ESR has introduced the MagMouse at CES 2025 as the world’s first magnetic mouse with a built-in charging cable. What’s immediately obvious is its compact size relative to the competition. It’s been three weeks since I’ve been testing the ESR MagMouse to see how good it is, and honestly, I really like what this product brings to the table. However, the mouse is certainly not without its limitations. Read on to our in-depth review to find out if this is a compelling affordable option or not.
Pros
Comfortable design
Adjustable sensitivity levels
Innovative magnetic attachment system
Built-in charging cable
Versatile connectivity options
Solid battery life
Cons
Built-in charging cable is too short
Non-configurable buttons
Lacks multipoint connection
The ESR MagMouse nails the basics and then adds thoughtful extras like magnetic attachment and a built-in charging cable, making it a smart, travel-friendly pick for everyday productivity.
Unboxing
Price and Availability
The ESR MagMouse is now available via the company’s Kickstarter for $36. ESR offers three color options for the gadget, including white, gray, and black.
Design and Build
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
When I unboxed the ESR MagMouse, I was taken aback by its compact and lightweight form factor. To be more precise, the mouse measures 107.5 x 64 x 38.9 mm and weighs just 75 grams. What I liked most about the MagMouse is its ergonomic design, although it isn’t specifically marketed as an ergonomic mouse. Still, it perfectly fits in my hand and feels quite comfortable during long work sessions without causing fatigue.
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Unlike other inexpensive mice, the ESR MagMouse has a hard plastic build, but what sets it apart is its soft-touch-like coating, which is rare to find in mice at this price range. No doubt, the plastic build feels slightly cheap, but I can confirm it’s sturdy and durable. One of the most innovative things about the MagMouse is its built-in charging, which sits beneath the mouse alongside a 2.4 GHz USB-A adapter. The MagMouse has a total of seven buttons: four on the top, two on the right side, and one on the bottom side. All buttons are quiet and feel very responsive.
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Lastly, it also ships with a magnetic attachment system, which is a primary selling point and a standout feature of the mouse. The magnetic base is impressively thin at just 4.8 mm and easily sticks to any laptop surface while holding a magnetic strength of 700 grams. Speaking of practical usage, I tried it with the Lenovo LOQ laptop, and interestingly, the base firmly holds the mouse in place even when moving between one workplace and another. This magnetic system comes in handy for office people, who are constantly moving from meeting room to meeting room.
Performance
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
While the mouse doesn’t have every single feature of the premium productivity mice, such as the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S, it still does a decent job for its price. The ESR MagMouse features six adjustable sensitivity levels ranging from 800 to 4800 DPI (dots per inch). During my testing, I found this DPI range sufficient for intermediate tasks like photo/video editing and browsing.
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
One thing that I liked is the four-way functionality of the middle scroll wheel. I found the scroll wheel very smooth and responsive, especially when scrolling through websites and documents. Plus, you can also side-scroll with the scroll wheel, which lets you glide effortlessly across wide images, spreadsheets, and wide documents, and it works flawlessly. The optical sensor responded accurately on most surfaces, and there were no tracking issues or slowdowns.
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
The two buttons on the right side bring great convenience by offering back and forward functions with a web browser. Unfortunately, ESR doesn’t offer any software for the mouse to reconfigure buttons.
Connectivity and Battery Life
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
The ESR MagMouse offers dual connectivity options: Bluetooth 5.0 and a 2.4 GHz USB-A dongle that sits in the base of the mouse. The mouse is compatible with everything from Windows and MacBooks to iPads and Android tablets. During testing, I didn’t encounter any connectivity issues whatsoever. However, the only quibble I have is that it lacks a multipoint connection, which is slightly disappointing. There’s also a three-way slider button located at the bottom of the mouse, allowing you to switch between Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity.
Inside, the MagMouse has a 500 mAh battery, and the company claims it lasts up to 160 hours. Honestly, the battery life of the mouse is really impressive, and it performed as advertised. During my three weeks of testing, I haven’t charged the mouse a single time, and it still goes on. What sets the ESR MagMouse apart from other mice is its innovative built-in charging cable.
Yes, it has a small 2-inch built-in USB-C charging cable at the base, which brings great convenience, and you don’t have to worry about the correct charging cable for it.
It also has fast-charging support; a one-minute charge offers you four hours of working time, which is great, while the mouse takes around 45 minutes to hit the 0 to 100% mark and offers 160 hours of battery life. Well, despite its integrated charging cable, there’s a quibble. The embedded charging cable is too short, which doesn’t allow you to use the mouse comfortably while charging. Although it sports fast charging, I don’t think it’s a major problem.
Should you buy the ESR MagMouse?
Buy it if…
You want a mouse that magnetically attaches to your laptop
You are looking for a well-built, affordable wireless mouse
You want a mouse with solid battery life
You want a mouse with six adjustable sensitivities up to 4800 DPI
Don’t buy it if…
You want a mouse with reconfigurable buttons
You’re looking for a wireless mouse with multipoint connection
You want a more premium mouse, such as Logitech MX Anywhere 3
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
Final Thoughts
Image Credit: Abhinav Fating
Overall, ESR did a fantastic job with MagMouse. The innovative mouse has everything from a lightweight and sturdy build to six adjustable sensitivity levels, a four-way scroll wheel, and a solid 160 hours of battery life, and surprisingly, it doesn’t cost a fortune. While it doesn’t have multiple device pairing and reconfigurable buttons like other premium mice, its innovative magnetic attachment system, embedded charging cable, and great versatility to work in most workplaces make it a stellar option for casual users.
A few years back Anker released the EverFrost powered cooler, marking a significant innovation in portable cooling technology. This portable, battery-powered cooler not only provides an efficient way to keep food and drinks cold on the go but also makes for the perfect companion device for campers, doomsday preppers, and RV travelers who need reliability in unpredictable conditions.
With its rugged design and impressive cooling capabilities, it quickly gained popularity among outdoor enthusiasts and those who enjoy weekend getaways. Now, three years later, the company has taken its successful formula and released the sequel with the EverFrost 2, which boasts enhanced features, improved energy efficiency, and even more storage options to accommodate the needs of users seeking a versatile and dependable cooler for their adventures.
Design
Look, Anker had a fantastic first go with the EverFrost series. The overall materials and profile of the EverFrost 2 could easily be confused with the original. You have the same mix of gray and forest green plastics with a two-wheeled dolly system.
I love that Anker kept this basic design language alone. It’s not broke, so let’s not try to fix it. That doesn’t mean that the EverFrost 2 hasn’t found ways to improve the build. The battery area is now condensed without losing much in overall capacity. It allows for a storage area in the battery bay that doubles as another battery bank if you purchase an addition power pack.
Second, redesigning this area made it not a deep of footprint for the batteries themselves. This allowed for the internal cooler area to have a much better internal compartment. While my 43L first gen model is technically 3 liters larger, the lack of the “step” around the battery components makes the new EverFrost 2 easier to pack even in the 40L model.
EverFrost Gen 2EverFrost Gen 1
Anker’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 isn’t just a cooler; it’s a smarter way to stay refreshed on any adventure, boasting a remarkably efficient design and long-lasting power that truly goes the distance.
Daily Use
Anker has a great alternative to the traditional ice-filled cooler with the EverFrost 2. Cooling the internal temperature of the cooler from room temp to around 36-degrees takes less than 20 minutes. This is accomplished via the redesigned air cooling unit found in the lid and really is crazy fast to drop the temperature of the SOLIX.
Accessing these settings on the EverFrost 2 is all done via the button panel and LED display. Holding the power button for three seconds cuts the cooler on and off. This year, there’s a dedicated temp option in the array that allows for easier set up compared to the previous model.
All these settings can also be found in the fantastic Anker mobile application as well. The EverFrost 2 can easily be added over Bluetooth connection and can change things like the temperature and running modes.
Storage and accessories also see an impressive rethinking on the EverFrost 2. The new spacious 40L internal metrics of the cooler can up to 63 cans of your favorite 12 ounce beverage. As I mentioned a bit earlier, but the more square design allows for almost double the packable storage in the same space as the previous 43L model.
Before we get to the battery itself, let’s talk about the compartments and nifty accessorizing you can do with the EverFrost 2. If you don’t opt for the second battery pack, you have a nice cubby that can house extra items like the power cord or a few snacks that don’t need refrigeration. The SOLIX cooler also has a rail system that can mount options like a removable table-top. Even the roller handle doubles as a cutting board and the lid has a yard stick built in to measure that next big fish.
Battery Life
Anker also found a way to increase the overall battery life in a slightly smaller 288Wh battery pack versus 299Wh. The SOLIX EverFrost 2 is built on the bones of over a decade of battery tech, so that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Anker has made sure that losing power overnight isn’t an issue.
The SOLIX EverFrost 2 is rated for just over 48 hours on a single battery and upwards of just over four days on if you have the second power banks. I’ve found this to be fairly accurate if you keep the temp set at around 36-degrees. Batter life is subjective, and that’s even more true when you are fighting the climate, so as you adjust the temp, your results will vary.
Battery storage and functional power packEverFrost Gen 1 battery (blue) vs Gen 2
True to the same power roots of Anker, charging can be accomplished in several ways including 12V, DC over cigarette port, or 120V wall adapter. Except for the 60W USB-C input, all of them are capable of charging the battery in around 3.5 hours. The USB-C pushes this closer to five hours, which is still impressive.
Final Thoughts
Pinnacle Selection represents our highest honor, one reserved for products that stand out in design, performance, and overall value.
Products earning this distinction exemplify excellence across the board, delivering an experience that truly rises above the rest.
When you see the badge, you’re looking at the best of what’s available in its category.
Anker had a true contender to the market for portable electric coolers a few years ago when introducing the EverFrost series. Now, under the SOLIX brand, the EverFrost 2 improves on that exceptional bar even further. From the better compartment design, updated battery tech, and control panel, small iterations were made to bring this product forward. Anker shows they are listening to feedback and making changes when they offer real benefits to the consumer.
Finally, let’s take about pricing. At the launch discount of $700 for the 40L we’ve reviewed, it’s far from an in impulse purchase. You need to have a healthy outdoor lifestyle to have a need for the EverFrost 2. But if you’re in that market already, this is a very compelling option for under $1k that begs consideration. And if you need a little more space, the 58L EverFrost 2 is just another $200.
The Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 is available for purchase now from Anker’s website and the company’s longtime retail partner, Amazon.
It’s not often that you see many devices these days that surprise you. Android manufacturers are one of the most ambitious and versatile OEMs in the tech industry. From foldable and flip phones to smartwatches, nothing is out of bounds. But when one makes something for a protocol that also works on iPhones, you take notice.
OnePlus is not as well known in the consumer market as say Samsung or Google, but they consistently push the industry forward. The latest accessory from the company is MagSafe and Qi2 battery pack. This slim, magnetic battery power bank has immediately become one of my essential options for a space in my backpack.
The OnePlus Slim Magnetic Power Bank is available in a single size and houses, 5000mAh of juice. While this may not be as much recharge power as many competitors, it’s enough to get you through a full charge of the iPhone or most other smartphones. This includes the new OnePlus 13 with its magnetic backplates.
The sleek profile of the OnePlus Slim makes it perfect to travel with. It becomes nearly invisible in a backpack or carry one and can be stowed away in almost any area. Even better, it’s damn near no bulk added when you throw it in your pants pocket as well. I love this especially as I hate adding that bulging power bank to my phone while in my pocket while on the go, but this isn’t an issue with the OnePlus Slim.
OnePlus had all your travel needs in mind while designing the 0.88cm charger. The aerospace grade aluminum paired with a NTC thermal sensor, you have all the safety features to rest assured you’re going to fly without issue. OnePlus promises the Slim Magnetic Charger is compliant with all airlines and bullet trains to make sure your phone and bank batteries meet the standards of safety.
Lastly, there’s a handy LED display to make sure you know that the Slim power bank is running out of juice as well. Recharging takes less than an hour, and then you are ready for your next adventure. The new OnePlus Slim Magnetic Power Bank is available from OnePlus’ website for just $70 in Silver Grey.
US Mobile is kicking off June with an aggressive promotion aimed squarely at value-seekers: customers who port in their number and purchase one of the carrier’s flagship annual plans on its “Dark Star” network will receive a second line free.
Two Lines, One Price
The limited-time offer, which runs through June 7, is structured as a “buy one, get one” deal across US Mobile’s three most popular annual plans:
Buy Unlimited Premium ($348/year) → Get Unlimited Starter free
Buy Unlimited Starter ($228/year) → Get Unlimited Flex free
That brings the monthly cost down to just $14.50 per line for Premium/Starter or $9.50 per line for Starter/Flex when split across two users, and without contracts, hidden fees, or fine-print surprises.
Both lines must be new activations with ported-in numbers, and the offer is exclusive to US Mobile’s “Dark Star” network. Customers can activate both lines simultaneously or stagger them as needed.
High-Speed Plans, Feature-Rich Perks
US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium plan includes:
Priority high-speed data with no throttling
Unlimited talk, text, and hotspot usage
A free smartwatch line
International roaming in over 90 countries
Free network transfers
Optional multi-network access for $7.50/month
The entry-level Flex and Starter plans share many of the same benefits, though with adjusted data allocations and fewer international perks.
For those ready to switch or upgrade, a promo code (OVERDRIVE) can be applied to lock in the Unlimited Premium plan at $29/month when paid annually.
No Contracts, More Flexibility
This promotion is part of US Mobile’s broader strategy to win over prepaid and postpaid users frustrated by price hikes and contract lock-ins. The carrier offers multiple network options, the ability to switch between them, and transparent pricing with taxes and fees included.
T-Mobile is rolling out the magenta carpet once again for its customers, marking nine years of T-Mobile Tuesdays with what it calls a “Thankiversary” celebration. Starting June 3, the Un-carrier is dishing out a full lineup of rewards, giveaways, and one very generous pile of cash.
Since 2016, T-Mobile Tuesdays has been the brand’s weekly way of showing appreciation to its customers—no gimmicks, just perks. And this year’s celebration is doubling down with free food, discounted fuel, cheap movie nights, and a slate of sweepstakes prizes that range from indulgent to over-the-top.
Free Slurpees, BOGO Wings, and $5 Movie Tickets
Here’s what T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and small business customers can look forward to starting Tuesday, June 3:
Free treats: A free large Slurpee at 7-Eleven, a Whopper Jr. with a $1 Burger King purchase, buy-one-get-one 10-piece wings at Wingstop, and a BOGO baked good at Cinnabon.
Fuel discounts: Save $0.25 per gallon at Shell (up to 20 gallons) via the Fuel Rewards program.
Discounted movie tickets: $5 tickets through Atom Tickets to see Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff, and F1 The Movie later in the month.
According to T-Mobile, customers have already cashed in on over 500 million dining deals and 56 million movie tickets since the program’s launch.
Big Giveaways — Including $90,000 and a Dream Vacation
Beyond the usual weekly deals, T-Mobile is offering the chance to win one of nine high-value prizes:
$90,000 in cash
A dream vacation worth up to $100,000 for four
An all-electric 2025 Honda Prologue SUV
Four Google Pixel 9a phones with a year of T-Mobile service
$1,000 Amazon spending spree
A year’s worth of Shell gas
A year of Whopper Sandwiches from Burger King
Weekly Wingstop meals for a year
A full year of concert tickets
And the giveaways don’t stop there. On June 10, T-Mobile kicks off entries for VIP tickets to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Then starting June 24, customers can enter to win a trip to the 2025 FORMULA 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
One App, All the Extras
Customers can access all current rewards and sweepstakes through the T-Life app (or the Metro app for Metro by T-Mobile users) on Android and iOS. T-Mobile pitches the app as the central hub for managing plans, perks, and benefits.
The “Thankiversary” promo is just part of the broader member benefits T-Mobile touts under its Magenta Status and Experience Beyond plans. That includes a loaded entertainment bundle (Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and more), free MLB.TV and MLS Season Pass, global data coverage in 215+ destinations, and in-flight Wi-Fi.
For more on T-Mobile’s ongoing perks and Thankiversary details, head to t-mobile.com/membership.
When I lugged the massive TCL 85QM6K into my living room, I had two immediate thoughts. First: “Wow, this thing is truly huge.” Second: “Can something this big and this seemingly feature-packed really live up to the “Affordable Premium” branding TCL’s been pushing lately? After spending a good chunk of time with it, I’ve come away impressed by just how much value TCL manages to squeeze into this panel… though it’s not without a few quirks along the way.
If you’re looking to make a big splash (literally and visually) in your home theater setup, this 85-inch TV offers a pretty compelling mix of tech-forward specs, gaming chops, and size-to-cost ratio.
Let me walk you through what stood out, what fell a bit short, and why this might just be the right upgrade for a whole lot of people.
It’s the kind of TV that makes you rethink your living room, and your expectations. TCL’s QM6K delivers flagship-level size and contrast with Mini-LED tech, gamer-ready performance, and a price that still feels grounded.
Size That Redefines “Big TV Energy”
The QM6K’s 85-inch screen (technically 84.6 inches) is the kind of size that makes you reconsider your entire living room layout. It’s not just big, it’s cinematic.
The last few years saw me upgrading from a 55-inch to a 65-inch TV, placing them on the same hutch/cabinet. My wife and I like to move furniture around on our main floor about twice a year for the different seasons. As part of that we tend to have two places we’ve kept our TV sets.
When this one arrived I had to go all-in on a location. That is to say I mounted it on the wall as it was just a bit too wide to place the feet on the hutch. And to be fair, that was fine with us as the panel would look completely out of place in one of the two spots. So, now we’re married to the wall.
With a panel this size, even the small details feel like they’ve been magnified in a good way, and you really get the sense that TCL wanted to make this a flagship experience for those of us who aren’t dropping four grand on a television.
Right away I started to soak in just how big and beautiful of a unit this was, and at a really nice price. I’m old enough to remember selling 32-inch TVs that were at least $3,000 back in the day. Now we’re almost triple the size, and a fraction of the weight and cost.
The panel uses QD-Mini LED tech, which is essentially TCL’s way of bringing quantum dot color with the precision of mini-LED backlighting. Paired with full-array local dimming across around 500 zones, it delivers excellent contrast and deep, satisfying black levels. TCL’s “Halo Control System” is also doing some heavy lifting here, helping to cut down on blooming around bright objects in dark scenes. It’s not OLED-level perfection, but it’s surprisingly close for the price.
Keep in mind as we move forward that reviewing TVs isn’t my strong suit, but I do know a good thing when I see it. Moreover, I’ve come to appreciate certain things in the different models that I have had the privilege to test over the last few years.
Picture Quality: Better Than You Might Expect
I’ve reviewed a handful of TVs over the years, and this one genuinely surprised me in a few key areas. Let’s start with brightness. In real-world use, the HDR performance is solid. It hits somewhere between 700 and 900 nits depending on your picture mode, which is plenty bright for most living rooms, even with some daylight spilling in from the sides.
Black levels are impressive too. Watching moody content like Blade Runner 2049, Mad Max: Fury Road, or dark-as-night shows (Game of Thrones), I noticed how well the QM6K preserved detail without lifting the blacks. That’s a tough balance to strike, especially on an LED panel.
Color performance was another pleasant surprise. Out of the box, skin tones looked natural, and vibrant content (like animated movies or sports) really popped. TCL’s Quantum Dot layer is clearly pulling its weight, and color gamut coverage comes in at an impressive 94–98% of DCI-P3, depending on the measurement.
This TV’s 120Hz native refresh rate (with support for up to 144Hz VRR) is a big plus if you watch sports or play video games. Fast action stays clear and smooth, and the motion interpolation options are there if you like that soap opera effect. Me, personally? I keep it dialed down.
Upscaling is generally decent, though it’s not the TV’s strongest suit. Broadcast TV or lower-quality streams can look a little soft or fuzzy at times, which is likely where TCL’s AiPQ Pro Processor hits its limits. Most people won’t notice, but if you’re used to watching 4K-native content, you may pick up on it with older shows or lower-res streams.
I don’t really own much physical media anymore so I don’t always have the best 4K content or source material. Some YouTube channels and broadcasts on YouTube TV are in 4K, but there’s always a touch of artifacting and less-than-perfect look to the picture. Video games and Blu-ray movies, though? Man, that’s chef’s kiss stuff.
via TCL
Design & Setup: Clean, Modern, and a Bit of a Workout
Design-wise, TCL leans into a minimal, modern look here. The bezels are thin on three sides, with a slightly thicker bottom chin. The build has a metal feel that’s more premium than you’d expect at this price point, and it doesn’t scream “budget TV” the way some TV’s do.
The adjustable-width stand is a nice touch, especially if your TV console isn’t oversized. But let me be honest—this is not a one-person setup. The TV weighs over 70 pounds with the stand, and wrestling the legs into place would be somewhat of a chore for those opting for that setup. Definitely enlist some setup help whether you’re wall-mounting or not.
Connectivity is solid, with four HDMI ports (two of them full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1), USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, Ethernet, optical audio out, and side-facing port layout that makes things easier to reach if you’re wall-mounting. eARC is supported too, so audio passthrough to your soundbar or receiver is seamless.
Google TV Experience: Snappy, Familiar, Occasionally Cluttered
Like most of TCL’s 2025 lineup, this TV runs on Google TV, and for the most part, it’s a great experience. It’s my preferred way of interacting with a smart TV even if it has evolved to be a little more “in your face” with ads and recommended content.
Setup is smooth, especially if you’ve already got a Google account. The interface is fast, easy to navigate, and still less ad-heavy than some other platforms.
That said, it can get a little cluttered. Google TV tries to surface recommended content across apps, but sometimes it feels like too much is going on. Deep settings menus aren’t always intuitive either, but once you learn where things live, it’s not hard to tweak things to your liking. It takes just a little bit of time and playing around to figure out what’s Google’s doing and what’s TCL’s.
Voice control via Google Assistant works as expected, and there’s compatibility with Alexa and Apple HomeKit too, which gives it decent smart home flexibility. The included remote is a win: nicely backlit, responsive, and well-sized. It even lights up automatically when you pick it up in the dark. It’s an underrated convenience that I’ve come to appreciate much in the same way I do on a laptop keyboard. Once you have, you tend to want it going forward.
Gaming: This Thing Is Ready to Play
This is where the TCL 85QM6K really punches above its weight. Gamers will find a lot to love here. And really, the TV sort of fanned a tiny little flame for me, giving me the urge to play different games, if not just spending more time with them.
With a 144Hz panel, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, support for Dolby Vision Gaming, and input lag around 13ms at 4K 120Hz, this TV is well-equipped to handle just about anything you throw at it. A few games I tested on the PS5 looked and played beautifully, with sharp detail, punchy colors, and no noticeable ghosting or tearing.
There’s also an Auto Game Mode (ALLM), a Game Master menu for quick adjustments, and what TCL calls “Game Accelerator,” which theoretically hits 240Hz or 288Hz by reducing resolution. Personally, I stuck to native 4K at 144Hz, which looked incredible and felt ultra-responsive. Unless you’re chasing competitive frame rates, this setup will be more than enough.
I’m reminded of that space between a nice office monitor and one that’s designed specifically for gaming. Given the chance to use a more powerful and feature-rich unit, you can come to appreciate finer tuning — but you don’t have to go all-in with a high-end model. That’s kind of how I feel with this TV; it’s a step up from other panels in the spots I notice, with more cool stuff available should I get the urge to dial things up.
Audio: Better Than Expected, But Still Not Theater-Grade
The built-in 2.1-channel Onkyo speaker system includes a dedicated subwoofer, which gives it a bit more punch than most TVs in this price range. Dialogue is crisp, and there’s enough volume to fill a room, but you’re still dealing with the limitations of a slim speaker enclosure.
Bass is there, to be sure, but it doesn’t rumble the floorboards. Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X support are onboard, but their impact is modest unless you add an external sound system. I’d recommend a soundbar if you want a more immersive experience. The TV does support eARC, so sending lossless audio to a capable soundbar or receiver is easy.
I am actively weighing whether or not I’m going to put a soundbar on the hutch for a more robust audio experience. It’s just my wife and I and we tend to keep things pretty low-key as it is, but when we stream music or want a full “date night, no phones” movie we cannot help but feel like opening things up.
via TCL
Viewing Angles: Surprisingly Good for a VA Panel
I was ready to dock this TV points for off-angle viewing, especially since it uses an HVA-type panel. But TCL has done something interesting here. Maybe it’s the matte finish or a new optical layer, but off-axis performance is better than I expected. Thankfully, we can see this TV from all angles of a wide, rectangular room. And that’s helpful when the room fills up with guests.
There’s still a bit of vignetting and contrast falloff when you get to extreme angles, but from most seating positions in a standard living room, it holds up quite well. This is a nice bonus for families or setups where people aren’t always parked directly in front of the screen.
Price and Value: Here’s Where It All Comes Together
At the time of writing, I’ve seen the 85QM6K selling for about $1,250, (Amazon)depending on sales. That’s incredibly competitive for a Mini-LED TV of this size, especially one with a solid feature set and gaming chops.
Compared to other brands and models I used for reference, the TCL often comes out ahead on either price or specs (and sometimes both). TCL’s move here is clear: bring flagship-adjacent features to a price point that undercuts the competition. And in many ways, it works.
If you want the absolute best brightness or color accuracy, you’ll still want to move up to something like TCL’s QM8 or a pricier OLED. But the QM6K delivers an excellent sweet spot for people who want a huge screen and impressive performance without maxing out their credit card. Seriously, a few years ago you would have never convinced me that I’d be able to get a screen this big at this price by 2025.
Warranty: Standard, But Consider Extended Options
The standard one-year warranty is pretty typical for TVs in this class. TCL’s support seems straightforward but you’ll want to keep your proof of purchase handy, and know that replacements might be refurbished. If you’re spending north of a grand on a TV, it’s not a bad idea to look into an extended warranty, especially if you’re not keen on rolling the dice after that first year.
Final Thoughts: A Big Win for Big Screens on a Budget
Pinnacle Selection represents our highest honor, one reserved for products that stand out in design, performance, and overall value.
Products earning this distinction exemplify excellence across the board, delivering an experience that truly rises above the rest.
When you see the badge, you’re looking at the best of what’s available in its category.
So, who is the TCL 85QM6K for? I’d say it’s perfect for anyone who wants that theater-like experience at home, especially if you’ve got a little gaming habit on the side. It handles fast content like a champ, puts out rich colors and deep contrast, and has a user-friendly Google TV interface that makes switching between Netflix, YouTube, and your Xbox a breeze.
It’s not perfect. The audio, while decent, could benefit from a soundbar. The upscaling isn’t top-tier. And there are a few small quirks here and there with software or universal remote compatibility. None of those dealbreakers overshadow just how much TV you’re getting for the money, though.
The phrase “Affordable Premium” gets thrown around a lot, but TCL earns it here. This is a TV that plays in the big leagues, both literally and figuratively, without commanding a flagship price. If you’ve been eyeing an 85-inch upgrade and don’t want to sacrifice modern features for cost savings, the QM6K deserves a serious look.
AWOL Vision has announced a strategic move that deepens its footprint in the premium projection space: Valerion, known for its high-performance long-throw projectors, will now operate as a sub-brand under the AWOL Vision umbrella. The integration positions the combined portfolio to cater to a full range of home entertainment scenarios—from compact living rooms to dedicated home cinemas and backyard setups.
One Vision for Every Scene
The merger falls under a guiding philosophy the company calls “One Vision. All Scenes.” On one side, AWOL Vision continues to focus on ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors, like its LTV-3500 Pro Brightview Theater, designed for space-saving installs and straightforward setup. These models target users looking for immersive, TV-replacing experiences without the wiring or ceiling mounts.
Valerion, now stepping into its role as the premium tier within AWOL Vision’s ecosystem, brings long-throw projectors built for home theater purists. Flagship units like the VisionMaster Max and VisionMaster Pro 2 aim to deliver reference-level visuals with RGB laser light engines and carefully tuned optics.
The result is a complementary product lineup spanning four key entertainment zones: home theater, living room theater, man cave, and backyard cinema.
Breaking the Projector Stereotype
Andy Zhao, founder and CEO of AWOL Vision, shared his motivation for the move: “It’s time to erase the outdated perceptions people have about projectors. This alignment helps us showcase just how far the technology has come and makes it easier for customers to find the right setup for their space.”
Both brands now offer tailored solutions with a clear value proposition: plug-and-play ease for everyday users and performance-driven precision for enthusiasts.
More Than Visuals: A Full AV Experience
The unified brand isn’t stopping at visuals. AWOL’s ThunderBeat audio system rounds out the offering, giving users a cohesive home theater experience that blends sound, clarity, and usability. Whether it’s movie night indoors or an outdoor sports party, the company’s approach is to cover all the bases with minimal friction.
AWOL Day Coming This June
To mark the announcement, AWOL Vision will host “AWOL Day” in late June. The celebration will feature promotions across both AWOL and Valerion product lines, along with early access sign-ups for those looking to upgrade their setup.
With each new Android app that appears in the high-performance sector, we can see an increase in the complexity of system processes. Of course this requires webmasters to have a much more stable base. That’s why bare metal servers are attracting more and more attention from both development companies and enterprises that use resource-intensive technologies.
Many providers provide more and more bare metal server solutions, giving the necessary infrastructure for complex mobile applications, while guaranteeing optimal productivity and stability.
About Bare Metal Servers
If you are trying to understand how Bare Metal technology works, it is quite simple. These are the exact physical servers that are available for rent without any digital virtualization.
Along with the complex system, the user has access to all the hardware of the server directly. This gives full control over the operating system, applications and configuration. They differ from virtualized technologies in that they do not share resources and power between multiple virtual machines. This is the reason why the efficiency and performance of your company’s processes cannot be affected by anything outside.
Why Bare Metal Servers?
Bare metal servers have several key advantages for Android applications.
High Data Processing Speed
One of the main advantages of bare metal technologies is their high performance. When an application requires intensive data processing, such as handling large volumes of information or performing complex calculations, bare metal servers provide maximum speed and efficiency.
Without virtualization constraints, you get the full power of the processor, memory, and other server resources. This is critically important for Android applications that work with large database server types, process images or videos, and also use resource-intensive features such as artificial intelligence or machine learning.
Full Control Over Resources
Bare metal servers allow the user to have complete control over all system resources. For Android app developers, this means they can optimize the server for the specific needs of their project by configuring resource allocation in a way that best suits their applications. This is especially important when scaling applications or when there is a need to process large volumes of data in real-time.
Reliability and Stability
Since bare metal solutions do not use virtualization, they are less prone to overload issues that can occur on virtual servers. For high-performance applications, this ensures stable operation without failures. Android app developers who want to ensure the best performance for users can be confident that their servers will operate at full capacity even under heavy load.
How Bare Metal Servers Work
At the heart of bare metal systems lies physical hardware provided directly, without intermediaries. Since there is no virtualization, each application or service has access to the full range of server resources. This results in superior performance, especially when working with mobile applications that require significant processing power or need to perform complex operations.
Bare metal servers offer several key advantages for mobile applications:
maximum resource availability;
improved performance;
optimized response speed;
enhanced system reliability.
In particular, for Android applications that must interact with large numbers of users or handle high volumes of server requests (such as social networks or e-commerce platforms), bare metal solutions provide the ability to optimize response speed and system reliability. Each request is processed without the overhead of virtualization or resource allocation, ensuring exceptional performance and stability.
Bare Metal Servers for Large Projects
Technologies with physically stable computer capacity are actively used in many industries, particularly for mobile applications. One of the striking examples is large companies in the mobile gaming industry. Games that have millions of users worldwide require a stable and fast infrastructure for real-time data processing. Companies that develop such games often use bare metal servers to maintain really high server performance, with the lowest possible latency and greatest possible stability under load.
Another important example is mobile applications for e-commerce, where every user request, every transaction must be processed instantly, while also maintaining data confidentiality and security. Bare metal servers allow for quick processing of requests and maintain maximum security, which is critically important for such applications.
In Conclusion
For Android apps that require great speed, bare metal servers are the best option. They offer reliable operation even under large loads, complete control over resources, fast data processing speed, and dependability. Bare metal servers are the absolute ideal infrastructure for Android app developers who want to provide their users with the best possible experience. They have become the best option to guarantee the success of your application if your project requires a lot of power, scalability and performance.
EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement
ESR, a leading name in MagSafe accessories, is doubling down on smarter everyday carry items by weaving Apple’s Find My technology directly into products like wallets and styluses. The company’s latest lineup is all about helping users stop misplacing the essentials, no AirTag juggling required.
From Bulky to Brilliant: Smart Wallets, No Add-Ons Needed
Instead of creating cases or inserts for Apple’s AirTag, ESR took a different route, embedding certified Find My tech directly into the accessories themselves. This began with the Geo Wallet Stand, which launched on Kickstarter in 2023. It combined MagSafe compatibility, card storage, and Apple’s tracking system into one slim, stylish package. It quickly climbed to Amazon’s top spot for cardholder wallets and snagged multiple design awards, including the 2024 Red Dot and iF Design Awards.
The wallet does more than look good; it includes an adjustable stand, a finger grip loop, space for three cards, and tracking built right in. No bulge, no bouncing between accessories.
Slimmed Down, Amped Up: The ESR Geo Wallet
Following that success, ESR rolled out the Geo Wallet, a sleeker follow-up that’s just 7.8mm thick. Unlike traditional options that sandwich a bulky tracker between cards, the Geo Wallet’s tracking is fully integrated. It also includes RFID-blocking tech for added privacy.
For those who carry a little more plastic, there’s the Geo Card Holder which stores up to 10 cards, one ID, and a few bills. It too has built-in Find My support and recently picked up a French Design Award for its functional design.
Find My… Pencil? Meet the Geo Digital Stylus
ESR’s push into smarter accessories doesn’t stop at wallets. The company found that two-thirds of stylus users have lost one at least once, so they built a solution: the Geo Digital Pencil, the world’s first third-party stylus with native Find My support. Compatible with iPads from 2018 and newer, the stylus offers palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and up to 12 hours of use from just a 30-minute charge. It’s priced at $29.99 (currently $25.99), and has already earned a 4.8-star rating on Amazon.
Geo Wallet Stand ($35.99–$39.99): Find My support, RFID blocking (coming August 2025), adjustable stand, finger loop, and magnetic strength up to 3,200g
Aura Wallet Stand ($21.99, now $19.79): RFID blocking, 5-card capacity, vibrant colors like Bubblegum Pink and Taupe
Classic Wallet Stand ($19.99, now $17.99): Multi-view stand, RFID blocking, compact build
Geo Wallet ($32.99): Ultra-slim, RFID-blocking, integrated Find My (RFID support coming June 2025)
Classic Wallet ($19.99, now $11.69): Lightweight, basic RFID-blocking, MagSafe-friendly
From travel to tech accessories, ESR is gradually building a smarter ecosystem within the Apple universe. More information on ESR’s Find My-enabled lineup can be found on the official ESR website.
Walmart Family Mobile, the prepaid wireless brand powered by Verizon and available exclusively at Walmart, has introduced a series of low-cost plans and community support initiatives aimed at helping families stay connected amid rising economic pressures.
As U.S. consumer sentiment hits new lows, the brand is positioning itself not just as a mobile carrier, but as a partner for families navigating financial uncertainty. With pricing that starts under $6 for eligible users and family plan rates dipping below $20 per line, Walmart Family Mobile is rolling out its most affordable offerings to date, along with its first major corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort.
New Plans Built for Tight Budgets
Walmart Family Mobile’s latest plans are structured to serve a range of needs, without straining wallets:
New $19.88 Plan: Includes 4GB of high-speed data at an accessible entry point.
New $34.88 Plan: Offers 20GB of high-speed data for those who rely more heavily on mobile connectivity.
Enhanced $24.88 Plan: Now includes 8GB of data, offering better value for mid-tier users.
Family Pricing Update: Customers can now add lines for just $19.88 (previously $24.88), making shared plans more affordable.
Employees at Walmart stores also benefit, with plan discounts of up to 33%, bringing prices as low as $13.32/month per line.
Peace of Mind for Unpredictable Times
The new Family Mobile Peace of Mind feature allows customers to activate unlimited talk and incoming texts for just $1/month, up to six times per year. Available after 90 days of service, it offers a low-cost safety net for those navigating job changes, emergencies, or other unexpected challenges.
Lifeline Program Expanded
For low-income households, Walmart Family Mobile now supports the federal Lifeline program, which can bring monthly plan prices down to $5.88 in California and $9.88 in other states. The company is also awarding grants to community organizations to assist with Lifeline enrollment, ensuring that more families can access critical mobile services.
CSR Partnerships with United Way and Goodwill
Beyond pricing changes, Walmart Family Mobile is launching new partnerships with United Way Worldwide and Goodwill Industries International to deepen community impact.
United Way: Through support of the 211 helpline, the brand will help expand access to essential services via a 24/7 multilingual support network.
Goodwill: As a sponsor of the Mission Optimization Learning Event, Walmart Family Mobile is helping train over 2,500 Career Navigators and providing resources to local Goodwill chapters in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Two families identified through the network will receive free mobile devices and one year of service.
A Broader Commitment to Affordability
“Connectivity is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity,” said Nancy Clark, President of Verizon Value Brands. “These plans and partnerships reflect our ongoing focus on affordability, access, and support for the communities we serve.”
More details, including eligibility for Lifeline discounts and plan information, can be found at www.myfamilymobile.com.
