08 Apr
Blog

Vizio V-Series 4K HDR TV Review (V655-H19)

VIZIO V-Series 65-inch 4K UHD LED HDR Smart TV

"Vizio's cheapest TV line leaves a lot to be desired."

  • Very low prices

  • Low entry delay for games

  • Minimal bloom

  • Chromecast, AirPlay 2

  • Bad screen uniformity

  • Overwhelming HDR brightness

The V series is the cheapest TV series from Vizio. The 65-inch model costs less than $ 500 and the 70-inch model costs significantly less than $ 700. That sounds very promising – but what quality can you expect at this price point, and is the V-Series competitive with options like TCL and Hisense?

Details on the Vizio V series

While we tested the 65-inch model V655-H19, our test also applies to the screen sizes available in the series.

Screen size Model no RRP
40 inches V405-H19 $ 229
43 in V435-H11 $ 279
50 inches V505-H19 $ 299
55 inches V555-H11 $ 389
58 inches V585-H11 $ 399
65 inches V655-H19 $ 469
70 inches V705-H13 $ 649
75 in V755-H4 $ 779

Out of the box

Streaming the Vizo V seriesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V-Series StandDan Baker / Digital Trends

Setup of the Vizo V seriesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Side view of the Vizo V seriesDan Baker / Digital Trends

As you'd expect from a TV in this price range, setup is pretty straightforward: screwing in the TV's plastic feet and removing any protective film is all that is required for a stand mount.

The TV itself looks … OK. The V-series bezels are a bit chunkier than we're used to, but that's not surprising in this base price range. In fact, "fundamental" is a word that appears frequently in this review.

Entrances

Vizo V-Series audio connectorsDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series HDMI connectorsDan Baker / Digital Trends

The back of the V-Series has composite video inputs, an antenna input, analog and optical audio outputs and an Ethernet connection. On the digital side (and also on the side of the device) there are three HDMI inputs and one USB input. Note that these HDMI ports are 2.0b and do not support most HDMI 2.1 functions. At first we didn't think this TV supported eARC as nothing was mentioned in the datasheet, but it turns out that an HDMI port supports eARC (more on that later) and is clearly labeled as such.

To install

Setup of the Vizo V seriesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Setting up the V-Series takes a while – around 10 minutes. Thankfully, it's mostly automated, so you can hit the road to have more coffee and just let the TV do its thing. After that, you will need to agree to some terms and conditions related to the Sponsored Content information that you see at the top of the SmartCast home screen. There you land at the end of the setup.

Picture settings

Vizo V series - living pictureDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series - calibrated picture modeDan Baker / Digital Trends

The V-Series is delivered with the image mode on Vivid, which we have switched to calibrated, as this initially gives us the most accurate image. In the Calibrated Image preset, the backlight setting is already set to 100, but most of the other options are set to 50 and can be adjusted to your liking. While the TV has local full array dimming, it is a fairly limited system with only 12 zones so certainly not very advanced. The background lighting is activated in the advanced picture settings. This indicates that the local dimming control is activated by default.

Motion smoothing

The only control available for motion smoothing is the movie mode – there is no other motion menu we could find. Granted, the V series is a basic TV, but it would be nice to have at least some control over the motion settings. It is possible that if you select a different image mode, such as Sports, the motion smoothing will automatically adjust to that content, but the lack of other controls left us wanting.

Audio

Vizo V Series Virtual X Surround SoundDan Baker / Digital Trends

As mentioned earlier, there is no external label on the back of the TV for eARC support. However, we noticed that there is an option to toggle eARC on or off in the Audio menu. We recommend an inexpensive soundbar for the V-Series as the built-in audio isn't very good.

It's also worth noting that the V-Series comes with DTS: Virtual X surround sound enabled, which we turned off as it seemed to give the sound a slurred quality.

picture quality

Vizo V series screenDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series screenDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series screenDan Baker / Digital Trends

After running multiple test patterns and switching between standard dynamic range (SDR) and high dynamic range (HDR), there didn't seem to be much difference between the two formats. The V series supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, but the device is not bright enough to improve the picture quality. According to Vizio, the maximum screen is 400 nits.

As for the overall image quality, this isn't particularly special. Bright highlights tend to be a bit washed out, and the color seemed a bit aggressive too. This is forgivable on a budget option and the word "basic" applies again. However, if you're looking for a standout imaging experience, switching to the Vizio M-Series is better with around $ 220 more for the 65-inch model and a more modest upgrade of around $ 90 for the 55-inch model Choice.

We should also note that the screen had some vignetting in the corners and strange bright spots on the sides. Maybe this is an "onscreen lottery", maybe it's a quality control thing, or maybe it's a transit issue. If we had bought this TV we would surely be looking for an exchange if we decided to keep it.

Play

Person playing video game on Vizo V-Series TVDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series gamesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series gamesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizo V series gamesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Vizio touts the V-Series with a pro gaming engine, but it looks like the only real options are the game's low latency (which toggles the TV to the lowest input delay settings) and the game's HDR . And even though our Xbox Series X was automatically recognized, the picture mode was switched to light instead of game, which we had to select manually. You can also toggle the backlight control (the dimming function for the entire array), presumably to reduce the delay.

But when it comes to game features, that's all. Even with HDR games, the V series isn't bright enough for HDR games to make a noticeable difference.

Our opinion

When it comes down to it, the V-Series is designed to be ready to use right out of the box by people who just want a big screen and don't care about the specifics. The perfect use case would be to put it in the garage, man cave, or game room – somewhere where you just want a big screen for the occasional movie or game and something you don't have to worry about or think about. If you want lots of screen real estate at a low price – and that's it – the V-Series is well worth checking out.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, the Vizio M series would be a better buy for image quality. However, the V series manages to displace the comparable TCL 4 series.

How long it will take?

With Vizio's latest SmartCast system and televisions recording long-term performance, the V-Series should last for years.

guarantee

Vizio offers a one-year guarantee on its TV products. For more information, see the Vizio warranty page.

Should you buy it?

Except for those looking for the most screen for the least amount of money, no. Again, we recommend taking a look at the much more powerful Vizio M series.

Editor's recommendations




07 Apr
Blog

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook Review: Business Laptops

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook

HP Elite c1030 13.5 "Chromebook

"The HP Elite C1030 Chromebook isn't cheap, but it has a lot of business acumen."

  • Great job

  • Excellent 3: 2 display

  • Excellent keyboard and touchpad

  • Solid build quality and conservative appearance

  • Chrome OS Enterprise perpetual license included

  • Average battery life

  • Active pen is optional

  • Very expensive

Most people don't spend more than $ 1,000 on a Chromebook. There are way too many options for much less money that will make Chrome OS run like a dream. However, the growing Chromebook business has shown there is an interest in premium Chromebooks that have all of the manageability and security tools an IT department needs.

The new HP Elite C1030 Chromebook Enterprise fits right in with this new trend.

I had the chance to test a near-top-notch version of the Elite C1030 Chromebook that costs $ 1,529 for an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-10610U vPro CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB PCIe solid version. State Drive (SSD) and a 13.5-inch IPS display with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and a WUXGA + resolution of 13.5 inches (1,920 x 1,280).

The price also includes a perpetual Chrome OS Enterprise license, which is typically $ 50 per year. That's a lot of money for a Chromebook – does the Elite C1030 deserve its high price?

design

First of all, this is a nice looking laptop. It follows HP's elite aesthetic that is modern yet conservative. Yes, the chassis is all silver, and that sometimes seems generic. But the way HP uses contrast, with matte silver on top and bottom and shiny silver on the sides, makes it special.

The lid is rounded at the edges and the case back has just enough angles – it just works. The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is another enterprise machine that has the iconic ThinkPad look and feel – all black with a soft coating – while the consumer-facing Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has a more angled look and darker gray that is also appealing. All of them are attractive options, but the HP Elite C1030 is one of my favorites.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The HP Elite C1030 Chromebook has smaller bezels than these two laptops and offers a 90% screen-to-body ratio that looks far more contemporary. The lower chin is actually relatively small for a 2-in-1 device that requires a complex hinge. Both HP and Acer use displays with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and are therefore larger than the old-school Lenovo with an aspect ratio of 16: 9.

Even so, the Elite C1030 Chromebook is smaller in width and height than the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook and Chromebook Spin 713 thanks to its smaller bezels, while still offering the larger palm rest and touchpad that laptops have in common with larger displays. The HP is 0.7 "thick and 2.87 pounds, compared to the 0.7" and 3.3 pounds of the Lenovo and the 0.66 "and 3.02 pounds of the Acer.

The Elite C1030 Chromebook is rock hard.

In terms of build quality, the Elite C1030 Chromebook is rock hard, at least as much as the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook, and it's tougher than the Chromebook Spin 713. The company's systems have been military-tested for durability, it shows – they're in a different class, virtually every premium laptop on the market today. The Elite C1030 Chromebook's hinge requires two hands to open, but holds the display in place in all four modes – clamshell, tent, presentation, and media.

HP also builds in some security features that are uncommon on Chromebooks these days. The first is the fingerprint scanner, which offers passwordless login and works just as well as any Windows 10 Hello fingerprint scanner. Second, this is the switch to turn the webcam on and off electronically, something HP borrowed from previous Specter computers (which have since switched to a physical webcam blocker).

Finally, HP offers the world's first (optional) privacy screen that blocks viewing from any angle but in a straight line. My test device didn't equip this display, but I've seen it on Windows 10 computers and it's impressive.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity is solid, but not spectacular. On the left you will find a 3.5 mm audio jack, a USB-C 3.2 port and a Kensington lock port. On the right side there is another USB-C 3.2 port, a USB-A 3.2 port and a microSD reader. The wireless connection is provided via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

performance

My test device was built around a 10th generation Intel Core i7-10610U vPro CPU, which makes it a powerful Chrome OS laptop. This operating system is much lighter than Windows 10 or Mac, and a Core i7 of any stripe will work fine. When you add 16GB of RAM and a fast 256GB PCIe SSD, you have a recipe for a Chromebook that won't slow you down.

We don't have a lot of objective benchmarks to run on Chromebooks. So much of my analysis is subjective. The Elite C1030 Chromebook achieved 1,102 points in the Geekbench single-core test and 3,216 points in the multi-core test, which is far behind Windows 10 laptops, but ahead of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 with its Core i5-10210U CPU (966 resp. 3,040). and the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook with AMD's Chrome OS-optimized Ryzen 5 3500C (907 and 2,739).

In the Tachometer 2.0 benchmark, which measures the responsiveness of web applications, the HP achieved 114 compared to the Lenovo with 86 and the Acer with 101.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Subjectively, I just want to say that you have to work really hard to slow down the Elite C1030 Chromebook. I opened Scads from Chrome tabs and ran several Android apps in the background. I couldn't shake the thing. I doubt you'll have performance issues no matter what you throw at the machine.

I could even play a little. The 10th generation CPU is limited to Intel's older UHD graphics, but it can still handle games like Asphalt 9: Legacy without delay or hesitation. You should be able to play a few light games on the Elite C1030 Chromebook to get all of your work done.

display

The Elite C1030 Chromebook has a 13.5-inch WUXGA + display (1,920 x 1,280) with a productivity-friendly 3: 2 aspect ratio. I can't test it with my colorimeter. This is simply not supported in Chrome OS. However, I found the display to be sufficiently bright in all lighting conditions I tested (HP promises 400 nits of brightness), except outside in bright sunlight – which is to be expected. Colors popped without looking oversaturated, but I can't confirm accuracy without my colorimeter.

When I look at pictures next to the Dell XPS 13, which has good colors but not great, I couldn't see any difference. Finally, the contrast appeared to be sufficient, with black text showing off nicely on a white background and images looking like they had sufficient depth.

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook ScreenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 benefited from a higher sharpness of 2,256 x 1,504 on its 13.5-inch 3: 2 display. I would have appreciated this on the HP, but I can't say I noticed any noticeable graininess on the Elite C1030 Chromebook. I liked the display more than the 16: 9 panel on the Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga Chromebook, which felt tight to me.

Most users will love this display especially when they see more vertical information thanks to the higher aspect ratio. Media consumption was fine, as was the productivity work, and I have no real complaints.

Keyboard and touchpad

HP makes great keyboards that you can find on the Specter and Elite models. The Elite C1030 Chromebook is no different. It has an island keyboard with silver caps with legible gray font, lots of spacing, and a very sharp mechanism that doesn't require a lot of pressure to snap into place, yet still has a satisfactory ground effect to work with, knowing you pressed a key.

It's as good as a keyboard that you can find on any Windows 10 laptop. It's better than the Chromebook average – including the two I highlighted in this review – and it can rival the Magic keyboard on Apple's latest MacBooks. There are the usual five levels of backlit Chrome OS brightness that let you fine-tune how much light your keyboard emits.

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook KeyboardMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook KeyboardMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook TrackpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The touchpad is larger than usual thanks to the additional space on the larger display and works very well. It's fluid and precise, and does a great job with the suite of Chrome OS multitouch gestures. The touch display is also responsive and supports an optional HP Active Pen for those who want to write ink on their Chromebook.

Battery life

The Elite C1030 Chromebook has a 50 watt hour battery with a reasonable resolution and a fast CPU. I wasn't entirely sure what battery life to expect.

As it turned out, the HP fell in between the other two Chromebooks I mentioned in this review. Our web browser test, which ran through a number of popular websites, got 8.5 hours compared to the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (11 hours) and the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook (7.25 hours). In our video tests with a Full HD Avengers trailer, the Elite C1030 Chromebook achieved 10.5 hours, compared to 10 hours for the Acer and only about 7.5 hours for the Lenovo. These would be mediocre results compared to the universe of Windows 10 laptops, but they are average for the recently reviewed Chromebooks.

You probably get a full day of work with the Elite C1030 Chromebook, but not much more.

Chrome OS Enterprise

As mentioned in the introduction, with this configuration of the Elite C1030 Chromebook, HP has included a perpetual license for Google Chrome OS Enterprise, which typically costs $ 50 per year. That means you get the business-centric controls and plug-ins that will improve security and remote management forever.

Your organization can manage the Google Play Store to regulate which apps are installed, and support for the Google Chrome browser extension is also controlled by the company. Other features include single sign-on, Microsoft Active Directory support, and 24/7 business support beyond what you normally get from Google.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP also talks a little about Parallels Desktop for HP Chrome Enterprise, a virtual machine solution that enables a company to add Windows 10 emulation to its fleet of Elite C1030 Chromebooks with minimal effort. The solution is easy to manage and offers advanced features for HP enterprise customers. It's not included with the laptop, but it's an interesting option nonetheless.

Our opinion

The HP Elite C1030 Chromebook is aimed at corporate customers. It's fast, and has the best security features you'll find on a Chromebook, plus the option of a Chrome OS Enterprise perpetual license. All of these add up to a good corporate laptop. The purchase price is also aimed at companies that have a strong need for security and manageability.

You can just as easily get a Chromebook for half the money in terms of hardware and performance. However, you don't get a laptop that fits seamlessly into a company's fleet of machines.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook offers the same support for Chrome OS Enterprise as the HP, without the same level of security. It's also roughly the same price as a similarly configured AMD Ryzen 7 3700C CPU with 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD.

I didn't mention it in this review, but the Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook is a comparable corporate computer that's a few hundred dollars cheaper and costs $ 1,279 for a computer with the same specs as our Elite C1030 Chromebook review unit. with the exception of the 14-inch display from Dell). You get similar build quality and performance, but none of the advanced security features.

If you don't need the Chrome OS Enterprise features, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a great choice. It's also pretty quick and well built, and costs about half the money for a similar configuration.

How long it will take?

The Elite C1030 Chromebook is very well built and equipped to keep Chrome OS running for years. You will also appreciate the three-year warranty that comes with our test device.

Should you buy it?

If you're a corporate customer looking for a secure and manageable Chromebook, the Elite C1030 Chromebook should be on your shortlist. Otherwise, you'll want to save your money and use a consumer Chromebook instead.

Editor's recommendations




07 Apr
Blog

2021 Kia K5 2.5 GT Review: Midsize Sedan Rethink

2021 kia k5 rating front three quarters

2021 Kia K5 2.5 GT review: a new era

"The 2021 Kia K5 focuses on style and sportiness without sacrificing practicality."

  • Attractive styling

  • Powerful engine

  • Nimble chassis

  • Intuitive technology

  • Low standard driver assistant technology

Kia spent two decades transforming the Optima midsize sedan from a joke into a truly desirable car – all so it could rename itself and start over.

The 2021 Kia K5 is the replacement for the Kia Optima. While the name is a sterile alphanumeric combination that car buyers are more likely to associate with a Chevy SUV than anything bearing the Kia badge, the K5 looks pretty good on paper. The last Optima was a good looking car, but Kia chose even more this time around while adding a bigger touchscreen, more driver assistance technology, optional all-wheel drive, and a sporty GT model.

Kia has to pull out all the stops if it is to grab buyers' attention. The K5 has many competitors including the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy, and Volkswagen Passat, as well as its sibling – the Hyundai Sonata.

Prices for the 2021 Kia K5 start at $ 24,555 (all prices include a mandatory target fee of $ 965) but only buy an entry-level LX. Our test car was the K5 GT with a more powerful engine and a sporty chassis. The GT starts at $ 31,555, but our test car also had the optional GT1 package, which includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bose premium audio system, and adaptive cruise control, among other things. That brought the MSRP to $ 35,705.

Design and interior

The K5 shares a base platform with the Hyundai Sonata, but the designers made a good distinction between the two. Where the Hyundai has sleek lines that look like it's floating in the street, the K5 is slightly more muscular, with a bulging hood and a front bumper that protrudes forward like the chin of a 1940s cartoon character. This is in line with the personality of both sedans. The Hyundai is a laid-back cruiser, while the K5 is said to be sportier.

However, the main differentiator of the K5 is the lighting. On the front you get straightforward LED daytime running lights, which Kia calls "heartbeat", as well as a horizontal light blade on the back. While the overall shape of the K5 is very slim and attractive, many other sedans these days have a similar shape. The styling is subjective, but the lighting design makes the K5 a lot more distinctive.

Sleek design usually costs the interior, but that's not the case with this Kia. The K5 has more headroom and front legroom than other midsize sedans and just 0.2 cubic feet less rear headroom than the class-leading Toyota Camry. The rear legroom is a bit below average, however.

The styling is subjective, but the lighting design makes the K5 a lot more distinctive.

At 16 cubic feet, the trunk space is above average, but behind the 16.7 cubic feet of the class-leading Honda Accord. The K5's Hyundai Sonata sibling also offers a little more cargo space at 16.3 cubic feet. Kia also offers a 60/40 folding rear seat for longer items, but this feature is not available in the basic K5 LX.

The interior design was clean and functional, although the slope of the roof somewhat obscured the rear view. Our K5 GT test car had special features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a driver storage system for the seat and mirrors, and a panoramic sliding roof, which proves that Kia still takes its reputation as a token seriously. The materials didn't feel very high quality (Kia only offers faux leather instead of real leather upholstery) but were acceptable given the price of the car. However, Kia used a lot of shiny plastic that created an annoying sheen on sunny days.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The standard infotainment system includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen. However, as an upgrade, you get a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Oddly enough, Kia only offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the smaller screen. While you still need to connect to use CarPlay and Android Auto on the bigger screen, it adds natural language speech recognition and Bluetooth with multiple connections.

Our test car had the optional 10.25-inch screen with cool-looking graphics, including old-fashioned tubes for radio stations. We appreciated the keyboard shortcuts for various menus, but the buttons on the right side of the screen were a bit difficult to reach from the driver's seat. The speech recognition system, which recognizes simple sentences like "turn on the air conditioning", had no obvious comprehension problems, but it was a little slow to respond.

It is also possible to charge cell phones. The unusual design involves placing the phone in a vertical slot. That seems like a smart way to save space, but Kia still left a phone-sized room – uncharged – in front of the gear stick.

The larger optional touchscreen contained cool-looking graphics, including old-fashioned radio tubes for radio stations.

A Bose audio system with 12 speakers, subwoofer and external amplifier is also available. When you're tired of listening to music, the Kia also offers "nature sounds" including "lively forest", "calm ocean waves", "rainy day", "warm fireplace" and "open air cafe" in one machine with the K5 white noise on wheels.

The standard driver assistance technology under the Kia Drive Wise banner includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a monitor for the driver's attention and automatic lane centering for the lane following assistant. Optional functions include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alarm, automatic reverse braking and adaptive cruise control. The latter can use the navigation system to preventively reduce the speed for motorway curves or changes to the speed limit.

On the freeway, adaptive cruise control accelerated and braked smoothly, even though we didn't get a chance to test the automatic speed limit setting. The system also has a stop-and-go function, which is useful in heavy traffic. It's worth noting, however, that several competitors – including the Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry – offer adaptive cruise control as standard, but without some of the features of the Kia system. We also found that Kia's lane tracking assistant is less competent than the lane-centering feature of Subaru's EyeSight system – which isn't exactly perfect either.

Experience at the wheel

The standard powertrain is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The engine is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive as standard or optional all-wheel drive. These are respectable specs for an entry-level powertrain in a midsize sedan, and the availability of all-wheel drive is a benefit for new car buyers in colder climates. Note that you can also get all-wheel drive on the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. This is standard with the Subaru Legacy.

Kia K5 GT models like our test car get a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 290 hp and 311 lb-ft and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster gear changes. The GT is only available with front-wheel drive, but Kia claims it will do zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. For a mainstream sedan, that's pretty quick.

Most midsize sedans will make you look like an adult. This one makes you look like a hooligan.

However, Kia packed more than just strength. The GT receives a model-specific chassis for better handling and 19-inch wheels with non-slip Pirelli P-Zero tires. Despite these tires, the GT was strong enough to spin its wheels on command. The "Sport +" driving mode also deactivates the traction control and lets the engine stay at its boiling point without shifting up. This is not the behavior you would normally expect from a car like this. Most midsize sedans will make you look like an adult. This one makes you look like a hooligan.

However, things are not going to get completely out of hand. The K5 is more than just a theater; It has the necessary steps to show its bravery. Many modern cars feel like they're breaking the laws of physics when cornering, but the K5 felt light and eager, as if it actually wanted to move. The excellent chassis tuning was disappointed by numb steering, but the K5 is far from the only sporty car with this problem. The ride was a bit tough too, but reasonable given the handling of this chassis.

Fuel economy and safety

The most fuel-efficient model of the 2021 Kia K5 is the base 1.6-liter, front-wheel drive LX that together achieves 32 mpg (29 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) fuel economy. Other models with the 1.6 liter engine get 31 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg combined (26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter GT has an overall output of 27 mpg (24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway), and we hit 26.4 mpg according to the car's on-board computer.

The fuel economy figures are respectable for a midsize sedan, but it's worth noting that the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry are all available with more efficient hybrids. Kia previously offered an Optima Hybrid but has not discussed any plans for a Hybrid K5.

The K5 received the “Top Safety Pick +” rating from the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS) with the top rating “Good” in all crash tests and the top rating “Superior” for the technology used to prevent frontal crashes. The headlight values, however, ranged from “good” to “bad” depending on the equipment variant.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 K5 a five-star overall safety rating with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests.

Kia offers a 10 year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles and a five year limited warranty of 60,000 miles. These remain the longest warranty terms in the business. They're unmatched by rivals, except of course the Hyundai Sonata from Kia's sibling brand.

How DT would configure this car

The driving experience is really what sets the K5 apart from other midsize sedans. That's why we'd opt for a GT model like our test car. While the GT is a huge step up from the base spec on the LX, it is still great value for money considering how much gear you get, including a 290 horsepower engine, a well-tuned chassis, and loads of comfort.

However, Kia poses a dilemma for tech-savvy buyers. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are only available with the smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen offers multi-phone Bluetooth pairing and natural language speech recognition. So buyers have to decide which features they think are more important.

We couldn't test the smaller screen, but given that the bigger screen is bundled with a $ 4,100 option pack, we'd think long and hard about skipping it and saving a large chunk of the changes. While we liked the voice recognition system, ditching cables seems like a bigger comfort boost.

Our opinion

The 2021 Kia K5 is built on the solid foundation of the Optima and offers an extra dose of style and performance. It's a well-executed midsize sedan, but it faces stiff competition too.

The Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and even the once boring Toyota Camry all offer satisfying driving experiences, while the Subaru Legacy has more standard driver assistance technology and a larger touchscreen available than the Kia, as well as standard all-wheel drive. However, Kia continues to boast a longer warranty and impressive value. Even when an option package was tackled, our K5 GT test car was less than $ 40,000.

It's also about the Kia's sibling – the Hyundai Sonata. The Hyundai has technologies not available on the Kia, including automatic parking with Remote Smart Parking Assist, a digital key feature that allows you to use a smartphone as a key, and a hybrid powertrain. The Sonata isn't as fun to drive as the Kia, however. Hyundai may have a Sonata N-Line performance model, but a prototype drive from 2019 did not challenge us.

Should you get one

Yes. The K5 proves that ordinary, practical cars can be fun too.

Editor's recommendations




06 Apr
Blog

Sonos Roam Review: Tiny Speaker, Huge Value

Sonos Roam

"This magical little speaker could do for Sonos what the iPod did for Apple."

  • Excellent design

  • Lightweight and portable

  • Completely waterproof and dustproof

  • Very good sound for its size

  • Selection of intelligent speaker assistants

  • Wireless charging

  • No Bluetooth stereo pairing

  • Does not work as a speakerphone

  • Less battery life than some other speakers

The $ 399 Sonos Move is a very powerful wireless speaker. When you're at home, it can be connected to the rest of your Sonos gear. Thanks to the built-in microphone, it can act as a smart speaker powered by Google or Alexa. On the go, the Bluetooth radio and 10-hour battery ensure a powerful, portable sound system. Well, maybe not that portable.

As good as the Move is, it will never be a grab-and-go speaker because it's just too big and too heavy. Go out onto the terrace from the living room? Grab the train. Going to the park from the terrace? That’s a different story.

But now we have the Sonos Roam for $ 169. It has all of the features of the Move (and a few more) but is only a fraction of the size, weight, and price of the Move. Is roam a breeze for Sonos fans? Let's try it out.

What's in the box?

Sonos RoamSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sonos has long been a leader in sustainably packaged products, but the Roam is its best performance yet. It even includes a handy label to help you determine which parts can be recycled.

In the small, simply printed cardboard box you will find the Roam, a USB-C charging cable, a printed quick start guide and no reference to plastic or foam.

design

Sonos RoamSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The first thing you notice when you unpack the Sonos Roam is how small it is. Not only is it the smallest Sonos speaker by far, with a hair over 6.5 inches tall, it's also slightly smaller and lighter than many of the Bluetooth speakers it'll compete with, like the $ 120 JBL Flip 5 and the $ 150 Marshall Emberton.

The shape of the roam practically begs you to pick it up and take it with you.

Despite its small size, the Roam's minimalist design is a pure Sonos, regardless of how our test device comes in matte black or matte white.

The Toblerone style triangular shape isn't just for looks. it makes the roam extremely tangible. Point one of the three sides towards the palm of your hand, and your fingers will naturally curl around the curved edges along the other two sides. While the Move's integrated handle always feels a bit risky to grasp, the shape of the Roam practically prompts you to pick it up and take it with you.

The only thing missing is a built-in lanyard option for those times when you need your hands free.

You can stand the Roam vertically or lay it horizontally with the four built-in rubber feet to anchor it securely to your chosen surface.

In any case, the simple elegance of the Roam can be invisibly combined with almost any decor.

Sonos Roam with Sonos MoveSonos Roam (front) and Sonos Move Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The physical controls are also very stealthy – a set of four buttons hidden behind a layer of rubber on the top, barely hinted at by their slightly raised icons. From a distance they disappear completely.

The loudspeaker grille with its thousands of tiny perforations fits seamlessly into the body of the Roam. It looks like it could be badly dented, but behind that thin layer is a much tougher hexagonal grille that gives the grille an impressive level of rigidity.

Two tiny LED lights hidden behind the grille indicate the status of the speaker: one light shows whether you are in WiFi or Bluetooth mode, and one that shows the charge level of the battery. A third light next to the microphone button indicates when the microphone is active. According to Sonos, this cable is permanently connected to the microphone circuit. When the lights are off, you can be sure that no one is listening.

Sonos RoamSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

On the back is the USB-C charging port and a small power switch that is also used for Bluetooth pairing. When you're at home, it's a good idea to keep the Roam plugged in so it's always ready to play your music. However, if you're likely to move it around a lot, you should take advantage of wireless charging.

Sonos sells a custom Qi charger for $ 50 that is shaped to fit the bottom of the Roam and stays magnetically locked until you need it. However, I did not receive a charger to test. Not that it matters – any Qi charging mat does the job, and I found it very easy to just let the Roam sit on one when I wasn't carting it around.

Setup and configuration

If you're a Sonos owner, I don't have to tell you how easy it is to set up the company's wireless speakers. A few taps of your finger on the Sonos app, a few keystrokes on the speaker and less than two minutes later you are done. With the Roam, Sonos has made this process even easier.

Every technical product should be this easy to configure.

After you've connected the Roam to a power source using the supplied USB-C cable (or wireless charger) and opened the Sonos S2 app, the app will automatically prompt you to set up the speaker. It's very similar to how Apple's AirPods prompt you when you first open the charging case.

The next step is to tap the back of your phone against the back of the Roam. This should allow the speaker's NFC sensor to detect your phone for the process to complete.

Unfortunately, this didn't work with my iPhone 11, but after two failed attempts, the Sonos app offered another solution: the Roam gave a beep that was picked up by the iPhone microphone and the setup completed automatically, including adding the Roam to my Wi-Fi network. No buttons to press and no passwords to enter. Every technical product should be this easy to configure.

At this point, you can play music through the Sonos app, manage the roam as a single speaker or as part of a group of Sonos products, or stream audio directly to the roam using Apple AirPlay.

However, since the Roam can also act as a smart speaker, you may want to take the extra step of adding it to the Google Home app or the Amazon Alexa app – it only takes a few extra minutes.

Sound quality

Sonos Roam with JBL Flip 5 and Marshall EmbertonJBL Flip 5 (left), Sonos Roam (center) and Marshall Emberton Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

In line with Sonos' reputation for products well above their weight class, the Roam sounds fantastic for such a small speaker.

It delivers a warm yet clear signature with a decent response considering how compact it is.

Indoors, the Roam is an ideal loudspeaker for smaller rooms.

If you have WiFi, you can use the Sonos app to adjust the bass and treble if you want to override the factory EQ – an optimization that's retained even if you switch to Bluetooth.

Indoors, the Roam is an ideal speaker for smaller spaces – such as a bedroom, bathroom or even a kitchen. Outside, it gets loud enough to host a pool party or a backyard gathering. Speaking of volume, the Roam is virtually distortion-free up to its loudest setting, and the speaker housing doesn't hum in an uncomfortable way, which can be the case with lower-quality Bluetooth speakers.

As you turn up the volume settings, the roam keeps the frequencies in balance – until you hit around 75%. Once you exceed this limit, the speaker simply no longer has a low or mid range and uses the high frequencies to reach maximum volume.

There is simply no way a speaker this size can deliver the deep bass or powerful sound of larger devices. However, when you place the roam in a corner – a tried and true way to improve bass response – it's surprising how deep the sound can get.

The roam outshines that JBL Flip 5 However, for clarity and sound quality, it delivers an almost identical signature to the Marshall Emberton.

The Emberton proved to be a little more flexible for outdoor gatherings thanks to its 360-degree speaker pattern, while the Roam is more directional.

In theory, the roam's automatic Trueplay feature will continually adjust the roam's sound depending on where you place it. It works whether you're using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and you won't find it on any other non-Sonos-branded wireless speaker.

In practice, I found it difficult to determine if Auto Trueplay actually made a significant difference. I moved the roam to different indoor and outdoor locations and turned Auto Trueplay on and off to see if I could see it. For the most part, the changes were barely noticeable even when I placed the speaker in places that should have caused a lot of adjustment (like the corner placement mentioned above).

user friendliness

Sonos Roam Top controls

If you've never used the Sonos app and Roam is your first Sonos product, it's time to pamper yourself. It's the best audio streaming software in the world other than none. Not only is it compatible with almost every streaming music source imaginable – over 100 so far – but all of this music is incredibly easy to navigate and find thanks to the universal search function.

The Sonos software is so good that it's reason enough to buy the Roam over any other portable speaker in its price range.

You can create your playlists and favorites that will work independently from the ones you may have already created in your music apps. If you have more than one Sonos speaker, you can control each speaker independently or as a group.

Most other Wi-Fi speakers rely on Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa for their multi-room capabilities. However, these cannot affect the extensive range of functions of the Sonos app.

The Sonos software is so good that it's reason enough to buy the Roam over any other portable speaker in its price range.

As with any other Sonos speaker, the controls are as intuitive as possible. The two volume buttons work exactly as expected, while the play / pause button can skip a track forward with a double press or backward with a triple press.

Switching from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth is also very easy. A long press on the small button on the back will put the speaker in bluetooth mode and the Roam will automatically re-pair with the last paired device.

Pairing a second or third device is a little more complicated. You must turn off the bluetooth radio on the currently paired device so that the roam can re-initiate bluetooth pairing. Once the second (or third, etc.) device is paired, you can control which device the Roam is talking to without repeating the pairing process.

Unfortunately, Sonos does not support stereo pairing of its speakers via Bluetooth. To do this, you need to be on your home Wi-Fi network and have a matching set of Sonos speakers. The roam can only be paired with a second roam in stereo, and even a paired set of roams cannot be used as surround speakers for Sonos Arc, Beam, Playbase or Playbar.

And despite the presence of a microphone, you can't use the Roam as a speakerphone – which is a bit confusing given the number of business people likely to pack the Roam in their pockets when traveling.

Smart speaker skills

Sonos RoamSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Sonos Roam is by far the cheapest portable speaker that can also act as a smart speaker – and one of the few where you can choose between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

It's amazing how easily the roam can hear and respond to your commands

I set it up with the Google Assistant. This process takes about two minutes and requires that you have the Google Assistant app installed on your phone.

Once you're ready, it's amazing how easily the roam can hear and respond to your commands. For fun, I placed the roam at one end of our yard and called "Hey Google" at the other end – about 40 feet away. The Roam heard and answered immediately.

Smart speakers are pretty darn handy and allow you to do everything from managing music playback to organizing your shopping lists to controlling smart home devices like lights and cameras. But smart speakers usually need to stay plugged in, which is why people often buy a Nest Mini or Echo Dot for every room in their home. Since the Roam is completely wireless, it can be used anywhere and will continue to function as a smart speaker as long as it has WiFi.

The Ultimate ears blast and JBL Link Portable can do this too, but they cost $ 10 more than the Roam and they only work with one assistant (Amazon Alexa for the Blast, Google Assistant for the Link Portable).

If freedom of choice is important to you, the Sonos Roam is clearly the best option.

Extras

Sonos RoamSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

What makes the Sonos Roam such a remarkable speaker is its additional features. Some, like wireless charging, Auto Trueplay, AirPlay, and its ability to act as an assistant-free smart speaker are tangible benefits for anyone who buys it.

However, if you have or want to buy other Sonos products, there are other cool features available, such as: B. Sound Swap, which allows you to transfer a Wi-Fi streaming session to and from the Roam by pressing and holding the Play / Pause button. It only works with newer Sonos products like Sonos One, One SL, Beam, Move, and Arc, but it works just fine.

You can also use the Roam's Bluetooth connection as a source for your other Sonos speakers. For example, if you're away from home and using the roam as a bluetooth speaker, when you return home you can open the Sonos app and group your other speakers with the roam, which will then share the roam's BT session with the group.

It's also a great solution for giving guests access to your Sonos system without giving them your WiFi password or forcing them to download and install the Sonos app.

It's also a great solution for streaming songs stored locally on your phone – a feature Sonos offered in its app.

Battery life

With a claimed battery life of 10 hours, the Roam doesn't set any endurance records, especially when you consider that the JBL Flip 5 packs 12 hours and the Marshall Emberton packs 20 hours. On the other hand, the Emberton weighs 40% more than the Roam.

Still, 10 hours is probably more than enough for a day trip. If you need to add more playtime to the Roam, you can always bring a portable battery pack as the Roam (unlike the Move) can be charged from virtually any USB power source.

robustness

Sonos RoamSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

With an IP67 rating, the Roam can handle just about anything you throw at it, from full immersion in water to a sandy day at the beach. That makes it a great companion for pool parties, as long as you're ready to dive in afterwards when it gets kerplunk: The Roam doesn't swim.

However, I am not convinced that the Roam can withstand drops on hard surfaces such as the JBL Flip 5 or Marshall Emberton.

Despite its thin rubber end caps, the body of the Roam is made of unprotected hard plastic that may crack or flake upon direct impact. Care should be taken to prevent this from happening.

Our opinion

Sonos packed so many features into the roam that it is easily the best value for a portable speaker.

Is there a better alternative?

You can find portable speakers with better sound quality, longer battery life, or louder volume, but you won't find one that offers all of the features of the Sonos Roam at all costs – including its more expensive big brother, the Sonos Move.

But if you're willing to forego WiFi, Apple AirPlay, voice commands, and the Sonos ecosystem, you get $ 150 Marshall Emberton sounds just as good and has a 20 hour battery.

If you're willing to forego a selection of voice assistants, Apple AirPlay, and Sonos Ecosystem, get $ 180 UE explosion has longer battery life and 360-degree sound.

How long it will take?

Sonos products are very well built. If you consider protecting IP67 from dust and water, it should last for many years as long as you protect it from severe shock. All Sonos products come with a one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes, I can only recommend Sonos Roam if you intend to start a new Sonos system, add it to an existing system, or use it all on your own.

Editor's recommendations




05 Apr
Blog

Outriders Review: Space Magic Saves a Flat Sci-Fi Story

Outriders

"Outriders has great action and deep customization, but it lacks personality."

  • Fun shooting

  • Excellent customization

  • Different classes

  • Strong rep hooks

  • Weak story

  • Flat characters

  • Always online, unnecessarily

Outriders is not like Destiny … at least according to developer People Can Fly. No matter the premise of the sci-fi looter and shooter. Don't look out for these Thrall-like creatures roaming around in swarms. Ignore the class-based superpowers, one of which gives players a Titan Slam.

Okay, it's a bit like Destiny. To be honest, it's a lot more than that. The cover-based third-person shooter grabs some bits of its contemporaries while defying some of the games' biggest pitfalls. By distancing themselves from modern live service games, People Can Fly wants to separate the luggage from the valuable loot.

Outriders lack personality and their edges are rougher than an octagon, but the core battle is just plain fun. Thorough character customization, numerous equipment benefits, and exciting superpowers make for a nifty shooter that should shine after much-needed maintenance.

Mass Effect Lite

Outriders has great narrative ambitions, though they don't quite pay off. The dystopian science fiction story revolves around mankind's attempt to colonize one of the last livable planets in the galaxy, Enoch. Players control a title outrider who awakens from a 31-year-old cryogenic slumber to discover that the mission has failed and civil war has broken out among the remaining humans. To make matters worse, there is a mystical aura called anomaly that turns people into overpowering "altered" ones.

There is certainly some potential in the area, but it doesn't quite come to fruition in the dry colonization soap opera featured here.

I can't tell you too much about where it goes from there because the story is as "in one ear out of the other" as it gets. There's tons of sci-fi technobabble to learn, read pages of dry lore, and meet dozen of flat NPCs. During a character's big emotional beat, I caught myself asking "Who?" loud to no one.

The game lacks personality and that goes beyond the narrative. Enoch itself is a vague planet that clinically moves between popular video game areas, from generic desert wastelands to subdued green forests with brightly colored plants. It's hard to identify any of his levels from a series of modern science fiction shooters.

The game is more successful when it plays with its otherworldly elements. The best moments come when he faces Enoch's extraterrestrial creatures who stir up the usual firefights against interchangeable human factions. Giant spiders, kite-like birds and acid-spitting bipeds bring the world to life and give a better sense of the chaos in which humans have found themselves. They're also more compelling targets that require players to get out of cover and play aggressively.

There is certainly some potential in the area, but it doesn't quite come to fruition in the dry colonization soap opera featured here. It just feels like an outdated take on Mass Effect, the first of many associations the studio will have trouble shaking with.

Less fate, more Diablo

What Outriders lacks in history it more than makes up for in its action. Let's get some more inevitable comparisons out of the way. Take the Division's third-person shoot, Destiny 2's class-based action, and Diablo's character building, and you are well on your way there. To be clear, this is not a punch. The game does an efficient job of taking the best ideas from each of these games and seamlessly piecing them together into its own recipe.

Outriders

What makes it all fit together so well is the deep customization that every combat mechanic improves. Shooting itself feels good, but it's only enhanced by weapon perks, which turn each weapon into its own "exotic" to borrow a notion of fate. There is a lot of joy in equipping a gun blindly and firing a shot only to discover it is freezing an enemy. It gets players to experiment with their loadout and offers lots of cool rewards for doing so.

In addition to standard shooting, the game has four character classes, each of which brings unique skills to the table. Fraudsters can manipulate spacetime to teleport behind enemies or slow them down. Pyromancers set bad guys on fire and cause damage over time. Each class is completely different and has different skills that can be mixed and matched. Switching classes can completely change a style of play, so everyone is worth a look.

It doesn't stop there. Each piece of armor also has benefits that can further change class skills. In addition, there is an extensive skill tree that enables more permanent tinkering. Of every comparison the game warrants, the Diablo is the one most liable. This is an action game that allows players to create hyper-specific builds and raise hell in so many different satisfying ways.

Outriders don't know how to tell a story, but it's damn sure they can stage a battle.

Here is a specific example. I mainly played a technomancer, a support class that can heal towers and spawn. My final build was to reduce the cooldowns and improve the health of all of my tower skills so that I could put up ice and poison towers every few seconds. This allowed me to approach combat like a tower defense mode, where I could strategically place turrets around the battlefield and put enemies in danger. I couldn't believe I had managed to create something so specific in the game. I was even more shocked that there was so much more I could do to make this setup even more deadly.

Sometimes we crave deep, narrative experiences from a video game. Sometimes we just want to shoot a frozen kite out of the sky with a lightning-fast weapon. Outriders don't know how to tell a story, but it's damn sure they can stage a battle.

Another service

There's a certain reason People Can Fly doesn't like the modern game comparisons. Outriders is not a Destiny-style live service game, although it looks like it is. Instead of connecting players with the promise of weekly updates, see what you get. It has all the charm of building a strong character through RPG mechanics, without the baggage, having to keep up with updates all the time. It's a game that respects that at some point players will want to play a different game.

Outriders

There's a wealth of strong content and ideas out there that will help extend the life of the game beyond the 25-30 hour campaign. One of the more effective hooks is the World Tier system, which acts as a clever difficulty level. Players can unlock up to 15 levels, each of which adds additional challenges and rewards to the game. It's an ingenious system that dedicated players can use to test their championship and work towards a final badge of honor (and the true ending of the game).

The biggest draw is the game's multiplayer mode, with which up to three friends can put together and tackle missions together. The class system shines here as it promotes a coordinated game where each team member has a specific use in battles. The game doesn't offer a great solution for dealing with players who are at radically different levels, but firefights are so fun that it doesn't matter too much.

It's a game that respects that at some point players will want to play a different game.

While there is a lot to do, Outriders is in rough shape right now. The game's opening weekend was plagued by crashes, bugs, and server issues that prevented players from getting their hands on it for too long. Oddly enough, the game features the same "always online" model that is reserved for live service gaming. When servers go down, fans can't even play alone. It's an inexplicable choice that is already causing some frustrated gamers to drop it altogether.

Outriders game

People Can Fly is not mistaken in distancing Outrider from other games, but it's hard to blame people for making the comparisons. With unnecessary live service DNA, the game is a quack to be a duck. Just as its protagonist is torn between a human and an altered state, Outriders takes a strange middle ground between old and new game design. It's an identity crisis that weakens the current experience.

But did I mention you can get armor that electrifies your evasive throw? Cool.

Our opinion

Is Outriders a sophisticated action game with a compelling science fiction story? No. Is it fun to freeze a spider with an ice tower and crush it with a well-placed sniper shot? You bet. Sometimes that's all you really want from such a Sagittarius. It could use an offline mode for single player sessions and some maintenance, but it's a solid foundation for an action game that respects its players' time.

Is there a better alternative?

Gears 5 for a third-person narrative shooter and Destiny 2 for a Space Magic looter, but Outriders is a great option for those who want a little bit of both.

How long it will take?

The main campaign lasts around 25 to 30 hours with a good portion of side quests. Multiplayer and World Tier Grind extend this time much further.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's a bit rough but fun to play with friends. Even cuter, it's included with Xbox Game Pass, which makes it a breeze for Xbox owners.

Editor's recommendations




04 Apr
Blog

Lenovo Smart Frame Review: Simple With Google Photos in Mind

Lenovo Smart Frame Review Subseries Gallery 2

"No Distraction Here: The Lenovo Smart Frame is about sharing your favorite memories."

  • Photo-realistic display

  • One of the largest picture frames ever

  • Convenient organization with Google Photos

  • Easy wall mounting

  • It is expensive

  • Does not support other photo services

Digital photo frames are nothing new. They've been around almost as long as the first commercial digital cameras. Over the years, arguably, the greatest innovation in digital photo frames has centered on smart displays – how smart displays effectively serve as photo frames and add value to them.

In Lenovo's view, the Photo Frame is again a stand-alone product with the power and help of Google Photos. Unlike other photo frames you've come across, the Lenovo Smart Frame wants to make its presence known with its huge 15 x 24 inch digital canvas. Compared to today's smart displays, it's an undeniable Goliath.

Realistic picture quality

I loved the first digital photo frame I bought in the early 2000s, but when I look back now, it was total rubbish. Not only was it low resolution, but the colors were bleeding through the sides and corners like no other. Of course, with today's digital photo frames, you won't have these worries.

The sheer size of the Lenovo Smart Frame dwarfs the vast majority of digital photo frames in circulation. While most are largely reserved for coffee tables, bedside tables, end tables, and cramped counters, the Lenovo Smart Frame yearns to be wall-mounted – or at least deserves to be propped up on its own pedestal or shelf. This is due to the sizeable 21.5-inch IPS panel. Not only is it significantly larger than other picture frame displays, but its realistic look is enhanced by its anti-glare coating. When viewed directly, this can be confused with a normal picture frame.

While the 1080p resolution works decently from a distance, I can see less detail in the images on closer inspection. This is obviously expected and is not a complete distraction. As long as the original image was captured correctly, it is still pleasing to the eye. The colors are also displayed well, and the viewing angles are excellent and do not distort at wide angles.

Thanks to Google's Ambient EQ technology, the Nest Hub smart displays are among the best for lifelike results. I have to admit, however, that the Lenovo Smart Frame's matte finish makes the display more realistic. Aside from the lack of a higher resolution display, it does it justice when it comes to presenting photos.

Google photos is a must

In order for photos to appear on the Wi-Fi connected Lenovo Smart Frame, you need to set up Google Photos – this is mandatory and the only option. This is a bit limiting and I would have liked wider support for other image services like Shutterfly. However, since this is Google Photos, it comes in handy that I can quickly fill an album to present on the Lenovo Smart Frame by selecting familiar faces. (This works on pets too.) Better to have to go through all of my albums manually.

In addition to showing my Google Photos, which can be shuffled in chronological order or via the Lenovo Smart Frame app, you can set up other “channels” to show other things besides photos. The only other options are the Art Gallery and Clock channels, which show curated graphics and the time, respectively. The latter only have a handful of clock widgets to choose from, but I really wish they could show other important information – like weather and temperature.

Although the Lenovo Smart Frame automatically flips through photos, it has a built-in motion sensor that makes it easy for anyone to scroll through them and the various channels. You have to be patient with these hand gestures because if you're like me and want to scroll through a set in a hurry, it can't keep up.

There are two ways to assemble the frame. I opted for the easy way of putting it on a wall with the power chord behind it, but later I used the included wall mount to mount it properly. While it's still heavier than other frames at 8.26 pounds without the metal frame mount, you don't need to find pins in the wall to attach it to the wall. Once it's on the wall, you can easily remove it by pulling on the switches on the back of the unit. If you have younger children who may be attracted to the power cord, a child-resistant clip is provided to make the cord easy to detach from the device.

Stick to what it does best

We have high expectations for displays these days, especially considering how smart displays are the command centers of some households. One can expect that the Lenovo Smart Frame can do more, e.g. B. Play videos, possibly act as a second screen, or even provide voice control with the Google Assistant. There was also a point where I wished I could have broadcast a video that I was watching on my smartphone. But, you know what? It doesn't do any of them. And who knows if it ever will.

This may be hard to swallow for some, but I understand Lenovo's intent. The company already makes its own line of Google Assistant-based smart displays (like the Lenovo Smart Display 7, which I love). The Smart Frame therefore serves only one purpose: A picture frame that inspires you with some of your favorite memories.

Our opinion

What can also be difficult to accept for some people is the $ 400 cost of the Lenovo Smart Frame. It's way above what you can find anywhere else, even for fancy smart displays that serve as frames for your photo memories and cost around $ 250.

Its size is undoubtedly its greatest asset. Few are ever as tall as 10 inches. So it's a picture frame worth mounting in a high-traffic area of ​​your home for family members and visitors to see. With the integration of Google Photos, you can no longer organize your favorite memories and move them into a picture frame.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo Smart Frame is mainly made of plastic and is solidly built. Since this is a heavy side, extra care should be taken where you place it if you don't plan to mount it on the wall. It comes with a one year limited warranty.

Is there a better alternative?

As mentioned earlier, smart displays like the Google Nest Hub are actually a better investment as they double as picture frames. Therefore, if you want to fill smaller spaces, these are the better option. Conversely, you won't find many picture frames larger than 10 inches. This is one of the few options to consider – especially those over 20 inches.

Should you buy it?

Yes, for its presentation style as the right photo frame that is easy to manage thanks to Google Photos.

Editor's recommendations




02 Apr
Blog

Focal Celestee Headphone Review: True Audio Bliss

"This Focal Celestee offers deep audio bliss."

  • Sparkling detail

  • Transparent midrange

  • Deep, melodic bass

  • Very dynamic

  • Accurate transients

  • Expensive

  • Unruly headphone cord

The Focal Celestee headphones are certainly great, but for their price, they take a lot more than just good looks. The Celestee are highly sophisticated high-end headphones, but when compared to other high-end headphones, many of which are priced at $ 2,000 or more, the Focal Celestee are more accessible at around $ 1,000. But are they worth it?

Carrying case and accessories

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The Focal Celestee comes in a fairly plump carrying case, but to be fair, the headphones themselves are quite large. Honestly, we're glad they got in a suitcase at all, as a lot of high-end headphones don't come with one at all. Of course, the case is supposed to protect the headphones, but the Celestee case isn't just functional – it looks great with its tweed-like fabric and heavy zippers.

Inside the case you will find the headphones along with a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter and the headphone cable that attaches independently to each auricle. The headphone cord itself is certainly of high quality, but it is also quite "sturdy". And by that we mean "not very flexible". The cable has a mind of its own which often resulted in it just getting in the way. You have to bypass the cable as it is not intended to work around you. It might break in after a lot of use, but once unpacked, it's pretty stiff and adamant.

Design and processing quality

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

The Focal Celestee have luxurious padding on the ear cups and are covered with a soft and supple synthetic leather material that matches the color scheme of the headphones. The same synthetic leather material is also found on the headband.

The build quality is excellent.

The exterior of the ear cups are made of good quality plastic and metal, and the nub structure is either something you like or dislike – it kind of reminds me of a golf ball, and anything that resembles golf is good for me. The yoke is solid, the headband is solid, and the build quality is excellent.

Comfort

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

The Celestee feels great when you wear it. Sure, they're bigger headphones with a bit of weight, but given their size, they're relatively light and certainly not cumbersome. The balanced clamping force and the pressure on the headband make for a pleasantly ergonomic headphone.

How do they sound

Looking good is fine, but sound is what counts with headphones at this price point. Because they are high quality and expensive, I tested the Focal Celestee headphones on a variety of devices including straight through a phone's headphone jack, a DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC / headphone amplifier with PC, and an Antelope Audio Zodiac outboard DAC / headphone amplifier. I've used music from a variety of sources such as Apple Music and Spotify, as well as high-resolution tracks from Tidal.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The bottom line is that with the Focal Celestee headphones, I felt things I haven't felt in a long time, and it took me back to when I was able to work in actual recording studios before the pandemic. The Celestee gives an enormous amount of nuances. I could hear audio gems in my favorite songs that I haven't heard in a while. It's always a real pleasure to hear details that I've either never picked up on before or just forgot. I have experienced this feeling all the time with the Celestee.

With the Focal Celestee headphones, I felt things that I haven't felt in a long time.

While these are closed-back headphones, you'd swear they're open-ended. They have a sonic appeal similar to open-back headphones, but have all the benefits of shutting out the sound around you. The passive noise isolation provides an absolutely silent canvas to paint on musically.

The Celestee's altitude response has a wonderful amount of shine but is very well controlled. It has a lot of detail, tonality and texture but is never aggressive. The meat in the middle section is very well balanced – it doesn't even flirt with being chesty or nasal. It feels like the singers' voices are right there in your head.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The bass goes deep, with a little oomph for presence, and while it offers a bit more to the beat and bass than perfectly neutral headphones, we found that they sounded perfect. To test the bass, I went straight to Dua Lipa because I understood the beat of the kick drum and the integration into some killer electric bass lines.

It was a pleasure to hear the singer's vocals perfectly isolated from the bass. Getting that kind of clarity and bass at the same time is a real treat for the ears. And the great thing about Focal Celestee is that they shine with all kinds of music, not just one particular genre.

My attitude

In the end, I am delighted with the Focal Celestee headphones. Sure, they charge a premium price – but they absolutely deserve it. If you're able to get your hands on a pair of these, indulge yourself. You will not regret it.

Is there a better alternative?

There will always be alternatives in this price range, but I don't want to say that one will be significantly better than the other. An alternative I would consider would be the Audeze LCD-2, which isn't quite as sleek but sounds excellent and costs about $ 100 less.

How long do they take?

The Focal Celestee are very well built and, with reasonable care, should hold up well into the future.

guarantee

Focal's warranty varies by country. Contact your local dealer for more information. Find retailers and distributors here.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you are looking for high-end headphones that will delight you for years to come, the Focal Celestee is the one for you.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 Review: Within Radar Range

Doorbell video doorbell guide

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

"Ring best rang the doorbell and added a bump to the key specs. Then there was radar! "

  • High resolution

  • High quality video day and night

  • User-friendly installation

  • Radar detection

Ring's latest video doorbell builds on previous successes and adds a new dimension to its bag of tricks: radar, which currently seems to be all the rage in the smart home industry. Ring hopes that with the addition of radar, motion tracking will be even more accurate and gaming more fun. It's a nice demonstration for sure, but how useful is it? I wanted to find out.

When you compare the Ring Video Doorbell Pro to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, there are few physical differences. They basically look the same. While the horizontal field of view is slightly limited on this newer generation (150 degrees out of 160 degrees), you get a much wider vertical field of view (150 degrees out of 90 degrees). You also get what Ring calls "3D motion detection," which I'll get into in a moment. Ring also increased the resolution of his camera to 1536p HD video. In short, Ring has selected an already outstanding performer and improved it with a new technology. So let's look at how "amplified" it is.

Minor upgrades

But first we should look at the doorbell as a whole. At first glance, most of the upgrades you'll get from the previous generation Ring Video Doorbell Pro are minor. You get more resolution and more field of view, but there isn't much beyond that. That's just because the Ring Doorbell Pro already sets a very high bar. It's not surprising that Ring built radar into this generation as anything else would be hard to top.

Ring video doorbell guide image

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 still gives you an immersive installation experience with voice prompts as opposed to cryptic beeps or messages displayed on your phone. You get the great experience with the Ring software including the Neighbors app, the cameras provide great clarity during the day and night, and the reduced horizontal field of view is not that much reduced so you can still see everything outside your door.

The video quality is still pretty clear. This generation increased the resolution to 1536p, which is the highest ever. During the day, the videos are crisp and hardly have a fish-eye effect at the edges. Color rendering is good if a touch on the cool side. The picture is very balanced even in bright sunshine. At night, the camera is able to generate colors in poor lighting conditions that switch to IR if necessary. In short, the camera is very good.

Alexa as a concierge

One feature that isn't new to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro range (but was new to me) was using Alexa to open the door. When someone rings your doorbell, Alexa can enter after a set time and greet your visitor for you. Alexa is quite limited in this capacity; You can choose from a number of pre-selected messages. For example, Alexa can instruct a parcel handler where to leave the delivery, or she can ask your neighbor to leave a message.

I would have liked a little more artificial intelligence (A.I.) to be involved here. Stir in facial recognition and parcel recognition and you can get yourself a nice virtual butler on your doorstep. As much as Amazon wants to bring Alexa to any device under the sun, I would expect Alexa to be a little smarter here.

You don't even need Alexa to say, "Please leave the package at the door." It's just a recorded message. In fact, I'd argue that recording a message that says, "I can't get to the door, but can you leave the package in the garage" is more secure than a generic Alexa message. I think after all this time I just want Alexa to be a lot smarter.

Your front door in 3D

One of the highlights of the latest generation of doorbells from Amazon is the so-called "3D motion detection". It uses radar built into the doorbell to let you know where the action you see on your video feed is actually taking place. If you watch the live feed or a replay of a previous event, you will see a bird's eye view of your home (read: satellite view) with dots on the map showing where the action took place. Amazon claims it can detect movement up to 30 feet. I clocked it closer to 20, but that's still pretty impressive. In some cases, the radar detected my dog ​​before she jumped onto the quarterdeck and could be seen clearly. Rings radar knew something was back there.

It works like this: While your subject is moving in the frame, a trace of dots is displayed on the small map in the corner of the image. The map can be moved, but its size cannot be changed. This does not necessarily have to be the case, since the card only serves to provide the context for the image moving on the screen. The dots disappear as your subject moves, giving you a sense of movement and direction. It is really very chic.

The key value here is frankly lost to me as I have a pretty good sense of direction and depth. If I watch a video of someone walking around my front yard, I can tell exactly where they are. This is not the case with all. Not everyone is wired to look at a 2D image and find out exactly where something is going on. The bird's eye view and a series of points showing where movement is taking place give the viewer much more context as to where the action is taking place.

This is one of the top three doorbells you can buy right now.

How useful this is ultimately depends on the user. It sure is a nice addition. But is it worth an extra $ 100? I'm not sure. I know exactly what Ring is doing here, and it can be interesting. However, I don't consider it a flagship nor a reason to upgrade from an earlier generation doorbell.

Our opinion

Overall, this is the best video doorbell Ring has made. It's a bit pricey at $ 250, and as I said in my review on the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, video doorbell prices have been going down lately. That doorbell flies in the face of that. The main reason for purchasing this doorbell over the original Ring Video Doorbell Pro is its radar capability. While this does add some feature and context to your video, it's hard to say that it definitely adds value to the doorbell, let alone worth more than $ 100.

Fortunately, that's not all the new doorbell adds. You also get degradation in video resolution and field of view. When you put all of this together, it will be easier to see where your money is going. Ring already had one of the best video doorbells out there, and adding it makes everything even better. It's not enough to upgrade from the original Pro to the new one. However, if you are looking for a new video doorbell in the market, this is one you should consider.

Is there a better alternative?

There is no better doorbell that uses radar technology because there is no other doorbell. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro gives you a better field of view and the last generation Ring Video Doorbell Pro gives you better value for money when the radar isn't exciting for you. The Arlo Essential doorbell gives you a similar software experience, but it lacks the Neighbors app. Put it all together and this is one of the top three doorbells you can buy right now in terms of the total package.

How long it will take?

The construction of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is very robust. It is similar to previous generations and has the same operating temperature range and limited warranty. I wouldn't worry how that doorbell is going to hold. It will surely take you a while.

Should I buy it?

Yes. This is one of the best video doorbells you can buy today. They are expensive but cheaper alternatives that you may or may not be okay with. If you already have a bell, you probably don't need to upgrade to this one. If you want to save a few dollars, use the original Ring Video Doorbell Pro. Otherwise, this should be at the top of your list.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

Amazfit T-Rex Pro Review: Waiting for Evolution

amazfit t rex pro evaluation bag

Amazfit T-Rex Pro Review: Far from extinct, but having difficulty evolving

"A shorter than promised battery life and the same design as the old version dampen the craze for the Amazfit T-Rex Pro, but a reasonable price, reliable software and strong activity tracking keep it from extinction."

  • Comprehensive activity tracking

  • Reliable, easy to use software

  • Acceptable price

  • Robust and waterproof

  • The battery life is not as advertised

  • No design changes compared to the previous model

Amazfit has made a name for itself with a range of affordable, attractive and easy-to-use smartwatches like the GTR 2 and is now back with the Amazfit T-Rex Pro. It's sort of a successor to the T-Rex as of early 2020, but it's not the big evolutionary leap that we'd like to see after a year of waiting.

Repeating the same designs over and over again (the Amazfit GT series basically all look the same too) is not what we expect these days and while this may help keep the price down, it doesn't really generate much interest or concern Excitement. Let's take a closer look at the T-Rex Pro to see if we should ignore the lack of imagination or if Amazfit needs inspiration.

design

Have you seen the Amazfit T-Rex? Good, because the T-Rex Pro looks almost identical. One minor change has changed the impression the watch makes and that is the different bezel treatment. The bezel on the T-Rex on my test unit was made of black plastic and looked cheap and nasty. The bezel of the T-Rex Pro has a contrasting gray color and has been given a “metal spray” effect. It has a slightly more elegant style than the old version.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Otherwise the shape, size and design are the same. The metal buttons have the same texture, the watches basically weigh the same at 59 grams, the Pro's 22mm silicone rubber strap has more texture but the same design, and the 1.3-inch AMOLED screen is the same size and the same 360 ​​x 360 pixel resolution. They are equal.

The T-Rex Pro is built to be tough and can withstand high and low temperatures, moisture, salt and shock. It passed 15 different tests compared to the T-Rex's 12 tests, and is 10 ATM water resistant compared to 5 ATM on the old T-Rex. This all means that the Amazfit T-Rex Pro is a bit of a Casio G-Shock watch, complete with button protection and the oversized 13.5mm thick polycarbonate case, plus some G-Shock-like dials. It is also similar to the Honor Watch GS Pro, but it doesn't look or feel that expensive either.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I hate it no The strap is comfortable and can be adjusted for all wrist sizes (although the 48mm case isn't suitable for small wrists at all). As someone who really likes G-Shock watches, I don't completely oppose the choice of style, but many will see it as big, ugly, and unsightly. The class that goes with everything is definitely missing, the GTR 2.

What I really disagree with is that the T-Rex Pro is the T-Rex, just with a different color bezel, and even the most optimistic will struggle to label it "brand new". I appreciate that repeating the same design keeps development costs down and therefore the final price is low. Repeating this ad nauseam doesn't create any fuss, however, and that's a serious problem in the competitive world of wearables.

Fitness and activity characteristics

Now I moaned about the design. Surely we get to what makes the T-Rex Pro an upgrade over the T-Rex and maybe see what makes it a Pro. Although the hardware contains the most important upgrades compared to the old smartwatch, these are hardly any massive changes. The heart rate sensor was converted to the optical PPG sensor BioTracker 2 from Amazfit. The watch now has a 3-axis gyroscope that matches the 3-axis accelerometer and a barometer.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The updated BioTracker 2 sensor also measures Sp02 blood oxygen and Amazfit has a clock that supports 100 different training modes. However, this seems to be a software update function that can also be found on the GTR 2e and is not only specific to the T-Rex Pro. Thanks to the sensor upgrades, Amazfit was able to integrate some excellent new functions of the fitness tracking software, which are described in surprising detail on the watch and in the associated Zepp app.

When you track a 30-minute training session, it returns the expected elapsed time, calories burned, and average heart rate. However, you also get more specific data like cadence, average stride, speed, changes in altitude, and heart rate zones. Once done, a recommended recovery time will be provided along with VO2 Max data and data obtained using FirstBeat algorithms. It's comprehensive and for the most part easy to understand, and I love that everything can be viewed on the watch without visiting the app on your phone.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The FirstBeat training effects data highlights a common problem with the fitness tracker. It contains graphs showing your aerobic training effect and anaerobic training effect, as well as your training load. This is all very interesting, but there is very little information about what to do with the data or how to correctly interpret it. When I was forced to look for more information, I was directed to FirstBeat's own website, but found that after reading the information, I really wasn't the wiser.

It is likely that this data would be more helpful, or perhaps just more familiar, to athletes or those engaging in specific sports, but it goes too deep for occasional use without adequate explanation. Otherwise, the T-Rex Pro's activity-related upgrades would have been better than the old model, but would have to come with other improvements to make for a highly desirable upgrade.

Using the T-Rex Pro

The T-Rex Pro uses Amazfit's RTOS software rather than Google's Wear operating system. It is quick to respond, scrolls smoothly for the most part, and the menu system is logically structured. It works by tapping and swiping the screen as well as the very sensible physical buttons. There are four labeled Up, Down, Back, and Select. They do exactly what you'd expect and are big enough to handle gloved fingers.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Notifications are more reliable than Wear OS, although the text is simple and there is no way to reply to or interact with messages on the watch. For each watch face there is an effective screen that is constantly displayed. I like the comprehensive weather reports, and I'm sure climbers will appreciate the barometric pressure data too. It also controls the music on my phone. Best of all, I haven't had any instability or software issues.

The heart rate measurement appears to be accurate. The results from the T-Rex Pro are in line with the numbers from the Apple Watch Series 6. However, it's not as fast as the Apple Watch to measure your heart rate. It also takes longer to get an Sp02 blood oxygen reading, but it mostly gave the same result as the Apple Watch Series 6, but this information is not very helpful for someone who is not halfway up a mountain and worried about altitude sickness.

amazfit t rex pro rating workoutsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Notifications from amazfit t rex pro reviewAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Settings for checking amazfit t rex proAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

amazfit t rex pro rating appsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

I compared the T-Rex Pro to the Apple Watch on a 30-minute walk, where it matched the average heart rate, but there was a discrepancy of about 200 steps, with the T-Rex counting fewer steps than the Apple Watch. A higher calorie consumption was also estimated. While both are probably not exactly right, the Apple Watch is considered to be one of the most accurate for heart rate and step count data, but the T-Rex Pro's difference isn't drastic.

The Zepp app is the same as the Amazfit GTR 2 and GTR 2e and works with both Android and iOS. It collects your activity data, allows you to customize the functions of the watch, choose apps to send notifications, and perform software updates. It's stayed tightly linked throughout my reporting period. Overall, the software of the Amazfit T-Rex Pro and therefore the owner experience is very good.

battery

If the software is good, what about the battery? It's not that good, and it definitely doesn't keep Amazfit's promises, at least if you intend to take advantage of the features it contains. The company says the 390 mAh battery – unsurprisingly the same as the one in the T-Rex – will last 18 days with typical use and nine days with heavy use. With the screen always on, heart rate and stress monitoring, two 30-minute workouts, and general notifications via notifications, the T-Rex Pro's battery lasted six days. I don't think this is heavy use as I haven't started GPS or exercised for hours.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I could turn off the constantly on screen and heart rate monitoring which would save battery life (although I would be very surprised if it could suddenly hit 18 days), but what is it about? You buy the watch to use the features, not pretend they don't exist. The claims made by Amazfit about such a long battery life are extremely optimistic in my experience with the T-Rex Pro and other wearables from Amazfit.

Price and availability

The Amazfit T-Rex Pro costs $ 180 or £ 139 and can be purchased through Amazfit's own website. It is covered by a one-year warranty and a 30-day trial period is also granted.

Our opinion

The total lack of imagination in the design of the T-Rex Pro is frustrating. It doesn't have to look exactly like the previous model released over a year ago, especially if the original was hardly a design classic and the hardware upgrades here are just modest. It's a rather lazy update from a company that isn't interested in attracting new buyers. If you didn't like the look of the T-Rex – and anecdotally, a lot of the people I've spoken to didn't – you won't like the T-Rex Pro either.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There's nothing at all to say "Oh it's the new T-Rex Pro" from the outside and it's a shame as the software, performance and activity tracking is very good. In many ways, the T-Rex Pro gives a Wear OS smartwatch a superior overall experience, and the low price makes it very tempting. Style aside, the main negative point here is battery life. Six days that I think will be widely used isn't bad, but it doesn't live up to what Amazfit claims or it doesn't go well with smartwatches like the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro or most fitness trackers.

Perhaps you're not as into the design aspect as I am and are looking for an inexpensive, outdoor-oriented smartwatch. In this case, the T-Rex Pro does whatever you want with just more visits to the charger than Amazfit tells you to.

Is there a better alternative?

The price of the T-Rex Pro is very cheap. For example, the Honor Watch GS Pro weighs £ 250 and has very similar functionality, although the materials used give it a sense of higher class. Our recommended smartwatches cost a lot more without the toughness. The Apple Watch SE is $ 279, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is $ 330, and the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 3 is $ 300.

If you're not concerned about the rugged exterior, Amazfit's GTR 2e packs most of the same features in a more fashionable, sleeker body and costs just $ 140. If the smartwatch features are less important, a fitness tracker might be better for you. If you like the G-Shock look, just get yourself a G-Shock watch. The G-Shock Move GBD-H1000 is priced at $ 400 and has extensive activity tracking features. It is also very robust.

After all, the T-Rex can still be put up for sale online. It costs around $ 140 but is available for less money. Yes, the hardware additions are welcome, but if you just want a rugged smartwatch and aren't spending too much on it, it's very similar otherwise.

How long it will take?

The T-Rex Pro's toughness means it can withstand significant punishment. So if you wear it in harsh environments, it shouldn't break at the first sign of water or dust. Assuming Amazfit continues to support the Zepp app and software on the watch, this will take a few years.

However, I think the design is quickly dated and the polycarbonate case is likely to pick up scratches and scrapes over time if used as intended, meaning you may feel the need to replace it sooner.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the T-Rex Pro is very similar to the old model, but still an inexpensive, feature-rich smartwatch.

Editor's recommendations




31 Mar
Blog

iiRcade Review: A Top-Notch Home Arcade With a Caveat

iiRcade

iiRcade Bartop arcade game

"The iiRcade is a high quality home arcade with a bright future, but it will take a few more games to justify the price."

  • Versatile setup

  • High quality

  • Excellent controls

  • Ingenious digital shop

  • Expensive

  • Game library needs more

You've probably never heard of iiRcade, but the home arcade machine company came up with a really interesting concept. Instead of offering nostalgia-focused reproductions of classic cabinets, a modern approach is chosen. The machine is integrated into a digital storefront where players can buy games à la carte and download them to their machine immediately. It's an arcade machine with an app store.

It's a smart business model, and fans of home arcade machines seemed to agree. The company launched a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $ 600,000. Now that it's been on the market for a few months, we have a clearer picture of how the service works and whether or not it is realizing its full potential.

We found iiRcade to deliver a premium home arcade experience with great build quality. The high price and currently limited selection of games may understandably make gamers skeptical, but it is a strong foundation that creates a bright future.

High price, high quality

Let's get the biggest roadblock out of the way first: the iiRcade isn't cheap. A tabletop version of the machine costs $ 600, and adding a suitable cabinet stand gives buyers an additional $ 150. That will probably sound gross when compared to a machine from Arcade1Up, which is half the cost.

iiRcade

That is certainly a hurdle, but it should be noted that here you get what you pay for. The processing quality is first class. Some cheaper home cabinets feel more like novel toys, but iiRcade is designed for the long haul, which is important given its unique business model.

Both the stand and table components are easy to assemble. After slitting together sturdy pieces of wood for about three hours, I was ready to go without further tinkering. All in all, it's a pretty slim closet too. It has a sleek design that makes it less bulky than retro cabinets that try to fully replicate original machines.

The iiRcade is designed for the long term, which is important given its unique business model.

For those who don't have room for a full 61-inch setup, the standalone tabletop version is a perfect alternative. The nice thing is that the stand and table top can be easily combined or separated. You're not tied to one thing or the other, so there is some flexibility in the way you play. The tabletop mode is still big enough that you can't take it to someone's home to show it off. However, it makes it easier to find a place in your house.

A well built machine

The components themselves are where this machine really does its thing. On the visual side, the entire machine is powered by a 1.8 GHz hexa-core CPU. That's enough juice to run modern indie games with relative ease. There are some notable frame drops when you jump into top-tier games like Dead Cells, but the fact that the machine can do them in the first place is impressive.

If the idea is to create the only arcade cabinet you'll ever need, iiRcade puts its money where it has its mouth when it comes to tech.

It has a 19-inch (1280 x 1024) screen that feels like the right size for the job. While split-screen multiplayer games can feel a bit cramped, it's especially good for two-player games like Double Dragon of Windjammers, where players share a view. It provides a clear, sharp image with no retro blur.

On the audio front of the case are two 100 watt stereo speakers that get surprisingly loud. Even turning it halfway felt like overkill.

iiRcade

The main question with any cabinet is of course the control panel. This shows the superior quality of iiRcade. The eight-way joystick rotates smoothly for precise actions. In addition to the standard buttons like pause and player select, there are six main buttons, all of which are pressed with a satisfactory click. There is also a full set of two player controls, which makes it particularly suitable for 2D fighting games.

There are so many little details beyond these big points. It's bluetooth enabled, has Wi-Fi support, and has a headphone jack, and much more. If the idea is to create the only arcade cabinet you'll ever need, iiRcade puts its money where it has its mouth when it comes to tech.

A growing game library

The high quality is nice, but games will make or break an arcade cabinet. Here the machine is currently something of a mixed bag. The business model promises that more games will be added to the system over time. Hence, players have to take iiRcade at its word, and hope that it will earn some worthwhile titles.

The iiRcade is still growing a lot and a little patience is required.

The future looks bright, but it's still difficult to get the full picture. There are 11 games preinstalled on the system, none of which are particularly exciting. I ended up spending most of my time with Maniac Square, a simple match-3 puzzler, but the rest of the freebies are a bit tame. If you want to get the most out of the machine, you have to buy some additional titles in the shop.

Hit Indie Roguelite Dead Cells is the obvious cream of the crop right now. Playing a modern retro game of this quality on an arcade machine is almost surreal. There are a few other highlights in the shop too, like Oddmar and Riptide GP: Renegade, although they are certainly more in the hidden gem store.

The prices for individual games can also be a little daunting. While the prices for more modern games seem reasonable, older games feel a bit expensive. Is someone really going to pay $ 10 for Hoops 96?

The truth is iiRcade is still growing a lot and a little patience is required. This type of service is new to a home arcade system, and it feels like the company is still figuring it out. However, there are good reasons to be optimistic. Dead Cells is a huge addition that shows that iiRcade is targeting the right games. If it can add to that momentum and incorporate modern retro games from publishers like Devolver Digital, this machine could really fill a niche.

We don't know exactly how profitable an investment in the machine will ultimately be. But for those just looking for a closet that isn't limited to a few games, iiRcade already offers more options than anything other than hacking a machine with a Raspberry Pi. There is simply not much competition for this business model, so iiRcade can rule undisputedly for the time being.

Our opinion

The iiRcade is a sophisticated home arcade system that feels future-proof alongside other machines. The high build quality takes it well above the point of novelty and makes it a sturdy investment for hardcore enthusiasts. The game library is still growing, so it's hard to tell if it's still fully worth the high price tag. Even with this major caveat, there is nothing like it on the market, so you really get what you pay for here.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want to play a specific game, Arcade1Up has cheaper boxes with a more targeted selection of games. However, iiRcade's choice is much larger than that of an average machine.

How long it will take?

In theory, quite a while. It is a robust machine with excellent controls. With long term plans to add more games, this is a machine that could last for years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but with some restrictions. It's an expensive machine that is just beginning to build its game selection. It's a no-brainer for the enthusiast, but the casual gamer may want to keep an eye on what games are being added in the next few months before fully committing.

Editor's recommendations




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