Nick Woodard

Chico

Freelance journalist Past: @Videomaker @DigitalTrends @recordnet @ChicoER. @chicostate '16 Usually hiking & eating burritos

Articles

The Best Outdoor Speakers Combine Durability, Simplicity, and Amazing Sound

1 week ago | popularmechanics.com | Nick Woodard |Ryan Waniata

Skip to ContentKeep the music going strong with these weather-resistant, high-performing models.
I tried this popular ‘smokeless’ fire pit — and it 100% lived up to the hype

2 months ago | aol.com | Nick Woodard

Solo Stove fire pits have been around for several years, but they’re just as popular today as when they first hit the scene. Not only are they sleek, but the stainless steel fire pits are also heralded for their “smokeless” design, which uses strategically placed ventilation holes to encourage more complete combustion of fuel and minimize smoke output. But does it really work, or is it just a well-marketed gimmick?
DJI Neo Versus HoverAir X1 Pro Max : Affordable vs Performant

2 months ago | petapixel.com | Nick Woodard

When it comes to autonomous, compact drones, ZeroZero Robotics’ HoverAir X1 ProMax is a clear winner over the DJI Neo. We can pour over all the specs, put each drone’s real-world performance head-to-head, and dissect the footage frame-by-frame. The X1 ProMax will win every single time. Fortunately, that’s not what we’re here to determine. What I’m far more intrigued to find out is how close can David get to giving Goliath a real shiner.
Sony Bravia Theater Quad Review

2 months ago | ign.com | Nick Woodard

Sony has never been one to shy away from pushing the boundaries of home theater innovation, and with the Bravia Theater Quad, the company is making its latest bold statement in the world of immersive audio. The Theater Quad is a four-speaker ensemble that takes the plug-and-play simplicity of a soundbar and blends it with the spatial prowess of a traditional home theater setup, making for a system that is both physically and audibly different from anything else you can buy today.
Hohem iSteady M7 Review: Big, Bulky, But Brilliant

2 months ago | petapixel.com | Nick Woodard

A cursory search and scroll on YouTube for the Hohem iSteady M7 will position the new smartphone gimbal as an emerging titan in the gimbal space. All kinds of content creators have gone to great lengths to detail the seemingly endless list of features built into the M7, including its patented AI tracking technology that works with any smartphone. The question, for me at least, is how well does the M7 fit into the videography toolbox of the average, everyday person?
Sonos Arc Ultra Review

Dec 9, 2024 | ign.com | Nick Woodard

Sonos needs a win. A problem-riddled update to the Sonos app over the summer almost completely sank the brand’s reputation, and the release of its Ace headphones was met with far less enthusiasm than the prominent home audio company anticipated. Fortunately, Sonos had something else up its sleeve: a new, reimagined version of its flagship soundbar that took a systematic approach to making a great sound profile even better.
The 'Perfect' Travel Camera Might Not Be One Camera, But Three

Dec 6, 2024 | petapixel.com | Nick Woodard

For years, my wife and I have been aimlessly stuck in a first-world conundrum. We enjoy traveling, and like most folks, we enjoy capturing photos and videos of our trips as keepsakes that remind us of the tremendous experiences we have been fortunate to have. But whenever we have considered buying a dedicated camera for our travels, we just haven’t been able to pull the trigger.
Immerse Yourself in Your Next Binge Watch With The Best Surround Sound Systems

Dec 2, 2024 | yahoo.com | Nick Woodard

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." There was an era in the evolution of home audio where choosing a wireless surround system over traditional wired speakers was an act of compromise. Hiding ugly speaker wire in the nooks and crannies of your living room was part of the price you paid for the best possible sound. Thankfully, that era is long gone.
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) Review - IGN

Nov 27, 2024 | ign.com | Nick Woodard

Apple’s two newest pairs of earbuds, the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, have been a bit polarizing so far in their existence. There are some tech experts ready to grab their pitchforks, and some eager to sing the praises of the latest in a long line of Apple wearables. Admittedly, I was preemptively headed out to the barn to sharpen mine.
SpotOn GPS Fence: Pricey but effective - Reviewed

Oct 30, 2024 | reviewed.usatoday.com | Nick Woodard

The SpotOn GPS Fence creates a safe virtual boundary for your dog. It’s expensive but worth every penny.