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Ask Engadget: best fitness accessory?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Michelle, who's worried about the lumber she's carrying and if she can be doing more to exercise. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm worried that I don't get enough exercise, or even walk around enough during the working week. I'd love to be able to measure my activity and know when I've had a really slovenly day. Keep up the great work!" Firstly, we'd say that there's no one device that's perfect for everyone. If you want motivation, then Strivv's option of donating cash to charity the more activity you make is a great option. If you want pure data collection, then the Withings Pulse and Fitbit One are more likely to suit your tastes. Then you've got Jawbone's Up and Nike's Fuelband, which offer lifestyle features and stylish hardware to the mix. Of course, that's just our brief summation, now let's turn this over to the commenters and see what they say, eh?
Ask Engadget: what's the lightest laptop with discrete graphics?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Steve, who wants to shed weight but retain power for his next mobile computer. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm a professional motion graphics editor looking for a laptop to take on the road with me. While I like the idea of a Haswell-powered machine, I'm really looking for a machine with proper discrete graphics. Is there an Ultrabook or really light laptop that marries both? Thanks!" Our first thought was to look at Lenovo's W-Series, which offers a 2GB Quadro K2000M on the higher-end models and weighs in at a comparatively svelte 2.61kg. If, however, you want power and the ability to sneakily game while on planes, then there's one of Alienware's 14-inch units, which offer a GeForce GT750M and a weight of 2.7kg. Finally, you could always break the bank with a Retina Macbook, which offers a GeForce GT650M as a build-to-order option but weighs a relatively slender 1.02kg. That's three from us, we bet the Engadget Community can find you something even lighter.
Ask Engadget: best retro gaming / homebrew machine?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Brady, who just wants to play NBA Jam, dammit. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hey, I used to be really into the homebrew and homemade software communities, but times changed and I fell out of the scene. Now I'd like to get back into it, and would love a new device that'll let me play all of these old-school games without having to chop and change -- letting me swap between titles like Mario Kart 64 and NBA Jam without any effort. There are so many new options, from buying an OUYA through to snagging a new PC, so what's my best (and cheapest) bet? Plus, anything that can take a wireless controller is a big plus. Thanks!" Well, we're thinking that if you're prepared to get your hands a little dirty, the OUYA can be turned into an Android-based emulator thanks to its hacking-friendly setup. If that's a bit too rich for your bones, however, you can set up EmulationStation on a Raspberry Pi which will let you run a wide variety of consoles from the same piece of hardware. Still, let's turn this question over to the Engadgeteers for them to share their experiences.
Ask Engadget: best outdoor TV?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from John, who is so baller that he wants a TV for his pool and doesn't end his emails with thank you. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm getting ready to have a pool installed and I need a TV for the back porch. I'm looking for something in the 50-inch range that works outdoors, has good viewing angles and backlighting (for the sun) and can handle whatever the weather throws at it. Any suggestions?" We can imagine it now, you, kicking back watching the Superbowl American Idol finals while submerged in a few feet of water as the sun goes down. So, what device should you go for? For starters, there's SunBrite's 46-inch outdoor TV, which'll set you back $2,795, or a 55-inch model, which costs $5,595. You could also paint a wall white and get set up with an outdoor projector, like Panasonic's PT-AE7000U, which we're informed will work outside perfectly well. But that's just our scratching the surface, what about you all chip in with a suggestion or two of your own?
Ask Engadget: best MSN TV replacement?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Seth, who needs to replace his grandpa's MSN TV2 box. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Many years ago, I bought my grandfather an MSN TV2 box as his first exposure to the internet. We were worried that the gift would be a flop, but he loves it, and is now emailing his old friends and even has a Facebook profile. Of course, Microsoft will close the service a few days before his 91st birthday, so I'd like to know what would you suggest as a replacement? As antiquated as it was, it's been rock solid from a reliability perspective and that's going to be key to determine what we get him next." So, what's it to be? What web technology have you adopted for your elderly relatives that you think Seth could use? Why not head down past the break and let us know.
Ask Engadget: best (cheap!) video recording goggles?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from James, who wants to experiment with life-logging on the cheap. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I like the idea of being able to record stuff with your glasses, but not spending $1,500 on Google Glass to do it. Can you and the folks suggest a pair of glasses or goggles that will do the same job for a tiny fraction of the price?" In our limited experience, Pivothead's Durango is available for $349, but beyond that, the field's a bit limited. ZionEyez Zeyez still doesn't have an ETA for its products and SunnyCam's ultra-low cost recording goggles won't make it to the US until later this year. Let's turn this question over to our audience, who, we're sure will have some better and cheaper suggestions.
A&E, Lifetime and History Channel streaming apps land on Google Play
No need to envy your iPhone- and iPad-toting friends anymore just because they can catch the latest episodes of Bates Motel or Dance Moms on the go. Streaming apps from A&E, History Channel and Lifetime have just arrived on Android, and you can access content even if you're not a cable subscriber. Naturally, the entire roster of shows and episodes isn't available -- in some cases, you can only watch clips instead of full episodes -- but Comcast or DirecTV subscribers who log in will have more to choose from. Should you need new companions for solitary nights, hit the source links below to download the apps on your device.
Ask Engadget: help me tame my home network!
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Daniel, who needs our help to tame his home network. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "My home network is a mess. It used to be simple, after all, you'd just need a modem to connect to your ISP and a router. Lately, however, I've been adding more components like a NAS, a Z-Wave bridge, a 3G microcell and a computer for telecommuting. All of these things need a wired connection, which means I'm going to need to buy an eight-port switch sooner rather than later. As consumer hardware isn't designed to be uniform and stackable, I'm now living in a mess! What I'd like to know is how others have tidied up -- did you find an off-the-shelf cabinet or do I need to start building something on my own?" Here's where we turn the question over to you, our loyal Engadgeteers, to help solve and spread some peace through the gadget ecosystem this Saturday night. If you've tamed your own out-of-control home network, share your experiences below.
Ask Engadget: can I connect a WiFi reversing camera to my car?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from William, who wants to make sure his new whip fits into all of the small spaces. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I've recently bought a new car and would like to install a reversing camera. Is it possible to install one that'll relay to my Android tablet rather than buying a dedicated display? Many thanks!" Well William, we were originally a little bit skeptical but we did find reports of at least one device that might solve your problem. Valeo produces the Wireless Vue, a WiFi reversing camera that hooks up to smartphones and tablets. So far, so good, right? Well, unfortunately while the product's said to exist, we've not been able to find it available for sale either in the US or Thailand, where William is from. As such, this week's Ask Engadget is a two-pronged encounter. Have any of you wonderful people seen a Valeo Wireless Vue on sale, and if not, is there anything else that can do the job?
Ask Engadget: best tablet bigger than 10 inches?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Anthony, who feels that bigger is better. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Back in the days of the Netbook, a 10-inch device was crap, but now 10-inch devices is pretty much all you can get. What's available (and good) that's bigger than 10-inches?" Well Anthony, there certainly are a few tablets for the meaty-handed out there, but the question of which one you should buy is less clear. After all, there's Archos' 11.6-inch 116 Platinum or Toshiba's 13-inch Excite 13, but if you're prepared to wait a while, Panasonic's forthcoming 20-inch 4K tablet and Viewsonic's rumored 22-inch unit. Of course, that's just a smattering of suggestions from us. This, after all, is Ask Engadget -- so let's open the question up to the floor and see what we can shake out together.
Ask Engadget: best candybar phone?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Icaro, who is off to Brazil and needs a phone while there. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Seeing the Nokia 301 reminded me that I need to get a new phone when I go back to Brazil. Can you suggest a candybar phone that's reasonably priced and that won't break? Thanks!" While most of you may be lusting after the latest and greatest, there are still plenty of people clamoring for a simple and functional candybar. The 301 is a perfectly decent handset, and for $85 you'll get a 3.2-megapixel camera, Xpress internet and mail for exchange. But let's see what all of you out there are keeping in your pocket, so if you can think of a better candybar, leave a comment below.
Ask Engadget: can you use an Android tablet as a graphics tablet?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Xan, who wants Cintiq functionality without paying Cintiq prices. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm a student and I'm considering staying on to do graphic design, and I really like the look of Wacom's Cintiq devices. Unfortunately I couldn't afford one even if I sold a kidney, so I was wondering if I could turn an Android tablet into a cheaper version? I figure a device like the Galaxy Note 10.1 with its Wacom digitizer would be a good fit, so is there a way to do it? Thanks!" We're sucking in air through our teeth, as we're sorry to say, we can't think of a way this could be done successfully. There's a few problems like no software, a lack of bandwidth and doubts over the accuracy of a tablet to replicate such a sophisticated piece of hardware. That said, perhaps the forthcoming Surface Pro software update might solve this problem altogether, but an Android tablet? We're not so sure. But if there's anyone out there who has made it happen and wants to share their revelation, why not leave a note below?
Ask Engadget: best desktop PC speakers?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from James, who wants to break into audio mixing, but needs some noisyboxes for his desk. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. I'm no audiophile, but I would like some decent quality sound for my desktop. I've tried 4.1, 2.1, 2.0 setups but none of them made me very happy, which isn't helping my attempts to get into professional audio work. Is there a lower-end line of speakers that the pros use that I'd be able to afford? Fortunately for you, James, we can turn this question over to our podcast producer, who suggested that you could do worse than a pair of KRK RP6G2 Rockit speakers, which come in at $400 for a pair. They're studio monitors rather than purely desktop speakers, but if you want to start working in audio then you're probably better off with these. Of course, it wouldn't be Ask Engadget unless we turned this question over to our clever crew of commenters, so if you know of anything that's better (or cheaper) then fire your answer into the comments below.
Ask Engadget: best WiFi router for super-fast Fiber?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Travis from Provo, who is a jammy individual, wants to replace his router. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm currently living in Provo UT, and my wireless router just died. I want to replace it with something that's going to handle Google Fiber as that's on its way. What do you recommend?" Given the number of places that are now getting super-speed fiber, we're very interested in the results of this one. We ask a similar question each year, and in 2012 you were all voicing your support for Cisco/Linksys hardware, ASUS' RT-N66U and D-Link's DIR-655. The only question is what'll come out on top in 2013, so get commenting, friends.
Ask Engadget: best slow-motion camcorder for around $200?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Philip, who wants to document his son's baseball adventures. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. I'm looking for a HFR camcorder, as I like to record my son playing baseball and play it back in slow motion. The Kodak PlayFull looked like the solution, offering 120fps at 1,280 x 720 for $200, but then Kodak axed its camera businesses and it never made it to market. What other options, therefore, exist for 120fps video recording around a similar price bracket? To be honest, slow-motion recording at such a low price is going to mean you'll only be able to get pictures at dreadful resolutions. If you're happy with footage at 640 x 480, then you could snag a Canon Powershot S100, but even that comes in at $319 from Amazon right now. It's a shame your budget couldn't stretch to $1,000, as we're desperate to find out if JVC's Procision is worth the hype. It's at this point that we should probably turn this over to the Engadget community and get them to share their wisdom -- so join in, HFR fans.
Ask Engadget: best touchscreen monitor?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Icy, who wants to embrace their metro (geddit?) side. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "As Windows 8 is bringing touch to the desktop, I'm curious what touchscreen monitor I should buy. Any suggestions? Thanks!" Short and sweet, Icy, just the way we like it. We'll return the favor by pointing you in the direction of options from Viewsonic, Samsung and LG. Then we'll bow out and let the massed ranks of the Engadgetarti oblige you with their worldly wisdom.
Ask Engadget: best Android PC on a stick?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Chris, who wants to find a low-cost way of getting his wife online. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "My family's already invested in Android, and my as wife isn't the most computer literate, I thought an Android PC stick would get her online without any fuss. However, there are so many available, I thought I'd ask which one's worth my time, if any? Thanks!" Well, when it comes to Android sticks, you're spoilt for choice. After all, you've got enterprise-level offerings like Project Ophelia through to the FAVI Streaming Stick, the GameStick, Always Innovating and, of course, the humble MK802. When it comes to which one you should buy? Let's leave that up to the mood of the vox populi, who will be sharing their opinions below the break.
Ask Engadget: best Android e-mail client?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Saad, who's got wants some of that Mailbox goodness for himself. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I've seen wonderful applications like Mailbox and Sparrow on iOS, which do the job and aren't too shabby in the looks department. Having used Sparrow on the iPad, I've been looking for an alternative that can be used on my Android phone. Any suggestions? Thanks!" We can tell you're not a fan of the Gmail app, so what about alternatives? Well, perhaps something like Aqua Mail, MailDroid or K-9 Mail could float your ocean-going vessel. If not those, then maybe it's time to ask what the Engadget faithful use on their daily drivers, so have at it, friends.
Ask Engadget: best Bluetooth headphones for audiophiles?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Christopher, who wants to brave the world of Bluetooth cans for his daily rounds. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Yeah, okay. 'Audiophile' and 'Bluetooth' don't go together, but I'd really like a good pair of Bluetooth cans to use with my iPhone. Naturally, we're talking about headphones / cans rather than earbuds, ideally with track control buttons, a microphone and noise canceling -- but what I'm after is clean, beautifully reproduced audio above anything else. What can you suggest for less than £300 ($455)?" Engadget's resident audiophile is a Klipsch evangelist, so it's probably best to start by talking about its Image One Bluetooth headset. It's £199 / $249 and comes with A2DP and aptX for high-quality audio, and we're fairly sure the company wouldn't put its name to a headset unless it was sure it was half-decent. Still, if you're sure you want to max out that headphone budget, then for £259 / $399, you can get Parrot's Phillippe Stark-designed Zik cans, which come with noise cancellation, jawbone microphone and touch-sensitive controls. Then again, we can only offer you so many suggestions before we open this question up to the folks in the peanut gallery -- so what do you peeps down there think?
Ask Engadget: budget AIO display for a Mac Pro?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Richard-Keith, who leapt before he looked and now needs our help. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Sheepishly, I have to admit that I didn't do my homework, but when the chance to get a Mac Pro came around, I didn't stop to think about the consequences. Now I've got a lovely new desktop, but now I'm lamenting the lack of an SD-card reader, built-in speaker and a webcam. I'm sure there are other displays that do the latter three jobs, including the Apple Cinema Display, but is there something a little cheaper than its rather staggering $999 price-tag? Thank you from the bottom my heart." Let's be fair and help out our friend, after all, we've all made that odd impulse purchase without doing our homework. There aren't that many monitors that can do all of the jobs you need, but you can pick up a Cinemaview with extra USB ports, or perhaps ASUS' VK248H (and related), which even have Displayport outputs and a Webcam, although it may be a bit weak in the speaker department. Still, it's high time we passed this question over to the throng of Engadgeteers, to find out if they know of anything better.
