Usage Scenarios
In our house, we use Google Play music and the Link View allows us to either play music directly from Google Play via verbal command or we can stream music from our tablet/smartphone via the built-in Chromcast. You can also stream music the old fashioned way via Bluetooth if that wets your whistle.
We use Chromecast for a large part of our media consumption but it’s nice to have Bluetooth available if you happen to be offline.
The sound is what you’d expect from JBL. It’s really good and can be played at louder levels without distortion. It’s perfect for filling a room with music, listening to audiobooks and even things like white noise. In our house, we are always listening to music because doing so can have very real benefits for kids with Autism.
Music has a positive impact on kids with Autism. In my family’s experience, it can be calming, distracting and even help promote better sleep.
Above the screen is a 5MP camera for video calling using Google Duo. The Link View even comes with a built-in PrivacySwitch that covers the camera and mutes the microphone when not in use. I wish that came standard on more devices but sadly it doesn’t. Kudos to JBL for including this in the Link View.
Video calls via Google Duo worked well and it’s kinda nice to have the ability to make and receive video calls on something other than a smartphone or tablet. It makes for a really good, hands-free experience.
Google Home has become such an invaluable tool in our daily life and the addition of the smart display only makes it more useful.
We are always controlling lights, checking the weather, displaying recent pictures, playing music, asking questions, setting alarms/reminders, checking our schedule or managing our alarm system. The addition of a built-in display really ups the benefits and usage scenarios.
My kids are able to cast media, lookup and or play their favorite YouTube videos directly on the Link View. If you’re an Autism parent, you’re probably all too familiar with YouTube and the endless hours spent watching the same video over and over again. As annoying as it can get for us as parents, it’s comforting for our kids and that’s all that matters. The Link View is perfect for these situations.
My kids have been using Google Home to assist with homework related questions for a while now. The addition of the HD screen on the Link View allows the answers to be displayed right on the screen. Gone are the days of looking things up in the encyclopedia. Now kids can just ask Google and the most up to date information will appear right on the screen for them to read.
Straightforward and intuitive, the Link View is something that can benefit any family. The learning curve is almost nonexistent.
I’m very, very impressed with the Link View in my hands-on time with it.
Nothings perfect but aside from the sometimes finicky auto-brightness, I can’t find any reason not to recommend this to my readers. It would be nice to see it a bit more portable by including a built-in rechargeable battery but I have my Link 20’s for that.
Hey Rob, question for you- I saw the crapfest on Twitter a few weeks ago about your reviews (or lack thereof, according to whoever that was who decided to be a dick that day) and I’m curious what you do with the items after you review them? I’m sure you keep some of them but do you donate or sell the things that you don’t need? I know you got donations in last year for the end of the school year but never heard what the outcome was with what you and Emmett put together with the principal. I feel like you could do a decent amount of business on eBay with some of the things you get for review (which would be awesome). Follow-up, why not start an eBay store? I have friends who buy things from thrift stores and sell them and do pretty well. One who does it mostly full time made $9000 last December, which is just crazy to me but that’s something that both you and Lizze could do from home.
The school silent auction went well. I’m unsure of exact amounts of profit but the kids had great last day of school events in the parking lot. Sorry I never updated, not sure what happened.
As for selling review items, I’ve never done that. There are times when I donate the item but never for profit. It’s something to think about but in most cases, what I review is something that sticks around because of its usefulness. It’s doesn’t bring money in but not having to buy the item in question saves us money.
I would probably host a giveaway before selling items but it’s definitely something to think about.
The reviews tend to drive traffic that attracts advertisers and increases overall ad revenue.
I missed the first part of your comment about the Twitter incident.. Lol
I have no idea who that person is but they absolutely have it out for me. They made statements that were simply untrue. They were trying to say that I was collecting items for review and not reviewing them but instead selling them for profit.
I’ve met or exceeded every obligation in regards to reviews or unboxing videos and have never sold a single item. As I said, I’ve donated many items, especially things that could directly benefit Autism families. Things like weighted blankets, weighted vests, balance bikes and health or wellness products. I don’t advertise that because I feel that cheapens the guesture and I’m not looking for attention but I suppose I should say something in order to be more transparent. I just don’t want to come across as patting myself on the back because it’s not at all what I’m doing. Sometimes I host giveaways of either the review device itself or the company sponsors a giveaway for my readers.
There are times that I receive a product for review but the review never publishes. This is done because something came up during the process that changed things and based on agreements with the company in question, the review was canceled. I don’t usually say anything about this as well.
It’s easy enough to disprove the accusations by simply browsing my review page to see that the reviews were done and published long ago.
This person is the definition of troll..
So what would make a product unable to be reviewed? I feel like everything about the product from manufacture to shipping to customer service (if necessary) should be up for review so I’m curious why you and the company would decide not to publish.
It’s just how they work. Sometimes a product is defective and it’s clear based on other reviews that this isn’t a common occurrence. I’m not going to publish a bad review because of that. Sometimes replacements can be sent and other times they aren’t available.
An honest review does not mean that every product review gets published. It means every product review that is published, it’s honest, unbiased and fair.
There’s nothing wrong with looking at a product and not going through with the review because either you don’t like it or there are complications. That’s all behind the scenes stuff.
You have to be fair to the company and honest with your readers. That means that not all reviews can be finished and or published.
As an example, I’ve had products that have come in and for whatever reason, I couldn’t get them to work. That doesn’t mean the product is bad, it simply means I got a defective product. There are times where I can’t get it replaced because they have no available review units to send out. Rather than bash the company a say the product doesn’t work, I don’t write a review at all. That’s just how it works.
A good review will talk about the good things about a product but also not be afraid to criticize its failing either. Sometimes circumstances arise and that simply doesn’t work out.
I can’t image you could find someone who does reviews in large numbers who has published a review for every product they’ve received. It’s a judgment call sometimes and it goes on behind the scenes. There’s nothing wrong or dishonest about that.