Saturday 22 July 2017

Reviewing Motion Sensor Bulbs – Smart Home on a Budget

Every once in a while, we will discuss a unique product on Amazon, that you should maybe think of investing in. You can even think of this post, as a review of a product we have tested personally. Today we will be reviewing LED Light Smart Motion Sensor bulbs by Hyperikon. These bulbs could possibly be one of the best investments in smart home gadgets. We will go over the packaging of the bulbs, installation, and later suggest places to install these bulbs, and even touching a bit on home automation.  Continue reading on, you might be interested in getting a few of these bulbs for your home…

Unpackaging the Motion Sensor Bulbs…

Hyperikon Motion Sensor Light Bulbs - 4 Pack

The light bulbs come in packages of 4 and a single piece if you want, and shipped with a plastic covering. The box also comes with warranty information in a small booklet, and the packaging itself is what you may expect from any light bulb company. Nothing too wild, which is totally alright really… But while unpacking the light bulbs, you might start thinking of all the places you want to use them at, but hold up! Just because the place you want to use the bulbs in may sound like an attractive option, it is not ideal. More explained below…

 

Installing the Motion Sensor Bulbs…

Hyperikon Motion Sensor Light Bulbs - Outdoor Usage

You can easily install these bulbs, as they are simply a screw-on bulb. You do not have any other separate motion sensors to install or anything else really. If you really wanted, you can install just a single light-bulb, and it would work just as expected. This is a true winner in my book, as this means I do not have to pay extra for accessories or “smart-hubs” to handle the motion sensor functionality. Furthermore, these bulbs are dimmable (there is a non-dimmable version for a similar price – based on your needs). But the placement of the light-bulbs matters, so read on…

What can I use Hyperikon Motion Sensor Bulbs for?

Hyperikon Motion Sensor Light Bulbs - Living Room usageThese bulbs are great to use in your home or even outside (as I use it). However, something to really take care of is that the motion sensor works through walls. This means that if you install the bulb outside of the house, and you are moving nearby the bulb, it will detect movement and turn on. Which does make it work like magic, but can seem as an annoyance for some people as it may sometimes detect motion through walls. A simple way to adjust this is to use a tin-foil wrap, and wrap the bulb from the sides you would like to avoid detecting. Although this solution is a DIY and may look really ugly, I am sure you can come up with other better solutions.

 

 

 

 

Review of Smart Motion Sensor Bulbs by Hyperikon

Advantages

  • Bright light (1100 lumens)
  • Motion sensor is really good
  • LED Light Bulbs (longer lifetime, and cheaper energy usage)
  • Very compact (motion sensor built in the bulb)
  • Very cheap considering other options
  • Long-term Warranty

Disadvantages…

  • Sensor works through walls
  • Sometimes sensor may have a slight delay in detection, but very rarely
  • Turn on with a little motion from afar (but also rarely occurs).

Where to use Smart Motion Sensor Bulbs?

You can use these bulbs anywhere. It is recommended though to use these bulbs in areas with many walls. Furthermore, plan to have it placed with about 2 to 3 meters of space in radius, as to prevent the bulbs from randomly turning on due to movement past walls. But if you need some ideas on where to place the bulb, here are simply some we tested and recommend…

  1. Outside the Garage – Wouldn’t it be great to have the lights automatically turn on as you pull up in your car to your garage door. This has been one of the best advantages to using these light bulbs when I arrive back late at night.
  2. Inside the Garage – Generally, garages have 1 central bulb lighting up the entire garage (single garage), and a great thing about this bulb, is the fact that it is bright, is LED, and uses a motion sensor. This means, when you get near the bulb, it will turn on, even if you just want to grab something quick from the toolbox in your garage.
  3. Staircase & Hallways– Awake from sleep during midnight, you might find it hard to get around the house (maybe looking to munch on a midnight snack or need a bathroom run). These bulbs will automatically turn on and stay on until you get back to sleep. Best of all is that they turn off after a few minutes of no movement or activity. This means less waste of energy and a hell of many conveniences.
  4. Porch – I often come back late at night and find it difficult to find the house keys as I enter. Since I leave when the sun is out, turning on the light would be a waste of energy. But the great thing about this is you can keep it on all day long, and will only light-up when someone is on the porch. Personally, this is what won-me-over into wanting to buy these light bulbs in the first place.
  5. Backyard – Usually if you are going into your backyard at night, you are not spending much time. Which makes these bulbs convenient and perfect for the backyard. If however, you are spending a while outside without moving much (sitting with friends, in the nice outdoors), you can temporarily replace the bulbs for that while (which is fairly easy).

These are just some of the many places you can use the bulbs at, I’m pretty sure you can come up with other unique and cooler ways to apply these smart bulbs at your home. So if you have some ideas, comment below!

Should I Get Home Automation Then?

Home automation is a very complicated concept (which may sound simple at first). Consider these bulbs as home automation on a budget, but then again… Home automation covers a lot more ground. For example, home automation allows you complete control over lights, shades, security, air-conditioning/heating, theaters and much more. But if you are looking to experience a budget version of home automation, this is a great alternative that not only looks cool but also saves you electricity in the long-term. However, if you are still interested in running home automation system at your house, well not to worry… We will cover this topic in the near future!

 

Technical Specifications (courtesy of Amazon):

Color 3000K (Soft White Glow)
Style Modern
Material Plastic
Shape Bulb
Voltage 120 volts
Wattage 12 watts
Number of Pieces 4
Temperature Range -30 – 50 °C
Type of Bulb LED
Brightness 1100 lumens (Quite bright)

 

Reviewer’s Final Thoughts on these Motion Sensor Bulbs…

check markHyperikon seems to know what they are doing. Considering they have been in the business of light bulbs for a while, they know how to build a good light bulb for sure. And although the bulbs are not perfect, they do what they intend to do, very well. Maybe they just do it a little too well in some cases. I would hope if there is a way to prevent the bulbs from detecting past walls. But in the case, if you are that picky about it, maybe a more customized home automation set-up might be what you are looking for.  Personally, I was impressed with these bulbs, they function as intended, and I have not had any issues with them thus far. Considering the price, they are a bargain for LED light bulbs that ALSO have a motion sensor. I bought these bulbs and was not in such expectations of it to work that well. But it has exceeded my expectations, of being a light-bulb AND motion-sensor combo. Furthermore, I am thinking of getting more bulbs to place around and outside the house. Hence, I would personally recommend getting a few of these bulbs for your home!

 

Thought about it? Let’s Order…

 

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source https://techie.guru/review-smart-home-motion-sensor-bulb/

Thursday 13 July 2017

Bluetooth Headsets & What To Look Out For?

Headsets are making the rounds once again, but this time we are covering Bluetooth Headsets. If you are interested in gaming headsets, checkout this article. While bopping around the office, catching that bus or driving a car, Bluetooth headsets give you the freedom to not have your hands tied up or your ears peeled to the phone trying to hear what the person on the other end is speaking.  They are generally great for when you are at the gym, or just on your way to school or work. In other cases, you may need a Bluetooth headset for long car rides, or long flights (where Bluetooth is allowed) to listen to music or watch your favorite movies/videos on phone or tablet. Comfort, battery life, sound quality and call quality are all usually equally important for such trips.  Here’s a list of 5 things you want from your Bluetooth headset and the headset brands that deliver the best in their class.

What to look out for in Bluetooth Headsets…

1. Comfort

Comfortable Bluetooth HeadsetsWearing a device around your ear all the time means you must have a comfortable, ear friendly design for your Bluetooth headset. Consider the one that you are most comfortable with wearing for long durations.
Ideal for office and home use, you may choose over the ear headsets. However, if you are looking for a headset to use in the Gym or during speed training, on the ear headphones are a better choice for comfort. However, on the ear headphones are not comfortable for use over a long period. Over the ear headphones is a better choice for use over long periods of time. Moreover, certain over-the-ear Bluetooth headsets even come with cushions that make the headset more comfortable to wear. However, the most cushions are unable to handle sweat, which is why is why they are for use at home or offices. In other cases, on-the-ear headsets also come with replacement earbuds that also make wearing them a pleasant experience. Therefore, it makes sure to look at the headset you may think of buying and make sure they either come with cushions or ear bud sizes (or easy/cheap replacements).

 

 

2. Sound Quality

Sound Quality Bluetooth HeadsetsTo stereo or not to stereo, when it comes to sound quality it makes sense to know what you will be using the Bluetooth headset for While a mono headset can do the job of listening to voice calls, if you plan on listening to music, you should seriously consider buying a Bluetooth headset with stereo sound. Having said that, stereo headsets are bigger and heavier and although they offer a good noise cancellation, the outbound noise cancellation is not geared for outside street noise and you may want to mostly wear it indoors. Other Bluetooth headsets which may offer good sound quality, are sports on-the-ear headsets. Although they primarily for gym use, they are also great for when you are strolling in the mall. However, this comes at the cost of their comfort, which may be a small price to pay for a built-in mic and high-quality sound and a long-lasting battery life.

 

Another aspect of Bluetooth headsets in sound quality is the latency of sound, which is noticeable in some headsets, and not so noticeable in others. Therefore it is important to check if there will be a delay while playing music or watching movies/shows. This delay may not be too noticeable while listening to music, however, it does become apparent when watching movies/shows or even calling. Certain headsets provide compression to prevent such delays, but this compromises sound quality. Therefore, there are some possible drawbacks to using high-quality sounding headsets and still trying to maintain latency-free sounds. Thus making the perfect headset difficult to find, but in the case of you wanting high-quality sound with no compression, it might be best to get a wired headset.

 

3. Call Quality

Call Quality Bluetooth HeadsetsCall quality is important at both ends, while your receiver is producing crisp and clean sounds, your voice is getting transmitted to the other end erratic and heavily distorted. One of the most important considerations to make when choosing one of many Bluetooth headsets is to ensure call quality is great. Which is why, if you are thinking of getting a Bluetooth headset, you should try to aim for a headset that offers background noise cancellation. To tell if a headset has noise cancellation, it will often offer 2 mics, 1 for the voice input, and another at the opposite end. In simple terms, the secondary mic tries to cancel out the noises which occur in both mics, which is also known as background noise. Meanwhile, your voice is amplified enough to still sound clear and crisp while offering low to no background noise. Certain headsets, however, some companies may even place more mics in an array to improve the call quality, however, it is not as common as it drastically increases the cost.

 

 

 

 

4. Battery Life

portable power bank - single unitIf you want longer battery life then the bigger the headset the better. A large headset provides space for a larger battery extending the battery life of your Bluetooth headset. Look for Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE or some other low energy labeling when selecting a device to get something that will really help optimize your battery life. BLE is a power saving protocol, many manufacturers now create BLE optimized chipsets to work with this protocol. BLE a very common protocol, that is not the same as your common Bluetooth protocol. This may present some confusion at first. BLE operates in a different range and frequency, which means that it will not interfere with other Bluetooth devices such as speakers. Furthermore, because of the nature of BLE, your headset will not require a lot of battery to operate. However, other functions such as noise cancellation or audio compression will create a large impact on the battery life of a device. The general idea, however, is that any headset with over 6 hours of battery life is considered a long battery life, and moreover, will be enough for most if not all your daily activities as long as you charge once every day or 2, for active users.

5. Recharging

Become Famous - Burj KhalifaMost Bluetooth headsets come with an easy way to recharge using USB cables used to recharge your mobile device. This makes it convenient to charge the headset whether you are on the go using a power bank or at home bedside. Generally the longer the lifetime of the battery, the longer it will take to recharge. Generally, you should expect an 8-hour battery life to require around 2-3 hours of recharging. However, this does vary based on the quality and recharge method (Quick charge or regular charge).

 

 

Easy Comparison:

Rank Name Over-The-Ear Battery Life - Talk Time / Standby Time Features Price Buy now link
1 Plantronics Voyager Focus UC B825 check mark1 12 Hours / Unknown - 98 ft range
- Music playing
- Smart sensors (pause music on removal & mute notification)
- Special Docking Station
- Noise cancellation
$193.50
2 Samsung Level U Pro cross mark0 9 Hours / 300 Hours - Comfortable fit
- Sweat resistant (Sporty)
- Noise cancellation
- Ear Gel (S/M/L Earbuds)
-
-
3 Mpow Coach cross mark0 8 Hours / 175 Hours - Light weight
- Noise cancellation
- Sweat resistant (Sporty)
-
4 AUKEY Sport cross mark0 4.5 Hours / 175 Hours - Light weight
- Noise cancellation
- Sweat resistant (Sporty)
- Customizable ear buds
-
5 Mpow Thor check mark1 8 Hours / Unknown - Memory Foam
- Noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Connect using wire (optional)
-

 

Some Details On Bluetooth Headphones:

Plantronics Voyager Focus

Built around keeping comfort in mind, the Plantronics Voyager Focus is ‘focused’ on being your optimal choice for long duration usage. With a powerful microphone that provides noise cancellation, you can be assured that the other party with you on the headphone call can hear you easily. Moreover, with a powerful mic, comes powerful speakers to ensure high-quality sound. Although it meets all your requirements, it is not a  sporty headset, which means this is your best choice for casual music listeners.

 

 

Samsung level U Pro

Completely looking different from standard Bluetooth speaker design, the Samsung level U Pro, meets your Bluetooth headset needs easily and in a unique way. Instead of the always in your ear style of most Bluetooth headsets, the Samsung level U Pro hangs around your neck. With flexible urethane joints and a lightweight, design the device sits comfortably around your neck and vibrates with incoming calls, allowing you to place the headset in your ear and answer. The material may feel cheap at first, but overall the Samsung Level U Pro, is a lightweight, comfortable, noise-isolating sporty headset that might fit your needs.

 

Mpow Coach

A leader in Bluetooth devices, Mpow has once again created a powerful headset to suit your lifestyle. The Stereo headphones provide the best comfort for on-the-ear headphones, light-weight design, and noise cancellation. Best of all, the Bluetooth Stereo Headphones have a battery life of over 8 hours of calling, and 175 hours of standby. Whether you need the headphones for music or for calls, these headphones support both functionalities. Although these headphones are comfortable, they may not be the most optimal headphones for long usage due to their design of on-the-ear headphones. However, these headsets compress the sound, this means low to no delay, and high quality sounds.

The post Bluetooth Headsets & What To Look Out For? appeared first on Techie Guru.



source https://techie.guru/bluetooth-headsets-what-look-out-for/

Monday 3 July 2017

Is the Amazon Alexa Echo Right For You?

Alexa is an up and coming new technology to make your home smart. However, it won’t make your home only smart, but also make your life easy. With Alexa Echo, you can easily set-up timers, alarms and have a shopping list ready anytime and anywhere. Best of all, everything is ordered by voice commands. But, the question remains… Is the Alexa Echo right for you? Whether you are looking for a personal assistant on the go, or just at home. The Amazon Echo has got your back. You may not need all the smart home features it offers, but it does also have other features which could peak your interest and definitely make you feel in the 21st century.

What can I use Alexa Echo for?

Echo, Kitchen | The Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo Dot used in a kitechAlexa Echo offers many amazing and simple to use features. With an ever expanding ‘skill-library’ (new ways to interact with Alexa), you can be sure that anything you need the Echo to do, is already possible. With skills, you can have Alexa play games with you, all using voice commands. To install new skills, you can either tell Alexa to install a new skill via voice commands, or you can search and install using the specialized Amazon app.

 

 

 

Music playing

Amazon Tap, Outdoor Party | Listening to music using the Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo DotWhat if you want to listen to Music? You can also have Alexa spin up (or load, haha) your favorite playlist on Amazon Music, Spotify, TuneIn, or the many other apps supported (listed below). If you do not want to load a certain playlist, you can even ask Alexa to play songs by a certain artist. Maybe not all songs by the artist are great? You can also play certain albums by the artist. The possibilities are endless… I primarily use Alexa for playing music alongside a Bluetooth speaker, but maybe listening to music is not your type of thing, that is ok too!

Listen to the News

Countries and News around the world using the Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo DotYou can also ask Alexa for the latest news from the many networks such as NPR News, or CBC, Fox, and even Reddit. Most large news networks already support Alexa skills, so you should have no troubles finding the right News skill for you. Heck, you may not want to know the news for whatever reason, that is totally fine! Because there is more you can do…

 

 

 

Follow Sports Teams

Sports Stadium | Track your favorite teams using the Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo Dot

A nice feature that Alexa comes with, is the ability to help you stay up to date with teams across many sports. As part of the news coverage, Alexa will mention any new updates regarding scores of recent games that your favorite teams participated in. Allowing you to follow as many teams as your heart desires, your Alexa will serve as your personal daily Sports news update. Maybe Sports is not your thing though, you can do other things too…

 

Play Audiobooks (Audible)

Read Audio Books using the Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo DotWith Amazon’s native integration with Audible, you can have your favorite books read to you as you sleep, wash the dishes, or even relaxing. You can control the audio books with your voice too, which makes multi-tasking a breeze with Alexa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Games

Games puzzles using the Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo DotIf you are bored, you can also play games with Alexa. Games range from Mystery to Guessing based games. The games are great for to play between a group of friends. For an example of a game, there is Akinator, where Alexa asks you broad (and specific) questions, to find the celebrity you are thinking about. It is quite amazing, what you can do with Alexa if you are bored.

 

Easter Eggs?

Oh man, Alexa is filled with easter eggs, and every day there is a new Easter egg to discover. With over 100 easter eggs and counting, you can be sure that with any question you ask Alexa, there is a good chance you will get a funny response one way or another. From questions such as “I am your father” to “Is there a Santa?”, you can be sure the response is what you need to make your day better! Moreover, Alexa makes sure to stay up to date with the seasons, whether it is Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, Father’s day or any other special occasion, Alexa will usually have updates by Amazon to make that day memorable.

 

Voice Purchasing (& Food Delivery)

Foody Delivery using the Amazon Alexa Echo And Echo DotWith the power of Amazon, you can now also use Alexa to order your favorite things from Amazon and have them delivered the next day with Prime. This can make your shopping at grocery shops minimal, and possibly even eliminate it completely. Wouldn’t it be nice if you simply said “Alexa, I need some paper towels”, and right that minute the order is placed and delivered the next day? The selection on Amazon is astounding, and no matter what you are looking for, you will find. You might instead need food immediately, which is why you can order food delivery with just a few words, Grubhub handles the orders and most likely offers delivery from your favorite restaurant nearby.

 

 

Which Alexa Echo should I Get?

Alexa Echo

Amazon Alexa EchoThe priciest of all, but with the most features available. The Echo rocks a 360-degree speaker, that is strong enough to play your favorite music while you are anywhere around the house. Although it is larger, it does not offer a battery, and thus must be always plugged in to operate. However, the Alexa Echo is a great addition to your house, regardless. If you are looking for a way to use it on the go, however, that is not possible, as it requires a wall socket connection to operate, and not just a simple USB cable which the Echo Dot requires. The Alexa Echo, however, does not have a way to connect additional speakers to it, therefore you are only limited to using the built-in speakers. Which may make the Echo Dot a more attractive option for some users…

Alexa Echo Dot

Amazon Alexa Echo Dot, black and whiteThe cheapest, and most optimal to those new to Amazon Echo… The Echo Dot offers many features that other Alexa devices do not offer. For example, the Echo Dot allows you to easily move your Echo Dot around the house and use a power bank as a power source, making the Echo Dot almost wireless. However, it comes at a cost. The Echo Dot does not have a built-in battery, and also a small speaker. Thus investing in an extra Bluetooth or wired speaker is almost a necessity. But personally, I find it worthwhile, if you prefer to place Echo Dot somewhere central in the house, and have speakers spread out around the home. If you are also looking for a cheap entry device, the Echo Dot might be the perfect choice for you!

 

Amazon Tap

Amazon Alexa Tap Although pricier, the Amazon Tap might also the choice for you, if you are always on the move. With an approximately 8 hour battery, the Tap might be the perfect choice if you are out camping, at the park, or maybe at the beach (but it is not water-resistant… So take care). Although the Amazon Tap rocks an 8-hour battery, it misses the ability for you to call it “Alexa” to ask a question. Instead, you must press a button to ask a question. Which makes it a bad option for homes, but a great option for long trips.

 

Should I get Alexa?

Well, the question will still be on your mind, and we gave you just a few reasons you might think of investing in an Alexa. Whether you need it for one thing or more than one thing, I can confidently say, that you will be impressed no matter what. Alexa is powerful, and with new features being added every day, it will be one of the best investments in home entertainment/automation you can do. Alexa comes in different sizes and shapes, but in general, the smart features remain the same.

 

My Thoughts on the Alexa Echo Dot…

I continue to use my Alexa daily, for the weather, Music and even games in some cases. This review was not sponsored or endorsed in any way (sadly :/), and this is based on my personal experience with it. The Alexa Echo Dot is great for parties and for use when alone. When I am looking to shower, I just simply tell Alexa to play my Spotify playlist, and it does it right away. Whenever I am done, I just tell it to stop, and it usually hears me right away. However, due to some distances and other background noises, it may sometimes be difficult for Alexa to hear you. Which is why It is often recommended to use an 1 Alexa device for every room or placing it in a central place in the house. Overall, I enjoy it so much, that I am even thinking of buying another Echo device to place around my home.

Easy Comparison

Rank Name Wireless Built-in Loud
Speaker
Main Use Price Buy now
1 Alexa Echo cross mark0 check mark1 Home
(Living Room)
$179.99
2 Alexa Echo Dot check mark1 cross mark0 Home
(Room)
$49.99
3 Amazon Show cross mark0 cross mark0 Home - Per Room
(Video Chatting)
$229.99
4 Amazon Tap check mark1 check mark1 Portable
(Music)
$129.99

 

List of (some) Easter Eggs

  • Alexa, I am your father.
  • Alexa, who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
  • Alexa, what is the loneliest number?
  • Alexa, how many roads must a man walk down?
  • Alexa, all your base are belong to us.
  • Alexa, how much is that doggie in the window?
  • Alexa, romeo, romeo wherefore art thou romeo?
  • Alexa, beam me up.
  • Alexa, how much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
  • Alexa, define supercalifragilisticexpialodocious.
  • Alexa, who’s your daddy?
  • Alexa, Earl Grey. Hot. (or Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.)
  • Alexa, what is the meaning of life?
  • Alexa, what does the Earth weigh?
  • Alexa, when is the end of the world?
  • Alexa, is there a Santa?
  • Alexa, make me a sandwich.
  • Alexa, what is the best tablet?
  • Alexa, what is your favorite color?
  • Alexa, who won best actor Oscar in 1973?
  • Alexa, what is your quest?
  • Alexa, what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
  • Alexa, where do babies come from?
  • Alexa, do you have a boyfriend?
  • Alexa, which comes first: the chicken or the egg?
  • Alexa, may the force be with you.
  • Alexa, do aliens exist?
  • Alexa, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
  • Alexa, what are you going to do today?
  • Alexa, where do you live?
  • Alexa, do you want to build a snowman?
  • Alexa, do you really want to hurt me?
  • Alexa, what is love?
  • Alexa, who is the real slim shady?
  • Alexa, who let the dogs out?
  • Alexa, open the pod bay doors.
  • Alexa, surely you can’t be serious.
  • Alexa, to be or not to be.
  • Alexa, who is the fairest of them all?
  • Alexa, who loves ya baby?
  • Alexa, who you gonna call?
  • Alexa, who is the walrus?
  • Alexa, do you have any brothers or sisters?
  • Alexa, do you know the muffin man?
  • Alexa, how much do you weigh?
  • Alexa, how tall are you?
  • Alexa, where are you from?
  • Alexa, do you want to fight?
  • Alexa, do you want to play a game?
  • Alexa, I think you’re funny.
  • Alexa, where in the world in Carmen sandiego?
  • Alexa, where’s waldo?
  • Alexa, do you know the way to San Jose?
  • Alexa, where have all the flowers gone?
  • Alexa, what’s in name?
  • Alexa, what does the fox say? (multiple answers)
  • Alexa, when am I going to die?
  • Alexa, I want the truth!
  • Alexa, make me breakfast.
  • Alexa, why did the chicken cross the road?
  • Alexa, where are my keys? (ask twice)
  • Alexa, can you give me some money? (ask twice)
  • Alexa, knock knock
  • Alexa, what are you wearing?
  • Alexa, rock paper scissors.
  • Alexa rock paper scissors lizard spock
  • Alexa, party time!
  • Alexa, party on, Wayne.
  • Alexa, is the cake a lie?
  • Alexa, how do I get rid of a dead body?
  • Alexa, are you sky net?
  • Alexa, your mother was a hamster
  • Alexa, set phasers to kill.
  • Alexa, roll a die.
  • Alexa, random number between “x” and “y”.
  • Alexa, random fact
  • Alexa, tell me a joke
  • Alexa, heads or tails?
  • Alexa, mac or pc?
  • Alexa, show me the money.
  • Alexa, what is the sound of one hand clapping?
  • Alexa, give me a hug.
  • Alexa, are you lying?
  • Alexa, my name is Inigo Montoya.
  • Alexa, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? (3 answers)
  • Alexa, see you later alligator.
  • For more recent Easter eggs, check out EchoTricks.com

The post Is the Amazon Alexa Echo Right For You? appeared first on Techie Guru.



source https://techie.guru/is-amazon-alexa-echo-right-for-you/

Wednesday 28 June 2017

Virtual Reality: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PS4 VR, and Gear VR

The next generation of gaming is here and it is termed as VR or virtual reality. This is where the gamer is taken off his chair and put in the middle of the game. You can walk, run, and move from side to side, use your hands and feet to do things in the game. All this is bringing in what had once been only science fiction fantasies. The video game players are overwhelmed with the magnitude of possibilities the virtual reality games can do. Best of all, virtual reality is gaining popularity by the day, simply because of its great possibilities which are not only for gaming. Close competitors for the VR headset market include HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and Samsung Gear VR.

An Intro to Virtual Reality…

The best thing about Virtual Reality is that there are plenty of games to play, and applications to use. Most of the Virtual Reality games are action and adventure games. There are even special guns made for such games. The gun may be a little heavy to carry around for long periods at times, but it surely gives a more realistic feeling to action games on VR. Virtual reality games have already shown the signs to be the next step in gaming. The days when you sat on the sofa, glued to your monitor is over and now players are actually been dragged inside the games, making a revolutionary new step in the gaming world.

Adventure and survival games are another new frontiers in the virtual reality games. These games aim to allow you to move around, gather resources, fight off the occasional predator and enjoy the scenic beauty of the virtual world as you move on. The virtual world is boundless as it will let you fly from one solar system to the other and dive among the blue whales in the deep ocean, all from the comforts of your home.

The virtual reality gaming consoles like HTC Vive are just coming to the market. The industry is still at an early stage and there is a lot of room for improvement. However, the gaming community is already moving towards the virtual reality games. More and more game developers have recognized the power of virtual gaming and are allocating more of their resources to develop new games.

 

What is HTC Vive

HTC Vive Virtual Reality (VR) Headset with Controller on DemoThe HTC Vive, a new creation by HTC, is leading VR headset in the VR market. This VR headset allows you to play with your friends in a virtual environment. Just as the cost is a premium, the set-up for the Vive is easy and the gaming console works relatively smoothly, especially compared to the competitors. Not only is the Vive compatible with many games published on Steam VR, but it is the most popular of all headsets. With more popularity for the headset, you can expect more firmware updates and a longer period before obsoletion. Moreover, you can buy a lot of third party accessories to attach to the headset in order to enhance your gaming experiences. Most of these accessories are actually priced at a lower rate and will be a nice combination to the main console.

The Oculus Rift VR

Oculus Rift Virtual Reality (VR) Started out as one of the first game VR headsets, the Oculus Rift was the pioneer personal VR headset in the market. With funding through a Kickstarter in 2012, the Oculus Rift is one of the most popular VR headsets. However, due to this, the Oculus has been in development and released in 2016 by Facebook. Just like other popular VR headsets, the Oculus also comes with a lot of accessories such as a Remote, a Fitting gear, Sensors and even Earphones. However, unlike HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift does not come with a camera built into the headset which means you are unable to use the Oculus Rift for augmented reality. But take care, to use VR, you must also be tethered to a high-end PC to render the virtual reality, which means you can move only in a limited space. But just as this console is expensive, and needs a set-up, means it should be only used for those serious about gaming, otherwise a different option for VR should be considered.

The PlayStation VR

PlayStation 4 Virtual Reality (VR) Headset and ControllerThe first of many, the PlayStation VR is one of the first gaming consoles to implement VR as part of the console. Moreover, it is easier and cheaper to purchase and set-up, unlike other options. Best of all, you only need to have a PS4 VR-ready console to run the VR games. Furthermore, PS4 boasts many VR-ready games, and many of them are adventure games too. Although the PlayStation 4 is one of the first consoles to implement VR, it also means that VR has a long way to go, which may simply mean it will most likely be revamped in the coming years to include even more features which are found in HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. The PlayStation Network also offers many VR exclusives, and although there are games you can play on the VR, it is not as expansive as the Steam VR network. The PlayStation VR is a great option for the casual gamers who are looking to play and not spend an arm-and-leg on buying extra equipment. Of course, all the equipment you need is a PS4 that is VR ready.

 

 

What is Samsung Gear VR

Samsung Gear Virtual Reality (VR) Meant for tech enthusiasts who just want to experience VR, the Samsung Gear VR is not intended for heavy gaming. Although when Samsung Gear is compared to the HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, the Gear comes out at the end, it also comes with certain disadvantages not found in other VR headsets. For example, the Samsung Gear VR is a wireless option, meanwhile, other consoles tend to be wired to prevent latency issues. The Samsung Gear does not come with positional tracking, which means the gaming experience is not the most optimal. Furthermore, the Samsung Gear operates using a mobile device for rendering, which also means the extent of your gaming could also be limited. But this does not mean the Samsung Gear is bad, it simply means it is not as specialized as other VR headsets. Furthermore, considering the price of the Gear compared to the other VR headsets, you might be able to use the headset as a gateway into the VR world. This can help you choose whether to invest in a higher-end gear if you prefer the style of gaming.

 

 

Games for VR…

 

Steam Community for Virtual Reality (VR) GamesThe Steam VR remains a good place to start as you enter the VR gaming. Here you can buy new games of your liking. The Steam VR Home is everything from social sharing to game management and full pledged virtual reality. Here one can have a virtual reality interface, a true advancement from the classic user interface of Steam. For the other systems such as PS4, the PlayStation Network offers a great amount of VR games. Finally, the Samsung Gear also offers some games that are on HTC Vive, however, the list remains to be limited for the time being.

 

So why wait for more? Go ahead and order your first VR console today itself and jump into the exciting world of virtual reality gaming.

 

 

 

 

Comparison:

We discuss the following headsets are organized in a way ranking the best (ignoring the price) VR headsets…

 

Rank Name Expanse
Gaming
Options
Special
Hardware
Needed
Features Price Buy now
1 HTC Vive check mark1 check mark1 - Extra Accessories available
- Positional tracking
- Motion Controls
- Built-in Headphones
- 110° FoV
- 90 Hz
- Room-Scale
-
2 Oculus Rift check mark1 check mark1 - Extra Accessories available
- Positional tracking
- Motion Controls (Extra-cost)
- Built-in Headphones
- 110° FoV
- 90 Hz
- Room-Scale
-
3 PlayStation 4 VR check mark1 cross mark0 - Extra Accessories available
- Positional tracking
- Motion Controls (Extra-cost)
- Built-in Headphones
- 100° FoV
- 120 Hz / 90 Hz
- Room-Scale
$446.79
4 Samsung Gear VR cross mark0 cross mark0 - Motion Controls (Extra-cost)
- Built-in Headphones
- 101° FoV
- Battery-operated
$85.00

 

 

photo credit: Simon Blackley In a world of his own.  (license)

photo credit: Jonas Tana Arcada Eyesight Simulator (AVES). (license)

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source https://techie.guru/virtual-reality-vive-rift-ps4-samsung/

Sunday 25 June 2017

Gaming Mouse: Your Weapon of Choice

For those who love to wage war using their PCs, usually, the weapon of choice is the keyboard, mouse, and headset. While the keyboard is important to add depth to your gaming arsenal, it can be usually replaced with other pieces of hardware in gaming such as video game controllers. The gaming mouse, on the other hand, is a key piece in most PC games, giving you precise control over your character while allowing for an immersive experience; especially in the genre of first-person shooters. With gaming becoming not only a hobby but a competitive sport, players and hobbyists alike have demanded specialized computer mice that are created to provide them with superior precision, balance and greater control while being able to handle rough usage patterns of modern-day gamers – and thus the gaming mouse was born!

What Should You Look For in a Gaming Mouse?

razer naga mouseA gaming mouse, while similar in functionality to a regular mouse, is constructed in a slightly different fashion than a regular computer mouse. While most computer mice feature an LED with an optical sensor to detect the position of the cursor in relation to the underlying surface such as a mouse pad, a gaming mouse usually features a low-powered laser light that tracks the change in position to give you an unprecedented level of control and precision. Gaming mice also feature additional buttons that control the precision of laser, as well as other buttons that can be used to provide various commands to the game. Since gamers are known for their extended use of the computer, the gaming mouse is constructed with superior ergonomics in mind, with extensions to place the thumb as well as a patterned body to easily grip the object with the palm.

Wireless vs. Wired?

wireless mouse

Most traditional computer mice were wired in nature since a wired mouse ensured superior transfer of data. With the advent of wireless technology such as Bluetooth in modern computers and laptops, gaming mice are now available as both wired and wireless models. Most wireless gaming mice use Bluetooth connectivity, due to the simple fact that it can be used across a wide range of devices without the need of installing additional drivers. High-end wireless gaming mice feature a wireless dongle that connects to the hardware using a proprietary interface to provide superior connectivity. When it comes to gaming, split-second decisions are extremely important, and therefore, latency is an important issue with gamers of all genres. A wireless gaming mouse traditionally has a higher latency compared to its wired counterpart and is therefore at a disadvantage. However, with certain mice, you get the ability to connect wirelessly whenever and use a wired connection whenever. Giving you the ultimate flexibility to suit your playing style. The ubiquity of USB has ensured that wired gaming mice are compatible with most computers and laptops across a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and others.

 

Light or heavy?

Asweight cartridge you gave, the weight of the mouse can be an important aspect of your gaming. You may prefer heavier mice over lighter mice for their stability and control. However, you may sometimes deal with games and applications that do not require a high degree of stability. Which is where mice weight-adjustment comes into play. The great thing about gaming mice is that newer models of gaming mice tend to have the ability to customize the weight of the mouse. A well-known method of weight adjustment is to use a small cartridge filled with miniature weights and is pushed into a slot in the mouse. However, a little-known secret to some is that you can use a single battery with your mouse instead of the two. To make your mouse lighter, you simply place only a single battery in any of the two slots, and the mouse will function normally.

Which Gaming Mouse To Choose?

When it comes to choosing a gaming mouse, the market is flooded with various types of devices – ranging from those created for novices to those built for experts in the field of e-Sports. As technology evolved, more and more features are continuously being added to these devices. Here is a list of some of the best gaming mice you can buy. We will display a list you can easily sort, and for extra details, you may scroll down further.

 

Rank Name DPI Wireless Warranty Extra features Price Buy now link
1 ASUS ROG Gladius 6,400 cross mark0 1 Year (Asus) - Detachable Braided wires
- Multi-profile*
- 2 Side-press buttons
$54.99
2 Razer Diamondback 16,000 cross mark0 2 Years (Razer) - RGB Lighting*
- Ambidextrous
- 7 Programmable Buttons*
- 1,000 Hz Poll rate*
$37.02
3 BenQ ZOWIE 3,200 cross mark0 1 Year (BenQ) - 1,000 Hz Poll rate*
- 2 Side-press buttons
$59.99
4 Corsair Gaming SCIMITAR 12,000 cross mark0 2 Years (Corsair) - 12 Mechanical Side Switches
- Four-Zone RGB*
- Key-slider system
- 1ms Response time
- Multi-profile*
$48.00
5 Logitech G500s 8,200 cross mark0 3 Years (Logitech) - Tunable Weight
- 10 Programmable Buttons*
- Dual-scroll modes
$65.00
6 Logitech G700s 8,200 check mark1 3 Years (Logitech) - Full speed USB or Wireless (optional)
- 13 Programmable Buttons*
- Rechargeable with USB cable (provided)
- Dual-scroll modes
- Extra USB extension (provided)
- Multi-profile
$59.99
7 Logitech G203 6,000 cross mark0 3 Years (Logitech) - 6 Programmable Buttons*
- On-board memory
- RGB Lighting*
$39.99
8 Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum 12,000 cross mark0 3 Years (Logitech) - RGB Lighting
- Tunable Weight
- 11 Programmable Buttons*
-

 

Razer Diamondback Chroma

This model is touted by Razer as an ambidextrous mouse and is built for both right-handed and left-handed players. The mouse has a distinctive Razer RGB LED panel across the sides to illuminate during darkness, as well as an astounding 16,000 DPI (Dots per Inch) resolution for best-in-class precision. The rubber grips along the sides ensure top notch grip during swipes and lift-offs – irrespective of your grip style and gaming style.

BenQ Zowie EC1-A

While not looking like a traditional gaming mouse with sharp edges and vibrant colors, the Zowie is one preferred by e-Sports enthusiasts all over the world. The mouse is built to perfection, with superior construction all round, giving a nice fit across a wide variety of palm sizes. The smooth exterior has a satin-like texture for superior grip, with perfectly placed buttons and scroll wheel too with precise movement at each stop. The Pixart sensor is considered to be one of the very best in the market, and it provides almost zero acceleration and perfect tracking accuracy. The lack of additional drivers and plug-and-play nature of the product allows you to use it virtually everywhere, and in every scenario. At only 91 grams, the BenQ Zowie is one of the lightest gaming mouse available in the market today.

Corsair Gaming SCIMITAR RGB

This gaming mouse from Corsair is built for those who love the role-playing genre, and it certainly feels like a one. At nearly 300 grams, the mouse is one of the heaviest in the market for an excellent feel while playing extended MMORPG sessions, while also acting as a great companion for first-person shooters. If you love to take your hands off the keyboard, the 9 programmable mechanical macro switches on the side give you an unprecedented level of control of your gaming environment. With a 12,000 DPI sensor, the mouse is built to provide fast tracking and excellent precision across the board in every situation.

ASUS ROG Gladius

One of the newest entrants in the gaming hardware scene, Taiwanese hardware manufacturing giant ASUS has come up with a unique mouse that incorporates the best features of other gaming mice available in the market while adding subtle touches that improve and enhance its appeal among hardcore and casual gamers alike. A 2000 Hz USB polling rate ensures that the mouse is always in sync with what is happening on your screen, providing nearly zero latency. The gaming mouse features a removable cable to protect against sudden disconnections while gaming. A highly precise 6400 DPI sensor adds excellent precision with superior tracking and the onboard software lets you control virtually every aspect of the gaming mouse with ease.

Logitech G203

The innovators of the concept of gaming mice, the Logitech G203is the successor to its predecessor, the G1. The G203 adds variable sensor changes off the fly for excellent accuracy and pinpoint precision. The gaming mouse is constructed in a manner similar to classic computer mice, foregoing the excess baggage of straight-edged design for a simple and fluid design that is comfortable for both e-Sports professionals as well as novices. One of the most important features of the G203 is the presence of onboard memory that allows you to save the mouse settings and use it on any computer, without the need to reprogram it every time you plug it into a different machine.

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