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Review of Soul Emotion 2 TWS – Don’t Associate “Cheap” as “Bad”

We have heard enough bad news about Covid-19. In Singapore, people are encouraged to stay at home during this circuit breaker. If there is one good thing in this pandemic, we are still free to go out for run. A good set of earpieces is a perfect companion especially we are running alone. If you have been following my blog closely, we have reviewed several headsets that are designed for fitness fanatics. The latest one is Soul ST-XS2.

This time, we are reviewing another TWS from Soul – Soul Emotion2. The cheaper Emotion2 is different from the Soul ST-XS2 in several ways. In terms of appearance, the Emotion2 is smaller and sleeker. Apart from that, the Emotion2 does not come with ear wings.

Source: Instagram @weewu

Unlike the Soul ST-XS2 that comes with 4 colours, the Soul Emotion2 comes only with 3 colours (pink, white & black). Soul Electronics sends me a white Emotion2 for review. Although the Emotion2 is a smaller device than the ST-XS2, the Led indicator light on the Emotion2 is larger and more visible than the one on the ST-XS2.

The Emotion2 is also splash-proof with a rating of IPX4. In another words, you could clean the Emotion2 with little water (just make sure you don’t put it under the running tap).

The Emotion2 is incredibly light. Weighed at approx.5g, it is amazingly comfortable to wear for long hours. However, this advantage may have some side effects to those with big earhole. I brought this out for a run and find that I must frequently make adjustment to make sure the Emotion2 is at the place that it should. Although I have switched to its biggest earplugs, it just does not work for people like me who have big earhole.

Soure: Instagram @weewu

Audio Quality

The Emotion2 delivers crystal clear sound with a balanced sharpness. Bass is warm and it mixes well with the treble. While I am immersing myself to a passionate vocal performance on YouTube, the Emotion2 produces a well-balanced sound with “visible” enough High, Mid and Low tones.

Conference call with this is acceptable as I can clearly hear what the counterparty is saying but it does not work as well for the other party. Apparently, the performance of mic is a little lacking. I need to speak louder to get my voice across.

Although physical design blocks off some surrounding noise, it is still quite disturbing when you are trying to focus on your online seminars. In this case, a good noise cancelling TWS could help to block off noises from the Kids TV programme while you are working. Unfortunately, this feature is not included.

A Good Buy?

This is a good product for loner like me who spent lots of hours online watching movies and concerts alone. Music is an experienced goods that touches people emotionally. As long the TWS could deliver what it is supposed to deliver, it is a good product. That is why I find the name of this product speaks for itself.  

Of course, it is also extremely comfortable to wear (just don’t bring it out for run. It is not designed to anyway).

It is cheap and I do not mean it in a negative way. Their official store at Lazada is selling at SGD54.90! That is crazy! Granted. There are flaws like no active noise cancelling but why does that matter? Who else is watching “Baby-Shark” when I am all by myself at home watching Black Pink’s music video? I am a cheapo if you want to say so.

Recommendation: “Buy” (if you are an introvert like me)

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Headphone Review – Adidas RPT-01 On-ear Headphone, A Perfect Fitness Companion

“I will never run with my headphones. It looks silly” This is what I used to perceive of people running with their headphones but my perception changes when I got hold of the new Adidas RPT-01. The RPT-01 is such a beauty.

Knitted fabrics-covered Adidas headphone is a class of its own.

In terms of physical appearance, I really like the knitted fabrics covering the overhead rim of the headphones. The perfect blend of black and grey appeals to me. Maybe I am Asian, the headphone seems to compliment well with my black hairs.

Speaking about designs, the overall ergonomic is well thought of. The slide-able feature caters for different head sizes and the clear indication of the sides of the earphones. Although these are standard across all headphones, one special addition to the Adidas RPT-01 is the rubber headband that prevents the headphones from slipping while you are out exercising. I am sure many people had bad experience of keep adjusting the headphones while exercising. The simple solution by putting a headband keep the device in place is brilliant! More so, the rubber headband is removeable for washing.

Removable parts that you could wash. Easy to maintain

Comfort

Often, headphone is not as comfortable especially after prolong wearing and it is certainly not so while you are running in humid Singapore condition. I am surprised that RPT-01 is in fact quite comfortable. The knitted earcups cushioned well on the ears and I don’t feel warm near my ears even though I am perspiring like mad after a 5km run. Same as the rubber headband, both earcups could be removed for washing.

Good music quality

All’s good. How about sound? The Adidas RPT-01 is one of the first 2 headphones developed under the partnership with Zound, the company behind audio brands such as Marshall speakers and Urbanears headphones. That sets the mark high and it does deliver reasonable bass while listening to high tempo music though I would like the bass to be more punchy. In terms of clarity, it scores acceptably well.   

This headphone is a pure wireless listening companion. There is no 3.5mm audio option for us to compare the sound quality between wired and wireless settings.

Nonetheless, the claimed 40 hours battery life is impressive. I have brought it along for several runs and I have never done a single charge during the testing phase.

Verdict

This product is specifically designed for sports enthusiast. Priced at $299, you get an Adidas branded headphone that promises you comfort and style. On top of that, you get a good-looking headphone that will help you to attract eyeballs in the gym.

Having said so, I think that there should be more features that targeted for fitness training. The current smartphone app serves pretty much as an equalizer which I think it is very underserved. Afterall, Adidas is a sports brand. I think the app could provide more useful data on the activities that could help users to improve their performance.

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Gamers, Protect Your Eyes With Eyesafe®

DELL Alienware m17 Gaming Laptop

By now, urban dwellers who are glued to their smartphones all-day should know the harmfulness of Blue Light also known as High Energy Visible Light (HEV) Light. Under prolonged exposure, the HEV light can produce negative eye health consequences, including digital vision syndrome, melatonin suppression, and long-term effects on the retina that could lead to potential increases in age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Thankfully, there are companies out there trying to develop solutions to circumvent the problem without compromising our current city lifestyle. Eyesafe® works with display manufacturers in developing standard on measurement of exposure of Blue Light as well as providing solutions to minimize the user’s Blue Light exposure. For instance, Eyesafe® has worked with ZAGG (stock quote: ZAGG), a mobile accessory maker, in developing screen protector which could filter blue light emitted from the mobile phones and laptops.   

At the recent Computex, Taipei, Eyesafe® has launched their latest solution – Eyesafe® Display in conjunction with DELL’s (stock quote: DELL) latest laptop series. The partnership with DELL allows Eyesafe® to use both hardware and software to manage Blue Light at the source. As such, the display disperses the Blue Light across the spectrum without comprising the color integrity. Striking a good balance of RGB, the display maintains vivid color accuracy.

Currently, DELL is the first OEM to integrate this technology to their new Dell G7 17” and Alienware m17. Dell plans to expand Eyesafe® display across the entire Alienware portfolio in coming months.

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ASIA’S LEADING PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION SERIES PHOTO FACE-OFF RETURNS FOR SEASON TWO ON HISTORY® ASIA

SINGAPORE – 21 September 2015 – Photo Face-Off snaps back into action for season two, once again proudly presented by Canon PhotoMarathon and in association with SilkAir, premiering Tuesday, 22 September at 10pm on HISTORY ® (StarHub TV Channel 401). The highly successful first season was rated number one in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

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Justin Mott and Singapore Contestants

 

Read the full press release below

[pdf-embedder url=”https://theneodimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Press-Release-ASIAS-LEADING-PHOTOGRAPHY-COM.pdf”]

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#Xbox Invites Fans to Beat #Lotus #F1 Team Driver #RomainGrosjean and Head of #Xbox #PhilSpencer for Ultimate Bragging Rights in “Forza Motorsport 6”

Greater Asia, SINGAPORE – 18 September 2015 – To celebrate the launch of “Forza Motorsport 6”, an Xbox One exclusive title, Xbox is inviting all fans to beat the race timings set by Lotus F1 Team Driver Romain Grosjean and Head of Xbox Phil Spencer for a chance to win ultimate bragging rights in “Forza Motorsport 6”.

Lotus F1 Team Driver Romain Grosjean gunning for his best race time in Xbox’s exclusive “Forza Motorsport 6”
Lotus F1 Team Driver Romain Grosjean gunning for his best race time in Xbox’s exclusive “Forza Motorsport 6”

Called the “Forza Motorsport 6 #TimetoShine Challenge”, participating fans will need to better the race times set by Romain Grosjean (1 minute 52.703 seconds) and Phil Spencer (2 minute 00.343 seconds), using the 2015 Lotus F1 Team’s E23 Hybrid on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium, for ultimate bragging rights against the two “Forza Motorsport 6” racers. Fans will need to set their time using the “Time to Shine Challenge” Rivals mode event in “Forza Motorsport 6”, which can be found in the Community Monthly channel of Rivals mode in the game. Fans who succeed in beating these times should post a screenshot of their race timings with the hashtag #TimetoShine, on their social media pages, in order to be recognized

Read the full press releases below

[pdf-embedder url=”https://theneodimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Media-Release-ForzaTimetoShine-Final.pdf”]

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Samsung Launched #GearS2 #smartwatch in Singapore

Samsung announced in Singapore the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch. Specially designed for consumers with distinct preferences, the Gear S2 is available in two different options – the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic. The Gear S2 classic is made for users who prefer a more timeless watch design while the Gear S2 is ideal for those who are on-the-go and have an admiration for minimal and modern design.

Gear S2 (Left) and Gear S2 Classic (Right) Source: Instagram user @weewu

Key Product Highlights

  • The Gear S2 spots versatile, circular design with an intuitive, custom UX and advanced features that enable users to enhance, personalise and bring more fun to their mobile experience. A unique rotating bezel, along with the Home and Back buttons, ensure users will have a quicker, more precise method to comfortably access notifications and applications.
  • Equipped with Tizen Platform, an optimised 1GHz Dual Core Processor and a 1.2-inch circular screen with 360 x 360 (302ppi) resolution, users can stay connected with the Gear S2 with notifications to check calendars, emails, news and even send important texts directly from their wrist.

    Heart Rate Sensor – Source: Instagram user @weewu
  • Designed for users’ active lifestyles, the Gear S2 comes with smart sensors, an IP68 (dust and water resistant) rating, as well as a battery that can last up to 3 days, allowing consumers to stay connected without the hassle of constantly having to recharge.

 

Wireless charging via charging dock – Source: Instagram user @weewu

Local Availability

  • The Samsung Gear S2 will be available in a Dark Gray case with a Dark Gray band and Silver case with a White band from 2 October 2015 at a recommended retail price of $448. The Samsung Gear S2 classic will be available in a Black case with a Leather band from 2 October 2015 at a recommended retail price of $548.

Read the full press releases below

[pdf-embedder url=”https://theneodimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Samsung-Gear-S2-SG-Launch.pdf”]