gtdad's stats
- Review count87
- Helpfulness votes919
- First reviewDecember 20, 2014
- Last reviewMay 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
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- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes7
- First answerNovember 26, 2016
- Last answerApril 29, 2020
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Premium Smart Programmable Touch-Screen Thermostat with Siri, Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant is brilliant at savings and comfort, allowing you to optimize your energy use through superior intelligence and technology. Included SmartSensor eliminates hot and cold spots and adjusts the temperature in the rooms that matter most. A built-in air quality monitor, smoke alarm detection, and geofencing technology to understand occupancy are just a few of the features that make saving energy just the beginning. Works with Siri*, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, and IFTT.
Customer Rating
4
High Quality, Modern Style, But Not Perfect
on June 7, 2022
Posted by: gtdad
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is packaged nicely with everything you will need for installation included in the box.
I already had the Ecobee app installed as I have other Ecobee products in my home. In the app you click on add a device, choose the thermostat and it will provide step by step instructions which are very easy to follow. You should only need a phillips head screwdriver.
Ecobbe even includes identifying stickers to attach to the wires of your old thermostat before removing them. It is very helpful when attaching the wires to the Ecobee. The entire installation just took a few minutes. I needed the included wallplate to cover a rectangular cutout in the drywall from my old thermostat. Connecting to a wifi network is done on the thermostat, and it was quick and easy.
It is important to turn all power to the a/c off prior to installation. After the power was on and the wifi was connected the Ecobee just took a moment to setup and it was ready to go.
It also took just a moment to add the Ecobee to my Google Home app which allows me to control the thermostat by voice.
For some reason Ecobee has not built in the Google Assistant. I don’t think this is too important as I have Google speakers all over my home, and would probably never use the thermostat as a speaker.
Also included is a room sensor with a stand that magnetically attaches. After pulling the battery tab, the sensor connected immediately. This is the first time I have had a room sensor with a thermostat and I wasn’t sure if I would find it helpful. But I love it. It gives you a better understanding of how the temperature varies in parts of your home which are not located next to the thermostat, and it allows the thermostat to make adjustments to better cool the entire house. Both the thermostat and the room sensor can detect when a room is occupied or vacant.
The Ecobee comes pre programed with 3 schedules for Sleep, Home and Away. But you can customize your own schedules.
The screen of the thermostat is big. It has white font on a black background which is generally easy to read.
However, I do have couple of gripes.
First, the temperature reading is nice and large but the rest of the information is in a very small font. With so much screen real estate I would think they could make the rest of the information larger so that you don’t have to put your reading glasses on to see it.
Secondly, I live in a high rise condominium where the thermostat is mounted just 4 feet from the floor in order to comply with disability requirements. What I discovered is that the screen dims rather quickly when viewed from above or off center. So I find myself bending down to view it at eye level in order to read the screen. I wish there was a brightness setting.
Some features that I really like are:
Air Quality readings, which includes VoC and Co2 readings.
Humidity Levels (I live in South Florida) and weather
Notifications for High Humidity and Maintenance reminders including changing of air filters.
Overall this is an excellent product, simple to install and use. It has a very premium style and would look nice in any home.
The positives definitely outweigh the negatives. I would recommend the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The WH-1000XM5 headphones rewrite the rules for distraction-free listening. Two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise canceling and exceptional call quality.
Customer Rating
4
Great Technology with Design Drawbacks
on May 24, 2022
Posted by: gtdad
The Sony WH-1000Xm5 is the latest version of the best noise cancelling headphones available today.
I also have the Sony WH-1000Xm3 and the Bose QC 45, which I will compare in this review.
There is a lot of great technology, however Sony made some design choices which may make this not suitable for everyone.
Out of the box the first thing you notice is the size of the case. It is approximately 30% larger than the Xm3 and about 40% larger than the QC45. This is due to the new design of the Xm5 which do not fold. This is an unfortunate trend, as Bose, Apple and Microsoft headphones don’t fold either. I use noise cancelling headphones predominantly for travel. My backpack or carryon has limited space. Carrying 2 of these headphones (for myself and my wife) now takes up the space of 3 foldable headphones.
Also included in the case is the headphone cable and a ridiculously small charging cable. So small that it is basically unusable.
The double prong airline adapter is no longer included, which is fine since I have never used one and I don’t know if any airline uses that anymore.
The headband is now rounder and slimmer. I found the new design to be less comfortable than the flatter design of the other headphones as the contact with your head is now concentrated in a smaller area. If you have a thick head of hair, you may not notice this. However, if you have thinning hair or you are bald I think you will notice this.
The ear cups now have a wider opening which will be more comfortable for most people.
However, the ear cup padding is only half as thick and softer than the Xm3 and this causes a couple of issues. (See attached picture).
The padding compresses too easily and goes into the ear cup. This is not only less comfortable, it also affects the seal around your ears which results in noise leakage. The first time I used the noise cancelling I was shocked at how poor it was. After several uses I realized that the ear cup foam was not sealing properly. When I pushed the ear cups closer to my ears by holding both sides of the headband the noise cancelling was incredible. The foam is too soft and too thin. Sony should definitely offer a replacement which is thicker. This would be an easy and inexpensive fix.
I weighed the Xm5 at 249 grams, the Xm3 at 254 grams and the QC 45 at 235 grams. You can feel a sight difference compared to the Xm3, however the Bose is still noticeably lighter.
The Xm5 in black is also a fingerprint magnet. This is especially bad because the headphone controls require your finger to swipe the earcups.
Finally, there is no voice announcement when you turn the power on. I am used to hearing that the power is on and which device I am connected to. Instead all you get is a couple of guitar sounding notes when you turn it on and when it connects.
Now on to the great technology.
Initial pairing with my Pixel phone was instantaneous. Connection is fast and stable.
Noise cancellation, when ear cups are sealed properly, is incredible. Far better than the QC 45 and noticeably better than the Xm3, especially with higher frequencies.
The Xm5 can connect to 2 different devices.
Phone calls are much better than any other headphone I have used. The conversation is loud and clear on both ends while the Xm5 completely block out the noise from your surroundings. The other party will think that you are in a quiet room no matter your surroundings. Ambient sound quality is also improved and can now be adjusted automatically depending on your surroundings.
The Xm5 can connect to 2 different devices.
Phone calls are much better than any other headphone I have used. The conversation is loud and clear on both ends while the Xm5 completely block out the noise from your surroundings. The other party will think that you are in a quiet room no matter your surroundings. Ambient sound quality is also improved and can now be adjusted automatically depending on your surroundings.
The Xm3 required you to go to the app and do it manually.
Sound quality for music and voice is also excellent, and is adjustable with EQ settings in the app.
Battery charge lasts up to 30 hours, which is excellent. However, fast charging is improved with a 3 minute charge giving you up to 3 hours of use, when charged with a PD adapter.
Other features like Speak to Pause and Remove Headphones to Pause work great and are very useful.
In summary, the tech is top notch , the design is not (at least for me). I realize that we are all built differently and some of the negatives I mentioned may not affect you. And Sony could easily fix the sound leakage with thicker foam pads.
Therefore, I would recommend the Sony WH-1000Xm5 only if you can try them on first.
Therefore, I would recommend the Sony WH-1000Xm5 only if you can try them on first.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Preserve little ears, muffle big noise. Protect your child’s hearing with our industry-leading noise reduction headphones. HearMuffs Wireless connects to phones and tablets while limiting maximum volume to preserve hearing. Designed for young ears, Hearmuffs have an adjustable headband and foam cushions for a snug fit. Whether it’s naptime or party time, your kids can safely have a good time!
Customer Rating
5
Great product to protect young ears
on January 26, 2022
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Florida
The Lucid Hearmuffs for infants is a quality product effectively serves a very important need.
In the package you get the Hearmuffs and a USB cable for charging. The first thing I did was fully charge the Hearmuffs. It took less than an hour to fully charge, but without a power level indicator, I could not tell how much power it had when delivered. The manufacturer states that the charge should last 6-8 hours. Do far I have no reason to doubt that estimate. To connect to Bluetooth, press the centers button until you see a blue flashing light. At that point, just go to your device and add the headphones. Quick and easy.
These headphones are designed to block out noise at levels that may be harmful to your child.
It also has volume controls, however even at it's highest setting it is limited.
I got this for a 3 year old and a 2 year old. Both tried to remove it until I started streaming something through the Bluetooth connection.
The headband and the ear cups are very soft.
Overall it appears to be high quality at a very reasonable price.
We have many potential uses for this product including sporting events.
I highly recommend this product.
In the package you get the Hearmuffs and a USB cable for charging. The first thing I did was fully charge the Hearmuffs. It took less than an hour to fully charge, but without a power level indicator, I could not tell how much power it had when delivered. The manufacturer states that the charge should last 6-8 hours. Do far I have no reason to doubt that estimate. To connect to Bluetooth, press the centers button until you see a blue flashing light. At that point, just go to your device and add the headphones. Quick and easy.
These headphones are designed to block out noise at levels that may be harmful to your child.
It also has volume controls, however even at it's highest setting it is limited.
I got this for a 3 year old and a 2 year old. Both tried to remove it until I started streaming something through the Bluetooth connection.
The headband and the ear cups are very soft.
Overall it appears to be high quality at a very reasonable price.
We have many potential uses for this product including sporting events.
I highly recommend this product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Going electric might feel like a big step, but with this brush you’re in safe hands. Its slim ergonomic design and familiar-shaped head gives you everything you need, and nothing you don't. Sonicare technology gently pulses water between your teeth, for a difference you can feel. With two intensity settings, you can also choose a more gentle clean.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Quality, Great Features
on January 10, 2022
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
The Philips Sonicare 2100 comes with 1 brush head with travel cap, 1 power handle and a USB powered stand. You must provide your own power adapter as it is not included in the package.
You also get a very comprehensive manual, which is appreciated in an era where user manuals seem to have disappeared.
The first thing Philips recommends is to fully charge the handle which can take up to 24 hours (mine took about 8 hours). However, you can use the toothbrush prior to completing the first charge. Philips states that the battery should provide 28 full 2-minute brushings per charge. You can leave the toothbrush in the charger all of the time to keep it fully charged but that is not necessary.
There is a charging light on the handle to let you know the state of charge.
Philips has recommended that you spend 2 minutes to properly brush your teeth. The toothbrush features a Quad Pacer which is a timing device that momentarily pauses the brushing every 30 seconds.
They recommend that you divide your teeth into 4 quadrants and spend 30 seconds on each section.
At the end of the 2 minutes the toothbrush will turn off. I find this feature to be very convenient, but if you don’t you can turn it off.
If you have never brushed with a Sonicare toothbrush before, it feels different from any other toothbrush. The manual will give you tips on the proper method which requires very little pressure to be applied to your teeth. You have to allow the brush to do all of the work.
It comes programmed with an easy start feature. This is a program which starts off gently and gradually increases in intensity over the first 14 uses. This allows you to get used to the intensity of the toothbrush.
This feature can also be turned off if you have used a Sonicare before or if you feel you don’t need it.
You can also manually choose between low and high intensity.
So, now the most important thing is how does it clean, and the answer is Superb. It is the closest thing to a cleaning at the dentist office. It is quieter than other electric toothbrushes. It is very light yet feels very well built and premium quality.
I highly recommend the Philips Sonicare 2100.
You also get a very comprehensive manual, which is appreciated in an era where user manuals seem to have disappeared.
The first thing Philips recommends is to fully charge the handle which can take up to 24 hours (mine took about 8 hours). However, you can use the toothbrush prior to completing the first charge. Philips states that the battery should provide 28 full 2-minute brushings per charge. You can leave the toothbrush in the charger all of the time to keep it fully charged but that is not necessary.
There is a charging light on the handle to let you know the state of charge.
Philips has recommended that you spend 2 minutes to properly brush your teeth. The toothbrush features a Quad Pacer which is a timing device that momentarily pauses the brushing every 30 seconds.
They recommend that you divide your teeth into 4 quadrants and spend 30 seconds on each section.
At the end of the 2 minutes the toothbrush will turn off. I find this feature to be very convenient, but if you don’t you can turn it off.
If you have never brushed with a Sonicare toothbrush before, it feels different from any other toothbrush. The manual will give you tips on the proper method which requires very little pressure to be applied to your teeth. You have to allow the brush to do all of the work.
It comes programmed with an easy start feature. This is a program which starts off gently and gradually increases in intensity over the first 14 uses. This allows you to get used to the intensity of the toothbrush.
This feature can also be turned off if you have used a Sonicare before or if you feel you don’t need it.
You can also manually choose between low and high intensity.
So, now the most important thing is how does it clean, and the answer is Superb. It is the closest thing to a cleaning at the dentist office. It is quieter than other electric toothbrushes. It is very light yet feels very well built and premium quality.
I highly recommend the Philips Sonicare 2100.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Cleaning, Accurate Mapping
on December 10, 2021
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
The Roomba i6 is a high quality powerful robotic vacuum with excellent mapping ability.
In the box you get the vacuum, a relatively small dock and the shortest quick start guide I have ever seen.
Set up is as simple as charging the vacuum in the dock, downloading the Roomba app, connecting to 5g wifi, naming your vacuum and indicating whether you want to connect to Google or Alexa.
In my case I connected to my Google Home app, which was quick and easy. I can now control the vacuum by voice, from the app, or manually by pressing the buttons on the vacuum.
I have an apartment with 1850 square feet, 2 bedrooms, a den, living room, kitchen, 2 hallways, an entryway and 3 bathrooms. All of my floors are tile.
My first run was to map and clean simultaneously. It took less than 2 hours and completed this without having to recharge. The app indicated that I would need 1 more mapping run to complete the map.
The next day I did mapping without cleaning. It took about an hour and 20 minutes to complete and at this point a very accurate and detailed map of my house appeared in the app.
You can then name all of the rooms and change room boarders if you feel that the Roomba was not accurate. I did not have to change any boarders, the mapping was that good.
Naming the rooms will allow you to tell the Roomba which rooms to clean if you don't wish to have it clean the entire house.
Naming the rooms will allow you to tell the Roomba which rooms to clean if you don't wish to have it clean the entire house.
The Roomba was able to navigate its way around furniture legs very precisely.
I was replacing another brand robotic vacuum which did not have mapping ability so it just randomly changed direction and would never effectively clean the entire house. What a tremendous difference as I could not find a single spot that was missed by the Roomba.
The Roomba has 1 rotating brush to grab dirt, a double roller system and a filter.
The Roomba i6 is very powerful and picks up hair without getting stuck in the rollers.
So the basic functions, cleaning and mapping, are pretty much as good as it gets.
There are a couple of negatives.
The dust bin is surprisingly small and difficult to clean as compared to the much cheaper vacuum it replaced. Also, very surprisingly, Roomba does not give you any extra filters or brushes which are provided by most other manufacturers even on less expensive models.
Overall, this is an excellent vacuum that excels at the most important functions of a robotic vacuum, cleaning and mapping. The battery is more than adequate for my purposes. The vacuum knows when to go back to the dock and will continue vacuuming after charging The app is intuitive and easy to navigate. The negatives are relatively small annoyances.
I would recommend this product to anyone who needs a robotic vacuum.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Powerport III Nano Pro Duo 40W Fast Wall Charger. Safely and quickly charge a single device at 40W or two devices at up to 20W speeds. Compatible with virtually any USB-C device, this includes USB-C laptops, phones, tablets, and more.
Customer Rating
5
Compact, Rapid Charge, High Quality
on November 24, 2021
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
The Anker 521 Powerport lll Nano Pro Duo 40w Fast Charger is a necessity is today’s world where we all have multiple devices that need to be charged no matter where we are.
Out of the box it is immediately apparent that this is a quality device. It is compact at approximately 1 3/4” deep and 1 1/3” height and width, yet with a nice amount of weight that reflects the amount of tech inside. The prongs do not fold so they do add some nominal length when carrying the charger.
It also comes with an 18 month warranty.
The charger features :
Power IQ 3.0 which adapts the power output to the maximum speed for your device.
Voltage Boost which compensates for cable resistance
Real time temperature sensing to assure that the device temperature stays within normal range.
Power Tuner Chip adjusts the maximum safe output for your device.
Dual USB-C ports which will output 40w from a single port or 20w simultaneously from 2 ports.
We have 2 Pixel phones and this is able to rapidly charge both phones at the same time.
It will also charge my laptops, though not as quickly at the much larger chargers that were provided by those manufacturers.
I travel often and for me this means I no longer have to carry multiple chargers with me, some of which are large and heavy. I can just bring this small charger and know that it will get me by with all of my devices.
I am extremely impressed with this charger and would highly recommend this to everyone.
Out of the box it is immediately apparent that this is a quality device. It is compact at approximately 1 3/4” deep and 1 1/3” height and width, yet with a nice amount of weight that reflects the amount of tech inside. The prongs do not fold so they do add some nominal length when carrying the charger.
It also comes with an 18 month warranty.
The charger features :
Power IQ 3.0 which adapts the power output to the maximum speed for your device.
Voltage Boost which compensates for cable resistance
Real time temperature sensing to assure that the device temperature stays within normal range.
Power Tuner Chip adjusts the maximum safe output for your device.
Dual USB-C ports which will output 40w from a single port or 20w simultaneously from 2 ports.
We have 2 Pixel phones and this is able to rapidly charge both phones at the same time.
It will also charge my laptops, though not as quickly at the much larger chargers that were provided by those manufacturers.
I travel often and for me this means I no longer have to carry multiple chargers with me, some of which are large and heavy. I can just bring this small charger and know that it will get me by with all of my devices.
I am extremely impressed with this charger and would highly recommend this to everyone.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy a family barbecue in any kind of weather with the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Indoor Grill. 8 versatile cooking functions like Crisp, Air Grill, Dehydrate, and more let you whip up anything from delicious lunch to healthy snacks. Use the one-touch functions on the modern display or adjust settings and monitor meals remotely with the free VeSync app on your smartphone. Voice control compatibility lets you make meals with just the sound of your voice when your hands are full with food prep. The pre-installed activated-carbon smoke filter ensures virtually fume-free grilling for the best grilling experience, while temperatures up to 510°F guarantee those crispy grill textures you love. With included easy-to-clean accessories, bonus tongs, a meat thermometer, and a recipe book made by Cosori chefs, you’ll always be inspired to fire up your indoor grill.
Customer Rating
5
High Quality, WiFi Connected, Cooks Without Oils
on November 23, 2021
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
Out of the box it is apparent that this is a quality product. Solidly built, heavy weight and good materials. Very well packaged with everything you will need to use the product to its fullest potential. You get the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Indoor Grill with grill plate, 4qt. bake basket and 6qt cooking pot. All of these have a high quality nonstick ceramic surface. You also get a cleaning brush, a digital thermometer, tongs, 6 metal skewers, a splatter guard, quick start guide and cookbook.
Setup includes downloading the VeSync app which will connect to the Aeroblaze and download an update. You will then be instructed to run a 10 minute cooking session at high heat. This will assure that the grill is working properly as well as get rid of the initial smell that most ovens have the first time you use them.
The app will also ask if you want to add the grill to your Google Home app or Alexa. I have the Google Home app and I have to say the Cosori has done an excellent job with Google Assistant integration. All you really have to do is name the device and indicate which room you have the grill in and the app will do everything else for you. By far the easiest non Google device I have ever added to my Google Home. I can now start and stop the grill, tell it which cooking mode I want, and ask how much time is remaining, from anywhere, simply by asking Google. The app also sends notifications to your phone and smartwatch with the status of the of the grill. This is my first kitchen appliance with wifi and connected to Google Assistant, and I think it is very useful.
The app also has a lot of recipes. When you are ready to cook you just click in the app and it will setup the grill with the proper time and temperature.
The interior of the grill is large and deep. It has a large useable cooking area yet it has a very small footprint on your kitchen counter.
There are 8 cooking settings,( Crisp, Broil, Air Grill, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Keep Warm and PreHeat), which make this versatile enough to cook practically anything.
So far we have prepared thick home cut fries with just a slight amount of oil brushed on. They came out crispy and delicious. We made breaded chicken parmesan which came out crispy, perfectly cooked, and we grilled steak and hamburgers with sear marks on the outsides yet tender and cooked to the correct doneness. The pre-installed air filter was very effective with no smoke or odor.
It has triple fans which very effectively push the hot air down to the food. All of the food cooked in less time than the air fryer/toaster oven and other indoor grill that it replaced. This grill can cook up to 510 degrees and seals the heat in very well. This results in faster cooking times. I did not feel any noticeable heat around the cabinet or countertop.
However, all cooking areas and some of the outer surfaces can get hot, so it is recommended to use silicon gloves when putting food in or taking it out.
The only negative is that the powerful fans create some noise.
We have been so happy with this grill. It is high quality, very well integrated technology, easy to read digital display which is very intuitive to use, great app, and Google Assistant integration.
And most importantly it cooks food quickly and efficiently with a variety of cooking modes, and with little to no cooking oils.
I highly recommend the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Indoor Grill.
Setup includes downloading the VeSync app which will connect to the Aeroblaze and download an update. You will then be instructed to run a 10 minute cooking session at high heat. This will assure that the grill is working properly as well as get rid of the initial smell that most ovens have the first time you use them.
The app will also ask if you want to add the grill to your Google Home app or Alexa. I have the Google Home app and I have to say the Cosori has done an excellent job with Google Assistant integration. All you really have to do is name the device and indicate which room you have the grill in and the app will do everything else for you. By far the easiest non Google device I have ever added to my Google Home. I can now start and stop the grill, tell it which cooking mode I want, and ask how much time is remaining, from anywhere, simply by asking Google. The app also sends notifications to your phone and smartwatch with the status of the of the grill. This is my first kitchen appliance with wifi and connected to Google Assistant, and I think it is very useful.
The app also has a lot of recipes. When you are ready to cook you just click in the app and it will setup the grill with the proper time and temperature.
The interior of the grill is large and deep. It has a large useable cooking area yet it has a very small footprint on your kitchen counter.
There are 8 cooking settings,( Crisp, Broil, Air Grill, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Keep Warm and PreHeat), which make this versatile enough to cook practically anything.
So far we have prepared thick home cut fries with just a slight amount of oil brushed on. They came out crispy and delicious. We made breaded chicken parmesan which came out crispy, perfectly cooked, and we grilled steak and hamburgers with sear marks on the outsides yet tender and cooked to the correct doneness. The pre-installed air filter was very effective with no smoke or odor.
It has triple fans which very effectively push the hot air down to the food. All of the food cooked in less time than the air fryer/toaster oven and other indoor grill that it replaced. This grill can cook up to 510 degrees and seals the heat in very well. This results in faster cooking times. I did not feel any noticeable heat around the cabinet or countertop.
However, all cooking areas and some of the outer surfaces can get hot, so it is recommended to use silicon gloves when putting food in or taking it out.
The only negative is that the powerful fans create some noise.
We have been so happy with this grill. It is high quality, very well integrated technology, easy to read digital display which is very intuitive to use, great app, and Google Assistant integration.
And most importantly it cooks food quickly and efficiently with a variety of cooking modes, and with little to no cooking oils.
I highly recommend the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Indoor Grill.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet Pixel 6. It’s completely reimagined, inside and out. Powered by Tensor, Google’s first-ever processor, it’s fast, smart, and secure. The all-day battery adapts to you.* The Pixel Camera captures a moment just how you experienced it. And the Personal Safety app and the new Titan M2TM chip help protect you, your stuff, and your privacy.**
Customer Rating
5
High Quality, Next Level AI
on November 2, 2021
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
Let’s start with the basics. The Google Pixel 6 is a 5G phone which has a 6.4” 90Hz display made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, a 50mp front facing camera ( with ultra wide lens), a fingerprint scanner located under the screen, and a high capacity long lasting battery. It is Google’s first phone with it’s own in house designed processor (Tensor).
In the box you get the phone, a usb-c to usb-c cable and a usb-a to usb-c adapter for transferring data from your old phone.
This greatly speeds up the setup process. You also get a sim key and brochures. You do not get a charger included.
After the setup is complete you should update to the latest firmware in the System Settings and then go to the Google Play store and update all of your apps.
You are not only getting a new phone, you are getting Google’s latest operating system Android 12. It has anew UI which allows you to personalize the phone more easily. Changing the wallpaper theme will be reflected throughout the apps on your phone. This phone is designed to take advantage of all of the AI features built in the Tensor chip, it is very speech capable and takes the Google Assistant to the next level.
This is what I call the trifecta of features that separate this phone from the rest.
1)Phone Assist:
Google can answer your phone, from non-contact numbers, and ask why they are calling you. You can watch the transcription of their response and then decide if you want to answer your phone. It will also silently decline calls from known robo callers. When you dial a toll free number a chart will appear with the approximate hold times for today and the rest of the week. So you can decide the best day and time to call for the shortest wait time. I called a retailer and the recording said a 10 minute wait, however Google showed a 15 minute wait. Sure enough exactly 15 minutes later the call was answered. So the Google Assistant was more accurate than the retailer. Should you decide to hold the Google Assistant will hold for you. It will notify you with an audible sound when a human voice is detected. I have used this feature for a long time on my Pixel 4 and it has been 100% accurate and has saved me from untold hours of waiting on hold listening to horrible music.
2)Speech, Translation and Transcribing:
You can have a conversation or chat with anyone who speaks several of the most common foreign languages.
You speak or type in English and it will immediately be translated to the other persons language. They can then respond to you in their native language and it will be translated back to English. You can even put emojis in your chat by using your voice. I live in a multi cultural area where many languages are spoken.
This will not only help in every day life, it is a tremendous business tool allowing you to expand your client base.
Live transcription is also extremely accurate even when speaking rapidly and can be used with translation. No need for punctuating, Google will do that for you.
You can point your camera at a traffic sign or any document in another language and it will instantly translate to English.
It can translate webpages and transcribe live caption videos.
3)Camera:
Still photos are very clear, colors are accurate and detailed without being overly saturated. .(See above pictures). Night Sight captures beautiful detailed images at night.
Skin tones of all shades are very natural. Great results for those of us who like to point and shoot. However, there are enough camera modes and settings to allow you to be as creative as you like.
Videos are recorded in 1080p and have optical stabilization which you can adjust to account for the amount of movement.
I found to adjustability of the stabilization to be very helpful.
There are other new features:
Magic eraser let’s you remove unwanted people and objects from your photos. You really have to see this. It is fun to use and can completely change the context of the photo. Whether at a particular location or with a celebrity and other people are around, you can make it appear as if you are the only person there.
Motion Mode lets you blur objects in the background, such as moving traffic, while keeping the subject in focus.
Face Unblur does exactly that when the subject is moving, such as jumping.
Speech enhancement blocks out ambient sounds in noisy environments while recording videos on the selfie camera.
All of these tools and enhancements are easy to find and use, either intuitively or by simply bringing up the Pixel Tools and Tips from your settings. You can search anything on your phone by swiping up on the screen. Just start typing what you are looking for and Google immediately starts bringing up results. Then just click on what you want, whether its a contact or and app or a chat.
Privacy and security have been enhanced with additional settings that give you complete control over what information is shared with your apps, right down to being able to toggle the camera and mic on and off.
Some things to note:
The 5G is mid and low band. Though not as fast as millimeter wave, it is much more available and reliable. I am on the T-Mobile network. Walking around my neighborhood I was able to get 215mbps download and 48mbps upload speeds (see picture). This of course will vary depending on your location and your carrier. Connection of data and calls was always reliable.
Phone calls were clear, the screen is bright responsive and easy to read outdoors. Battery life is excellent. Over 24 hour periods I was able to average about 6 hours of display time while still having 20% battery remaining. Easily getting me through a day with emails, calls (video and voice), camera use and some You Tube videos.
There are however a couple of negatives.
First the under the screen fingerprint reader requires you to keep your finger on it longer than you expect. This results in having to repeat the process because you lifted your finger too quickly.
However, I did notice that today it seemed to be working quicker without issues. So either I am adapting to the phone, or the phone is adapting to me.
The first day the auto brightness made the screen too dark, however that seems to have corrected itself and it now works properly.
The volume does not get loud enough to hear anything until it reaches more than 50%. It will eventually get loud enough but that is at 80-100%. I hope this is a software issue that can be fixed with an update.
Overall this is an incredible phone at an equally incredible price. It looks and feels the part of a flagship phone.
Loaded with features designed to make your life easier, and it succeeds. To call this a phone does not do it justice. It is so much more. Google has stepped out of the ordinary with the new bold design and I love it, Especially in Stormy Black.
We have been a Google family having used Pixel 4 phones for the past 2 years. Our house is packed with Google devices and we have become dependent on the google assistant. The Pixel 6 along with all of the added AI features allows us to get more accomplished with less effort.
I would highly recommend this phone to everyone.
In the box you get the phone, a usb-c to usb-c cable and a usb-a to usb-c adapter for transferring data from your old phone.
This greatly speeds up the setup process. You also get a sim key and brochures. You do not get a charger included.
After the setup is complete you should update to the latest firmware in the System Settings and then go to the Google Play store and update all of your apps.
You are not only getting a new phone, you are getting Google’s latest operating system Android 12. It has anew UI which allows you to personalize the phone more easily. Changing the wallpaper theme will be reflected throughout the apps on your phone. This phone is designed to take advantage of all of the AI features built in the Tensor chip, it is very speech capable and takes the Google Assistant to the next level.
This is what I call the trifecta of features that separate this phone from the rest.
1)Phone Assist:
Google can answer your phone, from non-contact numbers, and ask why they are calling you. You can watch the transcription of their response and then decide if you want to answer your phone. It will also silently decline calls from known robo callers. When you dial a toll free number a chart will appear with the approximate hold times for today and the rest of the week. So you can decide the best day and time to call for the shortest wait time. I called a retailer and the recording said a 10 minute wait, however Google showed a 15 minute wait. Sure enough exactly 15 minutes later the call was answered. So the Google Assistant was more accurate than the retailer. Should you decide to hold the Google Assistant will hold for you. It will notify you with an audible sound when a human voice is detected. I have used this feature for a long time on my Pixel 4 and it has been 100% accurate and has saved me from untold hours of waiting on hold listening to horrible music.
2)Speech, Translation and Transcribing:
You can have a conversation or chat with anyone who speaks several of the most common foreign languages.
You speak or type in English and it will immediately be translated to the other persons language. They can then respond to you in their native language and it will be translated back to English. You can even put emojis in your chat by using your voice. I live in a multi cultural area where many languages are spoken.
This will not only help in every day life, it is a tremendous business tool allowing you to expand your client base.
Live transcription is also extremely accurate even when speaking rapidly and can be used with translation. No need for punctuating, Google will do that for you.
You can point your camera at a traffic sign or any document in another language and it will instantly translate to English.
It can translate webpages and transcribe live caption videos.
3)Camera:
Still photos are very clear, colors are accurate and detailed without being overly saturated. .(See above pictures). Night Sight captures beautiful detailed images at night.
Skin tones of all shades are very natural. Great results for those of us who like to point and shoot. However, there are enough camera modes and settings to allow you to be as creative as you like.
Videos are recorded in 1080p and have optical stabilization which you can adjust to account for the amount of movement.
I found to adjustability of the stabilization to be very helpful.
There are other new features:
Magic eraser let’s you remove unwanted people and objects from your photos. You really have to see this. It is fun to use and can completely change the context of the photo. Whether at a particular location or with a celebrity and other people are around, you can make it appear as if you are the only person there.
Motion Mode lets you blur objects in the background, such as moving traffic, while keeping the subject in focus.
Face Unblur does exactly that when the subject is moving, such as jumping.
Speech enhancement blocks out ambient sounds in noisy environments while recording videos on the selfie camera.
All of these tools and enhancements are easy to find and use, either intuitively or by simply bringing up the Pixel Tools and Tips from your settings. You can search anything on your phone by swiping up on the screen. Just start typing what you are looking for and Google immediately starts bringing up results. Then just click on what you want, whether its a contact or and app or a chat.
Privacy and security have been enhanced with additional settings that give you complete control over what information is shared with your apps, right down to being able to toggle the camera and mic on and off.
Some things to note:
The 5G is mid and low band. Though not as fast as millimeter wave, it is much more available and reliable. I am on the T-Mobile network. Walking around my neighborhood I was able to get 215mbps download and 48mbps upload speeds (see picture). This of course will vary depending on your location and your carrier. Connection of data and calls was always reliable.
Phone calls were clear, the screen is bright responsive and easy to read outdoors. Battery life is excellent. Over 24 hour periods I was able to average about 6 hours of display time while still having 20% battery remaining. Easily getting me through a day with emails, calls (video and voice), camera use and some You Tube videos.
There are however a couple of negatives.
First the under the screen fingerprint reader requires you to keep your finger on it longer than you expect. This results in having to repeat the process because you lifted your finger too quickly.
However, I did notice that today it seemed to be working quicker without issues. So either I am adapting to the phone, or the phone is adapting to me.
The first day the auto brightness made the screen too dark, however that seems to have corrected itself and it now works properly.
The volume does not get loud enough to hear anything until it reaches more than 50%. It will eventually get loud enough but that is at 80-100%. I hope this is a software issue that can be fixed with an update.
Overall this is an incredible phone at an equally incredible price. It looks and feels the part of a flagship phone.
Loaded with features designed to make your life easier, and it succeeds. To call this a phone does not do it justice. It is so much more. Google has stepped out of the ordinary with the new bold design and I love it, Especially in Stormy Black.
We have been a Google family having used Pixel 4 phones for the past 2 years. Our house is packed with Google devices and we have become dependent on the google assistant. The Pixel 6 along with all of the added AI features allows us to get more accomplished with less effort.
I would highly recommend this phone to everyone.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+18points
35of 52voted this as helpful.
The Lyric therapeutic massager is a revolutionary intelligent self-care companion that takes the guesswork out of wellness. Fitting seamlessly and stylishly into any home or lifestyle, the Lyric offers breakthrough Rhythm Therapy™ to relax and relieve pain for everybody and every body.
Customer Rating
3
Nice product, too many issues
on November 2, 2021
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
The Lyric is a wifi connected therapeutic massager. The manufacturer states that it uses Rhythm Therapy, applying frequencies to relieve pain and stress, positively affect emotions and increase blood flow.
In the box you get the massager, 4 massage heads, an extension handle, a storage base which also acts as a wireless charger, and a charging cable. A quick start guide is included to help you connect your device.
After connecting to wifi the massager will install updated firmware. There is a built-in screen where you can choose guided therapy for Rest, Energy, Pain Relief and Calm. If you choose any of these it will guide you thru a 3-4 minute program, or you can choose to do the programs manually. You can also use this outside of the provided programs by just choosing speed levels from 1-4, and applying it at your own discretion.
You can go into settings/ info to check the battery level, or settings to change language, reset the device, mute the sound and check wifi connection.
One of the biggest advantages of this device is that the wifi connection allows for future firmware updates to add features.
The design is modern and very attractive. The massager fits in the storage case/wireless charging base which holds all of the massage heads, and is attractive enough to be put on your night table or dresser. The extension handle is great for reaching all areas of your back.
It is also lightweight and easy to maneuver.
I have been using the massager for weeks both with guided programs and manually. The guided programs take getting used to, but the more I use it the more I like it. I can’t honestly say that I feel Calm, Energized or Relaxed after each program, but I have gotten used to it and I look forward to using it.
Unfortunately I have had several issues with this device and there are some shortcomings.
First issue was during setup. Following the included instructions you connect to wifi using your phone and the touchscreen.
Despite following the instructions it took almost an hour and too many attempts to count to get it connected. The phone and the touchscreen both said it was connected, but every time I tried to start the massager the screen prompted me to connect to wifi.
Secondly, when you are charging the device, whether wirelessly in the base or directly to the device, there is no indicator light either on the base or the device to let you know that it is charging. In fact, in order to know the state of charge you must first press the power button, then swipe the touchscreen twice, and the press the info button. That’s way too many steps to check the power, especially since the manufacturer tells you to keep the device at least 50% full in order to extend battery life.
Also the handle of the massager gets quite warm when charging in the base. When charging directly to the device the handle stays cool to the touch. No matter how long I have charged the device I cannot get it past 98%, however battery life does seem to be good.
Another issue is the location of the touchscreen. I have average size hands, but every time I use the device my finger will accidently touch the screen and the device stops. Then I have to press the screen again to start it. This happened often and is annoying.
Another issue is the location of the touchscreen. I have average size hands, but every time I use the device my finger will accidently touch the screen and the device stops. Then I have to press the screen again to start it. This happened often and is annoying.
But the biggest issue is a design flaw. All of the massage heads and the extension handle stay connected to the device by the friction of a rubber O ring. This will wear out over time. In fact the massage heads already have flown off the device when operated at speed level 4. This is dangerous and inexcusable. I have percussion massagers and all of them use a metal spring clip to hold the massage heads in place.
The bottom line is that this is an attractive device which takes anew approach to massage with rhythm therapy. I think it has great potential, but at this point there are too many issues for me to recommend this to anyone else.
Mobile Submission: True
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+21points
23of 25voted this as helpful.
The Ninja DualBrew Grounds & Pods Coffee Maker delivers Classic, Rich, and Over Ice brews from your favorite coffee grounds or coffee pods. Customize your brew with 9 grounds sizes from cup to carafe and 4 pod sizes from 6 to 12 oz.
Customer Rating
5
Versatile, Well Designed
on October 20, 2021
Posted by: gtdad
from Miami, Fl.
The Ninja Dual Brew Coffee Maker is a versatile, well designed product which will satisfy the varying coffee tastes of every member of the household. You can use the pod of your choice for a single cup or brew coffee grounds into the provided carafe. For pods you can choose from 6-12 ounces and select Classic, Rich or Over Ice.
For brewing grounds into the carafe you can choose 8-18 ounces as well as 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 full carafe. Of course you can also select the blend of Classic, Rich or Over Ice. The carafe will hold up to 55 ounces. The water tank, which attaches to the right side, will hold up to 60 ounces. A measuring spoon is also provided which attaches to the left side.
There is an intelligent warming plate which will automatically keep the coffee, in the carafe, at just the right temperature without allowing the coffee to burn. As long as you have the dial set to 1/4. 1/2, 3/4 or 1 full carafe. You can adjust the warming time from 2-4 hours.
You can also use Delay Brewing by setting the time you would like the coffee maker to turn on.
There is also a sliding switch which, when closed, will prevent dripping.
There is a clean button for running water through the machine. The brew basket and the pod adapter are also very easy to remove and clean.
So far we have been very happy with the Ninja Dual Brew as every member of our house has found the style and method that they prefer, and the coffee is very good. It is a very well designed machine with a relatively small footprint, taking up minimal counterspace. The display is bright, clear and easy to read.
The only issue I have had is that there doesn't seem to be any way to set am and pm on the clock. When you set the time it automatically sets to am and you can't change it to pm. The instruction book does not explain how to do it.
Overall a great machine and I would highly recommend this to everyone.
For brewing grounds into the carafe you can choose 8-18 ounces as well as 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 full carafe. Of course you can also select the blend of Classic, Rich or Over Ice. The carafe will hold up to 55 ounces. The water tank, which attaches to the right side, will hold up to 60 ounces. A measuring spoon is also provided which attaches to the left side.
There is an intelligent warming plate which will automatically keep the coffee, in the carafe, at just the right temperature without allowing the coffee to burn. As long as you have the dial set to 1/4. 1/2, 3/4 or 1 full carafe. You can adjust the warming time from 2-4 hours.
You can also use Delay Brewing by setting the time you would like the coffee maker to turn on.
There is also a sliding switch which, when closed, will prevent dripping.
There is a clean button for running water through the machine. The brew basket and the pod adapter are also very easy to remove and clean.
So far we have been very happy with the Ninja Dual Brew as every member of our house has found the style and method that they prefer, and the coffee is very good. It is a very well designed machine with a relatively small footprint, taking up minimal counterspace. The display is bright, clear and easy to read.
The only issue I have had is that there doesn't seem to be any way to set am and pm on the clock. When you set the time it automatically sets to am and you can't change it to pm. The instruction book does not explain how to do it.
Overall a great machine and I would highly recommend this to everyone.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
7of 9voted this as helpful.
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Create gorgeous hairstyles quickly with this high-velocity Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. The rapid air flow and a temperature gauge that monitors the heat level 20 times per second ensure efficient drying without overheating tresses. The motor of this Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is in the handle for better balance and reduced arm fatigue during use.
Does the dryer have an instant cold button, if so, where on the handle is it located? Thank you
Yes, located at the top of the handle nest to the power switch.
7 years, 5 months ago
by
gtdad