Blog – Page 198 – Appliances catalogue

29 Oct

Blog

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 review: Sonos Beam-beater

October 29, 2020
Posted by Samson

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

"Packed with features and great sound, it's an investment you won't regret."

Expansive and rich sound
Either Alexa or Google Assistant
Elegant, minimalist design
Listen to private headphones
AirPlay 2

Expensive for a small soundbar
Some music services are not supported
No Chromecast option for Android

Bose has gradually expanded its portfolio of smart soundbars and its $ 400 Smart soundbar 300 is the newest addition. It's the smallest and most affordable product in the range, but it has most of the features of its more expensive siblings, the Soundbar 500 for $ 550 and the Soundbar 700 for $ 800.

It might be the perfect choice for those with smaller rooms (or just smaller budgets). Is it right for you Let's try it out.

What's in the box?

In a mostly recyclable box (with some foam inserts that you may need to throw away), you get the Smart Soundbar 300, a power cable, an optical cable, a remote control and a quick start guide.

design

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Bose's soundbar design philosophy is one that I fully support: these speakers should be heard, not seen. The Smart Soundbar 300 is almost invisible with its completely matt black housing and its extremely flat shape.

It will look like home when I'm in front of virtually every television I can think of.

At just 2.25 inches tall and 27.5 inches wide, it won't block the bottom of your screen and (depending on the design of your TV) you might even be able to place it under the screen between your legs.

But it's also elegant. With clean lines, a button-free exterior, and a wraparound metal grille, it will look like home sitting in front of virtually every television I can think of. The $ 400 Sonos Beam – Bose's closest competitor – is a bit narrower, but also a bit bigger.

In the upper left corner, a small multi-colored LED light strip gives you visual feedback on the status of the speaker. Two white bars indicate a break, a single blue bar indicates Bluetooth and a small red point means mute. It would be cool if Bose used it to display the volume, but unfortunately not that lucky.

If you'd like to mount it on the wall, an optional bracket is available for $ 40.

The connection ports, which include an HDMI-ARC, an optical input, an Ethernet port, an infrared expansion port and a subwoofer output, are located on the rear. We'll discuss how these can be used in a moment.

Setup and connections

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

As with the Soundbar 500 and 700, the Smart Soundbar 300 is not just a TV speaker, it's also a wireless smart speaker that can be added to other Bose wireless speakers for a whole house audio solution. For this reason, the Bose Music app is required to set up (and use the non-TV features) (free on iOS and Android). Today, most people likely have a phone or tablet that can run the app. If you don't, consider one of the many soundbar systems that aren't based on Wi-Fi or app control.

The music app makes setup effortless. In a few minutes the soundbar will be connected to your wireless network and you can configure the soundbar 300 with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or just skip this step (you can always change it later if you change your mind).

The advantage of connecting the speaker to your TV using the supplied optical cable is that you don't use any of your HDMI connections, which depending on the TV set can be scarce. Since the Soundbar 300 is not compatible with advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS: X (which require HDMI ARC), an optical connection is really all you need.

Usually, using an optical connection means missing out on the HDMI enabled TV control features. Thanks to the infrared heater of the Soundbar 300, you can still use Alexa or Google Assistant to operate TV functions without HDMI. This is a neat trick that the Sonos Beam can't.

Oddly enough, Bose recommends using an HDMI cable, which is more reliable than using infrared. It's not included in the box, however, as most people already have an extra HDMI cable, while optical cables tend to be harder to come by.

The bass connector for wiring a subwoofer is proprietary, so it cannot be used with another company's subwoofer. However, if you're not a fan of cables, it makes more sense to upgrade the low-end of the Soundbar 300 to include Bose wireless subwoofers, which cost $ 400 Bass module 500and the $ 700 Bass module 700. If you want to create a more immersive surround sound atmosphere, the soundbar is compatible with the $ 299 wireless device too Bose surround speakers or $ 500 Bose surround speaker 700.

Streaming music from the Bose Music app over WiFi provides the best sound quality for Android users, but it's not a great music management app (more on this below). Instead, Apple users will be happiest with AirPlay 2, which gives every app on your phone or tablet a direct Wi-Fi connection to the speaker. Spotify subscribers can use the Spotify Connect feature to connect to the speaker from any Spotify app. There is also bluetooth on board which will be the best option for Android users.

Speaking of Bluetooth: The Soundbar 300 has the same Bose SimpleSync technology as the more expensive Soundbar 500 and 700. With SimpleSync you can pair a set of Bose Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker with the soundbar and control the volume for the two devices independently of each other . It may work with third party headphones – I tried one set Bowers and Wilkins PX5 Headphones and it worked, if a little out of sync. However, your mileage may vary: The Sony WH-1000XM4 was not recognized by the soundbar.

Sound quality

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you're looking for room-filling sound, look no further. The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 delivers the goods, whether it's bigger, better sound for movies and TV shows, or just listening to your favorite music.

By default, the speaker's EQ is comfortably neutral and has a good frequency balance that works well with a wide variety of music genres and TV content. Given that soundbars are usually the tool of choice for those looking for a simple home theater upgrade, it's a good thing that you can dramatically increase the bass response using the Music app.

Don't get me wrong, the Soundbar 300 can't deliver the kind of bone-jarring bass a dedicated subwoofer can, but in a smaller space, like a bedroom, it has more than enough oomph to bring even the biggest blockbusters to life .

Not that it has to be confined to a small room – the soundbar can get very loud and does so without distortion.

The result is an impressive feeling that the Sonos Beam cannot quite keep up with.

For voice-heavy music or TV dialogues, the soundbar offers flawless, clear playback. Higher frequencies work freely and have both structure and airiness – an unusual combination, even with more expensive speakers.

I was particularly impressed by the sound stage width of the Soundbar 300. The angled full-range drivers impressively reflect the sound from your side walls in the direction of the display / listening zone and create an impressive feeling that the Sonos Beam cannot quite keep up with. The beam feels warmer and has more resonance when it comes to string instruments like bass or cello, but it's also a more reserved sound. The soundbar 300's dispersion pattern feels much more open.

Dialog enhancement mode is essentially a one-click EQ adjustment that brings higher frequencies to the fore and forces other bands to fade into the background. It's not a substitute for something as specific as the Zvox AV157 TV speaker, but it does go a long way in making cloudy speech easier to spot.

Multiroom audio and music sources

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The Bose Music app provides an easy way to manage multiple Bose wireless speakers in your home, including the ability to group them for shared or separate playback. It's not perfect – you can't pair stereo speakers or use them as surround to upgrade a soundbar like the 300 – but for most people it provides very good control.

However, this control does not extend very far into streaming music. The app supports a decent selection of music services including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and SiriusXM. However, there is no consistency. Some services are searchable, others are not, and each has its own interface. There is no way to create playlists with the app. You are therefore dependent on the tools of each service. You can save playlists, albums, and songs as presets, but the app only gives you six presets to work with.

Not only is the Sonos system better, it's orders of magnitude better, with universal search, unlimited favorites, multi-source playlists, and support for every streaming service under the sun.

remote control

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 remote control Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Smart Soundbar 300 comes with a small and simple infrared remote control. It covers the basics: volume, mute, play / pause, power, and source selection (music, TV, bluetooth). The rubberized surface and the curved back make it easy to hold and use.

The only unusual aspect of this remote control is the ability to use the music app to synchronize the power button function with your TV and / or cable box. When you do this, pressing the power button turns the soundbar and these two other devices on and off.

Voice assistants

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

With the Soundbar 300 you can choose Alexa or Google Assistant as your voice. A.I. You can change your mind at any time, but just like a Sonos smart speaker, you can't do both at the same time.

Regardless of which A.I. If you choose, the soundbar's microphones are great at picking up the wake-up words and commands.

The feature you choose determines which features you can use. Here you will find an overview of the advantages of the individual systems. One important consideration for those who want to use their music to control their music: the service you want to control must be supported by the Bose Music app as well as the voice assistant you choose. Otherwise it won't work.

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 app Although the Google Assistant works well with YouTube Music, you won't be able to bring up YouTube Music tracks on the soundbar 300 (or currently with Bose smart speakers).

Regardless of which A.I. If you choose, the soundbar's microphones are also great at picking up wake-up words and commands from across the room – no shouting required. A tap on the microphone button gives you complete privacy. I especially like the fact that the LED light strip responds to let you know your wake word has been heard. The Sonos Beam can also confirm wake-up words, but instead uses an audio chirp, which I find more intrusive.

Those who set up Alexa in the soundbar can use Bose's Voice4Video technology, which extends the control and control of Alexa to your TV and cable box – even if those devices are not directly compatible with Alexa. Once configured, you can ask Alexa to turn on the TV and even switch to a specific channel.

I found this feature to be a bit successful. Basic commands like “Alexa, turn on the TV” worked fine, but channel changes were found to be more inconsistent. When I asked Alexa to switch to channel 33, I sometimes saw "333" on the screen. At other times the channel request would be correct, but the channel change itself was not performed. And sometimes it just worked.

It is possible that these glitches are related to my particular TV and cable box combination. However, since I was using HDMI rather than optical, I would have expected more consistency.

Our opinion

The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is an excellent choice for music and movies in small to medium-sized rooms with an expansive sound and some really innovative additional features.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're looking to build a whole house audio system, the $ 400 Sonos Beam is a better choice. It sounds great and its software platform remains the best in the business for those who want complete control over their music and speakers.

However, if you're really looking for a soundbar that can drastically improve the audio performance of your TV for movies and shows, and do an equally good job with your favorite music, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 sounds better in my opinion.

How long it will take?

The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 comes with a one-year warranty. Bose has an excellent reputation for making quality products, and I trust the Soundbar 300 will last as long as you need it to be.

Should you buy it?

Yes. While the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is expensive compared to many other TV speakers, its sound quality, customization, additional features, voice control, and expandability make it an investment you won't regret.

Editor's recommendations

29 Oct

Blog

The role of CBD against anxiety and depression

October 29, 2020
Posted by Samson

Anxiety and depression are very common health problems among people all over the world. These types of problems require natural solutions to avoid negative side effects. And people still have an option to consider lately, cannabidiol or CBD. Before making a decision to buy and use CBD products, however, there are a few answers you need to know. First, do you want to know what CBD is and is it safe to use? Second, and most importantly, what role does it play in treating anxiety and depression?

In this article, our main goal is to answer the questions above. This way, you will remove any doubts before taking any products containing CBD.

What is CBD and why is it safe to use?

CBD has been a very popular compound lately and is among the hundreds of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. In fact, along with THC, CBD is the most active ingredient in the cannabis plant. Both compounds have therapeutic properties that can help humans and animals in many ways. But THC has one important negative property, it is psychoactive, so it causes addiction or "gets you up". CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive and does not cause addiction, but rather combats it.

Therefore, too much THC is illegal and not safe to use due to its psychoactive potential. Therefore, marijuana is illegal as one of the cannabis sativa strains as it can contain more than 20% THC. But Sativa has another strain, hemp, which if it contains less than 0.3% THC is safe to use, so it's legal. In addition, hemp or industrial hemp can contain more than 20% CBD. This is why hemp is the best way to get CBD, and many grow it for the same reason. The 0.3% THC rule is not the same in every country. Most of USA countries are the same state, but that may change in European countries, Asia, etc.

You don't have to worry about these conditions as they are regulated in most countries. We just recommend that you follow a simple CBD guide to help you take CBD before buying any CBD products.

Can CBD Help With Anxiety And Depression?

The market contains a wide variety of CBD products including shampoos, oils, creams, etc. There is ample evidence of the effectiveness of CBD in treating a wide range of health conditions. The list of benefits of CBD is vast, and the range of conditions it battles also varies greatly. CBD has many therapeutic properties related to, but not limited to, anxiety and depression. Cannabidiol is neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic, analgesic, etc.

As for the treatment of anxiety and depression, more research is underway, but we can't say that won't help. In fact, many people use it for this reason and get great results. However, this is not enough to support claims of an effective treatment, so more research will provide more evidence. Given some of the properties of CBD, the potential is real and after consulting with your doctor, you may really want to try it out.

In conclusion, we have to say that in this case, it is a must to consult your doctor. We say this because most people who have anxiety and depression may be taking or using other medications. Mixing CBD and other compounds can have negative side effects, and your doctor can really help you avoid them. Additionally, your doctor can help you choose a specific CBD product and set the starting dose.

29 Oct

Blog

Learn the ultimate Bruce Lee Workout to look like a total standout

October 29, 2020
Posted by Samson

Bruce Lee, an all-rounder of his time, was a man who turned the idea of martial arts and physical fitness on its head. With unparalleled determination and strength that shook an entire city, he quickly earned his own standard. Even today, his unbeatable talent in the martial arts is the "talk of the city". If you are wondering the secret of its infinite endurance, this is what you have to see Bruce Lee workout. Let's see the ultimate ways to look like a total standout inspired by this incredible man!

Bruce Lee's groundbreaking workout routine

Training for this Bruce Lee body is no brainer. If you want to stand out like this best man of his time, you need to pull up your socks.

Bruce Lee's strength training plan included a variety of exercises. Kicks for kickboxing, running to speed up energy levels, and weapon training to master gun fights were some of Bruce Lee's favorite exercises. Below is a comprehensive one Bruce Lee workout routine that is undoubtedly helpful.

1. Crunches– Bruce Lee was a master at getting punched in his stomach. Now you may be wondering how that never hurt him. This is simply because he worked hard to keep his stomach strong so he could always be resilient regardless of the hits. Hats off to his crunch exercises that saved him from punching injuries. Crunches are therefore a must in your training routine. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, crunches are practically safe for you. Stick to a moderate number if you want to incorporate this workout into your daily routine. 10 to 12 repetitions are sufficient.

2. Kicks We all remember Bruce Lee for his high kicks. This is not only because he was exceptional at kung fu, but also because he did kick exercises for hours. If you want to learn this art too, it is important to incorporate this exercise into yours Bruce Lee workout routine. Kicks must be performed at least three times. Make sure to rest between each sentence. If after a few days you want to lengthen the duration of the exercise, you can continue with it. Since kicks are to be performed safely, the risk of injury is minimal.

3. Running and pushups Bruce Lee's training plan This included running and push-ups every day. Both running and push-ups allowed Bruce Lee to improve his physical endurance and endurance. It also promoted flexibility and stability in his body. As a result, he practiced running every day, followed by a few push-ups. As a result, he gained powerful chest and arms in no time. Make sure you practice both exercises daily to look like Bruce Lee in just a few months.

4th Weapons training As a master of weapons training, Bruce Lee had to practice with various harmful weapons throughout the day. Its constant weapon training bestowed the wing Bruce Lee training plan. Although Bruce Lee worked without safety precautions, we encourage you to do the opposite. This is important to avoid injury and health complications. Try to wear safety pads on your arms and knees to avoid injury. For starters, you could start with wooden sticks for weapon training exercises. 5. Beats – How can we talk about this? Bruce Lee training plan without including his favorite strokes? Everyone is aware of Bruce Lee's love for the beating that helped him become the household name he is today. If you want to do the same thing, practice hitting regularly. Pushes and hooks are some of the best punching exercises that can be done on a daily basis.

Unleash Bruce Lee's master diet plan

An effective training plan is not enough to achieve the unbeatable body of Bruce Lee. Following a strict diet is equally important to the success of this purpose. Check out Bruce Lee's workout and diet that will change the game for you!

Bruce Lee's diet consisted mostly of vegetables and meat. He avoided greasy food, which is why most of his meals were bland. Lee's meals were divided into five small servings that helped him maintain strength and performance. He also drank a lot of tea. However, cheese and other dairy products didn't make it into his diet because Lee didn't like them.

Refined flours and baked foods were a strict no-no in Lee's diet. Since these foods decrease stamina and cause harmful problems in the body, he stayed away from them as much as possible. So, Bruce Lee Training and Diet is one that will undoubtedly improve your body fitness. After all, Bruce Lee was a fan of protein shakes and made sure they were consumed every day.

Conclusion

Bruce Lee's training has always been a win-win situation. For everyone who wants to increase endurance, flexibility and performance in the body, this training plan will never fail.

FAQ

1. Is Bruce Lee's training plan helpful?

Yes. Bruce Lee's training plan is helpful in many ways. Make sure to follow the directions for instant results.

2. What fruits did Bruce Lee eat that made it? Bruce Lee's training plan?

Bananas, carrots, apples and celery are some of the fruits that are in it Bruce Lee training plan.

Dwayne Johnson – Do You Know The Secrets Of The Rock Diet And Exercises?

29 Oct

Blog

Apple TV 4K Review: Stunning, But Strictly For Apple Fans

October 29, 2020
Posted by Samson

Apple TV 4K test: breathtaking, but exclusively for Apple fans

"The Apple TV 4K is a boon for Apple power users (but anyone else is better off with a Roku Ultra)."

Extremely intuitive user interface
Siri's search / control has been vastly improved
Powerful graphics and processing
Nice 4K HDR picture

In some cases the SDR content is dimmed slightly
No longer the only way to do AirPlay
Expensive compared to the competition

Apple introduced the Apple TV 4K in 2017. Despite ongoing software updates that can be expected as a streaming force, the hardware and price have stayed the same.

For the first year after its launch, Apple was able to justify the starting price of $ 179 for the 32GB model (the 64GB model costs $ 199). After all, it was one of the few streaming devices on the market that supported 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.

But it's 2020 now and Apple's competitors haven't stood still. Roku updated its flagship $ 100 Ultra, Amazon launched and continues to update its $ 120 Fire TV Cube, Nvidia is updating its game on the $ 150 Shield TV, and Google officially moved to the remote media category with the incredibly affordable $ 50 Chromecast with Google TV Streamer.

Apple's little black box does a few things better than these other products, but that list is dwindling, making it increasingly difficult to make an argument that you should be spending that much. Let's take an updated look at the Apple TV 4K and see if it's still the king of Streaming Device Hill.

Out of the box

Apple wrote the rulebook for the out-of-box experience, and the Apple TV 4K packaging proves that the company is still the master at this point. From the heavy cardboard box to the neat cable management to the first-class appearance of the box and the remote control, everything on the Apple 4K TV screams “premium”, which you should expect given the price of 180 US dollars.

For that sum, you'll get a streaming device that feels like loving care and attention has been put into its design. Most streamers are made of plastic, but Apple's is visibly superior. The remote control feels good too – it's just right in your hand and makes you want to swipe up on the touchpad.

Apple TV Review Bill Roberson / Digital Trends

Bill Roberson / Digital Trends

In addition to the Apple TV 4K, its power cord and its remote control, you also receive a lightning cable for charging the remote control and a quick start guide with all three sentences. That's all you need as setting up couldn't be easier.

configuration

If you own a relatively new iOS device (sorry, iPad 2 owners, you're excluded here), you can already experience the fastest set-up process we've seen from a set-top box so far. After selecting the language and country, simply hold your iPhone or iPad near the Apple TV 4K and a few clicks later your WiFi information and Apple ID have been copied. All of your iTunes purchases – music, TV shows, movies – are instantly available on your new Apple TV 4K.

Bonus, if you're a third or fourth generation Apple TV owner who saves device settings in iCloud, your tvOS layout will automatically sync so your new streamer looks almost exactly like your old one – only better.

If you don't own an iPhone or iPad, you'll quickly find that you're not getting the best that Apple TV 4K has to offer. As you would expect, the more you invest in the Apple universe, the more bonuses and amenities you will enjoy.

However, once you've manually connected to your WiFi router (or, better yet, plug in an ethernet cable for a better overall experience), you'll find that plenty of goodies are in stock. Either way, your Apple TV 4K will be set up in no time.

If this is your first Apple TV, or if you don't store your tvOS setting in the cloud, then Netflix, Hulu, and many of the other common suspects aren't pre-installed. So you have to go get them. Apple makes it a little easier for pay TV subscribers by collecting provider information and then automatically downloading the streaming apps that users can enjoy with their pay TV subscription.

You must also sign in to all of your apps. This is the most tedious process of setting up a streaming box or smart TV. Apple makes it easier by automatically offering text entry through iOS on the iPhone or iPad to enter usernames and passwords, or by using Siri to say the letters and numbers out loud and have them transcribed. Both methods are infinitely less of a chore than chasing and pecking through a virtual keyboard, although this option is also available.

User experience

Apple has always had a focus on user experience (known technically as "UX" because of acronyms), which has led to buzzwords like "it just works" and products that have a reputation for being easy for everyone to use . The Apple TV 4K is rich in UX, and the convenience and well-conceived features are deep. There is also a plethora of apps for Apple's set-top device. We cannot discuss all of them here, but we will address those who we consider to be the most notable.

Siri

Most people are already familiar with Apple's digital assistant, but Siri on Apple TV 4K is especially helpful.

Remote Tips and Key Features for Apple Digital Trends:

Ask Siri, "What should I see tonight?" A menu of suggested movies and shows is displayed in the lower third of the screen. All recommendations are selected daily by the editors to show what is particularly important.
Double tapping the Home button on the remote will bring up recently used apps. This allows you to seamlessly switch between apps without having to go back to the home screen.
Move your most used apps to the top line of the home screen for quicker access. For example, add Netflix to your mix. When the icon is selected, shortcuts to Netflix titles will appear at the top. Just click on a title to view it.
Easily organize apps on Apple TV with folders.
When you highlight a track in Next, hold the button and you'll get quick shortcuts like marking an episode as viewed.
You can add any iTunes movie to your Up Next queue using Siri by saying "Add Up to Up Next" on the movie page.
Press the play button on any song in Watch Now to start playing immediately.
Ask Siri to “Play TVShowX” from your Next list to continue watching.

One of Siri's most helpful uses is finding content that you want to watch – specifically, finding 4K and HDR content that you can watch.

Siri search results are no longer as exclusive as they used to be. Apple might have limited search results to iTunes listings, but Apple TV 4K now shows whether the TV show or movie you want to watch is available outside of iTunes. The quest for orange is the new black, and you have options to buy or rent through iTunes, or watch it for free on Netflix (assuming you have a Netflix subscription, of course). A search will give you similar results for The Handmaid & # 39; s Tale, which you can watch on iTunes but which is free with a Hulu subscription.

Additionally, a narrow search for a specific movie title or a more focused search for movies with specific actors will produce a long list of results from numerous streaming sources. We tried searching for “Movies With Charlize Theron,” and there were certainly many that we could only get through iTunes, but there were several available from other streaming services to which we subscribed. We even searched for “4K Movies on Netflix” and loved it when Apple TV 4K showed us a long list of titles we could watch in 4K.

Other search tricks include asking to see movies in 4K HDR from multiple sources and refining your search by saying, "Just show me the sci-fi movies."

If you miss a dialogue, ask Siri, "What did you say?" and it will backup the video for 15 seconds and enable subtitles for that period. You can also ask Siri to skip forward or forward for a specified amount of time instead of using the backward or fast forward buttons.

Layout: TV app or symbol grid

The layout of the Apple TV 4K is intuitive, especially for previous Apple TV users, with a big and bold grid of colored icons for each app. However, starting with tvOS 13, Apple TV users have a different way of using the Apple TV app as their home screen.

The TV app acts as a single point of contact for all of your streaming needs and has an interface that mimics what you watch on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The difference is that the TV app pulls content from all major services, not just one, and makes recommendations based on your viewing patterns and subscriptions.

Supported services include Apple TV +, Disney +, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, and Pluto TV. For some services, such as Netflix, the TV app shows the programs that are recommended. However, to actually watch them, you will be directed to the Netflix app instead of watching them in the TV app.

It can keep track of which movies or episodes you've watched, thus providing "Watch Next" and "Watch Next" lists.

If you're a Spectrum or AT&T cable customer, you can watch your subscribed channels in the TV app instead of having to switch inputs on your TV.

With sections dedicated to sports and kids, plus the ability to access the same content on the go with the Apple TV app for iPhone, iPad, or Mac, it's a very robust experience.

Gaming, fitness and more

Apple Fitness Plus Apple

You have to hand it over to Apple: Although the Apple TV 4K is quickly approaching its fourth birthday, it keeps getting new features.

In 2019, Apple added Apple Arcade, a subscription service for casual gamers. To enhance the experience, support for gaming controllers has been expanded from the very restrictive list of devices designed for iOS to include both the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox controllers. Unfortunately, developers and gamers haven't exactly made Apple Arcade a runaway success.

More recently, Apple announced its Fitness + subscription service, a virtual series of workouts guided by professionally hosted videos (via Apple TV, of course) and tied to the sensors built into the Apple Watch. We can't tell just how good Fitness + is (it will be rolled out later this year), but here's how it compares to Peloton on paper.

The latest version of Apple TV software, tvOS 14, has some cool extras like picture-in-picture, the ability to monitor HomeKit-compatible security cameras from your TV, and support for audio sharing if you have two Apple or two Pairing Apple Devices Suggests wireless headphones to Apple TV 4K.

The information

The Apple TV 4K makes it clear if 4K with HDR is available for the content you're watching, which is more than can be said for some of its competitors. There are also numerous reviews for TV shows and movies that are sourced from multiple outlets such as Rotten Tomatoes. You can also learn more about the cast and crew of your favorite movies and TV shows by clicking on the actors' profile picture. This is similar to Amazon's X-ray functionality, but is better implemented.

The speed

The Apple TV 4K is fast thanks to the A10X Fusion processor under the hood. If your internet connection can keep up, load times are lightning fast, info screens appear instantly when you click them, and even scrolling through long title tapes is remarkably smooth and fast.

The image quality

In HDR mode, the picture quality of the Apple TV 4K is excellent. The 4K content in Dolby Vision and HDR10 looks beautiful, especially with movies on iTunes. Most of the standard dynamic range (SDR) content also looks very good.

Pro Tip: Apple TV 4K converted 24fps movies to 60fps before they were delivered to the TV and there was no way to turn them off. Now there is an option to "match content" for audio and video in the settings we recommend.

Dolby Atmos

A key addition to Apple TV 4K, which was introduced with tvOS 12 in 2018, was support for Dolby Atmos, the leading surround sound format for home users. While not fully compatible with all apps (Plex can handle Dolby Atmos, for example, but only if the source is Dolby Digital Plus and not Dolby TrueHD), this was a huge win for home theater owners with Dolby Atmos sound systems. Here's how to find out if you're actually getting Dolby Atmos on your Apple TV 4K.

If you subscribe to Tidal's HiFi tier, you can use the Tidal app to listen to Dolby Atmos songs if you have a compatible home theater system or soundbar.

Dwindling benefits

There was a time when owning an Apple TV was the only way you could AirPlay screen mirroring or transfer content from an iOS device to your TV. It was also the only way to access iTunes movies and TV shows. Times have changed, however, and these once-exclusive features are increasingly being built into the latest generation of smart TVs and third-party streaming devices.

The iTunes Movies and TV app and the Apple Music app are available from 2018 and newer Samsung Smart TVs.

AirPlay 2 has been added to the latest smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony. There will also be 4K-capable Roku in the coming months. Along with AirPlay 2, most of these devices also get Apple's smart home platform, HomeKit, which Siri can use to control them.

The Apple TV app, arguably the nerve center for the overall Apple TV 4K user experience, also appears on the same devices as well as Amazon's Fire TV platform. The TV app isn't the entire Apple TV experience, but it's a significant part.

When you consider how much functionality is included in lower-cost streaming devices like Chromecast with Google TV, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Roku Ultra, how much value do you put in the exclusive features of Apple TV 4K like Apple Arcade? or Apple Fitness +.

warranty

The Apple TV 4K warranty provided by Apple protects against product defects for one year before purchase. Apple also offers an extended warranty for the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Our opinion

The Apple TV 4K is a fast device with Apple's unique design stamp. Those deeply immersed in the Apple universe will be delighted by the way the streaming set-top box integrates with other Apple devices, as well as the Siri integration which offers convenient search and voice control , be thrilled.

Is there a better alternative?

For Apple power users, the Apple 4K TV is just the thing. For everyone else, devices like the Streaming Stick + from Roku, the Roku Ultra, the Fire TV Stick 4K from Amazon or Chromecast with Google TV offer a much better price-performance ratio.

How long it will take?

With the A10X Fusion processor inside, the Apple TV 4K still has a lot of untapped potential. And even if Apple announces new hardware this year, you can bet the company will continue to support the current generation for many years to come.

Should you buy it?

Buy the Apple TV 4K if you are heavily invested in the Apple universe and / or have a large library of movies, TV shows, and music in the iTunes Store – and you don't intend to buy a new smart TV anytime soon. Don't buy the Apple TV 4K if you just want to get 4K HDR content through an easy-to-use device that's priced well below $ 100.

Editor's recommendations

28 Oct

Blog

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Review: Lost In Translation

October 28, 2020
Posted by Samson

bose quietcomfort 35 ii gaming review boseqc35iigaming1

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Play

"Bose is a noob in gaming audio, and it shows."

Pleasant, balanced sound
Light and comfortable
Excellent active noise cancellation

Lack of virtual surround sound
Lacks audio punch in action games
Not wireless when gaming
Bad value

I have four headphones. That may sound silly, but I suspect you're not far behind me. Here is my list:

Wireless PC gaming headset
Sony PlayStation 4 wireless headset
Wireless earbuds
Wired headphones

I blame this absurd situation with the clutter of audio compatibility that can be found on different devices. My PC gaming headset works great for my PC, but not well with the PlayStation 4, and not at all with something that lacks USB-A. My Sony PS4 headset is only useful for the PS4. My wireless earbuds technically connect to anything I own. However, due to their short battery life, I am reserving them for use with my phone. And my wired headphones, now 12 years old, are still the best choices for music, but they require a 3.5mm headphone jack and are too big to be used from the comfort of a desk.

Obviously, my life would be less cluttered with just one device to get it all done. Enter the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming. Based on the popular QC 35 II wireless noise-canceling headphones, the gaming model has a wired microphone for lag-free PC games. They connect to everything I own and can even connect two devices at the same time.

At $ 330, however, the promise of all-round connectivity doesn't come cheap. Can QC 35 II Gaming keep its promise?

Audio quality

Crystal clear audio is the main goal of this headset. It is a conversion of a wireless headset that is usually aimed at audiophiles. So I was expecting an excellent experience.

I'll start with the bad news. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming begins its life as wireless headphones, so they lack the taste in sound that I expect from a wireless gaming headset. They're balanced and crystal clear, but lack surround sound virtualization, a feature that is now combined with games like butter on toast.

Matthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

Simply put, the QC 35 II Gaming is not trying to take your socks off. They're great for Final Fantasy XIV, where the game's amazing soundtrack can take center stage, or Microsoft Flight Simulator, where clear sound makes air traffic control chatter easier to hear and modest bass rewinding an airplane engine drone.

However, in Call of Duty: Warzone, the lack of punch was so noticeable that at first I thought my audio settings were wrong. It wasn't you. The QC 35 II Gaming can't keep up with the impressive virtual surround sound of headsets like the Logitech G733 or the SteelSeries Arctis 7.

The tradeoff for this is the great audio quality everywhere else, which is important. Modern gaming headsets are big bucks, but usually have a muddy sound that strips away details and nuances.

Matthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

Switching from a Logitech G733 to the QC 35 II is a day versus night difference – and I really enjoy the G733. The headset from Logitech is flawless in almost every situation. But put them against Bose on my Spotify Rewind playlist, and Bose will train the Logitech.

Your opinion on the sound of the QC 35 II Gaming depends on what you are playing. If all you want to do is gamble and play games that make adequate use of virtual surround mode, a dedicated gaming headset is better for you. If you're looking to listen to a wide variety of media or play games that have great soundtracks and audio design above volume, the Bose QC 35 II might make sense.

Microphone performance

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II games are defined by an additional microphone that is connected to the audio jack on the headset. The microphone is then connected to a puck using a 3.5mm audio jack. And this puck, which also functions as a volume control, is then connected to your PC via USB.

Confused? Here's the real head scratcher. The QC 35 II Gaming already has a built-in microphone. So why another corded microphone?

The answer to that question – which hardcore gamers have already guessed – is lag. Bluetooth is not a perfect solution for gaming due to latency. It is not ideal to hear an opponent's rifle 200 milliseconds after firing. Because of this, wireless gaming headsets come with proprietary wireless dongles instead of using Bluetooth. However, the QC 35 II Gaming already has Bluetooth, so Bose taps on a wired microphone that is also used to connect the headphones.

Matthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

It's not a good solution. At $ 330, the QC 35 II Gaming is at the high end of wireless gaming headsets. They're not actually wireless when playing games, however. More precisely, the QC 35 II Gaming are wireless Bluetooth headphones that can be converted into a wired gaming headset.

The company makes this clear in its marketing out of fairness to Bose. The QC 35 II Gaming is designed as a gaming headset that also has a "wireless lifestyle mode". Bose doesn't lead anyone astray. However, that doesn't make the wired microphone any less annoying.

At least the wired microphone is excellent. I compared it back to back to the Logitech G733, the Logitech G533, and the Razer Kraken. The QC 35 II Gaming was the clear winner. All four headsets are sufficient, but the QC 35 II Gaming has a clean, crisp quality that is a step above the norm.

Comfort and design

Alright. I've been banging on this evil for a while now – and rightly so. It's a cumbersome attempt to turn a great pair of wireless headphones into a gaming headset, and it doesn't quite work. The Bose QC 35 II Gaming, however, remains at its core the Bose QC 35 II. You can read our Bose QC 35 II review to get the expert perspective of our A / V editor, but I'll summarize the benefits.

The QC 35 II Gaming are compact, foldable for mobility and come with a travel bag. They are light and comfortable to wear. The ear cups, while still an over-ear design, are smaller than most gaming headsets and breathe well. The processing quality is excellent. The phone app that manages wireless connections (the QC 35 II Gaming can connect to two Bluetooth sources at the same time) is simple, but works well enough.

Matthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

It is in the so-called "lifestyle mode" that these advantages are most important to the gaming version, and this is not an unattractive pitch. You can use the QC 35 II Gaming at home with a gaming rig, listen to music on your phone while doing housework, or take them for a walk around the neighborhood.

You can now buy gaming headsets with lag-free wireless connectivity and built-in bluetooth like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. Just like the QC 35 II Gaming, these headsets can also serve as all-in-one audio devices. However, they're bigger, heavier, often don't work as well with mobile devices, and usually have a retractable (rather than detachable) microphone.

Don't forget the QC 35 II Gaming's active noise cancellation either. It's effective, eliminating most repetitive sounds, and making everything else much less loud. This is less useful for gaming than it is for traveling. Bose is the master of ANC and the ANC quality of the QC 35 II Gaming is superior to any gaming headset or wireless headphones I have used.

Battery life

The battery life of the QC 35 II Gaming underlines the cumbersome conversion of the headset. Bose claims up to 40 hours in wired game mode and up to 20 hours in wireless lifestyle mode.

That's right. Battery life is limited in wired mode. Forty hours is a long, long time. I usually don't play more than two hours a day, so the QC 35 II would theoretically last three weeks and I've never compromised its endurance while wiring it. On the other hand, gamblers who gamble a lot will eat through a fee in two or three days.

Bose quotes 20 hours of wireless battery life. They seem close to that number. The QC 35 II QC gaming headphones are so comfortable that I wore them more than usual. That's a good sign, although I charged it once every two to three days – more often than the less comfortable Logitech G533, which is my usual daily driver. Still, I can't knock on Bose for wanting to wear the QC 35 II Gaming.

Additional functions

The QC 35 II Gaming has a customizable button that can be used to control ANC. It can also call Alexa or Google Assistant. This is an important function for the QC 35 II wireless headphones, but irrelevant for a gaming headset. This can be useful when using the QC 35 II Gaming as wireless headphones. The built-in microphone is preferable to telephoning from anywhere in the room.

As already mentioned, the QC 35 II Gaming comes with a volume puck. Inclusion is a wise decision by Bose as it will ease the annoyance of using cables. Without the puck, you'd have to plug the headset directly into your desktop's 3.5mm audio, and that would be a chore. Adjusting the volume by rotating the puck is also more convenient than using the headphones' volume buttons.

However, wire length was still a problem. A short 3-foot 3.5mm audio cable connects the microphone to the puck. It's barely long enough for the job. I usually run the audio cable from my wired headphones on the side of my desk so it doesn't get caught on my keyboard or the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle-and-Stick) I use for Microsoft Flight Simulator. However, this is not possible here.

Our opinion

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming are great wireless headphones that are built into a disappointing gaming headset. They look great, sound great, and have an excellent ANC. The wired implementation of gaming connectivity isn't ideal, however, and it's difficult to balance that with the $ 330 price tag.