Father's Day sale at Amazon: Discounts on Echo speakers, Kindle readers, Fire tablets, more

Father's Day sale at Amazon: Discounts on Echo speakers, Kindle readers, Fire tablets, more

[ad_1]






amazon-echo-lineup-03

Ian Knighton/CNET

Amazon's growing family of devices -- Echo speakers, Kindle readers, Fire tablets, Fire TV ($50 at Amazon.com) media streamers and more -- are already priced to move. But here's a pro tip: Don't ever pay the list price. On any given week, Amazon is often discounting at least one or two (if not more) of its devices. 

To that end, we're building a one-stop shop on this page so you can know when any Amazon product is meaningfully discounted at any time. We're starting with the products that are on sale now, and we'll extend the list as price changes warrant. This was originally published May 31, and last updated on June 16. It includes some major Father's Day deals across all device categories.

Note that Amazon Prime Day, the retailer's big mid-year sale event, is expected to occur around the second week of July. We expect nearly all Amazon devices to be nicely discounted at that time.

Disclaimer: CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.     

amazon-fire-tv-stick-with-alexa-voice-remote-01crop1.jpg

Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon Fire TV Stick for $30 ($10 off): Whether you want to watch Amazon Prime Video, Netflix or dozens of other channels, this Alexa-compatible streaming stick is one of the most affordable ways to do it. And despite the Google-Amazon spat, it does support YouTube thanks to a clever workaround with the built-in web browser. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Amazon Fire TV 2017

Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon Fire TV 4K for $50 ($20 off): If you've got a 4K TV, you'll want to spend a bit more for the 4K version of the Fire TV streamer. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Fire TV 4K.

new-echo-dot-product-photos-1.jpg

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Amazon Echo Dot for $40 ($10 off): It's not quite at its Black Friday low of $30, but the 20 percent off Amazon's most affordable Alexa smart speaker is still a solid deal. And if you want better audio quality, the Dot has a line-out jack for a secondary pair of powered speakers. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Echo Dot (2nd generation).

amazon-tap-product-photo-2.jpg

Chris Monroe/CNET

Amazon Tap for $100 ($30 off): When it was first released, the Tap required you to touch a button before it would accept voice commands. But Amazon since added a software update that makes it voice activated, just like any other Echo speaker. And unlike other models, this one is fully battery powered, so you can easily move it around the house. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Tap.

amazon-fire-hd-8-2016-edition-14.jpg

Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for $60 ($20 off): Our favorite budget tablet was already a great deal at $80, but Amazon is knocking another $20 off for Father's Day. This 8-inch tablet is a great gateway to Amazon media and services, and its 8-inch screen doesn't disappoint. And at this price, you can buy five of them for the price of a single iPad. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet

Fire 8 HD Kids Edition

Sarah Tew/CNET

Buy two Amazon Fire 8 HD Kids Edition, save $50: Except for the foam case, the hardware of the "Kids Edition" of Amazon's 8-inch tablet is identical to the standard Fire 8 HD version. But parents will love Amazon's 2-year no-questions-asked replacement policy, and the fact that the company tosses in a year's worth of the Amazon FreeTime service, which is chock-full of kid-friendly content. All in all, it's two tablets for $210 -- less than what you'd pay for a single iPad. CNET review of the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

Amazon is also offering $50 off two Fire 7 Kids Edition tablets, too -- but we think the 8-incher above is a much better deal. Here's the CNET review of the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition.

amazon-echo-2ndgen-07

Ian Knighton/CNET

Amazon Echo (2nd generation) for $80 ($20 off): The "Goldilocks" speaker in Amazon's Alexa line, the 2017 Echo delivers a fuller sound than the tiny Echo Dot, and is more affordable than the Echo Plus. And right now, it's 20 percent off. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Echo (2nd generation).

amazon-echo-spot-promo

Ry Crist/CNET

Buy two Amazon Echo Spot speakers, save $40: We'll admit it: The idea of a camera-enabled Echo speaker and viewer in our kitchen -- and, especially, our bedroom -- freaks us out, and it's one big reason why we didn't rate the Echo Spot ($130 at Amazon.com) higher. But thousands of Amazon user reviewers and many others are in love with this screen-equipped, Alexa-enabled gadget, which is basically a more compact and affordable version of the Echo Show. It lists for $130, but if you buy two, Amazon is knocking off $40 ($220 instead of $260). Read the CNET review of the Amazon Echo Spot.

echo-show

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Amazon Echo Show for $150 ($80 off): The Spot is cool, but the small circular screen can be a challenge if you want to watch longform video. The Echo Show has a larger 7-inch rectangular screen -- the same size as the Fire 7 tablet -- and it doubles as a standard Echo smart speaker, too. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Echo Show.

kindle-paperwhite-2015-23.jpg

Sarah Tew / CNET

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for $100 ($20 off): It's a 2015 model, but the Paperwhite still delivers the best value in Amazon's e-reader line by including the same basic screen as the Kindle Voyage, a slimmer model that costs twice as much. Read the CNET review of the Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon is also offering $20 off the entry-level Kindle, too -- but that one lacks an illuminated screen. Read the CNET review of the Kindle.




http://www.cnet.com/



Now Playing:
Watch this:

Amazon Key in-home delivery worked much better than I...




1:53



Up to 36 percent off Amazon Key Home Kit: Amazon Key is the retailer's service that drops deliveries inside your front door -- if you have a compatible smart lock and Cloud Cam ($100 at Amazon.com), and you authorize the company to have access (no more porch pirates!). It sounds creepy, but we tried it for a month and it was actually pretty cool. If you want to take the plunge, Amazon will knock $70 to $90 off a bundle that includes the Cloud Cam (normally $120) and your choice of smart locks, including the Kwikset Obsidian Keyless and the Yale Assure Lock SL. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Key service.

Amazon Cloud Cam for $100 ($20 off): Amazon's home webcam is a great option for security, or just for keeping an eye on the pets while you're out. Read the CNET review of the Amazon Cloud Cam.









Cheapskate: The best new deals on the most affordable tech

CNET Deals: A panoply of the web's best discounts on tech and more












[ad_2]

Source link Top news

Sanju: Makers reveal emotional moment from the film on Father's day—Watch

Sanju: Makers reveal emotional moment from the film on Father's day—Watch

[ad_1]


zeenews.india.com understands that your privacy is important to you and we are committed for being transparent about the technologies we use.  This cookie policy explains how and why cookies and other similar technologies may be stored on and accessed from your device when you use or visit zeenews.india.com websites that posts a link to this Policy (collectively, “the sites”). This cookie policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy.


By continuing to browse or use our sites, you agree that we can store and access cookies and other tracking technologies as described in this policy.


What are Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies?


A cookie is a small text file that can be stored on and accessed from your device when you visit one of our sites, to the extent you agree.  The other tracking technologies work similarly to cookies and place small data files on your devices or monitor your website activity to enable us to collect information about how you use our sites. This allows our sites to recognize your device from those of other users on our sites. The information provided below about cookies also applies to these other tracking technologies.




How do our sites use Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies?


Zeenews.com use cookies and other technologies to store information in your web browser or on your mobile phone, tablet, computer, or other devices (collectively "devices") that allow us to store and receive certain pieces of information whenever you use or interact with our zeenews.india.com applications and sites. Such cookies and other technologies helps us to identify you and your interests, to remember your preferences and to track use of zeenews.india.com We also use cookies and other tracking technologies to control access to certain content on our sites, protect the sites, and to process any requests that you make to us.
We also use cookies to administer our sites and for research purposes, zeenews.india.com also has contracted with third-party service providers to track and analyse statistical usage and volume information from our site users. These third-party service providers use persistent Cookies to help us improve user experience, manage our site content, and analyse how users navigate and utilize the sites.


First and Third-party Cookies


First party cookies


These are those cookies that belong to us and which we place on your device or are those set by a website that is being visited by the user at the time (e.g., cookies placed by zeenews.india.com)


Third-party cookies


Some features used on this website may involve a cookie being sent to your computer by a third party. For example, if you view or listen to any embedded audio or video content you may be sent cookies from the site where the embedded content is hosted. Likewise, if you share any content on this website through social networks (for example by clicking a Facebook “like” button or a “Tweet” button) you may be sent cookies from these websites. We do not control the setting of these cookies so please check the websites of these third parties for more information about their cookies and how to manage them.



Persistent Cookies
We use persistent cookies to improve your experience of using the sites. This includes recording your acceptance of our cookie policy to remove the cookie message which first appears when you visit our site.
Session Cookies 
Session cookies are temporary and deleted from your machine when your web browser closes. We use session cookies to help us track internet usage as described above.
You may refuse to accept browser Cookies by activating the appropriate setting on your browser. However, if you select this setting you may be unable to access certain parts of the sites. Unless you have adjusted your browser setting so that it will refuse cookies, our system will check if cookies can be captured when you direct your browser to our sites.
The data collected by the sites and/or through Cookies that may be placed on your computer will not be kept for longer than is necessary to fulfil the purposes mentioned above. In any event, such information will be kept in our database until we get explicit consent from you to remove all the stored cookies.


We categorize cookies as follows:


Essential Cookies


These cookie are essential to our site in order to enable you to move around it and to use its features. Without these essential cookies we may not be able to provide certain services or features and our site will not perform as smoothly for you as we would like. These cookies, for example, let us recognize that you have created an account and have logged in/out to access site content. They also include Cookies that enable us to remember your previous actions within the same browsing session and secure our sites.


Analytical/Performance Cookies


These cookies are used by us or by our third-party service providers to analyse how the sites are used and how they are performing. For example, these cookies track what content are most frequently visited, your viewing history and from what locations our visitors come from. If you subscribe to a newsletter or otherwise register with the Sites, these cookies may be correlated to you.


Functionality Cookies


These cookies let us operate the sites in accordance with the choices you make. These cookies permit us to "remember you” in-between visits. For instance, we will recognize your user name and remember how you customized the sites and services, for example by adjusting text size, fonts, languages and other parts of web pages that are alterable, and provide you with the same customizations during future visits.


Advertising Cookies


These cookies collect information about your activities on our sites as well as other sites to provide you targeted advertising. We may also allow our third-party service providers to use cookies on the sites for the same purposes identified above, including collecting information about your online activities over time and across different websites. The third-party service providers that generate these cookies, such as, social media platforms, have their own privacy policies, and may use their cookies to target advertisement to you on other websites, based on your visit to our sites.


How do I refuse or withdraw my consent to the use of Cookies?


If you do not want cookies to be dropped on your device, you can adjust the setting of your Internet browser to reject the setting of all or some cookies and to alert you when a cookie is placed on your device. For further information about how to do so, please refer to your browser ‘help’ / ‘tool’ or ‘edit’ section for cookie settings w.r.t your browser that may be Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox etc.
Please note that if your browser setting is already setup to block all cookies (including strictly necessary Cookies) you may not be able to access or use all or parts or functionalities of our sites.
If you want to remove previously-stored cookies, you can manually delete the cookies at any time from your browser settings. However, this will not prevent the sites from placing further cookies on your device unless and until you adjust your Internet browser setting as described above.
For more information on the development of user-profiles and the use of targeting/advertising Cookies, please see www.youronlinechoices.eu if you are located in Europe or www.aboutads.info/choices if in the United States.


Contact us


If you have any other questions about our Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
If you require any information or clarification regarding the use of your personal information or this privacy policy or grievances with respect to use of your personal information, please email us at response@zeemedia.esselgroup.com.



[ad_2]

Source link Entertainment

Suresh Raina Reaps Rewards of Perseverance

Suresh Raina Reaps Rewards of Perseverance

[ad_1]




















India vs England: Suresh Raina Reaps Rewards of Perseverance

Suresh Raina and Sanjay Bangar. (BCCI/ Twitter)


New Delhi: Suresh Raina might have had his short-comings at the crease, but what he lacked in technique, he made up for with grit and determination. And it is this very resolute nature that has seen the 31-year-old make a comeback into the Indian ODI set-up after a gap of close to three years – he last played an ODI against South Africa in October 2015. With Ambati Rayudu failing the Yo-Yo Test at the NCA, Raina was drafted into the squad for the England tour by the national selectors on Saturday.An integral part of India’s limited-overs team under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, life came to a sudden standstill for Raina in August 2017 when news came in that current skipper Kohli had made passing the Yo-Yo test a compulsion and the left-hander had failed to clear the benchmark of 16.1. Raina was ignored for the tour of Sri Lanka.


It could have been easy for the southpaw to give up, having already played 223 ODIs for India and over 50 T20Is. At 30, he wasn’t even getting any younger. But, what followed was hours of training sessions and the urge to prove detractors that he still had it in him to challenge the best in the business. After all, he was one of the pioneers of saving those extra runs with his lightning fielding that Dhoni so relied on.

In fact, such was his resilience that while he would never refuse a chat, he clearly told this reporter – during the initial stages of the Ranji Trophy season in 2017 — that an important season was on and he didn’t wish to speak at this stage. “Can we talk after a few games?” came his reply. Clearly, he meant business. The customary 'Thanks brother for the support' replies followed there on.

And in December, Raina finally managed to show the results for his hardwork as he cleared the now compulsory fitness test. "Cleared my Yo-Yo & fitness test today, after days of hard work at #NCA! ‪Received tremendous support from all the trainers, coaches & officials. ‪Thank you all! ‪It’s always so encouraging to train here at #NCA, motivates me to push my limits and bring the best out of me," he posted on his Intstagram account.

Replying to a congratulatory message from this reporter, Raina said he was happy to have seen his hardwork get the desired result. Battling it out against critics was never new to him as he has had pundits calling him a dead duck against short-pitched bowling from the start of his career. But to see his own teammates considering him unfit to be a part of the squad had hurt him and that saw him spend hours working on his fitness in the gym and outdoors. What followed was an immediate call-up to the team for the T20I series in South Africa.

Speaking to CricketNext in South Africa during the Test series, a member in the team management had said that a fit Raina could well be a vital cog in the India team when it plays the 2019 World Cup in England. After all, he has been part of numerous tours of England and has scored runs there. “See, with someone as experienced as Raina, it is all about keeping fit and staying in shape. You don’t teach someone who has played over 200 ODIs how to bat at the international level. The upcoming T20Is against South Africa will be a good test for him now that he has proven his fitness. If he can show form and fitness, he could well be a vital part of the World Cup squad. You cannot buy experience that someone like Raina brings into the set-up,” he said.

Even though Raina managed just 15, 31 and 43 in the three T20Is against South Africa, he looked a completely different player in Cape Town during his knock of 43 than in Johannesburg when he looked tense and jittery during his knock of 15. Clearly, the nerves had settled down and the belief that he belonged at the international level was back.

What followed was 445 runs for champions Chennai Super Kings in this edition of the Indian Premier League with four fifties at a strike-rate of 132.44. And clearly, Raina had sounded the warning bells to his detractors that version 2.0 is not just swifter, but equally destructive.






First Published: June 17, 2018, 12:14 PM IST





[ad_2]

Source link cricket

After $10 Million Bank Heist, Chile Looks For Cyber Security Advice

After $10 Million Bank Heist, Chile Looks For Cyber Security Advice

[ad_1]



"We will review best practices in cybersecurity to prevent and respond to these attacks."

Reuters

Updated:June 13, 2018, 1:06 PM IST
After $10 Million Bank Heist, Chile Looks For Cyber Security Advice
(Representative image: Reuters)

Chile's government and financial institutions will seek advice on cybersecurity practices from an unnamed international organization after hackers robbed $10 million from the country's second-largest commercial bank, its finance minister said on Tuesday.

Banco de Chile suffered a cyber heist on May 24, with most of the funds ending up in Hong Kong, the bank's chief executive Eduardo Ebensperger said over the weekend. The hackers initially used a virus as a distraction, prompting the bank to shut 9,000 computers in branches across the country to protect customer accounts.




"We will review best practices in cybersecurity to prevent and respond to these attacks," finance minister Felipe Larrain said in a statement.


Authorities also called on Congress to pass a new bank regulation that would require more funds to cover operational risks, including those related to cybersecurity.
Watch: Oppo F7 Camera Review: One for the Selfie lovers



 

Also Watch

| Edited by: Sarthak Dogra



[ad_2]

Source link Tech

Shilpa Shetty Kundra Denies Pregnancy Rumours, Celebrates Eid; See Video

Shilpa Shetty Kundra Denies Pregnancy Rumours, Celebrates Eid; See Video

[ad_1]



#ShilpaKoKyaHua' (What happened to Shilpa?) was trending on Twitter, sparking rumours of the actor being pregnant

Shilpa Shetty Kundra Denies Pregnancy Rumours, Celebrates Eid; See Video
(Photo: Shilpa Shetty Kundra/Instagram)

As a photograph of Shilpa Shetty Kundra walking out of a clinic went viral with curious minds trying to guess if she was pregnant, the actress-entrepreneur-fitness enthusiast has clarified that she is not expecting and that it was only a usual health checkup.

Twitter users kept the guessing game on with the hashtag '#ShilpaKoKyaHua' (What happened to Shilpa?).




Shilpa, who has a son Viaan with businessman husband Raj Kundra, later tweeted: "#ShilpaKoKyaHua Kuch nahi! Hey Bhagwan... I get a preventive health check done regularly to know that my body is as healthy on the inside as the outside. Something we all must do. What's all the fuss about! And no, not pregnant. Prevention is better than cure."





In fact, Shilpa binged on a whole lot of goodies at an Eid party hosted by veteran actress Shabana Azmi. "When I cheat (on food only), it has to be worth it, this totally was!! Fun day binging with Dia Mirza and Aditi Rao Hydari. Thanks Anil Kapoor for the special appearance with your two bits. Thank you and love you Shabana Azmi for the epic spread," Shilpa posted on Instagram.

Credit: @Shilpa Shetty Kundra

Shabana also shared a photograph of herself with Shilpa, and wrote: "I promise she eats, so what business does she have to look like this ?"

(With IANS inputs)

Also Watch


[ad_2]

Source link Entertainment

Sri Lanka Cricket Board back players in ball-tampering row vs West Indies | cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket Board back players in ball-tampering row vs West Indies | cricket

[ad_1]

Sri Lanka’s cricketers were continuing their second Test against West Indies ‘under protest’ after they were accused by match officials of altering the condition of the ball.

Sri Lanka’s players refused to take the field on the third day of the match in St Lucia on Saturday, delaying the resumption of play for almost two hours, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould had changed the ball and awarded West Indies five penalty runs.

“The ICC can confirm the match officials in the second test between West Indies and Sri Lanka changed the ball and awarded 5 penalty runs to West Indies,” the ICC said in a statement on their Twitter feed. “If there are any, Code of Conduct charges will follow as per usual at close of play.”

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said the team had denied any wrongdoing.

“SLC advised the team to take the field to ensure the continuity of the match and wish to commend the decision taken by the team to continue with the game ‘under protest’ to ensure the upholding of the spirit of the game,” the organisation said in a statement on Cricinfo (www.espncricinfo.com).

“The team management has informed us that Sri Lankan players have not engaged in any wrongdoing.

“SLC shall take all necessary steps to defend any player, in the event any unwarranted allegation is brought against a member of the team.”

Sri Lanka were 34 for one in their second innings at the end of the third day, trailing West Indies by 13 runs after the hosts were dismissed for 300. West Indies won the first test by 226 runs.



[ad_2]

Source link cricket, sports

John Abraham on Father’s Day: My dad is my hero, and not just because he’s my father | bollywood

John Abraham on Father’s Day: My dad is my hero, and not just because he’s my father | bollywood

[ad_1]

It’s not just the name, but also their passion for sport that binds them together. Actor John Abraham’s smile is at its widest, complete with those dimples, when you ask about his father, Abraham John.

“You know what the funny thing is? My dad is my hero, [and] not just because he’s my father. It’s because he has never taken or given a bribe in his life. He’s an architect, and he has never pandered to any municipal bribery. He has been a straight man, has always helped society, and never screamed about it like we do as actors. You find out a man’s character when he does something [good] but doesn’t speak about it. He’s my hero because of that,” says the actor.

Elaborating, he adds, “We share a great bond. He watches my films, but the difference between him and my mum is that she’ll love my worst films, but dad is very clear. He walks out of the theatre and asks, ‘Why did you do this?’ or says, ‘It’s good you did this.’ He speaks like an audience member. With some films, he has even said, ‘This is a waste of time!’ (laughs) He’s my most vocal critic. When asked, he says things as they are, and never minces words.”

What the two bond over the most is sport, especially football. “Any kind of sport does it, be it football or tennis. We watch matches together. He knows every player’s name. The reason I fell in love with sport is because of him,” says the actor, who owns a football team, NorthEast United FC, in the Indian Super League.

Read more: John Abraham: The release of Parmanu was like the Pokhran nuclear test

Does John’s dad come to watch his team play? “Yes, he has come for some matches, he loves the atmosphere. We didn’t fare well last season, but a sport is a sport, whether your team is first or last. He saw us play, and he was like, ‘Not even God can help you! What are you guys doing on the field?’ That’s what I appreciate about him,” smiles the actor.

Maybe his straightforward father is what has kept this Bollywood star so grounded. When you meet John, there are no bodyguards, no entourage around to interrupt anything.

Asked about it, he replies, “Honestly, I’ve never felt like a star. I don’t walk around with an entourage or bodyguard, except just one person who travels with me. I don’t even have a driver or a boy on a film set! I sometimes don’t even take my own car; a production car comes to pick me up. Please ask Nikhil Advani, with whom I’m doing Satyamev Jayate. I’m very frugal in my lifestyle; that comes out of my middle-class upbringing. My parents are simple people. That’s what makes me think ‘How can I live like a huge star, then?’ There’s nothing wrong with living like a star, but I can’t. I cannot disconnect myself from my parents. They’re everything I have,” John signs off.

Interact with the author on Twitter/ @RishabhSuri02


[ad_2]

Source link Bollywood, Entertainment

These stereo Bluetooth speakers beat Apple HomePod and Google Home Max

These stereo Bluetooth speakers beat Apple HomePod and Google Home Max

[ad_1]






The Kanto YU6 speakers


Kanto

Pretty much everybody else is now happy with a single Bluetooth or sound bar speaker, but stereo speakers are still the choice for audiophiles.

I get it: One speaker takes up half the space of two and costs roughly half as much, but I'd be derelict in my duties if I failed to mention what's lost with a single speaker. Stereo, for starters. The room-filling spaciousness and openness you only get with two speakers like these Kanto YU6 Bluetooth speakers, which are only sold in pairs.

If you care about sound quality, the YU6 speakers have it all over the highly touted Google Home Max ($399, £399 or AU$599 per speaker) or the Apple Home Pod ($349, £319 or AU$499 per speaker). They may be "smart" speakers you can talk to, but they sound dynamically constricted and smaller than the YU6 speakers that list for $390 (£349) a pair. Those prices convert to roughly AU$625 per pair.

Smart speakers and sound bars can't touch the YU6's physical connectivity suite, it's above average for this type of speaker. The YU6 boasts one set of stereo RCA analog inputs that can be switched over to moving-magnet phono inputs for you turntable fans, a 3.5mm stereo analog input, a RCA subwoofer output jack, and two optical digital audio inputs. The YU6 also features AptX Bluetooth wireless sound.









It's a two-way design with a 1-inch (28mm) silk dome tweeter and a 5.25-inch (132mm) Kevlar woofer, and the system is rated at 200 watts peak power for both channels. The rear panel also hosts a USB charging port, but no USB input, that might be a hint the YU6 isn't really intended for use as a computer speaker. In any case you need to run a speaker cable between the left and right YU6s, no grilles are included with the speakers.

My samples' rounded cabinets and satin-white finish looked slick, they are also available in gloss white, gloss black, gloss red, matte grey, matte black, and bamboo wood. Each YU6 measures 6.9 by 8.1 by 10.7 inches (17.5 by 20.5 by 27.2 cm). The speakers have bass ports on their rear panels.

I like that the remote has bass and treble, and left-right balance channel controls to fine tune the sound. But the volume ramp up and down is a little too fast, so it takes some getting used to before you arrive at the desired volume. Or you can adjust the volume with the knob on the left speaker for both channels. 

Listening

The left and right Kanto YU6 speakers rear panels.


Kanto

I first tried the YU6s on my desktop, and quickly noted they're not as crisp as my reference Adam Audio F5 speakers, but the YU6s' sound was still definitely enjoyable closeup in the nearfield (30 inches or 762mm) away from the listening position.

The YU6 speakers sounded better flanking my trusty old Panasonic TH-42PS9 plasma display. The YU6s makes me again question the market's move to mid-price sound bars, when you could have a pair of these terrific speakers for the same or less money.

My recommendation for the YU6 over comparably priced sound bars such as the Zvox SB5000 only grows stronger for buyers who listen to more music than watch movies with bombastic sound effects. Sound bars with subwoofers may deliver more bass boom than a pair of YU6s can muster on their own, but if you crave deep bass you can always add a Kanto or another brand's powered subwoofer. Then you'll get it all: Superior bass shaking power, and the YU6s' room-filling sound.

I streamed Snail Mail's debut indie rock album Lush from Tidal via Bluetooth. The album benefited from the YU6's assured sound presence: Lindsey Jordon's vocals were right there, smack dab between the two speakers.

That said my respect for the YU6s sonic stature grew when I stopped streaming and changed over to playing music and movies over my Oppo BDP-105 Blu-ray player. Discs sounded more alive and less cloudy, no surprise there, Bluetooth is hardly ideal as far as fidelity is concerned. If you want the YU6 to sound its best, use the RCA analog or optical digital inputs.









Also the $200 per pair Fluance Ai40 speakers (UK and Australia pricing unavailable) sound very decent for the money, these critters play loud with ease, produce deep, well-defined bass for such a small set of speakers. The YU6 is a better, more transparent-sounding speaker, and offers more connectivity options like turntable input and subwoofer output. Still for $200 the Ai40s are pretty sweet, I'll review them here in the near future.

The Kanto YU6 is a very likable speaker that's ideal for small to midsize rooms for enjoying music and movies, for a reasonable price.












[ad_2]

Source link Top news

Muttiah Muralitharan Rejects Sri Lanka Cricket's Offer

Muttiah Muralitharan Rejects Sri Lanka Cricket's Offer

[ad_1]




















Muttiah Muralitharan Rejects Sri Lanka Cricket's Offer

A file photo of Muttiah Muralitharan.



Former Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan has turned down the offer to be a consultant with the national team. The move has come days after former skipper Mahela Jayawardena too had refused to be a part of the Lankan team as a consultant. A veteran of 133 Tests, Muralitharan hit out at the administrators and said that he has no trust in the system. In a statement released he said, “I am of the view that it is an insincere, cunning move, more to use us when the cricket administration is in such a deplorable state and stand by the sentiments that Mahela has expressed.”


“It is sad that National cricketers are not consulted until it (the sport) hits the rock bottom. I would not hesitate to give of my time if I do realize the genuineness and credibility of the administration despite my own professional coaching engagements worldwide,” Muralitharan added.

Until recently Muralitharan was a part of the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad as a spin consultant. Bowlers like Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan had done wonders under his tutelage. It was during this tournament that Murali had said that politicians with little knowledge of the game were responsible for the deteriorating quality of cricket in Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, Mahela had posted his views on social media where he wrote, “With all due respect to the selectors and Sports Minister, I have spent one year in the Cricket Committee and six months in a special advisory committee and no recommendations were implemented. I don’t have any trust in the system. If anyone wants to buy time please don’t use us.”

Last year Sri Lanka suffered a lost a series against India on home soil, to go with a loss in the ODI series against Zimbabwe.






First Published: June 17, 2018, 12:32 PM IST




[ad_2]

Source link cricket

Fitbit Reaches Kids With The Launch of Fitbit Ace

Fitbit Reaches Kids With The Launch of Fitbit Ace

[ad_1]



Fitbit's first wearable for kids, the Fitbit Ace, is now available worldwide.

Fitbit Reaches Kids With The Launch of Fitbit Ace
Fitbit's first wearable for kids, the Fitbit Ace, is now be available worldwide.
(Image: Fitbit)

Fitbit announced on Monday that its first wearable for kids, the Fitbit Ace will now be available worldwide after its US launch earlier this year. Designed for children age 8 and older, the Fitbit Ace has been created to help get kids moving as childhood obesity rates rise and parents become more concerned about their children's health.

Fitbit Ace will send kids reminders to move every hour and reward them for their activity to help build healthy habits. Children can sign up for daily or weekend challenges to collect badge rewards, and both kids and parents can see their stats, badges earned, and progress toward their goals in the Fitbit app. The wearable will also record sleep to ensure kids are getting enough, but to give kids a more positive experience the wearable will not highlight calorie intake, weight, or body fat and BMI.



Also read: Microsoft Rolls Out Office 2019 for Mac Preview


To help get the whole family involved, and enable parents to keep track of how kids are doing, there is also a family account option. Here parents can approve who their children connect with, view activity and progress, and sign up the whole family for challenges together to help keep one another motivated.
The FitBit Ace also has an adjustable wristband to fit all children, even through their growth spurts, and comes in two bright colors of power purple and electric blue.

Fitbit Ace is available now at retail partner stores worldwide, and is also available for sale at Fitbit.com for $99.95 (USD).

Watch: Top 5 iOS 12 Features Announced at Apple WWDC 2018



 

Also Watch

| Edited by: Sarthak Dogra



[ad_2]

Source link Tech

Beyonce and Jay-Z Release Surprise Joint Album; Check It Out Here

[ad_1]



The pop diva and hip-hop superstar announced the album, Everything is Love, from the stage in London as they wrapped up the British leg that opened a global tour.

Beyonce and Jay-Z Release Surprise Joint Album; Check It Out Here
A file photo of Beyonce and Jay Z. (Image: Reuters)

Music's most famous couple Beyonce and Jay-Z pulled a surprise by releasing a joint album late on Saturday, a long-rumored collaboration that celebrates their marital passion. The pop diva and hip-hop superstar announced the album, Everything is Love, from the stage in London as they wrapped up the British leg that opened a global tour.

The album came out afterward exclusively on Jay-Z's fledgling Tidal streaming service and is not available on Spotify -- a far larger platform, which Beyonce disses on the album in a string of F-bombs. The couple also put out an elaborately choreographed video that takes place inside the Louvre museum in Paris for a song off the album, Apeshit.




The video opens with the couple standing regally in front of the 'Mona Lisa' -- Jay-Z in a light green double-breasted suit, Beyonce in a lavender pantsuit -- and features a squad of scantily clad dancers moving sensually in front of Jacques Louis David's 'The Coronation of Napoleon.'



Musically, Everything is Love marries the styles of the two artists, with songs driven by warm, sultry soul but with a hip-hop delivery. The album shatters any lingering innocence from the early days of Beyonce, with the singer of Say My Name and Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) generous in the details of her sex life with Jay-Z.

The two stars have recorded together before, notably on the Beyonce-led single Drunk in Love, but the album comes after an especially public window into their marriage. Beyonce on her last solo album Lemonade in 2016 revealed infidelity on the part of Jay-Z, who a year later asked forgiveness on his own album 4:44.

This year, as the title of Everything is Love implies, their relationship is apparently swell. In the very first lyrics, Beyonce beckons to her husband, "Let's make love in the summertime."

On the final track, Lovehappy, the two acknowledge past pain but also their efforts to reconcile. "We're flawed / But we're still perfect for each other," Beyonce sings.

Also Watch



[ad_2]

Source link Entertainment

Ton-up Jason Roy happy to ‘knuckle down’ for England | cricket

Ton-up Jason Roy happy to ‘knuckle down’ for England | cricket

[ad_1]

England’s Jason Roy believes he is adding an extra dimension to his game by “knuckling down” at the start of an innings.

The 27-year-old, long known as a brilliant ball-striker, made a polished 120 as England beat world champions Australia by 38 runs to win the second one-day international in Cardiff on Saturday and so take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

ALSO READ: Jason Roy ton trumps Shaun Marsh’s effort, England go 2-0 up vs Australia

Roy’s innings and a typically quickfire 91 not out from stand-in captain Jos Buttler, deputising after regular skipper Eoin Morgan suffered a back spasm shortly before the toss, took England to a total of 342 for eight.

Australia opener Shaun Marsh made 131 on his Glamorgan ‘home’ ground but the tourists were still bowled out for 304 with 17 balls to spare.

Roy struck an England ODI record 180 against Australia in Melbourne in January this year.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka play on ‘under protest’ after ‘ball tampering’ row vs West Indies

But, after talking with England batting coach Graham Thorpe. he rated Saturday’s innings the best of his five ODI hundreds after his side were sent into bat in overcast conditions by Australia captain Tim Paine.

‘Tempo’

That Roy has shown he can score hundreds in different styles will be a boost to England as they seek a maiden World Cup title when staging next year’s edition.

ALSO READ: Suresh Raina replaces Ambati Rayudu in India squad for England series

“I had a long discussion with Thorpey just after I got out and said it was probably my favourite innings -- as far as the tempo of it, the way I knuckled down early,” said Roy.

“I went through some difficult patches, but then came out the other side.

“When I wanted to start expanding my game, unfortunately I got out -- but I was still happy.”

Early dismissal is an occupational hazard for all openers, and certainly for someone as attack-minded as Roy.

The other side of life at the top of the order was there for all to see when he was out for a second-ball duck at The Oval during England’s three-wicket win in Wednesday’s series-opener.

ALSO READ: Matthew Hayden explains failure of Rashid Khan in Bengaluru Test

But Roy was able to play himself in on Saturday while opening partner Jonny Bairstow made a dashing 42.

“I was able to knuckle down and get myself in,” Roy said. “(Jonny) is great to watch isn’t he at the moment? He’s in some incredible form.”

Roy’s latest century came almost a year after he suffered arguably the biggest disappointment of his England career when left out of the same Sophia Gardens ground for a Champions Trophy semi-final loss to Pakistan, the eventual tournament winners.

“It’s disappointing to be dropped at any ground,” said Roy. “Playing for England is a huge honour.

“I wouldn’t say being dropped in that Champions Trophy has anything to do with making any hundred feel any better than the next. It was a big aim of mine to come back after a long winter and start well.”

Just prior to this current series, England suffered a shock six-run defeat by Scotland in a stand-alone ODI in Edinburgh.

“Obviously, we had that hiccup against Scotland, and then the first game (of this series) I was a bit panicky, a bit wary of where my game was at,” Roy admitted.

“But I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the last two days, and got a few rewards today.”

This defeat was Australia’s seventh in eight ODIs but the form of Marsh was some consolation.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Marsh. “It was nice to get a few runs but we couldn’t quite finish it off there at the end.

“Obviously, it’s a disappointing result for us,” he added ahead of Tuesday’s third ODI in Nottingham.

“We felt like we were in the game right till the end, but unfortunately (we) just weren’t good enough.”



[ad_2]

Source link cricket, sports

Sonam Kapoor, Rhea’s fun times in London continue. See photo | bollywood

Sonam Kapoor, Rhea’s fun times in London continue. See photo | bollywood

[ad_1]

Looks like actor Sonam Kapoor and sister Rhea Kapoor’s fun times in London are far from over. The producer daughter of Anil Kapoor posted a photo on her Instagram story in which she can be seen with her sister Sonam and friend Tamara Ralph. They huddle together for a picture, which Rhea captioned ‘Such a fun night @Sonamkapoor @tamararalph thanks for the hook up @anandahuja’.

Rhea Kapoor with her sister Sonam are currently in London.
(Rheakapoor/Instagram)

A plush London holiday in June, what more could one ask for?

On work front, the formidable sister duo have conquered the box office with their new movie. Aided by the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania, Veere Di Wedding has been creating magic at the box office since the day of its release.

Documenting the lives of four urban Indian women and their trials and tribulations, the film was promoted by the gang as ‘Not A Click Flick’. Clearly, the film and it’s theme have touched the hearts and minds of many. The film’s current numbers (Rs 77.83 cr. India biz) as on Sunday provided by film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, look impressive.

Follow @htshowbiz for more


[ad_2]

Source link Bollywood, Entertainment

Avengers 4: Release date, cast, plot and title rumors

Avengers 4: Release date, cast, plot and title rumors

[ad_1]






At the end of Avengers: Infinity War, the credits promised "Thanos will return." But while Josh Brolin's purple-tinted, gigantic villain will return in 2019's Avengers 4, who else will be back? If you've seen Infinity War (and a lot of you have by now), you know it's a bit of a mystery. Here come the spoilers!

spoilers-mcu

In his quest to balance the universe, Thanos acquired all the infinity stones and zapped half the universe's population, just as he threatened. Many of Marvel's major heroes were among the vanished half of the population that just kind of ... turned into piles of sand that then blew away.

So Avengers 4 has a major situation: No way are all those money-making Marvel heroes gone for good. But some of them probably have to bite the dust for sheer dramatic reasons (and because a few actors have talked publicly about moving on). We'll have to wait to see exactly who's taking early retirement, but for now, we can sum up what we know. 

We'll update this story as we learn more.


Digital Domain

What's the title of the Infinity War sequel?

The film is still being referred to as Avengers 4, or Untitled Avengers Movie. And there may be a spoiler-y reason why the title is being protected. When a fan on Twitter mentioned being scared about the title because it spoils Infinity War, directors Joe and Anthony Russo ominously said fans are right to be freaked out.









The best title guess we've heard is Infinity Gauntlet, which would give away the fact that Thanos acquired all the magical infinity stones in Infinity War. But it's fun to speculate on a more creative option: "Avengers 4: Black Panther Goes Bye-Bye Forever" (not happening). "Gee, The World Is Really Less Crowded These Days, Maybe Thanos Was Right"? "Avengers: Some Of Us Were Left Behind After The Rapture"? The possibilities are as infinite as the stones.

Recently, though, news began to trickle out about another totally possible title: Fallen Heroes. This is according to a user on Reddit, but, I mean, it's on the internet so you know it's true, right?

When will Avengers 4 come out? 

The release date is one of the few things we know -- or think we know. Avengers 4 is scheduled for a May 3, 2019, release in the US and April 26 in the UK, with no Australia release date known yet. But remember: Avengers: Infinity War was scheduled for a May 2018 date, and then Marvel moved it up one week for a late April global release. Maybe keep all of late April-early May 2019 free, just in case.

The film was shot back-to-back with Infinity War, beginning in August 2017 and with principal photography ending in January 2018. Filming was done in the Atlanta area. According to the Scottish newspaper The Daily Record, more scenes will be filmed in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, in July 2018, with reshoots coming later in the year.

The film is the fourth in a series, so if you want to watch all three previous Avengers films, check out 2012's The Avengers, 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, and 2018's new Avengers: Infinity War. Done with that? There are plenty of other Marvel movies to watch to soak up the various heroes' backstories. Here's our suggested order to watch them in.

marvel-newsletter-signup-articles

Click here to sign-up for our biweekly newsletter about all things Marvel.

What we know about the plot

Well, Thanos will be back -- the credits promised. He seemed pretty satisfied with his balancing of the universe, last seen resting at a nipa hut (the scene was shot at Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines), so it would seem the remaining Avengers will have to take the fight to him.

Some think we could look to the comic-book version of this story for how things might work out, but there are always deviations between the comics and the movies, so don't expect an exact copy. Still, if things fall that way, expect major roles for Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Remember, Strange made an odd decision in Infinity War, handing over the time stone he said he would always protect. Is it because this was required for the one scenario in which he saw our heroes winning? He likely has the best idea of what's about to go down.

Did you remember to stay in your seats after Infinity War ended to watch the post-credits scene? We break it down here, but it looks as if Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) successfully sent a message to Captain Marvel, based on the symbol shown on what looks like Fury's pager. Brie Larson will play Captain Marvel in a March 2019 solo movie, and since that's just a month or two before Avengers 4, it's expected to set up some plot points.

In May 2018, ComicBook.com found a supposed synopsis for Avengers 4 in License Global. It seems to have been translated from the magazine's native Italian, and it doesn't exactly give away any huge spoilers, but it's fun to read. "A culmination of 22 interconnected films, the fourth installment of the Avengers saga will draw audiences to witness the turning point of this epic journey," the summary says. "Our beloved heroes will truly understand how fragile this reality is and the sacrifices that must be made to uphold it." Naturally, it doesn't say exactly what (or who) those sacrifices will be, but we have ideas.

Latest update: In June 2018, Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, told Esquire that Avengers 4 is "even more shocking" than Avengers: Infinity War. While he didn't reveal any spoilers, the God of Thunder said that the film was another step forward in the series. "Each step we seem to take with these films, I've loved the fact that there's been growth and evolution and it continues to surprise people," he said.

Who'll be dead to stay?

Here's a list of who vanished, melty-sand style, thanks to Thanos eliminating half the population: 

  • Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)
  • Drax (Dave Bautista)
  • Groot (Vin Diesel)
  • Mantis (Pom Klementieff)
  • Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)
  • Spider-Man (Tom Holland)
  • Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)
  • Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
  • Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman)
  • Falcon (Anthony Mackie)

Remaining to fight another day (as far as we know -- we didn't see these heroes vanish) are: 

  • Captain America (Chris Evans)
  • Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)
  • Thor (Chris Hemsworth)
  • Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)
  • M'Baku (Winston Duke)
  • Okoye (Danai Gurira)
  • Rocket (Bradley Cooper)
  • War Machine (Don Cheadle)
  • Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)
  • Nebula (Karen Gillan)

Any of the vanished heroes are likely to return, at least for a while. Marvel would no sooner keep them all dead than let an intern feed hundred-dollar bills into a paper shredder: Too much money to lose. 

Some we KNOW will be back -- Black Panther and the Guardians of the Galaxy have additional movies planned, so T'Challa and Star-Lord aren't going anywhere, though not all of the Wakandans and Guardians may make it through. Dave Bautista, who plays Guardian Drax the Destroyer, told Den of Geek he's returning for both Avengers 4 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, though he confirmed he doesn't know how Drax will be back. (So technically, he could still die and be seen in flashback.)

The future might not be so bright for the big three -- Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. Chris Evans has said he's moving on after this film, and Downey and Hemsworth have also hinted at it. But we won't know till we know, and besides, Marvel is famous for rebooting characters who've died/been frozen/hung up the uniform.

And as Infinity War watchers know, some characters died -- or seemed to be dead -- before Thanos did his thing. Heimdall (Idris Elba), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and the Vision (Paul Bettany) are on a different level of death than the others, although again, dead doesn't always mean forever in Marvel-land.

And some characters are anyone's guess. We didn't see the fates of Shuri (Letitia Wright), M'Baku (Winston Duke) and Wong (Benedict Wong). Plus, Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) didn't even appear, so we have no clue if they'll show up in Avengers 4.

Fans have theories

With a year between movies, fans have plenty of time to think about what's going to happen. Here are a few ideas, some more serious than others:
















Meet the cast (we think)

With death not likely to mean goodbye, here's who you can expect to see in the next movie. 









This piece was originally published on April 30, 2018, and is updated as news of the sequel rolls in.

How to watch every MCU property in the perfect order: From Marvel films to the shows on Netflix, here's the best order to experience the MCU.











[ad_2]

Source link Top news