JAM Voice review: This isn’t your ordinary Bluetooth speaker

At first glance, the JAM Voice Speaker appears to be just another unremarkable Bluetooth speaker. Its rubberized black rim and glossy body are pretty but very understated – it won’t catch many glances when it’s sitting on your end table – it has solid heft and a premium feel.

Powering on, we’re treated to a deep, booming series of notes that right away show off the depth of the speaker’s sound. The speaker automatically launches into WiFi mode (indicated by a twinkling charm, in stark contrast to the startup sound). In a matter of ten seconds, we’re shown the bass and treble capabilities of the device, which is a solid design move on JAM’s part. Can I just say how refreshing it is to have audio cues and voice responses in setting up a device, instead of the arbitrary flashing lights that are so common among Bluetooth devices?

From there, we move to the JAM WiFi app (which, obviously, we’ve already installed, because duh) and connect to our local WiFi network. Once connected, we log in to Amazon (to enable Alexa functionality) – this speaker even works with Amazon’s Two-Factor Authentication, which is excellent.

Now, there are really two distinct modes to this particular product. JAM Voice launches in WiFi mode, but a quick press of the Bluetooth button on the bottom of the device transforms it from an Alexa device to a standard Bluetooth Speaker at the press of a button. The battery life is only four hours, but given the size and power of the speaker, that’s not terribly surprising.

WiFi Mode

In WiFi mode, JAM Voice is really meant to be a semi-permanent emplacement, similar to Amazon’s Echo. It has Alexa, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Tidal, and Napster built-in, and it also supports Spotify via Spotify Connect. One thing it doesn’t support, however (in this mode at least), is Google Play Music – which is a bit of a problem for people like me that are rabid users of the service.

The real shining beacon feature in JAM Voice is the Alexa integration. It’s not as fancy as the Echo – it doesn’t trigger via voice command, only via a single button press, for example – but for a $60 device ($34.99 on Amazon!), it’s quite robust!  The full Alexa suite is at your fingertips with JAM Voice – Music, Books, Lists, Timers/Alarms, Smart Home…it’s quite the bargain. As such, this puts it on a similar level as the Echo Dot, at $50 – which can’t function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.

Rubberized hardware buttons for easy control.

Bluetooth Mode

This mode is a bit more standard – when unplugged and switched into Bluetooth Mode, JAM Voice becomes a typical Bluetooth speaker, with a four-hour battery and audio mirroring as usual. Granted, four hours may not seem like much, but in such a portable package and so much functionality crammed in, it’s well worth it.

JAM WiFi

Includes media services.

The companion app to this speaker is well-designed and full of functionality, with a few small flaws. A couple of the features that really stood out to me are the ability to group other JAM speakers together, and an intercom feature. The former feature allows you to use groups of JAM speakers to stream audio together, while the latter allows you to record a message and play it to any number of JAM speakers in a group – handy for talking to people in other rooms or other floors.

There are only a couple minor annoyances – firstly, the app only supports the on-screen navigation buttons – not the navigation bar’s ‘back’ button. More than once I found myself exiting the app instead of returning to the previous page – a minor inconvenience, but a noticeable one.

As mentioned above, the app has TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Tidal, and Napster built in. All you need are logins for each – in the case of TuneIn, not even that – and you’re off and running. Spotify is also supported, though you’ll need to download the app on Google Play first.

Performance

The thing that’s most noticeable for me about this device is how loud and deep the sound quality is coming from such a small package. The bass is nice and solid, and the sound is nice and clear. If controlling the speaker by Bluetooth isn’t your thing, there are standard rubberized Play/Pause, Forward, and Back buttons on the rim of the speaker.

One strange thing I found about the hardware buttons is that when hitting max volume, it plays a small chime that actually cuts out the music streaming for a solid two-to-three second until it comes back. Very odd. The response time between the app and the speaker is great – almost instantaneous – and the app is easy to use to control playback and volume.

JAM Voice is available from Amazon ($35), JAM Audio ($60), or Bestbuy ($35). If you’re looking to break into the Alexa scene – or supplement device you already have – pick one up.

Cooler Master reaches for the cosmos with its 25th Anniversary Edition PC case

Why it matters to you

This special edition PC case from Cooler Master is an attractive unit for system builders, sporting curved tempered glass and blue LED ambient lighting.

On Tuesday, Cooler Master updated its Twitter feed with news about a new special edition PC case in honor of the company’s 25th anniversary. Aptly called the Cosmos II 25th Anniversary Edition, it is a chassis pulled straight out of a science-fiction movie, with silver-white, solid brushed aluminum handles protruding from each side of the top and bottom. The case also includes curved, tempered glass on each side enhanced with ambient blue LED lighting to showcase all the hardware goodness inside.

“Ever since the launch of the original Cosmos II, fans have been asking, or making by themselves, for a windowed side panel,” the company states. “Cooler Master has accepted the challenge and to celebrate the 25th anniversary we have released this special edition.”

Here are the hardware details:

Dimensions (inches):
13.54 x 27.71 x 26.14
Motherboard support:
Micro-ATX
ATX
E-ATX
XL-ATX
SSI CEB
SSI EEB
Expansion slots:
10 + 1
Drive bays (5.25-inch):
3
Drive bays (3.5-inch):
2x via X-dock
5x in middle cage
6x in bottom cage
Drive bays (2.5-inch):
11x converted from both drive cages
I/O panel (back):
2x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
4x USB 2.0 Type-A
Audio In / Out
Fan support (top):
1x 120mm fan installed
Optional – 1x 200mm
Optional – 2x 140mm
Optional – 3x 120mm
Fan support (front):
1x 200mm LED fan installed
Optional – 1x 120mm
Optional – 1x 140mm
Fan support (rear):
1x 140mm fan installed
Optional – 1x 120mm
Fan support (HDD):
2x 120mm LED fans for bottom HDD
Optional – 1x 120mm for middle HDD
Liquid cooling support:
240mm to 280mm radiator (320mm max)
CPU cooler clearance:
190mm
GPU card size support:
190mm to 385mm
Materials (outside):
Aluminum, mesh, and plastic
Materials (frame):
Steel and aluminum
Available color:
Silver/Black combo

On a cooling level, the case consists of a larger upper “zone” and a thinner lower zone separated by an aluminum partition plate. The bottom chamber plays host to the power supply, the six-bay drive cage, and the two included 120mm LED fans. Air is pulled up from bottom vents and into the upper chamber while the power supply has its own intake and exhaust vents.

As for the upper chamber, it’s cooled by the 200mm fan on the front while all heat is blown out the back and top vents. This area is where the motherboard, connected cards, the three 5.25-inch bays, and the five “middle” drive bays reside. Users can easily mount their liquid cooling system radiator at the top of this chamber.

In addition to the handles, the case sports a solid brushed aluminum covered top that includes a sliding panel, which hides the Advanced Control Panel. The case has a solid brushed aluminum front panel, too, that hides the hot-swappable three-bay 5.25-inch drive cage. That said, users can purchase adapters to cram three hard drives into this three-bay cage instead of bulkier optical drives.

Currently, Cooler Master does not provide an ETA on when this special edition case will land in the U.S. However, it is heading to Europe at the end of June for 349 Euros, which translates to around $390.

Facebook redesigns Trending Topics section in bid to offer diversity of news sources

Why it matters to you

If you use social media for your news, you want that news to be fair and unbiased. To that end, Facebook has taken another step to combat

Facebook is waging a war on “filter bubbles,” and has redesigned the Trending Topics section once again in an attempt to be a fair and direct news source, no matter what users’ views or political beliefs are. The new update basically changes the page you’ll see when you click on a topic that’s trending. Now, instead of a single article, Facebook users will see a carousel featuring articles on the topic by various publications.

“By making it easier to see what other news outlets are saying about each topic, we hope that people will feel more informed about the news in their region,” said Facebook in a blog post. “There is no predetermined list of publications that are eligible to appear in Trending, and this update does not affect how Trending topics are identified, which we announced earlier this year.”

Facebook didn’t really outline how it plans on filtering out unreliable news sources in this section. The company has made headlines of late for its so-called war on “fake news,” and it will be interesting to see how it plans on continuing to deliver only reliable news in the next few months.

The update is live in the U.S. on iPhone, and will roll out to Android and to the desktop in the near future.

The change isn’t just aimed at making Trending a little more diverse — it’ll also make Trending more mobile-friendly. Facebook is testing a new feature in News Feed that basically shows users the top three trending stories, after which users can quickly and easily access a list of Trending topics and the discussions surrounding them. The test won’t show up for most people, but Facebook says it wants it to eventually make Trending much more informative and useful, especially on mobile.

“As before, we continue to listen to feedback about Trending, and will keep making improvements in order to provide a valuable experience,” Facebook said.

Keep your new Sony XZ Premium protected with these great cases

To paraphrase Spider-Man’s uncle Ben: With great screens come great responsibilities. Sony’s upcoming XZ Premium, unveiled earlier this year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, certainly has a great screen. The diamond-cut, 4K, HDR display will wow you — but with a screen this nice, you’ve got to protect it at any cost. Curved screens are great to look at, but one bad bounce on a staircase or a cement sidewalk could render that beautiful piece of technology forever fractured.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a short list of the best cases available for the XZ Premium, so you’ll be able to enjoy the screen’s voluminous beauty without worry. Slip on one of these bad boys and ride in style from day one.

SunRemex Rugged Armor ($8)

For less than $10, the SunRemex Rugged Armor case provides the type of protection you need. Built from shock-proof, scratch-resistant polycarbonate, this case is equipped with a kickstand so you can enjoy the Premium’s gorgeous display in landscape mode, while the rounded corners defend the phone’s most fragile regions from harm. Plus, the unique grip design prevents any slippage and provides fingerprint protection to boot.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Roxfit Premium Book Case ($15)

Roxfit’s Premium Book Case combines style with strength to create one sleek package. The brushed metal fiber PU front flap and scratch-resistant rear shell are engineered to keep your new phone safe from drops and dings, and the ultra-soft inner lining promises to keep your screen looking good as new. The inner flap even has a credit card slot, so you can leave your wallet or purse behind while on the go.

Buy it now from:

B&H

TopAce Leather Flip Cover ($9)

If you’re looking for a case that’s compact, attractive, and classy, look no further — with TopAce’s Leather Flip Cover, you’ll be stylin’ and profilin’ and keepin’ your XZ Premium protected. The leather and polyurethane shell keeps your phone safe inside and out, with a soft, comfortable interior liner that feels great and includes an easy-access slot for your credit card. It’s even available in four different colors! What’s not to like?

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Vigeer Crystal Clear TPU Case ($8)

What’s the point of buying a sexy new Sony smartphone, only to hide it behind several layers of rubber and plastic? With Vigeer’s Crystal Clear case, your new phone’s natural beauty will be on full display, fully visible through the clear, shock-absorbent TPU shell. The case is scratch-resistant and built to allow easy access to each button and port, and the interior’s unique dotted texture prevents air buildup.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Armor-X Shockproof Case ($20)

For maximum utility, few companies can compete with Armor-X’s Shockproof Case, which boasts a unique, integrated X-mount adapter, which is magnetic and compatible with the full line of Armor-X mount technologies. Keep your phone handy on your bike, arm, or holster with the included belt clip and carabiner, or combine it with an X-mount attachment to affix the phone to a helmet, bag, or tripod, among other things. Not to mention, the case does a great job of protecting your phone in all scenarios.

Buy it now from:

Armor-X

Keep your devices powered up with the Ravpower portable charger, now $70 off

If you’re out and about more now that the weather is warm and you find yourself frequently checking the battery levels on your mobile devices, then it might be time to consider a power bank. A good one like this Ravpower portable charger is the perfect pocket companion to keep your tech up and running when you’re on the move.

True to its name, Ravpower makes some of the best and most popular portable power solutions available today. Unlike many units, which only offer 10,000 or 12,000mAh of juice and one or two ports, this power bank features a generous 22,000mAh internal battery and three USB connections for charging multiple devices simultaneously.

The 22,000mAh battery packs enough power to recharge your phones and tablets several times over: The device can fully charge a standard-sized smartphone roughly eight or nine times, a large phone five to six times, and a tablet two or three times. The three USB ports provide an output of 5.8A (up to 2.4A per connected device) which, when combined with iSmart 2.0 technology, delivers snappy charging speeds.

The power bank’s housing is made of a durable fire-resistant polymer and Ravpower uses the same OEM batteries used in many brand-name electronics including iPhones. Included with the portable charger are a convenient carrying pouch along with two Micro USB charging cables, and the unit is covered by a lifetime warranty.

The 22,000mAh Ravpower portable charger retails for $110, but a 64 percent discount knocks $70 off the price on Amazon, meaning you can now score this handy power bank for just $40. For a limited time, you can enjoy even more savings when you buy this power bank together with Ravpower’s 16-watt solar charger. Add both to your cart from the power bank’s Amazon page and take 30 percent off the solar charger for an additional savings of $14.

$40 on Amazon

Bacteria open vents in this shirt when you sweat

Fashion and tech are teaming up yet again. Engineers at MIT have designed a workout suit that responds to your body heat, according to a study published last week in Science Advances. The clothing, made from latex, is covered with thumbnail- to finger-sized ventilating flaps that open and close depending on how much heat your body puts out. But what’s controlling the flaps isn’t something you’ll find weaved into your usual workout gear — it’s bacteria.

Bacteria and other biological cells can respond to humidity, expanding when it’s high and shrinking as the air gets drier. The researchers found that microbial response to changes in humidity was strong enough to open pore-like holes in a running top, perfect for when athletes start to break a sweat.

During trials, the workout suit’s flaps began to open around five minutes into a workout session, removing sweat from the body and lowering skin temperature right around the time the wearers said they began to feel hot. The placement of the ventilating flaps were designed using heat and sweat maps of the body so that bigger flaps were placed where the body releases the most heat.

And while you may find yourself worrying about wearing living fabric, you don’t have to worry about the bacteria itself, which is harmless to humans whether it’s on or inside the body.

The project, which was done with help from New Balance, also includes a shoe that would function in a similar way, removing sweat and cooling the bottom of the wearer’s foot. Other ideas for this material include fluorescent bacteria that can light up when you exercise in the dark and odor-producing bacteria that can make you smell better post-workout. The researchers are now looking to team up with sportswear companies to bring their designs to market, but it’s unclear when they’ll be available for purchase.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Science Advances

Apple reportedly making strides with next-gen micro LED display tech

Why it matters to you

Apple’s devices could one day have significantly brighter screens while simultaneously being more efficient with micro LED technology.

As the world waits patiently to find out whether Apple’s next iPhone will feature an OLED screen, the company is researching an even more groundbreaking display technology for future products. According to Digitimes, the Cupertino, California company is currently experimenting with micro LED displays in the hopes of beginning “trial production” on a limited scale at the end of the year.

While Digitimes’ report does not mention what devices would receive the technology first, some speculated years ago that the company would look to micro LED to power the Apple Watch’s display. Instead, the company turned to OLED, which allows for greater color contrast and is more efficient than conventional LED screens, as it allows pixels to be powered independently without a backlight.

Micro LED looks to be even more efficient than both of those technologies, however, and has yet to launch in any consumer device. Apple acquired a developer of such panels, Luxvue, in 2014. At the time, Luxvue was promoting micro LED as a technology that could deliver nine times the brightness of conventional LEDs — which are already considerably brighter than OLED displays — while simultaneously drawing less power from a device’s battery.

The energy benefits make it clear why Apple might opt to use micro LED in its watches down the road, as the extremely small batteries in wearables make longevity on a charge a top priority. However, do not expect to see these kinds of displays hitting the market very soon.

For one, this is an unverified rumor about an emerging technology, so it would be wise not to take it at face value. Further, another report from the Taipei Times in March quotes industry analyst Annabelle Hsu as saying micro LED likely will not become commercially viable until 2020.

Also, Apple has never demonstrated a propensity to jump on hot and unproven technologies before its competitors — as evidenced by its slow adoption of OLED displays, while many other phone makers have been using them for more than five years. There is a first time for everything, of course, and the fact still remains Apple purchased a company that specializes in the technology — so there is a clear ambition to one day deliver micro LED to the masses. But that day appears still a ways off.

Keep your devices’ data safe from unwarranted searches with 1Password’s Travel Mode

Why it matters to you

Unwarranted searches are a growing problem, and 1Password wants to help you better hide your personal data in the event of one.

Password-management service 1Password has updated its app so that it now temporarily disables and removes all passwords, cards, and other data from a user’s device when they choose to do so. The feature is called “Travel Mode,” and as the name suggests, it’s targeted at people worried about running into trouble when they’re crossing a border into a new country.

The idea is that the feature will prevent law enforcement from being able to perform unwarranted searches into a user’s account. By nature, 1Password stores a ton of personal data — and much of it is information that the device’s owner might not want anyone to be able to access. According to 1Password, people are increasingly being told to hand over their phones at the border, and many are even told to unlock the device.

“It protects your 1Password data from unwarranted searches when you travel. When you turn on Travel Mode, every vault will be removed from your devices except for the ones marked ‘safe for travel.’ All it takes is a single click to travel with confidence,” said 1Password in a blog post.

Travel Mode does require some work. You’ll have to go through your accounts and data to mark some of it as “Safe for Travel.” Anything that’s not marked safe will be pulled from the device until Travel Mode is turned off, at which point the data will return to the device. There is a necessary downside — while Travel Mode is on, you won’t be able to access your passwords and data. It’s important to note here that the data isn’t just hidden — it’s totally wiped from the device.

Travel Mode is limited to 1Password subscribers, and not those who have bought the app outright without a subscription. In general, 1Password seems to be increasingly focusing on its subscription service.

The XTND lets artificial intelligence do some of the skateboarding for you

Why it matters to you

Commuting in an urban environment can be slow and frustrating, but if you have an AI skateboard handy, you could be on your way to a better experience.

If mom wouldn’t let you skateboard because it was too dangerous, this may be the board to assuage her fears. Meet the XTND, a new electric board featuring artificially intelligent technology that makes boarding safer (and maybe just a little lazier) than ever. Promising to redefine urban transportation, this AI skateboard will learn how you ride and make adjustments to help improve performance and battery efficiency, keeping you on the road longer.

“Our aim is to make [skateboards] better on every level, not just thinner or lighter,” said Miroslav Perina, the CEO and founder of XTND. Thanks to the board’s AI system, you’ll be able to learn how to be a better rider as you ride. The XTND collects data with every trip you take, creating unique settings to adapt to your style, and improve your form. If you are really struggling (like standing incorrectly), the board won’t even move, thereby keeping you safe. Similarly, if you jump (or fall) off a board while it’s in motion, it will start braking and prevent itself from running into traffic, or just away from you.

Not only does XTND become a better board itself, but it also helps you become a better traveler. By tracking your regular routes, this smart skateboard gradually begins to offer you alternative routes that may be more efficient or more board-friendly. That way, you will be able to find better terrain or smaller elevation so you can get where you need to go more quickly and using less battery.

If you are riding around at night, the XTND’s integrated lights automatically turn on in the darkness, making you visible and safer. When it is finally time for you to wrap up your day, this smart board will automatically “go to sleep” after 10 minutes of disuse. Of course, you can turn it on and off by way of its companion remote at any time.

The XTND runs 12.5 miles on a full charge and can hit top speeds of 28 mph. It weighs just 6.6 pounds and can be pre-ordered from Kickstarter for the early-bird price of $1,099. Delivery, however, is not expected until March. 

No cuffs necessary! This sensor can read blood pressure from your fingertip

Why it matters to you

The higher your blood pressure is, the higher your risk of health problems in the future. This tech promises to make checking it easy.

Researchers at U.S.-based biometrics company Valencell have invented new technology that lets users measure their blood pressure level simply by touching their mobile devices.

While it’s not yet been incorporated into devices like the iPhone, the company thinks that it could be a valued addition to future handsets, making blood pressure measurement as simple as using a fingerprint sensor. According to its creator, similar tech could also be incorporated into smart earbuds.

“The core technology for estimating blood pressure with an optical biometric sensor is based on patented active signal characterization technology, where we extract pulsatile blood flow information from noise and characterize the blood flow information to estimate blood pressure,” Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, president of Valencell, told Digital Trends. “Over the years, we have built upon our core heart rate monitoring technology to accurately estimate physiological parameters, such as blood pressure and cardiovascular health assessments.”

Compared to having to wear a special cuff in order to get a reading, Valecell’s tech requires a user to simply touch a sensor on their mobile device. According to its creators, the tech has gone through extremely rigorous validation testing, based on hundreds of different datasets.

“The public health impact is substantial — as with our core technology smartphone users can readily estimate their blood pressure throughout the course of a day, giving them a better assessment of their general wellness,” LeBoeuf continued. “The idea of using light to estimate blood pressure has been in the public discourse for some time. There have also been attempts to estimate blood pressure from camera phone data. However, to the best of our knowledge, a scientifically validated solution has not been available to the public.”

At present, Valecell’s smart sensor isn’t yet ready to go on sale, although prototypes have demonstrated that it works. Next up, LeBoeuf hopes a device maker will license to the technology to incorporate into a future smartphone or wearable device. The company is also developing a stand-alone solution aimed at hospitals, for which they’ll be seeking FDA approval.