The Logitech Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard K830

A living room keyboard that can handle more than one role

The Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard K830

On the plus side, a great feeling keyboard with an excellent touch pad that makes typing pleasant.

On the downside, a bit high on price points and no Bluetooth

Recommend: Yes, just make sure you don’t miss the numeric pad  

Rating: 7 Desktops out of 10    

   

                Most of us settle for the keyboards that accompany our computers.   By and large, they are acceptable, for the most part.  After experiencing one that is higher end, you quickly see that they differ, widely.

                Designed for home entertainment systems where interaction with a computer is part of the deal, the Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard K830 easily occupies the role for which it has been cast. 

                Slightly small than your average keyboard, it loses the numeric pad. However, it is not cramped or uncomfortable to handle.   Where this keyboard shines is the inclusion of a touch pad, a very accomplished one. 

                Not often seen, the inclusion of this feature allows access to the touch screen features of Windows 8 without getting your screen dirty.  It is one of those features you appreciate after you have had it.  Theoretically, you could use it to interact with your computer, but that may not be right for most of us, particularly designers who need pointing devices.

Presentation is everything.  Logitech actually has the keyboard wrapped in tissue paper. A touch that indicates this is a deluxe device.

                Usb devices can be difficult to pair up, not so with the K830.  This one peripheral is literally plug and play simplicity at its smoothest.   Although not required, Logitech provides gratis software to obtain granular control of some features.   Most users may not have need for it, which is nice.

                As a usb powered rechargeable, the age old question of charging time and battery life are answered here.  I powered up the keyboard and managed to see an insane amount of use from one charge.  To assist in energy conservation, there is a discreetly placed on and off switch.  

                In a micro miniaturization move, the usb receiver for this device is small.  It may challenge larger hands to even handle it.   Whatever you do, do not lose this apparatus.  The K830 does not have Bluetooth capability, a bit of a draw back.  Big point, keep all cables and the easy to lose usb receiver in mind.

The Keyboard as you will find it out of the wrapping paper.

                A question that comes up, and it is certainly a logical one, is how bright are the keys?  In my very informal pitch black room setting, you can see my video of it in action, the keys were as bright as stars.  If you like more hands on control, you can manually set them if you are not happy with what the keyboard does on its own.   There are three settings for the keyboard, but the automatic setting does a very good job of calculating what is best.

                If one has an entertainment system that requires a  keyboard, the K830 fits the bill.   If you are a home user who wants wireless connectivity, a light weight key pad and extremely long battery life, this offering from Logitech makes sense. 

The clean interface of the optional software.  It features the new flat design that is become the signature of  2015 software.

                Designated a home entertainment system device, there is a lot here to like for the home user, power business user, content creator or aspiring author.  If you type a great deal, the comfort factor does justify the cost.

                The only down side to an otherwise great keyboard is the price.  At  $ 99.99, this is not a bargain basement peripheral.   On the flip side, if comfort, wireless connectivity and wildly long batter life matter, this could be a reasonable price to pay.  I have seen prices in the vicinity of $ 50 something, which makes this a really accessible keyboard.

Check out my video link to see the opening and see how it performs in the dark.

                For me, the K830’s real strengths are found in a good touch pad, bright illumination, comfort, solid good looks and a long last rechargeable battery.   For someone who writes often, this keyboard managed to make typing pleasant.   If you can afford it, this is an excellent choice for the home office,  an artist, designer or anyone else.  If you don’t mind the loss of a numeric pad, this is a winner. 

System Requirements

• Windows® 7, Windows 8 or later
• Internet connection (for software download)

Warranty Information

1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty

Package Contents

• Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard
• Unifying receiver
• USB Recharge Cable
• USB Range extender
• User documentation

Part Number

• PN 920-006081

Dimensions

Width:

367 mm (or 14.4 inches)

Height:

125.3 mm (or 4.9 inches)

Depth:

16.5 mm (or 0.65 inches)

Touchpad size:

80 x 52 mm (or 3.1 x 2.0 inches)

Weight:

495 g (or 17.5 oz) 

Sprint LivePro: A projector for All Seasons?

 

The All In One Android Project From Sprint

                Billed as the “Swiss Army Knife” of projectors, Sprint’s Live Pro packs a plethora of capabilities into a rather diminutive device.  Measuring 4.7 inches square and weighing in at 14.1 ounces – or 0.88 pounds -- it may not fit into a shirt pocket, but it certainly won’t be a burden to carry.  The big question that you have to ask yourself is “Will you have a need for it?”

               

           Feature wise, this Android projector is loaded.  It comes with a Micro SD card slot, connectivity to the Sprint network 3G and 4G LTE, HDMI port, Bluetooth, Hot Spot capability, MicroSD  card slot, MicroSIM card slot, can operate as an external battery charger and comes with its own cables, which is a nice convenience.  In short. It does everything you would want a mobile projector to do.

           The Live Pro uses a somewhat stock version of Android Jelly Bean.  I was bit surprised it did not at least have Kit Kat installed.  That maybe in the pipeline. As anyone who has Android phone can testify, their os upgrades are painfully slow in arriving.

                On the plus side, this projector can operate in a way similar to a smartphone.  Installed are the basic Google apps most people would need, and there is no “fluff” wasting space.  This is a blessing in that the internal storage available to users is just 2 Gigs.  This could be a moot point.  This is a primarily a projector.  When you factor in how much it does, it doesn’t seem too farfetched to see calling abilities as well. 

VIDEO OF THE LIVE PRO

                Hardware wise you are looking at a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, clocked at 1.2 GHz, and backed by 1GB of RAM.  Operations are swift, but do not expect flagship responsiveness.  For what it is designed to do, the layout, speed and handling are decent.

                Aesthetics, or as I like to call it “the cool factor,” the Live Pro is not hard on the eyes.  The body is plastic, but I did not find it coming up terribly short in the looks department.  When sitting on a desk, it will draw attention to itself, in a positive light.

The native resolution is 854 x 854 and can be projected up to a 120 inch display on a wall or other surface.  For optimum viewing, the placement range is anywhere from ten niches to ten feet from the surface you are projecting.   Go further and image quality is compromised.

The Live Pro does come with speakers, and it also comes with a somewhat loud fan.  Once it gets going, it tends to soften, but be prepared for a bit of noise.

                Although presented as a device that families and general tech consumers can use, the real application for the device is more suitable for business professionals: in very specific.   

                In situations like small conferences in the field, or in a place where one should bring their own equipment, the LivePro could fill a need.  When I gave it a test run in a real world situation where it would be an appropriate fit, it worked  well.  

The side view of the Live Pro

                The Achilles heel that prevents the LivePro from being a sound choice for pure entertainment are the limitations of the screen.   Projected image quality is not sufficient for viewing video for extended periods.  The quality is acceptable for a power point presentation and a video of brief duration, but not more strenuous activity.   In brief, image quality is decent, but not spectacular. 

                For some educational purposes, such as teachers in remote areas, I could see the LivePro being a real life saver. The only serious caveats are that you should always carry the power cord and confine use to a dark room.  Dim lighting renders images projected simply too pale.

                Once you have answered the question about the practicality of the projector, the second question regards the price points.   Tech like this does not come cheap.

                The full retail price is $ 499.00, which feels a bit high even taking into account its multitasking abilities.  Reducing sticker shock, Sprint offers it at $ 299.00 with a two year service agreement.  There is also a 24 payment option of $ 18.75 with the last being $ 18.74—they are precise.

                Data plans are always shifting.  It just depends time and specials.  When I checked on line the lowest price it was $ 35.00 monthly.  Numbers can add up fast, so make sure you are aware of the long term cost of ownership.

                One idea that struck me was if it was possible to simply buy the LivePro without a service plan.  If you’re primary function is projecting, you could dispense with service plans.

                I did not find anything on the Sprint site offering it without a service plan.  Then again, things change in the mobile world, and there is no harm in asking.

Summation       

                Advertised as something general consumes may want, the reality of the LivePro is that it is very much a niche product.  If you are a professional on the road in some very specific situations, the LivePro could be the right fit.    Even if it does fit your needs, there are limitations.   As much as I liked the device on one level for its ambitious stance, I felt there were compromises that a nearly $ 500.00 projector should not ask.

 Short battery life, just acceptable image quality and price points that are high, I don’t see this as a mainstream product.  It has a very defined place in the tech market for some very specific needs.

Even though it does just about everything that one would ideally hope for in a projector, that does not make up for some serious limitations that general consumes may not be willing to accept.  

                                   
DATA:

• Dimensions: 4.7 inches x 4.7 inches x 1.1 inches (120.6mm x 120.6mm x 28.5mm)
• Weight: 14.1 ounces (400 grams)
• Display: 4-inch WVGA touchscreen display with 800x480 resolution and Gorilla Glass
• Projection Display: 10 inches to 10 feet
• Projector Type: DLP
• Lamp Brightness: 100 lumens
• Lamp Life: 20,000 hours
• Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
• Battery: 5,000mAh Lithium-ion battery
• Memory: 4GB internal memory (ROM), 1GB (RAM) microSD™ card slot supports up to 64GB
• Ports: HDMI; USB

If you enjoy these presentations, check out my web site, Behrmannart for more content.  

If you like art, and want to see more, check out my GoFund Me page, to support this project.
Email me with any questions.

Ultimate Ears 900s

Could this be the ultimate in-ear headphone?

Find out if this is right for you.

The Ultimate Ears 900s Up Close

Ultimate Ears 900s

NEW:  Check out my video of the contents of the Ultimate Ears 900s

               

                For professional musicians and audiophiles quality is the primary concern. Ultimate Ears, an industry leader and popular choice for professional musicians, created the UE 900s as a way to provide easy access to exemplary performance.

                In the higher echelon world of in-ear headphones, the admission price to enter this world can be substantial.  There is a defined market for devices in this class.  Here price is decidedly secondary to performance.  For demanding audiophiles, nothing short of excellence will do.

                Priced at $ 399.99, this does not constitute bargain basement pricing.  Even for those who want more than average sound, this may be a bit difficult to justify.  For those who settle for whatever came in the box with their mobile phone or whatever else that can produce sound, this may appear to be outrageously expensive.  But it may be so out of line when you consider other factors.

The very well crafted container for your IEM and all the extras

                Before you let the cost become alarming, think about this in relative terms.  Compared to the custom built IEMs ( In Ear Monitors ) that Ultimate Ear manufactures,  the UE 900s become more reasonable.  This may not be for everyone. It does fill a gap between those that want ultimate sound and are willing to pay several hundred rather than a grand. 

                If excellent sound is what you are after, it makes sense to look at a company that produces top tier products.

                Inevitably the question arises concerning quality. Can the UE 900s rise to the occasion?  Are they able to produce exemplary sound.  In this critical area, it captures detail that lesser earphones can’t muster.       

                Bass, an Achilles’ Heal for some ear-buds, is not a problem here.  They are handled with ease and do not drown out the mid range and upper tones.  

Assorted tips to fit assorted sizes and preferences and the maintenance jell 

                A big advantage with the 900s is that it comes packed with accessories.  Lower cost headphones may not include these type of  “bonus” extras.  Including these additions can certainly extend life expectancy.  They also add value.

                The first thing to go with earbuds are wires.  Ultimate Ears has included two detachable ones.  One simply connects to your device and the other has mic and volume for phone calls.  Of note, the remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano® (4th generation or later), iPod classic® (120 GB, 160 GB), iPod touch® (2nd generation or later), iPhone 3GS® or later, and iPad®.

                In order to achieve the best possible sound, a good fit is essential.  If you fail on this point, you are dealing with deterioration in quality, and guaranteed discomfort.  To ensure the best possible fit, there are 36 ear cushions included.  Six are memory foam and the remainder silicon. 

The black carrying case 

                Fit is essential.  Where the 900s differentiates itself from lower priced headphones is how it fits the ear.  There is a stiff wire that goes around the ear.  Placing them requires a little bit of effort.  After a while it becomes less cumbersome.  The advantage of this configuration is that you avoid the ear-buds from falling out of your ear. 

                The bottom line is always sonic quality.  In this area, the 900s is a high achiever.  One expects quality at this price point, and it does come through with the goods.  Base tones are handled with grace and the upper register is very clear.  Detail is well served.  There are no muddled sounds or distortion.  For those familiar with lesser quality devices, these in-ear headphones will be nothing short of a revelation. 

                I think it is a safe assumption to say that most people settle for the earbuds included with their devices, like mp3 players, smartphones and the like.  It can also be assumed that most users would not consider earbuds as a big ticket items.  For serious audiophiles and professional musicians IEM’s (In-Ear Monitors) are something to be taken seriously.

The extra cable in case one goes south

                For those of us who cannot afford the luxury price of custom built IEM’s, Ultimate Ears has found a way to make what was inaccessible to most of us a bit more accessible.  Their answer comes in the form of the Ultimate Ears 900s noise isolating earphones.

                Summation

                Obviously the 900s is designed for a more demanding listener who wants a superlative sound, but without the greater cost of customization.   There are certainly audiophiles for whom $ 399.99 is not an issue.  What you get when you purchase in-ear headphones from the same makers that well known professional musicians use is improved quality and longevity over your average ear-bud.  Another plus here is a comfortable fit and a highly elevated experience.  If you are the type of user that sees ear-buds as disposable, at $ 399.99 you are not likely to look at this option.  However, if you want great performance and an extended life expectancy, the UE 900s becomes more viable. 

If you are looking for a high end in-ear headphones and are looking for a device that will endure, Ultimate Ears has produced a winner.

The box that holds it all

Purchasing Information

               

What Comes With These IEM

1.       Ultimate Ears 900 IEM

2.       36 ear cushions

3.       Two Cables, one with mic and controls, the other without.

4.       Maintenance Gel

5.       A carrying case

6.       User Documentation

7.       Jewel Case Container for all of the assorted elements

Technical Specifications

• EARPHONE TYPE:In-ear
• DRIVER TYPE:4 proprietary precision balanced armatures
• IMPEDANCE:30 ohms, 1 kHz
• SENSITIVITY:101.2 dB (50mW, 1 kHz)
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE:20 Hz - 20 kHz
• NOISE ISOLATION:26 dB
• CONNECTION:3.5 mm (1/8 inch) gold plated
• CABLE LENGTHS:48 inch (121.9 cm)

The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano® (4th generation or later), iPod classic® (120 GB, 160 GB), iPod touch® (2nd generation or later), iPhone 3GS® or later, and iPad®.

Velodyne’s vPulse In-Ear Headphones

 Do the vPulse In-Ear Headphones deliver the goods?  Read on

Velodyne's Web Site

The vPulse In-Ear Headphones

Usually earbuds are included in the price of devices that require them.  The key word is usually.  High end mobile phones can ship without them, and an increasing number have stopped including them.  Those that include them are certainly not offering “the best of breed.” 

                To enjoy a fully realized sound, one has to look at a third party.  Velodyne, makers of extremely high end subwoofers, have created the vPulse In-Ear Headphones as their solution to providing high quality sound in a small portable package.

                For those only familiar with the standard issue ear headphones that accompany assorted devices that play music, e.g., mp3 players, smartphones and some ebooks, it could be difficult to conceive that there are profound differences between the various types on the market.

The vPulse container

                The difference between bargain basement earbuds and higher end models available not fully comprehended until you literally do “the taste test.”  Listening is truly believing here.  

                To provide some perspective, I had used the standard issue headphones that came with my high end smart phone for a long time.  I had also used the earbuds that came with my mp3 player.  I thought they were acceptable.   

                When my mp3 player’s ear buds suffered from a severed chord, I decided to replace them with “seriously discounted” ear buds.  At the time, I thought there would be no difference in sound quality.  I swiftly learned that there is a huge difference.

                The sound from my replacement was thin, muffled and simply put, awful.  There was no range and no bass.  What came out was unacceptable by any standard.   Then, when I compared my earbuds that came with my smart phone and mp3 player to the Velodyne offering, the results was nothing short of amazing.

The flat wire, no tangles

                Using the vPulse was a revelation.  The sound was reminiscent of the quality I had with using headphones, rich and fully bodied.  It was hard to believe that in ear headphones were capable of this type of depth of sound.

                10 mm drivers and quality materials are part of the reason why Velodyn’s offering is superior.  However, all of the stats and high end materials mean nothing without great sound.

                To be expected from a company known for its subwoofers, the vPulse delivers rich bass.  Neither overblown nor understated, the sound is pure and certainly not muffled.   

                A serious down side with ear-buds that boast powerful low sounds is that they may cripple middle and higher range ones.  Using poorly made earphones, the base can become so obnoxious that it stampedes everything near it.   

The volume and mic

               This is where the vPulse truly shines. It can handle a broad range of sounds.  The bass is deep, but it does not stomp out the subtlety of other sounds.  This is particularly important when a prominent baseline is featured in music. 

                The reality for listeners is that they enjoy a spectrum of music.  Even if confined to one genre, there are still ranges to be found within a category.  In order for earphones of any kind to be successful, they should be capable of handling a variety of music.   If they can’t, then they should be labeled as such. 

                To see just how capable an in-ear headphone can be is by testing it with a variety of music.  It is the area of music that the vPulse truly excels. 

                Listening to Judy Collins sing “Michael from Mountains,” one could hear the power of the orchestra while at the same time hearing the vocals with clarity.   Old school soul fared exceptionally well.  James Brown’s unique sound communicated potency.  There was a vibrancy and grace that created a rich fully flavored sound.  At no point was the sound muddy.  

The container

                Hip hop, jazz, classical, pop, rock, alternative and nearly every hybrid I could think of, the vPulse was adept at handling whatever category of music it was given.  It is range that is a very good indicator of quality. 

                An interesting point was when using these in-ear headphones with beats equipped systems.  The smartphone I was using featured beats audio. It is an enhancement that boosts the base.  On lesser quality of earbuds, this feature can result in better sound.   That was not the case with the vPulse.   

The beats audio simply muffled the sound.  Higher ranges were truncated.  The nuances of music were drowned out for the sake of booming sound.  When the beats feature was turned off, the result was the vPulse producing rich distinct sound.  Where beats could only offer up volume, the vPulse could provide support for a wide range of sounds without losing lower tones. 

The clean look

 

                A point that distinguishes quality centric ear headphones from bargain basement ones are the accessories.   Comfort is a crucial ingredient in ear buds.  If they do not fit properly, sound is sacrificed.  If something is not comfortable, the chances are very good it won’t be around for long.  Helping to make their earbuds practical to a broad range of consumers, there are 16 extra buds included.

                Solid construction translates into a longer life span.   Aluminum construction is certainly a positive.  In sharp contrast to my totally plastic ear-buds of days past, the construction of these ear headphones felt solid, not flimsy.   Attention to materials makes a difference.

                Like other higher end ear-buds, the chords that connect are linguini shaped.  This configuration eliminates the annoying problem of twisted wires.  That aggravation is effectively gone.

                Included with this particular package are a cable clip and shoestring carrying pouch.  

                Although designed with Apple products in mind, the In-Line controls are compatible with iPod 3rd generation and newer, iPhone 3Gs, 4, 4s, 5, and iPads only.  With that said, the mic and headphones work with Android smartphones, just the inline controls are not available.  This, for me, is not a deal breaker.

Summation

                Good design, solid construction and a nice set of accessories are a given with ear-buds in this category.   What is expected, anticipated and desired is the one essential ingredient that matters most, great sound.  When it comes to that fundamental quality, the vPulse is a graceful performer.  As an upgrade, this is certainly a substantial one.  Even if you are happy with average earphones, there is a huge difference in quality that earphones like this can provide. If you really want to enjoy music, not simply hear it, then the vPluse is a must have.   At $ 99.00 this is a real value, and it represents the best of the breed.

For Sales Information