Sound & Vision
We're Not in Kansas Anymore
"Many years ago, I would ride my bicycle to the neighborhood record store, lean it against the window (no need to padlock), spend an enjoyable hour flipping through LPs, pick one out, and buy it (cash, of course). I would then slip it into my backpack and ride home, put the needle in the groove, and enjoy the sound of my purchase. Oh, how times have changed. In particular, the cool kids are now buying music as non-fungible tokens (NFT)."
3 min |
February - March 2022
Sound & Vision
2021 Top Picks of The Year
Looking back on 2021, I can honestly state that it represented an improvement over 2020, though it didn’t end up being the full-scale return-to-normal everybody was looking for. A/V consumer and trade shows such as CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis were gutted. Supply chain logjams delayed the arrival of new gear, particularly in core categories like speakers and A/V receivers, both of which ended up underrepresented in our 2021 Top Picks of the Year list compared with previous years. But even with all the challenges, the wheels of industry continued to grind, with much fantastic gear coming in for us to test and recommend.
10+ min |
February - March 2022
Sound & Vision
Canton Chrono 70 Loudspeaker - It's Chrono Time
Canton may be a speaker brand that’s relatively unknown in North America—no doubt due to the company’s products not being available in these parts for the past decade—but the German outfit has been doing business for almost 50 years. Headquartered about 25 miles north of Frankfurt, Canton is one of Germany’s largest loudspeaker manufacturers, offering a truly breathtaking spread of models across several product ranges.
6 min |
February - March 2022
Sound & Vision
Fluance Ai41 Bluetooth Speaker System
"Two Speakers Better Than One"
6 min |
February - March 2022
Sound & Vision
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar - Beam Me Up
BOTH THE original Sonos Beam and the company's new Beam Gen 2 soundbar use beamforming, a technology that combines an array of drivers with advanced signal processing, to create an enveloping audio experience without need for multiple speakers. With the Beam Gen 2 ($449), Sonos builds upon the virtual surround sound capabilities of the original by adding Dolby Atmos processing and side-firing drivers, a combination that ups the sense of immersion it can create. And the cost for this upgrade: a mere $50 premium over the original Beam soundbar's $399 price.
10 min |
February - March 2022
Sound & Vision
BENQ V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV Projector - In Living Color
Is there a projector maker that hasn’t yet come out with an ultra short throw (UST) model aimed at viewers who want a theater-size image in their living room, but without the usual ceiling-mount and dark room baggage that accompanies it? If you asked me that question one year ago, I would have replied “BenQ.” But now, with its V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV, BenQ has joined the UST projector fold, adding its name to the ranks of Sony, Epson, Optoma, Vava, Hisense, LG, Samsung, and others.
10+ min |
February - March 2022
AppleMagazine
Workstation - Universal Control: The next gen of integration
One of the reasons why so many consumers and professionals choose to make the switch to Apple is the seamless integration between its ecosystems, from macOS and watchOS to iOS and iPadOS.
5 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
THE END: FACEBOOK-BACKED DIGITAL CURRENCY DIEM SOLD TO BANK
A once-ambitious but now faltering Facebookbacked digital currency project known as Diem is dead, its assets sold to bank holding company Silvergate Capital.
1 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
MICHIGAN PLANS 1ST US ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ROAD BY 2023
Electric vehicles driving in Detroit could increase their charge by using an in-road charging system by 2023, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced this week.
1 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
SAMSUNG REPORTS ROBUST PROFIT BASED ON CHIP STRENGTH
Samsung Electronics Co. said this week its operating profit for the last quarter rose by more than 53% from the same period last year as it continued to thrive during the pandemic while relying on its dual strength in parts and finished products.
1 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
TESLA RECALL: ‘FULL SELF-DRIVING' SOFTWARE RUNS STOP SIGNS
Tesla is recalling nearly 54,000 cars and SUVs because their “Full Self-Driving” software lets them roll through stop signs without coming to a complete halt.
4 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
FAITH IN THE METAVERSE: A VR QUEST FOR COMMUNITY, FELLOWSHIP
Under quarantine for COVID-19 exposure, Garret Bernal and his family missed a recent Sunday church service.
5 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
IN BLOW TO TELECOMS, CALIFORNIA'S NET NEUTRALITY LAW UPHELD
A federal appeals court has upheld California’s net neutrality law, rejecting an attempt by telecommunications industry groups to prevent the state from enforcing it.
1 min |
February 04, 2022
AppleMagazine
APPLE'S HOLIDAY IPHONE SALES SURGE DESPITE SUPPLY SHORTAGES
Apple shook off supply shortages that have curtailed production of iPhones and other popular devices to deliver its most profitable holiday season yet.
3 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
SLOW DOWN: STATES GET INFRASTRUCTURE CASH FOR SPEED CAMERAS
Drivers, beware: Speed cameras could be on their way to a location near you thanks to President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law.
3 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
CRUISE OFFERS PUBLIC FIRST DRIVERLESS RIDES IN SAN FRANCISCO
Autonomous vehicle taxis are up and running in San Francisco and the public has been invited to try one out.
1 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
FBI CONFIRMS IT BOUGHT SPYWARE FROM ISRAEL'S NSO GROUP
The FBI has confirmed purchasing NSO Group’s powerful spyware tool Pegasus, whose chronic abuse to surveil journalists, dissidents and human rights activists has long been established.
2 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
FAA CLEARS VERIZON AND AT&T TO TURN ON MORE 5G CELL TOWERS
Federal safety regulators say they have cleared the way for Verizon and AT&T to power up more towers for new 5G service without causing radio interference with airplanes.
2 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
DIGITAL WARFARE TECH AT SEA HELPING US FOES EVADE SANCTIONS
Technology to hide a ship’s location previously available only to the world’s militaries is spreading fast through the global maritime industry as governments from Iran to Venezuela — and the rogue shipping companies they depend on to move their petroleum products — look for stealthier ways to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
5 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
AMERICAN TO ORDER MORE BOEING JETS WHILE DELAYING OTHERS
American Airlines said that it plans to exercise options to buy 30 more Boeing 737 Max jets while delaying delivery of Boeing 787s, larger jets that are being plagued by production flaws.
1 min |
February 04, 2022
Techlife News
FAA CLEARS VERIZON AND AT&T TO TURN ON MORE 5G CELL TOWERS
Federal safety regulators say they have cleared the way for Verizon and AT&T to power up more towers for new 5G service without causing radio interference with airplanes.
2 min |
February 05, 2022
Techlife News
A LIKELY POOR JOBS FIGURE FOR JANUARY COULD PROVE TEMPORARY
Last month, U.S. employers might have shed jobs for the first time in about a year, potentially raising alarms about the economy’s trajectory.
4 min |
February 05, 2022
Techlife News
Japanese Game Maker Nintendo's Profits Hurt by Chips Crunch
Nintendo’s profit for the nine months through December slipped 2.5%, as shortages of computer chips hurt production, the Japanese video game maker behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises said Thursday.
2 min |
February 05, 2022
Techlife News
Shares Of Facebook Parent Meta Plunge 23% On Lower Profits
Newly renamed Meta is investing heavily in its futuristic “metaverse” project, but for now, relies on advertising revenue for nearly all its income.
3 min |
February 05, 2022
AppleMagazine
Toyota Heading to Moon With Cruiser, Robotic Arms, Dreams
Toyota is working with Japan’s space agency on a vehicle to explore the lunar surface, with ambitions to help people live on the moon by 2040 and then go live on Mars, company officials said.
2 min |
February 04, 2022
Mac Life
Razer Seiren V2 Pro
A good mic with a major drawback
2 min |
March 2022
Mac Life
Liene 4x6 photo printer
The perfect photo printer for your iPhone shots?
3 min |
March 2022
Mac Life
Marshall Motif A.N.C.
Marshall brings its new noise cancellers to the table
3 min |
March 2022
Mac Life
Pro Click Mini
A versatile portable mouse — but Mac support is limited
1 min |
March 2022
Mac Life
Insta360 Go 2
A tiny action camera with some clever tricks
2 min |