Wireless News
12-02-2015, 04:00 PM
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/AaffW1y4XwhQBK4VXOj4Fg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9ODY7cT03NTt3PT EzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/digital_trends_973/dc2757532f3a345327c6aa494a737707 (http://news.yahoo.com/got-benjamin-burn-10-best-194539854.html)In today’s high-tech society, it seems a $100 can go further than ever before. The price of a quality tablet and laptop is plummeting, as the amount you have to spend on a fitness tracker and other wearable gadgets that are beginning to perforate the mainstream (for better or worse). For less than the cost of your monthly coffee allowance at Starbucks, you can now pick up a device that streams any content you might want to your HDTV, or a phenomenal e-reader on which to reread select passengers from everyone’s favorite guilty-pleasure novel, ahem, 50 Shades of Grey . Related: Got 50 bucks and an itch to spend it? Here’s the best tech to spend it on You may not be able to achieve the pristine clarity of a 4K television or the robust processing power of the latest gaming machines, but there’s no reason you can’t find something to satisfy your tech cravings without breaking the bank. Below are 15 of our favorite pieces of tech for under $100 — shipping prices not included. After all, what else is Amazon Prime is for? Samsung Gear VR ($100) Virtual reality has long been the dream of science fiction.-However, after years of failed attempts and innovations, consumer VR finally seems poised to make a big splash. Although the big names in VR — namely the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive-—-have yet to come out, smaller and less expensive VR headsets are already on the market. Samsung’s Gear VR is the best of these, drawing on Oculus’ technology to provide a portable VR experience. The headset uses a smartphone as a screen, so users will need to own one of the four compatible Samsung-phones. Those who do will appreciate the headset’s ergonomic design and foam lining, which make the act of wearing a large visor on your face as inconspicuous as possible. Developers are still experimenting with VR, so the quality of games and apps varies greatly. However, early gems like Gunjack and Land’s End show the platform’s promise. Read our full review Available from: Amazon Samsung B&H SteriPen Adventurer Opti ($63) In our increasingly tech-based world, hiking and other outdoor activities seem more popular than ever, as people strive to connect with the natural world that seems so far away from us. Of course, nature, like a Greek goddess, can be both magnificent and cruel, and few things are crueler than sipping from a mountain stream only to swallow some nasty protozoa in the process. Thankfully, there exists a portable water purifier, perfect for any expedition. With the SteriPen Adventurer Opti, you can easily burn away the threat of aquatic pathogens. Using an ultraviolet light, the Adventurer eradicates microorganisms, and is small enough to fit inside the mouth of a typical water bottle. If you get lost in the woods at night, the Adventurer can also be used as a flashlight, saving you from the darkness if not sasquatches. Small yet durable, the Adventurer is a handy tool for any intrepid hiker. Available from: Amazon REI B&H-Backcountry Google Chromecast-($35) Streaming sticks have become an essential feature for any home theatre setup, allowing-you stream content from your computer directly to a TV screen. Google’s Chromecast has been able to compete with flashier competitors like Roku, largely by offering a quality experience at a much lower price. The latest iteration of the Chromecast includes a physical redesign, one that replaces-the old stick with a disc attached to a flexible cable. The new build-fits more easily into a variety of tight spaces, but the most important development for the Chromecast is the redesigned software, which includes a search function that pulls media from every app on the device.-The new Chromecast doesn’t mark a significant leap from the previous model, but it does solidify-the device’s status as a budget-based alternative to the other top streaming devices. Read our full review Available from: Google Store Best Buy Target PowerUp 3.0 Paper Drone ($50) Drones have taken off as a hobby in the last few years, and it’s no wonder why. They provide all the fun of building a model airplane, but you can actually fly them. Of course, consumer drones can be expensive, a problem exacerbated by the chance of crashing. The PowerUp is the best low-budget option for someone looking to experiment with drones, and lets you convert-a simple paper airplane into remote-controlled flying machine. A simple lightweight battery attached to a propellor, the PowerUp can be attached to a typical paper airplane, giving it a consistent lift. Using the free PowerUp app, users can then control the plane with a smartphone, making it relatively easy to fly. Even if there are a few crashes at first, the PowerUp is lightweight and built to survive impacts, thus rendering it a perfect entry-level device for hobbyists or kids. Available from: Amazon PowerUp Brookstone Amazon Fire TV ($100) Determined to extend its-reach into every aspect of life,-Amazon has-brought its-services into the living room with the Amazon Fire TV streaming box. Although the streaming market seems a bit crowded these days, the Fire TV can go toe-to-toe with the best of them, with a powerful box that brings the full arsenal of Amazon services. In addition to Amazon’s Prime streaming, the Fire TV allows users to play games and browse the Internet on their TV. The box also supports 4k Ultra HD streaming, along with-voice recognition software for-hands-free browsing. If there’s a flaw to be noted, it’s that an Amazon Prime membership is essential to getting full use out of the device. Prime members will find the Fire TV a perfect alternative to other streaming devices, however. Read-our full review Available from: Amazon Best Buy B&H Next Page: Five more great pieces of tech for under $100… Roku 3 ($100) With support for more than 1,000 channels, including HGO Go and Vudu, the Roku 3 remains the best streaming-video box on the planet. It’s showcases a heavier and more attractive build than past Roku offers, with glossy exterior and nonslip pads on the bottom, with a lightning-fast interface that’s also just as sleek as the box’s exterior. Moreover, it features a USB port on the side for playing back a melange of digital files, quick cross-platform search functions, and a built-in headphone jack on the remote so you can listen to True Detective without Matthew Mcconaughey’s southern drawl disturbing your roommates. A comprehensive app for Android and iOS only sweetens the package. Available from: Amazon Best Buy Target Apple TV-($150) Apple tends to pride itself in simplicity. The company’s latest streaming box is no exception, featuring an-unobtrusive design that will that will seamlessly blend into most home theater setups. Although the-slim box allows you to access a bevy of content from integrated apps such as Netflix and Hulu Plus,-it’s ability to access your purchased movies, TV shows, and music-from iCloud that renders it the go-to box for anyone already tapped into the Apple ecosystem. AirPlay technology also-lets you mirror content — photos, games, music, etc. — from your Mac or iOS device directly on your HDTV. The tale of redemption that defines- Ridiculous Fishing- never unfolded so beautifully, or easily, on the big screen. Available from: Apple Walmart Best Buy Griffin WoodTones-($35) Griffin’s budget-based, luxury headphones don’t pack the low-rumble punch of Beats. Nonetheless, they still manage to combine style with sound in such a way that’s both pleasing on the eyes and ears. The WoodTones provide accurate midrange sound for the price, with crisp treble and warm overtones, while showcasing a penchant for low-volume sound quality via the equipped 50mm neodymium drivers. They’re perfected for solitude, though not the best for your noisy commute to work, and available in one of three comfortable designs (walnut, sapele, and beech). Unfortauntely, we can’t deny the latter offering doesn’t resemble-something you might see atop the shelves at IKEA. Available from: Amazon Best Buy Groupon Audio Technica AT-LP60 ($98) The second vinyl-renaissance is surely upon us given the rising in record sales and popularity of nationwide events like Record Store Day. While you could easily spend $1,000 on a quality turntable, sometimes you just need something to get you started. Audio Technica’s AT-LP60 is perfect for the amateur audiophile, built with automatic operation in mind and catering to two speeds (33½ and 45 rpm). It additionally features a built-in phono amplifier, a replaceable stylus, and most importantly, smooth performance.-All you have to do is place a record on the-aluminum platter, press play, and listen to the-iconic fuss and pops that defined a generation years before Apple was a tech company. Available from: Amazon Best Buy Walmart Amazon Kindle ($80+) Much like the iPod revolutionized digital music, Amazon’s Kindle completely changed the way we think about e-books. The most recent version of the company’s classic device boasts 4GB of memory and an updated processor, as well as a fantastic touchscreen display that lets you browse thousands of books with ease. Furthermore, the device’s software includes Goodreads integration and a vocabulary builder, only complimenting its marathon battery -life and comfortable design. It’s also lighter than you standard paperback, glare-free, and touts high contrast for visibility in most situations. Plus, it’s a dedicated e-reader, meaning it leaves push notifications and alerts at the door. Available from: Amazon Best Buy Overstock Next Page: Five more great pieces of tech for under $100… Olloclip ($80) Available in a slew of different color combinations, the new-and-improved Olloclips looks to capitalize on the updated-hardware and software powering the iPhone 6’s front and rear cameras. The unique devices adds lenses to both cameras at the same time,-affording you the opportunity to capture photos that are compatible with most sharing and editing apps available. There’s both a 10x and 15x macro lens in addition to a-standard wide-angle and fisheye lens. Best of all, you can attach the pocket-size lens kit using one of three wearable pendants — whether around your neck or on your bag. Available from: Amazon Best Buy Walmart Klipsch R6i ($70) Many modern, in-ear headphones-seem like they literally cost a dime a dozen (at least to manufacturer). That said, most aren’t even in the same league as the impeccably-balanced-Klipsch R6i. The subtle ear-tips and built-in drivers produce deep, rich-bass and sparkling high-end audio, within a comfortable package that comes bundled with a compact carry case. Additionally, the lightweight R6i come with four-silicone eartips for a remarkable fit regardless of the shape of your ear canal, along with an integrated microphone and inline three-button remote-control, so you can skip from Taylor Swift to-Rick Ross’ “Sanctified” without ever having to-fiddle with that nuisance of-an-arm strap. Klipsch Read our full-review Available from: Amazon Best Buy Crutchfield Withings Pulse O2-($60) Exercise is more important than ever in-our modern, sedentary times — and harder to squeeze into a schedule. Fortunately, there is no shortage of devices available to keep track of how much exercise you are getting, and the Withings Pulse O2 is one of the best. The compact device dons an onboard pulse and blood oxygen saturation sensor, adding-a unique component designed to go hand in hand with tools for tracking your steps, elevation gain, and the distance you travel on the daily. It instantly monitors your sleep quality and heart rate as well, and features a robust health app for setting goals and monitoring your progress on your mobile device. For those who appreciate gamification, there are even badges and achievements to unlock. Read our full-review Available from: Amazon Best Buy REI Ultimate Ears Mini Boom ($79) You’ve undoubtedly heard the old adage, “big things come in small packages.” We’ve certainly said it before when it comes to wireless Bluetooth speakers, but in this case, there’s simply no better phrase to sum up the UE Mini Boom. Reveling in a boxy exterior and lined with a myriad of intuitive features, it issues robust-audio that’s just as warm when it comes to treble as it is responsive in the bass department. Percussion and electronic flourishes are more vivid than on similarly-equipped speakers, and as an added bonus, you can wirelessly string-two Booms together for true stereo playback. It rarely distorts, even at full volume, which is a incredible feat for speaker smaller than your hand. Read our full-review Available from: Amazon Best Buy Walmart Sony BDP-S5500 Blu-ray player ($83) While-streaming boxes may-rule the realm of-high-definition television, that doesn’t mean Blu-ray discs are completely obsolete. Sony’s BDP-S5500 is one of the most affordable Blu-ray players currently available on the market, one showcasing a gem-like-design and offering-compatibility with more than 100 apps (Netflix, Pandora, etc.). It supports-2D-to-3D conversion capabilities and DVD upscaling — resulting in knockout image quality — and comes bundled with the accompanying Sony TV Sideview app, a features that offers voice-search functionality when not using the shortcut-lined remote. The short loading times and inclusion of-DNLA connectivity just-bolster the-appeal. Available from: Amazon-Best Buy Dell
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