2016 HP Omen 15 Review

Lisa Gade reviews the redesigned 2016 HP Omen 15, a budget-oriented 15.6” gaming laptop that's also available in a 17.3” size. Gone are the unibody milled aluminum casing and high quality aspirations for the Omen line, the Omen 15 and 17 are now plastic chassis laptops with a faux carbon fiber finish and red backlit keyboard that set it apart from the otherwise very similar (in terms of specs) HP Pavilion 15 high end configuration. The 15.6” model weighs 4.85 lbs. (2.2 kg) and the 17” weighs 6.3 lbs. (2.83kg).

The Omen 15 and Omen 17 start around $1,000 and the highest end configuration is under $1,500. Both have the Intel Core i7-6700HQ quad core 6th generation Skylake CPU, 8 to 16 gigs of RAM, an optional boot SSD, 2.5” 1 TB 7200 RPM HDD and a matte, non-touch display (1920 x 1080 and 4K are available). They're available with NVIDIA GTX 950M, 960M and 965M dedicated graphics. The Omen 15 competes with the Lenovo IdeaPad Y700, Dell Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming Edition and HP's own high end Pavilion 15.

15" Retina MacBook Pro vs. 2016 Razer Blade Comparison Smackdown

Lisa Gade compares the 15” Retina MacBook Pro and the 14” 2016 Razer Blade high-end laptops. Check out our video review of the 5” Retina MacBook Pro at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRnVrlFfK0g
Check out our written review of the 5” Retina MacBook Pro at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/15-inch-Retina-MacBook-Pro-2015.htm
Check out our video review of the 2016 Razer Blade at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSu4IxsrkmI
Check out our written review of the 2016 Razer Blade at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/2016-Razer-Blade.htm

Android Apps on Chromebook

Lisa Gade demonstrates Android apps and the Google Play Store running on the Acer Chromebook R11, one of three Chromebook models that currently support Android apps on Chrome OS (the Asus Chromebook Flip an the Pixel are the other two). Google will add this milestone feature to a host of Chromebooks later in 2016 and in 2017. If you own one of the three supported models, you can enable developer builds in your Chromebook's settings to try it yourself.

We test Evernote, Mission Impossible, Microsoft Word, Asphalt 8, note taking apps and more from the Play Store. We also compare the web vs. Android app version of some apps like MS Word (hint, the web version is often better suited to a laptop style device).

The Acer Chromebook R11 is an 11.6” Chrome OS laptop with a very pleasing 1366 x 768 IPS touch screen, 360 degree hinge, 4 gigs of RAM, a quad core Intel Celeron processor and an ample selection of ports. It sells for around $300.

Alcatel Idol 4S Android Smartphone with VR Goggles Review

Lisa Gade reviews the Alcatel Idol 4S, the company's highest end unlocked Android handset yet. The Idol 4S is a 5.5” Android 6.0 Marshmallow phone that runs on the 1.8 GHz Snapdragon 652 CPU with 3 gigs of RAM and 32 gigs of storage. It ships with companion VR Goggles for virtual reality experiences on the go (compatible with Google Cardboard).The 7mm, 149g (5.25 ounce) phone has a very attractive and slim glass and metal design and a bright QHD 2560 x 1440 AMOLED display.

This is an unlocked GSM phone, with no carrier contract involved. It's compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile (and their subsidiaries) complete with 4G LTE (yes, there's band 12 for T-Mobile). It is not compatible with Sprint or Verizon (they are CDMA not GSM). The phone has an 8MP front camera, a 16MP rear camera, a fingerprint scanner, 3,000 mAh battery, WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC. It will be available Aug. 2, 2016 in the US for $399 ($350 if you preorder). LTE bands (CAT4): 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 with support for VoLTE.

The DROID DOES Throwback!

A look back at one of the first smartphones and its legendary ad.

The DROID DOES Commercial: https://youtu.be/e52TSXwj774

The OG Droid Review: https://youtu.be/LaEWflVQDWA

Video Gear I use: http://kit.com/MKBHD/video-gear#recommendation17959

Intro Track: Ongoing Thing by 20syl, Oddisee

~
http://twitter.com/MKBHD
http://snapchat.com/add/MKBHD
http://google.com/+MarquesBrownlee
http://instagram.com/MKBHD
http://facebook.com/MKBHD

LG V10 Giveaway!

We're giving away one LG V10 Android smartphone! This is a T-Mobile US model, and it's locked to T-Mobile. We have 1 phone to give away, and you can enter the contest using the link below. This is our and LG's way of saying thanks for watching! This is open to anyone age 18 in any country, and you have 7 days, from July 18, 2016 to July 25, 2016 at to enter.

The LG V10 runs Android on the high end (but not top dog) Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 6-core CPU. It has 4 gigs of RAM and 64 gigs of storage, putting it in the high end category, and there's a microSD card slot compatible with cards up to 2TB according to LG. The phone has a 5.7" QHD Quantum IPS+ display, plus a secondary front display. The 16MP camera with a fast f/1.8 lens is quite good, and on manual mode you can adjust everything except aperture.

The drawing closes July 25, 2016 at 3PM CST and our competition host's computer will randomly choose a winner. Be sure to use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win.

To enter the contest visit the LG V10 Giveaway page here: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/LG-V10-giveaway-July-2016.htm

Dope Tech: Lightning Headphones!

iPhone 7 ready lightning headphones: A first look!

Philips Fidelio: http://amzn.to/29DcLtm
Audeze Sine: http://amzn.to/29QRtvc

iPhone 7 vs Headphone Jack? https://youtu.be/gGrPigM0NeE

Video Gear I use: http://kit.com/MKBHD/video-gear#recommendation17959

Intro Track: Hocus Pocus - Conscient (Instrumental)

~
http://twitter.com/MKBHD
http://snapchat.com/add/MKBHD
http://google.com/+MarquesBrownlee
http://instagram.com/MKBHD
http://facebook.com/MKBHD

2016 Razer Blade vs MSI GS40 Phantom Comparison Smackdown

Lisa Gade compares the 2016 Razer Blade and the MSI GS40 Phantom 14” slim and light gaming and pro app laptops. Check out our video review of 2016 Razer Blade at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSu4IxsrkmI
Check out our written review of 2016 Razer Blade at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/2016-Razer-Blade.htm
Check out our video review of MSI GS40 Phantom 14” at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/2016-Razer-Blade.htm
Check out our written review of MSI GS40 Phantom 14” at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/MSI-GS40-Phantom.htm

We used the FLIR One thermal imaging camera to show temperature measurements when gaming.

Daily Tech: Mid 2016!

What tech do I use on the daily? This video has all of that.

Jaybird X2: http://amzn.to/29JJTVN
Jaybird X2 Review: https://youtu.be/LObJOc5u7sY

Camera lens band: http://amzn.to/29wXf1O

Moto 360: http://amzn.to/29zA2m1
Moto 360 Review: https://youtu.be/2IIUHleexIk

Apple Watch: http://amzn.to/2a3ZID2
Apple Watch Review: https://youtu.be/dPL1-8ypnEs

OnePlus 3: https://oneplus.net/3
OnePlus 3 Review: https://youtu.be/ycIpOZY03OM

iPhone 6s Plus: http://amzn.to/29st5lk
iPhone 6s Review: https://youtu.be/E357cGzOGLM

Colorware Macbook Pro: http://goo.gl/6HfxKW

2013 Mac Pro: http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

Audio Technica ATH-M50RD: http://amzn.to/29DfHup

MrMobile's video: https://youtu.be/5N6Xc87yV6k

Video Gear I use: http://kit.com/MKBHD/video-gear#recommendation17959

Intro Track: Ongoing Thing by 20syl, Oddisee

~
http://twitter.com/MKBHD
http://snapchat.com/add/MKBHD
http://google.com/+MarquesBrownlee
http://instagram.com/MKBHD
http://facebook.com/MKBHD

Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus Review

Lisa Gade reviews the 4th generation Moto G and Moto G Plus unlocked Android smartphones that sell for $199 and $249 respectively. For the price you get a lot of phone, both literally and figuratively. The G4 and G4 Plus are big phones with 5.5” IPS full HD displays. They're identical except for the fingerprint scanner on the front of the G4 Plus and a high resolution camera with PDAF and laser autofocus. The phones run Android 6.01 Marshmallow on the 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 CPU with Adreno 405 graphics and 2 gigs of RAM (you can get the G Plus with 4 gigs for more money).

The Moto G and G Plus 4th gen have 4G LTE and work on both CDMA and GSM carriers (that means the big 4 US carriers for our US models). They're available with storage options ranging from 16 to 64 gigs and have a microSD card slot for expansion. GPS, Bluetooth and dual band WiFi are standard but there's no NFC. Using Moto Maker you can custom order these phones in a variety of colors.

Microsoft Band 2 Review

Lisa Gade reviews the Microsoft Band 2, the company's second generation fitness band with modest smartwatch features. The Band 2 works with Windows Phone, Android and iOS and it supports Cortana with Windows Phone and Android.

** Read our full written review here: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/gadgets/Microsoft-Band-2.htm

The band has a curved AMOLED 320 x 128 display protected by Gorilla Glass 3 that's housed in brushed aluminum. It has myriad sensors including heart rate, UV, barometer, skin temperature and GPS. It has a sleep monitor, step counter, flights climbed counter and it supports a wide variety of exercise types. The band lists for $250, but it's now commonly discounted to $175.

Huawei MateBook vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Comparison Smackdown

Lisa Gade compares the Huawei MateBook and the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Windows tablets. Check out our video review of the Huawei MateBook at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKs0qx5RUOo
Check out our written review of the Huawei MateBook at:http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/Huawei-MateBook.htm
Check out our video review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbhl8fmQL8k
Check out our written review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-4.htm