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Samsung Galaxy A36 vs. Galaxy A56
10:01 pm | April 4, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

If you're looking to get one of the new Galaxy A series phones, the comparison between the more expensive Samsung Galaxy A56 and the cheaper Samsung Galaxy A36 is inevitable. At the time of writing, the Galaxy A56 starts at around €479 (we expect a $500 US price), while you can get a Galaxy A36 starting at around €379/$399. The price difference we are looking at is a nice round 100 bucks, which is quite a bit in this price bracket. So how much better is the Samsung Galaxy A56 to deserve its price premium? Let's look into it. Table of Contents: Design Display Battery...

China imposes a 34% reciprocal tariff on US goods
8:34 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: , | Comments: Off

It didn’t take long for China to retaliate against the Trump administration’s new “Liberation Day” tariffs. Effective April 10, China is imposing a reciprocal 34% tariff on all US imports. The accompanying press release by the Chinese Ministry of Finance refers to the Trump tariffs as a “unilateral bullying practice” and “urges the United States to immediately cancel its unilateral tariff measures and resolve trade differences through consultation in an equal, respectful and mutually beneficial manner”. China is also restricting exports of rare earth minerals used in a broad range...

The leg rest on the Boulies Master Rex gaming chair almost had me convinced but that’s not the reason to buy one
8:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair: One-minute review

The Boulies Master Rex is a relaxed gaming chair with an integrated leg rest and various adjustments for improved comfort and versatility.

It’s a good-looking chair, and the Charcoal Grey finish on my review unit made it appear even smarter, although I found the black suede accents a little jarring and unnecessary. Overall, though, this is a relatively understated gaming chair that wouldn’t look out of place in any environment.

I also had the water-repellent fabric finish which was very nice, feeling as good as the finishes on the best gaming chairs around. The rest of the chair is similarly premium, although the head pillow isn’t quite up to the same standards, with a cheaper-feeling material and lacking plushness – but it’s still sufficiently comfortable and supportive.

The seat is quite soft for a gaming chair, providing plenty of cushioning, and is wide enough to comfortably accommodate various frames and sitting styles. The same can be said of the backrest, and I was especially thankful for the very forgiving side bolsters, which cushioned my elbows nicely whenever they made contact.

The Master Rex also features built-in lumbar support, which is adjustable for both height and prominence. I found it comfortable with plenty of support, although I wish it went a little lower, as it doesn’t really get that close to the bottom of the backrest.

What’s more, the two dials on either side for adjusting the lumbar can be awkward to turn while seated and require too many turns to reach their minimum and maximum respective settings, which can make it a chore to set.

I had no such problem when adjusting the armrests on the Master Rex, however. These are very stable and solidly constructed, yet I still found them comfortable to lean on. Again, though, I wish they had a lower minimum height, as well as a more inward bias. However, these are issues I experience with many gaming chairs.

The tilt mechanism was more disappointing, as it failed to easily rock, requiring some force to rock backward, even on its most amenable setting. Yet again, the adjustment dial for it was too laborious to use, owing to the large range between its two extremes.

Worse, however, was the recline mechanism. There’s plenty of range in its angles, but the mechanism itself felt rough and notchy, and I sometimes struggled to lock it in place. I also had similar issues with the Boulies Elite.

The integrated leg rest failed to impress, too. Sliding it in and out wasn’t the smoothest, and there was a fair amount of wobble to it when retracted. It’s well padded, but it’s a shame it only extended as far as my calves – and I’m not a tall person.

Assembling the Master Rex proved easy enough solo, although lining up the cushion gaskets when attaching the tilt mechanism to the seat base can be frustrating. Also, the rubber washers for the leg rest poles fell off too easily, and the machining on some screws was subpar. Despite these niggles, though, the Master Rex was easy to put together on the whole.

The Master Rex isn’t what you’d call cheap, but the quality and features on offer here help to make it a more reasonable proposition. It’s still less than the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, although this is the best gaming chair around as far as we’re concerned. If you really want to save money, though, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a great pick for budget hunters.

In the main, the Master Rex has enough comfort, adjustability, and quality to make it a gaming chair worth recommending. A few features fall short of expectations, but not by enough to reject the Master Rex entirely from your consideration.

Close-up of arm rests on Boulies Master Rex

(Image credit: Future)

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair review: Price and availability

  • $479.99 / £409.99 (about AU$762)
  • Available now
  • Cheaper than some rivals

The Master Rex costs $479.99 / £409.99 (about AU$762) and is available now with PU leatherette and water-repellent fabric upholstery options. The former comes in black and brown, while the latter comes in Charcoal Grey, Ash Grey, and Como (green).

While it sits towards the higher end of the market, the Master Rex is still less than the regular Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, which we think is still the best gaming chair overall. That chair doesn’t come with a leg rest, but the brand does make an add-on accessory – although this carries a hefty price tag.

If you want to spend a lot less than either the Master Rex or the Titan, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is the best budget gaming chair around in our view. It doesn’t quite have the same high build quality as its rivals, and the assembly process isn’t the best, but it’s still a comfortable and well-designed seat.

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair review: Specs

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair review: Design and aesthetics

  • Solid construction
  • Soft, premium fabric
  • Integrated lumbar and leg rest

The Master Rex sticks to Boulies’ typical aesthetic, with a more formal approach to traditional gaming chair design. It has a relaxed bucket-style backrest, while the seat base has no bolsters to hem you in – which I’m personally thankful for.

The water-repellent fabric I had on my test unit was smooth to the touch, feeling premium yet durable without the scratchiness that can plague some fabric finishes. Its stitching also appeared executed to a high standard, while the dark grey finish looked smart and sleek. The black suede accents seemed superfluous, though, and didn’t really add much in terms of form or function.

Most aspects of the Master Rex seem very well constructed. The frame and wheelbase are solid yet not too heavy, and the casters glide easily on hard and soft surfaces alike, without any catching on the latter. I was also thankful for the softness of the backrest side bolsters, which made them very comfortable on my elbows.

Close-up of leg rest on Boulies Master Rex

(Image credit: Future)

The 4D arm rests are another highlight, offering plenty of stability while being easy to operate. They have a hard-wearing surface yet are still comfortable, and are wide enough to accommodate most forearms.

The Master Rex also includes a leg rest that slides out from underneath the seat. However, the mechanism doesn’t retract smoothly, catching slightly as you pull, and there’s a fair amount of wobble when it’s out all the way, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. What’s more, the leg rest itself is quite thick, which means that when stowed, it gets in the way if you want to sit with your legs bent underneath you.

The Master Rex also comes with integrated lumbar support, so no back cushion is required. A head pillow is included, although this doesn’t feel as premium as the rest of the chair, owing to cheaper-feeling material and lack of plushness. It doesn’t attach magnetically either, relying on an elastic strap instead.

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair review: Comfort and Adjustability

  • Useful adjustments
  • Integrated lumbar support
  • leg rest issues

I found the Master Rex a comfortable chair to sit in. The seat is soft and generously cushioned, more so than the seat on the Boulies Elite, for instance. It’s also pleasingly wide, allowing for various sitting styles.

Combined with the similarly plush backrest, this helps to make the Master Rex one of the most comfortable gaming chairs. The inbuilt lumbar support also provides sufficient back support, although I wish it went further down, as even on its lowest setting, it sat in the middle of my back more than I would’ve liked.

What’s more, adjustments are awkward to make while seated, owing to the positioning on the dials. Neither dial is labelled either, so you’ll have to refer to the manual and remember which one adjusts which parameter. Worse still, there are far too many rotations between their minimum and maximum settings, which only adds to the difficulty of making adjustments. At least the adjustments they do provide are meaningful.

The recline mechanism of the Master Rex doesn’t fare much better in this regard. As I found with the Boulies Elite, it’s too notchy and rough, and I often struggled to lock into position.

Close-up of wheels on Boulies Master Rex

(Image credit: Future)

The tilt mechanism is a further oddity. I found that no matter how much I loosened the dial underneath, it was still too resistant to allow for easy rocking. And as with the lumbar adjustment dials, it requires far too many turns between each end of its extremes. I did, however, like the lever for toggling the tilt lock, as it moves horizontally rather than vertically, which I found more convenient to operate when seated.

On the other hand, the 4D arm rests on the Master Rex are hard to fault. All manner of pivots, rotations, and slides are possible, so most users shouldn’t have a problem getting a comfortable setup. I only wish they went lower and slightly further inwards, but I have this gripe with most gaming chairs I try to some degree; all things considered, they still offer sufficient comfort for extended periods.

The party piece of the Master Rex, though, is the retractable leg rest. I found this comfortable thanks to the amount of padding it provides. It can be adjusted for length, depending on how far you pull it out. However, it doesn’t extend all that far, and I wish it was long enough to rest my heels rather than just my calves, and a little more width wouldn’t have gone amiss either.

What’s more, despite its thickness, it still doesn’t sit level with the seat, meaning your feet dangle below you somewhat. While it’s nice to have, these drawbacks make the leg rest more of a gimmick rather than a feature you’ll want to use regularly.

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair review: Assembly

Putting together the Master Rex was a relatively quick process. I managed to build it by myself without help, although as with many gaming chairs, it can prove difficult and onerous when installing the seat onto the wheelbase, but this was still perfectly manageable.

There were a few other niggles, though. Firstly, when installing the tilt mechanism to the seat base, you’re required to insert small cushion gaskets in between the two before attaching the bolts. These spacers remain completely loose while you do this, which means they’re all too easy to displace and makes the process very fiddly.

In addition, the small rubber washers for the leg rest poles fell out when I took them out of their packaging – so take care not to lose them. Also, some of the screws had some machining damage to them; they were still perfectly functional, but this doesn’t exactly speak highly of Boulies’ quality control.

Ultimately, though, these are small grievances, and the whole process was relatively quick and easy compared to some other gaming chairs I’ve built in the past.

Back of Boulies Master Rex, next to desk and plant with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Boulies Master Rex gaming chair?

Buy it if...

You want plenty of cushioning
The Master Rex has a very soft seat, which is surprising given the brand’s Elite model is on the firmer side. The backrest is well cushioned with soft bolsters, too.

You want a leg rest
The Master Rex is one of a relatively small number of gaming chairs to include an integrated leg rest.

Don't buy it...

You want rock regularly
The tilt mechanism of the Master Rex is too stiff, even on its loosest setting, so serial rockers might want to look elsewhere.

You want a smooth recline
As with the Elite, the Master Rex suffers from a poor recline mechanism that’s very notchy and hard to lock in place at times.

Boulies Master Rex gaming chair review: Also consider

Here are some alternatives to the Boulies Master Rex:

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
An erstwhile favorite for many, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is all things to all gamers: it’s comfortable, well made, and versatile. Starting prices aren’t cheap, though, and costs can escalate dramatically depending on the finish and configurations. But there’s a reason it takes our top spot as the best gaming chair around – and we’re hardly alone in this. Read our Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review.

Corsair TC100 Relaxed
If you want to save your money but still have a comfortable chair for gaming, the price-performance ratio of the TC100 Relaxed is hard to beat. We found it comfortable and stylish, although we could tell savings had been made on some parts. The assembly wasn’t the smoothest, either, but it’s still a good value proposition. Read our Corsair TC100 Relaxed review.

Close-up of head pillow on Boulies Master Rex, with plant and pink wall in background

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Boulies Master Rex gaming chair

  • Tested for several days
  • Made various adjustments
  • Years of gaming chair experience

I tested the Master Rex for several days, and used it for gaming and for working. I used it on hard floors and on a large rug, and made every adjustment I could.

I have been PC gaming for decades, and during that time I’ve owned a variety of chairs, including those made for gaming, such as the Secretlab Titan, and office chairs, such as the Steelcase Leap.

I have reviewed other gaming chairs previously, including another Boulies model, the Elite.

Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 certification confirms its charging speed
7:24 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Xiaomi launched the Mix Flip back in July of last year, and it's currently working on its successor. In fact, the Mix Flip 2 has now been certified for sale in China by 3C, and this reveals the fact that it will use a 67W wired charger. Thus, it's safe to assume that it will support 67W wired charging, which is exactly the same as its predecessor. Interestingly, the original Mix Flip got its 3C certification in May of 2024, and if the timelines align that means the Mix Flip 2 could be unveiled in May this year, at least in China. Fret not, however, for past rumors have said the Flip...

Our Nothing Phone (3a) vs. Phone (3a) Pro video is now out: which one to get?
6:26 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

After publishing the individual reviews of the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, we decided to pit the two mid-rangers head to head – now you can also watch the comparison video that will help you decide which one is better-suited for your needs. Is the Pro really worth the extra money? That depends on what you need from the camera – don’t count out the vanilla model because it does better than you may expect. There are other differences between the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Phone (3a) Pro. These include storage speed and there are new features on this generation too, like the...

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades review: Smart blinds that harness the power of the sun
5:56 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home | Comments: Off

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: one-minute review

Setup of the SmartWings motorized shades definitely took some doing. The included screws were so soft that they were stripped right away. Still, we got them installed. Then, getting them up and running also took a bit of doing and required a call to customer service to get everything connected properly. Once all that was done, the blinds worked like a dream. They do everything you want smart blinds to do. You can connect them to just about any platform such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant via Matter over Thread. Control them with your voice, tap to operate them on your phone, or set up automations. Open and close them all the way or just partially. You can also just use the included remote control.

The blinds are battery-operated, and can be recharged via a wall outlet or with a small solar panel that attaches to your window. I installed the blinds over a month ago, and I haven’t had to recharge the battery yet. I set up an automation in Apple HomeKit so the blinds open at sunrise and close at sunset, which works beautifully.

SmartWings Smart Blinds solar panel

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: price & availability

  • Fairly expensive
  • Custom-sized
  • Requires a Wi-Fi hub to work remotely

You can order SmartWings Smart Shades directly from the SmartWings website or from Amazon. The price varies by size but starts at $154.99 (£119.50/245.92 AUD.) I selected the Zebra Blinds; the size and style you see in my photos goes for $424.95 (£327.74/674.13 AUD.) You will need to measure your window precisely before ordering; I’d recommend watching the video on SmartWings’ website to ensure you do it correctly.

There are many styles and colors from which to choose; I selected the "Zebra Shades 60% Blackout Translucent 75mm Eloise" style with the light grey fabric.

  • Value score: 4/5

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: design

  • Attractive
  • Smooth and quiet operation
  • Not the easiest to install

You will need a drill in order to install the SmartWings blinds. The included screws are soft and thread quite easily. If you're not careful, you may need to find alternative screws in order to get the blinds installed.

SmartWings Smart Blinds top view

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Other than the screw threading issue, installation is fairly straightforward with a power drill and the included instructions and hardware. The solar panel is a simple peel-and-stick application.

Then you'll need to set up the blinds with your smartphone or device of choice. You'll also need to have a home hub of some kind if you want to be able to control your blinds from outside the home. I used my iPhone to set it up in Apple HomeKit and my mini HomePod as a hub. This also took some doing, as the included instructions aren't the most clear. After talking to SmartWings' customer service, which was remarkably easy to get ahold of, I was able to get the blinds up and running.

SmartWings screenshots

(Image credit: Future)

The underside of the blinds motor has a small button and a USB-C port. The USB-C port is used for charging; you can charge up the blinds using the solar panel or directly to a wall outlet. The button is used during setup. It's hard to press and hold that button with a finger so the customer service rep I spoke with recommended using a pencil eraser to get the necessary traction. That worked great.

You may notice that the blinds seem a bit narrow for my window. That's entirely on me, since I measured the blinds for an "inside the frame" placement before realizing that my window frame doesn't allow that kind of installation. I had to install it on the outside of the frame instead, so the blinds don't fit perfectly.

SmartWings Smart Blinds underside showing charging port and button

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I think these blinds look just fine. There are probably prettier smart blinds out there, but the simple, streamlined look works for my space. I do wish they'd been a little easier to set up and install, but luckily that only needs to be done once. Overall, they are well-designed blinds. Watching them open and close is actually kind of mesmerizing and soothing.

  • Design score: 4/5

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: performance

  • No app download necessary
  • Matter motor over Thread protocol allows you to use any platform
  • Motor is smooth and quiet

Because the SmartWings Smart Blinds have a Matter motor which uses the Thread protocol, they are platform agnostic. This means that you can set up the blinds to work with any platform, such as Google, Samsung, Amazon, or Apple. I'm Apple everything, so I set it up on my iPhone in Apple's HomeKit. You don't even need to download a SmartWings app; I just used the Home app on my iPhone.

If you only need to control your blinds from within your home, you could just set it up on your smartphone and leave it at that. However, if you want to be able to control your blinds from anywhere, you'll need some kind of home hub. I used my Apple HomePod mini.

Once you get everything connected, control is very straightforward. Just tap the controls on your smartphone. The iPhone Home app allows you raise and lower the blinds to a specific percentage, use Siri to control the blinds, and set up Automations so your blinds open and close automatically when you want. Of course, you can also just use the included remote control, which has its own holder that you can attach to the window frame.

SmartWings Smart blinds remote control

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Once you take the time to set up your SmartWings Smart Blinds with your platform of choice, the possibilities are endless. I used Apple HomeKit set mine to open at sunrise and close at sunset, but you could also set them up to open and close at specific times or when you're doing certain activities. I also frequently use my voice to tell Siri to open and close the blinds, fully, or part way. It all works quite smoothly and the mechanism isn't loud at all.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades?

Buy it if

You want to control your blinds from your phone or tablet

The SmartWings Smart Blinds allow you to do all the things you want from smart blinds from any platform you like.

You want custom blinds

You don't have to choose from just a few sizes; you can get the blinds to fit the precise measurements of your window. Plus, there are many color and style options.

Don't buy it if

You're on a tight budget

I don't think the price is unreasonable for custom smart blinds, but you might go another way if these give you sticker shock.

You want the easiest installation/removal

You do need a drill and some patience to install these. They may not be ideal for renters since you'll be drilling holes in the window frame.

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: also consider

Looking for something a little different? Here are two other options you might want to consider.

SwitchBot Roller Shade

SwitchBot makes a roller blind on a budget. It does work with a variety of platforms and SwitchBot's own app. Choose from a variety of sizes and you can even swap out the fabric for one of your choosing. View Deal

SwitchBot Blind Tilt

Save some serious dough using your existing blinds and adding this handy device. It's renter-friendly since there is no drilling required. Read our SwitchBot Blind Tilt review to learn more.View Deal

How I tested the SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades

I installed the SmartWings Motorized Smart Shade in an office window in my home. I set it up with Apple HomeKit on my iPhone and my HomePod mini as a hub. I spent several weeks with the blinds before reviewing. I controlled the blinds various ways during that time: the Home app on my iPhone, my voice and Siri, and the included remote control. I also set up an Automation in HomeKit to have the blinds open at sunrise and close at sunset.

First reviewed April 2025

Oppo Reno14 Pro’s render and key specs surface
5:29 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

The Oppo Reno13 Pro, unveiled last November in China, is expected to get a successor called Reno14 Pro in a month or two. While there's no word from Oppo about the Reno14 Pro, its render has surfaced online, which reveals the Reno14 Pro's camera module will have a different design. The Reno13 Pro featured three rear cameras, all placed separately inside the camera island. The Reno14 Pro will also sport a triple camera setup; however, the primary and ultrawide cameras will be put together, while the periscope telephoto unit will be positioned above the flash. The source also claims...

Honor 400 Lite debuts with Dimensity 7025-Ultra and 108MP cam
2:42 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Honor skipped out on a Lite entry with last year’s Honor 300 series but the brand has now started its Honor 400 series by launching the Honor 400 Lite. Honor 400 Lite brings a 6.7-inch flat AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel is rated at 3,500 nits peak brightness and features an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. There’s a pill-shaped cutout up top which features a 16MP front-facing camera and an LED flash for selfies. The back gets a redesigned camera island that goes away from the oval shapes of previous Honor number series phones and...

Honor 400 Lite debuts with Dimensity 7025-Ultra and 108MP cam
2:42 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Honor skipped out on a Lite entry with last year’s Honor 300 series but the brand has now started its Honor 400 series by launching the Honor 400 Lite. Honor 400 Lite brings a 6.7-inch flat AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel is rated at 3,500 nits peak brightness and features an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. There’s a pill-shaped cutout up top which features a 16MP front-facing camera and an LED flash for selfies. The back gets a redesigned camera island that goes away from the oval shapes of previous Honor number series phones and...

Motorola Edge 60 and Edge 60 Pro get certified by TENAA
1:27 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Motorola launched Edge 60 Fusion, and next in line are Edge 60 and Edge 60 Pro. Both phones were just certified by TENAA, the listing containing full specs and even photos. The non-Pro also appeared in a promo video on social media, provided by leakster Evan Blass, who posted it on hist X account. Both the Edge 60 and Edge 60 Pro are listed with a 6.67” OLED panel, and we can spot the curved sides. The resolution should be 1220p, and these phones will have a fingerprint scanner underneath. Motorola is bringing the Edge 60 Pro with a 3.35 GHz CPU, likely on the Mediatek 8350...

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