Latest news with #ParkerHall
WIRED
4 days ago
- WIRED
This Brand-New TCL QLED Has the World's Slimmest Bezels
The main way to tell how old a TV is? Look at the bezels. Until about 10 years ago, they were thick picture frames, but they've slowly gotten smaller and smaller as the models turned over. With its new QM8K QLED, TCL has removed them entirely. Innovations in panel design mean that this blindingly bright screen looks like it's floating in space on its pedestal mount. It's a classy party trick that makes it easy to hide on the wall with images or artwork on it, and it improves the viewing angle to boot. This flagship model costs a pretty penny more than TCL's other value-first options, but that's for good reason: It competes directly with more expensive mini LED models from Samsung and Sony, and the great viewing angle and brightness even give high-end OLED models a run for their money. If you want a good picture and great apps for less, you can get it with a more affordable Hisense or TCL model, but if you want a great picture, this is the most affordable way to get it this year. Out of the Box Photograph: Parker Hall The experience of setting up the QM8K is basically the same as with any other TV. The QM8K comes in a large cardboard box surrounded by foam, and you'll want two people to pull it out, put it on a soft surface like a bed or table with a blanket, and install the included pedestal mount. It comes with a power cable and backlit (!) remote, but you'll need to supply your own HDMI cables if you want to connect anything to any of its four ports (two HDMI 2.1, two HDMI 2.0). I always love a TV with a pedestal mount, and this mount is sturdy and easy to attach. It also allows you to tilt the TV. Likewise, the included Google TV interface is extremely easy to use, with QR-based logins for essentially every modern streaming app, and speedy swaps between apps (something I had an issue with on last year's TCL models). The TV supports Chromecast and Airplay 2, which makes casting music and YouTube clips super easy for folks who are visiting and on your Wi-Fi. The TV has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 support, and it was more than capable of keeping up with 4K streaming on my mesh network at home. It has Ethernet as well, should you want to hard-wire in for the fastest speeds. No Bezels Photograph: Parker Hall The lack of bezels isn't immediately noticeable if you're not looking for it, but once you see that the brushed gunmetal frame of the TV now immediately transitions to screen after just 3.2 millimeters—rather than having a 10 mm-ish black rim—every comparable model seems old and tired. The gorgeous crystal WHVA panel is capable of up to 3,040 local dimming zones (depending on the size of TV you buy), which makes for a stunning image, and the lack of frame makes it look like the picture is hovering in space.
WIRED
16-07-2025
- WIRED
This Beautiful Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth Speaker Is Also Pretty Repairable
Back in 2016, the original A1 Bluetooth speaker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was one of the first from Bang & Olufsen under its more affordable Beoplay sub-brand. The stylish puck of brushed aluminum was a welcome antidote to all the rubberized Bluetooth boxes, and as a testament to good design, aesthetically it has changed little through three generations. The third-generation Beoplay A1 has just been launched, and while the design remains instantly recognizable and effortlessly cool, internally it has gone through a complete makeover and now sounds better and is more sustainable than ever. It is one of the finest portable speakers I've ever listened to, and remains as covetable as ever. Same Skin, New Innards Photograph: Chris Haslam So what's new? First, there are two new finishes to go along with the classic aluminium—Honey Tone (my review sample), and Eucalyptus Green. The speaker is seriously well made and flawlessly finished. It looks and feels as premium as it should for $399. There's a tweak on the design of the leather strap, but the important changes come from within. According to B&O, the A1 3rd Gen has the largest woofer in its class (3¼ inch), with a claimed bass SPL of 64 dB, which is 2 dB higher than the 2nd Gen model. Battery life has increased too, from 18 to 24 hours. Interestingly, Alexa voice assistant has been dropped, as—according to B&O directly—customers did not want it. It still has a microphone and thus still works as a speakerphone. The A1 Gen 3 is also the first Cradle to Cradle Certified (Bronze level) Bluetooth speaker in the world. In layman's terms, the speaker has a modular design that can be both upgraded and repaired, helping to extend its lifespan. Batteries can be replaced, for instance, if you take your speaker into a Bang & Olufsen store. The brand's commitment to longevity and sustainability is to be commended, and helps to justify the premium pricing. Bluetooth 5.1 seems a little dated here, and means there's no Auracast compatibility, but you do still get multipoint connectivity, stereo pairing, and aptX Adaptive compatibility. The IP67 rating ensures dust and waterproofing, plus the USB-C socket can be used for data transfer (future upgrades) as well as charging. Weighing 1.2 pounds and measuring 5.24 in diameter x 1.81 inches high, the A1 is not pocketable, but it's also not big enough to cause issues in a bag or backpack. There's no protective case, but the aluminum is tough and showed no ill effects after a few weeks being deliberately bumped and jostled about. Reviewer Parker Hall has dropped the first and second generation speakers many times and hasn't noticed any horrific wear, beyond a few small dents. The leather carry strap is elegant, with subtle but classy branding, and if you want you can use the IP67 speaker like an old-school shower radio. Generation Game Photograph: Chris Haslam Two 30-watt Class D amplifiers (60 watts total power) run the new, super-sized 3¼ inch woofer and one 0.6 inch tweeter, and together they pump out impressive 360-degree audio.
WIRED
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- WIRED
Roku's Streaming Stick Plus Is the Best Streamer for Most
Roku has yet to disappoint me. Where other brands change form factors, interfaces, and product support with what can feel like alarming regularity even for insiders like me, Roku, with its rounded square interface, pleasantly rubbery remote controller, and joyously simple plug-and-play stick design, has held the course. When the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus arrived at my house, it felt like it was 2012 all over again. That Obama-era techno-optimism—remember when social media was on the right side of history?—is still evident. There are no huge annoying ads atop everything in the menus, there's no nagging to like or subscribe to some proprietary data funnel or other. Instead, you just get a decent processor, a USB cable for power, and a remote that now features four quick buttons for apps you might actually subscribe to—how SlingTV ever got a dedicated spot on a Roku remote I'll never know. Quality-wise, this 4K streaming device offers everything you could realistically need without buying a disc player and starting a 4K Blu-Ray collection. If you have $40 to spare and a sluggish TV, just buy one already. Sticking Out Photograph: Parker Hall There was once a time when stick-based players like this one, which is the size and shape of an old-school USB thumb drive, could cause weird mounting issues depending on whether or not a TV manufacturer had put its HDMI ports somewhere that made actual sense. These days, the stick easily plugs into every modern TV I've tested, with a decently long USB cable that plugs into the TV's external USB port (also now essentially always there) for power. It's a 'setup process' insofar as you are aware how to plug cables into cable-shaped sockets. The remote is what you'll interact with the most, and it is fantastic as usual, a nonslip pill shape with familiar buttons that feel like high-quality pencil erasers. It's all standard Roku fare at this point, until you realize that the apps listed for quick access on the bottom are actually good now: Disney+, Apple TV, Netflix, and Amazon. Now included in this tier of Roku device (previously it was only available on more expensive models) is the voice remote functionality, allowing you to use the microphone in the remote to search for your favorite shows and movies. It's a shockingly decent tool if you're not sure where to stream something specific, and one that comes in handy for me a few times a year when I have a hankering for a specific holiday movie or other. Logging On Courtesy of Roku It's really easy to get logged into any app you subscribe to, and also easy to rearrange the tiles on the home screen so you don't have to see stuff you don't use. Setup, including signing into Wi-Fi and installing a quick software update, took about 10 minutes.
WIRED
03-06-2025
- Business
- WIRED
20 Best Deals on Father's Day Gifts (2025)
Shopping for a Father's Day gift doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. We've rustled up real discounts on WIRED-approved gear. All of it is actually on sale—no fake discounts here—and set to arrive before Father's Day on June 15. In need of gift ideas? Check out our curated, hand-picked gift guides, including the Gifts for Dads, Gifts for Men, and Gifts for Golfers. WIRED Featured Deals: Tech Deals Photograph: Parker Hall The Ambient Weather WS-5000 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent gift for the dad who loves to talk about the weather. This station shows everything from daily rainfall to the current UV index, with the kind of intensive precision only a father could love. You can also pick up a ton of different accessories to measure things like humidity, detect leaks, check your fridge efficiency, and more. This deal comes around quite frequently, but it's a match of the best price we've seen on some of our favorite headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have wonderful overall value, with frankly excellent noise cancellation and sound. They're no longer the newest addition to the lineup, but this pair is still fantastic—lightweight, comfortable, and sleek-looking with the user experience to match. The Nextbase 622GW is our very favorite dashcam. This deal gets you the base model that records the front-end view of your car, and it's been on sale for a couple of weeks. The camera is easy to mount and can record video in 4K at 30 frames per second, and it offers clear views of license plates and the vehicle's surroundings. It's got solid night vision and image stabilization. There's also a companion app with options for Alexa-based voice support, video review, and subscription-based SOS alerts in case of an accident. (Though Dad's smartphone probably has crash alerts, too, so consider those options before shelling out for another subscription.) Courtesy of Amazon The Sonos Roam 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best smart Bluetooth speaker. It's dust- and water-resistant, has 10 hours of listening time, and is about as big as a 16-ounce beer can. It has fantastic sound and USB-C charging, and it won't take up too much room when Dad is toting it to tailgates. Maybe your dad doesn't need a smart speaker like the Sonos mentioned above. In that case, check out the Beats Pill (8/10, WIRED Recommends). This feature-packed Bluetooth speaker is available in several discounted colors. It has fast pairing, a built-in speakerphone, and the ability to charge other devices. It also has Beats' Fast Fuel feature, meaning 10 minutes of charging gets Dad five hours of playback time (a full charge gets him 24 hours of battery life). And finally, for a super-portable Bluetooth speaker option, check out this discount. This speaker has a built-in carabiner, making it perfect for clipping to a camp chair, a belt loop, or a cooler handle. It sounds solid and has on-board controls, plus 12-hour battery life. It's also durable, with dust and water resistance, and it comes in several Dad-approved color schemes. Photograph: Ryan Waniata If Dad likes hitting the links, we recommend this golf watch, and this price is a goodie. It's comfortable to wear and easy to use, with foolproof buttons and seamless setup using the companion app for Android or iOS. It has GPS data for over 43,000 courses, and it can record your score as well as provide range tracking for how far you're hitting the ball or how far away hazards and doglegs are. The Nothing Ear (a) earbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are the best earbuds for most people. They're super stylish, with a sleek clear charging case, and they also have great sound and decent noise cancellation. They're also comfortable to wear and have super intuitive controls. Combined with the affordable price tag, it's hard to find a better pair for the money—especially with this sale price. The Soundpeats Capsule3 Pro+ (10/10, WIRED Recommends) are some of our favorite AirPods Pro alternatives. They offer fantastic sound for the money, with clear highs and dynamic bass. It boggled the mind of our reviewers that these headphones were as affordable as they are, and with the sale price, this deal is a no-brainer if you're on the hunt for the best sound at the lowest price. This specific gadget isn't in our list of the best portable chargers, but we generally like Anker gear, and the price is too good not to mention. The 10,000-mAh capacity and 30-watt charging means it's capable of topping off most phones very quickly. It's also small at 5.4 inches, and there's a built-in USB-C cable so Dad doesn't need to worry about finding a cord. Home and Outdoor Deals Courtesy of Birdfy This is our favorite smart bird feeder. We've linked to the version with the solar panel included, but the version without the solar panel is also on sale for $120 ($80 off). Both have been on sale for a couple of weeks. We think the solar panel is worth it, since having to bring the feeder inside to recharge it just adds another chore to the list. The feeder is durable and easy to clean. The camera will send smartphone notifications when a bird is feeding, and it has AI recognition that (usually) correctly identifies the species. Note that the AI recognition does require a separate subscription; you can choose to pay for it ahead of time by purchasing that bundle and save some cash in the process. Another leftover from recent Memorial Day sales, the Aviron Victory Treadmill (8/10, WIRED Recommends) makes running fun. We haven't seen a better discount yet. The screen provides access to games and shows, and the deck is nice and low to the ground, so it's easy to step on and off. The membership that grants access to the fun content costs $29 a month or $288 per year, and there are also optional $299 loadable weights to add strength training. But if you're OK with the yearly costs, this is a good choice for making home workouts more enticing. Check our guide to the Best Treadmills for more. I'm in the process of reworking our guide to the best coolers, but this Pelican option is still a good one. It's durable and waterproof, and the tall, narrow design and small footprint make it ideal for road trips. It also features four cupholders and raised rubber feet so it can double as a small drink table while camping or at the beach. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson The Celestron 8x32 TrailSeeker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are excellent binoculars for hiking and birding. They're lightweight and powerful enough for most people, and the glass is easy to see through, with very few chromatic aberrations coming through—even in bright conditions. The Dreo Chefmaker Combi Fryer is the best air fryer for roasts, steaks, and chops. The combination function allows this air fryer to reverse-sear cuts of meat—just add water to the atomizer atop the device before cooking. There's a built-in temperature probe that helps cook steaks and whatnot to your desired rarity before blasting them with heat to brown them. There's also a companion app with recipes that'll help you keep track of dinner progress. Our favorite budget body massager hasn't sold for less than this. It can target the back, neck, and shoulders, and even the lower back if you get creative. There are four kneading nodes, three intensity settings, and a heat therapy option. It can strap to a chair if you'd like, the remote control lets you easily adjust the settings, and there's a 15-minute automatic shutoff too. This is our favorite meat thermometer for kitchen use. It comes with four probes, which connect to the included base station via Bluetooth. Pair it with your phone and the companion app for at-a-glance temperature readings, and customize the experience further with notifications when dinner is reaching its ideal temperature. The system is safe to use for everything from sous vide to smoking, and the app has recipes and guided cooking as well. Deals on Everything Else Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Photograph: Julian Chokkattu These sweatpants are WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu's favorite of the many pairs he tested. He liked the Cloud Leg Straight even more. That pair is on sale, too, but the most popular sizes have sold out already. Both pairs are supremely soft, made with a cotton and recycled polyester fleece blend, which makes them perfect for lounging around. Despite being so comfy and cozy, they don't look too sloppy or oversized, so Dad could wear them out and about without feeling too underdressed. If Dad's water bottle is gross or dented, consider this replacement. It's the most durable water bottle we recommend, and it's available in a lot of neat colors. The slim design fits easily into a cupholder in the car or at the gym. It'll keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, it's leakproof, and it's dishwasher-safe. It's reliable and gets the job done—just like he does. The best protein powder fluctuates in price often, but many different flavors and serving sizes are on sale right now. It offers 24 grams of protein per serving, it's easy to dissolve, and it has fewer additives than some other brands on the market. It's also available in a mind-boggling array of flavors. There's a chance you already know what Dad likes, but if not, the vanilla ice cream flavor linked above is a safe bet.
WIRED
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- WIRED
Aventon's Affordable Level 3 Is a Great Starter Electric Bike
I love step-through ebike frames, not just because it allows my much-shorter wife to borrow the bike when she's wearing a skirt, but also because when a bike is this heavy (67 lbs), it makes it much easier to balance and hop on and off of. I never felt sketchy hitting an intersection or trying to keep my bike upright when I had a saddle bag full of groceries. The gearing and drivetrain is entry-level Shimano Altus stuff and includes an 8-speed trigger-controlled transmission. It also comes with decent Kenda tires that provide plenty of grip, even on slippery Portland roads. There is a built-in 4G connection that allows you to GPS track the bike—nice for thefts and also in case you, like me, forget where you parked your bike at the Portland Timbers game. The 500W motor was more than powerful enough to get me over hills, even with gear or food in tow. Even for my large, 210-pound body, the range proved more than enough for long commuting rides. I took it over 20 miles across town in a single session, over big hills, and still ended at my destination with over 20 percent battery. If I hadn't ran the bike at full speed the entire way, and had pedaled more on the flats instead of using the thumb throttle, I would easily have made it with half my battery left. Good for Most Photograph: Parker Hall Most folks aren't riding 40 miles a day on their ebikes. They're just riding a few, and this bike is more than capable of doing that. The included charging brick easily charges the bike in a few hours, you will only really need to charge once a week if you're doing a shorter commute or just riding a bit around town. There aren't a lot of downsides to this model, but the main one is the gearing. I just wish that the top gear allowed me to keep up with the 20-mile-per-hour speed limit on the motor with more ease; I sometimes felt like I was pedaling like a crazed hamster when trying to go max speed. At lower speeds and assistance rates, the gearing works just fine, so you're better off riding slower when you want to pedal, and using the thumb throttle to go full speed. I generally prefer mid-drive ebikes for this reason; they use the actual drivetrain of your bike to deliver the power, rather than a motor on the hub of the rear wheel, so things pair better together. That said, it's nice to have the option of a thumb throttle when you're feeling lazy and just want a glorified electric scooter to take you home, which isn't offered by mid-drive ebikes. For daily commuting, trips to the farmers market, and occasional long weekend rides, the Aventon Level 3 is a great choice. The price is right, the specs are solid, and it's a confidence-inducing ride that has every feature most folks will need. Just snag a good helmet and a solid bike lock. These bikes look more expensive than they are.
