Reviews

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As someone who is a fan of premium audio, I’m always striving to get the best quality when listening to music, watching movies, and of course, while gaming.Generally, I love using surround sound for watching movies, but I find that a headset is superior when gaming. There are so many little sounds that your ears don’t pick up on when using surround sound, and the immersion with a gaming headset is second to none.That’s why I’m excited our friends over at SteelSeries were kind enough to send out the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless for review. I’ve been using it to play games with the PS5 over the past few weeks and here are my thoughts.FeaturesThe Arctis Nova 7P Wireless has an extensive set of features making it one of the best gaming headsets SteelSeries has to offer. Starting with a 2.4GHz wireless connection for high-quality and lag-free audio, along with Bluetooth that can be used simultaneously with your phone for listening to music or making calls while gaming.Like many other wireless gaming headsets, the Arctis Nova 7P uses a USB dongle to connect to your console or PC. That makes it compatible with PlayStation consoles, the Nintendo Switch, Meta Quest 2, PC, Mac, and more.This is the first gaming headset I’ve used that opts for a USB Type-C dongle over USB Type-A, and it’s also one of the smallest dongles I’ve seen using a slim horizontal design.This really stood out to me because I’m always worried someone will bump into the long dongles that stick out of the console, or get their clothes hung up on it. It’s a small way you can tell that SteelSeries products are designed by gamers for gamers.It also means that you’ll have to install it on the front of the PlayStation 5, or you can use the handy included USB Type-A to Type-C cable, which has the added benefit of acting as an extension cable or an adapter for devices that lack a USB Type-C port.Outside of connectivity, the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless also puts you in full control of sound quality with an app for Windows and Mac, as well as with physical controls on the ear cups to adjust volume, mute the mic, and more. Plus, the mic can easily be retracted or pulled out and adjusted freely when needed.On the topic of the app, I do wish SteelSeries provided an Android app like other headset makers. It makes it much easier to adjust the equalizer and change settings on the fly from my phone, instead of having to connect the dongle to a PC to access these settings – especially because it utilizes Bluetooth and I often have the headset connected to my phone already.Furthermore, I had issues updating the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless because it requires plugging the dongle into your PC and refuses to update over a USB cable. This was counterintuitive to what I expected, and it frustrated me that I had to unplug the dongle from my console and will have to do that every time there is an update for the headset.ComfortI love the simple lightweight design of the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless from SteelSeries. It’s the type of headset you could easily wear outside of the house without people taking notice and doesn’t feel bulky or heavy in the slightest.The steel headband gives it a sturdy premium feel, while the stretchy overhead band rests gently on your head and prevents fatigue from setting in, even after wearing it for several hours. Additionally, the breathable AirWeave memory foam cushions feel fantastic around your ears and prevent the dreaded hot ear effect many closed-back headphones suffer from.The only minor issue is that the breathable ear cushions are leaky allowing some ambient noise in. It’s not bad enough to be a major gripe, but it does lack the isolation that some other headsets provide. Although, the comfort and cooling effect on your ears more than makes up for it.Audio qualitySound quality is another area the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless shines. This gaming headset sounds outstanding whether you’re gaming or just listening to music. Out of the box, the flat EQ has a pleasing neutral sound with a nice spacious soundstage. The highs, mids, and lows are all well-balanced adding a nice sense of clarity.The Arctis Nova 7P Wireless also supports immersive 360-degree Spatial Audio and is fully compatible with PlayStation’s 3D audio. It goes a long way in making you feel like you’re right in the middle of all of the action and helps pick up on sounds all around you while giving life to the soundtrack.However, if you want to take it to the next level, then you can use the six-band equalizer or Sonar inside of the SteelSeries GG app. This allows you to fine-tune the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless to your preferences, including amplifying certain sounds such as gunshots or footsteps.Mic qualityThe mic on the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless is powered by ClearCast AI algorithms that SteelSeries claims will provide broadcast-quality audio. However, that was not quite my experience. While I thought I sounded clear via the sidetone controls—besides a little low-level static—people on the other end of the mic described my voice as muffled.No one said that it sounded bad per se, but that other headsets I’ve used sound clearerBattery lifeSteelSeries rates the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless for 38 hours of battery life. After using the wireless headset over the past few weeks, I can say that it lives up to those claims. I’ve put at least 30 hours of gameplay in while wearing the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless and it’s still going strong. I only wish there was an Android app so I could easily check the battery level at any given time.Additionally, the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless supports fast charging and will get you 6 hours of use off of a 15-minute charge. So, just plug it in while a game is updating and you’ll be good to go by the time it’s installed.Editor’s ChoiceThis award is reserved for products, apps, and services which have an overall average score of 4.25 or higher. Graded on a scale of 1-5, our reviews look at a variety of aspects to determine a total rating. Factors which help to create the composite score will often include design, features, price, warranty, audio, battery, general and performance.Final thoughtsThe SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless ticks every box for what it takes to be a magnificent gaming headset. It sounds amazing, it’s lightweight and comfortable, it provides 38 hours of battery life, the mic is decent, and it even looks good.If only there was an Android app, the mic was a bit clearer, and it offered better sound isolation—then it would be perfect. However, those are all minor gripes considering just how comfortable and excellent the sound quality is.You can pick up the Arctis Nova 7P Wireless for $180 from Amazon or the SteelSeries website.Buy from Amazon Buy from SteelSeries

Apple is back in the smart speaker fray with an evolutionary upgrade.

Shaking off the past, the Magic 5 Pro sets a new bar for HONOR handsets.

AMD's updated Ryzen 9 7950X3D puts Team Red back in the lead, but it also carries a price increase now that current-gen options are getting cheaper.

HMD Global has made another play for the budget smartphone market, but is the new Nokia G60 5G good enough?

The reasonably priced Lenovo Legion Pro 7i packs in a fast CPU and GPU for excellent performance in gaming.

I’ve been a fan of gaming since I got my first NES as a child. Over the years, I’ve owned several different consoles and I’ve always looked for ways to enhance one of my favorite hobbies. These days, that can mean upgrading to a better TV, using a projector, or adding a gaming headset to the mix.Fortunately, our friends at Turtle Beach were kind enough to send out the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max for PS4 and PS5 for review. I’ve been using it for the past month and here are my thoughts.FeaturesThe Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is one of Turtle Beach’s flagship gaming headsets, and as such, comes packed with features. For starters, it uses a USB dongle to provide a 2.4GHz wireless connection between your device and the headset. In this case, the devices supported are the PS4, PS4 Pro, PS4 Slim, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac. Pretty much everything but an Xbox, but don’t worry, Turtle Beach also makes a model with Xbox compatibility as well.Some additional features present on the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max are a long 40+ hour battery life, 50mm Nanoclear speakers, a flip to mute mic, physical controls on the ear cups, sidetone monitoring, connecting simultaneously with Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz dongle, and a Superhuman Hearing setting.The Superhuman Hearing option can be found in the helpful Turtle Beach Audio Android app. I love when gaming headsets have an Android companion app because it makes managing them so much easier. Especially, if they support a simultaneous connection like the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, because in this case, I usually have the headset connected to my phone to take calls while gaming anyways.That’s why it only makes sense to have an Android app that allows for tweaking the different settings, like the equalizer, button functions, Superhuman Hearing setting, and more. However, I have to say the Turtle Beach app isn’t the most intuitive to use and I wish it provided more extensive EQ settings.ComfortThe Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max uses a metal-reinforced headband and dual-foam Aerofit cooling gel-infused ear cushions that boast a glasses-friendly design. The cushions are dense and soft, but besides the metal headband, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is primarily constructed out of plastic.The comfort level of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max came up lacking in my opinion. They feel bulky and quite heavy, enough to where I began feeling the pressure of the headband on the top of my head after only gaming for an hour. Furthermore, the tight clamping force puts a lot of pressure on the side of your head while also causing my ears to get warm after extended use, despite making use of Aerofit cooling gel in the cushions.Overall, I was not impressed by the comfort and fit of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, even with the generous padding, it wasn’t enough to overcome the weight and clamping force. They are certainly not the most uncomfortable headphones I’ve worn, but they aren’t great for long gaming sessions. However, if you only play for a couple of hours at a time then they should be fine.Audio qualityThanks to the 2.4GHz wireless connection provided by the USB dongle, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has lag-free high-quality audio while gaming. This particular model is even tuned specifically for the PlayStation 5’s 3D audio.While the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max may lack in the comfort department, it more than makes up for it with fantastic audio quality. I was seriously impressed by how much more epic the soundtrack for games like The Witcher 3 and Horizon Zero Dawn sounded thanks to the open soundstage and large 50mm drivers in the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max.Besides the soundtrack, it also made sneaking around even more intense because I truly felt surrounded by the sound and picked up on every footstep or growl, these are small sounds that often go unnoticed with normal speakers. My only complaint would be that I wish the equalizer in the app allowed more control in adjusting the audio, but the signature setting already sounds great and should please most gamers out there.The Superhuman Hearing also comes in handy if you need to boost the volume of the game or for when you take calls on your phone.MicI received a lot of positive feedback when using the mic during calls while gaming. I love that the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max allows me to make calls with my phone and everyone said I sounded clear, although when I used the side tone option to hear myself people complained of hearing themselves echo during the call. Otherwise, everything was good and the mic worked great.It was also super convenient to flip it out of the way when not in use or flip it out when I was ready to chat.Battery lifeTurtle Beach rates the battery life of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max for 40 hours or more. After using it for the past few weeks, I can vouch that it definitely exceeds 30 hours along with some time in standby. They didn’t seem to live up to the 40+ hours listed in the specs, but that could be due to me using it to make calls over Bluetooth while gaming and some battery lost during standby time.Either way, you’ll still get plenty of gaming time out of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, and you should only need to charge it up once a week unless you are a full-time gamer. Plus, if you find the battery getting low, then you can get eight hours of battery life from a 15-minute charge thanks to quick-charging.Final thoughtsAs someone who has used TV speakers, soundbars, and surround sound—I can confidently say nothing compares to using a good gaming headset. And the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is a great gaming headset.It has a sturdy build, long battery life, fantastic audio quality, an Android app to easily adjust the settings, and a crystal clear mic. Besides some tiny nitpicks about the weight, clamping force, and the app being a little too basic, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is an impressive gaming headset for only $150.Buy from Amazon Buy from Turtle Beach

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Smart door locks and deadbolts have been around for a few generations now and the companies in the space seem to have settled around a handful of players. Lockly, one of those brands, has been creating its own line of locks, is back with the Vision Elite. It takes things a step forward from its predecessors and features a robust set of capabilities.How does it fare in real world testing? What makes it so special? Check out the podcast and review below to learn more about it. What is the Lockly Vision Elite?The Lockly Vision Elite is a smart deadbolt for homes with multiple ways to unlock your door. Options include fingerprint, PIN, and physical key; the mobile app gives admin capabilities for creating limited-time codes, checking notifications, and more. Additionally, there’s a built-in doorbell, camera, and microphone for two-way communication and HD video.Noteworthy FeaturesDoorbell with two-way talkSolar recharging of batteryUnlock via PIN, fingerprint, keyApp offers tons of controls, notifications, and settingsFull HD VideoListen to the EpisodeBe sure to subscribe to the AndroidGuys podcast through your favorite platform or add the AndroidGuys Podcast RSS feed to enjoy!Google PodcastsiTunesSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneInThoughts and ConclusionWe’re quite fond of the Lockly brand and appreciate the various changes and improvements it has implemented along the way. The Vision Elite is the most well-rounded model thus far and offers pretty much every feature one might hope to see in a smart deadbolt.Setup takes maybe 20 minutes, even for someone who has never installed a deadbolt lock. Instructions are easy to follow and there’s plenty of documentation and guidance available online, too.We like the mobile app as it makes it easy to create users with PIN codes and fingerprints as well as the occasional one-off access code or limited-time login. The app also provides a wide array of customization and privacy settings.One of our favorite details in this model is that there’s essentially no need to ever charge the lock up. Thanks to the solar panel that protects the key tumbler, the internal battery gets replenished a little each day.The doorbell and camera are helpful with a nice high definition look at whoever might be at the door. Need to chat or open the door? Open the app and you’ll be one button tap away from either option. Also nice, adding this to your Google Home is a breeze and allows for voice control to lock the door.The Lockly Vision Elite does not come cheap, but it’s priced right and falls in line with others in the space. And best of all, it’s backed by a five year warranty.Where to buy the Lockly Vision EliteThe Lockly Vision Elite can be purchased for $499 through Best Buy where it’s offered in Matte Black and Satin Nickel finishes.

The Synology WRX560 is an excellent router for novice users with busy networks like me.

Earlier Xiaomi’s Founder and CEO Lei Jun confirmed that Xiaomi would launch its latest Xiaomi 13 series smartphones in the global market. The Xiaomi 13 series smartphone is set to launch on Feb 26th at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023. The series comprises Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 13 Lite.Ahead of the launch, Xiaomi 13 Lite smartphone has been spotted on the german retailer’s website. The listings reveal some key specifications and render of the upcoming Xiaomi 13 smartphone.The upcoming Xiaomi 13 Lite will look very similar to the Xiaomi CIVI 2 smartphone launched last year in China. Regarding its design, you’ll see a triple rear camera setup at the back and a dual selfie camera setup at the front.Furthermore, the listings reveal detailed specifications of the phone. The upcoming Xiaomi 13 lite smartphone will feature a 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is tipped to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage. The smartphone will likely run on Android 13 based on MIUI 14 out of the box.The Xiaomi 13 Lite will house a 4,500mAh battery with 67W fast charging support. In terms of optics, the device will feature a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor paired with 8MP wide-angle camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The phone will feature a 32MP + 32MP dual selfie camera.

The Ticwatch manufacturer brand Mobvoi introduced the Mobvoi Sports and Health data platform for TicWatch users. The newly launched Mobvoi Sports and Health data platform offers advanced health insights and fitness progress.According to Mobvoi, the platform collects general health data through a user’s TicWatch including daily step count, heart rate, distance, stress levels, blood oxygen, sleep stages, and much more. The platform shows detailed comparisons (including steps you walk, the type of exercise, duration, and more). It provides insights and extensive graphics that help the user to track health-oriented goals thoroughly.Furthermore, the Mobvoi Sports and Health data platform also supports multi-day health comparison that allows you to track the circadian rhythm of sleep cycles. The platform has the ability to record in-detailed workout insights and analysis and you can also export all your health data in the .tcx form. The platform is compatible with third-party platforms such as Garmin Connect, COROS Training Hub, and Strava.You only required a Mobvoi ID login to access the platform on the TicWatch and it can also be accessible on a desktop through Mobvai’s official site.