Smart devices come in all shapes, sizes, and capabilities. It’s fairly easy to find a connected or “smart” version of most household devices, including products from Dreo.
Up for consideration today is the Dreo Macro Max S Air Purifier. While it’s not as smart as some of the brand’s other devices, it’s still more feature-rich than your typical air purifier.
In this review and podcast Scott Webster and Luke Gaul discuss the features and capabilities of the smart air purifier.
What is the Dreo Macro Max S Air Purifier?
The Dreo Macro Max S is an air purifier that works on its own, but can be added to a smart home setup with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. With multiple stages of filtration, it’s powerful, energy efficient, and quiet.
The purifier is not only quick, cleaning rooms in a matter of minutes, but it’s also very good at its job. The H13 HEPA electrostatic filter can remove 99.955% of particles in the air, even those at just .3 microns in diameter.
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Noteworthy Features
3-stage, active filtration system
H13 true HEPA electrostatic filter
Dedicated air quality monitoring channel
Large air quality monitoring display
Smart WiFi, voice control
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
Smart filter life algorithm
24dB ultra-quiet performance
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The Deo Macro Max S is the sort of air purifier that works well on its own but gets exponentially better with the app and smart home integration. The mobile app lets users keep an eye on the filter life, adjust modes, set child lock for buttons, and more. Tie it to your smart home, though, and you’ve also got voice control for power and settings.
I’ve found the air purifier to be quick and quiet; it’s a staple here in the office. I love turning it on via voice and having it automatically turn off at the end of a work day. It does take up a decent amount of space but it’s not any bigger than it needs be. It can still fit nicely in a corner of a room, behind a chair, or in an entryway. The LED lights are a nice touch as is the optional light which gives it a bit of futuristic flair.
I’d definitely recommend this one for families or businesses looking for a well-rounded air filter system, especially if they’re technologically inclined.
Where to Buy the Dreo Macro Max S
You can learn more about the Dreo Solaris Max at the manufacturer’s website where it’s available to purchase for $85 as of today.
Tronsmart has made some compelling additions to the Bang party speaker lineup recently. Even though many of those are capable of outdoor use, the company wanted something a bit more tuned for the elements. Enter the Halo 100 outdoor party speaker.
We’ve been testing the Halo (I’ll be using this shorthand throughout the remainder of this review) for about a month and have come away pretty impressed with what Tronsmart has to offer here.
Design
Tronsmart has always leaned into funky designs and I love the look of the Halo 100 speaker. It has a retro-futuristic appeal to it if that makes sense. The LED-backlit speaker cones have a very Trek styling that reminds you of a robotic face, but the rounded edges could easily fit in with 1960s Motorola radios.
The speaker array has a 3-way sound system. This includes a tweeter in the top middle, two mids, and a dedicated subwoofer at the bottom. The system is powered by 60W of audial power. This cluster is all LED-illuminated with up to five different lighting modes.
The Tronsmart Halo 100 is ready for any settings. Whether sitting and listening alone in your home or outdoors, the build of this speaker can handle it. Add the IPX6 waterproof rating, and you should be safe around the poolside.
Bluetooth and Controls
Internally, you have Bluetooth 5.3 which also allows for dual devices to be connected. I’ve found the connection and the ability to have an extra device a nicer feature than I anticipated. Being able to bounce from say music on my phone and then a YouTube clip on my laptop has been a plus.
The Tronsmart Halo 100 has a familiar layout of Tronsmart controls. This includes the power on/off, volume +/-, play/pause, lighting modes, audio modes, stereo pairing, and finally, SoundPulse for richer sounds.
Stereo pairing works as you’d expect from Tronsmart as well. I was able to link to other capable Tronsmart speakers without issues. You initiate it on the parent device first and then once you press the same button on the Halo 100 the units started syncing up the playback.
Sound
The audio playback quality with the Halo 100 has been great. The 3-way speaker system really does pack a balanced experience with a nice punch from the woofer when you need the bass. From outdoors to even in my home office, the Halo has zero issues feeling the space with good sounds.
The default sound settings are top-notch, but you can also adjust this to your liking. Using the Tronsmart app you can tweak the EQ options to any setup you’d like to hit your ears. The layout is well done and intuitive to move the playback around to your preference.
The same is true for LED lighting. It’s kinda corny, but my daughter appreciated it more than me. Whether you have it set to stagnant color, or pulsing to the tunes, it creates a decent ambiance without being overbearing.
You can use other options for audio input using the ports in the back of the Halo 100. Here you’ll find a microSD slot that can be loaded with MP3 files to directly cycle thru your playback. If you prefer a hardwired option, and you have a dinosaur laying around with a 3.5mm jack, that’s an option as well.
Battery life and charging
Tronsmart rates the Halo 100 to last upwards of 18 hours at 50% volume and I’d say this is accurate. I rarely had it fully cranked up and jammed out all of Super Bowl Sunday starting at 9 am until well after midnight without issues. I only charged it that next day out of habit not need.
Charging other devices via the USB-A port in the back would also shorten this, but I’ve been able to top off my Pixel without any blatant blow to the runtime of the Halo 100 speaker. When you do need to plug in the Halo, this is done via USB Type C and takes around five and a half hours to charge.
This would be my one big feedback to Tronsmart. I’d love to see quick charge onboard to shorten this recharge time. I know the Halo 100 houses a massive 6000mAh power bank, but under three hours seems way more acceptable with the recent advances in quick charging.
Conclusion
The Tronsmart Halo 100 caught my attention with its quirky design. It then cemented my positive vibes with the large playback runtime and great audio experience. Tronsmart has built an amazing option for any party atmosphere.
You can snag the Halo 100 speaker for just $110 at the link below on Amazon. At this price, you can’t go wrong with adding this great audio device to your home. Act now, and it’s even 20% off at checkout.
When we consider advertising and commercial use of LED screens, we come to know that every business has its unique requirements. Usually, screens are found in square and rectangular shapes, and sites are selected accordingly. It becomes difficult when a business needs to use these displays where a usually designed screen can’t be used. In fact, every problem has a solution, and here we are discussing it. In this situation screen, customization is an effective solution.
Definition of customized screens
LED display Their flexibility makes them the best choice and allows the user to convey their advertising and video content in a different style. Many manufacturers like Dynamo offer custom screens according to the customer’s needs and make their events marvelous.
Use of Customized Screens
The most famous use of customized screens is visible in the business industry for advertisement purposes. However, it can be used where ever it is needed. Mostly these are visible in the following events.
Advertisements through transport vehicles
For mobile concerts
At airports
Exhibitions
Commerce events
Commercial events
In shopping malls
Advantages
The use of custom LED displays offers plenty of benefits; let’s have a look at some of them.
Flexibility of design
These screens can be used in different unique locations where it is usually difficult to manage an LED screen. These allow multiple shapes and sizes according to the display site. You may have seen these screens in alphabet shapes that catch the audience’s attention quickly.
Suitable for unique spaces
The best quality is that these can fit into every site. For example, if you want to display your content on round columns or in geometrical shapes, you can achieve your target using custom screens. Additionally, these unique designs make you stand out in a crowd.
Improved visual attraction
Exclusively designed screens can be made appropriate for different kinds of spaces or mixed flawlessly into environmental factors. They are great for promoting, marking, and live occasions like shows and games. Likewise, uniquely customized screens can be utilized for design and embellishment purposes.
Easy to manage in live events
Their use in live events augments the visual experience. They can be utilized to show live video streams from cameras in front of an audience and create animated graphics. The displays can spectacle logos, permitting them to establish a vivid climate for guests to encounter. Uniquely designed screens are normally utilized at shows, games, and different kinds of entertaining occasions where viewers need to feel like they’re essential for a bigger event.
Enhanced advertising and branding
These screens are an effective way to display and endorse your products or amenities. LED screens can also serve as billboards to reach a large audience. For promoting your brand awareness, logos, slogans, messages, and products can be displayed using attractive-shaped screens.
Especially designed screens have lots of benefits and can enhance the advertising impact on the audience. Their aesthetic flexibility allows their use in exclusive places. These have a powerful appeal to the audience.
Although we live in a digital era that seems to heavily appreciate streaming and on-demand music, vinyl records have been gaining traction over the last few years. And as such, so have the products to help play our beloved records.
Here, Scott and Luke talk about the Victrola Re-Spin, a sustainable record player that calls to mind your father’s (or grandfather’s) device.
What is the Victrola Re-Spin?
The Victrola Re-Spin is a suitcase-style record player that blends together a throwback design from the 1950’s and 1960’s with modern technology. Offered in four desaturated and distinct colors, the record player is partially manufactured from recycled materials and works with all three vinyl speeds.
Noteworthy Features
Custom-tuned speaker enclosure delivers increased volume and powerful bass without losing clarity
With a look that calls to mind to a “simpler” time, the Victrola Re-Spin is anything but simple. It begins with pairing Victrola quality with features available on newer technology.
The Re-Spin provides quality audio and peace of mind through its Vinyl Safe anti-vibration technology. That sound can be played through multiple options. With built-in Bluetooth and you can stream your vinyl to a connected speaker of your choosing or reverse the situation and stream your device to the onboard and custom-tuned speaker enclosure.
In short, I really like the Victrola Re-Spin. It’s a quality record player, and even though it might look like it was your grandfather’s, it has all the smarts to keep up with what today’s modern needs. It’s also priced to sell and makes for the perfect entry point in a home values design as much as capability. And perhaps best of all, it’s made from 25% recycled plastic.
Where to Buy the Victrola Re-Spin
You can learn more about the Victrola Re-Spin at the manufacturer’s website where it’s available to purchase for as low as $100. Look for it in four distinct colors.
Wireless earbuds come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and there’s pretty much something for you at any price range. SOUNDPEATS, a brand that tends to play in the lower price sandbox, is back with a new pair of wireless earbuds in the form of the Opera05.
The new earbuds look more premium, have a decent list of features on paper, and are priced to sell. How do they fare in the real world? Check out the review below and the podcast where we dive into the latest from the company.
What is the SOUNDPEATS Opera05?
The SOUNDPEATS Opera05 are a more premium audio experience from a brand that offers great value propositions. They look higher-end and they sound that way, too. Features include long-lasting battery, water resistance, and support for some of the latest in audio codecs.
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Noteworthy Features
Up to 33 hours of total listening time
Hi-Res and LDAC Codec support
12mm dynamic drivers
IPX4 rating
SOUNDPEATS app for EQ customization
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We’re really like the SOUNDPEATS Opera05 and find them to be a more premium experience than expected from the brand. Its products tend to be a solid value proposition and cater in the lower price range but we think this is a big step in the right direction.
The earbuds look sharp with their colors and design but they do stick out from the ear a bit more than we’d like. That aside, they’re very comfortable and do not lead to ear fatigue, even at longer listening sessions.
Thanks to support for some of the most modern audio codecs and the in-app equalizer settings audio is fantastic. Music, podcasts, books, and phone calls sound terrific.
We also like the longer battery life and water resistance. These are a good option for customers who lean into music a bit more and appreciate the finer nuances.
Where to Buy
You can learn more about the SOUNDPEATS Opera05 earbuds at Kickstarter. They are expected to ship later this spring, tentatively in April 2023. Pricing figures to be around $80 based on what we can tell.
If you have an Anker PowerCore at home, stop what you’re doing and take a moment to verify the model number. As of this morning, Anker has issued an immediate warning to users surrounding the Anker PowerCore 535 model number A1366 due to an investigation of a housefire being linked to the device.
To see if this model is your own power bank, turn the PowerCore over and search for the numbers at the bottom of the unit. Here you should be able to see the Model. If A1366 follows this on your Anker charger please stop using it immediately.
The risk of this device catching fire is that Anker will be issuing a full refund for those that purchased the PowerCore 535. Anker is directing those that own this model to dispose of it with any certified lithium waste company. It’s not recommended to simply toss these devices in the garbage.
Hit the link below to initiate your refund process from Anker if you own this model. We’ve also listed companies that can help dispose of lithium batteries in a safely managed way. If you have further questions or concerns please reach out to Anker support at support@anker.com for assistance.
The Ticwatch manufacturer brand Mobvoi introduced the Mobvoi Sports and Health data platform for TicWatch users. The newly launched Mobvoi Sports and Health data platform offers advanced health insights and fitness progress.
According to Mobvoi, the platform collects general health data through a user’s TicWatch including daily step count, heart rate, distance, stress levels, blood oxygen, sleep stages, and much more. The platform shows detailed comparisons (including steps you walk, the type of exercise, duration, and more). It provides insights and extensive graphics that help the user to track health-oriented goals thoroughly.
Furthermore, the Mobvoi Sports and Health data platform also supports multi-day health comparison that allows you to track the circadian rhythm of sleep cycles. The platform has the ability to record in-detailed workout insights and analysis and you can also export all your health data in the .tcx form. The platform is compatible with third-party platforms such as Garmin Connect, COROS Training Hub, and Strava.
You only required a Mobvoi ID login to access the platform on the TicWatch and it can also be accessible on a desktop through Mobvai’s official site.
Smart devices come in all shapes, sizes, and capabilities. It’s fairly easy to find a connected or “smart” version of most household devices, including products from Dreo.
Up for review today is the Dreo Solaris Max Space Heater. While it’s not as smart as some of the brand’s other devices, it’s still more feature-rich than your old space heater.
In this review and podcast Scott Webster and Luke Gaul discuss the features and capabilities of the heater.
What is the Dreo Solaris Max Space Heater?
The Dreo Solaris Max is an oscillating space heater that rises 24-inches off the ground. It features a digital LED screen for controls but also comes with a remote for managing temperatures and settings. In addition to adjustable heat (41-95 degrees), it also has a timer, optional oscillation, and tip-over protection.
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Noteworthy Features
Fast warmth from 10ft/s PTC ceramic heating
Programmable 41-95°F digital thermostat
70° oscillation, 1-12h off timer
5 quiet modes (H1, H2, H3, ECO, Fan)
Powered by ObliqueAirflow technology
Overheat and tip-over protection
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Things heat up quickly and efficiently with this unit with a max temperature setting of 95 degrees. The height works well to distribute heat to legs and laps and under desks. Speaking of which, it’s quiet and won’t distract when watching movies or working in an office setting.
I really like the size and power of this heater as it’s not just strong but it can push heat across the room. The LED buttons are rather self-explanatory and work well if you’re nearby, but the remote control is extra handy. I appreciate being able to pull the remote out of a drawer and quickly set temperatures and/or a timer.
As a pet owner I was initially anxious about the tall narrow design of the heater. Worried that it might easily tip over from animals or toddlers, I’ve had my share of accidents over the years. The Dreo Solaris Max has a unique feature that not only automatically shuts off the heat when knocked beyond 45 degrees, but it also sounds an alarm, too.
I also like the cutout handle spot in the rear so I can grab the heater and relocate to a different space in the room or another one altogether.
Where to Buy the Dreo Solaris Max
You can learn more about the Dreo Solaris Max at the manufacturer’s website where it’s available to purchase for $85 as of today.
OnePlus recently introduced its first-ever OnePlus Pad premium tablet and the specs it holds are looking like one of the best Android tablets in the market so far.
To see where the Oneplus tablet stands we are going to compare it with Xiaomi’s latest and OnePlus’ rival Xiaomi Pad 5. Both tablets have power-packed features that are power efficient enough to tackle heavy tasks.
Why did we choose Xiaomi Pad 5 as the formidable rival?
Xiaomi launched its latest Xiaomi Pad 5 last year and surprisingly the tablet comes with exciting features. The Xiaomi Pad 5 tablet offers an eye-grabbing display, solid performance, and a budget range price point. The most arguable alternative to the iPad, Xiaomi Pad 5 is the best Android-based tablet on the market today.
Have a look at the detailed comparison of the OnePlus Pad and Xiaomi Pad 5
Xiaomi Pad: Plastic build with an aluminum frame, 511g weight
OnePlus Pad inherits the elegant and purposeful design with CNC machined aluminum alloy back panel, while the Xiaomi Pad 5 has an entire plastic back and the frame is aluminum.
OnePlus Pad comes in a sole color option- Halo Green. Talking about its back panel, OnePlus integrated the rear camera at the center of the tablet which is a notable difference. OnePlus uses the Cambered frame design in the OnePlus Pad to make the device lighter and thinner.
On the Other hand, Xiaomi Pad 5 ships with two color options- Cosmic Grey and Pearl White. Xiaomi offers two color options which is something OnePlus Pad doesn’t. When you look at the design of the Xiaomi Pad 5, it feels like the Pad 5 adopts a very similar design to the higher-end iPad.
One thing is prevalent in both tablets, they are significantly slimmer, slimmer than almost any smartphone. The OnePlus Pad is just 6.5mm thick while the Xiaomi Pad 5 is 6.9mm thick. In terms of weight, both tablets are lightweight, with only 41 grams difference in weight.
Display and audio
OnePlus Pad: 11.61-inch IPS LCD display, 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby vision, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support
Xiaomi Pad 5: 11-inch IPS LCD display, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby vision, HDR10 support, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support
Both tablets are perfectly designed for total entertainment, they got HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support to provide cutting-edge immersive audio-video experience.
OnePlus Pad is the first tablet to feature a 144Hz refresh rate display, which ensures smoothness during system navigation and improves the gaming experience.
The OnePlus pad is the industry’s first tablet to feature a 7:5 aspect ratio. Thanks to the almost-square 7:5 aspect ratio, it is said to offer a better reading experience when compared to the traditional 16:10 aspect ratio. OnePlus calls it ReadFit.
With the OnePlus Pad’s large screen you should be able to see more lines of an ebook, more rows of a sheet, and more horizons will be exhibited in a video.
Xiaomi Pad comes with a WQHD+ resolution 120Hz refresh rate display with a 16:10 standard aspect ratio. The 120Hz refresh rate is not bad but yes in practice, you are likely to notice a notable difference compared to 144Hz on the OnePlus Pad.
OnePlus Pad comes with optimized hardware and software features. The Pad is powered by MediaTek Dimesity 9000 processor based on 4nm architecture. The benchmark score of Dimensity 9000 is 1304 and 4132 for single and multi-core which is way better than the Snapdragon 860.
Essentially, this means the OnePlus Pad has superior efficiency, multitasking ability to tackle everyday tasks, and is capable of playing demanding games at high graphics settings without any hiccups.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 comes with only a 6GB RAM option while the OnePlus Pad ships with 12GB RAM. The Pad has almost double the RAM as compared to Xiaomi Pad 5. This means the OnePlus Pad is far better at handling multitasking. OnePlus introduced the RAM-VITA feature to work with the large 12GB RAM, the RAM-VITA allows running up to 24 different apps in the background without stalling.
Battery and Charging
OnePlus Pad: 9510mAh battery, 67W fast charging
Xiaomi Pad: 8720mAh battery, 33W fast charging
OnePlus Pad has a larger battery and almost double 67W fast charging support as compared to 33W on the Xiaomi Pad 5. There is no doubt, both tablets offer all-day battery life. OnePlus claims that the Pad offers one month of standby life, which is great.
Camera
OnePlus Pad: 13MP rear camera, and 8MP front camera
Xiaomi Pad: 13MP rear camera, and 8MP front camera
Both tablets have the same camera specifications, so we can’t say which tablet has the better experience unless and until we get some camera samples.
Accessories
OnePlus Pad- Magnetic keyboard and OnePlus Stylo
Xiaomi Pad 5- Xiaomi Pad keyboard and Xiaomi Smartpen
For accessories, the OnePlus Pad and Xiaomi Pad 5 both have keyboard and stylus pen support. Both options will let you use the tablet as a drawing pad or laptop style.
Pricing
As far as pricing is concerned the Xiaomi Pad 5 costs $349 for the 6/128GB model and $399 for the 6/256GB variant. OnePlus Pad, on the other hand, price is yet to be announced, but compared to Xiaomi Pad 5’s pricing it will definitely be more expensive for sure.
Final Thoughts
It’s not a very tough decision to decide which one is best as the information we have thus far clearly pointed towards the OnePlus Pad. There is no doubt that the OnePlus Pad edges out the Xiaomi Pad 5 in terms of display, battery, and processor performance.
If you want a tablet for gaming or video editing OnePlus Pad is the tablet you can go with. But if you need a tablet just for casual gaming, web surfing, binge-watching, and other casual needs, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is indeed a great option for you. Similarly, if you’re shopping on a budget, this one is a solid option.
In the end, your needs are going to decide which is the best tablet for you.
The Thinkware Q800PRO is a high-end dashcam that is designed to capture high-quality video footage of your driving experience.
It features a front-facing camera that records in 2K QHD (2560×1440) resolution, while the rear-facing camera records in 1080p Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. This dual-camera system offers a 140-degree viewing angle, providing a wide and clear view of the road ahead and behind.
One of the key features of the Q800PRO is its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). This system includes various safety features such as lane departure warning, front collision warning, and safety camera alerts. The lane departure warning system alerts you if you start to drift out of your lane, while the front collision warning system warns you if you’re getting too close to the car in front of you. The safety camera alerts notify you when you’re approaching speed cameras or red light cameras.
The Q800PRO also includes built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to track your location and speed, as well as easily transfer footage to your smartphone or computer. The dashcam supports up to 128GB microSD cards, which can store hours of recorded footage.
Thinkware Q800 Pro Features
2K QHD front-facing camera and a 1080p Full HD rear-facing camera with a 140-degree viewing angle
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that includes lane departure warning, front collision warning, and safety camera alerts
Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and supports up to 128GB microSD cards
Super Night Vision 2.0 enhances low-light footage
Time Lapse and Energy Saving modes
Parking Mode uses motion detection to record and save footage when the car is parked and turned off
1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Another great feature of the Q800PRO is its Super Night Vision 2.0 technology. This feature enhances low-light footage by reducing noise and improving image quality, making it easier to see details in dark or poorly-lit environments. The dashcam also offers Time Lapse and Energy Saving modes, which help to conserve power and storage space.
Finally, the Q800PRO includes a Parking Mode that uses motion detection to record and save footage when the car is parked and turned off. This feature is particularly useful for protecting your vehicle from theft or vandalism.
Overall, the Thinkware Q800PRO is a powerful and reliable dashcam that provides high-quality video footage and a range of advanced safety features. It is priced at $199.99 and comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
