One of the most interesting phones that has come out in a long time, the LG Wing, is finally available through Verizon. With one of the most unique designs on the market, time will tell how durable the phone is. If anything, it will definitely be a head turner.
Pre-orders are currently underway with the launch date of October 15. The all-important question is how much it will cost. Indeed, Verizon and LG are pricing it at $999. If you go through the carrier’s payment plan, it will cost you $41.66 per month.
Verizon has some pretty sweet offers for the LG Wing which will help interested buyers save money.
If you add a line on select Unlimited Plans and you trade in an eligible device you get $750 off
Get up to an additional $250 Verizon eGift Card if you port a number to Verizon while buying the LG Wing
If you’re an existing customer on an eligible Unlimited Plan you can get up to $500 when you trade in an eligible device.
If you buy the LG Wing, trade in an eligible device, and port a number you can get the Wing free. Unfortunately, I don’t have info as to what exactly the eligible devices are, but I would imagine roughly any flagship from Samsung, Apple, Google, and maybe even LG from the last 1-2 years would qualify.
I may be part of a small minority here, but I’m legit excited for the LG Wing. It is almost a ray of sunshine in a sea of otherwise ‘same’ looking devices. Are you as excited for the Wing as I am?
Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear what you think about it!
TL;DR: This money-saving digital HD antenna is 58% off, and provides you with a ton of high-definition content.
If you’re thinking about cutting the cord, you’re not alone. Many people have, and the reasons to get away from traditional cable continue to grow. Similarly, we’ve seen a rise in people who never even bother with signing an agreement with a cable provider.
While a lot of us like Hulu, Netflix, and the other streaming players, some still like the local channels for live broadcasts of news, sports, and general programming. Awards shows, season finales, and playoff games are serious business and work best live. If you’re among those aching for the live shows, listen up.
There are options that let you cut the cord, or not have to worry about signing up for cable. In fact, it’s cheap, too. Consider the current offer in the AG Deals Store: the Liger HDTV 50-Mile Ultra-Thin Antenna & Amplifier.
Priced just $25, it’s all you’ll ever need to spend for your local broadcasts. The Liger HDTV 50-Mile Ultra-Thin Antenna & Amplifier is super thin, easy to set up, and receives signal from up to 50 miles away.
It’s easy to install; plug it in and scan for channels with one click. Before you know it, you’ll have access to the channels available in your area for news, weather, and sports.
Liger HDTV 50-Mile Ultra-Thin Antenna & Amplifier Features
Revamped range for up to 50 miles
Fine-tuned frequency picks up plenty of stations
10 to 15dB gain strengthens premium pictures
Can be used as a TV antenna amplifier booster
The best part of this whole deal is you only pay a one-time fee for the antenna and end up with free TV for life. Get the Liger HDTV 50-Mile Ultra-Thin Antenna & Amplifier for just $24.99, or 58% off the original cost — at the AG Deals Store.
Save even more!
In addition to the savings above, when you buy through AndroidGuys Deals, for every $25 spent, you get $1 credit added to your account. What’s more, should you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.
If this is your first time buying, then you are also eligible for a further 10% discount when you subscribe for email updates.
How about a freebie?
Not looking to spend any money today? That’s alright, we understand. Why not visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and take something anyhow? Go ahead, grab two!
One of my favorite aspects of having a connected home is the ever-present smart speaker. I’m all-in on Google Assistant and appreciate having its capabilities in nearly every room of my house.
What started with the Google Home back in 2016 has evolved and iterated internally and through partnerships with other hardware brands.
Google’s own devices have gone through a few changes, perhaps most notably switching from the Google brand to the Nest brand. Moreover, it has expanded from a single speaker to a number of options, including some with displays.
The newest member of the Google and Nest family, the Nest Audio, arrives in time for the all-important fourth quarter buying season. Priced just $99.99, its closest counterpart is the original Google Home.
Having spent around five days with the Nest Audio, and getting a good sense of its capabilities, I’m ready to share my review.
Design
The Nest Audio looks right at home in Google’s 2020 portfolio; the unassuming and modern design looks good in any environment. Sold in five colors, you’ll find the speaker in charcoal, chalk, sky, sand, and sage.
Similar to the Nest Mini, the Nest Audio is made from sustainable fabric that comes from plastic bottles. For every one speaker sold it offsets 1.2 plastic bottles.
The Nest Audio resembles a large bar of soap standing on edge. It’s a dense unit to be sure, and weighs more than expected.
Sound
I’ve only had the Nest Audio in place for a few days, but I can attest that it sounds terrific. It gets loud and has no problem filling a room with music. In fact, I’ve already considered taking it out of the office to take it home. Given the proximity of other building tenants I’ll never get the chance to play it at maximum volumes.
One of the first things I came to appreciate is how good it sounds at low volume levels. If you turn music down in a car or with a standard speaker, you’ll likely only hear highs and vocals.
I love Paul Oakenfold, Pink Floyd, Run the Jewels, and R.E.M. but none of them sounds all that good when you’re only getting the upper range. Really, it can sound annoying when you’re just hearing parts of cymbals, guitar, and/or synths.
Music begs to be listened to at loud volume levels but that’s not always possible. You can’t crank it when doing the dishes when other family members are just a room away. And just like crappy Wi-Fi, sometimes it’s better when you don’t even bother.
The Nest Audio is a different experience. I’m finding that everything sound crisp, clear, and even, regardless of volume. Lows are represented with bass showing up in all genres of music. It’s hard to express just how much that means to me.
The Nest team spent quite a bit of time working on improving the hardware, adding smarter sensors and better speaker components. That’s definitely noticeable as I find the promise of being 75% louder than the Google Home an accurate claim.
Likewise, the 50% bass boost is also apparent when you turn it up to loud levels. There’s a difference between loud bass and clear bass; the Nest Audio has both.
What Else?
The Nest Audio is also packed with software features and smarts. Take for instance the Media EQ which adapts to the content you’re listening to and adjusts audio settings even if only slightly. It may be a placebo effect or me looking for it, but I think audiobooks sound different than music. The sound profile is just… different.
Ambient EQ, another setting, works on the fly and makes it easier to hear your Google Assistant, podcast, or news in noisier environments or where spoken word might be harder to discern.
There’s also a dedicated machine learning chip tucked inside. Add to that Google Assistant and you’ve got an incredibly smart speaker that learns from you and your usage.
The Nest Audio can be paired with another unit to create a true stereo sound. Similarly, you can group it with other Nest devices and TV (via Chromecast) to provide sound throughout the house.
The buttons aren’t obvious at first blush, but they don’t take all that long to learn. The Google Home app does a good job of showing where they are and how they work. If you’ve used a Nest Mini, you’re already hip to it.
For those worried about their speaker listening in on every conversation, or for those who don’t necessarily need the voice commands, there is a physical mute button on the rear. Toggling it flashes orange lights on the front, giving you a visual confirmation of the setting.
Conclusion
I was sold on the Google Home ($129) when it launched in 2016. I still am. The speaker still has a prominent placement in my house and I dig the little colors and lights when I call on it.
The idea of getting something smarter, louder, and less expensive only makes too much sense. After a few days with the Nest Audio I am happy to report that it’s just as good in practice as it is on paper.
I’ve yet to get rid of any Google Home, Google Mini, Nest Mini, or any other devices in my house. I shuffle them around the home, add them to the office, and create different groups.
via Google
The Nest Audio will likely replace my Nest Hub Max because I don’t need the screen in its current placement, plus the volume levels are nearly identical to me.
If you’ve yet to get started with a connected speaker, I would definitely recommend starting with the Nest Audio. It’s priced right, fills any room with a quality sound that’s natural and consistent, and looks cool, too.
Availability
The Nest Audio is available for $99.99 in Google’s Store and through other retailers across the US, Canada, and India. Look for it at retail stores like Target and Best Buy and in 21 countries starting October 15.
DIY security is a hot topic item in the tech space these days. One of the companies that have been at the forefront of that movement has been Simplisafe. The company prides itself on the complete system you can set up in minutes and has recently added the Video Doorbell Pro to its lineup.
Simplisafe was kind enough to send me the new Video Doorbell Pro for the last few weeks and I’m going to share my experience with this full review.
Design
The Simplisafe Doorbell Pro doesn’t set the world ablaze with a radical design. But that’s OK, and honestly, there’s only so much you can do here. You get an elongated rectangular device with rounded edges that immediately reminds you of well… a doorbell.
At the top, you have a camera capable of 1080p HD recording with a 162-degree field of view. The lens has pan and zoom to help capture this wider viewing angle. Just below that is a motion sensor with IR night vision as well.
The small pinhole towards the middle is a two-way microphone. This allows you to have a conversation with anyone that comes to the door even when not at home. This has already come in handy for me to “sign” for a package that arrived while I wasn’t in the house.
The bottom of the Simplisafe Doorbell Pro is, well… the doorbell. This a large chrome button surrounded by an LED ring. This ring illuminates when pressed and the press of the button rings your existing bell while immediately initiating an app notification.
Setup and the app
The setup of the Simplisafe Video Doorbell Pro is pretty painless. You have start with safety. Find your appropriate breaker to cut power to your existing doorbell. You will then remove the mounting screws of your current system.
After destruction has taken place we can now move forward with our new fancy gadget Doorbell Pro. I’d suggest using the back bracket with the new power terminal to make sure your existing screw holes match the alignment. Mine was slightly different and I had to make an alternative pilot drill hole for the top screw.
Then, you need to run the two wires from your old bell through the keyhole-shaped opening. These will need to go up, and behind, the terminal screws to then be secured with a Philips head screwdriver. Now use the included mounting screws to secure to your exterior wall at the top and bottom of the Simplisafte Doorbell bracket.
One more note, if you have a doorbell currently installed in a corner or uneven surface like siding, don’t worry. Simplisafe thought about these scenarios and includes a wedge in the box to mount at an angle to give you a more stable view. I personally didn’t have to use this accessory but it’s nice to see it in the box.
Once the Simplisafe Vido Doorbell Pro is secured, you then take the outside casing and slide it over the base, and press down to snap into place. Now, you should restore power and test the unit.
If successful, you should give your Doorbell around 90 seconds to properly power up. Then you can test to make sure your doorbell chime works when pressing the large, silver button on the Simplisafe. If you chime works as intended you can secured the base and front plate as the final hardware step with the include super-tiny hex screw in the packaging into the very bottom of the Doorbell Pro.
Completing the setup and connecting to your Simplisafe system is all handled through the app. Here you’ll go through the normal steps of a connected device: add a camera, enter your WiFi credentials, and give it a name or location.
But my favorite part of this is Simplisafe uses the Doorbell Pro’s camera to scan a QR code on your phone to link it to your app. This is a nice feature to both verify the account information and whether the Doorbell’s video system works.
The app experience is pretty comparable to most video apps after setup. You get a dedicated tab at the bottom of the Simplisafe app along with the last history preview at the bottom of your Overview main page.
Notifications are also fairly normal. When the Simplisafe Video Doorbell Pro detects movement, it starts recording and sends an instant notification to your devices via the app. You then are dropped directly into the live video feed by tapping the notification.
I did have a complaint and one hiccup while using the app. First, I think any Android app revolving around video should offer a thumbnail view in the notification. It’s a quick, glanceable way to see just how important the need is at the door. Is it my normal Amazon package that can wait or is my mom standing in the rain waiting for me to let her inside?
And that leads to my main issue. Simplisafe either has a connection issue in tunneling the app to the live stream, or the WiFi radio is very inconsistent. About every 8th time I try to open a notification or manually check the live video I get the below message.
I’ll close this section of the review on the positive that you don’t have to be a Simplisafe subscriber to use the Video Doorbell Pro. The device and app can both be used without an existing Simplisafe security system or monitoring plan.
Conclusion
Despite a couple of hiccups, I’m impressed with the video quality, app notifications, and ease of setup with the Simplisafe Video Doorbell Pro. The quality is as good if not better than other security cameras I currently have installed.
If you are already a Simplisafe customer, then this is the doorbell camera for you. I can’t imagine adding another app and ecosystem with better results. And you can opt into if something triggers your alarm to allow the monitoring system to confirm a physical threat via the video feed.
Even if you’re not a Simplisafe user, I think the Video Doorbell Plus warrants a look. At $170 it’s competitively priced with similar options. Add that to a quick installation process, and good looking device and Simplisafe has a winner with the Video Doorbell Plus.
As a longtime console gamer, mobile games have never appealed to me much. I’ve always preferred the types of games released on console and playing on a larger screen. However, with the recent introduction of cloud gaming, one of those topics has resurfaced, but in a new way.
While cloud gaming doesn’t have me prepared to ditch the console anytime soon, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to at least check it out. In order to make the most of the experience, you’re going to need a good controller. That’s where the Razer Kishi (~$100 USD) comes into play.
There are plenty of other controllers out there to choose from, but the vast majority of them require you to mount your phone. If you’ve ever tried one of these before, you already know how awkward it can be to wield this top-heavy monstrosity.
Fortunately, the Kishi mounts your phone right in the center, much like the Nintendo Switch. This layout makes it easier to view all of your buttons and feels much more natural to use while gaming in a variety of positions.
Design
If you’ve ever used a gamepad before, then you won’t be surprised by the design of the Razer Kishi. It features all the basic buttons, including a joystick on the left with a D-pad, and a joystick on the right with four main buttons. There are also two trigger buttons on both the left and the right side. Besides the main buttons, you’ll also find an Xbox button along with a share and menu button.
What truly makes the Kishi standout from the crowd is its expandable design and hardwired connection. Thanks to some clever engineering, Razer has managed to make a compact controller for on the go, capable of expanding to hold even some of the widest phones around.
I had no issue fitting my 6.2-inch Samsung Galaxy S9+ or a ZTE Axon 10 Pro which measures in at 6.5-inches. A word of warning though, the Kishi does not support the massive Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
User Experience
I absolutely loved gaming while using the Razer Kishi, in my opinion, nothing beats this layout. It’s one that has already been a huge hit with the Nintendo Switch, and it works just as well as my Switch, with the added benefit of being more lightweight.
Even though this is the Xbox edition of the Kishi, it still works with any game or service with controller support. I personally tried it out with several different games, including Asphalt 9, Dead Cells, PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, and various emulators. It worked great on all of them, except for PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, both of which restrict the controllers that can be used.
I also spent some time testing it with Stadia and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Cloud gaming is what the Kishi was truly built for, and it excels with both of these platforms. So much so, that I can’t imagine using any other controller with these services, nothing beats this layout with the phone comfortably placed in the center. It feels so balanced and works great at every angle.
The buttons all worked perfectly, and I was more than satisfied with the travel and lack of latency thanks to the hardwired connection. I did find the left and right trigger buttons to be a little springy and mushy compared to other console controllers though.
However, not everything is perfect on the Kishi. For starters, I had some minor issues when trying to close it back up into its compact form. It seemed to work best when I turned it over and looked at the back side, otherwise, I had issues trying to get everything lined up properly.
Next, I found on several occasions that it had completely drained the battery while staying connected to my idle phone. This happened a handful of times when I left my fully charged phone with the Kishi connected, only to find it completely dead when I returned 16-24 hours later ready to play some games.
For comparison, without the Kishi connected, my phone will only have lost 12-16% of its charge in the same time period. I quickly learned not to leave the Kishi attached and to only connect it when I was ready to play.
I was also disappointed that the Kishi lacked Bluetooth support. I would have loved to use the Kishi in its closed up form as a regular Bluetooth controller with my tablet or other devices. Specifically, I would have enjoyed using it with my Chromebook or laptop while using cloud gaming services. It would really make the Kishi a much better investment and more versatile if it could be used with other devices besides your phone.
Finally, the USB-C port on the Kishi only works for charging. It is not possible to connect a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter or to even use a pair of USB-C headphones. That’s a pity, because having low latency for your audio is often just as important as having that same trait in your controller.
Although I can understand the challenges here, USB-C audio has been a mess on phones since its introduction, but Bluetooth audio latency is still a huge issue for mobile gamers.
Fortunately, there are some low latency Bluetooth headphones out there such as the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Earbuds that help address this problem.
Speaking of audio, the Kishi sports a couple of vents on the right side to help channel audio from bottom-firing speakers. That way your games won’t sound muffled while being covered up with the gamepad.
Final Thoughts
As much as I love this controller and want to recommend it to everyone, $100 is a lot to ask. For $60 you can get a PS4 or Xbox controller that works with Android 10 phones, not to mention the numerous other cheaper alternatives. Unfortunately, the form factor alone cannot justify such a high price tag.
That makes the Razer Kishi more of a luxury product, nice to have, but too expensive for most people. If they were to add Bluetooth and cut the price in half, then it would be a must-have for any mobile gamer. Still, if you can afford it, and don’t mind the minor drawbacks, I highly recommend it. And if you’re looking to save a little money the regular edition of the Razer Kishi can be purchased for $80, and it is literally the same controller without the Xbox branding.
DIY connected video devices are a great way to add a layer of security to your home. Anker’s sub-brand eufy has two new additions to its video lineup that’s worth consideration. Follow along as we take a look a the eufy Indoor Cam 2K and the Indoor Cam Pan and Tilt.
Design
The Indoor Cam 2K is a pretty standard affair. For the money you get a 2K resolution camera with a built-in stand to install in your home. The camera is housed in a rounded square frame with the camera on the front with IR and motion sensors to detect movement and provide night vision.
There is a slight swivel option offered by the ball-in-joint design of the stand mount to allow you some range of motion to get the camera angle you want. However, once you’ve set the position, you are limited to just a few degrees one way or the other.
To the right side of the lens, the eufy Indoor Cam 2K has a dedicated microSD slot. We’ll have more on that later, but this allows you to store your data locally on the device.
Around the back is a dedicated sync button that you’ll use to set up the device and a micro-USB power supply port. This is the one hardware portion of both cameras that seems dated in the age of USB-C.
The bottom of the Indoor Cam 2K has an integrated anchor system for mounting the camera in numerous ways. There are rubber pads to simply sit on a desk, or you can use the mounting ring and the plastic mounting inserts, to install it on the wall or ceiling.
Moving over to the eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt model, you immediately see how the device got its name. It’s nearly the same, but the main difference is that it will pan and rotate up to 360-degrees horizontally and up to 96-degrees vertically.
This attributes to the other addition with a much larger IR array to help pick up movements. While it has the same number as eight, they are much larger and more prevalent on the Pan and Tilt.
Also, you’d be remiss to not notice how much the eufy 2K Pan and Tilt looks like a robot or R2-D2 from Star Wars. I’m not sure it makes it any less jarring for users not used to having indoor cameras, but it does have more personality.
Setup and Software
Onboarding with these cameras is great. Eufy has built a very well designed, quick app to walk you through the initial setup. These steps will get you powered up, connected to WiFi, access settings, and even add internal storage via microSD card.
The SD card adds to the overall experience of the eufy Indoor/Pan and Tilt 2K . With all the missteps around competitors like Ring and Nest, it’s refreshing to see an option that doesn’t sit on anyone’s server.
Eufy says that if you don’t sign up for its cloud offering, and all videos are only stored locally, then it never touches its servers. You have end-to-end encryption that only transfers the live stream over data to see your live or recorded feeds.
The app itself is very well done. You have a default screen to see all your cameras. Clicking on them presents you with a live feed with the history below.
Digging deeper into the setting allows you can control notifications, motion detection, and opt into eufy’s cloud storage. There are additional options for turning off the LED, Night Vision, watermarking, and sound detection.
Recording quality and options can be adjusted as well. Recording resolution defaults to 2K , hence the name, but if you prefer to save that local storage, you can downgrade to 1080p. Streaming quality adjusts automatically based on the bandwidth available.
I also found notifications to be on point. First, it has the video preview inside the notification which I think every app in this space should offer. It’s nice to glance at this thumbnail to see if you have an exception or just the standard movement around your home without fully opening the interface.
The speed of the notifications and the transition to opening the app are some of the best I’ve seen as well. Many apps in the video streaming security market struggle to make that handoff from you clicking the notification and actually showing you an image. eufy has found a good balance here that allows you to be in the live view with minimal delays.
Last, you get almost instant pings when exceptions are detected. Whether it was the sound, movement, or pet monitoring, I have been getting consistent alerts. I’ve been very impressed with the overall app experience eufy has built with the Security app.
Price and Upgrades to Cloud
The initial pricing for both cameras is pretty decent. The standard Indoor Cam 2K will cost $32 with the Pan and Tilt seeing a $20 premium for $52 total. If you have a spare microSD laying around, then that’s the entirety of your buy-in.
However, if you do want to have extended backup and cloud storage, eufy offers two different options. You can add each device for $2.99 per month ($29.99 annually) or you can go all-in with a 10 device maximum plan at $9.99 per month ($99.99 a year). Both offer the same 30 days backlog of video history and just allows you flexibility depending on how many cameras you’d like to support.
Conclusion
The eufy Indoor Cam 2K plus the Pan and Tilt offer users a pretty cost-efficient way to add live video to their home network. Add that to a quick and well-designed app experience and eufy has a winner in my eyes.
Software engineers and computer science professional are always in demand. In fact, it’s a growing field that will always have opportunities.
Businesses small and large are wise to employ staff with backgrounds and expertise on programming languages. If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or would-be software engineer, you’d be wise to sharpen your tools.
The Super Software Engineer Bundle, just $39 in the AG Deals Store, is a great way to get started in the programming space. Moreover, it’s an excellent resource for those who may need to brush up on a few things.
With 41 hours of content at your disposal, you’ll have lifetime access to education on IoT, Java, Angular, MongoDB, AI, and so much more. This package is ideal for professionals aspiring for a career in NoSQL databases and MongoDB
Super Software Engineer Bundle
Introduction to IOT
Get a glimpse into the ever-growing field of IoT & learn how to leverage it across business functions
Java Certification Training
Master web application development for virtually any computing platform
Have a firm foundation in Java, the most commonly used programming language in software development
Angular Certification Training
Develop robust applications for projects of any scale using Angular
Create a strong foundation on topics like TypeScript, Promises, Directives, Bootstrap Grid System & more
MongoDB Developer Certification Training
Be equipped with the skills required to become a MongoDB Developer
Introduction to Robotics Process Automation
Expand your expertise in advanced intelligent applications
Understand RPA concepts, the value-add it brings with relevant business use cases & tools
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Decode the mystery of artificial intelligence (AI) & its business applications
Get an overview of AI concepts & workflows, machine learning and deep learning, and performance metrics
Data Science with Python
Have a complete overview of techniques using Python
Acquire knowledge in Python & unlock your career as a Data Scientist
Get Started!
Education such as this would normally cost hundreds of dollars, if not more. AndroidGuys readers, however, are able to get it for much cheaper right now. Stop by the AG Deals Store and you’ll find it for just $39.
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If you’ve been using Chrome or Firefox to stream Netflix on your Windows PC, then you might be surprised to learn that you’ve been limited to 720p this entire time. That’s because Netflix doesn’t support 4K or even 1080p in either of these popular browsers for Windows users.
I’m sure that can feel like a real kick in the teeth, but there is a solution if you want the highest quality playback on a Windows computer.
In short
Use the Windows 10 Netflix app, it is the only solution that supports 4K UHD playback with HDR and 5.1 surround sound. For a more detailed explanation, keep reading.
How to stream videos in 4K UHD and HDR with a Windows PC
According to the help section on Netflix’s website, 4K resolutions are supported in the Microsoft Edge browser and Windows 10 app.
However, once you download the Netflix app or open Microsoft Edge, there are some conditions that need to be met before you can stream 4K. For starters, you’ll need a 60Hz 4K-capable display connected with an HDCP 2.2 compliant connector. A 7th generation Intel CPU is also required, as well as ensuring your Windows computer is fully updated.
What about HDR? I’m glad you asked. In order to playback content in HDR, Netflix stipulates that you must meet the requirements below. This includes, but is not limited to, a PC running Windows 10 Creators Update version 1709 using a 7th generation Intel CPU with a supported GPU, along with using the Netflix app for Windows 10.
Of course, you’ll also need to be subscribed to a plan that includes Ultra HD HDR playback and an internet connection with a speed of 25 megabits per second or higher. Once you have all of this, you’re all set to enjoy Netflix in all of its UHD high dynamic range goodness.
How to stream videos in 1080p
As I mentioned above, using Chrome or Firefox with Windows will only stream up to 720p with Netflix. What if you only pay for 1080p or your monitor only supports 1080p? In that case, you can use Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or the Windows Netflix app for either Windows 8 or Windows 10. All of these options will stream videos up to 1080p.
What about 5.1 surround sound
If you’re like me, you love your surround sound, but if you want 5.1 audio while streaming Netflix on a PC, there is only one way. That is to use the Windows Netflix app for Windows 8 or Windows 10. Unfortunately, 5.1 surround sound is not supported by Microsoft Silverlight or HTML5, so you’re left with very little options besides using the Netflix app for Windows.
Up for review today are the T5 True Wireless Earphones from Klipsch. Priced about $80, you can get your hands on them today. How do they sound? Are they comfortable? Read on to learn what we thought about these budget-friendly earphones.
Design
Without a doubt, the Klipsch T5 True Wireless headphones have the most premium case I’ve ever seen or used. The brushed metal Zippo inspired case exudes quality, but the downside is, that it’s also the heaviest headphone case I’ve ever used.
Besides its Zippo styling, some other key characteristics of the case include, a USB-C charging port and three LEDs on the front that display the battery level of the case.
Unlike every other headphone case I’ve used, the Klipsch T5 True Wireless allows you to place the left and right earbud in either charging slot. At first, I thought this would be helpful, however, after using it for several weeks, I found it to be a nuisance. It turns out, you cannot easily tell which bud is the left or right, and if you happen to be in a room that is not well lit, you can easily mix them up and put the buds in the wrong ears.
The buds are also held in place with a weak magnet, and a good shake is all it takes to send one or both flying out of the case. That’s unfortunate, because true wireless buds are already easy enough to lose due to their small size.
The stems on the earbuds are thin and quite long, so much so, they made me feel like I had Shrek ears while wearing them. Fortunately, they are lightweight and the long stem prevents the larger parts of the earbuds from resting on your ears which can lead to quicker ear fatigue.
Fit and Comfort
Klipsch uses patented oval ear tips with its in-ear headphones that I’ve always found extremely comfortable. Not only does the shape make for a fantastic fit, but Klipsch also includes extra-small ear tips, perfect for people like me. If you have smaller than average ear canals, these are a godsend.
Even though the T5 True Wireless has lightweight comfortable earbuds, they don’t offer the most secure fit. For the most part, I found they stayed in place, however, once you start moving around, there is a real danger of them falling out.
User Experience
The Klipsch T5 True Wireless makes use of physical buttons on each earbud. The buttons work perfectly, except for the fact that it’s easy to press them by mistake if you need to push the buds back into your ear while using them.
I also ran into an issue where nearly every single time I put the T5 True Wireless buds into my ears, I would get a notification on my phone that the left bud wanted to pair. The buds also didn’t seem to want to pair unless I specifically removed the right bud first. If I removed the left bud first, I would have to go into the Bluetooth menu and manually connect to the right earbud to start using them.
App
For nearly a year Klipsch has been promising an app for its T5 lineup of headphones which would provide users a way to adjust the EQ settings, monitor battery levels, and update the firmware. I was delighted to see that the app finally hit the Play Store earlier this spring, and the T5 True Wireless was my first opportunity to experience it.
Unfortunately, my experience with the app was not a pleasant one. While the app itself seems to work fine, you won’t be able to use it until you have upgraded the firmware of the T5 True Wireless headphones. That is where the trouble begins.
Earlier this year, I wrote that upgrading the 1More Stylish True Wireless Earbuds was the most frustrating update experiences I’ve ever gone through. The Klipsch T5 True Wireless headphones have now taken that crown, and I’m not the only one who thinks that. All you have to do is look at the stunningly low 1.4 rating the Klipsch Connect app has on the Play Store to see report after report of users having issues with updating the firmware.
To its credit, Klipsch provides step by step instructions in the app on how to update the firmware of each individual bud. However, the instructions mean nothing when they don’t actually work. I’m still not sure how exactly I was able to get both of my earbuds updated. It took me a little over an hour of experimenting with resetting the buds, unpairing, and pairing them back with the phone over and over–until finally, something magical happened and the left bud connected and updated.
The worst part is, you can’t use the app until you’ve registered and updated the earbuds. Once I got through the horrendous update procedure, the app worked fine. I was able to monitor the battery level of each bud, but to my disappointment, it did not show how much battery life was left in the case. The Klipsch Connect app also allowed me to adjust the equalizer of the earbuds, something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time with Klipsch headphones.
Sound Quality
Klipsch headphones have always offered a flat sound that emphasized the highs more than anything for a bright sound signature. For users who prefer a neutral sound, that’s perfect. If you’re more like me, and you enjoy some more oomph in the low-end for your listening pleasure, then Klipsch buds can leave you wanting.
That’s why I was so excited about the introduction of the Klipsch Connect app. I was finally able to tweak the EQ and add give the bass some more priority. While it made the T5 True Wireless sound much better for my personal preference, the low-end and sub-bass are still a bit lacking. For most users, this will be entirely fine, but if you’re a bass head then you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Battery Life
Klipsch claims the T5 True Wireless provides you with eight hours of battery life from a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case. In my experience, they live up to this claim. I was able to listen to music consecutively for hours and topping them off with the case ensured I didn’t have to worry about charging for days at a time.
Final Thoughts
The T5 True Wireless headphones have combined premium materials and design with Klipsch’s legendary sound quality. However, a couple of technical issues makes them just short of perfect. Regardless, if you can get past these little glitches, the T5 True Wireless Earbuds offer fantastic battery life, great sound, and a case like no other wireless earbuds on the market.
Recently, they have dropped down to an all-time low of $78 on Amazon, making these headphones a steal. Just remember, if you choose to use the app, you’re going to have to endure one of the most excruciating update processes ever devised.
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