I think my colleague Charlyn Rowe jinxed us in her last article by mentioning a slower-than-usual October. The last week of this month was packed with news, especially from Apple, so we’re looking forward to a busy few weeks of reviews to round out the year. This week, we tested Amazon’s long-awaited color E Ink e-reader, the DJI action cam that finally rivals GoPro, and Google’s latest TV streaming device. Here’s a quick summary of this week’s in-depth reviews and a quick preview of what’s to come in the post-Halloween deluge.
Kindle color software review
Written by Valentina Palladino
Engadget / Amazon
Kindle Colorsoft (finally) brings color to Amazon’s e-reader lineup. This is a reliable premium e-reader that is ideal for those who primarily read comics, graphic novels, and other materials that are best experienced in full-color glory.
Pros Color is finally here on Kindle! Fast page turns and load times Pinch to zoom for closer details Auto-adjust front light No lock screen ads by default Cons Expensive Turning off warm lights allows you to Noticeable blue distortion and slight decrease in clarity Contrast when reading black and white text $280 on Amazon
After users have been asking for color E Ink options for years, Amazon has finally responded with Kindle Colorsoft. This model fills an important gap in the company’s e-reader lineup, with quick performance and lots of convenience. The main issue, in addition to its high price tag of $280, is that the display takes on a bluish tint when the warm lighting is turned off. Additionally, the text is not as sharp when read in black and white. Still, this new model is perfect for things like graphic novels and other materials that need to be displayed in full color. “Although very late to the color E Ink party, Kindle Colorsoft is a solid premium e-reader that provides a great experience in both color and black and white,” said Valentina.
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review
Written by Steve Dent
DJI
With the Action 5 Pro, DJI finally has a rival to GoPro and Insta360 action cams thanks to its excellent battery life and solid image quality.
Pros Longest battery life of any action cam Good even in low-light environments Unique subject tracking Compatible with DJI Mic 2 Built-in memory Cons Overly saturated video is less sharp than rivals $349 on Amazon
Camera expert Steve Dent puts DJI’s new action cam through its paces to see if the company has done enough to keep up with the likes of GoPro. The short answer is yes. Osmo Action 5 Pro has excellent low-light performance, convenient subject tracking, built-in memory, and the best battery life of any model in its category. Color quality and video clarity could be better, but DJI has finally given the competition something to worry about with this model.
“This is one of the best action cameras I’ve used, with battery life that far exceeds the competition, a rugged waterproof construction, and full support for DJI’s Mic 2,” Steve writes. . “If low-light performance is important to you, choose DJI’s Action 5 Pro.”
Google TV Streamer Review
Written by Amy Skolheim
Google/Engadget
Although the lack of some features makes the price seem high, Google TV Streamer is a great device that combines speed, great UI, and convenient smart home controls.
Pros Good interface is great for organizing content from disparate streaming sources Attractive set-top design with easy-to-use remote control Switch between apps and quickly load content Smart home control panel has a hub Cons Twice the price of the previous model No support for Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, so future-proof Required HDMI cable must be purchased separately at Google for $100
Another streaming device from Google? Yes! Google TV Streamer isn’t the best choice for your living room, but according to Buying Advice Reporter Amy Skorheim, there’s a lot to like about this little gadget. Google doubled the price compared to previous options, which isn’t great, and the company also didn’t include an HDMI cable or Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support. But once you use it, you’ll find that TV Streamer is a useful device thanks to its combination of great UI, attractive design, speedy performance, and smart home compatibility.
“Sure, the extra RAM and storage is nice, but there’s a lot more stuff Google has packed in to keep the $100 price tag unbeatable, like Wi-Fi 6E support, true Assistant functionality, and incredible processor speed. “There are several potential features,” Amy explains. “Google TV Streamer is responsive, fast, and has the best streaming interface with convenient and well-integrated smart home features.”
Upcoming reviews: All Macs, Sonos Arc Ultra, PS5 Pro
Over three days this week, Apple announced new iMacs, Mac minis, and MacBook Pros. All of these are powered by the company’s M4 chip. The biggest design refresh came with the Mac mini. The Mac mini lives up to its name in a 5-inch by 5-inch, 2-inch-tall box, not much larger than the Apple TV 4K. Of course, changes to the iMac and MacBook Pro require new reviews, so we’ll be testing all three machines in the coming weeks.
Sonos’ successor to the Arc soundbar started shipping this week, and we received a review unit for testing. This model, called Arc Ultra, should offer better bass performance from the soundbar itself before connecting a separate wireless subwoofer. This is the first use of the company’s Sound Motion technology, which improves low-end tone without the need for bulky components inside living room speakers. My review of this unit will be posted next week.
Gamers are probably expecting a ton of reviews for the PS5 Pro, and with a release date of November 7th, those will be coming soon. As gaming guru Jessica Condit shared in a preview last month, this isn’t the console you need, but rather the console you need. You definitely want it. Stay tuned for our in-depth look at how the increased power and added tricks translate to the $700 price tag.
