When it comes to wearable personal audio, I tend to prefer on- and over-ear headphones. Not so much earphones, even though I've experienced some really great products for sound and/or features. For me, in-ear devices are all about the comfort and how well they can hold up to my binge-listening on a daily basis. If it's not comfortable, you're not very likely to wear it all the time, right? Now I'm a fan of Phiaton's products for both looks and performance. But nothing prepared me for the level of comfort with one of their latest earphones. Design & Connectivity At first glance, there isn't much about the Phiaton MS 100 BA earphones. You've got a red cable, grey buds, and probably wouldn't think there was anything so great about these. But once you get some handling time and ears-on, it becomes apparent how worthy of your attention these earphones can be.  Box, buds, bag, and tips all appear basic and simple. The build quality is good, and the Phiaton MS 100 BA should be able to withstand all but the roughest daily wear and tear. The L-shaped auxiliary plug is reinforced with rubber to protect the cable leading into it. There's only a small neck covering the cable before it reaches each bud, but the cable itself seems pretty durable and should be fine over time. Just don't get crazy. If you hate hunting for the L and R marks to indicate which side is which, it's easy enough to remember that the in-line remote and mic is on the left-hand side. This discreet little clicker, that looks like an innocuous bump in the line, multi-functions for track control (play/pause and track forward/reverse) as well as taking incoming phone calls. And that's about it for these earphones. The overall look is clean and classy. I think that this might the first time I've used a headphone/earphone with an oval-shaped cable; I must say that I'm now a fan. Oval-shaped cables are like a happy medium between standard cables and flat ones. This one by Phiaton, which also happens to be textured, does indeed keep coiling and tangling at bay. Just as advertised. I've wrapped the MS 100 BA earphone around four fingers before stowing it away in its included carrying bag. When I go to pull it out, all it takes is a quick shake or two for the cable to unravel without any snags. Although it comes with some memory-related kinks right out of the box, these disappear over time as the cable relaxes and straightens out. Despite the tangle-free nature of the Phiaton MS 100 BA cable, it happens to be a bit noisy. But only if vibrations make it to the buds. A gentle tap or rub on the cord sends a hollow rumble through to the music, which makes the Phiaton MS 100 BA not the most ideal choice for physical activity. Even if you used a Klingg earbud cord holder to keep it pinned down, noise still comes through the cables if they make contact with your cheeks. It's no better or worse than most quality, cabled earphones anyway; these by Phiaton are best for sitting or walking and not jogging or running. Comfort The Phiaton MS 100 BA earphones feature a straight-barrel design, which may or may not please everyone's ears. There is no curve or anything fancy to fiddle with. They just go straight in. The buds fit in my ears, don't stick out in any awkward way, and stay in pretty well, even with light tugs on the cable. It's simple, and they work.  Looks deceive, since each bud is extremely light and comfortable. The ear gels that come with these earphones are super soft and flexible. I almost thought they might be bordering on being too thin, that is until I tried them on. They have this way of creating a perfect seal without any added pressure. The default tip on the MS 100 BA works for me exceptionally well. The package also… Continue reading TechnologyTell Review: Phiaton MS 100 BA earphones The post TechnologyTell Review: Phiaton MS 100 BA earphones appeared first on GadgeTell.   Apparently not one to "hop on the me too bandwagon" with immature, gimmicky technologies, OnePlus waited for mobile fingerprint recognition to evolve and fully bloom before it could be fitted on the "impressive, thoughtful and versatile" 2. That's right, ladies and gents, the OnePlus 2 hype train is chugging along, with stops at mouth-watering stations like stable Snapdragon 810,… Continue reading Forget Touch ID, the OnePlus 2 fingerprint sensor is purportedly ‘done right’ The post Forget Touch ID, the OnePlus 2 fingerprint sensor is purportedly ‘done right’ appeared first on GadgeTell.  In 1998, famed and revered economist Paul Krugman penned the following words: "By 2005 or so, it will become clear that the Internet's impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine's." As a standalone quote, it's somewhat out of context; Krugman was asked to write a piece from the perspective of someone writing in 2098. Still, Krugman predicted that folks in the future might not think too much—if anything—of the Internet. Most people would probably agree he was completely wrong on this particular account. Fast-forward to 2015, and it's quite apparent that the Internet is here to stay, which is probably an understatement. In fact, many leading voices on the global stage—including folks like Michelle Obama—are going as far as saying that unrestricted, uncensored high-speed Internet access should be treated by all countries as a universal human right. Indeed, the United Nations concluded the same thing all the way back in 2011. This makes sense, considering that the Internet makes all kinds of information… Continue reading What Helsinki Can Teach America about the Internet The post What Helsinki Can Teach America about the Internet appeared first on GadgeTell.  Is there ever going to be an end to external battery packs? Probably not for quite some time. So you might as well get in and get one now, right? While there are many, many to choose from, not all portable battery packs are equal. Curious as to how this one by Kensington holds up? Read on! Design The Kensington 5200mAh USB Mobile Charger is a very Kensington looking product. Flat black and satin silver colors. Simple yet effective design. Having known and used a wide variety of Kensington devices over the years (at least 14 and counting), I like being able to instantly recognize one of their own and expect a certain type of quality. And my general impressions of many of Kensington devices is that they are affordable, dependable, and focus more on the job at hand than providing fancy looks.  It's a very 'Kensington' product. Despite having a simple, rectangular shape with rounded sides, the Kensington 5200mAh charger has a great tactile feel to it. The metal exterior is smooth and just the right size to fit comfortably in the hand while holding. Both the top and bottom are perfectly flat for standing it up vertically. The top, or 'business end' as I like to call it, has the power button, input micro USB and output USB ports, and the battery gauge. Like most all external battery packs out there, the Kensington 5200mAh charger features a system of 4-LEDs to indicate remaining power. Unlike most, these LEDs are the size of pin pricks that are practically invisible unless you're staring at them straight on. And you have to be close enough too.  Nothing fancy, but that's… Continue reading TechnologyTell Review: Kensington 5200mAh USB Mobile Charger The post TechnologyTell Review: Kensington 5200mAh USB Mobile Charger appeared first on GadgeTell.  I brought my Limefuel L130X battery to a park (a park! for my kid) this one time, and it came back home looking quite roughed up. It had been knocked down off its perch a bunch of times – the kids thought it was a game after the first few drops. Sure it still works and I still use it, but now I opt for rugged batteries when out and about. Someone had asked me recently, "why rugged? They work fine so who cares if it looks dirty or used?" You might be surprised at just how many nicks, dents, and scratches a non-rugged device can collect, and how that surface damage can be abrasive enough to rub into other gear when sharing close spaces in bag pockets. Or, even worse, it can pull threads and start holes/runs in that fabric. Something to think about. Design So that's why having a rugged battery, like the Limefuel Rugged L150XR, is a good idea. Forget about limiting it to extreme outdoor activities or adventure. You want rugged external battery any time when there are no pillows, carpet, hardwood floors, tile, or anything else like that. Heck, I bring the L150XR into the backyard for powering a Bluetooth speaker. You never know who is going to knock stuff over first.  Battery, cable, strap. Check. The Limefuel L150XR battery comes two-toned in a flat gray with matte black. Unlike your everyday battery pack with straight and even sides, this one comes with curves, ridges, and ribbing. You're going to have a better chance at maintaining a grip on the L150XR, especially since the exterior is the smooth-but-not-slippery kind. It's a hard rubber that resists impact and damage. It's also proofed against dust, water, and crushing. So far it's held up true to its rugged claims by being thrown in dirt, washed off with water, and then used as a wheel chock for my car. It's not the greatest or most effective at chocking wheels, FYI. But it lives. And that's the important part. Water proof? Yup. The business end of the Limefuel L150XR is covered by a lid that snaps firmly shut with a hard 'click'. Underneath are the duo of USB output ports and the single micro USB input port. And that's it for openings, since the rest of the construction discourages liquid and dust ingress The lid does double-duty of covering each port but also plugging the opening with rubber. Just in case – for whatever reason – something might sneak between the cracks or hinge holes. The… Continue reading TechnologyTell Review: Limefuel Rugged L150XR battery The post TechnologyTell Review: Limefuel Rugged L150XR battery appeared first on GadgeTell.  | |
