26 Mar
Blog

Vivo X60 Pro Plus Hands-on Review: Feature-packed

vivo x60 pro plus rating hand back

Practical review of the Vivo X60 Pro Plus: multi-function camera phone

Vivo isn't a well-known smartphone brand outside of China, but it's starting to make itself felt with some impressive new releases and crucial software advances culminating in the new X60 series. It's the first Vivo phone to be launched with Zeiss, the optics company that worked with the company on the camera, and it also has a unique gimbal stabilization system.

You may not know Vivo that well, but the X60 series is a big deal not only because of Zeiss' commitment, but also because it's part of the brand's big push in the UK and Europe. I've looked at the top device in the family, the X60 Pro Plus, and it's an extremely desirable smartphone.

At this point I have used the phone enough for thorough hands-on use, but I have yet to fully evaluate its day-to-day functionality. I will be updating this review in the next few weeks but have rated it 7 out of 10 for the time being, although this will likely be revised once the review is complete.

design

The Vivo X60 Pro Plus has a 6.56-inch AMOLED screen on the front and is slightly more compact than the OnePlus 9 Pro and Oppo Find X3 Pro. Why do I mention these devices specifically? Vivo is part of the BBK Electronics empire, just like Oppo and OnePlus, and each represents any company's current top phone. However, they all compete against the same opponents, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra as well as the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It is reminiscent of the Oppo Find X2 Pro with a vegan leather back panel in the muted blue color Emperor Blue and an extensive camera module. The thickness of 9.1 mm is offset by a light weight of 191 grams, and overall the Vivo X60 Pro Plus is a very comfortable phone to hold. It's not quite as wide as the Samsung Galaxy S21 +, but it feels more manageable thanks to the curved screen. It's very similar in size to the Galaxy S20 +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Fortunately, the vegan leather differs from the endless glass back panels, but the appearance and texture are a bit too shiny and a bit too "wrong" for my taste. It feels grippy and warm. I like the textured on / off switch but have no idea why Vivo decided to write “Professional Photography” on the top of the phone. Aside from discounting the look of things when I see something like this, I automatically think the opposite and that the phone's camera is far from professional.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Vivo hasn't changed the design of the X50 Pro much, other than adding the vegan leather, and while the phone is clearly well made, the look isn't advanced enough and feels compared to the Galaxy S21 +, OnePlus 9 Pro, and Find X3 Per.

screen

Although the X60 Pro Plus is the top phone in Vivo's new lineup, the 6.56-inch AMOLED screen has FHD + resolution and not QHD + resolution. In contrast to the Find X3 Pro and the OnePlus 9 Pro, the X60 Pro Plus has a central selfie camera with a hole punch, but the built-in fingerprint sensor is again at the bottom of the control panel. It's quick and accurate, but can be difficult to locate in this position.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you put it next to the OnePlus 9 Pro, you'll notice the reduced resolution. Carfection's test of the BMW M4 9 Pro is obviously sharper and also has better color and contrast. The tone of the Galaxy S21 +, matching its resolution and refresh rate of 120 Hz, is extremely similar, but the wonderful contrast and colors of the Samsung phone shine through.

Given the X60 Pro Plus’s position at the top of the X60 lineup, a QHD + resolution would have fit in nicely with the rest of the high spec. The performance is still good, but the competition has better screens.

camera

This is where Vivo spent the money. The camera of the X60 Pro Plus has more functions than can be tested in less than a week, especially with current local movement restrictions. The main camera is a 50 megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GN1 with optical image stabilization, which Vivo also used on the X50 Pro. There is also a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera with a second-generation gimbal stabilization system, which has some improvements over the X50 Pro version. A 32-megapixel portrait camera and an 8-megapixel periscope zoom camera with 5x optical zoom complete the array.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Zeiss helped develop the imaging system, which Vivo said optimizes the camera, optimizes the images for sharpness and clarity, supplied the Zeiss T * coating for the lenses to reduce reflections and added the Biotar portrait bokeh style options available. The lens treatment shows that Zeiss 'commitment goes one step further than OnePlus' partnership with Hasselblad. However, Zeiss has years of experience with smartphones and has worked with other brands in the past, notably Nokia.

Gimbal stabilization is a unique feature and works with both ultrawide still images and video where it is also complemented by a 5-axis video stabilization system for greater overall stability. This is very effective, especially when tracking people or objects with 5x zoom, although it doesn't make much of a difference when recording general video compared to a phone with adequate optical image stabilization.

It's just one of the many features of the X60 Pro Plus, including 5x optical and 60x digital zoom, night modes for the standard, ultra-wide camera and video modes, HDR video recording, various portrait modes, and a video mode for the Capturing sporty moments, a pro mode, an astrophotography mode and much more. But what about the photos it takes? The colors are strong, there is a reasonable degree of saturation and an overall warm tone. It's pretty consistent for the main and ultrawide cameras, and the 5x optical zoom is great.

There's a lot to test here, but in my short time with the X60 Pro Plus, the camera takes very attractive and, above all, extremely shareable photos.

Software, battery and performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space makes the X60 Pro Plus a powerful smartphone. There is an unusual feature called "Extended Memory" where the system takes up to 3GB of space and uses it as memory when needed, resulting in faster app opening and multitasking.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Android 11 installs with Vivo's Funtouch 11.1 user interface, which is far less stylized than you might fear, but still annoyingly intrusive. After setting it up, I agreed to various multi-page privacy notices when I open apps, try to use the search, or accidentally activate a feature because the phone has trouble recognizing the edge of the screen. No other phone forces me to do so much. Vivo pre-installs many apps, including Snapchat, Flipkart, Amazon and its own app store. There are also several apps that duplicate Google functionality and irritating "Hot Apps" folders that try to get games to be installed.

vivo x60 pro plus verification settingsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

vivo x60 pro plus evaluation quick accessAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

vivo x60 pro plus test appsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

vivo x60 pro plus rating side handAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

A 4,200 mAh battery provides power to the phone and is charged with Vivo’s 55 W fast-charging FlashCharge system. The performance, software, and battery assessment will take time and will be part of the full review update that will be available shortly.

The Vivo X60 and X60 Pro

The Vivo X60 Pro Plus is one of three phones in the X60 series. The X60 has a 6.56-inch AMOLED screen with a less pronounced curve, but still a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It is a Snapdragon 870 processor with 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM and a 4,300 mAh Battery pack. It has a 48-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 13-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom.

The X60 Pro also has a Snapdragon 870 processor, albeit only with 12GB of RAM and the same screen size and resolution, but now with the same curve as the Pro Plus model. It has a 48-megapixel main camera, this time with the gimbal stabilization system, as well as the same 13-megapixel cameras as the X60.

Price and availability

The Vivo X60 series is sold in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Austria, as well as India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. However, not all regions receive all phones or at the same time. For example, the X60 Pro Plus will arrive first in India, and the X60 Pro will be sold in Europe. Vivo has not yet confirmed the final release date.

Prices are also unknown, but based on prices in China, the X60 Pro converts to around $ 690 or £ 500 and the X60 Pro Plus converts to around $ 920 or £ 670. If Vivo can hit those prices, the battle will be led straight to Xiaomi and the Mi 11, which also undercuts the price of the Samsung Galaxy S21 + and iPhone 12.

At this point in time, the Vivo X60 Pro Plus offers everything that I am used to from a Vivo telephone – a camera with an insane number of functions and irritating software. The hardware itself is well made, but the design is smartphone-circa-2020 and does nothing. It would normally be easier to forgive some of these issues if the price was $ 900 or less, but competition this year has made it a lot harder for Vivo, especially getting away with a less than ideal software experience. I will continue to use the Vivo X60 Pro Plus and will do a full review shortly.

Editor's recommendations




26 Mar
Blog

Clean & Clear Lemon Gel Facial Cleanser with Vitamin C Review

Price $ 5.99

My experience

Lemon is one of the most important ingredients for making detergents in the olden days. It looks like Clean and Clear took the same age-old concept and brought back the goodness of lemon in their latest face wash.

This new face wash with lemon extract and vitamin C is why I wanted to try it. When someone like me, who has spent my entire childhood admiring my grandmother's lovely DIY facial cleansers with lemon, sees a product that has lemon as the main ingredient that you know the purchase is an emotional one.

I've been using it for over a week now and I can tell you that this lemon gel wash really cuts through the oil and leaves your skin clean and soft to the touch. Also, removing oil and makeup made my skin look refreshed and clean (I always use a makeup removal wipe to remove makeup first). It didn't dry out my skin like some oil removing facial cleansers. I can still see some of my little angry spots around my jaw even after using this for two weeks, but I don't expect this face wash to do anything for my acne. I'm very glad Clean & Clear didn't advertise it as an acne face wash. I mostly use this face wash in the morning and at night with my Clarins face wash. Still not sure if there is such a thing as a perfect face wash. Cleaners and moisturizers should be purchased based on skin texture, location, lifestyle, and weather.

This face wash has a nice lemon scent and won't make you smell like lemons, I assure you

Who will like it?

  1. Beauties of oily skin
  2. Those who are looking for an affordable face wash.

Who can avoid that?

  1. Those who don't like products with parabens.
  2. Those with very dry skin
  3. Those who think this is an acne clearing face wash.

Final verdict:

The scent is nice. The foam is gentle. After cleansing, my skin doesn't stay dry and I think it will be a nice summer skincare product!

BnB rating: 4/5

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26 Mar
Blog

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K HDR OLED TV Review

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K HDR OLED

"The A90J offers the best picture and sound quality in a television today."

  • Brightest OLED TV

  • Exceptional HDR performance

  • Perfect black levels

  • Breathtaking detail

Since CES 2021, rumors have spread about the Sony A90J OLED TV. The promise of a strong increase in brightness and a bold new image processor made TV freaks like me drool. The $ 4,000 Question? Is the hype surrounding this television – for which I am partly responsible – true? We'll find out in a moment.

In this review, I'm going to discuss what makes the A90J OLED TV so high quality, how bright it really gets, and why you might or might not want all that brightness on tap, analyze the picture quality and go into it, and there's a little bit of gaming features to determine too on how great this TV really is, and whether it's worth saving a few cents – or really Benjamin's – so you can buy it.

Spoiler alert: this TV is superb.

Jump to: Out of the box | User experience | Sound quality | About this brightness | Picture settings / picture quality | Play | My attitude

Out of the box

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TVRiley Young / Digital Trends

As soon as you crack the box, it becomes immediately clear that the A90J is a premium luxury product – you can tell by that $ 4,000 price tag too. The good news is that the A90J looks and feels absolutely like an ultra-premium TV. From the frameless edges to the ultra-slim shape to the brushed metal remote control that came with it, you'll feel like you got what you paid for with this TV. I didn't experience any disappointments with unboxing.

One of the things I like the most about the design of this TV is the convertible stand. You have three options for leg placement. For one, the TV can sit a few inches above your media stand, leaving just the right amount of space for a soundbar, which hides any unruly cables left over due to a disappointing cable management system. The second option is to flip the feet so that the TV is flush with your media housing and doesn't leave a noticeable gap – the same ultra-smooth look as last year's Z8H 8K OLED TV. The third option places the legs in the center of the TV, allowing for much tighter space for smaller media stands.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-9 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-7 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-6 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-15 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

For wall mounting, expect a very clean look with just a slight dent from the wall. Even with that bump, the TV's incredibly thin OLED panel continues to attract oohs and aahs.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K HDR OLED TV details

While we tested the 65-inch model XR65A90J, our test also applies to the 55-inch model.

Screen size Model number RRP
55 inches XR55A90J $ 3,000
65 inches XR65A90J $ 4,000

User experience

Setting up the A90J is a breeze, especially if you have a Google Account and the Google Home app – all thanks to the recently released Google TV platform, first seen in the new Chromecast with Google TV.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TVRiley Young / Digital Trends

I enjoyed Google TV when it came out, but I've grown since the new Chromecast became my favorite streaming device in my bedroom. The implementation as a smart TV platform in Sony televisions solidified my fandom. Not only did the A90J more or less do its initial setup itself, but since I previously entered usernames and passwords for the streaming apps I previously used through Google TV, there was no need to go through that tedious process again – Google TV remembered most of them and immediately signed me up by clicking "Yes". I know this is probably more of a pain point for a reviewer like me, but I still love it.

The bottom line is that the television is a pleasure to use.

Aside from being easy to set up, Google TV does a better and better job of mixing content that I watch regularly with relevant suggested content that somehow doesn't feel like an ad. With Google TV, you can easily pick up where you left off on a movie or show. This is a very familiar and accessible interface in general, even if you've never used it before. And of course, Chromecast is built in along with all of The Google Assistant's power for search, TV control, and general information.

The bottom line is that the television is a pleasure to use. Even the Settings menu has explanations of what each button and slider do when you adjust it.

Sound quality

Sound quality isn't something I normally think about in these reviews, but, sweet grace, this TV sounds amazing.

If you didn't already know, Sony places transducers on the back of the OLED panel that turn the screen into a speaker. That way, the sound comes straight from the screen itself, and this system does an incredible job of localizing sound to the screen source. For example, if someone is speaking on the right side of the screen, you will hear them speak from where their face appears – as if the actor's voice is actually coming out of the screen's mouth.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TVRiley Young / Digital Trends

The bass response of the A90J has been improved since Sony first used this type of audio solution and implemented an additional bass driver and maze of bass ports on the back of the TV. I love to hear TV sound that big. No, it's not the same as a dedicated sub, but you'll be amazed at how deep and loud the A90J can sound when called.

I can't think of any other TV that sounds this good.

Also, Sony used some acoustic tricks to vertically improve the sound field. So it seems that the sound is coming from outside the confines of the TV. Additionally, virtual surround effects, which I normally don't like, sound very convincing from the A90J. I can't think of any other TV that honestly sounds this good.

However, if you prefer a more sophisticated multispeaker surround system, you can use the TV as the center speaker. Many people – other reviewers, apparently – believe that the two speaker ports on the back of the TV are for powering a center channel speaker. It is not – these ports are actually inputs. The television is designed to receive a signal from an A / V receiver, downconvert the signal to speaker level, and then amplify it through its own speakers, effectively replacing a center channel speaker. And it works fantastically well.

About this brightness

I'm about to dig into picture quality, but first I want to talk about two of the reasons this TV is supposed to be such a big deal this year. One is brightness potential – possibly the brightest OLED TV ever made. The other is the processing that we always talk about with Sony TVs because the processing makes a huge difference in picture quality and that Sony’s has been the best in the past.

In terms of processing, Sony has moved from Extreme to Ultimate and has now taken a new direction. Sony calls this year's novelty the Cognitive Processor XR. The name is a bit mouthful, but what it means is that Sony – according to its own description – designed the image processor to work in a similar way to how our brains think and how we perceive things.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-14 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-4 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-1 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

According to Sony, the processor is so advanced that it can pick up every element of image quality and the cross-reference at the same time, just like our brains. The result should be an extremely realistic picture. For example, one of its advantages is that the XR processor can detect that it needs to improve details in an animal's fur, but not necessarily the details of the blurry meadows and trees in the background. I know this sounds like a lot, and I'm sure there is more than a tablespoon of marketing out there, but Sony has lived up to its claims for superior workmanship in the past and I can tell you now that it actually delivers the new XR processor.

As for the A90J's newly discovered brightness boost, you may have heard that LG also has a new OLED TV that can get brighter than ever, and you may think Sony is getting the OLED panels from LG Display that they are possibly playing the same game to become the reigning king of brightness. BUT they are not.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TVRiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony's approach differs in that while it uses a similar new OLED panel from LG Display – which I haven't yet confirmed – it has also developed a new heat sink technology that allows the panel to be harder and run a little longer without the Damaging pixels or prematurely wearing them out. It was rumored that the TV can reach 1300 nits in Vivid mode – that's almost twice as bright as previous Sony OLEDs. I'll talk about whether this brightness is realistic or even desirable in a moment, but first let me talk about the picture settings and some measurements I took when I rated the TV.

Picture settings / picture quality

If you want the brightest picture on the A90J while maintaining some level of accuracy (adhering to Hollywood picture standards), avoid Standard or Vivid Picture modes. The TV's custom mode is used for playback. Once Custom is selected, you'll want to turn off the ambient light sensor. This setting is conveniently listed next to the brightness settings. Please note that switching off the sensor deactivates other functions with which the brightness curve can be adjusted depending on the room lighting, e.g. B. Dolby Vision IQ. Also under the brightness setting, I recommend setting the peak brightness to high. This will brighten the image in both SDR and HDR modes.

With these settings I have a peak value of 370 nits in the SDR. I measured the standard 150 nits with the low peak brightness setting. The color accuracy in this mode, after reducing the amount of blue that blends into white, was insanely spot on. Only the most extreme red crossed the threshold for noticeable inaccuracies, and even then only barely. I am seriously impressed.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TVRiley Young / Digital Trends

No further adjustments to the image settings were required for HDR. I checked the peak brightness and it stayed constant at around 760 nits (closer to 800 nits when the light meter accuracy is adjusted) which is very good for a custom mode or a cinema mode like this one.

The color was very accurate when the peak brightness was not set to high. Slight inaccuracies crept in when the peak brightness was increased, which is to be expected. But again hardly noticeable. We keep the television at the highest level and it comes closer than almost anything I've seen before. Save a reference monitor like Sony's own BVM X300, a ridiculously expensive true RGB OLED mastering monitor that Hollywood uses when mastering movies.

When I went into Vivid mode, I didn't have to make any adjustments to get 1,250 nits (closer to 1,300 to compensate for the inaccuracy of the light meter), although that number fell to around 950 once the A90J's automatic brightness limiter was activated. This is a good thing to do to prevent these pixels from overheating unnecessarily.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TVRiley Young / Digital Trends

So there you have it: confirmation that this TV can indeed get extraordinarily bright when you ask it, no doubt about it. And a clear indication that Sony is taking a different approach than LG.

But how can this strong brightness be transferred to real television? Do you need that much brightness on an OLED TV? I say yes, but with some caveats.

Everything I've ever loved about OLED TV picture quality is elevated.

I would never watch TV in Vivid mode. It looks tough and artificial. If you've had to go to Vivid during a big sports party and watch daylight shining straight into the TV, then this kind of brightness comes in handy. For normal playback, the user-defined mode or the cinema mode with activated peak brightness is more than just pleasant, it is dazzling. This extra brightness, used in the right places and in the right way, enhances the overall image, but has a particularly positive effect on HDR highlights.

The A90J is everything I have ever loved about OLED TV picture quality. The accuracy, level of detail and richness of this TV are intense. I absolutely love it. While I can freely admit that I've been a Sony fan for a while, this TV is objectively good. Best picture quality I've ever seen. That's it. I know there will be a lot of great TVs out there, but this TV is the benchmark now and will be hard to beat.

Play

Now let's talk about gaming. This TV has two HDMI 2.1 ports with the ability to support 4K 120 Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and many other desirable features. Unfortunately, one of those ports is the TV's eARC port. So if you want to connect more than one HDMI 2.1 device – such as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 – you'll have to give up the eARC capability. It is not possible to connect both consoles directly to the TV and connect a cable to a soundbar or receiver.

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TV games "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry -17 -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED TV games "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry -16 -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-8 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAARiley Young / Digital Trends

Sony Bravia XR A90J 4K OLED television "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/sony-a90j-review-ry-10 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAA

However, if you're running the consoles through an HDMI 2.1 friendly A / V receiver that passes 4K 120Hz signals, this might be fine. All I know is that a lot of the receivers available this year are struggling a little with this.

Otherwise, as far as I've been able to determine, almost everything seems to work fine at startup except VRR – that's another story. It may be a while before we see a firmware update from Sony that enables VRR on 2021 and selects 2020 TVs.

That being said, the A90J's picture quality goes for gaming – they look incredible. This TV isn't as game-oriented as the LG G1, but that's a discussion for a Versus article coming out soon. Watch this room.

My attitude

To be honest, the A90J is a work of art and a feat of engineering. I absolutely love it. The challenge is the price, but luckily, prices go down over time. Price aside, the A90J is one of the best TVs you can buy in 2021 and maybe beyond.

Is there a better alternative?

In terms of picture and sound quality, no. However, the LG G1 OLED evo comes very close and has the advantage of advanced gaming features and a much cheaper price at launch.

How long it will take?

The Sony A90J is a remarkably advanced, well-built television. It should take a long time to come.

warranty

Sony provides a one-year parts and labor warranty on its televisions when purchased from an authorized dealer. Please refer to the Sony Manual and Warranty page for more information.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It may be expensive, but the A90J has the best picture and sound quality you can get in a TV today.

Editor's recommendations




26 Mar
Blog

3 Reasons You Should Add Cycling to Your Fitness Routine

Nobody loves cardio. This is the most tedious part of a fitness routine, and many people skip it altogether. This is because, for the most part, our imagination of cardio spends 30 minutes on a treadmill staring at a wall. An alternative way to incorporate cardio into your fitness routine would be on a bike. Bicycles are useful in many ways and have the advantage of being great calorie burners. However, they have a ton of other fitness benefits that you should know about.

Here are some reasons everyone should add cycling to their fitness routine. We'll also give you some tips on how to do this safely and efficiently.

It's a great form of transportation

The biggest benefit of cycling for fitness is that it gives you the opportunity to do so while getting things done at the same time. You don't have to worry about two hours of cardio a week if you use it to go to work or run errands every morning. You will also find that from time to time you may want to take pleasure drives. That way, you can either burn calories more easily or maintain a healthy weight.

It is fun

Cycling is also a fun way to burn calories. Some people really do it and decide to go on long trips. It's difficult to be an avid cyclist and not be in shape. When it becomes your passion, you no longer have to worry about gaining weight or losing weight.

Cycling is also a great way to get the whole family involved. If you want your kids to get active, get them a bike early on. It becomes part of their lives and you don't have to ask them for some fresh air. This is a great habit that is instilled in a child that they may maintain for the rest of their life.

It's great for recovery

Many people have felt that rest means that there is absolutely nothing you should do during your days off. But that's not correct. Being lethargic means there is less blood circulation and fewer nutrients getting to the areas where it is needed.

Instead, you need to do an active restore. This is the case when you work the areas that need recovery with moderate to light intensity. One study found that people who practiced active rest recovered much faster, and there are few exercises better than cycling for active rest.

The nice thing about cycling is that you can ride at your own pace. If you've worked on your legs the day before, you can take a light drive on a sunny afternoon to get the blood pumping. This will reduce the pain and allow you to work on those areas faster, which will also result in faster gains.

Here's how to add cycling to your routine

There are two ways you can do this. One way is to use your bike as a first or secondary mode of transport and the other is to use it as a fitness machine.

In addition, if you use the bike as a means of transport, we recommend that you obtain a transit pass. So you can either take your bike with you or park it near a subway station. This way you get maximum mobility. Another benefit of this is that you always have a way to return home if you go too far and suddenly feel like you can't walk anymore.

If you are using the bike specifically for fitness purposes, there are also many ways you can achieve this. You can exercise endurance or use the bike for high-intensity interval training. This is when you do short sprints followed by a cool down period. This can be a great way to burn energy both before and after your sessions. This is because this form of exercise has been shown to boost metabolism and calorie consumption after the session is over.

Using HIIT with a bike, especially on the open road, is dangerous. Because of this, you need to learn how to avoid a bicycle accident. If you want to know how to avoid a bike accident and some other safety tips, we recommend you visit Velosurance. They have a great article that explains what are the most common causes of accidents and how to avoid them. They provide tips on how to avoid getting a door, for example, which is one of the most common yet overlooked types of bicycle accidents.

As you can see, there are tons of reasons why adding cycling to your routine is a great idea. Make sure you think about it and try to make it a part of your everyday life.

26 Mar
Blog

New Year, New You: 6 Tips to Better Skin in 2019 with Non-Toxic Products

As soon as 2018 started, it seems to have come to an end …

And with the end of one year comes the beginning of another. No better time to start over and make changes in your life!

For most people (actually 80%!) The decisions made in the new year fail in the second week of February.

Regardless of your resolutions for the coming year, we have one that you can easily stick to …

How about starting the new year with a new, non-toxic you?

One of the easiest changes you can make in the coming weeks that will benefit not only your skin but also your general health is what to keep in your skincare arsenal.

In this article, we will share 6 simple switches to help you achieve the skin of your dreams in 2019.

Getting clean with mud: Osmia Black Clay Facial Soap

Don't worry, we don't mean you should run outside and literally grab a handful of mud! This black clay face soap contains black Australian clay and Dead Sea mud to even out and tone the skin, making it cleaner than ever. Trust us

When you cleanse your skin with a cleanser that goes deeper than your old one, you can expect clearer, happier skin in 2019!

Finally, try a vitamin C serum: 100% pure vitamin C serum

If you haven't tried a vitamin C serum, make 2019 your year for it!

Nothing brightens skin like it does, but the benefits of vitamin C don't stop there. This beauty vitamin helps reduce inflammation (bye problem skin!) And increase collagen production for firmer, plumper and more youthful skin.

Go deeper with the scrub: Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Peel

Afraid to try microdermabrasion or chemical peel?

We don't blame you, but why not go deep home with a scrub formulated with all natural enzymes from creamy yam and pumpkin?

This lightening scrub helps fade hyperpigmentation, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and leave skin glowing and glowing. It's also a great natural way to treat blackheads.

Treat your skin once a week: May Lindstrom be the problem solver

If you haven't shown your skin the love it deserved in 2018, apply it in 2019 by treating it with a weekly face mask like this antioxidant-rich beauty that addresses all of your skincare problems!

Add a toner to your routine: Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Toning Mist

Toners don't get enough credit, but if you really want to take your current skin regimen to the next level, we recommend adding one to your routine!

This beautiful rose toner offers tremendous punch in terms of hydration and is so much more than just a beautiful shade of pink! (although we love the color of this one!)

Try a multi-purpose product: Ursa Major 4-in-One Face Tonic

Skeptical? Do not be so!

As long as you buy the right products like this great toner from Ursa Major, you can't go wrong! This cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates all in one!

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26 Mar
Blog

It Takes Two Review: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

It takes two

"It Takes Two is a charming co-op adventure that combines the best ideas from Nintendo and Pixar."

  • Charming story

  • Tight platform

  • Varied level design

  • Thoughtful collaboration

  • Joyful interactivity

While video games can span a wide range of genres, there is one limit that remains largely unknown: the romantic comedy. Co-op platformer It Takes Two shows how much we missed thanks to the game industry's fear of cooties.

The adventure published by EA is the latest project from multiplayer studio Hazelight and director Josef Fares, the eclectic director of A Way Out. It Takes Two is a blatant rom-com about the restorative power of communication and teamwork instead of spreading grim science fiction or high fantasy. Imagine a 12 hour couples therapy session over Astro's playroom.

It Takes Two is a love work that has the heart of a Pixar movie and the soul of a Nintendo platformer. Even the most die-hard gamers could fall in love with the most inventive co-op game since Portal 2.

Marriage history

It doesn't take two starts with a traditional meeting. Instead, it starts with a married couple about to divorce. Cody and May are a contentious couple who decide to end it. When they deliver the news to their daughter, she does what any confused child in the situation would do: with the help of a magical book, their parents are accidentally trapped in the body of two tiny dolls.

What follows is a vibrant adventure in which the ex-lovebirds must solve their problems that have physically manifested themselves in platform challenges. The game takes full advantage of its magical, realistic premise to playfully transform local quarrels into clever video game tropes. The broken vacuum that Cody was too lazy to fix? It's become a Bowser-sized boss. The annoying wasp's nest in the backyard? The little couple have no choice but to go to war against them with a mini third person shooter.

The most straightforward comparison of the game isn't another platformer, it's Pixar's Inside Out. Both offer the same kind of illustrative storytelling, using cartoony set pieces to emphasize real experiences. Like a great Pixar movie, It Takes Two features memorable characters, moving emotional beats, and the occasional comedic wink that parents pray their kids didn't get it.

The game takes full advantage of its magical, realistic premise to playfully transform local quarrels into clever video game tropes.

The story can sometimes be narrative scattered. At every level there are lots of quick gameplay ideas that don't always sync up with a relationship parallel. Storylines seem to come out of the left field to justify moving the game to a snowy level or some elaborate musical set piece. Fortunately, every new mechanic is so enjoyable that it hardly matters how effective the game is as a therapy session.

Collaboration!

Despite the cinematic comparisons, the game works just as well as it does due to its interactivity. Lots of love stories tell audiences how important teamwork is, but It Takes Two brings physicality to these hours of life. The game can only be played with another human partner, so an actual unit is required to complete it. The players learn to communicate alongside May and Cody and to build their trust in each other.

It takes two

It's a high profile idea that comes with finesse. As a platformer, running and jumping feels as good as a Mario game. The puzzles are rarely challenging, but the solutions are ingenious enough to inspire satisfying Eureka moments. The levels themselves offer a constant flurry of fun ideas that never exceed their reception. Once players get bored with a traditional platform puzzle, it switches to a mini dungeon crawler that is completely different and just as fun.

Most impressive is how much thought has gone into making a co-op game that actually takes care of both players. May and Cody get completely different tools to play with in each level. In the opening chapter, Cody is given a set of nails that can be shot into wooden walls, while May is given a hammer head with which she can swing on these nails. The mechanics and uses of each item are completely different, giving each player their own unique experience. There's never a point where it feels like Player 1 got the "cool" item and their partner is a buddy.

Most impressive is how much thought has gone into making a co-op game that actually takes care of both players.

This is something that a lot of co-op games really struggle with. Nintendo neglects player two by making them either a mechanical clone of the protagonist or a helper with limited functionality. It Takes Two is entirely designed for both sides of the split screen, always making sure that you take turns who gets their big hero moment.

That's another thing that gets the game right when it comes to relationships. Both Cody and May are equally important to dynamics. Players have to work together to bring the characters together, but they are never left standing around while their partner is having all the fun. Give and take is never a person's expense.

"No shiny shit"

Before the game was released, EA did a Q&A with director Josef Fares. He had a choice phrase that he repeated several times when asked about his approach to game design: "No shiny shit."

The tariffs went on one of his signatures against the concept of "replayability" and emphasized that "It Takes Two" did not contain any hollow collectibles. Instead, his goal was to create an interactive world that was fun to explore without the haphazard hooks.

Feels like Fares just having fun making every little interaction.

This philosophy is reflected in the nine different levels of the game. When players are high up in a tree, they can stop to throw a stray paper airplane. There is no real incentive to do this. It's just for the love of the game. This is a breath of fresh air in the era of the open world card game where players are given a repetitive checklist of tasks to complete.

It takes two

The next thing that needs to make the game "collectibles" are mini-games that are spread over each level. These are simple competitive challenges like tug of war or snail racing that give players an easy break from the story. While they're not complex side quests, they provide a great excuse to break the pace and let partners blow off any potential frustration that has built up between tricky co-op mistakes.

Feels like Fares just having fun making every little interaction. The director is especially in love with his own games and that attitude is contagious. While his earlier work can feel a little too serious, It Takes Two is a broader representation of both his colorful personality and the immense skill at Hazelight. He jokes (probably) that he will give $ 1,000 to anyone who doesn't love the game. As much as I love the money, I certainly won't ask him to pay. He wins this bet.

Our opinion

It takes two is Hazelight and Josef Fares' most complete vision of co-op gaming to date. It uses clever interactivity to highlight the importance of good communication in video games and relationships alike. With Nintendo quality level design and an enchanting storyline that motivates the platform action, it's the rare multiplayer game that builds friendships rather than ending them.

Is there a better alternative?

No. It Takes Two is by far the best co-op game of its breed since Portal 2.

How long it will take?

The adventure lasts a surprisingly long 10-12 hours. May and Cody get completely different skills in each level, which makes playing them through the second time feel very tempting.

Should I buy it?

Yes. It's a joyful time from start to finish, and it comes with a Friend Pass that one of your friends will use to get a copy of the game. It's a two-on-one deal that ensures you have someone to play with.

Editor's recommendations




26 Mar
Blog

Facial Reflexology: The Benefits Of Reflexology May Surprise You

Do you want to make your spa stand out from the rest? When it comes to enhancing your client's skin, reflexology may be the next breakthrough service to add to your treatment list. You may have heard of this centuries-old practice, but you are still wondering what exactly facial reflexology is and how it can help the wellbeing of your spa clients. Read on to find out how facial reflexology techniques can stimulate the brain and nervous system for skin benefits.

What is facial reflexology?

Facial reflexology is inspired by two main methods. The first is the Dien Chan, created by Dr. Bùi Quôc Châu rooted in traditional Vietnamese and Chinese medical systems. The second method is that Sorensensistem method, created by Lonely Sorenson and founded in East and South American traditions.

Reflexology has been practiced across cultures for centuries, but to date scientists have been unable to explain the functional pathways of traditional Eastern medicine. Please remember that there is no scientific explanation for the anatomical pathways and physiological mechanisms of the meridian system on which traditional Chinese medicine is based. Even so, reflexology treatments have anecdotally helped many people find great pain relief, improved skin health, and other health benefits.

How does facial reflexology work?

Facial reflexology stimulates reflex points and zones on the scalp and face to stimulate the brain. It is a gentle and non-invasive technique achieved by using the fingertips for pressure point massage on the face and scalp. These pressure points are meant to relate to different parts of our anatomy. Natural or organic facial oils are usually used as part of the massage without the need for other devices.

Eminence Organics International trainer Brian Goodwin explains how improvements can be achieved through special facial massage techniques that treat the body holistically by stimulating meridian points.

Three common reflexology points are:

  • Taiyang: the temples
  • Bitong: the nostril on the nasolabial groove
  • Yin Tang: the middle of the forehead or the "third eye"

It is believed that the body's meridians are vital energy pathways to your organs and body systems. By massaging specific reflex zone points, this technique is said to reduce stress and promote blood circulation and oxygen levels in the face. This is believed to improve the appearance of the skin, making it appear tighter, tighter, and plumper.

What Are The Benefits Of Facial Reflexology?

The benefits of facial reflexology may include:

  • Reduced muscle tension
  • Healthier skin
  • Pain relief
  • Improved sleep
  • More energy
  • Improvement in immunodeficiency
  • Improved mood
  • Headache relief
  • Clearer sinuses

"Reflexology benefits include improving skin, sleep, and energy levels, as well as reducing muscle tension and providing chronic pain relief," explains Brian. “General improvements to the skin can include increased hydration, blood flow, and vitality. A doctor can also target certain skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. “However, practitioners should still approach their treatments holistically,” he says.

Woman enjoying facial reflexology treatment

Incorporate reflexology treatments into your spa

When it comes to skin enhancement, facial reflexology can improve a spa client's overall health, which in turn helps the skin. They can offer treatment for problems like stress, muscle tension, headaches, or sinus problems.

"If you offer facial reflexology as a free addition to facials and massages as a monthly promotion, you can offer it as a service to your customers," says Brian. "It also opens the door for your practitioners to talk to customers about the benefits."

The first step in implementing facial reflexology is education. This means that the doctor will inform clients what facial reflexology is and how it is practiced. You also need to communicate the health benefits of facial reflexology through effective marketing on your website and on social media.

"Your typical client may not know what reflexology is and may never have heard of it," says Brian. "Without helping them understand the purpose and value of reflexology, customers are unlikely to book it or add it as a new service."

Planning a thorough consultation with your customers is an important success factor in facial reflexology. This will help you determine their needs, desired results, and select the best products for their skin type and concerns.

When it comes to choosing Eminence Organics facial reflexology products, we usually turn to a facial oil. “An excellent product that can be used in addition to facial reflexology for all skin types is our Facial Recovery Oil,” says Brian. This is a luxurious face oil suitable for all skin types and made with Biodynamic® ingredients from Demeter International Certified Biodynamic® farms.

For use, Brian recommends placing two to three drops in your hands, gently spreading the oil over your hands, and then pressing it onto the client's face, neck and décolleté before performing any reflexology techniques.

Learn How to Become an Eminence Organics Spa Affiliate for Award-Winning Education. Or check out our blog to read our regular content for spa professionals.

25 Mar
Blog

How OCR Technology Made Image to Text Conversion Simple

Are you looking for ways to convert the text of the image into an editable form? Tired of using many methods but all of them in vain? Yes? No problem, the image to text converter will give you excellent and fabulous results for converting images to text. You can save valuable money by using online tools. But quality is not about compromising. You will get the best conversion for your business and your academics.

Optical character recognition

The images cannot be edited or processed until the software recognizes them. OCR technology was developed to precisely analyze the image. The picture contains several elements. One of these elements is the text, which can consist of a few words and many sentences. Pic to txt isn't difficult these days as OCR technology is available to assist you. Text on photos is quite common, but pulling it out seems to be a challenge.

Quick and easy extraction

People take pictures that contain values ​​of meaningful text. Text from the image extraction is required for them to either create or edit the files. Compile the full file by extracting data from multiple images. The image to text converter performs great and works on the characters to give you the right content. The quick extraction allows users to include all of the images in the gallery for conversion to text. You can use it for large or bulky academic files.

OCR technology provides easy extraction and doesn't make it difficult to use. It involves a simple step: uploading the image with text to the online tool. Click the Convert to Text button and guess what you did, all the steps will be. You will receive the result on your screen in no time at all.

Accurate data extraction

When it comes to manual extraction, one has to suffer from several problems. This includes stress and strain on the eyes. Not only that, but it also creates a high risk of error. The automatic system avoids errors and mistakes in order to provide the correct content. The high accessibility and accuracy allows users to get the text whenever they want. They are very confident about using it. The data is not shared with others as the user and data protection are very much considered. If you look at the picture and then type it into the Word file, you are wasting a lot of time. This becomes very difficult when the image text is numeric. The image to text converter works magically for all types of text.

Pack contents

Don't let your pictures get stuck at any point. Get the image to text converter to relax in your work. Use it several times and be permanently satisfied with the quality tool of the renowned online software. It helps to make office work clearer and to make learning more convenient.

25 Mar
Blog

Keeping Skin Younger For Longer

When it comes to your skin, it is the largest organ in your body and the one that is probably the most prone to wear and tear as it has to fight the external elements on a daily basis. Some people are naturally blessed with good skin because of their genetics, while others are more prone to breakouts, acne, and other skin care issues. So what can we do to keep our skin younger for longer? With many of the beauty products and procedures the world has promised us, it's hard to know which is the real deal. Here are some ways that can help you keep that youthful glow well into your later years, or even rewind the clock.

Image source

Hydration is key

When we think of water, it has a pretty simple taste, maybe a bit bland. However, water is synonymous with moisture, and that is all for our skin. In order for our skin to retain its elasticity and shine, the body needs a lot of moisture. Your skin cells are made up of water. So they don't work optimally without water. Lack of water means your skin becomes drier, more flaky and more prone to wrinkles. Water can help prevent skin conditions from flaring up or persisting, and we lose large amounts of water every day. We have to somehow bring it back into our bodies. So drinking water – about 1.5 liters per day – helps maintain the right amount of moisture for your body. Drink more after you've exercised.

You may also want to add an extra moisturizing moisturizer to your skin regimen and try to avoid the things that can dry you out, such as: B. Drinking alcohol.

The art of sleeping

Sleep is a nice thing. It is a chance for our bodies to recover and repair to function optimally for the next day. Without sleep, we endanger our bodies and therefore our skin also suffers. Think puffy and dark under the eyes and more breakouts on the skin. When you hit the hay you want to make sure you sleep on a silk pillow and / or wear a silk eye mask. Silk is a gentle material on the skin and therefore does not damage the surface of the skin.

Silk will also keep you cooler at night, which means you will sweat less. Sweat causes our breakouts by clogging pores. So no sweating means no stains! It can also avoid other skin problems like creepy skin which are explained here https://www.siobeauty.com/blogs/news/crepey-skin, which are most common in older women.

Image source

Protect your skin all year round

If you don't have a skin care routine, it's time to get one. Skin care regimen is important for all ages, and you should use proper skin care products to protect your skin from damage. Whatever the weather, you should always apply sunscreen under your makeup or as part of your morning skin regimen before going out. UV rays can be harmful to the skin and cause sun damage. Even when the sun isn't shining, these rays can penetrate through the clouds and into your skin. So it's a good idea to lather up a good layer of SPF 15-20 every day.

Have a skin care routine that works for you and not because you've heard about the latest skin care trend which consists of 1,439 different products that you need to use every morning. You will just get bored or demotivated to continue the routine. The main ones are an oil cleanser that removes dirt and makeup, a moisturizer, and an exfoliating element like a face scrub or mask that you can do every few days.

Acids are also great at home when you want to add an extra product to your routine. Retinoids have anti-aging and anti-acne properties that have made them so popular with men and women around the world.

Eat and drink well

Unfortunately, it's as good as Chinese take away food, it probably won't benefit your skin or body if you have it too often. A healthy diet is all about moderation. It is important to know when you are overeating and to be aware that you are bringing the right amount of healthy food to not-so-healthy food. Avoid coffee and opt for a fruit tea like peppermint or green tea. If removing coffee is too difficult overall, limit your coffee consumption and replace the others with fruit tea.

Fruits and vegetables are delicious treats and won't rot your teeth like candy. Find fruits or vegetables that you enjoy eating. There are so many out there that there will be one or two you can learn to love! Try to aim for five days, which is very little if you remember to spread them out over the day.

Try to find foods that will benefit the appearance of the skin. Oily fish and avocados are just a few examples.

Remove bad habits

Bad habits can often affect the skin, such as: B. Smoking and heavy drinking. Try replacing the habit that is harming your skin with something that will hopefully make you stop it altogether. Or when it comes to something like alcohol, make sure to replace your fluids with plenty of moisture the next day.

Spot picking or nail biting is also a common bad habit, and often a trigger, boredom, or stress that causes you to pick or bite a nail in one spot. Find out where these triggers are coming from so you can get to the bottom of the problem.

Exercise often

It's not something many of us like to do, and it gets harder as you get older. However, frequent exercise can dramatically improve the appearance of your skin. Exercising allows blood to pump around your veins, flushing your skin, and preventing the dermis from thinning and the outer part of the epidermis from thickening. Exercise is known to reduce stress and flush out toxins, two things that are responsible for affecting the skin. Exercise your own way and do sports or exercises that you enjoy doing. Do a lot of stretching before and after so that the muscles are properly maintained.

Image source

Make makeup easy

Applying makeup on a daily basis will make the skin worse in some way, and this can often include breakouts and sores of the skin. For some many cosmetic products, you may opt for a lighter makeup routine from time to time. BB and CC creams are good and don't choke pores as much as a full-surface primer. Tinted moisturizers are also a great alternative to foundation. Use setting sprays throughout the day to add a little moisture to your skin and gradually apply the makeup.

Get a facial

With so many wonderful clinics and beauty salons at your disposal, there are so many different facial options available that can aid in the struggle to restore youthful glow. Here are some examples:

  • Lymphatic Massage Facial – When your body has trouble removing the lymph, it leads to water retention and swelling. Stimulating the lymph glands through massage helps to relieve tension and reduce swelling.
  • Vampire Facial – Made famous by Kim Kardashian, the vampire facial is not for the faint of heart. It's a non-surgical alternative to a face lift. By injecting a gel-like substance made partially from the patient's blood, the skin is rejuvenated and wrinkles are reduced.
  • Microdermabrasion Facial – Another non-surgical option, microdermabrasion, uses tiny grains to buff the old layers of skin. It's not as aggressive as dermabrasion, which uses tiny needles to break apart old skin cells.
  • Gold Facial – For a fancy facial, you might like a little gold. Gold in combination with the gamma PGA compound improves the overall appearance of the skin.
  • Enzyme Facial – Popular with acne sufferers, these facials help clear breakouts while cleansing the skin. They thoroughly cleanse the skin with fruit enzymes coupled with wonderful antioxidants and moisturizers.

Cut out the negatives

Many things can contribute to the aging of our skin, but nothing withers more than stress and riding the roller coasters of life. Hence, it is important to cut out any negative things in your life that are causing you pain, stress or sadness. Sometimes they are inevitable, but most of the time they can be removed by yourself. So cut out the negativity and only bring positivity into your life. No job is worth the stress of affecting your health, and life is too short to sweat out the little things.

So there you have it, the secret to youthful skin. Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution to maintaining your youth. We all get old at some point, and unfortunately our skin too. However, if you follow some of these steps, you can keep what you have while you are still able.

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25 Mar
Blog

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 Review: A Supremely Fast Chromebook

Acer Chromebook Spin 713

"The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the fastest, longest-lasting Chromebooks ever made."

  • Very good performance

  • Fairly long battery life

  • Conservative looks good

  • Good touchpad

  • Excellent 3: 2 display

  • No active pen option

  • The chassis could feel a bit more stable

  • The keyboard wasn't as sharp as some

The inventory of high-end Chromebooks continues to grow, and new products seem to be coming online all the time. But not every good machine is brand new. Take the convertible 2-in-1 Acer Chromebook Spin 713, which was launched in the summer of 2020 and is still a relevant laptop today thanks to fast components and willing buyers. In other words, it's current enough to consider today, and a lot of people are buying it. That's a good sign.

Acer sent me a mid-range version of the Chromebook Spin 713 priced at $ 630 for a 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U CPU, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, a 128 GB solid state drive (SSD) and a 13.5-inch display on the Internet with a higher aspect ratio of 3: 2 and a resolution of 2K (2256 x 1504). That's not cheap for a Chromebook, but the price matches the components. Note that you can spend up to $ 1,000 if you go for a Core i7 and 16GB of RAM.

Does the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 still have what it takes to compete with the latest and greatest Chromebooks?

design

Acer Chromebook Spin 713Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has a light gray (or dark silver depending on the lighting) case that is conservative but attractive. The beveled edges and angled lower chassis add some sheen, but don't stand out too much. For example, it's not a bright red like its near-rival Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, nor does it have the rounded edges of the Google Pixelbook Go (if that's the look you're into). Think of the Acer as a modern sedan and the Samsung as a sports car and you get the picture. The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 is much closer to the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 in terms of aesthetics and nobody would find fault with either machine.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 would look more modern if the bezels were slimmer. The side bezels are thin enough, but the top bezel is relatively thick and the lower chin is huge. Coupled with the 3: 2 aspect ratio, these bezels not only detract from the look, but also result in a laptop that is much deeper than it could be. The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 has smaller bezels with a 14-inch display with a 16: 9 aspect ratio – we prefer 3: 2, but there's no doubt that the Asus looks a bit slimmer.

Apply extra pressure and the lid will bend.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is 3.02 pounds and 0.66 inches thick, which is quite a bit heavier and thicker than the Asus Chromebook Flip C436 (2.5 pounds and 0.54 inches) and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (2, 71 pounds and 0.55 inches thick)). Each of these machines is a 2-in-1 convertible, so Acer couldn't use a more complex hinge to excuse the laptop's weight.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has an aluminum case that is almost on par with a premium laptop in terms of build quality. Put a little more pressure and the lid will flex a little more than I like and the keyboard deck has a little flex. That's fine for $ 630 but gets a little less acceptable at $ 1,000 for the most expensive configuration. The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 feels like a more rugged laptop and costs about the same price as the Acer.

Note that Acer put the MIL-STD-810g series laptop through durability and reliability tests. Hence, there is a reason to trust that is beyond my subjective experience. The display of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is made of Corning Gorilla Glass with an antimicrobial coating to reduce the growth of certain microorganisms. The touchpad uses the same glass and offers the same protection.

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 closed "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1056-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 closed "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1057-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 closed "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1055-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Acer has equipped the Chromebook Spin 713 with a solid selection of ports. On the left side you will find a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, a USB-A 3.0 port and a microSD card reader. On the right side there is another USB-C 3.2 port and a full-size HDMI 2.0 port. That outperforms both the Samsung and Asus laptops, which are limited to USB-C and microSD. The Chromebook Spin 713's wireless connectivity is completely up-to-date with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

performance

We don't have a lot of benchmarks to objectively measure a Chromebook's performance. I can refer to Geekbench 5, where the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 with its quad-core core i5 scored 966 in the single-core test and 3,040 points in the multi-core test. That surpasses the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (at least in multi-core) with 1,003 and 2,179 with its dual-core core i3 and the Asus Chromebook Flip C436, also with the same processor, with 938 and 1,653. Interestingly, the Acer also beat the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook with AMD's Chrome OS-specific CPU, the AMD Ryzen 5 3500C. This laptop scored 907 and 2,739.

Acer Chromebook Spin 713Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Despite the lack of objective measures, I can say that the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a fast Chrome OS laptop that keeps up with everyone else I've reviewed. I used the laptop with a handful of Android apps running and a ton of Google tabs open, and the laptop didn't skip a beat. This is likely due in part to the 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for Chrome OS, as well as the fast SSD.

I also launched a few games, including Asphalt 9: Legends, and the Chromebook Spin 713 ran smoothly with its built-in Intel UHD graphics. It was a bit bulky in tablet mode, but I was still able to do a few races with no lag or choppiness. This is a huge improvement over the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook's AMD Radeon graphics, which turned this game into something of a slide show.

As mentioned earlier, you can upgrade the Chromebook Spin 713 to a Core i7 and 16GB of RAM, but I don't see any reason to. In my configuration, it's a fast laptop and one of the faster options you'll find for just $ 630.

display

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 screenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

One of the more exciting trends in laptops is the move to taller displays. The 16:10 and 3: 2 aspect ratios show more vertical information, which is important for surfing the Internet and for creating and viewing documents. The Chromebook Spin 713 followed this trend early and was one of the first on a Chromebook with its 3: 2 display. The 2,256 x 1,504 resolution is also welcome and offers sharp text and images.

I was unable to subject the display to my colorimeter, so unfortunately, as with performance, I don't have a lot of objective metrics. In fact, I don't have any. Subjectively, however, I found the display bright enough to work comfortably in a lot of ambient light – although working outside under bright sun wouldn't be a great experience. I've used brighter displays – the Dell XPS 13 and HP Specter x360 14 OLED are both brighter – but I'm not complaining.

The combination of quality and the aspect ratio of 3: 2 made this display an attractive display.

The contrast was sufficient to make black text appear on a white background. Eventually the colors looked natural and not oversaturated, although I cannot confirm the accuracy. Gamma must have been spot on too, since Netflix videos didn't look too light or too dark.

The combination of quality and 3: 2 aspect ratio made this display a delightful display that is more than good enough for most Chromebook users. If you need a wide color gamut and precise accuracy, I can't confirm how well the display will work for you. I haven't seen the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 in person, so I can't tell if the QLED display is better – but I can imagine that it has QLED's ability to show off beautiful colors.

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 foldsMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The audio quality was a different story. The volume wasn't particularly loud and I noticed an indication of 100% distortion. The highs were cut off a bit and the midrange was muddy – and of course, as is common with most laptops, the bass was missing. The sound quality was fine for the occasional YouTube video, but I recommend headphones or bluetooth speakers for Netflix binging and music.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713's keyboard is pretty typical island style, with good, but not large, key spacing. I found the mechanism only slightly muddy, with a lot of spring travel and a soft floor movement, but not as crisp as I would like it to be. The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 responded more precisely than I found it to be more comfortable in the long run, and the Acer keyboard didn't really come close to my favorites, HP's Specter keyboards and Apple's Magic keyboard on the latest MacBooks.

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Acer Chromebook Spin 713 Trackpad "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1042-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1043-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The touchpad was larger than usual as the larger display offers additional space on the keyboard deck. As mentioned earlier, it consists of a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass with an antimicrobial coating. I found it very convenient to swipe Google's multitouch gestures and use them precisely. The touch display also responded, but unfortunately the laptop does not support an active pen.

Acer also didn't add biometric login to the Chromebook Spin 713, which is disappointing. A fingerprint reader would have been welcome.

Battery life

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 foldedMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Acer packed 48 watt hours of battery life into the case of the Chromebook Spin 713, and that's a decent amount for the light and efficient Chrome OS. For example, the Chromebook Spin 713 lasted 11.25 hours in our web browser test, which is almost two hours longer than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. At the same time, the Samsung spent almost 13 hours going through our Full HD Avengers trailer for almost three hours longer than the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. Samsung's QLED display likely contributed to this as it tends to be less power hungry than IPS displays.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 lasted about 10.5 hours in our web browser test and the same time as the Samsung in our video loop test.

Given that the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 uses a faster CPU than any of these competitors and has a tall, high-resolution display, these are good battery results that promise a full day of work. I would describe the battery life as the strength of the Chromebook Spin 713.

Our opinion

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 fits nicely into the premium Chromebook space, offering good performance and battery life, as well as decent build for a reasonable $ 630. It's not the sharpest laptop, but its conservative looks obviously appeal to a number of buyers.

I would have liked an active pen option for the laptop, but that's only a deal breaker for those who rely on digital ink. Otherwise, this is a great option for anyone looking for a quickly convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook.

Are there alternatives?

A natural competitor to the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 offers the same 2-in-1 flexibility and sharper look. But it's not that fast, it doesn't have the same ability to boost performance when you need it, and it's stuck in the past with its 16: 9 aspect ratio. However, it's a little cheaper.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 is another strong competitor to the Acer and offers a convertible 2-in-1 device with a 14-inch 16: 9 display. It's also slower than the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, but also a little cheaper.

If you don't want to turn the display over, Google's Pixelbook Go is your best option. You get better battery life, improved audio quality, and a smaller body – all for about the same price. There's a reason we picked the Pixebook Go as the best all-round Chromebook.

How long it will take?

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 isn't quite as sturdy in the hand as some of the other Chromebooks we tested, but Acer trusted it enough to put it through some grueling tests. It will take as long as you need it, and Chrome OS will continue to hum for years to come. The laptop comes with the usual one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a solid premium Chromebook offering that has a few advantages over the competition, including fast performance.

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