TechnologyTell Review: Clipless magnetic mount and more

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TechnologyTell Review: Clipless magnetic mount
Huzzah, LTE-capable Google Nexus 9 goes up for grabs via T-Mobile
Not enough ultra-low-cost activity tracker options? Here's one more, priced at $30
CHIPS headphones max music for extreme outdoor adventure
11-inch Lenovo Yoga 3 convertible on the way with Intel Core M inside
Deal alert: Touchscreen Acer Aspire E5 laptop with Core i5 Haswell for $350
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TechnologyTell Review: Clipless magnetic mount

Right now, wearables are a primary target for manufacturers. Everyone wants to take up permanent real-estate on your body, be it wrist, neck, head, or what have you. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are at the top of the list. If you don't need an additional piece of tech, yet want a way to mount your existing smartphone/device, there aren't too many options.

Armbands and belt holsters have been the common go-to for people on the go, wanting a device handy yet not in a bag or pocket. However, magnets have been growing in popularity, because they have less limitations and are more universal. So when Clipless launched on Kickstarter back in 2013, it was hard not to get excited. The team behind the product had a different take on being able to mount devices – on clothing.

Over a year after the initial launch, Clipless has fulfilled backer rewards and is now available to order from their site, GetClipless.com. Who needs pockets when you can have magnetic mounting instead? I know I don't, since the team was awesome enough to send me a kit of Clipless & accessories to test out. Read on!

Installation & Handling

The individual pieces of Clipless and its add ons are smartly designed, small, yet effective. While there are many magnetically-powered smartphone-mounting products available on the market, Clipless is the only one that can work on surfaces, in the car, and with clothing. What's great about Clipless is how it's device agnostic and completely reusable. With the clothing package you get Clipless (magnet), a connector (adheres to device), NFC surface mount, and disc (the other side to mount on clothes).

Clipless magnet smartphone mount package

Complete Clipless package all right here!

While I won't go as far to say that each piece is indestructible, they get pretty darn close. You'd have to be doing something way outside the normal use – likely enough to also destroy a smartphone – to really break anything.

The connector and mounts are backed with 3M adhesive tape, which is just about everyone's go-to for highly-effective sticking power that won't leave a residue once you decide to remove it. All the standard 3M rules of adhesion apply. It mounts best on plastic, wood, glass, metal, ceramic, unpainted and uncoated flat surfaces.

Installation is as simple as peeling the back off each 3M piece and sticking where you desire. When it comes to the Clipless connector and smartphones, I strongly recommend using a case. Doubly-so if your device has a removeable back (for battery swapping, like with Samsung smartphones). Cases tend to be flat and smoother, too, and you never have to worry about a naked smartphone. Also, go with a case material that is firm like polycarbonate or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Silicone is too squishy for its own good.

The Clipless connector itself is fairly low-profile. The edges are mostly smooth, with the exception of the pair of corners where it slides on to mounts. While these corners aren't edged enough to tear or pull clothing (e.g. pulling your device in/out of pockets), it can feel abrasive against the skin with enough pressure. I took a file to mine and worked the corners down to my satisfaction.

Clipless magnet smartphone mount connector mount

Clipless connector (left) and mount (right)

One drawback with the Clipless connector is that you can't set your smartphone down and poke at it without some rocking. Especially if you're tapping at the top or bottom of the screen. The second drawback is that whatever surface friction your smartphone case provides will be completely nullified by the connector.

This is great if you like to play spin-the-bottle apps – not so much if you hate your device sliding around easily. While this can be infuriating for some, there is a useful and easy solution. Not only does a Gripzilla kickstand nullify the before-mentioned hassles of the Clipless connector, but your smartphone will be at a better viewing angle to boot!

The third drawback, which can be a bonus in disguise, is that you can feel the Clipless connector when you're holding the device in your hand. Again, some may find this annoying, but I love it. My Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is big, and the connector provides me finger grips. Instead of having to reach my fingers across to the other side of the smartphone, I can maintain more of a closed-hand hold. Since it's centered on the back, the connector doesn't interfere with my gaming in landscape position. However, the additional space (due to added distance) may…

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Huzzah, LTE-capable Google Nexus 9 goes up for grabs via T-Mobile

Sad to see Google and LG's "classic" Nexus 5 go? Maybe this piece of joyous news will help turn that frown upside down. The Nexus 9 is now available from T-Mobile with 4G LTE connectivity. Beautiful, delicious, speedy 4G LTE.

Yes, it took a little longer than expected, and for a second there, it looked like it would never happen. But it has, and now you can. Order it…

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Not enough ultra-low-cost activity tracker options? Here's one more, priced at $30

There's more than one way to market a fitness tracker nowadays, but calling it "the first lifestyle-focused wearable" really doesn't make much sense. Especially when dealing with such a rudimentary gadget as the Movo Wave.

Looking at the thing's skimpy list of features, we can only reach one conclusion – "lifestyle-focused" is French for "lackluster fitness…

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CHIPS headphones max music for extreme outdoor adventure

If you take a moment to think about it, headphones meant for physical activity are still kind of limiting. Sure, most of them connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and some may even be sweat-proof too. But these ones are really meant for your basic, "tame" routines of jogging/running, cycling, or sometimes swimming.

So what about the rest, who are into the more extreme sports of skiing, skating, boarding, or biking through mountains, wind, cold, or snow? You need an…

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11-inch Lenovo Yoga 3 convertible on the way with Intel Core M inside

It's been a fairly bumpy ride to market for Intel's 14 nanometer Haswell die shrink, aka Broadwell, but at long last, Core M-based laptops and convertibles have started making their way to store shelves in the past few months.

Smaller, more energy-efficient but not necessarily zippier than Haswell predecessors, Broadwell chips allow PC manufacturers to ditch noisy, pesky fans and, as a direct…

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Deal alert: Touchscreen Acer Aspire E5 laptop with Core i5 Haswell for $350

Even with Chromebooks on the offensive, and Microsoft more focused than ever to reverse the fortunes of struggling Windows PCs, finding a decent sub-$400 laptop remains no easy feat. Especially one capable of squeezing every drop of productivity out of Windows 8.1 with a touch-enabled display.