GadgeTell Review: Jabra Solemate Max and more

In This Issue...

GadgeTell Review: Jabra Solemate Max
Everpurse solves life's fallacies, is also very cute
Deal Alert: AT&T's 64GB LTE Microsoft Surface 2 now official
Samsung Arabia confirms KitKat update for Galaxy S3, probably by mistake
OnePlus One smartphone almost ready, housed in an aluminum unibody
3D printing is amazeballs: Helping a baby breathe, rebuilding a face, robot fish and more
Benchmark exposes Galaxy S5 zoom specs: 19 MP camera, 4.8-inch 720p display
Vodafone UK preparing a Gold Samsung Galaxy S5
Sony PlayStation 4 Price Rose by $50 in Canada
Apple iPad Pro allegedly 'shelved', 8.9-inch Google Nexus tablet in the pipeline
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GadgeTell Review: Jabra Solemate Max

At CES 2014, you couldn't turn your head without seeing some booth showcasing portable Bluetooth speakers or headphones. There are so many of them out and available now. While it makes it easier for consumers to own one, manufacturers have their work cut out in terms of standing apart from the competition.

I was excited to stop by Jabra's booth at CES, since jabra had just released the Solemate Max. I've been a long-time user of Jabra Bluetooth earpieces, and the company's recent foray into personal audio products has been rather impressive. But the Solemate Max has what this listener loves.

Powerful speakers wrapped up in a clean, aesthetic design, with a handy-dandy grip for carrying? Yes, please! Unfortunately, the noise and bustle of CES makes it a terrible environment for listening. But from the bits I was able to clearly hear at Jabra's booth, I knew I was already in love.

Design & Connectivity

The Jabra Solemate Max has rugged aspects, making it an ideal outdoor companion. While it's not proofed, it surely will resist water, dust, and even some shock if you happen to drop it. The color scheme and styling make it equally good for indoor, outdoor, professional, or casual use. I particularly like how Jabra chose a color other than black.

As much as I like the look, I can see that it's not something that would color-coordinate with every room as a permanent-yet-portable fixture.

The dimensions are good. You can grab the top one-handed to pick it up, even if your hands aren't the largest. Otherwise, the rubber-grip handle is specifically designed for the purpose of grab and go. It's well-built, as I've yanked on it pretty hard and it takes it like a champ. Although the handle sticks out, it doesn't look weird. It seems strange, but I guess it's not.

Now that's a handle!

When it comes to carrying it around, the Solemate Max is heavy, but not heavy-heavy. I wouldn't want to carry it around all day, but to and fro is fine.

It's definitely heavy enough to stay put wherever I set it down. The weight and durable construction let you know that this speaker is not cheap (price is a different matter) and is built to last. It's pretty solid.

The top of the speaker, where the track controls are located, has a quarter-inch lip all the way around. Not only does it add some visual depth, but now I have a place to toss some stuff without them slipping off. Phone, wallet, keys. Maybe loose change or small USB cables (Nomad ChargeKey). A short drink. Maybe not a big deal to some, but I sure do love it.

The track controls are a lot better than what the Max's smaller siblings have. The layout is clearly marked, looks good, and works even better. Jabra even kept the dual-purpose button for phone calls and announcing the battery level too (high, medium, low, also accompanied by a colored flash of the battery LED).

Iconic Solemate tread and cable

Speaking of announcements, the Solemate Max does makes a startup and shutdown sound in addition to the battery announcement. They're short, not terribly loud, and not so annoying either.

When the Bluetooth connects to a device, the speaker also announces a simple "connected"…

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Everpurse solves life's fallacies, is also very cute

My phone and I are one. I don't leave the house without it and if my battery charge dips below 50%, my soul dips below 50%.

Everpurse

The one other thing I'm guaranteed to have with me at all times is my purse. I suppose it makes sense to make these two essentials work in tandem to make my life…

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Deal Alert: AT&T's 64GB LTE Microsoft Surface 2 now official

Surface-2

Who doesn't love a good deal? We're always on the lookout for great gadget deals even if we know that all mobile devices out there aren't for your liking. I'm not a fan of the Surface tablet either but AT&T is about to launch a 64GB LTE model of the Microsoft Surface 2 as we also mentioned last week. The Microsoft Windows tablet will arrive tomorrow, March 18, for $679. The leaked details turned out to be true after all.

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Samsung Arabia confirms KitKat update for Galaxy S3, probably by mistake

Galaxy_s3_Android_Kitkat Uh-oh, it looks like at least two of Samsung's countless regional branches got their wires crossed in regards to future Galaxy S3 software support.

On the one hand, the Polish division indicated no Android 4.4 KitKat update was headed S3's way due to the GT-I9300 model "only" packing 1 GB RAM. On the other, the Arabic arm says the firmware is in testing and,…

Continue reading Samsung Arabia confirms KitKat update for Galaxy S3, probably by mistake

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OnePlus One smartphone almost ready, housed in an aluminum unibody

One of the many smartphones we're anticipating right now is the OnePlus One. Earlier in January, it was introduced as the "Perfect Smartphone". Of course, that is one ambitious description, but the company behind it must believe in the product so much. The startup OnePlus is releasing its own smartphone with a $400 price tag.

Continue reading OnePlus One smartphone almost ready, housed in an aluminum unibody

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3D printing is amazeballs: Helping a baby breathe, rebuilding a face, robot fish and more

Some notable stories from around the world of 3D printing today:

* Doctors at the University of Michigan saved a baby's life by implanting 3D-printed devices to restore his breathing. 18-month-old Garrett Peterson, who has never left the hospital, has been on a ventilator since birth. The devices have opened up…

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Benchmark exposes Galaxy S5 zoom specs: 19 MP camera, 4.8-inch 720p display

Samsung-galaxy-S4-Zoom Amid increasing speculation Samsung is looking at mediocre Galaxy S5 sales, reports of various S5 subspecies are piling up as well, indicating the likely existence of Prime, Mini, Neo and Zoom models… for starters.

The GS5 Prime is by far the most exciting variant, but the camera-centric Zoom is bound to make a few waves too. What we don't know is if the good kind of waves…

Continue reading Benchmark exposes Galaxy S5 zoom specs: 19 MP camera, 4.8-inch 720p display

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Vodafone UK preparing a Gold Samsung Galaxy S5

gold samsung galaxy s5 android vodafone

I know that Samsung will release the Galaxy S5 in many different colors. We're not just expecting early announcements and teasers from mobile carriers. Why, Vodafone UK just announced that a gold version of the new Android flagship phone by Samsung will be available soon. I'd like to think that this is Samsung's way of trying to rival Apple's gold iPhone 5S but who knows.

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Sony PlayStation 4 Price Rose by $50 in Canada

playstation-4 There's bad news for all those customers in Canada who are planning to get their hands on the PlayStation 4. Sony Canada has raised the price of the console in Canada by $50, bringing its price to $449.99 from $399.99.

It's not just the console, there's a price hike in accessories as well as games. Sony mentioned the price of the DualShock 4 controller and PlayStation 4 camera will rise…

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Apple iPad Pro allegedly 'shelved', 8.9-inch Google Nexus tablet in the pipeline

ipad-pro The Post-PC era is no longer a myth and sees sales of traditional personal computers continuously shrink, however (some) tablets aren't doing very splendidly either. Specifically, larger than 10 inchers, which were supposed to slowly but steadily blossom starting late last year.

Only Samsung is expected to barely sell one million Galaxy…

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GadgeTell Review: Jabra Solemate Max and more

In This Issue...