Tag: reviews

WalkingPad C2 Mini Foldable Treadmill Review: Stable Underfoot

[ad_1]

Back when I lived in New York City and commuted to my office by train, I logged 10,000 steps a day without even trying. Honestly, I didn’t get why it was such a struggle for a lot of people. I was young and dumb, and was humbled very quickly when the pandemic hit and I started working from home. Unless I made a big effort to get outside, my step count wasn’t even reaching 500. Then I moved to a suburb that isn’t very walkable, and still worked from home. It dwindled even more.

There are major benefits to moving throughout the day, both for your physical and mental health. But being tied to a desk can make it really hard to move enough, especially without feeling like you’re disrupting your focus. That’s why an under-desk treadmill, or walking pad, feels like a major cheat code.

I’ve been curious about these machines for a while—they’re all over TikTok and Instagram, with fitness influencers sharing the enviable mileage they’ve logged while working. But I was skeptical that I could ever use one and actually get any work done. Watching TV, sure! Writing an article, maybe not.

Steady As She Goes

Testing the WalkingPad C2 changed my mind. Using it with a Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk from Herman Miller, I was able to spend hours of my normal workday walking, without my productivity taking a hit in any way. In fact, I think this thing makes me more efficient.

Photograph: Adrienne So

This tiny tread’s footprint is only 56.9 inches long by 20.4 inches wide and 4.9 inches tall when unfolded, and it snaps in two to become 32.5 inches long and 5.4 inches tall, making it easy to store under a couch or bed. It comes fully assembled, though getting the Bluetooth remote and app to connect with the machine was a struggle initially.

With a lot of trial and error, I got the WalkingPad set up to my liking, and I started using it. You can walk at a speed of 0.5 to 3.7 mph, but you have to walk at slower speeds for a while before you can “unlock” the faster end of the range. I typically walk at 1.5 to 2 mph. You can adjust the speed via the remote or the app, called KS Fit.

You can see how many steps you’ve taken via the app or the display at the front of the machine, which cycles through time, speed, distance, calories, and steps. You can use the pad without the app, but if you don’t start them together, your progress won’t be tracked or logged (it doesn’t sync later).

Photograph: Adrienne So

[ad_2]

Source link

November 21, 2024
Insta360 Link 2 Review: A Cheaper, Better Webcam

[ad_1]

The Insta360 Link 2 is a plug-and-play device that will work seamlessly with the majority of standard video calling and streaming apps. I tested it with FaceTime, Teams, OBS, Discord, and more, all without encountering any issues. But it’s worth installing the Insta360 Link Controller companion desktop app too as it allows you to delve into the Link 2’s options, from adjusting frame rate, resolution, camera orientation, and image and audio settings to engaging software-based features such as AI tracking, background bokeh (blurring), and even live virtual make-up application. If you want to look like a goth in Zoom meetings, this thing has you covered.

In addition to person-tracking, Link 2 also features the same Whiteboard and Overhead modes as its predecessor. The former spots whiteboards or similar rectangular objects in the camera’s field of view and frames them perfectly, allowing you to share your notes and diagrams with colleagues. Overhead mode points the Link 2 directly down from its perch toward your desk, for the purpose of sharing documents or objects there.

A Cam That’s a Cut Above

I think Insta360 has done a solid job with the Link 2, retaining almost all of the appeal of the original model while reducing the price and making small improvements here and there. And as such, I have no hesitation adding it to WIRED’s Best Webcams guide. There’s no spectacular leap forward here—just a reassured step in the right direction—and I don’t think there’s much point in upgrading to the newer model if you already own the original.

Courtesy of Insta 360

But anyone hunting for a highly capable, easy-to-use webcam for work meetings or streaming will get more than their money’s worth here. Its video and audio quality is excellent, it slots seamlessly into all the most popular apps and services, and it offers useful features like tracking and noise cancellation. It’s hard to think of a better webcam at the price.

NB: While I haven’t yet tested it myself, Insta360 has launched another webcam alongside the Link 2. The Insta360 Link 2C is almost identical in terms of specs and features, but removes the gimbal completely, resulting in a slightly less mobile but more compact webcam that’s a little cheaper in price (around $149).

[ad_2]

Source link

November 20, 2024
Sony MDR-M1 Headphone Review: Studio Perfection

[ad_1]

Sony’s original MDR-7506 model may as well be etched onto the Mount Rushmore of wired studio headphones. The simple black cans with the blue sticker are relatively neutral sounding, built to take a beating, and they’re shockingly affordable at only $100 retail. These things have combined to make them a staple of studios around the world for decades. I’ve been rocking the same pair for about eight years and, other than having to replace the earpads a couple of years back, they’re still going strong.

What the 7506s are not, however, are premium studio monitors. They’re a bang-for-your-buck proposition. Good enough for most situations but often outclassed by more expensive hardware. With the new, $250 MDR-M1, Sony is looking to play at the higher end of the market.

These are pro-grade studio headphones through and through, but they borrow heavily from what has made the 7506s so enduring. If you’re a musician, audio professional, or just someone looking to get more out of your music, the new model take everything we love about the cheaper model up a notch.

Proper Studio Headphones

Looking at a frequency response chart of the MDR-M1s next to the MDR-7506s doesn’t immediately reveal much; they both have slightly boosted low end with a dip around 4K in the midrange. If you’re familiar with the warm but still bright sound signature of the original model, these do that thing but with a lot more clarity.

Photograph: Terrence O’Brien

The biggest difference is that the M1s have a much greater overall range than the 7506s. The M1s will share a lot more audio at both the high and low ends; Where the 7506s have a frequency response of 10 Hz to 20 kHz, the M1s claim a range of 5 Hz to 80 kHz, which is well beyond the range of human hearing in both directions.

This extended range translates into better sound at either end of the spectrum. A port helps control bass and keep things from getting too muddy in the low end. I find transients on instruments in the lower register a touch sharper with M1s, and at the high end things are crisp without ever getting overly bright—a complaint I’ve heard lodged against the 7506s on occasion.

Photograph: Terrence O’Brien

[ad_2]

Source link

November 19, 2024
HyperX QuadCast 2 S Review: Your Favorite Streamer’s Next USB Mic

[ad_1]

Back in 2020, the HyperX QuadCast S was the USB microphone every Twitch streamer seemingly had on their streams. Now, the QuadCast 2 S is here to try to one-up its predecessor. And what does it bring to the table? A lot more LEDs, for starters.

The original QuadCast only lit up in red, while the QuadCast S brought full RGB support, and even supported gradients of colors from top to bottom. The QuadCast 2 S takes it even further with a twist, literally. The new mic has over 100 individually addressable LEDs laid out in an array around the mic, allowing for more complex patterns like a spiral gradient rainbow. It’s a welcome addition, particularly for a microphone that’s so likely to be seen.

HyperX added a few less flashy features that make for a compelling upgrade too, though many of these were first introduced on the QuadCast 2. That includes a multifunction knob that controls the input gain and headphone volume and acts as a VU (volume unit) meter to keep you from peaking, plus a redesigned shock mount.

Light Up Polar Patterns

One of my favorite features on the original QuadCast S was the knob on the bottom for adjusting gain, which was both convenient and subtle. That’s gone on the new model in favor of a more typical knob that juts out of the front. It might not be quite as stylish, but it’s more useful.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

The knob is flanked by a semicircle of LEDs that change color depending on what you’re doing. If you’re turning the knob while using it as a microphone, it will light up purple to indicate the gain level. When you’re not touching it, it reverts to a VU meter, indicating how close you are to peaking, so you can adjust accordingly.

You can also press and hold the knob to change polar patterns, which is indicated by the LED ring on the top of the mic. It cycles between cardioid, bi-directional, stereo, and omnidirectional patterns, with red LEDs lighting up on the sides of the mic so that it will pick up sound.

This is the most intuitive way to change polar patterns I’ve seen. For comparison, the Blue Yeti USB microphone all but requires a tutorial to decipher its arcane symbols. Here, you just keep holding the button until red lights are pointing in the direction you want to record from. Now I want this feature on every microphone I use. (It is available on the cheaper QuadCast 2.)

[ad_2]

Source link

November 18, 2024
HMD Fusion Review: A Cheap Modular Android Phone

[ad_1]

I have probably tested close to 100 cheap phones over the last 9 years, and I’ve never really had to worry about bringing a backup in case things go awry. Budget phones are usually sluggish but work well enough. But I almost immediately regretted not bringing a spare smartphone when I took the HMD Fusion on a short trip to another state.

The first sample of this Android phone kept freezing and restarting itself on the way to the airport. Then, further fueling my panic, it would boot up the home screen but my passcode wouldn’t work. “Passcode is incorrect.” What? Thankfully, a forced restart would set it back to normal. However, for the entirety of the weekend of my friend’s wedding in Kentucky, the Fusion would restart itself constantly. It also refused to launch Slack—though that may have been a blessing as work was off my mind that whole time.

HMD said it could not replicate my issues, so the company sent me another unit. It’s been perfectly fine. It’s hard to suddenly shift gears after being so frustrated at this black monolith, but this is a decent $300 phone. It also has a trick up its sleeve that no other phone has today: mods.

Return of the Modular Phone

HMD might not be a name you’re familiar with, so to recap quickly, it’s a Finnish company that licensed the Nokia brand to churn out Nokia Android smartphones and feature phones (aka dumb phones). It began doing this in 2017, but earlier this year, the company announced that while it would still make Nokia phones, it also plans to craft phones under its namesake (which, by the way, stands for Human Mobile Devices). Its feature phone business continues too, with bigger collaborations like The Boring Phone and the Barbie Phone.

The HMD Fusion is one of those devices (there was also the Skyline and the Vibe). It has a focus on repairability—just remove a handful of screws and you can replace many of the parts, from the battery to the screen, and the company plans to carry these parts for 7 years. (Much of this is needed to adhere to upcoming laws in the European Union.)

But what makes it really stand out are the pogo pins on the back. In fact, the whole back of the phone looks as though it’s incomplete. That’s because you can attach “Outfits,” as HMD calls them. These modular components can change the phone’s look with different color backings. They don’t magnetically stick like iPhones and MagSafe. Instead, these Outfits are like cases, and the pogo pins don’t just transfer power but data as well.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

[ad_2]

Source link

November 17, 2024
JubileeTV Review: Video Calls and Remote Support for Elders

[ad_1]

With an aging population keen to stay in their own homes, elder care is a growing issue in the United States. Whether folks are contending with chronic illness, dementia, or simply finding it harder to get to the store, we will likely all need some help toward the ends of our lives. Even elders with paid carers still need support from their families, and those who can’t afford care, doubly so.

But you might have children to care for, a partner to support, and a demanding career. If you don’t live near your parents, it’s not always possible to drop in, and even if you do, busy lives can get in the way. You will worry about whether they are taking their medication, eating properly, and avoiding the rising tide of predatory scams. If you can’t reach them on the phone, the fear that they may have fallen and could be unable to get up is excruciating.

JubileeTV is part of a new wave of products and services that seek to give you some insight into how your elderly relatives are doing and empower you to help from your own home. It’s a package that includes a box designed to sit on top of a TV to enable video calls, family photos and video sharing, and reminders for medications, appointments, and other important events. For folks who need it, JubileeTV can track activity and presence, and enable you to control the TV from anywhere on your phone.

I’ve been testing the JubileeTV for the last few weeks. It feels a little cobbled together, requires an expensive subscription, and raises privacy concerns. But it makes staying in touch easy, boasts some thoughtful features, and could simplify life for many families by lessening the burden of elder care.

Senior Setup

Installing JubileeTV is a challenge, and you will want to do it for your elder (there is an option to book in-person installation for $99 or video call assistance for free). Everything is color-coded, and the instructions are pretty good, but set aside at least half an hour. A TV with an HDMI port and a Wi-Fi network are required.

Photograph: Simon Hill

JubileeTV looks like a chunky set-top box and is designed to work with your relative’s existing TV and services. To be clear, it doesn’t provide any content, so you still need a Netflix subscription or cable service. For all of the features to work, you must plug the TV and a cable, set-top box, or streaming player into the JubileeTV box (you can connect up to three devices via HDMI). I tested with a Roku, but check the Jubilee website for the list of supported devices before you buy. There’s also a special split power cable and smart plug, so you can connect the TV and box to the same outlet and remote control them.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 16, 2024
The Best Cookbooks of 2024 (So Far): Big Dip Energy, Koreaworld, and More

[ad_1]

This year’s best cookbooks provide inventive, well-tested instructions for dips, barbecue, and pasta. There’s even a book that tells you what the heck to do with celery root.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 16, 2024
Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 Review: Too Many Corners Cut

[ad_1]

Performance is lackluster but on par with the Asus ProArt, the only other Snapdragon Plus machine I’ve tested to date. In comparison to Snapdragon Elite systems, on general applications and web work, expect about a 20 percent performance drop and significantly more on graphics-related tasks, where the IdeaPad runs at about half the framerate. Some Copilot+ PC features struggled, such as translated Live Captions, though the Cocreator AI image creation system was reasonably expedient.

I figured there would be a silver lining to the laptop’s sluggishness in that the IdeaPad would certainly prove to have outstanding battery life, but that unfortunately wasn’t the case. While the ProArt pulled down a near-record 19+ hours of running time, the IdeaPad mustered barely over 9 hours in my full-screen YouTube test and under 12 hours on a second run-through. That may be fine for entertaining the kids for the day, but it pales in comparison to most other Snapdragon machines.

Another issue: At 3.3 pounds and 22 mm thick, the IdeaPad 5x is rather gargantuan for its screen size. I had to scroll back to 2016 in my testing records to find something with a 14-inch screen that was heavier. (That said, some 14.4-inch systems released since have also been on the beefy side.) The weight is noticeable, both on the lap and if you’re trying to use it as a tablet—though on the plus side, the system is dead quiet either way. I couldn’t get the fan to register so much as a hum, even under a stress-test load.

Photograph: Christopher Null

The price nonetheless makes this laptop at least vaguely appealing, and on a price-performance level, the numbers don’t look all that bad. However, some base level of performance is still a requirement given how power-hungry modern applications tend to be, even on a budget machine, and at $850 the IdeaPad 5x isn’t so incredibly cheap as to allow its drawbacks to be easily overlooked.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 16, 2024
Carol Bike Review: 5-Minute HIIT Workouts That Work

[ad_1]

There are five different hand positions on the bike, and trust me when I tell you that I used all of them, especially during the insane Fat Burn workouts. It’s meant to trigger a huge calorie burn with 60 (!!!) eight-second all-out sprints with a 12-second recovery time, for 17 to 25 minutes. It’s really hard and you need an extremely responsive exercise bike to do it! This is when I stopped making fun of the Carol Bike in my head—when the program started warning me to skip some sprints before I keeled over.

Carol Bike notes that REHIT is scientifically backed. Technically, it is. There is one small-scale study with 20 participants at Western Colorado University that shows that, while calorie burn during the ride is lower compared to regular treadmill workouts, the excess post-exercise energy consumption (EPOC) continues throughout the day.

Photograph: Adrienne So

The Carol Bike is not for dilettantes. It is for people who are kind of psychotic about working out and are way too bummed if life circumstances force them to skip a day. With a Carol Bike in my house, it doesn’t matter that I got off work at 4 pm and made plans to meet a friend at 5 pm. I still can run upstairs, throw on some leggings, strap the heart rate monitor on my chest, do a REHIT workout, and run out the door 20 minutes later. There’s even toe cages, so you don’t have to change your shoes into clip-ins and can just hop on in your Vans.

The bike’s exercise program talks you through the workouts, and one mantra that stuck in my mind was the bike reassuring me, “Now you can work out because you want to, and not because you have to.” I found this reminder to be way too helpful. Now I don’t have to worry about getting a run in and getting in my lifting/climbing/hiking with my dogs and kids. I can do both! I can do it all! There’s a minimum level of exertion that I need every day to be a decent human being, and the Carol Bike makes it possible to squeeze it all in.

After a mere two weeks on the Carol, I’m starting to notice that I’m getting stronger. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 that I’m currently testing has noted in my runs that my performance is improving. I smoked my friends on a recent hike with 2,100 feet of elevation gain. (Let them please not read this! However, it’s true and I noticed.) More isn’t always better. Carol Bike, I’ll eat my words. And my texts.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 16, 2024
HTC Vive Focus Vision Review: Crystal Clear VR, When It Works

[ad_1]

Every time you put on the headset, it adjusts to match your interpupillary distance. Anyone who’s ever gotten a prescription for glasses is familiar with this process. If the lenses aren’t aligned with the distance between your eyes, you can end up looking through the edges of the lenses and getting a much more distorted view. HTC combats this with motorized lenses and internal eye-tracking that detects how far apart your eyes are and physically moves the lenses to the appropriate distance.

It’s a handy feature, I wish it didn’t do this every single time I put on the headset. Fortunately, you can turn this off in the system settings, but I quickly found it irritating if I took my headset off for just a second—usually to deal with some setup process detail for some app or another—only for the headset to completely forget where my eyes are the second I slip it back on. I get that the idea is to adjust for different users, but maybe a good middle ground would be to ask users if they want to readjust each time or offer a shortcut button.

I was also annoyed at how quickly the lenses would fog up. The foam on the headset wasn’t particularly breathable, and the lenses would fog up within seconds. Eventually, it would even out as the headset warmed up, but it’s still annoying. These are the kinds of minor flaws I’d be tempted to overlook on a more accessible headset, but for a device that starts at $1,000, it’s tough to overlook.

Immersion and Control

In keeping with competitors like the Meta Quest 3S, and Apple Vision Pro, the Vive Focus Vision is designed to be a mixed-reality headset. The passthrough view is solid enough to see your surroundings and not bump into anything, though the video is still grainy and washed out. I also tried walking a few steps to my fridge and, while I made it, there’s just enough lag to make it feel disorienting.

HTC’s controllers are similar to the ones for the Meta Quest 3, with a few buttons, a couple of triggers, and full motion tracking. It also supports hand tracking, which worked pretty well in my experience, though at times it could be a bit frustrating to get my cursor to click on the right buttons with my fingers alone.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 15, 2024