HP Envy x360 13 - The Little Powerhouse That Has It All

You know, after all this time you'd think it'd be easy enough to get a laptop right.

Good battery life. Great Screen. Excellent camera. Plenty of ports. Powerful performance.

It's not rocket surgery.

And yet, all too often we have to choose some of those things over others; for some reason, we rarely seem to be allowed them all in one package.

This year, I feel there's finally been a shift. It might have something to do with the ever-increasing prevalence of hybrid working conditions; we need a laptop that functions as a business tool, yet we also would like to be able to utilise it in our leisure time - be that streaming video, gaming or just chatting with family and friends.

In fact, HP has gone even further - its new range of ENVY and Spectre laptops tick almost every box...

Given my pick, I asked to have a look at the 13" ENVY x360 2-in-1 laptop, as it was promising about the best battery life of all the new devices and I really wanted to see if this little gem could live up to the hype.

Of all the features that consistently disappoint me when it comes to reviewing Windows-based laptops, battery and camera performance are the two at the top of my list of pet peeves.

Until so many people started working from home, most manufacturers didn't seem to care about camera quality at all - so we'll certainly cover that off with regards to the ENVY x360 shortly.

But first, I'll begin with the biggest pain point of all; the battery. Except here, finally, HP has achieved the previously impossible - respectable battery life. Apparently, this is mostly due to the new 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor. I've been briefed extensively on exactly why this chip is so much more powerful, yet also more efficient than the previous generations and as usual, this highly technical and undeniably impressive information pretty much went in one ear and out the other.

I know it's got something to do with cores. There are 10 cores in play here to be precise - some more powerful (and therefore more power-hungry) than others. But now because many tasks can be passed onto the less demanding bits of the processor, less power is required - unless you're doing something more full-on like gaming, video production or manipulating 3D objects on screen.

At least, I think that's what they said.

Anyway, the important thing is, this is probably the longest-lasting laptop I've used to date. I never claim specific times for laptop battery life because it just varies so much depending on how you're using the device and what accessories you may have connected to it. What I can assure you is I've never had to plug it in to charge more than once a day in the couple of weeks I've been using it and for a Windows-laptop, that's saying something.

Now to the camera. If you've ever read any of my laptop or tablet reviews before, you'll know I'm constantly confused by how underpowered the video cameras always are. I've made the point repeatedly, so forgive me for dwelling on it, but most smartphones nailed this challenge years and years ago.

As I said earlier, I'm finally starting to detect a slight change in the wind here. Attending online meetings from home, streaming on social media and just communicating with contacts via video has become totally routine for many people and yet laptop video quality is often substandard, bordering on unusable. At least HP seems to have recognised this and the True Vision 5MP IR camera is a significant step towards where camera tech should really be in any laptop - let alone one that costs over $3000.00.

While the ENVY x360 2-in-1 laptop is thankfully relatively uncluttered with too much unnecessary, preinstalled bloatware, there is quite an interesting app called HP Enhanced Lighting. This is a simple tool that displays a bright, white circle on your screen when you're videoing or on a call. The idea is it acts as a kind of virtual ring light. A simple, user-friendly widget lets you adjust the thickness and brightness of the ring, as well as its temperature. You can also swap out the ring for side bars, horizontal bars top and bottom or an entire rectangle frame if that's your preference.

Obviously, this is nowhere near as effective as an actual external light but if you're joining a meeting from a hotel room in the middle of the night, it'll probably make a significant difference to what is already a pretty decent image. At least HP has been giving this some thought.

It's also clear AV collaborator Bang & Olufsen have put a fair amount of thought into how they've tuned the audio array too. Not only are the dual speakers, which are situated under the front edge of the lower panel, powerful and clear, the dual array digital mics do an excellent job of reducing background noise while keeping your voice at the forefront of your stream.

The laptop itself is slim and attractive in its Space Blue, although the slightly shimmery matte finish does seem to show my greasy prints a little more than I'd like. I'm impressed by the port selection - this is something else laptop makers seem to have realised we consumers actually prefer. There's a microSD reader, two Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C slots and two full-sized SuperSpeed USB Type-A ports.

I don't know if you're up with just how far USB technology has progressed - I know until recently I wasn't. That's why I attend the tech briefings on your behalf. Let's just say not all ports have the same capabilities and those new Thunderbolt sockets on this laptop are right up there... depending what you're plugging into them of course.

As with any HP convertible, the really fun part is converting it. This isn't just a laptop, you can bend it over backwards and use it like a tablet. And thanks to the latest Intel Iris X integrated graphics, you can also play some pretty decent games on this thing. If you do, why not plug in your controller and fold it into a tent configuration so the keyboard is out of the way and you can just enjoy the nice, bright 13.3-inch screen by itself.

No, there's not much you can't do with the ENVY x360 13 2-in-1 - the latest Intel Core processor means all the power you need, without sucking up too much battery. The camera is actually usable for a change and there are plenty of ports for plugging in all your favourite things.

Welcome to the new age of laptops that are finally focused on the hybrid worker. 

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop 13.

Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro - Each More Beautiful Than the Last

You might find this hard to believe but I actually remember the first time I ever saw a Huawei Watch. I was in a shopping mall and it was being advertised on a giant banner suspended from the ceiling.

I thought it was about the coolest thing ever.

I'd seen other smartwatches. I'd even tried some of them. But at that time they all looked like something Captain Kirk would wear to work. And I mean the original, 1960s James T. Kirk - not the updated Chris Pine version. Back then, smartwatches were basically slightly smaller phones with a strap attached to them.

But the Huawei Watch... that actually looked like a watch - a real watch, with a round face and a proper band and wait... were those hands?

Since then, Huawei watches have always looked good; stylish, modern and elegant with a premium feel to them.

Even the sports bands, activity trackers and more specialised devices like the recent Watch D (the first and only wrist-worn blood-pressure tracker available) are engineered with flair and attention to detail.

So you'd expect Huawei's latest flagship watch to raise the bar again...

The Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro is inarguably a thing of beauty. As usual, it comes in packed in a nice-looking, substantial box that prominently displays the device as soon as you lift the lid.

Once again, Huawei has opted for a circular face and once again, at first glance most people probably wouldn't even realise this is a smartwatch. That's not to say they wouldn't take a second look, just as you might when you witness any luxury timepiece when you're out and about. 

To begin with, the crystal is made from sapphire glass, which in my experience has proven to be extremely durable and after a couple of weeks' constant wear is showing no blemishes at all - not a single scratch. That's despite being dropped on the bathroom tiles and covered in fence stain at one point. (Clumsy? Me? What do you mean?)

The case is also as hard as nails - actually, it's much harder. It's made of titanium and has been ingeniously crafted into a seamless, one-piece design.

Even the rear cover has been treated to a high-end makeover. The nanocrystalline ceramic has been specifically developed to ensure a more comfortable fit against your skin. This is a watch you simply won't want to take off.

The fluoroelastomer strap is also one of the most comfortable options I've worn. This is a material Huawei has chosen for many of its recent wearables and here it's been slightly textured on the outer surface to resemble leather - yet it's completely waterproof, so repels sweat, not like a leather band would.

As we've seen on previous models, there are two control buttons on the right-hand side to compliment the touch display - the upper of these also serves as a rotating crown for functions like scrolling through lists of apps or exercise modes, or perhaps adjusting the volume when using the media controller. On the Watch GT 3 Pro, this rotating crown has been machined to catch the light and is even engraved with the words, "HUAWEI WATCH GT."

Huawei's own website uses the adjective, "Classy." This watch exudes class.

And that's all before you turn it on.

The Harmony OS software experience is constantly evolving and it certainly has both advantages and disadvantages.

On the downside, as usual, compared to some other smartwatches, app selection is severely limited. Those available are generally of high quality and we'll dig down into how comprehensive the health monitoring and exercise tracking apps are shortly. However, as usual with any Huawei device there's no avoiding the long shadow cast by the lack of Google services.

As I often remind people though, there are alternatives. A great example is Petal Maps. For all intents and purposes, this seems to work just as well as any other navigation app I've used, syncing with your phone to provide turn-by-turn directions on the watch, although strangely this only seems to work when paired with an Android device, not with iPhone. In fact, although the Watch GT 3 Pro works effortlessly with iPhone, your options are definitely more limited, as there seems to be no App Gallery in the iOS version of the Huawei Health app, so you can't add other apps that aren't preinstalled.

Where the Watch GT 3 Pro truly excels though, is in health and sports. There's an ECG function - essential if you have a history of issues concerning irregular heartbeat. Like other recent Huawei wearables, functions like heartrate monitoring and sleep tracking are excellent - providing plenty of insight both on the watch itself and then even more detail on the Health app. 

While it's still quite a large watch, it's light and thanks to the added comfort of the fluoroelastomer strap and the nanocrystalline ceramic rear cover, I had no issues wearing it overnight to record my sleep habits. Now there's also a skin temperature sensor, which gives you excellent insight into trends over time, another reason to wear the Watch GT 3 Pro to bed, which unlike most other high-end smartwatches is totally practical thanks to the impressive battery life. 

Huawei often talks about a "two-week battery life," but in my testing, you'd really have to turn off a few functions in order to stretch it out that long, That said, I've certainly been able to coast through one week between charges - and that's including daily workouts using GPS tracking and several software updates.

But sports tracking is really the icing on the cake; I've been a fan of Huawei's exercise interface for years and it just keeps getting better - whatever the exercise (and you can choose from more than a hundred - from mountain biking to jazz dancing to darts to triathlon) the display is clear, useful and provides great updates on the go. Lap times, splits, pace, training zones, training load, running ability and even recovery time are all tracked and easily accessed.

And now there's even a freediving mode. Personally, I find the thought of holding my breath and diving so deep the pressure causes my lungs to shrink to a fraction of their normal size absolutely terrifying, but people do it, and the Watch GT 3 Pro can now help you. Obviously, I am certainly not taking up freediving to test this out. But I've met Nate Fairweather from the Auckland Freediving Club and he assures me it does the business. Yes, not only is it that waterproof but I've found the new screen works surprisingly well when wet. It's the first watch I've ever been able to control in the shower.

See? I told you I didn't want to take it off. Limited app selection aside, there's no doubt this is a versatile, high-performance smartwatch that looks... well, just breathtakingly good. It's more than just a tech statement, it's a fashion statement too.

    

Click here for more information on the Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro.

Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC - Your Monitor Without Borders

I thought it would prove to be just a gimmick.

When I reviewed the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip I honestly thought, "Who really needs this? What's the point of flashing lights behind your telly? How would that enhance your viewing experience? Won't it just be distracting?"

As it turns out, I was wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong.

Rather than installing the Lightstrip on my TV, reviewing it, then immediately deactivating it and removing it as I expected to, it's still firmly in place, doing its thing.

I love it.

As I discussed in my initial review, I was blown away by how well it worked - how immersive my TV-watching experience became. Not just for blockbuster movies with explosions and lasers and car chases and aliens but surprisingly, watching things like sport means the green of the pitch now extends far beyond the edges of my screen, effectively making me feel like I'm really part of the action.

Sounds good, right?

So why wouldn't I want to replicate the same experience for my PC monitor?

The Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC is basically the exact same device as the TV version - just shorter. In fact, it comes in three sizes; one for 24-27-inch monitors, one for 32-34-inch models and an extra long version for those absolute gaming tragics out there with a triple monitor setup.

I was sent the mid-size model for review, which theoretically is too long for my 24-inch monitor. I say theoretically because technically you're supposed to install Hue Lightstrips in a kind of upside-down U-shape, with the strip running along the top and down each side. So what about the bottom edge? Presumably, Philips would prefer you to use a separate Play Light Bar (or two) at the base - and indeed that is how I have things set up for my TV.

In this case though, as I had plenty of extra Lightstrip to work with, it was a simple matter to continue each end around another couple of corners to aim some of it at the base of the monitor - check out my video below to see exactly what I mean. This is one of the things that makes the Philips Hue device worth every penny of its premium price tag; ease of installation. 

There are plenty of mounting brackets included in the box and these stick on securely with their 3M adhesive backing. What's more, there's no real knack for inserting the Lightstrip into place on the mounts - you just shove it in there and it holds firm.

The real question here was would the effect still work; would Hue be able to figure out my slightly modded configuration?

To find out, I needed to download the Hue Sync desktop app; this is the software that tells the Lightstrip which colours to display where and when. It's also the reason you don't need the separate Hue Sync Box to run this version of the Lightstrip, just the Hue Bridge - a small white box that acts as a central wireless hub for all your Hue devices, connecting them by proxy to your home Wi-Fi network.

This is good news if you're on a budget; the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is a rather eye-watering NZ$494.96 - and that's on special. This is required to connect external sources to your TV for that version of the Lightstrip to work. In the case of the PC model, your computer does the heavy lifting instead, so the NZ$109.95 Hue Bridge is the only necessary added extra.

Upon launching the Hue Sync app, it'll search out your Hue Bridge, then assuming your PC or Mac is on the same network, you just press the connection button on the Bridge when prompted.

At that point, you're pretty much good to go.

You can create a separate zone for your PC-based Hue lights and there are many, many tweaks and settings at your disposal; not just the brightness and intensity of the synchronisation but also options like starting the sync automatically with certain apps and games, syncing with audio as well as video, optimising the sync response to either video or gaming content... it's a tech nerd's paradise of customisation.

Or, if you're basically lazy, like me, you don't have to go near hardly any of that stuff - just toggle syncing on and enjoy the show.

Interestingly, I found the results of my somewhat oversized installation just as effective as my previous television viewing experience; with the lighting on the wall behind my monitor matching the on-screen action precisely, I've found this to be about the closest thing to a 3D experience you can get.

You even have to option of adding other Hue bulbs in the ceiling or perhaps in lamps behind you if you really want to create a visual equivalent to surround sound.

Just as with the TV version of this device, I've been impressed and excited by how much more immersive my gaming experience has become - fires, laser shots and explosions now seem like they're happening in the room too - not just on the screen. And just like the TV, streaming video content now spills over onto the surrounding surfaces.

Starting at NZ$299.95, (plus the Hue Bridge if you don't already have one) this isn't a cheap addon but there's a reason for that; I've tried other smart lighting solutions and so far Philips Hue is easily the best designed and most reliable.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K MAX - Trial by Fire

I still remember what it was like as a kid if you knew someone lucky enough to go away on an overseas trip. Even if it was only Australia, they might come back with all manner of exotic tech gadgets that were simply unavailable in our remote, tiny market.

The selection of video games and computer brands was just so much greater in places like Asia and America. Even by the time I started travelling myself, in my twenties, the markets of Melbourne and Hong Kong offered a seemingly infinite selection of electronic devices compared to little old Aotearoa.

Thankfully, the advent of online shopping eventually brought the whole world to our doorstep, forcing prices down and increasing the selection dramatically.

And yet some major brands still left us out in the cold, and we were forced to pay exorbitant shipping fees or wonder if "parallel imported" items were really the genuine article.

I feel like 2022 is the year New Zealand really started getting access to some cool stuff.

Surprisingly, Amazon is one of those names that's been a bit sluggish to set its sights on New Zealand. While we still don't have our own Amazon Store, at least now we have direct access to the Australian site and this seems to coincide with the increasing availability of more and more Amazon hardware.

Case in point; the Fire TV Stick 4K MAX. Sure, it's actually a year old now and Amazon just launched a whole new Fire TV Cube but the 4K MAX is reputably Amazon's "Most powerful streaming media stick" so obviously I was keen to finally get my hands on it a give it a go.

If you haven't used a device like this before, instead of relying on a set-top box or perhaps the pre-installed user interface on your smart TV, you might initially be surprised at how compact and nondescript the Fire TV Stick is. Not even 10cm long, this almost featureless black dongle simply slots into an available HDMI port, with a USB-C cable for the power supply, which plugs in on the side. This can be run off the included wall charger or perhaps via a USB power slot on your TV - just be aware if your TV is like mine, that USB power cuts out when the TV is switched off, meaning the Fire Stick will turn off completely too - more on this later. There's also a short HDMI adapter in the box so you don't have to have the Fire Stick poking straight out the back of your TV - otherwise, a bit limiting if it's wall-mounted.

The first thing to really impress me about the Fire TV Stick 4K MAX was how easy it was to set up. From the moment you turn it on, it guides you with clear, easy-to-follow on-screen instructions on things like pairing your remote and connecting to the Wi-Fi. It seemed to have an uncanny ability to identify both my TV and its sound system automatically - the remote now controls both TV and sound and I haven't had to tweak any further settings from that point on. So simple. 

The remote is also simple - and that's a good thing. Amazon hasn't tried to reinvent the wheel here; for example, the power button is in the top-left corner. Logical. There's a nice, clear, thumb-adjacent volume toggle in the middle. There are useful shortcut buttons for common streaming apps and perhaps most helpful of all, three dedicated navigation buttons, including play/pause. I know that may sound like a small thing but often playing and pausing using the select button in the middle of a jog-wheel is a two-press scenario - a specific button saves you a whole press! As I mentioned earlier, although you can turn your TV off with the remote, if you're plugged into its USB slot to power the Fire TV Stick, that'll turn off too. While it only takes thirty seconds or so to boot up again, if you plug it into the wall charger instead you can leave it always on - allowing instant access the moment your TV screen comes to life.

Wi-Fi connectivity is definitely worth a mention. Although I've never used any of the previous Fire TV devices, one of the things they upgraded with this model is Wi-Fi 6 capability. This means as long as you're connecting to a Wi-Fi 6 router, you get a much stronger, faster and more reliable link.

The 1.8GHz Quad-core processor is also a dramatic step up from earlier generations and there's no doubt about it, the operation of this device is an extreme pleasure compared with navigating around your average smart TV. Apps also load quickly and I've certainly experienced no buffering or lag issues whatsoever. I believe it's technically possible to connect via ethernet using the right adapter but honestly, my connection over Wi-Fi 6 has been so rock solid, I haven't even been tempted.

Another major feature of the Fire TV Stick 4K MAX is its wide selection of format offerings; Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos audio - not to mention its titular 4K abilities obviously. Whether or not you can take full advantage of these features will depend mostly on the content you're viewing and how specced-up your TV and sound system are.

All I know is I've found the picture quality in particular to be absolutely superb - much brighter and clearer than any other external streaming device I've used. I really love it - especially when watching high-format video files via my wireless Plex server - Plex is easily downloaded from the Appstore, while all the common local streamers are already installed out of the box - from Netflix and Prime Video to TVNZ+.

You can search and even log in using the on-screen keyboard or via Alexa-enabled voice control, using the big blue button at the top of the remote. Being an Amazon device, you can also ask Alexa to access and control your other smart-home gadgets - including showing live feeds from your cameras or doorbell on screen, reducing them to a picture-in-picture if you want to keep an eye on the front door while you're watching your favourite show. You can also pair with Echo speakers if you don't already have a sound system for your TV.

If you really want to stretch the capabilities of this little stick, there are a few other things you can try, rather than just watching telly. You can download and play games, ranging in complexity from Hangman up to Asphalt 8. Some of these you can play using just the remote while others will require you to pair a compatible bluetooth controller. Bear in mind, you've only got 8GB of storage space so there's certainly a limit to how many games you can download. Some are free, some are not. Or, if you have a GamePass subscription, take it a step further and use the pre-installed Silk Browser to access Xbox Cloud Gaming, Yes, I've tried it and it actually works.

I also tried to access Sky TV via its SkyGo website using Silk Browser. This was less successful. I could play some things but I was unable to navigate the website properly so couldn't access the on-demand episodes I was looking for.

Lastly, you can mirror your screen from other Android and PC devices, although bear in mind, mirroring is not the same as casting. The way I think of casting is sending instructions to your device on where to access the video content you want to play, allowing it to be streamed directly from the source. Mirroring is just displaying what's on your phone or laptop on another screen. I generally found the results to be laggy and prone to interference and distortion. And unfortunately, although Apple TV+ comes pre-installed, there's no AirPlay for screen-sharing from your Apple devices either.

Take my advice, use the Fire Stick TV 4K MAX for what it was designed for; streaming. Setup is foolproof, the connection is bulletproof and the picture quality is superb. At around or just over NZ$100.00, I consider this to be excellent value viewing and I'm glad it's finally here.

    

Click here for more information on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K MAX.

Orbi 960 WiFi 6E Mesh System - What a Beautiful Mesh

It's funny to think how demanding we've become of our internet speeds and Wi-Fi capabilities. I still clearly remember downloading whole albums via dial-up - that meant leaving your PC running overnight and hoping nothing crashed before morning.

Of course, now I'm not even sure my kids know what an album is. Doesn't endless music just stream constantly out of the nearest smart speaker on demand?

Today's exponential growth in internet bandwidth to our homes lets us stream video content in 4K, participate in online meetings and even game online - without having to download the games onto our own computers.

What a time to be alive.

Now the question is, how much of that can you do on Wi-Fi?

Now the answer is, all of it.

I have trialled many routers, modems and extenders over the years but the Orbi 960 Wi-Fi 6E mesh system from Netgear is the best by so far, I couldn't wait to tell you and I spoiled my verdict by revealing it right at the beginning of the review. That's how good it is and I knew it pretty much the moment I had it up and running.

While I've written a great deal about home networking, I haven't had the pleasure of using any of Netgear's products before and to be honest, I was rather taken aback when the box containing the Orbi 960 system arrived; it's a very big box. The set consists of a primary router and two satellite units - all three devices look identical from the front; wider at the bottom than at the top, with pleasantly curved contours. They're an off-white colour which is likely to match most decors, complimented by an unusual rose-gold assembly that runs around the centre of the whole device. And they're tall - 28cm - which might be an issue depending on where you were thinking of stashing them.

All I can say is make some room. It's worth it.

Thankfully, there are no annoying flashing lights to make them stick out even more - just an ambient LED indicator that only glows when you're first setting up and pairing - after that each unit just fades into the background doing its thing.

Setup requires the obligatory Orbi app of course but it's really not much of a trial - especially when the satellites pair themselves once you've initialised the primary router. The app isn't just for setup; in fact, it's a very full-featured effort, not only showing the status of your router and its satellites but also giving you the option to assign each connected device to a profile of your creation - thereby giving you the ability to utilise parental controls for certain gadgets.

I've been extremely impressed with Orbi's ability to identify the make and model of the devices connected to it. As you can imagine, I have quite a few devices online at any given time (43 right now, apparently. And I'm the only person home). Being able to tell which one is which is very useful - you can even access each gadget's IP address and see how fast its connection is.

In fact, using the Orbi app you can test your connection speed at any time - although this is only the speed between your modem and the Orbi router, not your Wi-Fi speed, which will obviously vary from device to device.

However, what has amazed me about the Orbi 960 system is when I measure the coverage around my house, it stays unbelievably consistent. Sometimes I even get marginally faster download speeds from the satellite units than I do from the primary router. How can this possibly be?

Part of the explanation for this incredible connectivity lies in the fact this is a quad-band system - with a dedicated channel just for backhaul; the connection between the router and the satellites. This means you're not using up any of the bandwidth for the connected device, regardless of which unit it's currently connected to. What's more, if your device is compatible, you're also utilising the new 6Ghz Wi-Fi 6E band, which is the fastest and highest-capacity Wi-Fi technology currently available.

There's a powerful, 2.2Ghz, quad-core processor running everything - that's like a whole computer brain dedicated solely to organising your home network, not just the 6Ghz band but the more traditional 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands too. Lately, I've read a lot of expert advice on setting up a dedicated 2.4Hz network just for your IoT devices - security cameras, smart lights, that sort of thing. The idea is these gadgets don't require as much bandwidth and by moving them off your primary network, you'll reduce the clutter.

Orbi makes this process simple with a one-touch toggle on the app to create an instant, dedicated IoT network, complete with its own unique name (or SSID).

You also have plenty of hardwire options - starting with a super-fast 10Gbps ethernet WAN port on the router to connect with your modem. Each device then offers a 2.5Gbps LAN port and three 10/100/1000Mbps ports to connect devices via ethernet cable - ideal for things like PCs and smart TVs.

As I said at the top, from the moment I fired the Orbi 960 system up, I could tell this was a whole other level of speed and reliability. I've experienced none of the random dropouts and disconnections I used to encounter from time to time - especially from some of the more passive devices like lights and cameras.

My only issue is the rather pushy, double offer of extra security on the Orbi app. You get a 30-day free trial of Netgear's Armor network protection by default - this analyzes every connected device for security risks and constantly monitors your network to detect any vulnerabilities should they come to light. The only warning I've had so far was my Philips HUE sync box trying to make contact with "a suspicious remote location" - not sure what that was about but now I know to keep an eye on it.

The Orbi app keeps insisting I should install Bitdefender on a number of eligible devices too - this is a suite of cyber-security measures including anti-virus, malware protection and identity theft prevention. That's fine... but I already have a cybersecurity solution and I'd rather not be bothered about it every time I open the app.

Other than that very minor irritation, let me repeat once again, this is simply the best home networking solution I've used by so far, it's not even close. No wonder it's so expensive. But let's not talk about that. It's worth it. Trust me.

    

Click here for more information on the Netgear Orbi Quad-band Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System.

Elgato Facecam - Video so Good it's Scary

Let's get serious here; working from home - or at least hybrid working - isn't going anywhere.

So unless your job is a one-person operation, it's going to require some online collaboration at some point. Until now, perhaps you've been making do with that cheap little webcam you bought a million years ago and hardly ever used, pre-pandemic.

Or worse, you've been peering into your laptop's built-in camera, leaving whoever's watching at the other end with a blurry, poorly lit image of you that freezes regularly and makes you look like you're part of the witness protection programme.

If you're a regular streamer, presumably you've already taken steps to remedy this situation. For the rest of us, it's well past time we lifted our webcam game.

Over the last couple of months, I've gone from having never heard of Elgato to considering it a go-to brand for content creation accessories.

The sorry state of built-in webcams on laptops, desktops and tablets has been a constant source of frustration for me over the years. Often I've lamented the fact even the most basic smartphones usually have better selfie-cams than those that come with your computer, yet these are the very tools we require to make working from home a success.

So I was pretty excited to get my hands (and face) on the Elgato Facecam.

I have to admit, I haven't even considered a dedicated webcam for years. After all, almost everything has a camera built-in now, right? I even have smart speakers I can make video calls on. But... as I just said, invariably those cameras are all rubbish.

Just like everyone else in the world, I've been producing more video content than ever lately. I figured the Elgato Facecam might help me put my best foot (and face) forward.

What might surprise you is the size of this device; given your bog-standard laptop webcam peeps out of a tiny hole at the top of your display, being confronted with a camera that's 58mm x 80mm x 48mm is well... confronting.

I assume this rather large form-factor is mostly due to the Elgato Prime Lens, which is in fact eight precisely engineered glass elements resulting in a superb shooting window with an f/2.4 aperture. The glass has been painstakingly produced to reduce any kind of distortion or colour alteration in an effort to provide the most neutral, natural image possible. This is aided by many layers of anti-reflective coatings so issues like light flare are kept to a minimum.

The included mount is simple yet effective, allowing you to clip the Facecam onto just about anything; monitors, laptop lids, tablets - even handsets if you really need to. Alternatively, you can forget the mount completely and use a tripod or other stand via the universal 1/4-inch thread.

There's a hard plastic privacy cap if that's something that concerns you. It certainly clunks reassuringly into place leaving you absolutely reassured nothing will be broadcast while it's in place.

The Facecam connects via a very generous two-metre USB-C to USB-A cable but this isn't quite a plug-and-play situation. I found I had to download and install Elgato's Camera Hub app before my Mac recognised the external camera I'd attached. Camera Hub is simple to navigate, yet offers a comprehensive range of settings you can choose to leave on auto or tinker around with at your will.

Everything from zoom and contrast to white balance and noise reduction can be adjusted, which gives you a significantly greater level of customisation than that of most default, pre-installed cameras. The most user-friendly part of this process is when you've tweaked the settings to attain the perfect image, you can save them - not to your connected device but onto the flash memory in the Facecam itself. This means if you're using the camera on several different devices, the settings will stay the same. That's pretty useful because different screens will show your footage in different ways, so only having to set up your camera once means you can film with the confidence you'll end up with consistent footage across all your shots.

You can film up to 1080p at a full 60fps. The Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor and Elgato's Advanced Image Engine combine to provide incredibly detailed, noise-free images, even in low light. In fact, I've found the quality to be so accurate, I've dialled back things like contrast and sharpness considerably to save my viewers the true horror of witnessing my visage in its all-too-real, blotchy, lined, cratered, haggard and disturbing glory. 

Yes, my conclusion is the video quality from the Facecam is too good. Nobody wants to see the real me - especially not me. I've come to realise the blurry, shadowy footage from lesser cameras was doing me a favour. Sadly, thanks to Facecam, now I've been revealed to the world as the wreck I truly am. Thanks very much, Elgato.

    

    

Click here for more information on the Elgato Facecam.

D-Link EAGLE PRO AI M32 - D-Link's Biggest Mesh Yet

Artificial Intelligence...

Sadly, it's become more of a marketing phrase than an actual scientific phenomenon. If you want your smart device to sound even smarter, you just claim it now uses AI to do whatever it does; better photos, more accurate tracking or perhaps a cleverer sound system.

That's not to take anything away from these gadgets - the tech built into things these days makes the Apollo space missions look like advanced kite-flying for kids. But there's a difference between something doing what it's been programmed to do and genuine "intelligence" - which I would define as the ability to assess each challenge as it presents itself and come up with a unique, creative solution.

Whether or not that's what D-Link's latest mesh Wi-Fi system is doing is hard to say.

The M32 AX3200 mesh system is D-Link's latest addition to its recently launched EAGLE PRO AI range of home-networking devices. 

D-Link has certainly jumped on board the AI marketing train, claiming "AI-based Mesh capability with compatible AI Wi-Fi Extender or Router" as well as boasting an "AI-based Wi-Fi and Traffic Optimiser."

That certainly sounds like a lot of AI.

Don't let my anti-AI trash-talk fool you. The M32 is easily the most powerful edition of the EAGLE PRO family yet, especially when used in concert with one or two others (it's sold in a two-pack and a three-pack but is also compatible with the other EAGLE PRO routers and extenders).

The M32 units certainly aren't small; in fact, they're quite an unusual shape for a D-Link device - wide and tall yet not particularly deep - picking one up reminds me a bit of holding something like a first-aid kit, or perhaps a hard-cover dictionary. To follow that analogy through to its logical conclusion, if your Wi-Fi is in need of medical assistance, the M32 system is the dictionary definition of just the treatment you might need.

Apart from anything else, the sheer amount of coverage offered by the three-pack system I was sent to review is pretty standout; up to 740sqm - that's not just a big home, that's a big section.

This impressive super-king blanket of Wi-Fi is achieved in part thanks to the five internal antennae built into each unit - one of which is dedicated to monitoring which channels are most congested in your area so your home network can stay well clear of them. This is just one of the many ways EAGLE PRO devices achieve a less cluttered, more reliable connection to all the devices that need it.

While you can set up the M32 system using a web-based UI, that's nowhere near as fun (or as simple) as using the EAGLE PRO app. I've used this app and its strikingly similar predecessor, the D-Link Wi-Fi app more times than I can remember now and though I might be imagining it, I feel like the process has become more streamlined and therefore faster over the last year or so.

Probably all that built-in AI at work, I suppose.

Bear in mind, while the M32's can be used to extend an existing EAGLE PRO network, I've found you're actually just as well off creating a new one from scratch. Once you've set up the first unit as the primary router, the other two pair automatically. It was a little unnerving to discover this pairing process takes both the primary router and satellite unit offline as they automatically reboot - this is slightly different to how I've set up previous D-Link and EAGLE PRO devices. I guess the warning is, don't expect your Wi-Fi to stay on until all three units are powered up and initialised.

Another new feature on these devices is the status light. It's not new to have one obviously; most similar gadgets let you know when they're booting up, pairing and ultimately have a strong signal. The new thing about the LED's on the M32's is they're now in the shape of a single large cross on the top panel, rather than causing a more distracting blinking on the front. Thankfully, once again, D-Link lets you turn it off completely by digging into the primary router's settings via the app. This in turn deactivates the glowing cross on any satellite units too.

The only real downside of using one of the M32's as your primary router is its limited supply of Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports; only two as opposed to at least three or four on many other routers. These are useful for hard-wiring devices where a solid connection is essential - think your desktop PC or smart TV. The good news is, each M32 has a couple of ethernet ports giving you the benefits of that hard-line connection all round the house, without the inconvenience of having to run actual data cabling through your walls.

Perhaps most importantly of all, the whole EAGLE PRO range is Wi-Fi 6 enabled - this is the newer protocol that dramatically increases the number of devices that can connect to your home network simultaneously. As I've warned before, if you're upgrading from Wi-Fi 5, most devices will need to be reassigned to your new network manually even if you use the same SSID (network name). But it's well worth it. The extra speed and reliability more than makes up for the hassle of a few factory resets.

In previous reviews I've talked about the other technology D-Link uses to really optimise your home Wi-Fi experience; if you're not familiar with terms like Beamforming, MU-MIMO, OFDMA and TWT - don't get too bogged down in it all. Basically, these are all different ways the M32 units talk to each other and to their connected devices to ensure the clearest, most powerful and most reliable signal goes exactly where it's needed.

And it works. In fact, with the M32 system, it works better than ever. This is by far the strongest, fastest and most dependable EAGLE PRO network I've set up yet - an excellent option if you've got a large area to cover. While I'm still not convinced there's any genuine "Artificial Intelligence" at work here, there's no doubt these are very smart devices indeed.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the D-Link EAGLE PRO AI M32 AX3200 mesh system.

Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD) - Brilliant Simplicity Made Even More Simple

There's no denying Google has been notoriously slow when it comes to releasing its hardware products here in New Zealand - that's if they bring them here at all. For example, I know people who are massive fans of the Pixel phone, yet have to walk across hot coals in order to buy them whenever the new ones are launched.

Although many Android experts consider the Pixel to be the purest incarnation of their side of the smartphone wars, mysteriously none of our major telcos seem interested in offering it as an option for their customers, or if they are, Google certainly doesn't seem interested in supplying them.

This is made all the more galling by the fact the latest Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are both available on the Australian and Indian Google stores but no, not here.

However...

This rule seems to apply to some products and not others. While we Kiwis had to wait till June this year for the Chromecast with Google TV, a product Google initially launched back in 2020, the new one has already appeared on our shelves. Go figure.

This year's model is called Chromecast with Google TV. Confused? To be completely accurate, it's the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) - as opposed to the previous model which has been renamed Chromecast with Google TV (4K).

Not only is the name pretty much the same, it looks basically identical; a flat oblong, smaller than the palm of your hand with a short HDMI tail at one end and a USB-C port at the other to accommodate the wall charger included in the box.

There is a minuscule clue in the new naming policy though; the 2022 Chromecast with Google TV is only capable of displaying content at a resolution of up to 1080p - not 4K like its older sibling can. So the question is, does that matter?

The answer depends mostly on the television you're plugging it into. If you're already considering this device it could well be because your TV is older, not very smart and pre-dates 4K technology. If that's the case, definitely save yourself $35-$40 and go with the newer, cheaper HD version of this dongle. You can't make an HD TV display anything at 4K, no matter what device you plug into it.

On the other hand, if you own a 4K or even 8K telly, especially with a larger screen, you might be better off with the higher resolution device - depending on your content. Although, not everything streams at 4K (and almost nothing at 8K) so if it's just news, talk shows and reality TV you're into, the higher resolution isn't really required here either.

Also, and I apologise if this sounds like some kind of humble brag, but my TV does a fantastic job of upscaling lower-res content and if I'm being completely honest, I've been struggling to tell the difference between the HD and 4K versions of this device - and that's bearing in mind the older, more expensive model does Dolby Vision too.

The remote control is also a clone of its predecessor which I get; it's a fabulous wee remote with all the buttons you need and none of the ones you don't. That said, I do sometimes struggle to identify the correct volume button on the side of the remote - they're particularly tiny - and when I'm explaining how to use it to visitors they often simply refuse to believe these are buttons at all.

To recap from my June review, the really impressive thing about this remote is it's fully programmable to control most TVs and soundbars. Setting it up is very straightforward and this single, small, ergonomic remote is now the only one I use. Of course, you can also access Google Assistant via the remote which saves a heck of a lot of frustration when it comes to navigating around on-screen keyboards.

But perhaps the oddest thing about Google's newest TV dongle is its operating system is a full two generations more up-to-date than that of the 2020 device. Why the 4K Chromecast with Google TV can't be updated to Android TV OS 12 as well, I have no idea. The good news for those of you who already own the original is... I can't actually tell the difference. 

You still have over 10,000 apps to choose from, you still get personalised content recommendations based on your viewing history and subscriptions right on your homepage and it's still one of the most user-friendly, intuitive smart TV interfaces I've come across. I literally ignore my TV's own OS completely now and just default to the Chromecast every time I switch on.

Just like the older model, the HD version can access an ethernet LAN connection for faster connectivity, as long as you're using a compatible adapter, although in all honesty, as with pretty much every Chromecast that's come before it, the Wi-Fi connectivity is pretty great.

At an RRP of NZ$110.00, I already considered the 4K model fantastic buying. At only NZ$69.00 for the new, HD iteration, it's an absolute steal. It wasn't so long ago we were paying more than that for a Chromecast without any of the smart TV stuff, so thanks Google, for finally sending us something this cool, this soon after it launches.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD).

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - Make the World Go Away

The recent Apple launch event was a pretty exciting affair.

Four new iPhones were announced, including a whole new model; the iPhone 14 Plus; a large-screen version of the base-model iPhone 14.

It was quite the watch-o-rama, not just Series 8 Apple Watches but a next-generation Apple Watch SE and again, another entirely new device; the Apple Watch Ultra.

Make no mistake; I was utterly mesmerised by all of them and I've been fortunate enough to try several of these devices out over the last few weeks.

And yet, if I had to name a real surprise package out of the event, it was none of the above.

Full disclosure; I'm a bit of an AirPods noob - I've only really spent any real time using the AirPods (3rd generation). I say, "only" but they are a truly excellent set of buds and I said as much in my review. I also suggested they actually "out-featured" the Pro version at the time in a few areas - especially battery life.

Well, that's the first thing Apple took care of with the 2022 edition. Now you'll get up to six hours listening, with another 24 hours worth in the case. That's a significant increase from the original Pros - as much as a third more listening time.

The charging case itself has been modified significantly. It has a lanyard loop built into the side should you wish to attach it to your wrist, belt loop or whatever else. You can personalise the front with an engraving of your choice; text, numbers or even your own Memoji. I'm not a Memoji kind of a guy... but I get it. Like the 3rd-gen AirPods, the 2nd-gen Pros will now charge on an Apple Watch charger and are also MagSafe compatible, other than charging via Lightning cable or a standard Qi wireless pad.

You'll also notice a new speaker at the bottom of the case. This plays a little ding when you put it on to charge but the real bonus is when you're tracking the case with the Find My app. Although slightly wider than the standard AirPods case, it's still very small and slippery. If you're an absent-minded klutz like me, you'll know how easy it is to lose a case like that down the couch cushions, in the car door pocket or perhaps just under your pillow. Find My can track the case as far as the couch but that doesn't narrow down which part of the couch your AirPods are hiding in. Thanks to that little speaker, you can now fire off a pretty loud audible location alarm, leading you straight to your misplaced case.

The case itself is also sweat and water-resistant, giving you peace of mind when it's in your pocket at the gym or when you're out and about in the elements.

But let's get this case open and see what's in there.

What would you say if I told you there are a couple of billion transistors in there? Incredibly, that's what Apple's new H2 chip brings to the party. As hard as that may be to believe, there's certainly something pretty clever going on because these AirPods sound fabulous and the Active Noise Cancellation is mind-blowingly good.

Apple has really tweaked the guts of these buds, introducing a new, low-distortion driver which, combined with that magic chip, provides an impressively accurate response right across all frequencies, even on a potentially jangly, noisy track like "New World Man" by Rush. The bass is all over the place with guitars coming at you from all directions, yet everything punches through with crystal clarity.

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) offer a new level of Spatial Audio, personalised just for you. For some reason, this involves a quick setup scanning your face and each ear, much like setting up Face ID on an iPhone. The result is well worth it, as you now have the option to fix it in place or activate head-tracking, to give the illusion the music is coming from in front of you, even if you turn your head to one side or another. This has obvious advantages when watching movies or playing games too.

"The Bubble" by the Black Seeds is a lazy yet menacing track with a place for every instrument and every instrument in its place. The horns and drums are mixed to sound very live and with the spatial effect on, it really sounds like you're listening to the band playing a concert on stage just for you.

But man oh man that ANC... when Apple suggested the H2 chip meant the level of noise cancellation had doubled, I cynically thought, "What does that mean? You now can't hear twice as many things? The background noise is now half as loud?" I found the claim a bit meaningless. However, now I've tried these AirPods, I'd suggest Apple is underselling things somewhat.

From the moment I first inserted the AirPods Pro, I experienced total, instant silence. This is in part due to the vastly improved fit; there are now four sizes of tips to ensure the perfect seal. Don't be alarmed if that makes you feel claustrophobic, there's plenty of venting going on to minimise any excess pressure and I find these earbuds to be as secure and as comfortable as any other I've tried. So that's the passive sound blocking and then that H2 chip introduces an unbelievable level of ANC - it's so good it's almost disorientating at first and it takes a bit of getting used to.

Of course, a long squeeze of the stem deactivates ANC, or initiates an equally effective Transparency mode to let the outside world back in. This long press can also be customised to activate Siri from either stem. Play/pause, skip and go-back controls are the usual single, double and triple squeezes and now (thank goodness) you can control volume by swiping up and down the stem. This is quite an intuitive gesture that I've found to be very reliable and accurate.

As for phone calls, the new AirPods Pro have now passed the "Mum Test" on multiple occasions with flying colours. That's when my elderly mother rings me while I'm out in the wind, walking the dog and she doesn't even realise I'm not talking directly on my handset. What more do you need to know?

Now you see why I consider the AirPods Pro the real stars of Apple's September launch. If you thought the phones and watches were good, imagine how great these are.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation).