Category: Reviews

Entertainment Miles Morales Review Roundup Reviews Spider Man

Critics confirm ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ is pretty amazing

sudshr47 November 28, 2018

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“In this telling of the story, it truly could be anyone behind that mask — a little girl, a grizzled detective, a middle-aged sad sack, maybe even another unassuming New York kid — and all the people wearing it are better together than they are apart.” 

Critics, like Mashable’s own Angie Han, come bearing excellent spidey-news: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is as amazing as fans had hoped—if not a little bit better. 

Sony’s animated take on a multi-dimensional Spider-Man filled universe has been met with across-the-board praise by early reviews, just weeks after a group of lucky New York Comic Con goers saw a 35-minute preview and reacted similarly.  Read more…

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Android Chrome Google Reviews Tablets

Google’s Pixel Slate is an average and buggy tablet that’s not worth the money

sudshr47 November 27, 2018

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Google Pixel Slate
$599 (starting)
The Good

Front-facing speakers play nice and loud • Hardware is well-built • Has two USB-C ports

The Bad

Buggy software • Pricey for the Core i5 and i7 models • Official keyboard is expensive and sucks

The Bottom Line

Google’s Pixel Slate is a wannabe Surface Pro that doesn’t impress in hardware or software.

Mashable Score2.25
Cool Factor2.0
Learning Curve3.0
Performance2.0
Bang for the Buck2.0

As a reviewer, I can tell which configuration of a new gadget a company expects to do well based on the model they send me to test out. Read more…

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Playstation Reviews Sony Tech Video Games

Sony PlayStation Classic review: The graphics are weak, but the fun is real

sudshr47 November 27, 2018

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Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work.

For almost two weeks, I’ve been living life like it was 1994 thanks to Sony’s PlayStation Classic.

The $99.99 system, like Nintendo’s NES and SNES Classic before it, is yet another miniaturized game console pre-loaded with games from a bygone era.

Sony’s tiny console is a fraction of the size of the original (and unfortunately doesn’t play original PS1 CDs) and comes with two faithfully reproduced controllers.

It’s one of the nicest throwback tech products in years and made me nostalgic of the early days of games with 3D graphics, while simultaneously making me realize I’m now old. I was seven when the PlayStation launched in Japan in 1994 and nine when my childhood best friend got one for Christmas two years later and we got to eventually play classics like Rayman, Crash Bandicoot, and Final Fantasy VII in his attic. Read more…

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Amber Heard Dc Comics Jason Momoa Reactions Reviews

Early ‘Aquaman’ reactions are surprisingly supportive

sudshr47 November 26, 2018

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Critics’ first reactions to Aquaman are finally swimming onto social media with a surprising upswell of positivity.

The highly anticipated DC chapter isn’t due in theaters until next month—Dec. 21 to be exact—but those who caught early screenings are promising a good time for future audiences. 

A standalone spin-off of The Justice League, the Jason Momoa-starring saga follows the titular Aquaman as he attempts to quell tension between the residents of the Seven Seas and us land lubbers. He is joined in his quest by Mera, played by Amber Heard.

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Apps Google-Maps Hashtags Reviews

Google Maps biz reviews can now include hashtags

sudshr47 November 26, 2018

Google Maps has quietly rolled out a new feature aimed at helping users discover places others have recommended: it now supports hashtags in reviews. For example, if you’re reviewing a restaurant that would make an excellent #datenight spot, you can simply add the appropriate hashtag. Or if the business is #familyfriendly or #wheelchairaccessible, you can […]

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Alexa Amazon Cooking Reviews Smart Home

AmazonBasics Microwave is fine, but Alexa sure doesn’t make it magical

sudshr47 November 21, 2018

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AmazonBasics Microwave
$59.99
The Good

Dirt cheap • Voice commands work well

The Bad

Limited voice command presets

The Bottom Line

Amazon’s Alexa-enabled microwave is dirt-cheap buy if you need a simple microwave.

Mashable Score3.5
Cool Factor2.0
Learning Curve4.0
Performance3.0
Bang for the Buck5.0

We did this to ourselves. 

Welcoming Amazon’s Alexa into our home with trojan horse devices like Echo smart speakers, smart displays, set-top boxes, tablets, and the zillion other things the digital assistant has infiltrated was only the beginning. Read more…

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View More AmazonBasics Microwave is fine, but Alexa sure doesn’t make it magical
Amazon Amazon Echo echo plus Echo Sub Reviews

Amazon Echo Sub review: Exactly what you need for Alexa-powered music

sudshr47 November 20, 2018

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Amazon Echo Sub
$129.99
The Good

Easy setup • Adds good bass to music • Relatively light

The Bad

Can’t produce deep bass (<30Hz) notes • Won’t work with external sources

The Bottom Line

There are more powerful and versatile subwoofers out there, but the Amazon Echo Sub is the fastest, easiest way to give Alexa-powered music some oomph.

Mashable Score3.75
Cool Factor4.0
Learning Curve4.0
Performance3.0
Bang for the Buck4.0

If you regularly listen to music on an Amazon Echo device — specifically the Echo, new Echo Dot, or Echo Plus — then I can’t recommend the Echo Sub enough. With minimal setup, it greatly improves the musical experience, delivering bass notes that you’ll otherwise miss out on. Read more…

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fitbit Gadgets Health Fitness Reviews Tech

Fitbit Charge 3 review: A better fitness tracker everywhere it counts

sudshr47 November 19, 2018

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Fitbit Charge 3
$149.95
The Good

Slimmer • more comfortable design • New touch screen is much easier to use • Superb battery life

The Bad

Smartwatch features still feel half-baked • Fitbit app is confusing

The Bottom Line

The Fitbit Charge 3 is more comfortable to wear than its predecessors, and the touchscreen is much improved. If you don’t care about true smartwatch features, this is the fitness wearable for you.

Mashable Score4.0
Cool Factor4.0
Learning Curve3.0
Performance5.0
Bang for the Buck4.0

Smartwatches may still be getting a lot of hype, but there’s still plenty to be said for a dedicated fitness tracker.  Read more…

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Alexa Digital Assistants Reviews soundbar Speakers

The Polk Command Bar levels up your TV experience with Alexa and better audio

sudshr47 November 17, 2018

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Polk Command Bar
$299
The Good

Good sound quality • Alexa integration works well • Affordable

The Bad

Bulky design • Missing some Alexa features

The Bottom Line

The Polk Command Bar will definitely level-up the sound from your TV’s crappy speakers, and the smartly realized Alexa integration is welcome.

Mashable Score3.75
Cool Factor3.0
Learning Curve4.0
Performance4.0
Bang for the Buck4.0

We’re in the golden age of soundbars. It’s a world flush with affordable, high-quality speakers for your TV that don’t require putting different kinds of speakers all over your room, with multiple diagrams and sync options to ensure everything is just so. The soundbar is a gift for people who want to hear, and feel, their entertainment without the hassle of multiple wires. Read more…

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Gaming review Reviews Tamagotchi Tech

Original Tamagotchi review: The reboot of the ’90s classic is still addictive

sudshr47 November 17, 2018

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Original Tamagotchi
$19.99
The Good

Choose from either classic colors (Gen 1) or new colors (Gen 2) • Includes original addictive gameplay • Small size makes it super-portable

The Bad

Non-backlit display is antiquated • Battery isn’t rechargable

The Bottom Line

Other than some color updates, there isn’t much new to be had in the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Tamagotchis. But simplicity is the point: This is a fun, affordable pet-simulation toy that owners of the original will find irresistible.

Mashable Score4.0
Cool Factor4.0
Learning Curve4.0
Performance3.0
Bang for the Buck5.0

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Android Google Mobile Photography Reviews

Google’s Night Sight shooting mode for the Pixel 3 is mind-blowing

sudshr47 November 15, 2018

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Holy moly, has Google just changed the smartphone camera game with the release of the Night Sight mode for its Pixel 3 and 3 XL phones.

Announced at its October Pixel 3 launch event, Google boasted Night Sight as a significant leap forward for taking night photos — useful for exposing colors and details lost in the shadows.

I’ve only just tried Night Sight, currently rolling out to Pixel 3 phones via a software update, and my mind’s still piecing itself back together from being blown apart.

It’s no secret Google has been flexing its computational photography and machine-learning skills to enhance shots taken with its Pixel phones. Read more…

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