On Gear Live: Circuit Breaker: The Tech Newsletter that Elevates Your Gadget Game

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Tidal Force has jumped into the headphone arena with a pair of planar magnetic headphones, aimed at providing better sound than typical driver-based models which follow the loudspeaker model of projecting sound.

If you’re unfamiliar, planar magnetic headphones use a very thin, light diaphragm in order to reproduce sound - this is instead of the traditional driver. The diaphragm is “driven” by a neodymium magnetic system consisting of a matrix double pole which ends up moving its surface evenly back and forth. The Tidal Force Wave 5 features a 56mm diaphragm, which in turn is able to produce notes between 16Hz and 50kHz. Are they worth your attention though? Let’s find out.

Click to continue reading Tidal Force Wave 5 headphones review


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T-Mobile robocalls

A few weeks ago, I produced a video giving you a look at Shuffle and both its Shuffle app and upcoming Shuffle PrivateLine app (embedded below) while outlining the massive privacy implications of using various 2nd phone number apps, which feeds into the current robocall epidemic we’re experiencing here in the US. Now, Shuffle is back with the results of even more custom research on this topic, and it’s eye-opening. If you feel like you’ve been getting nonstop robocalls lately, you’re not alone.

In fact, there were over 30.5 billion robocalls placed in the United States in 2017, an increase over the 29.3 billion in 2016. This isn’t something that’s slowing down, either, as December 2017 saw a massive 2.8 billion unsolicited (at best) or illegal (at worst) calls - that’s an average of 89.6 million every day, or 8.6 calls for every person.

Click to continue reading Shuffle readies PrivateLine app to aid in user privacy & battle robocalls


TCL S-Series sale

Super Bowl season is upon us, and it's generally a good time to grab a great deal on a new TV that you can show off during the Big Game. This year is no different, and if you're looking to up your game by integrating a new 4K HDR display into your setup, TCL just dropped prices on it's S-Series Roku TV - bonus, no need for a set-top box since this one has all of your favorite streaming Roku channels built-in. You can grab the 55-inch model for just $369.99, and the 49-inch version for $329.99:

This deal is live right now and goes through February! You'll be hard-pressed to find a better TV at a better price!

Click to continue reading TCL S-Series 4K HDR TV sale now live!


Latest Gear Live Videos

The Mega Smartphone Giveaway!

Welcome to our MEGA Smartphone Giveaway! We are giving away three of the best smartphones of 2017 to celebrate the end of the year, and this is your opportunity to walk away with an iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, and Google Pixel 2! Here is how it will work:

  • The first place winner gets to choose their pick from the 3 smartphones - iPhone X, Note 8, and Pixel 2
  • The second place winner gets to choose between the 2 that are left
  • The third place winner gets the remaining smartphone (The winner that chooses the iPhone may substitute an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus instead of the iPhone X if they prefer)

Big shout out to Erica Griffin and David Cogen (The Unlockr) for teaming up with me on this giveaway! Good luck to all! Which phone would you pick if you won? Do the Pixel 2 cameras call your name? Are you all about Face ID with the iPhone X? The stylus of the Galaxy Note 8? Let me know!


Shortly after arriving at Capital One’s downtown Seattle offices, the TAF students were led on a workspace tour by local associates including Mike Bailey (foreground), Natalie Griffin (fourth from right), Perris Davis (third from right) and Alison Wyllie (second from right.)

As I waited in the lobby at Capital One in Seattle, a group of well-dressed, inquisitive 13-year-olds arrived - joking, laughing, all while keeping their voices down in order to mind their manners. I eavesdropped a bit to get a sense for what they were feeling, and it was a mixture of excitement and nervousness. They were here at Capital One to learn about what it takes to succeed in a career in the fast-growing world of tech.

Click to continue reading Technology Access Foundation Students Visit Capital One to Talk Tech Careers


Here's the first piece of the new home theater setup video I am working on - the TV I am using is the LG OLED C7. Also, since a few people asked, here are the best Black Friday 2017 TV deals on LG OLEDs, separated by size - 55", 65", and 77":

55-INCHES
55" LG OLED TV B7A
55" LG OLED TV C7
55: LG OLED TV E7

65-INCHES
65" LG OLED TV B7A
65" LG OLED TV C7
65" LG OLED TV E7
65" LG OLED TV G7
65" LG OLED TV W7

77-INCHES
77" LG OLED TV G7
77" LG OLED TV W7: Out of Stock

I have videos on the receiver I am using, and the Dolby Atmos surround sound setup coming as well! Don't forget to sign up for Earny for automatic refunds on anything you buy if the price drops later!


ZTE Tempo X Giveaway!

ZTE just launched the new Tempo X smartphone on Boost Mobile, and we've got one to give away to a lucky winner! If you're unaware, the ZTE Tempo X sports some great features without breaking the bank - in fact, it sells for just $59.99 currently! The Tempo X boasts a 1.1GHz quad-core processor alongside Android Nougat, a 5-inch FXVGA display, and even a microSD card slot that supports expansion up to 32GB. The phone will even work if you head to Mexico, with built-in roaming capabilities. You also get a 5 megapixel rear camera and 2 megapixel front camera, and the Tempo X can even act as a mobile hotspot. Not bad at all for a budget device!

Use the widget above to enter the giveaway and manage your entries - good luck!


Best Buy has looked through all the recent hardware gadget releases, and the company has put together it's Holiday Top Tech list for 2017, which will be rolling out soon. While we wait for the full list to drop, Best Buy has tasked me with revealing one of the hot items that you'll find on the list - the Nintendo Switch!

If you've somehow missed the phenomenon that is the Nintendo Switch, it's the first console in history that is both a complete home console with high-definition graphics while simultaneously being a completely portable console that allows you to play your game library on the go. The Nintendo Switch launched back on March 3rd, and since then, it's been difficult to find in stock both online and in stores up until about a month ago.

Click to continue reading Holiday Top Tech with Best Buy: Nintendo Switch!


Silicon Valley Season 4 Blu-ray Giveaway!

Season 4 of HBO's popular Silicon Valley show is now available, and we've got a trio of Blu-ray sets to give away! Three winners will walk away with copies of Silicon Valley Season 4. Season 4 is particularly notable since it's the last season that TJ Miller will appear in the show. Ready to enter? Head over to the giveaway page to manage your entries - and good luck!


KitchenAid Artisan Mini mixer review

In the world of KitchenAid mixers there’s something new and sleek. The company sent over its new KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 quart mixer, and as someone who likes to get down in the kitchen, I must say I was hesitant. My older KitchenAid Classic mixer (full-sized) was strong and powerful, and the new model was compact - surely it couldn’t match up to what I already had right?

Click to continue reading KitchenAid Artisan Mini Review: Big Power in a Smaller Package


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