Ideal for anyone that frequently switches between multiple devices, the Logitech K480 Multi-Device keyboard allows a user to switch between three different Bluetooth-enabled devices using a yellow dial (on the black model) on the left side of the keyboard. Basically eliminating the need to constantly re-pair devices of Bluetooth, users can quickly pop between their smartphone, tablet and computer.

In addition to the Bluetooth switching feature, the keyboard also includes a cradle at the top of the keyboard to rest your mobile devices. The devices are angled back with the screen facing the user as a more direct angle. Logitech has also attempted to make the keyboard compatible for both Windows and Mac users, thus users will find key notations for both types of user on the keyboard.

Seeing that it’s been designed with mobile devices in mind, the keyboard is completely dependent on AAA batteries for a power source. There’s no way to plug the keyboard in, unfortunate for anyone that wants to use the keyboard as a desktop for an extended period of time. However, Logitech estimates that the batteries will last approximately two years (or two million keystrokes). There’s also a device on off switch to preserve battery life over time.

Logitech is pricing the keyboard at a $49.99 MSRP, thus it’s likely that the device will be on sale in the $35 to $40 range by the holiday season. To learn more about the device, you can watch the video below or check out the product page here.

Shut Up and Take My Money: Logitech K480 Multi-Device Keyboard

As many of us have moved our entire music collections onto mobile devices and laptops or increasingly use streaming music services like Pandora or Spotify, we’ve also embraced the convenience of wireless speaker systems.

Thanks to best-selling products like JAMBOX and the Beats Pill, Bluetooth speakers have become the wireless delivery technology of choice for music listeners. A distant second and third would be Apple’s proprietary AirPlay and DLNA (i.e. AirPlay for non-Apple products), both of which use existing Wi-Fi networks. AirPlay promises higher fidelity audio if you’re playing uncompressed CD-quality files, which most people aren’t doing anymore. Bluetooth may not be the best quality, but like VHS in the VHS-Betamax war, universality wins out and Bluetooth is pretty much on every mobile device.

Who Needs a Bluetooth Speaker Adapter?

The Bluetooth speaker adapter is very simple: it’s a box that wirelessly streams stereo audio from a Bluetooth-enabled device—like a mobile phone or tablet—to a powered speaker or receiver via an RCA or 3.5mm cable.

If you’ve got powered speakers or an old stereo receiver or maybe a speaker dock that no longer fits your new smartphone, then you’ll want to look into getting a Bluetooth speaker adapter. It’s a lot cheaper than buying a new home theater receiver with built-in Bluetooth.

For this review, I’ve compared two of the most popular Bluetooth speaker adapters on the market: the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter and the HomeSpot NFC-enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver. Both are very affordable and can typically be found between $25 to $35 online.

One caveat: if the quality of sound is of utmost and only concern to you, stop reading here. A wired connection is always the way to go.

(l). HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Receiver, (r.) Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter

HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver: Setup

The HomeSpot Bluetooth adapter (under $30 at Amazon) is a tiny glossy black box measuring 2.4-inches square and weighing about an ounce. Its light weight is a drawback because the two cables connected to the back can actually lift the box up on one side. And although it’s really small, keep in mind you’re still adding two more cables to what’s probably an already existing cable clutter behind your stereo.

The adapter comes in a “frustration-free” reusable plastic zipper bag, which is handy for transporting it around for portable use or just storing unused cables. The contents also include a 3-foot 3.5mm stereo cable, a 3-foot 3.5mm to RCA Y-cable and a 6-foot micro-USB to USB cable with power adapter.

The HomeSpot is so easy to set up, the one-page instruction sheet is almost unnecessary. There’s only audio output on the back: a 3.5mm output jack. The pairing process took a painless 5 to 10 seconds each with two different iOS devices and a laptop. You simply press the little connect button on the back, have your phone or Bluetooth media player “discover” the adapter (listed as “GT BT-Receiver”), and you’re done. When the little green light on the front panel glows slowly, the pairing is complete.

It also supports NFC (Near Field Communication) which means you can “tap-and-pair” NFC-enabled devices like select Android phones (e.g. Samsung Galaxy S4).

The HomeSpot can only pair with one device at a time, so you have to unpair or disconnect the first device before pairing the second. It’s a small inconvenience but nothing more. The HomeSpot automatically goes into discoverable mode whenever it’s not paired and you don’t have to press the connect button again.  It can store up to 8 paired devices so the next time you pair the same device, you just reconnect without having to go through a discovery process. In contrast, AirPlay allows a second device to connect without having to disconnect the first device. That is a limitation of Bluetooth.

Sound Quality and Range

As for sound quality, the processing on the HomeSpot renders a very flat sound. I tested the HomeSpot on a Philips Airplay Speaker via the auxiliary input and it lacked the depth and soundstage that the AirPlay connection would produce. I also tested the HomeSpot with another powered speaker via RCA inputs, and it also had the same flat tone. While a few listeners may prefer this type of sound as it usually indicates less digital processing, for most it’s less appealing to hear compressed MP3 music with little to no processing.

Because it’s a Bluetooth connection, the HomeSpot will reproduce all other sounds from your device, including button taps and game sound effects. Incoming calls or text messages will temporarily pause / lower the volume of the sound, which some may not find ideal. (This flexibility also means that you can wirelessly listen to Spotify’s desktop application, which currently does not support Airplay.)

In contrast to an average Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth has a limited 30-foot standard range. While the strength of the HomeSpot falls into that range,  I heard very spotty audio when multiple walls were put in between the adapter and the audio source. In the 25 to 30 foot range with a straight line of sight, the audio dropped out briefly when I walked in front of the phone. Under 20 feet, there were no issues.

Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter: Setup

The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter ($35 to $40 on Amazon) is a bit more polished product, as you might expect. It has more heft than the HomeSpot—thus staying flat to the surface with cables plugged in—and slides around less due to larger rubber feet. It’s also bigger, measuring about 3-inches square, while still remaining unobtrusive. The box has a matte black finish with a fingertip-sized connect/pairing button on the top which is more conveniently located than the little button on the back of the HomeSpot.

It comes in a “frustration-lite” blister pack with a perforated back, thankfully avoiding the need to use scissors to open it. Inside the package is a 3 foot RCA Y-cable and a standard wired power adapter. While the Logitech has less pack-ins, it does have a stereo RCA output in addition to a 3.5mm jack, an improvement over the HomeSpot’s single audio output.

Pairing was also very easy and error-free in my three test cases (listed as “Logitech Adapter”), but unlike the HomeSpot, I had to press the connect button each time I needed to connect a new device or reconnect an old one. The front panel LED bar is solid red when powered, flashing green in pairing mode, and solid green when paired. The Logitech does not support NFC.

Sound Quality and Range

I experienced a couple brief dropouts with the Logitech when my phone was a mere 6 feet away from the adapter. However, with all wireless technologies, occasional dropouts are unavoidable. As with the HomeSpot, incoming calls and text messages caused a short blip in the audio.

I felt the Logitech’s sound processing was far more preferable for compressed music, producing warmth, depth and a wide soundstage that was similar to my Philips AirPlay connection. YMMV, but if you’re looking for a more pleasing and less compressed sound, the Logitech would be my pick.

The signal on the Logitech was pretty strong between 20 to 25 feet, even with a closed door, wall or cabinets in the way, and it experienced less dropouts than the HomeSpot at those distances. However, once a couple more walls and doors came between the phone and the Logitech, the audio quickly turned very choppy.

Final Analysis

If you’re fine with the lossy compression of MP3 audio, then you’re probably fine with streaming music over Bluetooth. With its relatively low price, compatibility with most mobile devices and the convenience of wireless audio, the Bluetooth speaker adapter is a great little gadget to have.

The HomeSpot and Logitech adapters are very similar, so the choice comes down to your needs. I picked the Logitech because of a more appealing (processed) sound and RCA outputs, but if you want NFC support or prefer a “flat” sound, then the HomeSpot is a better choice.

Neither adapter has an optical out, so if you’re looking for that type of connection, I’d recommend looking at the more expensive Belkin Bluetooth HD Music Receiver ($50 at Amazon).

HomeSpot Bluetooth Receiver: 7/10

Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter: 8/10

Bluetooth Speaker Adapter Shootout: Logitech vs. HomeSpot

Hate wires, but love gaming? Then it’s time to reconsider the wireless mouse option. Now you can have gaming performance without either wires or annoying rechargeable batteries. Logitech’s G602 promises both gaming grade performance and long battery life.

A Gaming Mouse Without Gimmicks

Typical gaming mice (wireless or otherwise) are packed with unnecessary features like adjustable LEDs, tiny interchangeable mouse weights, and vastly overblown dots per inch sensitivity. Some even have such extreme designs they look no better than a cheap sci-fi movie prop.

The G602, on the other hand, boasts 11 programmable (and accessible) buttons, useful and adjustable DPI up to 2500, AA battery power, and a toggleable power saving mode that serves as part of the mouse mobile friendly package.

Performance

When the mouse’s topside toggle, which is flush in line with the scroll wheel, is set to the (blue) Performance Mode, the mouse operates without any of the troubling lag associated with a typical wireless mouse. The DPI range allows for not one, but five quick DPI settings that can be accessed on the mouse itself, in the Logitech app, or even through game-specific profiles. The mouse can detect when switching from a sprawling desktop resolution into “StarCraft II,” and adjust on-the-fly. Then again, should you prefer one or more settings to also be in use, that preference can be stored in the mouse’s on-board memory, which will follow the mouse from laptop to desktop and even to USB-capable tablets.

Endurance

Switch the mouse’s topside toggle to (green) Endurance Mode, and the G602 becomes a lot more like a typical laggy wireless mouse. However, battery life increases from Performance Mode’s 250 hours to a staggering 1440 hours. So it goes without saying that Endurance is good for overnight stays at the airport or other such power-conservative situations.

Shapely

The G602 starts with the ergonomically pleasing shape of mice like the Logitech G5 or the excellent G500s, and takes it to the next level, perfectly accommodating the extra thumb buttons. The mouse has no less than six Teflon slick feet, which allows it to glide beautifully while keeping the laser at just the right height. The rubber coating on the palm rest works surprising well in one of the typical mouse trouble areas. This, of course, assumes the user is willing to hold the mouse with the right hand; lefties will find most of the buttons clumsily obscured.

In Practice

Compared with excellent Logitech G500s, the wireless G602 takes some adjustment. The G500s has Logitech’s smooth-as-silk scroll wheel, which the G602 must do without. The G602 even lacks the G700s’ tilt function for the scroll wheel. Of course, after tweaking a few settings and settling into the great new shape, the G602s becomes so natural, you may wonder how you ever lived without it or how you lived with wires or wireless lag.

Conclusion

Logitech has a winner. The G602 effectively combines the demands of gaming performance and capability, with all of the advantages of modern wireless mice. Even in Performance Mode, the batteries last and last. Little details, like being able to stash the tiny USB receiver in the AA battery compartment, make the G602 perfect for at home or on-the-go. Plus, the new shape does such a good job of allowing more buttons, it’s shocking this isn’t already the industry standard. With the G602, the term “wireless gaming mouse” is no longer a joke.

BUY NOW: Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Logitech G602 Wireless Mouse Review: Great for Work or Gaming

Gaming on the iPhone has always been a mixed bag for me. Game like Angry Birds or Tiny Tower are absolutely perfect for touchscreen devices, mostly because you can play at your own pace.

However, I absolutely abhor first- or third-person shooters on the game device, specifically because virtual touchscreens offer no touch feedback. I have no idea if I’m shooting an enemy in the game or mashing my thumb up against the wrong area of the glass frantically.

Enter the Logitech PowerShell Controller + Battery, a device that wraps around the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S or 5th generation iPod Touch. The Powershell provides an analog d-pad, shoulder triggers and 4-button cluster very similar to a traditional controller for a gaming console.

In addition, the Powershell has a built-in 1500 mAh battery which increases the total amount of time that users can play games. Users can also plug in the Powershell in order to charge both the iPhone 5 and case battery at the same time.

While there are no thumbsticks on the Powershell, it’s likely a huge improvement over the standard touchscreen. However, if you want thumbsticks plus an extra set of triggers, check out the Moga Ace (released this week for the same price). It also has a slightly more powerful battery at 1800 mAh capacity.

However, the downside to the Moga Ace is that it’s significantly thicker when compared to the Logitech PowerShell. It would be much easier to slip the PowerShell into a pocket, ideal for anyone who commutes quite a bit.

You can check out the launch video of the Powershell below:

Shut Up and Take My Money: Logitech PowerShell Controller

Do you know what’s more disgusting than a toilet seat? Your computer keyboard. According to a 2011 study, your keyboard is five times dirtier than the average toilet seat with bacteria levels approximately 150 times the acceptable limit. While you can break out a disinfectant cloth to kill the majority of those nasty germs, that still doesn’t remove all the hair, food crumbs, spilled soda, dust and other particles gumming up the works; basically everything making your keyboard a hot mess of Dennis Nedry proportions.

Enter the Logitech K310 washable keyboard, a computer peripheral that can be dropped into the sink, washed and scrubbed to make sure it’s completely clean. On the bottom of the keyboard, Logitech has included drainage holes that allow water to exit the device and help the internal section dry off. You can use regular dish-washing liquid to remove soda residue, but not any type of alcohol or abrasive cleaner.

For testing purposes, I washed my Logitech K310 a few times and everything is still in perfect working order. One item of note, be sure to secure the included waterproof cap over the USB plug on the keyboard’s cord in order to keep it completely dry.

In addition to the washable design, Logitech has also included a small brush that can be detached from a clip holder on the bottom of the keyboard. It’s ideal for getting in between the keys and sweeping out anything that’s starting to collect on the keyboard. It’s really surprising how much dust, hair and other particles that collect between the keys after just a single week of use.

Regarding the design of the Logitech K310, you won’t find any back-lit keys. However, the keys have been laser etched in order to prevent wearing off. In addition, the keys have received a UV coating treatment to prevent fading over time. I’ve been using the keyboard about two to three months at this point and all the keys still look brand new.

All keys are white on a dark gray frame and the bottom of the keyboard is a bright blue color. The keyboard has a basic layout complete with a number pad on the right and standard functions tied to the F1 through F12 keys. Functions include launching programs, controlling music and volume on the PC.

Just like every other keyboard in the company’s lineup, Logitech has designed the keyboard to be completely plug-and-play with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Logitech has also included risers on the bottom of the keyboard that can be flipped out to slightly angle the keyboard for a more comfortable typing experience. However, if you are using a wrist rest, the angle almost feels too low and an additional riser can help alleviate this issue.

While this keyboard won’t impress a hardcore gamer in terms of functionality, it’s really ideal for a college student living in a messy dorm room or basically anyone that eats or drinks next to a PC. I’ve purchased plenty of keyboards over the years, but this is the first one that actually feels like it could last for a while; mainly because I can (somewhat obsessively) keep it clean. Keep an eye out on Ben’s when the K310 goes on sale in the $15 to $20 range.

Check for Logitech K310 Deals on Bens

Logitech K310 Washable Keyboard Review