Reviews | Imagination Works

HTC 10 – new top-level 5.2″ Android 6.0 smartphone with 4 GB of RAM, 4G LTE, 12 MP camera and 3000 mAh battery

Company HTC announced its new top-level smartphone HTC 10 under OS Android 6.0 operation, with 5.2″ Super LCD 5 screen with Wide Quad HD resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels and tough Gorilla Glass, 4 GB of RAM, 4G LTE, 12 MP main camera ( +4K video ) and 3000 mAh battery. It also has : 64-bits 4-cores processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, working on 2.2 GHz frequency, 32 GB of on-board memory, Micro SD flash cards bay with 2 TB max size and 1 Nano SIM cards slot. Smartphone can work in 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ), 3G and 4G LTE networks, supports satellite navigation GLONASS, GPS+A-GPS and Beidou and contains lighting, proximity, acceleration and magnetic fields sensors, gyroscope, as well as fingerprints scanner and Sensor Hub for fitness applications.

HTC 10 has 2 good for smartphones cameras : main one with 12 MP BSI sensor, autofocusing, optical image stabilization ( OIS ), f/1.8 aperture, 26 mm focal length with 80 degrees field of view and support of HDR, RAW ( 12 bits ) format images saving and 4K video recording. As well as 5 MP frontal one also with BSI sensor, autofocusing, f/1.8 aperture, 23 mm focal length ( FOV is 86 degrees ) and support of HDR and Full HD 1080p video recording. On external panels of HTC 10 there are : USB 3.1 connector ( top-level smartphone, indeed ) for connection to computer and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headsets and headphones connector, microphone and speaker, volume control and power buttons, as well as Display Port for connection of stand-alone monitors. Smartphone supports wireless connections Wi-Fi ( 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac ), Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC for remote communications with other devices and data transfers. Battery charge of HTC 10 is equal to 3000 mAh, which is a good value for smartphones, it is enough for 19 days in stand-by mode or 27 hours of talking; its body sizes are 145.9 ( height ) x 71.9 ( width ) x 3-9 ( depth ) mm and mass is 161 g.

Package with HTC 10 contains : USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is great in most characteristics : with very powerful system, very good cameras with 4K video recording support, 4G LTE, satellite navigation GLONASS, GPS+A-GPS and Beidou, USB 3.1 and all modern wireless connections standards. There is ability to anticipate, that its price will be according. From its minuses there is only ability to note only 1 slot for SIM cards and not the biggest battery capacity. If such top-level characteristics are not needed, then there is ability to buy much cheaper optimal Windows or Android smartphone + tablet PC + good photo camera, wherein receiving better functionality and more devices.

Crops export into China, agreement about corridor “Central Asia – Persian Gulf” and steel overproduction crisis

Russia anticipates to receive this year resolution from China to supply additional kinds of crops and their processing products, this will contribute into agriculture development in Russia and will strengthen trade between two countries. Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Oman ratified agreement about “Central Asia – Persian Gulf” transport corridor, which will make it easier and faster to transport goods and resources from Central Asia to Persian Gulf, which will help to develop economically these regions. In the world crisis of steel overproduction continues to go on : China produces it in very big amounts and this leads to price lowering; it is now on such levels, that many European plants are unremunerative and companies have to close them. So, European Union introduces new dues on its import from China; China promises to think about lowerings its production, but now does not intend to increase steel making lowering rates for the sake of European manufacturers.

Meeting in Doha on oil did not lead to agreement about its production freezing, but this rendered only psychological influence on its price and it continues to be formed by physical market factors. USD to currencies of six biggest trade partners of USA continues to lower, which lead to according changes of resources’ prices. This is all for today from world economical events during week.

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro – 5″ IPS Android 5.1 smartphone with 8-cores CPU, 3 GB of RAM, 4G LTE and 4100 mAh battery for 220 USD

Company Xiaomi released its new device Redmi 3 Pro – Android 5.1 smartphone with 5″ multitouch IPS screen with HD 1280 x 720 pixels resolution, 8-cores processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 MSM8939v2, 3 GB of RAM, 4G LTE and 4100 mAh battery for approximately 220 USD. It also has : graphical chip Adreno 405, 32 GB of on-board memory, connector for flash cards with 128 GB max capacity ( it is combined with second bay for SIM cards ) and slots for Micro SIM and Nano SIM cards. Smartphone can work in 2G ( GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 ), 3G and 4G LTE ( LTE-A, EV-DO Rev. A ) networks and has satellite navigation GLONASS, GPS+A-GPS and BeiDou, as well as proximity, acceleration, gravitation and lighting sensors, gyroscope, compass and fingerprints scanner.

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro has 2 good for smartphones cameras : 13 MP main one with flash and autofocusing and 5 MP frontal one with fixed focus; it supports wireless connections Wi-Fi ( 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac ) and Bluetooth 4.1 for remote data transfers and communication with other devices and does not support NFC. On its external panels there are : 1/8″ mini jack headsets and headphones connector, Micro USB 2.0 port for connection to computer and battery charging, microphone and speaker, as well as power and volume control buttons. Battery charge is 4100 mAh, which is a good value for smartphones; device sizes are 69.6 ( width ) x 139.3 ( height ) x 8.5 ( depth ) mm and mass is 144 g.

Package with Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro contains : USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone has great characteristics : large IPS screen, 4G LTE, very powerful system, very capacitive battery, good cameras and modern wireless connections standards, its price is far lower, then similar devices of other manufacturers have. So, it safely can be bought, if such functions are needed; if they are not needed, then there is ability to buy much cheaper optimal Windows or Android smartphone and tablet PC.

Audio-Technica ATH-A990z – new professional 53 mm monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 42 kHz and 2000 mW input power

Novelty of even more professional level of Audio-Technica company is a 53 mm monitor dynamic headphones ATH-A990z with 5 Hz – 42 kHz sound frequencies playback support, 2000 mW max input power and closed acoustic architecture. Their sensitivity is 100 dB/mW, impedance is 44 Ohms and mass is 335 g. Cable has 3 m length and is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack plug with gold-plated contacts, it is attached to only one of the cups and is not detachable. Headband has automatic adjustment mechanism for listeners with different heads sizes; cushions are made from soft material for comfortable wearing over long time.

Headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A990z are not foldable, in each cup they have only 1 driver; manufacturer does not tell which magnets are used in device, but, the most probably, they are neodymium magnets; headphones are created with use of Double Air Damping System technology, allowing to better and more loudly reproduce basses due to their resonance in body of cups. Device has no active noise-cancellation function, as part of other monitor headphones have, but they have good noise isolation. In place of entering into cup cable is additionally reinforced with resin lining for increased durability and wear resistance during bending and tear-off forces applications. Cable has no built-in microphone and smartphone and volume control buttons.

Body around membranes of Audio-Technica ATH-A990z is made from aluminum for reduced chatter during audio playback; manufacturer tells about implementation of additional measures for Amplitude-Frequency Characteristic equalization : basses pumping up and high-frequencies normalization. Package with Audio-Technica ATH-A990z headphones contains : screw-on adapter to 1/4″ jack connector also with gold-plated contacts, warranty card and user’s guide. As most of the devices of Audio-Technica company, ATH-A990z are designed for professional studio use and have excellent characteristics for this; their price corresponds to this : 200 – 280 USD, and is not overly high for device of such level. For everyday high-quality sounds and music listenning such characteristics are not needed and there is ability to buy much cheaper consumer-level 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones. Also, if compactness and lightness are needed the most, then there is ability to look on in-ears headphones, which do not reproduce sounds as good, as monitor headphones, especially basses, but have small sizes and mass, which is the most needed during sportive exercises and trainings; also this type of headphones often have slider and clip on cable to prevent its tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects.

There is also need to note, that Audio-Technica – is a Japanese company, established in Tokyo in 1962 year, as phonographs cartridges producer. Then it started to develop and introduced among its products microphones and headphones, among which now there are wired and wireless models. At current moment it is one of the leading foreign consumer sound electronics and government organizations devices supplier in USA. And in the country of a rising Sun audio devices are usually made with high quality of components and assembling.

Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z – new 53 mm monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 35 kHz and 100 dB sensitivity

Company Audio-Technica releases new professional 53 mm monitor headphones ATH-A550Z with closed-back architecture, 5 Hz – 35 kHz sound frequencies playback support and 100 dB sensitivity. Their impedance is 40 Ohms, maximal input power is 1000 mW and mass is 300 g without wire accounting. Cable has 3 m length and is connected to only 1 of the cups; it is plugged to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts. Headphones are released only in matte black color variant and have soft ears pads for comfortable long-time wearing.

Cable of Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z is not detachable, is covered with cloth material for increased durability and wear resistance and in place of entering into cups additionally reinforced with resin tubes; they are not foldable and have no active noise-cancellation function, however their noise isolation is quite good. In both cups there is only 1 driver with CCAW audio coils, manufacturer does not tell which magnets are used in device, but the most probably, these are neodymium magnets; headphones use Double Air Damping System ( D.A.D.S. ) technology for more high-quality and loud basses reproduction. PCB of Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z is placed in their top part for more free air flow and precise diaphragms movements.

Package with Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z contains : adapter to 1/4″ jack connector, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are oriented on professional use and have all needed characteristics for this, their price corresponds to this : 160 – 180 USD. For professional equipment such price is justified; for usual high-quality music and sounds listening such characteristics are not needed and there is ability to buy much cheaper consumer-level 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones for much smaller price.

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre – Thunderbolt audio interface with 192 kHz, 24 bits, 18 inputs, 20 outputs and 119 dB dynamic range

Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 8Pre

Among the most functional devices of Focusrite company there is a Thunderbolt audio interface Clarett 8Pre with 192 kHz and 24 bits work mode, 18 inputs, 20 outputs and 119 dB dynamic range. On its frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/instrumental Hi-Z/linear inputs; phantom power +48 V enabling buttons for inputs 1-4 and 5-8; gain control knobs for 8 inputs with instrumental mode indicators for first two ones and Air function activity for all of them. Then follow : Thunderbolt connection, MIDI connection and device blocking signalers; screen, showing signal levels and clipping of 8 inputs and 2 main outputs; Direct Monitor switch and mute buttons with volume control; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones outputs with volume control knobs; as well as power button with indicator.

Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 8Pre ( back panel )

On back panel of Focusrite Clarett 8Pre there are : power line input; TRS 1/4″ jack digital coaxial S/PDIF input and output; MIDI input and output; Thunderbolt port for connection to computer; optical digital TOSLINK input and output; time synchronization connector with other devices; 10 linear outputs ( 1st and 2nd are main ); and 6 more combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear outputs. Analogue outputs are balanced, all inputs are unbalanced. Microphone inputs of Focusrite Clarett 8Pre have following characteristics : THD+N 0.001 %, dynamic range 118 dB, noise level -128 dB; first two parameters of linear inputs are 0.005 % and 118 dB; of instrumental inputs are 0.001 % and 111 dB, accordingly. Dynamic range of monitor outputs is 117 dB, linear 119 dB, THD+N of both types is 0.0007 %; the same parameters of monitor headphones outputs are 112 dB and 0.0008 %, accordingly. Device’s sizes are 482.5 ( width ) x 43.9 ( height ) x 291 ( depth ) mm and mass is 4.35 kg, its body is made from aluminum with red color.

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre works only in Mac OS X 10.9 and newer with support of Core Audio interface for interaction with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. Manufacturer promises support of Windows in near time. With it following programs are supplied : Focusrite Control ( mixer and device control panel ), 1 GB of sound samples Loopmasters and Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 plugins package; also package with Focusrite Clarett 8Pre contains : power line cable, disk with drivers, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, audio interface is great and has high-level characteristics and large amount of connectors, it is designed for use in large studios and is a great solution for them. For small studios and in-home recordings there is ability to look on USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other manufacturers production, with the same characteristics and components quality, but with smaller connectors amount and much lower price.

Philips SHE5200 – 8.6 mm in-ears headphones with 10 Hz – 22 kHz and neodymium magnets for 14 USD

One of the novelties among in-ears headphones with not high price is a 8.6 mm device Philips SHE5200 with 10 Hz – 22 kHz sounds frequencies range playback support, neodymium magnets, semi-open acoustic architecture and around 14 USD price. Their sensitivity is 107 dB, impedance is 16 Ohms and maximal input power is 20 mW. Cable with 1.2 m length is connected to both cups, it is plugged to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts. It is additionally reinforced on all its length and in entrances into cups for increased durability; cups are made from metal for the same purpose and decreased chatter, when sound is played back, device is supplied only in white color variant.

Package with Philips SHE5200 headphones contains 3 ears tips of different sizes ( large, small and medium ), warranty card and user’s guide. All in all device is good : it has large for in-ears headphones membranes, wide reproducible audio frequencies range, neodymium magnets, reinforced construction and gold-plated contacts of a plug, wherein its price is quite adequate to characteristics. If device’s compactness is not needed and sound quality is more important, then there is ability to look on 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones with not much larger price.

Huawei Honor 4C Pro – 5″ IPS Android 5.1 smartphone with 4G LTE, 13 MP camera, 2 GB of RAM and GLONASS+A-GPS for 180 USD

Company Huawei brought mirth again and released new Android 5.1 smartphone Honor 4C Pro with 4G LTE, 5″ multitouch IPS screen with HD 1280 x 720 pixels resolution, 13 MP main camera, 2 GB of RAM and satellite navigation GLONASS and GPS+A-GPS for around 180 USD. It also has : 4-cores processor MediaTek MT6735P Cortex A53, graphical chip Mali-T720, 16 GB of on-board memory, Micro SD flash cards connector with 128 GB max capacity and 2 slots for Мicro SIM cards. It can work in 2G ( GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 ), 3G and 4G LTE ( +LTE-A Cat. 4 ) networks and contains lighting and proximity sensors.

Huawei Honor 4C Pro has 2 good for smartphones cameras : 13 MP main one with autofocusing and flash and 5 MP frontal one. On its external panels there are : 1/8″ mini jack headphones and headsets connector, Micro USB 2.0 port for connection to computer and battery charging, power and volume control buttons, as well as microphone and speaker. It supports wireless connections Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n, +Direct ) and Bluetooth 4.0 for remote data transfers and communications with other devices and does not support NFC. Battery charge is 4000 mAh, which is a very good value for smartphones; device’s body is made from plastic, its sizes are 71.8 ( width ) x 143.1 ( height ) x 9.7 ( depth ) mm and mass is 160 g.

Package with Huawei Honor 4C Pro contains : USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is great : it has 4G LTE, large IPS screen, powerfull enough system, very capacitive battery, satellite navigation GLONASS and GPS+A-GPS, modern wireless connections, good cameras and it is not overpriced for its functions. If such functions are not needed, then there is ability to buy much cheaper optimal Windows or Android smartphone and tablet PC.

Upcoming meeting in Doha about oil productions amounts freezing and possible sell-off of USA’s obligations on 750 billions USD

At this Sunday 17th April in capital of Katar – Doha will be held meeting of oil-producing countries, some of which are members of OPEC and some are not. On it possibility of oil production level freezing will be discussed, which will allow to stop its prices falling and then lead them to growth and stabilization. Countries set their requirements : Saudi Arabia will freeze its production only if other countries will do the same, but Iran does not want to do it and wishes to rise its production level to pre-sanctions level. So, it’ll be hard to come to agreement, but possible still; if this will happen, then oil prices will start to slowly grow and stabilize; economics of Russia and ruble will follow it; if not, then ruble exchange rates with other currencies will have large volatility and new meetings on the same theme will be held. Both scenarios can be thinkingly used for personal benefit.

On this week it became known, that Saudi Arabia threats to sell USA‘s obligations on 750 billions USD, if congress will approve law, that allows to bring to responsibility SA’s government, which, presumably, is involved in acts of terrorism in USA at 11th September of 2001 year. It will be hard to do this technically, but, if part of these threats will be implemented, then this can decrease USA’s economy growth; however, there is possibility, that USA will freeze these funds and confiscate part of them later, as compensation on SA’s government involvement in 11th September 2001 year acts of terrorism. There is some wrestling between these countries go on : Saudi Arabia tries to run down shale oil production in USA, USA answers, as it can, SA threats to answer in its turn and so on. All in all, for Russia it is profitable for those countries to not cooperate tightly and to not be able to make strong influences on world economy areas, which directly affect country’s economy. So : let them wrestle further and pursue their own interests. This is all for today in economics area.

Alesis VX49 – USB MIDI keyboard with 4.3″ LCD screen, 8 drumpads and large amount of adjustable controls and programs

The most functional device of Alesis company with medium amount of keys is a USB MIDI keyboard VX49 with 4.3″ LCD screen, 8 velocity and pressure sensitive drumpads with RGB backlight and large amount of adjustable controllers and programs. As it follows from its name, it has 49 velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch function, as well as : 8 programmable knobs; dedicated drumpads sounds banks selection and transport and octaves control buttons; arpreggiator, pitch-bend and modulation control wheels and other controls. On its back panel there are MIDI input and output, TRS 1/4″ jack inputs of expression and footswitch pedals, USB port for powering and connection to computer and power adapter input, which allows to use device with tablet PCs and notebooks without load on their batteries.

Alesis VX49 can be used as stand alone MIDI controller or operate modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others and their VST/AU instruments and effects. With keyboard program Virtual Instrument Player is supplied, which allows to connect to it any VST instrument and work with it without DAW. After purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s website programs DAW Ableton Live Lite, Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Xpand!2, Velvet, Transfuser and Eighty Eight Ensemble. With Alesis VX49 package contains : USB cable, cards with codes for programs downloading, warranty card and user’s guide. Device is great and has all instruments for long-time professional creative development; as all Alesis devices have, this one has one of the smallest prices among USB MIDI keyboards with simillar functionality. Wherein, if such functionality is not needed, then there is ability to buy much cheaper devices with entry-level characteristics and close keys amount.

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