controller with lots of extras. There's a give and take here as players will sacrifice some basics for customization potential. Whether it's worth it or not ultimately depends on what a gamer appreciates in a switch controller. If you just want something closer to an Xbox controller, you can stick to the Pro controller.

If the priority is customization, there is no comparison as Nintendo offers next to nothing in this department. It can also be plugged in, which is an improvement over some of the standard AA powered wireless switch pads from PowerA.

Our opinion

The PowerA Fusion is a rugged Nintendo Switch Pro controller alternative for gamers who want more control. The back paddles, interchangeable faceplates, and detachable joysticks make this a worthwhile investment. If the PowerA has rumble functionality and amiibo support, this would be an easy upgrade. With these omissions, the $ 100 price tag feels a bit steep for anyone who simply wants a better version of the Pro controller than an impressive, alternate version.

Is there a better alternative?

The official Nintendo Switch Pro controller is tougher and more affordable, although the Fusion is undisputed when it comes to customization.

How long it will take?

The battery lasts up to 20 hours, which is half of the official Pro controller. Compared to other third-party controllers, it feels more stable than the US, even with some plastic buttons.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you're specifically looking for more granular customization of the Switch controls, the Fusion is a pretty robust package. Otherwise stay with the Pro.

Editor's recommendations




16 May
Blog

A Great Way To Increase Your Overall Body Strength!

Rack pulls are considered a variation on the classic deadlift that works your lower back muscles efficiently. They also target your hamstrings, quads, traps, and some upper back forces. It is considered a partial deadlift because its range of motion is shorter than that of the traditional deadlift.

T.They are full body exercises and help to increase your physical strength to a great extent. This exercise also strengthens your hips and builds more muscles in your back. In addition, this exercise will help you increase your grip strength and reduce the load on your lumbar spine.

Below is the ultimate guide on how to effectively perform rack pulls to promote overall body strength.

How to do rack pulls like a pro:

1. First you need to adjust your rack to a suitable height. If your holding position is below your knees, consider placing the rack directly below your knee. With your trap above your knees, you'll want to align the rack with the bottom of your quadriceps. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. This is your starting position.

2. Now support your back and bring the bar closer to your body.

3. Inhale and grab the floor with your feet by twisting your toes outwards a little.

4. As you ride your feet through the floor, push your hips forward to raise the barbell from your knees to level with your hips.

5. After raising the barbell to hip level, hold it down for a second.

Things to be aware of:

1. Always remember to add weight, not rack height, as you continue to pull the rack.

2. Your hips should be fully locked as you lift the barbell from your knees to hip height.

3. If you want to increase your grip strength, try holding the weight for a few seconds or as long as you want.

Variations of the rack pull:

If you're comfortable with the traditional rack pull, there are always some variations that you can try:

1. Fat bar rack pulls

This variant of the rack requires the use of a barbell or handles, which increases the diameter (thickness) of the barbell. This calls into question the strength of your palm's grip. This exercise is considered to be more rigid and therefore there cannot be any bending of the bar.

2. Isometric rack pull

With this variant, the lifter places the barbell under a pair of safety stoppers. Here the person lifts the barbell as tightly as possible. This exercise is also very useful for increasing physical strength and intensifying motor recruitment.

3. Reverse band rack pull

This variant of the rack pull proves to be beneficial for increasing your grip strength and getting used to lifting heavier weights. The resistance bands are stretched at the beginning of the lifting process in order to lift the weight upwards. The straps then reduce the amount of support as the person gets more acceleration while pulling the rack. This is done to increase the rate of force production in the upper half of the power.

Frequently asked Questions:

1. What is the point of rack pulls?

By practicing rack pulls regularly, you can increase overall body strength as it targets different muscle groups.

2. What is the significant difference between rack pulls and deadlifts?

The main difference between rack pulls and deadlifts is that rack pulls a shorter range of motion than deadlifts.

3. Are rack and pinion trains a great substitute for deadlifts?

Yes, rack and pinion hoists are considered a great substitute for deadlifts because you can achieve the same strength with a partial range of motion.

4. How many rack pulls should I do?

When you're ready to hone your skills, consider doing at least 3-4 sets of 4-6 reps. If you want to build your muscles, you should do 3-5 sets of 12-15 repetitions. When you're ready to gain strength, aim for 3-5 sets of 3-5 reps.

15 May
Blog

10 Effective Exercises for Stronger Back

Back training creates strong back muscles that end up looking just perfect and captivating. But there is more to it than looks. It offers endless benefits to your exercise routine and daily leisure routine by isolating you from injury. Remember that the back is the most vulnerable area to injury. However, having a stronger back will help you move on without stopping for breaks to restore health.

Stronger back muscles create a stronger foundation for other exercises. The upper body exercises become easier.

A number of different exercises can be sought to help build muscles of the shoulders. However, it would be helpful if you always strived for an effective and safer route.

You don't need these machines to get stronger again. Just one dumbbell is enough for you. The only caution in performing the exercise is to do it correctly, as one wrong pull can injure the improperly locked muscles.

Here we offer you a reliable guide to the most effective and safest exercises to rebuild your dream.

1. Row of dumbbells

  1. Place your left knee on the bench, reach the path together with your gloved hand, and then lean forward. Hence, your upper body is straight.
  2. Make sure your shoulders are a little higher than your hips.
  3. Reach down and take the dumbbell in your hand with a neutral grip with your palms facing back.
  4. Then, hold it together with your arm outstretched and keep your back straight. Make sure to keep your head straight and parallel to your torso.
  5. Move the barbell toward your chest and focus on lifting it along with your back and shoulder muscles instead of your arms. Keep your chest steady and steady as you carry the barbell up.
  6. Remember to keep your back straight.
  7. At the highest point of the movement, squeeze your shoulder blades and back muscles. Do not lift the weight above the shoulder line of the body.
  8. Your legs and hips should be stable and still as you pull up the weights.
  9. Slowly lower the barbell until your arm is relaxed at a straight angle.
  10. Repeat the movement, repeating all of the repetitions on one arm before switching to the opposite side.

Sets: 12 on both sides

Repetitions: 2 on each side

2. Incline line

  1. Set the bench to 45 degrees. And lie down on your chest and keep your whole body straight. Adjust the legs so that they have a full grip.
  2. Grasp the dumbbells with both hands with your palms facing back.
  3. Move the barbell toward your chest and focus on lifting them together by focusing on the muscles of the upper arm. Keep your chest steady and steady as you carry the dumbbells up.
  4. Do not lift the weight above the shoulder line of the body. At the highest point of the movement, squeeze your shoulder blades and back muscles.
  5. Slowly lower the barbell until your arm is relaxed at a straight angle.
  6. Repeat the movement, repeating all of the repetitions on one arm before switching to the opposite side.

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 2

3. Bent over the row

  1. Grab the dumbbells with both hands and bend forward at 45 degrees, keeping your back straight.
  2. Raise the weights straight until they reach the shoulder line. The entire body should be stable.
  3. Lower the weights straight down. This is a repetition.

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 2

4th Reneged row of dumbbells

  1. Take up push-up positions, but instead of keeping your palms on the floor, hold the dumbbells with your palms facing each other.
  2. Reach into the core and raise one arm straight up until it reaches the shoulder line.
  3. Hold there and press the shoulder boring.
  4. Lower your hand; This is a repetition. Follow the same thing with another hand.

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 3

5. Fly backwards

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the dumbbells by your sides.
  2. Push your hips back and bend forward while keeping your back straight. Bend at about 75-90 degrees
  3. Let the weights hang straight down, palms facing back, the core locked into place, and knees slightly bent.
  4. Exhale and lift both arms out by your sides, pressing your shoulder blades together.
  5. Keep your elbows slightly bent and reach up to the shoulder line.
  6. Inhale as you lower the weight back to the starting position.

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 2

6th Increased Plank Row Hold

  1. Plank with one hand on a raised platform
  2. Take a dumbbell in one hand with your palms facing to the side.
  3. Lift the weight straight up until it reaches the shoulder line.
  4. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold the position while holding a traditional plank. For 30 seconds
  5. Lose weight and relax

Time: 30 seconds

Sentences: 3

7th Farmer & # 39; s Carry

  1. Grasp heavy dumbbells firmly with both hands
  2. Stand up straight with your feet about shoulder width apart and your arms resting at your sides.
  3. Tighten your core muscles, pulling your shoulder blades down and back, making sure your posture is upright and facing forward.
  4. Start running with an active core. Keep your back straight at all times.

Distance: 120 meters

Sentences: 2

8th. Alternating backward fly

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the dumbbells by your sides.
  2. Push your hips back and bend them forward, keeping your back straight at about 75-90 degrees
  3. Let the weights hang straight down, palms facing back, the core locked into place, and knees slightly bent.
  4. Exhale and lift one arm out by the sides, squeezing the shoulder muscle.
  5. Reach up to the shoulder line.
  6. Inhale as you lower the weight back to the starting position. This is a repetition
  7. Follow with another hand

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 2

9. Romanian deadlift

1. Stand shoulder width apart with half a foot under the barbell.

2. Bend over and grab the bar with a shoulder-width grip

3. Keep your back straight and grab the bar by bending your hips back and not bending your knees too much.

4. Dig with your palms facing back.

5. Bring the bar up without arching your back by moving your hips forward.

6. lift until you are standing straight and holding the barbell in your straight hands.

7. Breathe, hold it and stand with the weights.

8. Without arching your back, bend your hips back and come down until the barbell hits the floor. This is a repetition

9. Raise the barbell again. in the same way to get a full sentence.

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 2

10. PRONE Y raises

  1. Lie completely on the floor with chest to toe touching the floor.
  2. Keep your arms stretched out at your sides, but just a little in front, and make a “Y” on your body.
  3. In the company of your chest and head, raise your arms a little in the air and hold them for a few seconds until you feel the burning sensation in your shoulders.
  4. Remember to keep your neck in a comfortable position without straining it while lifting the weight.
  5. Relax and repeat

Movements: 12

Repetitions: 2

Take that away

These exercises are the most effective. Follow all of the guide to get bulky and tighter. You can include all or a combination of a few in your regimen, as needed.

Since the back is most prone to injury, remember to keep your back straight and stable at all times to avoid injury.

On the subject of matching items:

Shoulder exercises

Dumbbell chest fly

Top 5 chest muscle exercises

15 May
Blog

5 Mistakes for New Trainers to Avoid

Let my pain be your gain as I've rounded up some common mistakes coaches make early in their careers.

When I started training clients I thought I knew everything and strutted like a peacock across the gym floor to assert my superior knowledge of the gym. When I look back, I knew absolutely nothing.

That attitude more than hurt me, and it was the first of many mistakes I made early in my career.

Continue reading

15 May
Blog

7 Different Types of Mattresses for a Good Night’s Sleep

If you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to start your day, it is likely due to a good night's sleep. But what if that's an impossible feat? The mattress you sleep on can interfere with your ability to get adequate restful sleep. So it might be time to get a new mattress, sleep soundly, and give your body enough rest.

There are different types of mattresses on the market today, making it confusing to purchase the right one for your needs. This blog post will help you break down seven different types of mattresses so you can find the product that suits your specific needs!

1. Spring mattress:

Spring mattresses have metal coils to help your body maintain good posture. The number and distribution of these coils determines how well the mattress can adapt to your body. In addition, they are available in many different strength levels, spring shapes and coil gauges that can change the quality of the back support. Plus, this mattress is suitable for all types of sleepers, making it the perfect choice for those who want a good night's sleep.

2. Memory foam mattress:

Memory foam mattresses offer a lot of support and are therefore perfect for those who need to sleep on their back and side. The mattress contains visco-elastic material that blends in with the shape of your body when it is immersed and then gradually returns to its original shape when the pressure is released.

This type of mattress provides a lot of support for your shoulders and back and makes you feel partially supported by the mattress. Another good thing about memory foam mattresses is that the multiple layers of foam resist the tendency to sag in the middle. This keeps the mattress in shape and eliminates the need for routine flipping.

3. latex mattress:

Latex mattresses are made of natural latex, which, due to its elasticity properties, adapts better than memory foam. In addition, these materials offer excellent movement isolation. If one person moves more at night, the other person does not feel it. It also offers a more responsive type of support that is good for light sleepers or partners who prefer not to sink too far into their mattress.

4. Pillow top mattress:

A pillow top mattress has an additional layer of padding on the top. This mattress can be the right choice for people who tend to make their beds with really neat hospital corners, or for those who are just too big for normal mattresses and need more legroom than normal sleepers. These types also offer enough cushioning to support the hips. This is beneficial if you have back pain or arthritis in your joints.

5. Water bed mattress:

An old-fashioned waterbed can be a great choice for people who like to cuddle with their partner and enjoy an extra soft mattress. It's also great for those struggling to get out of bed in the morning, as it's much less likely to cause back pain or stiffness.

This mattress contains a rectangular water chamber that is padded with fibers or foam. It's great for side sleepers as the padding under your body is firm and supports your hips and spine. It also provides a lot of cushioning, which can be helpful if you have back pain or arthritis in your joints.

6. Air mattress:

An inflatable mattress is a great choice for those who want to spend as little money on their bed as possible. You can use an air pump that plugs into the wall and hoses to your mattress to inflate it at night and deflate it during the day to give you more space in your home. This type of sleep has become very popular because it is cheap, comfortable, durable, and portable.

7. Gel mattress:

In this mattress you will find a material enriched with cooling gel that dissipates your body heat so that you stay cooler and more relaxed. That way, at night when your core temperature is naturally higher than in the morning or afternoon, there is no residual heat to keep you swirling around all night.

Conclusion:

There is a wide variety of mattresses on the market and it can be difficult to choose one that will suit your needs. It would be helpful if you considered what to expect from a mattress (i.e. firmness) and how much money is available to buy before deciding which type would best suit you or your family's sleeping needs.

14 May
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 Review: OLED Disappointment?

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 review 04

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360

"The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 is close to the size, but is insufficient in some key areas."

  • The OLED screen is alive

  • Good performance

  • Excellent battery life

  • Surprisingly thin and light

  • Comfortable keyboard

  • Nice S Pen integration

  • Mediocre build quality

  • Limited to 1080p

  • Large bezels, 16: 9 aspect ratio

Samsung has been preparing for this moment for years. It's finally taking its Windows laptops seriously, and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 crowns this development, ripe for a spot among the best laptops you can buy. At least that's the plan.

It has an AMOLED screen, works hand-in-hand with your Galaxy phone, and is as thin as any laptop you'll ever use.

But is it a laptop that you should buy? I tested the 15-inch model, which comes with an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, but you don't get a discrete graphics card or 4K screen. Galaxy phone fans will find a lot to like here, but the 15-inch model still lags behind the competition in some key areas.

Video review

Jump to: Design | Display | Ports | Keyboard and touchpad | Webcam and speakers | Performance | Battery life | Our opinion

design

The Samsung Galaxy Book comes in different versions: the entry-level Galaxy Book, the Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book Pro 360. The model I tested may be the niche of them all – the 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360, the convertible 2-in-1 notebook in the line-up. It weighs a little over three pounds so soon you won't be using it as a real tablet anymore.

The 13-inch model is probably better suited for tablet use, but the real advantage of these convertibles is the S-Pen. It's the same thing that interests people about the Galaxy Note smartphones, and it's an important part of the Galaxy brand's DNA. Older Galaxy laptops included a smartphone-sized S-Pen that could be housed in the case. It made sure you never lost the tiny pen, but it wasn't the most enjoyable color experience.

The new S-Pen is bigger and feels a lot more like a real writing implement for this size of device. It's not as beefy as the Surface Pen or the Apple Pencil, but it felt very natural for tasks like taking notes, illustrating, and even navigating. The S-Pen is powered by an AAA battery and can magnetize on the lid.

The device itself is a pretty high quality looking laptop, made from a mix of aluminum alloy in some parts and plastic in other parts (e.g. the bottom panel). My test device was the color Mystic Bronze, a subtle mix of gold and silver. It's not obnoxious if not a little boring. The color Mystic Navy is a bolder color option.

Once you pick up the Galaxy Book Pro 360 and start maneuvering, you may find that it's not quite as well constructed as it looks. There's nothing outrageous here, but the keyboard deck is a bit flexible, especially towards the center. The lid feels nice and firm, although there is a weak point in the middle of the lower bezel between the two hinges. There are also spots along the side walls where it creaks when you press on it.

There were some build quality tradeoffs to get this light.

I also felt that the hinge was too loose for my preference. Many convertibles have screens that are too heavy, resulting in an oddly balanced device. The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 has the same problems. It opens with a finger, but closes on its own once it's 75% closed and wobbles too much. This can make the touchscreen uncomfortable to use as you could never accidentally press the screen down.

All of this is pretty common on mid-range Windows laptops, but the Galaxy Book Pro 360's price tag is a bit outside of this category. Of course, Samsung was interested in making the device as thin and light as possible, but there were some trade-offs in the build quality. You can even click the touchpad by lifting the laptop up and pressing on both sides of the palm rests. Not a great look.

display

The screen is the most important feature of the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360. It is not the first laptop to feature an OLED screen. However, there are some special features to consider when implementing.

Most importantly, it is only a 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution. Even the 15-inch model doesn't have a high-resolution screen, which is unusual for a number of reasons. The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED is the only other 1080p OLED notebook you can buy. You'd think Samsung would want to improve the image quality of its OLED screen, but I'm hard pressed to get a 15-inch 1080p display regardless of what type of display technology powers it.

There are two advantages to using 1080p: price and battery life. This will be a cheaper entry point into OLED as it avoids expensive 4K panels. The laptop also has phenomenal battery life, which shows in the results of my tests (see below).

I often found myself squinted and wished it was a sharper screen.

The loss of sharpness is the obvious downside to sticking to 1080p. I'll admit it's been a while since I've spent a long time on a 15-inch 1080p screen, but it's a thorn in my side. As someone staring at small black text on a white background every day, the difference in resolution is palpable. I don't know if the OLED is somehow making it worse, but I blinked and often wished I was working on a sharper screen. It is not for nothing that both the Surface Laptop 4 and the LG Gram 16 have a screen with a higher resolution as standard.

On a 13-inch display, I really don't think it's a problem. However, on a 15-inch device, this is a buzzkill for this laptop's most impressive feature. If you set this next to the 15-inch Surface Laptop 4 and wonder which device I would rather work on, I have no question about whether I would pick the surface, the LED screen, and everything.

Even so, you won't notice that much when looking at pictures or videos. This is where OLED really bends. I will not take up the whole argument again, but the OLED image quality is far superior to the standard LED on a technical level. The individually lit pixels create incredible contrast, and even the viewing angles are an improvement.

As announced, the color coverage is almost perfect. It's 100% across the board in both sRGB and AdobeRGB. This is rare in general, but extremely rare on a 1080p screen. The gamma was slightly off, however, which is unsuitable for watching movies – and I really noticed how oversaturated the colors appeared. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is designed for entertainment. This is why the company stayed at 16: 9, and I suspect that is a major reason why it initially chose OLED.

People certainly use their laptops for entertainment, but a greater percentage of the time is spent on work. And a 16:10 or 3: 2 display would have been the better choice for this. The increased area for vertical screens could also have helped reduce the size of the thick lower bezel. I had a similar complaint about the Galaxy Book Flex, but the effect isn't as noticeable on a 15-inch screen.

The brightness of the screen was a bit overwhelming.

When switching between work and leisure, Samsung offers other color modes in the settings, each of which improves the gamma and delivers more natural colors. The changes are minor. However, I recommend keeping the default photo editing and switching to AdobeRGB mode to watch videos.

However, these additional color modes did not solve the problem of brightness. I tested the screen at a maximum of 285 nits, which is a little overwhelming. It's a pretty glossy screen too, and when combined with the solid black created by the OLED screen, you'll struggle with reflections from time to time.

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 supports HDR500, which means you are promised at least 500 nits of brightness. But as we all know, Windows 10 still doesn't play exactly well with HDR. It looks terrible if you are not watching HDR content. This means you'll have to toggle the setting when you're ready to watch them.

Ports

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 contains a limited number of ports. On the side walls there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two standard USB-C ports, a micro SD card slot and a headphone jack.

This has become standard in the world of premium laptops, but when you see what Samsung did with the clamshell Galaxy Book Pro, you will get jealous. It includes older ports like USB-A and HDMI, though it's even thinner than the Galaxy Book Pro 360. You wonder why Samsung couldn't have incorporated these options into the convertible model.

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. A 5G model may be available, but only in the 13-inch screen size.

Keyboard and touchpad

I really enjoyed my time with this keyboard with springy scissor switches and 1mm of travel. The 15-inch model has a number pad to the right below the power switch and an integrated fingerprint reader. I'm not someone who makes a lot of sense of having a number pad, but it's not a huge distraction and some people will surely appreciate the addition.

The keys have a bright white backlight that looks pleasant and offers three levels of brightness.

The touchpad is also of high quality. It tracks well, registers gestures with multiple fingers with no problem, although it does have some oddities that are widely used for nitpicking. First of all, it's nice and wide, which I would never complain about. That is, unless the palm rejection isn't absolutely perfect. The size of the touchpad means your thumbs will rest on the edges of the touchpad as you type. This often resulted in accidental clicks or movements of the cursor.

This touchpad is pretty loud too. When I was working with others in a quiet room, I didn't want to click. Compared to the quiet touchpad of the Surface Laptop 4 or the quiet, non-mechanical click of the MacBook Pro, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is irritatingly loud.

Webcam and speakers

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 includes a simple 720p webcam, which is a disappointment. It's still the standard definition, but some manufacturers have finally started moving to 1080p. Given that we all rely on our webcams these days, a higher resolution camera has become a major selling point on some laptops.

One feature that is missing is an IR camera. That doesn't mean Windows Hello facial recognition, which has become the standard on high-end Windows laptops. This is a handy feature that Samsung shouldn't have given up.

The speakers included in the Galaxy Book 360 are decent. They will make you watch YouTube videos or background music. However, they are pointing downwards, which means that the sound will be muffled when the device is used as a standard laptop. It improves when you put it in tent mode. Even so, these speakers aren't loud enough to fill a room. They're not even loud or crowded enough when you sit further back, such as when you're watching a movie with someone else.

performance

The 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 has only one processor option: the Intel Core i7-1165G7. It's usually reserved for 13-inch laptops, but it does appear occasionally in ultra-thin 15-inch laptops like the LG Gram or the Surface Laptop 4. The Galaxy Book Pro 360 falls into the same category, so you shouldn't expect it to compete against a fully configured Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Pro 16-inch. This is a 28 watt processor with only four cores and eight threads. And instead of a discrete graphics card, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is based only on the integrated Xe graphics from Intel.

But I was surprised at how much juice Samsung squeezed out of its components. The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 was one of the best-rated devices in its class in PCMark 10. In the "Essentials" test category, in which basic work functions such as video conferencing, Internet surfing and word processing.

It still lagged behind the newer Ryzen 5000 laptops like the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED, but for a quad-core processor, I was impressed.

Cinebench R23 (single / multi) Geekbench 5 (single / multi) PCMark 10 3DMark Time Spy
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 1308/4062 1554/5603 5159 1800
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 1137/5881 1016/6658 4849 1177
LG gram 16 1394/4137 1573/5454 4827 1390
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED 1171/7824 19175 6034 1342

I was also surprised by the graphics performance. I've tested countless laptops with Intel Xe graphics and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 outperforms them all. They're actually quite a step ahead of the Radeon graphics I tested in the Ryzen 5000 processors. For example, the graphics here are 35% faster than the built-in Ryzen 4000 graphics in the Surface Laptop 4 that I recently reviewed.

This in no way turns the Galaxy Book Pro 360 into a gaming laptop. It struggled with Fortnite, the one game I tested on it. At medium settings, the game averaged 50 frames per second (fps), but the frame rate varied a lot and the game felt choppy. Lighter indie games should work fine, as should 3D games that don't require too much graphical power.

The improved graphics help the Galaxy Book Pro 360 perform well when it comes to video editing. I use PugetBench to test the performance of Adobe Premiere Pro – which includes playback and export of 4K video, plus more – and was surprised at how well this thin little laptop actually worked. Despite fewer processor cores, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 was 32% better than the Surface Laptop 4 in the same test. The M1 MacBook Pro even slightly exceeded the GPU score.

Don't get your hopes up now. Even the fanless M1 MacBook Air, a cheaper and smaller notebook, was an overall 25% faster video editing in this benchmark. The discrepancy between Windows laptops and the M1 MacBooks is still an issue that the Galaxy Book Pro 360 cannot really solve on its own.

Fan noise wasn't too much of a problem, and neither were the surface temperatures. Again, it is an advantage to use a low-performance processor in a large package. However, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 pushed the internal temperatures quite high and was 94 degrees Celsius in runs of 3DMark Time Spy.

Battery life

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 has great battery life. The combination of a large 64-watt-hour battery, a lower-powered processor, and a 1080p screen is a recipe for all-day battery life on a single charge.

In our light web browsing test, which used the iMacros plug-in to repeatedly go through a series of websites until the battery ran out, it took 13 hours and 14 minutes. Your daily workload is likely higher, but I had no problem getting away from a point of sale for a full day with web apps, surfing, streaming music, and office apps.

In an even lighter load, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 can get closer to its claimed 21 hours. The system lasted 17.5 hours of local video playback, repeating a 1080p movie trailer until the battery ran out.

Both the Surface Laptop 4 and LG Gram 16 took a little longer, but all three devices are masters of battery life.

Our opinion

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 doesn't seem to be quite the pinnacle of design that Samsung has been asking for. The build quality is shaky and the screen disappoints. However, I like the 13-inch clamshell Galaxy Book Pro much better than the 15-inch model. It has better port selection, is lighter, and the 1080p resolution bothers me less.

Are there alternatives?

The Surface Laptop 4 is one of the biggest competitors to this laptop. It has a higher resolution 3: 2 screen but is not a convertible. The LG Gram 16 fits into a similar class of laptops. It has a 16:10 display but is also a standard clamshell.

The HP Specter x360 15 is a 15-inch convertible with touchscreen and pen support. Both the Dell XPS 15 and Dell XPS 15 offer slim chassis, although they are not quite as small as the Galaxy Book Pro 360. However, these slightly larger laptops can be configured with more powerful components such as 45-watt processors and discrete GPUs .

How long it will take?

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 should last at least five years. It has the latest components under the hood as well as future-proof connections. However, the build quality isn't the best, which means it can be damaged and damaged over the years.

Samsung offers a standard one year warranty. You can also add an extended two- or three-year warranty through Samsung Care +, which costs up to an additional $ 350.

Should you buy it?

This is a great option for Galaxy ecosystem users, especially if you find using the S-Pen on a bigger screen attractive. However, the 13-inch model is probably the better option for most people.

Editor's recommendations




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5 Mistakes for New Trainers to Avoid

Let my pain be your gain as I've rounded up some common mistakes coaches make early in their careers.

When I started training clients I thought I knew everything and strutted like a peacock across the gym floor to assert my superior knowledge of the gym. When I look back, I knew absolutely nothing.

That attitude more than hurt me, and it was the first of many mistakes I made early in my career.

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Printer Reviews | Digital Trends

Improve your lifestyle

With Digital Trends, readers keep an eye on the fast-paced world of tech with the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and unique insights.

Digital trends can earn a commission when you buy from links on our website.

Copyright © 2021 Designtechnica Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Speaker Reviews | Digital Trends

Improve your lifestyle

With Digital Trends, readers keep an eye on the fast-paced world of tech with the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and unique insights.

Digital trends can earn a commission when you buy from links on our website.

Copyright © 2021 Designtechnica Corporation. All rights reserved.

13 May
Blog

Amazon Echo Buds 2 Review: Better Buds For Alexa Fans

Amazon Echo Buds 2

"They are the perfect companion for those who love Amazon Alexa."

  • Speakerphone Alexa

  • Good sound quality

  • First class call quality

  • Excellent transparency

  • Bad battery life

  • Mediocre ANC

When Amazon launched the original Echo Buds in 2019, they set a new standard for what we can expect from a $ 130 investment in a set of true wireless earbuds. They sounded great, had effective active noise cancellation (ANC), and let you talk to Alexa without tapping any buttons.

They weren't perfect: battery life was just mediocre, they were a bit bulky, there was no wireless charging option, and you couldn't customize the controls very much. But Amazon still managed to set the bar very high, and for a while they were our top pick for the best true wireless earbuds.

But since 2019 there has been an explosion of new options and new brands. ANC, which used to be an exotic and expensive extra, is now showing up on earbuds that cost $ 100 or less. Battery life has improved by leaps and bounds, and decent sound quality is easier and cheaper than ever.

This means that the latest version of Amazon, which I will call " Echo buds 2 ($ 120 or $ 140 depending on whether you want wireless charging or not) must be a real step up from its predecessors to keep up with the market.

Has Amazon succeeded? Let's take a look at the Echo Buds 2.

What's in the box?

Amazon Echo Buds 2Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Amazon is a leader in sustainable, recyclable packaging. The Echo Buds 2 are delivered in a small cardboard box in which only a small amount of plastic wrap is used to protect the charging case. There is no foam and no zip ties. Inside, you'll find the earbuds in their pocket, a USB-C charging cable, four sizes of silicone earbuds (including the ones pre-installed on the buds), two sizes of wing tips (with a spare set of the smaller size), and a quick start guide.

design

Amazon Echo Buds 2Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The first thing you will notice about the Echo Buds 2, especially if you are familiar with the first generation, is its size. Not only are the earbuds smaller, but the charging case is too. They are not quite as compact as the Apple AirPods Pro, but they compare well with many other models, such as the Jabra Elite 75t or the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

The earphones are available either in matt black or in an eggshell color, which Amazon calls "glacier white". They are smooth and seamless and have no defined area for the touch-sensitive controls. A discreet Amazon Smile logo is the only decoration.

The charging case is also unadorned. Its rounded corners make it convenient to hold and pocket, but its bottom is still flat enough to stand upright on a desk (or a wireless charging mat if you opt for the $ 20 upgrade ).

Gone is the micro-USB port, which appeared to be out of date as early as 2019. It has been replaced by the current industry standard USB-C. A small LED indicator on the front shows the charging status or battery level of the case, while a series of similar LEDs in the case provide the same information about each earbud.

Conclusion: these are very comfortable buds.

The earbuds are easy to install and remove from the charging jacks, and balanced magnets keep them there when you are not using them. A big improvement over the previous model: Even with the largest wing tips installed, the earbuds make a good connection to their charging contacts – something that didn't always work on the first-generation Echo Buds.

My only criticism is the charging case lid: it's easy to open and close, but the hinge doesn't have a notch to prevent it from accidentally flipping over, which it often does.

Amazon has retained the Echo Buds' IPX4 water resistance, which means they can easily withstand rain and heavy sweat without being damaged. Just don't immerse them in water.

Set up

Amazon Echo Buds 2Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

When it comes to true wireless earbuds, there isn't usually much to say when you want to pair them with your phone or tablet. Opening the case or removing the earbuds is enough to put them into pairing mode. At that point select it from the available devices in your bluetooth menu and there you go.

It's a little different with the Echo Buds 2. You'll need to download and install the Amazon Alexa app first, if you don't already have it, and then open the lid of the charging case.

The app will automatically find the earbuds and guide you through the rest of the process. It's quick and hassle-free unless you're using an iPhone with a lot of previously connected devices in your bluetooth menu. In this case, it may take a long time for the Echo Buds 2 to be recognized. It eventually worked for me, but I had to do a factory reset on the earbuds by holding the pairing button on the charging case for 10 seconds.

Convenience, control and connections

Amazon Echo Buds and Echo Buds 2Original Amazon Echo Buds (left) and Echo Buds 2 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

With a smaller overall shape than the original Echo Buds, the Echo Buds 2 are indeed a little more comfortable, and I imagine people with smaller ears will definitely find them easier to wear. But it's the Echo Buds 2's ventilated design that makes the biggest difference in the "feel" of wearing them.

To explain, many people find it uncomfortable to put earbuds in their ears when their ears are completely blocked by an object. There may also be suction or pressure in your ear canal under certain circumstances. Some people are particularly sensitive.

To mitigate this, some earbuds, like the Jabra Elite 85t, are built with tiny air vents that allow a little air to flow through the earbuds. Venting the Echo Buds 2 really makes a difference, but it also comes with some tradeoffs that I'll get into below.

Conclusion: these are very comfortable buds. You can use the optional wingtips to secure their fit for vigorous activities, but I found they were fine without them.

The Alexa app, which helps you get the most out of the Echo Buds 2, has a fit test tool that can help you determine if you've chosen the right earbuds. It's very convenient. Too often people choose the earbuds they see fit based on their belief in ear size ("I am a medium") rather than the tips that offer the best seal. Given the importance of a good seal to sound quality and the ANC – especially with ventilated earbuds – it's a good idea to do a fit test.

Pro Tip: If you ever find earbuds sounding weak or not having as much bass as you hoped, you are almost certainly using the wrong earbuds. Try a larger size and don't be afraid to use different sizes in each ear – we (and most of us) are not highly symmetrical beings.

The Bluetooth connectivity is absolutely solid and I didn't experience any dropouts.

I still prefer physical buttons for earbud controls, but the Echo Buds 2's touch controls are as good as they come. You get four touch gestures: single tap, double tap, triple tap, and tap and hold. They are the same for every earbud and allow you to control play / pause, answer / end, track jump forward / backward and ANC / transparency modes. By using the same controls for each earbud, you can only use one without losing options. However, there are also very few customization options.

In the Alexa app, you can change the tap and hold feature from ANC / transparency to voice assistant access (Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant), but the other gestures cannot be changed.

As with the first generation Echo Buds, you cannot control volume without using the buttons on your phone. The lack of customization and volume control is a little annoying, especially since the Alexa app has so many other options, but at least Amazon added the single and triple tap options – the original Echo Buds only had two gestures.

The Echo Buds 2 have wear sensors that automatically pause and resume the music when you pull the buds out or put them back in. This works like a charm and reacts instantly to changes.

The Bluetooth connectivity is absolutely solid and I didn't see any dropouts or weirdness between the two earbuds, but their range is limited. I was only able to move about 25 feet from my phone indoors – a much shorter distance than most of the real wireless earbuds I've tested.

Sound quality

Amazon Echo Buds 2Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Clear, balanced sound is what you can expect from the Echo buds 2.

Their soundstage isn't particularly wide or deep, but they have a really generous frequency response that can be extensively changed using the EQ settings in the Alexa app.

The sound is ready to use right out of the box – perfect for workouts or listening to a variety of genres, from hip-hop to EDM. However, move the three-band equalizer's sliders and you can adjust it from big and boomy to light and airy.

Unfortunately, with no EQ presets in the app or the ability to create your own presets, you can move these sliders every time you switch the content type from music to podcasts for the best balance.

Like many true wireless earbuds, the Echo Buds 2 have a sweet spot for sound quality when it comes to volume. At around 60%, they deliver a complete, rich performance. However, this balance can drop dramatically as you turn down the volume.

I feel that this is partly due to the ventilated design. They naturally block less external sound than non-ventilated earbuds. So you'll need to turn up the volume to compensate for this – even if you're using ANC.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Amazon Echo Buds app

Amazon Echo Buds app

The first Echo Buds used Bose's Active Noise Reduction (ANR) technology, but the Echo Buds 2 swapped that out for Amazon's ANC technology. Amazon claims this change will result in a significant improvement in performance. "It effectively suppresses twice as much noise," says the expert guide that accompanied our Echo Buds 2 rental devices.

ANC on the Echo Buds 2 is a mixed bag.

I spent about an hour switching back and forth between the two versions to see if I could verify this claim, but I couldn't. Here's the dilemma: While it's true that the Echo Buds 2 suppress more audible sound when using ANC than the ANR on the Echo Buds, the ventilated design of the Echo Buds 2 initially allows for more sound.

The Echo Buds 2's ANC also creates audible background noise when activated. This could be the result of an excessive ANC setting, but unlike the transparency mode which can be adjusted, ANC is either on or off.

The original Echo Buds don't produce as much sound shift when you turn on ANR, but they passively isolate the sound so well that they don't really have to be that aggressive. Also, when turning on ANR, no new noise is introduced.

In short, ANC on the Echo Buds 2 is a mixed bag. You'll likely get the most out of it listening to music while you commute or in a busy space like a Starbucks, but if you're hoping to create a cone of silence for enhanced focus – the kind of magical sound that the AirPods make Extinguishes Pro and Jabra Elite 85t can perform – you may be disappointed.

The most important function of the Echo Buds 2 is hands-free access to Amazon's voice assistant.

The transparency mode, on the other hand, is excellent. You can fine-tune how much external sounds are amplified, and at the very end of that spectrum, the earbuds even offer some hearing enhancement.

What I'm less excited about is the time it takes to switch between ANC and transparency. Up to six seconds have passed from the time you started the tap and hold gesture to the time these modes changed. This may be acceptable if you switch modes when entering or exiting a building. However, if someone tries to talk to you, you'll want to switch as soon as possible – preferably right away.

All about Alexa

Amazon Echo Buds 2Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It goes without saying that the most important function of the Echo Buds 2 is hands-free access to Amazon's voice assistant. If you own Echo smart speakers, or an Amazon Fire TV device, or one of the many third-party speakers that you can interact with with Alexa, it's fantastic to have them on hand and calling no matter where you are or what you are to do.

I'm not going to go into all of the things Alexa can do – this list is far too long – but it's worth highlighting a few commands that are especially useful when you're on the go:

Music, volume, modes: You can have Alexa control virtually all aspects of your media experience, including changing the volume (which you can't with gestures), answering calls, switching between ANC and transparency, and choosing music from a variety of services like Amazon Music. Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and more. It even reads out the remaining battery life of Echo Buds.

The new Echo Buds deliver crystal clear voice quality.

Alexa Transit: I couldn't test this feature as it isn't yet available outside of the US, but it looks very handy. Alexa can now respond to a series of questions and commands related to getting around, whether you're walking (“Alexa, how do I get to the Empire State Building?”) Or using public transport (“Alexa, what's that Status of? ") The Q-Zug? ”). The answers are context sensitive. So if there is more than one Q move, the one that is closest to you will be chosen. Setting places like home and work in the Alexa app makes these interactions even more useful.

I found that the Echo Buds 2 responded very well to the Alexa wake-up word and that Alexa's response time to various commands was quick and I had to repeat myself far less than with the Echo Buds. If you are dependent on Alexa at home, you will probably quickly wonder how you ever survived without her when you are not home.

Battery life

On the one hand, the Echo Buds 2 gives you the ability to extend your normal playtime from five hours to 6.5 hours by turning off ANC and using Alexa with a wake-up word. On the other hand, her charging case only contains two full charges (the previous version contained three).

When ANC and Alexa are engaged, you will see a maximum of 15 hours of stamina. That's significantly less than any other true wireless earbud for the same price. For example, the $ 130 Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro gets seven hours per charge and 26 hours when you include the charging case.

Get up to two hours of music playback on a 15-minute quick charge.

I haven't had enough opportunity to fully review Amazon's battery claims, but from what I could see they appear to be correct.

Call quality

For most true wireless earbuds, call quality is an afterthought. Many claim to have done a good job, but in my experience few do. The Echo Buds 2 are the exception. They deliver crystal clear voice quality.

I was walking through some very busy intersections with lots of traffic and other competing noises, and somehow it always sounded like I was standing in the middle of an empty room.

You may be able to get slightly better call quality with the Bose QuietComfort earbuds. However, since these cost more than twice as much as the Echo Buds 2, I doubt you'll get more than twice as good results.

Extras

If you enable location services in the Alexa app, you can use them to find your missing Echo Buds 2. The app shows the earbud's last known location and can force the buds to send out a chime as long as they aren't insider their charging case.

If you don't have a Fitbit or Apple Watch, the Echo Buds 2 have a built-in accelerometer that you can use to count basic steps. You can track your walks or runs and the app saves a history of your achievements.

Our opinion

With the Echo Buds 2, Amazon fixed some of the weaknesses of the original Echo Buds while cutting the price by $ 10 if you don't need wireless charging. And while they don't throw it out of the park at every feature (ANC and battery life come to mind), they're still an excellent option for those who want to take Alexa with them everywhere.

Is there a better alternative?

You can find several models of true wireless earbuds that you can use to access Amazon Alexa, but only the Echo Buds 2 (and the original Echo Buds) allow you to speak hands-free with Alexa.

Because of this, they are in a class of their own.

But if you don't mind pressing a button before speaking, I can think of two excellent alternatives, including:

  • $ 130 Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro: Better sound, better ANC, and better battery life.
  • $ 150 Jabra Elite 75t: Better sound, better ANC, better battery life, customizable controls.

What is the guarantee?

Amazon grants a one-year warranty on the Echo Buds 2.

How long will they last?

The Echo Buds 2 seem very well built, as is their charging case. You can replace the earbuds when they are worn out. The biggest concern will be battery life. If this drops significantly under normal use at five hours per charge, you may need to replace these faster than earbuds with a longer starting point.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you love the idea of ​​taking Alexa with you wherever you go, the Echo Buds 2 are an affordable, comfortable, and great-sounding set of true wireless earbuds.

Editor's recommendations




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