It has now become a standard in the mobile industry that most mid-range and high-end smartphones have a t90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate on their screens, and even more, with the exception of some that strangely lag behind at 60 Hz. But sometimes, some applications do not exceed 60 Hz in their refresh rate, something that can be frustrating if your mobile has a screen more fluid.
Xiaomi will have a solution for this problem. In the most recent version of MIUI 14, the company’s custom layer based on Android, the system includes a new function that allows force the refresh rate to 120 Hz in any application, in order to guarantee the greatest fluidity and the best user experience.
120 Hz on the screen, even by force
Many Xiaomi phones allow you to select the refresh rate of their screens in the device configuration menu, being able to choose between 60 Hz, 90 Hz and 120 Hz on smartphones that have this feature in their technical sheet. But still, sometimes, some applications run at a maximum of 60 Hz, even when the smartphone screen has a faster refresh rate. This translates into less fluidity in the imageand in image flickers when there is a variation in the refresh rate between applications.
It is this problem that attacks the recent MIUI 14 update that is becoming available, first in China. The MIUI version in question is the V14.0.10.0.TLECNXM, as reported in GizmoChina. For now, the brand has only released it for the Xiaomi 12S Pro, and mentions the following in the changelog included in the version, as revealed by IT Home:
Update with Google security patches from August 2023, improves system security.
The mobile adds the function of customizing the screen refresh rate in specific applications.
According to images published by IT Home of the changes in the system, the mobile now allows you to select between a “standard” and a “high” refresh rate for force greater fluidity in own or third-party applications. In other words, if the Xiaomi mobile has a 120Hz screen, you can force those 120Hz in any application that, for some reason, does not exceed 60Hz. This can be configured from the MIUI settings menu.
This update still does not have a release date for the rest of the territories, but we hope to see it soon on all compatible Xiaomi, POCO or Redmi devices, while Xiaomi is working on what will be the launch of its next major operating system update, MIUI 15 .
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has been in our pockets in recent weeks and we have extensively tested the flagship. Read here how the smartphone performs and find out whether it is for you.
This is the Samsung Galaxy S24 review
Flat, smooth and packed with artificial intelligence: that’s what Samsung promises with the Galaxy S24. The manufacturer has updated the smartphone in terms of both hardware and software, including a larger battery, new chip and brighter screen. All this for a suggested retail price of 899 eurosfive bucks cheaper than its predecessor.
We have extensively tested the new entry-level of Samsung’s top devices and you can read our experiences in this review. This way you know whether the Galaxy S24 is for you.
Samsung Galaxy S24 review
Design Hardware Screen Software
Cameras Battery and charging Conclusion Buy
Subtle custom design
It is clear at first glance that the Galaxy S24 speaks the same design language as other Samsung devices. This is due to the flat glass back, metal sides and the three separate cameras on the back. Samsung has made minor adjustments, because the sides are now almost completely flat, except for a subtle rounding towards the back.
Combine this with the handy size of the regular S24 and the device fits comfortably in the hand. Unfortunately, the smartphone offers little grip due to the matte back, making it easier to let it slip out of your hands.
Furthermore, the device is again equipped with clear stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, buttons on the right and a SIM card slot. All in all, this is a housing that you would expect from a high-end smartphone.
Hardware performs surprisingly well
It may be a bit of an exaggeration that the Exynos name strikes a chord with Samsung fans. However, processors from Samsung’s own kitchen were not exactly popular in the past. Fortunately, you have little to complain about with the Exynos 2400, because the chip is very smooth.
Playing games, switching between apps and opening large 3D files goes smoothly on the S24, which feels smooth, especially with the 120Hz screen. The Exynos 2400 seems to be a lot less energy efficient than the Snapdragon chips. You can read more about this later in this review.
Furthermore, the Galaxy S24 is available in two variants, both with 8GB of RAM. The cheapest model has 128GB of storage, which in combination with a cloud subscription will be more than sufficient. Want to store more photos, apps or files locally? Then there is also a 256GB version.
Screen you want to look at for hours
A Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ colors, a maximum brightness of 2600 nits and protection by a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus 2. That is not only a mouthful, but they are also the ingredients for a screen of very High Quality. Samsung has outdone itself once again.
Although the Galaxy S24 ‘only’ has a Full HD resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels, the compact size of 6.2 inches makes it sharp enough. In addition, the screen edges are incredibly thin and symmetrical. The brightness automatically adjusts to show HDR images clearly, but at the same time keeps the menus dim.
Software packed with Galaxy AI
During the launch of the S24, Samsung paid the most attention to Galaxy AI. This name covers several useful artificial intelligence functions that the manufacturer has incorporated into the One UI 6.1 shell of Android 14. In our experience, there are mainly a lot of small functions that you use occasionally, but certainly not all of them.
There are various language functions with AI, including Live Translate that can translate calls and messages between different languages. This works fine and also on WhatsApp, but Dutch is not yet supported. Chat Assist can also help you write messages in a different tone, but these often appear to be written by AI.
In collaboration with Google, the Galaxy S24 also features Circle to Search. This allows you to draw a circle around an object you encounter on your smartphone at any time, after which information will appear. In practice you won’t use the function too often, but it is certainly useful to have. However, do you use swipe gestures instead of a navigation bar? Then activating the Circle to Search mode is quite inconvenient.
OneUI 6.1Circle to SearchResults
Furthermore, the One UI shell is exactly what you have come to expect from Samsung. For example, menus look a lot different than on stock Android and you have exclusive access to the Galaxy Store. In addition, Samsung provides the Galaxy S24 with seven years of software and security updates, so you can use it until 2031.
Cameras take more realistic pictures
The set of cameras on the Samsung Galaxy S24 is identical to those on the predecessor. The new flagship is again equipped with a 50 megapixel main camera, 12 megapixel wide-angle lens and the optical telephoto lens has a resolution of 10 megapixel.
Pictures on the S24 are especially striking because of the natural colors. The smartphone does not take photos too colorful and the contrast is lower than its predecessor. Photos on the S24 also seem to be sharpened less. This applies to the main and wide-angle lens. The zoom camera does smartly sharpen objects, especially if you zoom in further than the optical ‘3x zoom’.
Wide angle lensMain camera3x optical zoom10x digital zoom
The cameras don’t perform particularly well in the dark unless you hold the phone still for long enough. Unfortunately, movement often means a blurry photo and again the flash still cannot be used with the wide-angle lens.
Portrait modeWide angle lens3x optical zoomMain camera
Of course, Samsung also brings AI to the cameras. In this way, artificial intelligence combines the different cameras for the sharpest picture and the best quality. You can also edit photos better with the AI.
Use Samsung’s Gallery app to straighten photos, generate missing parts and remove reflections from windows. All in all, the functions often work well with simple photos and good lighting conditions. However, we don’t think you’ll use them often.
Battery for a (busy) day and charging
Let’s start with the facts with the battery: the battery has grown from 3900 mAh to 4000 mAh, it still charges at 25 Watts and can charge other devices (wirelessly). The increased capacity is of course minimal, which means that in practice you will not see a major improvement compared to its predecessor.
To be honest, the battery life of the Galaxy S24 is quite disappointing. On average, we get a measly five hours of active screen time from the phone. That’s fine if you don’t use the smartphone much, for example on a busy working day. Do you want to play games for an afternoon or do you use the device a lot during the day? Then you probably need to recharge in the evening.
The charging speed of the S24 is again a maximum of 25 Watts. Samsung does this to keep the battery in good condition for as long as possible, but this does mean that it takes about an hour and a half for the smartphone to charge from 0 to 100 percent. You should take this into account a little more before you leave the house.
Wireless charging is again possible at 15 Watts and takes almost two hours. Reverse wireless charging of other devices is even slower, but is especially useful in emergencies.
Conclusion Samsung Galaxy S24 review
With a recommended retail price of 899 euros, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is in a different price range than the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, but it is equipped with a very bright screen with a high refresh rate, an extensive set of cameras, a smooth chip and the same smart software functions.
In our opinion, the only thing you really need to cut back on is the battery, because it simply won’t hold up to intensive use. Do you not use your smartphone all day long, but do you want a high-end device when you do use it? Then the Galaxy S24 is definitely recommended.
Do you like the design of the S24, but do you want to be sure of an all-day battery? Then take a look at the Galaxy S24 Plus. Do you prefer the best of the best and are you willing to pay extra for it? Then you’ve come to the right place at the S24 Ultra.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S24
Will the Samsung Galaxy S24 be your new smartphone? Then make sure you get it for the best price through the most affordable provider. You can easily find the best deal via our price comparator.
Lovers of Science fiction You are in luck in these times when productions that explore the confines of space and imagination. The entertainment industry has given us gems like Foundation on Apple TV+ and highly anticipated film premieres like The Creator. The thirst for distant futures and cosmic mysteries seems endless. In the midst of this panorama, we see a proposal that stands out for its originality and format. We are referring to Scavengers Reign, an animated series that promises to captivate us and restore our enthusiasm for exploration and discovery of the wonders of the universe.
It is curious that in the midst of this genre resurgence, at a time of spectacular special effects, they are betting on animation for a new production. Don’t get me wrong, I am a lover of animation and I think that in this format we have had some of the best contributions to the genre, from AKIRA to Love, Death & Robots. But traditionally it seems that the entertainment industry mainly associates animation with children’s contentwhere Scavengers Reign is a very interesting proposal.
Exploring the Unknown
Scavengers Reign immerses us in an unparalleled journey through space and time. The series continues the crew of the Demeter, a spaceship that, under mysterious circumstances, veers off course and ends up on a completely unknown planet. This world, as beautiful as it is relentless, it becomes his home and prison at the same time. To survive, the crew must discover the secrets of this planet and find a way to escape or be rescued.
The plot of Scavengers Reign is an interesting approach that is inspired by the work of Joe Bennett and Charles Huettnerwho adapt the series from their 2016 short film, Scavengers. Together with the teams at Titmouse Animation and Green Street Pictures, the quality of the creative team behind the series ensures that we are about to embark on a visually stunning journey.
One of the highlights of Scavengers Reign is its visual aesthetic. The series presents an animation style that reminds us of the iconic works of great talents of the European science fiction comiclike the teacher Jean Giraud “Moebius”especially in his latest forays into the genre, new works such as works like the saga Negalyod of Vincent Perriot, or the maximalist and colorful science fiction illustrations of Killian Eng. This combination creates a world full of dreamlike and psychedelic images that will captivate viewers from the first moment.
This unique artistic approach brings a new dimension to the series and differentiates it from other science fiction productions, perhaps more focused in recent decades on the world of purer 3D animation. The attention to detail and the overflowing imagination of the series’ designers immerse us in a tremendously interesting universe on a visual level.
The animated paradox of HBO Max
It is fascinating to see how HBO Max is betting on risky productions like Scavengers Reign at a time when audiovisual entertainment seems to want to break away from the most commercial schemes in search of more diverse and experimental inspiration. However, this commitment to the unusual is also accompanied by the inexplicable removal of animated classics from its catalog, like Beyond the Garden. It is an interesting paradox: while they are getting rid of internationally recognized productions valued by critics and viewers, they are willing to open the doors to new and exciting worlds of animation.
Although the exact date of its release in Spain it has not yet been confirmed At the time of writing, Scavengers Reign is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max next Thursday, October 19.
Several years have passed since Sony got out of the PS Vita car, although there are many studies indies that they continue to take it into account in the face of conversions in their most recent work. For many it’s true he’s dead, but that doesn’t mean he’s not « alive » for another sector that loves notebooks.
There is actually one facet that is always forgotten: Cross-purchase with PS4. A feature where, for the payment of a product, we are given the possibility (free) of being able to play it on another console of the PlayStation family. Usually with PS Vita, although the PS3 has also benefited a lot. Today we will review many PS4 games that you can play in portable mode with your PS Vita, if you keep it still … Because the console is discontinued.
New graphic adventures and other classics
Being a touchscreen console, Graphical Adventures is one of the genres best suited to the PS Vita. And over there Double Fine Productions is the most contributing studio, saving three classics from LucasArts and one of their classics released in 2015.
We discussed the Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, and Full Throttle updates as well as the KickStarter, Broken Age twist. Unfortunately, Revolution Software did not do the same with Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse, by not having Cross-Buy. But this is one of the few exceptions. For example, eschatology Demetrios: THE GREAT Cynical Adventureyes you have it.
Sometimes these were late conversions, such as remake of the mythical Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, renamed Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty, two years behind the original PS4 version. A platform adventure to hit the coconut and save Abe’s companions. And f**t. A lot.
We cannot forget a video game considered to be art (one of the first to appear in the exhibition at the prestigious MoMA), Another World.
On the PlayStation Store …
Metroidvanias, roguelikes and action platforms
A genre that is experiencing its second youth today is that of metroidvania, with more exhibitors than ever and with a variety worthy of note, with more crazy and refreshing proposals. And there are several that luckily also came out on PS Vita with Cross-Buy between PS4. Here, yes, like the rest of the games we list, it should be noted that Cross-Buy only applies to digital purchases. The physical purchases are not worth it.
The case is that we electrify Teslagrad at retro-metroid Axiom Verge, going through the TimeSpinner temporal paradoxes, with other notables like Chasm, Iconoclasts or, more importantly, SteamWorld Dig 2. Because this sequel left layers behind what was seen in the first SteamWorld Dig. And what about the hilarious Unepic, the great adventure of Francisco Tellez de Meneses?
If we expand into more action and platform variants, with a few titles with notes of roguelike, we have one of the best games ever (besides the best remake possible), most of Spelunky. Or that Rogue Legacy whose legacy continues to grow. Even that Souls in 2D called Salt & Sanctuary, with additional mention for Killed: back from h**l, who was polite.
In the purest part of the platform there are more jewels Inde timeless, like Super Meat Boy, Knight’s shovel or Fez. And in its party style, almost no game can beat TowerFall Ascension. Without ignoring this tribute to the history of consoles which bears the name of Super Life of Pixel (very informative, if we are patient) or how addicting it is to immerse yourself without stopping Downwell.
Even with a ’90s spirit and bombproof difficulty, we have the very demanding (but aesthetically ugly to rage) Volgarr le Viking and this little pixelated wonder that responds to the name of Mercenary kings.
On the PlayStation Store …
Axiom Verge | 17,99 euros
Chasm | 17.99 euros
Downwell | 4,99 euros
Fes | 9.99 euros
Iconoclasts | 19.99 euros
Mercenary Kings | 15.99 euros
Rogue Legacy | 12,99 euros
Salt and Sanctuary | 17.99 euros
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove | 24,99 euros
Killed: back from h**l | 14.99 euros
Spelunky | 14,99 euros
SteamWorld Dig | 8.99 euros
SteamWorld Dig 2 | 19.99 euros
Super pixel life | 11.99 euros
Super Meat Boy | 15,99 euros
Teslagrad | 14.99 euros
TimeSpinner | 19,99 euros
Ascent of TowerFall | 13.99 euros
Unepic | 9.99 euros
Volgarr le Viking | 9.99 euros
Matamarcianos, shooters, fight them and beat them
The PlayStation Vita surprised us by adapting (with some performance limitations, of course) Hits PS4, like the best game it had when it debuted in late 2013: Resogun. A great housemarque matamarcianos that ended up doing honor by seeing the content expanded with DLC.
The s*x of the mantamarcianos It had a really good representation on this laptop and with Cross-Buy, like this Locomalito wonder that takes us back to our childhood (Super Hydorah) or the very original PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate. And with the touch of color brought by the likable Aqua Kitty: Milk Mine Defender DX, an exceptional student of the legendary Defender by Eugene Jarvis from 1981.
If we go to shooters From another angle and with this desire to release adrenaline without asking questions, both Miami Hotline like Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, they take the cake when it comes to immediacy. And with Nuclear Throne as one of the absolute references of roguelikes that leave Gauntlet in layers.
We cannot ignore, even if we didn’t love her as much as Magicka, that Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers and his destructive four-group friendships, while for the fight lovers there is the seer Skullgirls 2nd Againon the one hand and the Beat them brazilian retro fit 99Vies on another side.
On the PlayStation Store …
99Lives | 9.99 euros
Aqua Kitty: Defender of DX Milk Mines | 6.59 euros
Helldivers | 19,99 euros
Miami Hotline | 9.99 euros
Miami Hotline 2: wrong number | 14.99 euros
Nuclear throne | 11.99 euros
PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate | 11,99 euros
Resogun | 12.99 euros
Skullgirls 2nd Encore | 24.99 euros
Super Hydorah | 19.99 euros
Adventures, RPGs and other very diverse genres
To top it off, we could include genres as disparate as role-playing games with Sandbox, extreme sports and endless runner musical comedies. Where do we start? For example, inside the RPG is the gem Darkest Dungeon, the Japanese veteran Origine Ys or that atypical Inde that revolutionized the industry, Undertale.
In adventures we can go from the intimate Alone with you even the evocative Bastion, with the touch of Boss rush by Titan Souls. Or directly say goodbye to our social life with the Stardew Valley simulator. As if we were going straight Sandbox with 8 and 16-bit spirit, like Retro City Rampage DX and its spiritual successor, Shakedown: Hawaii, riddled with winks everywhere.
What do we prefer rarities? There is the histrionic and pulperil Octodad: Dadliest Catch, ou le fantastic Light spear, where to test our goal with the spear. Otherwise, we can choose the turn-based strategy of Steamworld heist.
What if we want something more alive? Or we opt for the skate arcade d’OlliOlli and OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood; or by the musical rhythm of BIT.TRIP présente… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien o NecroDancer crypt.
On the PlayStation Store …
Alone with you | 9.99 euros
Bastion | 14.99 euros
BIT.TRIP Runner 2 | 9,99 euros
NecroDancer Crypt | 15,99 euros
Darkest Dungeon | 21.99 euros
Light Spear: Double Speer Edition | 9.99 euros
Octodad: Dadliest Catch | 13,99 euros
OlliOlli | 9.99 euros
OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood | 12.99 euros
Retro City Rampage DX | 9,99 euros
Shakedown: Hawaï | 19,99 euros
Stardew Valley | 14,99 euros
SteamWorld Heist | 14,99 euros
Titan Souls | 14,99 euros
Undertale | 14,99 euros
Origin Ys | 19.99 euros
Are there more Cross-Buy games between PS4 and Vita?
Despite Sony not giving it the hype it should and in PlayStation Store, the list released in Spain doesn’t even reach a quarter of what actually exists (over 200 games with Cross-Buy), we left out a lot to focus on the most recommended ones, Hateful boyfriend have your audience. We have the winner Thomas was alone, for example.
Currently the editor Ratalaika Games is the one that brings out, by far, more games with Cross-Buy for PS Vita. In fact, rare is the month where no one comes out and with twice as many Platinum Trophies (one for PS4 and one for Vita), being, to top it off, one of the easiest to obtain. But at least some games are popular, like Super Destronaut DX. And their prices don’t exceed 5 eurosgo
As with other studies, we have seen more recent and visually valuable titles, such as the follow-up to Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken, to others from generations past, such as Cel Damage HD, what would be the (unofficial) game of Crazy cars. The list is huge, but What other video games would you name?
Climate change is not the only planetary-scale environmental challenge that humanity has had to face in recent decades. The last decades of the 20th century had a very different protagonist: the hole in the ozone layer.
Latest report. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have confirmed that the restoration of the ozone layer is on a favorable path and have set a date for its recovery in different areas of the world: it will be, If everything goes as it is now, between 2040 and 2066.
The “last stronghold” of this stubborn hole would be Antarctica. According to the latest quadrennial assessment report from the Montreal Protocol Scientific Assessment Group, the ozone layer will reach 1980 levels by the year 2066. This would put us somewhat halfway in this restoration process.
However, the layer will heal in other latitudes much sooner. According to the report, by 2045 the hole in the Arctic could close. This hole is smaller and was detected more recently than the Antarctic hole. Outside the two polar regions, the healing of this atmospheric layer could occur in less than two decades, around the year 2040.
History of a planetary hole. The hole in the ozone layer is an almost forgotten environmental problem, although it often revives when it comes to discussing climate change. The problem with the ozone layer was identified in the mid-1980s.
Scientific studies then confirmed that the use of a series of chemical compounds, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), gases that were frequently included in aerosols of different types, from those used in cosmetics to insecticides. These gases reached the atmosphere where the chlorine of these compounds interacted with ozone (O3), decomposing this molecule.
This soon became a problem, since ozone is important for life on our planet as it is responsible for absorbing a good part of the ultraviolet (UV) rays that reach Earth from the sun. The loss of this layer of sun protection would imply, among other things, a greater probability of suffering from skin cancer.
Global action. The reaction of the international community to this problem can be considered an example of success in its field. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol was signed, which came into force two years later. The treaty put an end to the emission of CFCs.
The effects of the ban were not immediate, but the situation of the hole was alleviated, first as its expansion stopped and later as its recovery began. According to the latest report, if current policies can be maintained, by mid-century the problem will continue to move towards resolution.
And climate change? The relationship between the problem with the ozone layer and climate change is complex. Although the state of the ozone layer is not closely linked to global warming and its effects on the climate, some of the actions developed within the framework of the Montreal Protocol could have had some effect on the climate. Luckily, once again the parties involved took action on the matter.
The reason is that both hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), two groups of chemical compounds used during the first years of the CFC phase-out, turned out to be greenhouse gases, so their use has been limited, for example by the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
The international action carried out in defense of the ozone layer, with its parallels and important differences, can serve as an example of the capacity of the international community to solve common problems. Something that, for now, does not seem like it will soon be extrapolated to the problem of climate change.
Aldi has a cult boombox on offer: The Medion MD44538 has a ghetto blaster design that looks like something from the 80s, but makes similarly expensive Bluetooth boxes look pretty old.
Table of contents
Medion P66538: Boombox with CD, DAB and Bluetooth
Operation requires practice
This is what the Medion boombox sounds like
Test conclusion Medion Life P66538 (MD44538)
For children of the 80s, radio recorders were a dream, especially in XXL format – nicknamed “ghettoblaster”. The Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) brings the dream back to life. And better yet: The boombox contains an FM radio and cassette recorder, but it also takes you straight back to the future with modern equipment. This practical test clarifies what the versatile Henkelmann can do.
Medion P66538: Boombox with CD, DAB and Bluetooth
With a width of 67 centimeters, the Medion P66538 (MD44538) makes a powerful impression, and the fold-out handle seems appropriately stable for its 6.1 kilograms weight. The angular silver design harks back to the 80s, even though many of the boombox’s functions didn’t exist back then:
Cassette recorder: This is part of the mandatory equipment, it offers a playback option for the millions of compact cassettes that still exist and for the few new releases. Its cassette compartment opens very softly and very slowly, and it is also not the fastest when fast forwarding and rewinding.
CD player: Where many classic ghetto blasters had a second cassette compartment, the Medion P66538 has a CD player. The silver discs need to be carefully pressed onto the spindle. Very good: The player buffers about a minute of the music playing so that it runs smoothly even in the event of vibrations.
FM radio: The station is selected according to the old custom using a small rotary wheel; the set frequency can be roughly estimated with a wide pointer on the scale on the top edge. In the practical test, noise was often mixed into the reception; if necessary, you could switch to mono.
Digital radio: The boombox also receives via DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast). In most regions there are significantly more channels to choose from via digital reception; in Hamburg, for example, there are over 40. Reception was trouble-free in the test. A small display at the top left shows the selected station name in plain text.
Bluetooth: The Medion P66538 (MD44538) also has a built-in Bluetooth receiver so that the sound can also be played from the smartphone – be it from Spotify, YouTube or any other app. The coupling was quick and easy in the practical test.
USB and microSD: The cool box also plays digital music in MP3 format from USB sticks and memory cards. The small display at the top left can help you select titles.
Microphones: Microphones can be connected to two jack sockets on the front for spontaneous singing or birthday greetings. Adjustable reverb spices up the voice if necessary. However, microphones are not included.
Operation requires practice
The program selection is done using two small slide switches. Anyone born in the 80s may need glasses for this. There are also tone controls for bass and treble as well as – somewhat hidden – an X-Bass button. This shows that the boombox is made up of very different assemblies without a common operating concept. But fortunately, if anything is unclear, a thick and understandable manual can help. Recordings are possible on cassettes and in MP3 format on USB and microSD cards, such as CDs and radios. If you want, you can even digitize recorded cassettes. The power is supplied via a power cable or with eight batteries or size D rechargeable batteries.
This is what the Medion boombox sounds like
The generous dimensions of the Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) benefit the sound quality: two large woofers are installed on the right and left, the rectangular panels above are not just decoration, there are actually two tweeters behind them. This gives the boombox a pretty crisp sound. The treble control can be set to three o’clock, otherwise the playback will seem a bit tired. The X-Bass button gives the low tones more pressure and has a better sound quality than the boombox. Against Bluetooth speakers The giant can easily hold its own in the price range between 150 and 200 euros, especially since the stereo imaging is decent due to its dimensions. When recording on cassette, deep bass suffers somewhat and the typical tape noise is mixed in. But you can easily transfer a new CD for the cassette radio in the old Opel.
Test conclusion Medion Life P66538 (MD44538)
Young people of the 80s would have given their last shirt for a boombox like this. The crisp sound is a pleasure to listen to; contemporary program sources are on board with radio and cassette. In addition, the Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) offers the latest equipment with Bluetooth, digital radio and CD. You have to get used to the operation, but the fun is definitely worth it. The retro boombox will be available in Aldi’s online shop from January 4, 2024. The price: 179 euros.
Bass that makes your ears wobble, sound effects via performance pads, LED front panel with adjustable light show: With the Medion Life X61350, a huge party box will be available at Aldi from December 7th, which we have now tested.
Table of contents
Medion Life X61350 in the test: A colossus
No battery on board
Four speakers, true wireless stereo
Built-in light organ, performance pads
This is what the Aldi party box sounds like
Fan makes noise
Smartphone/tablet holder
Karaoke for singing talents – or those who want to become one
Aldi party box Medion Life X61350 in the test: conclusion
No matter whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s Eve or a birthday party: decent ones Party speakers bring every celebration to life. Things should really sizzle with the fat Medion Life X61350 (MD 44332) Bluetooth sound system, which the discounter Aldi will be offering nationwide from December 7, 2023. Features, volume and sound quality are great. The price? Violent. Compared to the competition, it’s a real bargain.
Medion Life X61350 in the test: A colossus
The Medion MD 44332 Bluetooth sound system is almost 1.10 meters high, around 40 centimeters wide, 40 centimeters deep and weighs around 25 kilograms. If you constantly move the party box from A to B, lumbago is inevitable. To prevent this from happening, it has two wheels with which the colossus can be moved at least to ground level without risking a herniated disc. It’s a shame: there’s no handle on the top for safe rolling, like on a suitcase – the recesses on the sides only help to a limited extent. The latter are more useful if you have to maneuver the giant roaring cube one floor higher. And that’s a real feat of strength – almost impossible to accomplish alone.
No battery on board
By the way: The Medion Life X61350 Bluetooth sound system does not have a battery on board. Instead, the box must draw energy from the socket. This limits the range of action somewhat – unless a cable drum is transporting energy from the last accessible socket to the barbecue area in the garden.
Four speakers, true wireless stereo
At the front, two tweeters and mid-range speakers with 85 watts of power each provide the audience with sound. Further down, directed towards the floor, there is a huge subwoofer for bass reproduction with 350 watts of power – according to the manufacturer. There is also a tweeter with an output of 20 watts fairly high up on the front. According to Medion, if you want to transform your garden into a festival area, you can connect two Life X61350s via true wireless stereo – the speakers can be a maximum of 10 meters apart.
Built-in light organ, performance pads
On the front, the X61350 has countless RGB LEDs that provide the necessary lighting effects at the party. They can be adjusted using the 16 performance pads. And these pads have another function: With the help of these performance pads, music playback can be enhanced or highlighted not only with visual effects, but also with acoustic effects – including drum effects, various sirens, animal sounds or audience laughter. However, wildly banging around on these performance pads can lead to the party abruptly ending – if the DJ moves out of sync. And that needs to be learned, because in the test it wasn’t that easy to add effects to the playing music in the right rhythm.
This is what the Aldi party box sounds like
But how does the XXL box sound? Depending on the recording, voices appear a little scratchy; if you stand too close to the speaker, you will only hear the bass as dull. You get the best sound from 3 meters away. If you turn the speaker up to full volume in the living room, you risk the complete failure of your eardrums – don’t even try it. The box is much better off outside at full steam – and only if you have legal protection insurance. In the test it reached the 110 decibel mark from a distance of 3 meters. It spread the sound throughout the entire neighborhood. The bass reproduction can be enhanced even further by pressing the “EX Bass” button. With songs that are already bass-heavy, this doesn’t always make sense and often ends in a dull drone instead of a clear and precise hammering. The Aldi Party box generally reproduced the midrange cleanly and pleasantly, but the highs could have had more presence. Of course, the box is not a jewel for music lovers, but as a comparatively cheap and robust sound system with a lot of power, it is completely fine.
Fan makes noise
There is a small fan under the top of the mixer, which is supposed to protect the sound technology behind it from burning out. It cannot be heard when playing music. However, if the box is switched on and doesn’t play anything, the fan still runs its rounds. This is incomprehensible. This is hardly noticeable outside on the terrace, but it is noticeable in a quiet living room or office.
Smartphone/tablet holder
Good for that: There is a wide slot on the top in which smartphones or tablets can be placed. And they can even be charged during playback. A USB charging socket is located below the input deck. Music can also be played via the second USB socket USB sticks or external hard drives and SSDs feed in, wirelessly via Bluetooth, for example from Smartphones, Tablets or Laptops, of course it works too. Music playback can be controlled using large buttons on the box.
Karaoke for singing talents
Medion also includes a microphone. Hobby DJs can give speeches and singing talents can present their skills to the audience. If the vocal power is not enough, the switchable echo effect spices up the performance. There are two small controls below the deck for the microphone volume, because up to two microphones (or a microphone and an electric guitar) can be docked to the Medion Life X61350 and controlled separately. Music can also be fed in via a 3.5 millimeter line-in input – for example from an MP3 player. For Record player There is an RCA stereo input available.
Aldi party box Medion Life X61350 in the test: conclusion
Big, loud, well equipped: The Medion Life X61350 party box impressed in the test – even if it has a few weaknesses. Aldi estimates a whopping 359 euros for the Medion Life X61350. That sounds like a lot. It is. However, compared to comparably equipped competitors, this is a real bargain: this is what JBL writes at PartyBox 710 almost twice as much on the price tag, devil prices his Rockster with over 1,000 euros. So the 359 euros for the Medion Life X6135 are completely acceptable. With its immensely high volume, the huge Aldi party box also fills a hall or the large garden – including the neighborhood. The sound quality is okay, the equipment with performance pads, LED light organ and the many playback options is impressive.
A little less than a week ago we told you that AMD would debut FSR 3.0 in two of the worst rated Triple-A games of 2023. The news, of course, left no one indifferent. Fortunately, It didn’t take long for him to react, because they have just confirmed the next games in which they will include their new optimization technology. Most of them have a significant reputation and/or are relatively expected by users.
In this way, FSR 3.0 will reach several very interesting titles. It is strange, yes, that they have not yet said anything about Starfield, since the brand closed an exclusivity agreement with Bethesda leaving NVIDIA out of the equation at the request of the developer itself. It is certainly something strange, although we understand that they will announce it shortly.
AMD will add FSR 3.0 to Cyberpunk 2077, among other games
Be that as it may, it goes little by little. With its latest announcement, AMD has confirmed that FSR 3.0 will be implemented in the following games:
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Black Myth: Wukong
crimson desert
cyberpunk 2077
frostpunk 2
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
The first three will arrive in 2024So it made sense for FSR 3.0 to be available from day one. For its part, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will be released shortly, so we don’t know what to expect, but it is quite possible that it will land on PC with AMD technology due to another agreement with Ubisoft. In the others, it is expected to be implemented gradually.
Finally, we hope that —little by little— the company will give new names, since, although the list begins to be more interesting, a greater effort is required to have a real impact in the long term. Definitely, Starfield is one of the most important in that sense, but we can’t do much more; have to wait.
It was the worst news that hit her: this Monday, February 26, the photographer Ellen von Unwerth, particularly famous for her photos of the world’s greatest models and artists, announced the death of her husband Christian Fourteau. A couple for many years, the couple had been in perfect love for over 30 years and had even welcomed a daughter, now a young adult.
Her photos have gone around the world, but today, it is in Paris that she is experiencing her grief: an immense photographer recognized by the best professionals, Ellen von Unwerth announced this Wednesday the death of her husband, Christian Fourteau, music producer, which happened two days ago. A discreet announcement, in the pages of the Figarobut which proves that all the people who loved the sixty-year-old are today plunged into mourning.
And in particular their only daughter, Rebecca. Born in 1990, the 34-year-old young woman followed her mother on the path of image and fashion: for several years, she has been a director of music videos and short films for fashion houses and prestigious brands in New York. An accomplishment that probably made his dad very proud, discreet alongside the great German photographer he had married.
A photographer who had just arrived from her native country in the 80s. At the time, the one who was orphaned at 2 years old worked in a circus and she was offered to serve as a model for French photographers. A job that she kept for 10 years before moving to the other side of the lens and becoming one of the most renowned photographers in the field, thanks in particular to her photos of her compatriot Claudia Schiffer.
Ellen von Unwert: a great photographer in mourning
“Ellen von Unwerth is a woman in a man’s world“, journalists described her in particular several years ago. But for now, the 70-year-old German is first and foremost a woman in mourning, who will have to overcome the pain of this loss at such a young age. Fortunately, she will be able to without doubt counting on her husband’s clan, including Marie-Eugénie, Richard, Anne-Marie, her brothers and sisters, or her numerous nephews and nieces. And in particular for the burial at Père Lachaise, Saturday March 2.
A moment which promises to be particularly touching, especially since Ellen has already taken refuge there: as the only reaction to the death of her husband, she actually posted a photo in an Instagram story of the large angel statue on the family vault. And we imagine that things are not easy…
Gala evening this Wednesday February 14 at the Parc des Princes. PSG got the better of Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Champions League. A victory in front of an audience of personalities, including Stéphane Plaza and Laurent Macron.
Like every year at the same time, Paris Saint-Germain is entering the most important phase of its season. After a delicate journey in the group stage of the Champions League, Kylian Mbappé’s teammates were lucky in the draw by falling against an opponent within their reach, Real Sociedad. Last night, no Valentine’s Day for the capital’s players, just like their supporters, who went to the stadium to watch the first leg of this expected confrontation.
As always, the VIP area of the Parc des Princes was particularly well stocked, notably with the presence of the best-known real estate agent in France, Stéphane Plaza. Particularly in good shape, the host was very energetic in the stands, where he may have encountered Laurent Macronthe brother of the President of the Republic, who resembles him like two drops of water (all the photos from the evening can be found in the slideshow). The regulars at Porte d’Auteuil were not going to miss this meeting, starting with Nicolas Sarkozy, Malik Bentalha or Teddy Rinerregularly present to support the Parisians.
A host of comedians and actors for PSG
Other regulars at the Parc des Princes, the actor Vincent Lacoste and the comedian Roman Frayssinet were able to exchange a few words during the match, won 2-0 by PSG. There were also a large number of comedians who made the trip, like Djimo or even the claimed supporter of OM, Redouane Bougheraba, accompanied by his daughter. Several renowned actors also made the trip, such as StephaneBak, Lucas Bravo, Tewfik Jallab or Niels Schneider And Said Taghmaoui.
PSG – Real Sociedad: Politicians and businessmen
Celebrities from the world of music were not left out with the presence of rappers Niska And Kool Shen. In the political department, in addition to the former President of the Republic, the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra was at the Parc des Princes, just like the president of the National Assembly of France, Yaël Braun-Pivet. Actress and comedian Inès Reg, director Eric Toledanocame with his son, the influencer Just Riadh and the footballer Marie Antoinette Katoto add to this impressive list. Finally, businessmen Alexandre Bompard And Antoine Arnault complete this very distinguished line-up of personalities.
