Design

Xiaomi tablet has in the design section one of its main claims against other Chinese tablets, because its finishes are more careful, in general, and also has a more stylized lines than usual, as we can see also in this case with that of Cube, whose frames are relatively thick. In any case, both have metal casing and USB type-C port.

Dimensions

The fact that the frames are somewhat thicker is appreciated when comparing the dimensions, although it must be borne in mind that the size difference, which is quite large, is not only due to that, but the Cube tablet also has a Larger screen (20.04 x 13.26 cm versus 22.7 x 14.4 cm), and the same applies in regards to weight (328 grams versus 366 grams). In thickness it was announced that the Freer X9 would be at 7 mm, but it seems that it is actually something thicker, which would give the advantage again to the My Pad 3 (6.95 mm versus 8.3 mm).

Screen

As we have just commented, the screen of the Cube tablet is larger than that of the My Pad 3 (7.9 inches versus 8.9 inches), but it also has a higher resolution (2560 x 1600), so that not only does it not it finally loses in pixel density, but it even has a small advantage (326 PPI vs. 339 PPI). Both use, yes, the aspect ratio 4: 3, more square, iPad style.

Performance

In the performance section they are also very close in technical specifications, but the My Pad 3 is one step ahead because although the two have 4 GB of RAM and mount a Mediatek processor, the one of the My Pad 3 is superior ( MT8176 six-core 2.1 GHz versus MT8173 four-core 2.0 GHz), in addition to Android Nougat, while in the Freer X9, unfortunately, we have to settle for Android Marshmallow.

Storage capacity

In the section on storage capacity, however, things change and now it is the Freer X9 that has the advantage, since it ties in with the My Pad 3 in terms of the internal memory it offers (64 GB), but It also gives us the option to gain space externally through the micro-SD card.

Cameras

In the section of cameras yes that we find an absolute equality and that is a section in which the My Pad 3 improved a lot compared to its predecessor and surprised us by leaving us much higher figures than we normally expect in a tablet: both arrive with 13 MP in the back and 5 MP in the front.

Autonomy

You already know that it is a data that must always be taken with caution, because in the autonomy it influences and much the consumption also, but from the start the My Pad 3 can boast of having a battery with more capacity (6600 mAh versus 5500 mAh) , even though it is more compact, thin and light. If we take into account, in addition, that your screen is smaller and with a slightly lower resolution, you should win, as a whole.

My Pad 3 vs Cube Freer X9: final balance of the comparison and price

As we have seen, although the Freer X9 makes a very good paper and manages to match the My Pad 3 in many sections (such as screen or cameras), the Xiaomi tablet still has some important points in its favor, such as better design and performance , a more updated version of Android and probably also better battery. In any case, the Cube tablet has a couple of details that may be interesting: fingerprint reader and micro SD card slot.

It can also help tilt the balance on the side of the Cube tablet which can be obtained a bit cheaper: even without shipping from our country, the My Pad 3 is not much below 250 euros, while the Freer X9 is being seen in some distributors for just over 150 euros. It may also be important to take into account the difference in screen size, which is appreciable, depending on the use we have in mind and our preferences in this regard.

In terms of image, the Panasonic EZ1000 is based on OLED technology and seeks to find black levels that give colors of greater precision. It is compatible with HDR and its quality is the aforementioned 4K PRO. For Panasonic, OLED technology is fundamental because it offers deeper blacks (in addition to the filter called Absolute Black) and a wide range of colors, in addition to a fluid movement.

Important: although the star model is the 77-inch TV, there is also a 65-inch version.

Panasonic 77 EZ1000

This model incorporates dynamic speakers from the Technics brand to find a good sound calibration.

It has been achieved from three elements that correspond to the name of "Precise Digital Technology", "Noise signal technology" and "Emotiva Acoustic Technology".

In addition, its sound bar has 14 units of multiple speakers.

The TV that goes below the expected Panasonic Z1000 is the EZ950. Said product will be offered for sale in 65 and 55 inches, and presents characteristics quite similar to the previous one but a step below (does not include, for example, the Absolute Black Filter).

The directors of the movie La Llamada, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, accompanied Migue Amoedo in the launch of the TV EZ1000.

Amoedo is the director of photography of the film and winner of the Goya Award 2016 for his work in La Novia and TV Ambassador of the own Panasonic. In the new television, some sequences of the film (pending release this Friday in theaters) have been shown to check the image quality.

The film offers a very curious color palette that mixes religious and youth themes, with a musical feel. The resolution of the TV that reaches the 4K although the film was shot in 2K, has left samples of a great sharpness in terms of image and sound is concerned.

A final curiosity Indeed, Amoedo commented that the biggest challenge as a cinematographer when filming it was "to get the truth and naturalism in the film to be seen".

The M5Stack Core Development Kit is an interesting novelty to make developments on the ESP32 platform (compatible with Arduino) and that comes with many loaves under the arm to succeed in all kinds of developments. In a small size we find a color LCD display, a beautiful housing, numerous connectivity options and development possibilities. And the price is as small as its size.

The ESP32 is a microcontroller that hit the market just a year ago and that is advancing by leaps and bounds to dethrone the ESP8266. And it does so for several reasons, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (the ESP8266 only has Wi-Fi), a processor with two more powerful cores, possibilities for sending information encrypted by hardware, compatibility with other interfaces such as CAN, etc. .

Although the ESP32 software development libraries are not as mature as in the case of ESP8266, work is ongoing on their development. The M5Stack Core Development can take advantage of the Arduino programming environment and be programmed as if it were one more. Therefore, many of the programs developed for Arduino that we can download from GitHub will be compatible directly or with few modifications.

Some details and information of the M5Stack

But let's go back to the M5Stack. Developing a project not only entails looking for all the necessary hardware, it is also finding a box for our needs, looking for a display that fits our project, shields, expansion hats, power supply, etc.

But let's go back to the M5Stack. Developing a project not only entails looking for all the necessary hardware, it is also finding a box for our needs, looking for a display that fits our project, shields, expansion hats, power supply, etc.

The M5Stack is a device of minimum size, but it has a nice housing, a two-inch color display, USB-C connectivity for programming and power (it also has a battery connection), I2C connectivity and a lot of GPIO ports to connect all kinds of devices.

In addition to the connectivity previously mentioned by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth of the ESP32, the M5Stack will have the possibility of using LoRa for those projects where Wi-Fi does not arrive or is not a viable option. If you want to know more about LoRa you have more information in this link.

We also have three programmable buttons for our projects, a 1W speaker, the color LED screen with 320 x 240 resolution, a socket to add a memory card, LiPo battery connector up to 2A and many other options, such as a base with magnets so you can leave it hanging from the fridge or on the wall or have an accelerometer and gyroscope.

For greater compatibility with all types of sensors and actuators THE M5STACK has connectivity to 3.3 and 5 V. And, if that were not enough, the design is modular, so that in its lower part we can connect different elements such as development boards, sensors, batteries, etc. This design also facilitates the integration with all types of industrial and amateur elements. And it also promises good usability if you meet a good graphical application development interface in the style of Scratch.

As you can see in the previous video, opening the garage door if it is connected to our Wi-Fi is a small example of everything we can do.

The M5Stack has just been presented and the kits that are available are for development. In Europe they are passing the CE / FCC certification to go on sale and probably will be available soon.

As for prices, the aforementioned kits come at a price of $ 19 for the basic model, and a gray version that has an accelerometer and gyroscope of nine axes mpu 9250 for about $ 25. These prices correspond to models of the first litter of units and may not be the same for the final models. If we take into account that some official Arduino boards exceed that price we have a possible winning horse.

Soon we hope you send us some units to do a thorough analysis of the M5Stack Core Development.

Choosing TV is difficult: dozens of manufacturers, ranges and rare names to name the improvements in image quality that come to the new models every year. The key features, interestingly, are often hidden. As if that were not enough, on large surfaces it is impossible to observe the advantages of each TV due to the configurations used with the brightness, contrast and color almost to the maximum. 

General concepts 

it is best to start choosing a TV ignoring all names removed from marketing departments and specification sheets: the relevant information is always in the background to give prominence to news that rarely benefit the image quality TV. 

The next step is to choose an appropriate size. Normally, the limit is set by the living room furniture. The bigger the TV, the better. When counting 4K we should not be afraid to see the blurred image if we sit close, but quite the opposite: we appreciate all the details better and we will enjoy an experience more similar to that of the cinema. Sony recommends that you sit at a distance of 1.5 times the height of the TV to view 4K content (approximately 1 meter distance for 55 "models and 1.2 meters for 65" models). 

Forget about the operating system and the "smart functions" of the TV is another good idea when choosing a TV. With so many inexpensive devices available such as Google's Chromecast or the new Apple TV 4K, narrowing the purchase options can be a mistake. In addition, few manufacturers offer a good experience. 

Image quality 

• Choosing the maximum image quality according to the budget we have in mind is the main objective when purchasing a new television. There are several guidelines that can always be followed: 

• OLED TVs have the best image quality for their perfect contrast, which is the most important feature on a TV, how they manage and show moving images and their color range. 

• The LED screens incorporate an external light that illuminates the pixels preventing the black from being black. But they are cheaper televisions and they do not have certain problems that may occur, occasionally, OLED TVs, like the burned-out image. 

• LED TVs that have local dimming offer better contrast in dark scenes. 

• A well-calibrated television often looks better than a more expensive, poorly calibrated TV. 

For gamers 

If the new television is going to be connected to a console, it is important to choose a model that does not have a long delay between the signal and its sample. It is commonly known as "input lag": the less time, the better. It is important to put the TV in Game or "Game" mode because it deactivates the additional filters that worsen the response. Everything that is less than 30 milliseconds will be optimal, except for first-person shooter enthusiasts who will need a monitor. 

Is it worth the OLED technology? 

OLED televisions are almost always more expensive than LCD LEDs because manufacturing them is a more expensive and, above all, delicate process. However, their perfect blacks and their perfect contrast will delight the moviegoers and those who stay behind watching series on Netflix and the like. If you are going to see many series and movies at night, and your pocket allows it, OLED TVs are unmatched. Companies like Samsung prefer to keep betting on the LED, and continue to improve the maximum brightness, the minimum and the contrast of the panels. But the difference still exists and OLED TVs are becoming more and more affordable.