KlikR: The Beginning of Your Smart Home

Infrared blasters are devices that enable you to emulate consumer remote controls for home theater use. The inclusion of such a device is not widely advertised, but it can be a useful feature to have when you would rather sit on your bum and control your TV via smartphone rather than getting up to find the remote.

Chromecast owners who don’t own a TV with HDMI-CEC would especially find an IR blaster on their device to be a useful addition, as they will often find themselves juggling both their phone and their remote in order to turn their TV on/off. There are many users who would find an IR blaster to be a welcome addition to their phone, but unfortunately many phones lack this feature. Some Google Nexus owners, in particular, find themselves envying other users who have this feature, but short of buying a new phone there isn’t much they can do. Thankfully, a new, relatively unheard of device called the Klikr aims to bring this feature to every smartphone.

Klikr is a tiny, bluetooth 4.0 enabled box that sits on or near your TV or other device. It enables your smartphone to control your TV by relaying commands sent from the accompanying Klikr app to the Klikr device, which includes an IR blaster that beams the signal to your TV. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is. All you need to do is teach the device to emulate your remote control by either selecting from a database curated in the app or calibrating it by going through a few button presses on your remote. After that, you’re ready to go.

Software Overview

The app itself is rather simple, and features all of the buttons you would typically need to control your TV. You can change the volume, change the channels, power on/off the device, change inputs, open the TV menu, return to the previous channel, and more. The app even offers the ability to voice control your TV if you so desire. Keep in mind, though, that the buttons on this app depend entirely on what IR remote you are emulating, so if you’re using it to control your thermostat you’ll have buttons for climate control instead.

If you own multiple Klikrs, you can swipe left/right to switch between all of the remotes you’ve set up inside the app. Once you’ve got your Klikr setup ready to go, you can even share your configuration using a QR code so you won’t have to go through the setup process on any other device you own. Your configurations are automatically uploaded onto the cloud which can be useful for serial ROM flashers who might have forgotten to back-up the app’s data that one time. Finally, the app boasts the ability to automatically pause/resume play on devices when you receive a phone call. Automation enthusiasts who have dabbled in Tasker and AutoInput are probably already thinking of additional ways they can enhance this smartphone IR integration.

Is it the Stuff of Dreams?

All of this sounds good in theory, but I’m sure many of you are wondering if it works and if it’s actually available. You’ll be pleased to know that yes, indeed it does work. The company showed off a prototype of its latest product at this year’s CES and I had the opportunity to get a brief demo of it in action.

“Awesome! How much does it cost?” This little box will set you back $22. Not too shabby if you consider how much your TV and smartphone cost, but remember that this device is really just for convenience. It’s certainly not something you need but it would be nice to have, no? Unfortunately, the device is only available for pre-order at this time. The company went through a successful crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter a few months back, and have promised to ship devices to their backers soon.

We’ve seen many unfulfilled promises made on Kickstarter before, but we at least have some faith in the product given the fact that there’s a functional version and application. Keep a look out for this product to hit the online market soon, and grab one if you think the lack of an IR blaster on your Nexus is holding it back. We’ll keep you updated on the status of this project as time goes on.

KOR-FX Gaming Vest

What is KOR-FX?

The KOR-FX Gaming Vest uses award-winning 4DFX technology that transforms the audio coming from your games or media into pinpointed high-definition haptic (tactile) feedback. 

With our innovative technology, you can feel your enemy’s vehicles approaching, or detect which direction a sniper is firing from. It’s the kind of leg up that can take your competitive gameplay to the next level. Playing Counter-Strike: Source, Call of Duty or Arma 3 with KOR-FX is a bit like the first time you watched television in HD – it brings the realism to a level you didn't know existed. The next level of immersive gaming has arrived.

KOR-FX is not a rumble pack. Rumble packs use spinning motors to create vibrations. Our acousto-haptic technology uses audio and special transducers to create precise, directed haptic output. This output echoes into your chest cavity and turns your body into an instrument that allows you to feel the environment extremely accurately.

Compatibility 

KOR-FX is fully compatible with PCs, Macs, game consoles, tablets, and most devices with a 3.5mm audio jack. 

We understand that people connect their devices in many different configurations. At launch, we will release a series of video tutorials to guide you through the most common set-up configurations.  

Virtual Reality

KOR-FX alone provides a unique and rewarding experience. However, when combined with head-mounted VR displays, motion-tracking systems or any of the other new, exciting VR technologies currently available or in development, the KOR-FX vest provides the tactile component of a completely immersive experience that was not possible until now. 

Customize and help us create a great experience

The KOR-FX Gaming Vest provides an outstanding experience out-of-the-box, with no customization. However, a high level of customization has been built in so you can fine-tune how much—or how little—of the game you want to experience. You are in full control of the level of immersion and how it affects you.  

Since the vest is so customizable, feedback from the community will be critical to optimizing the user experience. As you experiment with the KOR-FX vest, we encourage you to share what adjustments or settings work best for you in different games and media types. With users sharing and collaborating in an online environment, your KOR-FX Vest will be able to adapt as the industry grows and evolves.

Fidget cube

I’m a serial fidgeter. Put me in a meeting and I’ll bob my knees like a maniac, I’ll tear apart coffee cup holders into little shreds, and I’ll pick off the nail polish off my fingers. Now there’s a less destructive solution to all this fidgeting, and it’s all contained in one elegant little cube. Each of the six sides holds a fun little doodad to fidget with: clicker buttons; a joystick; a lightswitch flip; a flat, worry stone-like surface; gears and a rolling ball; and a spinning dial.

Whilst it’s not exactly going to set the world alight, the Fidget Cube has definitely captured the imaginations of a lot of people out there given just how successful it has been on Kickstarter. We all fidget from time to time and it’s often annoying when you can’t find something to occupy your mind so this Fidget Cube looks like a must-have for the restless and there is still plenty of time to show support over on Kickstarter.

The Face Bank

The Face Bank is a uniquely designed piggy bank that literally eats your money! It’s fun for kids because the mouth moves as you put your hand close to it. It's the savings bank that will make them want to save. They'll be running around the house searching for coins to "Feed" their face bank. Also makes for a great office and/or reception desk novelty. The piggy bank itself it relatively small at approximately 4 inches in width and height, but it holds a good fair amount of coins. The piggy bank only uses battery power when it detects motion, but you can flip the switch on the back to turn the device on or off, to save the batteries. A great gift to teach kids of all ages how to save money! The Face Bank is such a blast that you will be tempted to feed it continuously! Just be careful he doesn't get too fat!

XY3 Bluetooth item finder

Nobody likes to lose their keys, wallets, bags, or phone and there are a number of Bluetooth item finders available on the market today. Our XY3 review takes a look at the third generation Bluetooth item finder from The Findables Company that lets you use your phone to find your misplaced items.

DESIGN

The XY3 Bluetooth item finder is a hexagon shaped plastic device about 1 1/2″ across and 1/4″ thick. The bottom is flat, while the top has a raised triangular design with an XY button in the lower right area and a hexagon shaped hole near the top for attaching to a keychain. On the side near the top is a cut out area for making it easier to pry the XY3 in half to access and change the battery. Overall it’s a simple design and works well, although the hole at the top made for a bit of a tight fit when trying to fit it on some key rings.

The XY3 doesn’t come with its own key ring attachment, and that would have definitely been something I would have liked to see included. Our review sample was black, but the XY3 is also available in various colours including white, aqua, blue, orange, purple, and a number of other choices.

EASE OF USE

The XY3 requires a companion XY Find It app, and it was easy to pair and register with my phone. The app walks you through the setup process and after complete you simply click on the icon for the appropriate XY3 device (if you have multiple in use) and it will beep until you turn it off by pressing the XY button on it. Alternatively, you can press the XY button on the XY3 unit and it will ring your phone until you click on the alert message on your phone to dismiss it.

If you have the KeepNear function enabled, if you walk out of Bluetooth range of the item you have the XY3 attached to, you’ll get a notification saying that you’re out of range and then another once you’re back in range.

SOFTWARE

The XY3 is compatible with Android and iOS devices. During our testing we used the XY Find It Android app on a Nexus 6P. The app is pretty simple to use. On first launch you’ll be required to create an account. While creating an account might seem like an unnecessary step, it allows you to track your item (based on last known location) and phone on my.xyfindit.com as well. Once you’ve done so, it will walk you through the steps of connecting your XY3 to your phone and then you’re basically good to go.

As far as the actual XY Find It app is concerned, once you’ve attached one XY3 to it, you can add more, view your items, access the XY Store, and adjust settings like vibrations, notifications, disabling the phone ring, and more. Overall it’s a simple app but it has a simple purpose and does it just fine.

Levitating speaker

There's no good reason for a company to build a levitating Bluetooth speaker, but in fairness, there aren't many reasons not to make one. Quite a few already exist. This here is the Mars speaker, from a company called Crazybaby. It arrived in this world, as most absurd products do nowadays, with the help of crowdfunding. After a successful Indiegogo campaign in 2014, the Mars can now be purchased from Amazon and Brookstone because of courseBrookstone would carry this thing for $329. That's ridiculously expensive, and I honestly can't recommend that anyone burn that kind of cash on this speaker. People who backed the product received it for nearly half that price, which is a bit more reasonable. Regardless, the Mars is still a weird, fun, goofy gadget. So you can live vicariously through my experience with it.

It's made up of two pieces: a bottom subwoofer portion, and the top, UFO-like "Mars Craft." Each of these units has its own battery the Craft can actually be taken on the go and used as a regular old Bluetooth speaker. In that regard, it looks a lot like the UE Boom. It's waterproof, and will stick to metal surfaces, so there are plenty of possibilities for where and how you can use the thing. Battery life is rated at around 6 hours. When you turn on the Craft, a circular LED glows (think Google OnHub) and it goes through a sequence of dramatic, silly sound effects. It pairs over Bluetooth, though Crazybaby also offers its own standalone app with extra options, but I never really bothered with that. One unique thing about the Mars is that there's an option to automatically increase the volume as you (your phone, really) move away from it.

That's all well and good, but then you put it on top of the base, and the magic happens. Magnets! How do they work? After a couple seconds, the Craft slowly and steadily lifts off and hovers in place. You can spin it, push it around a bit, and it'll keep levitating without a problem. You can also bring other metal objects into the magnetic field to get it moving around. It'll get knocked down if you push it a little too hard, but getting it back up in the air just requires centering it on the base once again. It's definitely a neat visual effect that caught the attention of many at The Verge's midtown office. It'll probably wow your friends or make them think they're seeing things for a few minutes, anyway. After that, the Mars is an average-sounding, unexceptional Bluetooth speaker that falls short of others in the $200 range, let alone $330. Remember how I said it's not actually something you should buy? Neat trick, though. Make it fly. Stick it to the fridge. Whatever. I'm into it, even if it only sounds okay.

the Microsoft HoloLens

Reviewing the Microsoft HoloLens kit is a bit like taking a trip to the future, 

returning home and then trying to describe it to your friends. Today's version isn't

quite ready for prime time, and it may even be decades before AR headsets reach their

full potential. But holy smokes, has Microsoft taken an impressive first step.

Before we jump in, keep in mind that "review" means something a little different when we're talking about pre-consumer developer hardware. Usually we publish these things to help you decide whether or not to buy products, but in this case that answer is simple: Unless you're a developer or filthy-rich early adopter, don't buy HoloLens right now. Its app selection is still small, and the consumer version will almost certainly cost less and improve on other things.

This is more about looking at where the tech is today, what it tells us about the future (near-term and long-term) and what needs to change to get us there.

With that in mind, what the developer version of HoloLens does is lay the groundwork for a type of product that's unlike anything we've seen before. While we already have virtual reality and we've seen other products described as augmented reality (AR), this is what we'd call the first "real" AR headset. Not only does HoloLens overlay virtual objects on top of your real-world view, but it also knows where your floor, walls, lamps and tables are – letting virtual and real intermingle as if they were all bound by the same physical limits.

So we have things like video game characters who run up the side of your wall, leap back off and then hop over onto your sleeping dog's back. You see app screens, whether Skype, Candy Crush or a web browser, pinned to your wall or TV set. Or human-sized virtual characters who take a seat in the chair next to you, while briefing you on your next mission.

There are other companies now working on similar things behind closed doors (including startup Magic Leap), but Microsoft firmly planted its flag in this AR turf when it revealed HoloLens 19 months ago, and no other public product is doing anything remotely close to this.

The ultimate AR headset of the future, the one ripped out of a million sci-fi fantasies, will do what HoloLens does today, while also adding things like a 180-degree field of view (FOV), all-day battery life and a form factor that doesn't make you look like RoboCop. What we have today is a decidedly at-home piece of gear, with only a few hours of uptime and a disappointingly small field of view.

HoloLens' FOV, though, isn't what's most disappointing: That award would go to Microsoft's marketing images for HoloLens, which paint a misleading picture of what you get today. The company's press shots make the headset look like it's well on its way to being that ultimate AR headset, super-wide FOV and all.

Once you move your head and walk around to see the "holograms" from different angles, then your mind will start to put together the pieces and feel like there are virtual objects all around you. But at any given point, you're only going to see the virtual through a tiny little window floating directly in front of you. It's a big compromise – and one Microsoft has been less than upfront about.

The kicker is, when you take a step back and look at how polished the device is on the whole, and consider how extremely early it is in this AR game, HoloLens' FOV is completely acceptable. If the alternative were Microsoft keeping the device locked behind closed doors, waiting to reveal it to the public until the FOV was closer to virtual reality's 96-110 degree range, then we can live with the tiny view. We love these kinds of previews that pre-release gear like HoloLens allows us to have.

We just can't help but dock points when a company unnecessarily sets such unrealistic expectations – which has also included various Microsoft event demos and promo videos. Microsoft's rosy sales pitch for today's HoloLens is nothing less than a blatant lie.

If you can get past that far-too-casual deception, HoloLens can take you on magical journeys, even with its currently scant app selection and laughably small FOV. Unlike VR, where you forget about your real surroundings while you're seemingly teleported to fantasy lands, AR instead mystifies you by merging the fantasy with the real. So you can have a video call with someone who scribbles instructions that float in mid-air, kick back and watch YouTube videos in what looks like a 50-inch TV hanging on your wall or find a kidnapped child (fictionally, of course) by investigating a reconstructed crime scene in your own living room.

While what HoloLens can do right now is incredibly exciting, our imaginations really start firing when we look ahead at where this can eventually go.

The first consumer AR will likely be just a half-step or two ahead of what we see today. But even a primarily at-home device like this with a very limited field of view could still be a killer first-gen product. The key is giving developers time to create more, deeper and more imaginative apps that build on the small sample we see today.

Much further down the road, once the FOV conundrum is solved, when form factors are subtle enough to be socially acceptable and battery life can last a full day, then the sky will be the limit. At that point, you might be able to throw away your smartphone. When you can hang (or float) a screen anywhere you want, create virtual versions of the real devices you use today, and have a holographic video callwith someone on the other side of the world, you might find that the touchscreen computer sitting in your pocket is no more essential than a landline telephone is today.

If you always imagined a sci-fi future ripped out of Minority Report (or any of hundreds of other sci-fi/fantasy material), with floating screens and holograms all around you, controlled with your bare hands, then that's more likely to happen via the illusion of AR than any other way

Back to the physical headset itself, it's much more polished than you'd expect from pre-release developer gear. I found it to be light and comfortable, and not bad to wear even with glasses on underneath. Its built-in speakers use positional audio, so sounds appear to be coming from the same direction that they look like they're coming from. And while we haven't dared damage-test the US$3,000 review unit, it at least feels sturdy, with plastic that's more of the thick and solid variety than the less desirable thin and flimsy extreme.

Battery life is only a few hours right now, which is plenty for us. Unless you're passing HoloLens around for different friends or family members to spend an hour or more with, we don't think you'll need to leave it on any longer than that right now. Battery life won't need to be off-the-charts until companies start making versions that look something like regular glasses, which you'll want to wear out in public. Today's HoloLens most definitely isn't there.

In-air gesture control works fine for the current model's limited usage. We aren't at the point yet, though, where you can reach, swipe and tap your hands completely intuitively, and see the "holograms" respond as smoothly as if you were swiping your smartphone: It requires very specific gestures that the headset walks you through the first time you put on the headset. In this way the human is still asked to adapt to the tech, rather than the other way around, which is usually a huge red flag that something isn't yet ready for mass-consumer consumption (it isn't).

Microsoft does include a little Bluetooth-enabled clicker control device, which we find preferable to the somewhat cumbersome hand gestures.

Looking at HoloLens for what it is, we see a small – but incredible – glimpse into the future.

Based on public comments that Microsoft execs have made, it sounds like dramatically improving the field of view may require more of a long-term rethinking than a series of short-term iterations. That's a little concerning. And, again, the blast-shield helmet design also dictates that we're many years, probably decades, away from the kind of subtle AR gear that anyone but the boldest early adopters will want to wear out in public. We believe the smartphone will be replaced by AR someday, but that day may be so far away that it's the iPhone 27 or Galaxy Note 38 that you're throwing out in favor of those magic glasses.

There will be a long transitional period in between what we see today and that ultimate AR future. The next step will be high-quality AR that's primarily something you use for either gaming or niche work (like 3D design, DIY instructionals, medical work or building plans) behind closed doors – and that will still be a very cool product. Before it broadens its horizons and replaces the smartphone, AR will sit next to VR as its homebody sibling.

As we said at the top, today's HoloLens isn't something you want to buy unless you're making apps for it. But if Microsoft can get the first consumer version's price down into a similar range as the best 1st-gen VR headsets + PC combo (let's say around $1,500), then HoloLens can play a similar role as today's Oculus Rift and HTC Vive: the futuristic early adopter gear that you invite your friends over to try, smiling as you watch their mouths hang agape the first time they put it on. A little piece of Harry Potter-like magic entering our decidedly Muggle world.

HipShotDot

First person shooter games  (FPS) depend on the accuracy of the person and his weapon — what you see when looking through the scope had better be what you want to hit. But when awash in heart-pounding FPS games, be they Call of Duty or Halo on a game console, the single most important thing is being able to shoot fast…and accurately. Shooting fast just requires pressing a button but acquiring the target and hitting the target requires accuracy. HipShotDot can help.

Here’s what it’s not — something that will get you into trouble for using, should rats come out of the woodwork to accuse you of suddenly having improved your shooting abilities. It doesn’t violate any game rules and besides, there’s no way that HipShotDot can be detected because it’s not a “part” but “outside” the game.

Here’s how to get the HipShotDot ready: you bring up a FPS game which has a fixed-focus scope and zoom the scope all the way in (as possible), centering it on the screen. Apply the top suction cup with has the red LED attached to it directly to the screen so it overlays the scope’s crosshairs. Getting the suction cup to adhere to the screen can be done with some finger grease or a bit of screen cleaner applied first to a finger. The USB cable attached to the suction cup is left to fall straight down and its other end is then plugged into a USB slot of the PC or video game console (or a USB AC adapter if desired). The USB socket is well made  with protective tubing over the wiring of the USB cable and it lights up when power is flowing through it. Now with the red LED at the top suction cup illuminated, just tweak its position as needed. Then attach the bottom suction cup and that’s it. The LED is always illuminated and since the 8 foot USB cable is so thin, it pretty much disappears on the screen. Plus the 8 foot length gives you enough room to maneuver the cable between the TV or monitor and the power source. The manual suggests that two people can set this up the easiest; I found this to be true but doing it by oneself just requires a bit of patience and perhaps 3-5 minutes time in all.

So now you can shoot from the hip faster and with better aim, and it also frees up an additional in-game weapon or device you can use since there’s no need to pull something from your storehouse to improve your shooting “eye.” Plus it’s EMP (electromagnetic pulse) proof, so if someone in the game is able to access this technology to fry an in-game component, you’re sighting stays accurate. Because it’s not inside the game, remember?

I took  it to a friends house to let his teenage son try it out. We set up Goldeneye for the Wii on a 48” Panasonic Plasma to start, and I asked him to shoot at the opponents in one sequence “from the hip.” He did fairly well, but improved a whole lot when the HipShotDot was attached and then turned on, with him repeating the sequence he had just done. We took turns blasting away at a few other games and the end result was he asked if he could keep it — because it was obviously improving on his aim. Since I need all the help I can get in gaming, I told him no. Firmly.

The HipShotDot itself is made fairly well, but it’s important to keep in mind not to “pick” at the suction cups off the screen in a cavalier manner. Using the flat side of the finger (avoiding the fingernail scratching the screen) is always advised. I also found you could, carefully, grip at the back of the suction cup and maneuver it around till it loosened, at which time it could be pulled/pushed off. Also the way it works eliminates any chance of pulling at it when engrossed in game-play. That’s good too.

Parrot Minidrones Jumping Sumo

The two-wheeled Jumping Sumo toy robot has more than a little spring in its step.

This smartphone-controlled drone, the ground-based sibling to the Parrot Minidrones Rolling Spider, has a spring-loaded tail, and connects not via Bluetooth but by Wi-Fi, creating its own Wi-Fi network to which you connect your smartphone or tablet.

Unveiled at CES in Las Vegas in January, the Jumping Sumo has a wide-angle camera mounted in its nose that streams live video to the tablet, allowing remote control of the little robot when out of view, although actually doing so is really quite tricky.

Otherwise, controlling the Sumo is pretty straightforward. The app has with one virtual joystick for forwards and backwards, with tilt for fine turning, and another for rotating it like a tank and performing tricks. Rolling at up to two metres-per-second, the wheels can be extended or contracted for increased stability at high speed or manoeuvrability at low speed – or just for squeezing through tight gaps.

Hit the jump button and bot will hunker down on its tail before bouncing up 80cm into the air, landing on its big flexible shock-absorbing wheels. It can also skip forward at a lower height, which makes climbing large stairs and other obstacles quite fun.

The Sumo has a few other little tricks up its sleeve with spin jumps, swerves and others all performed like a mini acrobat. This has the effect of making the driver look extremely skilled, despite all that’s required is the tapping of a button.

Parrot’s “road plan” feature also allows you to map out a choreographed series of manoeuvres before hitting a button and seeing the Sumo take off on its own – not quite autonomous driving, but a novelty worth exploring.

It sometimes dropped off the Wi-Fi connection in the office, possibly to do with the number of networks available causing interference. Switching Wi-Fi channels and frequencies using the app made it much more reliable.

A single 90-minute charge will last for about 20 minutes, while the camera in the nose could capture low-resolution photos of a cat, dog or anything else at ground level.

The bot will also record video, but only if a flash drive is awkwardly inserted in the top via the microUSB port. It’s a disappointing oversight on Parrot’s part; the original and much-larger AR Drone released in 2010 could record video straight to the smartphone from its on-board camera.

Vector luna

Introduction

According to Juniper research, Apple grabbed over 50% of smartwatch sales in 2015, and the Android Wear ecosystem accounted for under 10%. That leaves quite a bit of room to relatively unpopular makers that have—at differing points in time—jumped onto the smartwatch bandwagon. London-based Vector is one such manufacturer, and the Luna is its second and latest creation.
Sold for anywhere between $299 and $399 in the US depending on the model, the Vector Luna is rather pricey, but tackles this with two unique selling points: a 30-day battery life and platform-agnostic approach meaning compatibility with iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices. Is that enough to set it apart from the crowd, and should you consider dumping some serious cash into it, however?

Design

This one is for the appreciators of classic design

With a round, stainless steel case in black and a brown leather strap attached to the lugs, our unit of the Vector Luna ranks highly on the list of more conventional-looking smartwatches. At 44mm in diameter, the watch is on the larger side, but sits well on a bigger man's wrist. 22mm in width, the leather or steel wrist band is also befittingly wide and is removable should you decide to go with something custom. What we hate is the creaking sound the band makes when you move it up or down due to friction between the lugs and the leather. When on the wrist, however, this problem disappears.

In terms of thickness, the Luna is no slimmer nor thicker than the smartwatches of the day, nor is it heavier or lighter. It does, however, come with the added benefit of 5ATM water resistance, meaning water shouldn't leak inside and damage the internals when showering. In theory, it should withstand pressure up to 50 meters deep, which is quite a bit compared with most smartwatches out there.

On the right side of the smartwatch is where you'll find the three physical buttons—rounded rectangles on top and bottom for moving up and down throughout the interface, and a circular crown in the middle to select and exit menus. Travel time for these is rather short and awkward, and they're a bit on the rigid side, so we weren't exactly pleased.

Vector luna

Overall, we can't say our world was rocked by the Vector Luna, though it's certainly among the more attractive wrist computers you can get right now. It also feels solidly built, though it scores average for comfort. For those curious, the smartwatch is also available with a round case made out of rose or champagne gold, and with silicone and steel bands in various colors.

Display

The E Ink display is the Luna's secret sauce, but we were hoping for a higher pixel density.

The Luna lacks an LCD display or even a touchscreen for that matter. Instead, it makes use of a grayscale E Ink panel, which is what allows Vector to market the watch as capable of lasting up to 30 days. This is possible because E Ink displays are “bistable”, meaning that no power whatsoever is consumed so long as nothing changes on the screen. And because there's no back lighting (unless you press the middle button), the Luna has its screen always on, with only minimal impact on the power reserve. At night, you can click the crown to get some dim—but sufficient—lighting for about 5 seconds

Anyway, after having spent so much time wearing touch-enabled smartwatches on our wrists, we actually found that we needed a day or two to get used to not swiping on the display. That's all the better since the glass covering the tiny screen is a beast of a fingerprint magnet, with the added “benefit” of smudges being extra hard to get rid of.

Vector doesn't market the actual size of the round display, but we measured it at about 30mm in diameter, which puts it in the same category as the Samsung Gear S2 (~1.2 inches). That's smaller than most competing products in the category, but more than sufficient when touch input isn't required and the interface is as simple as on the Luna. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about the pixel density of the unit—it leaves a lot to be desired, with the hour and minute hands looking a bit pixelated. We're also no fans of the very thick bezel around the panel.