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Here's what our readers think of the iPhone 6 Plus
Though the iPhone has always been a good (if not great) product, one area where it was lacking was size. If you wanted a bigger screen, you had to pick up an Android device. And plenty of people did, which is why Apple finally entered the fray last year with the iPhone 6 Plus. We really liked its camera and its beautiful display, though we found that the larger size "can fatigue even the biggest of hands if you hold on long enough." But while we didn't find the iPhone 6 Plus groundbreaking, we did note it brought much-needed freshness to Apple's lineup. But how did the 6 Plus' larger dimensions and updated design fare with consumers? Our readers were ready to let us know, writing reviews on the 6 Plus' product page to show us how this 5.5-inch device felt in their own hands.
Here's what our readers think of the Microsoft Band
When we originally reviewed the Microsoft Band, we felt it was more a proof of concept than an actual consumer product. We liked the potential of Microsoft Health as a cross-platform service that went beyond fitness to track your lifestyle for a more comprehensive picture of overall wellness. But we found the hardware to be lacking in one key area: comfort. In particular, we described it as "an ergonomic nightmare," and we weren't alone in our assessment. PC Mag called it "wildly uncomfortable" while CNET compared it to a shackle or handcuff.
Which fitness bands are worth buying?
We spend a lot of time in front of our computers, which could be why we're so keen to track all the times we actually step away from our screens and get a little walking or running done. To that end, every manufacturer seems to be coming out with a fitness band to brandish on your wrist. But when one wearable looks like the others, and they each operate in different ecosystems, it's hard to know which will best suit your needs. We've taken a look at a few recent releases and their reviews, narrowing the field to seven of the better models out there -- plus one you should avoid.
Here's what our readers think of the Moto X (2014)
In his review of the second-generation Moto X last September, our Senior Mobile Editor Chris Velazco called it "a huge step forward from last year's model." He complimented the seamless feel of the edges and thought its improved OLED screen was "one of the nicest smartphone screens I've seen in a while." But not everything was pure love with the 2014 Moto X. The battery can squeeze out a day at most, and the front camera fails to be "consistently good" and is often slow to focus, with photos full of grain. But in spite of these flaws, Chris felt that the new Moto X "earned itself a spot in the pantheon of smartphone greats." That's a pretty big proclamation to make; how well does it hold up? To find out, we turn to the discerning opinions of our loyal readers, who have taken to the product database page for the 2014 Moto X to share their own experiences with the phone. With a user average of 9.2, it was a definite improvement over the original Moto X (which averaged a score of 8.8), but would they agree with our reviewer's assessments?
The year in reviews: a look back at the worst gadgets of 2014
We've reviewed a lot of great products this year, and we can only hope that our observations helped you pick the device that best suits your needs. However, not every gadget we look at is going to be a winner. We've seen our fair share of disappointments and mediocrity -- as well as a few you should completely avoid. While we've been lucky enough not to see any product this year that could be considered an outright disaster, there are still a few whose bad points were enough to take their score down to the very bottom of the pile. So, without further ado, here are our five lowest-scored products of 2014.
The year in reviews: a look back at the best gadgets of 2014
It's been quite a year in products here at the Engadget offices. Not only have we looked at the latest flagship phones and hottest laptops, but our reviews have run the gamut from VR headsets to WiFi Crock-Pots. We've worn lots of smartwatches and fitness wristbands on our arms, tried out an ultra-secure phone and looked at more Chromebooks than we can count. And while we reviewed plenty of average and mediocre devices (and even a few bad ones), there are a handful that emerge at the top of the heap. Some come out as clear winners, while others are good, but don't quite break away from the pack, leaving us with a rather perplexing six-way-tie for seventh place. Thus, we present to you not our top 10, but top 12 highest-scored products of 2014.
Which Chromebooks are worth buying?
Seven years ago, netbooks were all the rage with consumers, providing a cheap and easy way to get online and carry out other basic computing tasks. They died out as cellphones and tablets became popular, with some companies even forecasting the death of the laptop entirely. But it turns out that people still need notebooks for some things, and it helps if the device is cheap -- but most people still want a little more oomph than the standard low-power netbook. That's where Chromebooks step in. Small, lightweight and running Chrome OS, Chromebooks have exploded in popularity the past few years. As such, we've found ourselves reviewing quite a number of models in recent months. But which one should you buy? We've recommended a few devices in our buyer's guides before, but it's never one-size-fits-all. So we took a look at some recent releases, peeping at our own reviews as well as those of other trusted critics to make your buying decision a little easier.
Here's what our readers are saying about the Moto 360
When Android Wear was announced back in March, we asked our readers in a poll which of the first two launch devices they wanted: the Moto 360 or the LG G Watch. The Moto 360 won hands down, by a three-to-one ratio. That anticipation only increased as competing Android Wear products hit the market first. The Moto 360 was finally released in September, and we gave it a score of 76 in our own review, saying Motorola's smartwatch "outclasses everything else on the market" and dubbed it "the Android Wear watch to beat." Now that this highly coveted wearable has been out for a while, how does it hold up to your scrutiny? We took a look at the user reviews you left us on the Moto 360's Engadget product page to find out where it delivered -- and where it stumbled.
Here's what our readers are saying about the Galaxy Note 4
Apple may have just stepped into the larger phone market this fall with the iPhone 6 Plus, but Samsung's Galaxy Note line of Android devices is currently in its fourth generation. Our own review of this 5.7-inch "phablet" noted how it's been given a chance to "grow, mature and dominate the genre." In fact, we called it "the best large-screen phone on the market." But does our proclamation hold up now that plenty of other people have gotten their paws on this S Pen-enabled workhorse? To find out, we've taken a look at the reviews that you, our readers, have left us on the Galaxy Note 4's product page over in our database.
Which compact cameras are worth buying?
Plenty of people have switched to smartphones for their photography needs, but that doesn't mean standalone cameras are dead just yet. Companies like Fuji, Canon and Olympus continue to make great DSLRs and interchangeable lens cameras for photographers who are serious about their picture-taking. But what about users who aren't that advanced, but still want something that packs a little more oomph than the average smartphone? There's a sub-category of cameras just for that, known as compacts. They're easy enough for a novice to use, but still offer plenty of options for experienced users. We've taken a look at a few of the more outstanding models on the market to help you decide whether it's worth carrying a separate camera for those precious photogenic moments.
Which gaming mice are worth buying?
The peripherals you play with can be just as important to your gaming success as actual skill. A suboptimal keyboard or sluggish mouse can open the door to defeat, which is why it's a good idea to pick up equipment specifically made for the job. But like a lot of specialized tools, gaming mice don't come cheap, and you wouldn't want to spend a pretty penny on one only to find it lacking in speed or features. We don't review mice very often here at Engadget, so we've consulted the opinions of trusted critics to find some recent options that can help pave a path to victory.
Controlling your Android phone with one button isn't as great as it sounds
The Pressy one-button Android controller found an eager audience when it debuted on Kickstarter in August 2013, overshooting its original funding goal of $40,000 to the tune of almost $700,000. Inserting the Pressy into an Android phone adds an extra button that can be set for one specific action of the user's choosing -- you can take a photo, start an audio recording, enable WiFi or even turn on the flashlight. Backers were initially given a delivery date of March 2014, but shipments didn't actually go out until June. Though that's a fairly modest delay for a Kickstarter project, was it worth the wait? Critics weren't exactly thrilled with the final product, with AndroidBeat saying it "isn't a dependable button" and "doesn't fulfill its job of quick access to shortcuts." But with over 28,800 backers pledging to the original project, a handful of critics is far from the final word on Pressy. Over the summer, we've watched the reviews trickle in, and the verdict is... well, a bit mixed, to say the least.
Which routers are worth buying?
Routers are one of those devices you probably don't think about very much. As long as it gets you online and gives you the content you need, there's no reason to. But with bandwidth demands increasing and new wireless standards emerging, the limits of your router start to become a little more apparent and a lot more frustrating. If it's time for a new one, there's a lot to consider beyond how fast it is -- though that's pretty important, too. Which routers can handle the traffic you throw at them, and which will support all your devices for years to come? While we don't review routers here at Engadget, we've taken a look at some sources we trust to find a few devices that might fit your needs.
Which portable speakers are worth buying?
While some people like to listen to their favorite music on a quality sound system with a set of high-end speakers or headphones, most people are just fine listening from a cheap headset or the built-in speakers on their phones. But what if you're somewhere in the middle, and want your music to be portable, but still sound great? Plenty of companies have stepped up to give you just that, releasing speakers that deliver solid highs and clear lows, all in a package that you can fit in a bag. There are too many out there for us to review ourselves here at Engadget, so we've pulled together reviews from sources we trust to help highlight some of the better recent options.
Which gaming PCs are worth buying?
If you're serious about your computer gaming, you're going to want a desktop made for it. Many gamers choose to build their own, selecting the parts that best suit their needs. But to do that, you need the time and money, and it also generally helps to know what you're doing. For those of you lacking in one of these essential qualities, there are plenty of companies that will sell you a great pre-configured gaming PC or even a custom-built one. But which to choose? While we don't really review gaming desktops ourselves here at Engadget, we've gathered opinions from across the web on some recent gaming PCs to help you figure out which one will best suit your individual needs.
Review roundup: Intel's 8-core Haswell-E is the fastest desktop CPU ever
Since it was teased in March, enthusiasts have been itching to see how Intel's 8-core Haswell Extreme Edition processor (the i7-5960X) performs. It has now launched (along with two other Haswell-E models) and the reviews are in. Yes, it's the world's fastest desktop CPU -- but the general consensus is "it could have been better." Why? Because Intel recently launched a "Devil's Canyon" CPU for $340 with a base clock speed of 4.0GHz that can easily be overclocked to 4.4GHz. The $1,000 Extreme Edition chip, on the other hand, has a base clock of 3.0GHz and max turbo speed of 3.5GHz. Since clock speeds are often more important to gamers than multiple cores, that might disappoint many a Battlefield 4 player. On the other hand, with DDR4 support and eight cores (Intel's highest count ever on the desktop), the chip should excel at pro tasks like 4K video processing and 3D rendering. Given the price tag, that might be the only market that can afford it. Here's what the experts think.
Which cheap tablets are worth buying?
A few years ago, tablets were poised to replace laptops as the computing device of choice. That never happened, as we've largely stuck with laptops and phones as our daily drivers, with tablets relegated to a secondary role. If you don't use a tablet that much, it certainly seems wise to avoid dropping a lot of cash on one. But a lower price often means compromises, and too many compromises means you won't be using the tablet at all. To figure out how many corners you can cut when it comes to purchasing a sub-$200 tablet, we've gathered opinions from across the web, from our own reviews to the opinions of other trusted critics. Which cheap tablets balance performance and price to still deliver a good experience? When is it worth spending just a little bit more money? And which deals are too good to be true?
Which 4K TVs are worth buying?
Both Netflix and Amazon stream in 4K. Cameras like the Sony a7S and the Panasonic Lumix GH4 can shoot in 4K. Even smartphones have been getting in on the act, with handsets like the LG G Pro 2 and Sony Xperia Z2 capable of recording 4K video. So with the amount of 4K content available increasing every day, you may have been thinking about buying a 4K set so you too can bask in the glow of 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. But 4K sets don't come cheap, and you're going to want to do a bit of research before dropping that much cash. While we don't really review televisions here at Engadget, we've done the next best thing, compiling the opinions of trusted critics from across the web. Which set offers you the most bang for your buck? Do bells and whistles like a curved screen make a difference? Check out a few members of the 4K Class of 2014 below.
'Jobs' movie review roundup
Jobs hits theaters today, and the reviews are piling up faster than unsold Surface tablets (I'm sorry, that was mean). The early verdicts are not particularly flattering, and the flick currently has a 25 percent rating at Rotten Tomatoes and more-favorable-but-still-low 43 out of 100 on Metacritic. For a more detailed summary of the movie's flaws and bright spots, take a glance at some review quotes below. Mary Pols, Time.com: "He gives so many inspirational speeches about innovation in Jobs that I was tempted to pull out my laptop and check my email. In between, he's either haranguing some oaf about lack of productivity or firing someone. Do we get a sense of the man's greatness? A bit, but mostly we get a sense of the man's douchebaggery." Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: "But the main flaw of Jobs is that it limits itself to the ancient history of Jobs' rise and fall and rise at Apple. The movie might begin in 2001, but it never returns to the 21st century. Thus, all the dramatic events of Jobs' last dozen or so years aren't dealt with at all." Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: "Like the man it's about, Jobs is thin and unassuming, but keeps surprising you with ideas and innovation. An almost ironically styled old-fashioned biopic, this sharp look at the late Steve Jobs and the technological and cultural changes he brought about is entertaining and smart, with a great, career 2.0 performance from Ashton Kutcher." Manohla Dargis, The New York Times: "Fuzzed up and hunched over, Mr. Kutcher looks somewhat like the young Jobs, and there are moments -- as when he gives another character a small, devious look as if sliding in a knife -- that the casting seems more than a matter of bottom-line calculation. But Mr. Kutcher doesn't have the tools that some actors use to transcend weak material and either he didn't receive any help or didn't allow any real direction from Mr. Stern." Michael O'Sullivan, The Washington Post: "Although I think I could watch a whole movie called Woz and not grow tired, Jobs eventually begins to suffer from an ailment common to many biopics: milestone fatigue. The film is so thick with Jobs' career highlights and lowlights that there's little room for insights. What made this famously private man tick?"
Review roundup: Intel Haswell vs. AMD Richland on the desktop
See that slide above? When we first clapped eyes on it we couldn't help but wonder if Intel had finally managed to turn the tables on AMD, at least in terms of integrated desktop graphics. After all, running BioShock Infinite at 1080p is no easy task and Intel's claimed frame rate of 35 fps is actually 4 fps higher than what AMD claims for its flagship Richland processor in a similar test. But, as ever, things are more complicated than that. For a start, this particular marketing slide represents a very niche version of Haswell with a BGA socket, rather than the Core i7-4770K that a regular upgrader might purchase. Secondly, it's hardly fair to stack a Haswell chip that costs more than $300 up against an AMD APU that comes for $150. What we need are independent tests that allow us to weigh more factors, and fortunately, those are exactly the sorts of reviews we'll be rounding up after the break.
