Friday, April 19, 2024

Reviews

OnePlus has some great device deals for October

OnePlus makes some popular and quality products. Now you can get them at a discount. Whether you are shopping for the holiday season or for yourself, there are deals for everyone. Read carefully as the dates and timing of these OnePlus deals differ depending on the device.The OnePlus dealsFrom now until October 9 or October 24 through October 30, you can the OnePlus N20 for $249. In addition to the $50 off the phone, you will also get 80% off the Nord Buds with your purchase.Now through October 16, you can free Buds Z2 with the purchase of a OnePlus 10T.Now through October 30, you get a free case and 50% off the Buds Pro or Buds Z2 with the purchase of the OnePlus 10Pro.From October 10 through October 23, you can get 80% off the Nord Buds with the purchase of a OnePlus N20 for $299.On October 10, October 17, October 21, or October 24 through October 26, OnePlus will give you free Buds Pro earbuds and a case with the purchase of a OnePlus 10Pro 12GB or $100 off the OnePlus 10Pro 8GB.If you need some help, you can check out our review of the OnePlus 10T and the Buds Z2. Happy shopping everyone.

Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 review: departing from the formula

The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 departs from the usual ThinkPad formula, but that's okay. It's a solid 16-inch laptop competitor with a lot of sustainable materials.

Proscenic F20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review

Keeping the floors clean in any living space can be a pain, especially when switching between carpeted and uncarpeted floors, and wet and dry messes. I know that by the time I get done sweeping the floors with a broom and dustpan and vacuuming, mopping seems like the most daunting chore I can imagine. I’m also constantly finding myself forgetting when I last cleaned the floors. If I am being honest, their cleanliness is always questionable.Proscenic F20Like a superhero from planet Krypton, the Proscenic F20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner attempts to solve most, if not all of these problems. The F20 is a smart vacuum cleaner that boasts the ability to clean any type of mess or spill on nearly any surface. It is similar in size, weight, and appearance to any typical household vacuum cleaner with which you are likely familiar. Notable differences include a water tank mounted on the back, and the replacement of the spinning bristles on the front of a regular vacuum cleaner with a soft cylinder that looks a lot like a paint roller. The cordless vacuum sits in a charging stand with about the same footprint as a milk crate. This stand also includes compartments to hold the cleaning brush, extra roller, and spare filter that come with the vacuum.Unique FeaturesThere were several features that I used in the F20 that I would not have expected from another household vacuum, the first of which being the water tank. The tank not only exists but must be filled before using the vacuum. This is because the F20 uses water in most modes. I find it important to note the F20 does not function by spraying water in front of its path of movement. Using the vacuum, the user does not see the water exit or reenter the vacuum. After cleaning, the dirty water goes into the dirty water tank on the front of the vacuum. Upon returning the vacuum to the dock, it is important to run the cleaning cycle and clean out the dirty water tank. I forgot to do this one time and the odor the next time I used the vacuum was… not pleasant. Also, cleaning the dirty water tank can become a rather nasty job as well. If you have trouble unclogging a shower drain, you might struggle with this part of the F20’s maintenance. The other feature that I was not expecting from the F20 is an app that connects to the vacuum and details your homes cleanliness for you. The app receives its own section in this review, but I wanted to put it here because it is not something I was expecting with this vacuum.Cleaning EffectivenessI use the Proscenic F20 to clean every floor surface in my apartment and it gets the job done quite well. The vacuum self-propels itself around my ~800 square foot apartment in under twenty minutes. My favorite part about using this vacuum is that I am not forced to push the vacuum back and forth over the same parts of the floor to pick up every crumb. Typically, one pass with the F20 over each section of the floor is enough to do a fine job. I also am really pleased with the vacuum’s ability to clean up both wet and dry messes. Not being forced to sweep, vacuum, and mop in the apartment is such a time saver. Because the vacuum is always using water to clean, it does leave a slightly damp trail wherever it goes. This water dries in less than a couple minutes and is certainly not enough to slip on; however, it reminded me of the large, riding vacuums I used to see janitors at my schools driving around. I also learned that it is important to finish the cleaning session near the charging station. The soft roller does get a little soggy during use and will drip a little while the vacuum is being carried back to the charging station. One final thing to note is that long hair does get wrapped around the roller quite easily and must be removed by hand. Despite these slight hassles during use, I am very satisfied with how well and how quickly the F20 cleans.AppThe Proscenic App serves as a one-stop shop for all a user’s Proscenic devices. For the F20 Cordless Vacuum, the app keeps track of how long and how often the vacuum is used in each of its four modes: SMART, MAX, Sterilization, and Suction. This being the only Proscenic device that I own, this is the only data displayed to use. There are also little achievements you can get in the app by cleaning more than a certain percentage of users. I found myself not using the app very often. It was neat to look at the first time, but it didn’t provide anything that I felt like I needed to see on a regular basis.Final ThoughtsWhile using the Proscenic F20 Cordless Vacuum is not a flawless process, it certainly makes thoroughly wet-cleaning floors much more efficient. If you’re somebody who regularly mops their floors, this vacuum is a must-have. If you’ve never mopped and only vacuum or sweep once a week, then taking the time to clean out the dirty water tank after each use might not be worth it to you. After each use, the F20 leaves floors very clean, but the process has a few hiccups. The app may be nice if you’re into cleaning data but lacks much usefulness otherwise. I think that the Proscenic F20 will become the go-to floor cleaner in my apartment and will likely give me motivation to rid myself of the clunky mop and bucket I keep in my closet.You can learn more about the Proscenic F20 Cordless Vacuum at the manufacturer’s website where it’s also available to purchase for $399. It can also be found at Amazon for roughly the same price.

Google Pixel 7 series gets formal launch with October 13 arrival

Months after first teasing out its latest flagship devices, Google has formally offered up the full details for its Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Set to arrive on October 13, the pair of phones are powered by the Google Tensor G2 processor and Android 13. The second-gen chipset is 60% faster than its predecessor in the area of machine learning. Moreover, it’s 20% more efficient than the one found in the Pixel 6 line.Both phones are designed with 100% recycled material in their aluminum enclosures. Each comes in three color options with multiple storage options.The 7 line is the first to include software features such as emoji search by voice, transcription of voice messages in Google Messages, and voice recorder that separates different speakers. A future feature drop will add Clear Calling, a tool which uses machine learning to clean up incoming audio on calls. Google also debuts a free VPN service for Pixel phones to improve their privacy. Pixel 7The Pixel 7 features a 6.3-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate which puts it slightly smaller than the Pixel 6 screen. With a 1080 x 2400 resolution and HDR support, it’s also 25% brighter than the Pixel 6 at its peak. Under the hood the Pixel 7 has 8GB LPDDR55 RAM with storage capacities of 128GB or 256GB. In the area of cameras, Google keeps things moving forward yet again. The main camera is a 50-megapixel shooter with an 82-degree field of view; a secondary 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera has a 114-degree field of view with lens correction. As we see with each generation of Pixel phones, this one comes with a suite of software features and modes. Present here are Magic Eraser, Motion Mode, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Super-Res Zoom (8X) and a host of other tools. Videos are also boosted with 4K shooting at 60fps, 10-bit HDR support for third-party apps, enhanced stabilization and auto-focus, and Cinematic Blur.The Pixel 7 comes with a 4355mAh battery with 30W fast charging and support for 20W fast wireless charging and battery share.The Pixel 7 has both an in-display fingerprint reader and Face Unlock, making it easier to unlock the phone. Rounding out the noteworthy specs are Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and Google’s Titan M2 security chip.Pixel 7 ProKey differences for the 7 Pro start with a larger display at 6.7-inches with a 120HZ refresh rate. The resolution is also boosted to 1440 x 3120 pixels. Performance is bolstered with 12GB memory and storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.The Pixel 7 Pro cameras include a 50-megapixel wide (82-degree), 12-megapixel ultra-wide (126-degree), and 48-megapixel telephoto shooters. Super-Res Zoom is boosted to 30X for the larger phone.The wide camera is 21% wider and has auto-focus with support for macro photos up to 3cm away. The 5X telephoto camera works in tandem with the other cameras and can provide a total “Pro” zoom of 0.5X – 10X, or up to 30X for video.The battery is a 5,000mAh power source with support for the 30W fast charging, wireless charging, and battery sharing.AvailabilityGoogle pledges five years of Pixel security updates for the Pixel 7 series of phones.The Pixel 7 will be available in Obsidian, Snow, and Lemongrass colors while the 7 Pro comes in in Obsidian, Snow, and Hazel. The Pixel 7 will cost $599 ($700 for Verizon version with mmWave 5G support) and the Pixel 7 Pro comes in at $899 for all US carriers.

At long last the Google Pixel Watch arrives

Google on Thursday finally announced its first branded wearable, the Pixel Watch, alongside of its Pixel 7 phones. Priced as low as $350, it features a round 41mm case design with a 3D domed glass front and a stainless steel body made from 80% recycled material.The Pixel Watch runs WearOS 3.5 and comes with 32GB of storage as well as water resistance up to 50 meters. According to Google, the wearable will provide up to 24 hours of battery life with fast charging support. Specifically, 30 minutes should yield up to 50% battery. Other design features include interchangeable straps with a unique curved slide-in system that makes it easy to change up the look. Google offers up a number of different bands to choose from with active, stretch, woven, and leather categories in multiple colors. As we see with its phones Google is big on the smarts that go into the Pixel Watch. For instance, the quality and accuracy of all-day continuous heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, and built-in ECG. These features come by way of both Google and Fitbit technology, of course.There are two versions of the Pixel Watch to choose from, a Wi-Fi & Bluetooth model and one that also includes a built-in LTE modem. The difference in price for the standalone connectivity is just $50 more, putting it at $400. Both watches have an Exynos 9110 processor paired with a Cortex M33 co-processor and 2GB RAM. This is an interesting wrinkle given that nearly every other WearOS watch utilizes a Qualcomm processor. Moreover, the Samsung chip is a few years old as well. As to how that fares in real world performance, well, we shall soon find out.The Pixel Watch is available for pre-order now with a shipping date of October 13. Look for the wearable in Matte Black, Champagne Gold, and Polished Silver colors. Buyers of the wearables receive six months of Fitbit Premium as well as three months of YouTube Premium.

Dell XPS 13 (2022) review: a true answer to the MacBook Air

The Dell XPS 13 has its aim sighted on the M1 MacBook Air and somehow manages to undercut it.

SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe earbuds review

With every audio manufacturer seemingly making earbuds, the market has exploded over the years. Standing out in the vast sea of wireless earbuds is becoming increasingly difficult. This is especially true in the sub-$100 segment where there are many options to choose from. While it’s not challenging to find earbuds in this price range, finding quality ones can be. Enter the SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe. With a retail price of $49.99, the SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe sits right in the middle of the affordable earbuds segment. While my experience with these earbuds has not been perfect, I believe they do enough to stand out in this competitive segment and offer a good experience.DesignThe SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe looks very similar to Apple’s AirPods. They feature a solid-tipped design, which means there are no silicone tips to mess with. This also means that you won’t be able to adjust the size of them. These earbuds are relatively small, with each earbud being about the same size and weight as an AirPod. SOUNDPEATS ships the Air3 Deluxe with a relatively small charging case. The case is small enough that once I put it in my pocket, I completely forgot it was in there.The case and earbuds stay in place with a small magnet. When putting these earbuds back into their case, there is a satisfying feeling when you feel the magnet engage. It gives you the feeling that these will never accidentally fall out.The Air3 Deluxe comes in two different colors. You either get them in white or black, with the charging case matching your earbuds’ color preference. PerformanceMy time with the SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe has been good overall. With its 14.2mm Bio-diaphragm driver, these earbuds deliver clear sound quality and quite a bit of bass. I routinely kept the volume around the halfway mark and never felt the need to go above it. The bass was obviously present, but in bass-heavy songs, it was almost too much at times. After the initial setup, which is as easy as selecting them in your Bluetooth settings, they were quick to pair. They were so quick to pair that by the time I got them out of the case, I could hear it say connected long before I could get them to my ears. These buds have a wireless range of 33 ft. I was able to walk multiple rooms away without disconnecting or any audio issues at all.The Air3 Deluxe earbuds were comfortable and I had no issues putting them in my ears. These buds also feature auto-pausing technology. If you take them out of your ear, it will automatically pause whatever you are listening to. I have never had the most success with in-ear headphones, let alone earbuds. I must have an odd-shaped ear canal, but I had some playback issues at times. Every so often it would randomly pause what I was listening to. While it only happened a few times, it was a bit jarring when it did happen. I don’t think these were the fault of the earbuds themselves but thought it was something to note. These earbuds feature a gaming mode to cut down on latency. While they don’t support active noise cancellation, they do make use of multiple microphones to cut out background noise during phone calls. Phone calls came through loud and clear and my voice was clear to the person on the other end.BatteryBattery life was good, but not great. They are rated for five hours of listening and a total of 22 hours with the charging case. In my experience, this proved accurate, but keep in mind your mileage may vary depending on how loud you make these. It also means that they won’t make it through an entire work day without stopping for a charge. That was never an issue for me, but if you are someone who listens to music all day long, you should find something with better battery life.Charging time is also only alright. It takes both the earbuds and charging case 1.5 hours to charge. While this is acceptable for the charging case, I was a bit let down with the charging times for the earbuds themselves.On a positive note, the SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe charges via USB-C and is IPX4 rated. This means that they are water resistant to splashes from any direction. So exercising with these or being in the rain shouldn’t cause any problems. Final VerdictI really enjoyed my time with these earbuds. Music and calls were loud and clear and they delivered a pleasurable experience. While I did have some issues with the earbuds pausing my music, it wasn’t enough to deter me from using them. I usually only listen to a few hours of music or YouTube a day, so I didn’t have any battery issues.I loved being able to throw the case in my pocket and not worry about it being there. For $50, the SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe delivers exceptional value and a good listening experience. You can find them on their website or on Amazon.

Best online pokies in Australia (2022): Top pokies to play in Australia with high RTPs and amazing gameplay

Some of the best online pokies in Australia offer gamblers exciting bonus rounds and high payouts. We know this because we tested them for days!After extensive research and detailed analysis, our team of expert gamblers found the most exciting online pokies to play in Australia. The winner of our list is Lotus Charm at Ricky Casino. Developed by Booongo, Lotus Charm is a five-reel, 20-lines game with exciting prizes.But, there are many more exciting pokies that our team found for Australian gamblers.So, keep on reading if you want to find out more.Best Online Pokies in AustraliaRicky Casino (Lotus Charm): Best overallRed Dog (Sweet 16): Most exciting bonusesIgnition (A Night With Cleo): Best for high-RTP pokiesHellspin (Sun of Egypt 2): Fantastic progressive jackpot pokiesBitstarz (Master Of Starz): Best for cryptoSkycrown (Aztec Magic Deluxe): Best for high rollers7Bit (Book of Dead): Best online pokies variety5 Gringos (Wolf Saga): Best for 3D pokiesJoe Fortune (Mythic Wolf): Best designPlayAmo (Wolf Treasure): Best free spins offers1. Ricky Casino (Lotus Charm) – Best Online Pokies Site in Australia OverallPros:Generous A$7,500 welcome bonus550 free spins with the welcome bonusSlot games from leading providersAmazing user-centred designSupports crypto bankingCons:Not the best mobile compatibilityRicky Casino wins the gold for today thanks to a massive library of high-quality slot games. Our favourite pokie here is Lotus Charm by Booongo.Variety of Online Pokies: 5/5You’ll find thousands of real-money pokies at this online casino from over 3 dozen software developers. The featured companies include the likes of iSoftBet, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and other industry leaders.You can filter the games based on the software providers and jackpots or simply search for the pokie game you wish to play.Some of the titles that stood out in our opinion include:Lotus Charm – our favouriteBuffalo Power MegawaysGreedy GoblinsBook Of AnimeDiamond Blitz 40Progressive jackpot pokies are available in a dedicated section if you’re looking for a chance to win seven figures’ worth of real money – amazing!Bonuses and Promos: 4.8/5The Ricky Casino welcome bonus is one of the best Australian players can claim. Going up to A$7,500, here’s how it works:The first deposit will boost your account by up to A$500 at a 100% match rate, plus 100 free spins.The subsequent nine deposits you make will grant you up to A$500 or A$1,000 at a 50% match rate, with 50 free spins every time.Note that the bonus spins apply to the All Lucky Clovers 5 pokie game. Also, it should be mentioned that depositing A$1,500 or more will qualify you for the VIP deposit bonus for an extra 30% boost!There are many other promotions offered by Ricky Casino for existing players. These bonuses ensure that both existing and new players can have some fun when playing here!Banking Options and Payout Times: 4.8/5The number of payment methods isn’t high but still covers credit cards, e-wallets, and Bitcoin. Specifically, Australian players can handle their banking using:VisaMasterCardNeosurfBitcoinUSDTNo deposit fees apply, and you can fund your account with as little as A$20. Crypto payouts are handled instantly, but Neosurf is also surprisingly fast, taking up to 24 hours in most cases.Mobile Friendliness and Customer Support: 4.8/5Ricky Casino is a mobile-friendly platform that works smoothly on all iOS, Windows, and Android devices. You won’t find the full catalogue that is available in the desktop version, but the limits are still better than what competing online casinos offer.The FAQ and all terms and conditions are easy to reach and understand, and you can access live chat support from the bottom right corner of every page. The support agents are well-versed in all topics and can even help you find the best Australian online pokies.Click here and explore the full list of the bonuses offered by Ricky Casino.2. Red Dog (Sweet 16) – Most Exciting Bonuses for Online Pokies in Australia Pros:About 200 pokies onlineGenerous welcome package for pokie playersCrypto-friendly online casinoNo transaction feesCons:$150 minimum withdrawalRed Dog is the leading RTG online casino, and it makes today’s rundown with a generous welcome bonus of 255% deposit match plus 35 free spins on Sweet 16, which is also our favourite game here.This gambling site operates under the Curacao eGaming License, placing it under the same legal authority as many of the leading online casinos.Variety of Online Pokies: 4.75/5Red Dog hosts games from RealTime Gaming (RTG), one of the renowned software developers. If you’re an RTG fan, you’ll find their latest slot games here first.The selection includes about 200 pokie games, with 6-figure jackpots on popular online pokies like Cash Bandits, 5 Wishes, Achilles Deluxe, and more.Our favourite game to play here is Sweet 16, on which this casino offers free spins!Bonuses and Promos: 5/5The Red Dog welcome package is really something. You can claim a very generous welcome bonus here for slots:Just enter the bonus code “SWEETHEART”, and you are eligible for a 255% match pokies bonus with 35 free spins on the Sweet 16 pokie game.The minimum deposit requirement ranges from A$10 to A$30, depending on the payment methods you opt for.While we’re at it, we should also note that Red Dog has many other exciting bonuses available for its users, too. Check out their website for more details.Banking Options and Payout Times: 4.85/5What grabbed our attention about Red Dog is that this casino charges no fees on transactions. Fee-free crypto payouts are the norm these days, but credit card cash-outs with no extra charge are a genuine rarity.That said, Australian players can opt for one of the listed banking options:VisaMasterCardBitcoinEthereumNeosurfBPayCrypto payouts are swift and don’t take more than 24 hours to process. However, please note that the minimum withdrawal is $150, which might be a bit too high for some.Mobile Friendliness and Customer Support: 4.75/5Red Dog is a mobile-optimised gambling site with instant-play games, meaning you can access the pokies straight from your mobile browser – no additional software is needed.The support team is easy to reach, especially compared to some of the competitors. We recommend the live chat for near-instant replies, but you can also give the company a phone call or send an email.Check out the latest Red Dog Casino promotions by clicking here.3. Ignition (A Night With Cleo) – Best Site for High-RTP Pokies in AUS Pros:Fantastic mobile optimisationA$3,000 welcome package at a 300% match rateLower wagering requirementsBest poker tournaments aroundHalf a dozen software providersCons:No e-wallet bankingLimited banking optionsIn business for half a decade, Ignition has established itself as the leading online casino for poker tournaments. But you’ll also find a finely-curated selection of over 150 pokies onboard from half a dozen software developers.Variety of Online Pokies: 4.8/5Ignition is the home to a collection of 100 finely-curated pokie games. The game count could be higher, but it’s not just about that.This pokies site only hosts industry leaders like Rival Gaming and Spinomenal, and the company went out of its way to include high-RTP pokies like:A Night With Cleo21 WildsDragon’s Siege777 DeluxeReturn To Player (RTP) regularly exceeds 96% here, increasing any player’s odds of winning real funds.Bonuses and Promos: 4.75/5We said that Ignition is a poker-oriented casino site, and the deposit bonuses reflect that. The welcome package is split into two parts and will boost your account by up to A$3,000.Ignition’s welcome bonus grants you a 300% match bonus of up to A$3,000. The bonus is split into two parts: up to A$1,500 for casino games and up to A$1,500 for poker.The promo is valid only if you use cryptocurrency. Fiat players are still eligible for a similar promo, except that they receive a 200% match bonus of up to A$2,000.For the welcome bonus, the wagering requirement is quite low – 25x. This is lower than most competitors. You have 30 days to meet the requirements; also, note that the poker bonus is unlocked in A$1 increments through the Ignition Miles.Banking Options and Payout Times: 4.75/5Aussie players can use crypto at Ignition, which is a significant plus. Still, we don’t like the absence of e-wallets.You can handle your finances using these banking methods:BitcoinBitcoin CashCredit cardsVouchersZelleA 5.9% fee applies to credit card deposits, which is why we recommend sticking to crypto. Cryptocurrency payouts are handled within 24 hours with no fees attached.Mobile Friendliness and Customer Support: 5/5Ignition excels in the mobile department with a fully optimised mobile casino for iOS and Android users. If you’re a poker player, you’ll be glad to hear that a dedicated Ignition Poker app is available.If you need assistance, the Ignition team is one of the best in business. The site’s agents are readily available around the clock, any day of the week – holidays included.Apart from the live chat and email, you can enter the Ignition Community forum for a public discussion with fellow players and Ignition reps.Follow this link to discover all the latest Ignition Casino promotions available for users.4. Hellspin (Sun of Egypt 2) – Best Australian Pokies Site for Progressive Jackpots Pros:Amazing progressive jackpot pokies selectionCrypto banking availableA$1,200 welcome package + 150 free spinsSupports fast payoutsCons:Lacking phone supportNot the best designHellspin joined the world of online casinos just recently. As a new gambling site, it grabbed headlines with massive jackpots, wide payment variety, and a generous welcome promotion.Variety of Online Pokies: 4.8/5Hellspin is the home to thousands of online pokies coming from leading game providers.We think new players should check out Sun of Egypt 2 and the Black Wolf pokie or dive straight into the tournaments.Hosted daily, the tourneys give you the chance to win thousands of free spins and plenty of bonus money.Bonuses and Promos: 4.8/5The Hellspin welcome promotion applies to the first two deposits you make on the site, granting you up to A$1,200 and 150 free spins in total.There are many other promotions offered by Hellspin to new and existing customers alike. You can check out their website for more details.Banking Options and Payout Times: 4.7/5With over 15 payment options, Hellspin offers a wide variety for Aussie players, covering fiat banking, crypto, and e-wallets.The list of supported payment options includes:BitcoinEthereumLitecoinRippleCardanoTronNetellerecoPayzCryptocurrency payments are handled promptly and with no extra fees.Mobile Friendliness and Customer Support: 4.75/5Hellspin looks like a Halloween party every day. Some folks like it; others don’t. Still, the platform is SSL encrypted, reliable, and offers fast loading times.You can reach out for assistance using the live chat feature once you register or send an email. The site is not active on social media, but we appreciate how prompt the live chat agents were when we reached out.You can find out more about Hellspin and its bonuses by clicking here.5. Bitstarz (Master Of Starz) – Best Aussie Pokie Site for Crypto Players Pros:4,000+ games from leading providersInstant payoutsProvably fair games5 BTC welcome package + 200 bonus spinsExcellent designCons:Lacking phone assistanceNo sports bettingBitstarz is the best crypto casino online casino to use, and if you are a fan of crypto gambling, there is no better option than this.Variety of Online Pokies: 4.8/5You can dive into a massive catalogue of over 4,000 pokies at Bitstarz from two dozen software providers, including provably fair games and exclusive games like a progressive jackpot pokie called Master Of Starz.Wait, provably fair games?Yes, these games operate on a publicly-available, blockchain-based algorithm that you can check at any point for fairness and randomness.Bonuses and Promos: 4.75/5The crypto bonus package at Bitstarz will boost your account by up to 5 BTC, with 200 free spins added to the mix for good measure.Banking Options and Payout Times: 4.7/5While Bitstarz is predominantly known as a crypto casino, it also supports fiat banking. Here are the banking options you can use here:BitcoinBitcoin CashLitecoinEthereumNeosurfVisaMiFinityWhile some are left yearning for extra e-wallet support, we were beyond impressed with payout times. Using crypto, withdrawals are handled in as little as 5 minutes. Colour us impressed!Mobile Friendliness and Customer Support: 4.7/5Bitstarz has actually won several awards for its design, and while some players have deemed its home page a tad too crowded, the online casino delivers exceptional load times that stand out above the competition.You can access the majority of the gaming catalogue through instant-play games. Just open the casino with the mobile browser of your choice and enjoy the ride – no extra software is required.In case you are in need of assistance, you can email the support team or, even better, dive into the live chat and expect a reply within 1 to 5 minutes.Find out more about Bitstarz and its casino bonuses by following this link.Related Post: Best Mobile CasinoBest Online Pokies in Australia: Ranking MethodologyVariety of Online Pokies:When working on this list, our team of expert gamblers focused on several important factors. One of them was the game variety. We made sure to pick online casinos that offer users a great variety of pokies while also maintaining high quality.Online Casino Bonuses and Promos:We all love bonuses, and the best online casinos for real money pokies in Australia offer some of the biggest and best bonuses around. But it’s not just about the size of the bonus. It’s also about the wagering requirements, which is the number of times you have to bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings.The best online casino bonuses for pokies will have low wagering requirements, so you can easily meet them and cash out your winnings. Some online casinos even offer no wagering requirements bonuses, which are even better!Banking Options and Payout Times:When you’re playing online pokies for real money, you want to be able to deposit and withdraw your money quickly and easily. The best online casinos for Australian players offer a wide variety of banking options, including credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and crypto.And when it comes to payouts, you want to be able to withdraw your winnings quickly and without any hassle. The finest platforms for real-money pokies in Australia offer fast payouts, so you can get your hands on your winnings as soon as possible.Mobile Pokies Optimisation and Customer Support:With more and more people playing online pokie games on their mobile devices, it’s important that the online casinos we recommend offer optimised mobile versions of their websites.Related Post: Best Online Casinos in CanadaGuide to Playing Online Pokies in AustraliaHow to Find the Top Online Pokies Sites in Australia?To find the best slots sites in Australia, we go through a rigorous review process. We sign up and deposit at online casinos to test them out for ourselves. We check the licensing data before anything and also take into account what other online casino reviewers are saying.This allows us to give you an accurate and up-to-date overview of the pokies landscape in Australia. Then, we test out the customer support to see how quickly they respond and if they are able to solve our problems.Once we have all of this information, we compile it into a detailed review so you can make an informed decision about which online casino is right for you.What Real Money Online Pokies Should I Play in AUS?There is a wide range of popular pokies available, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to play classic pokies, there are plenty of those available.If you’re looking for something more modern, there are also a ton of real money games that offer unique bonus features and exciting gameplay. So, it really just depends on what you’re in the mood for.Can I Win Real Money When Playing Australian Online Pokies?Yes, you can win real money playing pokies. However, it is important to remember that online gambling is a form of entertainment and should be treated as such. Always check the free pokies before playing online pokies for real money.With that said, there are certainly ways to increase your chances of winning, such as playing at reputable online casinos and choosing pokies with higher RTPs.What Are the Best Australian Sites to Play Online Pokies?The best online casino for pokies is Ricky Casino because it offers a wide range of pokie games, bonuses, and promos. The banking options are also very quick and easy to use, so you can get your hands on your winnings as soon as possible.Can I Play Free Online Pokies in Australia?This depends on the online casino you decide to use. For example, Red Dog Casino offers users the opportunity to try out all the games for free, while there are other casinos that don’t allow this.Comparing the Top 5 Best Aussie Pokie Sites OnlineRicky Casino: The best online pokie site overall. With a wide casino game variety, this place boasts thousands of titles from dozens of software developers, including some of the most popular online pokies. Don’t miss the welcome bonus of up to A$7,500 and 550 free spins.Red Dog: If you’re looking for generous deposit pokies bonuses with extra spins, visit Red Dog Online Casino. The casino bonus section beats other casino sites by a mile.Ignition: The best option for high RTP slots. You’ll find half a dozen software developers on the platform and a generous welcome package of A$3,000 in deposit bonuses.Hellspin: The home to the best real money pokies online, with mind-boggling 7-figure progressive jackpot games on every corner. To kickstart your pokie ride, claim the welcome bonus of up to A$1,200 with 150 bonus spins.Bitstarz: The best place to play real money pokies using crypto. Claim the 5 BTC welcome bonus and dive into the massive catalogue of 4,000+ slot games from leading software developers.Find Other Best Online Pokies in Australia HereHow to Register & Play Pokies Online in Australia3 steps are all it takes to start playing real money online slots. This is how to join an online gambling platform, using Ricky Casino as an example.Step #1: Create Your AccountVisit the Ricky Casino site and click the Create Account button. A registration form will pop up.Enter your email, create a strong password, select AUD as the preferred currency, and set Australia as your country.Tick the box to confirm you are 18+ and that you agree to the T&Cs of the casino site.Click Sign Up to finalise this step.Step #2: Account VerificationYou will receive a welcome message from the Ricky Casino to the email address used during registration.Click the link inside the message to verify your casino account.You will be redirected to the casino. If not, manually enter the website using the casino login page.Step #3: Fund Your Account & Enjoy Online Pokies BonusesIn the Ricky Casino cashier section, adjust the sum you wish to deposit and your payment method.Fund your account and claim the first-deposit pokies bonus.Use the bonus money to start playing pokies online!Still Looking For the Top Online Pokies in Australia?The top Australian online pokies are located at Ricky Casino, our No. 1 pick for today based on maximum safety, established reputation, a massive catalogue of pokies games, and generous deposit bonuses. Our favourite game to play here was Lotus Charm.That said, we’d like to part ways with a brief summary of vital points to make your experience with pokies games safe and exciting.Stick to responsible gambling, never chase your losses, and enjoy online games!DISCLAIMER: 18+ only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this review may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local gambling policies. It is always better to be safe than sorry.If you believe you may have a gambling problem, reach out to www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement. AndroidGuys received compensation for the aforementioned content. Please exercise caution when using a gambling or betting service which employs real money. If you reside in a location where gambling, sports betting or betting over the internet or through an is illegal, please do not click on anything related to these activities within this post. You must be of proper legal age to click on any betting or gambling related items even if it is legal to do so in your country.

Intel Arc A770 and A750 review: The right GPU at the right time

Despite what rumors suggested, the A770 and A750 show that Intel is a fierce competitor in the GPU market.

Hands On: Xiaomi 12T

Xiaomi has a new smartphone out today in the form of the 12T. Priced roughly $600, it ought to be considered an upper mid-range phone. Think of something that dances between what Google does with its A-series of handsets and what OnePlus has done with its T-series. It’s not quite a junior flagship because it dials things up a bit from the standard Xiaomi 12.On paper there is a lot to love about the Xiaomi 12T. It walks the line with features that we expect in a upper-end experience with a little bit of extras that are just nice to have included.What is the Xiaomi 12T?The Xiaomi 12T runs Android 12 with the brand’s MIUI 13 custom software skin and customizations. It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Ultra processor with 8GB memory with at least 128GB storage. Alternatively, a 256GB version is also offered.The 6.67-inch display features a 2712 x 1220 pixel resolution with 120Hz refresh rate and 480Hz touch sampling rate. A 5,000mAh battery keeps things running for a day or two at a time with an incredibly generous 120W HyperCharge technology.In the areas of cameras, the Xiaomi 12T has a triple array that includes a 108-megapixel main camera with 83-degree wide-angle capture. An 8-megapixel ultra-wide (120-degree) and 2-megapixel macro lens round things out around back while a 20-megapixel selfie camera is located on the front.Let’s Dive InXiaomi makes a big deal out of four categories for this phone in the camera, charging, performance, and display. In other words, it’s proud of the entire thing. After spending just a few days with the phone I can see why. It’s packed to the hilt with stuff that I love about phones.Let’s dive into these four areas and see how it fares in my first week. After that we’ll touch on some of my other impressions and findings in the phone. CameraI’ve only been able to take a relatively low number of pictures with the Xiaomi 12T but thus far I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the camera experience. It’s fast at every resolution and setting, even when you dial it up to 108-megapixels.Shooting pics in daylight, lowlight, and dark scenarios has been pretty much the same experience. That is to say it doesn’t seem to struggle with darker settings that some mid-range and upper-end phones do. It quickly locks on to subjects and does a great job of filling the frame with evenly balanced colors, high levels of detail, and crisp contrast. There are a number of shooting modes to choose from, and those who like to tinker with filters, HDR, an AI will find a full toolbox. I tend to prefer a more simple “open the app and snap a pic” approach and to that end I’ve really enjoyed things so far.Camera SamplesResized to 1280 pixels wide – otherwise uneditedBattery & ChargingAs far as battery life goes, I’m getting around a solid day and a half without breaking a sweat. I’ve not installed every app or service that I use on my phone but I know that once I do, I should be able to go all day without charging. I’m a little torn on it not having wireless charging, but I’d rather take the faster charging.I wish I could speak to the full 120W HyperCharge that comes with the Xiaomi 12T but unfortunately I cannot. The charger that comes in the box with our review unit is not designed for the US market. I can say, though, that I’ve plugged in various fast charging cables and bricks and it’s really fast. For those who can take advantage of the charging, you should be able to get from zero to 100% in under 20 minutes.PerformanceGenerally speaking, performance has been smooth as silk in the first week — as if you should expect anything else. We’re beyond worrying about stutters and lags over multifunction and app switching. Suffice it to say, the MediaTek processor and 8GB RAM is generous and powerful.Things look great on the 6.67-inch display be it YouTube videos, games, or text. In addition to the details mentioned at the top of the review, it also has HDR10+, AdaptiveSync for refresh, a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and support for 68 billion colors.SoftwareI really like MIUI 13 but it can be a bit overwhelming to someone coming from a stock Android experience. The initial setup process asks you to decide between a couple of options but your real customization and adjustments await you inside the Settings app.There’s something nice about having theme support and icons baked into the phone but I do find it occasionally messy or overwhelming. Similarly, ringtones and fonts are on offer here and you can truly make a phone feel unique to you. I like to keep things clean and minimal, opting to add things along the way if I need them. To that end, I also found the review unit had a rather sizable amount of preloaded apps and games. Some of them include Amazon Shopping, Bubble Shooter and Friends, Facebook, Genshin Impact, LinkedIn, Netflix, TikTok, TileFun, and WPS Office. I can imagine a lot of users will install some of these on day one to their added value varies from user to user. You’ll also find a few duplicate apps for things that Google might provide in a standard build, some of which might try to keep you in the Xiaomi ecosystem. What Else?I like having face unlock and in-display fingerprint readers in my phone and the 12T has both. What’s more, each is very fast to respond, making it noticeably quicker than my Pixel 6 Pro to unlock.There are a few other notable details and features in the phone worth pointing out, including dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Wi-Fi 6. Although they’re becoming increasingly popular in devices, these aren’t exactly standard in phones with this price point.Perhaps the biggest sticking point in whether this phone is something you should consider is in the fact that it’s not going to be sold in the US any time soon. The phone I’ve had for testing has support for a wide array of 4G LTE and 5G network bands and I’ve had lightning fast data (~600Mbps) through T-Mobile in my area (Akron, OH). But, given it’s not a handset that will be offered through any retailers or carriers here in North America, it’s a “buyer beware” situation.Parting ThoughtsI have absolutely no issues with recommending the phone to the right consumer – one that lives in a market where the Xiaomi 12T is sold. Or, one who is willing to do a little homework and understands the unlocked phone space. I love seeing phones from Xiaomi and find them to be among some of the more exciting, albeit, different handsets. I look forward to spending more time with the 12T and getting to better know the phone.You can learn more about the Xiaomi 12T at the phone maker’s website. It will be available in two storage variants, 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB, with a price starting from EUR 599 (~$600USD). Color options include Black, Blue, and Silver with a general availability starting on October 13.

Enabot ABO Air Social Companion Robot review

Leaving for work and don’t have anyone or anything to keep an eye on your kids or pets? That’s a troublesome situation for some of us, especially if we’re new to owning a kitten or puppy. Or, if you’ve recently gone back to work with a newborn at home with a spouse.Enabot understands these types of scenarios situation, and has created a number of solutions to help. One of its latest products, the EBO Air, is a home security camera and interactable robot to keep provide security, peace of mind, and entertainment while you are away.Looking like something out of Wall-E or a cartoon, the unit is a mostly orb-shaped with a small fin on the top. With a few wheels that help it roll along, there’s automatic balancing and righting should it get tipped over or bumped.via EnabotPackaging and SetupThe Enabot EBO Air was in a tightly sealed package and all the contents were in perfect condition; it came with a charging cord, and a charging dock. Part of the setup process requires downloading and setting up the Enabot (Android or iOS) app. Once installed on your phone you’ll scan the QR code on your Enabot and begin the setup process. After configuring it to your liking and making sure it has a full charge you are all set to go. The setup process wasn’t hard in the slightest. It will only prove to be a challenge if you do not have Wi-Fi in your home as that’s what it relies on for its standalone connectivity. Operation and QualityIt definitely is entertaining to watch the Enabot EBO Air glide around your house and interact with the people in it. Moreover, it features expandable storage to capture pictures and high-definition (1080p) videos. I find the pictures and videos fun to look at as they bring me peace knowing that everything in the house is safe. via EnabotIf any suspicious activity is detected, you will get a push notification on your phone letting you know there could be a problem. It also acts as a communication device that has two-way talk. If you are inclined to chat with your pet or have a brief conversation with your kids, it’s a simple process. Perhaps you’d like to let the children know you’ll be home soon or to simply say ‘hi’ to Fido.FeaturesInfrared laserAI tracking recognition and shooting function16GB external memory, support 256GB at maximum2.4G+5.8G WIFI network frequency band connectionInfrared night vision functionMulti-user accounts LoginAutomatic patrol24H fixed-point security recordingAbnormal video alarm/message pushBrushless silent motorAnti-drop functionMax speed 1m/sThe Enabot EBO Air glides quietly across the floor, making very minimal noise. It won’t disturb a sleeping infant or napping toddler and certainly doesn’t disrupt game time on the TV. Thanks to its internal smarts, it can detect walls and any other obstructions on the ground so it won’t bump into anything or damage the Enabot. As for my experience with it, it was a generally good and enjoyable one. I appreciate that it automatically comes out of its dock for patrolling the home. It will continue to monitor things until its battery needs charged whereupon it returns to the charging station.The AI tracking feature is great for recognizing both humans and pets and one tap on the app is all it takes to have it follow them around. The EBO Air can edit and send videos to you throughout the day at specific times to help you get a sense for what’s going on.I found there were only a couple instances where it accidentally bumped into something but it made efforts to avoid them. Further, there was no damage done to the device. ConclusionThe Enabot EBO Air is an interesting twist on home security or monitoring your beloved pets. Unlike a static camera in one room, this one can patrol your entire floor. The setup process was quick and painless thanks to the guided instructions in the app and the ability to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. If you’ve got other members in your house who might like to look in on things, you can share access to the device.Pictures and videos look great and the ground floor perspective is more interesting than something captured from a desk or counter.At $230 it’s a bit expensive for just keeping an eye on things. Traditional cameras are considerably less pricey, to be sure, but they’re also not as fun. Depending on how much of a pet lover you are you may be able to justify the cost of the EBO Air.

Xiaomi 12T Pro impressions: Back in the megapixel race

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a powerful affordable flagship that offers more than just a superlative sensor.

Corsair K100 Air Wireless review: a great keyboard that’s too expensive

The Corsair K100 Air Wireless is an great gaming keyboard that's held back by a lack of a key switch options.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max review: big, powerful, and nearly perfect

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is Apple's priciest and heaviest iPhone available today. But it also happens to be one of the very best smartphones money can buy.

Amazon unveils Kindle Scribe, a 10.2-inch E-ink e-reader with stylus

Amazon’s first e-reader with writing and drawing features, the Kindle Scribe, was unveiled last week. The brand-new Kindle comes with a 10.2-inch, 300 PPI display that seeks to mimic paper’s anti-glare and brightness levels. It also has a built-in stylus, which does not require charging.Amazon’s new writing-friendly Kindle ScribeThe e-reader is marketed more as a tool for several tasks than just reading. Amazon has emphasized the ability to customize file formats like DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and PDF, which can be transmitted to and from a personal computer utilizing cloud storage, to provide a solution for the expanding personal journaling industry.With “lined paper” for meeting notes, Microsoft Word compatibility, and auto-saved to-do lists, it also aspires to be an Office-friendly gadget. Additionally, users can make handwritten notes on Kindle Scribe.If you only use the Scribe as an e-reader, based on 30 minutes of reading each day, you can obtain up to three months of battery life. However, taking notes uses more power and significantly reduces battery life. So, depending on how you use it, you can still take notes and doodle for several weeks on a single charge.“It’s inspired by the Kindle customers who have added billions of notes and highlights to books over the years,” said Kevin Keith from Amazon. “It’s also ideal for reviewing and marking up documents, managing your to-do list, or doodling over a big idea.”The new e-reader weighs 433 grams and is barely 5.8mm (0.22 inches) thin. For comparison, the new updated baseline Kindle (2022) weighs 158 grams, whereas the Kindle Paperwhite weighs 205 grams. 35 LEDs make up the front lighting design of the Kindle Scribe.The Paperwhite’s Mediatek SoC also powers the Kindle Scribe. Although 32GB and 64GB versions are offered, the base model only has 16GB of storage. It is worth noting that the Scribe is a Wi-Fi-only, non-cellular Kindle.The 16GB variant with a standard pen costs $340 at retail, while the premium pen option (with an attached eraser) raises the price to $370. The premium version also comes in a 32GB ($390) and 64GB ($420) storage capacities.All versions are currently up for pre-order on the Amazon website with a launch date of November 30.

Haylou BC01 Bone Conduction Headphones review

Headphones and earphones come in a wide variety of designs and builds. There are big, over-ear cans, tiny diminutive earbuds, and everything in between. Somewhere in that space is where you’ll find bone conduction headphones.If you aren’t at all familiar with bone conduction, it’s going to be important to do some research first to decide if this style of headphone is right for you. The name is pretty self-explanatory, but the basic idea is for the sound to be transmitted to your eardrum through the bones in your outer and inner ear, rather than through the air in your ear canal. This allows your ear canal to remain free, and essentially allows you to listen to your music at any volume without losing any sense of your surroundings.If you are looking for a pair of headphones that is going to be comfortable and give you soothing, high quality audio, then you may want to reconsider this style before making the purchase. However, if you are in the market for a product that can be waterproof, stable, and doesn’t block out ambient environmental sounds, you are in the right place.Here, I’ll share my impressions of the Haylou BC01 Bone Conduction Headphones.First ImpressionsThe Haylou PurFree BC01 headphones will show up in a nicely packaged box with a magnetic attachment charger, earplugs, and the user manual. The body of the headphones is simply a rigid wire that wraps around your head, over your ears, and connects the two “vibration pads” that actually transmit the sound to your eardrum.On the body of the headphones you can find a volume +- button and an “MFB” button, though I’m not too sure what MFB stands for but I presume it means “multifunction button” given it does multiple things. These buttons do the basic tasks of controlling Bluetooth and playback functions while you listen. Some available functions include checking the battery level, skipping tracks, answering calls, and activating your voice assistant.In terms of comfort, I don’t have a great reference point for what they should feel like as this is my first good pair of bone conduction headphones. I will say they are flexible enough to be put on easily and they won’t press too hard where they rest just in front of your ear (which is apparently called the tragus). I also will note that they have a pretty hefty mass; I didn’t find this to be a means of discomfort while I was using them but they don’t give a weightless feel by any means.One thing I think the Haylou BC01 lacks is a carrying case. Because of their shape they are very awkward to pack up for travel. I wouldn’t worry about breaking them or bending the wire if they were floating loose in a bag as they seem pretty tough. In any case, some sort of travel container for them would be highly convenient, in my opinion.MetricsThe BC01 headphones have a standard Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connection with the expected range of about 30 feet without obstruction. The 165mAh battery capacity can be charged in 1.5 hours and should provide you with up to 8 hours of playback time and more than 10 days on standby. Its IP67 water resistance rating should allow for the headphones to survive sweat, rain, dust, and short-term submersion in shallow water. The provided charging cable is nearly two feet long and has a very unique charging connection pad. It magnetically secures itself to the headphones and is proprietary so don’t lose the cable.Audio QualityHere’s where you start to take some losses with bone conduction: it just doesn’t sound as good as regular wireless headphones. And that’s not exclusive to this particular brand or model. Most of the music is going to sound very different from what you would expect. After a while you can get used to it, but vocals especially will suffer in quality and an audiophile would not opt for the BC01’s design over traditional headphones. The Haylou BC01 headphones still provide a great surround sound effect, though. The effect is similar to that of a speaker placed behind you, and because you can still hear your surroundings perfectly, it seems odd that the person next to you can’t hear the music.DesignThis headphone style is great for physical activity like bike rides or runs because they allow you to be aware of your surroundings. They don’t block out any noise from your environment. If you prefer to focus more closely on the task at hand, you can put in the ear plugs which Haylou has provided. In my experience though, this makes the audio quality worse. The experience is more similar to a speaker underwater. If you want something for a noisy commute or studying, then you are better off looking elsewhere.via HaylouSo… Why bone conduction?It’s pretty simple. These headphones are meant to rest over top of your ears and the rear wire should sit rigidly about half an inch off of the back of your head so that you can turn and look freely without jostling them out of position. Thanks to this shape, they will remain stable and stuck to your head whether you are walking the dog or downhill mountain biking. Your ear canal is completely free of obstruction so you will easily be able to hold a conversation at a whisper with your workout partner. If you find yourself stuck in the rain on a run (or want to listen to music in the shower) then you can carry on without a worry thanks to the IP67 water resistant rating of the BC01’s. Parting ThoughtsIf you’re an audiophile and you need something comfortable, lightweight, and with high quality audio, then I suggest researching other options. On the other hand, if you want a pair of headphones that will stay fitted to your head for even the most ferocious of workouts, these are worth a look. They’ll keep you aware of your environment and won’t get ruined by your sweat, rain, or dust. From my time and experience with the headphones I feel the Haylou BC01 is a great option to consider.You can learn more about the PurFree BC01 headphones at Haylou’s website however to purchase them it will hand you off to AliExpress. Currently they’re listed at about $92. Amazon also has them for around $95 as of today.