nickcal's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes1,286
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewApril 27, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
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- Answer count4
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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Deliver your favorite playlist anywhere in your home with the Amazon Echo Dot voice-controlled device. Control most electric devices through voice activation, or schedule a ride with Uber and order a pizza. The Amazon Echo Dot voice-controlled device turns any home into a smart home with the Alexa app on a smartphone or tablet.
Customer Rating
5
Wonderful option to control smart lights
on May 8, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
My main goal behind getting this was to have voice control over my smart lighting. I can say I now have two and have them controlling my lights by my voice.
I just ordered something off Amazon using the Dot and it went worked great. If you are looking for Alexa and don't need the louder speaker the Dot is for you. Also, you can connect it to a Bluetooth speaker so you can still get some pretty good sound out of it when playing music via Amazon Music.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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ALLY is a Whole Home Wi-Fi System that delivers smart, safe, secure Wi-Fi controlled from your phone. The ALLY mobile app is equipped with advanced parental controls, including an online activity log, and alerts that can be sent when someone attempts to access a blocked site. ALLY also comes with built-in AVG security to protect your network devices from malware and harmful websites
Customer Rating
4
Decent home Wifi system for moderate users
on May 5, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’m what you would call an ‘advanced’ Internet user. I want to start this review out in that manner because I feel like the Ally Plus is a good system for some types of users. I consider myself ‘advanced’ because I have dozens of smart home products throughout my house in addition to multiple computers and mobile devices that use a WiFi signal. While the Ally System was very easy to set-up, it ultimately couldn’t handle everything I was throwing at it. I had some issues with the system locking up and having to reset it more than once. I did try to limit my WiFi usage to a few devices and I found that the system worked much better that way. So, for most family situations, this would work just fine.
Another issue I had was that the parental controls seemed limiting. Again for most users, the options might be fine, but I have a teenager and I want to be a little more specific with her Internet uses.
All in all, it’s not a bad system. I do think its price is a bit on the high side in comparison to other systems.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep your beard groomed with this Panasonic hair trimmer. It has sharp blades positioned at 45 degrees for optimal cutting with minimum discomfort, and it has 19 trim settings to get your hair to the precise desired length. The rubberized grip on this Panasonic hair trimmer lets you maintain control to eliminate accidents.
Customer Rating
5
Trimmer provides a nice even cut
on May 5, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I am forever looking for the best possible option for keeping my facial hair trimmed and well-kept. I like portable options like this one from Panasonic. One of the reasons I like this trimmer so much is because you can use it as a wet or dry trimmer. It’s very lightweight and rechargeable, which are big perks in my opinion.
The trimmer comes boxed with a wall charger, a small bottle of oil, and a cleaning brush. The wall charger is a good thought because you don’t have a cord to deal with. The design does have a few issues with it though. First of all it takes up more than one outlet and secondly, it’s a little bit of an odd gripping option when go to grab it from the charger if it’s plugged in. Other than that, the trimmer has an easy to use settings dial and power switch. It’s very quiet when powered on. It only emits a small hum.
The trimmer provides a nice even cut no matter what hair you are cutting. I do wish that the charger was designed just a bit differently.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Set a beautiful mood with this Philips hue white and color ambiance bulb that works with your existing hue system. The soft flattering colors set a tone, and you can sync your lights depending on your activities through the corresponding app. This Philips hue white and color ambiance bulb offers 16 million choices in both warm and cool for versatility.
Customer Rating
5
Hue Lights up my house
on April 29, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have invested a bunch into these bulbs. I have a hue bulb in every room of my house. I'm using the Echo to control them and sometimes Siri.
It's super nice to be able to change the colors dim and turn on and off with my voice. The hue lights are awesome. You will find it to be an investment but in the long term it will be worth it.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience high-quality sound anywhere with this Polk Audio BOOM Bit wearable Bluetooth speaker. Its steel spring clip attaches it securely to your clothing, providing great audio without blocking out noise from the surroundings. The 3-hour battery life of this compact Polk Audio BOOM Bit wearable Bluetooth speaker keeps the tunes coming on any adventure.
Customer Rating
5
Bit is the world’s first truly wearable speaker
on April 24, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
When I first saw this product I didn’t really see the use for such an item. I mean, why would you need to have a small speaker clipped to you when you could just use headphones? Because I like the sound of Polk Audio products, I thought, “Why not give it a try?” Now that I have had the chance to try it out, I have to admit that I like having the ability to wear my music when I use the Bit speaker.
The Bit Speaker ships in simple plastic packaging with the branding stamped on the top half of the plastic with a sticker. There are some creative icons on the back of the sticker that show a variety of activities that could be the various uses of the speaker. Getting into the packaging is a little trying. It’s not as bad as the heat-sealed plastic blister packs that are used for some electronics, but it’s not as easy as slipping open a cardboard box either.
The speaker is not much bigger than a large USB flash drive. It’s very lightweight and durable. I like that there is a cap attached for the integrated USB-A plug. The spring steel clip operates as a paper clip would and simply slides onto your clothing or bag. There is no complicated clipping or snapping mechanism to worry about.
Because space is at a premium on the Bit there are only two function buttons to complete all the commands of the speaker. The included quick start guide spells out the button combinations that are needed to use the speaker. It will take some time for the functions to get memorized by the user.
I’m really glad I gave the Bit Wearable Bluetooth Speaker a try. I love my Apple AirPods, I can’t go for runs or even walks with them as the left AirPod always falls out of my ear. Because it’s a speaker there are no headphones plugging up your ear holes, which can be a safety hazard at times. I have had times where headphones and earbuds have prevented me from hearing traffic and the speaker alleviates that problem.
While the Bit is very small, it is surprisingly loud for its size. That’s a great feature to me as I’m hard of hearing and I find most devices lacking a decent volume level. The Bit was actually loud enough for me to enjoy my music and my fiance could even hear it from across the house.
The speakerphone is also quite impressive as it has a sound quality that rivals many premium speakerphones I’ve used. My caller could hear me loud and clear on the other end of the phone. She reported that even though it’s not a clear as a call would be using the phone, she didn’t have any issues hearing or understanding me.
The Bit Wearable Bluetooth Speaker is a really cool device and Polk did a wonderful job with its design.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Get an Xbox gift card for games and entertainment on Xbox and Windows. Buy the latest games, map packs, movies, TV, music, apps and more.
Customer Rating
5
Only way for me to pay Xbox Live
on April 22, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
Verified Purchase:Yes
Ok so it's not really the only way I can pay for games on Xbox Live but because of a time when Microsoft kept overcharging my credit card, I had to deal with the customer service over the phone in India who refused to correct anything.
Needless to say, I had to have my numbers changed on my card because of some glitch on their side. Because of the hassle, I won't ever use my debit card on file with them again. So having the option to buy them outright like this for games is wonderful.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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With Xbox Live Gold, you're part of the world's premier gaming community. Play with friends on the most advanced multiplayer network, get free games, and receive exclusive discounts. Experience games like Halo and Minecraft on a network powered by hundreds of thousands of servers that maximize performance and reduce lag. Get free games every month, worth up to $700 a year. With millions of gamers worldwide, and so many games to play, now's a great time to go Gold.
Customer Rating
5
Never keep your card on file with Microsoft
on April 7, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
Verified Purchase:Yes
I learned the hard way to never keep my credit card on file with Microsoft. Now with me saying this, I know that most people will never have this issue but a few of my gamer friends and myself have and the one time was enough for me.
Microsoft overcharged me for my Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership. When I tried to contact them to get it straightened out I was given the run around by people in a call center in India.
The experience was horrible and because I wasn't able to get it fixed or refunded I had to have my bank issue me a new debit card closing out the old account. It was a nightmare. Needless to say because of this I will never trust Microsoft with my card information again so having the option to buy my Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership this way was awesome. No complaints I took the card home and entered the code provided and I was all set.
It's also a great way to give your kids Xbox Live without leaving your card on file for them to buy games.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Work, play and communicate with this Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 featuring a 2.15 GHz + 1.6 GHz quad core processor. This versatile tablet has an ultra-clear Super AMOLED display, so you can watch HD movies on the go. Capture and share your world with the 13MP camera in this Samsung Galaxy Tab S3’s, which features an integrated flash for great results in low light.
Customer Rating
5
Glorious Screen and a good all around tablet
on March 21, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
I am an accomplished tablet user. Sometimes you want to be connected, but just not on a full-size computer. So for that, there are tablets. My tablet of choice has been the iPad, but I have used other operating systems, too. This was my first foray into using a Samsung Galaxy Tab though and I must say, it’s quite impressive.
First of all, I have to remark at it’s glorious glass visage. It’s a glossy look and feel, which can lead to a lot of fingerprints, but it’s smooth and feels great in your hands. With it being a 9.7-inch tablet, it’s the same size as the iPad Air 2, iPad Pro 9.7, and the brand new iPad 9.7. So, for me, it was an easy transition — style wise — to the Tab S3.
The Tab S3 ships with a redesigned S Pen, which allows you to write, draw, annotate, etc. all on your tablet. This was not foreign to me because of the Apple Pencil, but I have to admit that the S Pen actually feels better in my hand than the Apple Pencil does. It’s lightweight and the shape is similar to an ink pen. I actually spent some time handwriting on the Tab S3 and found that the pen/tablet combo works very well. It takes a little getting used to because the surface of the screen is so smooth, but the responsiveness between the pen and the screen is so precise that it really is like writing on paper.
As far as utility goes, the Tab S3 works like a charm. I didn’t use it a lot for presentations or the like, but I did do a lot of typing on it and some basic tablet tasks. It’s very quick and responsive to commands. There is a keyboard case that magnetizes to the Tab S3, but it is sold separately. I can recommend the pair though because they work really well together.
The screen is bright and colorful. I had a very easy time reading when using the tablet. One of the main functions of a tablet that I will use frequently is Bluetooth connection. I have a great set of BT headphones and they are super easy to pair with my Apple products. When I went to pair them with the Galaxy Tab, it took a couple of tries before they popped up on the BT menu. On the plus side, I disconnected the headphones and when I reconnected them they were automatically recognized.
Watching videos on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is a brilliant experience. The screen is QXGA (2048 x 1536) sAMOLED so the resolution is just gorgeous. Most of the media I watch these days is streamed from apps. My tests included watching a trailer for Beauty and the Beast on YouTube and the other was to watch part of Finding Dory on Netflix. I did this for two reasons. First, I know that CGI and animated features can sometimes lose their integrity and quality on a poor screen. And secondly, I knew that streaming media can also lose quality easily even on the highest resolution displays. The Tab S3 passed with flying colors. Finding Dory, just like Finding Nemo, has some of the most vibrant colors. I honestly would love to have a TV that looked this good.
The Tab S3 has quad speakers, but I have to say that I would like to get more bang for the buck with them. They sounded good and very clean, but I thought I would get more volume from them than I did when I was watching videos. Now, when I put my headphones on I found that the volume wasn’t a problem at all.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is a really solid tablet. It’s going to be great for professional or personal use.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Standard Lens: Capture important moments in your life with this standard lens, which works with your compatible Canon DSLR EF-mount camera. A circular aperture with 7 blades helps you add creative background blur.
Customer Rating
5
One of my favorite lenses
on March 17, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
Verified Purchase:Yes
I've found this to be one of the best inexpensive lenses you can get for the Canon. It's perfect for getting that wonderful bokeh backgrounds or nicely blurred for portrait shots. Everyone should have one of these lenses in their camera bag.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Clean carpets, couches and stairs easily with this adaptable Dyson Ball Animal vacuum. Various attachments, including a tangle-free turbine tool, a multi-angle brush and a stair tool make pet hair removal quick and simple. The Dyson Ball Animal vacuum comes with a generous 35-foot cord, making it ideal for larger homes.
Customer Rating
5
You've not vacuumed until you use a Dyson
on March 17, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve sort of struggled with vacuum cleaners ever since I had my first apartment. I’ve had mid-level vacuums that get the job done most of the time, but when I moved into my current home, I started going through vacuums ever couple of years. We have an indoor dog and three adults and one teen living in the house. I’ve found that our HVAC system pushes out a lot of dust and we are constantly fighting the dog hair/people living environment.
The Dyson Animal 2 is designed to handle these types of circumstances. It picks up even the tiniest of hairs and sucks up dust and dander. When I first saw the specs for the unit, I really didn’t believe that it would do that much better of a job. I was wrong. First, the innovative design of the vacuum makes it move much smoother over carpet than any other vacuum I’ve had. In fact, that was always a pet peeve of mine — when a vacuum would seemingly get ‘stuck’ on the carpet when I was trying to turn. The Dyson Animal 2 literally glides across the carpet like an ice skater does on ice. Turning is very easy and I’ve not had it get stuck once.
Second, the Animal 2 is bagless. For a long time, I didn’t like bagless vacuums. I thought they caused more of a mess when you emptied them than a bagged vacuum did. The Dyson has changed my perception of that, too. While I still have to pull out bigger clumps of dirt, the mechanism on the canister makes it really easy to empty. The canister lifts off the main vacuum seamlessly and it clicks easily back into place when you are done.
Finally, the power and suction of the Animal 2 is top-notch. I recently found myself remodeling my home office. When I did, I moved a large organ that the previous owners had left behind. Because this is such a large piece of furniture, it doesn’t get moved regularly. I found clumps of dust and debris beneath it. The Animal 2 cleaned it all up in a single pass. This was very impressive to me because I usually have to go over a spot two or three times to make sure it’s completely clean. The Dyson did it with one.
The Dyson Animal 2 is well worth the investment. While I’ve only had it for a week at this point, it seems like it’s solidly built. I suppose time will tell about it’s longevity, but for now, I just hope that it continues to perform as it has out of the box.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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nickcal's Answers
Life’s extraordinary moments deserve to be captured with smooth video. DJI OM 4 is a magnetic gimbal designed to complement your smartphone, allowing you to start recording right away. Ultra-compact, easy to use, and bursting with intelligent features, OM 4 is the ultimate solution for capturing and sharing your world.
Does the magnetic sticker phone attachment interfere with wireless phone charging?
Ensure meals are cooked evenly with this Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1e microwave. The grill, convection oven and microwave functions provide a variety of cooking options, while the Element IQ technology precisely delivers the right cooking temperature for optimal results. This Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave features a Power Smoothing inverter for automatic adjustment of power to enable even heat distribution.
Is this an air fryer, microwave and convection oven
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Will Google Home work with ECOBEE Thermostat?
No. Unfortunately, Google has limited functionality to only the Nest thermostat. At this time, I don't see them opening up support for third parties as they are probably trying to push it with their own hardware, but that could always change.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
nickcal
Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
can i download skype
Depends on the Google Play store. If Microsoft has a version of Skype for Android then yes.
8 years ago
by
nickcal