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Hey guys, apparently there is a new movie called 'Ghost Team' starring Jon Heder (AKA Napoleon Dynamite), David Krumholtz, Justin Long and some other people. It's about some losers with dead-end jobs that fill their free time by searching for evidence that ghosts exist. The opportunity presents itself to our lowly heroes to hunt ghosts at an abandoned farm, and so they do. Predictably, the ghosts then turn the tables and hunt them. During the course of all this, laughter inducing events occur (maybe).
You and your girlfriend are exhausted. You've been engaged in a vigorous physical activity together for the past two hours and you are both nearly spent. No, you haven't been doing that (guys, I'm a tech blogger, not a romance novelist), you've been playing Pokémon Go! Earlier this morning you read on Twitter that someone had found a Zapdos near the top of ol' Benson Hill and you've been climbing and searching ever since.The summit is in sight, and soon the reward for all your efforts will be attained! Just then, you notice that there's a problem. Your Nexus 6P and your girlfriend's HTC 10 are both below 5 percent battery life. NOOO!!! You foolishly wasted all your juice capturing wild Rattatas and Digletts during the ascent. It seems your pain and sacrifice will have been for naught.You both need to charge your cell phones, and charge them fast! But what device could possibly rapid charge a Nexus and Quick Charge an HTC 10 at the same time while you're tromping around in the middle of a forest infested with virtual Pokémon? Tears begin to well in the corners of your girlfriend's eyes as she is stung by the bitter bite of failure. You feel your soul begin to die.Just then, another Pokémon trainer catches up to where you are stopped on the trail. Seeing the tears in both your eyes and the cell phones in your hands he instantly surmises what the problem is. With a smile and a flourish he pulls from his pocket just the escape rope you need to escape your plight... a Tronsmart Presto!
BLU released a new phone a few days back called the BLU Energy XL and they sent me one to take a look at. The XL in the title is there for good reason; everything about this phone is massive. It has a huge 6" HD screen, 64GB of on-board storage, and mammoth 5,020 mAh battery. The only thing that isn't enormous about this behemoth is the price, which is a very reasonable $300.Sound pretty good on paper, right? Let's see how good it is in practice.
I've spent time with a lot of chargers since I began reviewing them a few months ago. I've seen one port, two port, five port, and even six port chargers. The charger I'm taking a look at today blows them all away, well at least in terms of the number of ports it has. This is one of Aukey's latest USB chargers, and it rocks a crazy 10 charging ports!Eight of the ten ports are standard 2.4A adaptive ports, the other two, denoted by an orange-colored plug, are QC 3.0 ports, meaning they will give a speedy charge to any Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 compatible devices (a cool guy I know made a list of phones that support QC 3.0, you can check it out here). Devices with Qualcomm QC 2.0 are also supported, granted, at their slightly slower charging speed.I've tested the charger, and all the ports on the one I was sent work just as expected. Output is consistent with the advertised speeds and it doesn't ever get more than slightly warm, even when charging multiple devices simultaneously. It's well constructed and the plastics used to build it are rigid and durable. USB cables fit securely without feeling loose or wiggly. It's a solid device.In terms of design, there isn't a ton to say. It's a matte black plastic rectangle with a ton of ports on the top. As I mentioned previously, the color of the port denotes the type of charger it is. Green signifies standard, orange is QC 3.0. Because the ports face upward they are more susceptible to dust and debris falling into them when no cable is connected.Aukey smartly includes color coded silicone caps that users can place in unused ports to protect them. I think they also look pretty sweet, and my kids love to play with them (which means they will all be lost in about 3 days). The only other included items are the power cord, a cable wrap, and a single MicroUSB cable.
Let’s play a little game, shall we?
Last week I reviewed the largest portable Bluetooth speaker I've ever seen. This week, the speaker we're looking at slots in at the opposite end of the spectrum. It's called the JBL Clip 2 ($60), and you'd need 44 of them to balance the scales with one Braven BRV XXL. Sure it's smaller, but its compact size makes it about a thousand times more portable, giving it a complete different set of uses. Is it any good? Read on and you'll find out.
Here at Android Police we've tested devices of all different shapes and sizes. Well, the Bluetooth speaker I'm reviewing today is the largest and heaviest portable speaker I've ever used – by a lot! This is the Braven BRV XXL ($350), and it lives up to its name in both size and sound. Let's have a look, shall we?
I'm running out of creative ways to write these articles, but I'm going to try and give this one my bestest. Google is giving away another album for free on Google Play Music; this time it's Jason Mraz's third album, 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.'
Chargers and cords are not really sexy tech. I imagine they aren't your favorite things to read about – they certainly aren't my favorite accessories to write about. They are, however, very important because they give daily life to the gadgets we love.Phones, tablets, smart watches, and Bluetooth speakers; they all need to be juiced daily. Wouldn't it be nice if there was one charger that could charge them all simultaneously – regardless of whether they charge via Micro USB, QC 3.0, or Nexus quick charge?Well, you just aren't going to believe this, but there is a new charger from Aukey that satisfies all those demands. Let me introduce you to the AUKEY USB Type-C & Quick Charge 3.0 6-Port USB Charging Station. That name is ridiculously long, and I get tired of calling things 'the device', so for the rest of the article I'm just going to call it Zappy.Zappy is a six port charging station featuring 4 2.4A USB ports with intelligent power delivery and 2 USB Type-C ports (that's one more than the last one they sent me to check out). The Type-C ports are compatible with both QC 2.0 and 3.0 devices and can also deliver the 5V x 3A needed to rapidly charge Nexus phones. Zappy don't mess around.AUKEY sent me one to check out a couple of days ago. After using it the last two nights I have no complaints. Being able to use the same charger to refuel my watch, tablet, headphones, and speaker while also rapid charging my Nexus 6P is quite enjoyable. For many of you readers, Zappy might be the only charger you need to buy for the next couple of years.Build quality is right in line with what I've seen from other AUKEY chargers. It's not going to win any awards for its design – you can't get much more basic than a black plastic box with ports on one end – but it looks just fine. The only notable design feature is a green LED light that lets you know Zappy is plugged in.
Since I took over audio reviews at AP from Cam, I have been asked to share my opinion on speakers from dozens of brands. One brand that pops up often in these discussions is RIVA. I hadn't heard of the company before so I did some research and discovered that the newcomers to the portable audio industry are building speakers that are turning heads (or maybe just ears) with their smooth sound and sophisticated styling.
What sounds great, has excellent battery life, and is red all over? The JBL Charge 2, that's what! Ok, so that wasn't a joke, but neither is the sale that Best Buy is having on the Charge 2, it's currently only at Best Buy. That's not a lot to ask for a very highly regarded speaker, especially one in this particular shade of red.What's special about this color, you ask? Ketchup stain resistance. This speaker was made for summer picnics and barbecues. Eat hot dogs around this bad boy all you want, it can take it. Ketchup red may not be everyone's color, but if you like it (or are color blind) it's a very solid price. In fact, it matches the best deal we've ever seen on the Charge 2 and is $30 less than what Amazon is currently selling it for. That ain't bad.The speaker has been out for almost a year now, and will likely soon be replaced. The new version will undoubtedly be better in some way or another, but it will presumably cost twice as much as this as well. If you want one of the current gen for a great price before they are gone, then follow the link below.Source: Best Buy
Yesterday, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force were unveiled by the new owners of the Moto brand, Lenovo. The devices showcase some bold, if controversial, design choices. While they may be lacking headphone jacks, they are not lacking for power or top-notch specs worthy of their flagship designation.
Google's giving away music again today, this time from a group that some of you may have heard of. They call themselves the Heavy Balloon Band, or something like that, and their album Led Zeppelin II (Remastered) is the latest freebie on Google's own Play Music store.
Back-lit controls sit at the top of the speaker and power, optical, and headphone ports can be found at the rear of the device. The speaker is powered by a proprietary charger the size of a standard laptop power brick. As you might guess with the Boost being a TV speaker, it has no battery and must be plugged in to work.
It's no secret that we like JBL's speakers here at Android Police. Rich audio, sharp looks, and solid value make JBL's product line one of the best in the business. Today one of the smallest members of JBL's lineup, the JBL GO, is on sale for half off its retail price of $40 on JBL's own website. Yes, you mathematical geniuses, that means it's only 20 bucks.The JBL GO comes in eight different colors (pictured above) from which you can have your pick as they are all currently available. The pint-sized speaker measures 1.2 inches x 3.3 inches x 2.7 inches with five hours of battery life. I haven't listened to this particular speaker, but with the JBL name emblazoned across the front I'd wager it sounds good for its size.The GO is not splash resistant like some of JBL's other products, but it does have an audio-in jack, volume controls and a built-in mic for speakerphone functionality.To get the discounted price enter the coupon code 20JBLGO at checkout, shipping is free and so are returns if you aren't happy with your purchase. I doubt you will have any issues though, it's incredibly well reviewed with a 4.6 star rating at Amazon (where it sells in black for ).What are you waiting for? GO pick one up for yourself by following the link below. The sale lasts through June 11th or as long as supplies last.Source: JBL GO
I've owned, used, and abused a lot of USB car chargers over the years. They all do more or less the same thing, and most look nearly identical to every other car charger on the market. When Nonda contacted me asking if I was interested in taking a look at their ZUS dual port car charger (), I almost deleted the message.With a max output of 2.4A per outlet (ideal for Apple products), the charger sports decent charging speeds, but with no Qualcomm Quick Charge technology or Nexus Rapid Charge support, I didn't think it was worth my time to review. Then I read a little more of the press release and discovered that charging speeds aren't what make this a compelling device. There are two other reasons to consider this charger – outstanding build quality and a slick app that helps you find where you parked your car. Let's discuss both.
I've never owned or used a Sonos speaker, but people who have say they are rather nice. They are also rather expensive. But, as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. If you want a great sounding WiFi speaker system that works throughout your entire house, Sonos may just be the best in the business.A whole home speaker system is one of the finer things in life, and do you know who enjoys the finer things in life? Dads, that's who. Amazon must know this, because they are offering a special promotion on Sonos speakers for Father's day. Buy a Sonos speaker, get a free Amazon gift-card. Simple, just the way dads like it. Here's a list of links.
Up top you have a plus and minus symbol buttons that control the volume. On the back there's the power and Bluetooth pairing button and you'll also find a small flap that covers the MicroUSB charging port and headphone jack. The ports themselves are waterproof, but the flap keeps sand and other gunk from fouling them up, which is great. Lastly, a bungee cord loop stretches across the rear housing, semi-permanently secured on one side and held in place by a lip on the other.
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UE's smallest speaker, the ROLL, is 50 percent off right now at Best Buy and Amazon, dropping the price to $50. It packs impressive sound for its diminutive size and boasts 9 hours of battery life, a 65 foot Bluetooth Range, and an IPX7 rated waterproof body. Plus it has a marine-grade bungee cord attached to it that you can use to strap it to things. Gotta love a bungee cord.Only the red and purple color options are available to ship at Best Buy, though more colors may be available for pickup at your local store. Amazon has the blue and red models marked down, but the others are still selling for full price. The ROLL came out in June last year, so it's possible that the sale is to clear house of old stock in preparation for a new model's launch (ahem), in which case inventory may be limited.Cam loved the ROLL and gave it high praise in his review, and having spent some time with a ROLL myself, I agree wholeheartedly that it is one of the best speakers you can buy for $100. At $50 it is even easier to recommend. In fact, since they are half off, you may consider picking up two so you can link them together using the UE ROLL companion app. Links for all available color options are below.
In addition to making phones, TVs, and refrigerators, Samsung builds some pretty decent audio devices. David reviewed the bulk of the Level series (Samsung's name for their audio line) and came away pretty impressed with their build quality and sound performance.One of the members of the Level family, the Samsung Level Box Mini, is part of a special BOGO promotion today on Samsung's own website. It's simple, buy one Level Box Mini for $80, get another free. Admittedly, the price is higher on Samsung's site than on Amazon (where it is $50), but with the BOGO promotion the speakers come out to $40 a pop. You may not need two, but that second speaker would make a nice gift for Father's day, which is right around the corner.The speaker is very well reviewed on Amazon, rocking a 4.8 star rating. With easy NFC pairing, up to 25 hours of battery life, and good sound quality, it's not hard to imagine why. It doesn't hurt that it's built by a company with some serious name recognition.Now for the nitty-gritty details. The promotion only applies to the black version of the speaker. To take advantage of the special offer simply add the Level Box Mini to your cart, the second speaker will be added automatically at 0$. Shipping is free on any order over $50, so you don't have to worry about that. It's that simple, just follow the link below to Box BOGO bliss.Source: Samsung