In this episode of the AndroidGuys podcast, Scott Webster and Luke Gaul chat about the Yaber Pico T1. After finding success on Indiegogo the portable projector is ready for its retail debut. How does the tiny unit fare? Read on to learn more and listen to the podcast.
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The Yaber Pico T1 is a pint-sized portable projector that comes with a remote control and built-in navigational buttons. It runs its own software and can install apps such as YouTube, Hulu, HBO Max, and others. About the size of a portable power bank, it offers USB C screen mirroring, Bluetooth connectivity, and dual-band Wi-Fi support.
Gallery
Features
Mini HDMI
2 x USB Type-C
Supports 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi
960 x 540 resolution
10″-100″ screen
Can install apps like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, etc
Comes with remote control and tripod
Built-in touch display controls
Listen to the Episode
Parting Thoughts
We really like the portability of this projector and appreciate that it comes with a carrying case. You’ll need to supply your own power source as it doesn’t have an internal battery, but the kit comes with a portable charging bank.
The magnetic tripod is very handy for desktop presentations and for setting the projector to display at angles. While the 960 x 540 resolution doesn’t sound all that impressive, we were forgiving because of its diminutive size.
Generally speaking, the picture quality is decent with a fair amount of brightness, contrast, and detail to images. We can imagine this working well for office settings, camping, and gaming on the go.
The included remote is much easier to use than the built-in navigation, but we do like that Yaber offers that for quick touch and access.
The operating system was a little bit wonky to get used to at first but once we had things squared up, installed, and logged in, it was pretty much smooth sailing from that point forward.
Where to Buy the Yaber Pico T1
You can learn more about the yaber Pico T1 at Indiegogo and manufacturer’s website where it’s currently listed as coming soon. Based on what we can tell, the price looks to be around $360 when it arrives.
My first real stereo was a hand-me-down Technics system that I loved. So, when I saw Technics recently launched the EAH-AZ60 Wireless Earbuds with ANC, I was excited to give them a try. Thankfully, the company agreed to send them out for a review.
Design
The Technics EAH-AZ60 true wireless earbuds come in a compact plastic case in either black or silver. I have the black unit here, but as you can see from the photos, it appears to be more of a dark blue than black.
There is a USB Type-C port on the back for charging, sorry no wireless charging here, and the lid is held shut with the use of a magnetic clasp. The case also makes use of magnets to secure the buds in place and it does a great job of keeping them in place.
Comfort
After years of reviewing earbuds, one thing that always surprises me is the lack of ear tips included in the box, specifically smaller ear tips. However, Technics surprised me here by providing one of the most comprehensive collections of ear tips that I’ve ever seen. There are seven different sizes to choose from, including some specifically for people with smaller ear canals, that would be me.
Not only is this important for comfort, but it also plays a huge role in noise cancellation. Without a proper seal, you can’t expect the earbuds to do a proper job of cancelling out the noise around you.
Regardless, I couldn’t quite get a comfortable fit even with the smallest tips and I had to use a pair from this set I purchased from Amazon.
User experience
While I applaud Technics for including a large variety of ear tips with the EAH-60AZ, I still found myself needing to adjust or buds in my ears from time to time. The issue with this, is that I’d also end up inadvertently activating the touch controls on the buds.
I’ve encountered issues like this with several other pairs of headphones in the past. Touch controls seem great, in theory, but in practice, they can be a real nuisance unless implemented perfectly. A few brands have gotten it right, but I eventually had to disable the touch controls on the EAH-60AZ to prevent constantly pausing or skipping tracks.
While we’re on the topic of pausing tracks, the Technics EAH-60AZ don’t include a sensor on the buds to automatically pause when you remove them from your ears. That’s not such a big deal for me, but it is something you’d expect to see at this price point.
As far as making phone calls go, the mics work great. I never had any complaints on the calls I made and you can even use one earbud while leaving the other in the case.
App
I love the app for the EAH-60AZ. Some manufacturers include a barebones app that does little more than toggle ANC and update the firmware. While other brands go all out, and I’m happy to report that the Technics app does the latter.
The Technics Audio Connect app allows you to view the battery level of each individual earbud, toggle on ANC, control the level of noise cancellation, adjust the EQ, update firmware, and more.
The app does just about everything you could want, except for showing the battery level of the case. It’s that one glaring omission that makes it just shy of perfect.
Sound quality
Having never used Technics earbuds before, I was uncertain of what to expect. Fortunately, I was in for a surprise, because the EAH-60AZ sound amazing. Out of the box, the sound is warm and balanced with lots of depth. However, I personally prefer a little more bass, so a quick trip to the EQ, and I had the EAH-60AZ tuned exactly the way I wanted.
For me, that means crisp highs with deep full bass and a wide sound stage. The Technics EAH-60AZ more than delivered on all of these fronts, especially with deep clean bass without distortion.
Comparing them to one of my favorite pairs of earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM4, showed there was hardly a difference in sound quality. The EAH-60AZ sound very similar and offer the LDAC much like the Sony buds for the highest quality wireless connection you can ask for.
ANC
The noise cancellation on the Technics EAH-60AZ is top-notch. With a proper seal, it blocks out all the annoying background sounds in everyday life and leaves you with just the music. Additionally, you can adjust the ANC level in the app, turn on the transparency mode to allow outside noises in, or completely disable noise cancellation.
Battery
Technics rates the EAH-60AZ for seven hours of consistent listening and 24 hours overall with the charging case. During my time with the earbuds, I’ve had no trouble listening for a couple of hours at a time, but I did have them drain completely on me within a week.
That was after listening for around two hours a day during my workouts. This puts the battery life at nearly 14 hours, but in my case, I was using LDAC which is known to reduce battery life. That’s still more than decent considering I left ANC on all the time as well.
One thing I did notice is that the left earbud seems to always drain more quickly to the point that it died before the right bud.
Final thoughts
The Technics EAH-60AZ are a fantastic set of earbuds with audiophile-level sound and excellent noise cancellation. I was very impressed with the ANC performance along with the sound quality when using the LDAC setting.
Still, there are some improvements Technics could make, such as adding wireless charging and a design with an area you can use to push the buds in without activating the touch controls. Otherwise, the EAH-60AZ are among some of the best earbuds I’ve reviewed and come in at a lower price than Sony’s offering making them a great bargain.
The Technics EAH-60AZ are now available in black or silver from Amazon or B&H for $200 or cheaper if you can find them on sale.
The Toasty One is the first kitchen appliance from Tineco, a brand known primarily for its vacuum cleaners. A toaster at a premium price ($340) it could be the perfect match for your household. Or so one would assume for that much money. Is there enough here to justify the cost or would one be better served with a traditional unit?
Read on to learn more about the Tineco Toasty One and find out what I thought of it.
Inside the box was a cleaning brush, an instruction manual, and, of course, the toaster itself. Everything is packaged neatly and I was pleased to see there were no dents or scratches picked up while in transit.
The Toasty One is a smart toaster which means it does what every other standard toaster can but it’s also a little more interactive. For starters, there is a built-in 4” LCD touchscreen on the front of it where you do interact with the unit.
On this touchscreen you can create your own profile customized to how you like your toast done. Are you more of a lightly toasted person or do you prefer a little bit more crispiness to your daily bread?
via Tineco
The Tineco Toasty One is able to hold up to eight different profiles so it’s faster and more efficient for dealing with multiple people in a home. For instance, one piece of toast can be darker or in the toaster longer while the other pops out in a fraction of the time.
If you are not using the profile setting there is a slider on the display that you can use to manually adjust how toasted your bread gets. The screen also provides a nice visual indicator to show roughly what your toast will look like when it comes out.
Once the bread is inside the toaster there is a progress indicator on the LCD screen that shows how close it is to finishing the process. This is an interesting aspect as most toast is done in a few minutes and we tend to prepare the rest of our meal during the time. Knowing the exact length of time before your toast pops out is nice, but it’s never been a pain point.
There are two slots in the toaster that can both work independently from each other and both auto lift and lower the bread. A couple times when my bread was lifted out it seemed that one side of the bread got a little more heat than the other but there wasn’t a huge difference.
As a customer I would want my premium toaster to be able to toast all bread about as perfectly as can be. Similarly, there is no bagel mode present so you cannot toast the inside more than the outside or treat one side of the bread differently.
I will say that the look and build of the toaster itself is a sight to behold. It is a larger toaster and it gives off a bit of a 90’s vibe yet it retains the technology and modern day aesthetics.
The outside of the toaster never got hot in my testing so I feel comfortable placing it in the same places that the traditional toaster sits. Underneath there’s a crumb catcher that can be removed whenever you want, but the LCD screen can be used to notify you for cleaning if left untouched for an extended period of time.
The Tineco Toasty One has a 2-year limited warranty and feels like a quality device. I’ve been impressed with other Tineco products so I trust this one will be fine.
Conclusion
The Tineco Toasty One is no doubt a high-priced, solidly built toaster. And the smarts are nice to have. However, for this much money I struggle with recommending it for most homes. Even with a two-year warranty and a history of good devices, I’m reluctant to suggest anyone spend this kind of money on any toaster.
Any toaster can do the basic stuff and we’ve never really had an issue or problem with the way things were. We’ve never really worried about how much time is spent in the kitchen, waiting on toast to pop or wondering how much longer we have to stand by. Are we making something smart just because we can? Maybe that’s the case here. And really, most $50 toasters include a bagel setting.
Sure, dealing with multiple people at once is easier and more intuitive with the LCD display. And the reminders for cleaning out the crumb catcher is also a nice touch. I might like to see room for up to four pieces of toast at once, especially if it can support the different profiles. Otherwise, we might as well just rely on the manual slider or knob from a traditional device.
Is there anything here to justify its high price? I don’t think so. It is a step in the right direction for toasters and I am excited to see what Tineco does next in the kitchen space, but this first generation falls short in my eyes. In the meantime I would feel better recommending another toaster for your kitchen needs and saving the money.
One of the products we use everyday, and generally don’t think twice about, is the toothbrush. All toothbrushes are pretty much able to do the job but some are better than others. And in 2022, quite a few of them are electric or considered smart.
Which are the best and/or the most efficient for the job of cleaning our teeth? Today we are going to look at a relatively unknown brand, Soocas, and compare its Spark to the more widely known Philips One. Which one will be the best bang for your buck? Read on to learn more about what I thought of the two.
Soocas Spark
The Soocas Spark is packed in a very minimalistic box. Things were tightly packed and included only the essentials and a bit of padding. Inside the box are the toothbrush, a Type-C charging cord, and a travel case.
The base and the brush attachment felt very solid in hand and it was quite easy to assemble. The travel case felt a little flimsy, to me, at first but after using it a couple times I felt more comfortable with it. Despite the fact that it only covers the brush part of the toothbrush and the power button, it felt adequate for the job at hand.
The Soocas Spark charges in two hours and its battery should last up to 40 days on a single charge. There is a ring light on the toothbrush that lets you know when it needs to be charged again so you won’t be caught without power.
The unit has two different brushing modes (Gentle/Cleaning) which are both accessed by hitting the power button once or twice in the first 10 seconds of operation.
There is also a built-in smart timer for a two minute duration that will briefly pause every 30 seconds letting you know to move on to the next area of your mouth to clean.
The Soocas Spark has a waterproof rating of IPX8 and a 30,000 vibrations/minute sonic motor. I was very happy with the performance of the Soocas Spark and my teeth felt extra clean after every use.
Philips One
The Philips One also comes with the toothbrush, a Type-C charging cord, and a travel case. The toothbrush had easy assembly and a solid feel to the build of it.
The travel case had a solid design to it but this one houses more of the toothbrush than just the head. Rather, you place the toothbrush into it face down and the button is protected from being accidentally pressed while traveling.
The Philips One charges in approximately eight hours and holds its charge for 30 days on a single charge. There is one brushing mode but it’s enough to fulfill your basic brushing needs.
There is also a built-in smart timer for two minutes that briefly stops in 30 second intervals to let you know to move on to the next part of your mouth. The Philips One has a waterproof rating of IPX7 and a 13,000 vibrations/minute hollow cup motor. This toothbrush also left me quite satisfied after each use.
Verdict
Both the Soocas Spark and the Philips One are great, affordable toothbrushes and work well for consumers looking for an entry-level “smart” device. The Soocas Spark gets the edge for me as it seems to offer a more well-rounded package and comes in ten dollars cheaper: The Soocas Spark runs $29.99 while the Philips One typically comes in at $39.99.
Both are affordable and worth your money but the Soocas Spark has slightly more to offer. As of today both are discounted a bit, perhaps likely as part of holiday sales.
More and more users are considering how they include privacy alongside technology. Smartphones can be a struggle as Google doesn’t exactly scream user-first privacy and Apple has its own issues. Thankfully, new options like the Volla intend to offer an alternative.
The Volla Phone 22 is a de-Googled Android device for the more security-focused user. How does it hold up in the modern world of advanced smartphones? Let’s find out in our full review.
Design
The design of the Volla 22 is fine. That’s about it. The industrial construction is mostly plastic and reminds me of some of the first few generations of Moto G devices. That was pretty decent four years ago, but now this is looking dated.
However, you do get a few ports that you may have been missing these days. Yep, there’s a true relic of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom along with a USB-C charging port, and finally a speaker grille. On the right side of the Volla 22, you get a volume rocker and a dedicated power button.
The back cover is the one spot the company has a bit going on with a glass inlay that has the Volla logo etched into it. It’s a nice touch to add a design flare. In the middle of the top half is a capacitive hardware fingerprint scanner. Just to the right of the is the dual camera array of the main camera.
Crazy talk, but the back plate is completely removable. This is another throwback to another era of smartphones. While this is nice to get to internal things and lends to replacements of the battery, it also has its downside. The open compartment makes this much more susceptible to the elements like dust and water.
Display and internals
The screen on the Volla 22 isn’t bad. The 6.3-inch panel has a resolution of 2340×1080 and provides good colors and contrasts. There’s a teardrop notch at the top for a 16MP front camera.
Performance is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. Most will scoff at 4GB of RAM, but without the backend processes of a true Google phone, I don’t see this as an issue with the Android model (more on that later).
You have an LTE modem capable of most GSM-global bands, but sadly that leaves us Verizon customers out in the cold here. This isn’t rare in these niche phones, but it would be nice to see one take the largest US carrier seriously every once in a while.
Software
Volla has included a unique option with the Volla Phone 22. You can choose either Volla OS or Ubuntu Touch at purchase. For those that may not know, this is the most popular version of desktop Linux used worldwide. A few years back they started a mobile variant that never took off on the commercial level but is still supported as an open-source alternative to the closed worlds of Android and iOS.
Having Ubuntu Touch available as an alternative isn’t all. The company also supports running a multi-boot process with several other OS options. Sailfish OS, Droidian, and mobile Manjaro are all supported by official or community operating system builds.
But for this review, let’s come back to the official Volla OS. The company has decided to make this super minimalistic and the entire UI revolves around the Springboard. This is essentially the home screen and global search built into one interface.
By simply typing into the main Springboard UI, you can initiate a call to a contact, search the web, make a note, or create a calendar event. Volla has built this paradigm to make it dead simple to get to anything on the phone with just text input. It’s an interesting take that will give you pause to learn.
The other thing is the lack of cloud inclusions in the OS. This is a conscious decision for privacy, but you will need to offload your contacts and calendars from other sources to at least get started on the Volla Phone 22. After the initial setup offline you do have access to Fdroid and Aurora Store for app downloads without the need for Google Apps.
Cameras
The main camera array can take decent shots with the 48MP shooter. In good lighting they can be even good. Add any disturbance or lackluster lighting and the camera quickly struggles. I’d say most of this is due to the open-source drivers. Great post-processing generally takes proprietary software to pull it all together.
The front-facing is what you expect from a selfie cam. It snaps a decent, quick photo. Nothing more nothing less.
Battery
I expected the 4500mAh battery pack to perform well with zero cloud hooks constantly running. I’m happy to report that this is the case in real-world usage. I’m able to comfortably get through a full day and a half with the internal battery before I have to reach for a charger.
Charging is something I also assumed would take a backseat with the removable back and some of the more dated aesthetics, but both USB-C charging and wireless Qi are both onboard.
Conclusion
I’m torn on the Volla Phone 22. The Linux nerd in me appreciates the active removal of all things Google and app tracking. However, those things come at the price of convenience and I’m not sure how many real consumers are willing to give up the easy and well-done collection of apps and services standard Google’s Android offers.
Google has built a world of Android users around the simplicity and free-to-use services on its mobile OS. If you’d like to attempt to free yourself from these restrictions and trackers, the Volla Phone is 452 euros or roughly $467 in the United States. The phone can be purchased on the Volla website directly from the store page.
We rarely review an old standard around here at Android Guys. Like, AA and AAA batteries have been around for ages. Even rechargeable options of those have been around for decades. So, I was surprised to discover that a new generation of reusable batteries leveraging USB-C has just come to market.
PaleBlue has been around for a couple of years and started with micro-USB-powered AA and AAA batteries for home use. The company has just launched its latest USB-C editions and we’ve been testing them for about a month I’m not buying any other batteries moving forward.
Dead simple, not dead batteries
It takes zero time to adapt to PaleBlue’s system. The box includes a 4-way splitter to charge the entire pack of batteries and that’s pretty much it. Afterward, you simply use them as you would any battery.
Once they are drained, you simply recharge again via the adapters. No additional docking station like traditional rechargeable batteries. While the included split adapter is nice, even that’s not necessary. Any common USB-C cable can be used to refuel the cells in the PaleBlue batteries.
PaleBlue has also thought of aesthetics. While charging you get a nice LED indicator. The top of the batteries just above the USB-C port will pulse green until recharged. Once refueled the light will turn off.
You won’t miss the old days
I’ve been using the PaleBlue in both AA and AAA varieties for the last month. I’ve found no visible differences between these units and standard batteries. The size and form are identical to other options.
One key difference I have found is that these are even closer in size to non-rechargeable batteries than the common rechargeable options. I’ve found over the years that most of the available rechargeable batteries from Amazon, Energizer, and Duracell tend to be a few millimeters larger than standard ones.
This slight bulk leads to issues with many electronics in the home. Compact devices like a wireless mouse or some streaming remotes can be a pain or won’t even fit rechargeable batteries. I’m happy to report this has not been an issue with the PaleBlue AA or AAA units.
Conclusion
I’ve been overly impressed with PaleBlue and the USB-C batteries I received. From the slim design to the universal charging mechanism, this is the simplest way to get solid rechargeable batteries. You really can’t go wrong.
Pricing for the PaleBlue USB-C starts at $25 for a four-pack of the AAA and $30 for the same count in AA variants. If you want to go all in, you can even purchase the Sustainability kit or the Full Home Conversion kit for sizeable discounts. The company also offers other less popular battery types like C, D, and 9-volt.
In this episode of the AndroidGuys podcast, Scott Webster and Luke Gaul chat about the Up-Switch Orion. Is the Nintendo Switch accessory worthy of your time and/or money? Read on to learn more and listen to the podcast.
Be sure to subscribe to the AndroidGuys podcast through your favorite platform or add the AndroidGuys Podcast RSS feed to enjoy!
The Up-Switch Orion is an accessory designed for the Nintendo Switch, with a little bit of added capabilities. An HDMI port allows for various sources, including a media stick or gaming console. Or, use it as an external monitor when on the go.
It features a large display, internal speakers, volume control, a built-in kickstand, and straps to attach an external power source. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow for touch and it can be a bit wonky to work with at first.
Gallery
Features
11.6-inch IPS Monitor
HDMI Input
Built-in Speakers
Kickstand
Velcro straps to hold any external power source
90 day warranty
Listen to the Episode
Parting Thoughts
A bit of an acquired taste, we like this one for certain intended uses. It’s versatile and friendly except where it isn’t; we miss the touch capability that the Switch offers. The price is a bit high considering its overall capabilities, but we can see this device speaking to a particular user base.
It’s just portable enough but it requires an external power source so that either means a heavier power bank stuck to the rear or being plugged into a wall. The HDMI port is cool, giving the Orion the ability to act as an external display or screen for a Fire TV or Android TV dongle.
Where to Buy Up-Switch Orion
You can learn more about the Up-Switch Orion at the manufacturer’s website where it’s also available to purchase. As of today it’s priced $250.
T-Mobile has re-introduced one of its most popular deals — four lines for $100 — for customers looking to save big on cell phone plans as the year winds down.
What’s in it for customers?
As part of the plan each of the four lines cost $25 per month (with auto pay) and comes with unlimited talk, text and data including access to 5G network. This offer is ongoing, having started in November 2022. The time to check it out is now because it is only available for a limited period.
In 2020, this offer was captioned “unprecedented” and “taking the gloves off”. Now that it’s back, T-Mobile assures customers that there’s something for everyone and they could shop Cyber Monday deals on its website which also offers some news regarding holiday gift guide. For example, customers can also find and pick iPhone deals that match what they are looking for.
T-Mobile has always been a step ahead in everything positive for users. That’s why customers can save up to 28.5 percent from offers that’s quite higher from AT&T’s deals this season.
Get ready to save when you make use of the latest T-Mobile deals. Find deals on 5G cell phones, smartwatches, and other devices. Here’s an opportunity for anyone hard-bitten by rising inflation to save extra cash as they shop.
Don’t forget, this ongoing offer is subject to change, and for those who qualify they are required to limit one offer to an individual. It is also recommended that this offer must not be combined with other offers or discounts. Existing users who switch from line may lose certain benefits.
Why not visit a T-Mobile store or dial 1-800-T-Mobile? You’re sure to benefit from picking at least one offer.
Some of the best deals occur during Black Friday and Cyber Monday periods for shoppers hunting for discounts. If you’re interested in hunting for Arlo products, now is the best time to get involved.
Arlo has announced deals that started November 19th and run through December 4th. Technically speaking for 2022 Black Friday and Cyber Monday occur November 25 and November 28 so Arlo starts early and extends its deals for consumers to have a better chance at saving money.
What’s in Arlo Exclusive deals?
Apart from having more days added for consumers to enjoy the deals, the firm has announced discounts from 40 percent to 50 percent. That’s a massive discount for people who need to purchase quality products at reduced prices.
Last year’s experience is still fresh in the minds of consumers. It was one of the biggest for Arlo when it came to Black Friday discounts. Consumers expect to enjoy nothing less this year.
Arlo is known for offering quality home security products. These include security cameras, sensors, doorbells, and bundles.
Some of the products are wired or wireless, depending on what you desire. In this case, there will be discounts for wireless doorbell bundles and wired doorbell bundles.
Of note is the “Protect Your Everything Bundle” which offers a 47 percent discount during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A massive 50 percent cut is expected for those who purchase a Wireless Doorbell + 4K Camera Bundle – something many buyers should be interested in.
Arlo is sure to impress customers again this year. However, a first-time user who needs discounts on home security systems can count on getting good quality products from the firm.
A recent move by T-Mobile has immediately advanced the nationwide network with the Un-carrier lighting up Ultra Capacity 5G on 5G SA across the country.
Apart from offering faster speeds for customers in the U.S, T-Mobile is able to reduce any lag in the network with lower latency. This improves applications like gaming that require quick responsiveness.
Also, the move is commended as another massive move toward unleashing groundbreaking new applications designed to thrive purely on a 5G network.
Neville Ray, President of Technology at T-Mobile admits the company is only “scratching the surface on what 5G can do.” At the moment, 5G keeps making a meaningful impact and changing the way people make use of their devices. It has brought choice and competition to home broadband, improving disaster response, and accomplishing more.
T-Mobile as a network is proving to be not just the biggest promoter in 5G offering. It is also the fastest and most reliable 5G network, especially in the U.S. The company thrives by driving the industry forward with 5G standalone. However, these levels of accomplishments could be celebrated as what can’t be achieved otherwise.
The move to 5G SA on its ultra-capacity network opens up new vistas for 5G carrier aggregation (NR CA). This combines different layers of the 5G spectrum to provide greater speed and better capacity.
As mentioned in a previous post, the Uncarrier combines three channels of Ultra Capacity 5G. The tests produced peak speeds topping 3 Gbps which experts say is a mind-blowing speed.
T-Mobile customers using the Samsung Galaxy S22 will be first to leverage and enjoy the latest 5G capacity. It should reach their devices in a few weeks. T-Mobile has not announced when this new greater capacity will reach additional devices in the future.
The Un-Carrier’s Extended Range 5G covers about 321 million people across 1.9 million square miles as reported by T-Mobile in a press release. This surpasses the foothold of both AT&T and Verizon when combined.
