Quick first impressions of the LG StanbyME briefcase TV

Thought I’d post some quick thoughts on the LG StanbyME after seeing The Verge has posted another story on LG’s suitcase TV that is still making the rounds of the tech trade shows. Despite the fact that it is still up for preorder on LG.com, I’ve actually had the TV (though that word doesn’t really seem to do it justice) for a couple of weeks and have used it several times.

My main use cases for this delightfully dumb idea for a TV when I ordered it were to use it out by the pool with the kids and next to my main 65″ 4K TV during college football Saturdays. I’ve already had a chance to do both and it worked pretty darn well both times. It’s only 1080p and not super bright but I knew that going in and at 27″ I personally don’t think those are big issues. We had a decent amount of shade so using it outside worked well and it worked even better for football. Watched an entire game and the battery was still above 70%.

As mentioned by The Verge, it is indeed heavy. Easy enough for me to carry around but too heavy for the kids (though I wouldn’t trust them with it anyways.) My 7-year old spent maybe an hour playing the games that came preinstalled and they were pretty shallow. Kind of like the sort of thing you’d get on the tablet restaurants were briefly putting onto every table.

My biggest complaint so far is there is no MLB.tv app on the LG WebOS store so hoping to find a way around that (other than just using Airplay.) Was it worth the money? Probably not, but in the end it’ll actually be cheaper than buying two TVs and hiring an electrician to wire up and mount one on the patio.

Vision Pro edition reveal live thoughts

With that glass, aluminum band, and brown, the Vison Pro really looks like a face sized Apple Watch.

Damnit I kinda want one.

Ok the spatial video example of you wearing the headset to capture 3d video while the family is singing happy birthday to your kid is truly dystopian. Surprised Apple showcased that type of example even to highlight the camera capabilities. Feels like something Zuckerberg would do. Continue reading “Vision Pro edition reveal live thoughts”

Apple WWDC 2023 live thoughts

I don’t know about the Messages apps being an extra step away. I use the Giphy Messages app a lot. But I do love the stickers coming everywhere and being easy to create. (I’ve loved using Sticker Drop.)

God I hope the autocorrect truly is better/fixed. #ducking

I’ve tried using Day One many times, including paying for it repeatedly. The new Journal app is definitely intriguing. And glad to see their is an API for it. Continue reading “Apple WWDC 2023 live thoughts”

I preordered a ROG Ally

Preorders for the ROG Ally are up at Best Buy.

Got my order in almost right away so hopefully that launch day shipping estimate turns out to be accurate.

I really like my Steam Deck, but have discovered since owning it that my Game Pass “library” is more important (at least lately) than my Steam one. And often the Xbox games I’m playing the cloud streaming options just aren’t good enough. (Streaming is plenty good for some games though, just depends.)

I’ve spent 30+ years as a console gamer, so my biases and history are definitely still there. I’m really wanting primarily looking for a handheld/mobile way to play console type games. Pretty much only PC ass PC games I’ve really spent a bunch of time on over those years were Diablo, SimCity, and Civ and I can always plug the Ally into a monitor if I want to play that type of game. Plus, things like Age of Empires and SimCity are on Game Pass anyways so win-win.

Please don’t call me

I literally tear up every time my kids mention how they’re getting older, but also I am so ready for them to grow up just so I can turn on the iPhone setting to block all incoming calls not in my contacts.

Sony reportedly working on a new PlayStation handheld

Backbone One PlayStation edition product image

With their existing relationship with Backbone, could there be a chance this streaming PlayStation handheld rumor is a PS/Backbone device similar to Razer’s Edge dedicated Android device for Xbox and PC?

“…early prototypes show the console will look a lot like a PlayStation 5 controller, but with a massive 8-inch LCD touchscreen in the center”

I mean the Backbone One PlayStation edition sure already looks like a screen slapped in between PS controllers . I know if I was Backbone I’d certainly have opinions if Sony was doing such a similar sounding device without some sort of partnership.

Something able to use pretty close to off the shelf Android hardware like the Razer device could make the investment much less, and make it more likely Sony didn’t abandon it? I’m liking my Steam Deck and am more likely to pick up another PC handheld than a dedicated Sony device, but I’m glad that the competition in the handheld market is picking back up.

The Verge Color Quiz

The Verge Color Quiz

Take The Verge’s Color Quiz to test your color recognition skills and see if you can identify the hues of the logos of various tech brands. I did pretty terrible and only got 3 out of 8 right. The most interesting bit is post quiz when they give some background of the company logos and how they changed over time.