Review: Microsoft Surface Headphones 2

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

As far premium headphones go the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 bring a lot of the look and functionality, we’ve seen from other Surface products. You have dual dials that can toggle volume and 13-levels of noise cancellation. You can also touch the surface of each headphone to pause, or play audio, and there’s an easy mute button on the right headphone. 

Microsoft builds its headsets through the lens of productivity, meaning that it sees its devices as office tools for meetings and video conferences rather than as consumer electronics for consuming music. In this context, the Surface Headphones 2, do stand out with 18-hour battery life and a comfortable and surprisingly lightweight design.

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Google opening retail store in New York City

 By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google is reportedly opening a retail store in New York City to sell Pixels, Nest products, and Fitbit wearables. Housed in its NY headquarters, the store will help consumers get up close and personal with Google products and services.

“Today, we’re announcing our plans to open Google’s first-ever physical retail store, in one of the greatest cities in the world: New York,” Google’s Jason Rosenthal writes. “The new Google Store in Chelsea will be a space where customers can experience our hardware and services in a helpful way. We’ll be opening our doors to the public in summer 2021.”

This isn't the first Google store, however, and it isn't the first one in New York, specifically. Google had a pop-up store in the trendy SoHo area a few years back, which I had a chance to visit and experience. Google has also had booths in Best Buy stores for many years and has similar kiosks in its partner mobile carrier stores. 

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Review: TCL 20 Pro 5G

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The best camera is the one you have with you, but what If that camera is actually a quad-camera with built-in stabilization and night mode capabilities? I recently visited the One World Trade Center observation center in New York. I brought an iPhone 12 Pro, a DJI Mini, a Galaxy 360, and the TCL 20 Pro 5G to cover any and all photographic opportunities. 

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Microsoft confirms that Windows 10X is dead

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft confirmed today that it is not pushing through with Windows 10X. The next-gen operating system was supposed to open Windows to a new market of ARM-powered devices and slated for a 2021 launch. Windows 10X was Redmond's answer to Google's ChromeOS as a viable conduit for lightweight computing. The red flag came some time ago with the announcement that the company's Surface Neo was cancelled. This dual-screen tablet showcased multi-mode computing. With the Surface Neo cancelled, Microsoft no longer had a flagship device to serve as a platform blueprint for OEMs, like Lenovo's ThinkPad X. 

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