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Apple Cancels AirPower

Apple has cancelled the long-awaited AirPower wireless charging mat, and I go over what went wrong and why it was an uphill battle from the beginning.

I also bring you a look at my top 5 favorite HomeKit-compatible smart home devices. These all work with Siri and Apple devices, but if you use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, each one will be compatible with your home too!

Lastly, I talk about the upcoming Sega Genesis Mini retro gaming console, including when we can expect it to be released and which games will be included - all in this episode of Geared Up!

Listen to the episode in the player below or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go:

Listen to this episode of the Geared Up podcast for analysis of the latest from Apple and the latest smart home devices.

Gallery: Geared Up: Apple cancels AirPower, Top 5 HomeKit Smart Devices!


Amazon Fire TV Cube review

Amazon is trying to get its Alexa voice assistant into as many homes as possible. Its latest offering: The Fire TV Cube, which essentially turns any TV into a smart TV with Alexa voice control. We try it out live on this episode. The integration with certain apps, like Netflix and Hulu, is pretty cool. Simply saying "Alexa, play Stranger Things," opened the Netflix app and started playing right where we left off. Using voice control to fast forward, switch TV inputs and open apps also works well. But for other apps that aren't integrated, like Sling TV, the experience isn't quite so smooth. The box also doesn't work with over-the-air cable TV, as some reports said it would. In other news, Oculus announced a new virtual reality TV app this week, and some people are unimpressed. We also dive into a report that points to a new line of AirPods coming before the end of the year, including higher-end over-the-ear headphones.

Listen to the episode in the player below or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go:

Gallery: Amazon Fire TV Cube hands-on review, new AirPods 2 coming soon - Geared Up!


The Geared Up Giveaway is back! We're giving Geared Up subscribers the chance to win an Oculus Go headset. See the bottom of this post for details on how to enter the giveaway.

The VR hype is starting to get real. Just in the past two weeks, Facebook's Oculus launched the highly affordable and convenient Oculus Go while Lenovo debuted its more sophisticated by pricey Mirage Solo, both more convenient devices than their powerful but bulky predecessors. So how do the two new headsets compare? We've been testing them out and on this episode, we go hands-on with both devices to give our reviews.

Plus, we're offering Geared Up subscribers the chance to win an Oculus Go headset -- just subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app and use the widget at the bottom of the page to enter. In other news, Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit over the controversial MacBook keyboard and Microsoft announced a second generation of the Surface Hub, its huge wall-mounted PC. HP also made headlines this week with its announcement of several new laptops and desktops.

Win an Oculus Go VR Headset from Geared Up!

Subscribe to the Geared Up podcast:

Gallery: Hands on with the new Oculus Go and Lenovo Mirage Solo portable VR headsets - Geared Up!


Ullo Wine Purifier review

I’ve never been one to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but when Best Buy asked if I wanted to try out the Ullo Wine Purifier and I looked up what the gadget professes to be able to do, I was immediately intrigued. My wife will definitely enjoy a glass of wine every now and then, and so I knew I could always use her as my guinea pig for this taste test experiment.

Backing up a little bit, let’s talk about what the Ullo Wine Purifier actually is. The device rests in the opening of a wine glass, and you pour your wine right into it. The wine then passes through the Selective Sulfite Capture filter, which removes the sulfites from the wine that often have a bitter taste. It’s an added preservative that ensures that the wine doesn’t turn into vinegar. Additionally, the Ullo has a built-in aerator which you can enable or disable at any time.

Click to continue reading Ullo Wine Purifier Review

Gallery: Ullo Wine Purifier Review


Chromecast Audio

The future of music is streaming - whether that means streaming from a service like Spotify, Apple Music, or Google Play Music, or streaming your local library throughout your home to various devices in your house. Did you know that you can take any of your old speakers and breath new life into them, allowing them to join in on streaming content from either your local library or the cloud?

All you need is the Google Chromecast Audio and a Wi-Fi network. Simply plug the device into an available speaker through the AUX port, then into USB for power, and your old speakers are now ready for your streaming music. You can send audio from your smartphone, tablet, or computer right over your Wi-Fi network, which provides a much stronger and robust connection than using Bluetooth.

Click to continue reading Chromecast Audio allows you to stream music to your speakers, new or old

Gallery: Chromecast Audio allows you to stream music to your speakers, new or old


Haven’t been able to get your hands on an NES Classic Edition console yet? Our video today will give you a sense for what to expect when you finally do.

We go hands-on with the cute little console — the one that’s selling out instantly almost everywhere — with Andru Edwards of Gear Live in this special video recording of the GeekWire radio show and podcast, above.

Also check out Andru’s detailed video review below, and check out his YouTube channel for more reviews.

Click to continue reading NES Classic Edition Review: Hands-on with a device that very few people can get their hands on

Gallery: NES Classic Edition Review: Hands-on with a device that very few people can get their hands on


Apple Watch Series 2

During today's iPhone 7 event, Apple announced the new Apple Watch Series 2. The new Series 2 Watch is now swim proof, and can withstand depths of up to 50 meters. The display tech has been improved as well, with a 1,000 nit brightness level, and that's paired with the new S2 chip to provide more power to the Apple Watch. It's a dual-core chip that allows for 60 frames per second on your wrist. To keep up with sports watches, there's also a built-in GPS sensor which can work independently of Wi-Fi, so if you're out on a hike, your Watch Series 2 will work for you.

Apple also announced a new ceramic finish for the Apple Watch Series 2, which is a new addition and will sit alongside the Apple Watch Sport's aluminum finish and the stainless steel models.

Theres a new Apple Watch version as well, in the Apple Watch Nike+, which features a perforated Sport band. The Nike+ version of the Apple Watch includes software optimized for runners, including shortcuts for starting a run, custom motivation for runners, and more.

You'll be a ble to pick up the new Apple Watch Series 2 on September 16th, and it starts at $369. You can also pick up the original Apple Watch Series 1, which is updated with the new S2 chip, for $269.

Gallery: Apple Watch Series 2: Improved fitness tracking, swim proof, better battery, $369 on September 16th


Escort Max 360 radar detector

No one likes being pulled over – and most people are familiar with that sensation of dread when they pass a speed trap while hammering a little too much throttle into the engine. However, there are ways to watch out for speed traps and related issues on the road, especially with a top radar detector.

Click to continue reading Got a Lead Foot? Check out these Radar Detectors

Gallery: Got a Lead Foot? Check out these Radar Detectors


This is an entry from our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide. Check it out for suggestions on what to buy your loved, liked, and hated ones this holiday season!

Seek Thermal Reveal

Now for something that is both usable and fun in our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide. Built for the realities of work and play, the Seek Reveal handheld thermal imager combines powerful thermal insight and a high-performance LED spotlight in one durable device. With a detectable range of -40° to 626° F, Reveal lets you pinpoint specific sources of heat—and heat loss—up to 500 feet away, all at just the touch of a button. It’s a fantastic tool to have in your home, allowing you to diagnose drain clogs, heat/cold leaks, locating your pet, checking tires for wear, or even playing an awesome game of hide and seek in the dark.

You can pick up the Seek Reveal now

Click to continue reading 2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Seek Reveal thermal imager

Gallery: 2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Seek Reveal thermal imager


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