Are online product reviews legitimate?

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

We've probably all done it. When looking for a product, one of the best things to do is read online reviews. I've found myself Googling "what is the best (insert thing here)" and while reading reviews it became obvious that some authors never touched the product. Yet, they were telling their audience what was best. Read on for my experience writing for one of these websites in early 2023.

Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC Evaluation

With their announcement ahead of ISE in January 2023, Poly enhances their audio device product line with the introduction of the Voyager Free 60 enterprise grade earbuds. The Voyager Free 60s are true wireless earbuds and several models are available: Free 60, Free 60 UC, Free 60+ UC, as well as a Microsoft Teams specific model of the 60+ UC. This is an evaluation of the Free 60+ UC earbuds which were supplied to UC Test Lab free of charge by Poly.

Poly Voyager 6200 UC Review

 

Source: Poly

The Poly Voyager 6200 is a wireless Bluetooth headset designed for professional use. The headset is equipped with noise-cancelling technology, making it ideal for use in noisy environments. Additionally, it features a comfortable and ergonomic design that allows you to wear it for extended periods without discomfort. Read on for more about the Voyager 6200

Logitech Brio 505 vs the Original Brio

Recently, I had the opportunity to test Logitech's new Brio 505 ahead of its release. I provided a review of the camera for another website elsewhere but threw a quick video together to show a quick difference between the 505 and the original Brio.

Sceptre C355W-3440UN review

 This is just a quick overview of the Sceptre 35" Ultrawide curved display with some light testing performed. Read on for more

Poly Studio vs Logitech MeetUp

 Here is a quick video demo I did between the Poly Studio and the Logitech MeetUp

The MeetUp is much Flatter on the horizontal plane while the Studio is slightly flatter on the vertical plane.

Links to products used in this demo: 

Poly Studio: https://amzn.to/34BLW8I 

Logitech MeetUp: https://amzn.to/32rSiFh 

Note that as an Amazon Associate I may earn a small commission on products sold through the affiliate links above at no additional cost to you. This video does not contain paid promotion and is not endorsed or sponsored. Any opinions contained in this video are those of the author only.

Cisco Spark Micro Review

So I'm trying Spark. Here's how it goes. I plan to test it between two separate accounts.

TOZO iPhone 6s Plus cover review

Or: How to make it seem like you got a new phone.

I would rather not have a case for my iPhone, but it's way too slick. Typically, I don't drop phones, but I don't need them trying to help by being really slick. Enter the "worlds thinnest iPhone case".

Review of the 2015 Macbook Air 13 on the fly

Last week I purchased my first Mac. Since I've had several iPads over the past few years and recently switched to an iPhone, getting a Mac made sense. Essentially, the plan is to use this in place of the Chromebook. While I like the Chromebook, the real reason I switched is small time video editing. Right now, I am recording and editing my wife's veterinary videos with my iPhone and iMovie. Now I want to do that on a bigger screen. The Mac's version of iMovie apparently has more tools than the iOs app. Plus, I also have an insanely difficult time uploading videos to her YouTube account on my iPhone. I hope to AirDrop raw video to the Mac, edit them, then upload them from it. I hope it goes smoother.

Tech Armor HD Ballistic Glass review

After watching a co-worker's brand new iPhone 6s screen shatter, I drank the Kool-Aid and invested in a screen protector for my 6s Plus. So here's how it went.

Plantronics Voyager Legend Review

Typically I have an issue with most headphones and earbuds when in a video chat or talking on my smartphone. The reverberation in my head when I talk annoys me to the point where they become a distraction from the actual meeting. That changed when I purchased the Plantronics Voyager Legend. Read on for more information.

Asus ROG gaming laptop initial review

Since the POS Dell was dying (again), I needed a lower priced machine for my daily CAD work. I opted for the ASUS ROG GL551JW-WH71, mainly due to price and local availability as my need was urgent. Here are some initial thoughts on the laptop.

Real Time Review of the Acer Chromebook 13

This is a review of the Acer Chromebook 13, performed on the Acer Chromebook 13 that I just received from Best Buy on Friday. I purchased the 768 resolution model as I tend to be cheap which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. I purchased this mainly for home use and wanted the longest battery possible. Cheap and long battery life led me to this. So here we go.

Zagg Keyboard Cover for iPad Air Review

I don't normally start a product review the minute I get something in my hands, but since it's a keyboard connected to my iPad, what better way to review it than on the fly while using it? Armed with a birthday gift card from Amazon, I went in search of the "best keyboard cover for iPad Air under $50" - because I am cheap. So read on for the details behind my choice.

I want to test your product

That's right, I want to test your video conferencing related product.

Who
Over the last several years I have tested literally hundreds of video conferencing related products from a variety of companies. In just the past six months, I have tested hardware products from: Cisco, Polycom, Samsung, Plantronics, Radvision, Lifesize, Samson and Software products from: Zoom, Ezuce, Lifesize, StarLeaf, Airwave, Ubiety.


What
Your hardware, your software, camera, codec, or any other video conferencing related product. Special interest is anything that helps data collaboration.

Things I won't test: Networking equipment and overly complicated audio gear. Other than that, bring it on.


Why
Since I'm missing out on Infocomm this year, I need an outlet to see what's new and exciting in the industry. Plus, I enjoy trying new products. Sometimes I'll write a review about the product and other times I'll just provide feedback to the company who provided it. Mostly it's just for my own enjoyment and if anyone needs a recommendation for something, I am better equipped.

How
Just contact me via email (bhellard at gmail.com) or Twitter and we'll get started

When
Now!

Subjective Galaxy Note Edge Review

Just back in October 2014, I wrote this blog of my top 10 road products. My number one go to product was the Galaxy Note 3. After the Edge was announced, it piqued my interest due to the obscure curved screen. Hey! I have a thing for curved screens alright?! Anyway, once it hit Verizon in January I had to get it and did. Here is the review after a few month's usage. Remember, it's all subjective.

Airwave.io review

http://letsdovideo.com/ldv-review-airwave/

David and I review Airwave, a new WebRTC solution.

Polycom's RealPresence Immersive Studio

On February 11th, 2014, Polycom introduced a new telepresence product dubbed the RealPresence Immersive Studio. Here is my typical random thought blog on it. Note that I have not seen this in real life, only in pictures so per usual take things with a grain of salt.

It's going to get rough in here...

A week on the road with the Galaxy Note 3 (review)

I have a thing for mobile devices. This past summer I thought I was good to go with my Galaxy S3 through Sprint. When the 4.3 Android update hit me in December, my connectivity became a joke. Every call (and I mean every call) ended in "Hello? Are you there?" to the point where I ditched Sprint and Switched back to Verizon after about five years away from them. I had been eying the Galaxy Note 3 which in my mind would replace any need for (another) android tablet.

VSee review

VSee ( www.vsee.com ) has actually been around a while, but I only heard of it recently when introduced to it via LinkedIn member Rich Griffin.

Testing comprised of a call between Rich and me, he on a Verizon LTE connection and me on my laptop at home, with a cable connection and wifi. Secondary testing was my iPad to the same laptop used in the other test. Face Vision camera was used in place of the integrated camera.

Items of note– I was disappointed at first to find out that VSee did not yet have an iPad app. This takes the whole “I want to be mobile” out of the equation. Well, two days after my test, the app was approved in the Apple store. No Android, no iPhone apps yet, but my guess is that these are coming. I was happy they launched the iPad app first (as I don’t have an iPhone).