The mophie PowerStation (2023) is a portable external battery designed to charge mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices. It has a capacity of 10,000mAh, which means it can charge most smartphones several times before needing to be recharged itself.
The PowerStation (2023) features a pair of USB-A ports and a USB-C port with Power Delivery (PD) technology, which allows for faster charging of compatible devices. If you use both USB-A ports and the USB-C port simultaneously, the Powerstation can deliver a combined output of up to 15 watts.
Generally speaking, the battery has a slim design and light weight that makes it easy to carry around with you on the go. Barely bigger than a phone, it goes into a pocket, purse, backpack, or bag without issue.
The unit has a compact design and a durable finish that helps protect it from everyday wear and tear. It also comes with a USB-C cable for charging the PowerStation 2023 itself and a user manual.
The mophie PowerStation (2023) is a convenient and practical solution for keeping your devices charged while you’re on the move. And like other products from the brand, it comes with LED indicator lights and a two-year warranty.
I really dig the small size and portability of this charger and appreciate that I can charge up to three devices at once. I can see myself tossing this in a bag for long days away or late nights when no power outlets are available. The same goes for a weekend getaway, day at the beach, hiking, or other activity that might find me taking pictures or playing games.
As a long-time fan of Bang & Olufsen products, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the brand’s latest true wireless ANC earbuds, the Beoplay EX. After spending the past few weeks with them, I’m happy to report these live up to the Danish brand’s reputation for high-end headphones, and a big thanks to B&O for sending these out for review.
Design
Bang & Olufsen has always put an emphasis on design and sound quality with its audio products, a legacy that continues with the Beoplay EX. From the moment you first touch the aluminum case it’s obvious that the Beoplay EX is a premium product. There’s no plastic here, only an aluminum shell with a rubberized bottom to allow for wireless charging.
Once inside of the case, B&O does make use of plastic for the earbuds in an effort to make them lightweight and durable. Although, there is a touch of luxury by utilizing glass on the buds for the touch-sensitive controls. Furthermore, the earbuds have an IP57 waterproof rating allowing them to stand up to a little rain and sweat.
Comfort
Without a doubt, the Beoplay EX are the most comfortable earbuds I’ve used in years. I have smaller ear canals that most brands overlook and require me to resort to third-party ear tips just to get a comfortable fit.
Not so with the Beoplay EX, where I was pleasantly surprised to find that the smallest ear tips fit perfectly. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s been years since that has happened—and not only did it make the Beoplay EX comfortable to wear for hours—but it also improved the active noise cancellation as well.
User experience
The comfortable fit and precise touch controls go a long way towards making the Beoplay EX pleasant to use, but that’s not all they have to offer. There’s also a wear sensor that automatically pauses music if you remove a bud from your ears and beam forming mics for clearer calls. I suspect placing the mics at the end of the stems helped a lot here by getting them closer to your mouth. Whatever it is, I received positive feedback over the quality when making calls.
Plus, B&O also has a great app that provides you with a convenient way to toggle ANC or transparency mode on or off, as well as a way to check the battery level of the buds and case or adjust the equalizer.
Sound quality
The Beoplay EX utilizes Qualcomm’s latest aptX Adaptive audio technology for transferring audio from your phone to the earbuds. It can reach bit rates nearly as high as aptX HD but still far lower than high res codecs such as LDAC. The real benefit of aptX Adaptive is that it can dynamically change the bit rate to reduce latency that often results in audio lag when watching videos or playing games. This also makes it better for battery life than higher bit-rate codecs. While I would have really liked to have seen LDAC as an option at this price point, aptX Adaptive is a good compromise given its benefits.
Bang & Olufsen has a reputation for premium sound quality which is well deserved. I’ve been a fan of B&O’s products for years now and the Beoplay EX is the latest to impress me with its warm, clean, and balanced signature sound.
Out of the box, the Beoplay EX has an open sound stage with full-bodied bass that round off the highs for a mellow sound that makes it easy to listen to for hours without fatigue. I found there was plenty of separation in tracks, however, I prefer a little more brightness than the default tuning provides.
Fortunately, the Bang & Olufsen app provides a unique equalizer that allows you to tweak the sound to your liking. I call it unique because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and while it’s effective, audiophiles may not be a fan because it’s difficult to make accurate changes and requires some guesswork when adjusting.
Overall, I think most music fans will be more than pleased with the audio quality from the Beoplay EX earbuds, unless you prefer a bright crisp sound signature.
ANC
The active noise cancellation on the Beoplay EX works wonderfully. I wouldn’t say they reach the levels of Sony or Bose, but they get very close. Of course, some of this is probably aided by the fantastic fit, as the comfortable ear tips go a long way toward passively blocking noise.
Either way, you won’t have any complaints about the noise cancellation capabilities of the Beoplay EX earbuds, as it nearly matches what you’d get from the leaders in this category.
Additionally, the Beoplay EX also offers a transparency mode to make it easy to have a quick conversation without removing the buds, and there are settings to reduce wind noise for all of you runners and cyclists out there.
Battery life
The Beoplay EX earbuds are rated for up to six hours with ANC enabled or eight hours with ANC disabled. Along with the charging case, that adds up to 20 hours total with ANC or 28 hours without ANC.
In my usage, I was seeing a little over five hours with ANC enabled and that was a little disappointing. There are earbuds out there with much more listening time that cost far less. Regardless, besides some battery anxiety and charging more frequently than I’d like, the Beoplay EX will last long enough for most people unless you’re on a long flight.
Thankfully, the buds can be used independently if you’re making a lot of calls and want to split time between them to extend the battery life.
Final thoughts
There’s a lot to love about the Beoplay EX earbuds. Between the high-end wireless charging case, rich sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation, and fully featured app—there’s not much more to ask for. The only caveats are that the battery life is a little lacking if you want to use ANC regularly and the $400 price tag. Otherwise, the Beoplay EX is a premium pair of true wireless ANC earbuds with a price to match.
Google introduced its new products and features at the Google I/O 2023 event. The tech giant introduced, from new mobile hardware to AI enhancements to search and productivity tools at the Google Developer Conference. To take the Android phone experience next level Google announced more personalized features powered by Google’s advances in generative AI technology. With these latest AI-powered personalized features you have more freedom to customize your smartphone’s lock screen, wallpaper, and much more. Have a look at these new features.
Be more professional with the Magic Compose
Google’s new Magic Compose feature in the Messages by Google can help you to make conversations more interesting with AI generative suggestions. Based on the context of your conversions the Magic Compose feature offers great suggestions and also transforms what you write into different styles which makes the messages more professional and concise. Google will roll out this feature in beta in the summer.
More freedom to customize the entire phone screen
Google introduced Android 14 at the Google I/O 2023 keynote. Android 14 brings more customization to the lock screen. You can now customize your lock screen with new shortcuts and new clock designs which lit up your phone’s lock screen. Google is also offering more ways to make your smartphone’s wallpaper more attractive and eye catchy with an emoji wallpaper and cinematic wallpaper.
A cinematic wallpaper transforms your favorite pictures into stunning and eye-grabbling 3D images whereas the emoji wallpaper lets you customize your phone using your favorite emoji combinations, colors, and patterns.
No worries, if you don’t have a perfect photo to use for the wallpaper on your smartphone, Google’s AI Generative Wallpaper will create a unique wallpaper for you, and the Material You (which was introduced two years ago) based on the wallpaper you have selected will automatically match the color palette of your Android system.
Look more cool on the social media
Social media is a great way to share your experiences, memories, and big life moments with friends, family, and loved ones. Google brings the Night Mode, 10-bit HDR video, and Ultra HDR in Android 14 support for social media apps like Instagram which helps you to take and view photos and videos with crisp shadows, and bright and attractive colors.
The mophie PowerStation XL (2023) is a portable external battery designed to charge mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It has a large capacity of 20,000mAh, which means it can charge most smartphones several times before needing to be recharged itself.
The PowerStation XL 2023 features a USB-C port with Power Delivery (PD) technology, which allows for faster charging of compatible devices. It also has two USB-A ports, so you can charge multiple devices at once.
The device has a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to carry around with you on the go. It also comes with a USB-C-to-A cable for charging the PowerStation XL 2023 itself. It’s really portable and rather lightweight so I can imagine tossing this in a backpack or commuter bag without second thought.
There are three ports to charge from on the battery, two of which are USB-A and one being a USB-C. If both USB-A ports and the USB-C port are utilized at the same time, the powerstation XL can deliver a combined output of up to 15 watts. Otherwise, the USB-C port can pump out 20W PD fast charge on its own.
Like other mophie products, this one has four LED indicator lights to help get a feel for how of the 20,000mAh battery remains. Additionally, it also comes with the brand’s hallmark two-year warranty, too.
The mophie PowerStation XL 2023 is a convenient and practical solution for keeping your devices charged while you’re on the move. If your day often requires you to travel to and from locations or work in remote spots, you’ll appreciate the power and performance in this unit.
Vivo has expanded its S series portfolio with the launch of the Vivo S17e smartphone. The S17e phone is now official in China and regarding its global availability, Vivo usually launches the S series smartphones in the global markets under the V series. So we can expect Vivo S17e will come as a Vivo V29 series.
The Vivo S17e smartphone starts at CNY 2,099 (~$301) and comes in three beautiful color options- Sunny Blue, Sand Gold, and Midnight Black. The smartphone is now up for pre-order and sale will start from May 20 via Vivo’s official website in China.
Vivo S17e flaunts a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 300Hz touch sampling rate, up to 1300 nits of peak brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. You’ll get a 64MP primary camera lens with OIS support and 2MP macro unit. There’s a 16MP front camera for selfies and video chats.
Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Vivo S17e houses a 4,600mAh battery with 66W fast charging support. The device boots Android 13 based on OriginOS 3 out of the box.
OPPO has officially launched the latest 5G mid–range smartphone in the F series- the OPPO F23 5G in Indian markets. The F23 comes with decent features at decent pricing but compared to the predecessor, the smartphone hasn’t got any major upgrades in terms of processor and camera. The notable improvement is OPPO added 67W fast charging support. Have a look at the detailed specifications and pricing of the OPPO F23 5G smartphone.
OPPO F23 5G retails at ₹24,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant and comes in Bold Gold and Cool Black color options. The smartphone is now available for pre-order via Amazon and OPPO.com and it will be up for sale starting from May 18th.
OPPO F23 5G smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor (the same processor we saw in the F21 Pro, F21s Pro 5G smartphone) paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage and it also has up to 8GB virtual RAM support. One thing OPPO did it very well is the brand promised to offer 4 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patch updates.
In terms of lenses, the smartphone features a triple rear camera setup at the back- a 64MP primary camera joined by a 2MP portrait lens and 2MP macro lens and it has a 32MP selfie camera for capturing video chats and selfies. The smartphone is backed by a 5,000mAh battery (which is up from 4.500mAh) with a 67W (up from 33W) fast charging support.
OPPO F23 5G sports a 6.72-inch FHD+ LTPS LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 680 nits of peak brightness, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The device boots Android 13 based on ColorOS 13.1 out of the box.
The mophie Powerstation Pro AC (2023) is a portable power bank designed to charge your devices on-the-go. It features a high-capacity 27,000mAh rechargeable battery, which can charge multiple devices at once, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other USB and/or AC-powered devices.
Read on to learn more or [check out the podcast]() (also embedded below) to see what we thought of the Mophie Powerstation Pro AC.
Noteworthy Features
Up to 100W output via AC
Up to 140W shared output using multiple ports
27,000mAh internal battery
Two-year warranty
LED battery level indicator
Made from up to 50% post consumer recycled plastic
Gallery
Thoughts and Conclusion
One of the standout features of the Powerstation Pro AC is its ability to provide AC power, allowing you to charge devices that require a wall outlet. The power bank features an AC outlet that can deliver up to 100 watts of power, which is sufficient to power small laptops, cameras, and other AC-powered devices.
In addition to the AC outlet, the Powerstation Pro AC also features two USB-C ports and a USB-A port, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The USB-A port supports fast charging up to 20W while the USB-C ports provide up to 60W and 20W PD for each, respectively.
The Powerstation Pro AC isn’t designed specifically for outdoor or rugged use, but it does appear to have a fairly strong build to it. Additionally, the built-in wrist strip makes it easy to carry around and less prone to take a spill when outside.
The mophie Powerstation Pro AC is a versatile and durable portable power bank that can keep your devices charged and powered on-the-go. Given that so many of our gadgets use these three port types, this one is a terrific all-in-one device for long weekends on the go or extremely busy days working remotely and on the road.
The Homey Bridge is a powerful and versatile device that allows you to control all of your smart home devices from a single app. Whether you’re looking to increase your home security or simply streamline your daily routine, the Homey Bridge has something to offer.
One of the key benefits of the Homey Bridge ($69) is its ability to integrate with a wide range of smart home devices. This means that no matter what kind of smart home products you currently own or plan to buy in the future, the Homey Bridge can likely work with them.
From smart locks and security cameras to smart thermostats and lighting, the Homey Bridge can control it all. And if you’re cobbling together a system that employs a variety of brands or protocols, you’ll be just fine.
One of the most notable features of the Homey Bridge is its powerful automation capabilities. With the Homey app, you can create custom rules and routines that automate many aspects of your home. For example, you could set up a routine that turns off all of the lights and locks the doors when you leave the house, or a rule that automatically turns on your lights when you arrive home. Another great feature of the Homey Bridge is its integration with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
The Homey Bridge supports a wide range of protocols and standards, making it compatible with many smart home devices. Some of the protocols and standards it supports include:
Zigbee: Zigbee is a low-power wireless communication protocol used for home automation. It allows devices to communicate with each other and with a central hub, like the Homey Bridge.
Z-Wave: Z-Wave is another wireless protocol for home automation, similar to Zigbee. It operates on a different frequency band and has a longer range than Zigbee.
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Infrared
These protocols and standards are widely used in the smart home industry, so the Homey Bridge’s support for them makes it a versatile and powerful hub for controlling a wide range of smart home devices.
In terms of security, the Homey Bridge also has a lot to offer. With support for a wide range of smart home security devices, including cameras, sensors, and smart locks, you can keep your home secure and monitor activity from anywhere.
As to how many devices one can connect or integrate with the Homey Bridge, well that’s up to the user. A free account allows for up to five devices. To help get a feel for the much bigger picture, however, the Homey Bridge comes with three free months of Homey Premium. This opens the door to unlimited devices, insight, and more.
Using Homey Premium it’s possible to create complex flows with multiple actions and conditions, giving you a whole new way of dealing with your smart home. It also provides users with access to an expanded selection of apps and devices.
Homey Bridge users can create an unlimited number of flows — automated sequences of actions triggered by specific events or conditions.
Homey Premium provides a range of benefits and features that are designed to enhance the functionality and convenience of the Homey ecosystem. That is to say, it’s a great product to have if you’re building out a smart home one or two devices at a time.
The Homey Bridge is a great choice for anyone looking to streamline their smart home experience and take control of their devices. With its wide range of compatibility, powerful automation capabilities, and unlimited flows, it’s a must-have for any serious smart home enthusiast.
Whether you’re looking to increase your home security or simply make your daily routine more efficient, the Homey Bridge is worth considering, especially at just $69.
The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro, now shipping, is a successor to one of my favorite digital projectors of the last few years. Not only is it sized right and pretty portable, it’s powered by Android TV and makes for a great entertainment device. Priced $599, it comes with a $50 discount for a limited time.
The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro is a small projector that weighs about 2.5lbs and occupies as much space as a roll of paper towels. It’s wrapped in brushed aluminum and looks great on any shelf, regardless of your environment.
While it’s quite portable, it does require a power source, but the included power cord is long enough to reach outlets that might be harder to reach. You can also use it with a portable battery bank, although this will automatically enable an Eco mode which reduces brightness and audio.
One of the major selling points of the projector is the uninterrupted keystone feature, which corrects perspective and focus on the fly. This means you can point the projector at any flat surface from pretty much any angle, and it will adjust the image without having to back out to a specific screen. This feature makes it great for portable use, as you don’t have to spend time adjusting the picture.
On the back of the projector, there is an HDMI 2.0 port with ARC, a USB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm output, and a USB Type-C port for power. The MoGo 2 Pro requires 65W of power, which can be found in many high-end charging solutions. XGIMI’s decision to use a Type-C port instead of a proprietary plug or DC connector opens the door to portable batteries and power stations.
A pair of 8W speakers are located on the sides and feature a number of Dolby certifications, which pump enough sound to fill the average living room. If you’re using it outside for camping or projecting on the garage, you’ll be pleased with the volume and clarity. The projector doesn’t have an internal battery, but this isn’t an issue for most people, as there is usually an outlet within reach.
The lens is located on the top right corner of the front with a CMOS camera and 3D ToF sensor that handles the keystone correction. The 1080p picture looks great in dim and lower light thanks to the 400 ISO Lumens bulb.
The projector can create a 60-inch screen at about 1.6m or approximate an 80-inch screen at a little over two meters, so you can easily project an image that’s bigger than your current television without needing a large room or wide open space.
Diagonal Sizes
38 inches @1m (1.8m*0.5m)
76 inches@2m (1.7m&0.9m)
114 inches@3m (2.5m*1.4m)
151 inches@4m (3.4m*1.9m)
189 inches@5m (4.1m*2.4m)
227 inches@6m (5m*2.8m)
The projector does not have Netflix installed on it, but an included pamphlet tells you how to go about sideloading it. With a throw ratio of 1.2:1, the picture quality is great with excellent colors and high contrast, especially in a dark room. Dancing between the various modes will yield different results, each of which is fairly noticeable as you cycle through them.
The MoGo 2 Pro runs on AndroidTV 11, which works as a user interface and is easy to set up upon taking it out of the box. A few minutes after you plug it in, you’ll be watching content from a variety of sources. It’s not too unlike what you get with the NVIDIA Shield, so the transition is nearly seamless.
While there may be more powerful or more portable projectors out there, the XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro sits perfectly in the middle of a Venn diagram of quality home entertainment devices. If you’re looking for a great portable projector, the MoGo 2 Pro is definitely worth checking out.
Google just wrapped up its Google I/O 2023 event with a new smartphone, the first foldable phone and tablet, and many new exciting features. Google announces a new AI feature for Gmail on Wednesday at its Google I/O 2023 event. Gmail’s this new AI feature will write entire emails for you.
Google calls it “help me write”, basically this feature is an upgrade to the auto-replies that Google already embedded in Gmail. Furthermore, during a presentation, the CEO of Google Sundar Pichai beautifully demonstrated this feature by taking the example of asking an airline for a refund for a flight.
This Gmail’s new AI feature gathers all the context of the emails which you previously exchanges with the airlines and writes an entire mail asking for a refund. And obviously, you can edit the message the way you want and then you are ready to send it. The feature is really helpful for many folks that reduces their writing efforts and most importantly it saves time on mindless emails.
