Tag: IP55

  • Xiaomi Mijia Portable Coffee Machine 20 Bar Battery

    Key Takeaway

    – Portable coffee maker supports both capsules and ground coffee.
    – Brews in ~45 seconds at 92°C; accepts hot or cold water.
    – Battery life: ~3 cups if heating water; up to 400 cups with preheated water.
    – Compact (71.5 x 245 mm) and lightweight (1.05 kg) with IP55 dust/water resistance.
    – Priced at ~$82 on Xiaomi YouPin; no global release info yet.

    New Xiaomi coffee maker hits the market

    Xiaomi has launched a new portable coffee maker, the Mijia Portable Coffee Machine is aimed at users who want freshly brewed coffee on the go, whether they are camping or out on a picnic. It supports both capsules, which can be relatively expensive, and ground coffee, with a stainless steel filter basket included. Brewing takes around 45 seconds at 92°C and can also be done with cold water.

    Battery and preformance details

    The machine accepts both hot and cold water, but if it has to heat the water itself, battery life drops sharply to just three cups. Using preheated water, so that only the pump is needed, allows for up to 400 cups per charge. The pump is rated at 20 bar, while pressure is an important factor in brewing, this figure likely refers to peak pump pressure rather than the actual pressure used during extraction.

    Compact design and protection rating

    With dimensions of 71.5 x 71.5 x 245 mm (2.81 x 2.81 x 9.65 inches) and a weight of 1.05 kg (2.31 lbs), the device is compact enough to fit into a small backpack. It is also rated IP55, which means it is protected against dust and water splashes. The coffee maker is currently listed on Xiaomi YouPin for around $82, but there is still no information about a global release. Comparable alternatives are already available in the USA through Amazon.


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  • New Outdoor TV: 86-Inch QLED with 4,000 Nits for World Cup

    New Outdoor TV: 86-Inch QLED with 4,000 Nits for World Cup

    Key Takeaway

    – Outdoor QLED+ TVs with IP55 weather protection for year-round use
    – Available in 5 sizes (43–86 inches), priced between $4,600 and $14,800
    – 4K UHD display with up to 4,000 nits brightness for outdoor visibility
    – Runs Google TV 3.0 with popular streaming apps and multiple HDMI 2.0 ports
    – Powered by quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, and two 15W speakers

    New Outdoor TVs From France Just in Time for the World Cup

    French manufacturer WeMoove has introduced new outdoor smart TVs just in time for the upcoming start of the FIFA World Cup. The Vivaldi Series 4000 uses QLED+ technology and is designed for watching soccer and other content outdoors. Their engineers were certain that bright sunshine shouldn’t ruin your viewing pleasure, so they made these sets for harsh conditions.

    Five Sizes Available But Not Exactly Cheap

    The new outdoor TV series is available in five sizes from 43 to 86 inches, corresponding to screen diagonals from a compact 43 inches to a huge 86 inches. Prices range between $4,600 and $14,800. European customers can order these sets directly from the manufacturer, although availability is limited. For example the 86-inch model will set you back a whopping $14,800 which is alot of money for a television.

    Weather Proofing and Display Technology

    The TVs for gardens, balconies, and similar outdoor spaces are therefore not exactly cheap. In return, they are not only protected against snow, rain, and wind under IP55 certification and designed for year-round outdoor use, but also offer modern technology. According to the manufacturer, QLED+ delivers color depth, contrast, and rich blacks. This means you can enjoy vibrant colors even when the sun is beeming down on the screen during a summer barbecue.

    Brightness and Audio Specs Are Impressive

    Brightness is another key factor when using a TV outdoors. In this regard, the manufacturer promises up to 4,000 nits for the 4K UHD panel. Audio is handled by two 15-watt speakers. The Vivaldi Series 4000 is powered by a quad-core processor clocked at up to 1.5 GHz, along with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of flash storage. Those speakers might not be enought for a noisy backyard party though, so you may want to consider external sound.

    Software and Connectivity Options

    Google TV 3.0 is used as the OS, providing access to countless apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube. For connectivity, several HDMI ports are available in addition to Wi-Fi, among others. However, these are not HDMI 2.1 ports, which are particularly relevant for gamers, but only HDMI 2.0. A wall mount is included in the box. WeMoove clearly target soccer fans for there World Cup viewing parties but gamers might be dissapointed about the lack of newer ports.


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  • Marshall Stockwell III Returns After 7-Year Hiatus

    Marshall Stockwell III Returns After 7-Year Hiatus

    Key Takeaway

    – The Marshall Stockwell III is a long-awaited successor to the 2019 model, featuring True 360° omnidirectional sound for flexible placement.
    – Battery life has doubled to over 40 hours of playback.
    – It now includes IP55 dust and water resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use.
    – The speaker can charge a smartphone via USB-C using its own battery.
    – Audio is powered by dedicated Class D amplifiers (65W woofer, dual 31W full-range drivers).

    The Long-Awaited Arrival

    The Marshall Stockwell II dates back to 2019, making a refresh long overdue. With the Stockwell III, Marshall is introducing the successor to its 1.3 kg upright Bluetooth speaker in the iconic amp-style design just after a seven-year gap. Since the launch of its predecessor, a lot has really changed on the technical side, and the series is definately now being brought up to current standards.

    Flexible and Powerful Audio

    Similar to its larger Bromley lineup, the more compact Stockwell III can now be positioned more flexibly, enabled by true 360-degree omnidirectional sound. It also plays for twice as long, with battery life rated at over 40 hours of playback. On the audio side, the Stockwell pretty much features a 3-inch woofer and two 1.75-inch full-range drivers, each powered by dedicated Class D amplifiers. The woofer is driven by a 65 W amp, while the full-range drivers are powered by two 31 W amplifiers. Frequency response is rated at 54 Hz – 20 kHz, with a maximum sound pressure level of 86 dB at 1 meter.

    Weather Resistance and Charging

    One of the key upgrades is the IP55 certification, giving the Bluetooth speaker much stronger resistance against dust and water, making it far more suitable for outdoor use. And when your smartphone starts running low while streaming, it can be charged via USB-C using the speaker’s own battery. As expected from Marshall, tactile controls remain a major highlight no matter what. While competitors rely on flat push buttons, the new Stockwell features larger brass dials that can be rotated.

    • A likely configurable M button provides quick access to presets
    • A dedicated media control button allows users to skip tracks
    • Navigate playback with ease just using the dials

    Pricing and Availability

    Despite being announced on June 9, buyers will need to wait a bit longer to get there hands on it. The Stockwell III will be available starting August 18 for €229 on marshall.com, followed by availability at selected retailers from August 25. This speaker really brings the classic look with modern tech, making it a solid choice for audiophiles on the go.


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    • Shokz OpenDots Air: Affordable OpenDots 2 Alternative

      Shokz OpenDots Air: Affordable OpenDots 2 Alternative

      Key Takeaway

      – Priced at $129.95, the OpenDots Air are the most affordable Shokz open-ear clip-on earbuds.
      – They feature an IP55 rating (higher than the OpenDots One) but the charging case lacks ingress protection.
      – Battery life is 9 hours (36 hours with case) with fast charging, but no Qi wireless charging.
      – They use Bassphere technology (not Bassphere 2.0) with custom 11.8mm dual drivers and 6 EQ modes.
      – Controls include touch and force pinch sensors, with AI-powered noise reduction for calls and Dynamic Ear Detection.

      New Shokz OpenDots Air launched along side the OpenDots 2

      Shokz also released a second pair of earbuds called the OpenDots Air alongside the OpenDots 2. Like the OpenDots 2 and the OpenDots One, they are open-ear clip-on earbuds, but cost less than the other two OpenDots models. The pricing is set at a lower point for budget-conscious users.

      Design differences and protection ratings

      The design of the OpenDots Air earbuds differs a bit from that of the OpenDots One and OpenDots 2, but they still feature the nickel-titanium plate called Shokz JointArc, which lets them adapt to different ear shapes. Nevertheless, they are still light at 6.3 grams. Shokz says the OpenDots Air earbuds have an IP55 rating; this is higher than the IP54 rating of the OpenDots One’s. However, the charging case has no ingress protection.

      Audio technology and drivers

      The OpenDots Air feature Shokz’ Bassphere technology like the OpenDots One, and not the more advanced Bassphere 2.0 available on the OpenDots 2. The earbuds are equipped with custom 11.8 mm dual drivers and have 4 preset EQ modes. They also have two customizable EQ modes. This makes them versatile for different listening preferences.

      Smart features and ear detection

      Like the other OpenDots earbuds, the Air earbuds have support for Dynamic Ear Detection Technology, so users don’t have to worry about which of the earbuds is for the left or right ear. They will also automatically pause playback when you take them off and resume playback when you put them back on. This is a convienient feature for daily use.

      Microphone and control system

      The OpenDots Air features dual microphones on each earbud and uses AI-powered noise reduction to make your voice clear during calls. Like the OpenDots 2, the OpenDots Air earbuds have touch controls and a force pinch sensor. You tap to control playback and answer/reject calls while pinching adjusts the volume, skips tracks, or rejects calls. The controls are intuitive.

      Battery life and charging details

      Battery life is slightly lower than that of its siblings at 9 hours (36 hours with the case) due to having a smaller battery; and the charging case lacks Qi wireless charging support. You do get fast charging – 10 minutes of charging for 2 hours of use. The OpenDots Air also have Bluetooth 6.1, Bluetooth Multipoint, and work with the Shokz app.

      Pricing and color options

      Priced at $129.95, the OpenDots Air can be purchased in Daybreak Purple and Black on the manufacturers website. Unfortunately, there are no free gifts with the purchase. These earbuds offer good value for the price point.

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