Fugoo Bluetooth Speaker Review

Hey O&G fans, we met some great companies at this years CE NYC 2015. One of these great companies are the makers of the FUGOO portable Bluetooth Speaker. There are many portable outdoor speakers out now, many are very bulky to improve durability and battery life. FUGOO has made a speaker that can withstand the elements and portable.

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker has become my favorite piece of tech, thanks to its combination of sound quality, battery life and price. The speakers are water proof, has different accessories, and a choice of 3 different cover styles to fit your activities.

Design

At 7.75 x 2.9 x 2.3 inches, the Fugoo Tough is considerably smaller than many other outdoor speakers. They also make a XL Style version for those who want a bigger speaker, Measuring 11.3  x 3.8 x 4.5 inches, the Style XL is considerably bigger than the portable version I have.

Weatherproofing

An IPX67 rating indicates that the speaker is dustproof, and you can submerge it for up to 30 minutes in 3 feet of water. As a test me and member of the site put the speaker in a bowl of water and it did not miss a beat. The speaker even continued to play under water (Sound was a bit muffled, but it still played). This is great for anyone who love the beach or being poolside.

Sound Performance

The most important factor when choosing a speaker is the quality of sound. The FUGOO speaker delivers excellent sound, sound I couldn't believe could come from a speaker of it's size. You can see the 6 speakers through the grilles on the device, 2 speakers on the front and back, and one on each of the sides.  When listening to music, you do not need to worry about which way the speaker is facing. It plays great sound quality in every direction.

Speaker Covers

The speaker I have came with 2 covers, the sport and style covers. both covers look great and are worth the price. 

Sport Cover

Style Cover

It also has a Tough case for outdoors and people who are into extreme sports.

Tough cover

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is the best portable speaker on the market right now for it's size and price. It ranks up there with the Bose Soundlink Mini, Beats Pill, and JBL Pulse. I would recommend this speaker to anyone looking for something affordable and durable with great sound.

See it in action here with Justin trying it and out.

V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Review

Today I will be reviewing the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 over ear noise isolating metal headphones. Plus the boom pro gaming Headset attachment, which basically turns your normal pair of any V-MODA headphones (or any headphones that the attachment can fit on) into a gaming headset. So let's get into it.

When talking about any pair of headphones the most important part is the audio quality. Which is nothing short of amazing when it comes to the V-MODA M-100. The base is super punchy and on the loud side a good bit louder than the midrange and treble, which usually is not what I look for in headphones but V-MODA pulled it off. These headphones are made to complement the music that's popular today, so if you into Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Techno, House and especially Dubstep right off the back these are the headphones for you. Basically these headphones are for any music that has a real large emphasis on base and nowadays days that's everything. While not going to far off and ending up like various musicians supported headphones that are just base and nothing else. I feel like even your hardcore audiophile can enjoy these for what they are.

When talking about the Crossfade M-100 you have to talk about the design and tech that went into making these. They are pushing 50mm drivers which are the biggest drivers I have personally used and built like a tank. All the housing, the band and hinges are made of metal which is something you can't say about every pair of headphones. I think it's safe to say that these are really well-built pair of headphones. Despite being large they're very compact and fold up very easily when trying to put away. Although these headphones are on the heavier side they sit on your head quite nicely and the cushioning for the ear pads are the right mixture of soft but firm. On the design side I only have two minor complaints. First is that these headphones do you sit quite snug on your head maybe a bit too snug which I only really noticed while wearing for extended periods of time. The other thing is because these headphones are made of metal I noticed some of the screws and edges are kind of sharp, but as far as complaints go that's it. The last notable thing design wise on these headphones is the removable wire which you can also plug into either left or right ear, which brings us to the next topic accessories.

The V-MODA comes with a fair amount of accessories which include, a quarter inch adapter, a hard shell carrying case, a 1-button speak easy Mic cable and a shareplay cable. It allows you to let somebody else listen to your music with you. However the cool thing about these wires is that they are a woven Kevlar reinforced cable. That basically means they are super durable and built to last. The same goes for the boom pro gaming accessory which is sold separately that turns any normal headphones with removable wires into a gaming headset. (so yes that's beats and any other headphones of the sort) With a great quality mic, mute switch and volume adjuster if you are a gamer and you want to turn your expensive headphones into a headset I highly suggest you pick the V-mods Boom Pro gaming. That is all the accessories that I have with my V-MODA Crossfade M-100. 

Another thing you can avoid while talking about these headphones is the price. Priced at $300 they are pricey, yet still get a better bang for your buck compared to various other similarly priced headphones.

The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are a sleek really well-built great sounding pair of headphones that if you have $300 to spend on a pair of headphones I highly suggest you take a look at these you won't regret it!

LifeProof Case Review

Do you have a Smart Phone or Tablet? Well I am sure you do!!! I’m also pretty sure that is either an iPhone, iPad, or a Samsung Galaxy. Are you looking for the best case for your device? Well search no more because I think I found one of the best cases for your device. It's called LIFEPROOF!!!
LifeProof is one of the best cases I ever had for my phone. This case will give you a full protection for your devices and give you the freedom you will need. Here is a little bit about LifeProof.

LifeProof is a young vibrant company based in San Diego that designs, manufactures and markets LifeProof cases for all-environmental protection, functionality and interactivity to SmartPhones and Tablet PCs. There company mantra is “Freedom”- freedom to be connected anywhere with your mobile device.

Freedom is the perfect word to use for this case, due to this case gives you a full protection for your device. They call this The Four Proofs (Water, Dirt, Shock, and Snow).
Water Proof Take the plunge!

LifeProof delivers the highest rating against water ingress of any case on the market. That means you can surf, swim or soak without dunking your device. And, when it comes to everyday drenching like wild weather, surprise spills and kitchen calamities, your electronics stay high and dry.
 
Dirt Proof
Do it in the dirt! The same superior water protection that keeps your device dry also seals it from dust, dirt and sand. Take your device hiking, biking, hunting and fishing. Use it on the job, on the field or on the beach. Dirt, dust, sand, grit and mud stay out – your music, apps, calls and camera stay active.

Snow Proof
Let it snow! A case that keeps water and dirt out has no problem with snow, ice and sleet. Shoot the slopes on two sticks or one. Slice the ice on the rink or pond. Run for cover from surprise storms or freak flurries. Take a walk in a winter wonderland or a slushy wasteland. With LifeProof, your electronics are always ready for winter. Shock Proof.

Just Drop It!
Phone fumbles and tablet tumbles are the most common forms of device destruction. LifeProof cases are built to exceed stringent Military Specifications for drop protection, keeping your electronics protected from the bumps and bruises of day-to-day living.

When it comes to the design LifeProof also did a great job. This case is one of the tiniest case I’ve ever seen. It gives you all this protection than other cases out in the market. Other cases are bulkier and if it’s tinier you don’t get the same protection. They also come in different colors and design for you own liking. They made two versions of the case frē and nüüd .

Frē: Built-in scratch protector completely safeguards touchscreen.
Nüüd: Screen less technology that lets you touch actual touchscreen

I’ve used both frē and nüüd cases and I will say both are great. The only bad thing I can say is that the frē didn’t last long due to wear and tear. The material that they use was rubber so after using on a day to day  baisis, of in and out of the pocket the rubber starts wearing off. Before you know it the front part started to fill-off then the scratch protector came off. But with that being said the case did protect my iPhone for almost two years and it did save my phone multiple times. I drop my phone in the pool and lost it for more than 30 minutes. When I finally found it, the phone was still working. I also drop my phone so many times and my phone didn’t get a scratch or crack on it. I feel that nüüd case is a little better than the frē due to the material that was use. The nüüd case is more of a hard plastic material that I thing is more durable than the rubber. Even if your screen is exposed LifeProof does provide a little screen protector. Also nüüd case all around body is built a little sturdier than the frē.

The bad thing about the case that I think a lot of people are having problems with is the price. The frē cost $79.99 and the nüüd $89.99. With this price people do back-out on buying it. However if you really think about it. The case is worth the price, due to the fact that it protects your phone or tablet completely. Do the math buying all the cheap case does add up at the end. In addition you’re not protecting your device completely. The other flaw is that the slot of the charger is only allowing you to use the original charging cable or something close to it. Anything bigger than what is provided won’t fit. In addition they only made cases for iPhone (4,4s, 5, 5c, 5s), iPad (2/3/4,mini,Air), iPod (Gen 4and 5) and Samsung Galaxy (S3, S4,S5). Overall this case is still by far the best case I have use. The case is durable, protects your device completely, and totally gives you the freedom that you need. If you're looking for the best case, I suggest that you get this and if want to get the best price check is out on amazon.com

Final Rating: 8.5/10

WWE Network Review

The WWE Network has been out for a couple of months. Is this the holy grail of wrestling archives that fans have been waiting for? Check out the video review on whether you should subscribe to this ambitious network.

Color Cablest Review

Color Cablest brings to us a very cool unique way to having a cool effect on our cable wires. The company presents a way for our USB cables, I-Phone charges and more to basically glow in the dark. It's very simple and easy to do. The cables are infused with photo-luminescence that gives them a renewable glow and keeps them easy to find and identify which cable is connected to what. This makes the glow effect easy to obtain. All you have to do is keep your cables under a light source such as a lamp, sunlight or anything that gives off light. It's best to keep the cables under a light source for at least three hours to really show off the glow effect. The best thing about these cables you don't need an outlet to plug into to get the glow effect. The glow comes from natural light sources that you can get from anywhere. One more notable mention is that cables are very hard to tangle. I combine all the cables together and see if they would get tangle and it was very hard to do.

Overall if you looking for a cool effect for your usb cables, I-Phone and Android chargers then Color Cablest might be the product for you. It has a cool concept and it's really nice to see your cables glow while you charge your product. I would say the only downfall, is the time it takes for the light source to give the glow it's full effect. Other than that check it out.

Neon Alley: The 24 Hour Anime Channel Review

Are you one those people who can't get anime on cable? Can't find the anime you want on Netflix or other avenues? Then you might want to check out Neon Alley the 24 hour anime channel on the PS3 and online. Neon Alley is brought to you by VIZMedia. This 24 hour anime channel consist of shows like Blue Exorcist, One Piece, Berserk, Naruto, Inuyasha: The Final Act, Vampire Knight just to name a few. Non stop anime all day long with limited advertisement. The great thing about Neon Alley is each week you will get premiere movie or episode. All the shows are in English dub and uncut. In addition Neon Alley also includes some live action movies like Initial D: The Movie. 

So far the channel is up to a promising start. However there is a few things I would like to see change. It would be nice if you have the ability to pause, fast forward, rewind etc. Or have the ability to watch the show that you miss later on in the day by having an option replay menu, instead waiting for that episode to re-air. The advertisement is very limited and keeps true to the subject matter. You will see advertisements from anime conventions, latest manga, and anime shows that will appear on the Neon Alley network. Finally Neon Alley allows a free one week trial. After that it cost a small fee of $6.99 a month which is fair price for non stop anime channel. With new premieres and soon exclusive content coming Neon Alley is heading to the right direction. Hopefully we will see a little more upgrades in the menu and give users more control, still this something all otakus should check out. 

Pros 
Non-stop anime.
Afforable monthly fee.
Premieres every week.

Cons
Lack of controls for the user, such as rewind, fast forward.
No menu for replay shows that aired that day.
Lack of titles (keep in mind that is for now).       

Neon Alley is available on the Playstation 3 store. For more info visit http://neonalley.com/.

   by Nathaniel Jean-Pierre

The Dark Knight Rises Mobile Game Review

Christopher Nolan's Batman has not seen a game adaptation since his first installment "Batman Begins" for the PS2, XBOX & Gamecube. Well at last Nolan's Batman is back in the gaming world well sort of. Batman is back in Mobile gaming form with "The Dark Knight Rises." Is this the game that we deserve?


Story - The story follows key plot points from The Dark Knight Rises film. It's been eight years after The Dark Knight and Batman is retired. It features all the key points from the movie, with a little more to give you more playing time. All the key characters are here from Selina Kyle, John Blake, Bane, Alfred, Gordon and many more. It does give away key plot points so if you have yet to see the movie play till after your seen it.


Gameplay - When I first saw the trailer for the game. I admit I thought this was just going to be a beat em up type of game. Then when I finally brought the game needless to say I was surprised. The Dark Knight Rises is a free roam, action adventure game. Free roam for mobile I thought well it should be with a download of 1.7 GB. The gameplay is done very well. Developers at Gameloft have giving us an entire Gotham City to explore. It's not as big as console version of Gotham City, but for a mobile game it gives us a good map to explore. The game plays into six chapters for the story then leaving you with a free roam part which consider several missions for Batman to complete. Missions can range from stopping thugs, saving civilians, chase sequences and more.


The combat in TDKR is very smooth. It utilizes the free flow fighting style that you see similar in Arkham City, only done the best way a mobile game can execute it. The game is held horizontally while Batman is control by a touch screen analog. You can use the screen to switch the camera views, which can be tricky and sometimes get in the way. However with a little practice you will get use to it, but driving the vehicles and aiming the camera can be a chore sometimes. It wouldn't be a Batman game without his toys and this game has a good amount. Batpod, The Bat and a couple of gadgets are all accessible. The game even features a nice upgrading system which will be a hit or miss with players. The hits is that the more Batman level ups the more equipment he is able to access. Batman will have more attacks, more effect, better armor and more. The miss is that some upgrades require you to spend real money. This is will turn off some folks but most of those upgrades aren't really needed, it's just for extra usage. The only real complaint is the game is relatively easy, it does have some of challenging parts like fighting Bane, but otherwise enemies will fall with a couple of punches.


Gameplay Video


Graphics - The graphics is really good. Gameloft went all out on this one to give us a very dark tone world of Gotham City. You even see some key Gotham locations such as Wayne Tower, Gotham Railroad and The Pit. The frame rate works well on my Samsung Galaxy 2, there have been notable problems with other phones, such as a pink line appearing during gameplay. However I didn't have any of those problems. I also enjoy the great addition of weather in this game. The rain, thunder and lighting effects is a welcome addition to Gotham. Character designs is a hit or miss. Batman and Bruce Wayne looks awesome. Selina Kyle, John Blake and Bane are all done well, some of the thugs look choppy but it doesn't hurt the game.


Sound - The voice acting is done well. Batman sounds just Bale, Gordon, Alfred, John Blake are all done well. However Bane and Miranda Tate sound nothing like the actors but it doesn't matter. The music is whatever you want it to be. If you have TDKR OST on your phone, turn off the game music and play the soundtrack to get that actual music. The game music is done very well, some from the actual movie or made to sound just like Hans Zimmer OST. 


Replay Value - The game is fun enough to play over again and again. Plus the addition to the free roam missions after the game should keep you busy while your traveling.


Final Grade B+/8.5 - The Dark Knight Rises is the game we deserved and the game that we needed. It has some issues, but overall it's one of the best mobile games I've played. It's worth the price of $7 bucks. Great gameplay, great production and most importantly fun to play. 

Crash Plan 3.0 Review

Crash Plan 3.0 is a design for users to backup their data online, on a friends computer, in addition to any computers they have in the house. Is this the program you need to backup your system? One thing I like about Crash Plan is that it's very user friendly, it's simple and not to complicated to understand. Unlike other backup software out there, Crash Plan has an unlimited storage plan. When you first start Crash Plan you have the option to storage online using "Crash Plan Central" this will cost around $50 a year for one computer and it's unlimited storage. If you need to store more data for more than one computer you have the family plan which is $120 a year, which is kind of pricey. The second option is backing up to a friend's computer. This can be done by sending a simple email to them and you can connect with them of the Crash Plan Network. However you can't share files with your friends over the network, which was disappointing. 


Backing Up & Restoring Files - Crash Plan does a good job of backing up and storing your files. However there is a flaw with this software, searching for backups you have done is non existent. You'll have to go through file to file, folder to folder to find a specific data, while other softwares like SOS Online Backup offer this feature, Crash Plan does not. However that small complaint doesn't truly hurt the software. Crash Plan when you start to backup files already knows which folders to backup from the start. Folders like "My Documents" will already be on the backup list. The program will then determine how much space the backup will take, and begin once you have all the files you have ready. You can also have multiple backup's, each with their own files and data. Another great thing about Crash Plan is that it sends email notification, but it has also a social network feature as well. Users can get info and updates on their backup's confirmation on their Twitter accounts, which is very impressive. The online storage doesn't take too long depending on connection. Files with 300 mb take like 15 to 20 mins to upload online, similar to a 10 minute Youtube video. Restoring files online is disappointing, it only allows you restore files that you have used on that specific machine. For example I can't restore a friend's file from the Cpu I use, it will have to be done with the one he uses. Restoring files offline is a breeze, you can do the most recent, or check by the date. I had no real problems getting my data back.


Final Grade B-/8.0 - Overall Crash Plan is another good backup software. It's user friendly, quick to understand and simple. It does have it's flaws but maybe future installments and add-ons it will be worked out. 

Fertang Review (Mobile App)

"Fertang" is a new Mobile App board game available for the I-Phone and Android App from Anderson Games. It's a little style of Checkers, with the strategy of Chess. Is this new board game app addictive? Or should you head somewhere else?

If I can describe "Fertang" in a few words is addictive, unique, and bold. "Fertang" was designed for people who are tired of Checkers, and find Chess to complicated. The game is simple to play and easy to learn after a few tries. You have the option to play against the CPU or with a friend. Each player is giving 16 pieces which is divided into Triangles, Squares and Circles. The goal is to capture as much of the players pieces as possible. Similar to Checkers, but with a twist of Chess. Each piece moves in a different directions. Triangle can only go diagonally, Circle can move any direction and Square can move in straight lines horizontally. Like Chess and Checker style each player gets one turn and can only move one piece at a time. One a piece is capture, the player who capture it controls that piece, until the other player captures it that is. Once the stack reaches 5 or more that piece is no longer in use. The first player to build up three of the five stacks is the winner. The game is challenging and thinking of new strategies to win the day is fun. "Fertang" doesn't come with much features, but it does give you the option of selecting different gameboards such as the original Chess board. The graphics are  standard for your typical board game app, and the colors work well. The only complaint about the App is the loop music, but thankfully you have the option to turn it off.

Final Grade B+/8.5: "Fertang" is a nice take on Checkers and Chess. It's easy to learn and after a couple of tries you'll be hook. The graphics are good, the gameplay fun and with a price of .99 it's worth a look. Give it a shot.

Fertang Game App Download Links

Google Play (Android):  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andersongames.fertang#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwiY29tLmFuZGVyc29uZ2FtZXMuZmVydGFuZyJd 

iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id515852480

Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/dl/android?p=

Double Review: Gmail Notifier Plus and Rocketdock

Okay people Jeff here and today I will be giving you a double review. The reason for this is because I want to give you people, a series of programs that will make your life in-front of the computer a little better and less stressful. Here I present to you two of my favorites, Gmail Notifier Plus and Rocketdock.

F.Y.I.: they are both free, completely free no ads or anything also they are both for windows right now, not too sure if they are on linux yet but i will keep you all updated just in case

Gmail Notifier Plus to download click here

Its just an RSS feed(if you dont know what an RSS feed is click here) that is linked to your gmail account, to let you get a quick look at what you have in there that you haven't read yet. I know what you might be thinking and yes its very safe. No one is looking at the feed unless they have the passwords to you different Gmail accounts. That's right, the other thing that makes this so great is that you can have more then one account being shown with it. The notifier will only show you what's inside your inbox, so if your like me and something checks the spam to be sure nothing important is in there by mistake you will have to sign into your account, which is another thing the notifier does right. All you have to do is click on which ever email account you want to look into, then your chosen browser is your default and it will pop up telling you to sign right in.

If you have more then one Gmail account or if you just want to always be updated on what is inside there this is a simple and fast little reader for you.

RocketDock to download click here

You all know how the Mac had the dock at the bottom of the screen. Well this is the same thing but for Windows. It works with all the version of windows from XP to 7. The dock acts just like the dock on a Mac, it allows all the same features from hiding when your mouse isn't on top of it to zooming in on the icon when your roll your mouse over it.

It gives you the prefect Mac feel with out having one. Another thing that is nice about it is that on their site they support icons , that werent made by them but by other people, so going to a place like deviantart (here is an example of icons) and do a search of icons that people created and use them over the default ones its comes with. It's an amazing app that will also help you clean up the clutter that is your desktop if its very messy.

I would tell you all to try out both of these programs, they are small in size and load quickly and next time I will tell you about another great program...

Snakebyte/SunFlex Premium Wii Board Brief Review

We got our hands on a Sunflex USA & Snakebyte's Wii Board. In their own words "The versatile fitness board doubles as an electronic scale and is designed to turn gaming into fun workouts by allowing players to stimulate ski jumps, skate, learn fitness coaches, play balance games, and more!" How does it hold up?

Design & Tech - The design is very basic and easy on the eyes. The board comes in two colors black and white. Easy to lift and comes with a built in LCD. This informs you when a connection with the Wii is made. We tried it on the Wii Fit and it works perfectly. Unlike the Wii controllers you will have to active the board once the game starts. It's really easy to sync. Just filp over the board and open the back piece where the batteries are. Inside is a black button, press that with the Wii sync button and boom it works.

Unlike the Wii Board this holds up 390lbs compare to Wii Board 330 lbs. We found this very impressive. So if you are a larger gamer have no fear, this board supports you. During our gameplay's with Wii Fit we didn't see no hiccups, glitches or anything to ruin our Wii. This works just as good as the original board. We also like the blue light indicators as well. It keeps you informed whether you are connected or not. The only downside to this is that it takes 4 double A batteries. However the board will shut down or go to sleep mode, when not being used. This saves and conserves batteries. The only downside is the price is $69.99 while Wii Fit Plus with the board is $89.99. However don't let that stop you, this can be used as a scale and it's more durable and more comfortable.

Final Grade B+/8.5: The Premium Wii Board is very easy to use. It looks great and feels great, but some might be turned off by the price and double A battery use. However that shouldn't stop you. This board can also be used as a scale, without playing the games. It supports people with a higher weight than the Nintendo board.Check it out if you are looking for an alternative.

New Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Review (ESPN included)

Microsoft started out the month of November with a free software update for its Xbox 360 users. The new UI gave users the feel of an upgraded console to a certain extent. The main reason for this was to make the Xbox Kinect compatible, some of the additions included ESPN, Zune unlimited music program, upgraded Netflix, life like Avatars and a slicker dash among many other things. But how does it fare?

Espn: My favorite new feature! As a huge sports fan this was the biggest announcement for me at E3 2010. As I'm typing this, I'm actually watching the Celtics play the Bucks on it now(in OT!). Now let me explain the new app.

Espn Xbox is Espn3 and Espn.com merged together. You can Live stream pretty much every game that Espn 1 & 2 shows except for (MNFl). Also for some reason the NFL won't even let them show highlights just pics. Once you enter the app you have the option to watch a live game, watch a replay of a game or watch some highlights. I live in the highlight section, gone are the days when I have 2 sit through highlights that I don't care about, or sit through news about a sport I don't care about. You have the option to pick you favorite sports then see only news and highlights from that sport. Want to see Miami Heat highlights no problem just click on it, want to see Randy Moss latest interview no problem just click on it, want to rewind that amazing dunk by Kobe no problem.

Now hows the quality? Depending on your connection, most of the time you have a HD option which looks amazing! Im watching it now in HD with wifi from a G router so that shows alot there.
This App isnt perfect its still missing full shows like PTI, Mike and Mike and Around the Horn among others. Also No NFL highlights (just news), No NBA or MLB games not being shown on
Espn already. I KNOW this app will get better so be patient.

Netflix: Search bar added & new look. Search Bar not only shows you what is available to stream but it shows what is available in the entire netflix database

Overall the new look and the new additions are great, so many tweaks actually to many to name. Besides minor glitches which will be fixed shortly(ie avatar clothes/awards problems) this is a great Dashboard update! Not as ground breaking as the NXE but hey its free.


8/10