The Rabbit R1: This device is a new addition to your pocket, but what's the purpose of it?
Well, let's jump into it because the creator of The Rabbit R1 takes aim at mobile phones by... working with them, and it also takes aim at your smart home speakers. He seems to dive in by taking a different approach via a companion device to take away your need to constantly be on your phone only to fall victim to time-consuming apps by using The Rabbit R1 as a bridge to use your apps for you to get certain things done (via a large action model). This is the R1... by Rabbit:
Now that you've seen the keynote, let's jump in. This is definitely a head-turning device, and it was allegedly engineered by teenagers. I had to mention this first because that's badass and I appreciate the door being open to teens regarding such a huge opportunity. Secondly, It's definitely a device that could potentially be useful to some, especially for those who get flustered and need clarification, even when it boils down to creating recipes. Again, pretty badass, but... I have to say this... even if the creator says that the device won't collect your data and play show & tell (not his words... but you get it), it's safe to remain skeptical.
At the same time, it's up to you to give the device access to select apps. I still wouldn't know what I'd use it for, but I probably would've embraced it in a different form. It's all good though, different strokes for different folks... which is why the first 10,000 units sold out immediately and the second batch emerged soon after. Smart to have this thing hopping around Easter time... which can help market it simply based on the commercial bunny theme.
While the device certainly has its uses, I think the intrigue of this $199 AI companion is motivating a lot of the sales... and a number of people will probably find themselves pouring a large amount of time into it to see what they could truly use it for. Some may shrug, while others find that they aren't hounding a friend or family member with as many questions or requests to do something (like order pizza or a rideshare). It has room to grow, and with the 4G sim card slot, we may be seeing a different type of phone in due time.
The good thing is that this device also has the ability to take photos and video, so push comes to show... it could serve as a smart camera with AI capabilities.
Overall, I am curious of what's to come. If this has its own number, it will certainly give you the ability to make calls... or at least it should, but... this sim card slot makes me wonder what the R2 or R3 will look like and will they come in the form of AI phones actually taking on others in the industry? I ask this because if the R1 gets a large enough base that is comfortable enough to use with the addition of a SIM card, I think it's only a matter of time before it goes from being a companion to a competitor for your pocket.
In today's fast-paced world, technology has become an integral part of our lives. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, we are surrounded by different forms of technology that make our lives easier and more convenient. A tech-friendly life is not just about having fun gadgets, but also about utilizing technology in various areas to reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve communication.
One of the most significant benefits of using technology is that it can help us save time. With the help of various apps and software, we can automate a lot of our daily tasks, such as grocery shopping, bill payments, and even cleaning schedules for bots or services. This means that we can spend more time doing things that we enjoy or that are more important to us, such as spending time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies, or focusing on our work.
Another way that technology can help us is by keeping us on task and organized. Voice reminders and to-do list apps are great tools that can help us stay on top of our daily tasks and ensure that we don't forget anything important. These tools are especially useful for people who have busy schedules or who struggle with memory issues. The Echo Show 15 acts as a household hub for family use.
In addition to saving time and keeping us organized, technology can also help us maintain our health. There are various apps and devices that can track our fitness levels, monitor our sleep patterns, and even help us manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. By keeping track of our health data, we can make more informed decisions about our lifestyle choices and work towards achieving our health goals.
Technology can also help us create a more comfortable and efficient living space. Smart home devices such as thermostats, lighting systems, and security cameras can be programmed to work together and create a personalized environment that meets our specific needs. For example, we can set our lights to turn on automatically when we enter a room or program our thermostat to adjust the temperature based on our daily routine.
Overall, technology has become an essential part of our lives, and I feel a tech-friendly lifestyle can offer numerous benefits. By using technology to automate tasks, stay organized, maintain our health to the extent that we comply, and create a more comfortable living space, we can improve our overall quality of life and achieve our goals more efficiently.
6. Invest in a smart security system that includes cameras, sensors, and alarms that can be monitored and controlled through your smartphone.
7. Set up a smart irrigation system to control the watering of your garden or lawn remotely, based on weather conditions or time of day. Lawn mower bots help keep your lawn nice and neat.
8. Use smart blinds or curtains that can be automatically opened or closed based on a set schedule or controlled remotely.
9. Integrate smart appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens, that can be controlled or monitored remotely for energy efficiency and convenience.
We can't forget about the cool convenient tech. I had to throw this in there because... come on, who would be against a freaking coffee table that also doubles as a fridge, wireless charger, and speaker system? What?! It also has a built-in touchscreen controller. Soundstream has a cheaper version. - Blu
10. Use smart speakers or sound systems to play music or audio throughout your home, providing a seamless entertainment experience.
Before I jump in, shout out to the iFi audio team for sending over this product for review.
Build Quality + Ease of setup: In terms of quality, as soon as you hold this product in your hands... you feel the quality of the build without question. The NEO Stream has some weight to it despite its neat compact form. Even the OptiBox has the same thick aluminum body as the NEO Stream and has a similar design.
The ports are stable, and nothing feels loose (no wiggles here)... which is great for a nice solid connection, and I love the clickiness of the knob when you turn it (feels almost like a really nice combination lock on a safe).
You're able to position the NEO Stream in two ways, flat down with the rubber feet that came packaged with the product, or... standing up by way of placing it on the sturdy aluminum base. In terms of the quality, I believe the iFi Audio team takes pride in the product quality + presentation and even placed this thick rubber wedge over the wifi antennae port to avoid it being compromised because of damage.
The same applies to the SilentLine retina-grade TFT screen, it has a screen protector on it, and as you'll see in the unboxing below... the padding is even thick and durable in the package... so your product is safe and sound en route (unless something just supernaturally crazy happens during shipment).
The quality doesn't stop there, because the power supply is also solid. This particular plug is the iFi iPower X low-noise power supply that removes electrical noise due to the potential interference from other devices. You'd be surprised of the type of interference you can get from one device to the next, and extreme audiophiles can tell.
I won't lie, in terms of the setup... the OptiBox would've thrown me for a bit of a loop without the instructions, so I'm including them in this review for you. iFi did a great job with the step-by-step instructions not only for the ethernet setup but also the wifi setup... and they're both super easy.
As you see, the back of the iFi NEO Stream, you notice the various options for connection. Below is the video to Wi-Fi Setup (my connection status is white), which I'm currently using with a temporary RCA connection. I'm going to totally switch up my connection once I find or order additional cables. So the current setup is just temporary. I'm wavering between using a 4.4mm cable or AES (for a long-term connection). No need to follow my desired setup if you grab this product, go with the connection that works best for you.
On the digital side, I connected via the USB output to USB-C. You can switch back and forth in the settings.
It's great to have the wifi option, because if you don't have the option of going hardwired... or you simply need that port for another device, you're good to go. If you prefer 5GHz, just make sure that your device isn't that far away from the wifi. For those who don't know: 5GHz delivers faster speeds, but... it doesn't have the reach of the 2.4GHz connection.
Sound:In terms of sound, you get some really nice sound separation without the meshing of sounds (I will give more on this in the next section). Hi-Res audio isn't necessarily a concrete term, because there are no specific defining standards, but... most products labeled as Hi-Res Audio often deliver quality that exceeds cd-quality audio.
CD quality is 16-bit with a 44.1kHz sample rate.
Hi-Res audio is 24-bit or higher (i.e. 32-bit w/ a 384 kHz sample rate). The NEO Stream supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM.
I'm not an extreme audiophile, but... I have a deep appreciation for great audio, and I think a good portion of people are the same way. They might be able to shrug off the output from a decent pair of headphones or shelf speakers, but... when the sound is hitting in a high-quality way... you get a different reaction because the enjoyment is on another level (the audio is clean).
Loud and rich are two different things. Live in concert won't give you the same feel as the studio, but there's nothing wrong with the experience for what it's worth... it just doesn't sound as good most of the time. At times the speakers are just on full blast at some concerts, and you can't really appreciate the various aspects of the music being performed. This is a similar feeling I have when the volume is high and the quality is low or... average at best from speakers or headphones.
That's the long way of saying the sound separation is quite noticeable with the NEO Stream and it greatly increased my enjoyment. I listened to a variety of audio, including:
Gerald Albright - What You See Is What You Get
Blu + You Podcast Episodes
Listening to episodes of the Blu + You Podcast through the NEO Stream, sounded like I was listening to a live recording taking place. That was freaking cool, and while listening to Gerald Albright's track... I got an even deeper appreciation for his talent on sax and in addition to the other instruments being used in the studio (how can I describe it other than being... clean?). I'm excited to replace the RCA cables... and I'm probably going to go with a 4.4mm cable. Wait until I get into the specs, I found out the why behind it the great audio.
When it comes to the lows, mids, and highs... nothing jumped out as far as bringing more oomph (the bass didn't swallow up any of the other sounds), there was a balance. When it comes to the actual music streaming, you can use various options like... Tidal, YouTube Music, Qobuz, Signalyst, Roon (which works with Tidal, and Qobuz), DLNA, AIO (which is the setting I have), iFi Audio app, and Spotify... which is what I used to play the podcast & music. In the image, you see here, I have the music playing through "SDGT-IFI'S STREAMER".
The iFi Audio app gives you access to a slew... of different radio stations, your own server, music you have on your phone, connected storage, etc. It still needs some work, it's a rigid app, and but when you check out the radio... you will be surprised of all the categories there are. There's even anime radio, and comedy.
By the way, anything you play on the NEO Stream... will appear on the screen. As you see, there's a thumbnail of the Rock Antenna radio station. (I wasn't listening to Nickleback, but it's all good.)
In the box + Features: This unboxing will show you everything you will receive in this product.
Ultra-Res Wi-Fi/Ethernet network audio streamer with integrated DAC
By the way, DAC is an acronym for Digital (to) Analog Convertor... which allows you to enjoy your MP3 files + digital vids through analog (wired speakers + wired headphones).
Open-source architecture - works with multiple control apps, constantly evolving platform support
I want Amazon Music to be an option because I use the app more so than other platforms, followed by Spotify (which is compatible).
Stream the way you want - Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, NAA and more.
DLNA also provides plenty of options via certified products/services that allow you to playback recorded audio and music files. Get familiar with these types of services before you jump in to set anything up... because it will ensure a win over the assumption that the product doesn't work.
Supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 - not just via USB/LAN cables but Wi-Fi too*
Full MQA decoding and true-native DSD
When it comes to MQA decoders, they don't rely on anything else to unpack a file to a certain bit or kHz, but some will (literally) argue that you need an MQA compatible product. Other's will argue back that "full" MQA decoders don't need any help from a secondary device (I'm standing back at this point).
I'm not giving any input of my own on this one, but... I do have something to touch on before we wrap up the review. Before that, let's see what MQA actually has to say about this:
MQA reveals the original master recording. How sweet is that? My first thought was... "daammnnnn", but I listened first before getting into the details.
How does MQA make this possible? They describe it as 'Music Origami'. The music file is folded into 3 parts to make it small enough to stream, during playback the full MQA does the full unfold. The MQA core decoder does 1 unfold, combined with the MQA renderer that unfolds the other 2 parts of the file.
True-Native DSD delivers hi-res master studio quality sound that allows you to enjoy not only stereo, surround, binaural and all that good stuff (I.e. ASMR binaural experiences). Underhood, you get the True Native DSD Bit-Perfect DXD/PCM thanks to the Burr-Brown chipset that some of the biggest audiophiles prefer.
Custom-designed hardware and software - built for exceptional sound
Fully balanced analog circuitry delivers maximum sonic purity
Four user-selectable digital filters - tailor the sound to suit your music
'Exclusive' streaming modes - dedicated Tidal, Roon, NAA and DLNA modes for optimised performance
USB and S/PDIF interfaces regulated by femto-precision clock to eradicate jitter
Active Noice Cancellation and iPurifier technologies remove distortion from the audio signal
Optical LAN input isolation technology - enhanced sound quality over cabled network connection
Silent Line retina-grade TFT screen with album art display
LAN optical isolation technology - superior sound over Gigabit Ethernet connection
Enter... the OptiBox.
Ultra-low noise power supply and LAN optical transmitter/receiver
*Full-strength 5GHz signal required for 385kHz/DSD256 or above over Wi-Fi
Limited 1 Year Warranty
Price:Pricewise, the NEO Stream comes in at $1299, which... for the average person might be quite pricy. For audiophiles craving the highest quality sound, the cost will be a goal to save up for. I understand because while some people are willing to spend big on a PC rig, or more so a TV, audiophiles seek the best audio. There are MQA Core Decoders that far exceed the price of this device, doesn't make them bad... but I don't promote breaking the bank to pay more for less.
I must say that if you're getting your hands on something like a hi-res audio streamer like the iFi Audio NEO Stream, make it make sense by using hi-res headphones or speakers in order to truly hear what the artists created in the freaking studio. A pair of $10 headphones from el Cheapos might sound a tad better than they did before connecting them to this audio streamer, but... you that doesn't give the audio justice. Overall, make your investment worth it... and rock on!
While working on a pending project... I got a little sidetracked eyeing the Surface Laptop Go 2. The first version turned my head, but what features do the Surface Laptop Go 2 have that make it worth the purchase?
Let's jump in.
Before I speak on anything else, I have to point out the fact that the laptop has a 12.4" PixelSense touchscreen... which isn't the biggest. So if you were looking for a bigger laptop... keep looking, but... if you were looking for a laptop on the smaller side... this will likely be the smallest quality option you will find. By the way, even if I own other laptops, a well-equipped smaller laptop wouldn't turn me off if it has specific factors I'm looking for. I'm not always in the mood to handle a larger laptop... and I know a number of people in that boat... and one of the perks of this laptop is that it only weighs in at 2.48 pounds... making it the lightest surface laptop thus far.
The Surface Laptop Go 2 comes in Platinum, Sage, Ice Blue, and Sandstone. Platinum has more of a professional touch in my opinion, but the Sage + Sandstone models look nice also. The Ice Blue is... cool (and blue is my favorite color), but... I would love to see this one in a different shade of blue.
This laptop features a full-size keyboard and rocks a 10-point multi-touch screen.
Before I forget: The 12.4" PixelSense display has the same resolution of 1536 x 1024 (148ppi) screen... as the original Laptop Go.
One thing I'm not crazy about with the entry model... is the RAM and the memory (yikes). 4GB? That's a no-no, I think they all should be 8GB to give the actual laptop justice and bump the storage up on the others. 128GB SSD comes with the entry and mid-range models. 256GB SSD could be for the mid with more for the higher end. I know that some of you don't use as much storage as some of us so aim towards your needs (I can use up 128GB within a few hours). Looking at the price, I'd say if you plan to get your hands on this at all... grab the mid-range at least but it's only $50 less than the best model sooo... consider the best option.
By the way, Microsoft showcases Xbox Game Pass on this laptop, but... that would only make sense with the games playable with lower specs or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate which gives you the ability to play from the cloud. I mention this for the parents who may see the games and assume this is a gaming laptop.
For Artists:
I would say that the Surface Laptop Go 2 is also a missed opportunity for artists who want a 2-in-1 for drawing... but that's a segue into getting a Surface Go 3 (if you don't mind the keyboard attachment cover). I was just thinking of the Surface Laptop Go 2's best model at least having the ability to be folded back so that it can be drawn on. It's light, you can use it as a laptop, and it could've been an awesome drawing tablet alternative that you could fold back and use a Microsoft Surface Pen on. It's easy to shrug that off though... because you can get the Surface Go 3 with 8GB RAM + 128GB SSD for less than the entry Surface Laptop Go 2. The entry for the SG3 is $399.99, adding a keyboard attachment/cover would still land you at about $70 less (though you're looking at 4GB RAM + 64GB eMMC storage).
You can always connect an external drawing tablet, but... I'd suggest the Surface Go 3 for artists, while those looking for a small(er than average) laptop to consider the Surface Laptop Go 2.
Additional specs are as follows:
One Touch sign-in w/ Finger Print Power Button (excluding the base model) Quad Core 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor 2.42 - 4.2GHz Firmware TPM 2.0 (for security purposes... like with Bitlocker) Windows 11 Home Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month trial (cloud gaming, but don't forget your controller) Ambient light sensor 1 USB-C port 1 USB-A port 3.5mm headphone jack 1 Surface Connect port (for your charger and Surface Dock connection) 720p HD f2.0 camera (front-facing)... though the best version should've been 1080p Dual far-field Studio Mics Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium: I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and experience the Omnisonic speaker like that... so I can't really tell you where they land on the cool point meter, but they're utilizing Dolby Audio Premium. Dolby Audio Premium delivers a virtual surround sound experience... so if these speakers deliver in quality... the software will do the rest. WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 Battery life (up to) 13.5 hours
I personally wouldn't drop the coin on the Surface Laptop Go 2... but if I did, I'd go for the best version. That said, realistically, it doesn't have what I'm looking for... and I wouldn't want it to collect dust because of that. If I had a specific project that required me to travel frequently, I'd add this to a comparison list... but I think the specs would lose out to the competition (even under the same brand).
The Nooie Cam Pro: 2K Security Camera with Spotlight was provided to us for review by the Nooie team, my opinions of this product are my own. No need to worry though, this product checks all the boxes for me. How so? Well, let's review!
Ease of setup: First things first, when it comes to setting up the Nooie Cam Pro... it's as easy as you being able to nail or screw something into the wall. That will be your biggest challenge, which isn't a challenge at all for most of us. The second challenge would be placement, but that's entirely up to you, but aim for a place that will get you maximum coverage (just keep it out of direct sunlight).
I'd recommend charging your cameras as soon as possible to get that step out of the way, and then jump into the mount plate installation.
I'm using the drill you see above, along with masonry drill bits. You can simply use the screws to drill if you desire, but if you don't have these items, no worries... grab a hammer + a nail:
Partially hammer the nail in > remove the nail from the hole > grab a mounting plate + a screw > partially insert the screw > grab the nail and place it into the other hole of the mounting plate to position it before you partially nail it in > remove the nail > add the screw in and twist it in all the way > after twisting the other screw in > just grab a full charged camera + a magnetic mount > place the mount in the back of the camera > slide the mount onto the mounting plate > mission complete.
Mounting took 3 minutes tops. By the way, you can even place the mounting plates while the cameras are charging so that you don't have to worry about doing that when its go time. Ahead of mounting the cameras, go to the Google Play Store or the App Store and get the Nooie app.
After downloading the app, follow the instructions in the app to connect the station to your home internet and connect the cameras to the base station. It's a very simple setup also because once the setup is done for the base station, press the button (the logo) on the base station which will begin to blink, and then push the little button on the back of the camera until the light begins to blink.
You will get a sound from the camera and the base station to confirm the connection. After that, just go put your cameras on the mounts and look at the camera feed through your phone app to get the desired angle and you're all set with that portion.
Quality: In terms of quality, these are some sturdy cameras. They're listed as fire resilient & weatherproof, but some of you might look at that like... "Sounds nice, but... what does that mean?", so let's jump into some definitions:
Fire Resiliency | According to Fire Protection Research Foundation
The term "resilience" means the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Resilience includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents. - National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) | Guidance Document for Incorporating Resiliency Concepts into NFPA Codes and Standards: Final Report | Page 4
The specific fireproof rating for the Nooie Cam Pro is... UL94 V-0. Very interesting, this is UL94 V-0 and the list shows that if this catches fire it's the one that doesn't burn long if it burns at all. There are plenty of people I know who work in IT and there are some who live in Cali where fires tend to pop up because of natural circumstances or those situations where someone did a bad bad thing, and this type of cam works for those who don't want to add to the flammable products in their location.
Weatherproof | According to Access Fixtures
A fixture with an IP rating of 65 is protected against multi-directional, low-pressure water jets. In order to pass testing and achieve an IP65 rating, fixtures must be able to withstand water projected by a 0.25-inch nozzle. To achieve satisfactory results, this test must be run for a minimum of fifteen minutes, with the water source placed three yards from the fixture. Additionally, the water pressure must be 30 kPa with a water volume of 3.3 gallons per minute. - IP Ratings
If you need an idea of what else is IP65 rated, think of the sports lights at some parks and stadiums or even those pole lights you might see (i.e. the commercial LED bollard lights).
So in terms of durability, you have a solid product (on paper) that I've had the pleasure of utilizing. I haven't set any cameras on fire, but there were some heavy rains, then it got cold, then it got hot again. One camera was fully covered, and the other camera was under light cover out of direct view of the sun and they're still ticking.
In terms of the video quality, the Nooie Cam Pro is 2K QHD resolution, but I'd rather show you the quality instead of telling you (I'm literally going out to show you right now):
Here's the night view, and take a look at the date... I haven't had to recharge the camera yet and it's still above 50%. I will get to the specifics regarding the battery in the next section.
Features: In terms of features of features, the Nooie Cam Pro has:
2K QHD Resolution (with 8X zoom)
Motion Detection (PIR Motion Sensor Range: Up to 20ft)
Integrated Spotlight (IR Night Vision + Spotlight Color Night Vision)
2.4 & 5G Wi-Fi Connection
Rechargeable Battery (5000 mAH)
Two-Way Audio & Live View
IP 65 Weatherproof
Power Plug or Solar Panel Options
Compatibility with Alexa & Google Home
2 Cameras
1 Base Station
Storage Cloud & Support SD card up to 128GB:
What's cool about the SD card support is the fact that you don't have to pay for cloud storage if you don't want to. The screenshots you see below are from the actual Nooie App, and the video above was also taken via the App. I didn't have to use the SD card to take that video and the pic I took above didn't require an SD card either, but having that option allows for an offline solution.
If you're interested in cloud storage, there are different options, but all come at a very affordable price.
Monthly fees:
7-Day EVENT PLAYBACK | $1.00/30day
Videos saved up to 30 days
Event recording
14-Day EVENT PLAYBACK | $1.90/30day
Videos saved up to 14 days
Event recording
30-Day EVENT PLAYBACK | $3.00/30day
Videos saved up to 30 days
Event recording
Yearly fees:
7-Day EVENT PLAYBACK Yearly Plan | $10.00/12month
Videos saved up to 7 days
Event recording
14-Day EVENT PLAYBACK Yearly Plan | $20.00/12month
Videos saved up to 14 days
Event recording
30-Day EVENT PLAYBACK Yearly Plan | $30.00/12month
Videos saved up to 30 days
Event recording
Price: The price for the Nooie Cam Pro is $299.99, and it comes with 2 cams + base station. Cameras are normally $150, so it's about right + you get the base station, and... you aren't stuck to a cord.
Overall, these are solid security cameras that work well. The batteries are still over 50% charge, there are multiple features like the two-way that allow you to speak to others even when you're away from home, you can record, there are different color options that allow for camo action (to a degree as well).
Speaking of the color options, let me clarify. The default color is clay, but there are pending color "Sleeve" options that include Mocha and Snow.
So this will allow them to be hidden in a variety of environments unless you want the camera to be visible to send someone running for the hills.
Before Orlando because the permanent home for SDGT Entertainment, I was the victim of burglary. I'm pretty sure it was the maintenance guy because he knew that we were moving, and he got the security guard fired because he was upset that he wouldn't allow him access to the security camera room.
Once he got access to the camera room, he would stay in there and I thought he just used it to sleep until I connected the dots and realized he used it to keep tabs on who was coming and going. A security camera system would've sent the criminal running for the hills because you're not only able to use an alarm on the camera, you can use voice to scare the crap out of them, you know someone's there in order to notify the police and with the evidence, they can get an accurate description, etc. You can even scare them by turning on the spotlight and maybe say something creative (gun sentry... activated).
If it's in the cloud, they wouldn't have access to the video at all, but if you hide the base station, that would be out of sight out of mind.
One of the biggest features that you will not see on the package is... peace of mind. Security cameras are definitely a plus, and when you really really need them, they're a Godsend.
By the way, you get a 12-month limited warranty also.
