Review

 It’s easy to find a Bluetooth speaker these days, but not always effortless to find one that delivers consistently good sound. That becomes more of an acute consideration when size is a factor. The Sony SRS-XB3 is small enough to wield almost anywhere as a travel companion, yet boisterous enough to keep a small party entertained. With water-resistance and the ability to sync two speakers together, there is a lot to like here.

 When I was a kid I recall doing Jump Rope for Heart; in my hazy memory all I can really recall is that it was jumping rope for some indeterminate amount of time. To be honest, it felt like it was hours.That’s why I was intrigued when our editor-in-chief asked me if I’d be interested in reviewing a smart skipping rope; I was curious to see where Tangram, the manufacturer of the Smart Rope had taken it. Was it any good? Read on to find out.

 If you are in the market for a stereo mixer that won’t colonize a lot of space then the Yamaha MG06X may be what you are looking for. Compact but with incredible power and features, small-scale live performers, DJs, or home studio producers can all benefit from this compact, portable, and well built mixer.

 Jaybird’s X2 Bluetooth Wireless earbuds have been a top choice for fitness enthusiasts, and for good reason. No wires connecting to your mobile device, excellent fit, sweat-proof design, decent battery life and high quality sound. The new Jaybird Freedom earbuds take the X2’s best features to the next level, with a new micro size metal design for improved fit and sound, and a clip-on external battery for 8-hours of use between charges.

 While I welcome the ability to check on my child remotely, first and foremost, what’s desired is an easy-to-setup and reliable way to see him from within the home. And the Motorola MBP662CONNECT baby monitor does that, combining the best of both worlds through both 2.4GHz and Wi-Fi connectivity. 

 It’s hard to believe, but Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablet is in its fourth generation. I spent a week test driving the Surface Pro 4 and despite being an iPad guy, this is the tablet I’d buy if I wanted a 2-in-1 device to replace my laptop.

 No Canadian is immune to the dangers of a good power outage and many of us aren’t really prepared for everything that you need to protect when it happens. Sure you’ve probably got candles sitting around but what do you have to keep power to your electronics? Gas generators aren’t an option for everybody but the Goal Zero Yeti can be. It’s compact, has good battery life and can even recharge itself using solar panels. 

 In part five of The Smart Home Series, I take a spin with Securifi’s Almond+ Wireless AC Router and Smart Hub combination. After setting this unit up in my house, I quickly realized the power it has to provide increased Wi-Fi speeds, as well as serve as a home automation hub to manage gadgets like the Peanut Wireless Smart Plug.

   The Activeon CX and the Activeon CX Gold are action cameras with LCD screens, integrated Wi-Fi, and serious power in the video and photo department. Take a look at my review and videos of the Activeon CX and Activeon CX Gold in action.