Latest Gear Live Videos
Bleeding Edge TV 576: HTC One A9 review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Podcasts, Product Reviews, Videocasts, Videos,
This is the HTC One A9 - this isn’t an iPhone. But, if you wish you could get an Android device in the shape of an iPhone, well, here you go. HTC says that it sold aluminum unibody devices before Apple did, and they’re right. Ever since the One M7 at the start of 2013, HTC has been promoting its signature aluminum unibody design, characterized by a particular mix of subtle curves and precise straight lines. But hey, the camera, camera flash, and even corner radius on the A9 device matches the iPhone 6 and 6s, and those antenna bands look awfully familiar as well.
If you read the One A9’s spec sheet, you’d probably think of it as a mid-range phone with nothing special about it. But that’s why spec sheets should be ignored for the most part. Using the One A9 shows what happens when a phone makes the most of its components, resulting in a device that compares favorably with most other companies' flagship smartphones.
The HTC One A9 is a good phone. However, the price is the issue. $500. Decent battery life, above average performance, decent software options, decent camera. This is a mid-range phone with mid-range specs with an expensive price tag. It doesn’t compete in a market where you can drop $500 on a Nexus 6P flagship, Galaxy S6, or the iPhone 6.
When the A9 launched at $399 In the United States, that was the time to pick one up, despite the insane backorder. The metal unibody frame is nicer than what you will find on the Nexus 5X.. But after a week, the price increased to $499, and that 25% jump in price means that the One A9’s value diminishes greatly. Now you compare it to the Nexus 6P, which many consider to be the best Android smartphone to date. No way HTC is winning that contest, even if simply for the fact that the Nexus device includes long-term assurance that you will get Android updates faster and for a longer period of time.
You can pick up HTC One A9 now.
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Bleeding Edge TV 572: Sonos Play:5 review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Music, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
Sonos has introduced the second-generation Play:5 wireless HiFi speaker, and we bring you our full Sonos Play:5 review in this episode.
A lot has gone into the redesign of the new Play:5, which you'll notice sports a curvier look and does away with the awkward handle that was found on the original model. On the inside, you've got a collection of six drivers with dedicated amplifiers behind the grille.
Being a smart speaker, the Sonos Play:5 integrates with the rest of the Sonos HiFi wireless audio system. It connects to your home network by way of the Sonos app, and from there, can stream music from just about any source you can think of--whether it's a streaming music service, podcasts, or files stored on your local network.
The new TruePlay feature allows you to accurately and automatically tune the sound of the Play:5 to be optimized for its placement in the room that you're in using an iOS device, and it really works.
Check the video for the full Sonos Play:5 review - if you're looking for a smart speaker that packs a serious punch when it comes to sound and features, this is the one to get.
You can pick up the Sonos Play:5 now.
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel--also, we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
Click to continue reading Bleeding Edge TV 572: Sonos Play:5 review
Bleeding Edge TV 569: Titan Lightning Cable Review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
If you ever get tired of Apple's flimsy iPhone charging cables fraying, breaking, or getting chewed up by pets, you'll wanna be sure to give the Titan Lightning Cable a look. Made from two laters of flexible, high-strength steel, I've found the Titan cable to be durable enough to withstand my three dogs. Previously, any official cables from Apple would be destroyed within a week, while the Titan model from Fuse Chicken has held up for months.
Aside from the cabling itself, the Lightning and USB connectors on the Titan line are permanently sealed with a one-piece housing that's been fused directly over the electronics and metal cabling. Paired with the steel body, this is how the Titan is made to be a cable that lasts.
You can pick up the Titan Lightning Cable now, or if you are on Android, get the Titan microUSB Cable instead.
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel--also, we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
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Bleeding Edge TV 568: Philips Hue Beyond review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Household, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
The Philips Hue Beyond LED line includes a table lamp, ceiling lamp, and hanging pendant that allows you to set the scene with mood lighting and warm white task lighting. The Hue Beyond connects to your home network by way of the Hue Bridge, which lets you control it from iOS, Android, and Kindle devices from anywhere in your home (or even when you're away from home!) The unique thing about the Hue Beyond is that it has two independent light sources - an uplight and a downlight - which allows you to create a near endless mix of colors to match your mood, event, paint on the walls, or functional lighting for work or a task at hand.
You can also set timers, alarms, and even connect the lamp to a variety of apps and services by authenticating it to your IFTTT account.
I bring you a look at the Hue Beyond table lamp, and the Hue Beyond hanging pendant in this episode, showing you how to put it together, how to set up the Hue Beyond, and how to control it with the Hue app.
You can pick up the Hue Beyond now.
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel--also, we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
Click to continue reading Bleeding Edge TV 568: Philips Hue Beyond review
Bleeding Edge TV 524: Toyota Entune App Suite review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Podcasts, Transportation, Videocasts, Videos,
The Toyota Entune App Suite allows you to access your favorite smartphone apps right in your vehicle, hands-free. Compatible apps include Pandora, iHeartRadio, Bing, Facebook Places, Yelp, OpenTable, MovieTickets.com, and more. Andru Edwards brings you a demo of the Entune App Suite from a 2014 Toyota Highlander in this episode!
In case you missed it, be sure to also check out the rest of our Toyota series:
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel--also, we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
Click to continue reading Bleeding Edge TV 524: Toyota Entune App Suite review
Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, PC / Laptop, Software,
Here at Gear Live, reviewing gadgets, putting together gadget photo galleries, and creating image thumbnails for our YouTube videos. The thing is, there isn't much I need to do to make the images look great, and as such, Photoshop has always felt like overkill--a tool that is way more powerful than I need. I recently spent time with the new Adobe Photoshop Elements 14. This is the prosumer version of Photoshop that immediately felt way more accessible upon launching the application than it's more capable big brother.
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Unboxing Live 170: Star Wars BB-8 Sphero Droid
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Toys, Videocasts,
ENTER OUR BB-8 SPHERO GIVEAWAY!
We have a bunch of Star Wars BB-8 Droids, and we are giving some away! In this episode, we open up the BB-8 Sphero, which is the amazing Star Wars toy that is app-enabled, controlled by dedicated iOS and Android apps. This is going to be the biggest Star Wars toy from The Force Awakens, and will likely be the big frenzy this holiday season. We open it up, show you how it looks, and walk you through getting it all set up.
You can pick up the BB-8 Sphero Droid now.
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel, and also--we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
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Star Wars BB-8 Sphero Giveaway!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Toys, Videos,
Remember that BB-8 Star Wars Droid made by Sphero that took over the Internet back on Force Friday? Well, we thought we'd bring you guys a giveaway so you can win a Star Wars BB-8 Sphero Droid of your very own! They are hard to find, but we've got two of them here that we're giving away to two of our YouTube subscribers. I've teamed up with two of my favorite YouTubers, Chris Pirillo and Erica Griffin, to bring this giveaway to you.
Rules to enter are listed below, or you can just watch the video for all the details! Enjoy!
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Unboxing Live 168: Monster SoundStage S2 hands-on
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Videocasts,
The Monster SoundStage S2 is the medium-sized wireless speaker in the SoundStage line, and it brings with it a seriously big punch when it comes to sound. The audio can easily fill a room without distortion. The SoundStage S2 connects wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can also connect it directly with an AUX cable or digital optical Toslink cable. SoundStage speakers support multi-room audio, allowing you to control the audio across your home from the palm of your hand thanks to Qualcomm AllPlay technology.
You can pick up the Monster SoundStage S2 wireless speaker now.
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel, and also--we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
Click to continue reading Unboxing Live 168: Monster SoundStage S2 hands-on
Bleeding Edge TV 539: DTS Play-Fi Multi-room Wireless Music Streaming
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Music, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
Play-Fi is the whole-home wireless streaming technology from the audio experts at DTS. With Play-Fi, compatible speakers and receivers can be controlled from your smartphone, tablet, or PC, sending music from your favorite music services like Spotify, Rhapsody, SiriusXM, and Deezer, as well as songs stored on your local home network DLNA server.
You can find Play-Fi compatible audio components from companies like Phorus, Definitive Technology, Polk, Wren, and Hewlett-Packard.
You can get Play-Fi-compatible devices now!
Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel--also, we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!
Click to continue reading Bleeding Edge TV 539: DTS Play-Fi Multi-room Wireless Music Streaming
