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With my girlfriend moving in, I am always on the verge of changing things in my living room. This is where the room stands now, so it will be interesting to see how things progress in the future.
I have the video andnew photos on my Den page. However, the video is below:
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 I am now on my third thunderbolt dock. Everything was operating like clockwork and then I had the opportunity to review the ICY Box20858 ICY BOX RED DOT Award Winner 2019 Thunderbolt 3 Type-C Notebook/Laptop, PC Docking Station. For full disclosure, I received this for free in exchange for an unbiased review (for Amazon) and I get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links. Everything a geek needsHere is the official tally of what is on this thing: :Triple video output! Mini DP 1. 2, VGA and HDMI 2. 0 or DisplayPort 1. 2. Two USB 3. 1 (Gen2) Type-C interfaces, four USB 3. 0 Type-A interfaces. Sd 4. 0 (UHS-II) card reader for most common SD card specifications. 3. 5 mm stereo Combo jack (Microphone/ audio). Gigabit LAN RJ45 interface with wake-on-lan function. While I wasn't really in the market for a new dock, the SD card slot was THE KILLER FEATURE! I just could resist. I had a card reader plugged into my machine, but I wanted it out of sight, so it was hard to get to. That was solved with the ICY Box. It is conveniently located on the side which makes it easy to reach. The numerous ports are perfect for my arrangement, as well. I have it daisy chained with the old dock,. so I have even more options (I may remove the old one if I don't use all the slots up anytime soon, but no reason to mess with it now).  Complaints?I have a couple minor complaints, though. First off, I like the sleek design, but I think this shape has some issues. You can't plug anything into the front. I don't use the headphone port, but if I did, I would not like it to be located on the back. Personally, I like the ability to stack objects, like a SSD drive, but that front curve makes that less likely. Also, this thing is wide, so you really need to make sure your area can accommodate it. My last two docks were no where near as long as this one. It is the trade off for ports. Those are minor complaints, but the one thing that give me some concern is how hot this device runs. It is significantly hotter than either of my old docks. That may not matter in the long run, but I am a bit concerned about it.  The Wrap UpAll in all, I am very happy to have a fast SD card reader available without needing to plug in a separate card reader. I like the numerous ports on the ICY box and the fact that they have two USB3 ports on the side for quick access to portable SSD drives. Since I mainly use my Mac mini (desktop computer) for photography, this really makes my workflow that much faster.
To start off 2020, I thought it would be fun to list my current audio gear, how I use it, and why. I have been thinking about a video for my different listening spaces, and having my main gear listed, should help. Given the fact that I write about audio so often, these posts will give you some insight into my approach to audio. Main SystemThe PowerMy main system is the setup I have in my living room that we use for movies and music. For me, the two entertainment pursuits are equally as important, so the gear I chose reflect that thinking. Denon X4200W - review - This will probably be the first thing replaced to be honest. It works and sounds great, but getting something new with Airplay 2 built in would be ultra convenient. The new HDMI standards will have me hold off for a bit, but with the price points of receivers with pre-outs dropping, it will eventually happen. The main reason I chose this receiver was the pre-outs and Audyssey MultEQ XT32. At the time I was planning on using external amplification for all of my speakers, but instead decided I was happy with just amping the front two channels for music. Emotiva UPA-1 Mono Blocks - review - I bought these 200 watt per channel amps back in 2011 and they are still going strong. I did have one issue with one a long time ago, but Emotiva fixed it or replaced it (not sure which) and all has been great since then. I don't envision changing these out unless I have some issue. They run cool and give my front speakers tons of headroom.  The SpeakersB&W 683 - reviewed here and here - These fell into my lap when my boss decided to downscale after their children moved out. I helped them decide on them years prior, so I guess a good deed paid off. I got them, the center channel, a sub, and a Marantz receiver for $200. Best money I have spent in a while. B&W HTM61 Center Channel - just barely fit in my console, but happy with the way they sound for movies and television. Monitor Audio RSFX - I was using these with my old Monitor Audio speakers, so I thought I might have to change them out. However, they work with the other speakers fine, so I just left them in with the B&Ws. I don't listen to a lot of surround sound music, but they are great for movies. Elemental Designs A2-300 Subwoofer - review - Another product that has been in my system for years and years. The company isn't even around anymore, but made some great subs for a great price back in the day. They bass response is 18 - 100 Hz. As mentioned in the review, the thing is large, so you have to find a place for it. I still remember when I first got it and I was watching one of the Terminator movies for the first time. I thought the foundation of my house was going to disintegrate with the loud explosions.  The SourcesMac mini 2010 - I just moved this out of my office at the end of 2018. It has been a welcome addition to my main system. It works with every audio app under the sun and really never feels out of date with any app I have tried (new and old) working with it perfectly. Topping DAC10 - Love this little guy. In my main setup, it takes the USB output from my Mac mini and sends it to my Denon receiver over COAX. I prefer this to analog because the room correction benefits that come with feeding it a digital signal. It sounds fabulous! Apple TV 4 - Mainly use this because of Airplay 2. It allows me to control what is playing from my HomePod (via Siri) and puts the sound over my main speakers. We also like the way it puts lyrics on the screen, which is helpful when you are trying to figure out what they heck the artist is singing. Project Debut III - I added this to the setup back in 2005! I will listen to this maybe once or twice a week. I keep thinking I should upgrade, but it seems to do the job with the Bellari VP129 that I bought around the same time. I also added a Speedbox, but that has been replaced after it broke, and about a week ago, the second one stopped working, I will just let it be for now. I do think I would like to update it at some point, but not a top priority at the moment. Oppo 980H - This is a universal player that handles SACD and DVD-As. Still sounds good, but I don't use it very often. I prefer streaming or listening to records. Nvidia Shield - I run Plex on this device and it allows me to control what is playing via the Amazon Plex app. The AppsFor streaming to my main setup, I mainly use a combination of the following: Audirvana - This gives me access to my own library, in addition to, Qobuz and Tidal. I am currently subscribed to Tidal (thanks to an offer I couldn't refuse), but I prefer Qobuz. Apple Music - I have this for everything else... Amazon Dots, AppleTV, Apple Watch, HomePod, etc. SiriusXM - Mainly for the car, but I will Airplay it when I am in the mood for Luna or Classic Rock.  Wrap upAs you can see, this setup is meant to provide great sound for both music and movies without breaking the bank, while also providing some convenience. As I said, I am pretty happy with it. I will probably update the receiver in the next year or so. Heck, with options like the Fluance turntables bring audiophile quality sound to the $500 price point, I may update the turntable, as well. I have a few home improvements that I want to get done with my extra funds this year, so any major updates might happen in 2021.
I will also discuss my other setups in future posts, so stay tuned. 
When I first got a chance to review the Tivoo Max, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I haven’t seen anything quite like it, other than the Pixel Ren and Stimpy Piixel displays I got a while back. However, they are just static art that look great when you turn them on.
For full disclosure, I received this for free in exchange for a review (for Amazon) and I get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links. The Display This Divoom display brings me back to my childhood of Atari and Intellivision games. Then later, the cool NES games that I still own. I would have been interested in the device if it only had the cool pixlel artwork choices. However, after getting it home, I was blown away by the many options. First, you download the app. It shows you all of the many options you have. You have a voice memo option, an alarm, notifications (like see when you get a Facebook/messenger text, a noise meter, a countdown meter, etc. It is cool and useful!! The Divoom app will allow you to pick form a gallery of great pixel art already available. The choices are numerous. The main negative here is that the page takes longer to load than you would expect and takes you back to the beginning of the page if you leave it. It is a small complaint, but the app could be better because it is even hard to find where some things are. I expect that I will eventually get used to it, though Visualizer and Custom (under "channels") My favorite section is the Visualizer and Custom channels. On the custom channel section, you can save artwork that is available and have it readily available. I have some cool stuff saved here that I like to see again and again. The Visualizer is the main reason I wanted this device and it doesn’t disappoint. You can save your own (which is easy) or you can use one of the visualizers they already have saved. This takes the music being played on the spaeaker and gives you pictures that move to the beat or even move their mouths as music plays. I put together a quick video to show how all this works:
Bluetooth/Aux/TF/Radio
The Bluetooth features are kind of ingenious. It will allow you to pair the iPhone to the device without also pairing Bluetooth audio. It is a separate option in the Bluetooth menu on the iPhone. This allows you to pair the phone to it for choosing what you see on the screen while sending audio to it from another device. TF - You can store mp3 music on a TF card and play it back on the device. It doesn’t work with Apple Lossless which is 99 percent of my library, but I doubt that I will use this option very often, if at all. That being said, when I tried to access the TF card files using the app, the app would freeze. It would play when I chose the TF card by hitting the button on the right side of the Divoom, but I couldn’t get it to choose specific music from the card. Radio - They give you a bunch of radio stations to choose from, but I don’t see a way to add anything new to the list, so many of my favorite stations are missing. You are able to favoritie the many choices they give you, so it is easy to find stuff you like. Aux port - My great idea (or so I thought) was to connect the aux port to zone 2 of my stereo in my computer room. It works great for playing music, but unlike the other 3 options, it doesn’t work with the visualizer. That is a major bummer because I mainly wanted to use it with the source muted, but with the visualizer dancing to the music from my speakers. (I found a way around that issue, though) Enter Airfoil Since the aux port didn’t allow for the visualizer, I decided to use Airfoil on my Mac to get audio to it and my receiver at the same time. The app is meant for multi-room audio, but it works here, as well. The only downside, is that Airfoil will down-convert hi-rez audio to 16/44.1, but not a huge deal when I want to have the visualizer apps running. Honestly, I don’t hear much or any difference anyway. If I am just critically listening to headphones, then I will just leave Airfoil and the visualizer out of the mix. The key to use Airfoil with it is to turn up the volume on the Airfoil app, but turn down the volume on the Tivoo using the buttons on top of the device. This works great. (*Note: I know some of this is hard to picture, so I have included a video- above- to show the main features and how I plan to use it). Bluetooth Speakers While I won’t be using the speakers every day, I do love the sound compared to other Bluetooth speakers. It is crazy that they didn’t slack off in this area. I could see a lot of people buying it for the sound alone. You might be able to find something comparable to the sound in the $125 range, but it won’t have all of the cool features this device has. Though, you can’t pair this with another speaker, so look at some of the bluetooth Sony speakers (which I have reviewed and enjoyed) if that is a need and you want to stick with Bluetooth. For full disclosure, I received this for free in exchange for a review (for Amazon) and I get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links. Wrap Up I have to admit, I do lean toward nostalgia. The Tivoo Max makes me feel good to see things from my past that made me happy growing up. That is the reason I have a lot of the “clutter” in my room. It makes me happy. With this device, the happiness quotient is off the wall. Yes, there are a few glitches in the app I would love to see fixed, but it does everything I want it to do other than the aux port deficiency that I mentioned. However , found a decent workaround, so I will be using this little thing a lot. Of course, it makes a great clock, too! lol Upsides Fun! Fun! Fun! Great Sounding Speaker Unique Pixel art Visualizer is awesome Create your own art/vizualizers Bluetooth Clock features Downsides Price (retails for $199current price is here) Some glitches in the app Visualizers doesn't work with aux in 
 Anyone that has switched to Sony from Canon, like I have, will gets sticker shock over the price of Sony's lenses. That has left a market for third parties to get in and fill a huge gap. Thankfully, Tamron has really helped the zoom situation, but Viltrox is filling an important role with their 85mm Prime. When I first got the lens, I was impressed with the build quality. It makes it a bit heavier than other lenses, but once I got used to it, I didn't notice it at all. I guess the fact that it isn't really long makes it easy to balance in the hand. I took a few pics with it and I am very happy with the results (see below). The animal eye focus isn't 100 percent accurate (though, I have dark dogs with dark eyes) all the time, but I feel like it hit more often than not and when it did hit, I got a very nice, sharp image to deal with. The picture of my pup with his tongue out was only my second post on Flickr with this lens and it get chosen on Flickr Explore.... a rarity for me, anyway. The picture quality is so good that it gets a permanent spot in my bag. I should mention that I have always been a fan of the 85mm. I have only had two prime lenses in my past and that was an 85mm and 50mm. The 85mm, for me, is the sweet spot for good looking portraits and the low light capabilities mean I can get really nice shots indoors when I need to or melt away a background. At this price, I am pretty amazed by this lens. For full disclosure, I received this for free in exchange for a review (for Amazon) and I get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links.      First thing you notice about the "Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Decanter, Premium Designer Decanter with Glasses for Spirits and Wine, 25 Ounces, Gift Boxed" is that everything is boxed with great care. Each cut out in the packing material has no wiggle room. In fact, it is slightly difficult getting the glasses out because it is packed in so perfectly. I have a novelty style decanter already that has a skull decanter and some very cool skull glasses. It is more fun that elegant and this set fits the role of really presenting a great bottle of scotch with some panache. My only complaint is that it only has two glasses, but I will buy a couple more to fill in the set. If you know someone that drinks whiskey, I think this is a fantastic gift that is unique and beautiful. Of course, it is a great gift for yourself, too! For full disclosure, I received this set for free in exchange for a review for Amazon and I get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links.     Here is a review I wrote back in 2017 and never posted for some reason!! I got the chance to review the Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac, Soft Tactile and jumped at the chance. I have been using a Logitech Solar Keyboard, but I have always wanted to try out a mechanical keyboard and price always stood in the way. Design HighlightsThe Das keyboard is a beauty. It has a minimalistic design, but still has a few tricks up its sleeves. The anodized aluminium top panel gives it a professional feel and look. Instead of a kickstand, it uses a magnetic red ruler that attaches to the bottom of the keyboard to raise it 4 degrees. Personally, I prefer this to the flimsy legs that can be propped up on most keyboards, but if you need more rise, you would need to seek another way to prop it up. This version incorporates a 104 key US layout, which I prefer. I use the number keys a lot. KeysPersonally, I have the Greentech Brown switches that they describe as having a "soft tactile bump about halfway through the key press". This is my first mechanical keyboard, but I love the feel of the keys while typing and I wouldn't want it to be much more "clicky" because I am often listening to music while I am at the computer. They claim that the key switches will last 50 million keystrokes. The keycaps use a font that is easy to read and they have UV coating to help prevent fading. Media ControlsThe keyboard is thin (for a mechanical) and modern, so it it doesn't have special macro keys or LED backlighting. However, they have given us some nice media controls. You have direct access to features like mute, play, pause, next, and previous track. However, my favorite feature is the large volume knob that gives you perfect control over the volume because it clicks with each change in volume. They even included a dedicated sleep button right on the keyboard. PortsA couple other neat features are the two USB 3 ports on the back of the keyboard. I think they put them in the perfect spot...in the top right corner. I have seen USB ports on the right side of keyboards in the past and they could get in the way of using the mouse. The upper right placement provides easy access and great speeds to quickly pop in a thumb drive or card reader. The keyboard also has full NKRO ( N-Key rollover) for fast typing and programming. Minor ComplaintsI have one issue with the keyboard and is the non-detachable cable. Luckily, it plugs into one port on the computer instead of two, but I would have liked a replaceable cord or at least a braided cable. This one is thick and rubbery. Also, because of the way it is packed, folded and wrapped up, the cable was all bent up. I have been able to bend it back into a mostly straight line, but it was a minor issue when first got it out of the box. To get started with the keyboard, I plugged it into an iMac and restarted it. When the computer started back up, the iMac walked me through a couple procedures that helped it determine the type of keyboard I was using. I used a few Mac common commands and everything seemed to work. Well, I could not get the target mode command ( CMD F2) to work, but I may have something setup wrong in my settings because I could not get it to work on my Logitech keyboard either. The command works with Apple's keyboard, so I thought I would mention this issue in this review. However, you can draw your own conclusions about whether it is a keyboard issue or a settings issue. The Wrap UpAll in all, I love the keyboard. It simply more satisfying to type on than the Chiclet styled keyboards I have been using. In other words, it has a better tactile feel that increases my typing confidence. I also like the red and black color scheme and it's more minimalistic approach. I would prefer a replaceable cable and LED backlighting, but I can't really complain because the lack of LEDs goes along with the overall modern, no-nonsense, styling. Quick Note from 2020Still use this keyboard with my main computer setup (2018 Mac mini). I love it. I have a second mechanical keyboard for my PC in the same room and its keys are much deeper. I think the DASKeyboard is the perfect depth for my writing habits. Very happy with this keyboard and don't envision changing it unless something breaks.
 Happy 2020!!Well, it is a new year, so time to give some thought into my goals for this year. The last 2 or 3 years have been a blur. However, I am hoping that 2020 is a year to settle down and maybe take it a bit easier. We will see because it seems that life changes spring upon you when you least expect it. A few years back I wrote a similar post to this one and it was satisfying to see things on the list get crossed off. Therefore, without further ado, here is my list of things I would like to accomplish in 2020: 1. A re-dedication to this siteI have had more time to post lately, so that has lead to a new approach to simply make time to post new reviews and opinions. I have always kept this blog somewhat non-personal, as unusual as that is for a personal blog, but maybe this next year, I will sprinkle a bit more of my daily life into the mix, so it puts my reviews in more context. My main goal is to try to post at least once a week. We will see if I can keep that up, but it at least gives me a target to shoot for. 2. More VideosI had this on my list of goals for years now and it just seems so time consuming that I will have to find an approach to make this happen without so much time involved. I think that will lead to less quality, at first, but I think that everyone kind of starts with something a bit shoddy and as they learn new techniques, the quality rises. I have to let that process happen rather than just recording something and throwing it in the trash because it doesn't meet my standards. I think I did that with my recent office setup video, which I still feel wasn't my best work, but at least it got my main point across. 3. More PhotographyI am going to start putting more time into photography in my free time. At one time, I did a daily photo and I may get to the point where I post something on Flickr almost daily, but I need to get out more and get more photos. I have already started that a bit as 2019 wound down, but I want to keep that up as weather gets better. Also, I want to look into ways to make money off my work. I haven't visited sites like Shutterstock in years, so I think I will revisit them if only for inspiration.  4. Get off my butt moreI would say that I want to lose weight, and that is true, but I also want to spend more time enjoying the outdoors, taking my pups to the park, etc. I have settled down a bit and that has put me back into some old habits of hitting the couch when I walk in the door and staying there most of the night. This year, I want to spend more time enjoying nature, even when that is just my own backyard. My gal and I had a ritual of spending time outside in the morning enjoying our espresso as summer was winding down and I want to pick that up in the spring and keep it up. 5. Take pups for more walksThis goes along with #4, but it is specific to the pups. They love to go for walks and I need to get off the couch, so it is a win-win.  6. Reviews for products I have had for a whileI have received a lot of products for review purposes that I have never reviewed on this site because of the whirlwind my life was in 2018/2019. This year, I want to revisit some of the products that I still use and explain why I haven't moved onto something new. As an example, I often have offers to test new keyboards and I have decided to just stick with what I have. That is a level of satisfaction from my current keyboards that would probably make for a nice review. I should say that I don't get a garage full of boxes every week to review. The stuff I chose to review is stuff I want to keep, at least when I choose to review or buy it outright. I see some of the top reviewers switching out phones on a weekly basis. How good can their review be after using something for a week or less?  7. Start Cooking more oftenI used to cook quite a bit and I have reviewed a lot of those cooking products I used in the past decade. I still love to do it, but a combination of stress and exhaustion got me out of the habit. I am going to make an effort to at least cook a meal on the weekend every week, if not more often than that. Maybe start there and add a day or two as I get more enthused about it. My mom was asking me why I haven't smoked a pork butt in a while and the answer is really just stress and wanting to chill on the couch. I have to change that this year.  8. Dump Cable TVI am a big sports fan, which have kept me in the grasp of cable TV for years. As my Tivo account gets ready to renew, I think I am going to dump the service and return my cable card to Comcast. I think a better option is to use a streaming service that can use my AppleTVs and Rokus. Then I can turn them on and off depending on the season. As an example, there are months in the middle of the summer that I watch nothing on TV, but that cost is still there. With something like YouTubeTV or Sling, I can turn it on for basketball playoffs and March Madness and leave it off for the months I don't need it. I am still trying to decide how to manage my local TV when I am not using one of these services and I may go with some sort of OTA recorder( Note: I just got two new products for that to review, so check back if you have an interest). 9. Try to appreciate my Job moreOne of the biggest causes of stress this last year was my job. It has been highly stressful to say the least. That being said, it is just busier than it has ever been and that has meant more mental exhaustion as I head home. I need to keep in mind how lucky I am to have the job. One of my friends lost their job in 2018 and life hasn't been the same for them. I guess I need to remember that when my head feels like it might explode! LOL 10 Listen to more music and watch less TVI have really been doing this a lot more lately now that I have my main systems (hopefully, I will have a post on that setup soon) really sending out great sound quality. For my mental health, I think music is often a better way for me to relax when compared to television.  The Wrap UpPretty much everything on this list is geared toward making me a happier and better version of myself in 2020. lThe combination of using my brain, body, and heart to continue to switch things up is my main goal in 2020. Hope you have a great 2020, as well, and accomplish all of your goals! Thanks again for visiting this site.
I have been keeping track of my favorite tech on this site going back to 2011. I thought it would be cool to show my top tech for each year since I started keeping track. Note: I received some items for free in exchange for my review and I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this site. That being said, my reviews are solely based on my opinion. I have never been asked to to provide only a positive review and I would not participate in any program with that condition. 2011 Product of the YeariPhone 4SWhat initially wrote: iPhone 4S - While this was initially a disappointment because the rumor mill made it sound like we would all be using the "iPhone 5" to teleport ourselves to other dimensions and solving questions like "the meaning of life" (although Siri does try to provide us some answers to that question), the iPhone 4S is my favorite tech of the year. With its camera, Siri, speed, etc.. it is a huge update from the iPhone 3GS. In hindsight, I think this is still one of the best iPhones that Apple ever made in this size. It introduced Siri before it had any competition. The two layers of glass that were squeezed between the two steel antenna band was just gorgeous. One of the only iPhones that I kept in my collection, though I haven't used it in quite a while.  2012 Product of the YearCanon 5D Mark IIIWhat I initially wrote: This was my favorite new device in 2012. While there were cameras that came to market with many more megapixels. This camera has better low light performance, faster frames per second, and is just a better all around camera, in my opinion and for my needs. Popular Photography also named it their camera of the year. Yes, this was my workhorse until I change to Sony a couple years ago. I actually still keep it around as a second camera since it is so darn good. Since I mainly use Sony with a Metabones adapter, I can switch on and off Canon lenses without issue. Just an amazing all around camera and if I didn't want to switch to 4k video, I might still be using it as my main camera. 2013 Product of the YearDirectv Genie What I wrote: I am a huge NFL fan, so I have been with Directv for several years mainly because of the NFL Sunday Ticket package. The Genie (HR44-500) has changed the way we watch TV. In the past, we would have to record some programs in the bedroom to get around the fact that we could only record two programs at once on our old DVR. Now we can record 5 shows in the living room at the same time. I also kept one of the old HR21 DVRs in the bedroom rather than changing it out for a Genie client. The main reason was because I have a Slingbox hooked up to it, but the side benefit is getting two more tuners. Since Directv lets you watch any recording on either DVR in either room, I don't have to go to the bedroom to watch programs if I want to watch them in the living room (and visa versa). There are other features like Pandora and YouTube that add even more options. It is rare to see tech that changes the way you interact and use a service, so the new Genie would be my tech of the year. I stopped using Directv a while back because it was just too expensive when combined with my internet. I am using Comcast for both now, but I am even thinking about dropping the cable package all together since I stream so often these days. I still think this was a revelation at the time, but streaming continues to change the face of all media.  2014 Product of the YeariPhone 6 PlusWhat I wrote: Product of the year - Any time I get a new phone, it will most likely end up on this list. The iPhone 6 plus is the phone I have wanted since I bought my first smartphone several years ago (Kyocera 7135). It is finally large enough to be used for more than just email and music. The main upsides are the fact that it now has a 1920x1080, 5.5 inch screen, TouchID/ApplePay (which is amazing and probably deserves its own entry on this list), faster processor, better camera with optical stabilization, slo-mo video, specific landscape mode with certain apps, fantastic battery life, etc... See some of my impressions here and here. Yes, this was one great phone. I actually held onto my 4s until I got this phone, so I was simply waiting on this form factor. If it wasn't for Airplay, I might have moved to Android. However, this phone also brought us TouchID which is amazing even now. I never did update to FaceID and with the talk of under display TouchID being rumored, maybe I won't ever have to?  2015 Product of the YeariPhone 6s Plus"With the 4k video capabilities, 3D Touch, 12MP photos, and faster everything, it is a worthwhile update to the iconic iPhone." Yes, iPhone again. It is hard to argue with this one though. As I mentioned, they boosted the camera and added 4k video. I know a lot of people still rocking this phone for the headphone port since it was removed a year later.  2016 Product of the YearThe Amazon Echo DotThis year, my choice was easy. The price for performance is unparalleled with this device. My preference is to be able to plug the Echo into my own speakers and the Dot is the best choice for that preference. It can play music, easily receive a Bluetooth signal from a phone or send a Bluetooth signal to a Bluetooth receiving device, control lights, control your entertainment center, etc. It is awesome! I still have these spread around the house and even the very first model that required you to already own an Echo device (*unless you found the backdoor like I did :)) still gets daily use. I feel like Apple really missed the boat on this since they had Siri around earlier, but Amazon filled that gap and is till reaping rewards from it.  2017 Product of the YearNetgear Orbi Whole Home Mesh WifiIt is kind of strange for me to make a WiFi Router my favorite tech, but I have been on sites where people complain about Airplay drop outs or bad signals on nearly a weekly basis. I have recommended that people update their WiFi routers for years and from my experience, the Orbi system has run like a champ since I upgraded in February (when my Google Router bit the dust). My review is here. In short, the thing I love is its wide range and fast speeds. As we become more and more reliant on streaming, internet of things, etc.. The wifi we have in our homes will become more and more important. I still have Orbi in the house (though I changed the main router to a version that connects directly to cable) and it works like a charm with fast speeds and coverage everywhere. Still highly recommended.  2018 Product of the YearApple Watch Series 4This wasn't an easy choice, as usual. However, this Watch can literally be a life saver with features that will call for help if you fall and the EKG features that are forthcoming. The 44mm is easier to read that the older models, you now have the ability to download audio files to listen to later with headphones, and it gets faster every year. It still isn't perfect..they should allow you to listen to podcasts on its speaker and it should have some always on clock face options. However, it is such a big step forward from prior generations that it belonged at the top of this year's list. 2018 was the most difficult year to pick a favorite. I added the Sony Camera and a wonderful Espresso machine to my gear list (see a link to every year's complete list in the "Wrap Up"). However, when you add tech that can literally save your life while still just looking like your everyday smart watch, it is just too much to overlook. I did mention the lack of an always on display which was rectified with the iPhone 5, but I am waiting for something a bit more out of the box before I upgrade. They have made the display much more responsive to the wrist turn in the Series 4, so it isn't nearly as noticeable as it was in the Original Apple Watch.  2019 Product of the YearSamsung 34-Inch CJ791 Ultrawide Curved Gaming MonitorAfter years of using a 27 inch iMac in my office, I decided to get a monitor that has more flexibility for my needs. This fits the bill with USB-C inputs, HDMI input, etc. It works with my Mac mini, Dell PC, and with everything plugged into my Onkyo receiver. I can plug my MBP right into the USB-C and get a great image with power. It is a substantial upgrade, for my needs, from the iMac. Not much more to add to this post since it is so recent, however, check out my new office tour if you get a chance: The Wrap UpNo dount that the last decade was filled with great tech (see the full list for each year by clicking on the year: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011). In hindsight, there were a couple years where I could have picked something other than an Apple product, but they release these things late in the year, so my excitement level was peaked. Also, is there anything more personal than an iPhone or Apple Watch that are typically with you 24/7?
Make sure you review the rest of my lists because there was a lot of tech in all kinds of different categories that made an impact on my daily life. Note: I receive items for free in exchange for my review and I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this site. My reviews are solely based on my opinion. I have never been asked to to provide only a positive review and I would not participate in any program with that condition. Periodically, I like to create a new video with my current setup. Since the last video I made was in 2016, I figured it was time. The setup has several new updates. I got a new monitor, new computer, and a few new gadgets. Check it out below: |
About me:Dog loving, Big Green Egg worshiping, Tech enthusiast, residing in Memphis, TN. Home of the Tigers, Grizzlies, Elvis, Al Green, Stax, Hi Records, Ardent Studios, Beale Street, Peabody Ducks, etc.. I have also added the Jeep Wrangler to the list of things I am enthusiastic about. Archives
February 2020
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