Q: I am looking for a new Bluetooth speaker. Is there anything new to talk about before I start shopping?
A: I have come across some great products lately, each with something that makes it stand out in a very crowded marketplace. Here are three, covering a range of price points.
Kicker Bullfrog Jump, $399: The weatherproof "amphibious" speaker is so heavy and solid it would not seem out of place riding on the back of military vehicle in a combat zone. It has speakers on both sides, so it radiates sound far and wide and is perfect for tailgate parties, picnics, camping, boating and the beach. It has a 20-hour battery, a USB connection to charge phones — which should make it especially popular at outdoor social gatherings — and an FM radio tuner. A separate app can be used to adjust the sound and quickly tune radio stations. The Bullfrog Jump has rich, natural sound quality you would associate with a high-quality hi-fi system, not a portable device. kicker.com
Soundcast VG1, $149 (gosoundcast.com): The size of the price tag for such a small speaker might seem like a stretch, but let me assure you it is not. The Soundcast VG1 offers a high-end experience from the moment you pick up the box, with luxurious packaging that smacks of quality to the rugged feel of the waterproof speaker itself. As for the sound, I was floored. No matter the music genre I tried, the Soundcast VG1 brought it to life with its full sound, tremendously crisp definition and impressive dynamics. It's absolutely the best sounding speaker in its size class — and possibly in its price class, too. Highly, highly recommended.
iClever BoostSound BTS-09, $65: This speaker looks like a cross between a small table fan and a showerhead. (It actually looks much better than that description might imply.) The sound is competent at the price point, though it lacks some stereo depth. But when you factor in the variable-intensity blue LED night light and the speaker's ability to play music from a MicroSD card slot, the iClever BoostSound BTS09 is a fantastic value. For some reason, it is not on iClever's website, but it is easy to find on Amazon.
Picture-perfect scans
Q: I have some photos from the 1930s and '40s that I want to get scanned at the absolute highest resolution and quality available so I can get high-quality prints suitable for framing. What scanner would you recommend? Or maybe you know of a service I could use rather than a scanner.
A: I don't know that getting into an expensive scanner would make a difference for an amateur. Getting superior results is not just about the initial scan quality. It is more about having a color-corrected monitor and software (which non-pros will not have) and doing a good job of tweaking and restoring the photographs in software.
You were on the right track when you asked about using a service. Your best bet is to find a pro photo lab that will do both the scanning and printing. Look for "photo restoration" services online or at a pro photo lab. It sounds like you have very high standards for this job. Unless you're facing a tight deadline to get this completed, have the service process a couple of the photos so you can see if you're pleased with their work before you commit the whole project to them.
