TCL has tossed its hat into the portable projector ring with its new Projector A1, a Google TV-powered device that also works as a standalone stereo Bluetooth speaker. It’s available now for $499, making it one of the more affordable products in this category.
On their own, the A1’s specs look very familiar to folks who know portable projectors. You get Full HD resolution, a claimed 360 ISO lumens of brightness, and an image size that can extend from 45 to 120 inches in diagonal size. Unlike some portables from Anker Nebula, the A1 doesn’t have its own internal battery, so you’ll need a source of power to use it.
Design-wise, we’re intrigued by the A1’s carry handle. When not used for toting the unit from room to room, it can be pushed downward, which extends the projector’s base, letting you easily adjust the angle without wedging other objects under it.
It’s also notable for its integration of Google TV, which, in addition to being a great smart TV operating system, also brings Google Assistant voice commands (via the included voice remote) and the ability to use Google Cast to stream or mirror a variety of content from your smartphone via Wi-Fi.
TCL says the twin built-in speakers have 8 watts of power each, and when you’re not using the A1 for visual entertainment, it can be switched to Bluetooth speaker mode. An LED display on the sides of the projector can be turned on when in this mode for a built-in light show that moves to your music.
At 5.5 pounds, the A1 isn’t quite as portable as some other projectors you can buy, but its price and features make it an intriguing alternative for folks who don’t need the full independence of a battery-powered device.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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