Accessories

One week with the ASUS ZenScreen

See what it can do!

Published

April 28, 2018

According to pop rock band, Boys Like Girls, “Two is Better Than One.” Question is: Is that true when it comes to two monitors? I spent a week using the ASUS ZenScreen as a secondary monitor for my laptop, bringing it around with me everywhere I would go.

Full disclosure: I went into this experience questioning the need for a second monitor and expecting to not really need it or even like having to bring it around with me. But I’m coming out of this experience thinking that there definitely are people who will find the ASUS ZenScreen useful in their lives.

This thing is definitely portable. It’s thin, sleek, and light enough that it was pretty easy to get used to the added weight while carrying it along with my laptop. Many of my friends thought that it was a tablet and not an extra monitor. It’s really easy to set up, too. It will work on any laptop, and if you’re worried about having to bring another charger with you because of it, there’s no need to worry. The ASUS ZenScreen draws power from your laptop via its bundled USB-C cable.

After spending one week with it, I’ve found that there are two different ways the ASUS ZenScreen will benefit you. You can use it to be more productive, and you can use it for some fun multitasking, as well.

Let’s start off with the “boring” productivity benefit it can provide. Having a second screen when you’re working on a report and not having to minimize the document you’re working on was one of those little things you don’t think would be such a big deal, but is something I missed when I didn’t have the ZenScreen with me. That second monitor meant that I could have my main document open on my laptop screen and anything I would need to look at for reference would be open on the ZenScreen. So helpful!

Using it for presentations was pretty cool, too. Meeting with someone and using the ZenScreen to show them slides meant I didn’t have to awkwardly keep having to turn the laptop back and forth between myself and the person I was meeting with while seated across from each other. I would just hand them the ZenScreen and viola: We both had a screen to look at!

Now, let’s talk fun. The enjoyable benefit of the ZenScreen was mostly being able to multitask and watch videos no matter what I was doing on my laptop screen. Watching NBA games, Netflix, and GadgetMatch on YouTube (necessary shameless plug) was possible on the side while browsing social media, working on presentations, and reading articles.

Overall, the ASUS ZenScreen is all about being able to multitask, and as I said at the start of this piece, I went into this experience a little skeptical about needing a second screen, but now I can see its benefits.

The ZenScreen retails for US$ 249. The particular model we tried out is the MB16AC which retails at PhP 16,200 in the Philippines.

Accessories

Apple might launch an Apple Pencil Pro later today

Event is scheduled for today

Published

May 7, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

In a few short hours, Apple is scheduled to host an event for its iPad lineup. While the event’s invite makes no mention of the tablets directly, the graphic includes an Apple Pencil. Whatever is happening, tablets are involved. Now, we have a clearer idea of what’s coming in today’s event.

Via MacRumors, Apple’s Japanese website currently has a reference in its code to something called the “Apple Pencil Pro.”

It’s not a direct reference. Rather, it’s an alternative text to an included graphic on the homepage. “Folded green, yellow, orange and blue paper forms the Apple logo. Inside the logo, you can see the creator’s hand holding the Apple Pencil Pro and drawing,” it reads (albeit translated, of course).

Given the proximity to today’s event, the name might be more than a coincidence. Apple might actually release an Apple Pencil Pro later today.

However, tempering expectations a bit, the spotted reference is available only on the Japanese website. Other countries do not have the same caption. It’s possible that it’s just a translation error. It also doesn’t help that the graphic doesn’t actually depict a new Pencil.

If anything, Apple’s stylus needs an update. The Pencil hasn’t received a major overhaul since 2018’s second-generation model.

Accessories

F1’s Daniel Ricciardo spotted with an unreleased Beats Pill

LeBron James was also spotted with the same thing

Published

May 3, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: Formula 1 | Instagram

In a world inundated with leaks, spotting an unreleased device out in the wild is less of a spectacle these days. However, there are still some sneak peeks that manage to catch our eyes. One such example is the sudden appearance of an unreleased Beats Pill in the hands of F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.

A Beats Pill is not an easy speaker to find these days. After all, the company discontinued the last one back in 2022. Unless they particularly love old devices, it’s likely not a coincidence if a popular personality is somehow toting one out in public.

In preparation for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix this weekend, Daniel Ricciardo, who currently races for the Visa Cash App RB team, strolled into the paddock carrying a golden Beats Pill. It’s also interesting that the Pill is positioned perfectly to display the Beats logo.

As if that’s not a sure sign already, LeBron James was also spotted with the same speaker before a game back in April. Serendipitously, the pictured speaker swung perfectly to display the Beats logo in the NBA star’s photo.

Because Beats has not announced a revival yet, it’s difficult to see what the audio company has in store for its next portable speaker. However, one thing’s for sure: A new lanyard will make it easier to carry around. It’s also safe to assume that the device will come with USB-C this time around.

Accessories

CASETiFY announces new Star Wars ‘dark side’ collection

May the 4th be with you

Published

May 3, 2024

GadgetMatch

Every year, fans anticipate May the 4th to celebrate all things Star Wars. This year, CASETiFY is joining the party. Its latest collaboration with Lucasfilm is for an exclusive collection of Star Wars inspired cases and other accessories.

It is the third collaboration between CASETiFY and Lucasfilm. Previous collections which featured the iconic Star Wars logo and its movie titles have sold out in minutes. This time, CASETiFY’s lineup takes fans to the “Dark Side.” Starting May 3rd in a tribute to Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.

Fans will be able to shop a rare collectible laser-engraved Death Star aluminum case, as well as a Darth Vader leather embossed case. Customers may choose from a variety of cases depicting the Death Star, Vader’s helmet, Storm Troopers, the empire’s symbol, and more. Most of the cases sport a dominant black body with white and red accents to complement the overall look.

Designs in the collection retail from US$ 38 to US$ 112. Aside from iPhone cases, fans may choose from accessories made for iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, AirPods, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch, and iPads. Moreover, there are also designs for CASETiFY’s Snappy ecosystem including MagSafe chargers, Power Banks, and Card Holder Stands.

The latest Star Wars CASETiFY collection launches worldwide on casetify.com/co-lab and the CASETiFY Co-Lab app available on the App Store. For offline shoppers, visit CASETiFY Studio locations.