OmieOne's stats
- Review count228
- Helpfulness votes422
- First reviewNovember 17, 2012
- Last reviewJune 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes16
- First answerSeptember 20, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 27, 2019
- Featured answers0
- Best answers3
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."
Customer Rating
2
Check back in 6 months
on November 8, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
This has a feel of a beta product. A well made beta, but still a beta, as it seems always in typical with Google. The question is home much support they throw behind it. Sometimes Google will drop a product. That being said, it is well designed. Microphone and speakers are clear. When playing music it filled my room nicely. When it speaks back it is clear.
Setup was fine on an Android phone (can't speak for IOS). Once on your network off you go. Very little documentation comes with the device. The App on your phone guides, and it has to be an up to date one. I'm using the latest Google phone so again your experience will vary. It was nice to see you can set the device into Guest mode. So if you have it tied to your calendar people can't mess with it and just about anything you can do with the app, you can do with your voice.
The downside is, if your not in the Google Ecosystem then again I'm not sure how much use you will get out it. I don't have the in Home devices currently they support (Nest, Hue and something else) again I'm sure in a few months they may add more, but I have nothing to control with. Nor can I see getting multiple devices like this for the house. If Google added a battery so I could drag it around it might have more uses. Additionally the voice commands are limited, I couldn't set a reminder, just a calendar appointment, and an alarm. It just feels unfinished and I get Google will take all this data and figure out what features to add, but it feels like a toy and not something that has a function yet. Something to get me into Google's Ecosystem but it isn't showing me a carrot to pull me in that direction to take the time to move my calendars, etc to support that. If this was an ecosystem neutral device where I could connect to different accounts, like Apple or Microsoft as well as Google. This might be something more, but unless you are tied into Google, I'd wait and see on this. In six months, this may be a great product and likely Google will improve the thing.
One last note, it was nice to see that they had a hardware Mic off switch, where it won't listen and record your conversation (you can actually listen to everything it captures after you go Hey Google saved against your account and delete it), but if you are thinking of turning it off at night in a bedroom, forget it, the Mic has some bright LED's that show its muted.
I will Google credit though the Trivia game was amusing and kept the kids laughing, and the Madlib was silly, but again more novelty at this point then something you need, when your phone can do the exact same thing.
Setup was fine on an Android phone (can't speak for IOS). Once on your network off you go. Very little documentation comes with the device. The App on your phone guides, and it has to be an up to date one. I'm using the latest Google phone so again your experience will vary. It was nice to see you can set the device into Guest mode. So if you have it tied to your calendar people can't mess with it and just about anything you can do with the app, you can do with your voice.
The downside is, if your not in the Google Ecosystem then again I'm not sure how much use you will get out it. I don't have the in Home devices currently they support (Nest, Hue and something else) again I'm sure in a few months they may add more, but I have nothing to control with. Nor can I see getting multiple devices like this for the house. If Google added a battery so I could drag it around it might have more uses. Additionally the voice commands are limited, I couldn't set a reminder, just a calendar appointment, and an alarm. It just feels unfinished and I get Google will take all this data and figure out what features to add, but it feels like a toy and not something that has a function yet. Something to get me into Google's Ecosystem but it isn't showing me a carrot to pull me in that direction to take the time to move my calendars, etc to support that. If this was an ecosystem neutral device where I could connect to different accounts, like Apple or Microsoft as well as Google. This might be something more, but unless you are tied into Google, I'd wait and see on this. In six months, this may be a great product and likely Google will improve the thing.
One last note, it was nice to see that they had a hardware Mic off switch, where it won't listen and record your conversation (you can actually listen to everything it captures after you go Hey Google saved against your account and delete it), but if you are thinking of turning it off at night in a bedroom, forget it, the Mic has some bright LED's that show its muted.
I will Google credit though the Trivia game was amusing and kept the kids laughing, and the Madlib was silly, but again more novelty at this point then something you need, when your phone can do the exact same thing.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+3points
5of 7voted this as helpful.
Save time when you batch-edit photographs with Adobe Photoshop Elements 15. Sort photos automatically with the software’s enhanced smart tagging feature and find pictures via geotags or visual similarity. Specialized tools within the program let you fix frowns, remove camera shake and remove red-eye, making Adobe Photoshop Elements 15 an invaluable addition to your photography needs.
Customer Rating
5
Nice Upgrade
on November 3, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
This is a nice upgrade with some new features from Photoshop Elements 14. Just like 14 it is very easy to do and has guided tours to help you get the most out of your photos. The new feature in 15 that I like is the ability to turn a form upside down, or at least a non-smile to a smile. It has some nice face editor and it works pretty well. They also added features where you can merge other pictures or multiple to get the best shot. I like that as I take more photos then I need looking for the right shot, so now I can merge them.
It was also nice that they give you a choice to either use the included DVD or download the software. Setup was easy, though it doesn't uninstall the older version, I have 14 installed, so it was nice as I could switch between them to see the difference, but note if you have an older version installed you will have to uninstall yourself.
I had no problems using the software. I like it, but I liked 14. The added features are nice and I think worth the upgrade. I've been having too much fun with this making minor edits to photos. This seems to be the perfect photo editor for me.
It was also nice that they give you a choice to either use the included DVD or download the software. Setup was easy, though it doesn't uninstall the older version, I have 14 installed, so it was nice as I could switch between them to see the difference, but note if you have an older version installed you will have to uninstall yourself.
I had no problems using the software. I like it, but I liked 14. The added features are nice and I think worth the upgrade. I've been having too much fun with this making minor edits to photos. This seems to be the perfect photo editor for me.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
Connect your external wireless devices to the internet with this Linksys dual-band router. Two 5Ghz bands support both high-end gaming and low-end applications without compromising speed, and remote management lets you make adjustments from any location. This Linksys dual-band router has a sleek design that integrates easily into most workspaces.
Customer Rating
3
This is an Odd one
on October 30, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
Normally switching out a Router, Linksys in particular (since I've upgraded three times this year) is a no brainer. Plug the router in, let it update it's firmware, reset all my WiFi Networks to the same SSID and Password and off to the races. Not so with this one. I had problems with the initial setup, and it required me to reset the Router back to factory. It was nice that the error told me how to do it. So props for explaining how to fix the error, as I find that rare still today. Once I reset the box and went though the inital setup again, I was able to connect and reset the network to match my old SSID and passwords for 2.4 and 5Ghz. Why is this important? I have over 30 connected devices in my house, some with keyboards, but a lot without. So finding, accessing and resetting my very long password is, well not something I would do unless I could see a huge benefit. I wasn't seeing anything with this router over my old EA9500. I know it can do 160Mhz for more throughput, but it is future, I don't have any devices that can. Nice to have future proof features, but since I have nothing to take advantage of it, resetting the whole house to use this router isn't in the card. Now if you have fewer devices or don't have a MU-MIMO AC Router, there is nothing wrong with this. In fact I like some edits they did make to the firmware. On the network monitor it had a bandwidth tracker. A handy feature and nice.
I did once I noticed I would have to reset wireless password switch it into Bridge mode and tested it with my desktop. It handled great. I got throughput and on 5Ghz Its signal strength was matching that of my EA9500 based db signal strength. So as I said, if you need to upgrade this isn't a bad choice. Get good range and speed, with some neat future proofing once they start releasing newer devices that can use 160 channel size.
Now the saving grace may be that the Open Source Firmware it supports will allow me to flash this and not have to change my passwords, but I doubt it will replace my EA9500 anytime soon, but be an additional add-on to my network, either as wireless birdge/space router/test bed for the Open Source Firmware.
I am just disappointed I could do a 15 minute quick swap like usual and get my over devices and PC's to pick up without an issue, but don't let my experience stop you if you are looking to upgrade. This is a solid router, I just have odd needs, and remember the Open Source nature of this device may give it longer legs.
I did once I noticed I would have to reset wireless password switch it into Bridge mode and tested it with my desktop. It handled great. I got throughput and on 5Ghz Its signal strength was matching that of my EA9500 based db signal strength. So as I said, if you need to upgrade this isn't a bad choice. Get good range and speed, with some neat future proofing once they start releasing newer devices that can use 160 channel size.
Now the saving grace may be that the Open Source Firmware it supports will allow me to flash this and not have to change my passwords, but I doubt it will replace my EA9500 anytime soon, but be an additional add-on to my network, either as wireless birdge/space router/test bed for the Open Source Firmware.
I am just disappointed I could do a 15 minute quick swap like usual and get my over devices and PC's to pick up without an issue, but don't let my experience stop you if you are looking to upgrade. This is a solid router, I just have odd needs, and remember the Open Source nature of this device may give it longer legs.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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3of 4voted this as helpful.
Add high-end performance to your everyday life with the Google Pixel XL. A quad-core processor, a 5.5-inch LED screen and 32GB of memory ensure this phone is able to handle daily life, and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protects the screen. Easy cloud storage ensures you never run out of space on the Google Pixel XL.
Customer Rating
3
Decent Hardware
on October 23, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
Let me start of by stating that I just didn't like the stock Android Google shipped the phone with. I just couldn't get into it. After a day, I had to switch to another launcher and remove Pixel and Google Now, it just didn't fit with my style. I recognize it is me, so I am not downgrading the phone at all on the UI/Software even though that seems to be a big deal, the new Google assistant just didn't do it for me at all. I just didn't find it useful. I guess I'm getting old. However let me state that is me, and others I'm sure will love it. The nice thing is unlike other phones you not stuck with the default launcher, so Yay for that. Though I haven't found a launcher yet that is making me love this phone. Hopefully I will one day, until then lets move on the other aspects of this phone, because I'm sure my above issues with the UI is more me.
Hardware. Google found a good partner in a different OEM to build the phone for them. They did an excellent job. The phone is built solidly and size wise if this is the larger of the phones, this is the one to have, at least for my hands it fits perfect and the fingerprint sensor in the back is perfect. In fact I recommend making sure you get the senor to recognize both unlocking fingers on your left and the right hand to make 1 touch unlocking easy, because the one feature I like is when I pressing my finger on the senor it unlocks and turn my phone on. No reaching for the power button on the side. Very nice. Also under touch gestures enable the fingerprint senor on to drag down the notification bar, that too is handy.
I was worried when I saw the speakers on the bottom of the phone, I thought great, tinny and quiet. They are actually fairly loud and decent sounding. In my office I could stream music and hear it quiet clearly. So the speaker is of good quality and loudness.
The screen is great. I can use it outdoors in bright sunlight with minimal squinting at it, and watching a few movies/tv/videos on it I had no issues and everything looked great.
Nice to see the WiFi chipset support Wireless AC. That is a plus in my household.
In normal usage, watching videos, streaming music etc the phone would get a bit warm that my hands would notice it, but not hot. So Its nice to see the 821 handles itself quite well there.
Hardware. Google found a good partner in a different OEM to build the phone for them. They did an excellent job. The phone is built solidly and size wise if this is the larger of the phones, this is the one to have, at least for my hands it fits perfect and the fingerprint sensor in the back is perfect. In fact I recommend making sure you get the senor to recognize both unlocking fingers on your left and the right hand to make 1 touch unlocking easy, because the one feature I like is when I pressing my finger on the senor it unlocks and turn my phone on. No reaching for the power button on the side. Very nice. Also under touch gestures enable the fingerprint senor on to drag down the notification bar, that too is handy.
I was worried when I saw the speakers on the bottom of the phone, I thought great, tinny and quiet. They are actually fairly loud and decent sounding. In my office I could stream music and hear it quiet clearly. So the speaker is of good quality and loudness.
The screen is great. I can use it outdoors in bright sunlight with minimal squinting at it, and watching a few movies/tv/videos on it I had no issues and everything looked great.
Nice to see the WiFi chipset support Wireless AC. That is a plus in my household.
In normal usage, watching videos, streaming music etc the phone would get a bit warm that my hands would notice it, but not hot. So Its nice to see the 821 handles itself quite well there.
Now the downsides I found which is why I'm rating the phone as average:
For the size of the battery (and I admit, maybe after a few days it will improve, but so far no luck) using the phone as I normally would I can eek out about day of use. With the size battery they are packing I was hoping for at least a day and half, but that doesn't seem to be the case so that makes me a sad panda.
No slot for a MicroSD. If you are like me and travel and find yourself in situations without internet then the 32GB model may not be enough. If they had added a MicroSD slot it wouldn't be an issue, however in having this phone for 72, and just loading my normal Podcasts/Audiobooks/E-Books/Videos (Work and Leisure) I ran out of space and had to pair back. If you keep a lot of media on your device do yourself a favor and get the 128GB version.
Also it is a shame they do not have a dual sim model. It would be nice to not carry 2 phones.
For the size of the battery (and I admit, maybe after a few days it will improve, but so far no luck) using the phone as I normally would I can eek out about day of use. With the size battery they are packing I was hoping for at least a day and half, but that doesn't seem to be the case so that makes me a sad panda.
No slot for a MicroSD. If you are like me and travel and find yourself in situations without internet then the 32GB model may not be enough. If they had added a MicroSD slot it wouldn't be an issue, however in having this phone for 72, and just loading my normal Podcasts/Audiobooks/E-Books/Videos (Work and Leisure) I ran out of space and had to pair back. If you keep a lot of media on your device do yourself a favor and get the 128GB version.
Also it is a shame they do not have a dual sim model. It would be nice to not carry 2 phones.
Camera. A lot of people where down on the fact the camera didn't have Optical Image Stabilization. However Google via software worked around that and it is one of the better camera phones I've had to shot with. It is quick and takes good pictures. Not going to replace my DSLR anytime, but I don't mind grabbing this for taking a picture of the kids.
Overall it isn't a bad attempt for Google for hardware. It is solid hardware, and for a phone it is responsive. Mine didn't come with any Verizon installed apps, and appears completely unlocked, however that could be the early versions they grabbed whatever was handy, so your mileage my vary. If you do consider this phone (and for android this is one I would, if only because Google will update this monthly which is important because OS underlining Android is always being updated) do yourself a favor and get the 128GB version so you have space to store your media and apps.
Overall it isn't a bad attempt for Google for hardware. It is solid hardware, and for a phone it is responsive. Mine didn't come with any Verizon installed apps, and appears completely unlocked, however that could be the early versions they grabbed whatever was handy, so your mileage my vary. If you do consider this phone (and for android this is one I would, if only because Google will update this monthly which is important because OS underlining Android is always being updated) do yourself a favor and get the 128GB version so you have space to store your media and apps.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+7points
9of 11voted this as helpful.
Keep your home dust-free with this Bissell AirRAM cordless vacuum. Its high-performance F.U.E.L. cell provides up to 30 minutes of run time, while the advanced compression technology lets it store as much dirt as typical bagless vacuums. This Bissell AirRAM cordless vacuum has a low profile for easy maneuvering around furniture.
Customer Rating
5
An Amazing Light Weight Vacuum
on October 20, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
At first I was unsure about this being battery power if it could be used for more normal vacuuming or be relegated to simple spot mess vacuum duty. I'm happy to say that concern was unfounded. This light weight powerhouse has more then enough power to replace my plugin upright. The battery lasts long enough that I was able to very easily vacuum my upstairs (four bedrooms/two bathrooms and a hallway) with only using 25% power.
It is a joy to actually vacuum with as I didn't realize how much of a pain a cord is until you don't have one. I had this thing speeding around the carpet with no issues or worries about cord tangling. It was great. Though I will warn you it does take a bit of force to push as this thing will latch onto the floor to suck up the dirt, (not a lot but more then you would thing for something of this size). Even with that extra force to push when on, it isn't tiring to as it is really light weight. Even my 8 year old can carry this around without banging into everything with no effort.
I thought Bissell did a great job engineering this too. The dirt canister has a nice lever to help emptying it and it works great. Overall I am very impressed and will use this more then the large upright we have since this is easy to and very portable.
Battery life so far has been great for me, Bissell says about 30 minutes and they may be right and that may be enough, it is for me since I tend not do my whole house at once, I usually do a few rooms at a time.
My only con is that the canister that holds the dirt is smaller then a larger upright and since this thing pulls the dirt tends to need to be emptied more. But its so simple and easy to empty its not a large deal breaker to get a light weight vacuum powerhouse.
It is a joy to actually vacuum with as I didn't realize how much of a pain a cord is until you don't have one. I had this thing speeding around the carpet with no issues or worries about cord tangling. It was great. Though I will warn you it does take a bit of force to push as this thing will latch onto the floor to suck up the dirt, (not a lot but more then you would thing for something of this size). Even with that extra force to push when on, it isn't tiring to as it is really light weight. Even my 8 year old can carry this around without banging into everything with no effort.
I thought Bissell did a great job engineering this too. The dirt canister has a nice lever to help emptying it and it works great. Overall I am very impressed and will use this more then the large upright we have since this is easy to and very portable.
Battery life so far has been great for me, Bissell says about 30 minutes and they may be right and that may be enough, it is for me since I tend not do my whole house at once, I usually do a few rooms at a time.
My only con is that the canister that holds the dirt is smaller then a larger upright and since this thing pulls the dirt tends to need to be emptied more. But its so simple and easy to empty its not a large deal breaker to get a light weight vacuum powerhouse.
If you need something to vacuum and looking lightweight easy to move around this is definitely the one for you.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Listen like never before with QuietControl 30 wireless headphones. Breakthrough technology lets you set your own level of noise cancellation, so you can control how much of the world you want to let in - or how quiet you want your surroundings to be. Volume-optimized EQ gives you balanced audio performance at any volume, while a noise-rejecting dual-microphone system provides clear calls, even in windy or noisy environments. Connect easily to your devices with Bluetooth and NFC pairing. QuietControl 30 wireless headphones feature a lightweight neckband design that conforms to your body for all-day comfort and wearability. A lithium-ion battery gives you up to 10 hours of wireless listening per charge. And the Bose Connect app helps you manage your paired devices and gives you enhanced control. Available in Black.
Customer Rating
5
Wow, Noise Cancelling is Awesome
on October 2, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
This is my first pair of noise cancelling headphones. I haven't used any other so I can't comment on how these stack against those. However the first time putting them in, I had them already on and paired with my desktop computer (since it was handy) and as I put it one ear sound seemed deadened, but I first thought it was the in ear nature of the headset. But the other went in and it was quiet. I couldn't hear the fans of my desktop, which is on the table and about a foot away from where I sit. To test this I hit the power and turned off the headphones and I could hear the fan noise. Turning it back on and it was gone. It was simply amazing. I proceeded to play some music and play some games. I was able to keep the music and headphones turned down more then I normally do. Now I'm sure the sound doesn't compare completely with a true audiophile set, but these sounded good and I was picking up sounds in the games I normally don't hear via my speakers or cheap headsets I use. The unit with over the neck is light weight and doesn't get uncomfortable even after a few hours of wear I did when testing them. It was great, and I look forward to going to my noisy office with them to help block out the noise even if I don't have music playing. I know it won't block out all the noise, but it should deaden it help my think and work. My only two major complaints are: The USB charging cord provided is awfully short and no wall plug included. For the price and quality it would be nice to get a longer cord and a plug, instead of having to dig around the house for one I can use. Second is the plug covering. I just know it will be ripped off after awhile since it is so thin. I've never had luck when they use the rubber covering and link the plug to that. I will rip it and just be annoyed. Would have been nice for at least a thicker and easier plug to open so I don't worry about ripping every time. They have an app to control this, but since I don't have any Google store devices or IOS in the house I had to borrow one from a friend to test. App seemed ok, nothing special, and only reason I'd really want it is firmware updates. I wish BOSE had a Windows application, even if I have to use the USB cord included to update, instead of assuming everyone has a device with access to that app store. But even then I don't see much missing without it. Overall I am impressed with the ability to reduce noise and sound and the comfort and fit of these headphones is great. Sounds seemed find and it does come with a nice hard shell case to store and transport them. If you are looking for a pair of ear buds with noise cancelling these might be ones. Enjoy them if you decide to get them, I know I'll enjoy mine.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your household is busy streaming media, working online, and playing games every day. This Linksys Wi-Fi Router will expand your network coverage, send signals directly to your devices, and deliver a lag-free connection, even when you’re all online at the same time.
Customer Rating
5
Love This Router
on September 23, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
Let me state this is a perfect good router. I did not have one issue with it and it is still working strong in my house. I have not had one technical issue with the router. Setup like all recent Linksys products was quick, and painless and I was able to quickly swap the router and none in the household knew we where on the new router. Though with a new set of antenna I did have to change the location of my range extender, because even with this router there is still one small deadspot in my house and unfortunately I need a signal in that location. While the range is about the same as my previous Linksys 1900 with the second 5Ghz AC Stream makes the range extender I use to bring AC wireless to my upstairs Roku worth it. I have only about 15 Mpbs where I live to the internet. For streaming and the household this is sufficient and serves us well, except when I download either an ISO for work or a game. Steam and Origins will take all the bandwidth unless I throttle them if others are using. The other night I forgot to turn on throttling and no one complained. I tested again and I am able to download at full speed and it doesn't inject lag into my kids online gaming or my Wife's streaming on Hulu. It is great to be able to maximize my bandwidth and download at full speed without everyone yelling at me. That one thing makes this a worthwhile device to me, and makes me love it. I like the MU-MIMO, because even though none of my wireless devices can take advantage of it, I do get consistent throughput and throughput this router does seem to give. Using my desktop computer with a 1300AC wireless card and a USB 2.0 External HDD Attached to the router I was able to max out the HDD and had a consistent throughput of over 25MB per second, which when the drive was connected directly to my PC was the same copy speed and no one else noticed I was running my test. I didn't have a 3.0 device to test but I would expect the same. I then tested streaming some 720p 60 fps video I shot and it worked as if it where local storage. So throughput this router has in spades. This is a good router for the ability to handle throughput and share it amongst everyone, and the fact it means I don't have to look to upgrade my Internet connection is awesome.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
Customer Rating
5
A Good Whole Home "Wireless Mesh" System
on September 20, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
Let me state that if you are looking for a high performance wireless router this is not where you should be looking. This is not what this router system is about. If you need a router system to cover a large house though please read on. The Orbi is designed to cover a large area simply and effectively though a single system. I have a 3000 Sq Ft and have a few dead spots in the rear of my house, which is why I typically have a range extender working. This new router is like that, expect it works more as a Mesh. While some range extenders can work like the Orbi, the Orbi it was appeared designed to work like this out of the box. Setup was fairly easy. The hardest part was having to sync my satellite (Secondary router) to the primary. I'm sure out of the box for most people it will be synced and I got unlucky. But if you are like me, then pressing the large sync button on both will solve the problem. In fact when you turn on the second unit place it close enough that you can see the first unit to make sure they are paired and save yourself the frustration of walking around the house thinking bad reception. Once that was out of the way I placed the Orbi towards the back corner of my house, and it reports a good connection with the base unit and I had full coverage of my house. Orbi uses only on Wireless Network name (SSID), instead of multiple for 2.4/5 networks letting the devices pick what they want to connect to the main router and switch like you would in an office between nodes as you move around. It works well, just like in your office. Setup and getting it ready was easy peasy. No complicated questions. I did not try the app as I don't have an Andriod or IOS device in the house to install and they don't have a Windows app. So I can't comment on how that works and what I missed, but the web interface worked without issues. It was nice to see out of the box it choose WPA2/AES as my encryption (strongest for home) by default. Though I did have to turn off WPS. At first I was happy to see no guest network needing to be turned off, but I have since learned that a firmware update will provide us with that later. So it will be another thing to turn off/configure once that occurs.
The Orbi itself looks nice. White/clean (ugh) modern design. But unlike the spider aliens it can be placed anywhere in the house and not really stand out. Each unit the base and satellite also have 4 Ethernet ports. Handy if you have old devices that don't have wireless can move the satellite around (assuming signal) and plug them in to update etc. so I liked that. This is a modern unit so it includes MU-MIMO and is able to share your internet among devices. I tested this by maxing my internet connection doing a download on my desktop while others in the house consumed there usual YouTube/Hulu/Netflix and no one was yelling at me. They didn't even know I was doing it. So it can help in a busy household manage your internet and share it amongst the family. Web interface was accurate in showing devices and I could see which unit it was connected to. Had the general security stuff and DNS/DHCP etc. Easy to setup. Swapping router I had it up in under 15 minutes, just swapping my current settings into the Orbi. I do recommend if you don't have them memorized to write them down before hand.
Now to the Cons:
1. While the Orbi has USB ports they are USB 2.0 and do not currently support sharing files over them. I believe the USB ports are only for printers. Later updates may change but if you use the USB ports as a cheap quick NAS/Backup this will not work as of 9/16/2016. As I said later firmware may change this.
2. One of the three tri-bands is actually dedicated for connection between the base unit and satellite. This leaves only from what I was seeing looking at the web interface only one 5Ghz band and 2.4 GHz for clients and the max speed on the 5Ghz for clients is 867Mbps. The other 1733 Mbps is used as a backhaul between units. This makes sense to keep enough bandwidth to serve this unit and not step on clients and allow Mu-Mimo to work. But still slightly disappointing when I need to run large file copies around the house. Being able to connect to a faster 5Ghz would have been nice. Esp. since my wireless card supports that.
That being said, for everyday use and a busy household and a large house this is a great router system to provide coverage and bandwidth to all. It is a nice system that works, esp. if you are not overly techie.
The Orbi itself looks nice. White/clean (ugh) modern design. But unlike the spider aliens it can be placed anywhere in the house and not really stand out. Each unit the base and satellite also have 4 Ethernet ports. Handy if you have old devices that don't have wireless can move the satellite around (assuming signal) and plug them in to update etc. so I liked that. This is a modern unit so it includes MU-MIMO and is able to share your internet among devices. I tested this by maxing my internet connection doing a download on my desktop while others in the house consumed there usual YouTube/Hulu/Netflix and no one was yelling at me. They didn't even know I was doing it. So it can help in a busy household manage your internet and share it amongst the family. Web interface was accurate in showing devices and I could see which unit it was connected to. Had the general security stuff and DNS/DHCP etc. Easy to setup. Swapping router I had it up in under 15 minutes, just swapping my current settings into the Orbi. I do recommend if you don't have them memorized to write them down before hand.
Now to the Cons:
1. While the Orbi has USB ports they are USB 2.0 and do not currently support sharing files over them. I believe the USB ports are only for printers. Later updates may change but if you use the USB ports as a cheap quick NAS/Backup this will not work as of 9/16/2016. As I said later firmware may change this.
2. One of the three tri-bands is actually dedicated for connection between the base unit and satellite. This leaves only from what I was seeing looking at the web interface only one 5Ghz band and 2.4 GHz for clients and the max speed on the 5Ghz for clients is 867Mbps. The other 1733 Mbps is used as a backhaul between units. This makes sense to keep enough bandwidth to serve this unit and not step on clients and allow Mu-Mimo to work. But still slightly disappointing when I need to run large file copies around the house. Being able to connect to a faster 5Ghz would have been nice. Esp. since my wireless card supports that.
That being said, for everyday use and a busy household and a large house this is a great router system to provide coverage and bandwidth to all. It is a nice system that works, esp. if you are not overly techie.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Customer Rating
4
A Good GPS Decent Tablet
on September 14, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
If you are looking for a Stand Alone GPS unit. This does the job well. Mounts nice in the car and with offline maps this a good unit. The addition of a DashCAM is helpful too allowing for the device to do two important jobs. You may ask why a GPS unit when most people have a phone. This is nice for the size and placement make it easier to read, even in full sunlight the screen was visible. Also being offline, you don't need to download maps ahead of time or run off data. Additionally as an android tablet it is fairly fast. While it doesn't have the google play store, it does have the amazon one which allowed me to load Amazon Video and Goat Simulator to test the speed. Tablet works well. Also can be used as an offline media player, handy to keep the backseat quiet on longer drives. The Bluetooth connectivity for the phone to listen to audio from another device works fairly well, even if I did have the occasion to restart the tablet when it borked between my phone and the device. No a huge deal. Just mildly annoying. Overall it isn't a bad tablet. Packaged well and will give you directions, but I noticed for voice search on the GPS and live data it needs a wifi connection. So if you want live traffic, or voice search in a destination for the GPS you'll need a phone or a car with a WiFi hotspot. I didn't test it as a microphone for hands free calls, but considering it is built well I assume it work well. The addition of the screen protector was additionally nice too.
It attaches via magnets to its smart car mount, and those are strong magnets. Driving in the underbelly of pothole central (New Jersey) with my car bouncing around it never waivered but easily comes off when I grab it to take it inside or secure in my trunk. Overall it is a nice unit and I'm happy with it generally. I like the tablet ability, as when you travel it means you can take it into the hotel room and watch video's on it saving needing to carry potentially an additional device. Give it try I think if you want a stand alone unit this might be the one for you.
It attaches via magnets to its smart car mount, and those are strong magnets. Driving in the underbelly of pothole central (New Jersey) with my car bouncing around it never waivered but easily comes off when I grab it to take it inside or secure in my trunk. Overall it is a nice unit and I'm happy with it generally. I like the tablet ability, as when you travel it means you can take it into the hotel room and watch video's on it saving needing to carry potentially an additional device. Give it try I think if you want a stand alone unit this might be the one for you.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Connect favorite peripherals to this Acer Aspire laptop. Four USB ports let you connect accessories, transfer files or charge a cellphone while you work, and HDMI outputs make dual-screen functionality possible. Access nearby wireless networks with this Acer Aspire laptop and stream videos or upload your own images captured with the built-in HD webcam.
Customer Rating
4
A Good Laptop for General Use
on July 10, 2016
Posted by: OmieOne
from East Stroudsburg, PA
This is a nice little laptop. The i5 gives it the performance needed for a modern general purpose Computer and the 8GB of RAM helps keep the PC keep pace with switching between apps and not getting sluggish. The bloatware on this PC was a minimum. Just the Virus McAfee, which isn't too hard to remove and really not needed as Windows 10 default AV/Antimalware solution works well. Just ignore the scary warning is all when you uninstall. Your PC will be protected. Additionally a few other pieces of software such as games and such that are not needed. Acer's additional apps weren't too bad, and easily removed. I was disappointed that out of the box this PC does not meet Windows 10 Home ability to use device encryption. I don't like having unencrypted laptops. I did have a Windows 10 Pro key, which I used to access bitlocker, other may not care, or use 3rd party programs but it annoyed me. What is really slowing this PC down is the lack of an SSD, at least during setup and adding/removing programs as the 5400 RPM disk becomes a bottle neck. I like the space of 1TB, but that drive, after having all my other computers running SSD is making me look to upgrade this PC. However unless you are doing a lot of heavy disk I/O tasks at the same time you won't notice. In fact once it was setup, and just used as a basic computer for Office/Internet/Web conferencing I don't notice. The screen is a nice IPS panel. It folds easy and while 15" is a bit large for a tablet it was nice to be able to put the PC in that configuration and have it directly on my lap while using another computer/device. The PC didn't get hot and holding it like that was comfortable in that regard. I won't comment on the touchpad, because I jkust hate all touch pads, but having the ability to touch the screen makes this a better experience as I can skip the touch pad as needed.Overall if you are looking for a PC to consume streaming media/Office work (Not Office is a 30 day trial additional purchase needed)/Internet this is a good PC. The screen is great. Speakers are good for a laptop and loud enough to hear without the need of an external Bluetooth speaker. This is the laptop for you, but I would highly consider upgrading the Hard Drive to 1TB, but once you get out of the box setup done and get the apps updated and installed you want, you may not notice except during reboots etc. For when I want to sit on my chair and stream something, or do some general word processing this has been a great computer. The lack of the SSD marks it down a star, but that is easily fixed these days.
My Best Buy number: 2844099837
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
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Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
If you still have to have Internet service what do I need this thing for I already have a router
Well the two I can think of are: 1. If you need better/stronger wifi coverage throughout your house or 2. if you have newer devices that can use the AC wireless settings. With the Mu-Mimo, even if your devices don't support it, testing has shown that your over all wireless throughput will be better as the router can share the connection better with all devices.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
OmieOne