The Buying Game (Issue 16)

This week's picks include speakers, iPhone accessories, and more.

Tyler H

Tyler H

— 4 min read
The Buying Game (Issue 16)
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The Buying Game consists of me selecting three products worth buying at different price points. Each product is given a Value Score—based on price and function—and then one is crowned the winner at the end. Affiliate links may be used.

How I’d spend $500: Trivoli Model One Digital (Gen. 3)

I'm not sure how good this countertop speaker sounds, but it's eye-catching. But better than its looks, it also has nearly every method of connection possible to play music. There's AirPlay, Google Cast, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, and a 3.5mm input. I also like that it can play FM radio stations without an external antenna.

Price: $350 (link)
Value Score: Fair

The speaker supports lossless audio, so I'm guessing it sounds decent, at least for its 8-by-5-inch size.

A good-sounding speaker in a compact size can be surprisingly hard to find. The Bose SL Micro 2 is a reasonable compromise between size and sound. This second revision adds a USB-C charging port, refreshed buttons, and app connectivity to be able to change EQ settings.

Price: $130 (link)
Value Score: Fair

You can get a decent Bluetooth speaker for travel between $50 and $80. This one might be worth splurging on for its robust bass and full sound.

How I’d spend $50: Moft Snap Field Wallet

Even if you're not upgrading your iPhone, the new Moft Snap Field Wallet is a perfect way to add storage to the back of any MagSafe-enabled phone. Unlike Apple's version, which tops out at three cards, this one can hold up to eight cards. It even has a spot for some coins if you need that too.

Price: $40 (link)
Value Score: Good

The plain wallet version retails for $40, but Moft also has a version with a stand that's only $10. If you haven't seen the accessories this company makes, you should take a peek. They're all super clever.

I like the re-worked strap so the speaker can hang on my things. I also like that you can bring it almost anywhere because of its size and weight. Even when you're not off traveling, this could end up being a great shower speaker.

Are you looking for even more picks this week? Here are a few things worth considering.

An expensive pick: Meta Ray-Ban Display

The smart glasses category of products is finally getting interesting. The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses have a full-color screen embedded in their right lens. That means the camera can see things around you and automatically overlay text or other information directly into your eyes without you needing to ask for it, necessarily. The screen is controlled by a bracelet on your wrist that senses your muscle movements. These go on at the end of September for $800, or you know, the price of an Apple Watch Ultra.

Price: $800 (link)

Media pick: The Old Man & the Gun

In honor of Robert Redford, some of his movies are on sale for $4.99 on Apple's digital store. One you might be less familiar with is The Old Man & the Gun. It's a recent 2018 movie with Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover, and others. A 70-year-old convict escapes from prison and continues robbing banks because that's what he knows how to do.

This week's other interesting deals and product news

This week’s published stories

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