With an Ethernet connection port in this version, you can plug directly into your router for stabler streams without the need for an adapter, and now billed as having Ambient Mode, is this Streamer finally a worthy adversary for the decor-focused Samsung Frame TV?

What is Google TV Streamer?

Google TV Streamer is a device that connects to any TV, and using a Wi-Fi connection, it can open up streaming access for nearly any device, whether a smart TV or an older non-connected set. Once you have it connected, it gives you access to all the streaming channels on the market. With an included remote, it’s got instant control, or you can use a phone to run it too.

Watch my full hands-on video review of Google TV Streamer

In this review I’m going to try the TV streamer out here in my home for a few days and I’ll take a look at what’s new and improved in this iteration, what it can do, what the user interface is like and I’ll assess the other special features it has. I’ll wrap things up with the pros and the cons of this device and let you know if I think it’s a good TV streaming system for you. I would like to thank Google for gifting me a pre-release version so I could do my review ahead of its public launch. Well the company did provide the streamer to me at no cost, it did not ask for nor receive permission to have any input into this review. So you can consider these thoughts my own.

Google packed the device with hardware upgrades, like the Ethernet port, AI smarts, and other neat goodies too, meaning it’s a solid competitor for something like Apple TV and Roku Ultra.

Unboxing and set up

In the package you’re getting the TV box… although you probably can’t call this a box. The design leans heavily towards Google’s preference for more natural, pebbly shapes and textures, and features mega-curves and round edges.

A power cable and plug adapter, plus two colour-coordinated batteries round out the necessities, and there’s also the new remote control. Yes while batteries are included an HDMI cable is not, so make sure you’ve got your own. (Just remember to buy an HDMI 2.1 cable if you don’t have a spare to enjoy the full 4K HDR benefits).

Bigger than a Chromecast

Those who were big fans of the palm-sized, pebble shaped Chromecast dongle will find this device more challenging to place or hide, since it’s not going to dangle behind your TV, but I think Google actually did an incredible job at making this something that you won’t mind having sitting out in the open. I placed mine on top of my Sonos Sound bar, below the Samsung Frame TV and I think it disappears nicely into the room; it’s sculptural yet unobtrusive.

The New Voice Remote

Google redesigned the remote, making it slightly larger and altering the button layout, and apparently improved the ergonomics but the improvements are subtle at best and aren’t going to rock your Chromecast world.

The YouTube and Netflix buttons remain, but the smaller button with the star icon is now customizable allowing you to bind the button to any Google TV app or function you want. The built-in microphone allows you to give the streamer Google Assistant smart home commands as expected.

To get the Google TV Streamer set up, you’ll plug in the power and connect the HDMI cable to the streamer and your TV.

While we’re back here, let’s take a look at the ports: there’s the single HDMI connection, an Ethernet port, and USB-C power. A multipurpose button on the far left will reset the device or find your lost remote.

Once it boots up, the screen will begin to walk you through.

The first thing you will do is pair the remote.

I couldn’t quite get mine to pair the first few times I tried and ended up having to pop the batteries out and replace them. Once I did that the whole set up process advanced by itself. Not sure if this is simply a pre-release bug or a bigger issue but it was resolved quickly.

The rest of the set up process will involve connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi network and then enabling a handful of settings. I was set up in about five minutes.

As a quick aside if you prefer to use your television’s remote to control your Google TV streamer, you can. I didn’t even have to do anything to get this working; instantly my Samsung TV remote was connected and functioning too.

User Interface

Let’s take a look at the main screen…

If you’re familiar with Android TV interfaces, this will look somewhat familiar. The clean and uncluttered interface looks modern and is easy to follow.

At the top you have your core tabs which are self explanatory: For You, Movies, Shows, Apps, and Library.

The ‘For You’ tab may be of most interest, since this is where YouTube will make recommendations about things it thinks you’ll like, and also give you the opportunity to resume watching things you’ve already seen.

My recommendations were not extremely robust, but I also haven’t had time to let the TV streamer understand my watching habits just yet.

Apps

When it comes to apps and streaming services, pretty much every platform is available here and you can personalize what you see, and how easy it is to access. The interface is incredibly easy to use and understand, and you’ll also find things like free streaming TV options as well as live television too.

Google Home

One of the features I liked is the integration of Google Home into the streamer. You can set up a shortcut button to access this, or simply find it through settings. Either way it gives you access to your full suite of Google Home and smart home devices. It’s incredibly easy to make adjustments to lighting, or even call up any of your cameras onto the big screen and take a look around.

The new Google TV Streamer doubles as a wider smart home hub too, complete with Thread and Matter support. These newer smart home connection protocols might not matter yet (no pun intended) to every household, but they will become standard soon enough and mean your Google TV streamer is future proof for a while.

Ambient Mode

One of the features of Google TV streamer I was looking most forward to is what Google is calling Ambient Mode, which you could also refer to as the screensaver.

Google seemed to say it’s done some work to improve this, but as I was setting it up I have to say it looked suspiciously like the screensavers already available on Google smart screens.

AI Screensaver

One of the interesting options is the ability to use Google’s AI to create your own screensaver. You can either generate art completely from scratch, or use the Google assisted prompts to help you. This is certainly fun and can lead to both some very nice images, and some interesting misfires. But if you’re willing to stick with it you can probably get something you’ll like.

Google provides you with the option of using your own photos as a screensaver or using art or photography. I wanted to use some of the professional art and photography in hopes of matching the experience I currently get on my Samsung Frame TV.

While there are definitely some cool art works and prints, the effect is definitely more screensaver than Ambient Mode. The TV stays at its current brightness so it can look a bit unnatural in dimmer rooms.

There’s also no single touch button that can get you immediately into Ambient Mode. I went looking through the settings for the programmable favourite button, but there appears to be no option for this to trigger Ambient Mode.

In short while I had high hopes that the so-called Ambient Mode would be a nice way for the TV to fit into my space a little better, at this stage it’s little better than a screensaver and could use a few tweaks in my opinion to make it easier to access.

Find my Remote

Everybody’s misplaced the remote control for the TV at one time or another. It will never be a problem with the Google TV streamer. There are three ways to locate a lost Google remote:
1. Press and hold the button on the back of Google TV Streamer for <5 seconds and release to ring the remote.*
2. If you have Google Nest Speakers in the home, you can even trigger the remote to ring using your voice. Say “Hey Google, find my remote”.
3. You can also use the Google Home app. Tap on your Google TV Streamer inside the app you’ll get the menu options.

Customize the remote

A new customizable button on the remote lets you program your favourite app or channel for instant callback, or set it up to switch inputs or launch the Google Home panel with just one click.

Well this is a nice option, right now the programming options are limited to just those three things. As noted before you can’t program this button to launch Ambient Mode, or change your default audio settings for example.

What can I watch on Google TV Streamer?

Wondering what you’ll be able to watch or stream on this device? The answer is pretty much every streaming service that’s available can be found on Google TV. It also gives you access to free TV channels as well as live television options too.

Google Gemini (kinda) and Google Assistant

It will probably come as no surprise that the Google Assistant is built into your TV, which allows you to ask for channel changes, volume adjustments and info like weather, with just your voice. Google appears to be getting away from the familiar Google Assistant emblem, since on the remote if you want access to the assistant you’ll push the microphone button.

Google has also built in access to its new Gemini artificial intelligence assistant… kinda.

While Gemini will deliver AI-powered summaries for movies or TV, related content, and even a roundup of what people are saying about a show, it does not appear the dedicated Gemini assistant also known as Gemini Live is actually available on the TV streamer yet.

Here’s hoping that feature comes along down the road with a firmware update. In the meantime, it looks like using the microphone button as a way to invoke whatever assistant will be in your future makes the most sense for now.

Spec Bumps Across the Board

Google’s TV Streamer houses a more powerful MediaTek MT8696 processor which the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K uses as well. However, the Google TV Streamer has a greater surface area than any dongle so you can expect that quad-core CPU to do extended tasks without throttling. The streamer also features 4 GB worth of memory which is twice the RAM found in the old Chromecast with Google TV 4K. But what might that mean to you?

Original remote, left, and new.

Likely the ability to allow you to run more background apps without stuttering or buffering. With 32 GB of storage space, you can install more apps and games while having extra space for other media.

Connectivity Improvements

Google also added an Ethernet port to the Google TV Streamer which is something I haven’t seen in a Google streaming device since the Nexus Q released back in mid-2012!

With Gigabit speeds, you can reliably use Google TV Streamer as a Plex server. In addition to the usual Wi-Fi 802.11ac with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz support, you also get Bluetooth 5.1 which offers better efficiency and range than the older Bluetooth 4 featured in the latest Chromecast dongles.

Connect Pixel Buds Pro 2 for private listening

That Bluetooth capability means you can link the streamer to a pair of Pixel Buds Pro and enjoy private spatial audio.

That’s very good news, but you can also pair your Google TV streamer to any Bluetooth enabled headphones you want, even Apple devices. I love this feature and was able to use the streamer with a variety of different headphones to enjoy a quiet movie night.

Casting call

Google’s Chromecast technology is still alive and well and with it, you can conveniently send Chrome tabs from your phone to the big screen along with any Android and iOS apps supporting Chromecast.

Photo and video sharing

You can also beam videos and photos to the TV via the Google Photos app or mirror your Chromebook’s screen.

One Remote capable

CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows for HDMI devices to be controlled with one remote control.

If you try to cast to a CEC supported TV while on a different source input (local TV channel, Cable, USB), source input will automatically switch to the HDMI port where the Chromecast is connected. Certain TVs will also power on (when powered off) when trying to cast to the Chromecast.

In order for this function to work, your Chromecast must be using a wall outlet for power and not plugged into a USB port on the TV.

Supported Media Formats

Like the Chromecast with Google TV 4K, the Google TV Streamer can handle up to 4K HDR at 60 frames per second with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. On the audio format side, you get Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos technologies.

Overall Thoughts: Google TV Streamer

Overall the Google TV Streamer appears to be an outstanding device that will be ideal for anyone who needs to add streaming functionality to an older TV, or is looking for a portable option.

Let’s go over the pros and cons.

On the pro side this TV streamer is a beautiful device, and is certainly far more attractive than Apple’s hunk of black plastic. I would go so far as to say Google TV Streamer is the best looking streaming box on the market bar none. With 4K resolution you’re getting the best quality video, and the Ethernet port lets you set up a direct connection if you prefer.

It’s incredibly easy to set up, and easy to use, and the simple clutter free home screen makes it a joy to navigate. With all the streaming services you could want already built-in, you’ve got loads of entertainment options, and with Google Home interface at your fingertips, it’s easy to navigate your smart home too.

Plus with the option to connect any pair of headphones for private listening, this is an ideal streaming box for a family home when quiet is needed.

So what are the downsides?

I was incredibly disappointed with the so-called Ambient Mode. It’s really just the same screensaver you’ll get on any Google display. To be clear, it’s nice to have if you don’t have something like a Frame TV as I already do, but calling it Ambient Mode seems like an overreach.

Some users may also be disappointed at the bigger size and need for set-top or furniture placement. I also wished for more options to program that favourites button, and I’m surprised Gemini isn’t baked in here on release, though this might come down the road.

Google priced its TV streamer at $99 USD/$129CAD which is more expensive than the old Chromecast, but still a lot less than a 4K Ethernet Apple TV. And since Chromecast is still available as of this review going up, if you need the smaller dongle and don’t need the Ethernet connection, you can still get 4K video and save.

In short, there are a few shortcomings in this device that may give you pause before you add to cart, especially since there are cheaper streaming options out there—mainly from Roku, but as long as you know what you’re getting here, and what you aren’t—at least not yet— Google TV Streamer does the job and it looks a lot better doing it.

The post Google TV Streamer 4K 2024: full hands-on review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

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Sonos Roam 2: What you get

Let’s look at what you’re getting here: Sonos Roam is a small, wireless, portable speaker option that Sonos wants you to take with you in the yard, camping, RVing and on the go. It can be used either horizontally or vertically and Roam can be controlled with the Sonos app or using the subtle but easy to locate buttons on the top. It will connect using Wi-Fi (so it can join your larger Sonos system at home) or via Bluetooth (use it anywhere, even off-grid).

Read & watch my full review of original Roam here.

Sonos Roam 2: What’s new?

There are three improvements when it comes to the second generation model, and while a couple of them are welcome, for the most part the changes are underwhelming and really designed to make the speaker more appealing to new buyers who may have read reviews of the original version. Fortunately, Sonos isn’t going to charge you more for these updates; the price stays put.

1. Dedicated Bluetooth button
2. USB-C cable update
3. Subtler logo

Let’s cover each of these off so you can see what you’re getting.

Watch my full hands-on review of Sonos Roam 2

A Sonos Roam with Button-shaped Band-Aid?

The Sonos Roam 2 is virtually identical to the original model. It has the same shape and overall design as the original Roam and comes in the same five colour variants—Black, White, Sunset, Wave, and Olive.

What’s the same?

Battery life unfortunately hasn’t improved and has the same IP67 waterproofing. It comes with Automatic Trueplay support, features integrated mics, and has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay 2 support baked in.

The key change is a dedicated Bluetooth button. Here’s why this is a big deal.

I never had issues using my original Sonos Roam at home or outdoors because I set it up at home via Wi-Fi and the process is just like setting up any other Sonos speaker. Yes, Sonos made a controversial change to their app, but at the core of it all, the setup process is similar. But what if you skipped that step and decided to travel with the speaker? You’ll find out that you must connect the speaker via Wi-Fi, before you can switch to Bluetooth. That means taking an unnecessary step to switch on your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot.

Again, I never experienced this issue, but others who aren’t familiar with Sonos products will. This oversight perfectly symbolizes the company’s focus on home audio.
The extra physical Bluetooth button, as silly as it sounds, corrects the course and finally lets you pair the Sonos Roam 2 directly to your phone as you should with any other Bluetooth speaker. And alongside the introduction of the Sonos Ace, Sonos has finally gone mainstream in portable audio. Hooray I guess?!

New USB-C cable

By no means a significant upgrade, it’s still a welcome improvement to get a dedicated USB-C to USB-C cable. This is the way most devices are going now and I kind of feel like we might as well make the switch already. Like most electronics manufacturers you’re not getting a plug included with this so if you haven’t already invested in a high powered multi connection USB plug, now is the time to pick up a couple.

Subtle logo

Of all the things Sonos chose to refresh, printing the logo in the same colour scheme as the rest of the speaker seems like a waste of paint. I suppose having the logo blend in helps to differentiate Roam from Roam 2 at a glance, but there’s really no reason for this change that I can see.

Minor upgrades

So as you can see the biggest upgrade is the improvement in Bluetooth connectivity, which is a big deal for some folks. All that is to say that if you already own a Roam speaker, there is no need to upgrade to the second generation. But if you were holding off on making a purchase, you can rest assured that you will have a much easier time with this version.

Sound quality

Since the sound quality hasn’t been tweaked over the original, I’m going to rinse and repeat some of my notes from the first iteration.
Roam is super small but definitely has power. It sounds a lot bigger than it is. Sitting next to it, 50% volume was more than enough. In a bigger open space, it is also surprisingly able to fill the space, even at that same 50% volume level.

The overall audio quality is very good… the speaker is well tuned and it’s possible to hear a lot of depth in the music. As I noted in Gen 1, there’s a lot of warmth to the sound, and the vocals sound outstanding. The music is very well balanced, which is no surprise. Sonos invests a lot in its speakers, so I’m not at all surprised that I like the sound of this one.
Outdoors you’ll not surprisingly need more volume the further you are away from it, but it seems like it’s able to dial up the right amount of power…

Sonos Roam battery life & power

Roam claims 10 hours of battery life from one charge but in my tests I got just under 10 hours, playing the music at a low level. Ten hours isn’t a lot for a portable wireless speaker, particularly when other portable models can give you 20 hours or more, so this is a pretty big downside.

When it comes to charging, you can either use the 90-degree USB-C cable that’s included with the speaker or purchase the optional wireless charging base.

Power saving feature (previously) improved

Original Sonos Roam had a big problem for me and that was that its smart power-saving feature didn’t work correctly out of the box, and the speaker would drain if not shut off completely.

Sonos fixed this with a firmware update several months after my review, and I’m glad to see that with this second generation it appears the speaker will indeed power down on its own if it hasn’t been used in about 30 minutes. If this is problematic for you, you can turn this setting off inside the Sonos app but it arrives on by default.

Sonos and Portable speakers

May 21, 2024, was a huge turning point for veteran smart speaker maker Sonos as it marked the day the company fully embraced travel-friendly products. Not only did they announce their very first pair of headphones, the Sonos Ace, but they also launched a successor to the Sonos Roam speaker. While Sonos didn’t give the Roam 2 launch much fanfare, the portable speaker is a key part of that turning point too even though the original Roam was just as portable and launched three years prior. My review of the Sonos Roam 2 will explain how a minor improvement marks a big change to the company’s vision and to understand this better, I want to share a short history lesson of the 22-year-old company.

A Short Sonos History: From “Home” to “Home and Outdoors”

Sonos has spent nearly 15 years building smart speaker products of all shapes and sizes with a set of common standards. They can all connect to your router and you can control them through a single mobile app that lets you stream music to any or all connected speakers. Combine that with a focus on powerful specs and you end up with the Sonos lineup that exists today—all Wi-Fi-enabled (except the Bluetooth-only Sonos Ace), premium prices, and solid quality both inside and out. This focused approach to home music has won over many fans securing the company’s reputation as the brand of choice for Wi-Fi-enabled home speakers.

“Home” is the key word here because Sonos positions its speakers as home products and not for traveling. The company broke that tradition in 2019 when they introduced their first battery-powered speaker called the Sonos Move, followed by the Sonos Move 2 three years later. But weighing nearly 7 pounds, I wouldn’t call the Sonos Move 2 travel-friendly; it’s more designed to be moved around your home and yard.

The original Sonos Roam truly fit the portable role and I praised it for its great sound quality and portable design with added waterproofing. Moreover, the speaker kept the Sonos essence intact with its built-in Wi-Fi so it can connect to your network just like the larger speakers can. Other than the mediocre 10-hour battery life and the fact that it doesn’t float, I had no complaints. But when I used the Sonos Roam 2, I realized its predecessor had one other weakness that I failed to mention and will finally bring to light here.

About the Sonos Roam 2

I feel like the Sonos Roam 2 sends two separate messages to two different audiences and I’ll explain both. The first audience consists of the people who already own a Sonos product or two and recognize the company’s reputation as a premium manufacturer in the speaker space. They see the size of the speaker, they see the $179 price, and they expect a portable speaker that can serve as another satellite to their Sonos ecosystem. The Roam 2 fits that description because it has built-in Wi-Fi.

It also targets the crowd who are looking for a high-end, portable, Bluetooth speaker, but can’t quite afford a $300+ speaker such as the Sonos Move 2. Maybe they were curious with the Sonos brand, but didn’t bother because of the high entry-cost and view the Sonos Roam 2 more as a low-hanging fruit.

If you read my original review of the Roam, you’ll notice how my description of the Roam 2 mirrors its predecessor. That’s because the Sonos Roam 2 is essentially the same product with a big fix.

Overall Thoughts: Sonos Roam 2

Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share for folks hoping for the Sonos Roam 2 to be something much more. The Sonos Roam 2 has no other improvements other than the new Bluetooth button, and a minor colour change to the logo to match your chosen colour style.

Sonos developed great successor speakers in the past like the Sonos Beam Gen 2, so I expected the Roam 2 to make a similar technical leap. However, the Sonos Roam 2 is the company’s entry-level baby and most companies don’t dedicate too many resources to their entry-level products because of the lower margins they generate. On top of that, the Sonos Roam 2 isn’t under serious pressure by the competition. Yes, there is a plethora of great and aggressively priced Bluetooth speakers, but none of them can play ball with the Sonos ecosystem anyway.

So even with that extra button, better Bluetooth connectivity remains as the primary selling point of the Sonos Roam 2.

I believe a theoretical Sonos Roam 3 will deliver the audio quality or battery gains we want if they feel threatened by a Bluetooth competitor in the $150 to $200 price range. For now, that competitor is the original Sonos Roam and I would recommend that instead if you can find it below the $179 MSRP. As for existing Sonos Roam owners, you can actually buy a Sonos Roam 2 and pair it with the original Roam in stereo which can count as a more meaningful upgrade.

Overall, it’s nice Sonos has been listening to its customers who’ve been complaining about the connectivity, and this refresh will check many of the boxes for a portable speaker.
While the sound quality is great and it’s super portable and compact –not to mention it’s really waterproof, it does have some significant plusses. But it’s not without its downsides: mainly that it still doesn’t float, and the battery life is on the lower side.

Bottom line, if you’re insisting on a Sonos speaker, Roam is your best choice for a portable option. If you’re not brand-loyal, you can probably find other great sounding speakers, with longer battery life, that float and may be more durable.

Sonos Roam sells for about $229CAD $169USD and is available from Sonos, Amazon and other retailers. You can also check out original Sonos Roam which has been heavily discounted in the wake of the new version. My full review of original Roam is available here.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

The post Sonos Roam 2 speaker: Full hands-on review + what’s new? appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

With the popularity and sheer abundance of portable speakers, it’s a good bet that several popular models might go on sale. It’s hard to say which, but one thing we can do is share what we know about some of the more popular speakers that you might want to pick up if they do go on sale. While there are a lot of features these speakers will have in common, they each have their own quirks and features that might make them the right one for you. Let’s look at some of the best portable speakers to buy on Amazon Prime Day, whether they’re on sale, or you’re just ready to click Buy Now. Click on the links below and add these to your Wish List or cart to be ready for Prime Day.

Best portable speakers to buy on Amazon Prime Day 2022

JBL Flip 5 & JBL Flip 6

The JBL Flip 5 (above) is a great-sounding speaker that is small enough to carry around and can be knocked around and handle being dropped in water or left out in the rain. The Flip 5 comes in 11 different colors and can be paired with other Flip 5 speakers to create stereo sound. While the Flip 6 is newer, the Flip 5 is less costly, with pretty much all the same features. Read the full review of JBL Flip 6 here.

Shop JBL Flip 5 on Amazon.

Sony SRS-XB23 

The XB stands for eXtra Bass. Well, actually it stands for X-balanced, but this little speaker really pumps out the bass. It’s a fun party speaker that also has a small light show. You can sync to other speakers, take and make phone calls, and enjoy this speaker for 24 hours of use before recharging.

Check out SRS-XB23 on Amazon.

Bose Soundlink Revolve II and II+

Bose Soundlink Revolve Series II

Bose is a leading name in speaker technology, and the Soundlink Revolve Series ii is no exception. While it’s not the cheapest speaker option out there, it’s solid and offers everything you need from a Bluetooth speaker. There’s two options; a smaller Bose Soundlink Revolve II and the Soundlink Revolve II + which is a bit bigger and more powerful. Both are water-resistant, allow you to make calls through the speaker, and are easy to pair with other speakers. Read up on the Soundlink Revolve II speakers here—the review can help you choose which one to buy.

Shop them on Amazon where I’m hoping they’ll be on sale!

Bose SoundLink Flex

Bose Soundlink Flex

The Soundlink Flex is Bose’s more portable, stylish answer to its Revolve Series ii. The Flex is made for bringing with you wherever you go without worry. It has an IP67 rating, meaning it will stand up to dust and water (and it floats!), and offers 12 hours of battery life. It works with Bose’s Connect app, which allows you to tweak settings.

Shop Soundlink Flex on Amazon.

Sonos Roam

The Sonos Roam aims to be your speaker of choice right out of the box. It’s Alexa, AirPlay, and Google Assistant ready, links up with other Sonos speakers to give you a whole-house solution, and brings the quality that Sonos is known for. It sounds great, but has a few important things you’ll want to know about before you decide to buy. See the review of Sonos Roam here. Sonos has just also launched a Roam 2… Watch for that review coming soon.

Shop Roam or Roam 2 here.

Tribit XSound Mega

The Tribit X Sound is a Bluetooth speaker with a price that can’t be beaten—and it’s got built-in LED lighting so it’s always fun to have around. It offers Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting to your device, 24 hours of battery life, and 8-watt drivers to make sure your music can be heard. All that in a handheld speaker that can be knocked around without worry. I was actually quite surprised that this lesser-known brand makes such a good quality speaker. You can see why in my review of Tribit X-Sound Mega.

Check out the current pricing and available deals on Tribit Audio here.

B&O Explore

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is an IP67 rated portable speaker that is light, portable, and lasts over 24 hours without recharging. It features a minimalist user interface design that looks sharp and makes operation a snap. It offers True 360 sound, spreading the music in every direction. About the size of a soda can, it’s highly portable. Read about it in my hands-on Bang & Olufsen Explore review and see how it compares to another cool speaker from B&O, the A1. The Explore also gets the coveted “Amazon’s Choice” label.

Watch for price breaks on B&O Explore and A1 on Amazon.

Anker SoundCore Motion X600

The Anker SoundCore Motion X600is by far the largest speaker on our list. It has a handle along the top, and delivers high-quality sound.  Boasts both beauty and power and it’s a sharp speaker to have in the house but it’s also highly portable for taking on those weekends away. Read the full review or shop Soundcore on Amazon.

Tiny & Ultra Portable options

Marshall Willen

At just 4-inches square, it will fit just about anywhere, and it weighs next to nothing and boasts a cool retro chic design. Not just a pretty package, this speaker has the power to withstand weather too: it’s IP67 dust- and water-resistant meaning you can get it wet, drop it, dunk it and it will keep right on rocking. Read my Marshall Willen full review here or shop it on Amazon.

JBL Clip 4

If portability is key, the JBL Clip 4 should be high on your wish list. With a carabiner-style clip to attach to a backpack, it’s a hiker’s dream. It weighs next to nothing but still has some style. Read the Full Review of the Clip 4 or check out Amazon for any current deals.

Bose SoundLink Micro

Bose definitely knows how to make small things sound loud and good. This speaker may seem pretty dated, but it still rocks. It’s highly portable and very durable and can withstand the bumps and drops of the road. With over 31,000 great reviews on Amazon, it’s a classic for a reason. Read the full review to learn more about it.

Whichever speaker you decide on, you’re sure to find great sound and reliable quality. Each of these speakers offers you the ability to take your music on the road, to the beach, or on the trail.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Best portable speakers to buy on Amazon Prime Day 2024 appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

For all the press some flagship headphones get, they aren’t perfect. For example while these will cost you a mint, they only deliver about 20 hours of battery.  What if I told you a more comfortable but less popular pair could deliver an astonishing 80 hours of battery life and barely set you back the same price as a nice dinner for two?  With all the different prices and brands out there, picking the right headphones can be a real headache. And if you’re not careful, you can spend over a half a grand for high-end headphones with all the bells and whistles. But if you’re just looking for comfortable headphones that can quiet down your surroundings with Active Noise Cancellation plus decent sound quality, you may not even have to break the $100 mark. It’s all about hitting that sweet spot between the features you want with the price you’re needing to pay. This is where the Earfun Wave Pro comes in. It’s a sub-$100 pair of headphones that tries hard to nail all the basics.  In this hands-on review, I’ll try them out and see what they’re like in terms of fit and comfort, how they sound and how effective the noise cancelling is. I’ll wrap things up by tallying the pros and cons and letting you know if I think I can recommend these headphones for you.

What you get

Despite the lower price tag, EarFun is not scrimping on what it packed into the box. Inside a soft gray hard shell travel case or the Earfun Wave Pro over-ear headphones, as well as both an auxiliary audio cable and a USB-C charging cable.

Set up

The first time you power on the headphones they should already be in pairing mode. You can just open your phone or devices Bluetooth menu and tap to connect. This worked immediately for me. If you need to repair after that, you’ll need to delete them from your Bluetooth menu and then power them fully off and back on again to put them back into pairing mode. This didn’t work very well for me when I tried it, but after a couple of attempts I was able to get them connected to a new device.

Watch the EarFun Wave pro headphones review on YouTube

How I review

Anytime I review a pair of headphones I usually like to spend a week or so simply wearing them throughout my daily life; I’ll wear them well editing videos on my laptop, while taking phone or zoom calls, and then maybe chill out with some music. I will also test a wide variety of different audio on the headphones for dedicated listening; things like pop, jazz, rock, as well as podcasts too. From there I’ve usually got a pretty good sense of whether I like them and whether I think others like them as well… Or at least what the potential holdbacks may be for some consumers.

In this case I spent three weeks with the EarFun Wave Pro, and did about 15 hours of listening to evaluate them.

Design and Comfort

First things first, the Earfun Wave Pro is designed with a combination comfort in mind and when it comes to the style, the company is clearly trying to keep its head down. You won’t find any flash here, but these are professional if plain looking, but at the same time they don’t seem cheap either in looks or feel. They fold up for travel.

Wave Pro’s body is fabricated from a hard, matte plastic. EarFun Wave Pro focuses on comfort above all. The clamping power of the ear cups and the ultra soft foam feels like a gentle hug around your ears while the lightweight construction makes it easy to wear for hours on end. The earcups have plenty of soft padding and a narrow band of cushinoing at the top may seem incomplete, but the truth is I found it was perfectly fit to pad the headband. Subtle logo-ing on the earcups is probably unnecessary but it’s not annoying.

I’m like another recent pair of over ear headphones I reviewed the ear cups are large and roomy and don’t feel like they’re compressing my ears.

Buttons and Controls

On the bottom right ear cup are three buttons; there’s power, volume up and down, and the button to turn the noise cancellation on or off. There’s also the connection for the auxiliary jack. The USB-C power port lives on the bottom left ear.

EarFun Audio app

You can download the EarFun audio app for a more enhanced experience. Inside the app you can adjust EQ levels, and configure multiple device connections and firmware updates, as well as view detailed battery life. The app is delightfully uncluttered and very user friendly.

Sound Quality

Let’s get right to the meat of this sandwich and that’s how they sound.

Don’t get me wrong: these earbuds won’t replace a high-end, over-the-ear headphone set for that thousand dollar vinyl turntable setup you’ve lovingly crafted. But they easily hold their own against other competitors in their price range, and might even leave some higher priced options sitting awkwardly in the corner.

I was actually surprised at how good they sounded. I’ve been quite surprised lately by how good many budget audio solutions are these days. I think as the technology is improving year over year, the cost is coming down, making great sound quality more I reach even for budget shoppers and brands.

I listened to everything from pop and rock to jazz and orchestral. I got real summertime vibes from Will Smith on Summertime and really noticed how multi-layered that song is. Massive Attack’s Unfinished Symphony was resonant and tingly at the same time, while Chromeo’s Personal Effects set the tone for a dizzying dancy singalong (Hair ties? Not mine!) The staticky low-fi details in Cypress Hill’s No Entiendes la Onda and Ana Tijoux’s 1977 were also pleasant old school throwbacks.

The LDAC Bluetooth codec means you can listen to high-fidelity music even on bluetooth. This lets the Wave Pros pack a mean bass, sturdy and booming, without going overboard and midtones that offer clarity that makes vocals shine and guitars sing even when used wirelessly. As for the high notes, they come out impressively crisp and clear, but without sounding shrill or tinny.

Active Noise Cancellation

Let’s not forget about the Active Noise Cancellation feature! It’s not going to turn a busy street into a quiet personal library but it does a commendable job of drowning out ambient noise like wind and the drone of an air conditioner. I test out active noise cancellation with no music playing, since that way it’s easier to tell if background noise is actually bleeding in.

There are three levels of ANC; there’s Normal, Ambient, which lets outside sound in so you can hear a doorbell or a flight, and then ANC which is meant to drown out almost everything. You can choose your level by pushing the ANC button on the headphones, or make your selection inside the app.

While I did find ambient mode made the whole world sound kind of tinny and was like shouting into an apple juice can, the ANC did a pretty decent job at cancelling out annoying ambient noise. I’d give these about an 8.5 out of 10 on their ability to create a cone of silence. That was until I found the setting in the app that lets you take ANC to another level. Called Strong ANC, this setting DID let me block out about 95% of all noise.  Impressive.

Battery Life

It seems odd I’m only now getting to the crown jewel of the EarFun Wave’s spec sheet; the astounding battery life.

Earfun Wave Pro brings some serious longevity to the table by claiming 80 hours of battery life with the ANC turned off, which is a massive leap from those flagship-level headphones that cost five times as much. With the ANC on, however, the Earfun says that it can still play music for up to 55 hours non-stop. And if you run out of juice mid-flight or in the middle of the workday, you can easily top up the battery for 10 minutes and get 10 hours of playtime.

Auto shut off

Helpfully these headphones will power down after about 10 minutes not being used.

In short, the longevity alone would be reason to click Buy Now on these headphones, but EarFun has still given you more reasons to be impressed.

What are the alternatives?

I did initially mention Apple AirPods Pro, since these are a very expensive and high end pair of over ear headphones. I did have a chance to try them and well I can’t disagree that they are pretty spectacular, in the end I did not find they were worth the very steep cost. I’ve also reviewed very similar options from Bose and even another budget pair of OneOdio cans too. I think all of these are fairly worthy choices which you can dig into and compare in my hands-on personal reviews. On its own merits though, I think the ear fun wave pro is an excellent choice and a potential sleeper hit of the over ear headphones market.

Final Verdict

The Earfun Wave Pro isn’t about rewriting the book on audio technology or breaking the bank. Instead, it’s like your go-to diner – it might not have Michelin stars, but it’s comforting, reliable, and leaves you feeling pretty darn satisfied without emptying your wallet.

Let’s line up the pros and cons.

On the pro side, these are affordable, comfortable, and the design won’t offend. The app gives you plenty of customization options, and the sound quality is surprisingly great. The battery life, plus fast charging is the cherry on the sundae.

When it comes to the potential downsides, it’s actually pretty hard to find a lot to crack on. I suppose the design could be a little more or less flashy depending on your personal taste but since these headphones check pretty much every box for me, I’m not going to spend too much time trying to nitpick. You could probably also find headphones that do have sound quality that might be more finally tuned, but unless you’re an extreme audio file I wouldn’t worry about it. In short I’ve been quite impressed with the EarFun Wave Pro over ear noise cancelling headphones and I don’t have any concerns about recommending them to you. They sell for about $79USD and you can get them from EarFun’s website or amazon.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post EarFun Wave Pro headphones review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Let us take you through the process of pairing a Roku remote and show you how you can troubleshoot other problems that you might experience with your Roku remote or device. Let’s get started.

How to pair a Roku remote?

Pairing a Roku remote isn’t as difficult as one might think. Here is a breakdown for the quick pairing of the remote. 

• Switch on your Roku streaming device. Usually, the device just needs to be plugged in, so do the needful. 

• Check the remote for batteries. If the remote does not have batteries, insert a fresh pair, but don’t close the battery cover. Leave it open because this is where Roku has decided to put the notification LED and the pairing button for some reason. We admit it’s not the most intuitive placement. 

• On the bottom of the compartment, just below the batteries, locate the notification LED and the pairing button. 

• With the Roku device on display, press and hold this button down for several seconds. This should prompt the device to display ‘Pairing remote.’ 

• After a couple of seconds, the remote will have paired with the Roku device, and is ready to be used. 

However, Roku remotes use Bluetooth technology, which, despite its cutting-edge configuration, has some lag and often comes up short in connecting almost seamlessly. Should you experience some issues with your attempt to connect the Roku remote to the device, the process itself can be switched, meaning that you can use the Roku device to connect to the remote. Let us take you through the process of doing that. 

Pairing a Roku device to the remote 

If you want to use your Roku device to connect to the remote, you can do so as well. Here’s how:

• Start by turning on your device and waiting for the home screen to load up. 

• Once at the home screen, select Settings. 

• In Settings, navigate to Remotes and devices. 

• Within Remotes and devices, look for the option Set up a new device and choose Remote. 

• Once the device is in pairing mode, slide down the cover from the remote and press the Pair button on the back of the Roku remote for a couple of seconds as the light starts blinking. 

• After the passage of a couple of seconds, the remote will have paired with the device, ready to be used. 

Let’s look at some other scenarios for pairing and understand how a remote without a pairing button, as some Roku remotes come, can be connected to the device. 

Connecting a Roku remote without a pairing button

Some Roku models, including some within the previous generations, do not have a pairing button, not even in the unusual space on the back of the remote, under the battery cover. These remotes usually have IR or infrared blasters to transmit instructions or connect directly to the device itself. In case you have such a remote, you can still connect it to your Roku device. Let’s look at how. 

• Start by locating the Home button on the Roku remote (denoted by a house-like structure) and the Back button (denoted by a backward arrow).

• Press these two buttons simultaneously.

• A light on the top of the remote will start blinking. This is your clue that the Roku remote is now in Pairing mode. 

• A popup will be displayed on the TV, alerting you that the remote is being paired. Once completed, the remote will be ready for use with the device. 

If your Roku remote still does not connect or refuses to pair, it might be time to reset it. Given the operation of the remote, here is a quick guide on how you can reset your Roku remote. 

How to reset your Roku remote 

In order to reset your Roku remote, here are the steps that need to be followed. 

• Start by taking out the batteries from your Roku remote. 
• Turn on your Roku device and get it to the home screen. 
• Once on the home screen, put your batteries in the remote and press and hold the pairing button on the back of the remote. 
• The notification LED on the remote will start blinking green and will progressively flash faster. 
• Once the blinks flash rapidly, release the button. 
• This causes the remote to restart and automatically connect to the Roku device. 

Should you still experience issues connecting to the Roku device after the remote has been reset, you can generally continue pairing it using the first method enumerated beforehand.

The bottom line

Roku is a popular service worldwide, and North America, including USA and Canada, comes in as some of the biggest consumers for Roku devices. Giving you access to a host of streaming services and subscriptions to view content, Roku is undoubtedly handy and beats other devices in terms of content and convenience. However, it’s normal for Bluetooth-powered devices to start acting out sometimes, but there’s nothing a quick hack won’t fix. Simply follow the above-mentioned steps, and you will be back on track for movie night in no time at all. 

Tech Gadgets Canada: your place for honest, relatable reviews!

For reviews that not only make sense but give you an honest overview of what devices and appliances you need for your home, Tech Gadgets Canada (TGC) is here! Follow TGC along, as our reviews give you all that you need, from coffeemakers and vacuum cleaners to the latest Apple and Samsung devices. Whether they are a big waste of money (like the Apple Vision Pro) or the handiest little devices you can get for your home, TGC is always here for your tech fix. 

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Netflix has done a pretty good job at making it easy to log into your account on a smart TV with the QR code and mobile device input. But, one thing that they weren’t exactly successful at is making logging out as intuitive. The streaming giant seemingly buried this function amidst the sea of binge-able shows in order to encourage people to watch more. So, if you’re still struggling to locate that elusive ‘Log Out’ button, find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. Here’s a quick guide on how to log out of Netflix on a TV.

Why You Need to Log Out from Time to Time

Whether you’re watching on a borrowed TV in an Airbnb, passing on your old TV to a new owner, or just need to troubleshoot your account, there are plenty of reasons to log out of your Netflix account from time to time.

Point is, folks, life throws plenty of scenarios our way where we simply need to cut ties with our Netflix account – if only for a moment. And that’s okay!

Step-by-Step Guide

To keep things simple and digestible, we need to figure out which system you’re working with. These steps will differ slightly depending on which one you’re using.

Google TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony,etc)

With up to 59% market share, Google TVs make up most of the connected TVs in the world. If you’re one of them, then you’re in luck because it’s relatively easier to log out of your Netflix on these types of smart TVs.

• Fire up the Netflix app
• Go to your the Netflix Home screen, where all those juicy recommendations are
• Open up the sidebar by scrolling to the leftmost side of the screen
• Scroll all the way down to ‘Notifications’ and navigate to the ‘Get Help’ button right across it on the bottom right of the screen
• Scroll all the way down to the bottom of where it says ‘Sign Out’ and you’re all logged out of your Netflix account on your TV.

Apple TV

If you’re immersed in the Apple ecosystem then you’re probably using an Apple TV streaming device. If that’s the case then here’s how to log out of your Netflix.

• Open up your Netflix app
• Press the ‘Menu’ button on your Apple TV remote
• Scroll to the right until you find the ‘Settings’ and click on it
• Select ‘Sign Out’

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Just a little heads up, there are a few minor issues you might run into when logging out of Netflix on your smart TV. Here’s the scoop on the most common ones.

Getting lost in the profile switch screen: One design flaw in the Netflix app on Google TVs is that the profile selection screen at the top of the side bar seems to be the perfect place to put the ‘Sign Out’ option. But don’t be fooled, that section is for switching profiles.

Not confirming the sign out: Sometimes, especially in a rush, users forget to confirm the sign out after selecting the ‘Sign Out’ option. Make sure to follow through until you get a confirmation that you’ve been logged out.

Netflix bafflingly decided to make logging out of your account on a smart TV a bit more challenging than it has to, especially for the non-tech inclined. But hopefully, with a little help from us, you’re already logged out of your account by now.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post How to Log Out of Netflix on Your TV appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Breaking into the crowded wireless earbuds marketplace is quite difficult when big brands like Bose, Jabra, Apple and JBL fill it with pretty awesome products. If you don’t have the brand power, the most practical thing to do is to offer something with comparable features, but at a way lower price. That’s just one of the strategies that EarFun is using to take on the competition with the EarFun AirPro 3. Selling for about $80 USD

EarFun AirPro 2 vs EarFun AirPro 3

EarFun still sells the AirPro 3’s predecessor for $10 less. I recommend skipping that because the AirPro 3 is the first in the AirPro lineup to feature a Qualcomm QCC3071 SoC (system-on-chip) with aptX adaptive Audio Tech. Qualcomm designed this chip specifically for wireless earbud products and EarFun claims to be the first to implement it. The chip features a special Bluetooth technology called LE Audio which dramatically reduces the latency to allow higher quality streams to be shared with devices that support LE Audio.

Watch my full hands-on review of EarFun AirPro 3 earbuds

The EarFun AirPro 3 also boasts a longer 9-hour battery life with noise cancelling disabled or 7 hours with the feature turned on. This is impressive as EarFun didn’t add any extra weight on the earbuds themselves. A fully charged charging case can also boost the total runtime to 45 hours and it features fast charging as well.

What’s in the Box?

What you’ll find in every EarFun AirPro 3 box is mostly what you’d expect – the wireless earbuds and its charging case along with a user manual and a USB-C charging cable. Despite its sub-$100 price tag, the AirPro 3 impressively includes four sizes of ear tips (one on the buds; three in the box) rather than the usual trio found in many mainstream competitors so you are more likely to fit a pair that perfectly fits in your ears.

The design of the EarFun AirPro 3 is a bit uninspiring, though it does evoke Apple AirPods so you can sort of see where EarFun is going with its product name. However, it is nice to see EarFun adding IPX5 Sweat and Water Resistance to the earbuds which is something you don’t typically see on a pair of earbuds at this price range.

Fit & feel

Pulling the EarFun AirPro 3 out of the charging case I’m struck by how substantial they feel; they feel solid and sleek, not chap in any way. I put them in my ears and was immediately rewarded with a snug but very comfortable fit.

Using EarFun AirPro 3

Pairing the EarFun AirPro 3 with your device is very straightforward as the QCC3071 chip supports Google Fast Pair. The earbuds support multi-device connectivity and EarFun offers a companion mobile app called EarFun Audio which lets you customize equalizer settings, apply firmware updates, and access guides.

EarFun equipped each earbud with touch sensitive controls which can activate several functions depending on the tapping pattern you follow. A single tap on the left or right earbud decreases or increases the volume respectively. Triple tapping that particular earbud will go to the previous or next track. To answer or end a call, you can double tap either earbud. For rejecting calls, you must tap and hold either earbud for 2 seconds. If you don’t have any incoming calls, this tap and hold gesture will either activate the voice assistant or toggle the noise cancelling depending on the earbud you perform it on.

The tap controls are mostly responsive although I will say remembering the tap sequence will take some doing and now and then I had to repeat my commands.

Key Features

Active Noise Cancelling

Like the previous model, EarFun’s QuietSmart 2.0 Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation is baked into the AirPro 3. The technology is nowhere near as sophisticated as what you’d get with a pair of flagship Apple or Sony earbuds but the noise reductions are actually pretty good for focusing. There are three settings; Ambient Mode, Normal and Noise Cancelling. Ambient lets you hear pretty much everythign around you and worked well; I could even hear a low fan running with Ambient mode on. Normal mutes the lower sounds in particular, and noise cancellation gives you a pretty solid cone of silence. It’s not perfect and there are better noise cancelling earbuds out there but for the price, I’m actually rather impressed.

Audio specs

EarFun clearly wanted to minimize the bottlenecks of the Qualcomm QCC3071 chip so it outfitted the earbuds with custom 11mm Wool Composite drivers which boast decent high-frequency range, increased clarity, and boomy bass. Audiophiles will still notice the audio quality differences when pitted against flagship products from premium brands, but for its aggressive pricing, this is as good as $80 gets.

The QCC3071 comes with aptX Voice technology too so the AirPro 3 matches that with an enhanced 6-mic array. Combined with Qualcomm’s cVc or Clear Voice Capture technology, the AirPro 3 is well-equipped to suppress noise and transmit clearer vocals.

Connect to other devices

It’s possible to get connected to two different Bluetooth devices simultaneously. There’s a bit of a back-and-forth process the first time but after that it should pair to both simultaneously as it did for me. Essentially, you’ll pair with your first device and stay connected then put the earbuds back in there charging case and hold the button for three seconds to put it back into pairing mode. Then you’ll search on your second device is Bluetooth menu to find the earbuds. Connect on the second device then return to the first device and re-initiate the connection.

Doing this allowed me to switch seamlessly between my MacBook Pro and my iPhone 15 easily.

Sound Quality

I have to say I wasn’t expecting much in the way of sound quality but the EarFun AirPro 3 sound pretty good. There is a noticeable if slight lean towards the treble side so they can sound thin on some music, particularly if the volume is low, but this is subtle. The bass first hit me as raspier, not resonant, but I picked through a bunch more bass-heavy tracks (Headsprung by LL Cool J, C-Walk by Kurupt, West Coast from M1) and found a lot more boom and bounce.

I listened to a variety of sound from podcasts and music to zoom calls and the phone and found the sound was great all across the board.

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life you are actually getting quite a bit; you’ll have 9 hours of battery life in the buds with a further 36 hours (4 more charges) in the charging case totalling 45 hours.

• Recharging time runs from one hour up to 3.5:
• 1 hour(for earbuds);
• 2hours(for charging case via USB-C);
• 3.5 hours(for charging case via wireless charger)

Overall Review: EarFun AirPro 3

Overall I was surprised and impressed by the EarFun AirPro 3. This is a solid earbuds package with great sound quality and useful features. They are easy to set up, easy to pair even to multiple devices simultaneously. They sound great across all audio spectrums and the three levels of noise cancellation is a nice bonus that performs admirably.

For $80 USD, the EarFun AirPro 3 is quite the steal if you can forgive the generic design and finicky touch controls. If you don’t have super high expectations with noise cancellation, you should be happy with the overall listening experience and battery life the AirPro 3 provides and with its previous track record of other EarFun devices, it looks like this budget brand is here to stay!

In short, I can definitely recommend EarFun AirPro 3 if you’re tired of being on the big tech hamster wheel.

Also read:

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Review
2. Jabra Elite 3 truly wireless headphones review
3. The Best Wireless Earbuds Buying Guide: how to choose, plus our top recommendations

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post EarFun AirPro 3 earbuds hands-on review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

How do I make a slideshow on my Samsung Frame TV?

1. First up: You’ll need to have the Samsung Smart Things app and an account, which you likely got when you first set up your Frame TV.
2. Select the Frame TV in the app. You should see a tile labeled Art Mode.
3. You can set up which art you’d like to see in a few ways; the first is to choose some Favourites first. You can browse the Samsung art store to see what’s there, then make a photos or image a Favourite by tapping the heart on any piece of art; this will save your Favourites to your own special folder.
4. Alternately, you can choose a Samsung curation such as Global Top 20, or an artist, or a genre. Tap on any of the curations or groups. Once there you’ll see a tag near the top right corner that says Display All. If you tap it, the Frame TV will begin cycling through all selections in that group or curation. You can stop it by going back into the app and tapping stop, or just choosing another single artwork.
5. Once you’ve selected Display All you can adjust how long each piece will show for, and if you want the app to shuffle the artworks too. Look for the small clock icon next to the Stop button and tap on it (yes it’s tiny and fiddly). You can then choose how long to display each piece for; from 3 minutes to 15 minutes, an hour, 12 hours, a full day or up to 7 days. You can also toggle the Shuffle button on or off to keep things interesting.

That’s how to adjust your Frame TV to display new and different artworks easily—whether your personal favourites or a choice curation from art experts across the globe.

How to add my photos to Frame TV?

There are all kinds of other cool things you are framed TV will do. Did you know you can use a feature called Multi-view to mirror your smart phone screen while you’re watching a television show? You can also easily add your own photos to the Samsung Frame TV as well.

The Samsung Frame TV is available from Amazon and Walmart.

The post How to create an art slideshow on Samsung The Frame TV appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.