Category: Articles

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The iPhone Air is the Realization of Apple’s Greed

From the DOJ lawsuit filed against Apple in 2024:

As Apple’s executives openly acknowledge: “In looking at it with hindsight, I think going forward we need to set a stake in the ground for what features we think are ‘good enough’ for the consumer. I would argue we’re already doing *more* than what would have been good enough. But we find it very hard to regress our product features YOY [year over year].” Existing features “would have been good enough today if we hadn’t introduced [them] already,” and “anything new and especially expensive needs to be rigorously challenged before it’s allowed into the consumer phone.” Thus, it is not surprising that Apple spent more than twice as much on stock buybacks and dividends as it did on research and development.

Continue reading “The iPhone Air is the Realization of Apple’s Greed”

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Of course Phone specs still matter. It’s silly to argue otherwise.

Your phone is a computer.

It’s a small computer that fits in your pocket. After years of refining, we should expect our pocket computers to be capable of accomplishing more work (and play) with every successive phone generation.

Sadly, we’ve seen a cottage industry of tech reviewing amplify a lazy refrain of “specs don’t matter”. It’s disappointing to see.
Continue reading “Of course Phone specs still matter. It’s silly to argue otherwise.”

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Sony WH-1000XM6: How I Made Them Sound Better (Part 1/3)

I’ve eagerly been anticipating the release of the XM6, but my first impressions were a little disappointing. This is still the best TRAVEL premium headphone on the market, but depending on your ears, they might need a little EQ help. Here’s what I did to change up the sound and LOVE these cans! Continue reading “Sony WH-1000XM6: How I Made Them Sound Better (Part 1/3)”

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8849 Tank 4 Pro Review: An Absurd Phone UPGRADED!

8849 is back in the GadgetLab, and the craziest phone series I’ve ever reviewed has gotten an UPGRADE!

The Tank 4 Pro slims down a lot from the Tank 3 Pro, but EVERY other tech piece is better, faster, or stronger! Let’s take a look at a WILD “internet appliance” that probably WON’T fit in your pocket! Continue reading “8849 Tank 4 Pro Review: An Absurd Phone UPGRADED!”

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Are Dumb Phones the Future? Unpacking this Trend with Nicholas Rossman from the MEF!

People are considering the switch to a basic phone. A popular trend shows folks are interested in a digital detox, and the smartphone is the main gadget to replace. I sat down with Nicholas Rossman of the Mobile Ecosystem Forum to chat about simplifying our phone use! Continue reading “Are Dumb Phones the Future? Unpacking this Trend with Nicholas Rossman from the MEF!”

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Vivo X200 Review: The (Non-Pro) Lil Brother Ain’t so Little…

There are a couple different ways we can do a series of premium phones. Vivo has a spectrum of devices offered under the X200 label. I’ve spent a lot of time already using the X200 Pro to get work done for my videos and reviews.

The X200 arrives with the same powerhouse chip, but a few other “cost sensitive” component choices. Using it has been really interesting…

Curious how the X200 Pro performs BEFORE checking out the X200? Here’s my review of the X200 Pro!

Continue reading “Vivo X200 Review: The (Non-Pro) Lil Brother Ain’t so Little…”

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Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Long Term Review: Smaller, But Not REALLY Smaller?

Conclusion

Google’s earbud evolution is nearly complete. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a highly refined product, with excellent tech features, and charming design. This will be a crowd pleasing product, and an excellent sidekick for many Pixel phone owners. These buds get a very positive recommendation, and what follows in this article is why I personally am not using them.

For all the positives this product represents, there is one SMALL issue that might impact a segment of consumers. Let’s discuss… Continue reading “Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Long Term Review: Smaller, But Not REALLY Smaller?”

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Is the Pixel 9 Pro “Cheating” its RAW Files?

Well… No… But kinda? Maybe?

When I talk about camera sensor improvements, I’m mostly impressed by sensor sizes getting larger. When we increase sensor surface area, we see more dramatic improvements to photo quality. The aesthetics of a photo change with a larger sensor, and we can demonstrate things like depth of field and bokeh more easily.

That’s not to say that staying at the same sensor size, and adopting new tech at that size, can’t ALSO bring benefits. It’s just, in my time reviewing phones, I haven’t seen where the “tech” upgrade has ever been as noticeable as the “size” upgrade.

Recently, one of the few times that pattern has been challenged was while reviewing the Xiaomi 14. My expectations were REALLY low as it was another phone with a 1/1.3″ type sensor, but this time the sensor was from Omnivision.

In my experience, Omnivision made the “cheap” sensors for companies that wanted to save money on manufacturing.

With my expectations that low, it was shocking to see the Xiaomi 14 outperform the Galaxy Note 24. Had sensor tech (at comparable sizes) finally made a noticeable impact on low light performance? Did this change the whole game?
Continue reading “Is the Pixel 9 Pro “Cheating” its RAW Files?”

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