iRobot Roomba j7+ Review: Closer to a Tangle-Free Life

iRobot Roomba j7 + on hardwood floor.

iRobot Roomba j7 +

RRP $ 850.00

“Do more cleaning, worry less. The iRobot Roomba j7 + is more intelligent than your average robot vacuum cleaner. "

advantages

  • Good job avoiding wires

  • Self-draining floor with a low profile

  • Solid all-round cleaning

  • Cleans efficiently in a zigzag pattern

disadvantage

  • The thorough carpet cleaning service is missing

  • A little noisy when vacuuming

Experience goes far. This is especially true in the world of robotic vacuums, where iterative improvements in technology over the years have resulted in smarter, more efficient bots that clean faster. Gone are the days of worrying about robotic vacuums falling down stairs or aimlessly cleaning one spot. Today's robotic vacuums are better than that – but there is still one major thing that will trip them up.

Wires, cables, and other minor clutter around the house can still trip the best robotic vacuums out there. As a pioneer in this area, iRobot aims to address this ubiquitous problem with its Roomba j7 +. When it comes to experience, nobody gets more out of it than iRobot. The Roomba j7 + not only has a self-draining base, but is also equipped with a camera that helps it avoid obstacles better. While there is a lot of talk about how to avoid annoying cables on the floor, seeing is believing. The times of pre-cleaning could be over if it can actually do this without errors!

Put up

Unsurprisingly, setting up the iRobot Roomba j7 + was effortless. Because everything was already assembled in the packaging, so all you had to do was remove the self-draining base, connect the charging cable and dock the robot vacuum. Worth mentioning are subtle additions to the self-draining base, such as the fact that it has a much lower profile than any other self-draining container I've seen. There's even a little nook inside the base to store an extra bag, filter, and side brush. I appreciate that as they are usually kept elsewhere and quickly forgotten.

Top of the iRobot Roomba j7 +.John Velasco / Digital Trends

After everything was unpacked and connected, all I had to do was launch the iRobot app on my phone to guide myself to connect it to my home's Wi-Fi network. Having used the Roomba i3 + before, I thought it at least copied my apartment plan, but it didn't. Instead, the Roomba j7 + used the first run to vacuum and actively map my entire apartment. I had to run it a few more times before it realized there was an accessible route to the bedroom.

software

What I like about the iRobot app is that it's intuitive and simple. Once a map of my apartment has been created, I can go into the app to label the different rooms, add partitions to differentiate one room from another, and set “exclusion” zones to prevent the Roomba j7 + there cleans. The latter ability comes in handy when you have areas that you don't want the bot to disturb, such as B. the position of pet bowls. The ability to customize the map in this way alleviates the annoying instances of a robotic vacuum cleaner simply rolling through an area and everything in its path.

You can also schedule Roomba j7 + to clean automatically. I would still recommend adult supervision because you just never know what can happen – even more so when pets are at home. You don't want to come home to find that your cat's tail is caught in the robot hoover when you haven't been there.

Obstacle detection and avoidance

With the help of its front camera and Genius 3.0 Home Intelligence technology, the Roomba j7 + is better equipped to recognize obstacles and avoid them. I have to admit, it's great for avoiding cluttered charging cables near power outlets and power strips, but it's not infallible. There were mainly two cases in which it did not avoid obstacles: On the one hand, a paper bag lying on the floor, on the other hand, a lined up cat toy. I'll say that when I put a charging cable in its path, it paused for a moment to assess and then walked around it to continue cleaning.

While it's not perfect, it should be noted that the Roomba j7 + is currently trained to detect cords, cords, headphones, and pet droppings. Other clutter like shoes and socks will eventually be added through a software update to improve obstacle avoidance. On top of that, constant training and reviews help the robot make smarter decisions when it comes to cleaning – so I'm confident it will get better over time.

Close up of camera on iRobot Roomba j7 +.John Velasco / Digital Trends

When the cleaning is done, you can return to the cleaning history to evaluate some of the obstacles it encountered. While avoiding everything wasn't perfect, I suspect it will get better over time as checking the obstacles in the app trains his vision better. For now, however, I would rank the Samsung Jet Bot AI + just ahead of the iRobot champion when it comes to detection and avoidance.

Cleaning performance

If there is one thing you can rely on with iRobot, it is that its robotic vacuum cleaners offer above-average cleaning performance. With its side sweeping and underside brushes, it pulls in dirt and debris that is scattered on my wooden floors. Cat litter isn't thrown in all directions as the side sweeping brush rotates at a gentle speed, while the three-stage cleaning system and 10-fold hitch suction technology ensure that all debris is captured.

It does good to avoid messy charging cables near power outlets and power strips.

The Roomba j7 + is also an efficient bot that doesn't waste time devising a game plan for cleaning up rooms. It works efficiently and effectively by navigating in traditional zigzag patterns. Nooks and crannies are handled well too, but I find that when bumping into furniture it can just be a little bit aggressive.

iRobot Roomba j7 + on hardwood floor.John Velasco / Digital Trends

While the Roomba j7 + is a solid cleaner for hard floors, it gets stuck with carpets. Superficial things like pet hair and other crumbs are easily picked up by the multi-surface rubber brush, but I am not convinced of its deep cleaning performance on carpets. It just doesn't achieve the same deep cleaning sensation that my bare feet experience on carpets cleaned with cordless vacuums.

Battery life

Since my apartment is roughly over 1,000 square meters, there has never been a battery on one of the robotic vacuum cleaners I tested. The Roomba j7 + cleaned for over 40 minutes without a battery warning. When the battery ran out, it would automatically return to the base station to recharge.

iRobot Roomba j7 + in charging station.John Velasco / Digital Trends

There the contents of his trash can are also thrown into the self-empty base. Then it roars like a jet plane because it needs the suction force to remove all of its contents. You could say it's deafening so keep that in mind. With the robot hoover itself, it is moderately noisy during cleaning, so if you are concentrating on something you will want to let it run at a different time.

Our opinion

While it's not the revolutionary robotic vacuum I was expecting, the iRobot Roomba j7 + is an iterative model that sits reasonably between the Roomba i3 + and s9 + at $ 850. It's a smart, efficient and feature-rich robot hoover that offers a well-rounded cleaning performance that is enhanced by its smarter avoidance and self-emptying system.

Is there a better alternative?

The Samsung Jet Bot AI + is the only other robotic vacuum cleaner that outperforms the iRobot offering. In addition to superior avoidance detection, it's a notable revolutionary robotic vacuum cleaner as it doubles as a roaming security camera to patrol the house when you are not around.

Alternatively there is the Roborock S7 and its self-draining base. It also delivers solid cleaning, enhanced by the fact that it has a mopping function that really makes hard floors feel squeaky clean.

How long it will take?

The iRobot Roomba j7 + is made of various sturdy plastic materials and still feels like a solid, well-made bot. Of course, it takes some maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape – like removing any tangles around its side sweeping brush and cleaning the sensors. There is a one year limited warranty that covers it against defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes, mostly because it specializes in avoiding the hassle of cables. Even if pre-cleaning before vacuuming isn't entirely eliminated, you don't have to worry about having to take care of it all the time throughout the cleaning routine.

Editor's recommendations



Life is Strange: True Colors Review: An Emotional Triumph

Alex in Life is Strange: True Colors

Life is Strange: True Colors Review: An Emotional Triumph

RRP $ 59.99

"Warm and moving, the only thing Life is Strange: True Colors stumbles over is its own words."

advantages

  • A similar story

  • Warm moments

  • Happy characters

disadvantage

  • Random pace

  • Pathetic dialogue

  • Inconspicuous optics

If you're looking for a mental health story, it's that easy to find one by logging into Twitter and scrolling a little. Media, regardless of its format, now have a way of presenting the wide range of mental health problems. The theme of widespread depression or anxiety has taken hold and is now represented by the characters in the games we play and the shows we watch. At some point, many of us noticed that something was wrong internally, something was not good.

Life is Strange: True Colors is about that notion – that we are all broken or wrong in our own unique way. However, the story it tells isn't just about coping with everyday life. It's not a healthy lifestyle anyway. It is about accepting these imperfections, addressing them directly and, in some cases, fighting for life to be the way it should be.

This message comes alive through the game's wonderful characters, each with their own experiences and traumas. It's nearly impossible to complete Life is Strange: True Colors without referring to Alex or one of her friends. Even with a staggered story pace and sometimes repulsive dialogue, the game managed to connect with me in a way that not many have done before.

In someone else's shoes

Life is Strange: True Colors puts players in the shoes of Alex Chen, a woman who has apparently been through everything. She spent a large part of her life with the foster family, whom I don't know firsthand, but who have known them all too well through the experiences of a close friend. With a look at their phone, players can see that even the few social relationships they established during their time in the system weren't working. One ends with Alex haunting a boy who expects her to have sex after a few meetings, another ends because Alex seems to have "freaked out".

This freak was caused by Alex & # 39; causes latent force that is not as spectacular as flying or shooting laser beams. Instead, she's an odd mix of a telepath and an empath (a telempath, if you will). She can see how people feel, visualized by colorful auras that appear around their bodies. When someone feels something, they can tap into it and understand the reasons for their emotions. Overall, it's a powerful tool that she and the players can use to get to the heart of each character's motivation. When someone acts out of fear or anger, Alex can identify this deep-seated emotion and bring it to the surface.

Alex with her guitar in Life is Strange: True Colors.

However, if she really gets into someone's feelings, Alex & # 39; Forces to lead them elsewhere. Instead of simply seeing how someone is feeling – albeit on a deeper level than most others – she can see the world through her eyes, filtered by her emotions. Sometimes this experience is bizarre and puts Alex into a Dungeons and Dragons-esque world that a kid imagines. Other experiences are not as pleasant, but still poignant. In one of these passages, Alex sees through the frightened eyes of a woman who is slowly losing her memory of a "state" through the lens of her fear of eventually failing to remember basic things, like the face of her own granddaughter. Those moments came close to me in the end as terrifyingly brilliant depictions of the fear, anger, and fear I felt in my own life.

Sometimes this experience is bizarre and puts Alex into a Dungeons and Dragons-esque world that a kid imagines. Other experiences are not as pleasant, but still poignant.

The negative emotions players experience in Life is Strange: True Colors are balanced equally by moments of tenderness and real joy. The game begins with Alex arriving in the town of Haven Springs, Colorado to move in with her brother Gabe. The first day they are together is one healthy moment after the other, whereby the calm, restrained shell that Alex has built up over the years slowly flakes off as she sees her brother and the close family he has in the little one City has built, is presented.

Family found

That perfect day ends with Gabe's death, an event that sets the rest of the game's plot in motion. Alex and her two best friends Steph (returning from Life is Strange: Before The Storm) and Ryan begin investigating a mining company that was in town and set off an explosion that caused Gabe's death. This story of corporate espionage and intrigue, however, largely takes a backseat in four of the game's five chapters. There are moments when you focus directly on that plot, but for most of the game, the spotlight is on Alex and her slow but safe habituation to a place that is safe at home.

This ultimately creates a strange imbalance in a story that I generally enjoyed and that I eventually connected with. Alex's battle against the Typhon mining company seems to be the focus at all times. Instead, however, it provides an ominous backdrop for Alex & # 39; her own story of personal improvement and how she comes to terms with her new role in Haven Springs as a person who recognizes himself as broken but feels the need to fix others.

For most of the game, players walk around the small, quaint town, interacting with the locals, and helping them with their own problems. Through these little interactions, Alex builds her own found family, slowly replacing the one who either died or left them.

The city of Haven Springs in Life is Strange: True Colors.

While most of these moments are touching, they're also where writing Life is Strange: True Colors is worst. Sometimes everything the game's characters say is powerful and relatable, but sometimes the words sound hollow (and sometimes they are downright inappropriate). Alex, a 21-year-old, doesn't have to spit out Internet-era memes when looking at random objects in the area. That makes them less of a relatable example to people my age (which may be a stretch since I'm at the ripe old age of 25) and more like a caricature.

The story of Life is Strange: True Colors, while slow for most, is entertaining. It's not a chore, but rather a pleasant walk that can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. However, that feeling changes completely in the final act of the game when things take an extremely sharp turn. The story is entirely about Alex & # 39; Getting used to their new surroundings directly leads to their conflict with Typhon. It's a dramatic twist that really grabs you. While I could stop playing at any time in the first few chapters of the game, I had to stop after the fifth hit.

While most of these moments are touching, they're also where writing Life is Strange: True Colors is worst.

In this final chapter, players are also given one of the game's six endings. At this point, I've only worked my way through the game once, but will likely try again to experience all of the things I've missed that the game generously displays at the end of each chapter. I don't think it's possible to have a really "bad" ending, but there are some who would be worse than others, at least for me. I tried to get Alex to find one of the game's two love interests, and I succeeded. There are several other important decisions players make about Alex & # 39; Future may meet, but I will not dwell on these spoilers.

Our opinion

There's no easy way to recommend Life is Strange: True Colors. Like the rest of the Life is Strange franchise, it's not a typical game. It's more like a visual novel or a point-and-click adventure. The game is a slow, fun experience, perfect if you want to end the night or get up in the morning.

Beyond that, however, it is an emotional triumph. Alex & # 39; Experiencing adventure and seeing the world through its excellently designed perspective is a joy that hit me harder than I expected. I've often written off the Life is Strange franchise as inaccurate and never gave it the chance it deserved. However, Alex's story and the trials of those around them sounded true to me. Your fears, fears and other emotions are all personal and come from a place that I consider to be common. Fear of old age, anger at corporations and their endless greed, as well as sadness and anger after the loss of a loved one, are not only reserved for the characters of this game – they are universal feelings. Life is Strange: True Colors, despite its unbalanced story and sometimes pathetic dialogues, uses its emotional weight masterfully.

Is there a better alternative?

Telltale's The Walking Dead still reigns first in this genre. It's a perfect emotional story for those looking for a more mature game.

How long it will take?

My play through of Life is Strange: True Colors took about 10 hours, but that was just one play-through. Players can go through the game multiple times to find their ideal ending.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Life is Strange: True Colors is assignable at almost any level and offers a solid experience for those who like slower, more relaxed games.

Editor's recommendations



Death’s Door Review: Bringing Life to a Dark, Dead World

Deaths Door Review laugh at the Reaper xbox game1

Death & # 39; s Door Review: Bringing Life to a Dark, Dead World

"Death's Door is a must-have Metroidvania game that combines intense combat with bright, hilarious characters."

advantages

  • Hilarious cast of characters

  • Exciting boss fights

  • Simple but complex fight

  • A world that wants to be explored

disadvantage

  • Repetitive enemies

  • Some unforgiving checkpoints

Dark, riddled with wit and adrenaline – Death’s Door is the Metroidvania that has finally got me hooked.

Metroidvanias has long escaped me as a genre. I've never been able to bother with the backtracking aspect of them; their maps have never fascinated me enough and their stories have always lost me. That all changed when the little crow from Death’s Door took control. Where other large, expansive maps had disinterested me, this one had my full attention. Where other stories have lost me, I was completely absorbed here.

Death & # 39; s Door presents players with an endlessly interlocking fantastic world full of secrets, exciting boss fights and a dark story that managed to get more than just a few laughs out of me. In between there is a simple but exciting combat system that proves once again that the right developer can achieve a lot with a few simple tools.

At its base, Death & # 39; s Door isn't complicated. It's not an emotional show of strength; It's not a blockbuster title with massive hype behind it. But it's a rarity, an indie title that surpasses its AAA counterparts in almost every way.

To reap laughter

The premise of Death & # 39; s Door is macabre. They fill the … claws, I suppose, of a reaper who's not a grim skeleton but a feathered crow. In the game world, death is a red tape and if you can't finish your job, you're out of luck. The Reaper is on a mission to find a stolen soul and sends it on a goose hunt through a meaninglessly hopeless world to harvest even more souls just to get to yours.

As I said, it's not exactly sunshine and lollipops.

But through its grim haze, light shines through the door of death. Despite all of the monster kills that leave blood and corpses behind to finish the job, the game gives players endless reasons to smile.

Pothead from the door of death.

Every character in Death & # 39; s Door has a certain charm, from bosses to friendly NPCs. While the underlying story is undoubtedly obscure, there is a warmth to every character, even if tragic themselves. Take, for example, my favorite character in the game, Pothead. Its head was turned into a pot by the magic of the urn witch, hence the name. But if you ask him, he doesn't see it as a disadvantage. Instead, he uses his pot head to store soup that he gives to passers-by.

No matter what I did, whether it was fighting my way through enemies or chatting with NPCs, Death & # 39; s Door always left a smile on my face.

Most of the characters have that kind of depth, even the NPCs that don't seem that important. They all have their own lives, interests, and passions. No matter what I did, whether it was fighting my way through enemies or chatting with NPCs, Death & # 39; s Door always left a smile on my face.

The remains of a world

While Death & # 39; s Door's funniest moments result from talking to NPCs, its most exciting moments are found in combat and exploration. None of these functions are overly complicated. In fact, both are extremely simple. Once you've explored the game's first area and defeated its first boss, you've pretty much seen what to expect in the rest of the game.

Death door urn witch house room.

However, it's the little tweaks in Death's Door that make everything more useful. Enemies are largely the same throughout the game, but there are a new villain or two in each area. Likewise, the exploration is pretty much the same everywhere until you unlock the game's four power-ups that can be used outside of combat to uncover new areas. Death & # 39; s Door starts with basic forms of these ideas and slowly builds on them, integrating every facet of its gameplay into one another.

Death & # 39; s Door starts with basic forms of these ideas and slowly builds on them, integrating every facet of its gameplay into one another.

Of course, the exploration isn't always positive. Each death sets you back, of course, and some of the game's shortcuts aren't that far apart. I just walked through some areas that I found too difficult, trying to get to the nearest ladder to lower or the path to uncover.

The more times I've played Death & # 39; s Door, the more the design choices, especially the structure of the world, reminded me of entries in the Zelda franchise. While Death & # 39; s Door encourages more backtracking, it shares some DNA with the earliest Legend of Zelda games. Players slowly unlock new power-ups and access new parts of the map from areas they've already been to. Even the top-down perspective of the game is reminiscent of Nintendo's classic franchise. The game's dark world is even offset by bright characters, a constant in most Legend of Zelda titles. Death & # 39; s Door has some distinct influences, but it uses them to create something completely original.

Growing struggle

Death & # 39; s Door's worldbuilding is best when it comes to a boss fight. Each boss is first given context by the area you go through to get them there. Maybe you speak to an NPC who says the boss killed her wife, or in the case of the urn witch, you're traveling through a mansion that was clearly a happy family home at one point or another.

The approach to each boss follows the same structure: explore an area, gain a new power, and then take on a boss. While this pattern repeats itself three times and eventually becomes predictable, the context for each keeps it fresh. Functionally, you do the same thing every time you build yourself into a boss fight. But each experience feels different because of the landscape, the enemies, and the boss's own interjections as you explore.

The game's boss fights are some of the most exciting I've ever fought thanks to the emphasis on evolution. Like the rest of the game, bosses build on themselves with different phases and become more difficult as the damage increases. Also, they don't know exactly how much damage you've done because Death & # 39; s Door thoughtfully left health bars out of the equation. Instead, enemies will be damaged and their skin will tear when you howl at them.

I didn't jump after beating a lot of bosses before. Sure, there might be a punch here or there, but actually cheering after I've won? Before facing the urn witch in Death & # 39; s Door, the last time was against Ornstein & Smough in Dark Souls.

Of course, normal enemies aren't nearly as addicting, and provide the same experience as punching bags, once you get used to the combat of the game. Even the game's mini-bosses aren't much of a challenge, especially if you face the same one multiple times. Enemies have simple attack patterns, and once you've learned how to move and weave between them, defeating an enemy is less an art than a science.

The game's boss fights are some of the most exciting I've ever fought thanks to the emphasis on evolution.

That being said, Death & # 39; s Door allows players to approach the battle in a wonderfully open manner. The game has multiple weapons, each with their own unique movesets and bonuses. The game's standard sword does solid damage, but you can swap it out for a pair of knives or a massive hammer. Simply switching your weapon will even affect how much you can use your skills, as you can use four charges that can only be replenished by hitting enemies. Once again, not a single part of Death & # 39; s Door is isolated; they all interlock.

Our opinion

With a world that practically begs you to explore every nook and cranny, and a cast of characters that will make you grin from the beginning to the end of the story, Death & # 39; s Door is one of those rare games to play with I struggled to find faults. It's addicting from start to finish (a journey that took about 10 hours) and lets players explore even more content after the story is complete. Death & # 39; s Door is beyond extraordinary and has solidified itself on my list of games of the year.

Is there a better alternative?

If you don't want to wait for Metroid Dread, there probably isn't a better Metroidvania right now.

How long it will take?

Death & # 39; s Door takes anywhere from 10-14 hours, depending on how much additional game content you want to complete. It also has a significant amount of post-game content that can add three or four hours to the total playing time.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Death’s Door is one of the best games released this year and is sure to be a nominee for Game of the Year by the end of 2021.

Editor's recommendations



Soundcore Life P3 Review: Feature-Loaded Affordable Earbuds

Soundcore Life P3 in a charging case.

Soundcore Life P3

RRP $ 80.00

"The Life P3 has features typically found in expensive earbuds and is great value for money."

advantages

  • Customizable EQ

  • Customizable controls

  • Wireless charging

  • Good battery life

disadvantage

  • No wear sensors

  • Transparency during calls cannot be activated

Ever since Anker launched its Soundcore audio products, they have impressed us with their consistently high quality and low prices. Soundcore's latest product is the Life P3, a $ 80 set of true wireless earbuds that take that value equation even further with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and wireless charging – two features that typically appear on earbuds that are twice as expensive . Are the Life P3s as good as they look on paper? Let's check them out.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the Soundcore Life P3.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

First, let's give some well-deserved praise to Soundcore: Previous Soundcore earbuds came in large, heavy boxes with embedded magnets and lots of plastic – not exactly easy to recycle in most places. The Life P3 comes in a much simpler box that is smaller and uses less material. The magnets are gone, but a black plastic tray remains in there. Still, this is a big step towards more sustainable packaging that we want to encourage.

Soundcore has a successful design formula.

In the packaging you will find the Life P3 earbuds already in their charging case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, four additional sizes of silicone earbuds (a fifth set is installed on the earbuds) and some paper documents.

design

Soundcore Life P3 in a charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Life P3 uses a familiar AirPod-esque design with slim, touch-sensitive stems that protrude down from a small, rounded body. If you want something that doesn't stand out, the colors black and blue are muted and subtle, but there are more vibrant options too: white, sky blue, and coral red. This type of color choice is unusual in the world of true wireless earbuds – most models only offer two colors (usually black or white), if they offer a choice at all.

The matching charging case is smoothly rounded and relatively compact, but not as pocket-friendly as the AirPods or Google Pixel Buds. Earlier Soundcore earbuds like the Liberty 2 Pro and Liberty Air 2 Pro used a smooth sliding mechanism for their charging case lids, but the Life P3 stick with a more conventional flip hinge – an obvious place to save some money.

What is really impressive is the degree to which you can customize the tap controls.

But while this hinge may make the case cheaper to manufacture, the case doesn't feel cheap at all. The lid is spring-loaded and opens automatically when it is lifted, which makes one-handed operation much easier than with similar housing designs. It also stays open if you want it to. The earphones simply snap into their charging sockets and are just as easy to remove.

With the case's wireless charging capability and the earbuds IPX5 rating for water resistance, Soundcore has a winning design formula.

Comfort, controls and connections

The scope of delivery of the Soundcore Life P3.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I found the Life P3 very comfortable to wear over a long period of time. You will likely get a snug fit from several of the included silicone earbuds. The handy Soundcore app also includes a leak test feature to ensure that the tips you choose effectively seal your ear canal. Too many people just use the factory-installed tips because they feel good, but that can be a recipe for poor sound quality and poor ANC performance, so be sure to try several sizes.

Without wing tips or ear hooks, the Life P3 won't sit as securely as earbuds designed for running or heavy workouts, but they should be suitable for all kinds of low-impact activities like brisk walking, biking, rowing, or weight lifting. They're definitely safer than Apple's AirPods because of the silicone earbuds.

Touch controls don't always respond as responsively as physical buttons, mostly because they can be difficult to tap accurately every time. The Life P3's touch controls don't really change this situation – the touch area is pretty small – but they do help you know when you've typed successfully or not with a confirmation touch tone that can be disabled if you are don't need it.

But what is really impressive is the degree to which you can customize these tap controls. You can have up to three tapping gestures per earbud – single tap, double tap, and tap and hold – for a total of six functions. Each can be set to control your choice of volume, play / pause, skip forward / backward tracks, activate voice assistant and select ANC / transparency mode. Better still, you can choose between which ANC options you want to toggle: ANC, transparency, or "normal" (both ANC and transparency disabled). You can switch between all three or choose a combination of just two modes.

Audiophiles won't be blown away by the Life P3's performance, but it sounds great for its price.

The only thing missing is wear sensors – the Life P3 cannot automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud.

The Life P3 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and I had no problem pairing it with my iPhone 11 quickly. That connection stayed strong and stable – I could leave my phone in my home office and the earbuds never failed no matter where I was, from the basement to the third floor. Each earbud can be used individually – perfect for making calls or simply to extend battery life. The ability to connect to two bluetooth devices at the same time would have been a nice touch, but that feature remains a rarity in the true wireless realm, so I can barely knock an 80-dollar set of buds if I don't have it.

Sound quality

Soundcore always amazes us with the great sound of its earphones, especially when compared to much more expensive products. The Life P3 are no exception. You get a very full frequency response and really good clarity over the entire spectrum. For genres like rap and hip-hop, there is a lot of bass power in the lower range, but it doesn't tarnish the mids.

Out of the box, the P3 are set to a flat EQ. This is a good, neutral starting point, but you owe it to yourself to dive into the Soundcore app's huge selection of EQ presets. Regardless of whether you want to emphasize or weaken bass or vocals, there are no limits to the possibilities. Can't find what you want? With the custom 8-band EQ function, you can create your own presets.

I found that the acoustic preset did the most to improve clarity and energy without compromising the bass too much.

Audiophiles won't be blown away by the Life P3's performance, but for its price, it sounds great. The only way to get better sound for the same or less money is to find a much more expensive model on offer.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Soundcore Life P3 earbuds outside the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

At this price point, you don't get the same ANC performance as the Sony WF-1000XM4, AirPods Pro, or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, but the Life P3 still offers really noticeable noise reduction in a variety of scenarios, from the constant roar of a loud fan for background discussions in a café.

This ANC function can be set with the Soundcore app with a choice of three modes: indoor, outdoor and transport. I found that outdoor made a very slight noise when there was no music, but indoor and transportation were both nice and quiet. That might make you think you should just stick with indoor or transport, but if the wind blows you'll be glad that outdoor is an option: it almost completely kills wind noise where the other two modes struggle . The transparency mode can also be set with the fully transparent or vocal mode. The vocal mode, as the name suggests, helps in finding voices. It works really well, but with one small drawback – you have to activate it before placing a call as you cannot switch between ANC / Transparency once a call is in progress. In fact, you cannot access the Soundcore app at all while on a call.

Battery life

Soundcore claims the Life P3 has seven hours of lifespan per charge when ANC and transparency are disabled, and a total of 35 hours when you include the charging case. These numbers drop to six hours or 30 hours when you turn on ANC or transparency. When testing, I actually got a little more with around 7.5 hours of non-ANC time. Either way, these are really solid numbers that are better than many other earbuds at this price point and vastly better than the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro (4.5 to 5 hours per charge, 24 hours total).

The performance data of the Life P3 are rounded off by a quick charge function, which gives you two hours more time after 10 minutes of socket time, which is also very good.

Call quality

Despite the presence of six microphones, telephoning with the Life P3 is only average. Outside there were no dropouts and most of the background noise was kept in check, but my voice sounded thin and at times quite distant. Your callers may need to turn up their volume to hear you clearly. Indoors, like most earbuds, the call quality was much better.

Extras

There are some fun extras in the Soundcore app like the Find My Earbuds feature. It doesn't actually locate them for you like some other companies like Apple and Jabra do, but you can make each earbud emit a loud tone which should help you find them if they're around.

You will also find that Soundcore has compiled dozens of its own playlists taken from tracks available on the Lum streaming service. I didn't know any of the featured artists, but that makes it a great companion to traditional streaming services as a discovery tool.

Soundcore also offers a sleep soundtrack tool that allows you to mix and match a variety of ambient sounds like the sound of waves or the chirping of birds to help you drift away. You can play them in an endless loop or set them on a timer.

Our opinion

The Soundcore Life P3 combines an incredible number of functions in one compact, comfortable and affordable set of true wireless earphones. For the price, they're an exceptional value.

Is there a better alternative?

The closest competitor to the Life P3 is the $ 90 Earfun Air Pro. They're very close when it comes to ANC, sound quality, and battery life. The Earfuns have wear sensors to automatically pause music, but they lack wireless charging. Where the P3 has a big advantage are its app-based adjustments for EQ, controls, ANC, and more. The Earfun do not have an app, which limits the possibilities.

How long will they last?

With true wireless earbuds, it's always hard to tell, but the Life P3 should deliver years of use. With the IPX5 protection, you will survive encounters with water, but avoid splashing in your case – it is not protected. The battery life will decrease over time, but with seven hours of startup time, it should still be quite usable after halving it. Thanks to the Soundcore app, the company can issue firmware updates over time if problems arise. Soundcore backs the Life P3 with an 18-month warranty – six months longer than most companies.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. Unless you are an audiophile with exacting standards, the Soundcore Life P3 has the features, quality, and price to make it an excellent choice for everyday use.

Editor's recommendations



How to Introduce CBD to Your Daily Life and Make it Better

The world has seen many health and wellness trends that have not stood the test of time. However, CBD stands out because it is here to stay. CBD has stood up to all odds and is working its way into the hearts of many people. Given its many health benefits, it is not surprising that many people are trying to get the maximum benefit from this magical elixir.

Almost everyone, including our pets, can benefit from using CBD. There is evidence to suggest that CBD may be a solution to a handful of health problems that humans face today. People who experience stress from work or relationships can get help with CBD. Athletes dealing with pain and people with health problems that cause pain can get relief from CBD. People looking to slow down aging and tone their skin can also do so through CBD.

Indeed, CBD is a boon to humans and explains why many people would like to introduce it into their lifestyle. Here are simple ways to make this happen:

  1. CBD face cream to enhance beauty

An essential part of any skin care regimen is a moisturizer. The skin needs adequate hydration, which makes it vital to all skin care products. With the right hydration, it's easy to nourish and revitalize the skin. It shows no visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles and promotes a youthful appearance.

Including CBD in your skin care product is one of the ways CBD can be used on a daily basis. With such creams and beauty products, you can get all the benefits of using CBD – a natural product. All you need is to add CBD oil to your moisturizer.

One can use this before going out or just before going to bed after bathing. When used in the evening, make sure the oil soaks deeply into your skin and works its magic for at least 30 minutes before you go to bed.

  1. Snack on delicious and tasty CBD gums

For people who like to snack several times a day, CBD gum is the right choice. These are delicious treats that come in a variety of flavors and designs. Such gums are designed for on the go and provide users with CBD benefits.

CBD gums are easy to use, convenient, and can help you get the daily dose of CBD you need. It's the right choice for busy people or anyone wanting to find out what CBD can offer. CBD gums can help ensure that your system has a constant supply of CBD.

  1. CBD oils for meditation

For people who love meditation but struggle with paying attention, CBD oil can be the solution. One of the benefits of CBD oil is that it can improve focus and concentration.

This is due to the chemicals in CBD that improve overall behavior. The effects of CBD on your focus make it easy, easy to meditate and reap the benefits. This makes CBD an excellent choice to further support and enhance what you want to achieve through meditation.

However, make sure that you are using the best CBD oil on few Hours before meditation as it takes a while for CBD to take effect.

  1. CBD in your morning coffee

Coffee lovers worldwide can spice up their coffee by adding a drop or two of CBD oil to their coffee. CBD and coffee are a heavenly game that rewards users with tremendous health benefits.

A good thing about adding CBD oil to your coffee is that both compounds will help counteract each other's side effects, so you can start your day happy and around your game.

Part of what CBD does is to induce calm, which induces sleep. This is no doubt not a problem if you are taking CBD to induce sleep. For people who go to work, work the night shift, or have to operate heavy machinery, this is not good.

However, a combination of CBD and coffee helps eliminate this calming effect. As a result, you are active and alert with a healthy attention span to get your day going.

On the other hand, the caffeine in coffee is not a good idea for people with stress problems. Many people therefore had to go without coffee. However, CBD overwrites this effect by reducing stress.

This makes CBD and coffee a great idea to start your day and feel ready to do your best. So make sure your CBD oil is near your coffee maker to remind you of when to take it every morning.

  1. CBD oil for aromatherapy

C:  Users  DELL  Downloads  pexels-Cottonbro-3998013.jpg

Photo of Cottonbro from Pexels
Aromatherapy is one of the oldest practices that people have used to address a range of health problems. Natural plant extracts are used to induce healing in humans. It promotes relaxation, helps against stress, relieves pain and improves the quality of sleep.

Essential oils from the plant (neroli, ginger, rose, lemon, tea tree) are used. CBD also shows promise that brings many of the desired health effects that humans desire. There are many ways to use CBD for aromatherapy, and one effective way is to use a roll-on.

By doing this part of your beauty care routine, you can get the necessary benefits from using CBD.

  1. Consider using a CBD oil bath

Taking care of your skin is very important and essential for maximum well-being. This is important because the skin suffers badly from environmental toxins and other pollutants in the air. Soaking in a warm bath can relax your muscles and relax. You can get these and other health benefits with CBD oil.

You can soak and relax in a bathtub with a high quality CBD bath bomb. Spend some time in the tub to allow the active ingredient CBD to penetrate your body and induce relaxation. It can help relieve stress, relieve stress, clog pores, and initiate a night of deep, restful sleep.

You may also prefer to start the day with a CBD-infused bath. The active ingredient penetrates your skin and prepares it for the day. This is one of the best ways to add CBD to your daily routine.

C:  Users  DELL  Downloads  pexels-binoid-cbd-3807350.jpg

Photo of Binoid CBD from Pexels

Conclusion

There are many simple ways you can make CBD a part of your daily life. It doesn't have to be expensive, nor does it have to be laborious.

Moto G Play (2021) Review: Battery Life, Performance, Camera

motorola moto g play 2021 rating 4

"Motorola makes the best phone under $ 200 – just set your expectations before you buy."

  • Modern design

  • Great battery life

  • Good advertisement

  • Attractively priced

  • Below average camera

  • Limited software support

  • Mediocre performance

The Moto G series is back for 2021 and consists of the Moto G Power, Moto G Stylus and Moto G Play. While most might want to buy the Moto G Power or save up on the Google Pixel 4a for their competitor, the Moto G Play is great value for money and therefore only costs $ 170.

The phone looks great on paper. With a huge 5,000 mAh battery, a relatively modern design, and a lot more, it could be the ideal device for those looking for a decent phone under $ 200. Is it anyway? I've been testing the 2021 Moto G Play for a while to find out.

Design and display

The Moto G Play is an affordable phone. Hence, you shouldn't expect the design to look too expensive. That said, Motorola does a good job of making sure the phone looks modern enough in the age of edge-to-edge displays.

Gone are the holes in the more expensive Moto G models in favor of a small teardrop notch at the top. Honestly, the notch is as intrusive as the hole punch cutout anyway, and you'll soon forget about it after you've used the phone. The device also has a bigger chin than the other Moto G devices, and that might be more noticeable. Neither of these issues are real, but they do contribute to the fact that the device is a little less premium – which it is.

On the back of the device is the camera with two sensors and a back-mounted fingerprint sensor that appeared to be fast and accurate in our tests. In 2021, on phones like the Galaxy S21, the camera shock on this device is quite small and almost flush with the back of the phone, which is a nice touch. It's also centered so it doesn't wobble a lot on a desk.

On the edges of the phone are the standard volume rocker, power button, and USB-C port. You also get a headphone jack, which is especially good to see on phones in this price range.

The Moto G Play's display is a 6.5-inch 720p LCD display and does the job, but that's about it. Colors aren't particularly vivid and obviously don't have a high refresh rate here, but for things like scrolling Twitter and reading email, this is perfectly fine. It also gets quite bright, which is helpful in direct sunlight or brighter environments.

Power and battery

The Moto G Play is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor as well as 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. This is a notable step up from the other Moto G-series devices, which come with 6-series chips and offer at least twice as much storage space. 32GB of storage is a bit weak in 2021, but something is expected from such a cheap phone. Fortunately, there is a microSD card slot so you can expand the storage if you want.

Despite the slightly underloaded processor, the phone works perfectly in daily use. There was little to complain about with basic tasks like emailing, browsing social media, and even multitasking. If you're doing more intense tasks like mobile gaming while playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile, you should expect some serious slowdowns, but despite the slower loading times and jittery menus, the in-game phone has mostly done itself with the occasional skip.

All of the Moto G-Series 2021 devices have good battery life, and the Moto G Play is no exception. The device comes with a powerful 5,000 mAh battery. Thanks to the lower resolution display, it can last two days even with heavy use. If you have a good charging capacity for your device, you won't have to worry about battery life with this phone – and if not, you will have plenty of time to plug it in. You'll have to plug it in but there isn't any wireless charging, though that's no surprise.

Cameras

On the back of the Moto G Play there is a dual camera system with a 13-megapixel main camera with an aperture of 1: 2.0 and a 2MP depth sensor. Despite the fact that great cameras are getting cheaper on smartphones, the Moto G Play doesn't give you the versatility of an ultra-wide or telephoto camera.

Unfortunately, the Moto G Play's camera is mediocre at best. With good lighting, you can take pictures that are … okay. They're not particularly vivid or detailed, but they will get it. However, if you add a bit of complexity to the shot, you don't get much. Low-light photos are either blown, very blurry, or both, and backlit scenes have little to no dynamic range.

If you didn't know you used a $ 170 phone, the Moto G Play's camera will remind you of it – every time.

Software and functions

The 2021 Moto G Play comes with Motorola My UX, which is based on Android 10, and it's a pretty good experience. Motorola is pretty good at providing scaled down software, and you get it on this device. Everything is pretty much where you'd expect it to be, and the user interface is generally easy to navigate.

Motorola has also been pretty good at delivering additional functionality in its software. The phone is equipped with the Moto app, which enables some handy gesture controls – for example, the ability to take a screenshot by touching the screen with three fingers, or turn the phone upside down to “do not disturb”. Other features like Gametime, for example, tweak notification settings while you play. The great thing about these features is that you can enable or disable them depending on which features you actually like. They're all included in the Moto app – instead of being spread across the My UX interface.

Now for the disadvantages (beyond the camera). The phone comes with the dated Android 10. Motorola has stated that it will receive Android 11, but has not yet stated when. Given that Motorola marketing says it will get "at least one software update", Android 11 is likely the end of the line for the 2021 Moto G Play. Fortunately, the device will receive software updates for two years, but it's still very disappointing to see such a lack of software support – which spans all Moto G devices.

Price and availability

Perhaps the best thing about the 2021 Moto G Play is how cheap it is. You can get a whole lot of phone for just $ 170. You can overlook many shortcomings at this price point if you probably won't be holding the phone that long in the first place.

The Moto G Play is available directly from the Motorola website as well as from a few select retailers such as Best Buy. Indeed the device was at the time of this writing Available at Best Buy for just $ 120 When you activate with a carrier, that's an incredible deal.

Our opinion

The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) isn't perfect, and you wouldn't expect it for the price either. The camera is really pretty bad, and while the device's performance is okay for everyday use, it does get slower with heavier multitasking and intense gaming. If you can afford to spend more, this is why you should. You can get it parent Moto G Power for $ 250. And the $ 350 Pixel 4a is more than twice as expensive, but it's also more than twice as good as a phone.

That said, if your budget is no more than $ 200, the 2021 Moto G Play is the way to go. Motorola continues to prove that you can get a solid phone at a super affordable price. As long as your expectations are set correctly.

Is there a better alternative?

No. In this price range, the Moto G Play is the best cell phone under $ 200. However, if you can afford to spend more, you can get the exact same recipe, only better, with this new Moto G Power for $ 250. For a phone that will last longer, perform better, and take better photos along the way, you can access the phone Google Pixel 4a.

How long it will take?

The Moto G Play should be in use for two years given its plastic construction. It's not water-resistant, so you'll need to keep it dry, and you should expect it to get seriously sluggish by the end of those two years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if your budget is no more than $ 200. For $ 250, you get a Moto G Power that performs better in every way.

Editor's recommendations




Motorola One 5G Ace Review: Battery Life, Specs, Cameras

motorola one 5g ace review 1

“You get good performance, great battery life, and a nice big display. But below-average cameras and a short software life have harmed the One 5G Ace. "

  • Modern design

  • Excellent battery life

  • Solid display

  • Good performance

  • Below average camera for the money

  • Only one software update guaranteed

Motorola recently unveiled the Moto G-Series 2021, which is solid value for money for those looking to spend no more than $ 250. In addition to the Moto G, the company has also launched a new model in its high-end One line: the Motorola One 5G Ace.

At first glance, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a bit confusing (and an awkward name), but it's important not to think of it as a replacement for last year's Motorola One 5G. This device has a lower-priced processor, a poorer display, and other cutbacks – but it costs $ 400 or $ 150 less than the standard Motorola One 5G.

However, there is no lack of competition in this price range. Does the Motorola One 5G Ace compete with the Pixel 4a and iPhone SE among its competitors? We put it to the test to find out.

Design and display

Motorola has done well at offering relatively modern looking phones for the price, and the One 5G Ace is no exception to that rule. It's a large phone with a large 6.7-inch display with an aspect ratio of 20: 9 that is great for scrolling through Twitter, seeing all of your email at a glance, and seeing more anytime. Of course, there's a tradeoff: don't expect to be able to reach the top of the display without the help of a second hand.

While the original One 5G had a double front camera, the Ace has a single centered cutout for the selfie camera. And there's a tiny chin at the bottom of the display, although it's not too intrusive and you probably won't notice it at all in everyday use.

At first glance, the back of the phone looks metallic, but you won't be fooled for long. It feels like plastic. Well, that's not a big deal for the price – it doesn't feel as high-end as a glass or metal device, and its weight helps make it feel solid. Plastic makes the phone more durable against typical bumps and scratches, which is usually a solid selling point for those buying a device on a budget. On the back there is also a fingerprint sensor, which works relatively quickly and accurately, and a camera module with three sensors.

In addition to the standard power switch, volume rocker, and USB-C port on the edges, you also get a headphone jack. It's nice that Motorola has stuck to the headphone jack on its budget phones for so long.

Thanks to its higher resolution of 1080p, the display is a clear step forward over the Moto G series. Unfortunately, you don't get the 90Hz refresh rate that you get with the standard Motorola One 5G, but it still has decently vivid colors and gets relatively bright. It's a good looking display for a phone in this price range.

Power and battery

Under the hood, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a clear step up from any Moto G device thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. It's a solid setup, and the Qualcomm 7 series has proven to be a great way to get good performance over the past year without buying a flagship phone.

The phone is more than capable in everyday use. There were seldom problems even when used for heavy-duty multitasking, mobile gaming, and more. I have the 6GB RAM model and have never had issues with apps closing in the background before I was done with them. It even handled some Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends with ease. Sure, load times can be a little longer than the Snapdragon 765G-equipped Motorola One 5G, and it may slow down sooner, but in normal use they feel almost identical at this point.

The phone has a 5,000 mAh battery (yes, just like a Galaxy S21 Ultra) which is more than enough for a full day of heavy use. Although it doesn't last quite as long as the Moto G Power, most people can still work with it for two days due to the higher resolution display, as Motorola announced. If you can charge your phone well every day, no need to worry here. Unfortunately there is no wireless charging, which is a bit disappointing. It's still tolerable that a $ 400 phone doesn't offer it, but it won't be long – and it would have been nice if the One 5G Ace had been ahead of the curve.

Cameras

As mentioned earlier, the Motorola One 5G Ace has a triple camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor with a f / 1.7 aperture lens, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera with a f / 2.2 aperture and a 2 megapixel macro camera. I still don't think people really use macro lenses (more than just to check them out), but Motorola disagrees, arguing that in the era of COVID-19, more people than ever are taking photos of things up close At home. I would have preferred a telephoto to a macro.

The One 5G Ace's camera is fine, but not much better than fine. In good lighting conditions, a solid shot can be obtained even though the colors are not very vivid and the details are not as sharp as they could be.

The pictures are far worse in poor lighting conditions. There's little detail and a lot of noise – when you can actually lock the focus and even get a blurry picture. Highlights are often overblown, which is often the case with low-end phones in poor lighting conditions. So while you can tell what you photograph most of the time, don't expect much more.

The same is more or less true of the front of the phone. The 16-megapixel front camera can take fine selfies, but nothing will fake someone like you have a high-end phone.

The Motorola One 5G Ace's main problem in the camera department has more to do with competition than anything else. The fact is that great phone cameras are getting cheaper and cheaper and this fee is charged by Google. The Pixel 4a costs $ 50 less, but it offers a camera that is an order of magnitude better than that of the One 5G Ace. When you're ready to make the move to iOS, the iPhone SE has a better camera too – although it's not as good as the Pixel 4a. After all, the OnePlus Nord may not have the best camera, but it's still better than the One 5G Ace's.

Software and functions

Motorola has been offering near-production software for its phones for years, and the Motorola One 5G Ace is no exception to that rule. The software is pared down, easy to navigate, and well designed.

Motorola's My UX also offers a number of additional features and gestures that can be turned on or off at will that can help make using the device more natural. Things like pressing three fingers down to take a screenshot, rotating your wrist to jump to the camera, and a lot more are useful.

There are also mobile game settings that can be customized. My favorite thing with all of these features is that they are all included in the Moto app and not distributed via Android like other manufacturers do. That said, if you don't want to use or see it, you can hide the Moto app and essentially use the phone as your standard Android device.

Motorola's commitment to software updates is incredibly weak.

Well, almost a standard Android device. While other standard Android phones like the Pixel series update quickly for at least a few years, the Motorola One 5G Ace does not. It ships with the already dated Android 10 (Android 11 has been out of stock for months), and although Motorola has announced it will bring Android 11 to the Ace, it hasn't specified exactly when. And that will likely be it for the phone. Motorola has promised "at least one" OS update, but I wouldn't expect more than one – the track record in this department is poor. Fortunately, you will receive security updates for two years.

It's really disappointing to see old software paired with missing updates. With a $ 150 Moto G game this is more acceptable, but at $ 400 it's hard to deal with and we really hope that Motorola will improve their game in the near future.

Price and availability

As mentioned earlier, the Motorola One 5G Ace is priced at $ 400 available now from Amazon. In the US, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage are provided.

Our opinion

The Motorola One 5G Ace is a solid phone. It works well, has a nice display, and great battery life. But in 2021, phones under $ 500 have to go a step further – and it just doesn't. The advantages of the Pixel 4a are years of software updates and a camera in flagship quality. The iPhone SE offers flagship performance and even longer updates. The Motorola One 5G Ace, on the other hand, is “good” in just about everything, but “great” in almost nothing – expect a battery.

Of course, we didn't really mention the "5G" aspect of this phone, but there's not much to talk about there. I would warn against buying this phone because of its 5G support. Get the Pixel 4a instead, fix the lack of 5G, and when you're ready for your next phone, getting something that is 5G capable is more important. Alternatively, you can get the Pixel 4a 5G, which has an even better camera and improved performance for $ 60 more.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If $ 400 is a hard limit on your budget, then you can save $ 50 and get the best Google Pixel 4a. If you can just stretch a little and are interested in 5G and prefer a large display, then go for this Google Pixel 4a 5G instead.

How long it will take?

The Motorola One 5G Ace has a plastic back, so it should withstand most drops. However, it's not waterproof, so you'll want to stay away from the wet. Given the lack of software updates after Android 11, the features may be out of date within a few years – but this hardly prevents them from actually working.

Should you buy it?

No, go for that either Google Pixel 4a or the Pixel 4a 5G instead.

Editor's recommendations




Kwikset Halo Touch Review: Spy Fantasies Come to Life

Kwikset Halo Touch bars in action.

“With the Kwikset Halo Touch, you can open your door with your fingerprint. It is all of your spy movie fantasies come to life! "

  • easy installation

  • Works every time

  • Stores up to 100 fingerprints / 50 users

  • Permanent

  • Limited notifications

  • Might be a little too security conscious

You have likely seen your favorite actor walk through the halls of a high security complex, approach a door, and then put his fingerprint on a scanner to access the inner sanctuary of a secret project. Perhaps you wish you could do that too. It turned out that Kwikset wanted the same thing – and then made it a reality.

The Kwikset Halo Touch is a bar with a built-in capacitive fingerprint sensor. It does exactly what Kwikset says it does. Touch the fingerprint sensor with an enrolled fingerprint and the latch will open. Another touch with a finger closes it. An LED light strip shows the current action, regardless of whether this opens, closes or signals an unrecognized fingerprint. The bolt package also contains a resealable tumbler lock and two keys as a backup.

installation

Setting up the Halo Touch is easy!

Kwikset gets things right right away. Setup and installation are very easy. The lock comes with boxes numbered 1 to 5, similar to a Lego set. Start with box number one and so on. I ran into a little problem because my front door only had a 1 "hole and the lock required a 2" hole. Keep this in mind if you plan to pick one up. I should also point out that the Halo Touch will replace your existing latch instead of working with it, which some people may find uncomfortable.

Once the latch is installed, simply launch the app. The lock first connects to your phone via Bluetooth and then connects to Wi-Fi from there. The Wi-Fi connection enables app notifications and remote control of the lock. Bluetooth is required to add users and change settings, for example. That can be a blessing and a curse. While it is far safer to limit interactions to Bluetooth, it would be far more convenient to be able to do more over Wi-Fi. Given that the main purpose of a latch is security, I can definitely understand the Kwikset mindset.

Familiar app setup

Once you've set up the app, all you have to do is take fingerprints for you and anyone else who wants to use the door. This in turn requires Bluetooth proximity. So keep that in mind. When a babysitter or house sitter comes by, you need to be there to see them take their fingerprints. Again, this is a flaw on the security side, so we cannot judge it too harshly.

The fingerprint registration process follows the same pattern as registering phone fingerprints. You touch the sensor, lift up, touch again, lift up, and so on. The app guides you through the process and saves up to 100 fingerprints for up to 50 different users. Registered fingerprints can be provided with additional security measures, e.g. B. if they are allowed to open the door. You can also disable the fingerprint reader for individual users if necessary.

The lock just does what it's supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less.

Once everything is set up, the lock does what it is supposed to. Touch the sensor and the lock will open. Touch it again, it locks. The sensor is non-reflective so you won't see your fingerprint on the pad after touching it. That's a nice security feature. You can also set the lock to automatic lock after a certain period of time. The Kwikset Halo Touch also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The lock suffers from typical problems with the fingerprint sensor. If your finger or the lock itself is wet, the sensor will not work. The lock is weatherproof so you don't have to worry about the elements outside of your home. However, if you come home in a rainstorm, having your keys on hand is probably a good idea. I wish there was another alternative here, like an automatic unlock that uses bluetooth and your location, or NFC so you can open the lock when the conditions are wrong for a fingerprint sensor. You can open the app and open the lock that way, but that's a bit of a hassle when you come home and just want to go in and take a load off. Lockly does that very well.

Finally, I want Kwikset to offer some notification options. I don't necessarily need a notification every time it gets locked or unlocked, but I want notifications when the reader has failed. A little more adjustment in this regard would be great to clean up the clutter.

Kwikset Halo Touch from the side

Overall, I can't judge a product based on what I wanted. I'll judge it by what it does, and in this case, it does it perfectly. I had no problems with the lock during my test phase and I am pleased that fingerprint sensors on doors are becoming more and more common. In addition, Kwikset included everything you could want in a door lock built for the future.

Our opinion

If you want a fingerprint sensor for a latch, this is a great choice. From simple setup (aside from having to remove your old latch) to simple app setup, this lock meets or exceeds expectations. There are a few issues, but these are common to all fingerprint sensors, not just this one. Also, there are two different styles and two different finishes to match your home.

Is there a better alternative?

As with any product, there are usually alternatives that are better suited to your tastes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is much easier to install as it slides over your existing latch. The Lockly Vision adds a camera and an encoded entry. However, if you need a fingerprint reading latch that isn't complicated, this is a really good choice.

How long it will take?

Kwikset has been in the door lock game for a long time and knows a thing or two about durability. This philosophy is also implemented in the smart home products. Kwikset has an entire website devoted to the durability tests it does. The lock I tested is made of solid metal and I suspect it will last for years.

Should I buy it?

Yes. This is a very solid product from a company with a history in the field. The lock just does what it's supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less. There are no hiccups. Some smart home products try to push their limits and do too much. This lock stays with what it can do.

Editor's recommendations




iRobot Roomba i3 Plus Review: Self Emptying For Easier Life

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus dirt disposal unit

iRobot Roomba i3 + robotic vacuum cleaner

"Thanks to the automatic dirt disposal system, cleaning takes place efficiently and without intervention."

  • Excellent cleaning performance

  • Cleans efficiently to save time

  • Car dirt disposal system

  • Great for avoiding obstacles

  • Virtual boundaries cannot be created

  • Sounds disgustingly loud empty

You never have to have owned or used a Roomba to know the reputation that preceded the robotic vacuum cleaner. Much like Apple in the world of smartphones and DJI with aerial drones, iRobot has an immense, established presence that gives consumers a sense of trust.

The latest robotic vacuum cleaner, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, borrows a useful feature from its premium siblings – and at the same time bears significantly lower costs. This combination seems to be a direct response to the various units that have hit the market over the last year that have offered premium features at mid-range prices. Shark's IQ robot is one of them and offers the convenience of a self-draining system. However, the iRobot offer is an equally convincing argument in itself.

Smart cleaning without advanced sensors

I've never owned or used a Roomba, but I'm familiar with the various technologies implemented by today's sophisticated robotic vacuums that make them efficient cleaners. LiDAR, laser navigation and cameras have proven effective in turning today's robotic vacuums into efficient cleaners – the best models that still use the routine of navigating with bumps and movements. You don't get any of these fancy features with the Roomba i3 Plus, but I was still shocked by its performance.

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus on the floorJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Instead, floor sensors are used on the underside for navigation. In this way, it can effectively track its movement in rooms, so that cleaning doesn't just happen in random formations. In many cases, when there are clear, wide open spaces, cleaning is carried out in straight lines. Additionally, I'm impressed that it can handle clutter with ease. Even with some charging cables on the floor and shoes lying around, the Roomba i3 Plus didn't need fancy sensors to navigate around them.

All of this brings me to its incredible cleaning performance which sweetens its value as an efficient cleaner. The double, multi-surface rubber brushes pull in dirt and debris perfectly – without getting tangled by animal hair and other long fibers. While it only has a single edge brush that helps it wick away debris, the powerful suction helps reduce the spread of debris throughout the funnel. Nooks and crannies are handled well, although they do tend to readjust their position.

I am impressed that it can handle clutter with ease.

Overall, for a robot vacuum cleaner based on floor sensors, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus is a highly efficient and competent cleaner that meets all of my cleaning needs.

Convenience of automatic disposal

Automatic disposal robots are still few and far between, and even iRobot's own offerings, the Roomba i7 Plus and the s9 Plus, cost $ 800 and $ 1,100, respectively. They're not cheap, which is why the Shark IQ Robot's price tag under $ 600 was so attractive to many. Fortunately, the Roomba i3 Plus gets the same convenience with the iRobot Clean Base automatic debris removal system – all at almost the same cost as the Shark for under $ 600.

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus dirt disposal unitJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

The convenience of setting the robot to clean on its own and then return to base when it has self-emptied is a benefit that means one less thing on my to-do list. I don't really mind emptying the robot myself as this is all I've experienced before, but I fully understand the inclusion in the robot's automation. However, it sounds like a jet engine is starting at top speed – it's so deafening – albeit less than a minute. The disposal unit can absorb dirt and debris for up to 60 days. However, I wish there was a more accurate way to know about the app. If you're wondering, a 3-pack of the disposal bags is $ 20.

If the trash can on the robotic vacuum cleaner gets filled while it is cleaning, it will automatically stop and return to the base to dispose of it – and then return to where it left off to complete the cleaning. Again, it is this type of automation that reduces the need for intervention at my level. The battery life is also excellent as my apartment can be cleaned for an hour without any problems.

No restricted areas

Although I am delighted with the efficient cleaning of the Roomba i3 Plus, it lacks a feature that I can rely on – and that sets up the restricted areas in my apartment. With other bots, this is achieved in two ways: using magnetic stripes to set these boundaries, or placing them on a map via the app. Unfortunately, there is also no option for the Roomba i3 Plus. Quite simply, it gets clean everywhere and everywhere as soon as it starts.

If you have areas in the house that you do not want to be disturbed by a robot vacuum, the ability to set up virtual boundaries / restricted areas is vital. In addition, the robot vacuum cleaner cannot assign any rooms. I think I am spoiled by the way other vacuum cleaners can recognize and define rooms. This is very helpful when you just want a specific room to be cleaned instead of everything. Even so, there are options in the iRobot App that you can use to set schedules for cleaning and connect them to other devices and services. For example, you can set up Roomba i3 Plus to start a cleaning session when you are not at home.

The Roomba i3 Plus is a remarkable cleaner that made me worry less about cleaning it.

Let's call it a compromise, but its inability to accurately map rooms and set virtual boundaries exactly sets this model apart from iRobot's other premium robotic vacuums.

Our opinion

I first met an iRobot Roomba and was impressed with how well it cleans – both picking up dirt from floors and carpets and cleaning it efficiently. The idea of ​​being even more independent and automated is made even clearer by the automatic dirt disposal system. For a mid-ranger, the Roomba i3 Plus is a remarkable cleaner that leaves me less worrying about cleaning.

How long it will take?

Interestingly, the deliberate choice of tough, matt plastic with a dark gray fabric upper part makes the Roomba i3 Plus less prone to dirt and dust after every cleaning. I prefer it to the shiny glass panels I see in many other bots.

The construction feels solid for the most part, but a little maintenance will extend the life of this bot. In particular, long strands of hair can collect around the edge brush, so cleaning it after each use is helpful.

If something goes wrong internally due to a defect, a 1 year limited warranty applies with purchase.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, if you are ready to lose the money. The older iRobot Roomba i7 Plus is the logical alternative, although it is already a few years old. It has the same automatic dirt disposal system and benefits from room allocation functions that can be used to identify rooms.

My personal all-round favorite recommendation is the Roborock S6 MaxV, partly because of its intelligent obstacle avoidance, the built-in security camera and the ability to mop floors. You pay more, but it's a 2-in-1 combo that gets your job done. If not, there are several more bots to consider covering the price range and features.

Should you buy it?

Thanks to its efficient cleaning and disposal system, you rarely have to interact with the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus. It is a powerful robot that can do the cleaning on its own. So it's definitely worth buying.

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The expert Reverse dieting plan that will change your life forever

Have you lost weight lately? Are you wondering what to do next? Well if you said yes reverse diet is what you need. This is a diet plan that will gradually increase the calories in your body after a successful weight loss session. Not only does it help increase your metabolism, but it also increases your energy level in no time. Let's look at the opposite Diet plan that can help change the game for you!

What is a reverse diet?

What do you do next when you've successfully lost weight? If you lose more weight there will be no gain. If you put on weight right away, your weight loss will be in vain. Something like that is when the reverse diet plan shoots up.

Reverse dieting is a systematic way to gain calories in your body. This involves a gradual process that helps with the slow changes in the body. Something like this enables a perfect weight balance without obstacles. If you follow this plan appropriately, you are sure to see an increase in metabolism, normalized hunger hormones, and a decreased risk of binge eating. So if you were wondering What is reverse dieting, Now you know!

How does a reverse diet plan work?

If you're wondering what to do after a restrictive diet, a reverse diet plan is what you need. Such a diet plan requires a significant increase in calories, which should be done every week. For example: if you cut your calories to 1200 a day, you need to increase at least 50 to 100 calories every week. This should take up to 4 to 10 weeks for you to successfully restore your diet plan.

Many people ask why reverse dieting is important and the answer is simple – because it avoids the risk of extreme weight gain or loss. Since there is a calorie balance in the middle, that is reverse diet plan allows you to easily restore the diet plan immediately.

Is the Reverse Diet Plan Necessary?

Strictly speaking, no. The Reverse Diet Results are not easy to come by. While it sounds convenient and hassle-free, the truth is that it takes a lot of effort to stick to. There are numerous reasons for this.

1. Variant of Negative Effects – Studies have shown that an inverted diet has caused hormonal and metabolic problems. This happens due to sudden changes in the eating plan that skyrocket every now and then. This also leads to an increase in stress levels for many people. With such a high risk of a problem, there is no need to follow this plan. Fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and obsessive thoughts are some of the worst effects of this plan. So, Reverse Diet Results can be awful.

2. Counting calories is a pain – The reverse diet requires you to count your calories. Unfortunately, this is a huge hassle as it is not that convenient to count your calories every time.

3. Not a Proven Plan – While it has worked for some people, it isn't scientifically proven to work miracles. If not used properly, it may not produce successful results. This can be a potential problem in many cases and make this plan very impractical. So it is recommended if you are wondering if Reverse Diet Results are potential then do good research before deciding to implement it for yourself.

The ultimate reverse diet plan

WEEK 1

Meal 1

8 egg whites with a handful of spinach

2 servings of oatmeal

1 banana

Meal 2

2 scoops of whey protein

1 bottle of Gatorade

1 apple

Meal 3

5 ounces lean steak

1 medium sweet potato

1 cup broccoli

Meal 4

2 scoops of whey protein

1 tbsp peanut butter

Meal 5

2 servings of non-fat Greek yogurt (normal)

1 portion of your favorite muesli

Protein: 200 Carbohydrates: 265 Fat: 55 g

WEEK 2

Meal 1

8 egg whites with a handful of spinach

2 servings of oatmeal

1 banana

Meal 2

2 scoops of whey protein

1 serving of your favorite ice cream

1 apple

Meal 3

5 ounces 90% 10 ground beef

1 medium sweet potato

1 cup broccoli

Meal 4

2 scoops of whey protein

1 tbsp peanut butter

Meal 5

6 ounces of grilled chicken

1 serving of your favorite muesli with 8 ounces of almond milk

Protein: 200 Carbohydrates: 265 Fat: 65 g

WEEK 3

Meal 1

2 scoops of whey protein

2 servings of oatmeal

1 banana

Meal 2

6 ounces of grilled chicken breast

1 cup of cooked rice

1 apple

Meal 3

5oz 93/7 ground turkey

1 medium sweet potato

1 cup broccoli

Meal 4

2 scoops of whey protein

1 tbsp peanut butter

Meal 5

2 servings of fat-free plain Greek yogurt

1 portion of your favorite muesli

Protein: 190 Carbohydrates: 285 Fat: 65 g

WEEK 4

Meal 1

6 egg whites with a handful of spinach

2 whole eggs

2 servings of oatmeal

1 banana

Meal 2

2 scoops of whey protein

1 bottle of Gatorade

1 apple

Meal 3

5 ounces lean steak

1 medium potato

1 cup broccoli

Meal 4

2 scoops of whey protein

2 servings of your favorite muesli

Meal 5

4 ounces 98% ground turkey

2 slices of fat-free cheese

2 slices of wholemeal bread

Protein: 190 Carbohydrates: 300 Fat: 65 g

The final result

That was all reverse diet you had to know that. Make sure you follow this for the best experience.

FAQ

1. Do a reverse diet plan Job?

Yes, but only if you get it right.

2. Are Reverse Diet Results advantageous?

It depends on how you follow it.

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